Before the main event of Rolex 24 At Daytona, I took the short drive north along I-95 to Jacksonville, where I visited the Brumos Collection to mark the 50th anniversary of their 1973 24 Hours of Daytona success with drivers Hurley Haywood & Peter Gregg; The venue was stacked with iconic racing cars, resplendent in their instantly recognizable brand liveries – colors and badging of history still being recreated today. This week, fans of all generations walk through the paddock proudly wearing those sponsors’ apparel.
On my return south, back to Daytona, I reminded myself of the sheer magnitude of what was about to unfold at the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona of the legacies that would be created. Business-wise, a busy week for everyone involved in such a big event. Yet, layered between the logistics, it’s also a time of gatherings and meetings to celebrate the past, promote the future, and enjoy some racing!
I felt privileged to participate in many celebratory moments, including sharing the stage with Hurley at a Cars & Cocktail event, a legend of the sport holding the joint most successful driver with six wins (a notable standing he shares with Scott Pruett). A good time was had reminiscing about all things sportscar racing.
I could not be more delighted to see Mark Rafauff, our Senior Director of Competition, being honored with the 2022 Phill Hill Award at Road Racing Drivers Club Dinner, presented by Bobby Rahal, the 2019 recipient. Mark was instrumental in forming the Daytona Prototype category, just one of his many notable achievements of a career dedicated to sportscar racing.
Mark’s recognition is a fitting segue to this past weekend’s race with the new generation of GTP cars. Hurley was on hand as Porsche staged their iconic 917 with the new 963 GTP. Global media coverage was extensive. Acura, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche also paired their respective GTP race cars with the latest example of their road-going vehicles for assembled media. Pre-race proceedings included historic GTP racecars, a fitting bookend for this 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona.
Over breakfast on the morning of the race, I saw our GTD Pole winners and subsequent class winners – WeatherTech Racing, celebrate their achievement with a full-page advertisement in the WSJ; it’s a proud acknowledgment of their team, the world-class engineering provided by Mercedes and AMG and gratitude for their passionate fans and loyal customers.
During the weekend, we hosted many guests, including several technology firms who got to experience how we manage the race with ever-increasing amounts of data to deliver the most cost-effective, entertainment-driven series. The fierce yet fair competition led to a thrilling finale as the clock struck 13:40 on Sunday. Congratulations to all the teams who participated and preserved to the very end. A new chapter in the history of sportscars racing was written, and I’m sure the stories will be told for many years.
IMSA Platform is a technological proving ground, product showcase, and activation opportunity for brands wanting association with high performance, advancement for all, and sustainable competition. Decades of racing together have shown the enduring recognition of brands and a vision for spirited partnerships.
The connections we make, the celebrations we enjoy, and the coverage we take pride in all go to demonstrate the lasting impact drivers, teams, and IMSA staff have on the automotive industry.
Thank you, John