Overland Park, Kan. (January 22, 2009) 52 teams lined Daytona International Speedway's 3.56-mile road course today in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 for the first practice session of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. All ready to make their debut, all in quest of an unprecedented triumph.
Drivers of the No. 55 Supercar Life Level 5 Motorsports BMW Riley Daytona Prototype have been waiting for this moment since earlier this month, when they made headlines with their fast lap times during "The Roar Before The 24" test sessions.
1995 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona Champion, Christophe Bouchut was the first to step into the BMW Riley-powered machine. Only five laps into practice the Daytona Prototype turned its wheels by turning in a lap time of 1:42.580, jumping from the #12 to the #5 spot. For the next two laps, the team of Supercar Life Racing Level 5 Motorsports, would be neck and neck with drivers Memo Rojas and Nic Jonsson of Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates and Krohn Racing teams respectively.
It was in Lap 13 when the No. 55 jumped ahead leaving the No. 76 Krohn Racing DP at the #4 position. Bouchut eventually drove into the #3 spot, with a lap time of 1:41.598, behind leaders John Pew and Chapman Ducote in the No. 6 and No. 22 DPs.
Scott Tucker, runner-up in the 2008 Ferrari Challenge Series, was next in the seat of the No. 55. Following a caution flag, which caused the field to slow down, Tucker completed the practice session in spectacular fashion, which resulted in a Top Five finish for the team (1:41.598). Rounding out the top four in the DP class were drivers Carlos de Quesada (1:41.402), Ryan Briscoe (1:41.270), John Pew (1:41.241) and David Donohue (1:41.107).
The afternoon's practice session was just as impressive for the Supercar Life Level 5 Motorsport team. With 2008 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona GT Champion, Raphael Matos and Bouchut once again taking time behind the wheel, the teammates looked to end their last session around the 12-turn speedway road course at Daytona International Speedway in dominant fashion. Matos' first stint behind the wheel went well, running consistently in the Top 10. Several cautions were thrown out, slowing down the field needing to make up for lost time. The pack moved rigorously as Bouchut took over for the remainder of the session while running alongside Tracy Krohn in the No. 76. Bouchut turned in a lap time of 1:42.160, for the team, just 1.192 seconds behind class leader, Joao Barbosa of Brumos Racing. Barbosa closed the session with a fastest lap time of 1:40.968.
"We are really pleased with how things are progressing. We have made our way up through the top of field today with some impressive driving, and will continue to refine our strategy with each lap we turn. I know we've got a good car, one that is consistent and ready to race," said Tucker.
"Today's practice session went well," said Bouchut. "The No. 55 is already running ahead of the pack driving amongst the series best, I have no doubt that this will ensure a strong finish in our qualifying session."
Qualifying Session #1 will take place today at 5 p.m. EST for both the DP and GT classes. The top 20 positions will be set through this session with the remainder of the field determined by the #2 Friday qualifying session at 11:00 a.m. EST. Thursday's activities will conclude with a night practice from 6:30-8:30 p.m.
No comments:
Post a Comment