Team_HLM runs the Infiniti G35 at Daytona!

The excitement roared to Daytona for HLM’s first race for their G35’s career. The first race of the Grand American Road Racing series is a measure not of performance, and handling, but endurance. A race that test the reliability of the car, the driver’s physical ability, and the team’s persistence. That race is the 24 Hours at Daytona.

The winner of a 24-hour race is not the car that can out handle or out accelerate the others, but one that can out last the others. Making it to the end of this race is an accomplishment in itself.That being said, there is no shame in not finishing.
Team HLM seemed plagued from the start of the weekend. During a practice session, a timing chain tensioner broke, which caused catastrophic failure to the engine. A new engine was dropped in for qualifying.During qualifying, the radiator refused to stay cool, which caused that 2nd engine to go. Team HLM qualified last because of this.

Already low on power, due to a required change of intake manifold, the G35 was struggling to catch up to the rest of the pack from the beginning. The car was running flat on the top end.The problem was finally discovered to be the result of a bad lambda sensor. After changing out the sensor, the car seemed to be on its way catching up with the others. Lap times were consistent, and average lap speeds seemed to be on par or faster with other cars in the GT class. Things were beginning to look good.

The car starting to climb positions, and at one point was as high as 16th place in the GT class. Starting from last, this was looking great.Late in the evening however, lap times were slowing down and the car starting dropping positions. After 10 hours into the race, on lap 230 for the G35, the car had its final catastrophe for the weekend. Another timing chain tensioner had gone bad and the car was done for the weekend.

Just before midnight the car was rolled into the garage where it sat alone. The team packed up everything shortly afterwards, and rolled the car back into the transporter.

By the end of the race, the final results were in. The car placed 34th in class and 61st overall. Not the best results we had hoped for, but then again, this was the very first race of the car’s career. Time for some more R&D on the engine, and hopefully the car will be back to the track in Mexico City for round 2!