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Shank working in ‘keeping the phone ringing’

#60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: A.J. Allmendinger, Oswaldo Negri, John Pew, Justin Wilson

#60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: A.J. Allmendinger, Oswaldo Negri, John Pew, Justin Wilson

Eric Gilbert

News Impacts DP, GT, GX Classes For 51st Rolex 24 At Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Michael Shank’s phone hasn’t stopped ringing since the last Sunday in January, when his team captured a win in the 50th anniversary Rolex 24 At Daytona.

#60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: A.J. Allmendinger, Oswaldo Negri, John Pew, Justin Wilson
#60 Michael Shank Racing with Curb-Agajanian Ford Riley: A.J. Allmendinger, Oswaldo Negri, John Pew, Justin Wilson

Photo by: Eric Gilbert

Tuesday, Shank was back at Daytona testing for the 51st edition of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series’ premier event, which will open the 2013 season on Jan. 26-27. He wants the phone to keep ringing.

“Winning that race was everything,” Shank said. “It was better than I ever thought it would be – in every single regard. It’s helped me in every single facet of my life.”

While Shank tested the winning No. 60 Ford/Riley of Ozz Negri and John Pew at Daytona in November, this week he has Michael Valiante and Chris Cumming shaking down the new No. 6 Ford/Riley.

“We’re de-bugging it,” Shank said. “Last year, when the No. 6 finished third, it was a second-generation DP. This is a brand-new G3, and it’s working out nicely. … I know the odds of repeating in the Rolex 24 are not in our favor, but I feel solid about our total package.”

Cumming, who races for JDX Racing in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón, was driving a DP at Daytona for the first time.

“I raced here in January in a Porsche for TRG, and this feels completely different,” said the Vancouver driver. “This car does everything better. Obviously the top speed is better, but it’s incredible on the braking. That gives you a lot of confidence. The other big difference is that running a DP, everything happens in front of you – instead of having to worry about the faster cars coming up on you.”

Over the past week, several major announcements were made that will impact all three Rolex Series classes.

Action Express Racing added 2010 Rolex 24 winner Mike Rockenfeller, Nelson Piquet Jr. and Felipe Nasr to its star-studded lineup. They join team regulars Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi and brothers Burt and Brian Frisselle. Car and driver pairings are yet to be announced.

In GT, TRG announced a multi-platform involvement with Aston Martin that will include the Rolex Series in addition to the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge and American Le Mans Series. TRG will open again field a multi- car Porsche effort in the Rolex 24, and switch to the new Aston Martin Vantage GT3 early in the season.

Scuderia Corsa named Roberto Amorosi as technical director for the team’s full season in the No. 63 Ferrari 458 Italia. Recently crowned Ferrari Challenge world champion Alessandro Balzan will be the team’s lead driver.

Park Place Motorsports joined Michael Shank Racing at Daytona for its first Rolex Series test. Patrick Lindsey and Jason Hart drove the No. 73 Porsche GT3 for the team, formerly known as Horton Autosport.

BGB Motorsports became the first team to announce its plans for the new GX class in the Rolex 24. Ryan Eversley, Lee Davis, Eric Foss, Ron Yarab and team principal John Tecce will drive the No. 38 Luna-C Clothing Porsche Cayman S.

The Mazda6 will be the car of choice for the Japanese automaker in the GX class. Powered by SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel engines, this will mark the first time that diesel-engined cars compete in the Rolex 24.

SpeedSource principal Sylvain Tremblay will return to lead the driver lineup for the No. 70 Mazda. Additional drivers for the No. 70 and new No. 00 full- season entries will be announced in the near future, along with several customer teams.

The first on-track activity for both the GRAND-AM Rolex Series and Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge will be the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test at Daytona International Speedway on Jan. 4-6.

GRAND-AM Road Racing

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