24 Hours of Daytona

Just checking to see if anyone plans a drive down this year. Also, does anyone know if there will be an opportunity to drive on the track like last year?

 

I am going on Wednesday night January 25th around 8pm after I get off work and drive straight down to Daytona. Anyone know how to get Infield tickets ? I missed last year's race but this year I promised a few people I would be down there to see them race. When is everyone thinking of driving down?? Maybe I can work my schedule around to where I can drive down too with everyone. I might have to go towards Columbia SC to pick up my Brother though so I might not be with the main group if some people go.

 

Last year infield access was given with the normal ticket - I dont think you needed to buy anything extra.

 

I am going down for the practice days next week. I will try to find out if they are going to do the same thing. I was at the Grand Am race at Barber and privately owned cars were allowed on track, but only Porshe's since they were one of the Major sponsors. My 360 sat in the paddock, what a shame.

 

I just ordered my 4 day infield Garage/Paddock tickets and set up my hotel reservations at a Days Inn at the Ormond Beach area with my Cendant Manager/Employee Discount. If anyone needs a room just let me know and I can see if the Ramada Inn will sacrifice a suite of theirs if you need a room which the price will be around $30 bucks plus tax a night. Let me know by January 13th though cause once the event gets closer the rooms will fill up quick.

 

Getting ready! I saw www.michaelshanksracing.com and champion racing pass through Columbia on 26 tonight....testing at Daytona.

 

When's the first event at Road Atlanta? Daytona's a stretch but Atlanta's not bad

 

There are some good videos of some practice runs on the racing thread. One of them is one of my laps that does not look too bad. I am glad the camera was off for my spin in the chicane.

 

Hi Rob,
Your slip couldn't have been any worse than Chad McQueen's off in the "bus stop"...

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 9, 2006) – No. 73 Tafel Racing Porsche GT3 driver Chad McQueen is resting at a Daytona Beach-area hospital after successful surgery on Saturday evening for injuries he sustained in a crash during Saturday’s morning session of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve Daytona Test Days.



The 45-year-old McQueen suffered a broken lower left leg, as well as a pair of fractures to his vertebrae and multiple rib fractures after making contact with the barrier exiting the chicane at the end of the Daytona International Speedway Superstretch. McQueen is listed in serious but stable condition, and a full recovery is expected.

 

Bajeezus Joe... Don't give the poor lad anything more to think about. If that dude in the newspaper broke his leg, Rob would have to "outdo" him and break a leg AND an arm.

.




.



What was that noise in the background?? Was it Ravelle saying something like "If you wreck one more car, it won't be the race-car that needs a fixin' "

 

QUOTE=JoTeC]Hi Rob,
Your slip couldn't have been any worse than Chad McQueen's off in the "bus stop"...

I think that was the #99 Automatic Racing BMW M3...

 

What was that noise in the background?? Was it Ravelle saying something like "If you wreck one more car, it won't be the race-car that needs a fixin' "[/QUOTE]


Hey, I wasn't the one that wrecked the last car, it was Adam. Lets just hope I don't one up my son during the race. Ravelle might really be mad then.

 

It is a dangerous sport we love... Always the chance of trouble everytime we get in the seat and take the track.

 

Rob, this video was much better than the one at VIR! As for the spin, any more gazeboes? How great that you are able to live like most of us only dream.

 

Now Danica's going to be out there...this should be interesting.

 

Driving with Rusty...
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Here is the link to Rob's lap at Daytona. I was surprised the Porsches did not pull away even faster. The Mustangs sound great going by on the banking. They won last years event, I wonder how they will do this year?

Rob, What is your fastest speed?

For folks like me, the Milestone Club provides a chance to "get the feel" of what it's like to drive the track. A XJR-15 spun in front of me, and had to be escorted off. Lot's of very cool cars show up for this event, then lunch with Derek Bell, etc.

http://www.daytonaintlspeedway.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=875

http://userpages.i-america.net/austin/daytonarob.wmv

 

No more gazebos, thank goodness, but there was this tire wall that came awfully close to kissing my rear end.

I am not exactly sure what my top speed was, the last time I looked at the MOTEC it said "149" and I was still accelerating. I will have to call the shop and see if they downloaded the data yet to get a definate answer.

All I know is I was going as fast as I wanted to at that point in time and I was still being passed. That experience reminds me of when I lived in Germany and driving on the Autobahn. I kept buying faster cars, but there was always someone that had one faster.

 

Rob, I read that Chad McQueen, son of Steve McQueen was in a bad accident at test day. Any details on that?

Also, 75 plus teams showed up? I'm glad to see things looking up for the 24. Last year crowds were down, it was really easy to get around.

 

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 9, 2006) – No. 73 Tafel Racing Porsche GT3 driver Chad McQueen is resting at a Daytona Beach-area hospital after successful surgery on Saturday evening for injuries he sustained in a crash during Saturday’s morning session of the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve Daytona Test Days.

The 45-year-old McQueen suffered a broken lower left leg, as well as a pair of fractures to his vertebrae and multiple rib fractures after making contact with the barrier exiting the chicane at the end of the Daytona International Speedway Superstretch. McQueen is listed in serious but stable condition, and a full recovery is expected.

 

Jeesss...thanks for the info. I just recently saw the video he made about LeMans, and his Dad's part/making of that movie. Someone here even posted that it was their 917 he was driving at the end with his son. Needless to say I don't know him, but he seems like a great guy. May he recover to race again.

 

Heading down Friday, would be nice to get together with some of you guys.

 

348 is getting serviced now so I dont know if it'll be ready for the 24. Might be forced to take the STi down.

 

Think about which one would be more fun on I95.