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ROLEX 24: Last of an Era Set to Take Rolex 24 Grid

27 January 2001

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

Quite possibly for the last time ever, next week an air-cooled Porsche will compete in the Rolex 24 race at Daytona International Speedway. Autometrics Motorsports, based in Charleston, South Carolina, will race its Rennlist.com/Case-it Porsche RSR in the 39th running of the annual endurance classic.

While more than 30 Porsches are expected to make up the grid, most will be the more modern water-cooled GT-3R variant of the 911. However, many regard the older air-cooled cars as the "true" Porsche. For almost 30 years, the venerable 911 was known for having a motor cooled only with air until it was replaced by the water-cooled powerplant in 1998, a move that some purists regarded as irreverent.

Said team owner Gordon Friedman, "The Autometrics Rennlist.com/Case-it RSR will be the only normally aspirated 911 out there. While the GT-3R is mechanically a clear improvement, the RSR is still an incredible racecar. It's a tribute to Porsche that what is essentially decades-old engineering can still be highly competitive. For those of us who grew up with the sound of that air-cooled flat-six engine, this is going to be pretty special."

Autometrics has over 15 years' experience racing Porsches in the US, competing last season in the Speedvision World Challenge and the Grand-Am series. For the Rolex 24, principal team driver Cory Friedman is joined by seasoned American racers Adam Merzon and Lynn Wilson, who are also regulars in the Speedvision and Grand-Am championships, and UK-based Porsche ace Basil Demeroutis.

The team tested extensively at the world famous Daytona International Speedway in November and again in January, and believe they are ready. Said Cory, "The car is incredibly well balanced and has plenty of power. We were only a couple of seconds off most of the guys in the 3Rs, and we were faster than a few of them. Over the 24 hours, who knows what can happen, especially since we expect the car to be very reliable."

Ever since its first win in 1968 with the legendary 907, Porsche has been a force at the Rolex 24. Over the years, Porsche has achieved more victories in the Rolex 24 than any other manufacturer - 37 in total with 18 overall titles. The Rolex 24 is North America's premier sportscar race, and will take place on February 3 - 4.

Text Provided By Gordon Friedman

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.