In the 54 th time in Florida gathered perhaps the best racers from around the world to fight for the victory in the daily marathon. Along with the same competition at Le Mans and the Nurburgring, a cup of Daytona is considered one of the most prestigious trophies in the sport circular.
Largely due to the fact that the race the Rolex 24 At Daytona is traditionally held in the last weekend of the winter in January, many famous drivers have time to participate (in the sense that they are not busy at this time in other competitions). List of pilots declared this year seems to be even more impressive than «Lehmann» in 2015. Albuquerque, Derani, Fitipaldi, Pla, Hunter-Ray Hartley, Priaulx, Dixon, Kanaan, Wurz, Magnussen (Art), Rockenfeller, Farfus, Fessler, Spangler, Fisichella, Rigon, Beretta, Tandy, Bamber... In the back of the field represented Racers of the largest global, continental and national championships. The story was such that there is literally a watershed (probably prevents Ocean) between the US and the Euro-Asian motorsport. However, the «24 Hours of Daytona» this boundary blurs perfectly: the heroes of the American tracks and ovals are located at the start with his overseas «peers.»
In class Prototypes (P) in the race involved a crew of Mikhail Aleshin, Cyril Ladygina Maurizio median and Nicolas Minassian car BR-01 at number 37. In class GT Le Mans (GTLE) car Ferrari 488GTE at number 72 in the competition involved Victor Shaitar, Andrea Bertolini, Gianmaria Bruni and James Calado.
At night, January 29 (if it is Moscow time) have passed the qualifying heats. Unlike race, they were truly sprint: «all things» — an hour of pure time of 15 minutes for each of the four classes. The race takes part one pilot from each crew. The better circle the higher the position at the start. No additions or subtractions, everything is clear, as it is clear and that the pole position in racing sports marathons rather a formality to place the machine at the start. The race is so long and unpredictable as the last starting position can come to the podium.
Weather conditions this time left much to be desired: there was a rain, so much so that the lawn in places like rice paddies, flooded. Wet track caused some drivers to make mistakes, and some — go.
The first came out on the track pilots of the junior series GT Daytona (GTD). Riders skated time without incident, and the pilots Porsche-911GT3-R №73 celebrated the victory in the qualification, which they brought Norbert Saydler.
Further out on the road as cars GT, but with the stamp of «Le Mans» — GTLM. In this series, presented the car of the Russian team SMP Racing Ferrari 488GTE, and piloted it in qualifying Gianmaria Bruni. Unfortunately, the Italian rider has not passed a single effective range. The chicane his Ferrari slipped off the road and went into a skid. The car side «approached» the barrier of waste tires and broke the rear wing.
Qualification for Bruni was the end, but for the rest was interrupted by red flags at the time of evacuation. The machine has not been visible significant damage, if only to fly off the track did not lead some internal problems. Pole positions won in the category GTLM known for WEC series and Porsche Supersup Briton Nick Tandy in a Porsche 911 RSR. Thus, both the pole position in the GT category for the fireballs were produced by German automaker. Also in this class, viewers saw a new Ford GT.
A couple of cars in the United States is well-known team of Chip Ganassi Racing. To shine in qualifying speed of Joey Hand and Ryan Briscoe failed. «Ford» will be in its category last start with the failed qualifying crew SMP Racing.
Category Prototype Challenge (PC) is actually monoklassom for cars Oreca FLM09 c powered Chevrolet. Here the best time showed the Briton Johnny Mol.
The fastest class — Prototypes (P) — the latter came to the track. The winner of the qualification will be headed by a general back of the field at the start on Sunday. And this pilot will be someone from the crew car BR-01 (engine Nissan) Russian team SMP Racing. Victory in the qualification of our crew got Mikhail Aleshin.
Almost every next round Mikhail held with the improvement. But the rivals did not give a Russian rider to win the race «one-sided», pushing it to the top spot. For four and a half minutes before the checkered flag Aleshin was the second, but again he improved his time and won the race. Winning the qualification is not so much a sport as a psychological significance: the team with a great spirit come on Sunday at the start of the marathon.
Race of the Rolex 24 At Daytona will begin on Saturday, January 30 at 23:00 (MSK) and runs smoothly day. Follow the competition through the timing and broadcast (free) on the site of the organizers IMSA.com.
Photo: IMSA and footage from the broadcast.
