February 2, 2011
(BMW)
Chip Ganassi Racing captured its fourth win in six years at the Daytona 24 Hours, delivering an impressive 1-2 finish last weekend. The No. 01 BMW Riley driven by Joey Hand, Scott Pruett, Graham Rahal and Memo Rojas crossed the finish line after 720 laps with a 2.46 second lead over the No. 02 Ganassi Racing team car driven by Scott Dixon, Juan Pablo Montoya, Dario Franchitti and Jamie McMurray. Ganassi Racing used Toyota/Lexus power for its first three victories but this year Ganassi's Riley Daytona Prototypes were powered by Dinan Motorsport BMW 5.0-litre V8 engines, with support from BMW of North America and BMW Motorsport. BMW last enjoyed victory in Daytona in 1976 when Peter Gregg, Brian Redman and John Fitzpatrick won in their BMW 3.0 CSL. Ganassi was magnanimous in his praise for his team: “I don't drive the cars, I don't change the tires and I don't work on the engines,” he said. “There are lots of people, lots of great competitors, who make up this team.” “Congratulations to Chip Ganassi’s team on this huge success,” said BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen. “It is fantastic to see BMW on top of the podium at the second important 24-hour race of the year, following the success in Dubai. The outstanding team performance in Daytona was rewarded with the first BMW victory at this race since 1976.” An outstanding job by a well-run racing organization, congratulations are in order for Chip Ganassi, Mike Hull, Tim Keen and the entire Ganassi Racing team.
(Grand-Am)
Steven Bertheau, Brendan Gaughan, Wolf Henzler, Andy Lally and Spencer Pumpelly pushed their No. 67 TRG Sargent & Lundy South Point Hotel & Casino Porsche GT3 to the GT win in the Daytona 24 Hour.
(Grand-Am)
Nick Longhi and Matt Plumb (No. 13 Rum Bum Racing BMW M3 Coupe) won the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge Grand-Am 200 last Friday. Joe Foster/Scott Maxwell (No. 15 Ford Racing/Multimatic Motorsports Mustang Boss 302R) finished second, and Bill Auberlen/Paul Dalla Lana (No. 96 Turner Motorsport BMW M3) were third.
(ALMS)
The official poster for the 59th annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida features a scene by motorsports artist Roger Warrick showing the final turn of Sebring’s legendary 3.7-mile circuit. The artwork reflects the diverse field of Le Mans Prototypes and GT cars entered in this year’s classic. For six decades, the Sebring poster has been a fixture of America’s oldest and most prestigious sports car race, with many posters now highly-coveted collector’s items. This year's Sebring poster can be purchased at Sebring International Raceway beginning on Feb. 7th, or online at sebringraceway.com. Tickets to the Sebring 12-hour classic are available at advance-purchase prices until February 15th. For more information call 800-626-7223.
(BMW)
The new MINI WRC Team will compete at selected rounds in the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship (WRC). The aim is to gain valuable experience in preparation for running the complete 2012 World Championship season. The MINI WRC is based on the MINI Countryman and has been developed by Prodrive. It is equipped with a 1.6-litre turbo engine derived from the MINI production models and developed by BMW Motorsport for use in series run according to FIA Super2000 regulations, including the World Touring Car Championship. As well as its works involvement with the MINI WRC Team, Prodrive is supplying the customer car to private rally teams, who will also run the car in the S2000 class of the World Rally Championship. MINI WRC driver Kris Meeke is shown (above) in a recent test.
(ALMS)
Scott Sharp and Ed Brown (Extreme Speed Motorsports) were at Ferrari’s official test track in Italy last week to shake down the first of two F458 Italias that ESM will field for the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.
Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you really must keep up on all of the latest F1 developments and the potential U.S. GP in Austin, Texas, go here. - PMD
Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD
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