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Pre Rolex Material

Rolex

04/02/2001

39th Rolex 24

24 Reasons To Go

©Andrew S. Hartwell

All images from last year’s event, © John Brooks

1. The entire north-eastern section of the United States has already set a record for the coldest winter ever. Florida isn't in the north-eastern section of the United States. It's a hell of a lot warmer in Daytona than it is in Boston.

2. The Crawford SSC will make its race debut. This is a new car that was birthed by some very experienced parents - designer Andrew Scriven and master builder, Max Crawford. Further, the highly successful Kevin Doran, and the Doran-Lista partnership, will be the tutors for the car's educational years. And how appropriate that this all new American beast should be painted up in red, white and blue!

3. There will be a ton of cars on the track, at once, at speed, and for 24 hours straight.

4. The Earnhardts are running the race for the first time. This begs the possibility of at least two outcomes.
A. They will experience the humiliation of having 'sporty car' drivers out gun them in their Holy Land - the Daytona Speedway. OR
B. The 'sporty car' drivers will have to take some flack about how they couldn't seem to catch up with the good ole boys. Which one do you think will happen?

5. Rob Dyson will be going for his fourth triumph. Will Doran, Risi, Champion or any of the top GTS cars let him have it without a fight?

6. The new Saleen will be out looking for blood after one skirmish (Laguna Seca) and lots of practice. Don't you want to see this beautiful car running up on the high banking? Paul Gentilozzi will be pushing the Saleen to get around as fast as it can go. Hmm, you have to wonder if the Trans-Am veteran and the NASCAR boys might not want to play bumper tag when the mood hits them. Hmm, wonder if Steve Saleen or Mr. Goodwrench at GM would want to mention that item to their drivers ahead of time?

7. Vipers haven’t finished with the Rolex yet. No Oreca this time, but Chamberlain will be taking on the Corvettes and GT1 Porsches.

8. Champion is back with the Lola B2K / 10 Porsche and this time, no one seems to feel that the words 'we will get there' refers to the possibility of future success. This time, the future may be now. And anytime Porsche says they will help, you are blessed. Lord knows Dorsey Schroeder is ready to taste the bubbly.

9. The Grand Lady (grandmother?) of prototype sports car racing, the Ferrari 333SP, may yet grab the brass ring one more time. When you put Allan McNish and Ralf Kelleners on the carousel you can be sure they will be reaching for that ring with each spin of the merry go 'round.

10. The good people at the Grand Am are becoming expert at putting on a show. When was the last time you went out to a show? If you were in Adelaide you may have felt like seeking a refund. How many hundred laps were the Audis ahead in the end? Was it one millennium's worth?

11. The HSR Historics will be on the track that weekend too. As I have said before, since time travel is still a science fiction fantasy, thank god for vintage racing!

12. At the last count - but not the last count - 65 cars were registered to race. SRP=13 SRPII=10 GTS=11 GT=23 AGT=8. When the final numbers come in, there should be more cars passing, pushing, skidding, flying, spinning, steering and winning than in any other sportscar racing event.

13. You can work on your tan and soak up the colors and the noise and the excitement of racing by being there. Or, you can sit at home and watch it on Speedvision for 24 hours. Think about it. Get warmed by the sun, or by the hot air coming out of the vent on the den wall.Hmm, iced tea or hot chocolate?

14. You simply have to know if an AGT car could place as high as a top three spot overall. After all, Irv Hoerr did it in the GT qualifying sprint race at Watkins Glen this year. And Kevin Doran has cited his new AGT car as being faster on the Glen straightaway than the Ferrari. Oh, wait a minute, this time Irv Hoerr is in a prototype. Never mind.

15. You want to see if the TRV Team can stay on the track, and out of the parts bin, for 24 hours. This team is determined to land a top-ten finish and, in a race as long as this one, anything is possible. (Note to team owner Tom Volk: Check the parts inventory just in case.)

16. The new Mosler makes it first appearance. Which end of the car will the Saleen and the Corvette drivers see most often?

17. The SRPII field looks to be well endowed. There are all the Lolas B2K / 40s, the Pilbeams MP84s, and the tried and true - but not tired - Team Spencer Kudzu-Mazda. Dennis Spencer sees his team's experience and methodical approach to running an endurance contest as an advantage. They are an American team, with an American car, looking to take home the win in a place that has become an American landmark.

18. Paul Newman is back for one more try. Of course, I will be able to say the same thing next year. And probably again in 2003. But that is certainly acceptable to me because it feels good to say Paul Newman will be back.

19. The Robinson Racing Riley & Scott has been this close to another Grand Am win several times and this may be the time they return to the podium. I sure would like to take a picture of that and send it to George Robinson. Maybe he could autograph it and send it on to the folks at Reynard?

20. Perennial favorite Jim Downing will be back with his bullet proof Kudzu. Last year the team crashed out and had to call it a day after a short time. Maybe this year the Kudzu will spread across the podium, choking out the other teams?

21. Hurley Haywood. Need I say more?

22. Jon Field has already served notice that, penalty or not, he is going to continue to charge for the front. Hmm, wonder what will happen if Dale Earnhardt - "The Intimidator" - comes up against Jon Field - "The Eagertist"? Perhaps the result will be the 'elimination' of both cars?

23. The Marcos Mantara comes out to play in the Florida sun. God, I hope that this time they have only one color of paint lying around the shop! The old car looked like spumoni ice cream gone sour!

24. It's a whole damn month 'til Sebring!