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ROLEX 24: Porsches contesting three classes at 2001 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona

6 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida - More than 30 Porsches, including 17 Porsche 911 GT3 R and GT3 RS models, will enter the 2001 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, scheduled for February 3 - 4 at Daytona International Speedway.

Leading the charge for the checkered flag in America's most famous endurance race is the #38 Champion Racing Porsche/Lola, driven by Dorsey Schroeder/Bob Wollek/Hurley Haywood and Sascha Maassen.

The car, which debuted at Sebring almost a year ago, has gone through an extensive development program, leading up to its outstanding performance at Daytona test days January 4 - 5, where the car was third fastest overall.

"We have spent nine days testing here before the 'official' test days, and each time we've tested, the car has had at least five new items on it," said Brad Kettler, Champion's crew chief. "This time, we have been able to concentrate on fine tuning, and w e're very pleased. We have taken five seconds off our lap times at Daytona since November, and we're ready to compete for first overall."

Powered by the Le Mans-winning Porsche GT1 engine, the Champion Lola has been running just behind the Dyson Ford Riley & Scott and the Intersport Judd Lola during the test days, which end on January 6.

In the GT class, two teams have dominated testing so far - both with all-star driver's line-ups. The #31 Petersen Motorsports/White Lightening Racing Porsche 911 GT3 R has been fastest so far, with Porsche Cup and Grand America champion Mike Fitzgerald, American Le Mans Series runner-up Lucas Luhr, ALMS contender Randy Pobst and Timo Bernhard sharing the driving duties. G&W Motorsports, which led last year's race for more than seven hours, is back with its two Porsche 911 GT3 R racers, with the top car - #81 - featuring Grand American runner-up Darren Law, '99 ALMS champion Cort Wagner, former World Challenge champion David Murry, and Matt Drendel as drivers.

In GTS, with the defending champion Dodge Vipers not entering this year, the race should be a shootout between Corvettes, the Saleen Mustang, and the Porsche turbos and GT1 race cars. So far in early practice, the #0 Bytzek Motorsports Porsche GT1 of Davi d Empringham, Scott Maxwelll, Klaus Bytzek and John Brenner has outdistanced the favored factory Corvettes, including the car being driven by Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. The fastest Porsche 911 Turbo, driven by veteran Larry Schumacher, is in the top five in class.

Other Porsche notes of interest from test days at Daytona:

* David Murry, from Atlanta, GA, has been hired by G&W Motorsports (as noted above) to replace Porsche SuperCup champion Patrick Huisman, who has signed a contract in Europe to drive for Mercedes.

* Kyle Petty, NASCAR veteran and son of Richard Petty, will step into the #43 Orbit Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS with Leo Hindery, Peter Baron, and former Ferrari North American President Gian Luigi Buitoni.

* Paul Newman, who will be 76 years-old on February 25, will be re-joining his Daytona team from a year ago - with 18 year-old Gunner Jeannette and Michael Brockman as co-drivers in the #76 Porsche GT1 (former Champion Racing GT1).

* Larry Schumacher, who bought the ex-Rohr Motorsports Porsche GT1 less than three weeks ago, brought the car to the Speedway for test days, but will be running his Porsche Turbo for the 24 hour event.

* While the #0 Bytzek Porsche GT1 is running strong, the #01 Bytzek Porsche GT1 will not be racing again any time soon. An oil fire during the Friday morning session has sidelined the car indefinitely. Bytzek, who owns four Porsche GT1s, plans to bring a replacement car to the race next month.

* Neither of the top two Porsche American Le Mans Series teams - Dick Barbour Racing or Alex Job Racing - have entered this year's Rolex 24. Both teams have indicated they will participate in the 2001 ALMS season - which begins March 4 in Texas - but neit her has announced plans or drivers to date.

* Defending Rolex 24 at Daytona GT champions Gabrio Rosa, Fabio Rosa and Fabio Babini are back for 2001, driving this for the Canadian-based Seikel Motorsports in the #56 Porsche 911 GT3 RS. Last year, they drove for the Swiss-based Haberthur Racing.

* The new racing model of the Porsche 911 has been designated as the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and is almost identical to the Porsche 911 GT3 R. The new car has some updated fittings, a slightly different front spoiler and rear wing, and other minor changes, bu t remains the same for the major components. Current owners can purchase an update kit from Porsche which incorporates all the improvements in the new car.

* The race will be televised live - all 24 hours of it - on Speedvision starting at 12:30 PM on Saturday, February 3. Speedvision pioneered flag-to-flag endurance coverage last year by televising both the 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Text Provided By Bob Carlson

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