January 31st, 2011
Sunday 30th January 2011
Early morning mist and fog slowed the race to a yellow flag for a while this morning, but the sun burnt it off leaving it all to play for. Sadly Doran Racing, and our friend rookie Ross Kaiser, decided to cut their losses during the night after losing too many laps in a couple of unfortunate incidents in the chicanes, but there were still some big names hanging on in there.
The final hours at the Rolex 24 at Daytona
After a few pics in the pitlane and another Bud (light!), it was time to get to Victory Lane for the podium presentation and the chance to get you some race fan info!!
Huge congratulations to Chip Ganassi Racing, who not only took 1st but also 2nd place in the DP class, with Action Express Racing Porsche/Riley taking 3rd, and the United Autosports team featuring the experience of British drivers Mark Blundell and Martin Brundle finishing a very creditable 4th.
1st in the GT class was car number 67 with TRG Porsche GT3, 2nd was Paul Miller Racing and a really well deserved 3rd place to ….drum roll……….yes you guessed it, my favourite “Dr McDreamy” himself Dempsey Racing (in a Mazda!).
Mazda had a good result at Daytona
After all this excitement I am in grave danger of becoming disloyal to my first love – the Le Mans 24hrs race, but in the words of one of our regular Le Mans customers, that is here enjoying the sunshine, ”the Rolex 24 is a must – in addition to Le Mans”.
For those of you able to read between my cunningly disguised attempts to sound like I know what I’m talking about, you will have guessed by now that I actually know very little about the technical side of motor racing, but I am very aware that I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by, and unknowingly spoken to, some of the most successful racing drivers in their field this weekend. I have taken obscene amounts of photographs of people who may or may not be racing drivers but have a racing suit on so I thought I’d hedge my bets!
And I have to confess that I only knew who was in the lead at any one time because I asked a local!
So why exactly, you may ask, did Travel Destinations send me here?
Well, because I don’t need to know too much about the ‘techie’ stuff – I can leave that to the likes of ‘Hindy’ at Radio Le Mans and you, the real race fan. My job is to let you know about the Rolex 24 at Daytona, truly a race fans race; the electric atmosphere, the privileged experiences, the do’s, the don’ts, the sights, the sounds and the smells – and if I’m any good at my job at all I’ll see you back here for the 50th Rolex 24 anniversary in 2012.
Why not call Travel Destinations now to register your interest at being here next year? The number you need is 0844 873 0203!
H.
January 30th, 2011
Saturday 29th January 2011
What an amazing day!
I got to the track early this morning for our customers to get their hotlaps. The incredible Hurley Haywood was their hotlap driver in a very nice Porsche Panamera. Bit chunky for the track I hear you say? Apparently not!
Hurley Haywood talks with Robin Liddell
I am still amazed at the spectator access for this event – bearing in mind the teams and mechanics are about to be involved in a pretty big event in a few hours time, there are fans wandering in and out of the garages asking questions, getting in the way and the guys just take it all in their stride. Hats off to them.
After a bit of sight-seeing (did I mention Patrick Dempsey was here?) there was a mass exodus from the garage area and at 2.15pm as the cars were pushed out onto the pitlane to a big fanfare and marching band, followed by the drivers.
Juan Pablo Montoya signing Autographs at the Rolex 24 at Daytona
This is what people have been waiting for – anybody and everybody on the track, lying down on the brand new smooth 31 degree tarmac, mingling amongst the cars, chatting to the drivers, – my mate JPM (Juan Pablo Montoya for those not in the know!), the very talented and not sure quite what to make of it all, Ross Kaiser – (best of luck to Ross) and so many more familiar and very famous drivers in their own right – just there. Unbelievable – I mean, it’s not as if they have anything else to do an hour before the race.
Then at 3.30pm – the first rev. Wow! Difficult to put into words actually – just a fantastic experience.
Just loving it!
H
January 28th, 2011
Friday 28th January 2011
Well this place just gets better and better! Sorry to rub it in but the sun is still shining and hotting up!
After a bit of chasing around and getting people where they needed to be, the morning has been a huge success.
All our customers were offered the opportunity to visit the Sprint Tower suites this morning and the control tower. This is where what’s happening on the track gets transferred to the people on the ground – the heart centre of the race.
In the Daytona Paddock
So after the obligatory coffee and doughnuts and a privileged insight into the technical competitive side of this event from Mark Raffauf, the Grand Am director of competition, a trip to the roof of the sprint tower was the highlight – a bird’s eye view of the whole track – truly an amazing sight!!
View from the Sprint Tower
Back down in the garages all seems to be going well with practices – more people today and plenty more action. Don’t have a press pass so am sat in the Sprint Fanzone, with a Bud (Light, of course), pretending to look like I’m working hard!
So I managed to blag my way onto a garage tour which was led by Robin Liddell, who this year is driving for Stevenson Motorsport (car 57). It’s his 8th race at Daytona so he was well qualified to educate even the most ignorant of race goers – just like me.
Needless to say I glazed over when it started getting too ‘techie’, but we bumped into Hurley Hayward, who despite retiring from racing last year, just can’t stay away from the Daytona Speedway. He’ll be in car 59 for Brumos Racing.
My tip for one to watch – Magnus Racing, car 44.
You heard it here first.
H.
January 28th, 2011
Helen from the Travel Destinations office, has traded Welwyn Garden City for Florida just in time for the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona. As the race week progresses we hope to bring you more news direct from “our lady in Daytona”:
Thursday 27th January 2011
Following tornado warnings on Tuesday, the weather here in Daytona is now thankfully more akin to what I was hoping for in Florida! Beautiful clear skies, slight breeze and warm sunshine that is forecast to remain over the weekend. That should make for great race viewing for the spectators, but pretty tough for the drivers… I’ve heard it gets pretty hot inside those cars!
Work continues in the Daytona paddock
On my food hunt for anything other than cheese, fries and shrimp, who should I find in Rossellini’s Italian Restaurant but John and Eve; aka “Mr & Mrs Radio Le Mans” – ‘of all the gin joints in all the towns’ etc etc. Both were pretty exhausted having just flown in from the UK, but it was lovely to see them as always – and the food was amazing! If you are here in Daytona and like pasta, you now know where to go.
Motorhome on the infield at Daytona
The track was pretty lively today – huge Rv’s, the size of houses, were parking up. BBQ’s are already on the go on the infield and viewing platforms being secured for the best views of the track. The paddock and garage area was the usual hive of activity as the teams prepared their cars for the weekend with tyres, race fuel and spares being whizzed around on golf buggies.
Friday will be a great build up to the race with autograph sessions etc. at the circuit. I’ll bring you more soon.
H.
