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THE ROLEX
24 HOURS OF DAYTONA
By Terry Felts
Vice-President, Hawai‘i Region
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While living here in paradise, we often
forget that February in Daytona signals the start of motor
racing on the mainland. This February is no exception. On
the 3rd and 4th sports car racing was kicked off by the
24 Hours of Daytona and followed by the NASCAR guys in subsequent
weeks culminating in the Daytona 500 on the 18th.
As I have done for a number of years,
I joined old friends at G&W Motorsports for another
championship run in the Grand American Racing Series. Last
year the team won 8 of 12 races and captured the Grand American
title and produced the top two drivers in the series in
Darren Law and Mike Fitzgerald. This year the cars were
completely rebuilt with fresh engines and transmissions
from Porsche Motorsports, coupled with a very competent
driving corps comprised of Darren Law, Cort Wagner, Matt
Drendel, and David Murray in the lead #81 car.
The race begins on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.,
threatening rain. Three cars, two GT3Rs (#80 & #81)
and a RSR turbo (#07), make the starting grid for the annual
classic. Car #81 starts in 44th position, followed by #07
in 47th and #80 in 51st overall in a field of 86 entries.
By 3:30 the rain comes and the cars have moved up significantly
with #81 in 5th, #80 in 9th place in the GT class and the
#07 car is 6th in the GTS class.
The first malfunction occurs at 3:45
p.m. with a bad fuel pump in the #81 car. Ten minutes later
the car returns, but has fallen to 24th in class. At 6:15
car #81 driven by Cort Wagner, last year’s American
Le Mans Series champion, is back to 10th. It continues to
rain and is very uncomfortable for both the crew and the
drivers. By 8:00 p.m. the cars are running 22nd, 26th and
28th overall.
The team is struck at 10:00 p.m. with
devastating news. The #80 car driven by Stu Hayner of California
has struck the wall on the third lap of his first driving
stint. The car is destroyed and is put on the trailer for
another day. Car #81 pits at 11:05 with electrical problems
and drops back to 10th in class after a 15 minute stop to
diagnose the problem. At 12:30 a.m. #81 is brought back
to the pits to change out the alternator and repair a faulty
seat belt. Little problems are starting to eat up valuable
lap time but it is a long race.
By 7:00 a.m. the two G&W cars have
survived the night and are running well, but the #54 BMW
driven by Hans Stuck has been forced to retire. At 9:15
disaster strikes again. The #07 car has lost an axle and
is brought back to the garage sustaining significant damage
when the rear suspension lets go. It continues to rain and
is causing fits in the pits due to the numerous tire changes
from slicks to rain tires to stay competitive.
Early Sunday morning has brought to the
forefront just how talented the NASCAR drivers, the Earnhardts
and Kyle Petty, really are. This is the first endurance
racing these drivers have attempted and the #03 Earnhardt
Corvette is first in class and third overall. It appears
these guys are going to run away with the race when the
#03 Corvette is forced behind the wall for good.
The remaining driver, Kyle Petty, in
the #43 Porsche is battling the G&W entry for 4th place
in class. In a very risky move, Cole Scrogham, G&W crew
chief, puts the slicks back on the #81 car to finish the
race, even though the rain continues intermittently. Darren
Law continues to show Petty the way around the track as
the end of the race nears. Just as they come to the last
turn, Law is blocked and Petty goes low onto the grass and
makes a classic NASCAR finish to take 4th in class. This
race has been a classic "Days of Thunder" type
of race.
Although not the type of finish the team
had wished for, it is early in the season and I am sure
the racing gods will be kind to this very hard working team
in the upcoming season. After races in Miami and Sebring,
I intend to rejoin them in Phoenix and will keep everyone
up to speed on what is happening on the pro circuit.
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Porschawaii
Coupon * $5.00 value!
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In this month’s SONNE PORSCHE your will
find a full-color “Porschawaii” coupon worth $5.00
toward the purchase of club logo merchandise.
Use you coupon for this introductory
special on our T-shirt sale. The newly designed T-shirts
with our “updated” Hawaii Region logo will be
available on
March 18, 2001. The first T-shirts will be distributed at
our “Picnic on the Ridge.”
The T-shirts are priced at $15.00 each.
For a limited time only, members can take advantage of a
special introductory price when purchasing (2) shirts. Instead
of $30.00 for (2) shirts, the special introductory package
will consist of (2) shirts for $25.00, and with your coupon
of $5.00 you can receive (2) shirts for $20.00. A savings
of $10.00!
This coupon is valid for two items or
more on this T-shirt special only. It's a great bargain,
so order you T-shirts now! There are limited colors available
in black, royal blue and white. The colors and sizes are
limited so please take advantage and call in your t-shirts
today! (395-4446 or leed012@hawai.rr.com)
Other items available are PCA Hawaii
Region Black Caps at $15.00 each. Look to the summer for
our Polo shirt Special to be announced.
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“Porsche
Hawaii Exhibit 2001”
& Swap Meet -- June 3, 2001
by Darryl Lee
President, Hawai'i Region
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We have a new location for our Swap
Meet. We have moved the Swap Meet to the heart of Waikiki
this summer to be held at Kapiolani Park. We just received
word that a summer spot has been allocated for the PCA Hawaii
Region on June 3, 2001. We will be positioned next to the
newly renovated Waikiki Bandstand, picnic area #2, directly
across from Queen Surf, up from the Aquarium.
Our event will be called “Porsche
Hawaii Exhibit 2001” There will be reserved metered
stalls for your Porsche at a price of $2.00 all day. These
metered stalls will be on a first come, first serve basis
and lined up directly in front of our tables and tents.
Please sign up now for your reserve stalls (see below).
The park will set aside 15+ reserved stalls for Porsches
that will also serve as an exhibit to promote membership.
Tents and tables will be set up for members to display and
sell accessories, memorabilia, plants, parts and other items.
Information on membership and PCA applications will also
be on hand at one of the designated tables.
Everyone is invited, so please pass the
word around. Again, the date is June 3, 2001. It’s
a Sunday and a great time to visit, socialize, and view
your favorite Porsche.
To sign up for a stall or for additional information, please
call Darryl Lee at 395-4446 or email at leed012@hawaii.rr.com.
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Upcoming Events
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March
Porsche Picnic on Kamehame Ridge - Sunday,
March 18
Caravans from Kahala Mall & Castle Hospital
Assemble 10 a.m.; Launch: 10:30
396-6017 or wtfelts@aol.com
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April
Food Bank Drive
Caravan food items to Hawaii Food Bank
Contact: Joni Arafiles
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May
Spring Cruise
H-3? / North Shore? / Pali?
suggestions / volunteers welcome
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June
Porsche Exhibit & Swap Meet at Kapiolani
Park
Sunday, June 3
395-4446 or leed012@hawaii.rr.com
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July
Open / Suggestions
Welcome |
August
Summer
Cruise
Ihilani? / North Shore? / Mililani?
suggestions / volunteers welcome |
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September
Open
/ Suggestions Welcome |
October
Concours
d’Elegance |
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November
Toys
for Tots
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December
Christmas
Party
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