Flying Lizard Motorsports - Porsche Endurance Racing

Rolex 24 At Daytona - Jan 28-29, 2012

3:32 pm - The No. 45 finished fifteenth in GT at the 50th Rolex 24 At Daytona. Congratulations to Joerg, Patrick, Mike and Seth, the Lizards and John Wright's crew for delivering  a solid racecar and ensuring that we finished this difficult race. We'll be back with you next week for our first ALMS event - the ALMS Winter Test - Feb 8 and 9.

3:22 - No. 45 came in for a final stop for fuel and he's out again quickly, still in P15.

3:17 - No. 45 P 15, No. 03 retook their position P14.

3:11 - No. 51 in the tire wall. He's pretty far off course so I expect it will stay green - just  a few minutes left in the race. Doesn't affect our position.

3:05 - No. 45 moves to P14, as the No. 03 falls back with an apparent problem.

2:45 - 45 had to pit again to fix the driver radio and fuel. P15.

2:29  - No. 45 crew replaced the power steering pump, which appears to have solved the problem. Driver change to Seth Neiman. He's back out on track now, P15, I believe. I'll report that in a minute.

2:154 - Patrick heading to the garage. Problem with the power steering, but we don't yet know details

2:09- Patrick is in the pits and the crew is working to diagnose what the issue is.

2:05 - Patrick radios that he may have lost power steering. He will pit this lap.

2:01 - 90 minutes left. Patrick pits for fuel. He will stay in the car. He has moved to P8 as the No. 69 has also fallen out.

1:58 - Patrick will be in shortly for fuel.

1:52 - The No. 59, which was in P2 is in the pits for driver change. No. 44 still in the lead, No. 67 now P2, No. 63 Ferrari P3. Patrick radios in that he lost his left hand mirror and got a water pressure alarm.

1:51 - Patrick is physically just behind the No. 59 and No. 44 on track, but he's many laps down.

1:45 - The No. 67 just retook P3 overtaking the No. 63 when he went off.

1:41 - Green flag. Patrick P9.

1:38 pm - No. 45 moves to P9 (because the No. 23 has fallen out).

1:30 - Full course yellow to remove the 23 from the apron of NASCAR 3. We are getting a waveby. Not sure yet who will get the free pass.

1:28  - The No. 23 AJR Porsche (with Marco Holzer at the wheel) is stopped on course with apparent suspension damage of some sort. They were P7.

1:22 - Green flag.   Patrick P10.

1:15 - Double yellow to remove debris.

1:07 pm ET  - Joerg pits for driver change to Patrick Long, tires and fuel. Joerg is in P10. No. 44 is P1, No. 59 P2, No. 67 P3.

12:55 - Joerg is still P10, still going strong. P1 No. 59; P2 No. 44; P3 No. 67.

12:32 - Joerg still P10. No. 44 Magnus Porsche now in the lead. No. 67 TRG Porsche P2; No. 59 Brumos Racing Porsche P3. No. 63 Risi Ferrari P4; No. 57 Camaro P5.

12:22 - Joerg is in the pits for fuel and added water.

12:20 - Joerg is on fuel reserve, he will pit this lap. He will stay in the car.

12:12 - No. 59 - the GT leader -is in the pits.

11:59 - Green flag.  Joerg is P10. He says that the No. 69 passed him under yellow, but at this point, not much we can do abou tit. That car is two laps ahead of us. No. 59 still P1.

11:47 - Full course yellow. The No. 63 was the GT free pass winner this time - he is in P4. We are still P11. Joerg is in the car.

11:45 - The No. 19 Porsche is in the tires in turn 6.

11:34 - Green flag. Joerg is now in the No. 45- I believe he will retain P11.  No. 59 in the lead.

11:31  - Once again it's chaos at the waveby under yellow.

11:28 - Mike in the pits  for driver change to Joerg, tires and fuel.  Still yellow. Mike is P11 at the time of the pit stop.

11:15 - Full course caution to clean up debris. The No. 44 gest the lucky dog free pass on this run (they were the first car  on the next lap down from the class leader). That puts them back on the same lead lap as the leader (No. 59) and P2 (No. 67). Mike Rockenfeller still in the No. 45 - he's P11 and will pit shortly.

11:02- four and a half hours left.  Mike is still P11.

10:47 - No. 59 back in the lead. No 67 P2, No. 44 P3. No. 45 P11.

10:42 - Mike in the pits for fuel. Hopefully we fixed his radio. He's off for his second stint. Still P11.

10:34 - We expect Mike in about five laps.

10:29 - No. 67 takes the lead, No. 59 now P2. Mike now P11.

10:25 - No. 59 in the pits. Looks like a standard front brake pad change.

10:19 - Mike P11.

10:00  - Mike is in P12, we don't believe we have radio comms with him - we can hear him keying the mike, but can't hear him. So we'll have to be prepared for an unexpected pit visit.

9:56 - They are having trouble with Mike's radio.

9:54 - Seth is in the pits for tires, fuel, and driver change to Mike Rockenfeller. The crew will also do front brake pads. Seth was P11 at the time.

9:36 - GT leader No. 59 Brumos Porsche is in the pits. No. 67 TRG Porsche is still in P2.

9:13 - Seth is back out quickly with fuel. He should retain the same position - P11.

9:11 - Seth will pit this lap for fuel and continue for his second consecutive stint. He is P11.

8:57 am - Seth P11 in the No. 45. No. 67 takes the GT lead, No. 59  P2. No. 44 P3.

8:50 - No. 59 moves to P1 after No. 44, which had been in the lead, had a lengthy pit stop for repairs. Not sure what the issue was, but did see a large piece of undertray being pulled off. No. 67 TRG Porsche has moved to P2. Seth Neiman in the No. 45, currently P10.

8:25 - Patrick pits for driver change to Seth Neiman, tires and fuel. He was P10 at the time of the pit stop. The crew is checking brake pads - looks like they will not make a pad change on this stop.

8:06 - Race control says undertray of the No. 44 Magnus Porsche, which is in the lead, is flapping.  No. 59 Brumos Porsche still close behind him in P2. Patrick is P10 in the No. 45 - he'll pit in 8 laps for driver change, fuel and tires.

7:46 - Patrick now P10.

7:38 - Patrick still going strong - times are dropping as the light improves and the track starts to warm up a bit. He radios in that he got the fuel bobble. He'll be in this lap for fuel. He'll stay in the car for his third consecutive stint.

7:21 - Patrick is the fastest GT car on track at the moment.

7:12 - Patrick P 11. No. 44 Magnus RAcing leads GT.

6:55 - Patrick in the pits for tires and fuel.  He's out again quickly, now P13.

6:44 - Green flag.

6:30  - Full course caution to remove the 99.  Patrick P11.

6:29 - No. 99 in the tires but still green.  Patrick now P12. He's 5 laps down from the GT Leader, now No. 44 Magnus RAcing.

6:07 - Patrick Long takes over from Joerg Bergmeister. Joerg came into the pits in P13, Patrick heads out in P14. Sunrise soon!

5:26 - Joerg is P14. On deck is Patrick Long.

5:17 - Joerg back in the pits. They are changing the left rear tire.

5:14 - Joerg reported a vibration in the rear  on reentry - it's getting worse, so he is pitting for us to have a look.

5:05 - Joerg got the fuel alarm, switched to reserve and will pit this lap. He will take tires and fuel and stay in the car for a third stint.

4:42 am - Joerg P 13.

4:24 am - He's out again quickly - now P 15.

4:21 - Joerg is in the pits for fuel. This will be a triple stint for him - he's just starintg to second of three. Still  P 13.  They will also change rear pads.

3:59 - Joerg P 13.

3:40 - Joerg is out for his stint. He's now P 14.

3:35 - Mike got the fuel bobble, switched to reserve, and will pit this lap for driver change to Joerg, tires and fuel. He is P15.

3:13 - Mike P 15.

2:55 am - Positions: P1 No. 59; P2 No. 23; P3 No. 44; P 4 No. 67; P 5 No. 57; P 6 No. 88. No. 45 P 16 after his pit stop.

2:52  - Mike Rockenfeller in the pits for fuel  - he'll stay in the car; the final leg of his quadruple stint. he was P 15 at the time of the pit stop.

2:45 - No. 74 in the tires inside of Turn 2. Still green.

2:39 - Mike now P 15.

2:35 - Green flag.

2:33 - Still yellow. The GT pack is staring to pit, including leader No. 44. They are changing front brake pads. No. 45 will stay out - it will go green on this lap.

2:22 - Mike gets the wave-by, so we'll regain a lap. I believe we will now be just four laps down from the GT leader, the No. 44.  It's really confusing with the cautions and wavebys - everyone is having trouble figuring out where they are supposed to be. Still P 17.

2:11 - Double yellow. Not sure of the reason. Mike P 17.

1:54 - Mike is in the pits for fuel only. He will stay in the car for another stint.  He is P 17.

1:40 - Mike is nearing the end of his double stint but will stay in the car for an additional stint to allow the other drivers to rest.

1:19  - Mike radios in that he hit some curbing in the chicane - might be some damage, but so far seems OK.

1:08 - Mike is back out on track - I believe he'll be P 17  - will confirm that in a moment. No he is P18.

1:05 - the crew determines they need to do new brake pads. They will replace them now.

1:05 am - Mike P 16. He is in the pits  for fuel tires, and stay in the car for a double stint.

12:48 - No. 44 Magnus has the GT lead. No. 45 P 18.

12:26 - No. 57 received a stop and go penalty for passing the pace car earlier in the race. They are in the lead. No. 66 TRG Porsche in P9 has a problem - not sure of the details on that. No. 23 AJR Porsche will take the lead, when the No. 57 comes in for the penalty.

12:19 - Mike heads out again - P 19 I believe. No. 57 Stevenson Motorsports in the GT lead.

12:18 -  Driver change to Mike Rockenfeller.

12:12 - P17. Seth will pit shortly for driver change to Mike Rockenfeller.

11:51  - All is well. Temperature starting to drop here but still much warmer than last year!

11:30 - Seth in the pits for fuel. P16. No. 59 Brumos Racing Porsche is leading GT.

10:57 - Seth P15.

10:48 - Green flag.

 10:41 - Patrick in the pits for driver change, tires and fuel.  Seth Neiman back in the Porsche. Still yellow. Seth is out again still in P13.

10:32 - Patrick P13. Yellow flag. Patrick will get the pass around - he's the first car on the  "next" lap (one lap down from the class leader)  - so he will get the lucky dog pass around (I am not sure I quite understand this new rule). So he had been two laps down, now will be just one lap down on the GT leader, which is the No. 44Magnus Racing Porche.

10:14 - Green flag.

10:00 - Patrick P 13. Yellow flag.

9:47 - Patrick up to P12 and regained one lap on the wave by so he is now just one lap down on the GT leader.  Still yellow.

9:38 - No. 74 in the tire wall. Double yellow.

9:28 - Incident between cars 12 and 34 - one lost a tire, not sure about the cause. Both are slow on course.

9:18 - Green flag. We have an alignment issue  as a result of the earlier contact. Patrick P13.  The engineers are discussing options to resolve it.

9:07 - Full course caution to remove a disabled car from the course. I think we'll get a pass around which will help us regain some of the ground lost during the incident with the No. 76.

9:06 pm - AFter an early pit stop and driver change to Patrick Long, the No. 45 now P16. No apparent damage after contact with the No. 76

8:56 - We've lost radio communications with the No. 45 and will bring him in. He and the No. 76 made light contact - and damaged the left rear. 

8:38 - Seth in P8 after the stop.

8:30 - Joerg is in the pits for driver change to Seth Neiman, tires and fuel.   He was P2 at the time of the stop, with No. 59 Brumos Porsche still in the lead.

8:05 - Green flag - Joerg P2. Marc Lieb in the No. 59 is P1.

7:42 - Still yellow as they remove the No. 41 is put on a roll back. Joerg now back to P2 as the field after the rest of the GT field completed their pit stop.No. 59 Brumos Porsche with Marc Lieb is P1.

7:36 - Big crash in the bust stop - looks like the 41 Porsche and a second car. Full course caution.

7:27 - Joerg pits for fuel. He was P2 at the time of the pit stop.

7:26 - Chief strategist Thomas Blam radios in for Joerg to pit for fuel.

7:21 - Joerg, in P2, putting pressure on Andy Lally (GT leader) in the No. 44 Magnus Racing Porsche. Joerg will be in the pits for scheduled stop in 2 or 3 laps.

7:12 - OK my data comms appear to have stabilized here - radio is live and should be OK - it may still be up and down for a while - if you lose connection, just refresh. Here's the direct link  http://bit.ly/AifbrW  (shortened)

7:08 pm - Joerg got bumped in right rear by another GT car earlier - he just radioed it in. Car seems to be OK.

7:00 - Joerg overtook the No. 66 to take P2.

6:55 - Joerg now P3. I asked Mike Rockenfeller about his stint: “I just tried to take it very easy on the car because we are so early in the race. The car feels fine; we have some understeer and we hope the track will come towards us over the race. We have a good race car; I think we’ll be ready when it comes time to race Sunday morning. We just need to run clean and we have a good chance. “

6:45 - Joerg P8.

6:44 - Joerg out quickly in the No. 45, now in P9 after the stop.

6:40 - Mike is in the pits unexpectedly, after he hit the fuel reserve just before pit entrance. Crew was ready for him - driver change to Joerg.

6:33 - Mike P4,  No. 66 P3, No. 44 P2.

6:30 - At the three-hour mark, Mike now P3. No. 66 TRG Porsche overtook to take P2. No. 44 Magnus RAcing Porsche P4.

6:20  - Mike still P2. No. 88 P1; No. 45 P2; No. 66 P3.  Mike is under 3 seconds back from the No. 88 Camaro and gaining. The No. 66 TRG Porsche (with Patrick Pilet at the wheel) is just behind Mike and closing in on the No. 45.

 6:07 pm - Mike now P2. P1 No. 88; P3 No. 42. P4 No. 66

6:04 pm - Green flag. Mike P3. No. 42 P1; No. 88 P2; No. 45 P3; No. 66 P4; No. 59 P5.

6:01- Mike now P3 after the latest round of stops under yellow. Still yellow.

5:58 - Mike in the pits for a fuel top up - still yellow. He was P7 at the time of the pit stop.

5:50 - Full course yellow.

5:47 - No. 4 Magnus Racing Porsche stopped on course after a spin.  Mike moves to P7.

5:40 - Mike now P8.

5:38 - Green flag. 

5:40 - Mike now P8.

 5:38 - Green flag. 

5:35 - Mike pits for a fuel top up - still yellow.

 5:31 pm Full course caution - No. 74 stopped on course. We will stop for fuel only.

5:25 - Green flag. Mike is P3. No passing allowed until the cars pass start/finish on the restart.

 5:23 - still yellow.

 5:18 - yellow flag.  A lot of confusion under this yellow about the waveby. No. 23 now the leader. No. 59 P2; No. 45 P3; No. 44 P4.

5:09 - Full course yellow. Not sure why. We have lost power in our pits. Positions: P1 No. 57; P2 No. 23; P3 No. 59 ; P4 No. 45; P5 No. 17.

5:01 - Patrick in the pits for driver change to Mike Rockenfeller, tires and fuel.  It’s a tight fit in pit lane with cars pitted both in front and in back of him..  He was P3 at the time of the stop. I’ll report positions in a minute. We got out ahead of the No. 59, who also pitted at the same time.

4:56 - No. 57 pitted, No. 44 moves to P4.  Positions: P1 No. 23; P2 No. 59; P3 No. 45; P4 No. 44; P 5 No. 26.

4:52 - Patrick P3. P1 No. 23; P2 No. 59; P3 No. 45; P 4 No. 57; P 5 No. 17. Patrick will pit shortly for driver change to Mike Rockenfeller.

4:43 - No. 57 is close on Patrick’s tail.

4:29 - Patrick P3. P2 No. 23; P 2 No. 59.

4:22 - Patrick currently fastest Posche on track. He’s stuck behind a slower GT car that is one lap down. He’s P3. P1 No. 23; P2 No. 59; P3 No. 45. 

4:21 - Patrick P3.

4:09 pm Patrick P 6 -  (passed by No. 17 Porsche)

4:12 - Patrick p4 - passed 17. Got the bobble - he will be in the next lap for fuel.

3:47 - Patrick P5. He reports that the car is unstable.

3:30 pm ET - Green flag. Patrick held P4 at the start.

3:24 pm ET - Cars are rolling for their pace laps.

Patrick Long is in the No. 45 Porsche. He is fourth on the grid.

 

Daytona 24 - Friday Practice

11:25 am - We are halfway through the second and final practice session and the rain has arrived. It's raining quite heavily now and Joerg has gone out on rain tires. Because there's nothing more we can accomplish on setup in the rain, we'll do a few more laps and then head in to the garage.

9:45 - Checkered on morning practice. All is well. Joerg is heading back to the garage. We'll be back on track at 11:00 am ET today.

9:41 am - Good morning from Daytona. It's a damp start to the day, rain has begun just in time for morning practice. Joerg is out in the No. 45- we will only have a short time on track this morning as the crew needed to complete the race transmission install.  There are only a  few cars out at the moment because of the wet track. It looks like we may have more rain - I'm sure it will be just in time for our second practice session at 11 am today. Joerg was able to shakedown the gearbox in this morning's session though so we have that complete. 

Mosport - Friday Practice

4:40 - Checkered flag on the GT portion of today's practice sessions. No. 45 was Pe in the session with a 1:18.164. No. 55 BMW is P1 with a 1:17.933 and No. 56 BMW is P2 with a 1:18.096.  The No. 44 was P8 with a 1:19.743. We'll be back with you tomorrow for practice and qualifying at 3:50 pm ET.

4:31 - No. 45 is still P1 in the session with a 1:18.164 (set by Patrick). No. 55 BMW is P2 with a 1:18.267, No. 56 BMW is P3, No. 62 Risi Ferrari P4.

4:20 - Green flag. Marco is out first in the No. 44. They are still working on the setup change on the No. 45.

4:14  Joerg radios with feedback from corner to corner  - mostly fighting mid-corner understeer on most corners.  The rear is a bit nervous on some of the corners - especially in downhill corners. No. 37 is on the front straight against the wall. Looks like he spun and lightly impacted the wall.  Red flag. Marco is also back in the pits. Craig Watkins is calling for some chassis changes on the No. 45. 20 minutes left in the session.

4:05 - Patrick is  in the pits for more feedback and driver change to Joerg. He's happy with the direction of the setup so far in this session. Marco is also in the pits for feedback to Steve Conover. They will make a substantial change on the rollbar on the No. 44 to see if that gets the No. 44 moving in the direction they need.

3:46 - Session is now combined. Patrick is still P1 in the No. 45. Seth is currently in the No. 44.  1 hour left in the session.

3:24 - Patrick Long is in the pits to give his first setup feedback to Craig Watkins.

3:15 pm ET - GT practice is underway at Mosport. After a stultefyingly hot day yesterday, it's a bt cooler today with some light cloud cover and raindrops. The track is still dry - hopefully it will hold off until after the practice sessions today - GT only 3:10-3:40 and all  classes, 3:40-4:40. Marco Holzer is back with us again in the No. 44 with Seth Neiman, and Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long in the No. 45. Patrick is currently P1  in the No. 45.

Rolex 24 at Daytona - No. 45 Retired in Hour 23

*** Sorry to report that we have had to retire the No. 45 in hour 23, with just 90 minutes left to go in the race. We don't have all of the details yet. Everyone is fine - Joerg lost drive, and there was a small fire in the engine bay and that was it - we are done.  It was a difficult race for us; we were determined to finish,  but it wasn't to be. We'll be back with all of you for our next event with the American Le Mans Series  at Sebring - thanks everyone for your support! Jennifer and all of the Lizards  ****

1:56 - Fire in the engine bay of the No. 45. Joerg has pulled off. We are talking to him. He is out of the car. We will take the car back to the garage, but that is it, unfortunately we are done for the race. 1:51 - The No. 90 spun in the bus stop but continued. Joerg has about 5 laps to go in his stint.

1:42  - Still P11  - The No. 60, which is P10 has a right rear tire issue and is moving slow on course. The No. 01 and No. 02 DPS (which are P2 and P1) pitted together under green and are heading back out in the same order.

1:18 - Top four DPs still on same lead lap. Positions: P1 No. 02; P2 No. 9; P3 No. 23; P 4 No. 01; P5 No. 76; P 6 No. 10; P 7 No. 8; P 8 No. 5; P 9 No. 55; P 10 No. 60; P 11 No. 45; P 12 No. 95.

1:05 - Johannes is in the pits for driver change to Joerg Bergmeister, tires, and fuel. No. 45 still P11.

12:55 - Johannes has less than five laps in his stint - still P11.

12:48 - the No. 88 GT car spun in Turn 1 - no incidents and he was able to continue.

12:43 - Still yellow. Johannes should get another waveby. 01 received a penalty on their pit stop for hitting a tire leaving the pits. They are the leader.

12:36 - Full course caution to remove some debris. They are doing the GT waveby now.

12:22 pm - Johannes said he touched the wall at the exit of 6 but everything seems ok.  Jost over 3 hours left to go - that's still more than the standard length of an American Le Mans Series race (2 hours, 45 mins).

12:17 pm- Green flag. Johannes is still P11.

12:14  pm - Johannes got the waveby under yellow - we regain one more lap to the leader.

12:07 pm - Full course yellow - car stopped just past apex of turn 6.

11:54 pm- The No. 01 is in the pits - they are P2. Looks like a standard pit stop.

11:51 pm- Patrick pits for driver change to Johannes, tires and fuel. He is P11, 2 laps down from the No. 60 in P10, and 1 lap ahead of the No. 95 which is P 12.

11:44 - Patrick has just a few laps left in his stint- under 5.

**

Lizard team radio is still broadcasting if you'd like to listen in on the home stretch.  Macs are now supported, including Powerbooks. To listen, click on link on the main Daytona tab on our home page or use this direct link

http://events.powerstream.net/002/00324/2011_Flying_Lizard_Player/iplay.asp

**

11:38 - No. 60 is still in P 10 and is  back on track, but now just 2 laps ahead of Patrick. Race control just called the No. 55 DP, which is P 7, in - not sure what the reason is.

11:28 Patrick P11 but will take P 10 as the No. 60 is in the pits with a problem and we are rapidly gaining on them.

10:59  - Joerg is in the pits - drive change to Patrick Long. We are P 11.

10:53 - The No. 8 went behind the wall - I missed what caused the problem, but just saw them heading back to the garage. They were P 11, so that moves us to P11.

10:38 am - 10 laps to go in Joerg's double stint. Next up is Patrick. We are P 12.

10:29 - Looks like Joerg made it through that group - he's back on pace - again, the fastest car on the course. He reports a vibration.

 10:27 - Joerg went off briefly sometime in the last few minutes, the crew is concerned he might have some grass/dirt on the radiator.  We'll know shortly if it will become  a problem. Still P 12.

10:22 - The 01 passed the 9 to take P2. Hopefully this will help break up the logjam and spread out the six DPs, giving Joerg more of a chance to get through.

10:20 - Joerg is stuck - the sixth car back in a line of protoeypes led by the No. 09, which is second in DP. The DP leader, the No. 02 has built a 5 second gap between him and the next six.

 10:13  - Positions: P1 No. 02; P2 No. 01; P3 No. 9; P 4 No. 6; P 5 No. 23; P 6 No. 76; P 7 No. 55; p 8 No. 60; P 9 No. 10; P 11 No. 8; P 12 No. 45; P 13 No. 95.  After the restart (and the class split) the prototypes are bunched together. Joerg is about 6 cars back in the mix, looking for a chance to move ahead.  He's many laps back, but needs to take every opportunity he can to regain a lap.

10:12 am - Green flag.

10:10 - The No. 5 was able to immediately rejoin once he was retrieved - he's now P 10, but still 14 laps ahead. Still yellow.

10:03 - Full course yellow to remove the No. 5. No wave by on this short yellow but they will do a class split on the third lap of the 3 lap yellow. The No. 5 is about 14 laps head of us; if they can't rejoin within the next 20 mins or so (assuming green flag racing), we will gain a position.

10:02- The No. 05 DP is stopped on course. He had been P4 or P5 I think.

9:56 am ET - Green flag. Joerg is still 17 laps down on the leader, now the No. 02, and 4 laps down on the next closest DP car - the No. 8.

9:55 - Joerg pits under yellow for a fuel top up.

9:52 - We should get the wave by (which will gain us a lap back to the overall leader) and then we'll come in for a splash of fuel. Still yellow.

9:50 - The No. 40 is going again. Still yellow. The No. 02 (overall leader) pitted as did the No. 01 which was P2. I think the 01 beat the 02 out of the pits to take the lead. The No. 45 stayed out. Still yellow.

9:45 - Double  yellow to remove the No. 40 from the track.

9:44- Car spun drivers right exit of Turn 6 - I think this is the GT leader  - he's not going anywhere. May go double yellow if he can't get going.

9:38 - Johannes is in the pits for driver change to Joerg, tires and fuel. He is P12. The crew will check over the car and wheels to make sure there is not another issue.

9:32- 6 hours left to go. Johannes radios in that he is starting to feel a vibration - he's  not sure of the cause - could be tire-related. He is nearing the end of his stint. Joerg is getting ready to go in in case Johannes has to pit early. Positions: P1 No. 02; P2 No. 01; P3 No. 9; P4 No. 5; P5 No. 6;  P6 No. 76; P7 No. 23; P8 No. 60; P9 No. 55; P10 No. 10; P 11 No. 8; P 12 No. 45; P 13 No. 95.

9:28 - No. 4 GT car has a flat left rear. Still green.

9:09 am - Positions: P1 No. 01; P2 No. 5; P3 No. 9 ; P4 No. 76; P5 No. 02; P6 No. 6; P7 No. 23; P 8 No. 55;  P9 No. 60; P10 No. 10; P11 No. 8; P12 No. 45; P13 No. 95.

8:56 - Johannes in the pits for a new water bottle, tires and fuel.  He will stay in the car.

8:37 - Joerg just arrived   back in the pits after his nice long nap, ready for his next stint.

8:24 am ET - Green flag. Johannes is directly behind the overall leader (the No. 02) on track. Speed TV coverage will start again at 9 am ET - 30 mins from now. Seven hours left to go in the race.

8:14 - Double yellow to tow the No. 53. 

8:13 - No. 53 in the tires in Turn 5. Still green.

8:02 - Green flag. Johannes is in the No. 45 - we are still P12, 17 laps down on the leader, the No. 05 DP.  Johannes is 3 laps down on the next closest DP car, the No. 8 DP.

7:51  - Race control notified us that we have 2 more laps, then the wave by, then the field split, then one more lap, then green. This will be nearly a 3 hour caution when it's done.

7:47 - Still yellow, Johannes pits for the crew to do a tear off on the windshield. (We use protective sheets on the windshield which we can tear off throughout the race. )

7:40 - Johannes is back out on track for his third stint of the race. It's daylight now - but still pretty foggy. Still yellow flag.

7:37 - Seth will pit this lap for driver change to Johannes. Still yellow. We don't yet have an ETA on restart time so we'll pit him now.

7:14 am  - Still pretty foggy  but it's not clearing yet. Race control says another 20 or 30 minutes. Hopefully it will be sooner than that. 2 hours and counting already for this caution.

6:56-The sun is coming up and the fog is starting to lift.  Race control notified us that before they restart they will do a wave by to get the overall leader (the No. 5) and then a field split to separate the classes.

 6:28 am - Front straight is totally socked in with fog now. The cars are still circulating but if it gets worse, they may have to stop. It should lift soon though as we are nearing daybreak.

6:07 am - still yellow. It's cold... really cold.... and foggy. Race control says they will keep it yellow until the fog clears - they estimate 6:45 am or so. Seth P12 at the moment.

5:39 - Still yellow - dense fog has settled over the track they will run under yellow until it clears a bit. Seth is in the car, P 13. Ten hours to go.

5:27 - Scheduled brake pad change extended to include brake calipers, they are now bleeding the brakes. Should be underway shortly. Still yellow.

5:19 - Seth is in the pits. No. 8 has continued. Still yellow.

5:14 - Car No. 08 in the tires at Turn 1. Car 8 is in P11 right now, we are P12. Double yellow. We will use this yellow to do front brake pads, fuel but no tires, no driver change.

4:44  - Brrrr. Pretty cold down here in the pits now.  Should start warming up at dawn. Positions: P1 No. 01; P2 No. 4; P3 No. 9; P4 No. 02; P4 No. 76; P 6 No. 6; P7 No. 60; P 8  No. 23; P9 No. 55; P10 No. 10; P 11 No. 8 ; P 12 No. 45.

4:36 am - Patrick in the pits for driver change to Seth.  We are still in P12, 5 laps behind the No. 8 DP which is in P 11.

3:51 am - If anyone is still awake out there we are still broadcasting our radio. To listen, click on the link on the Daytona tab on our home page. Pretty quiet right now, which is good. 

3:42 - Back to green.  Patrick P 12.  Positions: P1 No. 01; P2 No. 9; P3 No. 75; P4 No. 5; P5 No. 02; P 6 No. 6; P 7 No. 60; P8 No. 23; P 9 No. 55; P 10 No. 10; P 11 No. 8; P 12 No. 45.

3:39 - Patrick is in the pits for fuel only. Still yellow.

3:29 - Double yellow for officials to do a track inspection.

3:27 - Patrick is the  fastest on track right now.

3:22 am - No. 10 DP, currently in P9 is in the garage. We are 10 laps behind them right now.

3:03 - Joerg is in the pits for driver change to Patrick Long. He's P12.

2:50 - Car in the tires in turn 5. May go double yellow. Jorg has gotten through the GT field and is now P12 both DP and overall.  Positions: P1 No. 9; P2 No. 5; P 3 No. 76; P4 No. 01; P5 No. 6; P 6 No. 10; P 7 No. 01; P 8 No. 60 : P 9 No. 55; P 10 No. 23; P 11 No. 8; P 12 No. 45.  Still green  - Joerg has 4 laps or so to go. Joerg fastest car on course now.

2:07 - Green flag.

2:06- Joerg pits under yellow for short fuel.

2:00 am - No. 05 is in the pits, We will get a wave by so we'll gain a lap back. Joerg will pit for fuel, sometime in the next few laps.  Still Yellow.

1:57 - Full course yellow. Joerg wasn't able to get by the No. 5 before the yellow. But if he pits, and we stay out, we could still gain a lap back. Joerg is P12 in DP; P16 overall. We won't pit in this yellow.

1:51 - Joerg is approaching the overall leader (the No. 5 with Darren Law) on track. If he passes him now, he'll be on the way to gaining one more lap back.

1:47 - Joerg reports that the No. 8 hit him hard on the right. But car seems OK.

1:42 am ET - Green flag.

1:36 am ET - Joerg pits for fuel top up.

1:32 am ET - Joerg radios in large debris at pit in. Double yellow.

1:25 am ET- There is a car stopped on course at exit of 3. Possible yellow.

1:18 - Joerg moved into P12. he is fastest car on track right now. He is 8 laps back from the next closest DP, the No. 8.

1

1:06 am ET (Sunday) - Johannes is in the pits for driver change to Joerg. Johannes was P12 (P 21 overall). During the pit, the No. 95, which was just behind him, stayed out and is now P12 (P21 overall). Joerg will go out P 13 (P 22 overall). All is well here in Lizardland. Your blogger here is especially happy now that I have my long johns and thermal socks on. The day's heat held pretty well until now - the temperature is dropping.

12:45 - All appears ok. Johannes is staying out. P12 (P 23 overall)

12:41 - Johannes radioed in possible problem - either he ran over some debris or something came off the car. Everything looks fine though.

12:32 am (Sunday) - Green flag.

12:21 am (Sunday) - Double yellow.  Waveby is underway.

12:19 - Johannes P13 (P23 overall)

12:08 - Race control called the No. 95 DP into the pits to deal with some dragging bodywork. This will put Johannes into P 12 (P23 overall.)

12:03 - Green flag. Johannes is P13 (P 24 overall)

12:00 - Still yellow at midnight...

NOW SUNDAY, JANUARY 30

MIDNIGHT

11:53 - Johannes pits for a short fuel. He is P 13.

11:49 - Double yellow.

11:48 - Debris on the front straight. May go double yellow.

11:24 - Seth is in the pits for driver change to Johannes van Overbeek. He is P 12.

11:20 - Seth now P12 (P24 overall) moving past the No. 95 which is either in the pits or garage with a problem.

10:46 - Green flag. Seth P13 in DP, P 26 overall.

10:40 - Still yellow, they are doing a class split - GT on the left, DPs go around on the right. This helps avoid problems on the restart between the faster DPs and the slower GT cars, especially since cars cannot pass on the restart until they have passed the start/finish line, unlike the ALMS where they can pass as soon as it goes green.

10:30 - Double yellow to remove debris.

10:23 - Patrick radioed in problem with right rear. He doesn't know what it is - tire puncture r something else. He's bringing it into the pits.

10:02 - Patrick moves to P13 - the No. 90 (which was P13) still not back on track. Patrick fastest car on track. Our TV feed is off until morning, so I'll have to rely on visuals for info.  No. 45 is P13, P 27 overall. Next in the car will be Seth, then Johannes.

9:49 - Green flag.  Patrick is P14, 16 laps down on the leader. Correction on the  position of the P13 car - the No. 90. The No. 45 is still  3 laps down from the No. 90, not 1.

9:46 - Still yellow - they are splitting the field- GT cars to the left, DP cars to the right. 

9:43 - Short yellow - no wavebys - just 2 laps under yellow.

9:41 - Double yellow. Again this could work to our favor and let Patrick catch the pack.

9:39 - The No. 90 has spun and has damage . He is P 13 and just one lap ahead, so assuming he goes in for repairs, this will put us up to P13.

9:33 - Green flag. Patrick P14, but now just 16 laps down on overall leader.

9:32 - Patrick pits for fuel splash. Still yellow.

9:31 - Patrick gets the waveby

9:28 - The 01 is in the pits. We should get the waveby and will regain a lap on the overall leader. Then we'll probably pit for a fuel top up.

9:24 - Double yellow, appeare to be from an incident with the No. 86 GT Porsche. Patrick is just behind the leader, the No. 01, on track.. If they pit, we will be able to stay out, and will gain a lap back.

9:22 - On track, Patrick is just behind the leader, Joey Hand in the No. 01 DP, but 17 laps down.

9:18 - Green flag. Patrick in the car - P 14. He's in a big cluster of DPs right now - threading his way through.

9:17- The 02 Ganassi DP is in the pits for a lengthy repair. the No. 90 Spirit of Daytona also in the pits under repair.

9:12  - Patrick is in the pits for fuel only.

9:08  - Double yellow. Car in the tires in Turn 3. We may come in for fuel in this yellow. Patrick is in the No. 45, P14. These yellows are good for us - we have the chance to make up an entire lap.

9:05 - Timing and scoring is back -yes, Patrick now P14. He is 1 lap down from the No. 10 SunTrust DP in P13, which I believe is now back on track. 

9:00 pm - No. 10 Sun Trust DP is in the garage. This is a race of attrition - still over 18 hours to go. The No. 01 DP is in the lead. Joerg pitted for driver change to Patrick Long. I don't have access to my DP only timing and scoring at the moment, so I'll have to report positions overall. Patrick is currently  P 30 overall, I believe he is now P14, having moved past the No. 99 GAINSCO machine, which I believe is still in the garage with problems.

** Radio should be working on Macbook Pros now. If you have any problems, let me know at pr@lizardms.com. To listen, click on the  Team Radio link on the home page, in the Daytona Event tab, or the Follow the RAce tab. ***

 8:33 - About 13 laps to go for Joerg's stint - just over 20 mins. He is P15.

*** Posted some great in-car from Patrick's night laps on Thursday. He gave me a few comments on the lap - it's up on the  Home Page***

8:28 - Joerg is mowing through the field. He has gained another lap back.

*** Radio is  back up. ***

8:18 pm -   - Joerg is P15 in the No. 45. Gained a lap back under the last yellow. One lap down on P14, the No. 99 DP.

8:06 pm - Green flag. Joerg is P 15, he is 2 laps down from the No. 14 DP - the No. 99 Gainsco machine.

 7:57 - Strategist Thomas Blam calls Joerg into the pits for a fuel top up. Still yellow. We've gained a lap back on this yellow.  Joerg is 18 laps down from the leader.

7:54 - We got the wave by - we are staying out for now, but will come in in a bit for fuel.

7:52 - Lots of fluid in the horseshoe from the No. 36.  Joerg made it through OK.  Double yellow. Joerg is threading his way through the prototypes - most of them are many laps ahead, but each yellow he has the opportunity to gain a lap and catch the pack again. We will come in for a fuel top up.

7:46 pm ET - Green flag.

7:37 pm ET  - Full course yellow. Joerg is in the No. 45, P15. It's fully dark now. Yellow is good for us, Joerg could get a lap back. P1 is No. 10 SunTrust DP.

7:25 - ***For Macbook Pro users - we are having problems getting the Lizard radio to work on this system. Other Macs and PCs should be fine. Sorry about the issues - we are working to get them resolved. ****Jennifer

7:21 ET - Johannes pits for driver change to Joerg Bergmeister. He was P16 at the time of the pit stop.

7:13 ET - Johannes P16 in DP  Still the fastest car on track.

6:52 ET- Johannes P17. The No. 45 is the fastest car on track right now. Just under 21 hours to go.

7:21 - Johannes is in the pits for driver change to Joerg. He was in P16.

6:30 ET - Green flag. 3 hours into the 24 hour race. We are back on track, now 19 laps down on the DP leader.  Johannes is in the car - still a long way to go.

6:21 - No. 45 back on course after repairs: splitter, radiator, rear brake pads, & other misc repairs. Johannes at the wheel for his first stint. Still yellow. I'll report positions in a few minutes once we go green.

6:12 -Full course yellow. No. 45 is still in the garage. Should be out shortly.

5:52 - No. 45 is in the garage after Seth went off course to avoid an incident in front of him. The off course damaged the front - he went directly to the garage for repairs. Looks like the front splitter and radiators. Will report more shortly.

5:39 - Car sideways in 1 - Seth is safely by.

5:35 - We are back to green flag racing. Seth is P14.

5:29 - Seth is in the pits for tire change on right rear and quick repair of rear bodywork damaged when Seth was hit on the restart.

5:25 - Seth was hit in the right rear on the restart - there is some damage, smoke from tire rub - he may need to come in.

5:25 - Green flag. Seth is P9.

5:20 - Still yellow. After the pit stop, Seth in the No. 45 is P9.  One more lap to go under yellow.

5:15 - Still yellow - pits are open. Patrick is pitting for driver change to Seth Neiman and fuel. He is P2.

5:10 - Full course yellow. Patrick is P2. No. 10 is P1.

5:03- Lot of debris in the bus stop after a car spun and collected a lot of sand and dirt.

4:59 - Patrick is P2. Unfortunately, they are not showing the leaders on TV feed so we can't see what's happening but he's moving rapidly up the field. He is now 8 seconds behind the No. 10 Suntrust DP, with Max Angelleli behind the wheel.

4:55 - Patrick is P3. Positions: P1 No. 10; P2 No. 90; P3 No. 45.

4:39 - Green flag. We are now P5. The yellow worked in our favor overall. We were able to pit for fuel, and again for  a splash, and are still with the lead group.

4:32 - Patrick pitted under yellow for a splash of fuel.

4:31 - I've had a few questions on our team radio. It should work on both PC and Mac. However, if we aren't talking, you won't hear anything - if it says playing, you should be connected. I am having intermittent connection problems -so if you can't connect, try again in a few minutes. To listen, click on the events tab of the home page www.lizardms.com.  If you have problems, please e-mail me at pr@lizardms.com.

4:28 - Double yellow.

4:26 - Looks like there was an incident on course - we have a car off and  the No. 02 has  damage. We will pit again for a splash of fuel. The No. 10, which had been P1, is in the pits for fuel.  No. 01 is now P1

4:23 - Joerg in the pits for driver change to Patrick Long.  He was P1 at the time of the pit stop.

4:20 - Joerg still P1, 16 seconds ahead of the second place DP. He will pit in the next 10 mins for driver change to Patrick Long.

4:00 - 30 minutes into the race. Joerg, in the lead, has bult a 6 second gap  to the P2 DP, the No. 10 SunTrust Racing DP.

3:55- Positions after 25 mins: P1 No. 45; P2 No. 10; P3 No. 0; P4 No. 8; P5 No. 90.Joerg is 2 seconds ahead of the No. 10.

3:45- Green flag. Joerg held the lead on the restart. Max Angellili is P2.

3:36 - Full course yellow due to debris. Joerg still P1.

3:33  - Joerg reports that he smells rubber - strategist Thomas Blam replied that he should let us know if it gets any worse.

3:32 - Car off in Turn 3, Not a factor, he's back underway.

3:30 pm - Green flag on the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  Joerg is in the car.  Joerg held his position at the start.

3:23 pm - Engine start - the cars are rolling for 2 pace laps. No. 45 is at the front of the overall grid. Joerg will start the race.

Reminder we are broadcasting our team radio - to listen,  go to the home page www.lizardms.com

Daytona Friday Practice, Jan. 28, 2011

12:00 - Checkered flag- Johannes finished out the session P3 in DP. No problems in the session so hopefully we'll be set for raceday tomorrow. Race begins at 3:30 pm ET. Joerg qualified the No. 45 on the pole so we'll be starting from the head of the overall grid tomorrow. We'll broadcast our team radio live during the race - listen in at www.lizardms.com

See you all tomorrow.

11:55 - Johannes is now in the No. 45 to finish out the stint.

11:30 am ET - Good morning from Daytona. We are on track for the second of the two practice sessions today. Seth Neiman is in the car. We did not run in the morning session, using the time instead to complete installation of the race engine in the No. 45 DP. Seth is doing several install laps to confirm that there are no issues with the engine change, then Johannes will finish out the session. This is the last track time we have prior to the race - unlike the ALMS races ,there is no morning warmup tomorrow.

Daytona Thursday Practice & Qualifying - Jan 27, 2011

7:30 - We are done for the night - Patrick will pit, then head straight back to the garage. We'll be back with you for final practice tomorrow, Friday at 9 am ET. ****

7:19 - Black flag to remove a car stopped on course. Seth is in the pits for driver change to Patrick Long. Patrick will finish out the session, then we'll head back to the garage for setdown and engine change.

7:06 - Green flag. Seth is still in the No. 45.

6:56 pm - Black flag all - No. 60 is stopped just before the entrance to the Chicane.

6:41 - No. 22 pulled off drivers left with tire puncture. Still green flag.

6:30 pm ET - Night practice is underway. We'll run an hour or so of the session, then return to the garage to give the crew enough time to work on installing the race engine. Seth Neiman will start the session, then driver change to Patrick.

******

4:00 - Joerg is on the pole in the No. 45 - Congratulations  Joerg and the Lizards!!!! A new DP track record.

3:56 - Joerg P1 - just a few minutes left in the session.

3:53 - Joerg now P4 -

3:52 - Joerg now P2 - with a 1:40.259. Max Agnellini in No. 10 is P1 1:40.133.

3:51 - DP Qualifying is underway. It's a short 15 minutes in which the fastest lap time over the session establishes the starting grid.  Joerg is P1 right now with a 1:40.323.

***

2:30 - Checkered flag on the final practice session before qualifying. Joerg was able to get out for one final lap. Qual starts at 3:45.

2:27 - Joerg is in the pits for tire pressure check and one more change. Joerg is P3, four-tenths behind Max Angelelli in the No. 10, and two one-hundreths of a second back from Oswaldo Negri in the No. 60.

2:15 -Joerg is P7.  He will pit for one more setup change. 15 minutes left in the session.

2:06 - Driver change to Joerg Bergmeister, who will run out the rest of the session. Patrick is P4 at the moment. They will make a final setup change before Joerg heads out.

2:05 - Patrick is P4.  He will pit shortly for Joerg to do a final confirm on the car before Joerg qualifies.

2:00 pm ET - Halfway through the second practice session, the last track time prior ot qualifying.  Patrick is in the car. Qualifying begins at 3:45.

****
11:25 - Checkered is out on the session so we'll head back to the garage. We'll be back with you at 1:20 ET this afternoon for the second practice of the day.

11:20 - Johannes is in the pits for a setup change. Black flag all to remove a prototype stopped on course at Turn 1.

 

11:06 - Black flag all. Seth will pit for driver change to Johannes. Just under 30 mins left in the session.

10:42 - Seth heads out for his first stint of the practice week.

10:39 - Joerg is back in the pits for driver change to Seth Neiman. He is P8.

10:29 -  Joerg is P8, he is in the pits for a ride height change.

10:24 - Joerg currently P9. Just over an hour left in the session.

10:13 am -Joerg is P3 - he's pititng for the crew to adjust his driver ID system. They will also do a rotor and pad change and Joerg will bed brakes next.

Thu Jan 27, 2011 10: 00 am- Good morning from Daytona. It's a brisk, beautiful morning here at the raceway - clear but chilly. Morning practice is underway - Joerg is in the No. 45 DP and has run through the first of several install laps. It's a packed day today - three test sessions and qualifying. Qualifying is at 3:45 pm ET - Joerg will qualify.