On the Horizon – You Heard it Here First
By A.C. Guillermo
Daytona’s second Rolex Sports Car Series race of the 2008 season was a quickie for sure. Practice, qualifying and the race on the same day. Every team I talked to said without hesitation that Daytona treats Grand-Am like royalty, with all the rights and privileges as enjoyed by NASCAR teams (as long as they get the hell out of the paddock as soon as the race is over).
And what a finish! Scott Pruett doing a David Pearson slingshot move on Gurney at the finish line. Since the race was held on Thursday, no spectators were allowed, but fortunately it was shown on SPEED, and that’s a good thing, because I had to cover the race watching on TV as my credentials were “misplaced” at the ISC offices.
Anyway, it is hard to believe the season is already winding down. Before you know it, we’ll all be in Las Vegas at the banquet, which has scheduled some awesome entertainment. As mentioned in a previous column, a well-known GT car owner will do his mime routine, then Mark Raffauf will debut his new band “Stop and Go Penalty,” playing hits of the 60s and 70s.
Look for some exciting new things on the horizon for the Rolex Series. Here’s some of the things I have heard through the ISC grapevine.
Combined motorcycle/DP events. Not combined weekends, but combined events! Watching motorcycles weaving thru the Rolex Series field could be spectacular. Details are still in the works on this new format.
Greenback Challenge. A complex formula that rewards the team that attracts the most buy-a-ride drivers with bonus points toward the championship. The season champion will receive a $100 certificate toward the purchase of a pre-owned Rolex timepiece.
Expanded Schedule. Including a possible street race around a car dealership in Jacksonville, and new circuits in Fargo North Dakota, Starke Florida, and Palatka Florida.
Face Livery. Starting with the Pontiac class in 2009, then expanding the the DPs in 2010, each car will have a giant decal of a NASCAR Sprint Cup driver’s face on the sides and front nose, instead of numbers. This will make it much easier to identify cars. Research by Bethune-Cookman University indicated NASCAR fans were better at driver face recognition than numbers, so this should be quite successful and work well on television.
Position Flags. Unlike the ALMS with its burdensome technology, Rolex Series Cars will fly a flag from a faux antenna which will indicate what place they are in. Drivers will be responsible for raising and lowing the proper flag as the race progresses, further putting emphasis on driver ability.
Claiming Races. In an effort to even the playing field, car owners will be able to claim another car after the race (similar to a system used in horse racing). Owners will post the money in escrow prior to the race. Chip Ganassi and Kevin Buckler will not be allowed to participate.
Spec Drivers. Now that the Rolex Series is essentially a spec series, management is designing rules for a spec driver.
In-Car Media. Certain cars will be assigned members of the media, who actually ride in the car during the race. My understanding is this will be tested with Godwin Kelly riding in the “Spirit of Daytona” entry at next year’s Rolex 24.
Fan Autograph Sessions. A new twist on an old idea. Fans will sign autographs for the drivers. Since drivers typically out-number fans at Rolex events, this format should work well.
Figure-8 Koni Races. At least two Koni Challenge races will be run on a figure eight course. While teams approached with the idea have been somewhat reluctant, Grand-Am officials believe this is the best way to reduce field size.
While not all of these ideas will be implemented in time for the season-opening Rolex 24 next January, expect to see most of them in place by mid-season. You heard it here first.
A.C.
July 16th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Interesting predictions….
I am also told cars will be able to reverse through the fiqure 8 tracks.
Furthermore all bodies will go back to steel, and mechanics will be
permitted to ride in the car, but only with vice-grips, monkey wrench
and carpenters hammer. This should reduce the amount of pit stops.
Pontiac will be the key sponsor and provide all the teams with
‘Borg” seat-covers with the Pontiac “Firebird” logo.
Team interest is high drivers are discussing certain rules that also
may include tow-trucks and team trailers on the track, in the hopes
of boosting Pontiac’s exposure to T.V.
July 17th, 2008 at 7:28 am
Qualifying should be done like in the old IROC days…….pull a beer can out of a cooler and the number on the bottom is your starting spot.
July 18th, 2008 at 8:10 am
I heard they were going to outfit the DPs with wooden wagon wheels on the left side to encourage the drivers favor left-hand turns.