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Five Porsche-Powered Daytona Prototypes Competed

in Rolex Grand Am Race at Virginia International Raceway

Photos and story by Harry Kennison

No fewer than five Porsche-powered Daytona Prototype sports cars competed in the Rolex Grand Am VIR 400 at Virginia's scenic Virginia International Raceway. Unlike last year, when Porsche powered the winning car to a last lap, last turn victory over the likes of Pontiac and Lexus, Porsche could not pull off a repeat win in 2007.

David Donohue, son of the late Mark Donohue, and co-driver Darren Law piloted their #58 Brumos-Red Bull Porsche-Riley to a fine third place on the podium despite the emotional strain caused by the unexpected death of Brumos Porsche Racing President Bob Snodgrass earlier in the week.

As a tribute to fallen team leader Bob Snodgrass, the No. 58 Red Bull/Brumos Porsche-Riley driven by Darren Law and the No. 59 Brumos Porsche-Riley driven by J. C. France led the field on the first pace lap before dropping back into their grid positions. Both cars carried black stripes on their noses in memory of Snodgrass.

 


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Brumos Porsche Lap of Honor: Darren Law, #58, and J.C. France, #59, lead the first pace lap as a tribute to their fallen team leader Bob Snodgrass, who died unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack earlier in the week.

#59 Brumos Noses: The number 59 Brumos Porsche carried a black stripe on its nose in memory of Bob Snodgrass, the driving force for so many years behind Brumos Porsche Racing.

#16 Dyson Porsche-Crawford: The Howard Motorsports-entered Porsche-Crawford was driven by Rob & Chris Dyson.

#23 Ruby Tuesday Porsche Crawford: The Porsche 3.99 liter Flat 6 engine (also used in the GT3R race car) is nestled mid-ship, deep within the sophisticated Crawford chassis.

Jorg Bergmeister, who drives the Ruby Tuesday Porsche entered by Alex Job Racing, suits up for battle.

The Porsche-Powered Crawford #23 driven by Jorg Bergmeister and Patrick Long started last and picked up 12 positions to finish 9th overall.

Brumos Porsche leads Krohn Pontiac: The legendary #59 Brumos Porsche driven by 5-time Daytona 24 Hour and 2-time Le Mans winner Hurley Haywood leads the Krohn Pontiac Riley.

Crown Royal Porsche-Fabcar: Another interesting Porsche-powered entry was the puple & gold Crown Royal Fabcar entered by Eddie Cheever and driven by Christian Fittipaldi and Harrison Brix.

Red Bull Porsche leads winning SunTrust Car: David Donohue's Red Bull-Brumos Porsche-Riley leads the winning SunTrust Pontiac driven by Max Angelelli through the turn 14 complex.

VIR Esses: Four Rolex Daytona prototypes chase one another through the scenic VIR esses.

Porsche Flag & Lodge: The Charlotte, North Carolina Porsche Club proudly flew the Porsche flag with the Lodge at VIR looming in the background.