Keating Lays Out Approach for LMP2-GTD Pro Double Duty

Ben Keating says the introduction of a GTD Pro-GTD class split for this year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona will provide him with a “different challenge” as he tackles the event as part of a double duty arrangement for the fifth time in his career.

The Texan will be piloting two cars for the 63rd running of the Florida endurance classic, competing in LMP2 with PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports and sharing a GTD Pro-entered Trackhouse by TF Sport Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R with Shane van Gisbergen, Scott McLaughlin and Connor Zilisch.

Sporting regulations dictate that Keating will be required to drive in LMP2 for four and half hours to meet the minimum drive time, while that threshold in the GTD Pro category is set at two hours.

Keating described that arrangement as “very comfortable” as as opposed to a scenario where he would compete in GTD and LMP2, like he did in the past, which would require him to do four and half hours in both cars.

“[In the past] I did both LMP2 and GT Daytona,” he told Sportscar365. “I had to do four and a half hours in each. TF Sport. I can do it, but I didn’t enjoy it.

“You never really get it at four and a half hours. You have to do it at whatever makes sense for their right strategy.

“So it usually ends up being at five hours each or something like that, or you get a safety car or whatever.

“I have no problem driving for ten hours out of the race. I can do it. I actually enjoy it, but I have 110 guests at this race.

“They like to visit with me and I like to get some sleep. So I’m more comfortable in one of the two pro classes where I only have to do two hours.

“It just makes it a little easier on everybody, except for my co-drivers.”

Keating said completing his mandatory two hours in GTD Pro early on is “clearly the best strategy,” but since he qualified the No. 52 Oreca 07 Gibson on Thursday, he will have to take the start in the LMP2 category before he is allowed to step into the No. 91 Chevrolet.

An added variable in that plan is the introduction of a class split between GTD Pro and GTD during caution periods, to be instituted for the first time in the race, which Keating reckoned will provide him with a “different challenge.”

“I just have to be mindful of the four in six rule,” said Keating.

“But I think that strategy-wise, to give us the best shot, I should get my drive time done as early as possible in the Corvette.

“It’s different this year with the way they’re doing the class splits. So they’ve never done a GT split before.

“They are going to do it this year, and that’s interesting for me, because my role in this Corvette is just to keep it on the lead lap and don’t mess it up.

“Normally, I would have no problem doing that, but if we end up having a safety car and I end up in a long line and I’ve got a bunch of aggressive pro drivers in the GTD class who are challenging me for position, I’m going let them have it.

“I’m just going drive around. My job is to stay on the lead lap and don’t let anybody touch the car.

“I know my job well and I don’t expect to have any problem doing that, but it’s a different challenge this year than it’s been in the past because of the class split.”

Key to Keating’s plans is the so called ‘four in six’ rule, referring to article 12.14.1 of the sporting regulations which states that drives may only complete four hours of driving in any six hours of the race.

He revealed that he has adopted a tool that will help him to not fall foul of that rule as the race progresses.

“I put on an old-school Timex Iron Man watch for the race,” he said.

“As soon as I get out of the car, I press a timer, a chrono. As long as I’m out of the car for two hours, it’s impossible to break the four in six rule.

“So that’s the rule that I keep. If I’m out of the car for two hours and one minute, then it’s impossible to break the rule.

“The only time you can get tricky with it is in the first four hours of the race.

“If I only do one step, which will be 40 to 50 minutes in the LMP2, then I can knock it out immediately. It’s not realistic. I’m not going knock it out immediately.”