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GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM: Watkins Glen 6H Notebook
News and notes from the paddock at Watkins Glen, as GRAND-AM teams gear up for the Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen...
Sebastien Bourdais makes his Watkins Glen debut this weekend at the wheel of the No. 8 Starworks Riley-Ford. (Photo: John Dagys)
MORE DETAILS ON GX CLASS — There’s no doubt been some mystery behind GRAND-AM’s newly announced GX category, which will become the third Rolex Sports Car Series class beginning at next year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona.
While Mazda was the first manufacturer to commit to the category, confirming a supply of customer SKYACTIV-D clean diesel powerplants, GRAND-AM Managing Director of Racing Operations, Mark Raffauf, told SPEED.com the series is currently in talks with at least four other manufacturers to join the new-for-2013 class.
"What their timelines are and what they can do by Daytona is to be determined," Raffauf said. "I think we'll have three or four [cars for the Rolex 24]. That would be OK because the timeline to do some of this stuff, if it doesn't already exist, will be pretty short for Daytona.
“Mazda is already well on their way with what they're doing but there are others who would like to do the same thing. They're just probably not in the position to have it done by that point. I would expect some to be joining the grid later next year."
Raffauf explained the GT class will be the basis for GX, but with smaller cars producing less power. Performance levels are projected to be about three percent slower than the current-spec GT machines, with cars in the 400 hp range.
SEABASS, THE WATKINS GLEN ROOKIE — While being one of the most accomplished road racing stars in America, it’s hard to imagine Sebastien Bourdais hasn’t raced at Watkins Glen until this weekend.
In fact, the four-time Champ Car champion even had Starworks Motorsport team owner Peter Baron fooled, who brought him on-board for his past experience at the historic 3.4-mile circuit.
But having the talented Frenchman at the wheel of your Daytona Prototype is no doubt a winning option, no matter the circumstances.
“It was good Peter called me because I really wanted to discover this race track,” Bourdais said. “I've always heard that it's a cool place to drive. From what I could see on TV and videos, it looked pretty exciting.
“And it's definitely pretty exciting. It's like a street course but going in fourth and fifth [gears] all the time. It's a challenge, especially in a car that you're as familiar with. But I like it.”
Joining Ryan Dalziel and Enzo Potolicchio in the team’s No. 8 Riley-Ford, Bourdais makes his first DP start since the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2010, in what has turned into one of the favorites for the win on Sunday.
AUTOHAUS DONE? — Absent from Watkins Glen following a sudden withdrawal earlier this week, Autohaus Motorsports could be done for the year, SPEED.com has learned. Paddock sources indicate the Florida-based team, recent class winners at Detroit, has run into funding issues, putting the remainder of their season in jeopardy.
It’s no doubt a troubling development for all involved, including GM-contracted drivers Jordan Taylor and Paul Edwards. While Taylor landed a last-minute ride as a third driver in Stevenson Motorsports’ No. 75 Camaro GT.R this weekend, it’s currently a one-race deal with no further plans of additional races.
“Right now, this is the only race I have for the rest of the year, other than Petit Le Mans for Corvette,” Taylor said. “Other that, I'll be looking around for a Chevy ride."
The future also remains unclear for 2008 Rolex Series GT champion Edwards, who has been forced to sit out this weekend.
ORYX SET FOR RETURN — Audi Sport Customer Racing’s Brad Kettler indicated that Oryx Racing should be returning to Rolex Series GT competition for the final four races of the year. The Humaid Al Masaood-owned team took part in the opening two rounds with its Audi R8 GRAND-AM before putting their race program on hold.
KENNY WALLACE FOR CTSCC INDY — Veteran NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will join Rebel Rock Racing for next month’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race at the Brickyard. Wallace will co-drive with Jim Jonsin in the team’s GS-class No. 08 Porsche Carrera.
PHOTOS: Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen Gallery
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
While Mazda was the first manufacturer to commit to the category, confirming a supply of customer SKYACTIV-D clean diesel powerplants, GRAND-AM Managing Director of Racing Operations, Mark Raffauf, told SPEED.com the series is currently in talks with at least four other manufacturers to join the new-for-2013 class.
"What their timelines are and what they can do by Daytona is to be determined," Raffauf said. "I think we'll have three or four [cars for the Rolex 24]. That would be OK because the timeline to do some of this stuff, if it doesn't already exist, will be pretty short for Daytona.
“Mazda is already well on their way with what they're doing but there are others who would like to do the same thing. They're just probably not in the position to have it done by that point. I would expect some to be joining the grid later next year."
Raffauf explained the GT class will be the basis for GX, but with smaller cars producing less power. Performance levels are projected to be about three percent slower than the current-spec GT machines, with cars in the 400 hp range.
SEABASS, THE WATKINS GLEN ROOKIE — While being one of the most accomplished road racing stars in America, it’s hard to imagine Sebastien Bourdais hasn’t raced at Watkins Glen until this weekend.
In fact, the four-time Champ Car champion even had Starworks Motorsport team owner Peter Baron fooled, who brought him on-board for his past experience at the historic 3.4-mile circuit.
But having the talented Frenchman at the wheel of your Daytona Prototype is no doubt a winning option, no matter the circumstances.
“It was good Peter called me because I really wanted to discover this race track,” Bourdais said. “I've always heard that it's a cool place to drive. From what I could see on TV and videos, it looked pretty exciting.
“And it's definitely pretty exciting. It's like a street course but going in fourth and fifth [gears] all the time. It's a challenge, especially in a car that you're as familiar with. But I like it.”
Joining Ryan Dalziel and Enzo Potolicchio in the team’s No. 8 Riley-Ford, Bourdais makes his first DP start since the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2010, in what has turned into one of the favorites for the win on Sunday.
AUTOHAUS DONE? — Absent from Watkins Glen following a sudden withdrawal earlier this week, Autohaus Motorsports could be done for the year, SPEED.com has learned. Paddock sources indicate the Florida-based team, recent class winners at Detroit, has run into funding issues, putting the remainder of their season in jeopardy.
It’s no doubt a troubling development for all involved, including GM-contracted drivers Jordan Taylor and Paul Edwards. While Taylor landed a last-minute ride as a third driver in Stevenson Motorsports’ No. 75 Camaro GT.R this weekend, it’s currently a one-race deal with no further plans of additional races.
“Right now, this is the only race I have for the rest of the year, other than Petit Le Mans for Corvette,” Taylor said. “Other that, I'll be looking around for a Chevy ride."
The future also remains unclear for 2008 Rolex Series GT champion Edwards, who has been forced to sit out this weekend.
ORYX SET FOR RETURN — Audi Sport Customer Racing’s Brad Kettler indicated that Oryx Racing should be returning to Rolex Series GT competition for the final four races of the year. The Humaid Al Masaood-owned team took part in the opening two rounds with its Audi R8 GRAND-AM before putting their race program on hold.
KENNY WALLACE FOR CTSCC INDY — Veteran NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace will join Rebel Rock Racing for next month’s Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge race at the Brickyard. Wallace will co-drive with Jim Jonsin in the team’s GS-class No. 08 Porsche Carrera.
PHOTOS: Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen Gallery
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at
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