Rolex 24 Driver Challenge Tightens
Rob Garofall's advantage in the Rolex 24 Driver Challenge shrunk dramatically as his team mate crashes their Juno CN 2009 beyond immediate repair in testing and Anthony Dunn and Barry Gates win the SPEED 6hr race at Snetterton.
Richard Bernans, who had to miss the Brands Hatch 3 hr SPEED race, was back for Snetterton full of anticipation in the Juno factory team with Rob Garofall and Chris Bialan and a top three result was planned. But in a 6hr endurance race you need speed, reliability, patience and luck, avoiding any disasters, to succeed.
Unfortunately the team suffered their share of bad luck for the season when the rear suspension of their Juno CN 2009 collapsed in the high speed Coram Corner at Snetterton during Friday testing, resulting in heavy impact with the circuit barriers, which damaged the front suspension pick-up points beyond repair. A marathon drive to the Juno factory to pick up an old Juno CN car and convert it to the current regulations saw them just get onto the circuit in time for qualifying.
The JOTA Sport team's Ligier JS49/038 driven by Sam Hancock and Simon Dolan showed excellent pace during Friday testing and consequently qualified on pole 0.407 seconds ahead of the Hollings/Chavariat of Lanan Racing, with Dunn/Gates posting 3rd fastest time, this earning Sam Hancock 20 vital points for the Rolex 24 At Daytona Driver Challenge presented by Sunoco.
Rolex 24 Driver Challenge Tightens
Richard Bernans, who had to miss the Brands Hatch 3 hr SPEED race, was back for Snetterton full of anticipation in the Juno factory team with Rob Garofall and Chris Bialan and a top three result was planned. But in a 6hr endurance race you need speed, reliability, patience and luck, avoiding any disasters, to succeed.
Unfortunately the team suffered their share of bad luck for the season when the rear suspension of their Juno CN 2009 collapsed in the high speed Coram Corner at Snetterton during Friday testing, resulting in heavy impact with the circuit barriers, which damaged the front suspension pick-up points beyond repair. A marathon drive to the Juno factory to pick up an old Juno CN car and convert it to the current regulations saw them just get onto the circuit in time for qualifying.
The JOTA Sport team's Ligier JS49/038 driven by Sam Hancock and Simon Dolan showed excellent pace during Friday testing and consequently qualified on pole 0.407 seconds ahead of the Hollings/Chavariat of Lanan Racing, with Dunn/Gates posting 3rd fastest time, this earning Sam Hancock 20 vital points for the Rolex 24 At Daytona Driver Challenge presented by Sunoco.
Rolex 24 Driver Challenge Tightens
