Earl Bamber Dominates Rolex 24 Evening Practice with Whelen Cadillac
Short Description:
Earl Bamber’s impressive lap time puts Whelen Cadillac on top during the Rolex 24 evening practice, showcasing thrilling performances from various teams.
Read Time: 3 minutes 45 seconds
Main Article
In a spectacular display of skill and speed, Earl Bamber piloted the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R to a fastest lap of 1 minute, 35.914 seconds during the evening practice for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. This marked a significant achievement for the team as they aimed to secure a strong position heading into the prestigious endurance race. Bamber, a seasoned driver from New Zealand, managed to not just set a blistering pace but also claim the top spot in what was an action-packed session, filled with both excitement and drama.
Just behind Bamber, Julien Andlauer of Porsche Penske Motorsport finished the session in second place with the No. 7 Porsche 963, a mere 0.056 seconds off the pace. Following him was Tom Blomqvist in third with the No. 60 Acura ARX-06; he was 0.233 seconds slower than Bamber. These top-three time slots emphasize the intense competition present in this year’s Rolex 24, making it a can’t-miss event for race enthusiasts.
The LMP2 class witnessed Antonio Felix da Costa steering the No. 43 ORECA LMP2 07 to a class-leading time of 1 minute, 39.791 seconds, while Corvette Racing showcased dominance in the GTD Pro class with Antonio Garcia clocking 1 minute, 46.742 seconds in the No. 3 Corvette Z06 GT3.R. Additionally, Danny Formal’s No. 45 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 asserted itself in the GTD class with a time of 1 minute, 46.768 seconds, making Wayne Taylor Racing one to watch.
Despite the thrilling performances, the session was not without its challenges. An early incident involved Dudu Barrichello’s Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, which experienced a wheel issue and veered off course. This mishap briefly brought out a red flag; however, Barrichello’s team, Heart of Racing, is set to start from their qualifying pole position. Other notable events included extensive work required on the No. 77 Porsche 911 GT3 R and a fire in the rear of the No. 13 Corvette Z06 GT3.R, both adding to the day’s excitement.
Short Summary
Earl Bamber’s outstanding performance in the No. 31 Whelen Cadillac V-Series.R during the Rolex 24 evening practice solidified his team’s position at the forefront of the pack. With tight competition from leading teams, this year’s race is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling yet. As various classes saw sparks of drama, fans can anticipate an exhilarating showdown in the upcoming endurance event.
