Alegra Motorsports now sets sight on Rolex 24 at Daytona victory
FIRST OUTING WITH THE MERCEDES AMG GT3 FOR ALEGRA MOTORSPORTS AND PACE LOOKED PROMISING
Alegra Motorsports will be starting in15th position for the Rolex 24 at Daytona this coming weekend but it wasn’t because of a lack of pace.
While heading out onto the track qualifying for the starting grid of the Motul Pole Award 100, Daniel Morad was caught by surprise as he was coming out fo the bus-stop. “There was a little drizzle on the track, and we were out there on new slicks,” said Daniel Morad, Alegra’s silver-rated driver. “The car made contact with the wall after losing grip over the painted line exiting the bus-stop.”
This, unfortunately, led to repairs to be made to the car in order to be ready for the Saturday night practice. Which the team completed in time. Following the conclusion of the night practice, Alegra Motorsports was shown with the seventh fastest time of the session.
For the Motul Pole Award 100, the #28 Mercedes AMG GT3 had to start form the back of the GTD class having not set a time in qualifying. Daniel made up several positions early on but unfortunately, during a full course yellow, several cars including #28 wrongly passed the safety car and were penalized for overt three minutes. Being several laps down, that is why they are so far back on the starting grid for the Rolex 24.
As Alegra Motorsports driver Billy Johnson mentions it is all about the finish line. “It’s nice to start an endurance race at the front of the field. However, it’s a long race and what’s more important is where you are when you cross that finish line.”
Because on pace, except for the second session, the drivers have constantly been in the top 10, even top five throughout the practice sessions. The car has always been inside a one second difference to the top times.
Image: Courtesy Alegra Motorsports