April, 2012 Escape Velocity Magazine - Space Coast PCA Home ...

The command to start engines by Sir Jackie Stewart and the wave
of the green flag came exactly on schedule with no incidents in the
tightly packed field of 58 cars total - 14 DPs and 44 GTs. It was
demonstrated early on that this would be a day long sprint race as
the front runners were turning nearly qualifying pace lap after lap.
The SunTrust #10 would be the first casualty succumbing to a rare
engine malady in the first hour.
The #80 Michael Shank DP found itself in the top spot within the
first couple of hours showing they had the pace. The #8 Starworks
as well as the usual suspects of the Ganassi squad were in the hunt,
setting this up to be a race won at the wire. The GT lead swapped
between several of the top Porsche teams and the #57 Camaro.
Racing4Research - Children’s Tumor Foundation
battled into the Top10 during the opening hours
Near and dear to me was the #4 Racing4Research - Children’s
Tumor Foundation 911 GT3 Cup, sister car to the #44 Magnus. As
a car running to raise awareness to a devastating disease mainly
affecting children, the #4 had found its way from a 17th place start
to running 6th during the first couple of hours. Justin Bell, serving
as the Speed TV’s in-car reporter, was hit from behind during his
first stint. After a short yellow to retrieve the #4, it was discovered
that the starter motor was damaged and the car would have to be
bump-started at each pit stop. Eventually this would take its toll on
the car, damaging the water pump and overheating the engine. The
team decided to park the car instead of risking a blown engine.
#59 Brumos and #45 Flying Lizards spar in Turn 7
Teams fought hard, back and forth during the long 13 1/2 night
hours. When the east horizon lightens, it gives the drivers a new
sense of hope and relief. The Ford powered DPs of Starworks and
Michael Shank were still neck and neck. The GT ranks had settled
in to be a Porsche only battle for the top step. With two hours to
go, AJ Allmendinger and Allan McNish were trading blows on the
high banks, giving everyone pause and amazement. DPs and GTs
four wide at times!
With the #59 Brumos entry in the GT lead with two hours to go,
the historic red, white, and blue livery took a chance and pitted out
of sequence. Porsche fans would understand the storybook ending
if the #59 would pull off the win of the 50th Anniversary of the
Rolex 24, coinciding with Hurley Haywood’s 40th running of the
event. However, it was a move that would prove to be unwise.
AJ Allmendinger would hold off the charge of the #8 Starworks
entry to give Michael Shank his first victory in the Rolex 24.
Michael said later that this is why he races in Grand-Am. A small
team owner can persevere against the likes of Ganassi. With a
small slight to the more technically sophisticated LMP cars of the
ACO and ALMS, Shank stated that he doesn’t have to beat the likes
of Audi. Say what you will, but the Grand-Am series seems to have
a winning formula for both teams and fans alike.
Andy Lally would regain the lead for the #44 Magnus entry by
passing Leh Keen in the #59 Brumos in the East Horseshoe. Lally,
who had just come off his rookie NASCAR season, was reveling
in his victory. The back story here is his broken relationship with
TRG owner Kevin Buckler with whom Lally had won last year’s
Rolex 24 GT class. With a bit of fun by the Magnus team in the
form of a Star Wars flavored poster - some suggesting that the
Darth Vader caricature looked a little like Buckler - the underdog
squad celebrated their GT victory when the checkered flag flew.
volume 6, Issue 1
#59 Brumos in the late light
of the West Horseshoe
Leh Keen pilots the #59 Brumos
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