For those of you following our team we would like to point out that Kevin is taking his Doran Racing Cincinnati crew to the 24 Hours of Daytona this week. They will be racing the #77 McDonald’s sponsored entry. Our very own engineer Brad Jaeger is one of the drivers. The race has extensive Speed channel coverage, so check it out Saturday or Sunday. It is for 24 long hours…
I remember when I used to race these races. Those were some of the most fun days of my life. The races feel really long – seems a lifetime – with their own life and rhythm. In the beginning there is a sprint, then things start to happen. It is always tense but also exhilarating. Coming down off the banking at 180 and breaking hard is a great challenge and feeling.
My favorite time always was in the morning after a long night when the sun came up. You got recharged. Then in the infield after the hard right U turn it is flat out, if you dare. The cars can barely do the next corner with a full braking into the following right and then back on the rear banking and straight; you go through the gears and feel the speed climbing.
Then through the shicane as hard as you can and watch coming back, on the banking there is a change in attitude that can get you really quickly, then again on the bank and flat out. In my day there was no power steering so by morning it was blisters on the thumb from holding down the steering wheel.
We all wish Brad and Kevin’s crew good luck. Brad is in very good hands with Kevin, who has won there 5 times.
You are only 24 once when you do the 24. Brad, we are all rooting for you, from my two year-old to everybody in the shop. Well done. - Oliver and the Edison2 team
Brad Jaeger at the 2009 24 Hours of Daytona