The 2012 Rolex Sports Car Series season was the thirteenth running of the Grand American Road Racing Association's premier series. It began with the 24 Hours of Daytona on January 28–29.
Schedule The schedule was announced on November 9, 2011. It consists of thirteen rounds. Twelve were announced that day. The final round at Lime Rock was announced November 14.
Rnd Date Race Duration Circuit Location 1 January 28–29 Rolex 24 At Daytona 24 hours Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Florida 2 March 31 Porsche 250 2 hours 45 minutes Barber Motorsports Park Birmingham, Alabama 3 April 29 Grand Prix of Miami 1 hour 55 minutesRace ended with 0:52 remaining due to heavy rain. Homestead-Miami Speedway Homestead, Florida 4 May 13 Global Barter 250 2 hours 45 minutes New Jersey Motorsports Park Millville, New Jersey 5 June 2 Chevrolet Grand-Am Detroit 200 2 hours The Raceway on Belle Isle Detroit, Michigan 6 June 9 EMCO Gears Classic 2 hours 45 minutes Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course Lexington, Ohio 7 June 23 Rolex 250 Driven by VISITFLORIDA.COM 2 hours Road America Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin 8 July 1 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen 6 hours Watkins Glen International Watkins Glen, New York 9 July 27 Brickyard Grand Prix 3 hours Indianapolis Motor Speedway (road course) Speedway, Indiana 10 August 11 Continental Tire 200 2 hours Watkins Glen International (short course) Watkins Glen, New York 11 August 18 Montreal 200 2 hours Circuit Gilles Villeneuve Montreal, Quebec 12 September 9 Continental Tire Sports Car Festival 2 hours 45 minutes Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Monterey, California 13 September 29 Championship Weekend 2 hours 45 minutes Lime Rock Park Lakeville, Connecticut
Teams and drivers Team No Drivers ChassisEngine Class Rounds Chip Ganassi Racingwith Felix Sabates 01 Scott Pruett Riley Mk. XXBMW 5.0L V8 DP All Memo Rojas Joey Hand 1 Graham Rahal 02 Scott Dixon Riley Mk. XXBMW 5.0L V8 DP 1, 9 Jamie McMurray Juan Pablo Montoya Dario Franchitti 1Extreme Speed Motorsports03 Guy CosmoFerrari 458 ItaliaFerrari 4.5L V8 GT 1, 3, 5, 8 Johannes van Overbeek1, 8, 12 Ed Brown 1, 3 Scott Sharp 1, 5 Mike Hedlund 8, 12Limitless Racing08 Elivan GoulartAudi R8 Grand-AmAudi 5.2L V10 GT4 Jason LeeStarworks Motorsport2 Marco AndrettiRiley Mk. XXFord 5.0L V8 DP1 Ryan Hunter-Reay Scott Mayer Michael Valiante Alex Popow 2–12 Lucas Luhr 2–8 Sébastien Bourdais 9–10 Alex Tagliani 11–12 Martin Fuentes13 Jorge Goncalvez8 Ryan DalzielRiley Mk. XXFord 5.0L V8 DP All Enzo Potolicchio 1–9 Lucas Luhr 1, 10 Alex Popow 1, 13 Allan McNish 1 Sébastien Bourdais 8 Alex Tagliani 11–12Magnus Racing4 Justin BellPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Ryan Eversley Daniel Graeff Rob Yarab Jr.44 Andy LallyPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GTAll John Potter Richard Lietz1 René Rast Patrick Long 8Action Express Racing5 David DonohueCorvette DP (Coyote CPM)Chevrolet 5.0L V8 DP All Darren Law 1–4 Christian Fittipaldi 1 Terry Borcheller 5–13 Jordan Taylor 10 Paul Tracy 11–12 Brian Frisselle 139 João BarbosaCorvette DP (Coyote CPM)Chevrolet 5.0L V8 DP All J.C. France 1–7 Terry Borcheller 1–4 Max Papis 1 Darren Law 5–13Michael Shank Racingwith Curb–Agajanian6 Jorge GoncalvezRiley Mk. XXFord 5.0L V8 DP1 Michael McDowell Felipe Nasr Gustavo Yacamán60 Oswaldo Negri Jr.Riley Mk. XXFord 5.0L V8 DPAll John Pew A. J. Allmendinger1 Justin WilsonSunTrust Racing10 Max AngelelliCorvette DP (Dallara DP01)Chevrolet 5.0L V8 DPAll Ricky Taylor Ryan Briscoe 1Alliance Autosport12 Jon MillerPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Hal Prewitt Scott Rettich Matt Schneider Daryl ShoffRick Ware Racing15 Chris CookFord MustangFord 5.0L V8 GT1–2 Jeffrey Earnhardt Timmy Hill1, 7 John Ware Jr. Doug Harrington 1 Kevin O'Connell 7, 9 Jason White 9Burtin Racing withGoldcrest Motorsports17 Claudio BurtinPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1, 8–9 Martin Ragginger Sebastian Asch1 Jack Baldwin Bryan SellersMühlner Motorsports America18 Davy JonesPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Bill Lester John McCutchen Mark Thomas19 Scott DollahitePorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Ian Nater Rhett O'Doski Marco Seefried Derek WhitisLiqui Moly Team Engstler/Mitchum Motorsports20 Jade BufordPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Franz Engstler David Murry Gunter SchaldachM2 Autosport21 Sebastian MartinezMazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GT3 Julien Martinez Mario MonroyBullet Racing22 Randy BlaylockPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Darryl O'Young Kevin Roush Brett Van Blankers Joe WhiteAlex Job Racing23 Emmanuel CollardPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Marco Holzer Butch Leitzinger Cooper MacNeil24 Michael AvenattiPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Bob Faieta Fred Poordad Bill Sweedler Cort WagnerNGT Motorsport26 Henrique CisnerosPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Sean Edwards Carlos Kauffmann Nick TandyMarsh Racing31 Eric CurranChevrolet CorvetteChevrolet 6.2L V8 GT 2–13 Boris Said 2–6, 8–13 John Heinricy 7 Lawson Aschenbach 8Orbit Racing/GMG32 Nicolas ArmindoPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Bret Curtis Shane Lewis James Sofronas Lance Willsey34 Michael DeFontesPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Phil Fogg Miroslav Konopka Jan Vonka Ronald van de LaarYellow Dragon Motorsports36 Jarett AndrettiMazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GT1 John Andretti Taylor Hacquard Anders KrohnDempsey Racing40 Joe FosterMazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GT 1–10, 12–13 Patrick Dempsey 1–3, 5–9, 12 Tom Long 1, 3–4, 8–11, 13 Charles Espenlaub1 Charles Putnam Scott Maxwell 4, 1141Mazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GT 1, 8 Ian James1 Rick Johnson Don Kitch Jr. Dan Rogers Charles Espenlaub2–13 Charles PutmanTeam Sahlen42 Wayne NonnamakerMazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GT1–8, 10, 12–13 Dane Cameron 1–9 Joe Nonnamaker 1, 9–12 Will Nonnamaker 1, 8–9, 11, 13 Joe Sahlen 1243 Wayne NonnamakerMazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GT 1–2, 5–6, 9–13 Joe Nonnamaker 1–8 Will Nonnamaker 1, 3–5, 7–9 Dane Cameron 8–13 Joe Sahlen 849 Will NonnamakerMazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GT2, 6, 10, 12 Joe SahlenFlying Lizard Motorsportswith Wright Motorsports45 Jörg BergmeisterPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Patrick Long Seth Neiman Mike RockenfellerMichael Baughman Racing46 Michael BaughmanChevrolet CorvetteChevrolet 6.2L V8 GT 1, 5, 9–10 Jeff Nowicki 1, 5 Ivo Breukers1 Armand Fumal Ray Mason James Davison 9–10 Sebastián Saavedra 9Paul Miller Racing48 Rob BellPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Sascha Maassen Bryce Miller Mark WilkinsPredator Performance/50+ Racing50 Byron DeFloorRiley Mk. XIBMW 5.0L V8 DP1 Elliott Forbes-Robinson Brian Johnson Jim Pace Carlos de QuesadaAPR Motorsport51 Dion von MoltkeAudi R8 Grand-AmAudi 5.2L V10 GTAll Jim Norman Ian Baas 1, 3, 8 Nelson Canache Jr.1 Emanuele Pirro52 Marc BassengAudi R8 Grand-AmAudi 5.2L V10 GT8 Frank StipplerAcumen Motorsport55 Frank Del VecchioPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Doug Grunnet Tony Kester Scott McKee Randy PobstAF–Waltrip56 Rui ÁguasFerrari 458 ItaliaFerrari 4.5L V8 GT1, 8–10 Rob Kauffman Travis Pastrana1 Michael WaltripStevenson Motorsports57 Robin LiddellChevrolet Camaro GT.RChevrolet 6.0L V8 GT All John Edwards 1, 3–13 Ronnie Bremer 1–275 Matt BellChevrolet Camaro GT.RChevrolet 6.0L V8 GT 1, 8–9 Al Carter1 Eric Curran Hugh Plumb Ronnie Bremer 8–9 Jordan Taylor 8Brumos Racing59 Andrew DavisPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GTAll Leh Keen Hurley Haywood1 Marc LiebRisi Competizione62 Gianmaria BruniFerrari 458 ItaliaFerrari 4.5L V8 GT1 Giancarlo Fisichella Raphael Matos63 Olivier BerettaFerrari 458 ItaliaFerrari 4.5L V8 GT 1, 12 Andrea Bertolini1 Toni Vilander Alessandro Balzan 12–13 Johannes van Overbeek 13The Racer's Group64 Eduardo CostabalPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1, 8–9 Eliseo Salazar Santiago Orjuela 1, 8 Gaetano Ardagna1 Emilio Di Guida65 Joe CastellanoPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Spencer Cox Mike Hedlund Jack McCarthy Jim Michaelian66 Ben KeatingPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT 1, 8–9 Dominik Farnbacher1 Patrick Pilet Allan Simonsen Damien Faulkner8 Bryan Sellers Jörg Bergmeister 9 Bob Doyle13 Spencer Pumpelly67 Spencer PumpellyPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT 1–8 Steven Bertheau 1–7 Wolf Henzler 1, 8 Marc Goossens1 Jeroen Bleekemolen Al Carter 868 Chris CummingPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 Kévin Estre Damien Faulkner Carlos Gómez Ben Keating Jeroen Bleekemolen2–3 Emilio De GuidaAIM Autosport/Team FXDD Racingwith Ferrari69 Emil AssentatoFerrari 458 ItaliaFerrari 4.5L V8 GTAll Jeff Segal Anthony Lazzaro 1, 8 Nick LonghiSpeedSource70 Jonathan BomartioMazda RX-8Mazda 2.0L 3-Rotor GTAll Sylvain Tremblay Marino Franchitti1 James HinchcliffeGrant Racing72 Carey GrantPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT6, 9 Kevin Grant Milton Grant Brady Refenning 9Horton Autosport73 Eric FossPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT2–10, 12–13 Patrick Lindsey Ryan Eversley 8 Jason Hart 13Oryx Racing74 Humaid Al MasaoodAudi R8 Grand-AmAudi 5.2L V10 GT1–2 Steven Kane Saeed Al Mehairi 1Krohn Racing76 Colin BraunLola B08/70Ford 5.0L V8 DP1 Niclas Jönsson Tracy Krohn Ricardo ZontaDoran Racing77 Jim LoweDallara DP–01Ford 5.0L V8 DP1, 4, 8–9 Paul Tracy Brian Frisselle 1, 8 Burt Frisselle1 Billy JohnsonDick Greer Racing82 John FergusPorsche 997 GT3 CupPorsche 3.8L Flat-6 GT1 John Finger Dick Greer Mark Hotchkis Owen TrinklerRacers Edge Motorsports87 Tony AveDodge ViperDodge 8.0L V10 GT1, 9, 12 Jan Heylen Doug Peterson 1, 12 Maxime Soulet1 Emilio ValverdeAutohaus Motorsports88 Jordan TaylorChevrolet Camaro GT.RChevrolet 6.0L V8 GT 1–7, 9 Paul Edwards 1–7 Matthew Marsh1 Tommy Milner Bill Lester 9Spirit of Daytona Racing90 Richard WestbrookCorvette DP (Coyote CPM)Chevrolet 5.0L V8 DP All Antonio García 1–3, 7–10, 12–13 Oliver Gavin 1, 8 Jan Magnussen 1 Michael Valiante 3–6Turner Motorsport93 Bill AuberlenBMW M3BMW 5.0L V8 GT1, 3 Paul Dalla Lana Michael Marsal 1, 13 Dirk Müller1 Dirk Werner Billy Johnson 3 Will Turner 1394 Paul Dalla LanaBMW M3BMW 5.0L V8 GT All Bill Auberlen 1–3, 5–10, 12–13 Billy Johnson 1–4, 6, 8–12 Dirk Müller1 Boris Said Ben Clucas 4GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing99 Jon FogartyCorvette DP (Riley XXVI)Chevrolet 5.0L V8 DPAll Alex Gurney Memo Gidley 1
Team changes
On August 31, 2011, it was announced that Jeff Segal was testing a Ferrari F458 at the infield road course of Homestead-Miami Speedway in preparation for the 2012 season. Segal's Grand Am career dates back to 2003, with Ferrari as his primary choice of manufacturer. On September 1, 2011, it was announced that Riley Technologies will be debuting a new Daytona Prototype at the 2012 24 Hours of Daytona. On September 7, 2011, it was announced that Audi was developing a version of their R8 for the Rolex Sports Car Series GT class. On October 20, 2011, it was announced that Eric Curran and Boris Said would return to Marsh Racing, driving Chevrolet Corvettes. On October 26, 2011, it was announced that AIM Autosport would be fielding a new Ferrari 458 Italia in the 2012 season. On November 22, 2011, it was announced that three-time series champion Andy Lally would return to Grand-Am competition full-time, joining John Potter in the Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for the full 2012 GT schedule. On December 3, 2011, it was announced that Racers Edge Motorsports will be switching from the Mazda RX8 to the Dodge Viper. On December 3, 2011, it was announced that AF Corse, Michael Waltrip and Rob Kauffman will make a partnership for the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The team will field a Ferrari F458. On December 3, 2011, it was announced that two teams will field a Ford Mustang in the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The former Mustang team TPN Racing/BlackForest will return with the car alongside the Rick Ware Racing, which switched from a Porsche GT3 last year.
Daytona Prototype changes
On May 13, 2011, Grand Am announced that various changes would be made to the Daytona Prototypes for the 2012 season: