Over the weekend at the Daytona International Speedway in qualifying for the 62nd running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona for IMSA, Cadillac Racing swept the front row for the upcoming race in the top category for the GTP Class. Driving the defending class champion Whelen Engineering Prototype Cadillac V Series R, Pipo Derani broke a five year old lap record in 1 minute 32.656 seconds in the beautiful red and black #31 GTP race machine. With great track conditions he broke the record by close to a 1.5 second margin. Actually 9 cars in class broke the old track record, with Derani just edging out the other Cadillac of Sebastien Bourdais, #01 from Chip Ganassi Racing by .071 seconds to have a sweep of the front row for the iconic GM marque.
It was the 10th pole position for Derani in IMSA Racing and he credited the super fast qualifying times from not only the fantastic prepped car to also the weather with temps in the mid 50’s and a big tailwind through the tricky tri oval Le Mans Chicane which resulted in faster than expected speeds.
The upcoming 24 Hour Race in this coming weekend starting on Saturday early afternoon of January 27 and ending the next afternoon Sunday January 28, 2024.
We’ll see how the American Muscle Team from Cadillac Racing does against many of Europe’s and Japan’s finest teams from brands such as Porsche, BMW and Acura do in the battles though the night at the famous Florida racing complex.
Again, Thanks for stopping by, and as always……….”TACH IT UP!!!” GO CADDY!
(Photo Courtesy of IMSA Site)
The Whelen #31 Cadillac V Series R awaits qualifying run in the garage
(Photo Courtesy of IMSA Site)
Pipo Derani “Hustles” the GTP Caddy through the “bus stop” Le Mans Chicane
(Photo Courtesy of IMSA)
The Whelen Team after receiving the prestigious POLE AWARD for the 62nd Rolex 24
(Photo Courtesy of IMSA)
The #01 Cadillac of Sebastian Bourdais gets ready to go out to attack the track for their front row time
(Photo Courtesy of IMSA}
The #01 Chip Ganassi Racing Cadillac at speed on the Tri-Oval with Bourdais driving for their qualifying attempt at the Pole.