1-24-2006 - Krohn Racing PR - Daytona preview

Krohn Racing Sets Its Own Course with Rolex 24 Debut

DAYTONA, Fla., January 24, 2006 – Krohn Racing is a familiar name in the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve. However, as the green flag falls to start the 44^th Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona, it will mark the official debut of the team from Houston, Texas as a full, independent organization. The No. 75 Krohn Racing Pontiac Riley will chart its own course with a single-car entry, a trio of Daytona Prototype (DP) winners and one of the youngest drivers in the field. Team owner Tracy Krohn (Houston, Texas) will share the driver’s seat with Jörg Bergmeister (Langenfeld, Germany), Colin Braun (Ovalo, Texas) and Nic Jönsson (Buford, Ga.) at Daytona. The Rolex 24, held on 3.56-mile Daytona International Speedway (DIS) infield road course, is the maiden event of the annual Speedweeks festivities and the start of the 14-race Rolex Series DP season. Practice for the twice-around the clock classic starts on Thursday, January 26 with first round qualifying scheduled for later that day. The clock will start ticking on the Rolex 24 at Noon (Eastern Time) on Saturday, January 28.

The Krohn Racing driver lineup is one of the most impressive in a star-studded paddock. Made entirely of sports car aces, Krohn has enlisted the season-long skills of two-time Rolex 24 winner (’03 overall, ’02 GT) and defending American Le Mans Series GT2 champion Bergmeister as well as longtime driving partner and two-time Rolex Series class winner Nic Jönsson. Filling out the lineup is Braun, the youngest driver to ever start the Rolex 24 when he took the green flag last January at age 16. He will again be among the youngest drivers in the field at 17.

“This brings it all together for Krohn Racing,” commented Krohn. “After several years of working with other teams, we are now fully independent and eager to make our own mark in the Daytona Prototypes. Through what we have learned over the last few seasons, both what to do and what not to do, we have assembled an incredible group of people at Krohn Racing. Daytona and the Rolex 24 will be our first opportunity to put what we have learned into practice. We have set some ambitious goals and objectives for the weekend but, we are also very realistic about debuting the team in an endurance race the magnitude of Daytona.”

Initially operating in partnership with other teams, Krohn Racing began competing in the Rolex Series GT class and the Grand-Am Cup series in 2004. In 2005, the team won two races— the 6 Hours of the Glen with Krohn and Jönsson and the Phoenix 250 with Bergmeister and Papis— in the DP class and the Barber Park 250 Grand-Am Cup event (Krohn and Jönsson). On the heels of that success, 2006 will mark the first season of complete oversight of the program by Krohn and an impressive list behind the pit wall including Team Manager Jeff Hazell, Engineering Manager Steve Newey, Track Engineer Jeff Braun, Crew Chief Frank Resciniti and Dr. Vincenzo Tota.

“We had a very good test earlier this month,” said Bergmeister. “The team is working very well together and that is very important entering a 24 hour race as hard as Daytona. We have work to do before qualifying but we also have 24 hours to get the car perfect for the end of the race. I always enter every race to win but we are also thinking about the whole season. Whatever happens at Daytona will make us better for the rest of the year.”

The Rolex 24 At Daytona can be seen live on SPEED Channel starting at 12:00 PM (ET) with coverage continuing at 8 PM on January 28 and at 8 AM on January 29. Live Timing and Scoring of all activities throughout the Rolex 24 weekend can be found at www.GrandAmerican.com.