Krohn Racing kicked off its 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship campaign off with a seventh place at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Competing in the GT Le Mans category, the team’s distinctive Ferrari F458 started from ninth in class, with long-time Krohn Racing driver Nic Jonsson starting the race before handing over to team owner Tracy Krohn. Team-mates Peter Dumbreck and Andrea Bertolini both drove double stints, with the latter’s interrupted for almost an hour due to a red flag situation.
During one of Bertolini’s overnight stints the Ferrari was taken back into the garage because of contact with a GT Daytona car. The team returned after just 20 minutes of repairs, but were 18 laps down from the class leader.
“It was a really strong experience,” said Bertolini. “I felt immediately at home, like coming into a family. All the guys did a really amazing job during the weekend, especially during the race. We had some problems and the team was really great. I am proud to be part of this family. Everyone helps to solve the problems. At the end, it’s good, because we finished seventh.”
Bad luck came back to haunt the Krohn team again just after dawn had broken, this time electrical problems causing the car to head back to the garage. After more repairs the car took the Daytona banking once again, with Krohn taking the car across the line and taking the team to the finish in its first time in a Ferrari GT car at Daytona in ten years.
“I had a great time this weekend, though we had quite a number of issues,” concluded Krohn. “I lost power going into the bus stop, which was pretty unbelievable. I lost power a second time, but I was able to get the car started in the bus stop and went on through. Something in the electrical system went wrong and we also had some radio issues. Other than that, the car handled quite well. We adjusted throughout the race and the car got better and better, and the guys work so hard. They just had a really hard weekend. The Risi guys chipped in and helped with everything they could. We’re glad to have finished, although I’d prefer to be at the top of the podium.”
