Getting Ready for Daytona!

The 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona Grand-Am race starts this weekend. Turner Motorsport, a well-known BMW tuner (they actually develop and manufacture their own parts, unlike certain others that just slap their stickers on and jack up the price), are again bringing their best in form of an M3 Coupe.

Below is a time-lapse video showing the five-week long build process of the number 94 car. Follow it carefully and you’ll be able to make your own race car right in your garage. Also, read up on Grand-Am facts and find out about race coverage.

Few facts about Grand Touring class:

• Tubed production cars or custom tube frame chassis.
• Rules employ several methods of equalization, including race car weight, tire size and engine RPM limits.
• Engines in GT cars produce between 390-450 horsepower.
• Minimum weights range from 2,300 to 2,800 lbs.
• The successful Porsche GT3s and BMW M6s must weigh in at 2,600 lbs, while the Corvettes tip the scales at the maximum 2,800 lbs.
• The top speed for Rolex Series GT cars is 180 mph.
• Factory wheelbase must be retained.
• Engines include Mazda 3 Rotor; 5.0L Ford 4V; 6L GM Pushrod 2V; 4.5L Infiniti 4V; 5.0L BMW 4V; 3.8L Porsche Flat 6.
• Brakes systems consist of 4-piston calipers steel rotors (carbon pads).
• No traction control systems or any other bull shit.
• Eight people are allowed over the wall during pit-stops.
• Qualifying sessions last 15 minutes with two classes on the track at the same time.
• Pit road speed limit is 45mph.
• All teams must pit within the first 45 minutes of an event.
• Each driver has a limit of three and one half hours of driving.
• At least an hour of rest is required before that same driver can resume racing.
• Drivers are allowed to drive more than one car in a race, but the driver must qualify and start in that same car.
• The driver is only awarded points for the first car driven.
• A driver must drive at least 30 minutes and at least one lap under green flag to be eligible for points.
• At least two drivers must drive under green flag conditions.
• A team owner may enter more than one car in a race but points will not be combined.

For more information check out the Grand Am website. SpeedTV will be covering the race, but not the full 24-hours. They will show two segments of  seven hours each. The coverage will go from 3-10PM (ET) on Saturday, January 29th and 9AM-4PM (ET) on Sunday, January 30th. Obviously some very important off-season NASCAR discussion must take place in between or perhaps some muscle cars are being exchanged between collectors who never drive them anyway.

Additionally, my friends at VelozMedia and BlackTieRally will be bringing in the latest videos and pictures live from Daytona. Stayed tuned for more details.