For more about the history of racing at Daytona, click here:
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/g...a-history.html
----------------------------------------------------------------
Day 1



IMSA: December Daytona test notebook

Tuesday, 13 December 2016


Marshall Pruett (words and images)

5:00 PM TEST DAY CONCLUSION

The first day of testing is complete and the strength of Cadillac's three-car DPi-V.R program was demonstrated as Action Express Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing overcame massive electronics issues to place 1-2-3 despite missing out on many hours of running. Traced to an overnight software update that led the trio to lose numerous connections between related electronic systems, the problems were eventually forgotten as Mike Conway moved the No. 31 AXR Cadillac to P1 with a 1m38.788s lap. WTR's No. 10 Cadillac was second (1m38.820s), and the No. 5 AXR entry was third (1m39.194s).
The No. 90 Visit Florida Racing Riley Mk. 30-Gibson, the only 2017 WEC-spec P2 at the test, was fourth (1m40.714s) and the Mazda RT24-P DPi was fifth after losing most of the afternoon with gearbox cooling issues (1m41.715s).
"There were lots of little niggling things that kept us from getting out there sooner, but we got some good running in later in the day and Mike was quickest at the end," Dane Cameron said. "We don't have all the issues ironed out yet, but we're getting there and tomorrow will be really helpful."
NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon finally got a chance to sample WTR's Cadillac at the end of the afternoon session and posted times within hundredths of Ricky Taylor.
"I had so much fun the first time I did this," said Gordon, who raced with WTR 10 years ago at the Rolex 24. "And at this point of my life and career [winning the Rolex 24] would be huge. When I came here in 2007 I was just kind of along for the ride.
"When you really realize how important this race is, is on race day when you see the hype and buildup and then the challenges you face over 24 hours. That's what makes this race so thrilling. I'd be very proud [if we won]."
Ford Chip Ganassi Racing went 1-2 in GTLM with the No. 67 (1m45.641s) leading the No. 66 (1m45.654s) and the No. 25 BMW Team RLL M6 (1m45.757s). In GTD, Connor De Phillippi topped the class (1m47.859s) in his Montaplast by Land-Motorsport Audi R8 LMS GT3 and was trailed by the SunEnergy1 Racing Mercedes AMG GT3 (1m47.917s) and the 3GT Racing Lexus RCF GT3 (1m47.952s).

TRAPS:
WTR's No. 10 Cadillac DPi-V.R led all cars in the top speed department with a 198.0 mph at the end of the front straight. The Riley-Gibson WEC P2 from Visit Florida Racing was the first non-DPi at 188.0 mph, and the Mazda RT24-P DPi was the final Prototype at 185.9. The Mazda, which is using a brand-new engine, has not been pushed hard, nor has the RT24-P been trimmed for top speed, according to the team.
The No. 46 EBIMOTORS Lamborghini Huracan GTD entry was the fastest non-Prototype at 179.0 mph, and the top GTLM speed went to BMW Team RLL's M6 at 174.7 mph.
4:30 ET: TESTING UPDATE
Wayne Taylor Racing finally made it out and shot to the top of the speed chart with a 1m38.820s set by Ricky Taylor. The No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac also made it out and sits fourth. And Mazda is also back in action after being down for the first three hours of the afternoon session while the team replaced the RT24-Ps gearbox cooling system.

2:45 ET: TESTING UPDATE
The No. 5 Action Express Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R posts the first proper lap of the new DPi era with a 1m39.675s tour of the 3.56-mile Daytona circuit. The WTR Cadillac is even closer to running as the team has narrowed its latest electrical issues to a telemetry-based problem.
In GTLM, Scott Dixon is fastest in his Ford GT (1m45.712s) and the GRT Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini Huracan GT3 is leading GTD (1m48.206s).
2 ET: TESTING UPDATE
The resumption of testing at 1 p.m. ET saw nothing but GT cars take to the track. One hour in, it's still a GT party, although the Wayne Taylor Racing DPi team says they're close to debugging the Cadillac's electronics and could be headed out shortly. NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon is waiting patiently, along with Ricky and Jordan Taylor, to get behind the wheel for the first time today.
1:50 ET: RAHAL's ACURA NSX HOT TAKE
IndyCar star Graham Rahal shared his thoughts on testing the Acura/michael Shank Racing NSX GT3 he'll race in January at the Rolex 24 at Daytona:
"It was a lot of fun. The car is very young in its development but I think it has a lot of potential. It's extremely fun to drive and we just need to find a bit more pace. I just went out and pounded laps. It was a lot of fun. I was learning things every single lap to see what works and to see what doesn't. So far so good. It's a great opportunity for me to be here with Acura and Mike Shank with us both being local central Ohio boys. The NSX road car was designed in Marysville, Ohio so there's a lot of synergy there which is fun. Hopefully we have a good finish to this test and have a good Roar and race."

1 ET: RILEY-MAZDA RT24-P TO RILEY-GIBSON P2 COMPARO

12:30 ET: BUSY MORNING
The first three-hour session of the test is complete. Barring a number of mechanical gremlins, no crashes or red flags were reported. Run in pleasantly warm and sunny conditions, the No. 5 Action Express Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R shot to the top of the time sheet (1m41.104s) after turning just nine laps while making a brief appearance at the end of the session. Mazda's new Riley-based No. 55 RT24-P DPi was second (-0.013s) and the No. 90 Visit Florida Racing Riley/Multimatic Mk. 30-Gibson was third (-2.671s).

The lone Mazda turned 39 laps and was the first of the Prototypes to dive into its test program. All three Cadillacs (two from AXR and one from Wayne Taylor Racing) had their mornings interrupted when an overnight software update stranded the trio of DPi-V.Rs. Only the No. 5 AXR car made it out; the sister No. 31 Cadillac and the No. 10 were stuck in the garages as technicians from Cosworth were busy making calls to find a solution that would allow the various electronics communicate properly.

The VFR Riley was also late to appear, and pitted after its first flying lap to address trailing smoke--believed to be from low ride height causing the plank beneath the car to wear.

Mazda dealt with gearbox cooling issues that took some time to rectify. A larger was radiator was also installed to further improve engine cooling.