Daytona 24 Porsche 6 hour notes

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - February 2 - Car owner Kevin Buckler is certainly not the fastest driver in the #66 Racers Group Porsche 911 GT3 RS, but his conservative lap strategy has helped the fast guys move into first place in the GT class at hour six of the Rolex 24.

"Timo Bernhard and Jorg Bergmeister - both young German GT specialists - have been very patient and kept out of trouble, and the new 2002 Porsche 911 GT3 RS has had no problems at all. The result is first place - let's hope the car owner doesn't mess it up" said Buckler. It was just at the five hour mark that Buckler climbed into the car replacing Bernhard, and he has maintained the team's one-lap advantage.

Second in GT is the #86 Freisinger Porsche 911 GT3 RS, with '98 Le Mans winner Stephan Ortelli leading a group of European drivers, including Hans Fertl, N. Amorim and Romain Dumas. This same car, driven by 2001 Porsche Cup winner Walter Kaufman, finished third overall and second in class here a year ago. Third is the #57 Seikel Motorsport Porsche 911 GT3 RS of Plumb/Collin/Burgess/Shep.

Incidents have included the #43 Orbit Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RS of Kyle Petty/Peter Baron/Leo Hindery/Mike Borkowski, which cut a tire early in the event, but currently runs sixth in class. The #56 Seikel Porsche, with its 2001 Le Mans-winning drivers Gabrio and Fabrio Rosa, Luca Drudi, and former F-1 pilot Alex Caffi, has dropped way back after a lengthy pit stop for electrical problems.

In GTS, the Gentilozzi Jaguar is first, but the #00 Empringham/Spenard/Bytzek Porsche GT1 is still second, only one lap back.