Daytona Test Days 2007

Daytona Test Days
January 4-5-6, 2007

Greetings from sunny Daytona, Florida where the official test days are well under way with over 70 cars testing at the world famous race track. Here are some photos from our test days with quotes from each driver. Special thanks to Chris Pennington for providing the images on this page.

Daytona Test week looked like Race week in year's past.	Helmets as unique as the driver's that wear them.	The # 82 looking good on the track.
Our January testing/practice sessions have been just tremendous! The drivers have come together as a unit with everyone really pulling for one another...sharing tips, strategies and data on how to get around the Daytona circuit. Synergy Racing had the cars prepared perfectly and ready to go when we arrived and throughout each testing session. Their professionalism and dedication to giving the drivers the best possible cars to drive, was superb. Personally for me, it was the opportunity I needed to expand on my initial October testing experience to become more comfortable in the racecar so I could begin to focus more on my racecraft. Being one of the "new" drivers, one feels the need to know that you can perform at or near the level of the more experienced drivers on the team. And this early January test and practice helped me to get closer to that. As a supportive observer of the Team Seattle effort for many years, I knew a lot went into the planning and logistics in order to put this whole thing together. Now however, as a driver and seeing it up close and personal, I have a new found respect for all of the time and energy both Don and Donna Kitch, Dave Gaylord, along with so many others, put into this. What a pleasure and an honor it is to be a part of it all. I'm excited to get the "show" going on race day! And I am really looking forward to bringing home with us a big check to give to Children's Hospital. ~ Hal Hilton

Driver Don Pickering back for his second year with Team Seattle driving in the # 83 car with Hal Hilton.	Dave Gaylord making his 8th appearance at the Rolex 24.	Driving race cars as a team is a whole new experience for most sprint type drivers. Communication is key to success.
The test days have gone tremendously well. Certainly the intensity and the activity has leap up since our private test back in October. The place is packed with team transporters and gear for 60+ cars, and that translates into lots of traffic on the track. Getting comfortable with the traffic and the closing rates of the faster Daytona Prototypes was job one. Also we ran for my first time in the dark, so the learning curve continues. Synergy did an awesome job of preparing both cars, they ran like trains and we practiced in every minute available. There is no doubt that Team Seattle is in a great position to go the distance and have a super finish, which will mean the maximum contributions to Seattle's Children's Hospital. I am fortunate and grateful to be a part of this! ~Tony Bawcutt

The Rolex 24 is becoming recognized as the race for all accomplished race car drivers to participate in prior to their regular season driving their professional sanctioning series.	Founder and Driver, Don Kitch gets a lot of press to cover the Team Seattle story including a nice introductory piece to be shown on Speed prior to the start of the race.	The Synergy Cars are beautiful on and off the track. The bright and clean paint schemes make the cars easy to spot in a crowd of cars.
"The practice went extremely well. Everyone is up to speed and the cars finished without any damage or incidents. Synergy did a fantastic job prepping the cars, they are definitely ready for the coming race. I'm optimistic that both cars will not only finish but that they will show a strong placing at the end of the 24 hours. More importantly, I really feel that the team bonded over the last few days and that we've all gained a deeper appreciation of this entire effort. Driving for Children's is an incredibly worthy cause. I'm extremely proud to be driving for the team again this year." ~Don Pickering

Drivers Chris Pallis and Don Kitch having fun at the expense of each other. The Team Seattle project is actually a year long commitment that drivers work on together building lasting friendships.	Driver Chris Pennington piloting the # 82 car listening to team mates in the car, monitoring the driver's communication with the pit crew on the handling and care of the car.	Driver changes important to practice prior to the actual race. Driver Chris Pallis slides into the seat of the # 82 car.
The 2007 Team Seattle Rolex Daytona 24 hour campaign continues to grow from strength to strength with the completion of a highly successful January practice. Synergy continued to excel and provided us with some superbly turned out cars and a first rate team of people to look after both them and us. They all proved to be a joy to work with and a lot of fun to spend time with both at the track and off. The team dynamics between all 8 drivers is simply superb. A great bunch of guys who I am proud to call team mates and friends. Everybody drove so well and it is an extremely solid and accomplished group. It is hard to keep the expectations for the race in check. For me personally this week was simply fun. Something an occasion like this should have in bucket loads with the added benefit of raising a serious amount of money for all the wonderful work that takes place at Children's Hospital. Surely it does not get much better than that! ~Chris Pennington

First year driver, Tony Bawcutt with the # 82 car. Thank you Tony for bringing Microsoft Live Search to the effort.	Drivers Don Kitch and Chris Pennington testing the theory two heads are better than one.	Driver Don Kitch preparing for his stint in the # 82 car.
I am elated with the result of our three days sanctioned testing. In fourteen years of participation in this event, I have never left the test days more optimistic. I look very forward to race weekend and a strong result for both the team and our hospital. The chemistry within the driving team is unique and very special. ~Don Kitch

Synergy Racing's Charissa Cobb chats with Team Seattle driver coach, Ross Bentley.	Chris Pennington reviews live data feed from pit lane.	The #82 car getting preparation prior to a test session.
"Both the Synergy team and driving team did a fantastic job!! I am really looking forward to the race...and the size of the check we are set to bring back for the hospital!" ~Dave Gaylord

Our British driver, Chris Pennington shares a spot of tea with Don Pickering.	Driver Don Pickering preparing for the night practice.	The Daytona garage brims with excitement as the sun goes down and night practice begins.
What can I say other than “fabulous”! From Synergy Racing’s prep to our team’s “synergy”, it was first rate from A to Z. We are all very excited for the race. The field is completely filled with stars from across the globe and from every discipline from Formula 1 to NASCAR. This is going to be a wonderfully successful year indeed for both Children’s Hospital and Team Seattle. I cannot wait. ~Chris Pallis

This is fun!&^! or Crazy or ?&%? Pictured driver Hal Hilton on pit lane.