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Daytona Test Days

Rolex

06/01/2001

Daytona Race Preview

A Very Early Look At The Prospects

With a projected entry list already running near 120 for the 39th Rolex 24, the first race could be the one to make the field. There are five classes again, but most have subtly different names now.

The race for the overall win should go to an SRP as there are likely to be almost 30 cars entered - so the prospects for a GTS (the old GTU) overall winner look slim this time (but still a possibility).

Ironically, with Ferrari giving no support to any team, the Italian manufacturer may actually have five or six cars at Daytona. Two teams are in with a real chance for the overall victory; the BMS Scuderia Italia and Risi outfits (one or two cars each?) should be the leading representatives to represent this beautiful car. The Calderari squad could have won it outright, but it seems that this team will be running a Porsche. The Brown 333SP entry will be looking for speed and reliability.

The Chevy powered contingent looks as diverse as ever, with the TRV R&S having to be the favorite for that mark. What will be interesting and a true wild card is the Bill Riley entered R&S, which will use the latest Corvette derived engine. They have reserved a number and if they show they have to be considered a real threat to win it overall. The Cascadia Lola B98/10 and Genesis Hawk (f they appear) will be nice eye candy, especially the Lola.

The Ford group will be the best-represented mark, with engines supplied by Lazano, Yates and Roush. Lazano Fords have won the pole twice and the race / class for three of the last four years. Among the three to four Lola chassis, the Konrad and Creighton B2K/10s have to be the favorites, with the Kremer B98/2000 (2001?) as a clear threat. However, I still see the gearbox as a series problem for the Lola Ford combination and I expect them to break their transmissions by the 12-16 hour mark.

The Thetford / Norcold / Dyson outfit have to be considered the team to beat out of all the American entries, and they deserve this recognition based on their past performances. The Davin and Intersport teams do not currently have the pace or experience to hang with the leaders of the group. If they are smart they won’t try to. What could be a potential dark horse would be the Cunningham R&S Ford, if it is entered. The team owner / manager has won the overall race with a Nissan, remember.

Judd-powered chassis will be the most diverse, with Ascari, Lola, Crawford, R&S, Durango and possibly one other new chassis from Europe expected. The way I would have to handicap this group is based on the chassis. I do believe that the Judd will finish the race, but not at the front of the field. They have to step it back too far to last the distance at race pace. The best finisher should be the Robinson R&S. The Intersport Lola should see some time at the front. The Crawford should be very interesting, but I believe it will be just too new to go 24 hours.

As for the rest of the engine manufactures in SRP, the Champion Porsche unit in the Lola should be there until the end. They do not use the Lola gearbox but the Porsche GT1 unit. It will take an almost perfect run by someone to beat them.

Which brings me to my favorite for this year, the Pescarolo Peugeot Courage C52. They have a solid chassis and engine combination, along with a set of experienced drivers, which can almost match up with any other team. They will not be the fastest but I expect them to be like the Kemer K8 in ’95, always in the top 10 and moving up. They are coming with one thing in mind and that is to win.

I look for Downing to finish in the top five. They could have won the class last year, had they not been an unfortunate victim of a racing incident.

Could there be some other teams out there with a good chance of an overall victory? Yes, but they have not made any rumblings about being present.

The GTS class looks to be a Corvette walk-away right now, but things may be tougher than they are expecting. First of all there will be Vipers present from Chamberlain and one other possible FIA competitor, which ran really well all year long. The Saleen should be a superb sight on the banking, and will be sand-bagging all the way until race day. At which point they will shock everyone with the speed they are capable of. Now whether they can go the distance is the question. Saleen products have never really had a stellar track record at endurance racing, but I believe they have done their homework and they will finish.

The Marcos cars will add great color and a little excitement but little possible threat. The Porsches are going to be a great addition with the GT1s, but the 911s have had their day – or not. I believe the GT1s are slightly over-regulated to contend for the win but they will be reliable. You’d better not have a slip up or they will pass you by. Quality teams run all three, and the fourth one, if realized, is also a top-notch team. Now here is the real showstopper. Team Oreca have reserved number 91 and 92 for the race. If they arrive (surely not?, Ed.), the race for class and overall has just been altered. If the Oreca Vipers and the ‘Vettes have a 24 hour sprint race they must be considered to match Dyson, Pescarolo, Risi and Champion – if the SRPs have the slightest problem. What will be interesting is if a Porsche 911 GT3R turbo appears and raced by whom.

The SRP ll class will be a Nissan battle with a hint of Mazda thrown in for a little spice. They are not fast enough to beat the GTSs and the SRPs. They will be nice to look at but only one team has any 24-hour history, which is the Mazda of Dennis Spencer. The race will go to the car with the least mistakes. Pilbeams and Lolas will put on a nice little show among themselves and this class should be watched for that fact only. If one of the cars in the class makes it into the top 10, I will be truly surprised, but perhaps the Swedish Lola run by Stanley Dickens is the one to do it.

The GT class should be a Porsche Cup race, with only the Jet and Milner BMWs as true competition. Others will have trouble making the race if over 120 entries are actually entered. Of the Porsche 911 GT3Rs, the Alex Job and Barbour cars are the favorites. G&W and Racers Group would also have to be considered. The truly interesting cars will be the Risi Ferrari 360N-GT (if present), the Mosler MT900, and the Corvettes from Specter Werks and others. Calloway may even be present but do not hold your breath. A 911 RSR probably cannot make this field.

The AGT class will be another ho hum race if RVO Camaro is not present. The true test of this class is - can you make the race? If you do you will probably win the class – if you finish.

The biggest winner this year will be the fan. This will be the best field since the GTP hey days of the early 90s. I will be there.

Le Source