Robinson Racing Daytona II preview

Baldwin, Robinson Racing Breaking In New Ride This Weekend At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., (Nov. 1, 2001) -- Driver Jack Baldwin and Robinson Racing, a perennial contender to win the Rolex 24 At Daytona, are breaking in a new race car during this weekend's Manheim's Daytona Auto Auction Presents The Brumos Continental Historics and Grand-Am Finale.

Baldwin, along with Indy Racing League driver Steve Knapp, will pilot the new No. 74 Robinson Racing Riley & Scott Mk IIIC during Saturday's Rolex Sports Car Series three-hour season finale, which goes green at 6 p.m.

"We're bringing it online at this point," said Baldwin, who has competed in more than 10 Rolex 24s and posted a victory in class. "It has to be ready for next year's Rolex 24 and next season's competition. We tried to bring it on last year, but there was some issues with the car that had to be dealt with."

The Riley & Scott Mk IIIC has been tested once in Kershaw, S.C., and this weekend's Grand-Am Finale will be the first time it'll do battle in a race. Baldwin reports that the car seems to be better than the team's old Riley & Scott Mk IIIC.

"I have no desire to drive the Mark III after I drove (the new car)," Baldwin said.

Baldwin says his team will try to win this weekend, but the focus of their effort will be on preparing for the 40th annual Rolex 24 At Daytona on Feb. 2-3.

"It's a race, but for us, it's more important to use it as a test than win the race," Baldwin said. "Obviously, we're going to race the car. During the race, if we feel the need to come in and make changes, I don't think we'll have a problem doing that. Our position is not affected by points. At this point, we're looking toward next year.

"When you bring a new car online, there's some issues. It's not like buying a new car on the street. You don't just get the keys and drive off. Having a new race car means having a whole set of procedures that you have to go through in order to bring the car to its brink of successes. When you're buying a new race car, you're committing yourself to an intensive work schedule."

The Riley & Scott Mk IIIC is so new, it doesn't even have its distinctive paint scheme.

"It's brand new," Baldwin said. "We plan on making some changes to it. There's no use in painting it and then taking a hacksaw to it. We traditionally don't paint the car until after the test so when the car comes for the Rolex 24, it's fresh."

The Grand American Road Racing Association and Historic Sportscar Racing tested on Thursday at the Speedway. On Friday, HSR will participate in practice and qualifying session during the day. The Grand-Am Cup four-hour season finale will go green at 6 p.m.

Tickets for the Nov. 2-4 Manheim's Daytona Auto Auction Presents The Brumos Continental Historics and the Grand-Am Finale can be purchased online by calling the Speedway ticket office at (386) 253-7223.

-DIS-