GRAND-AM Sets Roar Before The Rolex 24 Test Days
Both the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will participate in the test. Sessions run from 9 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. ET Friday, Jan. 8; 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. ET Saturday, Jan. 9; and 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. ET Sunday, Jan. 10. Spectators are welcome for all three days of racing, with Fan Forums scheduled from noon – 1 p.m. ET on Saturday. The Rolex 24 will be held Jan. 30-31.
TELMEX/Target Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates is scheduled to announce its star-studded driver lineup and a new engine manufacturer, Dempsey Racing will unveil its lineup and affiliation with Seattle Children's Hospital, with Michael Shank Racing, Supercar Life Racing and Stevenson Motorsports will also reveal their driver rosters.
Other scheduled announcements include Rolex 24 Driver Challenge presented by Sunoco winner Derek Johnston's team for the Rolex 24 and a SPEEDCOM Communications program to benefit Camp Boggy Creek.
Early entries were filed for 11 Daytona Prototypes and 26 GT cars. Joining the aforementioned teams are defending Rolex 24 winner Brumos Racing, 2009 Daytona Prototype champion GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing, SunTrust Racing, Krohn Racing, Doran Racing, Spirit of Daytona Racing and the new Action Express Racing, all fielding Daytona Prototypes.
A five-Porsche GT3 entry by TRG, the defending Rolex 24 GT winners, swells the number of Porsches entered in the test to 12. TRG, 1-2 finishers in the class in the 2009 Rolex 24, will co-enter two of its cars with Flying Lizard Motorsports and Guardian Angel. Orbit Racing, Alex Job Racing, JLowe Racing, Miller Barrett Racing, Magnus Racing, Bullet Racing and Matt Connolly Motorsports also entered Porsches. Seven Mazdas are entered, including two cars each from SpeedSource, Dempsey Racing and Team Sahlen, plus a single car from Racers Edge Motorsports. Matt Connolly Motorsports also entered a Pontiac GTO.
Stevenson Motorsports entered a pair of Camaros as it joins the two-car ranks in 2010, while Rolex Series newcomer Godstone Ranch Motorsports/Team MBR entered a Corvette. Long-time Continental Tire Challenge participant Turner Motorsport will make its Rolex Series debut at the Rolex 24, and will join Corsa Team PR1 running BMW M6s.
GRAND-AM's street stock series makes its debut as the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, with 58 cars entered for the Fresh From Florida 200 on Jan. 29. A number of new teams and cars are among the 36 Grand Sport and 22 Street Tuner entries.
Spectators are welcome for all three days of testing. Tickets for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 cost $10 each day and give fans access to the infield, Sprint FANZONE and garage. Saturday's schedule includes photo opportunities in Gatorade Victory Lane, a tech talk, pit stop demonstration and interactive fan forums with drivers including Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster, Alex Gurney, Jon Fogarty, two-time Rolex 24 class winner Lyn St. James and five-time Rolex 24 winner Hurley Haywood.
Live timing and scoring, along with regular notes, quotes and updates, will be posted on www.GRAND-AM.com and www.twitter.com/RolexSeries throughout the test. (press release)