Lexus "engines" may be departing the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16. Despite having helped power the Chip Ganassi Racing With Felix (y Jose) Sabates No. 01 Telmex team to three-consecutive Rolex 24 At Daytona wins, two driving championships as well as owner and manufaturer titles since entering the series in 2004, indications are that the Lexus engine brand in the Daytona Prototype class will leave as soon as the 2009-season's end - something lacking official confirmation by Lexus or Rolex Series officials.
The team, with 2008 DP driving champs Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas at the wheel, most recently won at the June 6 Shalen's 6-Hours at the Glen in Watkins Glen, New York.
The reason for Lexus' deaprture may lie in part with the economy but is said to be largely centered on a funding dispute between Lexus and Toyota Racing's U.S. arm, Toyota Racing Development (TRD).
It's said TRD believes it's owed money for running the engine program at Lexus' behest, whereas Lexus USA has supposedly said something along the lines of, "Huh, did we commit to something like that?"
Established in 1979 as an arm of TRD Japan, the intent of TRD U.S.A. is to market and distribute performance parts.
In 1979, with a parts book that looked more "pamphlet," TRD looked to build its base through racing, eventually hooking up with its most famous association, Dan G
urney's All American Racers, which ran Toyota-badged race cars most prominently in GTU, GTO and GTP competitions. Indeed, AAR's Toyota Eagle, with TRD support, dominated the final year of what today is considered sportscar's "golden decade" when in 1993 it claimed IMSA GTP driving and manfacturing crowns after dominating that season's opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.
urney's All American Racers, which ran Toyota-badged race cars most prominently in GTU, GTO and GTP competitions. Indeed, AAR's Toyota Eagle, with TRD support, dominated the final year of what today is considered sportscar's "golden decade" when in 1993 it claimed IMSA GTP driving and manfacturing crowns after dominating that season's opening Rolex 24 at Daytona.Today, TRD continues its racing involvement on many of the sports' level but most prominently is associated with its involvement in NASCAR, which owns Rolex Series' parent company Grand-Am.
For those left wondering, Dan Gurney is the father of Alex Gurney, who pairs with Jon Fogarty to drive the Bob Stallings' owned No. 99 GAINSCO Auto Insurance Pontiac-Riley DP.
It's a tough position for the two Toyota-affiliated camps, one of which is low on money; the other specializing in racing - the latter having to deal with potential political fallout caused by something over which it has no control: money held and spent by the roughly 180 Lexus and 1,200 Toyota U.S. dealers.
Perhaps Bob Stallings will lend his perspective on Grand-Am Weekly, which is live from 7-8 p.m. ET, Tuesday, May 16. A program Web stream is found at http://stream/netro.ca/wele.
Later,
DC
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