Sean Creech Motorsport will contest the full 2022 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship in LMP3, while adding Malthe Jakobsen and Sebastian Priaulx to its line-up for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
It will field the #33 Ligier JS P320 as full-season duo Lance Willsey and Joao Barbosa are joined by Jakobsen and Priaulx later this month.
The team, based out of Jupiter, Florida, joined the LMP3 grid last year and scored a podium finish at Daytona. After also racing at Sebring and Mid-Ohio, the team had to abandon the remainder of its campaign when Willsey had to temporarily step away from racing due to ‘personal and business concerns.’
“I am very pleased to be back with the team and ready to take on the Rolex 24,” said Willsey. “This is such a special race and requires the highest level of commitment from team and drivers.”
“We have a great driver lineup this year, with João, who of course has won this race four times, and Malthe and Sebastian, who are fast and eager for the challenge. I’m looking forward to it!”
Willsey will be partnered with Barbosa, one of the most experienced drivers on the grid. The Portuguese veteran has contested the race nineteen times and holds three previous overall victories from 2010, 2014 and 2018.
“The team did such a good job last year, so I think there’s huge potential for this year,” said Barbosa. “We finished second last year and we want to do as good or better. With Malthe and Sebastian, it’s a young and strong team to face the challenge of the LMP3 class.
“Malthe knows the car and his experience in Europe really helps. I coached Sebastian in a few races last year and have followed his progress, he did a stellar job last year. He has huge potential as well and this will give him great experience.”
“We’ll get them as many laps as we can at the Roar, but we know they’ll have plenty of time to get ready.”
Jakobsen and Priaulx will both be making their Daytona debuts. The former has raced LMP3 machinery in the Asian Le Mans Series, European Le Mans Series, Michelin Le Mans Cup and notably at Petit Le Mans late last year.
Priaulx, meanwhile, is the son of three-time World Touring Car Champion Andy Priaulx and won the Porsche Carrera Cup North America last year.
“I’m glad we could put this effort together for 2022, especially with this outstanding driver lineup,” said team principal Sean Creech. “It’s a great combination – two veterans, including a four-time winner, and two young drivers who are already proven winners.”
“Between myself, the crew, Lance, and João, we have literally thousands of miles at Daytona under our belts – we’ll get Sebastian and Malthe up to speed quickly at the Roar and be ready to take on the 24. We’d like to return to the podium but obviously, one step higher!”
