The #77 Office Depot Doran Racing Ford Dallara qualified in seventh position but sadly the race came to an abrupt end after suffering two major race incidents during the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Brian Frisselle started in seventh position on the grid and was off to a steady start sitting in 5th place after the first hour just behind the United Autosports team with Mark Blundell, Martin Brundle, Zak Brown and Mark Patterson This was after a full course caution after just lap 3 until lap 7.
Matt bell was second in the car but dropped down to 13th place after he had had to stop for a tyre change after he flat spotted the tyres whilst avoiding another car. Matt pitted under caution which meant that the team could gain a lap back putting them back on lead lap.
Ross made his first stint at 6.15pm and ran strongly at the lead lap ahead of Montoya. At 6.49pm on the 101st lap Ross ran slightly wide in the chicane, hit dirt and spun onto the grass causing front splitter, bodywork and suspension damage – the repair work cost the team 28 laps.
The car returned to the track with Henri Richard behind the wheel, followed by Brian Frisselle then Matt Bell before it was Ross’s turn again.
Ross returned for his second stint at just before 1.00am where he was running a good pace despite severe cramp in his right leg having to throttle on the banking with his left foot!
In the 13th hour with Henri behind the wheel, the car span out again at the chicane causing a left front blow out and suspension damage. Kevin Doran decided to bring the car in and retire from the race due to the damage being so severe it would have lost the team too many laps to get back up the leader board.
Ross ‘s Comments:
‘Coming to Daytona for the Rolex 24 was a massive opportunity. Racing in one of the largest and most competitive 24 hour races in the world alongside the best drivers from all disciplines such as; Indy Car, NASCAR, Formula One and GRAND-AM regulars, has been an experience of a lifetime. I can’t thank enough the people from GRAND-AM, Daytona International Speedway and Sunoco for giving me this chance, although it didn’t turn out the way we would have hoped for it really has been a dream come true and a moment in my life I will never forget.’
