Voices In The Daytona Paddock, GTD Pro
Throughout the Roar Before The 24 and the lead-up to the 62nd Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, DSC has spoken with a number of the 230 drivers in this year’s event about a wide range of topics.
A range of drivers in the GTD Pro field are either committed for the full season, the Michelin Endurance Cup, or just this Rolex 24, and in some other cases, are trying to broaden their IMSA slate for 2024.
So, what’s on their minds?
Michael Christensen, 2017 Rolex 24 Hours GTD Class Winner / Porsche Penske Motorsport WEC Hypercar Driver:
You find yourself back in a Porsche GT3 car after being part of the 963’s global debut here last year. How did this opportunity with AO Racing come around?
MC: “I’m always keen to do Daytona, and it didn’t seem to be an open slot in a GTP car this year. It came about quite late in December, I got the contact from Porsche that AO would be interested in having me on board – and I was like, ‘yeah, let’s go!’
“I’m always up for a good run in Daytona, and the project looks quite interesting. I think they’ve been doing quite well for the first season last year, as a team. It’s a good lineup. I think there’s a good chance to do something good.”
For now, you’ve only been confirmed for Daytona – but is there a chance we could see you here in IMSA more often between WEC events?
MC: “I think it’s an open topic at the moment. We take this, it’s a one-off for now, but I kind of have an open calendar for them later on. I would be interested for sure – but let’s see how the calendar unfolds.”
Mike Conway, Two-time World Endurance Drivers’ Champion and 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans Winner:
Were you looking forward to coming back to Daytona in a Vasser Sullivan Lexus GT3?
MC: “Last year I really enjoyed my time with the guys. I obviously kept in touch with them throughout the whole season. They had a really great season, winning the championship. And I just was interested in coming back and doing Daytona again.
“You’ve got the GT specialists, for sure – it was a big learning curve last year. I could have adapted a bit more just with more time in the car. It’s been a year since I’ve driven it last, so I’m hoping to get back up to speed quickly, and just learn the little nuances that you need with these cars.”
Do you enjoy these occasions where you can come back to racing in America as you did in your IndyCar days?
All the restarts is like, elbows out – everyone’s getting stuck in, which I like
MC: “It’s hard racing, which I like. All the restarts is like, elbows out – everyone’s getting stuck in, which I like. It’s good fun racing. I like all of it, to be honest – that’s why I always try and come back!”
Neil Verhagen, BMW M works driver making Rolex 24 Debut:
You must be thrilled to make your Daytona 24 Hours debut with the ascending Paul Miller Racing.
NV: “To do my first Daytona with them is really cool. Obviously Paul Miller Racing, has a great track record, they’ve won a lot of races, and they’re a very successful team. Hopefully, I can learn from them and hopefully, I’ll be very happy in a week in a half!”
Tell us about the decision to return to racing in America after so many years of being based in Europe – and, also, do you see yourself racing here full-time in the future?
NV: “You know, I enjoyed my time over in Europe, but I’ve always wanted to come back home and race in the US. I think the opportunity to come back to the ‘States with Samantha Tan Racing (in GT World Challenge America) was a great opportunity. And I was able the most of it. I guess I was able to bargain my chips to come back for endurance.”
“It’s a lot of testing the water right now, for me. For me, personally, I would like to come back to IMSA full-time and do more racing in the ‘States than just the Endurance Cup, but it’s too early to say right now.”
Oliver Jarvis, 2022 IMSA DPi Champion / former Daytona course record holder:
How did you latch on to this new opportunity to come back, full-time in America with Pfaff Motorsport in GTD Pro?
OJ: “I had opportunities to come back here in P2. But I had a bit of contact with McLaren and they asked me if I’d be interested. I said, ‘absolutely’. And then I think a couple of phone calls and Steve (Bortolotti) from Pfaff Motorsport jumped at the opportunity, who, by the way, is awesome. Yeah – it’s probably been the easiest deal from my side to ever put together that.
“It was just simple. Do you want to do it? I said ‘yes, I’m interested’. He said, I’ll drop you an email. Very fair, very straight. And it was one of those rare moments in motorsport where everybody stuck to what they said.”
It’s a well-established championship-winning team with a manufacturer that’s got real ambition for GTD Pro – and who’s got the capability behind them to be a bit of a disrupter…
OJ: “Absolutely, when I made the decision, there were a lot of reasons why it was an easy decision for me. The team’s results speak for themselves. I have been a part of the team for less than a month but in the few dialogues I have had with them, it is very clear – they’re here to win races, there is absolutely no doubt about that. The effort that’s gone in, they only got the car in the middle of December.
We’re not here just to run around. We want to win!
“You can see why they win races and win championships. It’s evident very, very early on in the discussions and the way they go about things and, and the things that they’re doing behind the scenes, that they are a top, top team. And that was definitely a big factor in my decision.”
There must be a very short list of people that have taken overall championship wins and the championship win in the top GT category, that would be quite a record!
OJ: “I won Daytona in a GT car. And I won Daytona in a DPI car. It’d be great to win in the GT Pro car, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves, there’s a lot to learn both from myself from the team. But we’re not here just to run around. We want to win!”
Images © Richard Dole, Jake Galstad, Michael L. Levitt / IMSA
