Rolex 24 Hour Race

[Viperrick]

I just checked out the Rolex 24 Hour race web site and after 19 hours of racing a Viper GTS-R is in second place in GTS class. The leader in class is the Rocketsport Jaguar (a Trans-Am car) owned by Paul Gentallozi. It looks like the Carsport Viper from Holland, which won the FIA GT series in Europe last year, is the challenging Viper. Anyone watching the race? Please confirm this information.

No factory Corvette or Saleen effort? What happened to the other 2 Vipers? One was the AVR car owner by Tom Weikart and the other the Brookspeed Viper (British Team). I believe that John Fernandez of PVO is down at the race. Hopefully Dodge has been able to give the Viper Teams running this year, some technical assistance

 

[ACR Larry]

Can anyone explain the requirements for each of the classes?

GT
GTS
SRP
SRPII
AGT

 

[Gary Lashinsky]

Three Vipers competed in GTS. The Labre team placed second in GTS and eight overall. The Saleens were there in force. Four began the race. Check the Grand American site at: www.grand-am.com for final results and finishing positions. AVR ran well at the beginning of the race just behind #77 from Holland but went out with problems.

 

[Joseph Houss]

Congratulations!!!

Second Place! Without Corporate backing!!!!!!

C'mon DC! Speedvision just gave us 24 hours of free advertising!!!!

We need to see Vipers back in ALMS!!!!

 

[George Farris]

Some numbers from the past three years at Rolex:

2000 Winning Viper covered 723 laps
5 of top 7 cars were VIPERS!!!

2001 Winning vette covered just 656 laps

2002 Winning car covered 716 laps
GTS winning Jaguar covered 675 laps
Top Viper covered 665 laps - 9 more laps than 2001 winner

Observation: 2001 winner getting less impressive all the time

 

[Chuck 98 RT/10]

Very interesting points George. Makes for good discussion.

 

[GTS Dean]

George,

If I'm not mistaken, the '01 race was plagued by rain. There were a number of accidents and several yellow periods. Also note that this is the first year in the last 3 where a "fast" prototype was still running strongly in the top ten at the end.

In general, the quality of the top cars running Grand-Am is inferior to ALMS, IMO. Grand-Am is clubby, ALMS is factory business.

 

[George Farris]

There was some rain in 2001 - but mostly at the beginning.

The fast 2002 LMP-type car finished 716 laps while the 2002 GTS Viper had more laps at 723.

The GT Porsches are most amazing - they are very durable and have certianly earned their stripes over the years.