Former World Touring Car Champion Rob Huff added another podium to his already bulging CV with a strong showing at the Rolex 24 at Daytona with the 8Star Motorsports team.
Huff had been penned in to join Peter Barron’s Starworks team but after a troubled ‘Roar Before the 24’ the Brit – who will race for LADA in this years WTCC – switched to Enzo Potolicchio’s team.
Racing alongside team boss Potolicchio as well as Le Mans winner Tom Kimber-Smith and gentleman driver Mike Marsal, Huff didn’t have the best of build ups to the 24 as gearbox issues in the first free practice sessions led to the team missing qualifying and then on Friday morning free practice a collision stopped the car in its tracks after completing just two laps.
Their luck seemed to be improving in the race as for the first thirteen hours they kept the pressure well and truly on leaders CORE autosport, but with a collision with a GT Daytona Aston Martin and an exhaust fire in the pit lane all complimenting misaligned steering, the best Huff could hope for was the podium.
“It was such a relief when the car made the finish, because it was looking uncertain in the closing stages,” said Huff. “It has been a long and dramatic weekend, but the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona really is a phenomenal event and I feel truly honoured to have been part of it, especially coming away with such an incredible second place finish.
“I have to commend the 8Star Motorsports team on this result and for being such a quality outfit. The levels of preparation and organisation, plus the talent within this team is unbelievable and that has made this whole experience a pleasure from start to finish. With all of those elements, 8Star is set for big things!”
