The 2006 Rolex Sports Car Series season was the seventh season of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series, and the fifth season under the sponsorship of Rolex.
It began on January 28 with the 24 Hours of Daytona, and ended on September 2 with the Discount Tire Sunchaser at Miller Motorsports Park. The championship was competed with Daytona Prototypes (DP) and Grand Touring (GT) class cars only, for the second successive season.
Starting with the VIR 400, this season saw the introduction of qualifying races to set the field for the main race. Controversially, these races awarded the same points as a main race, despite being set at just 30 minutes (or 50 miles) in length. With no qualifying session, starting positions for a qualifying race were determined by speeds during a previously designated practice session.[1] After just three unsuccessful runnings, the format was discontinued in the aftermath of a major five-car crash at Phoenix International Raceway.[2]
Schedule
The schedule was expanded again to 15 races, although both classes did not compete at every event, with the Daytona Prototypes class remaining at 14 races and the Grand Touring class down to 13 races. The events at California Speedway and Circuit Mont-Tremblant, both on the calendar since 2002, were replaced by a first-time visit to the Streets of Long Beach, which hadn't held a major sportscar race since 1991, and the returning Lime Rock Park, which had itself been previously replaced by California Speedway. As a support race for IndyCar, the Long Beach event was exclusive for DP cars and limited to 90 minutes, while the Lime Rock race was exclusive to the GT class.
The second race at Watkins Glen was also limited to the DP class, while the third race was discontinued after just one season, as the IndyCar event it supported was moved to the weekend of the Six Hours event. This race was replaced by Infineon Raceway, which switched from the American Le Mans Series. With the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez race moved from its November date to an early March spot, the season finale was held as a 9-hour endurance event at the newly built Miller Motorsports Park. The races at Mid-Ohio, Phoenix and Virginia were also moved from their late-summer and early autumn dates to a very hectic spring portion, with nine events in a span of just 15 weeks.
| Rnd
|
Race
|
Length
|
Classes
|
Circuit
|
Location
|
Date
|
| 1
|
Rolex 24 at Daytona
|
24 hours
|
All
|
Daytona International Speedway
|
Daytona Beach, Florida
|
January 28–29
|
| 2
|
Mexico City 250
|
250 miles
|
All
|
Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez
|
Mexico City, Mexico
|
March 4
|
| 3
|
Linder Komatsu Grand Prix of Miami
|
250 miles
|
All
|
Homestead-Miami Speedway
|
Homestead, Florida
|
March 25
|
| 4
|
Crown Royal Grand American Challenge
|
90 minutes
|
DP
|
Streets of Long Beach
|
Long Beach, California
|
April 8
|
| 5
|
QR
|
VIR 400
|
30 minutes
|
All
|
Virginia International Raceway
|
Alton, Virginia
|
April 22
|
| R
|
400 km
|
April 23
|
| 6
|
QR
|
U.S. Sportscar Invitational
|
30 minutes
|
All
|
Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
|
Monterey, California
|
May 6
|
| R
|
250 miles
|
May 7
|
| 7
|
QR
|
GAINSCO Grand Prix
|
30 minutes
|
All
|
Phoenix International Raceway
|
Avondale, Arizona
|
May 12
|
| R
|
250 miles
|
May 13
|
| 8
|
Rolex GT Series Challenge
|
200 miles
|
GT
|
Lime Rock Park
|
Lakeville, Connecticut
|
May 29
|
| 9
|
Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen
|
6 hours
|
All
|
Watkins Glen International
|
Watkins Glen, New York
|
June 3
|
| 10
|
EMCO Gears Classic
|
250 miles
|
All
|
Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
|
Lexington, Ohio
|
June 24
|
| 11
|
Brumos Porsche 250
|
250 miles
|
All
|
Daytona International Speedway
|
Daytona Beach, Florida
|
June 29
|
| 12
|
Porsche 250
|
250 miles
|
All
|
Barber Motorsports Park
|
Birmingham, Alabama
|
July 30
|
| 13
|
Crown Royal 200 at The Glen
|
200 miles
|
DP
|
Watkins Glen International
|
Watkins Glen, New York
|
August 11
|
| 14
|
Sonoma 250
|
250 miles
|
All
|
Infineon Raceway
|
Sonoma, California
|
August 26
|
| 15
|
Discount Tire Sunchaser
|
9 hours
|
All
|
Miller Motorsports Park
|
Grantsville, Utah
|
September 2
|
Entries
Daytona Prototype (DP)
| Team
|
Chassis
|
Engine
|
|
Drivers
|
Rounds
|
| Howard-Boss Motorsports
|
Crawford DP03
|
Pontiac
|
2
|
Jan Lammers
|
1
|
| Allan McNish
|
1
|
| Danica Patrick
|
1
|
| Rusty Wallace
|
1
|
| 4
|
Butch Leitzinger
|
All
|
| Andy Wallace
|
All
|
| Tony Stewart
|
1
|
| 16
|
Chris Dyson
|
1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13
|
| Guy Smith
|
1, 3, 5, 9, 11
|
| Rob Dyson
|
1, 9, 13
|
| Oliver Gavin
|
1
|
| Southard Motorsports
|
Riley MkXI
|
BMW
|
3
|
Shane Lewis
|
All
|
| Craig Stanton
|
5–7, 9–15
|
| Randy LaJoie
|
1–2
|
| Tony Burgess
|
1
|
| Kris Szekeres
|
1
|
| John Pew
|
3
|
| Bill Auberlen
|
4
|
| Essex Racing
|
Crawford DP03
|
Ford
|
5
|
James Gue
|
1–2
|
| Duncan Dayton
|
1
|
| Brian DeVries
|
1
|
| Rick Knoop
|
1
|
| Jim Matthews
|
1
|
| Scott Maxwell
|
2
|
Finlay Motorsports Essex/Finlay Motorsports
|
Crawford DP03
|
Ford
|
|
Rob Finlay
|
All
|
| Michael Valiante
|
All
|
| Bryan Herta
|
1
|
| Buddy Rice
|
1
|
| Guy Cosmo
|
9
|
| Dane Cameron
|
15
|
| Playboy/Uniden Racing
|
19
|
Michael McDowell
|
1–7, 9–13, 15
|
| Memo Gidley
|
1–4, 9–15
|
| Guy Cosmo
|
5–7, 14–15
|
| Alex Barron
|
1, 4
|
Graydon Elliott Fusion Racing w/ Shank Michael Shank Racing/Mears Motor Coach Playboy Racing/Mears-Lexus/Riley
|
Riley MkXI
|
Lexus
|
6
|
Mike Borkowski
|
All
|
| Paul Tracy
|
1–2, 11
|
| Paul Mears Jr.
|
1, 5, 9
|
| Tommy Constantine
|
9–10, 12
|
| Kenny Wilden
|
1, 3
|
| Antoine Bessette
|
6–7
|
| Burt Frisselle
|
13, 15
|
| Brian Frisselle
|
14–15
|
| Cort Wagner
|
4
|
| Michael Shank Racing
|
Lexus
Pontiac (round 2)
|
60
|
Oswaldo Negri Jr.
|
All
|
| Mark Patterson
|
All
|
| A. J. Allmendinger
|
1
|
| Justin Wilson
|
1
|
| Rod MacLeod
|
|
Tuttle Team Racing / SAMAX Tuttle Team Racing with BAM Tuttle Team Racing
|
Riley MkXI
|
BMW (1–3, 5–6) Pontiac
|
|
Brian Tuttle
|
All
|
| Jonathan Cochet
|
2–7, 10, 13–15
|
| Rod MacLeod
|
9, 11, 15
|
| Kyle Petty
|
1
|
| Boris Said
|
1
|
| CITGO Racing by SAMAX
|
Pontiac
|
|
Milka Duno
|
All
|
| Marino Franchitti
|
1–5
|
| Marc Goossens
|
6, 9, 15
|
| Olivier Beretta
|
7, 10, 12
|
| Stefan Johansson
|
9, 11, 15
|
| Dario Franchitti
|
1
|
| Kevin McGarrity
|
1
|
| Ian James
|
|
| João Barbosa
|
13
|
| Patrick Carpentier
|
14
|
| Synergy Racing
|
Doran JE4
|
Porsche
|
8
|
Brian Frisselle
|
1–7, 9–10
|
| Burt Frisselle
|
1–7, 9–10
|
| Patrick Huisman
|
1, 13–15
|
| Boris Said
|
12–13
|
| Clint Field
|
1
|
| Al Unser Jr.
|
9
|
| Brian Cunningham
|
12
|
| Spencer Pumpelly
|
14
|
| David Russell
|
15
|
| Suntrust Racing
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
10
|
Max Angelelli
|
All
|
| Wayne Taylor
|
|
| Jan Magnussen
|
4, 6–7, 10, 12, 14
|
| Ryan Briscoe
|
1, 9, 13
|
| Emmanuel Collard
|
1
|
| Ryan Hunter-Reay
|
15
|
| Lowe's Fernández Racing
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
12
|
Adrián Fernández
|
All
|
| Mário Haberfeld
|
All
|
| Scott Sharp
|
1
|
| Vítor Meira
|
15
|
| Alex Job Racing/Emory Motorsports
|
Crawford DP03
|
Porsche
|
23
|
Mike Rockenfeller
|
1, 3–7, 9–15
|
| Patrick Long
|
1, 3–7, 9–14
|
| Lucas Luhr
|
1
|
| Marcel Tiemann
|
|
| Terry Borcheller
|
15
|
| Ralf Kelleners
|
15
|
| Sigalsport BMW
|
Riley MkXI
|
BMW
|
30
|
Matthew Alhadeff
|
10–15
|
| Bill Auberlen
|
10–15
|
| Rocky Moran Jr.
|
15
|
| Team Cytosport
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
31
|
Greg Pickett
|
6, 14
|
| Scott Sharp
|
6, 14
|
| ADI Motorsports
|
Picchio DP2
|
BMW
|
33
|
Shawn Bayliff
|
3–5
|
| Tim Hubman
|
3–4
|
| Peter Argetsinger
|
5
|
Cheever Racing Crown Royal Special Reserve/Cheever
|
Crawford DP03
|
Lexus (round 1) Porsche
|
39
|
Christian Fittipaldi
|
All
|
| Eddie Cheever
|
1–2, 4–6, 11, 15
|
| Hoover Orsi
|
9–10, 14–15
|
| Patrick Carpentier
|
1
|
| Lucas Luhr
|
3
|
| Stefan Johansson
|
7
|
| Max Papis
|
12
|
| Thomas Erdos
|
13
|
| Lexus
|
51
|
1
|
| Warren Hughes
|
1
|
| Stefan Johansson
|
1
|
| Derhaag Motorsports
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
40
|
Randy Ruhlman
|
All
|
| Chris Bingham
|
1–2, 4–7, 10–11
|
| Justin Bell
|
1, 3, 15
|
| Ron Fellows
|
1, 14
|
| Paul Dallenbach
|
13, 15
|
| Hugo Guenette
|
9
|
| Jonathan Cochet
|
12
|
| TruSpeed Motorsports
|
Riley MkXI
|
Porsche
|
47
|
Rob Morgan
|
3–4, 6, 10, 12, 15
|
| Charles Morgan
|
3–4, 6, 10, 15
|
| B. J. Zacharias
|
12, 15
|
| Blackforest Motorsports
|
Crawford DP03
|
Ford
|
50
|
Chris Gleason
|
1
|
| Ian James
|
1
|
| Tom Nastasi
|
1
|
| Henri Zogaib
|
1
|
| Rocketsports Racing
|
Crawford DP03
|
Ford
|
50
|
Tomy Drissi
|
2–4, 6, 10, 13–14
|
| Paul Gentilozzi
|
2–4, 6, 10
|
| Tõnis Kasemets
|
13–14
|
| Red Bull/Brumos Porsche
|
Fabcar FDSC/03 Riley MkXI (12–15)
|
Porsche
|
58
|
David Donohue
|
All
|
| Darren Law
|
All
|
| Sascha Maassen
|
1
|
| Buddy Rice
|
15
|
| Brumos Racing
|
Fabcar FDSC/03
|
59
|
Hurley Haywood
|
All
|
| J. C. France
|
1–2, 4–7, 9–15
|
| Ted Christopher
|
1, 9
|
| Roberto Moreno
|
3, 15
|
| João Barbosa
|
1
|
| AIM Autosport
|
Riley MkXI
|
Lexus
|
61
|
James Hinchcliffe
|
11
|
| Mark Wilkins
|
11
|
| Krohn Racing
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac (round 1) Ford
|
75
|
Tracy Krohn
|
All
|
| Niclas Jönsson
|
1–7, 9–13
|
| Boris Said
|
14–15
|
| Jörg Bergmeister
|
1
|
| Colin Braun
|
1
|
| Max Papis
|
15
|
| Ford
|
76
|
Jörg Bergmeister
|
2–7, 9–15
|
| Colin Braun
|
2, 4–7, 10–13, 15
|
| Niclas Jönsson
|
14–15
|
| Max Papis
|
3
|
| Boris Said
|
9
|
| Feeds The Need/Doran Racing
|
Doran JE4
|
Ford
|
77
|
Harrison Brix
|
All
|
| Terry Borcheller
|
1–7, 9–13
|
| Michel Jourdain Jr.
|
1, 14–15
|
| Forest Barber
|
1
|
| Oriol Servià
|
15
|
Doran Racing Doran/Pegasus Racing
|
78
|
B. J. Zacharias
|
1, 9
|
| Oliver Kuttner
|
9, 15
|
| Raul Boesel
|
1
|
| Sébastien Bourdais
|
1
|
| Tony Ave
|
15
|
| James Gue
|
15
|
| Robinson Racing
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
84
|
Darin Brassfield
|
1
|
| Paul Dallenbach
|
1
|
| Wally Dallenbach Jr.
|
1
|
| George Robinson
|
1
|
| Pacific Coast Motorsports
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
89
|
Ryan Dalziel
|
All
|
| Alex Figge
|
All
|
| David Empringham
|
1, 15
|
| Jon Fogarty
|
1
|
| CyberSpeed Racing
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
97
|
Tony Ave
|
3, 5–6, 10–12
|
| Skip Cummins
|
3, 5–6, 10–12
|
| Gainsco/Blackhawk Racing
|
Riley MkXI
|
Pontiac
|
99
|
Alex Gurney
|
All
|
| Jon Fogarty
|
5–7, 9–15
|
| Jimmy Vasser
|
1, 3, 15
|
| Bob Stallings
|
1–2
|
| Rocky Moran Jr.
|
1, 4
|
| CompUSA Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates
|
Riley MkXI
|
Lexus
|
01
|
Luis Díaz
|
All
|
| Scott Pruett
|
All
|
| Max Papis
|
1
|
| Scott Dixon
|
15
|
| Target Chip Ganassi with Felix Sabates
|
02
|
1
|
| Casey Mears
|
1
|
| Dan Wheldon
|
1
|
| Spirit of Daytona Racing
|
Crawford DP03
|
Pontiac
|
07
|
Guy Cosmo
|
11
|
| Bobby Labonte
|
11
|
| 09
|
Doug Goad
|
1–7, 9–11, 15
|
| Larry Oberto
|
1–7
|
| Bobby Labonte
|
1, 12–13
|
| Marc-Antoine Camirand
|
10–11, 15
|
| Stéphan Grégoire
|
9, 15
|
| Guy Cosmo
|
12–13
|
| Harold Primat
|
1
|
Race results
Overall winners in bold.
Championship standings
Championship points are awarded in each class at the finish of each event, including the qualifying races. Points are awarded based on finishing positions in the race as shown in the chart below.[3]
| Position
|
1
|
2
|
3
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
7
|
8
|
9
|
10
|
11
|
12
|
13
|
14
|
15
|
16
|
17
|
18
|
19
|
20
|
21
|
22
|
23
|
24
|
25
|
26
|
27
|
28
|
29
|
30+
|
| Points
|
35
|
32
|
30
|
28
|
26
|
25
|
24
|
23
|
22
|
21
|
20
|
19
|
18
|
17
|
16
|
15
|
14
|
13
|
12
|
11
|
10
|
9
|
8
|
7
|
6
|
5
|
4
|
3
|
2
|
1
|
Drivers' Championship
Standings: Daytona Prototypes (DP)
|
|
| Colour |
Result
|
| Gold |
Winner
|
| Silver |
Second place
|
| Bronze |
Third place
|
| Green |
Points classification
|
| Blue |
Non-points classification
|
| Non-classified finish (NC)
|
| Purple |
Retired, not classified (Ret)
|
| Red |
Did not qualify (DNQ)
|
| Did not pre-qualify (DNPQ)
|
| Black |
Disqualified (DSQ)
|
| White |
Did not start (DNS)
|
| Withdrew (WD)
|
| Race cancelled (C)
|
| Blank
|
Did not practice (DNP)
|
| Did not arrive (DNA)
|
| Excluded (EX)
| Bold - Pole position
Italics - Fastest lap
|
Standings: Grand Touring (GT) - Top 10
Teams' Championship
Standings: Daytona Prototypes (DP)
References
External links