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Can the "little Car that Could!" Mazda's
RT24P with the smallest displacement engine be victorious this year?
Specifically the No. 55? (Image source: roadandtrack.com)
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As who'll make history as the Sport's first new
Prototype to win Daytona now that the 'Ol Grand Am DP's have been retired...
The biggest news for this year's 55th running
of the Rolex 24 is the new top flight Prototype (P) category, now that the 'Ol
Daytona Prototypes (DP) are no longer allowed. With the class being effectively
split into two rival factions, the IMSA Daytona Prototype International's (DPi)
and the Le Mans LMP2 competitors - with the DPi allowing manufacturer specific
Bodywork vs. LMP2's approved suppliers with Spec engine and ECU.
Interestingly, it appears that both groups
are represented equally with three manufacturers apiece. And the relative lack
of IMSA entrants makes me think of when the Daytona Prototypes were brand new
during the Grand Am days before the class steadily increased in size.
As it'll be interesting to see who prevails
overall and how equal in performance the two sides 'O thee Puddle are, and
who'll ultimately win the race...
DPi RUNNERS...
According to Zed Internetz', found the following seven
entrants listed for this year's Rolex 24...
CADDILAC (3)
Cadillac
DPi VR
Engine: 6.2-litre normally aspirated V-8
Teams: Action Express Racing & Wayne Taylor Racing
#5) João
Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi and Filipe Albuquerque
#10) Jordan & Ricky Taylor, Max Angelelli and Jeff Gordon
#31) Dane Cameron, Eric Curran, Mike Conway and Seb Morris
Surely A-L-L eyes will be focused upon Wayne
Taylor's spiffy, brand new No. 10 Cadd-Oh-Lac', with RASSCAR' legend Jeffry
"Pretty Boy" Gordon moonlighting alongside its regular driver trio,
which sees The Brother's Taylor joined by Max "the Ax" Angelelli, who'll
retire from racing following the event.
Yet (AXR) Action Express Racing's two car
squad shouldn't be overlooked, after all having won the last three consecutive Daytona
Prototype (DP) class championships, twice with the formable Duo of JB', aka João Barbosa
and Christian Fittipaldi, now piloting their No. 5 "Mustang Sally;"
Err Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi, with NO Mach 5 jokes here; Hya! As João 's Countryman Filipe Albuquerque joins the Mustang
Boyz for the Rolex 24 event.
the team's Seester' car features the reigning
(DP) champs Dane Cameron & Eric Curran aboard the #31 Welland Engineering Caddy,
with some Dude known as Mike "Ice-Ice, Baby!" Conway joining them at
Daytona.
Whilst Conway's "Union Jack" brethren Seb Morris, a GP3 racer's name just
appeared after the Roar Before 24...
MAZDA (2)
Mazda
RT24P
Engine: 2.0-litre Inline-4 turbo
Team: Mazda Motorsports
#55) Jonathan Bomarito, Tristan Nunez and
Spencer Pigot
#70) Tom Long, Joel Miller and James Hinchcliffe
Suppose the Biggest Name on the Mazda Driver
Roll is thee "Mayor 'O Hinchtown" Eh! As the KuhNuck's still fresh
upon everyone's radar after finishing runner-up in the latest Dancing With the
Stars contest - While last year's rookie IndyCar driver Spencer Pigot who
capped off his partial season for Ed Carpenter Racing, (ECR) having just been
confirmed for another IndyCar season with ECR, is the other guest chauffer.
And whilst I don't know Nothing 'bout
Messer's Long & Miller, Jonathan Bomarito's name was
bandied about as a possible US F1 driver - Along with representing Team USA
abroad.
While I've been High upon Tristan Nunez ever
since Tacoma Bureau Chief Mary Ellen read me a story 'bout him in an obscure
Portland "Fishwrap" awhile ago, having named him my 2012 nifSTAR
winner...
NISSAN (2)
Nissan
Onroak DPi
Engine: 3.8-litre V-6 turbo
Team: Extreme Speed Motorsports
#2) Scott Sharp, Ryan
Dalziel and Pipo Derani
22) Ed Brown, Johannes van Overbeek, Bruno Senna
and Brendon Hartley
Extreme Speed Motorsports (ESM) is ex-IndyCar
racer Scotty Sharp's concern funded by Ed Brown and his Tequila Patron
patronage, as ESM is the defending Rolex 24 Overall winner's, albeit the team's
now campaigning new DPi Prototype's clad in Nissan bodywork.
Pipo Derani was the revelation 'O North American Sports
Car racing last year, with the Brazilian wringing the neck of Tequila Patron ESM's
Ligier JSP2 Honda to victory at Daytona when coming from behind! And then
duplicated the feat next at Sebring to give ESM back-to-back endurance wins.
Have lamented much over the year's here on No
Fenders over how past overall Rolex 24 and Le Mans class winner, and ultimate BAD ARSE Ryan "Razzle-Dazzle" Dalziel never got his fair shot in Indy Cars.
Meanwhile,
that other Brazilian's name should be familiar, as that's the late Ayrton
Senna's nephew Bruno, an ex-Formula 1 Pilote joining the All-Star circus at
DayToner - who team owner Scotty Sharp sez' is wickedly quick!
Whilst
the fourth Hot Schue on the #22's roster AIN'T NO Slouch either! Since Kiwi'
driver Brendon Hartley, not only is a Factory Porsche LMP1 Pilote', but also won
the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship aboard Porsche's amazing 919 Hybrid.
As these
"Blown" Nissan's are sporting Onroak bodywork, for which Onroak Automotives
the parent company of Ligier, which won the race last year. But think the
verdict's still out upon the Nissan turbocharged lumps'.
And although I don't expect them to win,
suppose they shouldn't be discounted, since perhaps these are proven LMP2 spec
units that race at Circuit de la Sarthe?
LMP2 (EUROPEANS)
The FIA sanctioned World Endurance Championship's
(WEC) "Junior" )Le Mans Prototype) LMP2 category competitors will
only be allowed to race with one of four designated chassis suppliers chosen by
the ACO, the governing body of le 24 Heurs du Mans: Oreca, Ligier, Dallara and
Riley. while only one engine's allowed, along with a single ECU supplier.
ORECA (3)
Oreca
07
Engine: 4.2-litre normally aspirated V-8
Teams: DragonSpeed, JDC-Miller Motorsports and Rebellion Racing
#13) Neil Jani, Nick Heidfeld, Sebastien Buemi and Stephane Sarrazin
#81) Loic
Duvall, Ben Hanley, Henrik Hedman and Nicolas Lapierre
#85) Mikhail Goikhberg,
Stephen Simpson, Chris Miller and Mathias Beche
Interestingly, the No. 81 DragonSpeed entry is
owned by American ex-Formula 1 hopeful Elton Julian, who was the last Yank' to
test a F1 chassis for Larrousse in 1994 before Scott Speed finally flew the
Stars 'N Stripes in Formula One for Toro Rosso in 2006.
As Loic Duvall, & Nicolas Lapierre's names are
familiar to Mwah, both from competing in the 24 Heurs du Mans, whilst my
apologies to the #85 JDC-Miller Motorsports entry, whom I don't recognize any
of their drivers.
Yet many eyes will probably be focused upon
the All-star quartet of Rebellion Racing's lucky number 13 - with such
luminaries as ex-Champ Car, Works Porsche LMP1 Hot Schue and reigning Le Mans
winner Neil Jani. Joined by three former Formula 1 Pilotes', most notably
"Quick Nick" Heidfeld and the "Two Sebastian's," aka Sebastien Buemi & Stephane
Sarrazin. With the latter duo having considerable seat-time in the top-tier
LMP1 Hybrid Factory rides for Toyota and Peugeot.
Rebellion Racing's given up upon the LMP1
Privateer class, which only had one lone class competitor vs. the team's yearly
intra-squad Scrum for bragging rights as the unheralded champions. Hence,
opting in favour of some "True" racing in the much more competitive
LMP2 class this year, along with their Debutante outing at Daytona.
LIGIER (1)
Ligier
JS P2 17
Engine: 4.2-litre normally aspirated V-8
Team: PR1/Mathiasen
Motorsports
#52) Tom
Kimber-Smith, Jose Gutierrez, Mike Guasch and RC Enerson
This Ligier entry, for what I'm Cornfuzed
over. since what's the difference between an Onroak and Ligier Sports Car? See's
the No. 52 sporting two familiar sounding names, with the lesser known Kimber-Smith's
also from racing in WEC, where I believe he's won LMP2 Honours; which he's achieved
three times, most notably for Mwah with Razzle-Dazzle' Dalziel for Starwork
Motorsports in 2012.
Also Kimber-smith almost swept the PC
(Prototype Challenge) North American Endurance Cup races in 2015, winning that
year's Rolex 24, 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans.
As Kimber-Smith won Daytona aboard his current
team's past PC class entry with one of his co-drivers being Mike Guasch,
with PR1/
Mathiasen Motorsports having stepped up to the B-I-G' BOYZ category this
year for Daytona...
But the name that jumps out to Mwah upon this
driver's roster is IndyCar phenom RC Enerson, as the 19yr old teenager mightily
impressed with his brief outing for Dale Coyne Racing last year, but like many
talented youngsters is currently looking for a ride.
RILEY/MULTIMATIC (1)
Riley/Multimatic
Mk31
Engine: 4.2-litre normally aspirated V-8
Team: Visit Florida Racing
#90) Renger
van der Zande, Marc Goossens and Rene Rast
Probably the most unknown of A-L-L the
Top-tier competitors to Mwah, as I didn't even know Riley Technologies was
awarded one of the four LMP2 chassis supplies, which they're partnering Oh
KanaDuh's Multimatic to produce.
As Visit Florida Racing is another of the
ex-Corvette DP runners a la Action Express Racing & Wayne Taylor Racing who
had to upgrade this year after the (Daytona Prototypes were no longer eligible.
As believe last year their guest co-driver
was RHR "The Dude!" Ryan Hunter-Reay? Since I know he's driven for
them before. While Mark Goossens name is familiar, as he's been around Sports
Car racing for awhile now, as I tend to recall him being one tough Hombre who
was part of Paul GOOFY! Gentilozzi's Rocketsports Racing Factory Jaguar XJR GT team
during its American Le Mans Series days.
So just how did the DPi runners vs. LMP2 Boyz'
stack-up? Y'all can check out Marshall Pruett's typical Yeoman-like assessment
in;
PC CLASS
The most overlooked and least interesting
segment of IMSA's Weathertech SportsCar
Championship for Mwah, is the Prototype Challenge (PC) category, which perhaps
is withering on the vine with its scant amount 'O participants this year?
As the biggest name in the category arguably
is 2004 Indy 500 winner Buddy "Hot Rod" Rice's return to full-time
racing this season aboard the No. 20 BAR1 Motorsport sentry, whom among the
quintet 'O chauffeurs for Daytona includes "The Yack!" aka Gustavo Yacamán,
a past (2009-2012) Indy Lights competitor who battled vs. James Hinchcliffe - amongst
others for championship honours. Peaking with third place overall in 2012, but
never quite made the next step to Indy Cars.
As just look for
the bright green Gas Monkey sponsored PC entry to find Rice, Yacaman &
Company...