Daytona II finale news and notes

Doran/Lista Unveils New Dallara
The Doran/Lista Racing Team unveiled its new Judd-powered Dallara at the Grand-Am Finale today. The team ran a Ferrari chassis for most of the season, winning two races at Watkins Glen and Road America. However car owner Fredy Lienhard explained that they knew the team would need a new car because of the age of the Ferrari. "Being able to get a car from the same manufacturer is the best solution I could think of. Even though we are taking some risk, it is very good to be able 'to test' the car before the big 24 hour race next year," Lienhard said. Dallara is a production race car manufacturer who has been highly successful, including the production of several Indy 500 winners.

Robinson Debuts New Mark III-C
Robinson Racing plans to make the racing debut of its new Riley & Scott Mark III-C chassis during the Rolex Series three-hour race on Saturday night. It will mark the first time a Mark III-C has raced in the Rolex Series. Jack Baldwin and Steve Knapp will pilot the new Judd-powered car, which has yet to be adorned with the 74-Ranch blue and orange paint scheme. "It's brand new. We plan on making some changes to it. There's no use in painting it and then taking a hacksaw to it," Baldwin said.

AASCO/Boduck Switches from Porsche to BMW
After competing in the Rolex Series GT class in a Porsche GT3 R for most the 2001 season, AASCO/Boduck Racing will debut its new V8-powered BMW M3 during the Grand-Am Finale. The California-based team will become only the second to race the new V8-powered BMW in the Rolex Series GT class. JET Motorsports ran their new BMW all season, scoring three GT victories.

Cobb Named Managing Director of G&W
Price Cobb, a name synonymous with success in the racing industry, has been named managing director of G&W Motorsports, Inc. Cobb boasts an impressive list of professional driving highlights including wins at the 24 Hours of LeMans and Daytona and membership in the elite ranks of both World and North American Porsche Cup Championship winners. In addition to his driving skills, Cobb is highly regarded as a spokesperson in the realm of motorsports media as a color commentator for ESPN and Fox Sports and as a writer for many magazines and Internet columns. Cobb will assume the day-to-day management of the workshop activities as well as testing and development of the Rolex Series team. "The idea of having someone like Price involved in our organization is a dream come true. We think he is the perfect individual to bring G&W Motorsports into some elite company through his management style, development ability and recognition in the racing community," said team owner Cole Scrogham, whose team is en route to its second-straight GT team owner and driver championships.

Team Lexus Hopes Four Is Its Lucky Number
Team Lexus has entered four cars into Friday night's Grand-Am Cup four-hour race. Three of the team's new IS 300s are entered, as well as a GS 400. It will be the largest contingent Team Lexus has ever entered into a Grand-Am Cup race. The team will also be in the hunt for two championships in the Sport Touring class. Team Lexus is currently 11 points off the pace in the class team owner point standings, and team owner/driver Chuck Goldsborough is currently fourth in the driver championship race, 17 points back.

Rolex Series Drivers Available for Autographs
Several Rolex Series drivers will be available for autographs and photos during sessions on Friday and Saturday. Drivers will be outside their trailers in the Rolex Series Paddock on Friday, Nov. 2, from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m., and again on Saturday, Nov. 3, from noon to 1 p.m.

Gatorz Girls Make Appearance with Saleen
The Gatorz Eyewear girls will be available for photos and autographs around the Park Place Racing Saleen S7R trailer in the Rolex Series paddock on Friday and Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Park Place Racing driver Chris Bingham recently signed an endorsement deal with Gatorz eyewear.

The green flag will fall on the Grand-Am Cup four-hour race at 6 p.m., on Friday, Nov. 2. The Rolex Series three-hour race will run Saturday night. Tickets to the Grand-Am Finale, being held as part of the Manheim's Daytona Auto Auction Presents The Brumos Continental Historics at Daytona International Speedway, Nov. 1-4, are currently on sale at the Speedway ticket office. They may be purchased by calling 386-253-RACE (7223) or by logging on to www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com.

- www.grand-am.com.