Daytona Rolex 04/02/2001   Wednesday Setting Up News   © Malcolm Cracknell Getting the first batch of the editorial team here was a mix of the usual trans Atlantic tedium and some interesting company. Allan McNish, Johnny Mowlem and James Weaver were on the same flight (McNish and Weaver, rivalry beginning already?), the Scot showing no signs of any more back trouble after Adelaide and also no signs of any F1-itis as he invited Brooks and Cracknell over for coffee in the lounge at Gatwick. His watch was a little suspect though – he’s after a Rolex as he didn’t get one for winning his class in ’98. It was only overall winners then. Johnny Mowlem might yet find himself in a GT class Porsche this week, while Tim Harvey is also looking for a ride. Mike Youles was on the same flight (PK Porsche #60), while Terry Rymer and Tim Mullen were also buried back in cattle class, one of them looking into Corvettes (not for this week), the other seeking an SRPll ride – or a Porsche seat.. Fine and warm in Florida on Tuesday, but rain overnight and damp and overcast on Wednesday morning. ‘Let Us Prey’ on a number plate on a Jaguar in the hotel car park could only happen in the USA. As could Howard Stern. Now that program was an education. Dumbing down seems a speciality in too many areas of society on both sides of the Atlantic. It was a relief to get into the track at last (everyone left outside until 10.30), where a real buzz was apparent about this place. All those GT Porsches, the 911 GT1s, the likely Prototype battle, the SRPlls – there’s a good feel about the 39th running of the race. Alas, everyone has to be out of here by 17.00. That means a real shortage of time to gather and write – let alone prepare cars. Were there really 102 entries this year, whittled down to 86 serious entrants? Anthony Kumpen was the first to face the TotalMotorSport inquisition. This young man is very quick, and he’s in a very quick ex-Barbour Cirtek Porsche, #92. Tim Mullen does seem to have found a seat in this one, although that may not be definite yet. Kimberly Hiskey (left) is another Rolex newcomer. The fast lady is so much looking forward to a whole season in a new GT3RS. But she’s happy to be in the White Lightning GT3R for this race. How many GT3Rs / GT3RSs? Is it 37? “It’s going to be very close at the start,” said Hans-Jorg Hofer. Luca Riccitelli will start his Red Bull /KTM / FKG Porsche, so Hans-Jorg is clearly expecting his car to be among the elite group. He has Phillip Peter in the car now, making five altogether in this entry. Darren Law in the #81 G&W Porsche isn’t expecting his team to worry about pole. “It’s not significant for this race. Two years ago with Patrick Huisman, we broke a rocker and started from the back. We still finished third.” Will someone do a Jacky Ickx and volunteer to start behind the tempestuous bunch, thereby ensuring no trouble? G&W have Motorola sponsorship from this race. PK Sport look strong and comfortable. Mike Pickup talks Fred Moss, Matt Turner and Geoff Lister around the Speedway. Will the Goldin Mazda make the field. “We think we’ll have to do a 1:57,” explained Steve Goldin. “But this car has got a lot of horsepower. Huge power. We’ve tested it at Sebring and we’ve solved the fuel feed trouble.” Will Weaver be at the front of the ‘Field’? The new Dyson chassis is stiffer and lighter than the ‘sloppy’ old chassis, according to Pat Smith. “The engine in #16 has less horsepower than the 5.5 liter, but a much better spread of power.” It’s a 5.6, and Weaver seems to like it. Jon Field will have his say tomorrow on this subject – he wasn’t at the track today. The Bytzek brothers seemed happy to wheel out their chassis #004, the 911 GT1 that Bob Wollek crashed at Le Mans in ’98 (correction, it was '97 of course. The GT1-98s were 1-2 in '98). Wollek would probably have won that race. This one looks magnificent in white, not that the other one looks less than superb in silver. The #76 Gunnar car is the sister Le Mans car from ’98 – complete now with TMS decal. Klaus is on the left, Harry on the right. They've had an eventful time on their last two visits (November / January). A serene run through the 24 hours with at least one car? David Brabham was settling into the Risi Ferrari. He’ll be testing the Panoz at Road Atlanta on February 7 / 8, along with the Westward Racing Panoz, it is believed. 'Joey' Kelleners is looking on. Why is he known as Joey? Rushing frantically to complete this before the media center (and the track) shuts, there’s more to add – but there are four days of the meeting left. We’ll catch up later / tomorrow. A photo of the youngest team manager thought to be here to finish off for now. Michael Johnson of Archangel. He’s got two very good Lolas here, the second only arriving on Friday, the team travelling to Daytona overnight last night. Racing can be a real rush sometimes. No, that should read all the time. Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport