Motorsport: Franchitti brothers join Daytona endurance race

Jan 14 2010 by Eric MacKinnon, West Lothian Courier

BATHGATE motorsport superstar siblings Dario and Marino Franchitti are leading a star-studded line-up for the forthcoming Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona for Chip Ganassi Racing.

The team will field two BMW-powered Riley prototypes with Marino behind the wheel of the No1 car and Dario in No2 driving for Team Ganassi.

Recent history has seen Team Ganassi dominate the historic endurance race, with wins in three of the past four editions of the event.

Last year, they were forced to settled for second spot after Team Brumos team denied them a fourth triumph on the bounce.

Joining Dario in the No2 car line-up on the grid are former IndyCar Series champions and Indianapolis 500 winners Juan Pablo Montoya and Scott Dixon – both former Daytona 24 Hours winners as well – and NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Jamie McMurray.

Taking turns behind the wheel in the No1 car with American Le Mans regular Marino is former Grand-Am champions and Daytona event winners Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, as well as IndyCar race-winner Justin Wilson.

The motorsport stars will be trying to steer an all-new BMW to glory this year following the departure of Lexus from the series.

The V8 powerplants are built by California-based engine tuner Dinan, which has won Grand-Am events in the past.

“We have been fortunate to have experienced a lot of success in the Grand-Am series over the last six years,” said team owner Chip Ganassi.

“That success stems from a number of factors – like having great drivers behind the wheel, taking great equipment to the track, having great people in the shop and finding great partners. I am pleased to say that once again we will have all of that.”

Marino admits he is looking forward to the race and is delighted to be back behind the wheel again after a break.

He said: “It was a very successful test for the Telmex/Target Chip Ganassi racing team and having not driven since October, it was fun to get back behind the wheel.

“Even though we had very un-Florida-like weather, we made the best of the track time we had to get through our programme and that should stand us in good stead come the race.

“After working closely with the team and my team-mates, it’s easy to see why this team has won so many 24hr races and, hopefully, the No1 or No2 car can add to the tally in a couple of weeks.”

Meanwhile, brother Dario is tipping cousin Paul di Resta to break into F1 in 2010.

The Indycar superstar believes the young Bathgate ace has all the talent and ambition to make the step up this year.

“I definitely believe this will be the year Paul breaks into F1,” said Dario, who will be leading Team Ganassi’s charge at Daytona on January 30-31.

“Paul is just one of the current crop of young Scottish drivers emerging through the ranks and ready to become the next generation of successful Scottish racing drivers.

“Paul showed in his three-day test with Force India that he has the pace to do the business. Now all he needs is the opportunity.”

Dario admits that after his memorable success last year, when he clinched his second IndyCar title in his first year racing with the Ganassi team following a nightmare spell in Nascar in 2008, he is determined to continue where he left off last October.

“I'm certainly hoping to do the same again in 2010,” said the Scot. “I think the season will be tougher because teams like Andretti and Penske will have upped the stakes.

“We just need to keep our heads down at Ganassi, keep working and stay ahead of the pack. If we can do that, and win a few races along the way, it'll be a good year.”