Rate this article:
Speed Addicts: Grand Prix Racing
Speed Addicts is the complete and definitive illustrated book of grand prix motor racing, told in the form of a human story.
Our Price: $34.99 ON SALE!
Mickey Thompson: The Fast Life and Tragic Death of a Racing Legend
The complete story of this true American legend is one worth slowing down for.
Our Price: $25.00
Victory By Design: Ferrari DVD
Alain de Cadenet, a long-time Ferrari enthusiast and aficionado, drives some of the great sports racers and sports cars.
Our Price: $24.95
Written by:
Richard James
Racer Magazine http://www.racer.com
Racer Magazine http://www.racer.com
01/27/2007 - 07:00 PM
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Smiles all around for Chip Ganassi and his drivers Juan Pablo Montoya, Scott Pruett and Salvador Duran as they celebrate in victory lane after winning the 2007 Rolex 24. (Photo: Fastlines) » More Photos
The win earned Pruett his seventh class victory in Rolex 24 races, giving him sole possession of the record for most class wins that until now he had shared with Hurley Haywood and the late Peter Gregg.
The No. 10 SunTrust Racing Pontiac Riley that had been battling with the other two in the closing stages was knocked out of contention due to a brake problem with Jan Magnussen at the wheel. The long pedal left him without sufficient stopping power to negotiate Turn One during the final hour, and the off-course excursion and subsequent brake repair dropped the car that Magnussen shared with Max Angelelli, Wayne Taylor and Jeff Gordon to third, two laps behind. The SunTrust team had battled back from early power steering and electrical problems that saw them tumble to 22nd overall.
Had the SunTrust car not had the late-stage brake problem, the finish would have set a record for the number of cars
The No. 59 Brumos Porsche Riley of Hurley Haywood, JC France, Joao Barbosa and Roberto Moreno finished fourth, six laps behind the winner.
The Alegra Motorsports Porsche GT3 of Carlos de Quesada, Jean-Francois Dumoulin, Scooter Gabel and Marc Besseng bounced back from an early off-course excursion to claim the GT class win. (Photo: Greg Aleck) » More Photos
The GT battle was close and shifted often throughout the 24 hours. Although Porsche continued its now-seven-year dominance in the class, it was a team that few expected to be up front at the end. Finishing 11th overall, the No. 22 Alegra Motorsports Porsche GT3 driven by Carlos de Quesada, Jean-Francois Dumoulin, Scooter Gabel and Marc Besseng took the lead when the No. 85 Farnbacher Loles car had mechanical difficulties.
The No. 22 was actually the first car off course in the race, and the team went down five laps to the GT leaders early on, but battled back as several top cars fell out of contention.
The No. 07 Banner Racing Pontiac GXP.R of Paul Edwards, Kelly Collins and Andy Pilgrim finished second, on the same lap, while Jim Lowe, Jim Pace, Johannes van Overbeek and Ralf Kelleners in a Porsche GT3 from TRG finished third, one lap down.
Rare repeat
The repeat by the Ganassi team in the Rolex 24, albeit with a different team of drivers from last year, is the first repeat by a team since Holbert Racing took back-to-back victories in 1986-'87. Those wins were achieved with the same trio of drivers: Holbert, Derek Bell and Al Unser Jr.
Page 1 of 3
