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ROLEX 24/Northern Light IRL: Lazier Ready to Race Around the Clock

10 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Northern Light Cup champion begins testing for Rolex 24 At Daytona

INDIANAPOLIS- Before attempting to defend his Indy Racing Northern Light Series title in 2001, Northern Light Cup champion Buddy Lazier will take the reins of a sports car in the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona Feb. 3-4.

In the endurance event, which will kick off Speedweeks 2001 at Daytona International Speedway, Lazier will join 1992 SCCA Trans Am national champion Jack Baldwin, former IMSA star Irv Hoerr and sports-car standout George Robinson on the Robinson Racing team. Robinson Racing is fielding the No. 74 Ranch Resort Riley & Scott/Judd in the SportsRacing Prototype class, comprised of the fastest and most exotic cars in the field.

"The guys on my team have a huge amount of experience and have been racing sports cars for a long time," said Lazier. "They have had tremendous success. It is a very exciting team for me to be a part of. I believe we have a fair chance for a victory. All of the ingredients are there for a successful run."

Lazier, from Vail, Colo., made his debut in the car Jan. 5 during a three-day test session. The team topped the afternoon practice times with a lap of 1 minute, 42.280 seconds at 125.303 mph on the 3.56-mile circuit that incorporates part of the speedways famed 2.5-mile, high-banked oval. During the night practice Jan. 5, their Riley & Scott managed a lap of 1:44.211, second only to Dyson Racings No. 20 team driven by Rob Dyson and Elliott Forbes-Robinson.

The Jan. 6 practice sessions brought more top times as Laziers group was second in the morning practice with a time of 1:43.471 and second in the afternoon practice with a time of 1:42.720. Dyson Racings No. 16 team with drivers James Weaver, Andy Wallace and Butch Leitzinger topped the charts during both Saturday sessions.

Although Lazier wasnt in the car Jan. 4, the first of the three days of testing, the team posted a top-two run with a time of 1:41.925.

"Im doing this for fun," said Lazier. "This is a fun event that allows me to compete without affecting my Indy Racing Northern Light Series program."

Fellow Indy Racing Northern Light Series driver Jeret Schroeder also will drive in the SportsRacing Prototype class with the TRV Motorsport team. Schroeder, a Rolex 24 veteran, will team up with Tom Volk, John Mirro and Barry Waddell in the #95 Supreme Exhaust System/Racer Parts Wholesale Riley & Scott/Chevrolet.

Text Provided By Paul Kelly

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