Daytona Rolex 04/02/2001   Friday Morning Off Track News   © Malcolm Cracknell It’s a nightmare trying to follow adventures at even half the teams here – but we’re trying. As the morning free practice session started, a lot of teams didn’t venture out as engine changes for the race were completed – and various other problems sorted. Would it be fair to say that we haven’t really had a representative session yet? Although Norman Simon didn’t know it, his time in the #83 R&S was disallowed after a leak was found in the airbox. “Disallowed, why? Ah, that must have been when I was hit by an SRPll car. The contact was low down and must have dislodged the airbox. But it wouldn’t have affected the time because the incident happened right at the end of the session.” So with the car having a fresh Lozano V8 fitted this morning, would Simon go for a time on his race engine in Second Qualifying? “Oh yes, I always drive fast.” Kevin Doran’s crew were also fitting a new engine, ready for the race. Did they test the new bodywork at Daytona speeds before coming here? Kevin Doran: “We tested at South Carolina on Monday. We had it up to a maximum of 165 mph, compared to 185 here, but we knew from the amount of rear wing we needed to balance it that we had it about right.” Spencer Pumpelly was pleased with progress here with the #34 Porsche. “I had a slight car contact in night practice, but damage was minimal. We’re trying to move up the pecking order among Porsche teams, so I suppose we’re disappointed with our ultimate position in Qualifying so far. If it’s dry this afternoon, we’ll give it a good lap. If it’s wet, we probably won’t go out. We weren’t helped by a wheel bearing going down in the session before Qualifying. We lost 20 minutes of the official session.” Dad going well? “Yes, although he was disappointed with his speed at the start. He felt he should Pilbeam are probably going to run both cars in Qualifying, as a data collection exercise. Their paddock area was very busy – no time to find out more. The #03 Haberthur 911 GT2 is out of the meeting. Stefano Bucci failed to brake in time somewhere round the infield and charged the tyre wall, ripping off a front wheel and damaging the chassis. Intersport were fitting fresh engines in both cars, so neither went out for the morning session. Archangel had the fuel tank out of their brand new #21, which needed a second fuel pump. This was the chassis they only received at the last minute. Andy Lally was showing due patience at not being allowed out until this afternoon. David Murry was another non driver for now, the mechanics looking at the gearbox of the #81 G&W 911 GT3R. “Third and fifth were a bit questionable, so we’re looking at it. The ratios are further apart than usual for Daytona, so you have to be a little more careful with the change than usual. We’ve been adjusting the rebound and compression on the shocks. The car is now really drivable, a really steady platform.” Danny Marshall in the #07 GT2 from the same team was “chasing set-up. We lost an engine very early on at the Test Days, and we’ve now fitted a new wiring loom. Porsche found a fault with it.” Their fund raising continues to bring in the dollars, the latest installment giving 20 families the chance to enjoy their Christmas lunch with their loved ones at a cancer clinic. Boris Said filled the Editor in on the 5 liter BMW M3, cars in the USA, different attitudes in Europe etc. “The car ran for the very first time yesterday morning. We had a slight throttle linkage problem, but we were good enough to be fastest in the second session. We’re going to kick their asses with this car.” Now who could he be talking about? “This car was built at PTG specifically for the Grand Am. The ALMS cars will be 4 liters. We had the pole yesterday by three seconds while it was wet, but we didn’t go out t the end, when it was drier. They’ve been kicking us down the straightaways for two years, now it’s our turn. Tony Jennings and Terry Borcheller will do a full GA season with this one.” Boris drives a Sierra Cosworth as his road car, one prepared by Graham Goode. He’s thrilled with it. “Americans are into street cars for status. In Europe, you’re into the good stuff. The new M3 is the best street car I’ve ever driven.” The race car doesn’t seem too shabby either. The first session of the day was uneventful. Slight moisture in the air needs to go away if Final Qualifying is to produce some results of note. NB. Thumbnails from the whole meeting will be steadily added to the single Rolex Photos page – it will grow today and through the race. There’s a link at the top of the front page. Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport