Bluetooth v4.0 with low energy technology gives any device, from a static data-collecting sensor to a laptop or tablet, the ability to connect, share and distribute information in real-time. No other wireless technology is able to provide the limited energy consumption, usability, functionality and install-base that Bluetooth v4.0 brings to the sports and fitness market.

Bluetooth SIG member company, Mosoro, has announced a Bluetooth Smart sensor that connects to a golf club and can instantly send information about the player’s golf swing to a smartphone for real-time feedback on how to improve. In 2011, Motorola introduced the MOTOACTV, a Bluetooth Smart fitness watch that can support low energy devices – like a heart rate sensor, can receive alerts from your phone, and even stream music through Bluetooth enabled ear buds. Fitness giant, Nike, recently introduced its Nike+ FuelBand, a wristband that uses Bluetooth technology to automatically sync with your smartphone to let users easily track and analyze physical activity.

These unique products are a few examples of how sports and fitness devices are being made better with Bluetooth technology and just the beginning of what users can expect to see in this market. IMS Research forecasts more than 60 million Bluetooth enabled sports, fitness and health monitoring devices will ship between 2010 and 2015 including over 17.7 million heart monitors, more than seven million sports watches and over two million speed and distance monitors.

Registration for the Sports and Fitness Working Group and Sports and Fitness Bluetooth Ecosystem Team (BET) are open to Bluetooth SIG Associate and Promoter members. Members are encouraged to join either or both of the groups. Those interested in distilling and prioritizing key scenarios and identifying ways to make products better with Bluetooth technology should join the BET. Members interested in working directly on the specification itself should join the Working Group. For more information on becoming a member, visit the Membership page at www.Bluetooth.org.

“I’m going to Disney World!”

Manning’s pronouncement, part of the production for one of TV’s most enduring and iconic Super Bowl commercials, was captured seconds after the final whistle. Manning – named the game’s MVP — completed 30 of 40 passes and amassed 296 yards, including his trademark fourth-quarter heroics, leading the Giants to the winning score.

Manning’s stellar performance was crucial in Sunday’s game and earned him a second “I’m going to Disney World!” accolade.  In 2008, Manning was treated to a hero’s welcome at Disney after leading the Giants to an upset win over the Patriots, 17-14, in Super Bowl XLII.

He becomes the first Giants quarterback to win two Super Bowls.

On Monday (Feb. 6), Manning is scheduled to go to the place where millions of vacationers make memories celebrating their own personal milestone moments – Walt Disney World Resort near Orlando, Fla. Manning will be joined in the Magic Kingdom by NFL Youth football players, who will participate with the Giants star in the Super Bowl celebration near Main Street, U.S.A.

This latest commercial is the 45th in a series that began in 1987 following Super Bowl XXI. The first “I’m going to Disney World” commercial, featuring Giants quarterback Phil Simms, was regarded as a groundbreaking concept – a produced national commercial involving a current event, airing on major networks within hours of its conclusion. Manning again joins a lineup of people from sports and beyond who have celebrated milestone accomplishments in “I’m Going to Disney World” commercials.

The 35 of the Greatest McDonald’s All Americans list is comprised of some of the top names in basketball history, and features past and present Olympics, NBA and NCAA stars, including: Earvin “Magic”  Johnson (McDonald’s All American class of 1977), Clark Kellogg (1979), Ralph Sampson (1979), Isiah Thomas (1979), Dominique Wilkins (1979), James Worthy (1979), Sam Perkins (1980), Glenn “Doc” Rivers (1980), Patrick Ewing (1981), Michael Jordan (1981), Chris Mullin (1981), Kenny Smith (1983), Danny Manning (1984), Larry Johnson (1987), Christian Laettner (1988), Alonzo Mourning (1988), Bobby Hurley (1989), Shaquille O’Neal (1989), Grant Hill (1990), Glenn Robinson (1991), Jason Kidd (1992), Jerry Stackhouse (1993), Vince Carter (1995), Kevin Garnett (1995), Paul Pierce (1995), Kobe Bryant (1996), Jay Williams (1999), Carmelo Anthony (2002), Amare Stoudemire (2002), LeBron James (2003), Chris Paul (2003), Dwight Howard (2004), Tyler Hansbrough (2005), Kevin Durant (2006) and Derrick Rose (2007).

“This list of great McDonald’s All Americans recognizes 35 years of basketball excellence,” said Douglas Freeland, director of the McDonald’s All American Games. “These players are a veritable ‘who’s who’ of basketball’s modern era.”   

Each of the players was selected by members of the McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee. In determining the list, all past McDonald’s All Americans were considered based on his high school career and performance in the McDonald’s All American Games, success at the collegiate and professional level, and post-career accomplishments.

“For 35 years, the McDonald’s All American Games have showcased the top high school basketball players nationwide,” said Morgan Wootten, McDonald’s All American Games Selection Committee Chairman. “These 35 players are representative of all the great players that have played in the McDonald’s All American Games over the years.”

Each of the 35 Greatest McDonald’s All Americans will receive a custom-designed basketball, produced by Anaconda Sports^® The Rock^®, to commemorate this special honor.

History of the McDonald’s All American Games

McDonald’s selected the first McDonald’s All American High School Team in 1977. In 1978, the inaugural McDonald’s All American Game was played at The Spectrum in Philadelphia. Since then, more than 800 boys have been selected to play in the McDonald’s All American Games which benefits Ronald McDonald House Charities^® (RMHC^®).

2012 McDonald’s All American Games

The 35^th Annual McDonald’s All American Boys Game will tip-off on Wednesday, March 28 at 8:30 p.m. CT and is broadcast live on ESPN. Immediately preceding the Boys Game will be the 11^th Annual McDonald’s All American Girls Game, beginning at 6 p.m. CT and is broadcast live on ESPNU. McDonald’s will announce the 24 boys and 24 girls participating in the 2012 McDonald’s All American Games via a Selection Show airing on ESPNU on February 9 at 5 p.m. ET.  Tickets are available through Ticketmaster with free parking the night of the games.

For more details about the McDonald’s All American Games, visit www.mcdaag.com.

“Bell’s strategic commitment to bring Canadians the best mobile content across world-leading new broadband networks continues to accelerate the popularity of Bell Mobile TV right across the country,” said Wade Oosterman, President of Bell Mobility and Residential Services, and Bell’s Chief Brand Officer. “With this unbeatable roster of live hockey, curling, football and basketball events available on Bell superphones, rooting for your favourite team just got better.”

Some of the top-rated sporting events available live on Bell Mobile TV include:

January 29	2012 Tim Hortons NHL All Star Game
January 29	Pro Bowl
February 5	Super Bowl XLVI
February 18-26	Scotties Tournament of Hearts
March 3-11	Tim Horton’s Brier Cup
March 10	Vancouver Whitecaps season begins
March 15	NCAA Basketball March Madness begins
April – May	2012 Stanley Cup Playoffs
May- June	2012 Stanley Cup Final

Alongside its impressive roster of live sports, Bell Mobile TV also delivers live news on CTV News Channel, BNN and CBC Newsworld, children’s content on YTV and Treehouse, and a wide variety of popular programming from CTV and CTV Two..

Bell Mobile TV is available for just $5 per month for 5 hours of Mobile TV usage.

Bell offers Canada’s most impressive portfolio of superphones and other mobile devices with large enhanced resolution displays including the LG Optimus LTE, Galaxy Nexus, Galaxy SII and Galaxy Tab LTE. When paired with Bell Mobile TV, only Bell customers have on-the-go access to the most top-rated content available directly on the industry’s best superphones, smartphones and tablets.

For Bell Mobile TV channel listings, details on sporting event availability, and more information on the service, visit Bell.ca/MobileTV

“When I received the award, it was a really significant moment for me, so it felt great to surprise Futsum with the news and invite him into one of the most prestigious legacy programs in high school sports,” said Ritzenhein, the former American record-holder at 5,000 meters and USA Track & Field’s brightest hope for a medal in the 5K or 10K at the 2012 games.  ”Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids.”

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the racecourse, distinguishes Zeinasellassie as the nation’s best high school boys cross country runner.  A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Zeinasellassie from nearly 250,000 high school boys cross country runners nationwide. Zeinasellassie is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

The 5-foot-8 senior raced to the Nike Cross Nationals championship this past season with a course-record time of 15:02.41. The state’s returning Gatorade Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year, Zeinasellassie also won his third consecutive individual state championship in a course-record 14:48.8, by a meet-record margin of 44 seconds. He broke the tape at the NXN Midwest Regional championships in 15:42.8, the Foot Locker Midwest Regional championship in 14:58 and finished second at the national Foot Locker Cross Country Championships with a time of 14:52.1.

Zeinasellassie has maintained a B average in the classroom. A devoted member of his church community, where his father is a pastor, he has volunteered with youth track programs and raised funds to benefit a school in Kenya.

“Futsum certainly had one of the finest seasons any prep harrier has had,” said ESPNHS Dyestat Senior Editor Steve Underwood. “In his biggest races before a one-second loss at Foot Locker nationals, he produced stunning performances:

Beating a course record held by two-time Gatorade National Runner of the Year Lukas Verzbicas in his dominant state meet triumph, then breaking the Nike Cross Nationals Final meet record in Portland— where he also enjoyed the biggest margin of victory in meet history. Only Verzbicas has won both national meets (in a single season) and the fact that Futsum came within a second of doing so as well, speaks volumes.”

Zeinasellassie remains undecided upon a collegiate destination.

“Without question, Futsum is deserving of recognition as the nation’s best high school boys cross country runner based on his statistics on the course and the impact his accomplishments have had on North Central’s success,” said Gatorade President North America and Global Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Robb O’Hagan.  “But he is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  He represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPNHS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Former notable Gatorade National Players of the Year include:

• Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning
• WNBA all-time leading scorer and rebounder Lisa Leslie
• NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith
• American Mile Record-holder Alan Webb

The opportunities will range from the provision of wheelchairs and other aids to the establishment of good revalidation centres where people with a disability can recover and take part in recreational activities and sport on a daily basis, perfectly normal in the Netherlands but not as common in Romania.

Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mihai-Nesu-Foundation/168533143253036

The Foundation’s second objective is to encourage young children in Romania and the Netherlands and help them develop their footballing talents by facilitating their education and providing specific, individual training courses and supervision.

A separate part of the Mihai Nesu Foundation is the Balgevoel Football Academy for children. Its qualified trainers will hone the children’s footballing skills by means of dedicated training clinics and supervision in Romania and the Netherlands. The Academy will also organise youth camps in the Netherlands for children from both Romania and the Netherlands. Children with a disability will also be encouraged to take part in sport through the clinics. One of Mihai Nesu’s main goals is to offer such children a safe place with the facilities they need to enjoy sport in both the Netherlands and Romania. The proceeds from the academy will be donated in full to the Mihai Nesu Foundation.

FC Utrecht and ambassadors
The Mihai Nesu Foundation will work in close cooperation with FC Utrecht, the club for which Mihai Nesu played more than 100 matches as left wingback over three seasons. The Foundation bearing his name has three ambassadors: former team mates Dries Mertens and George Ogararu and former trainer Willem van Hanegem. All three hold a special place in Mihai Nesu’s heart. The ambassadors will work for the Mihai Nesu Foundation in various ways.

Activities
A number of activities are planned to raise funds for the Foundation:
• Ambassador Willem van Hanegem will officially open the Balgevoel Football Academy on Sunday 5 February.
• A large-scale collection will be held among the supporters at the game between FC Utrecht and AZ at the Galgenwaard Stadium on Sunday 19 February. Before this Eredivisie match, FC Utrecht D2 will play against the E team of UVV of Utrecht.
• The Mihai Nesu Gala will be held on Monday 20 February.
• FC Utrecht will play a benefit match against Steaua Bucharest, the club Mihai Nesu played for in his fatherland, Romania, for seven seasons, in August 2012.

In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS, recently announced Johnathan Gray of Aledo High School (Aledo, Texas) as its 2011-12 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year.  Gray, a two-time Gatorade Texas Player of the Year, was surprised with the news last month by a phone call from New York Jets running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Today, he was surprised with a visit from former Pittsburgh Steelers running back Jerome Bettis, who earned Gatorade Michigan Football Player of the Year honors in 1989-90.

“When I received the state award, it was a really significant moment for me, so it felt great to invite Johnathan into one of the most prestigious legacy programs in high school sports,” said Bettis.  “Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids.”

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Gray as the nation’s best high school football player.  A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Gray from more than 1.1 million high school football players nationwide.  Gray is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Male High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

The 5-foot-10, 202-pound senior running back has led the Bearcats to a 14-2 record and a a third consecutive 4A Division II state title.  Gray finished the season with 3,886 yards and a state-record 65 touchdowns on 347 carries.  The state’s returning Gatorade Football Player of the Year, he also hauled in  26 passes for 517 yards and 5 TDs.  Gray’s 205 career rushing touchdowns are a national record and his 1,232 career points rank second nationally.  Gray set state records in career carries, touchdowns, points, 100-yard games and single-season rushing touchdowns.  He became the third prep athlete in state history to eclipse 10,000 career rushing yards, ranking second overall with 10,889.

Serving on his school’s student council and as an Aledo High student representative on the Aledo Independent School District Health Committee, Gray has maintained a B average in the classroom.  In addition to donating his time as a youth football instructor and a mentor to special education students, he has volunteered on behalf of his church’s youth group, an alcohol and drug awareness program and Baylor All Saints Hospital’s Helping Hands Foundation.

“The blueprint for a perfect high school running back would include the speed to excel in track, the size to run with power and withstand 20-30 hits per game and the humility to ensure teammates will go to battle with him and put forth their best effort,” said Brian Stumpf, ESPNHS Senior Director of Event Development and football analyst.  “At 5-foot-10, 200-plus pounds with sprinter speed and constant praise of his teammates, Johnathan Gray is that back.  His on-field accomplishments speak for themselves, and his skill set should help him be very successful at the next level.”

Gray has verbally committed to play football on an athletic scholarship at the University of Texas beginning in the fall of 2012.

“Without question, Johnathan is deserving of recognition as the nation’s best high school football player based on his statistics on the field and the impact his accomplishments have had on Aledo’s success,” said Gatorade President North America and Global Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Robb O’Hagan.  “But he is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  He represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport.  The selection process is administered by ESPNHS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Former notable Gatorade National Players of the Year include:

• Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning
• WNBA all-time leading scorer and rebounder Lisa Leslie
• NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith
• Kansas City Royals Cy Young award-winner Zach Grienke

In its 27th year of honoring the nation’s best high school athletes, The Gatorade Company, in collaboration with ESPNHS announced Jordan Burgess of Berkeley Preparatory School (Tampa, Fla) as its 2011-12 Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year.  Burgess was surprised with the news at Berkeley Preparatory School by USA Volleyball’s 2011 Beach Female Athlete of the Year, April Ross, who earned Gatorade National Volleyball Player of the Year honors in 1999-00.

“When I received the award, it was a really significant moment for me, so it felt great to surprise Jordan with the news and invite her into one of the most prestigious legacy programs in high school sports,” said Ross, recent champion of the Hermosa Beach Open. “Gatorade has been on the sidelines fueling athletic performance for years, so to be recognized by a brand that understands the game and truly helps athletes perform is a huge honor for these kids.”

The award, which recognizes not only outstanding athletic excellence, but also high standards of academic achievement and exemplary character demonstrated on and off the field, distinguishes Burgess as the nation’s best high school volleyball player.  A national advisory panel comprised of sport-specific experts and sports journalists helped select Burgess from more than 400,000 high school volleyball players nationwide. Burgess is now a finalist for the prestigious Gatorade Female High School Athlete of the Year award, to be presented at a special afternoon ceremony prior to The ESPY Awards in July.

The 6-foot-1 senior outside hitter led the Buccaneers to a 30-2 record and a third consecutive state championship this past season. The state’s returning Gatorade Volleyball Player of the Year, Burgess amassed 553 kills, 366 digs, 48 service aces, 38 assists and 32 blocks while recording a .457 hitting percentage. Also the returning ESPNHS National Junior of the Year, Burgess produced 29 service receptions, 15 kills, 13 digs and four blocks in the 3-1 Class 4A state title win over Bishop Moore. A 2011 USA Volleyball Girls’ Junior National Championships All-Tournament selection and two-time Amateur Athletic Union Junior National Girls’ Volleyball Championships All-American, she is a member of the U.S. Girls’ Youth National Team.

Burgess has maintained a 4.00 GPA in the classroom. A founding director of the “Everyone Should Play” Foundation, a charitable initiative formed in 2009 to assist the area’s disadvantaged youth offset sports registration fees and equipment costs, Burgess has also volunteered locally as a youth volleyball coach. Team manager of the Berkeley Prep boys volleyball squad since 2009 and a participant in a community literacy-outreach program, she served as a team leader at a two-week youth business leadership summer camp in 2007 and 2008. Burgess has also donated her time fundraising on behalf of Heifer International.

“Burgess is one of the best players I’ve seen in a long time,” said ESPNHS Volleyball Editor Kirstin Olsen. “She is a powerful and smart hitter in the front row with excellent mechanics. She is equally good attacking from the back row and it’s very hard for teams to stop her. She passes beautifully and can play great defense as well.  She is a joy to watch and the best player in the gym. She is the complete package.”

Burgess has signed a National Letter of Intent to play volleyball on scholarship at Stanford University beginning in the fall of 2012.

“Without question, Jordan is deserving of recognition as the nation’s best high school volleyball player based on her statistics on the court and the impact her accomplishments have had on Berkeley’s success,” said Gatorade President North America and Global Chief Marketing Officer Sarah Robb O’Hagan.  “But she is also a shining example to peers and aspiring young athletes of what a leader and a student-athlete should be.  She represents everything we hope for in a Gatorade Player of the Year recipient.”

The Gatorade Player of the Year program annually recognizes one winner in the District of Columbia and each of the 50 states that sanction high school football, girls volleyball, boys and girls cross country, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, baseball, softball, and boys and girls track & field, and awards one National Player of the Year in each sport. The selection process is administered by ESPNHS and the Gatorade high school sports leadership team, which work with top sport-specific experts and a media advisory board of accomplished, veteran prep sports journalists to determine the state winners in each sport.

Former notable Gatorade National Players of the Year include:

• Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Peyton Manning
• WNBA all-time leading scorer and rebounder Lisa Leslie
• NFL all-time leading rusher Emmitt Smith
• Two-time beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh

Last year, Panasonic Corporation, a long time Official Worldwide Olympic Partner in the Audio and Visual Equipment category, announced it would partner with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS) to make the London 2012 Olympic Games the first ever 3D Olympic Games.

“NBC has a history of utilizing technological innovations to distribute the Olympics in new ways for viewers,” said Gary Zenkel, President, NBC Olympics. “We are proud to continue that tradition by partnering with Panasonic and Olympic Broadcasting Services to distribute the first 3D broadcast of the Games in the U.S. in partnership with our multichannel video programming distributors.”

The 3D broadcasts, which will be produced by OBS and shown on next-day delay, will span multiple competitions throughout the London 2012 Olympic Games, including the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, gymnastics, diving and swimming. OBS will produce more than 200 hours of 3D coverage during the London 2012 Olympic Games by utilizing Panasonic’s state-of-art 3D production technologies including the AG-3DP1, a P2HD professional fully-integrated twin-lens Full HD 3D camera recorder. Cable, satellite, and telco providers who receive the Olympics package may distribute the 3D broadcast via the Comcast Media Center.

“As a recognized leader in end-to-end 3D technology solutions and longtime Olympic sponsor, Panasonic is very excited to be partnering with the NBC Sports Group which is a leader and trailblazer in Olympic broadcasting,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman & CEO, Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Panasonic’s expertise in 3D technology coupled with NBC’s unrivaled leadership in coverage of the Olympic Games will deliver to home viewers an unprecedented 3D Olympic experience that will make them feel as though they are right there with the world’s finest athletes as they compete. Full HD 3D is ideal for capturing the true spectacle of Olympic competition and the pageantry of Olympic ceremonies, and we are excited to be able to bring it to fans across the U.S.”

“I would like to thank APR for giving me this opportunity to drive in one of the classic 24 hour races,” said Pirro. “I have a lot to learn and I hope to be able, together with the rest of the APR Motorsport team, to finish the race in a good position to make the best possible introduction of the Audi R8 Grand-Am in the American market. I know the race will be super competitive. I am ready for it, I am well trained, I am in very good shape and very motivated. I will have a very open-minded approach, as I have very limited experience in the GT class, although I have overtaken tons of them in ten years of prototype racing!”

Pirro’s success with Audi dates back to 1994, when he took the Italian Touring Car Championship at the wheel of an Audi 80 sedan. Sports car fans in America will undoubtedly link him to Audi’s legendary R8 and R10 LMP racers, which Pirro drove to five wins in the 24 Hours of Le Mans as well as two championships in the American Le Mans Series. After retiring from active competition with Audi, Pirro drove in select ALMS races in the Drayson Lola – earning himself a spot on SpeedHunters.com’s Greatest 20 Overtakes with a daring move to take the lead at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2010.

However, despite his many successes with Audi at LeMans, Daytona holds a special place in Pirro’s heart as he scored a class win in the 1981 race at the tender age of 19.

“The Rolex 24 at Daytona has a very special meaning for me,” said Pirro. “It was my very first car race outside of Italy, driving the Lancia Montecarlo Turbo in the World Endurance Championship opening round. My racing experience was very limited and the longest race I had done was 25 minutes. I remember the first time I saw the track I was almost shocked! After this fantastic experience, when I came back to Italy I was celebrated as a hero. I never went back and now, after 31 years, I am really excited about it.”

Rounding out the driver lineup for APR Motorsport will be Venezuelan Nelson Canache.  A two-time champion in the Venezuelan Super Touring GT class, Canache spent his 2011 season competing in the Seat Leon Super Cup in Mexico as well as the NASCAR Whelen All American Series Championship. This will be the first Rolex 24 at Daytona for the native of Caracas.

“I am extremely excited for my first attempt at the Rolex 24 at Daytona,” said Canache. “Daytona is one of the most famous racetracks in the world, and the 24 Hours is well-known in Venezuela. APR Motorsport is a great team and I think we are going to have a great run in the 24 Hours later this month.”

With the driving lineup of the no. 51 APR Motorsport Audi R8 Grand-Am solidified, Stephen Hooks, President and CEO of APR, is anxiously awaiting the green flag at the Rolex 24 at Daytona at the end of the month.

“To have the chance to bring Emanuele on board for the Rolex 24 at Daytona is a dream come true,” said Hooks. “He’s one of the most successful endurance racers of our time and a hero to Audi fans all over the world. For us, he will be a tremendous wealth of knowledge and experience that we, as a team, can draw from. We aren’t underestimating the challenge of finishing the Rolex 24 at Daytona, but having Emanuele join APR gives everyone a big boost of confidence.

“Nelson tested with us recently and he showed outstanding pace and gave great feedback in an unfamiliar car, setting a track record in his second on-track session. He will be a great addition to the team of Dion, Dr. Jim, Ian, and of course, Emanuele.”

The APR drivers will get behind the wheel of the no. 51 APR Motorsport Audi R8 Grand-Am for the first time at this weekend’s Roar Before the 24, Friday January 6 through Sunday, January 8, at Daytona International Speedway.