Conquest Racing With Ferrari and Corsa Horizon set a high benchmark for the rest of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season, as the new outfit claimed third place at the 24 Hours of Daytona in the GTD Class with the competitive driver line-up of Manny Franco, Albert Costa Balboa, Cédric Sbirrazzuoli, and Alessandro Balzan. 

The Rolex 24 was preceded by The Roar Before the 24, where drivers and teams were put to the test and given the opportunity to explore their machines before the featured event. The teams then went on to qualify on the Sunday afternoon prior to race week. Though the #34 Corsa Horizon Ferrari 296 GT3 already showed promising pace during practice, Spanish driver Albert Costa Balboa went on to set a rapid sixth fastest lap time in Qualifying. 

However, it was Wisconsin-native Manny Franco who took the green flag for the most prestigious racing event in North America. Manny commanded his prancing horse with determination and precision, making his way up the field into third position in his first stint, an impressive feat as it was Franco’s first-ever WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race. 

It was a highly eventful race, and not one without challenges. The team had to overcome some obstacles throughout the course of the 24 hours, including a premature brake change that had at one point put them two laps down from the leaders. However, the crew and drivers persevered and were able to recover, eventually returning on to the lead lap and challenging at the front of the pack. 

As the race neared the final hours, Albert Costa Balboa was further tasked with fending off threats from competitors charging behind while nursing a damaged car with dampened performance levels. Despite the looming pressure, the Spaniard expertly navigated the situation and brilliantly drove the Ferrari 296 GT3 across the finish line to claim the final spot on the podium. 

“To be on the podium in my first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race is an indescribable feeling,” expressed Manny Franco. “The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the most challenging races in the world, and I could not be happier or prouder of our performance here in our first outing of the season. All my co-drivers had mega stints and got the job done when it mattered most, and even though we had some hurdles to overcome at some points, we really rallied together to be able to bring it across the finish line in third. We were under a lot of pressure, especially Albert in the last hour of the race, and I think this proves that we have a great program.”  

“I’m very happy,” echoed Albert Costa Balboa. “If someone had told me back in November that I’d be signing with a new IMSA team, joining a fresh driver lineup, and securing third place in Daytona—narrowly missing the victory—I would have said, ‘Where’s the contract? Let me sign it!’. We have evolved a lot as a team over the past couple of weeks. During the race, we encountered a few setbacks, but each was a valuable learning opportunity. By the 22nd hour, our car had sustained significant damage, which impacted its performance and diminished its true potential. A major collision in the final hour resulted in the loss of half the rear wing and the front right wing. Additionally, a tire issue severely damaged the car’s floor, hampering our performance.”

“Despite these challenges, with only 19 laps to go, I kept pushing to maintain a podium finish,” he continued. “I knew I had to give my all and do it for the team. While there’s a tinge of disappointment in not clinching the top spot, I’m still very grateful at how the event turned out.”

“I’m super pleased,” added Cédric Sbirrazzuoli. “It was the team’s first try at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona and they did an awesome job. I’m really happy to be part of this experience. I need to commend Manny’s stellar drive. It was his first time here and he was outstanding, he didn’t make any mistakes. Albert was also flying the entire race. Thanks to our team effort, we were able to secure a podium finish at one of the most prestigious races on the calendar.”

“This significant achievement for Conquest Racing and Corsa Horizon,” expressed Alessandro Balzan. “Our maiden Daytona and inaugural podium finish exemplifies resilience despite the challenges. Though our race wasn’t exactly smooth as we were plagued with various issues, we recovered very well. Manny’s performance was nothing short of amazing. It was his first time racing for longer than 2 hours, and he executed double stints and managed both tires and traffic without a single incident.”

“Having competed in this race eight times, this is my first podium finish, a moment of both joy and reflection,” Balzan explained. “While we were close to clinching the Rolex, the reality of our position became apparent in the final hour. Securing third place was a fair reflection of our performance and the car’s capabilities. This result is not just positive; it’s a promising start to the team’s full-season campaign.” 

“This achievement is a remarkable milestone for our team,” said Team Owner and Team Principal Eric Bachelart. “We put a lot of time and effort into the preparation. We had a two-year plan coming into IMSA: a year to learn and another to win. Yet, clinching the top spot on the podium at Daytona was beyond our expectations.” 

“I am extremely happy for Manny. His support has been pivotal and this podium result is undoubtedly a tribute to him. The drivers have performed exceptionally, this achievement is a collective effort. While we weren’t flawless, our resilience and teamwork culminated in this outstanding finish.”