The season is officially open. The IMSA ROLEX 24 is on from Daytona for January 25-26. Previously, during the “Roar Before The 24” weekend, the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge notched their openers with 2 races run. The mix of prototypes and sports cars on track set a visual preview for the ROLEX 24. (Results at IMSA online)
The racing at Daytona is also a preview for a showcase weekend closer to home as IMSA continues to make Virginia International Raceway a key stop for the championship across several disciplines. The Michelin GT Challenge weekend is a late season points grab which makes VIR an important track for teams and drivers. This tension and focus makes it one of the best fan experiences on the schedule.
The WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Pilot Challenge, VP Racing Challenge, Mazda Mx-5 and Mustang Challenge put a full weekend of action on the track for racing fans across the board. For Virginia, the weekend is another feather in the “hot spot” for racing lovers.
For racing the opener ROLEX 24, you’ll need the official spotter’s guide from Andy Blackmore Designs. It’s a detailed PDF download available, for free, online with a click.
Watching the ROLEX is a great intro to the racing season. The weekend following has NASCAR taking on the confined course at Bowman-Gray in North Carolina with the Cookout Clash. The Daytona 500 is back in Florida shortly after we get passed that silly Superbowl.
Racing is coming – Racing is on – Let’s go racing!