Ave Motorsports announces addition of Bob De Kett
March 16, 2015
De Kett brings Championship caliber experience to TA2, LMP3 programs
(TEAM RELEASE) MAIDEN, N.C. (March 17, 2015)— Ave Motorsports, a multiple Trans Am Championship winning team and car constructor based out of Maiden, North Carolina, has announced the hiring of Bob De Kett, a two-time TA2 Championship winning team leader and crew chief, as the company undertakes an aggressive expansion into both Trans Am’s TA2 class as well as the LMP3 class of endurance prototypes.
While Ave Motorsports’ activities within the TA2 category are strictly the maintenance, engineering and preparation of other brand cars, the firm’s entry into LMP3 racing mirrors that of its previous ground-up manufacturing approach to their highly successful Trans Am cars.
“With the rapid growth that we’re seeing in the business, on all fronts, we need to make sure we put the proper people in the right spots,” said Tony Ave, owner of Ave Motorsports. “Bob’s availability made him an obvious choice to bolster both our TA2 capabilities as well as play a big role in the ramp up of our LMP3 project. We’re looking at tripling the size of our facility over the next two years, and when my GM Jeff Pope heard Bob was available, we both decided it was perfect timing.”
“I'm excited to have Bob on board,” continued Pope. “With all the work we have building customer TA cars, as well as running the house cars of Paul Fix and Doug Peterson, it was important to add the right person to take on our TA2 efforts so that the TA staff isn't compromised—we want another championship. When you take the addition of the new prototype project into consideration as well, and it was obvious Bob was the right guy for the job.”
"I'm excited and honored to have this opportunity to work with Ave Motorsports in the TA2 field as well as the LMP3 projects that are in the works,” said De Kett. “Tony Ave Racing reaches excellence in all levels of racing and I'm looking forward to contributing to that success."
Ave Motorsports expanded into the TA2 category for 2015, with drivers Joe and Justin Napoleon driving a pair of Turnkey Industries Chevy Camaros, after a successful joint venture at Daytona in 2014 that saw the talented Texas drivers run solidly in the top 10. 'We can't wait to tap into Bob's expertise, we know its going to propel our Tony Ave Racing/Napoleon Motorsports cars in the right direction,' stated Joe Napoleon.
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About The Trans Am Series:
The Trans Am Series, America’s Road Racing Series, began igniting the passion of motorsports fans across the world in 1966 and has been home to some of the greatest names in road racing. Today, Trans Am continues to honor its legacy, while challenging the status quo in racing, through meaningful racing platforms and a driver-oriented focus. The Trans Am Series is operated by The Trans Am Race Company, LLC (TARC), through a five-year agreement in which TARC oversees the management and marketing of the Trans Am Series. SCCA Pro Racing sanctions Trans Am events and provides operations services to the Series.
Defending Champions include: Doug Peterson (TA), Cameron Lawrence (TA2), Ernie Francis, Jr., (TA3 American Muscle) and Jason Berkeley (TA3 International).
For more on the Trans Am Series visit www.gotransam.com, “like” Trans Am on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gotransam, or follow Trans Am on Twitter at @gotransam.
