Both Mazda Team Joest RT-24Ps will start from the back of the Prototype field after both fell foul at post qualifying tech inspection for rather overdoing it on the ‘sealing panel gaps with tape’. That is permitted around the refuelling area of the bodywork but as per post session comments the Mazda team had pretty comprehensively treated the whole of both cars!
Michael Shank Racing had the #93 Acura NSX back together and fully aligned by 5am this morning in good time for the team to take to the track for the 8am Warm up where Lawson Aschenbach set the fastest GTD time of the session. They will start from the very back of the grid.
The United Autosports Ligier had an engine change yesterday and will start just ahead of the Mazdas at the rear of the Prototype field, there is a hint of a potential further issue that the team are keeping track of as the grid forms up.
The weather forecast is completely clear with temps into the 80s in the heat of the day and the early morning smoke hanging over the circuit now gone.
Cadillac PR Kyle Chura has told DSC that the Cadillac DPi-V.R at the Rolex 24 at Daytona did not have a mechanism to add water on pit lane, so the cars had to go to the garage. They do now, a simple quick release plug in bottle to add water, this after several issues with the cars overheating at the 24 Hours. The Cadillac V8 engine went from 6.2 litres to 5.5 litres over the off season. just the the stroke and crank shaft changed from the earlier (larger capacity) motor, to reduce the stroke. It is the same design and layout that ran last year and powered the cars to 7 wins, the championship and the Rolex win in January.
The crowd has been introduced to the drivers on the dummy grid in pit lane with a huge crowd here once again.
The DSC Ed took the opportunity offered by Mercedes-AMG (with thanks to PR Adam Saal) to get a lap around the circuit on board the Mercedes-AMG GT-R piloted by ex ALMS and Grand-Am racer and now AMG Driving Academy instructor Rene Villeneuve. The track looks quite clean this morning, but I’m delighted to say it’s as bumpy as ever!
It seems the Porsche ahead was taking it easy as the VIP passenger doesn’t like high speed! (only kidding Patrick!)
Let’s Go Racing!
