2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona

[jmb27]

Haha my bad, I've had the flier since last week, I just got around to looking into it. I'm still on the fence myself. I could get off easy and just get the straight Rolex tickets and have garage access, and camp in the infield. Or a little bit of climate controlled beer and food. I think the camping will win out though, then I'll have more money to spend on the Bud Shootout and Nationwide race a few weeks after. Dennys FTW, or the Olive Garden outside of turn 4, there is Winghouse too, but then I bet that will be pretty full. 3 AM lumberjack slam!

Edit: Out of all our Florida and Georgia members, there are really only two of us going? This IS part of the triple crown of endurance racing, Lemans 24hr, Sebring 12hr and Daytona 24hr

I can't make the Rolex race this year, but as long as my work schedule doesn't change much I'm planing on going the the 12 Hours of Sebring. I would rather attend the 12 Hours of Sebring anyway if I had to chose between the two.

 

[arvin charles]

I don't support Grand Am, along with the ISC and NASCAR. My money goes towards the ALMS & the Sebring (and when they come here, St. Petersburg).

I'll pay attention to the Rolex 24, but I still wish that Grand Am dies a horrible death so that there's only one proper sports car series in North America.

 

[LSX]

I don't like ISC either, but I still like attending the Nascar races at Daytona, I've always gone to them since I was 7 maybe? I think I've missed a season at Daytona maybe one year.

But I'll still go and see a Grand-Am race, I'm so close, there is no reason not to. I've been to the Brumos, or Paul Revere 250 as it was, and I liked that. I also like you guys, plan to commute down to Sebring for the 12 hours. I've never been to an ALMS race, so that will be interesting.
There is no better way to get your feet wet in endurance racing than in your back yard. That way if I'm sorely disappointed, It's a 15-20 minute drive home, not 4 hours. I wish the prototypes were cooler, but they are pretty cool over all, just not ALMS cool. The GT class is very good, I don't see anything wrong with the GT cars.

I ended up not getting the "Taste of the 24" Tickets, I just got the 4 day superticket, so I'll be able to park/cook my own food in the infield and bring my own drinks as well. A girl I know will be staying with the Brumos team, how does that happen?

 

[jmb27]

ALMS is the better series in my mind, with out question, but I like being able to watch another road racing series. I also like the Koni Challenge Series, or now I guess the Continental Tire Series. I know a few different people who go into road racing by watching the Rolex Series when they went somewhere with NASCAR. One of them is now one of the biggest ALMS fans I know.

 

[LSX]

Well, the Rolex should have an interesting start this year. Projected 70% chance of rain Saturday afternoon. Gonna be wet & Wild, not that I want to be wet, I want to be dry, but at least it will be warm.
Friday and Sunday should be clear and comfortable, I'm not going to go down tomorrow for the Quali/Practice. I'll be there early in the AM on Friday though, for the rest of the Quali/Practice and the Fresh From Florida 200.

 

[01GTP]

Have a great time.

I'll be watching what I can on the TV.

Hope the battle at the end is as close again this year. 👍

 

[jmb27]

Good luck staying dry. Even if you do get wet it will still be worth it!

 

[LSX]

We're gonna poncho up and make the best of it

I'll bring back plenty of pictures and some videos if I can.

 

[Prostock26]

Long time reader, first time posting,, but Ill be at the race. Leaving tomorrow for the 18 some hour drive from Michigan!

Never been to a Grand Am or a road race of any sorts, but have watched this race religiously for years.

 

[Cap'n Jack]

Getting some good coverage of the event in Australia this year, I can't wait. 👍

 

[Cale]

The Camaros have been fast in practice. Can't wait to see how they race.

 

[NapoleonMikey]

I'll be leaving Orlando Saturday morning to be up there around noon. If you see a guy in an iRacing.com hat and a corvette shirt odds are its me so don't be afraid to say hi. good to know its going to rain because last year i didn't bring anything and thankfully it was a dry race this year I probably would have forgotten too.

 

[LSX]

The Camaros have been fast in practice. Can't wait to see how they race.

I'm excited to see them as well, I hope at least one is done up in metallic blue with yellow rims. Like the concept race car.

Long time reader, first time posting,, but Ill be at the race. Leaving tomorrow for the 18 some hour drive from Michigan!

Never been to a Grand Am or a road race of any sorts, but have watched this race religiously for years.

Awesome stuff, welcome to GTP. Hope you enjoy the race! Should be 80* on Sunday, I'm sure you'll like that coming from whatever frigid igloo you keep up in the north You should stick around until the following weekend for the Bud Shootout/Lucas Oil Slick Mist 200!
...I was wrong, I just rechecked the weather, it will be 65*, but it will get better through the week.

Mikey-
I have no idea what I'll be wearing, likely a digital camo National Guard backpack or shirt that says COSTA on it But if I see you, I'll say whats up!

Like I said, need GTP shirts

 

[NapoleonMikey]

The #99 Gainsco car had an off today during practice.

http://twitter.com/SIRIUSXM128/status/8331381358

Hard to get all the details through twitter and facebook but it looks like they are considering 2 options. ship the #98 car here overnight from Dallas or use Jimmy Johnson's jet to fly in spare parts. The good thing is no one was hurt and they are still in a position to race on Saturday.

The bad news is it looks like iRacing really does have a curse when they sponsor a car.3 cars they have sponsored and 3 cars have been crashed.

 

[LSX]

I wonder if the speedway has WIFI?

I'm sure they will get that car sorted, I take it they don't keep a backup car like the Nascar boy's do?

 

[riivaaja]

This is the first year I have SpeedHD and I am PSYCHED for this. And the whole season too but OH YEAH.

 

[Earth]

The GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing team changed plans. After a Riley Technologies rep inspected the crash damage from the morning incident, the team decided to remove the section of the chassis behind the driver compartment. Meanwhile, a new rear-end assembly is being put together at the Riley shop in Concord, N.C. Jimmie Johnson is providing aircraft to have the assembly shipped to Daytona. The team hopes to be back on track for Friday morning practice.

Jimmie Johnson is sore but will race

 

[NapoleonMikey]

Good to hear they arent going to lose a whole lot of time over this, the iRacing curse hasn't taken this car like past cars thankfully.

But nope LSX they usually only bring one car with them and a whole bunch of spare parts. As long as the chassis doesn't get bent or twisted they can usually just rebuild the car in a matter of a few hours. If the chassis gets damaged then they would need a new car.

 

[Cale]

I'm excited to see them as well, I hope at least one is done up in metallic blue with yellow rims. Like the concept race car.

You'll have to watch the KONI challenge for that I think.

 

[LSX]

The Camaro's in the FFF 200 are done up like that? There are also two in the GT class for the Rolex, but the one I've seen so far is red and black with red rims.

This is one of the Koni cars I think. Momentum Racing?

Here is another one though for Stevenson Sunoco Racing.

I guess it's close enough to the GS Concept

I'll get the goods on them tomorrow I guess. I can't find the pictures of the red and black one now...

Click here for monster size sexy group shot of the Koni Challenger, Camaro and Mustang. Too cool, my new background! !

 

[mazdaman]

Now it's time for the invasion of the three-rotor Rx-8's to go kick some butts.

 

[Cale]

I think the other Camaro in the Daytona 24 is red, white, and blue. Not completely sure on that as I may be thinking of the black and red one that you mentioned.

 

[LSX]

From Grand-AM

"SunTrust Racing's
Max Angelelli takes the pole in the Daytona Prototype (1:40.681 @ 127.293Mph)
for the Rolex 24 At Daytona and
Jeff Segal of SpeedSource will lead the GT class. (1:49.282 @ 117.274Mph)

Pacing the Fresh From Florida 200 will be:

Andy Pilgrim of Fall-Line Motorsports in the GS class (1:59.636 @ 107.125 mph)

Freedom Autosport's Derek Whitis in the ST class. (2:08.736 @ 99.553 mph)"

 

[LSX]

Friday, 29th.

Well, finally back from the Fresh From Florida 200. It was great, there was some close racing, good saves, hard contact and I must say, they don't smell nearly as good as Nascar's do at Daytona. BUT, I had a great time so far, there was really too much happening for me to take in at once.

I spent a bit of time at the garages during the Rolex practice, got some cool shots, and didn't think to get some autographs. I even got some video, but I doubt it to be that impressive.

Sébastien Bourdais right?

Boris Said.

The new E93(?) M3's really surprised me. They sound amazing, and pretty much dominated the majority of the day. There were scraps going on all over the place, with some bad luck thrown on top. Most of it going to the #5 Dodge Challenger, his hood was unlatched at the start and blew open, then he had his drivers fender falling off, all while getting lapped. Poor guy, the other blue Challenger on the same team didn't even start the race. Ended up with the most colorful car winning, I don't want to ruin it for those who will watch it on TV.

A few more shots and two videos...

All from the Continental Tire Challenge Paddock/Race.

This STI sounded mean, and made a nice save when pushed to the grass and drove right back on without a wiggle.

One of the many Camaro's

One locked up after the kink...

My girlfriend is on the hunt for Mc.Dreamy or whatever they call Patrick Dempsey. Hey, at least she's excited and knows a driver.

Though he was not at the helm right here.

Was throwing his weight around with some GS cars, at one point I thought he was going to run them over, they then applied the go pedal and left him.

Anddd a this is the result of spinning in the middle of the hairpin. The Riley Mazda did a half spin, the Mustang had no where else to go, though another Mustang, I think on the same team showed that the car has the potential for rally stardom with some grassy maneuvers to avoid having these two as a hood ornament.

Not the best, but a point and shoot will only do so much.

After a restart.

During the final practice session. I don't know who is talking they sound like a chipmunk though.

I'll add some stuff after Sundays activities finish up. I have more I'll put in a photo thread where photo's go.

 

[Prostock26]

Nice pics, I guess I didnt realize you could get that close to the cars and drivers.

We almost stopped by the track today to see what was going on, but decided to scope out the beach scene instead. lol

 

[LSX]

Nice pics, I guess I didnt realize you could get that close to the cars and drivers.

We almost stopped by the track today to see what was going on, but decided to scope out the beach scene instead. lol

Haha nice. Yeha, there were so many drivers from Grand-Am and the Koni cars walking around, it was weird. I didn't know who the majority of them were. I'll post up more car pictures when I get a chance. I'm already feeling the sunburn.

 

[CAMikaze]

The #99 Gainsco car had an off today during practice.

http://twitter.com/SIRIUSXM128/status/8331381358

Hard to get all the details through twitter and facebook but it looks like they are considering 2 options. ship the #98 car here overnight from Dallas or use Jimmy Johnson's jet to fly in spare parts. The good thing is no one was hurt and they are still in a position to race on Saturday.

The bad news is it looks like iRacing really does have a curse when they sponsor a car.3 cars they have sponsored and 3 cars have been crashed.

You think the other NASCAR teams will ask iRacing to sponsor Jimmie Johnson this year?

Well, finally back from the Fresh From Florida 200. It was great, there was some close racing, good saves, hard contact and I must say, they don't smell nearly as good as Nascar's do at Daytona. BUT, I had a great time so far, there was really too much happening for me to take in at once.

Guess they're already getting used to doing the Continental, huh?

 

[LSX]

Guess they're already getting used to doing the Continental, huh?

Over my head man. ...

On a side note, the Iracing Mustang finished today just fine! So maybe not entirely a curse.

 

[Cale]

Did the STi run ST class? The ST Legacies were awesome. (and fast!)

 

[CAMikaze]

The Camaro's in the FFF 200 are done up like that? There are also two in the GT class for the Rolex, but the one I've seen so far is red and black with red rims.

This is one of the Koni cars I think. Momentum Racing?

Here is another one though for Stevenson Sunoco Racing.

I guess it's close enough to the GS Concept

I'll get the goods on them tomorrow I guess. I can't find the pictures of the red and black one now...

Click here for monster size sexy group shot of the Koni Challenger, Camaro and Mustang. Too cool, my new background! !

Looking at these cars, I feel like openly lamenting the decision by the Trans-Am organizers not to go back towards a production muscle car based series formula.

Guess they're already getting used to doing the Continental, huh?

Over my head man. ...

Continental as in Continental Tires who replaces Koni as the main sponsor of the support series.