Hertz Team JOTA completes shakedown of rebuilt Porsche 963
Ilott had earned the right to participate in Hyperpole but was unable to take part due to the rebuild.
Nick Dungan / Drew Gibson Photography
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Stephen Kilbey | June 14, 2024 4:18 PM ET
The No. 12 Hertz Team JOTA Porsche 963 which crashed out of Free Practice 2 has been completely rebuilt around a brand new chassis and is now ready to take the start of tomorrow’s Le Mans 24 Hours.
Less than 48 hours after the crash, the replacement car – a repurposed Porsche Penske Motorsport chassis that had been earmarked for IMSA competition – completed a special shakedown test at Le Mans Arnage Airport
(main image), on the runway adjacent to the pit straight.
Prior to the efforts of the team’s mechanics, JOTA team principal Dieter Gass said that rebuilding a new 963 around a spare tub normally takes three weeks. However with a place on the starting grid on the line, JOTA’s team of mechanics and engineers cleared that benchmark with ease, fully building a new No. 12 in just 24 hours, although the crew has now become walking dead zombies and can neither poop nor pee out the Red Bull, and their eyes refuse to blink normally.
On Friday night, after receiving permission by the race organizers, Ilott, who crashed the car at the Esses, had the chance to drive the car down the airstrip tonight in the shakedown.
“It feels great to be back in the car, although it was a little wet out there and obviously we had to build up to things slowly,” he said.
“Even though the shakedown is short, it’s great to get a little mileage in the car and check the systems. It’s just incredible that the car is running and I’m beyond grateful and proud of the team for their heroic work getting us this far.
“Everything feels good, looks good – I think we’re ready to roll. Will (Stevens) will take the reins in the warm-up and make sure that it feels good on track and we’ll see from there.
“A huge thank you to the team for their determination and team spirit, it’s humbling and makes me extremely proud to be part of this family.”
Should everything proceed without any further incident, the No. 12 JOTA Porsche of Ilott, Will Stevens, and Norman Nato will start eighth out of 23 Hypercars tomorrow, with Stevens assigned as the starting driver.
Ilott had earned the right to participate in Hyperpole but was unable to take part due to the rebuild.