Davy Jones and John McCutchen II successfully tested the new Roush-Yates Ford-powered Lola Daytona Prototype being run in partnership with Dyson Racing at Monticello Motor Club in Monticello, N.Y., last week, in preparation for its debut race this weekend at the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series' season finale at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, UT. It was the first outing for the new car, which will race this weekend as a "Heart Car" to benefit the Texas Heart Institute.
“The car was much better than I anticipated,” said McCutchen. “It is the kind of solid car that allows the driver to challenge the racecourse instead of your bravery. The faster you go, the more secure you feel. Through the high-speed, 150mph esses at Monticello, the car just danced from apex to apex. I have to compliment Lola on building a car that is so driver friendly. I got along extremely well with it.”
Jones added, “The test went really well. It was a delight to work with Dyson Racing – they are a team that supplies you with all the tools you need to be competitive and it showed at the test that everyone has the determination and motivation to make this new venture a success. The car felt good and had good down force, good grip and good, usable power – it all worked well. I am very much looking forward to Miller this weekend.”
“John and Davy settled in right away and gelled well with the team,” commented Chris Dyson, vice president and sporting director of Dyson Racing. “They were very methodical with their approach and Davy got up to speed right away. That is one of the reasons we like to test at Monticello: the track surface is very repeatable and consistent, allowing the drivers to get down to the job quickly and efficiently.”
“I have to say it was satisfying to see the car finally run at Monticello. Much work has gone into this and has only come about because of all the people who believe in our mission to fight heart disease,” said McCutchen. “We have rolled out our cell phone giving campaign where anyone can text ‘car' to 50555 and donate $10 to the Texas Heart Institute."
“We are very pleased with the amount of publicity that Godstone Ranch has brought to our institution,” said Dr. Denton Cooley, founder of the 45-year-old Texas Heart Institute. “We thank them for providing a unique way of delivering our message of hope.”