From Tyneside To Stateside
2nd February 2010
As the fantastic prize for winning the Rolex 24 At Daytona Driver Challenge with Radical, 2009 UK Cup and European Masters champion Derek Johnston won a drive in a Daytona Prototype at the Rolex 24 last weekend. Derek’s mature drive to a tenth-in-class finish demonstrated why he was the right man for the prize.
Although well-prepared for endurance racing by three seasons in an SR8 Supersport, Derek was undoubtably nervous ahead of his first stint, a late-night drive in the Doran Racing Dallara-Ford he shared with Memo Gidley, Fabrizio Gollin and Brad Jaeger. However, Johnston immediately settled and lapped within two seconds of the leading DP, aware of the need to preserve the car for the full duration of the race. Indeed, Johnston also drove the final stint of the race, picking up several places in the process.
Had it not been for a costly 90-minute gearbox change in the early hours of Sunday, the team would have undoubtedly finished much higher up the order; having led the race at one point, ahead of internationally-recognised drivers such as Juan-Pablo Montoya, Darren Manning, Emmanuel Collard and Ricardo Zonta.
“I was really impressed to see Derek so cool, professional and focused about his stints,” said Radical’s Christian Droop, at Daytona to follow Derek’s progress. “He drove quickly but safely, to ensure a good result for the whole team after 24 hours. Wherever he went he had a real fan following; Daytona fell in love with him! Derek is proof that the Radical international racing series’ perfectly prepare drivers for competition at the highest levels of motorsport.”
Radical USA East distributor Barry Smith was also at the Rolex 24, displaying Radical’s ever-popular SR3 RS in the infield. For more information on the Rolex 24, click here.