Valiante to race Daytona 24 Hours

Dov · 22 Dec 2004, 07:17 (Ref:1185635)

A good read. From Motorsport.com

Snrub · 22 Dec 2004, 18:09 (Ref:1186094)

Good news:
"...two different Champ Car teams are working to find the funding to run me in 2005."

2112 · 22 Dec 2004, 20:23 (Ref:1186201)

And the list keeps growing for the Rolex24, a regular who`s who of racing. It`s like a pre-season drivers meeting for America.

Good to hear.

Dov · 22 Dec 2004, 21:19 (Ref:1186249)

I would prefer that Tracy, Junky, Seb and Valiante race in the 12 Hours of Sebring (ALMS) instead of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. OHhh, how I hate those DP's cars!!!

GP Racer · 22 Dec 2004, 23:30 (Ref:1186363)

This Rolex 24 is really turning into an IROC event.

With stars from CC, the IRL, and NASCAR joining in with some of the greatest names in sports car racing today, this could easily become the race of the year. You may not like the DP cars, but they are putting on some of the best road races to be seen anywhere in quite sometime. With almost 30 DP's in the field, we're guaranteed to see some real wheel-to-wheel, door banging action, with alot of passing and lead changes.

Who's looking forward to Dixon versus Tracy in a wild shootout!? I know I am!

I just wish open wheel racing could expierience such growth...

macdaddy · 22 Dec 2004, 23:37 (Ref:1186365)

When is this race, and is Speed televising it?

GP Racer · 22 Dec 2004, 23:49 (Ref:1186374)

The race itself is on Feb.5-6.

It starts at 12 PM, Sat., and goes to 12 PM Sun. It will be televised on Speed Channel. There is alot of excitement building for this race, and should be the best one in years, if not ever. Everyone is coming out of the woodwork to be a part of this thing. Its amazing, and I just wish open wheel could build this much drama and anticipation...

macdaddy · 23 Dec 2004, 00:03 (Ref:1186386)

Thanks. I'll book that Sunday off, as the event draws nearer.

Snrub · 23 Dec 2004, 05:41 (Ref:1186469)

I've got to agree that DP put on some pretty good shows in 2004. Good observation about the near IROC aspect. I think it would be really interesting if each of the series fielded a couple of all-star teams. Who would you pick for the two open wheel teams? Bourdais, PT, Junky, Wilson and Dario, Helio, Manning, Herta (I'm having trouble deciding that last spot) would be very stiff competition. Granted I think the team anchored by Pruett and Papis would be tough to beat simply by their experience.

Other than his one DP race, does Dixon have any other sports car experience? Initially I thought Dixon was a bit slow, but after being pointed to the lap times it appeared that he was pretty well on the pace in that race, which is quiet commendable. Edit: I didn't realize or had forgotten that Dixon has participated in Daytona 2004! Does Dixon have sports car or enduro experience beyond the two DP races?

Manning is a fantastic talent and I'm not surprised that he was fast out of the box, he seems to be able to adapt to any situation. In 2003 Manning managed to never damage a single part on his Reynard all season and yet was very quick. I imagine he could be a very capable enduro racer.

PT has experience earlier in his career in Can-Am and SCCA Endurance and prior 24 hour race experience. All three of these drivers acclimatized quickly when adapting to driving IRL cars, but I suppose PT could claim an advantage in that respect.

GP Racer · 24 Dec 2004, 01:55 (Ref:1187193)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snrub

I've got to agree that DP put on some pretty good shows in 2004. Good observation about the near IROC aspect. I think it would be really interesting if each of the series fielded a couple of all-star teams. Who would you pick for the two open wheel teams? Bourdais, PT, Junky, Wilson and Dario, Helio, Manning, Herta (I'm having trouble deciding that last spot) would be very stiff competition. Granted I think the team anchored by Pruett and Papis would be tough to beat simply by their experience.

I'm not so sure how the real sports car drivers are handling all of this cross series stuff, and the thought of an All Star team coming over may send them over the top! I don't imagine there as happy about all of this as we are! While it certainly brings some real visibility to their series, it does take the spotlight and focus away from them. A catch 22, I'd say.

For your last spot, I'll throw in a surprise. He is a former 2 time Trans Am champ, an Indy 500 pole sitter in 01, has run sports car races on numerous occasions, including several Rolex 24's which he won in 96... Scott Sharp!

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