From Radicals to the Rolex 24…

It’s one of motorsport’s biggest prizes and, whist the word is spreading, the Sunoco Whelen Daytona Challenge is still a relatively hidden treasure. But make no mistake, this award is the real deal for aspiring drivers.

Developed by Anglo American Oils (European distributor for Sunoco Race Fuels) in association with the organisers of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the Sunoco Whelen Daytona Challenge is open to drivers competing in British and European championships that use Sunoco as a controlled fuel. Featuring an ingeniously structured points system, the end-of-season winner is presented with an opportunity to drive with a top-level team in the world-famous Rolex 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

This year’s winner was Radical SR3 Challenge Champion and front-running British GT Championship driver Phil Keen, who’s prize saw him rewarded with a seat with the Whelen-sponsored Action Express team – last year’s Rolex 24 winners. The car is a Daytona Prototype, a full-blooded, V8-engined race-car, based loosely on a Chevrolet Corvette. Phil was to join the team’s regular drivers Max Papis, Dane Cameron and Eric Curran.

Whilst 30-year old Keen is no stranger to racing all kinds of sportscars, the DP (as they are called in the States) is not a machine that’s been sampled by many British drivers. At Daytona it’s the weapon of choice and the type of car that’s most likely to be first across the line when two-revolutions of the clock have ticked by.

“The Daytona Prototype is not a machine that’s been sampled by many British drivers. At Daytona it’s the weapon of choice…”

But what makes this prize truly special is the event and venue. 2015 marks the 53^rd anniversary of the 24-hour race at Daytona International Speedway and, outside of Le Mans, it’s the most famous endurance race in the world. It’s certainly the only one that takes place in a purpose-built motorsport stadium, with its banked NASCAR-inspired circuit coupled to a section of technical infield track, it’s a favourite with competitors and for the hoards for spectators who regard the Rolex24 At Daytona as a must-see annual pilgrimage.

Like all Sunoco Challenge prize winners it was a step into the unknown for Phil. We followed him through the build up to the event and over the race weekend. Here’s his story in his own words…

Phil Keen:

I met the team for the first time when I flew out to Daytona in December for a test. They gave me a really warm welcome and I felt at home straight away. Following a quick induction I took a look at the track. The most different aspect is the banking, which is a new concept for anyone who races here for the first time. I was able to do about 30 laps in the car and, although I wasn’t sure what to expect, I was pleased that it didn’t take long to get to grips with it.

After a really good test, I was looking forward to what they call the Roar – which is the official pre-event shake-down where all of the teams get together two-weeks before the 24-hour race. It was good to meet the Action Express guys again and, although time in the car was limited, I was able to find out what it was like to be on the track when it was crowded, bearing in mind there’s 53-cars in the race. The differences in performance between the cars are quite extreme and, being in one of the fastest, you find yourself catching the slower ones so quickly, especially in the braking areas as you come off the banking.

Having returned to the UK, 10-days later I was heading back out to Daytona. I arrived at the circuit on Thursday morning and then had an update with the team before the team’s lead driver Max Papis qualified the car in P9. A couple of hours later I had the chance to drive in the night time test. It didn’t take long to get comfortable again and, although the traffic was worse then I expected, it was good to get a feel of what it would be like in the race and in the dark.

Friday was a bit of a strange day, as a technical issue meant the team decided to change the engine to make sure there wasn’t a problem in the race. It also meant that none of us had the chance to drive in the practice sessions, so it was now going to be straight into it. However, it was an opportunity for us to thoroughly go though our strategy and to do lots of media and promotional stuff, which included going to the Grand Marshal’s Dinner in the evening.

Saturday morning was a non-stop series of meetings and presentations, starting with the drivers’ briefing, a press conference for Sunoco in the media centre and a final chance to practice driver change-overs and make sure everyone was happy with what lay ahead. Then the promotional stuff began. This is really something special at Daytona. First of all there was an autograph session at the back of the pit garages, then there’s a pit lane walk that takes place around two hours before the start of the race when all 53 cars were parked in start order. It looked liked everyone in the venue was invited onto the track. There were 1000s of people there and a great chance for the fans to meet the drivers, the teams and to see the cars up close.

Drivers were announced to the crowd by the commentator as they walked out onto a stage. They really do this side of things well at Daytona, which is obviously something that’s been carried over from NASCAR. The atmosphere was great! I then went over to the car to join the teams’ guests. There were people everywhere. The level of interest in endurance racing in America is great to see.

“At 2.10pm precisely Jochen Mass – the Grand Marshal – waved the green flag to start the race…”

As 2.00pm approached the organisers finally managed to clear the grid. As Max qualified he was first to drive and, after two formation laps, at 2.10pm precisely Jochen Mass – the Grand Marshal – waved the green flag to start the race. After a few laps, Max was lying comfortably in seventh place, but after about an hour he reported that the steering didn’t feel right and came into the pits. The team couldn’t see what was causing the problem, so the car was taken to the paddock garage where the steering rack and a few other bits were changed.

Apparently it was a broken torsion bar and, once fixed, Max rejoined the race 17-laps down in 49^th It was disappointing, but in a race of this length, you just can’t predict what’s going to happen, so you have to keep pushing. The other two drivers, Dane and Eric were in next and did a solid job as night fell, getting the car up to 34^th place overall and 12^th in class by the time I got in at 9.45. Straight away the car felt good and I was comfortable that we could push on into the night.

I found myself just a few seconds behind the first and second placed cars, although still 17-laps adrift. I was able to close the gap and stay with them, which showed that the pace was there to run at the front if it wasn’t for the early problems. The team kept me in for a triple-stint and it was around midnight when Max took over. We were still 17-laps behind the leaders, but now lying 21st overall and 10th in class.

The Florida Sunrise is always an impressive sight. Well, it certainly was as I headed to the pits at 7.00am. Although cold, it was good to see that the weather for start of Sunday was in contrast to that of Saturday. The guys had done well overnight and, when I got into the car for my second stint at 8.00am, we were 12^th overall and 7^th in class – which just shows that you should never give up. My stint lasted about an hour and everything ran smoothly. We were very pleased that when we brought the car back into the pits for Dane to jump in, as we were back in the top-ten.

At first it looked unlikely that I was going to drive again, but the team decided they would put me in for the final stint, which was a real privilege, as it meant I would be taking the chequered flag. I got back in the car at around 1.00pm for the last hour and 10-minutes. It was all going well until about 35-minutes in, when the engine temperature started to creep up. I received a radio message asking me to short-shift and keep an eye on it, so I backed off and managed to control things to the end of the race.

“When the engine temperature started to creep up. I received a radio message asking me to short-shift and keep an eye on it..”

When I crossed the line we were 18 laps down on the leader, fifth in class and seventh overall. After I got back to the pits I was really pleased to find the team were happy with the result and with the way I drove. Overall it was a great first Rolex 24 for me, a truly fantastic experience and I would love to do it again.

I must therefore say a big thank you to the people who made this happen: My Radical team-mate Peter Belshaw, for putting up with me all year and doing races he wasn’t planning to do to help me win the Sunoco Challenge. He drove brilliantly and didn’t put a wheel wrong in any of the races, even though he put himself under a huge amount of pressure. I also have to thank Sven and Dave from Nielsen Racing for preparing the Radical. It ran faultlessly all year.

A special thanks must go to Anders Hilderbrand and his team from Anglo American Oils for their support who, together with Jim France and Alana France of IMSA, created this fantastic opportunity, introduced me to the right people and provided me with everything I needed for the whole event.

Then there’s the race-team: Action Express, who made me feel so at home from the moment I arrived – and Sonny Whelen, who’s input and support is incredible. I enjoyed working with my teammates: Erin, Dane and Mad Max Papis. I learnt a lot from Max over the weekend. He’s been racing along time: he told me what to expect, what to look out for and what I should do in situations. A true legend, a great driver and now a friend. I think we made a fantastic team and worked well together during our comeback drive. Add to this the support I got from the fans and it was a weekend I shall never forget.