Grand-Am

Daytona24: Matthew Marsh

Hong Kong's Matthew Marsh came close to winning the Rolex 24-hours of Daytona in Florida last weekend (January 24/25). Co-driven by Dominik Farnbacher, Eric Lux and Kevin Roush, Marsh's Flex-Box Porsche led the GT class for 268 laps - more than any ...

Published: Jun 19, 2009, 7:39 PM

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Hong Kong's Matthew Marsh came close to winning the Rolex 24-hours of Daytona in Florida last weekend (January 24/25). Co-driven by Dominik Farnbacher, Eric Lux and Kevin Roush, Marsh's Flex-Box Porsche led the GT class for 268 laps - more than any other - and set the fastest race lap. Unfortunately Marsh's car suffered a driveshaft failure in the 19th hour of the race whilst locked in battle with the eventual winner. The Farnbacher Loles team quickly replaced the broken part but many laps were lost. The foursome battled back to fifth place in class and 13th overall.

This year's Rolex 24 saw the most dramatic finish in the 47-year history of the event. It was also believed to be the closest contested finish in the history of major international 24-hour endurance racing. After 24 hours of racing David Donohue in a Brumos Porsche Riley edged Juan Pablo Montoya to the chequered flag by just 0.167 seconds. Donohue's victory came exactly 40 years on from when his father, Mark won the race for the first time.

The GT class was won by Matthew's friend Patrick Long (the only American Porsche factory driver) completing a sweep for the Porsche marque.

"To finish a 24-hour race is brilliant," said Marsh after the race. "Only half the cars managed to do that this weekend. We were the class of the field. We got the fastest lap, led most of the way and had a great looking car. My co-drivers were fantastic both behind the wheel and to be with. The mechanics, Kurt, the two Steves and Sven were the best I have known. For me the doing is more important than the result. And the doing this weekend was special. It was never about winning the watch -- I've already got a Rolex -- it's the racing that made it special."

-credit: matthewmarsh.net

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