2019 Rolex 24hrs of Daytona !

Hey, there's an actual IRL winner in the LMP3 race (Alex Barron)!

The same Alex Barron that drove for AAR? 

Yup! And Cheever, too.

Silver rated.

Edited by jonpollak, 11 January 2019 - 12:00.

I'm looking for a little help here - I just found out I will have an opportunity to be in Orlando with a free rental car and hours to kill on Saturday July 26th. As I have no real desire for anything "mouse" related - my obvious first inclination is to hop in that rental and drive to Daytona for the start of the 24...Oh, and I will have a 17 and 10 year old along with me, both will be happy to be there....

I have never been to Daytona before. I have been to races - multiple venues, multiple levels. I've been to INDY for the past 26 years so I know "big events" - but have also walked the pits for World of Outlaws, and even caught Trans Am F3/F4 races outside of Pittsburgh last year. I was even in Cleveland for a Zanardi win in 1998... 

I've looked at the tickets/packages available ahead of time but I wanted to reach out to those who know for advice. So, my question - considering I will only have a late morning through late afternoon window of time to spend at the track on Saturday - What is my best option? Is there a community of scalpers where I can find something under face? With maybe a 6 hour window, do I want infield access or just the unreserved front stretch? What can I hope to see/do in 6-7 hours on Saturday? Say 9am through 5pm or so?

Lay of the land for a newbie anyone?

26 years at the 500 !!! Wow.
Scalpers?... no, just roll up and buy some GA tickets.
Stewie and PiperPa went last year. Check out that thread for some info etc. Best bet is to hook up with paulb as he’s the man on the ground.
Jp

Edited by stewie, 12 January 2019 - 00:02.

26 years at the 500 !!! Wow.
Scalpers?... no, just roll up and buy some GA tickets.
Stewie and PiperPa went last year. Check out that thread for some info etc. Best bet is to hook up with paulb as he’s the man on the ground.
Jp

aserapig - The infield tickets will let you see most of the course with a bit of walking. Garage passes are a must have imho, although there is access on top of the garages which gives you some view of garage activity and a nice view of final banking and the start.

Given your time schedule, I think your parking options may best served by shuttle lots. When PiperPa and I went last year, we always got to the track early, so we were always close in a close lot.

Have a great time. I hope your boys get the bug.

Edited by paulb, 12 January 2019 - 00:36.

I'm looking for a little help here - I just found out I will have an opportunity to be in Orlando with a free rental car and hours to kill on Saturday July 26th. As I have no real desire for anything "mouse" related - my obvious first inclination is to hop in that rental and drive to Daytona for the start of the 24...

Oh, and I will have a 17 and 10 year old along with me, both will be happy to be there....

I have never been to Daytona before. I have been to races - multiple venues, multiple levels. I've been to INDY for the past 26 years so I know "big events" - but have also walked the pits for World of Outlaws, and even caught Trans Am F3/F4 races outside of Pittsburgh last year. I was even in Cleveland for a Zanardi win in 1998...

I've looked at the tickets/packages available ahead of time but I wanted to reach out to those who know for advice. So, my question - considering I will only have a late morning through late afternoon window of time to spend at the track on Saturday - What is my best option? Is there a community of scalpers where I can find something under face? With maybe a 6 hour window, do I want infield access or just the unreserved front stretch? What can I hope to see/do in 6-7 hours on Saturday? Say 9am through 5pm or so?

Lay of the land for a newbie anyone?

No they won't.

Thanks all - Actually Epcot is what I'm stuck with on Sunday...gotta keep the wife happy...

But yes - '94 was my first 500 with Al Jr. - so I got two years of the CART days before the dark years. The first year was a graduation present from college. The guy that took me had been going since 72 and crowed that he had been going since Jim Neighbors had been singing Back Home Again in Indiana - a very big true-ism he passed down to me - if you here for the party, it's the same party every year with different faces, you'll figure that out, get tired of it and stop coming after two or three years.. If you're here for the race you'll get bit by the bug and be back every year. I was already bit by the bug - so I've been back every year. I drive out from Pittsburgh the day before and drive home after with a stop in Zanesville for Steak and Shake... Last year was the 10th for the 17 year old...the 10 year old is pampered and doesn't want to sleep in the car or a tent!

So - Shuttle park, infield tickets - garage pass. I see two day passes with garage access for around $110 on Stub Hub - seems a bit much. I should expect to do better in person?

^Great timing on that photo!

Daytona 24 and Formula E simultaneously? Well that's me set. This weekend is going to be great.

Here’s this weeks schedule.

http://www.daytonain...A/Schedule.aspx

Jp

I always forget that the Rolex is an evening start here in the UK...

Can't wait for this weekend to roll around...

Is qualifying going to be streamed globally as well?

Edited by DanardiF1, 21 January 2019 - 16:04.

I always forget that the Rolex is an evening start here in the UK...

 

Can't wait for this weekend to roll around...

 

Is qualifying going to be streamed globally as well?

Website says IMSA TV from 3:25 to 4:40 pm EST on Thursday (so from 8:25 pm in the UK).

Website says IMSA TV from 3:25 to 4:40 pm EST on Thursday (so from 8:25 pm in the UK).

Fantastic thanks for that info... 

Anyone gonna put their tip for pole position down yet or keep their cards close until after practice? The #77 Mazda does seem like a good shout, would be a popular one too I imagine...

Life of IMSA Spotters, https://sportscar365...-role-spotters/

And how about some 1985 IMSA in-car action? Riverside no less!

https://racer.com/20...peared-in-1985/

Who's gonna be on here for the full 24?

I am readying my body, mind and soul for the full stint this year.

Don't forget the IRC channel if anyone wants to shoot the breeze live during the race.

I'll be around for the first 2-3 hours and then from my timezone's morning coffee all the way to the finish.

Here’s this weeks schedule.

http://www.daytonain...A/Schedule.aspx

Thanks, that's much better than IMSA's page: https://sportscarcha...olex-24-daytona

They list two events on Saturday, one at 2:35 PM to 11:55 PM and one from 12:00 AM to 2:35 PM.

It sort of makes sense, in that one can puzzle together what they mean, but it's needlessly complicated.

Don't EVEN get me started on the IMSA app.

Jp

Who's gonna be on here for the full 24?
 
I am readying my body, mind and soul for the full stint this year.

Porsche have accidentally created a monster bromance. 

https://twitter.com/...146915269566464

Oh yes, and a Brumos tribute livery for the Florida 36 Hours. http://www.dailyspor...x-24-hours.html

EDIT: And a Canadian team with a Porsche that yells out "I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK".

https://twitter.com/...123574068629504

 

 

EDIT: And a Canadian team with a Porsche that yells out "I'm a lumberjack and I'm OK".

 

https://twitter.com/...123574068629504

Well it officially starts today lads and laddettes!!!

Don't forget the IRC channel if anyone wants to shoot the breeze live during the race.

 

I'll be around for the first 2-3 hours and then from my timezone's morning coffee all the way to the finish.

I'll be on the Autosport IRC channel as well, evidently. Can't wait for Saturn-day.

http://www.spottergu...tfolio/19_imsa/

http://www.spottergu...tfolio/19_imsa/

It wouldn't be the same without Andy Blackmore's spotter guides 

And Practice 1 is underway.

IMSA Radio is live along with your choice of timing options !

Jp

Who's gonna be on here for the full 24?

 

I am readying my body, mind and soul for the full stint this year.

I'll try and do most of the full 24, maybe catch a few hours of sleep into the real early hours but I'll try not to if I can...

Is anyone else a bit disappointed Mazda haven't turned up with a retro livery... they have quite a few just from IMSA alone...

Is anyone else a bit disappointed Mazda haven't turned up with a retro livery... they have quite a few just from IMSA alone...

They've done it in the past... and it didn't exactly bring them luck.

https://racer.com/20...han-wins-legge/

Jp

Just a rumour for now, but the girls may be heading for Le Mans in an LMP2...

http://www.endurance...eminin-en-lmp2/ (en francais)

They've done it in the past... and it didn't exactly bring them luck.

When have Mazda EVER had luck in prototype sportscar racing apart from that one weekend in France in 1991?

Maybe Joest have enforced their more dour German efficiency and got them to stick with the current corporate colours.

Practice 2 is happening now...seems IMSA radio is borked however.
Jp

Working now. No.6 Acura is having mechanical issues. Albuquerque fastest so far.

Bommarito 1:34.7

Bit confused will the race be streamed on you tube???

Not YouTube but on. imsatv.imsa.com

You can try it out in about an hour for qualifying
Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 24 January 2019 - 19:42.

Not YouTube but on. imsatv.imsa.com

You can try it out in about an hour for qualifying
Jp

And if anyone has issues with streaming it directly from imsa tv, Radio Le Mans also carries a mirror of the coverage too that I use because its easier to get it to cast on my TV...

http://www.radiolema...e-video-stream/

Bommarito 1:34.7

CORE with the Nissan in 3rd as well, they're getting to grips with the new car pretty quickly which is good to see...