SCC: Bell Motorsports leads Daytona testing

For the second day in a row, Bell Motorsports led the pre-season Grand American Rolex Series in testing for the Daytona 24 Hours, as the 2003 championship team turned the fastest lap at Daytona International Speedway.

The No. 54 Chevrolet Doran Daytona Protoptype piloted by Forest Barber, Terry Borcheller, Milka Duno and Andy Pilgrim laid down a lap at 1:48.311 for a speed of 118.326 mph. The time was almost two seconds faster than the DP track record. Of course, all test times are unofficial, and therefore the Bell Motorsports time is not a new record.

#58 Brumos Racing Porsche Fabcar: David Donohue, Darren Law, Sascha Maassen, Lucas Luhr.

Photo by John Thawley.

And again, as it was yesterday, the No. 58 Brumos Porsche Fabcar was second fastest with a time at 1:48.635 (118.973mph). Team drivers' David Donohue and Darren Law were joined by Porsche factory drivers, Lucas Luhr and Sascha Maassen for the three-day test and the 24 Hour classic endurance sports car race, January 29 to February 1.

Third fastest today was the new DP team owned by Chip Ganassi Racing. Max Papis and Scott Pruett will be the drivers for the CGR Grand Am team in 2004. The Rolex 24 driver line up for the team is as yet unannounced. The Lexus Riley was clocked at 1:48.877 (117.711mph), nearly two-seconds quicker than their best time on Saturday.

For the second day in a row, the new Howard-Boss Motorsports Chevrolet Crawford Rolex Series entry was in the top five of the DP leaderboard. The No. 2 car turned a lap of 1:49.038 (117.537mph) with the fourth best time today. Sportscar ace Andy Wallace will share the Rolex 24 driving with NASCAR Cup drivers' Dale Earnhardt Jr and Tony Stewart.

Daytona 24 Hour 2003 overall winner, The Racer's Group No. 66 Porsche clocked the fastest GT class time today at 1:54.785 for a speed of 111.652 miles per hour. Kevin Buckler, Jorg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard and Patrick Long highlight the driver line up looking for their third consecutive class win come February 1st.

Second fastest today was the BMW Prototype Technology Group. The No. 21 team had a time of 1:55.121 (111.32mph). The driver lineup for the 24 Hours include Bill Auberlen, Boris Said, Justin Marks and Joey Hand.

The driving duo of Craig Stanton and David Murry set the SGS fast time again today. The No. 16 AASCO Motorsports Porsche hit a one lap time of 1:57.074 for a speed of 109.469 miles per hour.

Second on the time charts for SGS today was the No. 37 TPC Racing at 1:58.266 (108.366mph), Bill Adam, Andy Lally, John Littlechild, Michael Levitas and Randy Pobst will pilot the Porsche for the endurance event.

Grand-Am Cup Series tested today after having one day off during the Grand American Road Racing pre-season testing at Daytona.

In the Grand Sport class, the No. 04 Istook/Aines Motorsports again topped the charts when the Audi S4 was clocked at 2:06.999 with a speed of 101.473 miles per hour. The No. 11 Mustang of Rehagen Racing had the second-fastest time at 2:07.946.

Bill Fenton Motorsports had the fastest time in the Sport Touring class at 2:14.437 for a speed of 95.33 miles per hour in their Acura RSX-S. The No. 70 SpeedSource Mazda RX-8 was second at 2:14.321.

The testing concludes with a final day on Monday, January 5th. The 42nd Rolex 24 race will take the green flag start on January 30 at Daytona.