Mowlem sets Daytona GT pace
Johnny Mowlem set the pace in the GT class on the opening day of testing for this month's Rolex Daytona 24 hours for the Orbit Racing Porsche team
Autosport.com columnist Mowlem lapped the 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway road course in 1m55.599s, quicker than the 2003 overall Daytona 24 winner, The Racer's Group Porsche GT3 RS. He will be joined by for the opening round of the Grand-Am series by Robin Liddell and Mike Fitzgerald, along with car owner and his son Joe and Jay Policastro.
"We're looking forward to the test and the 24-hour race," said car owner Joe Policastro. "We have a great driver line-up - Mike Fitzgerald is returning to drive with us again this year and we are delighted to have Robin and Johnny joining us; they bring along a great track record. Some of the problems we had have been eliminated, so we hope to do much better this time."
Mowlem finished a fighting second overall at last years Rolex 24, driving the Risi Ferrari 360 Modena with Ralf Kelleners and Anthony Lazzaro and has already signed to race the full 2004 ALMS in the factory Saleen S7R with ACEMCO motorsports, but he sees Daytona as a great chance to start the season with a good result.
"I'm really looking forward to racing with Robin, Mike Jay and Joe and also working with the whole team. After [finishing second] last year, I need a Rolex!" said Mowlem.
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