ROLEX 24 at Daytona

I plan to. Make sure you bring your car and participate in the Milestone Club, three laps on the track the day prior to the race, lunch with a racing great, etc.

 

Road trip!!!!

We'll be there again this year, and will be doing the Milestone Club bit as well. Had my doubts about the Milestone Club bit last year, but ended up having a really good time. Followed one of the "pace cars" for a couple laps, and we did some seriously fun speed bursts.

They make real sure you get nowhere near the banked corners, but its still an amazing experience to drive along the apron at a decent speed and look over to your right and see a wall of pavement out your window. What I wouldn't give to be able to open it up on the banking for a few laps... Not a racing or track day type experience, but still a ton of fun!

Look for our 612 near the Team Seattle hospitality tent in the infield.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I saw your 612, and it must have been one of the first in the US. I will always remember it as such! There were some really cool cars there. A Jaguare XJ-15 was in front of me. I always wanted to see one of these cars and there it was, right in front of me. I came through the secound turn on the infield, and there he was, in a ball of smoke from a spin. The marshall motioned him off the track and I don't think he was able to run one lap. A real pitty, as I was enjoying the howl of his engine.

I was in the yellow 348 Challenge, Jim Kenton's old car from the Challenge Series. You are right about the speed, they slowed us at the corners, but I still managed over 100 from hanging back. The funny part was since I was hanging back, I inadvertently drove down the pit lane at over 100! Those crews on the other side of the wall were like WTF is he doing? It was stupid but funny none the less. What else could you expect from the ultimate Walter Mitty experience.

I was the accidental race fan, and loved it. I came to do the Milestone Club. Derek Bell was delightful, telling story after story, like how he saw stars and heard nothing but silence on the back straight when he fliped his car at over 200-that is untill he hit and slid upside down for what he said was eternity. After his speach, I ran next door and brought a vintage print of his long tail 917 he race at Le Mans. He graciously signed it "246 mph at Le Mans". His wife said, " Honey, is that the car? Are there more pictures over there?" He looked at her and said "Darling, we have plenty of those at home!" I got the biggest laugh out of that. It was a very cute scene.

As for the race, I am hooked. I was very lucky to run into and make new friends there (thanks John) who invited to the Daytona Club-the new 4 story clubhouse in the infield. I would advise anyone, whatever you do, buy these tickets, as the view from the top is awesome. You can see the entire track. The resturant and bar on the third or fourth level is great, with large plate galss windows and plenty of monitors. Also, the pit stalls all have large plate glass windows, so you can see all of the action up close. It is very well done indeed.

I only wish I could have seen the cars of yesterday-the 962s, 333s, and so forth. They ran the historic laps, and that was something to see. The Daytona prototypes are growing on me, and it is good to see the series excell. However, I think it's the mix that I like, with the slower cars, and the constant passing due to the discrepancy in speed between the classes that I find most interesting.

I put on over 2000 miles that weekend, with a trip to Ft Lauderdale during the race. I am thinking of doing Cavalino as well as this event. I hope to see you there, as you could not pick a more distant destination to come from in the US! Are you shipping or driving?

 

It was a lot of fun and I look forward to doing it again in 2006.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

I'll be there NRG! I am working with a Grand-Am Cup team this year. I always hated my life at 4:30 in the morning during the 24 anyway! We will be going to the test 1/4 -1/7, see ya there...

 

Great! There will be 2 other AIM reps besides me there so let us know if you need anything! I am testing the first GPS module on an MXL this week at Willow and we should have this up and released hopefully by the race!

 

Myself and a couple other F-Chatters from Tallahassee will be attending.

 

I know im def going this year. I went to a Dyno meet last year in Charleston SC with some friends and ended up not going to the 24 Hour race. I have a couple of friends that will be in the Grand Am race and the Rolex race so im not missing this race again. Just wondering how can I obtain/buy Pit Passes before all the races start?? I will be there only for Friday Saturday and Sunday though.

 

When I went a couple years ago, the pits were open to the general public up until the start.

 

I will be there as well this year and in the Nonnemaker's pits part of the time for both GA Cup and the Rolex race.

If you want pit passes you can contact your friends and they can put you down for pitpasses. Last year they cost $150 for access everywhere on the track including the pits.

If you know someone well enough they will put you on their crew list (which means they pay the $150). Most teams pay for a set amount of pit passes and hand spare ones to firends and sponsors.

 

Jon, great to hear that you will be there again! Look forward to seeing you! Give Paul a call and see if he'll come down with you. The weekend after the 24-Rolex, (Feb 3rd - 5th) Paul will be in Tallahassee...we are doing the 30K on the 308.

 

Jon, since the Nonnemakers and I both are from Canton, maybe you could put in a good word??

 

I was supposed to and really looking forward to going with Jon (FLATOUTRACING) and his friends. But, the month of January brings a nice flurry of research papers I need to complete for work.

 

JDavid,

I'll be there, mostly hanging around the pits or the media center. Staying at the Marriott Courtyard.

O.G.

 

I will be working again with LNS Motorsports this year. We are arriving for the test days on Wednesday morning and will stay till Sunday.
Come by an say Hi!

You can also look for my motorhome a 40ft Jayco Avatar with the Cavallino Logo on the back.
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

and here is one of yours truly hard at work:
(Trois Rivieres)
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

Hey:
still working on the Atlanta trip
Not forgotten.

Come by and say Hi. GrandAmCup #88 and #89

Looking forward to seeing you out there.

Martin

 

Hi, Martin,

I'll look for you.

O.G.

 

Love the car! I see the AIM sticker on it, do you run an MXL? We bought David Lacey's Doncaster GAC car for the test next week and will be running it for the test as our new car isn't quite done yet... #03 GS Bernheim Racing