Cold weather, but a warm welcome

One thing Derek Johnston, winner of the 2010 Sunoco Rolex 24 Hour At Daytona Driver Challenge, didn’t declare to customs officers on arrival in the States was inclement weather in his team bag.

Having been delayed in the UK for some 30 hours because of atypical snow, his second day of test flights at Daytona International Speedway saw limited track action. Equally unusual sleet and snow saw most teams keeping their cars off track for much of Saturday.

If the weather was low, spirits – especially Johnston’s – remained high.

At an earlier press call, the 47-year-old Geordie expressed his usual enthusiasm when on stage for the first time as part of Doran Racing team for North America’s most prestigious motor race. Alongside fellow drivers Memo Gidley and Fabrizio Gollin and team owner and Daytona winner and Kevin Doran, Johnston beamed as news of his team was released.

Johnston has a seat in a Daytona Prototype, specifically the #77 Doran Racing Ford Dallara. Arguably the largest prize in British Motorsport, he beat 97 other drivers in the UK-based driver challenge to take the seat, becoming the British Radical Series champion 2009 to boot. 

Describing Daytona International Speedway as “awe-inspiring”, Johnston spoke of his reception.

“People call across, ‘Hey Derek, good to see you,’ although I’ve never met them before. 

“The warmth and the welcome has been magnificent; the support and interest I get from everyone is amazing,” he said. “The atmosphere and the people are so positive. I love it here.” 

Clouds lifted mid-afternoon and a breeze picked up, both allowing the track to dry.  By 4pm, a welcome scream of engines filled Daytona International Speedway. 

Doran Racing took advantage of the break in the weather and Johnston took to the track for 12 laps. After noting that “... being in the car was the warmest I’d been all day,” he explained that he had never before driven on a track in such low temperatures, around 2°C (36°F). Johnston, however, acquitted himself well despite the inclement conditions, continuing to build on his experience and returning sub-1.50 times.  

Temperatures are forecast to rise tomorrow and are expected be back to the seasonal norm come January 30th and 31st.