Although You’ll need Eyes Sharp as those Proverbial
Rats to tell the two GTD Classes apart…
As where’s Bloody ‘Ol Hobbo’, nee HobbsCapp’,
aka David Hobbs when Yuhs needs Him for some Comic relief, Righto?
As this year’s 60th edition of the Rolex
24 sees 35 GT3 tintops’ machinery spread across the two Gran Tourismo classes,
i.e.; GTD Pro with 13 entries, and GTD (Daytona) having over a third of the
field with it’s 22 entries. As the biggest news is the “robust” Debutante GTD
Pro outing at Day-toner’, for which Y’all can read about the Sporting and
Technical Regulations for the new Class in the link below…
https://www.imsa.com/news/2021/06/09/imsa-confirms-technical-sporting-details-for-new-gtd-pro-class-debuting-in-2022/#:~:text=Sporting%20Regulations%20GTD%20PRO%20will%20adopt%20current%20GTLM,will%20use%20red%20number%20panels%20and%20position-indicator%20LEDs
GTD Pro Class
Aston Martin #23, BMW Nos. 24-25,
corvette Nos. 3-4, Ferrari #62, Lamborghini #63, Lexus #14, Mercedes AMG Nos. 15,
97 and Porsche Nos. 2, 9 and 79.
As mentioned, a robust 13 entries will take the
Green Flag for the Debutante GTD Pro outing at Daytona International Speedway.
With three Porsches, two BMW’s, Corvettes and Mercedes AMG’s apiece. Plus
single car entries from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Lexus.
As the easiest way to think about this class is
that GTD Pro features All Professionaly ranked, i.e.; Factory racing drivers
vs. the Amateur, or “Gentlemen” Drivers in the other portion of GTD…
Naturally I’m Not gonna try chronicling all of
these entries, other than it’ll be interesting to See how the mighty Corvette
C8.R’s do, having been converted from GT Le Mans Specification to GT3 Specs in
order to compete in GTD Pro, which apparently included the conversion to ABS
Brakes. As the No. 3 with Jordan Taylor, Antonio Garcia and Nicky Catsburg are
the Defending GT LM class winners.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing brings a brace
of shiny new BMW M4 GT3 Coupes to the party, as it prepares for graduating to
the IMSA LMDH Prototype ranks next year, as it’ll be the debut of the new M4 in
competition.
Per typical, I’ll be rootin’ for my Homeboyz’
team Heart of Racing, who’ve split their efforts to include one Aston Martin
Vantage AMR GT3 racecar apiece in GTD Pro and GTD. With the iconic #23 now
racing in the Pro ranks with Ross gunn, Maxine Martin and Alex Riberas at it’s
controls.
The No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Racing Lexus
features current and former A.J. foyt Enterprises IndyCar Drivers at it’s
keyboard, with Kyle Kirkwood and Jack Hawksworth joined by Ben Barnicoat.
The Weathertech boyz’ have an interesting three
car Armada this year, with two different German Makes, i.e.; Mercedes and
Porsche. As one driver of note in the #15 Mercedes 6.2-liter Normally Aspirated
V-8 AMG GT3 Evo is a bloke by the name of Austin Cindric. As perhaps you’ve
heard of him? As his Pappy’s none other than Tim cindric, President of Team
Penske, with Austin making his Rookie Debut in NASCAR this season…
As obviously, I’d say this Class, plus it’s GT
Daytona Kissing cousins “Amateur” category is Wide Open!
(GTD) GT Daytona Class
As noted, the GTD Class fields over one third
of the entire Grid’s entries at 22 strong, so Ain’t even gonna try chronicling
them, Zoinks! As Thars multiple manufacturers involved, with the likes of
Acura, Aston Martin, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Lexus, McLaren, Mercedes and
Porsche. As you’ll definitely need a Score Card to keep track of ‘em All. As I
believe that the two McLaren 720s GT3’s are making McLaren’s 24 Hours of Daytona
Debut? So here’s just a few tidbits I’ve gleamed after perusing the entry list…
Once again, Ladies First, El Correctomundo? Having
just learned that past IndyCar Femme Fatale Thy Leggy Juan’, aka Katherine Legge
will share the #99 Porsche 911 GT3 R Team Hardpoint EBM entry with part time
IndyCar Driver Stefan Stork’ Wilson as part of it’s Drivers line-up.
The No. 57, Nah, No Heinz 57 Jokes Here, Hya! Winward
Motorsport Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo returns as the Defending GTD Class winners, but
presumably will be hard pressed to repeat as consecutive Class winners, Ja Ja!
And I’ll
be interested to See how the #96 Turner Motorsports Boyz’ do, since Turner will
also be campaigning the brand new BMW M4 GT3, replacing it’s long in the tooth,
faithful M6 predecessor.
As once again, it’s lead drivers features Bimmer
billy’, aka Bill Auberlen who currently holds the record for most major career victories
in IMSA Overall, now at 65 to date, Me
Thinks? )Although it may be 63?) Whilst Auberlen’s team-mate Robby Foley will
be on tap again, with Michael Dinan and Jens Klingman filling out the Rolex 24
roster.
Then a la Heart of Racing, Vasser Sullivan
Racing’s (VSR) ‘Ol Top Jimmy’ Vasser and James Sully’ Sullivan have taken the Split
GTD class strategy, seeing it’s #12 Lexus RC F GT3 Saloon featuring (Townsend)
T-Bell’ making another rolex 24 Cameo. Alongside regular season Drivers Frankie
Montecalvo and
Aaron Telitz, plus Richard Heistand makes up the Driver Quartet at Day-Toner’.
Naturally I’ll be rootin’ as usual for who’ll always
be my Homeboyz’, fondly known forever as Team Seattle, even if they’re just now
the Heart of Racing in those Bitchin’ as No Fenders Moniker King Randal would
say! Aston Martin Vantage GT3’s, since they’ve added a second car this season.
With Roman DeAngelis sliding over to the No. 27 with is ”Boss” Ian James,
Darren Turner and Tom Gamble.
While the #44 Magnus Racing has also joined the
AMR Brigade, switching over to an Aston Martin Vantage after running a Nasty
Acura NSX GT3 Evo last year. As Andy “the Enforcer” Lally, John Potter, Spencer
Pumpelly and Jonathan Adam are definitely worth keeping an eye upon.
As Lally reputedly is still the current
winningest driver at Daytona, with a Mega five Rolex 24 Class victories to his
credit, which I’ve scribbled ‘bout previously…
http://www.nofenders.net/2021/10/retro-rolexs-richard-milles-pardon-mwah.html
Meanwhile, paying semi close Attenzione during
the Rolex 24 Motil 100 Qualifying race. I learned that The McLaren 720s GT3’s
were the numbers 59 and 70, run by Crucial Motorsports and Inception Motorsports
respectively, with the No. 59 finishing runner-up in the GTD Class’s One Hour
40mins Qualie’ race.
As reputedly these racecars list for a cool
$564k! Which may be why so few are being raced? While reportedly 90% of the GT3
racecar is different from the 4.0-litre twin turbo V-8 road going McLaren 720s!
And that’s just a semi short ‘N Sweet review of
the 22 Strong GTD entrants, with No Disrespect towards those I’ve left out, but
my latest three part No Fenders Rolex 24 preview tome is simply getting too long
in Ye proverbial Tooth. Not to mention I’m busy now listening to the gory Race!
Author’s Note
Please forgive me for inserting overly long Hyperlink
addresses in this No Fenders Post. Unfortunately being blind, and Not being able
to see the various Icons, etc. it’s currently the only way I know how to insert/use
them in a story…
Tomaso