Krohn Racing Expects Sports Car Racing Talent to Shine Through for Them in Rolex 24
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., January 27, 2006 – Krohn Racing is set to debut in tomorrow’s 44th Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona despite early weekend engine woes. The engine problem forced the Houston, Texas-based race team to forgo much of Thursday’s practice and qualifying for the 2006 Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve season-opener at Daytona International Speedway (DIS). Because they did not turn a lap on the 3.56-mile road course in official qualifying the No. 75 Krohn Racing Pontiac Riley will start at the back of the Daytona Prototype (DP) grid, 31st overall in the field of 67. However, the Tracy Krohn-owned team is enthusiastic about the opportunities that the race will provide despite the practice day struggles. Because drivers Tracy Krohn (Houston), Jörg Bergmeister (Langenfeld, Germany), Colin Braun (Ovalo, Texas) and Nic Jönsson (Buford, Ga,) are all sports car racing specialist, they enjoy the added understanding of how endurance events are won. In fact, three of the four drivers (Krohn, Bergmeister and Jönsson) each won events in the Daytona Prototype class last season. Bergmeister has two Rolex 24 victories to his credit including an overall title in 2003 and the GT class win in ’02. On an entry list full of the brightest names in auto racing, the sports car drivers benefit from an understanding of their sport that one-off entries from outside the Rolex Series do not. Endurance racing requires finesse and the ability to balance when to be cautious and when to throw caution to the wind. Those less experienced in this critical decision making ability often find themselves on the sidelines far before the 12 noon (ET) finish of the race on Sunday, January 29. They have fallen victim to over-aggressive driving, mechanical problems or driver fatigue. All elements that the Krohn team has taken great lengths to diminish or eliminate in the selection of not only their drivers but crew as well. Beyond four of the most skilled drivers, the team also boasts a top-flight engineering squad, a doctor, physiotherapist, massage therapist, cook and experienced mechanics. Tracy Krohn will take the green flag for the Rolex 24 at approximately noon (ET) tomorrow. It marks his second Rolex 24 in a DP and third start overall. Following his stint, roughly one hour, he will hand over the wheel of the green and blue prototype to Jönsson who will, in-turn, give the car over to Bergmeister who will then hand-off to Braun who will play clean-up on the driving squad. Following the young Texan’s first stint, the process will begin again. The Rolex 24 At Daytona can be seen live on SPEED Channel starting at 12:00 PM (ET) with coverage continuing at 8 PM on January 28 and at 8 AM on January 29. Live Timing and Scoring of all activities throughout the Rolex 24 weekend can be found at www.GrandAmerican.com <http://www.grandamerican.com/> . More on Krohn Racing can be found at www.KrohnRacing.net <http://www.krohnracing.net/> For more on the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series, please visit www.GrandAmerican.com <http://www.grandamerican.com/> . Quotes: Tracy Krohn, owner/ driver: (about his strategy for starting at the rear of the DP field): “It’s a survival strategy. Been there, done that. It’s just a matter of keeping your head about you and making sure you don’t have any contact.” (about the start): “A full season in the car is a huge advantage over where I was last year. We know how the car performs and now it is just making the different adjustments. This isn’t any different than the start last year except we have a year’s worth more of experience.” (about debuting his team this weekend in the Rolex 24): “You put a team together and achieve. The team makes it happen and so far, the team is making it happen. We’re certainly not the fastest car out there; we’re certainly not the slowest car. It is an engine and tire management issue from here on out. We just need to sure we manage the car for a long distance race and I think we know how to do that. I like our chances.” Nic Jönsson, driver: “We decided not to go do the qualifying session yesterday which I think was a very good decision on the team’s part. We got a new motor in there, a new transmission and everything seems to be OK. I don’t think we have the top speed that some of the cars have but the key here is to keep your head cool and your nose clean. You just can’t do anything stupid the first 20 hours. Just go out there and stay on the lead lap and go racing the last four hours. I think unless you qualify in the top two or three rows it is probably better to be in the very back. I’ll bet you there will be a caution in the first three laps. I think you’re going to see a lot of wheel-to-wheel racing tomorrow early on that we really don’t want to be a part of.” Jörg Bergmeister, driver: "When we were running in the GT class we were basically pushing all race long and not worrying about the equipment too much. With the DP you have to be a little careful and take care of the car and just stay on the lead lap. Then it will be in the last hour that you really start pushing.” Colin Braun, driver: “I had a lot of laps at the test. We had a few problems this weekend but we got a good setup in the test. It should be good and I’m really looking forward to it. Going fourth, I’m sure I’ll have a good idea of what the car was like in the first stint and the second and third and then it will be all different by the time I get in. Honestly, going fourth is a little different. It is like you are getting in the car in the middle of a practice session or something. You don’t have the nerves of the start you just jump in and are racing.”