Krohn Racing has been busy preparing as the 45th
Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona race approaches this week. After
a successful test earlier this month, the two-car Daytona Prototype
team returns to the famous Daytona International Speedway for
the twice-around-the-clock enduro, ready to go the distance.
Car numbers have been switched since the Daytona Test earlier
this month to accommodate the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series’ Hoosier
Pacesetter program specifications. Team owner/driver Tracy Krohn
and teammates Nic J_nsson and Boris Said will now pilot the No.
76 Krohn Racing Pontiac Riley. Colin Braun, Max Papis and JJ
Lehto will carry the Krohn Racing banner on the No. 75 entry.
The team comes to Daytona feeling well-prepped and ready to made
a 100% effort towards their first 24-hour team victory. However,
all the challenges of the historic 24-hour endurance classic
are on the minds of the team.
“We’re worried because we seem to be so well prepared,” said
Krohn Racing Team Manager Jeff Hazell. “Our level of preparation
for this race is as good or better than any race last year. The
Daytona 24-hour race is a harder race to win than the 24 of Le
Mans, in my opinion. You are much more at the hands of fate due
to the sheer volume of traffic and variety of driving skills
and cars. It is a worrisome race. You are always worrying about
the other cars on the track. It’s not that way at other
24-hours races. The weather is also a concern. I don’t
think these types of cars are particularly well proven for long
durations in the wet weather. Also, logistically it is not the
easiest with 12 hours of darkness in the pits in a tent. You
are 100-300 yards from your garage and truck should something
happen. It stretches you more than other 24-hour races. It is
a really tough race. You have to be on it at all time. When the
yellow (flag) starts flying, if you’re not cognizant of
where your cars are, you can lose it. Traffic can hold you up.
It makes it quite intense and very wearing on the people. There
is also a very strong field. We are well prepared this year and
go in with our eyes open.”
“The test we did earlier this month was successful and
we feel we’re ready for the 24 Hours,” said Krohn
Racing team owner/driver Tracy Krohn. “The cars were
consistent and quick and we are ready to face what Daytona offers
in this race. The only variable for us is the weather because
we haven’t had much of an opportunity to test rain set-ups.
We are confident coming in to this race and with a strong desire
to win.”
The Krohn Racing team, now in its second year, had a successful
inaugural season. They won the Daytona Prototype Driver’s
Championship with driver J_rg Bergmeister and finished second
in the Team Championship. In 2006, Krohn Racing collected three
victories, six podiums, eight Top Five finishes, 13 Top Ten finishes
and one pole position.
The entry list for this year’s running of the Rolex 24
At Daytona features a total of 72 cars: 28 Daytona Prototypes
and 44 GT class. The 45th Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona will be
televised on both Fox Sports and SPEED for a total of 15 broadcast
hours. For more information, please see www.grand-am.com and www.krohnracing.net.