2008 Riley Mk XI Michael Shank Racing Prototype

Ian James

James joined Michael Shank Racing for the 2007 season looking to check off the final class of Grand American racing that he has not yet won in-the Daytona Prototypes. James followed the typical single-seater ladder through the ranks in Europe before racing Stateside and has a wide scope of experience in the sport, including taking the 2004 LMP2 Championship in American Le Mans competition.

The Britsh-born racer made one Daytona Prototype race start in 2006 in the Rolex 24 At Daytona co-driving with Henri Zogaib, but engine problems early in the day prevented him from scoring a strong result. Teamed with Pew, James brought top-tens with metronomic regularity and his feedback will help MSR get the most out of the new Forld-Riley combination.

John Pew
After an impressive partial 2007 Daytona Prototype campaign with MSR, Pew has signed on to join Ian James for the entire 2008 season. John PewPew brings racing background that is markedly similar to 2006 Trueman Award winner Mark Patterson's to the team. With extensive formula car experience including a Star Mazda Masters Championship from 2005, Pew is also no stranger to the Rolex Series, having made multiple starts in the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the GT class as well as one Daytona Prototype start last season. Pew will team with James in the No. 6 Playboy Racing Lexus-Riley.

Source - Michael Shank Racing