POUGHKEEPSIE, NY, JAN. 1 — Dyson Racing has signed Englishman Oliver Gavin to partner James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger at this year`s Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. The trio will be sharing the same #16 Thetford / Norcold Dyson Racing Riley and Scott mk3 that carried Weaver to six wins and the drivers championship in 2001.

Gavin, the 1995 British F3 Champion and Renault F1 test driver who has spent the past two years competing against Dyson in Grand-Am SRP competition, joins the team for the first time at this weekend`s Daytona Test Days.

“I have been trying to land a drive with Dyson for the past two seasons, and this is a great opportunity,” enthused the 29 year-old Englishman.

Rob Dyson noticed Gavin`s talent in Grand-Am races over the past couple years. Gavin and Butch Leitzinger had engaged in some epic duels, notably at the 2000 Watkins Glen Six Hours and Phoenix in 2001, and Dyson took note. “I like Olly, and I would rather have him and Butch working together than fighting hard against each other. I think we have got a great lineup.”

The Anglo-American trio`s 2002 Daytona effort takes place on February 3-4. With a proven package, the team is looking to recapture its overall winning form it enjoyed in the 1997 and 1999 editions of the endurance classic.