IMSA News: Cadillac locks out Rolex 24 front row
The winning atmosphere surrounding Cadillac Racing’s championship in the inaugural Grand Touring Prototype season carried over to a chilly January weekend as Cadillac swept the front row with a record-shattering qualifying for the 62nd Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Under cloudy skies and in cool temperatures, the conditions at the Daytona International Speedway were ideal for a nail-biting qualifying day. The 15-minute qualifying session for the top GTP class concluded without incident. As tire temperatures rose, the 500+ kW (680 PS) LMDh cars picked up the pace and broke the previous Daytona lap record for prototypes
Reigning IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GTP champion Pipo Derani toured the 3.56-mile, 12-turn Daytona International Speedway course in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R in 1 minute, 32.656 seconds during the 15-minute session to earn his 10th IMSA pole overall and Cadillac’s fourth since the first season of DPi competition in 2017.
Sebastien Bourdais, driving the No. 01 Cadillac V-Series.R, was close behind at 1:32.727 to complete the front-row lockout. The previous track record was 1:33.695, set in 2019. Also, for comparison: 2023 pole-winning lap time in first race of GTP era – 1:34.031. 2022 pole-winning lap time in final year of DPi era – 1:34.034.
“I’m so proud of everyone involved in the program. The work has never stopped since we started designing the car to the development, to testing to the races to whatever they consider the offseason,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “It shows the amount of hard work and effort put in that we came ready and will continue to push and be ready to chase the win.”
“With the help of a great team and a great car beneath me, obviously the Cadillac was flying out there today. It’s a privilege and pleasure to drive such a car. It was really well-balance today,” said Derani, who will co-drive the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R with Jack Aitken and Tom Blomqvist. “I think we’re working in the right direction. Obviously, last year we were close to pole position, but we were not quite there. I think in the end, everyone is really tight.”
During his eight laps out on the track, works driver Felipe Nasr continued to improve. Clocking 1:32.876 minutes in the No. 7 Porsche 963, the Brazilian secured the third grid spot for next weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona. Le Mans winner Nick Tandy was unable to improve in the decisive final lap and had to settle for seventh place at the wheel of the No. 6 car.
“We would’ve loved to have secured pole position, but unfortunately that didn’t quite work out. Congratulations to Cadillac. Their crew simply did it better,” comments Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Racing LMDh.
“We didn’t make any mistakes. All teams were very close together. I think we have a decent grid position for the race. After all, the Rolex 24 event runs over 24 hours, so anything is possible. The forecast for the race weekend is for warmer temperatures. We’re ready for this and so we’re feeling optimistic for the season opener.”
“The drivers in our two Porsche 963 did a great job, and so did the entire crew. Felipe turned the third quickest time,” summarizes Jonathan Diuguid. The Managing Director Porsche Penske Motorsport adds: “Even though the sister car is only seventh on the grid, I’m confident that we managed to achieve a good starting position. The drivers are very happy with the car’s handling in race trim. So I’m feeling positive about the 24-hour event.”
LMP2
Ben Keating was fastest in the Rolex 24 LMP2 qualifying session aboard the No. 2 United Autosports Oreca 07 Gibson, with the Texan driver scoring his fifth consecutive pole.
Keating’s best time of 1:38.501 was good enough to take the top spot by 0.101 seconds ahead of Nick Boulle in the No. 52 Inter Europol by PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports.
AO Racing, Vasser Sullivan Take GT Poles
In the two GT categories, the ca. 415 kW (565 PS) 911 GT3 R put in impressive qualifying performances. UK driver Sebastian Priaulx set the fastest lap time in the GTD Pro class with a time of 1:44.382 minutes.
AO Racing’s 911, dubbed “Rexy” due to its bright green dinosaur livery, tackles the Rolex 24 race from pole position for the GT cars.
With the clock reset to the regulatory minimum 7:30 of green flag running, Priaulx set the quickest time of the session of 1:44.382, beating the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 of Jack Hawksworth to GTD Pro pole by just 0.080 seconds.
Lexus topped the times in GTD courtesy of Parker Thompson in the No. 12 RC F GT3, with Klaus Bachler his nearest rival in the No. 86 MDK Motorsports Porsche, 0.043 seconds behind.
Klaus Bachler lines up on the grid in second place in the Porsche fielded by the customer team MDK Motorsports.
The Austrian was just 0.043 seconds off pole position. The identical 911 GT3 R fielded by Andretti Motorsports and Wright Motorsports wrapped up the qualifying session in twelfth and 19th respectively.
American David Brule had an accident at the wheel of Kellymoss with Riley’s No. 92 car on the warm-up lap. As a result, the American team has to start the race from the back of the Rolex 24 field.
Four more practice sessions before the Rolex 24 endurance classic kicks off
Next Thursday and Friday (25/26 January), four more practice sessions are scheduled for the teams and their 59 cars. The 62nd running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona starts on Saturday (27 January) at 1:40 pm local time (7:40 pm CET).
The opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is part of the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup, which also includes the endurance races at Sebring, Watkins Glen, Indianapolis and the “Petit Le Mans” at Road Atlanta.
Rolex 24 Qualifying Results
|
Pos |
Pic |
No. |
Class |
Drivers |
Team |
Car |
Time |
Lap |
Total |
Gap Mph |
|
1 |
1 |
31 |
GTP |
P. Derani / J. Aitken / T. Blomqvist |
Whelen Engineering Cadillac Racing |
Cadillac V-Series.R |
1:32.656 |
5 |
6 |
– – 138.318 |
|
2 |
2 |
01 |
GTP |
|
Cadillac Racing |
Cadillac V-Series.R |
1:32.727 |
5 |
6 |
+0.071 +0.071 138.212 |
|
3 |
3 |
7 |
GTP |
D. Cameron / F. Nasr / M. Campbell J. Newgarden |
Porsche Penske Motorsports |
Porsche 963 |
1:32.876 |
7 |
8 |
+0.220 +0.149 137.990 |
|
4 |
4 |
25 |
GTP |
C. De Phillippi / N. Yelloly / M. Martin R. Rast |
BMW M Team RLL |
BMW M Hybrid V8 |
1:33.022 |
4 |
7 |
+0.366 +0.146 137.774 |
|
5 |
5 |
40 |
GTP |
J. Taylor / L. Deletraz / C. Herta J. Button |
Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti |
Acura ARX-06 |
1:33.100 |
5 |
5 |
+0.444 +0.078 137.658 |
|
6 |
6 |
10 |
GTP |
R. Taylor / F. Albuquerque / B. Hartley M. Ericsson |
Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti |
Acura ARX-06 |
1:33.347 |
5 |
6 |
+0.691 +0.247 137.294 |
|
7 |
7 |
6 |
GTP |
N. Tandy / M. Jaminet / K. Estre L. Vanthoor |
Porsche Penske Motorsports |
Porsche 963 |
1:33.381 |
6 |
7 |
+0.725 +0.034 137.244 |
|
8 |
8 |
24 |
GTP |
J. Krohn / A. Farfus / P. Eng D. Vanthoor |
BMW M Team RLL |
BMW M Hybrid V8 |
1:33.499 |
6 |
6 |
+0.843 +0.118 137.071 |
|
9 |
9 |
85 |
GTP |
T. van der Helm / P. Hanson B. Keating / R. Westbrook |
JDC-Miller MotorSports |
Porsche 963 |
1:33.506 |
7 |
8 |
+0.850 +0.007 137.060 |
|
10 |
1 |
2 |
LMP2 |
B. Hanley / P. O’Ward / B. Keating N. Pino |
United Autosports USA |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:38.501 |
4 |
9 |
+5.845 +4.995 130.110 |
|
11 |
2 |
52 |
LMP2 |
J. Smiechowski / N. Boulle T. Dillmann / C. Novalak |
Inter Europol by PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:38.603 |
7 |
9 |
+5.947 +0.102 129.975 |
|
12 |
3 |
04 |
LMP2 |
G. Kurtz / C. Braun / T. Sowery M. Jakobsen |
Crowdstrike Racing by APR |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:39.252 |
8 |
9 |
+6.596 +0.649 129.126 |
|
13 |
4 |
74 |
LMP2 |
G. Robinson / F. Fraga / J. Burdon F. Massa |
Riley |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:39.297 |
9 |
9 |
+6.641 +0.045 129.067 |
|
14 |
5 |
22 |
LMP2 |
D. Goldburg / P. Di Resta / B. Garg F. Rosenqvist |
United Autosports USA |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:39.506 |
4 |
9 |
+6.850 +0.209 128.796 |
|
15 |
6 |
11 |
LMP2 |
S. Thomas / M. Jensen / H. McElrea C. Milesi |
TDS Racing |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:39.523 |
7 |
9 |
+6.867 +0.017 128.774 |
|
16 |
7 |
99 |
LMP2 |
P. Hyett / P. Chatin / M. Brabham A. Quinn |
AO Racing |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:39.679 |
8 |
8 |
+7.023 +0.156 128.572 |
|
17 |
8 |
20 |
LMP2 |
D. Andersen / S. Lucas / L. Hoerr S. Huffaker |
MDK by High Class Racing |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:40.030 |
6 |
7 |
+7.374 +0.351 128.121 |
|
18 |
9 |
81 |
LMP2 |
E. Lux / K. Simpson / J. Allen S. Alvarez |
DragonSpeed |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:40.380 |
6 |
9 |
+7.724 +0.350 127.675 |
|
19 |
10 |
88 |
LMP2 |
L. Perez Companc / N. Nielsen L. Wadoux Ducellier / M. Vaxiviere |
Richard Mille AF Corse |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:40.577 |
3 |
3 |
+7.921 +0.197 127.424 |
|
20 |
11 |
18 |
LMP2 |
D. Merriman / R. Dalziel C. Rasmussen / C. Zilisch |
Era Motorsport |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:41.196 |
9 |
9 |
+8.540 +0.619 126.645 |
|
21 |
12 |
33 |
LMP2 |
L. Willsey / J. Barbosa / N. Siegel J. Edgar |
Sean Creech Motorsport |
Ligier LMP2 |
1:41.496 |
6 |
9 |
+8.840 +0.300 126.271 |
|
22 |
13 |
8 |
LMP2 |
J. Farano / M. Dinan F. Habsburg-Lothringen S. McLaughlin |
Tower Motorsports |
ORECA LMP2 07 |
1:41.588 |
9 |
9 |
+8.932 +0.092 126.156 |
|
23 |
1 |
77 |
GTDPRO |
|
AO Racing |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
1:44.382 |
4 |
5 |
+11.726 +2.794 122.780 |
|
24 |
2 |
14 |
GTDPRO |
|
VasserSullivan |
Lexus RC F GT3 |
1:44.462 |
4 |
4 |
+11.806 +0.080 122.685 |
|
25 |
1 |
12 |
GTD |
F. Montecalvo / P. Thompson A. Telitz / R. Miyata |
Vasser Sullivan |
Lexus RC F GT3 |
1:44.494 |
4 |
4 |
+11.838 +0.032 122.648 |
|
26 |
2 |
86 |
GTD |
K. Li / A. Fjordbach / L. Voorde K. Bachler |
MDK Motorsports |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
1:44.537 |
6 |
6 |
+11.881 +0.043 122.597 |
|
27 |
3 |
66 |
GTD |
S. Monk / K. Legge / T. Calderon S. McAleer |
Gradient Racing |
Acura NSX GT3 |
1:44.640 |
5 |
5 |
+11.984 +0.103 122.477 |
|
28 |
4 |
45 |
GTD |
K. Marcelli / D. Formal / G. Doyle A. Harrison |
Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
1:44.707 |
5 |
5 |
+12.051 +0.067 122.398 |
|
29 |
5 |
78 |
GTD |
M. Goikhberg / L. Spinelli D. Defrancesco / S. Mitchell |
Forte Racing |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
1:44.709 |
3 |
4 |
+12.053 +0.002 122.396 |
|
30 |
6 |
34 |
GTD |
M. Franco / A. Costa Balboa A. Balzan / C. Sbirrazzuoli |
Conquest Racing |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
1:44.722 |
6 |
6 |
+12.066 +0.013 122.381 |
|
31 |
3 |
3 |
GTDPRO |
A. Garcia / A. Sims / D. Juncadella |
Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
1:44.786 |
4 |
4 |
+12.130 +0.064 122.306 |
|
32 |
7 |
47 |
GTD |
R. Lacorte / G. Sernagiotto E. Cheever / A. Fuoco |
CETILAR RACING |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
1:44.811 |
5 |
5 |
+12.155 +0.025 122.277 |
|
33 |
4 |
19 |
GTDPRO |
F. Perera / J. Pepper / A. Caldarelli M. Bortolotti |
Iron Lynx |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
1:44.831 |
5 |
5 |
+12.175 +0.020 122.254 |
|
34 |
5 |
62 |
GTDPRO |
D. Serra / D. Rigon / A. Pier Guidi J. Calado |
Risi Competizione |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
1:44.831 |
6 |
6 |
+12.175 +0.000 122.254 |
|
35 |
8 |
023 |
GTD |
O. Triarsi / A. Rovera / R. Agostini C. Scardina |
Triarsi Competizione |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
1:44.835 |
5 |
6 |
+12.179 +0.004 122.249 |
|
36 |
6 |
9 |
GTDPRO |
M. Kirchhöfer / O. Jarvis / A. Rossi J. Hinchcliffe |
Pfaff Motorsports |
McLaren 720S GT3 EVO |
1:44.900 |
4 |
4 |
+12.244 +0.065 122.173 |
|
37 |
9 |
17 |
GTD |
A. Mantella / N. Varrone / T. Merrill C. Eastwood |
AWA |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
1:44.959 |
6 |
6 |
+12.303 +0.059 122.105 |
|
38 |
10 |
70 |
GTD |
F. Schandorff / T. Gamble / O. Millroy B. Iribe |
Inception Racing |
McLaren 720S GT3 EVO |
1:44.965 |
4 |
5 |
+12.309 +0.006 122.098 |
|
39 |
11 |
21 |
GTD |
S. Mann / F. Heriau / K. Cozzolino M. Molina |
Af Corse |
Ferrari 296 GT3 |
1:45.041 |
5 |
5 |
+12.385 +0.076 122.009 |
|
40 |
12 |
43 |
GTD |
S. Hargrove / T. Preining / J. Andretti G. Chaves |
Andretti Motorsports |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
1:45.115 |
5 |
5 |
+12.459 |
|
41 |
13 |
83 |
GTD |
R. Frey / M. Gatting / S. Bovy |
Iron Dames |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
1:45.180 |
5 |
5 |
+12.524 |
|
42 |
14 |
13 |
GTD |
L. Kern / M. Bell / O. Fidani / A. Lynn |
AWA |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
1:45.206 |
4 |
6 |
+12.550 |
|
43 |
7 |
4 |
GTDPRO |
T. Milner / N. Catsburg / E. Bamber |
Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports |
Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R |
1:45.215 |
4 |
4 |
+12.559 |
|
44 |
8 |
60 |
GTDPRO |
C. Schiavoni / M. Cressoni R. Grosjean / M. Cairoli |
Iron Lynx |
Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 |
1:45.305 |
6 |
6 |
+12.649 |
|
45 |
9 |
65 |
GTDPRO |
J. Hand / D. Mueller / F. Vervisch |
Ford Multimatic Motorsports |
Ford Mustang GT3 |
1:45.373 |
5 |
5 |
+12.717 |
|
46 |
10 |
75 |
GTDPRO |
|
Sun Energy 1 |
Mercedes AMG GT3 |
1:45.421 |
5 |
5 |
+12.765 |
|
47 |
11 |
23 |
GTDPRO |
A. Riberas / M. Farnbacher / R. Gunn |
Heart of Racing Team |
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo |
1:45.528 |
5 |
5 |
+12.872 |
|
48 |
15 |
55 |
GTD |
R. Hardwick / D. Olsen / G. Levorato C. Lewis |
Proton Competition |
Ford Mustang GT3 |
1:45.536 |
5 |
5 |
+12.880 |
|
49 |
12 |
1 |
GTDPRO |
B. Sellers / M. Snow / N. Verhagen S. van der Linde |
Paul Miller Racing |
BMW M4 GT3 |
1:45.831 |
3 |
4 |
+13.175 |
|
50 |
13 |
64 |
GTDPRO |
M. Rockenfeller / C. Mies H. Tincknell |
Ford Multimatic Motorsports |
Ford Mustang GT3 |
1:45.840 |
5 |
5 |
+13.184 |
|
51 |
16 |
96 |
GTD |
R. Foley / P. Gallagher / J. Walker J. Klingmann |
Turner Motorsport |
BMW M4 GT3 |
1:45.861 |
4 |
4 |
+13.205 |
|
52 |
17 |
57 |
GTD |
R. Ward / P. Ellis / D. Morad I. Dontje |
Winward Racing |
Mercedes AMG GT3 |
1:45.898 |
3 |
4 |
+13.242 |
|
53 |
18 |
32 |
GTD |
M. Skeen / K. Koch / M. Grenier M. Goetz |
Korthoff/Preston Motorsports |
Mercedes AMG GT3 |
1:45.974 |
4 |
4 |
+13.318 |
|
54 |
19 |
120 |
GTD |
A. Adelson / E. Skeer / J. Heylen F. Makowiecki |
Wright Motorsports |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |
1:45.983 |
3 |
5 |
+13.327 |
|
55 |
20 |
80 |
GTD |
|
Lone Star Racing |
Mercedes AMG GT3 |
1:46.209 |
5 |
5 |
+13.553 |
|
56 |
21 |
44 |
GTD |
J. Potter / A. Lally / S. Pumpelly N. Thiim |
Magnus Racing |
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo |
1:48.007 |
5 |
5 |
+15.351 |
|
57 |
22 |
27 |
GTD |
R. De Angelis / Z. Robichon / I. James M. Sorensen |
Heart of Racing Team |
Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo |
1:52.715 |
2 |
2 |
+20.059 |
|
58 |
10 |
5 |
GTP |
G. Bruni / N. Jani / A. Picariello R. Dumas |
Proton Competition |
Porsche 963 |
||||
|
59 |
23 |
92 |
GTD |
D. Brule / A. Udell / T. Hindman J. Andlauer |
Kellymoss with Riley |
Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) |