Three different 1969-’70 Lola T70 MkIII race cars scored at least one win in Group A’s four segments, but in the end it was the 1969 No. 77 McClendon International entry of Toni Seiler taking the overall victory. The win was the second straight HSR Classics victory for Seiler and the McClendon team after a win last December in the HSR Classic Sebring 12 Hour.

Former Daytona Beach resident Joao Barbosa also scored consecutive HSR Classics victories, but both of his wins were earned in this weekend’s race. Barbosa co-drove with Daytona Beach-based teammates JC France and Tim Jernum to win Group F in an ex-Action Express 2015 No. 9 Corvette Daytona Prototype, a car Barbosa raced in its prime.

Barbosa was also a last-minute addition in Group E to the Daytona debuting No. 7 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP of David Porter, who called on his former teammate after a heavy mist and slight rain began to fall Saturday evening.



At the wheel of the Peugeot for today’s fourth and final Group E race to the finish, Barbosa survived an unintentional contact incident at the start with three-time HSR Classic Daytona winners Rogers Motorsports and its 2005 No. 38 Motorsports Audi R8 LMP. The race-leading Audi and driver Doug Smith were knocked from contention as Barbosa went on to take the segment win and overall Group E victory with Porter.

In Group B, Alain Rüede emerged to take the lead at the halfway point in his 1982 No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro IROC and went on to score the overall group lead over not only his GT competition but a stout field of sports racers as well.

Group G was won by co-drivers Todd Napieralski and Lee Saunders in the No. 39 Chevrolet Camaro.

In addition to the seven overall winners, the top-finishing GT entries in Groups A, C, D, E and F — and the highest-placing Prototype in Group B — were each presented with B.R.M. Chronographes for a total presentation of 13 of the fine French luxury timepieces to deserving HSR Classic Daytona winners.

The father-and-son team of Grahame Bryant and Ollie Bryant took GT honors in Group A with an impressive third-place overall finish in their 1967 No. 29 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28.

Bill Heifner was the top Group C GT entry in the 1993 No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro GT1 while Richard Howe took Group D GT honors with a third place overall showing in his quick 1989 No. 19 Ford Mustang T/A.



Andy Pilgrim, who was a co-driver with Barber and Borcheller in the No. 54 Doran for their Daytona win 15 years ago, was competing at the “World Center of Racing” again this weekend. Pilgrim and co-driver Kent Hussey were the top GT finishers in Group E with a fourth-place overall run in the 2011 No. 53 Ferrari 458 GT3.

The Turner Motorsport 2010 No. 96 BMW Z4 Coupe of Robby Foley and Vincent Barletta was the highest finishing GT entry in Group F and also crossed the final finish line fourth overall.

With Ruede winning Group B overall in his GT Camaro, top Prototype finishers Marc Devis and Robert Blain were presented with a B.R.M. Chronographes timepiece after a great run that saw them finish second overall in the 1975 No. 8 March 75S.

Next up for HSR is the season-ending Classic Sebring 12 Hour, Pistons and Props, presented by the Alan Jay Automotive Network, Dec. 4-8, at Sebring International Raceway.


Daytona, Derek Bell, Vintage Motorsport / Historic

Late drama and emotional finishes at HSR Classic D