Home » Blog » News » McNISH CLAIMS THIRD RUNNER-UP FINISH IN DAYTONA “MARATHON”

29 January 2012 | Posted in News

Scotsman in race-long contention for maiden win in prestigious annual American 24 hour race but has to settle for second place

Britain’s Allan McNish (pictured) claimed a third career runner-up placing in the Daytona 24 Hour endurance sportscar race which finished today (Sun 29 Jan).

Competing in a one-off race for the American Starworks Motorsport team, the Audi Sport “factory” driver partnered fellow Scot Ryan Dalziel plus Lucas Luhr (D) and Venezuelans Enzo Potolicchio and Alex Popow, was in contention for a maiden Daytona victory up until the chequered flag in a thrilling, closely contested race.

The McNish Riley finished just 5.198secs behind the winning car in the 50^th running of the annual Daytona race after completing 761-laps.

“I’m very satisfied with the result and of course there is a bitter-sweet feeling having come so close,” confirmed Dumfries-born McNish.

“It was a fantastic race, very close and hard fought from start to finish. All of the drivers performed well and the team did a great job but we came up just a little short. That said, we can be proud of our achievement.”

The McNish Riley Daytona-Prototype sportscar had begun America’s only twice-around-the-clock race from pole-position courtesy of Dalziel in the near 60-car field on Saturday afternoon.

McNish, in his seventh start in the Floridian race, drove for an energy-sapping near eight hours during four separate “stints” in which the Riley was in contention for honours from start-to-finish having led a total of 295-laps - more than any other car.

A brake pad change dropped the McNish Riley to third but he vitally clawed his way back on to the lead lap with 4½hrs remaining in a race staged around the 3.56-mile, 12-turn speedway road course in dry and warm weather conditions throughout.

McNish added: “It certainly blew away the winter cobwebs and I’m now looking forward to the rest of 2012.”

 

Allan McNish – Daytona 24 Hours Formguide:

1998: 2^nd overall, 1^st GT1. Porsche (Champion Racing).

1999: 2^nd overall. Ferrari 333 SP (Doyle Risi).

2000: Retired, engine. Ferrari 333 SP (Risi).

2001: Retired, engine. Ferrari 333 SP (Risi).

2005: Retired, engine. Crawford Pontiac (Howard Boss Motorsport).

2008: Retired, engine. Riley Pontiac (SAMAX).

2012: 2^nd overall, Riley Ford (Starworks Motorsports).

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