Pre Rolex Material Rolex 04/02/2001   We've Seen Many Before Who's Next?   ©Andrew S. Hartwell When you take some time to look over this list of winners of the last 24 Rolex 24 Hour races, you can't help but feel a sense of wonderment and delight. Just look at some of the names! AJ Foyt, James Weaver, Bob Wollek, Al Holbert, and Derek Bell, just to name a few. And look at how many that beat the clock in Florida really made their names in other forms of auto racing other than sports cars. People like Danny Ongais, Al Unser Jr., Paul Gentilozzi, and Bobby Rahal. Quite an assortment! A few quick odds and ends about the last 24 winners: A total of 85 names make up the 24 winners Of these 85 names, 11 are repeat winners, 74 have won once Of these 11, five have won twice, four have won three times, one has won four times and one has won five times! The multiple winners are: (5) Hurley Haywood 1977 / 1979 / 1991 (He also won in '73 & '75) (4) Bob Wollek 1983 / 1985 / 1989 / 1991 (3) Rolf Stommelen 1978 / 1980 / 1982 (3) Derek Bell 1986 / 1987 / 1989 (3) Andy Wallace 1990 / 1997 / 1999 (3) Butch Leitzinger 1994 / 1997 / 1999 (2) John Paul Jr. 1982 / 1997 (2) AJ Foyt 1983 / 1985 (2) Al Holbert 1986 / 1987 (2) Al Unser Jr. 1986 / 1987 (2) Eliott Forbes-Robinson 1997 / 1999 Porsche cars have taken the overall win in 14 of the last 24 races. Cars "born in America" have won just 4 times. 3 wins for the Riley & Scott MKlll and one for the French-flavored, but American-born Dodge Viper. "American" cars have won 4 of the last 5 events. (Can you say 'Saleen' or 'Corvette'? How about 'Dyson'?) So, whose names will be on the list next? And will there be any names we have seen on the list before? Let's take a look at some of the possibilities. First the names we have already seen winning: Derek Bell? Not in it. Al Unser Jr.? IRL pal. Bob Wollek? Would be wonderful. Butch Leitzinger? Money placed on this horse could return a profit. Andy Wallace? Likewise. Paul Gentilozzi? In the Saleen’s second race? Wayne Taylor? Cadillac didn't come out to play this year, despite an admirable performance in the 2000 race. Coulda / woulda / shoulda. Didier Theys? ALWAYS a possibility. Can the Crawford capture the crown? AJ Foyt? All the horses under him now are on his farm. Jim Pace? Whatever happened to Jim Pace? (Sadly, one thoughtful reader passes on the news that Jim is nursing his sick wife. Ed.) Al Holbert? If only it could be so. Hurley Haywood? You know, we could be looking at a real dark horse here. And now, some names we haven't seen on the list - yet: Allan McNish - If anyone can, he can. The question is, can Ferrari? Ron Fellows - A Canadian with the experience to go all the way. Can Corvette do what the Vipers did? Dale Earnhardt - Don't think so. Besides, he is on the other Daytona win list. Scott Schubot - Could he? Ross Bentley - If the Crawford does, so does he. Dorsey Schroeder - Hey, look who he is driving with! Bob Wollek and Hurley Haywood! Excuse me? They are driving a what? A Por-La? Jim Downing - Wouldn't it be nice to have the Kudzu do it just once? Dennis Spencer - Wouldn't it be even nicer to have the even older Kudzu do it? Jack Baldwin - The car works, the drivers have it in them, and the team wants it. You know, the "74 Ranch Riders" may just rope that podium spot yet! Baldwin could carry the car on his back. Tom Volk - The Rolex has been a 'parts time' job for this guy. Let's see how many pit stops equals how many laps and if that number is close enough to the other guys. OK, what have we got here then? We have a race steeped in tradition (James Weaver likes things with tradition) and rich with the names of the famous - and not so famous - found in its history. We have a warm Florida event that comes when much of the rest of North America is wearing scarves. We have competitive cars in several classes. We have European and American marques set to do battle. And we have a sanctioning body that will, with this event, mark the start of its second full season. Ladies and Gentlemen: It is time to add some names to the list! Mr Cotton, who would you go for? “The Risi Ferrari looks to have a very strong line-up, but this race throws up the unexpected. I think this chap with the unusual facial hair could spring a surprise.” The chap on the right is.......'Rael' of course! With apologies for putting words into Michael’s mouth. Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport