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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">GRAND AMERICAN ROAD RACING ASSOCIATION</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">13/09/2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">Spirit</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">Of Daytona</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">Needless to say, the two-day test session at Daytona was anything but normal. Most of the transporters had arrived on the scene prior to the east coast tragedies. But of course the nationwide transport stoppage meant that the arrival of personnel was scattered and fragmentary at best. It was a case of one team having drivers but no crew and their neighbors, vice versa. No more than perhaps a half dozen cars took part during Wednesday afternoon's session. One of them was the no. 15 Fordahl Porsche. Drivers Kim Hiskey and Randy Pobst were present but their crew was not. The G & W and Pumpelly staff chipped and got the green and white Porsche onto the track for a few laps. They were joined by one of the Orbit cars as well a couple of Prototypes. Transponders were issued although not all the cars used them. As times become available, we will post them.<BR> <BR> There was some understandable confusion during the proceedings. When the test session began there was an announcement that the race would be held. However, shortly thereafter news reports indicated that the air travel system would not be functional for another day or two at best. Thus it became futile to attempt to maintain a proper schedule. Several of the class points races are close and the result would have been decided merely on who was able to make it to the track. Ongoing discussions are being held regarding re-scheduling. Possibilities revolve around an HSR weekend or the scheduled November test days. However, there is at least the conflict with the Malaysian ALMS finale, not to mention any host of other logistical problems. Of course these are all little bothers compared with problems elsewhere, but it is symptomatic of the task ahead in all walks of life. <BR> <BR> Kim Hiskey is among those stranded far from home for the forseeable future. Don't be surprised if this causes a spike in the used car market. She and others are considering shopping for an old beater and driving cross-country. On a more serious note, Daytona Beach is one of the key centers of the investigation. Emory-Riddle University is located only about a mile from the Speedway. It is a major aeronautical institution and one of the apparent hijackers trained there. The area is swarming with law enforcement officials. Their work is far more important now than lap times.<BR> <BR> Janos Wimpffen<BR> <BR> </FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>