03.02.2004 JMB RACING USA PUT EARLY EXIT AT DAYTONA BEHIND THEM AS THEY FOCUS ON THE NEXT RACE AT HOMESTEAD

Despite the rather disappointing finish of JMB Racing USA Ferrari 360 Modena in this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona, the entire teams is turning its eyes towards the next Rolex Series event scheduled in three weeks at Homestead Miami Speedway. JMB Racing USA is committed to the Rolex Series and its goals remain to win as many GT class races as possible and perhaps win another GT title by the end of the season, which would be its first in North America.

The 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona marked the first anniversary for the JMB Racing USA team and thanks to a fantastic team effort to prepare the car, the Ferrari 360 Modena #11 driven by Edi Gay, Diego Alessi, Maurizio Mediani, Iradj Alexander and Paul Dana was ready for an epic battle with the other GT contenders.

Unfortunately, the team was not able to finish the race because of a crash on lap 108. Diego Alessi was finishing his double stint, lapping amongst the fastest in the GT class at the time, and lost control of the car at the chicane, hitting the wall hard. Alessi was able to drive back to the pits after his spectacular crash but the crew quickly realized that the car sustained heavy chassis and body damage that was not repairable, forcing the JMB Ferrari to withdraw for the remainder of the event.

"The owners of JMB Racing USA including myself, feel bad for Edi Gay, Paul Dana and Maurizio Mediani who did not have the chance to show their true talent during this race. I know how hard it is to finalize a program, financially and psychologically, to race such a unique 24-hour event, which is the biggest race of the Rolex Series season. I can imagine the disappointment of our drivers who did not get a chance to drive and also our sponsors, Linel-TEX, The Inn at English Harbour Antigua, Antigua Slipway, siaMOTIVE and Roberlo." declared Ludovico Manfredi, team co-owner, after the race.

"Iradj Alexander drove a fantastic first double stint, proving that our car was a real contender for the overall podium of the 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona. We are committed to a 2004 Rolex Series program and we are already focusing on the next event. We are going to rebuild our Ferrari 360 Modena and be there with our traditional winning spirit with only one goal, to bring to JMB Racing USA drivers, sponsors and partners another GT success", commented Ludovico Manfredi.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona was the starting of the seventh season of racing with Ferrari for JMB Racing and throughout the Rolex 24 weekend, JMB Racing USA's car proudly carried the Ferrari 50th anniversary logo designed by Ferrari North America to commemorate fifty years of doing business in The United States.