[h=2]TRG to miss first Rolex 24 in 22 years[/h] Tuesday, 23 January 2018


By Marshall Pruett / Image by Jake Galstad/LAT



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Kevin Buckler and his The Racer's Group team will miss their first Rolex 24 at Daytona in 22 years when the green flag waves over the field on Saturday. It's a strange reality to consider for the Bay Area team after its armada of Porsches, Daytona Prototypes and other marques have become so heavily associated with the grand endurance race since 1996.

According to Buckler, two reasons led to skipping the Rolex 24 in the GT Daytona class.










"It's tough for me after 22 straight years of going," he told RACER. "With the high costs and significant manufacturer involvement, I didn't want to put a deal together to be there just for the sake of being there if there wasn't a reasonable chance to win. I don't want our brand to be field fillers.
"That's the No. 2 reason. The No. 1 reason is I've waited 15 years for my winery to break loose and I'm in the middle of building a dynamic project – a winery/entertainment complex in my hometown of Petaluma right on the riverfront. For myself, my wife, and our partners, we have a chance to do something epic and the only way to do it is to go all-in. If you go all-in at Daytona, and it sucks your brain out for three months getting everything ready."
TRG's finest day at Daytona came in 2003 when the team took the overall victory, and altogether, four wins and 13 podiums have been captured by Buckler's squad.
Although they won't be racing in Florida this weekend, look for TRG to be on track later this year in the Pirelli World Challenge series.
"I sent a note to all the guys at IMSA congratulating them on what I think is going to be an amazing event, and I wish we could be there and be part of it," he added. "But we'll be back out there in PWC this year trying to get more wins for our sponsors and drivers. All those years in the same Daytona garages, running five cars – the most of anyone – for such a long time. I'm going to miss it this year."

 

Norris already learning from Alonso at Rolex 24

Wednesday, 24 January 2018


Chris Medland / Image by Mauger/LAT


Lando Norris admits he has been learning from Fernando Alonso's approach during the opening days of their time as teammates ahead of this weekend's Rolex 24 at Daytona.

The McLaren F1 reserve driver is sharing a car with both the two-time Formula 1 world champion and Phil Hanson, driving an LMP2 Ligier for United Autosports. Alonso is using the 24-hour race as a learning experience for a future Le Mans attempt – potentially with Toyota this year – and Norris says there has been plenty he can pick up from the way his McLaren stablemate goes about his work.

"Fernando's been really open to helping Phil and me," Norris said. "I don't think he's too worried about whether we're particularly fast or slow. Obviously, he wants to be the fastest, but he knows it's a team game.
"I've definitely learned a lot from him – not really the driving side, but more about how he approaches the test, the laps he does, how he gives feedback to the engineers."
Norris expects United Autosports to look more competitive during this weekend's Rolex 24 than it did during the ROAR earlier this month, when the No.23 car only 12th fastest, as both he and the team gain more experience with the car.
"I haven't really done any long stints yet – that's the major challenge," he said. "In Formula 3, races were around 45 minutes, so it's a big step up to be doing a three-hour stint. In the night. We have tested in the darkness, so I've already had a taste of that. At first, you lose some of your braking markers, but you adjust. It's a pretty cool experience to drive at night.
"I think we struggled to find a set-up during the ROAR weekend. Hopefully, we'll go into the race weekend having made some progress in that area, so I think we'll look better than we did at the test."

 

Video: 2018 Mazda RT24-P DPi Tech Tour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=bxPfxA74pMs Wednesday, 24 January 2018


Marshall Pruett / Image by Dole/LAT


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Take a deep dive inside the redeveloped Mazda RT24-P IMSA DPi with Mazda Motorsports director John Doonan.

Under the Mazda Team Joest banner, and with the intense efforts of Multimatic, AER, and other key partners, the RT24-P's aerodynamics, suspension, and its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine have undergone major upgrades ahead of the new IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season.

 

[h=2]Simpson: ‘Winning Daytona once is not enough’[/h] Wednesday, 24 January 2018


J.J. O'Malley / Image by Galstad/LAT; Levitt/LAT


Winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona is a bucket list achievement for any race car driver. But for Stephen Simpson, winning it once is not enough.

"I think the Rolex 24 is one of those events where once you've won it once, you want to win it again – even more so than before you won it the first time," said Simpson, Prototype Challenge class winner of the 2016 Rolex 24 [below; Simpson third from left].

"Winning this race is a huge deal. Obviously, it's going to be very tough this year with all of the competition we've got, but at the same time our team thrives on that. We love the competition."


Simpson and JDC-Miller Motorsports made the move from the now-defunct PC division to Prototype last year, finishing fifth in the class in the Rolex 24. He returns with Chris Miller and Misha Goikhberg in the No. 99 ORECA 07-Gibson, joined by Gustavo Menezes. The team will also field the No. 85 LMP2 entry for Simon Trummer, Robert Alon, Devlin DeFrancesco and Austin Cindric.

"We're up against big manufacturers, strong teams and great driver lineups," Simson said. "We're planning on putting our heads down and doing our thing. Hopefully, that will end up in a very good position on Sunday afternoon.

"This year, more so than ever, I think the top four or five finishers are going to have completely error-free races," Simpson added. Everyone's got to have trouble-free races without making any silly mistakes."


After running yellow cars in recent years, Simpson is entered in the bright red No. 99 Gainsco Auto Insurance-sponsored car – which instantly brings to mind the "Red Dragon" Daytona Prototypes primarily driven by Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty.

"When I heard of the passing of Dan Gurney, that definitely went through my mind," Simpson said. "Unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to meet him. When I think of the Gainsco 'Red Dragon' I think of Alex Gurney and Jon Fogarty. They were the main drivers for the No. 99 for as long as I can remember. I've thought about that a lot over the past month. It's my goal to try to achieve what they were able to in the No. 99 car."

For the first time in recent memory, Simpson is doing only one event on an IMSA weekend. Michael Johnson, his normal co-driver in the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, is back home recovering from a broken leg suffered in an incident during the Roar Before the Rolex 24 in early January.

"I was supposed to also be racing JDC-Miller's Audi TCR," Simpson said. "Fortunately, Michael is recovering pretty quickly and is in high spirits. We'll be back on track soon. But I can't remember the last time I've been at a track with only one car to drive."

The South African has been keeping busy since his last Daytona visit for the Roar.
"The time has flown by," he said. "I've spent a lot of time in the gym, trying to make sure that I'm as fit as ever, because this is a very tough race. Last year wasn't as physically demanding, but it was very mentally exhausting because of all the rain. This year, it could go either way, so I want to be sure I'm as ready as possible."

 

• Lamborghini gets first 24-hour win in GTD
• Rolex 24 Hour 24: Action Express, Ford Chip Ganassi 1-2
• Reliability makes Rolex 24 a ‘lost opportunity’ for Alonso
• Rolex 24 Hour 23: Distance record broken entering final hour
• Rolex 24 Hour 22: Overheating could hinder AXR 1-2
• Rolex 24 Hour 21: Action continues on record-breaking pace
• Rolex 24 Hour 20: Overheating concerns for Fittipaldi
• Rolex 24 Hour 19: Drama for second-place Whelen Cadillac
• Rolex 24 Hour 18: Legge has wild ride, leader visits garage
• Defending Rolex 24 winners retire with tire problems
• Rolex 24 Hour 17: Pole winner visits campers; AXR maintains lead
• Rolex 24 Hour 16: Another setback for Penske
• Rolex 24 Hour 15: AXR, Ganassi settling in at front
• Rolex 24 Hour 14: AXR in charge; Penske problems
• Rolex 24 Hour 13: Conway back in front for AXR
• Rolex 24 Hour 12: Pagenaud regains Penske's lead
• Rolex 24 Hour 11: AXR back in front, No.23 in garage
• Rolex 24 Hour 10: Penske Acuras back on top; GTD leader penalized
• Rolex 24 Hour 9: Defending winners WTR hit trouble as punctures mount
• Rolex 24 Hour 8: Ganassi Fords lap GTLM fie
• Rolex 24 Hour 6: Conway takes the lead

Rolex 24 Hour Race Start 2018
Great music, great video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9A5CwQaJAc

 

Video: Roger Penske ready for Rolex 24 return

Thursday, 25 January 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_c...&v=34gMyJxULyI
By Marshall Pruett


RACER's Marshall Pruett visits with Roger Penske ahead of his team's long-awaited return to sports car racing for a conversation on Acura Team Penske's formal IMSA debut and what the Captain is looking forward to in the near future with the program.

 

PC Gaming & Sports
Published on Jan 27, 2018

Courtesy : IMSA

Fernando Alonso leading Rolex 24 Daytona 2018 24 hours race history in the making


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGKeBhoRZBU

 

Lance Stroll: Daytona is a throwback to why I race

Friday, 26 January 2018


Chris Medland / Image by Levitt, Dunbar, Hone/LAT



"Oh, as if you've never interviewed me before! What have you got new to ask me?!"

Sometimes, a familiar face is just what you want to see. In Formula 1, familiarity almost breeds contempt among drivers. As a Daytona first-timer myself, coming to the Rolex 24 feels refreshingly different to the F1 paddock, so I can understand that Lance Stroll is probably only half-joking when he greets me for our interview, hidden in a soundproofed radio room alongside the windowless media center.
But the thing is, I have got something new to ask the 19-year-old Canadian. Just why is he competing in the Rolex 24? Is it a release from F1? A chance to compete in something more raw? Is it simply to win? What are the reasons?
Stroll raises his thick eyebrows in surprise: "That's a good question actually. It's probably the best question I've got all weekend."
After our first exchange, I'm counting that as a win, and joke that I'll make it my only question.
"It's true, nobody asked me that," he says. "The reason I'm here is because I love to race, and I love to race for fun.
"Formula 1, as much as I enjoy competing at the highest level in the world, it doesn't necessarily always allow me to go out and race and drive for the same reason that I started doing this, because there's a lot of things going on during the weekend – commitments, media, meetings, all that sort of stuff – so it's a bit of a job, in a way. Which I respect and I understand, and I want to be a part of because that's the trend as you grow up and go through the ranks – you get to a point where it becomes professional and it becomes your life.
"So that's fine, but I wanted to come back and I wanted to race just because I love racing. I'm here with my buddies, I have an opportunity to share a car with three guys I know very well and I'm really good friends with, and the whole concept and the whole idea sounded really appealing to me. And it suits my schedule. It's a time of year where I don't have to be committed to Formula 1, so I can just be here and enjoy myself. Plus I was here last time and I love the race, so with all that in the back of my mind, I just wanted to come and do it again.

"I think there's more to it than just driving in Formula 1, if you know what I mean. In motorsports there's a lot of cool races out there and cool things to do. Fernando [Alonso] is here and here's here for the exact same reason, just because he wants to win, he wants to drive, and he loves racing. That's what I'm all about."
Alonso is the obvious comparison as the only other active F1 driver competing at Daytona this weekend, and it is the Spaniard who has been grabbing the limelight. That's just how Stroll wants it, as he is so keen to enjoy downtime with his teammates – with the emphasis on 'mates' – Dani Juncadella, Felix Rosenqvist and Robin Frijns.
"When you walk away from here on Sunday night..." I start.
"With my watch!" Stroll interjects.
"Is that the only way you'll be happy?"
"No! OK, yes, if you put it that way, for sure I'll be happy if I win. There's only one winner – it's going to be us! I'm just kidding. We're aiming to win the race, it's obvious, everyone is, but whether we win or not I will go home and carry on doing what I do.
"I want to win, that's a bonus for sure. But just being here is great, being with my friends, sharing the car, that's a once in a lifetime opportunity. Normally one of them is busy doing something, but this time it all worked for all of us, and that makes it so much cooler.
"It's not like I just have my spot and am with a few guys that I don't really know. I get to actually share with guys I was teammates with in Formula 3, and whom I've known for many years now. It makes it that much more exciting and that much more motivating to go out there and win the race.
"We're good buddies, so even outside of racing, we chat and we touch base. Now we're all here racing, and we're very laid back about the whole thing, which is really cool. We're just here to race and give it our best shot."

 

Lance Stroll part 2

Stroll's obvious enthusiasm of the Rolex 24 is infectious, but it's very much a one-off event each year for the Williams driver, who has spent the rest of the winter focusing on where he can improve in F1.

The way he discusses the attraction of racing at Daytona sometimes veers into territory that could be interpreted as criticism of his day job. But he insists that this isn't the case, and explains just what makes the extra baggage that comes with being a grand prix driver worth the hassle.

"I love it when I'm in the car; I enjoy driving the car," he says. "I just think there are a lot of other things that take up a lot of your time – like interviews! But it's part of the job, and that's where I want to be at the moment. I'm super-happy to be in Formula 1, that was my dream since I've been a kid, but I guess it's also about finding the right balance.
"You have to enjoy it while you're at the track and enjoy driving the car and the whole thing, but then it's about finding what works off the track to keep you motivated when you go back to work. Last year I was really busy wrapping my head around the whole thing and how Formula 1 works, but now with my second season, I kind of know where to position myself between races, and where I want to be, and how I want to balance out my year, having done that once before.
"I think that's a huge thing in F1, because you know what you need and what's necessary to do, and then what's not. When it's time to disappear from a race track and get away, I have a much better idea about what I'm going to do with that. I think that's a huge part of it.
"But for sure, driving these Formula 1 cars, they're the quickest cars ever and it's a great time. When you score a good result in Formula 1 – standing on a podium, finishing in the points for us [at Williams] – when you achieve those results it's the greatest feeling in the world and that's why I do it. I can tell you now, when I have a great race in Formula 1 in front of all those fans at a grand prix, it's f***ing awesome! It's so cool, it's insane, and nothing will ever come close to that.
"Whatever you compete in, there's always pros and cons. In Formula 1 I think sometimes it's a shame that it has to be so political and it has to be the way it is, but then at the same time, because it's so hyper-intense, it then makes that feeling of satisfaction that much greater. It goes both ways, but that's what keeps me motivated, knowing how awesome it is to achieve a good result in Formula 1 with all the best drivers in the world and the best teams in the world.
"It's unlike anything I've ever experienced in other categories, so I'm aiming to repeat that this year, hopefully more often and more consistently. But I can say that I know what it feels like to achieve good results and I want to do more of that."

 

[h=2]Turner Motorsport chasing elusive Daytona GTD win[/h] Thursday, 25 January 2018


J.J. O'Malley / Image by Marshall Pruett


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America's most prolific BMW privateer team, Turner Motorsport, has racked up numerous race victories and championships, most recently the 2014 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona title with Dane Cameron.

Missing from that resume, though, is a victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Team owner Will Turner is looking to change that in this weekend's 56th running of the classic.

"You can win races, you can win championships, but winning the Rolex 24 is entirely different," said Turner, who will field the No. 96 Liqui Moly BMW M6 GT3 for Jens Klingmann, Martin Tomczyk, Don Yount and Mark Kvamme.


"You need luck; you need pace; you need the car; you need the drivers; you need the team. You need a little bit of everything. And even if you have all that, you can still get taken out in Turn 1 on the first lap, like we've seen happen a couple of years ago. It's very difficult."

Turner's best Rolex 24 finish was fifth in GTD two years ago.

"This is our ninth Rolex 24, and I think we are more prepared than ever," Turner said. "That's mainly through the wisdom and experience of our crew. We've been running this so long we know what we have to do. Obviously, that doesn't mean much, because anything can happen in this race. If you look at the entry list for this year, the teams and drivers are almost on a new level. There are no weak teams or weak cars. Back at the Roar, the lap times were all within a second, which again is amazing – and the BOP adjustments will make it even closer.

"We're going to focus on staying out of trouble, and hoping we can be in the fight at the end."

Fans expecting to see the familiar Turner Motorsport yellow and blue paint scheme will be in for a surprise at the Rolex 24. The team is sporting the red, white and blue of Liqui Moly, which is sponsoring the car in selected races this year.

"Even though it's a German lubricant company, the red, white and blue of Liqui Moly makes us at home in the U.S.," Turner said.

Otherwise, the team has yet to finalize its plans for the 2018 WeatherTech Championship season.

"It hasn't been exactly determined exactly what we are going to do, but we will be around for the full season with Jens (Klingmann) in the car as the staple, fighting for the championship," Turner said. "But the livery is going to change a little bit throughout the season, and it will be going to the yellow and blue when we're not running with Liqui Moly."