New Zealand racing driver Brendon Hartley will join Starworks Motorsport for the second round of the 2013 Rolex Series, ‘The GRAND-AM of The Americas’ at the Circuit of The Americas, Austin, TX, on 1st – 2nd March 2013.

Brendon will pair-up with Scott Mayer to drive the #8 Riley-Ford Daytona Prototype while Starworks Motorsport regulars Alex Popow and Ryan Dalziel shall pilot the team’s #2 charger.

Following a ‘disappointing’ first round for the Fort Lauderdale-based team at the Daytona 24 last month, team owner Peter Baron hopes for a stronger showing in Texas this week. “Brendon did a fantastic job at the 24 getting used to driving a Daytona

Prototype. We had a nagging gearbox problem in the practice sessions that did not allow him to get up to speed. But in the race he finally had some good runs which gave him enough laps to match the pace of our sister car with established DP drivers. This experience should set up Brendon nicely for COTA.

“Brendon’s other job is a simulator/test driver at Mercedes AMG F1 and he has had some sim time driving the COTA circuit.” Peter continues. “Daytona, with the limited practice and all the experienced drivers, is a bit more like getting thrown to the wolves for a rookie. For COTA he should have a chance to get more used to the team, work with the engineers more closely and get a shot at showing his true colours. We have some high expectations for Brendon this race.”

Brendon Hartley adds, “I am delighted to be racing with Starworks Motorsport in the Rolex Series. The team is one of the best I have ever worked with and won many races in GRAND-AM. It really is a great opportunity for me and I enjoyed getting to grips with the DP car at Daytona. I have loved my few experiences of racing in America and can’t wait to tackle the track at Austin alongside Scott and all the Starworks boys.”