2024 Rolex 24
Although sportscars have raced at Daytona International Speedway since it was opened in 1959, the first 24 hour race was not held until 1966. That race was captured by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby in a Ford GT Mk. II. Since then the race has evolved to become IMSA's season kickoff party. It is a highly desired race to win due to its trophy, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona watch. Daytona International Speedway has evolved also, and its a beautiful backdrop for the story told as drivers thrash twice around the clock.
This year's 57th anniversary race is led off by the Roar test weekend held January 19-21, 2024. This somewhat relaxed weekend is a great opportunity to meet up with drivers, team members, and friends before the stress levels in the garage rise. (Just good luck dodging the Boy Scouts.) After relaxing Monday and Tuesday, the pressure builds towards the January 27-28 race. On track activities for the headlining series begin Thursday January 25 and include the night practice.
Rolex 24 Schedule
***Spotter's Guide***
***Coming Soon***
Entry List
Garage Map
GTP
Grand Touring Prototypes (GTP) are the most sophisticated and fastest cars of the endurance racing world. They are built from a carbon fiber chassis available from three manufacturers. They are then covered with carbon fiber and Kevlar bodywork representing individual car companies. They are powered by 650-700hp engines coupled to a hybrid motor. They are capable of exceeding 200mph depending on setup and track. Drivers in this class are some of the best professional racers in the world.
LMP2
Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2) are the second fastest cars on track. They are built from carbon fiber chassis and carry standard composite bodies that are spec pieces per chassis manufacturer. This class uses a 500hp spec V-8 engine supplied by Gibson. Drivers in this class are a blend of high talent professional and well-trained "gentleman" drivers. All drivers are ranked by an international organization, Platinum drivers being the best then Gold, Silver, and Bronze. LMP2 teams must have a Bronze driver.
GTD PRO
Grand Touring Daytona Professional (GTD Pro) is a class of racers based on production sports cars. They must use a certain percentage of production car parts and meet a series homologation process to compete. They have various engine types and sizes. To ensure close competition IMSA uses a system called Balance of Performance. This analyzes car performance and dictates weight changes and engine restrictions to equalize the GTD Pro field. The drivers in this class can all be top-level professionals.
GTD
Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) uses the same class of cars as GTD Pro. The cars use the same Balance of Performance system also. The drivers are a blend of professional and "gentleman" drivers. Each GTD team must include a Bronze driver. In the IMSA series 10 different manufacturers are represented. The cars are the Acura NSX, Aston Martin Vantage, BMW M4, Chevrolet C8 Corvette, Ferrari 296, Lamborghini Huracan Evo2, Lexus RC-F, McLaren 720S, Mercedes-Benz AMG, and Porsche 911 GT3.R.