Daytona Wednesday Highlights: Sportscar365 Coverage
The excitement is building ahead of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, taking place this weekend at the Daytona International Speedway. On Wednesday morning, all 60 participating cars gathered for a traditional group photo on the tri-oval. Meanwhile, 228 helmets from drivers in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship were displayed for a photoshoot in victory lane.
Driver and Team Updates
Risi Competizione is returning to the Michelin Endurance Cup, having taken a year off to support DragonSpeed. The team has confirmed Daniel Serra and Davide Rigon as drivers for all five races this year in the GTD Pro class with their Ferrari 296 GT3 Evo. They will be joined by reigning FIA World Endurance Hypercar champion Alessandro Pier Guidi this weekend.
The No. 62 Ferrari proudly carries a special logo honoring the North American Racing Team, celebrating its historic wins in the 1962 and 1963 editions of what was known as the Daytona Continental.
Promotional Activities and Media Tours
Jack Aitken and Alexander Sims recently completed a media tour in Detroit. They attended an NBA game featuring the Detroit Pistons against the Boston Celtics, enjoying courtside seats courtesy of the Detroit Grand Prix. Sims expressed his excitement, stating, “It’s been great fun,” and appreciated the opportunity to interact with fans and motorsport associates.
In preparation for the race, several Rolex 24 drivers, including Nikita Johnson and Enzo Fittipaldi, participated in a pre-season Indy NXT test at Sebring International Raceway.
Technical and Performance Updates
IMSA’s managing director of engineering, Matt Kurdock, announced there will be no Balance of Performance (BoP) adjustments before the Rolex 24. The BoP tables for GTP and GTD classes remain unchanged since the Roar. Additionally, the Michelin Pilot Sport Endurance Soft compound will be allowed during a specified timeframe, while the Medium compound will be available throughout the race.
Ben Barker is thrilled to be making his debut at the Rolex 24 this year after being sidelined last season due to an injury. He and co-driver Dennis Olsen will be competing in a full-season WeatherTech Championship, having primarily participated in shorter campaigns before.
Competitors’ Insights
Frederic Vervisch, a defending GTD Pro class winner, revealed that the Ford Mustang GT3 EVO needs adjustments from the previous year’s IMSA-sanctioned test. He noted aerodynamics were a primary concern and discussed the team’s goals for improvement in upcoming races.
Ford Motor Company CEO Jim Farley will also compete in the Historic Sportscar Racing IMSA Classic race driving a Riley & Scott Mk IIIC prototype.
Community and Fan Engagement Activities
This weekend’s festivities include the third annual IMSA Technology Symposium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. The event will feature industry leaders discussing future automotive and technological advancements within IMSA.
A new racing film titled “2DIE4” will premiere this weekend at the CMX Cinemas Daytona & IMAX, showcasing the experiences of Porsche Penske Motorsport driver Felipe Nasr at the Le Mans event.
A fan preview event for the Rolex 24, the IMSA Twenty-Four Premier, is scheduled for Thursday evening. This event is free and offers opportunities for fans to meet drivers, witness exciting demonstrations, and view select race cars.
Track Schedule
Official track action for the WeatherTech Championship begins with a 90-minute practice session on Thursday at 10:05 a.m. ET, followed by qualifying from 2:10 to 3:25 p.m. Night practice is set for 6:15 to 7:45 p.m., which fans can watch live on Peacock and the IMSA YouTube Channel.
