Superformance GT40 dealer Pathfinder Motorsports, was asked by the Rolex Heritage committee to bring their GT40R continuation racer to the track to participate in the festivities surrounding the 2011 Daytona Rolex 24 Hours. The car was part of a special display depicting some of the original cars that had won the race in years past.
On Saturday morning before the start of the 24HR race all of the historic race cars that had been on display – including the GT40R – were pulled onto the grid. Fans were then treated to a 25 minute session of hot laps around the speedway.
Those fans included Pathfinder Motorsports President Alan Petersen, who drove the GT40R during the session:
“It was quite a thrill driving the GT40R around Daytona Speedway alongside the 1967 Ferrari 330 P3/4 that actually won the Daytona 24HR race in 1967. The Ferrari spun on the first lap of the session along with 3 other cars. When I caught him the second time around I slowed down so that we could lap together. It was incredible.”
The crowd's reaction to the GT40R was also incredible, whether on the track or off. The GT40R was so well received by all those participating in the Rolex 24 Heritage Exhibition, in fact, that Pathfinder Motorsports was asked to return next year.
The GT40R is the race version of the Superformance GT40 continuation series that includes MKI and MKII models, built to exacting standards of authenticity, performance and safety. The GT40 continuation collectible is licensed and endorsed by Safir GT40 Spares LLC, as a true "continuation" of the original. Each hand crafted GT40 carries a GT40 -P chassis number and is registry eligible.