NTE Sport, a Dallas-based professional IMSA race car team, arrived back in town on Tuesday, February 2nd after racing the No. 42 Audi R8 LMS GT3 in the 59th annual ROLEX 24 Hours at Daytona International Speedway.
Recognized as the most prestigious endurance race in North America, the team is welcomed home by a strong community of passionate automotive and motorsport enthusiasts eager to see the $550,000+ car’s damage and epic aftermath.
After almost 24 hours of non-stop racing, this half a million dollar race car showcases a glimpse into what it takes to compete on a global level. And it was certainly not easy.
Paul Mata, race team owner and local Dallasite, built a team of some of the top drivers, engineers and mechanics in the world, yet was faced with what seemed to be setback after setback. Two fires, two crashes and a gearbox failure with only 2 hours left in the race, made for an exciting yet very exhausting experience for everyone involved. Combining fearless leadership with relentless passion and determination, the team left a lasting impression on the grid that should leave them all feeling very proud.
“This was one of the best teams I’ve ever worked with. No matter the challenge, no one gave up at any point. We just found a solution and continued pushing forward.”
– NTE Sport Team Mechanic
What’s Next?
We’re all living in unfamiliar times due to the current global pandemic, but the 2021 season is looking bright for the team as they prepare for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, taking place March 17-20th. The team is excited for the upcoming season and is determined to continue competing in all endurance races scheduled for the 2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. With the overwhelming support shown within the Dallas car community, NTE Sport has made it their mission to find ways to better connect and engage with their fans on a local level. DFW, get ready for more driver meet-and-greets, car appearances and NTE Sport Fan Spotlights.
Make sure to follow NTE Sport on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for event updates, swag giveaways and much more! Have a question? Feel free to shoot us a message!
NTE Sport ROLEX 24H Driver Lineup
JR Hildebrand, 10X INDYCar Race Car Driver
Andrew Davis, Professional Race Car Driver
Don Yount, Gentleman Driver & CEO of Southwest Funding
Alan Metni, Gentleman Driver & Founder of iFly
A very special thank you to our proud partners:
And none of this would have ever happened without the team behind the scenes of NTE Sport:
Paul Mata – Team Owner
Michael McCoy, Performance Engineer
Maciek Kruszewski, Data Engineer
Gonzalo Ponce, Crew Chief
Johnny Shapiro, Chief Engineer
Jonatan Jorge, Driver Coach & Spotter
Stephen Sven Tognoli, Team Mechanic
Dylan Walker, Team Mechanic
Mike Webb, Team Mechanic
Paul Flak, Fueler
William Soto, Tires
Jacob Olson, Driver Assist
Britoni Burdette, Team Hospitality
Kelly Brouillet, Head of Social Media & PR
Sam Statser, Team Photographer
Shawnee Blocker, Marketing & Partnerships
Sources
https://us.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hildebrand-to-make-rolex-24-debut-in-nte-sport-audi/5080042/
https://racer.com/2021/01/15/hildebrand-joins-nte-sport-audi-for-rolex-24/
https://www.imsa.com/racing-teams/nte-sport-no-42/
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2021/01/15/nte-sport-confirms-rolex-24-gtd-entry-with-audi.html
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/hildebrand-leads-nte-audi-lineup-for-rolex-24/
https://www.jioforme.com/nte-sport-sets-roster-for-rolex-24-debut-motorsports/96445/
https://www.frontstretch.com/2021/01/15/nte-sport-announces-rolex-24-effort-with-audi/
For more pictures from the event, check out a recap of the ROLEX 24H at Daytona here.
Make sure to follow NTE Sport on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter for event updates, swag giveaways and much more! Have a question? Feel free to shoot us a message!
Originally published Feb 6, 2021 9:00:00 AM, updated February 08, 2021