BORIS SAID of CA was the fastest Rolex Series GT driver, running sixteenth OA, with a lap of 1:50.377/116.111 mph in No.94 Turner Motorsport BMW M3. His co-drivers are BILL AUBERLEN, PAUL DALLA LANA and MATT PLUMB.
The Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series Presented by Crown Royal Cask No.16 is having its annual three-day test session, Roar Before The 24, at Daytona International Speedway, as a run up to the 49th running of the oldest American 24 hour endurance race. The weather was bright and sunny and really cold. It warmed up as the day went on. The torrential Wednesday night rain is just a memory.
RICHARD WESTBROOK of England suffered a right rear tire puncture, lost air for a lap, and brought the No.95 Level 5 Motorsports BMW Riley DP in to avoid any damage to the brand new bodywork. Neither the team nor the Grand-Am officials have yet to determine what caused the puncture.
The Level 5 sister car, No.55 BMW Riley DP only ran three laps, due to transmission problems.
The Spirit of Daytona Racing No.90 Chevrolet Coyote had no problems, but people kept asking as the car was in the garage a long time during the session. The team started the one hour 45-minute session with the race gearbox in the car. It then pitted to swap transmissions from the race to test gear.
Eight cars, one DP and seven GT cars, did not get on track at all.
The car count is now 17 Daytona Prototypes and 31 GT cars, with the addition of No.32 PR1 Motorsports BMW M6 GT.
SPEED TV will be covering the Rolex 24 live, but not through the night. Details TBA. On site for the test are the on-camera walkers and talkers, LEIGH DIFFEY, CALVIN FISH, CHRIS NEVILLE, DORSEY SCHROEDER, and BRIAN TILL. Behind the scenes staff include GREG OLDHAM, RICK RATAJCZAK, SCOTT SWIM, and spotter CHUCK DRESSING. The Rolex 24 coverage will have all these folks plus JUSTIN BELL, DAVID HOBBS, and BOB VARSHA.
The second and final Friday practice is in the afternoon. Stay tuned for remarks, insights and feedback on the new track surface. Everyone has an opinion.