PRESS RELEASE - Jim Lowe up to speed on Day 1 of the Roar before the 24
January 6, 2012
Jim Lowe up to speed on Day 1 of the Roar before the 24
Friday, 6 January 2012
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
Roar before the 24, the first official practice weekend leading up to the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, began under a blanket of dense fog covering the 3.56 mile road course at Daytona International Speedway, Friday January 6, 2012. Among the fifty-four cars on track (14 Daytona Prototypes, 43 Grand Touring), The World?s Fastest Neurosurgeon, Dr. Jim Lowe of Villanova, PA, took his turn behind the wheel of the No. 77 Doran Racing Ford Dallarra, joining teammates Brian and Burt Frisselle in the Kevin Doran lead team based in Lebanon Ohio. After a 50 minute fog delay, the three-driver squad suffered no incidents during the one-hour 40 minute morning session which saw seven black flags. The focus of the day for Lowe was getting acclimated and up to speed in the Ford Dallara, while the engineers and crew were going about finding ways to compensate for the 7? x 12? panel added to the rear of all the older prototypes which created drag and threw off the aero. ?It was disappointing not to be a bit quicker and it was tough to watch Chevy occupy the top 5 spots on the grid. The car was obviously hampered by some of the aero penalties that Grand-Am gave us to slow down the older prototypes. We have an incredible amount of drag now from the plate added to the rear, so it?s going to be a little work for our engineers to make the car go faster?, remarked Lowe. With good driver feedback, Doran Racing Crew Chief Russell was able to make some improvements. ?The car ran real good. We had some issues in the back of the care due to the added 7? x 12? panel, but we think we?ve overcome part of that. It really screws up the aero. The final two laps with the newer tires, Brian Frisselle felt some improvement. We will continue to work on it tomorrow and together, we?ll make things work.?
The afternoon practice session commenced under a gorgeous blue sky with temperatures in the low 70s. Reflecting on his first day behind the wheel, Lowe felt the overall experience of the day was positive. ?You can?t call today disappointing. It was great to be back in the race car and working on getting up to speed. I can?t say I thought it would have been any different. The car itself is really comfortable and drives very different from what I got used to last year in the Riley. Handling characteristics are more like an open-wheel car and a little less forgiving so you really have to be on your toes. For not having been in a car for a while it was a challenge, but I finished my stint feeling comfortable being back on track and I am excited about that. I?ve really enjoyed being back in the paddock and working with the Frisselle brothers, and I?m real happy with my choice to be with Doran Racing this season.?
The second full day of practice on Saturday and will include a one-hour 30 minute night session under the lights of Daytona International Speedway. Stay tuned?
You can follow JLowe on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JLoweRacing) and Twitter (@JloweRacing)
January 6, 2012
Jim Lowe up to speed on Day 1 of the Roar before the 24
Friday, 6 January 2012
Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL
Roar before the 24, the first official practice weekend leading up to the 50th Anniversary of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, began under a blanket of dense fog covering the 3.56 mile road course at Daytona International Speedway, Friday January 6, 2012. Among the fifty-four cars on track (14 Daytona Prototypes, 43 Grand Touring), The World?s Fastest Neurosurgeon, Dr. Jim Lowe of Villanova, PA, took his turn behind the wheel of the No. 77 Doran Racing Ford Dallarra, joining teammates Brian and Burt Frisselle in the Kevin Doran lead team based in Lebanon Ohio. After a 50 minute fog delay, the three-driver squad suffered no incidents during the one-hour 40 minute morning session which saw seven black flags. The focus of the day for Lowe was getting acclimated and up to speed in the Ford Dallara, while the engineers and crew were going about finding ways to compensate for the 7? x 12? panel added to the rear of all the older prototypes which created drag and threw off the aero. ?It was disappointing not to be a bit quicker and it was tough to watch Chevy occupy the top 5 spots on the grid. The car was obviously hampered by some of the aero penalties that Grand-Am gave us to slow down the older prototypes. We have an incredible amount of drag now from the plate added to the rear, so it?s going to be a little work for our engineers to make the car go faster?, remarked Lowe. With good driver feedback, Doran Racing Crew Chief Russell was able to make some improvements. ?The car ran real good. We had some issues in the back of the care due to the added 7? x 12? panel, but we think we?ve overcome part of that. It really screws up the aero. The final two laps with the newer tires, Brian Frisselle felt some improvement. We will continue to work on it tomorrow and together, we?ll make things work.?
The afternoon practice session commenced under a gorgeous blue sky with temperatures in the low 70s. Reflecting on his first day behind the wheel, Lowe felt the overall experience of the day was positive. ?You can?t call today disappointing. It was great to be back in the race car and working on getting up to speed. I can?t say I thought it would have been any different. The car itself is really comfortable and drives very different from what I got used to last year in the Riley. Handling characteristics are more like an open-wheel car and a little less forgiving so you really have to be on your toes. For not having been in a car for a while it was a challenge, but I finished my stint feeling comfortable being back on track and I am excited about that. I?ve really enjoyed being back in the paddock and working with the Frisselle brothers, and I?m real happy with my choice to be with Doran Racing this season.?
The second full day of practice on Saturday and will include a one-hour 30 minute night session under the lights of Daytona International Speedway. Stay tuned?
You can follow JLowe on Facebook (www.facebook.com/JLoweRacing) and Twitter (@JloweRacing)
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