Daytona 2006 Rolex 24 Practice & Qualifying

[Grady Clay]

Daytona 2006 Rolex 24 Practice & Qualifying

First practice session is in progress.
http://grandamerican.vfx.com/Rolex/GrandAmerican_800.asp
52 of 69 cars entered are on track.



Today’s press releases.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2006) -- With today's announcement that 2002 Trans-Am Series champion and multi-time Rolex Series race-winner Boris Said will co-drive the No. 11 Tuttle Team Racing by SAMAX BMW Riley, the popular road racing specialist pushed the total of champion drivers in the 2006 Rolex 24 At Daytona past last year's record field of 54.

In fact, additional research of motorsports record books from around the world has revealed that there will be a total of 68 national or international auto racing champions entered in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. To make the list, drivers were required to have won a non-entry level, professional championship in a national or international series.

Joining Said on the list are 1996 and '97 NASCAR Busch Series champion Randy LaJoie, 2003 Rolex Series GTS titlist Tommy Riggins, 2003 Rolex Series GT co-champion Brent Martini, 2002 Formula Ford Zetec champion Bryan Sellers, 2003 Rolex Series SRPII champion Steve Marshall, 2001 and '02 Rolex Series GTS champion Chris Bingham, 2003 Danish Touring Car champion Jan Magnussen, 2000 Panoz GT Series champion Milka Duno, 2004 Formula Renault champion Colin Braun, 1995 World Challenge and Firestone Firehawk champion David Murry, 2001 British GT GTO champion Marino Franchitti, 2004 Austrian Formula 3 Cup champion Jan Seyffarth, 1997 British Porsche Cup champion Johnny Mowlem and 1995 Formula Ford world champion Kevin McGarrity.

The 68 champions headline a field of more than 200 drivers that will take on the unique and grueling challenge that is the Rolex 24 At Daytona, North America's premier endurance race. SPEED Channel will provide more than 13 hours of live coverage, beginning at 12:00 Noon ET on Saturday, January 28.




DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 25, 2006) -- Tuttle Team Racing by SAMAX driver Brian Tuttle will have a "dream team" of co-drivers when he starts his first Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 28-29. Racing on a track that combines the high banks of NASCAR competition and a road course, he will share the No. 11 BMW Riley with Kyle Petty and Boris Said. The two veterans know both sides of the track.

Petty, of Trinity, N.C., has raced with NASCAR at Daytona International Speedway since 1981. He has also made numerous Rolex 24 starts on the 3.56-mile circuit that adds an infield road course to the banked tri-oval. In three of those races, he shared driving duty with SAMAX Motorsport team owner Peter Baron. Petty also drove with Tuttle in two Rolex Series races last year.

"It's no secret that I love driving sports car and especially racing in the Rolex 24," Petty said. "Brian has been generous enough to let me share this ride, and it's pretty cool to have Boris as a teammate as well. Boris is a tremendous road-racer and he has proved he can win in anything he races. Brian is a competitor, too, but more importantly, he's just a great guy. I'm excited about this weekend."
Said also knows the track's fast line from his dual perspective of NASCAR and sports-car driver. The Carlsbad, Calif., racer has competed in every class in the Rolex 24, collecting two GT wins. He knows the importance of preserving both car and driver for 24 hours. At six feet four inches tall, he says comfort is sharing a car seat with teammates of equal height. (Petty and Tuttle are both six feet two inches.)

"It's a long race. You don't race in the 24 hours of Daytona; you save everything," Said noted. "I'm just glad we're all tall. That will make it a lot more comfortable."
Tuttle bought the No. 11 Riley just for the Rolex 24. The West Palm Beach, Fla., driver wants to win the 2006 Jim Trueman Award, presented to the top sportsman driver in the Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype class. He had already rented his No. 7 Riley to the CITGO Racing by SAMAX entry when he decided to compete for the award.

"I wasn't planning to do the 24-hour race, so we put together a good program and rented the car," he explained. "Since then, I got really motivated to win the Trueman award, so I need the points from Daytona. We decided the best option would be to buy another car and control our own destiny. I'm very excited about the lineup and I think we'll do well."

Baron put the drivers and crew together in less than 10 days, but he noted the team is working like a veteran force under the direction of team manager Dennis Eade, race engineer Dr. Steve Bunkhall and chief mechanic Roy Wilkerson.
"This program didn't exist on January 10th, but everything came together perfectly," Baron said. "The driver lineup is outstanding. The crew members gelled instantly - after two weeks, they're working together better than some who have been working together for two years. For such a late program, I think it's definitely one that could surprise a lot of people."

Best,
Grady

[Don Plumley]

Thanks Grady!

[Jim Garfield]

Thanks Grady, I'll be watching with interest. So far Job Porsche fastest and Brumos #3. That live scoring is great!

[Jim Garfield]

Tafel Porsches #1 & #2 in GT.

[Grady Clay]

Practice Session 1, Thursday 01/25/06 10:00-11:30 AM HERE.

23 Porsche-Crawford
10 Pontiac-Riley
58 Porsche-Fabcar
02 Lexus-Riley
12 Pontiac-Riley
01 Lexus-Riley
28 Ford-Crawford
8 Porsche-Doran
…
16Th 59 Porsche-Fabcar
…
29th 72 Porsche GT3 Cup (1st in GT)
61 cars turned laps.
Nine cars that are entered didn’t make laps in the first session.

#14 GT3 Cup went into the tires in turn 1 and caused a 9 min yellow.


EDIT to add pit notes

Rolex Series Practice Notes Session 1
Good morning and welcome to Round 1 of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve, the 44th Rolex 24 At Daytona. With a weekend full of action and a paddock full of world-class teams and superstar drivers, the 2006 twice-around-the-clock classic has all the makings to be unforgettable. Stay tuned throughout the weekend for practice, qualifying and race notes for each on-track session.

10:04 AM - GREEN FLAG waves to begin the first Rolex Series practice of the 2006 season.

10:15 AM - Race control reports the No. 48 Corvette is traveling slow on-course with front-end damage. The No. 11 BMW is slow on-course.

10:21 AM - The No. 5 Ford spins in Turn 3 and continues.

10:26 AM - The fastest car of the session thus far is the No. 23 Porsche at 1:45.723. In GT, the No. 74 Porsche is fastest at 1:54.482.

10:29 AM - The No. 48 Corvette is still having trouble on-course, with damage to its front-end.

10:32 AM - The No. 23 Porsche improves on its lap time, logging at 1:45.180.

10:34 AM - The No. 24 BMW is stopped on track.

10:35 AM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as track officials tow the No. 24 BMW back to its garage.

10:37 AM - The No. 70 Mazda is penalized 10 minutes for ignoring the full-course caution and continuing on the track.

10:39 AM - GREEN FLAG waves to resume the session.

10:40 AM - The No. 81 Porsche pulls off-course in Turn 3 but continues.

10:42 AM - The No. 23 Porsche posts a 1:44.813, improving on its session-best time. The No. 02 Lexus is second with a 1:45.569, and the No. 10 Pontiac is third at 1:46.617. In GT, the No. 74 Porsche's 1:54.482 is still the quickest in class.

10:44 AM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as the No. 14 Porsche has spun off-course into the tire barrier in Turn 1. [Patrick Small is transported to hospital.]

10:57 AM - GREEN FLAG waves to continue the session.

11:02 AM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as the No. 28 Ford pulls off-course in Turn 3 and returns to its garage. The No. 23 Porsche is still the fastest of the session, with a 1:44.091. In GT, the No. 74 Porsche is quickest at 1:54.482.

11:10 AM - GREEN FLAG waves to continue the session.

11:11 AM - The No. 71 Porsche is stopped between pit exit and the race track.

11:20 AM - With a 1:43.881, the No. 23 Porsche improves on its fastest time of the session.

11:26 AM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as the No. 6 Lexus was stopped on-course, but continues.

11:27 AM - GREEN FLAG waves to resume the session.

11:36 AM - CHECKERED FLAG waves to conclude the session. The No. 23 Porsche was fastest at 1:43.881. The No. 10 Pontiac was second at 1:44.872 and the No. 58 Porsche is third at 1:45.453. In the GT class, the No. 72 Porsche was fastest at 1:53.892, the No. 74 was second with a 1:54.156 and the No. 36 Porsche was third at 1:55.201.

end pit notes


Best,
Grady

[Stutgart46]

I really like the line up in the Alex Job DP. Rockenfeller, Long & Luhr. I understand that there are more experienced guys out there but these 3 would be at the top of my list if it was my car.

[jtfreels]

With Luhr driving for Job, how much of a factory effort is this? Also checked the Job web site, could not find out what type of engine they are using, similar to a GT3?

[NoLift911]

Excellent - thanks! I leave tomorrow morning, see you at the track.

[crater64]

Good info, thank you, Grady.

Unrelated: I tried to send you a PM but your mailbox is full.

[Grady Clay]

Practice Session 2 Thursday 01/26/06 1:30-2:30 PM EST are HERE.

Practice Session 1, Thursday 01/25/06 10:00-11:30 AM HERE.

Entry List

Schedule

1st #23 Porsche-Crawford
13th #58 Porsche-Fabcar
15th #8 Porsche-Doran
24th #59 Porsche-Fabcar
30th #72 GT3 (1st in GT of 18 GT3s)

59 cars made laps in Practice Session 2. #14 GT3 did not run.


The next two sessions are qualifying for the first 30 positions.
3:45-4:00 PM EST Qualifying for Daytona Prototypes (DP)
4:00-4:15 PM EST Qualifying for GT

Not much time and everything has to be RIGHT on the car. Friday’s qualifying times won’t bump anyone in the top 30 positions. The challenge for today is for the top GT Porsches to make it into the top 30. If you start near the back of the field for this race it sometimes is advisable to start way behind everyone and wait until some of the DPs start lapping. Some really stupid things happen in the first few laps. 24 hours is a long time.

EDIT to add Practice session 2 Pit notes:
Practice 2 Pit Notes

1:31 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to begin the second Rolex Series practice session.

1:39 PM - The fastest time thus far is the No. 01 Lexus with a time of 1:45.441, followed by the No. 02 Lexus with a time of 1:45.483. In the GT class the fastest thus far is the No. 64 Pontiac with a time of 1:54.770.

1:43 PM - The No. 72 Porsche clocks a fastest lap of 1:54.282 in the GT class.

1:47 PM - The No. 74 Porsche posts a fastest lap of 1:54.241 in the GT Class.

1:48 PM - In the Daytona Prototype class, the No. 12 Pontiac posts the fastest lap, a 1:45.438.
1:52 PM - The No. 02 Lexus posts a lap of 1:44.626, to take the top spot in the session.

1:52 PM - The No. 72 Porsche posts a lap of 1:53.735, tops in the GT class.

1:54 PM - FULL COURSE CAUTION as the No. 50 is stopped off course

1:54 PM - The No. 11 BMW stops momentarily on-course but continues.

1:59 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to continue the session

2:06 PM - The No. 72 Porsche posts a fastest lap of 1:53.576 in the GT Class.

2:08 PM - The No. 12 Pontiac tops the class with a fastest lap of 1:44.456.

2:13 PM - FULL COURSE CAUTION - The No. 99 is in the tire wall in Turn 2.

MEDICAL UPDATE: After an accident in the morning practice session, driver Patrick Small [#14 Porsche GT3 Cup] was transported to Halifax Medical Center, where preliminary tests were negative. Small will remain in Halifax Medical Center for another round of precautionary tests this afternoon.

2:22 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to resume the session.

2:24 PM - The No. 50 Ford spins in the exit of Turn 3 and continues.

2:31 PM - CHECKERED FLAG waves to end the session. The fastest of the session was the No. 23 Porsche at 1:44:179. In GT the No. 72 Porsche was quickest at 1:53:464.

end Pit notes

Best,
Grady
gradyclay@hotmail.com

[Grady Clay]

PORSCHE POWER ON POLE

Results HERE

#23 Porsche-Crawford is on the pole by 0.386 seconds, the top 13 are within 1.0 seconds.

1st #23 Porsche-Crawford
12th #59 Porsche-Fabcar
13th #8 Porsche-Doran
15th #58 Porsche-Fabcar

These positions are fixed.

Of course a GT3 Cup is first in GT, And 2, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 14, 16, 19, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 32. These ordering will change after Friday qualifying. There are three Cup cars that have yet to qualify as they weren’t on track.


The next session is Night Practice.
6:30-8:00 PM EST


When using the live Timing & Scoring, has anyone had a server pop-up asking for username, etc? You can get rid of it by pressing the “esc” key. Please let me know via e-mail, I have the webmaster’s direct e-mail address.

Best,
Grady
gradyclay@hotmail.com

EDIT
Here are the PIT NOTES for this qualifying session.
Rolex Series Daytona Prototype Qualifying (3:45 PM - 4:00 PM)

3:45 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to begin the 15-minute qualifying session.

3:50 PM - Five minutes into the session, the No. 23 Porsche is fastest at 1:45.318. The No. 10 Pontiac is second at 1:45.660 and the No. 01 Lexus is third at 1:45.800.

3:53 PM - The No. 02 Lexus has taken over the second spot with a 1:44.834. The No. 60 Lexus is now third with a 1:44.862.

3:57 PM - The No. 78 Ford moves into the second slot with a 1:44.691.
3:57 PM - The No. 12 Pontiac posts a 1:44.936, good for third-best of the session.
3:58 PM - After a 1:44.944, the No. 3 BMW is now sixth.

3:59 PM - With a 1:44.009, the No. 23 Porsche improves on its top spot.

4:00 PM - CHECKERED FLAG waves to conclude the session. The No. 23 Porsche will be on the pole for the 44th Rolex 24 At Daytona, as Lucas Luhr posted a session-best 1:44.009. Max Angelelli will be on the outside of the front row after a 1:44.395. Scott Dixon was third in the No. 02 Lexus with a 1:44.609.
Rolex Series GT Qualifying (4:15 PM - 4:30 PM)

4:15 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to begin the 15-minute qualifying session.

4:18 PM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as the No. 66 is into the tire wall in Turn 3.

4:23 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to resume the session.

4:25 PM - With five minutes remaining in the session, the No. 36 Porsche is quickest with a 2:00.251.

4:27 PM - The No. 46 Corvette is stopped off-track in a safe location, and will remain there until the end of the session.

4:28 PM - The No. 80 Porsche takes over the top spot after a 1:58.885.

4:28 PM - The No. 72 Porsche records the fastest lap of the session with a 1:53.336. The No. 74 Porsche is second with a 1:53.728.

4:30 PM - CHECKERED FLAG waves to conclude the session. The No. 72 Porsche will be on the GT pole after a session-best 1:53.336 by Wolf Henzler.

The No. 74 Porsche was second with a 1:53.461 by Andrew Davis and Dirk Werner in the No. 82 Porsche was third at 1:53.726.

G.

[sammyg2]

Grady, any input as to why they have to run GT-3 cup cars in Grand Am instead of the RSR cars?

My guess is to try and handicap the Porsches for better competition but that's just a hunch.

[Doug&Julie]

Looks like the Crawford Porsche may be the way to go! I'll be pulling for them!

[Jim Garfield]

Those things would be a lot easier to root for if they weren't so hideus looking. A foot off of the top would be good.

[Grady Clay]

Night Practice results are HERE.


Race notes for this session:
Rolex Series Practice - 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
6:30 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to begin the session.
6:37 PM - The No. 02 Lexus is fastest in the session thus far with a 1:45.970.
6:38 PM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as the No. 28 Ford has spun into the tire wall in Turn 6.
6:50 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to resume the session.
6:54 PM - The No. 23 Porsche is second-quickest at 1:45.486.
6:58 PM - The No. 10 Pontiac slides into the second spot with a 1:45.932.
6:59 PM - The No. 8 Porsche records the third-fastest lap at 1:46.621.
7:05 PM - The No. 02 Lexus improves on its fastest lap, posting a 1:45.115. In GT, the No. 17 Porsche is fastest at 111.647 mph.
7:07 PM - The No. 23 Porsche is now quickest at 1:44.935.
7:19 PM - The No. 01 Lexus has moved into the fourth overall spot after a 1:46.189.
7:25 PM - The No. 63 Mazda spins in Turn 6 and continues.
7:31 PM - The top five have not changed, as the No. 23 Porsche is still quickest, followed by: No. 02 Lexus, No. 10 Pontiac, No. 8 Porsche, No. 01 Lexus.
7:32 PM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as the No. 66 Porsche hit the tire wall in the chicane. The driver exited the car on his own.
7:40 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to resume the session.
7:46 PM - FULL-COURSE CAUTION as the No. 46 Corvette slides into the tire wall in Turn 4.
7:52 PM - GREEN FLAG waves to resume the session.
8:00 PM - CHECKERED FLAG waves to conclude the session. The No. 23 Porsche held its top spot, a 1:44.935. The No. 02 Lexus was second at 1:45.115 and the No. 01 Lexus was third with a 1:45.396. In GT, the No. 72 Porsche was fastest at 1:54.409 (112.019 mph).

Note the lap time ” 1:44.935. HeHe.



Here is today’s press release:
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 26, 2006) -- German driver Lucas Luhr turned a best lap at 123.230 mph in the No. 23 Alex Job Racing/Emory Motorsports Porsche Crawford to take the pole position for this weekend's Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Luhr's lap shattered the previous Daytona Prototype track record at the 2.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course of 121.565 mph set by Wayne Taylor in 2005 by nearly two miles per hour. Luhr, a Porsche factory driver, will co-drive the No. 23 machine with fellow Porsche factory pilots Mike Rockenfeller and Patrick Long in the 24-hour race.

After the No. 10 SunTrust Pontiac Riley of defending Rolex 24 At Daytona overall winner Max Angelelli was disqualified for a technical infraction, 2003 Indy Racing League IndyCar Series champion Scott Dixon moved to second on the starting grid with a best lap at 122.513 mph in the No. 02 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley. Dixon will share the car with 2005 IndyCar champion and Indianapolis 500 winner Dan Wheldon, and NASCAR regular Casey Mears.

Second-generation racer Alex Gurney will start third in the No. 99 GAINSCO/Blackhawk Racing Pontiac Riley with a lap at 122.436 mph. The son of racing legend Dan Gurney will co-drive in the Rolex 24 with 1996 Champ Car champion Jimmy Vasser, as well as Rocky Moran Jr. and Bob Stallings.

In the GT class, Germany's Wolf Henzler earned his second consecutive Rolex 24 At Daytona pole position with a best lap at 113.080 mph in the No. 72 NEC/Rembrandt Charms Porsche GT3 for Tafel Racing. Last year, Henzler parlayed his pole position into a GT class victory.


There are some GOOD PHOTOS HERE.


Best,
Grady

[Doug&Julie]

Originally posted by Jim Garfield
Those things would be a lot easier to root for if they weren't so hideus looking. A foot off of the top would be good.

Agreed! Although I'd say the Crawfords are among the most "attractive"...after the Fabcars. Really, it's just been a long winter...I'm in the mood to root for something Porsche!

[DB_NC_95C2]

I'm definitely rooting for Lucas. Although I am not a fan of GrandAm or Daytona prototype cars (I prefer the ALMS) I would LOVE to see a Porsche-powered car win overal, especially Lucas. I was at a Petit LeMans in the trailer talking to Christian Menzel at one point, he was driving the 2nd car to Lucas/Sasha. Lucas walks in and I accidentally called him Sasha (I hadn't gotten them straight yet). So I owe Lucas one so-to-speak.

I was considering going to LeMans this year but I may defer the trip until next year, I'm reading rumors about the factory moving the P2 up to P1 next year with some development, and I've always said I wouldn't go to LeMans until Porsche returns with a factory prototype. I don't see them entering the P2 this year, ALMS is their focus.

[Grady Clay]

Friday, January 28, 2006 Schedule

7:30 AM EST Garages open
9:00-9:45 AM EST Rolex Practice 4
10:00-10:45 AM EST Grand-Am Cup Practice
11:00 Grand-Am Driver’s Meeting
11:00-11:30 Milestone laps
11:40-12:00 Final Rolex Qualifying 2 (grid positions 31 and higher)
12:00-1:00 Sponsor activities
1:00-1:45 Final Rolex Practice 5
2:15 PM EST START – Grand-Am Cup 200 (200 miles/57 laps/2.5 hr time limit)
8:00 PM EST Garages close


Guys – Please post images, comments, links, etc. about your friends or favorite Porsche.

I added Pit Notes to the prior sessions.

Practice 4 is next.

Best,
Grady

[Grady Clay]

From the AJR site:
http://www.alexjobracing.com/

Porsche Crawford Daytona Prototype
Porsche 3.8 liter Grand American Daytona Prototype
Technical Specifications


ENGINE:
Six-Cylinder Boxer Porsche 3795 cc –
76.4mm stroke, 102.7mm bore
Horsepower: 510 @ 8500 rpm
Torque: 435 N/meters @ 7500 rpm
Max RPM: 9000
Cooling: Water Cooled
Intake System: Six Individual Throttle Valves
Fuel Injection: Sequential multi-point Bosch MS 4.0 system with ignition control
Lubrication: Dry Sump with Heat Exchanger and Mobil 1 oil
ELECTRONICS:
Engine: Bosch MS Engine Management
Data: Motec display in steering wheel and Motec telemetry
Lap Timing: Lap Trigger with Lap Recording in Display
Battery: 12v 50 Ah Battery
Alternator: McLaren Electronics 110 Amp



Crawford Technologies DP03 Daytona Prototype
Technical Specifications:
Monocoque
Full steel and aluminum honeycomb monocoque
Internal bulkheads and torque boxes


Cockpit
Carbon/Kevlar seat
Anti roll bar adjusters, rear
Custom made seat belts
Lifeline fire extinguisher
Motec steering wheel display
Position adjustable high strength aluminum pedals
Brake balance bar

Front Suspension
Double wishbone, rocker design
Fabricated 4130 steel front uprights, with center optimized for brake cooling
Aluminum steering arm with camber and bump steer adjustments
Rocker machined for position sensor
Blade adjustable anti-roll bars
Steering
Power rack and pinion steering
Split rack design to minimize damage susceptibility
4130 steel track rods
Quick release steering wheel
Height adjustable column

Rear suspension
Double wishbone, rocker design
Fabricated 4130 steel uprights optimized for brake cooling
Rocker machined for position sensor
Blade adjustable anti-roll bars
Geometry options, roll center, anti squat

Brakes
AP 6 piston calipers common left/right
14” iron discs
Common disc bell front/rear
Carbon brake ducts
Adjustable brake balance bar
Accessible fluid reservoirs
Dampers
Penske dampers
Springs over dampers
Wheels
BBS three piece wheels

Gearbox
Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox
Tripod CV joints

Fuel System
Single 24 gallon fuel tank
Main and reserve collector in tank incorporating twin filters
Electrical pick-up pumps in tank
Bosch high pressure pumps external on quick release manifold
Dual refueling valves – optional left/right
Engine breakaway couplings fitted

Bodywork
High efficiency wind tunnel tested carbon bodywork
Single element wing (Grand Am spec)
Quick change gurney in flap
Replaceable nose rub end-plates
Engine air intake
Air jacking system



Best,
Grady

[jtfreels]

Thanks Grady,

Must have been too obvious for me to find!

Here's hoping for a Porsche sweep.
For those of you going have a good time.

Jay