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Porsche NA press release from a couple weeks ago:
The Porsche North America 911 RSR team hopes to get back to Victory Lane at the 2015 Rolex 24 as Lietz, Tandy and Pilet took the win last year.
Next Race:
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Circuit. Daytona International Speedway
Track Length/Turns. 3.56-miles/12-turns
Round. Pre-Season Testing, TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
Remaining TUDOR Championship Rounds. This marks the official start of pre-season testing but is not included in the 10-race championship.
Next Round. 53rd Rolex 24 At Daytona, Daytona International Speedway, January 24-25
Porsche Events.
TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
Date. Friday-Sunday, January 9-11, 2015
Race Duration. NA
Classes. GT Le Mans (Porsche 911 RSR), GT Daytona (Porsche 911 GT America)
Nine Into 24. Nine Seventh-Generation Porsche 911s Entered for Rolex 24 Test
In 2014, the iconic Porsche 911 took its 40th class victory in the Rolex 24 At Daytona, on the way to one of two Manufacture Championships in the inaugural TUDOR United Sports Car Championship season. The production-car based machine accounts for more than half of the 76 class wins Porsche has sent home to Germany from historic Daytona Beach. Nine of the race versions of the seventh-generation 911 are on the entry list for this weekend’s ROAR Before the Rolex 24 pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway. With three opportunities for the Porsche 911 RSR to win the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class for the second-consecutive year and Nine Porsche 911 GT Americas challenging for top honors in the GT Daytona (GTD) category, the rear-engine legend has an excellent opportunity to add a 41st and 42nd class victory on January 24-25.
Factory Aces In the Hole. Eight Porsche Works Drivers To Pilot A Trio of Porsche 911 RSR
As in years past, Porsche factory drivers will make a significant impact on the North American sports car racing scene in 2015. Currently, eight works drivers are scheduled to take part in the 2015 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship driving the legendary Porsche 911 RSR. The group will challenge for the intensely competitive GT Le Mans (GTLM) title at the 53rd Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 24-25.
A trio of Porsche elite will share the two factory entries at Daytona. The No. 911 Porsche North America Porsche 911 RSR, winner of the GTLM class at the Rolex 24 last year, will be shared by Nick Tandy (UK), Patrick Pilet (France) and Marc Lieb (Germany). Tandy and Pilet were part of the winning combination in 2014. The No. 912 Porsche North America Porsche 911 RSR will have multi-time Rolex 24 winner Jörg Bergmeister (Germany) leading the challenge. Frédéric Makowiecki (France), making his Daytona GTLM debut, and first year factory driver Earl Bamber (New Zealand) fill out the roster. The sole customer entry, the No. 17 Team Falken Tire has longtime driving duo Wolf Henzler (Germany), a Porsche factory driver, and Bryan Sellers (Braselton, Georgia), who is a Falken Tire contracted driver, joined by the only North American Porsche works driver Patrick Long (Manhattan Beach, California).
Wright Motorsports back with Dempsey, Joined by Celebrated Porsche Dealer Brumos
Having previously announced that he will contest the entire FIA World Endurance Championship (including, once again, the 24 Hours of Le Mans) and IMSA’s Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup – both with Porsche entries – Patrick Dempsey (Malibu, California) has not only continued his relationship with Wright Motorsports for the TUDOR United Sportscar Championship, but now has formed a marketing alliance with Brumos Racing, the racing arm of the renowned Porsche dealer based in Jacksonville, Florida. Brumos Racing's famous red and blue livery will be prominently displayed on the Dempsey/Wright Motorsports No. 58 Porsche 911 GT America for the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida, on Jan. 24-25 and the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida March 21 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Florida. The endurance racing classics are the first two events in both the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and the Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup, which finishes the year with Watkins Glen and Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The team will present a formidable lineup for the Rolex 24, with Austrian Philipp Eng joining as the fourth driver at Daytona. The 2014 Porsche Carrera Cup Germany champion strengthens the previously announced driver lineup of Dempsey, Madison Snow (Lehi, Utah), and Jan Heylen (Tampa, Florida). Snow and Heylen finished third at last year’s Rolex 24 in the same No. 58 Porsche.
Porsche History.
Porsche is the most success manufacturer since the inception of the first Daytona Continental race in 1962, and the first 24 Hours of Daytona in 1966.
Overall Wins. 22 (first in 1968; most recent in 2009 and 2010) (Record)
- From 1977 to 1987, Porsche had compiled 11 consecutive overall wins (Record)
- Initial Overall Win: 1968
- Finished 1-2 overall in 12 Daytona 24-Hours (Record)
Class Wins. 76 (includes Daytona Continental races starting in 1962; 24 hr. races
that started in 1966; most recent in GT Le Mans class in 2014)
- GT Class Wins: 27 (Record)
- SGS Class wins (class ran only in 2004): 1
- GX Class wins (class ran only in 2013): 1
- Porsche 911 Wins: 40 Overall and Class Victories (Record)
- 20 Race Winning Streak (overall or class): 1966-1987 (Record)
- GT class winner finishing second overall: 2001, 2004
- GTX Series Winner: 1978-1981
- GTP Series Winner: 1982-87, 1989, 1991
Race win statistics for the Rolex 24 – a majority accomplished in Porsches.
Most Overall Victories.
1. Hurley Haywood, 5 (1991, 1979, 1977, 1975, 1973)
Scott Pruett, 5 (1994, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013)
2. Peter Gregg, 4 (1978, 1976, 1975, 1973)
Rolf Stommelen, 4 (1982, 1980, 1978, 1968)
Bob Wollek, 4 (1983, 1985, 1989, 1991)
Pedro Rodriguez, 4 (1971, 1970, 3 hour races in 1964 and 1963)
7. Brian Redman, 3 (1981, 1976, 1970)
Derek Bell, 3 (1989, 1987, 1986)
Andy Wallace, 3 (1999, 1998, 1990)
Butch Leitzinger, 3 (1999, 1997, 1994)
Juan Pablo Montoya, 2 (2007, 2008, 2013)
10. Mauro Baldi, 2 (2002, 1998)
Wayne Taylor, 2 (2005, 1996)
Elliott Forbes-Robinson, 2 (1999, 1997)
A.J. Foyt, 2 (1985, 1983)
Al Holbert, 2 (1986, 1987)
Jan Lammers, 2 (1990, 1988)
Ken Miles, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
John Paul Jr., 2 (1997, 1982)
Lloyd Ruby, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Didier Theys, 2 (2002, 1998)
Al Unser Jr., 2 (1987, 1986)
Most Consecutive Overall Victories.
1. Peter Gregg, 3 (1973, 1975, 1976 – No Event Held in 1974)
2. Al Holbert, 2 (1986, 1987)
Al Unser Jr., 2 (1986, 1987
Derek Bell, 2 (1986, 1987)
Hurley Haywood, 2 (1973, 1975 – No Event Held in 1974)
Pedro Rodriguez, 2 (1970, 1971)
Ken Miles, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Lloyd Ruby, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Pedro Rodriguez, 2 (327-lap race in 1964, 3-hour race in 1963)
Scott Pruett, 2 (2007, 2008)
Juan Pablo Montoya, 2 (2007, 2008)
Most Class Victories.
1. Scott Pruett, 10 (1987, 1988, 1992 – 94, 2002, 2007, 2008, 2011, 2013)
2. Peter Gregg, 6 (1978, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1968)
Hurley Haywood, 6 (1991, 1979, 1977, 1975, 1973, 1972)
Scott Pruett, 6 (2002, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1987)
3. Hans Herrmann, 4 (1968, 1967, 1966, 1963)
Pedro Rodriguez, 4 (1971, 1970, 1964, 1963)
Rolf Stommelen, 4 (1982, 1980, 1978, 1968)
Amos Johnson, 4 (1988, 1987, 1986, 1985)
Bob Wollek, 4 (1991, 1989, 1985, 1983)
Peter Uria, 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1990)
Robby Gordon, 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1990)
Wally Dallenbach Jr., 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1985)
Dick Greer, 4 (2001, 1993, 1992, 1991)
Andy Wallace, 4 (2003, 1999, 1997, 1990)
Porsche Point of View.
Jörg Bergmeister, Driver, No. 912 Porsche North America Porsche 911 RSR
“Daytona is always a good track for Porsche because to start the year you need reliability, and that is a strong point for Porsche. It is a track that you have to have efficient aerodynamics, which the 911 has. The car suits the track. There is only so much you can do with setup. It is always a challenge to get a good balance for the car, especially during the race. The track will change so you want to get the car in the window for the full 24-hour race. You want to be as quick as possible in a straight-line so we try and run as little wing as we can get away with. But as a driver, you want to get a good stable car in the infield.
We have a long test schedule that we have to go through. A lot of setup changes we want to try on the Porsche North America cars so we’ll try and optimize the most we can these three days of testing. As track time is somewhat limited on race week, the more knowledge you can learn during the test weekend better off you will be race the weekend. It was a short winter break but I can’t wait to get back to work.”
Jens Walther, President/CEO, Porsche Motorsport North America
“The start of any new race season is always looked at with much anticipation. This year is no exception. The Daytona test provides the Porsche customer teams as well as the Porsche North America works program an opportunity to get back into full rhythm and focused on the long season of racing to come. The competition for both the Porsche 911 RSR in the GTLM class and the Porsche 911 GT America in GT Daytona will be even stronger than in 2014. We are not underestimating the competition or resting on our successes. We learned a great deal last year with the debut of both cars in the Tudor Championship and we are fully prepared to put what we learned into practice in 2015, and defend our hard-won Championships.”
Andrew Davis, Driver, No. 22 WeatherTech Alex Job Racing Porsche 911 GT America
"I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join Alex Job Racing to contest the four rounds of the North American Endurance Championship in the WeatherTech Porsche. There is certainly a special homecoming of sorts in having the chance to be paired back up with Leh Keen with whom I spent a special time when we took the Rolex Series Championship for Brumos Racing in 2011. There is a big advantage to join a team where you already know the drivers, and can share knowledge and trust on items such as car setup preferences and driving habits. As far as race day goes, in a 24-hour race, the easiest part of my event is my on-the-track stints as that involves the race driver doing his job. The hardest part to learn is the regiment you need to set up between stints.”
Where to Watch.
TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
Television Race Broadcast:
NA
Re-Air of Race Highlights Package
NA
Live Race Streaming:
NA
Live Qualifying Streaming:
NA
Live Timing and Scoring:
http://scoring.imsa.com/
Race Weekend Schedule. (All times EDT)
Friday, January 9, 2015
Garages Open – 7 a.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 1 – All Classes – 10:20 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 2 – All Classes – 2:55 p.m. – 5:25 p.m.
Garages Close – 8 p.m.
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Garages Open – 7 a.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 3 – All Classes – 9 a.m. – 10:45 a.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 4 – All Classes – 1:05 p.m. – 2:35 p.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 5 – All Classes – 4:15 p.m. – 5:15 p.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 6 – All Classes – 6:45 p.m. – 8:15 p.m.
Garages Close – 9 p.m.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
Garages Open – 7 a.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 7 – All Classes – 10:20 a.m. – 12:05 p.m.
TUDOR Championship Test Session 8 – All Classes – 2:40 p.m. – 3:40 p.m.
Garages Close – 7 p.m.
Porsche Entries.
TUDOR United SportsCar Championship
GT Le Mans Class (3) Porsche 911 RSR
No. 17 Team Falken Tire Wolf Henzler (Germany), Bryan Sellers (Braselton, Georgia), Patrick Long (Manhattan Beach, California)
No. 911 Porsche North America Nick Tandy (UK)/Patrick Pilet (France)/ Marc Lieb (Germany)
No. 912 Porsche North America Jörg Bergmeister (Germany)/Frédéric Makowiecki (France)/ Earl Bamber (New Zealand)
GT Daytona Class (6) Porsche 911 GT America
No. 22 Alex Job Racing Cooper MacNeil (Hinsdale, Ill.)/Leh Keen (Atlanta)/Andrew Davis (Athens, Georgia)/Shane van Gisbergen (New Zealand)
No. 23 Team Seattle/Alex Job Racing Ian James (Phoenix)/Mario Farnbacher (Germany)/Alex Riberas (Spain)
No. 28 Konrad Motorsports Klaus Bachler (Austria)/Christopher Zoechling (Austria)/Christian Engelhart (Germany)/Lance Willsey (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts)
No. 44 Magnus Racing John Potter (Salt Lake City, Utah)/Andy Lally (Dacula, Ga.)/Marco Seefried (Germany)
No. 58 Dempsey/ Wright Motorsports Madison Snow (Lehi, Utah)/ Jan Heylen (Tampa), Patrick Dempsey (Malibu, California)
No. 81 GB Autosport Damien Faulkner (Ireland)/ Michael Avenatti (Sacramento, California)/Mike Skeen (Charlotte, North Carolina)/Kuba Giermaziak (Poland)/Rory Butcher (Scotland)
Porsche North America Livery Delineation.
No. 911 White windshield banner with red lettering, White rear wing
No. 912 Black windshield banner with red lettering, Black rear wing
Past images from the venue.
2014 Roar Before the Rolex 24.
http://press.porsche.com/media/galle...Before+the+24/
2014 Rolex 24 At Daytona.
http://press.porsche.com/media/galle...24+At+Daytona/
Porsche Cars North America Media Site.
http://press.porsche.com/
Porsche North America Race Team Site.
http://porscheracingusa.porsche.com/
Note: Photos and video footage are available to accredited journalists on the Porsche Press Database at
http://press.porsche.com/