The first game in the conduct of mother-son team for Rolex 24

Wright Motorsports and Racing Snow joined forces for an unusual entry in the Rolex 51 at Daytona 24. The No. 62 Porsche GT3 Cup entry will be the first to have a mother and a son to drive and Melanie Snow and his 17 year old son, Madison are two of the five team drivers driving effort sponsored by Universal Industrial Sales and Bilstein.

The other three pilots training team are veteran Porsche factory driver Sascha Maassen, 43, Junior Porsche driver Klaus Bachler, 21, who was competing in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche pilot and instructor and Marco Seefried, 36. Wright Motorsports / Racing Snow white, red and black Porsche is currently one of 36 entries in the Grand Touring class (GT) for the Rolex 24.

Both Melanie and Madison Snow Rolex make their first 24 games, but they have extensive experience in other series. With her husband, Martin Snow, and another pilot, Patrick Huisman, Melanie Snow was part of the winning entry in the 12 Hours of Sebring GTS n 1999 in a Porsche 911 Turbo.

Madison Snow started running at the age of 4 years in karting. He finished second overall last year in the first class of IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama with three victories in a car prepared by Wright Motorsports. When he won the Gold Cup championship series "in 2011, when he was 15, he became the youngest champion of the Copa do a Porsche in history. Though it will not be the youngest driver to participate the Rolex 24, yet he is the youngest driver entered the race this year, according to officials of the Grand Am.

Maassen won the 24 Hours of Le Mans twice and the Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans four times. He was the champion ALMS GT twice and he also won the LMP2 ALMS Championship and the FIA ​​GT Championship. He is also an instructor for the Porsche, and one of his students is Bachler.

All five riders participated in the event for the official test on January 4-6 Daytona 279 when connected laps around the 3.56 route miles, 12 turn.

"There were 12 hours of testing available, and we have 11 hours in the car," said Wright Motorsports owner John Wright, who participates in this race against the clock 19. He was on the podium in this event several times in various roles, most recently in 2009, when he was the team owner / manager of the car that finished third in the GT division. Maassen was one of the pilots that effort.

"The car was strong, we were quick in the test," said Wright. "All riders showed good pace, there is a weak link in our driver line, and the team is gelling."

Ferrari Challenge comes Rolex weekend

The Ferrari Challenge is the Replica Rolex Daytona 24 was this weekend, January 24 to 27, increasing the Daytona International Speedway.

The challenge is the longest running series of single marquee races in North America, including the Ferrari 458 Italia.

Ferrari's road course is 3.56 miles-in Friday, January 25th at 11:45 and on Saturday, 26 January 10, before the start of the 51st Rolex 24 at Daytona. Each race will be 15 laps.

"The Ferrari Challenge is a great addition to an already exciting schedule of events during the Rolex 24 at Daytona weekend," Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. "With an iconic car manufacturers such as Ferrari is presenting its power and emotion in two events before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway, further solidified as the" World Center of Racing. ""

The series was launched in 1992 and is organized by Ferrari North America and its authorized resellers. It is sanctioned by the Grand American Road Racing Association (GRAND-AM).

Audi at the rate of field at Daytona Rolex 24

A year after his return to Daytona International Speedway and the Replica Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Audi will be in front of the field as the official pace car Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series 2013 opens. Audi R8 will lead the front of the grid for the race twice around the clock January 26-27.

Audi begins his second season as the official automotive partner of the Rolex Series. Four of their cars R8 GRAND-AM racing will compete in the GT class of incredibly deep during the 51st edition of the endurance classic historical Florida. A number of pilots and engineers from Audi Sport factory and crews are the backbone of efforts by Audi in the race.

"The involvement of Audi in the GRAND-AM continues to evolve and grow," said GRAND-AM President and CEO Ed Bennett. "And this is an indication of what is happening in the global race in North America sports car, with the continued incorporation of road race Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

"Audi is a premium brand, the legendary and off the track," he added. "Having a domain Audi R8 pace Rolex Replica 24 - which will include a stellar contingent R8S - will be a proud moment in the history of the event. "

The pace car Audi R8 V10 is powered by a 5.2-liter naturally aspirated generates 525 horsepower, which is certainly capable of carrying on the ground that the lead car for the race. The combination of a mid-engine design and lightweight Audi Space Frame makes a great performance car on the track and on the road.

"We are very pleased to have a greater presence in the pace car at Daytona R8 and R8 by our customers race teams," said Scott Keogh, Audi of America President. "The R8 was a great success on the race tracks around the world and we hope to bring a bit of success at Daytona. R8 represents the pinnacle of performance of our brand and we look forward to continuing our partnership with GRAND- AM ".

In addition to its competitive aspect, Audi will be a great player at the weekend in other areas of activation. This includes corporate hospitality for customers and an enclosure for owners of Audi cars.

Tristan Nunez Conduct for Mazda in the Rolex 24

Teen prodigy Tristan Nunez is running alongside the Mazda6 GX SpeedSource Daytona Speedway during the Roar Before the Rolex Replica 24. Nunez will be co-driving a similar vehicle in the 2013 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona at the end of the month.

The Thunderhill Pro-Am runs after all races are cap the regular season was perfect timing for a run in 2012 that saw Nunez 17 years to become the youngest champion in the sports world, winning 10 of 14 races IMSA Lites Prototype the series, after he went to England as part of the American team to win the Walter Hayes Trophy, defeating the world's best racers in Formula Ford.

Lead in Grand Am Rolex 51 at Daytona 24 is the ideal medium for Nunez to start 2013 season in the competition.

The boy went to Florida to go karting on a round-the-clock endurance race pro-am in just six years. He then took three weeks to spend a good entertainment pro-am at the Rolex 24 internationally renowned competition leading professional participation in which is the top of the career of many drivers.

Nunez not only carried out in one of the most prestigious endurance events in the world, has a tower plant. It was recorded by Mazda North American motorsports competition director John Doonan to co-direct a new company entries GX, the SKYACTIV-D diesel Mazda6.

Nunez spoke as he arrived, leaving Mazda in the garage at Daytona International Speedway during the Roar Before the Rolex 24.

"When I was in England during the race for the U.S. team, John Doonan from Mazda finished at Brands Hatch watching the race," said Núñez. "I realized ... one of my best, not as good as Silverstone, however, but he saw me win races and two heat he saw me go through the Prototype Lites championship together and saw that I was very good and we were very well connected. He asked me if I wanted to drive at 24, then ... How could I refuse such an offer? '

It's hard to explain how this is a huge accomplishment for the young Nunez. At 17, he was chosen to lead one of the three most important endurance race in North America, and lead a team to the factory. Nunez will be driving one of three Mazda6 went into partnership with Rolex SpeedSource Racing, who won a championship in the Rolex GT Mazda RX8, Mazda is synonymous SpeedSource road race victory.

The magnitude of the step size above is not lost for the young driver. "Just look at the past, RX8, and be able to start a new development with the new clean diesel Mazda6 SKYACTIV is an honor. This is my debut in a professional event, so it's only a big deal around. No words can describe what I feel right now, "he said.

So if the youngest world champion sporting look to the future with SpeedSource and Mazda? Hard to say. The agreement Rolex was an isolated case, but there may be seats available during the series of Replica Rolex sports car regular season.

"Let's see if anything happens to the team, I did not turn it off. Simply work with the guys this weekend until today I stuck with them and so I would like to work for them in the future."

However, his first desire was stronger and the race of the American Le Mans Series and Le Mans, finally. After winning the title IMSA Lites Performance Tech Motorsports, the teenager hopes quickly set foot car LMPC team.

"I'm always open to sign the contract LMPC," he said. "That's what I wanted to do from the beginning., But I can not refuse such an offer.'s An honor. Lets see what happens in the coming months there .... All the doors are always open. Lets see."

Anyway eventually lead, in 2013, one thing is certain: Tristan Nunez will drive as fast as he can go.

The 51 Grand-Am Rolex 24 at Daytona starts at 15:30 Saturday, January 26 and took the checkered flag Sunday afternoon. Tickets are available through the Grand-Am.com.

"Roar Before the Rolex" sandbags is Corvette?

With Ford and BMW engines constantly topping the charts speed Daytona Prototype "Roar Before the Rolex Replica 24" test at Daytona International Speedway, many in the paddock wonder: Is sandbags Chevrolet Corvette, fearing race be penalized if they have too much speed?

This suspicion was fueled by the fact that immediately after the test, one of Chevrolets fast - No. 90 Spirit of Daytona car - he was forced to withdraw from the Chevrolet V-8 engine in place under the supervision multiple Grand-Am urzędników.Silnik will be taken to the NASCAR technical center of North Carolina is tested.

No other car has to pull the engine after the test.

In eight sessions, another study, high Corvette was the second, sixth, sixth, seventh, fourth, fourth, fifth and czwarty.Duch Corvette Daytona was the fastest in three of the eight sessions.

Richard Buck, director of competition for the Grand Am, said the move was routine to complete Chevrolet performance figures before the race, something he said, Ford and BMW zrobione.Silnik probably work on the bench Wednesday, he said, and returned to team well in advance of the Replica Rolex 24 practice starts a week later.

Joined Corvette Grand-Am DP class last year, and was soon among the fastest cars. Chevrolet engine won the constructors' championship "in 2012, with 424 points, against 389 of 382 for Ford and BMW.Duch Daytona car took third place in the team standings.

Shank Racing fastest at Roar Before the Rolex 24

Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley-ended the first and third year Roar fastest cars around Daytona International Speedway 3.56 miles of road in the Grand Am Rolex 24 Before 2013, January 4-6.

The Roar Before the 24 is the first opportunity for many teams to test the machines that will run in the Rolex 24 at Daytona and the next Rolex Sports Car Series Such was the case with the fastest car in the three-day test The pin No. 6 Ford-Riley driven by Michael Valiante.

This car, co-directed by Gustavo Yacaman, Chris Cummings, and Jorge Gonçalves, was new to the team Shank, a replacement for the old model, who finished third last year at the Rolex Replica 24 (which also co Gonçalves Yacamán and directed) . team took the development of the Rolex 2012-winner Shank # 60 Ford-Riley, took the new car better job than last year's winner.

Valiante become a lap of 1:42.058 at 125,576 mph, just 0.043 seconds faster than the next fastest car. While Michael Valiante was glad to be the fastest of the weekend, but he was not sure of his advantage.

"This test is always a challenge, as there are so many drivers here. I have a lot of time in these cars, so the focus of our team was able to drivers who do not have much time prototypes cycled through car. 'S a new car and had no problems.' s an advantage to have the fastest car out there, "he said.

"I feel that everybody was not all I have at the moment, but I'm sure that I'll be strong when we return to the Rolex 24."

NASCAR star AJ Allmendinger, who co-drove to victory in 2012 was the fastest the third weekend in the # 60 with a time of 1:42.296 to 125,283 mph, behind Dane Cameron at # 43 Sahlen Racing Riley-BMW in 1:42.101 / 125,523 mph.

"We could not be happier," said team owner Mike Shank. "We were P1 in five of eight sessions and we simply learn about cars. We stepped back there, that all was not perfect, but the best part is that all drivers have a lot of laps in. We had no mechanical problems everyone in any car. We have a good foot forward for the race and there is no reason why it should do well. "

Shank won the race more exciting Rolex 24s memory in2012, 60 # finished first five seconds after 24 hours of operation, while the third axis # 6, 45 seconds back and the last car on the return conductor.

Shank is back in 2013 with two cars and generally the who's who of drivers. Most of the line 2012 winner is back at # 60: Allmendinger, Justin Wilson and John Pew regular IndyCar team are appropriate for the event. Regular Shank The other driver, Oswaldo Negri, is questionable, he injured his ankle in a mountain bike accident and 50-50 for the race. If he can not do that and Aussie V8 NASCAR star Marcus Ambrose fill

Shank Racing has been contesting the Rolex 24 since 2004. In 2012, all went well and, judging by the results of the Roar team, which will be a major player in the race for 2013.

Porsche Pro Fast Pat Long In Park Place GT

Judging from the road before 24 GT will be a hotly contested class again. Together with BMW, a Chevy Camaro and Corvette and Dodge Viper, Porsche, Audi and Ferrari were in effect for the Roar Before the 24.

Seven faced four Ferrari 458s Audi R8s, but both marks were surpassed by the 17 Porsche GT3 enrolled in the three-day trial.

From Porsches many, was the # 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche GT3 piloted by pilot Pat Long, who set the fastest lap of the weekend at 148.569 118,045 mph.

Place Motorsports Park has been the preparation of race cars from customers and other series, 2013 marks the debut of the Rolex 24 team.

Long had praise for the new clothes.

"People said, 'What is Park Place?" Hopefully this will hit them in the Google search for sports car fans. They caught my attention last year, so I knocked on the door. They are a group of young guys, hungry motivated. '

Long has a long list of achievements already: three American Le Mans Series GT champion, three times class winner at Le Mans and Petit Le Mans, a new victory at Sebring and the Rolex 24 in 2009. He joined two-time winner of the Rolex 24 GT Spencer Pumpelly and Park Place regular drivers Patrick Lindsey, Jason Hart and Daniel Graeff.

"What do you get for winning practice? Few bragging rights, and some momentum for a new team in the league. But we're safe," said Longo.

Long term may underestimate the achievements of the team, but the pace and the top line indicates that this team can fight for a place in Replica Rolex attendees pointed end of the field.

Standard sets Napleton Racing Debut GX Rolex

Grand-Am added a new class to the Rolex Sports Car Series in 2013 GX class, designed for machines that do not fit in the GT class, but still worthy of the race. Since the class has attracted a variety of inputs, including Evoras Lotus, Porsche Cayman and the new Mazda SKYACTIV-D diesel Mazda6.

Defend Grand-Am Rolex GT champion Jeff Segal Launches New N. 61 AIM R.Ferri with Ferrari in Rolex 24 hours of Daytona testing

The two-time reigning GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series GT champion Jeff Segal officially kicked off his title defense Friday at the Roar Before the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona debut on the track of the new No. 61 AIM Racing R.Ferri Motorsport Ferrari F458.

Segal will run throughout the 2013 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season with new teammate Max Papis, for the first time in the past six years has partnered with a driver other than Emil Assentato. Segal and Assentato co-led the championship GT 2012, the second duo in the last three years, but will guide other AIM / R.Ferri Ferrari this season.

Born in Italy, Papis in 2004 GRAND-AM Rolex Replica Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype co-champion and 2002 Rolex 24 winner. Segal and Papis will co-drive the No. 61 R.Ferri AIM Racing Motorsport Ferrari with entrance through a new collaboration between AIM and Remo Ferri.

"The partnership between AIM and Remo Ferri has enormous potential, and I'm really excited for the full season with Max Papis," said Segal. "It is a name that has been around for a long time in sports car racing, IndyCar, Formula 1 and NASCAR."

Segal and his No. 61 AIM / R.Ferri teammates chose to sit first practice Friday because of constant rain. Absent, which is a top driver in the No. 69 AIM Autosport Team FXDD Ferrari, also joined his team in the transmission of session wet.

"A little bit" of a slow start today, "said Segal." Like every other time, it did not do a service. No one wants their first laps with a brand new car to be in the rain. So we waited a bit, "and then in the afternoon we went out and worked through 'agenda, as you would have with a brand new car."

The weather improved and Segal took to the track for the second practice session on Friday. After he and his teammates completed 18 laps in the session, the No. 61 R.Ferri AIM Motorsport Racing with Ferrari team move its attention in the next two days of testing in order to improve the car before the Rolex 24 hours of Daytona.

"We have a lot of things done, I'm very happy," said Segal. "There is still much work to be done before it is really ready to race, and that's why we are here."

Segal and Papis will co-drive the No. 61 AIM / R.Ferri with Ferrari with a European talent Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander Rolex 24 hours of Daytona.

Test Roar Replica Rolex continues to Daytona on Saturday and Sunday.