Mon 09 Jan 12 20:57
Corvette DP's prove to have the Loudest Roar before the 24. 
Max Angelelli leads a 1-2-3-4-5 sweep in Daytona Prototype Class
After three days of testing at Daytona International Speedway, it became clear the new Corvette DPs are the cars to beat. The Bow Tie swept the top-five positions in combined testing times as GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series teams prepare for the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Max Angelelli nearly saved the best for last, as the rapid Italian put his No. 10 SunTrust Racing Corvette DP on the top of the time charts in Sunday's first of two final sessions. The Italian's 1:41.142 lap time held as the quickest of the weekend, which saw speeds in the Daytona Prototype category increase across the board.
“You’ve got to understand that we were pushing the limit and, in the first session today, we did a qualifying run under the perfect conditions – low fuel, new tyres, a good, clear lap, no mistakes," Angelelli explained. "It was the perfect lap.
"Obviously we’re happy, but not because of that lap. We’re happy because we did eight practices without a single issue. Our SunTrust Corvette ran really well the entire time. So far, I’ve never had a January test as good as this one. It’s been great, very successful."
The Dallara-chassied SunTrust entry of Angelelli and co-drivers Ricky Taylor and IndyCar star Ryan Briscoe recorded the quickest lap time in four of the eight timed sessions, making the Wayne Taylor Racing team one of the early favorites heading into the around-the-clock marathon later this month.
"I think the guys have done a good job," Wayne Taylor said. "They’ve taken the time to make sure the car is ready for the race. We did try to simulate a qualifying lap with Max this morning and we did a really good lap.
"I’m not sure if we can go any faster than that. But the main thing, at this point, is we have a car that all three drivers are really happy to drive. I’m really happy that we can take two good weeks to regroup and get ready for the big one.”
The two Action Express Racing Corvette DPs ended up second and third quickest on the combined time charts, ahead of the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing machine, which posted a weekend-best 1:41.541 on Sunday morning. Corvette Racings quartet of Oliver Gavin, Antonio Garcia, Richard Westbrook and Jan Magnussen completed the top-five overall after overcoming gearbox failure on Sunday morning in their Spirit of Daytona DP.
While the new-generation Daytona Prototypes clearly showed the way, with even in the case of the third-gen Riley run by Michael Shank Racing and defending Rolex 24 winners and series champions Chip Ganassi Racing, the 2011-spec DPs were performance balanced through the use of a drag plate underneath the wing.
The quickest 2011-spec DP was the No. 2 Starworks Motorsports Riley-Ford of Ryan Dalziel, Enzo Potolicchio, Alex Popow, Lucas Luhr and Allan McNish at a 1:41.880 lap time, nearly eight-tenths off the pace-setting Corvette.
In GT, it was all about Ferrari, as the No. 03 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari F458 Italia Grand Am of Guy Cosmo was quickest on Sunday with a 1:49.337 lap time.
But it was fellow American Le Mans Series squad Risi Competizione that ended up the best of the weekend, thanks to Toni Vilander's 1:49.239 set on Saturday in his No. 63 Ferrari. Risi, along with a handful of other cars, didn't participate in Sunday's third and final day of testing, opting instead pack up and make further preparations away from the track.
“It’s been a very positive test with the new Ferrari 458 Italia Grand Am and we learned a lot over the two days," Vilander said. "I’m happy to be here in Daytona and am really starting to understand the full meaning of the Rolex 24 at Daytona – it’s a huge and impressive event."
A total of 60 cars (14 Daytona Prototype, 46 GT) took part in the Roar Before The Rolex 24 test, with nearly all expected back for the GRAND-AM season-opener, which scheduled for Jan. 28-29
Source: John Dagys @ Speed.com
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