Bryan Sellers Opens Eyes at Rolex 24

No one expected Bryan Sellers and Team Falken Tire to challenge in the multi-car, factory-centric world of GT Le Mans (GTLM) at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. This weekend’s 53rd running of the 24-hour classic at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) was supposed to be settled between the “works” entries, but the single car program shared by the Braselton, Georgia-resident, Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Patrick Long (Manhattan Beach, California) threatened at every turn. Only a yet to be diagnosed engine issue would end the day as the program fought for victory in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship season-opener. The No. 17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 RSR would be classified eighth after challenging for the class lead in hour 19. The performance opened the eyes of those thinking last year’s Petit Le Mans victory was an exception instead of a rule.

“Daytona was a very enlightening race for us,” stated Sellers. “We performed even better than we expected. The new Falken tire was very good. It showed good grip and good longevity over the course of the stints. It shows we are starting off even better than we have in the past. We are in a much better place to develop for the future. We may have some difficult races moving forward, Sebring is always very difficult, but our launching point is much better than it ever has been. We are all looking forward to what the future holds for Team Falken Tire. There is a lot of positive energy for the program. While the result was not what we wanted, we were pleased with how we showed throughout the race.”

 

The race started off slowly as the qualifying time, while within a second of the pole position lap, placed the team in the lower part of the grid. However, Sellers, starting the only privately raced Porsche 911 RSR in North America, began moving the car through the field. As the temperatures cooled and the night approached, the No. 17 came into its own. Ultimately, the car climbed into the fight for the lead competing with the factory Porsche entries, the BMW “works” cars and the twin machines of the eventual winning Corvette. Making the performance even more impressive is that this was the team’s first 24-hour race. Additionally, it was Falken Tire’s first time developing a tire for the high-performance DIS oval/road course.

 

With approximately five hours remaining, the sun again showing over the track, the No. 17 was in third-place and setting-up for the final sprint to the checkered flag. Suddenly, while Long was behind the wheel and Sellers waiting on deck, the oil pressure warning light shown in the cockpit and on the pit side telemetry. Long drove the rear-engine machine to the garage area where the problem was deemed terminal and the car was retired from the race; a bitter reminder of racing’s harsh realities. Despite the staggering disappointment, the performance showed that the effort would be a threat for 2015 accolades on the ten-race calendar.

 

“It was a very disappointing to hear from the car that we had a problem,” added Sellers. “We were just running through our processes and trying to stay clean. We didn’t have a scratch on the number 17. The Falken machine was in great shape and all of us drivers were fresh and all felt good. So, to get that call about the oil pressure, knowing where we were, was gut wrenching. We were fifteen laps up on the next-place so, even if we had stayed clean and just held that position, it would have been a very good points’ day. But, I think we had more than that left in us for the end. It would have been a very good first showing at Daytona for the Falken Team. As it was, we still showed well, just not the finish we wanted.”

 

Round Two of the TUDOR Championship, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, will come on March 21. Sellers and Team Falken Tire debuted their Porsche 911 RSR in last year’s Twelve Hours of Sebring finishing an impressive fifth in the GTLM.

 

For more on Bryan Sellers, please visit him on the web at www.BryanSellersRacing.com. Follow Bryan on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/BryanSellers) and LIKE him on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/BryanSellersRacing. Tune-in to Bryan’s YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/BryanSellersRacing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam Sinclair