After setting the top speed inthe new SGS class for the first two days of open testing for the 42ndAnnual Rolex 24 of Daytona (International Speedway), AASCO Motorsportshas chosen to forego the final day of testing and return its threePorsche 911 GT3 Cup cars to the team's Anaheim, Calif. race shop.
The No.16 entry of Long Beach, California's Craig Stanton and Cumming,Georgia's David Murry upped the ante in their quest to be the top SGSentry in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series with a time of oneminute, 57.074 seconds (109.469 mph). The time, the fastest of theweekend to date, betters the previous best mark of the class, also setby the No. 16 in Saturday's testing at the 3.56 mile road course, of1:57.217. Saturday's time was set by Murry, today's quick lap byStanton, demonstrating the strong partnership of the driving duo. TheNo.17 car of Joe Kunz and Mark Webber set the second fastest time of themorning's session with a time of 1:59.154 and was then parked for theremainder of the day. The No.96, a 2003 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, of GaryBecker, Derek Clark and Pat Flanagan ran in both sessions of the dayrotating Becker, Clark, Flanagan, Kunz and Webber on its way to a timeof 2:06.542. Feeling that the team had exceeded its goals for theweekend, Dennis Aase, team owner and manager, made the call to skip thefinal day of testing and return home to focus on preparations for theRolex 24 which kicks off the 2004 Grand American Rolex Series' season onJanuary 31. Dennis Aase, team owner/team manager: "The kind of good luck we've hadhere might be the kiss of death. Everything from tech inspection on thefirst day to the last session we ran has gone to plan, or even betterthan we had planned. It's a credit to everyone involved with this teamthat we are so well prepared and are leaving here with the fastest carfor the weekend. I can't wait to get back here for the race."Craig Stanton, No. 16: "I feel very optimistic. There are a lot of goodteams out there and I think it will come down to the last hour. The teamthat shows up for that last hour with everything in place will be thewinner. I'm not saying we will be that team but I am saying I have neverbeen in a better position to be that team here at the Rolex. We have agreat head start on coming back here at the end of the month and doingwell. Everyone is working perfectly together and the Porsches areperforming like you know a Porsche is going to perform: flawlessly. Ireally have to thank AASCO Motorsports and Porsche for putting me in thebest position of my career to win the Rolex 24."Mark Webber, No. 17: "I'm honored to be associated with this group ofpeople. I can't believe how fun racing can be when you are with theright people. The fact that we're leaving Sunday afternoon sayseverything about this team and what Dennis (Aase) has assembled here. Ihave never driven such a well prepared car. I want to thank AASCOMotorsports and Porsche for building such a great car!"
