Conti challenge Daytona round #1
 

While we have a moment to come up for air....
Next week the team leaves for round #1 of the Continental Challenge series at Daytona int. speedway.
Doran racing has been flat out the last couple of weeks building a brand spanking new Gen 3 Daytona prototype from a new chassis...as well as completely going through and updating our 370Z RC.
After the 3 day test Grand Am has agreed to give us back some of the restricted RPMs that were put on before the test.
We are looking forward to coming out and performing above and beyond where we left off at end of last season.

Great news. Good luck and see you at COTA!

^^ What he said!

Yea, Doran has been busy with everyone pulling 14+ hour days 7 days a week! Building a new DP in the time frame given is a monumental challenge but if anyone can do it and do it without sacrificing quality its the Doran operation. I am glad to hear you got some RPM back and some new parts this season! Wish you the best B.J. - Ron

I'm really glad to see that you guys upgraded the DP. How many races do you expect to run with it?

I believe it's a 3-4 race deal right now but....we shall see.

My daughter and I are cheering you on! We watched parts of the last one, so we are excited to continue to see you race! :tup:

Nissan based DP car? Which motor are you guys using?

Negative DP is Roush Yates Ford

Can't wait to see you guys down there. :excited:

Any Nissans in DP we can root for?

nope

I'm pissed Grand Am is not coming to New Jersey this summer.

One of the worst races I have ever been at was New Jersey for Grand-Am. In 2011 it was like 106 in the shade.. What a horrible weekend for that reason alone.

I was there last year in early June, perfect weather and great racing.

About the closest thing to that will be the P2 machines in AMLS. Conquest is the only US based P2 competing at the present.

The journey begins tomorrow.
;)

I'm excited to watch the race Friday. (It's on Speed2 for all who get it. :)

Good luck down there. Can't wait to meet you guys and see the car in person. :excited:

BJ, do you guys know which races you are/aren't planning on being at this year?

Thanks!

I think the DP is currently scheduled but not 100%

24 Hours of Daytona
6 hours at the Glen
Indianapolis Brickyard Grand Prix
COTA

I think the 370Z is planning on doing all the events if everything goes well.

Ask me in October ;)

Best of luck down there BJ. Hope you guys do well and finish safe.

Badass, getting goosebumps, good thing I didn't wear sweatpants to work today, hahahaha, just kidding

The one reason I hate ATT Uverse.. no speed2.. arg!

I'll have to get my fix with the grand-am timing page...

Come on over! We can work from my couch. :P I've got my old laptop ready to stream!

I got the sports package on TWC specifically to watch these races this year.

Good luck to you guys! :tup:

:iagree:

My solution was to just come to Daytona though. :icon17:

Started good...ended crappy
Our first engine issue happened in P2.
We didn't have any issues at all last year but this one was / is ugly.
There is a lot broken its kinda hard to make heads or tails as to why it let go.
When it let go... I was side by side by side of another GS car and ST car just entering NASCAR 4 about 8000 rpm in 5th.
Good stuff

Hoping you guys can get it all fixed up in a reasonable time.

Looking forward to seeing the Z tomorrow (even if it is in pieces :crying:)

I don't see it on the Speed2 schedule for this week...

Bummer! :(

Sorry to hear about the motor and those Astons look stupid fast. Hopefully, the spare motor in the truck doesn't have a similar issue.

Also, the Rolex first practice times are up and the #77 Doran Prototype went 1:43.303 (faster then the old chassis ever ran at the roar) in its first time ever around any track or even at speed good enough for 7th spot! An absolutely amazing feat given that the car was built in 18 days and loaded without setup before going to the track and the very first laps ever taken. To come out and put yourself mid-pack without any setup data, testing on a brand new car speaks volumes about Kevin's operation in my mind. I really hope for a good result this year for the team as they have worked tirelessly to get ready in time.

Car back together and running. Downside is they missed the final practice before qualifying.

Aww man... quali was black flagged after 1 lap when a porsche lost fluids. ;(

What a flipping roller coaster. Well tomorrow should be interesting . We learned some things tonight pouring over data while the DP was running its night practice.
We have something to try in the am and then we can look at the data before the race.
A top 6 would be an awesome way to start the year. Aston Martins should dominate the podium... And then hopefully grand am will reward them about 250+ lbs as they need it.
We have our own battle to fight and look for a solid finish.

Sig, in your experience, live racing event on Speed2 become an On Demand event after the event is over?

It's at 12:45 today and I don't know how much of it I'll be able to watch on my lunch break...

Yes it becomes on demand after the race but it might not be immediately after the race. I'm closing my door to my office and getting very little done this afternoon :)