Rolex series hits the high banks of Daytona, Florida for the 100th Daytona prototype Race

Wikinews
July 1, 2010
 

In January 2003, the Grand American Rolex Sorts Car Series debuted the Daytona Prototype (DP) class, its new premier class at that year's Rolex 24 at Daytona. Seven years Later, the class reached a milestone. This weekend's Brumos Porche 250 at Daytona marked the 100th race in the DP era. 

The biggest story coming into the race was about the 01 Telmex Chip Ganassi BMW Riley. The team had technical violations that were discovered after the previous race at Mid-Ohio. The subsequent penalties (25 team, driver, and manufacturer's points and $15,000 fine) had cut Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas' lead in the standings from 32 to 7. 

The extra 75 pounds hurt the BMW powered cars in qualifying. The 01 Telmex Chip Ganassi BMW Riley only qualified 4th, But that didn't slow the team down. Pruett, driving the second and final stint, drove away from the Starworks Motorsports BMW of Ryan Dalziel and Mike Forest, moving the No. 01 drivers' points lead to 13 ahead of Dalziel. 

They lead the team standings by 25 ahead of the the Sun Trust Racing team of Ricky Taylor and Max Angelleli. 

Pruett and Rojas also had to overcome startling temperatures in the car that resembled a heat sink, to give Ganassi his second Daytona victory this season. He won NASCAR's Daytona 500 with Jamie McMurray in February. 

"Look at our suits, they are soaked head to toe," Pruett told reporters about the heat. "I think we probably sweat five, six, seven, eight pounds. It was incredible, the humidity and everything. 

"Maybe we should put a temperature gauge up on he dashboard." As for the extra weight, especially under braking: "I don't know how to describe it, try running a sprint with a backpack . . . slow down, it's not the same," Rojas said. 

The duo led 40 of 83 laps. 

The triumph also was the sixth in eight Grand-Am races for Pruett and Rojas this season. They were second in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and 13th at Lime Rock where they were wrecked on the first lap. 

Andy Lally drove the No. 66 TRG Porsche to the victory in GT, teaming with co-driver R.J. Valentine who was in the car for the first time in a year-and-a- half. It was Lally's third victory this season with three different sets of co-drivers

Pruett grabbed the lead in NASCAR Turn 3 on Lap 46, with just a little more than an hour remaining, and steadily built his lead to the victory clinching 24.3 seconds. The triumph was Pruett's 28th in 100 Grand-Am starts and the 29th for Ganassi.

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Audi Drivers Join SAMAX For Daytona 24

By Anthony Fontanelle

SAMAX Motorsport signed Audi factory drivers Allan McNish, Lucas Luhr and Mike Rockenfeller to join Henri Zogaib in one of its Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototypes. The team, which returns to the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona with powerful drivers, has one mission – and that is to win the race.

Last year, the team’s entry consisted of Milka Duno, Patrick Carpentier, Darren Manning and Ryan Dalziel and they finished less than two minutes behind the Chip Gansssi Racing machine, the victor. The SAMAX entry was in the midst of a three-car battle for the win during the closing hours but ended up settling for second place, according to Motorsport.com.

Baron intimated his goal to achieve ultimate Daytona glory this year. "I am sill amazed we have this lineup of drivers for the 24," said Baron. "We led a sizeable amount of last year's race and were happy to finish 2nd without any mechanical issues. This year we are doing everything possible to finish one position higher and get these drivers the Overall Victory Rolex Daytona watches they all deserve!"

Baron’s goal for 2008 is expected to be accomplished with the help of three iconic race drivers. McNish returns to the seat of a DP for the second time. Since then, McNish, driving the Audi R10 TDI with Rinaldo Capello, achieved Driver's Championships in the American Le Mans Series.

"I am pleased to join SAMAX Motorsport for the Daytona 24 Hours," said McNish. "The team has proved their worth in Grand-Am and especially at the 24 with a great 2nd overall last year. This year we have a strong driver lineup with my Audi team mates Lucas, Mike and myself joining Henri. [With] the Pontiac Riley combination and strong technical staff, we all hope to be challenging for victory."

McNish is nothing new to winning at Daytona. He achieved a class victory in 1998 and supported it with another second place overall finish in 1999. He also bagged overall victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1998.

"Personally, I have always enjoyed this race," McNish added. "I have had some great runs there and finished 2nd overall on two occasions. It is a great warm-up to the season, and most teams have a strong car and driver lineups. But most importantly, it has a Rolex Daytona watch at the end for the winner."

Two of Audi drivers - Luhr and Rockenfeller - also sport a remarkable racing experience credentials. Luhr is a longtime Porsche driver. He grabbed the GT class win at the Rolex 24 in 2001. He entered Audi team last year after winning the LMP2 Driver's Championship with Sascha Maassen in 2006. He spent much of 2007 season competing in the German DTM Series, but also made two starts in Audi's R10 TDI prototype.

Rockenfeller, meanwhile, also spent last season racing mainly in the DTM. Before joining Audi team, the German was a regular rival in the Rolex Series. He will return for another season of DTM this year but will also be part of Audi's sports car program.

Race aficionados will certainly expect a heart-throbbing action this season. And drivers will hit the Audi clutch with much gusto.