Conquest Racing With Ferrari is expanding their program in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship as they will be making their debut in the GTD Pro class for the upcoming Detroit SportsCar Classic from May 31st to June 1st. The team will be fielding the #35 Ferrari 296 GT3 with the likes of full-season driver Albert Costa Balboa, who will be accompanied by Ferrari Factory driver Daniel Serra. 

This will be Conquest Racing’s fifth round of the season, but their first event as a part of the GTD Pro lineup, as the team continues to compete with the full-season #34 Corsa Horizon Ferrari 296 GT3 entry in the GTD class as well with Manny Franco and Albert Costa Balboa. 

Taking place in the heart of Detroit, Michigan, the 1.645 mile, 9-turn street course is a very technical track, with the bumpy terrain and narrow walls serving as additional factors for drivers to contend with. The event, which will be held in support of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES Championship, will see teams speed down some of the most famous streets in Motor City, including Jefferson Avenue, Bates Street, Atwater Street, St. Antoine, Franklin Street and Rivard.

“I am very happy to be returning to racing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, and for the first time with Conquest Racing” said Daniel Serra. “I have previously had the opportunity to work with Eric Bachelart back in 2016, and I am excited to work together again. We are putting in the work to be very well prepared for the weekend in Detroit, and doing all we can in hopes of achieving a great result.”

“This will be a new experience for me,” added Albert Costa Balboa. “I’m looking forward to sharing the car with Daniel, as a Ferrari Factory driver he’s coming into the team with a lot of knowledge. This is a great opportunity for both myself and the team, and I’m very thankful to Eric Bachelart, Manny Franco, and Ferrari for the chance to drive in the GTD Pro class.”

“We showed a lot of potential during our previous race on an urban track,” he continued. “Our Ferrari 296 GT3 performed well in that setting, and I’m hoping we’ll be able to showcase the same speed and secure a great result for the team.” 

“Our involvement in the GTD Pro class is the next step in our season-long commitment in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship,” explained Team Owner Eric Bachelart. “It is a testament to the growth and dedication of our team, and I would like to greatly thank Corsa Horizon for joining us in this chapter and making it a reality. I am looking forward to working with Daniel Serra again, as well as Albert Costa Balboa.” 

“As always, I’m thrilled to be a part of Conquest Racing Team and be supporting them as they embark on this next venture,” echoed Manny Franco. “This team is always pushing the boundaries of performance and reaching for new heights, and this is a perfect example of that. This team has what it takes to compete with the very best, and I am eager to see what we can accomplish in Detroit.” 

Friday, May 31st will be an action-packed day at the track, with Practice 1 and Practice 2 taking place at 8:00 AM ET and 11:30 AM ET, respectively, followed by the fifteen minute Qualifying session at 4:40 PM ET. A third practice session will occur on Saturday morning, June 1st, at 10:35 AM local time, and the green flag will wave for the Detroit Sports Car Classic 100 minute race at 3:10 PM ET.