November Test Days For 2008 Rolex 24 Wraps Up At DIS

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 15, 2007) -- The November Test Days in preparation for the 46^th anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona wrapped up on Thursday at Daytona International Speedway.

More than 40 sports car teams have spent the past two days on Daytona International Speedway’s road course prepping for the twice-around-the-clock challenge that will kick off the Rolex Sports Car Series.

The test was the first official testing opportunity where Rolex Series machines have used Pirelli Tires. Pirelli replaces Hoosier as the series standard beginning in 2008 as the Official Tire of the Grand-Am Rolex Series.

The January Test Days is typically the most attended Rolex 24 At Daytona test session, but the November Test Days is starting to pick up steam inside the Rolex Series garage.

Given the highly competitive nature of the Rolex 24 At Daytona and the amount preparation that goes into the grueling endurance race, the November Test Days has evolved into critical testing session for many teams seeking a competitive edge.

“I think even if it wasn’t for the tire switch, it would still be a pretty full session,” said Darren Law, co-driver of the No. 58 Brumos Racing Porsche. “I think that made it even more important. This is a whole new tire and a whole new pile of things to learn.”

Law can’t describe how much effort teams put into preparing for the Rolex 24, North America’s most prestigious sports car race.

“I don’t know if I could put into words how much work goes into the Rolex 24,” Law said. “That’s almost a season in itself – just that one race. It’s a lot of work.”

The two-day test also featured NASCAR star Jimmie Johnson, who made a visit on Wednesday as he was on his way to Homestead-Miami Speedway to potentially claim his second NEXTEL Cup title. He owns an 86-point lead over Hendrick Motorsports teammate Jeff Gordon entering Sunday’s Ford 400 NEXTEL Cup Series season finale.

Johnson shook down the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley that he’ll most likely co-drive during the 2008 Rolex 24. The test served as a nice break before he resumes his title chase this weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

“It’s the best thing that I could do to get my mind off a championship is to come down and have some fun in one of these DP cars,” Johnson said. “I really enjoy this DP series. I’ve been in three 24 hours events and I’m hopeful to come back and run it again in ’08. I just wanted to get some seat time and get use to the cars. Bob Stallings and this GAINSCO group were nice enough to let me come down and work with them. I’m having a great time.”

The next major test session for the Rolex Series at Daytona International Speedway will be January Test Days on Jan. 4-6 with the Roar Before The Rolex 24 fan fest event scheduled for Jan. 5.

Race fans can purchase their tickets for the 46^th anniversary of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 26-27 online at www.racetickets.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP. If race fans purchase a two-day advance infield/grandstand ticket by Jan. 19, they will receive a free collectible Rolex 24 hat.