Doran/Lista and Doran/Matthews Ferrari Notes (Saturday)
31 January 1999
Doran/Lista and Doran/Matthews Ferrari Notes Rolex 24 at Daytona Race Notes: Saturday, January 30, 1999 – Saturday night #72 Doran/Lista Ferrari 333 SP: At approximately 4:45 p.m. this afternoon, on lap 104, the Ferrari 333 SP experienced a problem with the gearbox. Arie Luyendyk was at the wheel, maneuvering through the chicane, had problems changing gears from 6th to 5th when the engine stalled. He refired the motor twice, the third time the V-12 Ferrari motor wouldn't refire. The car was brought to the Doran Racing garage where the team learned that there were only two working gears and a stripped flywheel. The Doran Racing crew repaired the car, replacing the flywheel, starter, gearbox (replacing it with the back-up 5-speed gearbox instead of a 6-speed gearbox with which the #72 car had started the race – causing a few extra adjustments), new springs, brake pads and new driver, Mauro Baldi. The stop cost the #72 Doran/Lista team approximately one hour and 47 minutes and 46 laps. #36 Doran/Matthews Ferrari 333 SP: At 9:45 p.m. this evening, on lap 245, Max Papis brought the race-leading Ferrari 333 SP in for fuel and tires. Stefan Johansson took over the driving duties during the stop. As Johansson exited the infield into NASCAR Turn 2 (west banking) the right rear wheel came off the car, causing a spin. Johansson fired the car twice, but was unable to return to the pits. The car was towed into the paddock where a right rear tire was mounted, allowing the car to drive onto pit road. Once the Ferrari was back in its pit, the Doran Racing crew secured the wheel, changed the rear cowling, and replaced the front brake pads. The spin and pit stop cost the #36 Doran/Matthews team approximately 32 minutes and 14 laps, leaving the car in sixth position once it returned to the track. #72 Doran/Lista Ferrari 333 SP: At 11:45 p.m. the Doran/Lista Ferrari 333 SP ironically experienced the loss of its right rear following a pit stop and driver change from Didier Theys to Mauro Baldi. The Ferrari has been moving up through the field, quickly gaining back the laps lost earlier this afternoon. The team had made up 28 laps in seven hours when they pitted for new right rear tire. The stop cost approximately four laps. Their sister team had experienced the same fate from the rear wheel gods just two hours earlier. *** Thursday/Friday Notes: Notes from Daytona for DORAN Racing: Mauro Baldi: "The engine was a little sluggish today and that hurt us. The set-up is good and so is the engine. #36 Matthews/Doran Ferrari 333 SP: quotes: Max Papis: "We have a good car and were very fast all day. In qualifying I drove as hard as I could to try for the pole, but the car did not have the same speed as it had in testing. We are working on race setup tonight to prepare for the long runs during the race. Jim Matthews: "We ran a little slower in qualifying than we had hoped, but Max did a fantastic job. We are finalizing the car setup and looking forward to some night practice time. Once we get the handling down, I think we will be a strong contender for the rest of the weekend because of the reliability of the Ferrari and the expertise of the Doran Racing crew." Jimmy Vasser: "It was really cool to drive the Ferrari because I had never driven one before. The car was fantastic to drive and I was working on getting comfortable during practice. We are working on the handling so that the car is ready for the race. I think we have a very good shot for a win with this team."