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Daytona Test Days

Rolex

06/01/2001

Friday

Morning News

Russell Wittenberg reports that the #32 Goldin Mazda has a brand new 3 rotor engine and the new rules have helped them get the power up from 300 to 500, which changes everything as far as setup. They’re having a fuel pick up problem right now. Steve Goldin thinks with the new rules they can compete with Porsches in GT.

The #01 Bytzek 911 GT1 had an oil fire in the infield section. No one hurt, but the car is burnt fairly badly. It hasn’t been a lucky few weeks for this team.

The #83 Bob Akin R&S is having rear brake problems, Norman Simon has been in the car this morning, but it’s not up to speed yet.

In #37, Jon Field is very happy. The car is running great, tires (Goodyear) are terrific, and he has run several laps in the 1:40s. He’s not going to push today, but will work on race set-up and get son Clint some seat time in the Lola B2K / 10.

The #48 Pilbeam, with Shane Lewis at the wheel, broke its engine after five laps, and with no parts here to fix it, he and Bob Mazzuoccola will have to wait for the Rolex 24. They are trying to put together something with Pilbeam for rest of the GARRA season. Shane will race all ALMS events and and Le Mans in the new Callaway C12, hoping to add Darren Law to the lineup. The car isn’t expected to be ready until four days before the Texas round: interesting.

#76 Gunnar Jeanette GT-1 was not on track yesterday!! That makes the Thursday times interesting. Gunnar Jeannette took the wheel at the start of the morning session, at 10.00. The Champion livery is gone, replaced by a big "?" Gunnar wouldn't explain, but they apparently have a couple of things in the works for the livery of this car for the race.

#00 Bytzek driver John Brenner reported that his car is performing well. This chassis won the Canadian GT Cup. The engine continues to smoke, but apparently it is not a problem. The team are using Dunlops and have picked up a couple of seconds. Brenner was driving the car that had a tyre blow (not Dunlop) in the November test. It went on the front stretch at about 170mph, (very scary), and blew the rear deck lid up into the grandstands (even scarier).

With the #27 Crawfiord, Kevin Doran was not a very happy man. “Car has no top speed," and the team currently don’t seem to know where to find it.

#16 James Weaver (very nice guy, are all you English guys this polite? – Yes. Ed.) is driving the brand new R&S chassis, its first time on track yesterday. James thinks a 1:39 will be needed to get pole if conditions are right. He had a seat fitting for the new R&S "C" recently, hoping to have that car for Sebring and other ALMS rounds and Dyson are looking seriously at a Le Mans entry. Max Papis will join #20 tomorrow and for the race.

Butch Leightzinger to have first run in car today. He’s excited to be back with
Dyson this year, his Cadillac year not having been his most enjoyable in racing.

Hurley Haywood in the #38 Lola Porsche is happy with times, he thinks they’re fast enough to win. "Best prepared car and team he has ever been with for a Rolex." He’s happy to be driving with Wollek, so Bob can't tie his record of Rolex wins!! Dorsey Schroeder believes he can pick another second in qualifying trim. The car is “solid”, the engine has over 60 hours on it and gearbox has over 140 hours on
it!!! They are ready! Champion are still negotiating with Audi, and will run
something for the balance ofthis year, they just don't know what yet. Jonhansson is still in the mix for the Audis.

For the #02 Mosler, this is the first track test ever for car, so they are very happy so far,learning a lot, would like to find more speed, but confident it is there.

Johny O'Connell arrived this morning and will definitely drive for Corvette at the Rolex, Sebring, Le Mans and the PLM. Maybe more, but he’s looking for other rides this year. He said that the Corvette was fun to drive, a great team, very professional. He indicated that Panoz haven’t yet confirmed whether they will run one or two cars this year. Johnny seems much happier in his new ‘home’.