Sebring, Fla. (11 March 2014) – The next chapter in Luis Bacardi’s Rum Bum Racing history will be written this Saturday as the team takes on the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida. The outing marks the team’s first-ever IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship effort as the Florida-based team takes on a new challenge with a step up to the bigs in the 62nd running of the 12 Hour.
Drivers Jan Heylen, Madison Snow, and Matt Plumb tested the No. 13 Rum Bum Racing Porsche GT America machine at Sebring last month and are eager to get back to the track this week for Saturday’s huge event. After a late change to driver rankings last week by IMSA, Rum Bum Racing has added Hugh Plumb to the driving line up for the Sebring race.
“It appears that nepotism is alive and well at Rum Bum Racing,” joked Matt Plumb. “Adding Hugh to the lineup wasn’t about that, he will be a great addition to the team. We got word about my driver rating situation very late in the game, but we were lucky that someone able, and close to the team could be called up. I am glad to have Hugh be a part of this effort because he’s got a ton of experience in these cars and in long races and we know he can get the job done.”
Hugh Plumb raced with the squad in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge season-opener, bringing home a fourth place finish with Kaz Grala.
“After competing against this team for so many years, it was great to get the chance to drive for Rum Bum Racing at Daytona and now I’m really grateful for this opportunity at Sebring,” said Hugh Plumb. “I was so impressed with the depth of talent on this team and I think that’s going to be key this weekend. Even though this is Rum Bum Racing’s first-ever Sebring 12 Hour, I can’t think of any other group that I’d want behind me.”
The Sebring outing sees the Heylen/Snow duo looking to build on their season-opening run to the GTD podium at Daytona as the two Porsche aces join Rum Bum Racing with technical support from Wright Motorsports.
“Well we were at Daytona to win and finished third and now we’re here for the same reason—to win,” said Heylen. “I think we have the tools, team, and drivers to do that with but we’re a little dependent on the series and the BOP (Balance of Performance) and we’ll see what the other cars are doing. As far as I’m concerned we have a good team, good drivers and if everything is fair and well then that’s what we’ll need to win the race.
“Working with Rum Bum Racing has been great and I hope we just do well,” said Snow, who won the 2013 Porsche GT3 USA by Yokohama championship. “We’ll get the car figured out and then get back down here for the race and just look for a strong finish.”
Rum Bum Racing will take to the track on Thursday, March 13 for the first official practice session, with the group slated to reveal a dynamic new livery on Wednesday.
