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Chip Ganassi Racing With Felix Sabates Completes Roar Before The Rolex 24
Six-time and reigning GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Cars Series Champions (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012) and four-time Rolex 24 At Daytona Winners (2006, 2007, 2008, 2011) Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates (CGRFS) completed three days of testing at Daytona International Speedway in preparation for the Rolex 24 At Daytona later this month.
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The No. 01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley piloted by Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, Juan Pablo Montoya and Charlie Kimball finished the test fourth overall with a 1:42:463, while the No. 02 Target/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley of Dario Franchitti, Scott Dixon, Jamie McMurray and Joey Hand finished fifth with a time of 1:42:598 . The No.6 Michael Shank Racing Ford Riley with Cumming, Valiante, Goncalvez, and Yacaman topped the charts with a 1:42:058.
The most notable items of the three days of action included:
• Kimball, driver of the No. 83 car for Novo Nordisk Chip Ganassi Racing in the IZOD IndyCar Series, made his GRAND-AM debut as he climbed behind the wheel of the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley over the three-day test session.
• Montoya was reunited with Pruett in the No. 01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley for the upcoming Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona. The duo won back-to-back races in 2007 and 2008.
• Teams tested in rainy conditions on the first day of the test session, followed by a 12-hour day on Saturday that finished off with teams running under the lights.
• On the final day of testing, the No. 02 opted to run the morning session but sat out the afternoon practice as they were hoping to get track time in the rain in the No. 02 Target/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley, which never happened.
The 2013 GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season opens with the Rolex 24 At Daytona, Jan. 26- 27 (LIVE on SPEED).
QUOTEBOARD:
Charlie Kimball, No. 01 TELMEX/Target Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley:
“This has really been a great experience. Chip (Ganassi) has put together a great group of individuals from three different series and I’m learning a lot from all of them. I’ve gotten quite a bit of time in the car and I’ve had to get used to a lot of things; like getting use to a roof, driving at a new track and even driving at night. I haven’t driven at night since my go-karting days. The guys (Memo, Scott and Juan) have been great in helping me and it’s a testament to the group of drivers Chip has put together. I’m really looking forward to being a part of and contributing to the Rolex 24 At Daytona.”
Jamie McMurray, No. 02 Target/TELMEX Dinan-Prepared BMW Riley:
“We had a good couple of days testing. It’s always fun to get in these cars. It was a first for me to get in the car while it was raining but I turned some quick laps (on Friday) and we ended up on top of the leaderboard that session. What a different experience that is, but still fun. We’ve got a great driver line-up and what a diverse group it is. We all learn something from each other and the race should be really exciting. I’m looking forward to it.”
PaddockTalk Perspective
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