PressSnoop

David Donohue Photo by MARK WEBER

DAVID DONOHUE drove the No.58 Brumos Porsche Riley Daytona Prototype to an overall and class victory Sunday at the 47th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 of Daytona. His co-drivers were ANTONIO GARCIA, DARREN LAW, and BUDDY RICE.
 An emotional Donohue said he was sure the Brumos Racing team owner, the late BOB SNODGRASS, was up there looking down.

The Margin of Victory was 0.167 seconds, the closest in the 47-year history of the race. Other records included the most finishers on the lead lap – 4; the most cautions – 25 for 117 laps; and the most laps in the Daytona Prototype era. Not quite a record, but close was the 53 lead changes among 22 drivers and nine cars – second highest total in the event history.. The time of the race was 24:00:26.465. The fastest race lap was turned by Rice on Lap 180, at 1:41.583. All these states compliments of Grand-Am.

The last hour was riveting, with nose-to-tail racing the entire time between leader Donohue and runner-up JUAN PABLO MONTOYA/No.01 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley DP. Montoya said it was fun, even though he griped about not winning. The Ganassi team was denied its fourth consecutive Rolex 24 victory.

Porsche said there was significance in the victory. “The first overall win for Porsche since 2003 (The Racer’s Group Porsche 911 GT3 RS), and the first overall win for Brumos Racing since 1978 (Porsche 935). The first win for a Porsche entered in the overall class since 1995 (Kremer – Porsche K8). First win for the Porsche 911-based 3.99-liter Grand-Am race engine. Brumos Racing’s first Daytona prototype win since 2003 (Mont Tremblant) Porsche prototypes led 500 of the 735 laps.”

A stat provided by the SunTrust team: The top four DP cars on the lead lap were separated by less than 11 seconds after 1,440 minutes of racing which covered 2,616.6 miles.

I retract anything I said about any other kinds of records, as I was misinformed.

The second place DP finishers were interviewed before the winners at the podium conference. They weren’t warm and fuzzy about their finishing position. SCOTT PRUETT hopes Grand-Am does something about it.,,,,It being the difference between the Porsches and the Lexus. He said it was frustrating. “I mean, when guys just drive by you, it just never seems right, no matter what you do. Everything will get evened out.”

MEMO ROJAS said “We didn’t have the power to win. We had to drive 10,10 through most of the race.”

Montoya was less gracious in losing. “It is what it is. I was surprised we were even in contention for the win.” He said he was driving as hard as he could. “I drove like that for two hours and didn’t make any mistakes. That brings pleasure”. JPM hopes Grand-Am does something about that. “I wanted to hold him (Donohue) off.” When asked if he thought there was anything he could do to hold him (Donohue) off – he quickly and firmly said NO. “It was a gun fight and we had knives. Coming in second sucks. You come here to win. And it just sucks.”

Donohue was disappointed in Montoya’s comments. When asked about his emotions after the win, he said “I’m not sure how to begin after all what I just heard. We came up with a real efficient package, if anyone notices. Yes, we got them on the straight. Ever notice how he closed up in the braking and the chicane and so forth. We have two less cylinders. We did our homework and we came here ready. Porsche just built a fine motor.” I’ll leave it at that.”

For the most part Donohue and his team didn’t care to pursue the parity issue on the victory stand.

Donohue spoke to the significance of the win. “I feel more of attachment to the effort my guys have put in to this and to Brumos and to HURLEY (HAYWOOD) and BOB SNODGRASS and BOB CARLSON from Porsche. That’s where my heart is, to be honest.”

Darren Law Photo by MARK WEBER

Donohue said he was not surprised that there were six cars on the lead lap at daybreak.

DARREN LAW said “The car rolled off trailer ready to go. It was spot on its setups.” He said it was sour grapes on their (Ganassi’s) part.

Buddy Rice Photo by MARK WEBER

BUDDY RICE said he “was still shocked to have won two prestigious races – the Indy 500 and  the Rolex 24.

Antonio Garcia Photo by MARK WEBER

ANTONIO GARCIA won his class at Le Mans 2008, and now the Rolex 24.

TRG entered five Porsche’s in the GT class and won the category with No.66 Porsche GT3 Cup. The drivers were R.J. VALENTINE, who drove to the checkered flag, JORG BERGMEISTER, ANDY LALLY, and JUSTIN MARKS. Valentine was over the top excited about his first victory in 23 years of running. He admitted to being 64 years old, which could make him the oldest driver in the event.

Brumos Racing Porsche Riley DPs Photo by MARK WEBER

Grand-Am Rolex Series Pole sitter DAVID DONOHUE/No.58 Brumos Porsche Riley Daytona Prototype won the closest ever finish of the famed Rolex 24 at Daytona Sunday with a Margin of Victory of 24:09:04.

Donohue edged last year’s Rolex 24 winner, JUAN PABLO MONTOYA/No.01 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley. It’s been 31 years since Porsche last won overall at the famed Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

Third at the 47th Anniversary of the twice around the clock sports car endurance race was Donohue’s Brumos teammate, JOAO BARBOSA, who set the races’ fastest lap in the fourth hour with a time of 1:42.140 on Lap 125.

Fourth was MAX ANGELELLI/No.10 SunTrust Racing Ford Riley DP, who gave it all he had, poking here and there.

There were lead changes abounding each lap, so I’m not sure how Timing & Scoring was able to record them all or correctly.

The two teams set a blazing nose-to-tail pace for the last three hours on the 3.56-mile road course.

It’s been 40 years since David Donohue’s late father, MARK DONOHUE, won the 24 Hour race, driving a Lola for Penske Racing.

The GT race was also close, although the top car felt back to ninth place after running eighth for hours. R.J. VALENTINE/NO.67 TRG Porsche GT3 took the victory, the only GT on the lead lap. Second was teammate SPENCER PUMPELLY in No.66, one lap down in tenth place. Third was PATRICK PILET in No.33 Wright Motorsports Porsche GT3.

There were 25 cautions for 100 laps. Nine different drivers led laps in the 735-lap race, which ran 24 hours:09.-4 seconds.

Much more to follow.

It’s warmed up to 67 degrees F, with some clouds. Fans are milling around everywhere except the grandstands, which show no signs of life.

The Grand-Am Rolex 24 at Daytona has been a near-sprint race for hours, and it appears it will be a three-hour dash for cash…or Rolex watch.

Brumos No.01 Porsche Riley DP Photo by MARK WEBER

After leading for four straight hours, the No.58 Brumos Porsche Riley Daytona Prototype team was passed by charging No.01 Lexus Riley of the Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates. The lead wasn’t held long, and with a driver change, another different leader emerged – Antonio Garcia in No.58. Third in DP is the sister Brumos Porsche.

In GT, the race was not much less of a tight battle, with the TRG and Farnbacher Loles Racing teams battling it out with each other. TRG has prevailed most recently, having the top two GT Porsches in eighth and ninth positions overall. Farnbacher Loles Racing No.87 Porsche GT3 Cup car fell back three laps after suffering a broken drive shaft. Third in GT is now Wright Motorsports Porsche GT3.

The stats continue to stagger. At the end of Hour 21, there has been 48 lead changes among 22 drivers in nine cars. The cautions continue to pile on, with 22 for 90 laps, out of 644.

The SpeedSource No.70 Mazda RX-8 team was fast all weekend leading up to the race, was on the GT pole and led the first 21 minutes and for the first 21 minutes with pole sitter SYLVAIN TREMBLAY. He pitted for tire change, but crew checked the engine and found a ruptured fuel cell. This put them back 41 laps in the garage, with Tremblay and team engineer/driver DAVID HASKELL, hands on with the fabrication and installation of a new fuel cell.

During the night the team battled back, gaining six laps.  Then the car began experiencing more problems, diagnosed as header, half shaft and now they think it could be the differential. The car, which doesn’t have a scratch on it, is behind the wall. JONATHAN BOMARITO, one of the other drivers, said once the team fell so far behind, they decided to just go out and have fun. The goal now is to take the checkered flag, but Bomarito is being realistic about those chances.

Bomarito, who comes from a successful run in the Atlantic Series, is making the transition into sports cars. “It’s some of the best racing I’ve ever done.” He said he’s learned a lot how to prepare himself for next year’s Rolex 24. “It’s a whole different mind set.

A beautiful sunrise greeted the drivers still circulating the 3.56-mile high-banked tri-oval/infield road course, and also for those awaking to take their turn behind the wheel. The weather continues to warm, with the hovering cloud cover no doubt holding in the heat. Made for a spectacular sky.

Spirit of Daytona Racing No.09 Porsche Coyote DP Photo by MARK WEBER

In Hour 21, the Spirit of Daytona Porsche/Coyote Daytona Prototype flamed up big time in the pit lane and was doused by multiple extinguishers. Road racer GUY COSMOS was exiting the car at the time, and motorcycle rider, SCOTT RUSSELL, was getting in. He said he smelled fuel the instant he was inside and something just ignited. Russell was able to safely get out, and the team is still diagnosing the problem. Russell said he wore more safety garments for the car race than he does for bike riding. The driver lineup includes Cosmos and three motorcycle riders: Russell, JASON PRIDMORE and JEFF WARD.

The Ford marque is now represented by one car, SunTrust Racing No.10 Ford Riley Daytona Prototype. The other six Ford DP’s retired with the same kind of engine problem, in addition to the GT Mustang. Meanwhile the Lexus and Porsche marques are soldiering on, for the most part, swapping the lead. For four hours the pole sitter No.58 Brumos Porsche Riley DP has led its class and overall, the longest streak of any car in either class.

Four of the remaining DP’s are on the lead lap.

Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R GT Photo by MARK WEBER

The GT category continues to hold down eighth position overall, with the top two on the lead lap. In Hour 19, Farnbacher took back the lead from TRG, but the two teams swap nearly every hour. A new car has inserted itself into the mix. Banner Racing No.07 Pontiac GXP.R ran third.

SCOTT DIXON/No.02 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley DP had a bit of a drama when his nosepiece flew off and landed on track. A caution came out and Dixon pitted and headed for the garage for replacements and went back on course.

Driver ANDY WALLACE explained some of the strange hiccups being experienced by the Childress-Howard Motorsports No.2 Pontiac Crawford DP. He said there’s a renegade wire in the chassis, and the diagnostic system in a box has shorted out. It keeps indicating failures in all the various functions of the car. The car seems to work better in the cool. As no one knows what to expect, Wallace quipped that it would probably start sparking on the last stint and the shock would keep the drivers awake for the checkered flag.

The pace has not slowed during the night at Daytona International Speedway for the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask 16 Rolex 24. Penske Racing No.16 Porsche Riley Daytona Prototype led at the top for four hours. The pole sitter, No.58 Brumos Porsche Riley DP took over the slot for Hour 17, while Penske Racing fell back to fifth position. Five DP’s remained on the lead lap, and ten seconds of each other.

GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing No.99 Pontiac Riley DP Photo by MARK WEBER

The GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley DP fell back early one due to a gear box change. The team has been slowly working its way back up the charts, and at Hour 17, the team was in eleventh overall, eighth in class.

KYLE PETTY, whose was driving the No.45 Victory Junction – Orbit Racing BMW Riley DP when it failed the last time, made the transition from driver to broadcaster. He was in the SPEED TV booth when the Rolex coverage returned Sunday morning. He had said earlier in the weekend that he wanted to focus on his broadcasting.

The top GT car, TRG No.66 Porsche GT3 Cup ran eighth overall and was the only car on the GT lead lap. Those cars were only 17 seconds apart.

The top GT car continued to run eighth overall, although the top team continued to swap between two multi-car teams – Farnbacher Loles Racing, which ran six Porsche GT3 Cup cars and TRG which ran five Porsches. The top teams remained the same, but the actual car holding the lead varied.

The teams continued to race, pit, race, cruise behind the pace car, and repeat as necessary.

By the end of Hour 17, there had been 18 cautions for 85 laps. The leader had completed 513 laps with an average of 126.16 mph.

Thirty-nine lead changes occurred between 19 drivers in nine cars.

Victory Junction - Orbit Racing No.35 Porsche GT3 Photo by MARK WEBER

During the night the cars, with their lights and graphics made for nice viewing against all the lights and glitter of the midway.

The weather remains mild during the wee hours of the morning of the Rolex 24 at Daytona – 58 degrees F/14/4 C. The temperature has risen twice in the last two hours, but out in pit lane, the breeze adds a chill factor. Still, the prone and not so prone folks who are resting. waiting or watching are not as bundled up as folks have been in previous years. In most cases, the individual is still recognizable.

Beyer Racing Helmets Waiting For Their Next Run Photo by MARK WEBER

The stats keep mounting. This is not a runaway race for any one team. The racing is so tight that there are still six DP’s on the lead lap. There have not been more than two hours in a row with the same team leading the race.

There have  been 33 lead changes among 18 drivers in nine cars, and those are only the ones marked at Start-Finish. Sometimes the lead would change twice or more within a lap, between SCOTT DIXON/No.02 Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates Lexus Riley DP and BUDDY RICE/No.16 Penske Racing Porsche Riley DP

Fifteen cautions have taken 76 laps from the 420 run by the start of Hour 15. Most are for minor problems such as debris or spins. Hours one, two, seven and eleven had no cautions.

At the end of Hour 14, Penske Racing is leading for its second consecutive hour. Hour 12 was led by Sun Trust Racing No.10 Ford Dallara DP.

TRG No.67 Porsche GT3 Photo by MARK WEBER

In GT, Farnbacher Loles Racing No.87 Porsche GT3 Cup car has led for the past three hours, in eighth position, followed – literally and figuratively – by TRG No.67 Porsche GT3 Cup car, for the past three hours.

Krohn Racing No.75 Ford Riley DP Photo by MARK WEBER

The second Krohn car, No.75 Ford Riley Daytona Prototype, retired with engine problems. There are only two Ford DP’s left on track, both Dallara’s.  SunTrust Racing has the newer Ford engine, whereas the No.77 Doran Racing Ford Dallara the older body and engine.

Alegra Motorsports No.22 Porsche GT3 GT car spent a long time in the garage working on its alignment. The objects used in front to hang from the levels resembled Christmas tree ornaments. The car went back on course.

Alegra Motorsports BMW Riley DP Photo by MARK WEBER

The time seems to be stretching, as the race will go well into the afternoon, two and a half hours later than usual – making the day seem longer.