Dyson Racing is celebrating its 30 year in professional sports car racing this year, and so it is fitting that longtime Dyson Racing driver Butch Leitzinger will be joining Chris Dyson and Guy Smith in the No. 16 Thetford/Norcold entry for the next month'sl Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.
An 18-year veteran of the team, Butch first drove for team in the 1995 24 Hours of Daytona. He has won three championships for the team, placed second four times and third twice. In all, Leitzinger has 34 victories under the Dyson Racing banner, including two wins in the 24 Hours of Daytona.
“It is terrific having Butch back with us,” said Chris Dyson. “He tested with us in January and he was immediately back on the pace in just a matter of laps. As always, he is remarkable with the crew and gives terrific feedback on the car. He is ‘no maintenance' in the best sense of the word. It is just like old times really. Butch is one of the best.”
Of his recent test with the team, Leitzinger commented, “We had a test at Sebring a couple of weeks ago, and when I walked into the tent on the first day, it felt like I had never been away. There is such a sense of camaraderie among the entire team, and everyone not only pulls their own weight, but chips in to help everyone else. And we all enjoy a good laugh and have a great time together.
“I'm so pleased to be joining Chris and Guy for Sebring. They have done an excellent job in developing the car, and we saw some significant gains at the test, and I think that we can continue on that path. I'm especially happy to be taking part in the P1's swan song at Sebring. I have three second place finishes in the 12 Hour with Dyson Racing. Perhaps we can end the era of big-horsepower, big-downforce cars with a win.”