As “Drivers, Start your Engines!”
This year’s 63rd running of the 24 Hours of
Daytona, better known simply as the Rolex 24, commences on Saturday, January
25th.
Reportedly 61 entries will take the green flag presumably
at 1:40PM Eastern, a la last year’s start time. As heaven’s forbid this
information be available early, Frick!
Having learned on Jan 3rd that NBC’s Rolex 24
coverage is set to begin at 1:30PM Eastern, before switching to USA Network and
Peacock coverage. Before returning to “big” NBC for the race’s final portion.
Once again the Tintops’, Err GT3 Saloons; Uhm,
Sedans according toTom Gloy features a robust 37 entries, if I’ve done my
ryth-muh-tickin’ correctly? Having counted 15 GTD Pro entries, leaving 22 GT
Daytona runners making up over 50% of the field.
Whilst the 37 Gran Tourismo racers will share
the limelight with Thar two dozen Bigger Brother Prototype brethren. With the
top tier GTP category and LMP2 category being split evenly with twelve entries
apiece.
Believe I read there’s a total of nine Prancing
Horses entered in the GTD ranks, giving la Scuderia the biggest entry.
Although the number’s actually just eight
Ferrari 296 GT3’s, but still the largest contingent of Sedans…
Yet the bigger news is the advent this year of
All GT3 machinery running with torque sensors a la the FIA World Endurance
Championship’s (WEC) LMGT3 category. Which enables closer monitoring of exactly
how much horsepower’s being made at the rear wheels. As I believe this is
intended to help with the dreaded BoP, nee Balance of Performance allowances…
GT Daytona (GTD)
Naturally, I’m not even going to try previewing
all 22 GTD entries, instead just choosing some that Peaked’ my interest Danica,
Hya! Previewing each of the nine manufacturers competing briefly…
Porsche
Teams: 2
Model: Porsche 911 GT3 R
Iron Dames, No. 83; Wright Motorsports, No. 120
Naturally I’ve gotta start off with the le
Femmes Iron Dames entry. Having previously scribbled about Iron Lynx divorce
from Lamborghini, which is now final. With the Iron Dames side of the equation
moving back to Porsche in a new multi-year deal.
http://www.nofenders.net/2024/12/racing-never-sleeps.html
The IMSA GTD driver quartet will be made up of
regular’s Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and Sarah Bovy. With newcomer Karen
Gaillard joining at selected rounds.
Ferrari
Teams: 5
Model: Ferrari 296 GT3
AF Corse, Nos 21 and 50; Cetilar Racing, No.
47; Conquest Racing, No. 34; Inception Racing, No. 70 and Triarsi Competizione,
Nos 021 and 023
The GT Daytona field is stacked with a total of
seven Prancing Horses. As I’m a Fan of Conquest Racing, run by former IndyCar
driver and team owner Eric Bachelart.
But it’s the Cetilar Racing No. 47 entry that
interests me. Featuring the father-son pairing of Roberto and Nicola Lacorte.
Along with Lorenzo Patrese, son of ex-Formula 1 driver Ricardo, who played
second fiddle to Nigel Mansell at Team Willy’. Rounded out by Le Mans winner “Anchorman”
Antonio Fuoco.
While the driver announcements keep
drip-drip-dripping out. With Triarsi Competizione announcing that Sheena Monk
and Stevan McAleer, who raced together last year at Gradient Racing. Will
contest the entire 2025 GTD season aboard the No. 021. With 24 Heurs du Mans
winner James Calado and Mike Skeen joining them at Daytona.
Lamborghini
Teams: 2
Model: Lamborghini Huracan GT3 Evo 2
Forte Racing, No. 78; Wayne Taylor Racing, No.
45
Of these two Lambo’ runners. It’s the #78 Forte
Racing entry which grabs my Attenzione. As
Bad Arse double IMSA GTD Champion Mario Farenbacher joins Misha Goikhberg for
the full season. With RASCAR driver Parker Kligerman joining for Day-Toner’,
along with Frank Perera.
Whilst “I Know Nothing” Herr Schultz! About the
WTR Huracan entry. Other than Thars’ been a mighty Huracan at Andretti Global
last year!
Mercedes
Teams: 3
Model: Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo
Korthoss Competition Motors, No. 32; Lone Star
Racing, No. 80 and Winward Racing, No. 57
Don’t know anything about the Korthoss or Lone
Star entries. Whilst Indy Dontje, Philip Ellis, Daniel Marad and Russell Ward
are the defending race winners aboard the No. 57 Winward Racing Merc’, which
always seems to be at the front of the pack.
With the driver lineup remaining intact with the exception of Lucas Auer returning to the cockpit in place of Daniel Marad. As Auer, nephew of Gerhard Berger broke His back during Thursday practice prior to the 2023 Rolex 24 race.
