The 1^st Test for Team Sahlen with the new BMW – Riley Daytona Prototype was a great success.  The 3 day test occurred at the team’s home track of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course.

The #43 BMW – Riley had only been unloaded in the Team Sahlen shop on October 15^th, and the test occurred on the 22^nd.  Thus the Daytona Prototype was only in the North Canton, Ohio facility for a week before the test.  This left little time to finish up a lot of little small items to be fully prepared for the event.  The crew worked feverously during the week.  This even included putting a “Testing” decal application over the base Carbon Fiber Body Work. 

Although the team had shaken down the #43 at Kershaw – Carolina Motorsports Park on the 12^th of October, this test was the 1^st real test where the Daytona Prototype was put to its paces.

The 1^st day on Monday was sunny and warm, perfect for a 1^st day outing.  Team Sahlen’s Dane Cameron took the #43 out 1^st to ensure all was well.  Then as everything seemed to be in order, the remaining Team Sahlen Drivers took their turns, starting with Wayne Nonnamaker.

Just after getting out of the #43, Wayne shared his reactions - “Wow, that was amazing.  It was very exciting to get into a Daytona Prototype.   It was all that I expected it to be and more.  Lots of horsepower, lots of downforce, and this was only the 1^st day.  I know that as we proceed forward over the next few days, we will fine tune the set up and make it both easier to drive and faster on track. But just too finally get in the car and experience it is an amazing experience.”

Over the course of the next 2 days of testing, the Team Sahlen crew worked hard to learn the Daytona Prototype.  Not one lap of test time was lost due to mechanical problems.  The tire crew was kept extra busy, standing in for Continental Tire’s normal  at track crew.  This effort included  mounting and balancing, on tire machines brought from the Team Sahlen shop.

The set up on the BMW – Riley continued to develop as well.  Team Sahlen Engineer Catherine Crawford and Professional Driver Dane Cameron put their heads together to tweak the base set up.  This resulted in an ever improving race car that was both easier to drive and improvement on speed.  No times will be released by Team Sahlen from the test, as the track in the fall is far from comparable to what it is like in the mid-summer heat.  But it is fair to say that Team Sahlen was happy with the times laid down. 

“Our first DP test went fantastic. The car ran flawlessly for three days, and everyone was able to log plenty of laps so big thanks to our guys. Joe Sahlen and all the Nonnamakers did a great job coming up to speed in a car that is very different to what they are used to, and most importantly all felt comfortable in it. Katie and I were able to learn tons about what our Riley BMW likes and doesn't like as we work towards finding a good base setups. We still have a lot to learn but it was great to have three private days to get acclimated to the DP and I left feeling very encouraged about our potential for 2013.” – added Dane Cameron

Getting their 1^st laps in a Prototype ever were Joe Sahlen and Joe Nonnamaker.

“It was really great after this long wait to actually get to drive a Daytona Prototype.  Joe and I did get to ride along in the Continental Tire DP 2 seater at Watkins Glen in the summer, but riding and driving are two different things.  I always dreamed of racing a Can-Am car, and with being in this DP, I have achieved that mark.” – shared Joe Nonnamaker

Added Joe Sahlen – “I cannot believe how responsive this car is to driver input.  There was a lot of anticipation in the build up to this day.  But in the end I am quite happy with how the transition for both the team went, as well as for me personally getting behind the wheel.”

Things do not slow down for the Team Sahlen crew just because the 3 day test at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course is over.  There are several items to continue to work on to further prepare the #43.  And additionally, there is the matter of traveling down to North Carolina to finish installing the BMW motor in the #42 Daytona Prototype, so that it will be ready for the next test.  This next test will be the November 13^th and 14^th Fall Daytona Test Days.

GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series is supported by:

BMW Motorsports, Design Engineering Inc, Penske Shocks, CV Products, SimXperience, Alcon, EMCO Gears, Racing Print Media, Mothers Polish, TheRaceSite.com, Western New York Flash, Classic Motorsports Magazine, Grassroots Motorsports Magazine, BBS Wheels, MSI Racing Products, and Endurance Karting