and Carries Confidence into 2009 Season
Long time Grand-Am competitor Darren Law has been working hard with teammate David Donohue and the Brumos Porsche team to translate a series of competitive performances over the last two seasons into race wins. After being at or near the top of the time sheets throughout much of the traditional preseason Roar before the 24 Test Days preceding the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Law then turned the fastest lap of the event in the last session of the three day gathering in the #58 Brumos Porsche Daytona Prototype. Law, who will be joined for the Grand-Am Rolex 24 by season long teammate David Donohue as well as Buddy Rice and Antonio Garcia, is optimistic about the team’s chances in the 47th running of the classic twice around the clock enduro and for the entire 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series season.
"We had a great few days at Daytona," said Law. "We had a productive series of sessions shaking the #58 down, and seeing what type of speed we have against the competition this year. David, Buddy and Antonio all turned some great laps as well, and we seemed to be on the pace in pretty much every session. We’ve been in this series awhile though, and the whole team knows that even though we had some solid speed during the Test Days, the real test itself comes during the race and the entire season. I think we are all also realistic about the competition, as there are several teams that could win on any weekend, and with Penske fielding a car for the whole season, it makes things tougher across the board. We are all up for the challenge though, and we have been testing our Porsche Riley platform throughout the off season to get the best possible performance out of it."
After the Rolex 24, which will mark the beginning of the 12-race 2009 Grand-Am schedule, starting with first practice January 21st at Daytona International Speedway, Law will be with the Brumos team through the season finale at Homestead Miami Speedway in October. Law sees 2009 as a potential watershed year for both himself and the Brumos team, as years of hard work and a two year competitive streak may finally open the door to Law’s maiden win with Brumos and a potentially consistent visit to the top step of the podium.
"Of course it is really hard to predict just about anything in this sport in terms of potential success," Darren said in a recent discussion about the 2009 season, "but I get the feeling that the whole Brumos team, both the #58 and #59 cars are on the brink of some great things. David and I came so close to several wins last year, that I know had the dice rolled just once the other way we would have seen the #58 in the winner’s circle. If our momentum continues in the same direction, which all indications seem to point to right now, 2009 could end up being a great season for us."
Law’s driving services are still in high demand, and as has been the case over the past several years, he will also spend time in the American Le Mans Series with the Flying Lizard Motorsports squad and their pair of Porsche 911 GT3 RSR’s. Darren has been with the team since its inception in 2004 and has enjoyed success through the years with several trips to the podium and a 2nd place in the driver’s championship as well. Darren will join the Lizards for the American Le Mans Series’ season opener at Sebring in March, where he took a well earned second place finish in 2008, and will run as many of the ALMS sanctioned events as he can. Law is clearly very happy to be a part of the FLM Porsche powered squad, and will again be teamed with Seth Neiman and Johannes van Overbeek in the team’s #44 entry.
"Its no secret that the Flying Lizard team is one of the best in the American Le Mans Series paddock," remarked Law, "and I feel fortunate to be a part of their squad again this year. The cars are always exceptionally well prepared, and we have had some really great races over the past couple of years. I’m hoping I can help the team again this year, and I’m looking forward to the season opening 12-Hour event at Sebring."
The Rolex 24 at Daytona Grand-Am event is slated to start Saturday January 24, and will finish the following day. The race will be covered live starting at 3:00 pm EST on FOX and coverage will continue on the SPEED channel at 4:30 pm EST. SPEED will then pick up coverage again after a break in the early morning hours at 7am EST on the 25th, and will follow the race to its conclusion. Consult your local cable broadcast directories for more information on the telecast.
