Shane Lewis Returns to Daytona for His Twenty-Seventh 24 Hour Start
24 Hour Veteran Returns to GT Ranks with Autohaus Motorsports at Rolex 24
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., January 29, 2010 – Shane Lewis will mark his 13th start in the 48th Annual Rolex 24 At Daytona this Saturday, and his 27th career 24-hour race. The Jupiter, Fla.- resident joins Autohaus Motorsport and co-drivers Rich Zahn (Winter Park, FL), Peter Collins, (Jupiter, FL) and Romain Iannetta (France) in the GT class for the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series season-opener. These drivers will pilot the No. 46 Autohaus ZMG Construction Pontiac in the prestigious 24 hour event launching the season of motorsports around the world.
As a veteran of endurance racing, and multi-time GRAND-AM race winner, Shane brings his experience and talent back to the GT Class in a field of stars from all forms of the sport. The native Californian's Rolex 24 starts date back to 1997 with only one year ('03) missing from his resume - due to other motorsports obligations. During the course of 2009, Lewis has worked with Rich Zahn and Peter Collins coaching them with their race craft. As the year progressed they began discussing competing at the World Center of Racing for the Rolex 24. Lewis brought the group to Autohaus Motorsports because of the team’s racing knowledge and the opportunity to stand on the podium at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Lewis brings the most experience this weekend to the team, having his debut of endurance racing in 1990, when he was asked to attend the 24 Hour of Nelson Ledges (Ohio) as a relief driver. Lewis who was new to sports car racing in a driver lineup of experienced, professional road racers, stepped into the car late in practice to familiarize himself with the car should he be needed for the event. After setting the quickest time of the lineup in a limited number of laps, he was asked to qualify the car, earning the pole position and set the fastest race lap. He then raced his way to the overall victory in his first 24 hour event.
Since, Lewis has added to his 24-hour starts both in the United States and at the world-renowned 24 Hours of Le Mans ('99-'00, '03) and 24 Hours of Nürburgring ('04, '05). Other classic endurance race starts include the 12 Hours of Sebring ('97-'98, '00- '03), the Petit Le Mans ('98-'01, '03), a victory at the 2007 12 Hours of Magny-Cours, and first in class at the 6 hours of Nurburgring in 2009.
Lewis, who is also the Driving Club Pro for the Palm Beach Driving Club at the Palm Beach International Raceway in Jupiter, Fla., will be joined by a large support group from the newly formed country club for car enthusiasts. Mixing with his ever-present Shane Lewis Fan Club, the die-hard supporters will carry their "Go Shane, Go!!!" banners to the 3.56-mile, 12- turn Daytona International Speedway for the punishing 24 hours of competition.
Television coverage of the start of the Rolex 24 At Daytona can be seen live on SPEED, January 30, at 3 PM (ET), continue through 10:00pm and returning for the final hours of the GRAND-AM season open eveng beginning 7 AM (ET) Live timing and scoring of each session and the race can be found at www.Grand-Am.com .