TRG-AMR’s No. 007 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 was running 20th at the 18-hour mark of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Sunday morning, Jan. 26 at Daytona International Speedway.
The team’s No. 009 Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 was in 27th after 18 hours, as a mechanical issue forced lengthy repairs in the garage.
Placements on the timing screens didn’t tell anywhere near the entire story or show the competitive speed of both cars, especially the No. 007.
James Davison drove the No. 007 into the lead in the ultra-competitive GT Daytona class about eight hours into the twice-around-the-clock endurance classic. But he received a black-flag penalty for an illegal wave-by under caution. Davison returned to the track, two laps down in 13th place, after serving the penalty in the pits.
Davison then immediately returned to the pace he showed to bring the car to the front, turning laps in the one-minute, 47-second range, among the quickest in the class.
But trouble struck again about two hours after the penalty when the No. 007 was forced to the garage to repair front-end damage.
Strong work by the crew got the car back on track, and co-drivers Davison, Al Carter, David Block and Brandon Davis began the work of clawing back lost ground as the sun started to rise over the 3.56-mile circuit.
The talented, experienced TRG-AMR crew also was forced into quick action for repairs on the No. 009 during the overnight hours. But the Aston Martin V12 Vantage GT3 was back on track before sunrise in the capable hands of Jonny Adam, Calum Lockie, Pete McIntosh II, Rob Nimkoff and Max Riddle.
“My hat’s off to the crew and drivers,” said team owner Kevin Buckler. “They have done a stalwart job getting both cars back under adverse conditions. We’re still battling.”
The inaugural event of the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship will end at 2:15 p.m. (ET).
For real-time updates from TRG-AMR during the Rolex 24 At Daytona, check our D24 site at www.TRG-AstonMartinRacing.com/D24 or follow theracersgroup on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.