The 50th Annual Mobil 1
12 Hours of Sebring
Presented by Dodge
March 13-16, 2002
ROC and NOEL DEL BELLO
After their LMP-675 class victories in both the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans
and in the European Le Mans Series round in Most (CZ), Racing Organisation
Course is entering the next 12 Hours of Sebring on March 16th. First round
of the 2002 American Le Mans Series, this historical event which celebrates
its 50th anniversary is run under the same rules as the famous Le Mans
race.
It is the second time ever that the Annemasse (between Geneva and Chamonix)
based French team is racing in the USA. That's why everybody at ROC is very
happy to welcome on board a full American drivers' line up. It is all the
more exciting and pleasant for all of us as father Jeff JONES from Sarasota
(Fl) is sharing the drive with his two sons Ryan and Jeffrey. Their
experience is very valuable, as the 3 of them have already raced many times
on the " Sebring International Raceway ", driving single-seaters or
sportscars.
Jeff has had a 20 years driving career in the United States ranging from
Formula Ford to The Barber Saab Pro Series, to Showroom Stock Cars, to
World Sport Cars. He last raced a Riley and Scott MK111/ Chev. powered
during the complete 1997 season including finishing the Sebring 12 hours
with co-drivers Danny Sullivan and Ross Bentley.
Ryan's racing career has spanned 10 years beginning racing Karts at age 8
and progressed through Formula Ford, U.S. Formula 2000, Showroom Stock
Cars, British Palmer Audi Championship and recently in 1999 with Intersport
Racing's Lola/Ford LMP. Ryan, last drove in the 2001 SCCA Winter Regional
Formula Continental Venue at Sebring Florida Placing 2nd, after starting
from the 18th position. Ryan, (21) currently is living in West Palm Beach
Florida, completing his College studies.
Younger son Jeffrey has been driving different forms of race cars since he
was (8) years old. The 19 year old after driving Karts, attended the
Bridgestone Racing School in Ontario, Canada, drove in the Jim Russell
Shootout at Sears Point California, in the U.S. SCCA regional and national
Formula Ford Venues. In 1999, Jeffrey drove for the Championship Haywood
Racing British Formula Ford Mygale Team placing 9th overall in the series
standings. In 2000, Jeffrey moved on the Formula Renault Championship Team
of Manor Motorsport, for the British and European FRenault Championships
coming in the top ten in both Series. In 2001, Jeffrey drove again for the
Champion Manor British F3 Team. Placing in the top (5) several times in the
season. Jeff in the 2001 U.S. SCCA Winter Regional Races drove a Cape
Motorsports Van Dieman/Zetec Ford at Sebring Int'l Raceways to (3) poles
and Three Victories. He currently is signed to stay in the U.S. for the
season driving for Cape in the U.S. Formula Ford Championship Series .
The Jones' will drive Reynard chassis 2KQ-009 on Michelin tyres. This car
last year finished 5th overall in the Le Mans classic and will be powered
by the LEHMANN 4-cyl turbocharged engine.The aim of Racing Organisation
Course their drivers and their partners Winchester Ammunitions, JCI
Chemicals,PTC and Swan is to battle for the class win, when they prepare
their participation to the Le Mans 24 Hours. ROC have submitted 2 entries
to the Automobile club de l'Ouest.
Reynard chassis 2KQ-008 which finished 2nd overall in the 2001 ELMS round
of Most (CZ) will also take part in the Sebring 12 Hours. It will carry the
Noel Del Bello Racing colors. Having racedduring many years in the LM-GT
class, the Jujurieux (Ain, France) based team is moving to the " baby
prototype category ". The entry of this Lehmann powered Reynard is eased by
the proximity of NDBR workshop and ROC's factory. Jordi GENE, being
commited to his ETCC program, Jean-Denis DELETRAZ will be the team-leader
of this car. Having been a involved with the Le Mans 2002 LMP-675 class
win, he will share his LMP-675 experience with Peter OWEN and Mark
SMITHSON. Having started their racing career driving GT-cars in UK and in
the late BPR-series, they both are experienced with Brackley build chassis
as they shared a Judd powered Reynard in the 2001 FIA-SRWC championship.
They together won the 2000 SRII FIA-SRWC tittle driving a Pilbeam. Peter
and Mark will then take part in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Petit Le Mans.
Back to 2002 Sebring Index
Created and Designed by John Favata
Last updated Mar. 4,2002
