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Hot News & Press from Doran Racing

Doran Racing's Kodak EasyShare DORAN JE4 Ford
Gets Faster All the Time During Three-Day Test at Daytona


DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Jan. 7 - Doran Racing wasted no time getting right to
work in the new year, and capped the first week of 2006 by participating in a
three-day test at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday, Friday and
Saturday in preparation for the Rolex 24 Jan. 28-29.  During those three days of
testing the Lebanon, Ohio-based team made very methodical changes to the set-up on
its Kodak EasyShare DORAN JE4 Ford No. 77, making the car better and faster
all the time. On Saturday to cap the three-day test the car set its fastest lap
during the eighth and final session with a 1:44.956 for an average speed of
122.108 mph, which was the 11th-fastest lap run over the course of the three
days out of the 64 cars participating.

The Kodak EasyShare car also set the fourth-fastest time during the night
practice session on Thursday with a 1:46.210 (120.667 mph).

The team had two cars on hand for the test, as it also tested its red No. 78
DORAN JE4 Ford.  Although it's not been determined yet if that car will also
run in the Rolex 24 this year, having it on hand at the test was very helpful
because it gave the drivers more seat time.

Terry Borcheller and Harrison Brix will be the primary drivers of the Kodak
EasyShare No. 77 for the entire Rolex series schedule, and they'll be joined by
Forest Barber and Michel Jourdain Jr. for the Rolex 24.  B.J. Zacharias
concentrated on testing the No. 78, although most of the other drivers also drove
that car too simply to gain more laps.

The Kodak EasyShare car logged 197 laps (701 miles) during the three-day
test, according to engineer Mike Luttrell.

Quotes follow:

Terry Borcheller, Gainesville, Ga.: "We got consistently faster each day,
which is positive.  We learned where we're at, and we're real close.  We know
what we want to do to the car before the Rolex, and knowing Kevin, that's
probably already in the works.  It was great that we had two cars here, because it
allowed us to get a lot of laps in. Michel has never driven on the road course
here, and Forest and Harrison wanted to get a lot of laps in, and with the two
cars here they were able to do that. I don't think any of the drivers expected
to have the two cars here when we arrived, but it really helped us a great
deal."

Harrison Brix, Campbell, Calif.: "The team is wonderful, and I'm happy to be
a part of it. Every change we made to the car's set-up was handled in an
extremely logical, step-by-step way, and the car got better all the time.  I'm
really happy with the way we all gelled and how welcome everyone made me feel.  I
had one incident with another Prototype coming out of the pits once, but it
was minor. I was able to get a lot of seat time during this test, which is
exactly what I wanted. I'm really happy."

Forest Barber, Fort Worth, Texas: "I was able to get a lot of seat time,
which was great.  I think I've driven more in the last three days than I have in
the last year. We changed the set-up and worked collectively towards our goals.
  We got faster all the time.  I feel good and comfortable in the car, and I
think we have a good, strong effort for the 24.  The team is very positive and
very efficient. I'm glad to be here for another Rolex 24, and happy to be
driving with Terry again."

Michel Jourdain Jr., Mexico City, Mexico: "The two main things I got
accomplished were more laps in the car and to get to know the track.  I've driven on
the oval here but never the road course.  I think we made progress with the
balance and to make the car more driveable.

"The DORAN JE4 is a fun car to drive.  It has good grip and good power.
Driving in the Rolex 24 will be a dream come true for me.  I'm just so happy to be
here. The level of competition is fantastic. I spun the first day, but I was
just trying to find the limits. I don't know if I'll be able to do any more
Grand American races this year or not. Everything is up in the air. I hope to do
double-duty here and also drive in the NASCAR Busch Grand National race here
during SpeedWeeks for PPC Racing."

B.J. Zacharias, Cincinnati, Ohio: "I don't know if we'll be able to get
enough funding to run the No. 78 car or not, but we're trying. I know I really want
to, but we'll have to see."

Kevin Doran, Lebanon, Ohio:  "I think we have a good race set-up.  It was a
good thing that we brought the 78 car because it gave the drivers more seat
time.  The guys did a great job and we're looking forward to coming back here in
three weeks for the race.  There are only 14 working days at the shop between
the time the truck arrives and the time it has to leave again, and we'll use
them to our best ability."

Practice chart results follow:

Practice 1 (9 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Thursday):
13. #77, 1:47.069 (119.699 mph)
19. #78, 1:49.062 (117.511 mph)

Practice 2 (1 p.m.-2:30 p.m. Thursday):
15. #77, 1:48.009 (118.657 mph)
20. #78, 1:48.689 (117.914 mph)

Practice 3 (4 p.m.-5 p.m. Thursday):
11. #77, 1:47.720 (118.975 mph)
18. #78, 1:49.837 (116.682 mph)

Practice 4 (6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday):
4. #77, 1:46.210 (120.667 mph)
28. #78, 1:54.128 (112.295 mph)

Practice 5 (10:15 a.m.-12 p.m. Friday):
14. #77, 1:45.651 (121.305 mph)
20. #78, 1:46.812 (119.987 mph)

Practice 6 (2:15 p.m.-5 p.m. Friday):
15. #77, 1:45.460 (121.525 mph)
31. #78, 1:52.315 (114.108 mph)

Practice 7 (10:15 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Saturday):
10. #77, 1:45:711 (121.236 mph)
17. #78, 1:46.182 (120.698 mph)

Practice 8 (2 p.m.-3 p.m. Saturday):
7. #77, l:44.956 (122.108 mph)
22. #78, 1:46.440 (120.406 mph)

Overall Top Speeds for Three-Day Test:
11. #77, 1:44.956 (122.108 mph)
25. #78, 1:46.182 (120.698 mph)


 
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