  
|  |
|
|
Daytona 24 Hrs.
The first round of the United States Road Racing Championship took place at Daytona International Speedway, with title sponsorship from Rolex Watches. The strong Ferrari entry featured five F333SPs, as well as an F355 and 348 running in the GT3 class.
Qualifying already brought the expected confrontation between the two Dyson Racing Riley & Scotts and the leading Ferrari teams of Lienhard/Theys/Baldi/Luyendyk (Lista Racing) and Angelelli/de Radigues/McNish/Taylor (Doyle-Risi Racing). The 333s qualified in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 7th and 12th places.
The quickest Riley & Scott of Weaver/Hayner/Schroeder led the rain-plagued race for the first five hours but a collision with the 348 dropped it well down the order. There followed a tight battle between the leading Ferraris and the remaining Dyson R & S, with the lead often changing hands.
The R & S was in front when heavy rain arrived during the 20th hour. The Ferrari driver, Alan McNish, fought a brave struggle to catch up with the R & S in the very slippery conditions, but was narrowly beaten at the end. A gamble on intermediate tyres for the 333SP found McNish closing in at the end and if conditions had dried up properly it would have been even closer.
The winning R & S led home three F333SPs, with the Lista Ferrari in 8th. The fifth 333SP retired during the night with mechanical failure.
The F355 finished 32nd overall out of the 78 starters but the 348 crashed out of the race.
Pix courtesy of Timothy Crete Click here to return to the Ferrari Happenings page. |
| ||||
