The stimulating sounds of engines revving, the sight of a Porsche hugging one of the banked curves as it accelerates to 200 miles per hour, and the roar of a crowd as the winners are announced are some of the great reasons people enjoy attending professional car races. If you’ve been debating whether or not to attend, here are some details about the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway that may be of interest.
History of Daytona International Speedway
The date was Saturday, April 4, 1953, and it was Bill France Sr. who proposed the construction of a permanent race track facility in Daytona Beach, Florida, after realizing that beach racing would soon end due to the growth of residents and overcrowding of racing events.
A construction contract was signed with the city and its county officials on August 16, 1954 to build Daytona International Speedway. With high speeds and fan viewing in mind, the design included the 31-degree high banks around the 2.5-mile tri-oval track. Three years later, land clearing began for what would be known as the World Center of Racing.
About the Rolex 24
Before Rolex 24 got its name, it was known as the 24 Hours of DAYTONA and started in 1959 as a six-hour race. By 1966, it turned into a 24-hour event. The competition is a yearly 24-hour sports car race that has been held at the Daytona International Speedway for six decades. It is the kickoff for the International Motor Sports Association WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series.
Generally, about 60 vehicles compete for the four different classes and the championship title. One team consists of three to five drivers, which take turns during one shift. Fords, Corvettes, Cadillacs, Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Mazdas, Porsches, and Lexuses are among the various vehicles found racing.
Weather Tech SportsCar Championship
The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is hosted by the International Motor Sports Association and it’s the United States’ premier series for sportscar racing. The event is only open to standard sports cars as well as Grand Touring cars. The Rolex 24 at Daytona, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, and the Motul Petit Le Mans are all part of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series.
Facts About the Rolex 24
The Rolex 24 is generally held on the last weekend in January. During the sports event, drivers race a total of 3.56 miles on both a road course and the NASCAR speedway at Daytona International Speedway.
Adding more exciting competition to the event is the GTP class, making its debut as the top class in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Aside from the cars and famous drivers, spectators can expect to enjoy pre-race ceremonies, a carnival, and fireworks.
Winners not only get to claim a title for racing in one of North America’s most-attended races, but winners in each class receive an engraved Rolex named after the speedway, the Cosmograph Daytona watch.
Admission Tickets and Fees
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is a four-day event running Thursday through Sunday, but fans have the option to purchase one-day, two-day, or four-day admission tickets. Fees vary between $19 and $115. Here is the breakdown.
Thursday tickets start at $19, Friday tickets start at $39, and Sunday tickets also start at $39. General admission for Saturday and Sunday starts at $45 and includes Fronstretch seating only.
Two-day admission includes the Roar Before the Rolex 24, garage access on top of the infield, and frontstretch seating admission for Saturday and Sunday. Kids 12 and under are free.
To enjoy the entire event, including Roar Before the Rolex 24, up-close access to the cars, teams, and drivers, as well as garage access and seating from the garage & UNOH Fanzone to the infield and general admission frontstretch seating, the four-day admission is your best bet. The cost starts at $115.
Other Options
Fans have the option of upgrading their Rolex 24 At DAYTONA race day tickets to the Taste of the 24, which includes a premiere dining experience hosted by The NASCAR Foundation. Some of Daytona’s most popular restaurants showcase gourmet food at the Midway Suites for your taste buds’ enjoyment. Prizes and entertainment are also part of the Taste of the 24 events on Saturday. As with most events and fees, they’re subject to change. Contact the speedway for up-to-date information before purchasing your tickets.
Preparing To Go
Race car competitions have one obvious goal in mind: to set the fastest time in a set number of rounds or time limit and become champion. You may still be contemplating whether or not to attend your first or hundredth car race competition. The camaraderie, cool merchandise, food, entertainment, and sheer excitement of it all are all great reasons to get out of the house and enjoy one of the nation’s most exhilarating experiences.