Ferris wheels and fires for feisty Johnston

A good night-driving session coupled with team times of 1.42.716 – which propelled Doran Racing’s #77 to fourth place in this morning’s practice – have boosted Briton Derek Johnston’s confidence ahead of the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Said Johnston – who, coincidentally, is 48 in this, the 48^th Rolex 24 At Daytona – “It was fantastic out there [last night], not the first, but some of the first night driving I’ve done.”

Johnston is the winner of the inaugural Sunoco Rolex 24 At Daytona Challenge, which saw him pitted against 97 other registered drivers in four leading UK series.

His night practice was not without surprises.

“I came out of the pit lane and the first thing I saw was a bloody great Ferris wheel all lit up. Coming round the bank past the infield and there’s all these people with barbecues and fires.

“Smoke drifting across the track and the smell of grilled meat coming into your car at 170mph is a bit surreal,” he commented.

Barbecues there might be, but Johnston has not bitten off more than he can chew. With the backing of six-time Rolex 24 winner Kevin Doran – plus fellow drivers and team – behind him, Johnston is on track for the time of his life.