24 hours at Daytona '00

24 Hours at Daytona 2000

Under a brilliantly blue, cloudless Florida sky, the kind one normally sees on those wish you were here beach scene postcards, the fastest GT race cars in the world started the 24 hours at Daytona race at Daytona International Speedway. These included the legendary racing teams of BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Porsche, Cadillac and Viper. Excuse me, did I say Cadillac ? Yes, Cadillac. It seemed only

Another Porsche about to fall victim to the powerful Viper

Richard Bailey admires both his not quite finished Roadster and the not quite affordable GT racers.

fitting that the car synonymous with the Sunshine State’s overwhelming geriatric population start it’s racing program here at Daytona. This wasn’t, however, the soft springed, cushy, behemoth your grandfather owns, the kind you see on every wide boulevard in Florida, taking up just a bit more than one lane, with no apparent driver behind the wheel. No, this was a hard driving, sleekly styled SR-series speed demon.

At the starting line were 80 cars prepped and ready for one of the most grueling endurance tests of man and machine. One which tests the drive and stamina of it’s competitors, the function of its vehicles and components, and the efficiency of it’s pit crews. These were cars that would average well over 100 mph for the rest of the afternoon, evening and straight through until the next afternoon. No rest for the weary. The ultimate "make it or break it" marathon. In attendance were nearly 100,000 race fans



		A couple of FFROGs check out the roadsters while the action continues on the track.

Sure it's fast, but can it be built for less than $20,000 ?

Keeping track of every lap and every breakdown. Both the stands and the infield were a buzz of activity, fans determined to see and be seen at this prestigious event. Additionally, there were seven roadsters, and their seven owners, all of whom staunchly braved the chilly forecast to be a part of Daytona.

Mick Nudl, our favorite Aussie, came down from Georgia in his well driven ford blue FFR 1129. From the middle of the state came Gary Bogart

and his mean green machine (FFR 1xxx) and Chris Broomfield (FFR 1802) in his steel blue show stopper. Richard Bailey couldn’t have looked finer, even if FFR 1836 was still in primer. Taking time out from sun bathing in southern Florida, Luis Lopez’ FFR 1584 and John Phillips’ FFR 1152 made the trek north to Daytona. Mike Mack, too, decided a trip down from Pennsylvania with his Factory Five beauty was worth the effort, especially if he could see Mickey and the Disney gang after the race.


		Chevrolet turns up the heat while Mark and Jim obtain a late race entry.

Roadsters waiting their turn on the infield.

In an endurance test of their own, the FFROGs had to battle the persistently strong winds which cut through the 60 degree sunshine like a cold ginsu knife, in actuality, it feel more like a New England winter rather than a breath of Florida warmth. Still these brave, perhaps fool-hearty, men, battled the cold in style, driving their cars back to the warmth of their homes after the checkered flags flew.The rest of the FFROG contingency (including Floridians Jim Broom, Bill Durnell, Jay Hamilton, Jason Kempf,

Chuck West; and others from further north, including Tom Blank (Iowa), John Hannaford (Ontario), and John Host(Alabama), all watched as one race car after another fell victim to the challenge. By morning only a third of the starting field was still running. Many teams, in fact, were already packing their bags, ready to head home with worn out cars and crew. The FFROGs, however, were still out in force, waiting in the wings, hoping beyond hope that they might be called off the bench, ready to do battle with the big boys.

Even Daytona caught a little of the New England weather.

Luis Lopez warms up next to his girlfriend, while John Phillips shows off his Pikes Peak Veteran ride.

In the end, the new Roadster, the Viper, and the Viper Team, was the one that took the checkered flag. With an overall race winner, and a finish with four cars in the top seven, they brought racing respectability back to snake-dom.

FFROG attending members included:

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Roadster turn towards the sun to soak in the Florida warmth.

Special Note*

We'll be back next year, so mark your calenders early.

Jim Schenck

FFR Engineer

Mark Weber

FFR Mad publicist

Mick Nudl

FFR 1129

Richard Bailey

FFR 1836

Mike Mack

Builder

John Phillips

FFR 1152

Chris Broomfield

FFR 1802

Luis Lopez

FFR 1584

Jason Kempf

Jay Hamilton

John Hannaford

Jim Broom

Chuck West

John Host

Bill Durnell

Richard Chaney