28.01.2006 XM SATELLITE RADIO IS ALL READY FOR THE GREEN LIGHT IN TODAY'S 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA

With just a few hours remaining before the 2006 edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 44th running of this historic event, is shown the green flag, XM SATELLITE RADIO is in pole position - literally - for what promises to be an epic, hard fought, twenty four hours of classic motor racing.

XM SATELLITE RADIO and VICI RACING earlier this week publicly announced details of their highly ambitious, long-term plans for a Grand American Rolex Sportscar Series racing programme. At Daytona this weekend though XM SATELLITE RADIO are supporting the #23 Porsche Crawford. In the hands of Germans Mike Rockenfeller and Lucas Luhr, and American Patrick Long, this potent new racing car stormed to an unmatched overall pole position, clearly emphasising the potential of this combination.

The Grand American Racing Series' premier category, the Daytona Prototype class, is just a few years old, but interest has been simply explosive, and combined with the ever-popular GT class, 66 racing cars will take the green flag today at 12:00 Eastern Time. Everyone in motor racing is here this year, the biggest names from sportscar racing mixing it up with the stars of NASCAR, Indycar and ChampCar.

"Our drivers were discussing over the radio today how this is simply not just an endurance race anymore. It is like a bunch of sprint races back to back. Each driver is driving like his stint is a sprint. Its becoming highly competitive," says Bill Colleran. "It is also a who's who of racing out there, and they see having so much fun. The big name professional drivers are all saying, 'this is where the action is. This is real racing.' A star can quite easily be born here over night with a win. A race victory here is still eternal, this race is one of the greatest in the world, as it always has been."

For VICI RACING, their name is forever etched into the record books of the 24 Hours of Daytona, after they stormed to an astounding GT class victory in the race, back in 1993. It was in fact the first race that the team had entered in North America following its expansion from Germany to Florida, a huge logistical move which was actually taking place at the time.

In the hands of Germans Mike Rockenfeller and Lucas Luhr, and American Patrick Long, the No 23 Porsche Crawford stormed to a clear pole position, clearly emphasising the potential of the Porsche Crawford combination.

With just a few hours remaining before the 2006 edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 44th running of this historic event, is shown the green flag, XM SATELLITE RADis in pole position - literally - for what promises to be an epic, hard fought, twenty four hours of classic motor racing.

The race proved to be a stunning success, and one which put the name of VICI RACING firmly on the map. In their very first participation in a long distance race, the team steamrollered their way to class victory after 24 hours of tough racing. Not only this, but they finished a whole hour ahead of the second placed finisher, having snatched the class lead after 7 hours of racing. They never surrendered the GT lead even once during the final 17 hours of racing.

Lucas Luhr's pole position in the No 23 Porsche Crawford is actually the first overall pole position here for the prestigious German sportscar brand since Bob Wollek planted them firmly onto pole in 1990. It is a poignant moment for VICI RACING as the memory of the legendary French driver is very close to their hearts.

“To have for a time known Bob personally, and to have been able to share several racing car cockpits with him, was for me a real honour," says VICI RACING Team President Ron C. Meixner. "His loyalty and enthusiasm for VICI RACING really helped to drive us forward, and certainly none of us will ever forget his great contribution to us. His untimely death has left a gap which will never be properly filled, and we will always race in Bob's memory.”

After having topped the timesheets all through free practice and final qualifying an engine change was deemed necessary yesterday for the No 23 Porsche Crawford. "We stopped early to get a jump on a motor change," says Ron. "We wanted a fresh motor in the car for the race and we wanted to be able to run a few laps on it just to make sure everything was ok. All systems are now go and we are now ready for the race."

As the excitement builds towards the start of the race and the fans pour into the famous road circuit, final minor preparations are now being made to the No 23 Porsche Crawford. Everything is set up for an exciting, closely-fought race and an exciting, challenging new race era for XM SATELLITE RADIO is about to be born.

The #23 Porsche Crawford is owned and operated by Alex Job Racing

Photos: Grand American Road Racing