2020 ROLEX 24 by n.george

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Rolex

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MORGAN RHODES > JOURNEY BLUE MEDIA

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Cover shot: No. 16 Wright Motorsports Porsche, leaving T5

“As a motorsports photographer, I’m always looking for a new location or different ways of getting the shot. Since we visit the same tracks each season, it’s a big challenge. You want to get your client the iconic location shots but you also want to give them something extra that’s more artsy. Panning is a great way to play with color, motion and light. Here are few of my favorite images from the 2020 Rolex 24.”

~ Morgan Rhodes, Photographer, Journey Blue Media

Above: No. 7 Acura ARX-05 DPi, Team Penske > Banking shot at NASCAR T3, approximate speed, 200 MPH. Drivers: Helio Castroneves, Ricky Taylor, and Alexander Rossi. Track Specs: 2.5-mile tri-oval, 40 feet wide with 12- to 30-foot apron. Turns: Banking: 31 degrees Length: 3,000 feet Radius: 1,000 feet. ~Source: IMSA

One of the most enjoyable elements of the off-track activity of the Rolex 24 is the carnival that takes place in the infield. Located along the main access road, this area can provide fun and entertainment for all ages. The Ferris wheel has become an icon at the race and is one of the tallest on the east coast of Florida. A spot at the top provides you a panoramic view of the track, as well as terrific sightlines of the Atlantic Ocean. ~ Source: IMSA

The Rolex 24, which is known today as Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most prestigious sports car event, became a 2,000-kilometer race in 1964 and then a 24-hour race beginning in 1966. This image was shot from the Tower roof through broadcasting camera gear â&#x20AC;&#x201C; hour 2 of the race.

Double Trouble . . . > From start to finish, the GT racers from Weissach ran like clockwork at their first 24-hour race. Not a single technical problem hampered the premiere, at which the two new 911 RSR took turns at the lead over most of the distance. In the race, Laurens Vanthoor (Belgium), Earl Bamber (New Zealand) and Mathieu Jaminet (France) followed up on this top performance, claiming second place in the No. 912 vehicle, with the No. 911 sister car with the driver trio FrĂŠdĂŠric Makowiecki (France), Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Matt Campbell (Australia) finishing third. > In the final few hours of the race, spectators were treated to a spectacular finale with overtaking manoeuvres and changes at the front. The six Porsche works drivers were rewarded with a double podium and their team for a successful weekend, making the outstanding debut of the new Porsche 911 RSR perfect. ~ Source: Porsche

Sunrise. The No. 63 Weather Tech Ferrari 488 GT3, Scuderia Corsa at sunrise. The Scuderia Corsa team finished seventh in the GT Daytona Class after running the entirety of the twice-around-the-clock classic. The team executed flawlessly over the duration of the race with error free pit stops. The drivers answered their pit crewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s performance by remaining focused and avoiding all possible incident on-track. The No. 63 never faltered, even taking the lead of the GTD field at nightfall under the guidance of Ferrari Factory Driver Toni Vilander. ~ Source: Scuderia Corsa

Lexus and AIM VASSER SULLIVAN (AVS) opened the 2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with a top-10 class finish in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with the #14 Lexus RC F GT3 finishing ninth. Shown here is the No.12 car during a pit stop at sunset around 8 hours into the race.

Driver Dane Cameron, No. 6 Acura Team Penske in pit Lane at night practice. Coming off the most successful season in its storied history, Team Penske has high expectations for the 2020 season and, with raceâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;and championship-winning teams across all levels of competition, the outlook is bright for North Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s winningest racing organization. ~ Source Team Penske

“The C8.R is much more than just a race-tuned version of the 2020 Corvette Stingray. It’s a culmination of many years of testing and development between GM Design, Propulsion, Engineering and the Corvette Racing team,” said Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports. The C8.R No. 4 car also dons a new silver livery, inspired by the color of iconic Corvette concepts such as the 1973 Chevrolet Aerovette and the 1959 Corvette Stingray Racer. This car also features yellow accents. Shown here is the #4 exiting T5 on the bumper of the No. 25 BMW, Team RLL. ~ Source: IMSA

No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche GT Team â&#x20AC;&#x201C;a panning shot across the infield entering NASCAR Turn 3.

No. 47 Lamborghini Huacan GT3 Evo, Precision Performance Motorsports driver change; Mark Kvamme and Eric Lux.

The lead changed hands more than 40 times as the race went right down to the wire before triggering wild celebrations. BMW Team RLL won the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at Daytona (USA) for the second season in a row. John Edwards (USA), Jesse Krohn (FIN), Augusto Farfus (BRA) and Chaz Mostert (AUS) took victory in the GTLM class at the wheel of the No. 24 MOTUL BMW M8 GTE at â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Daytona International Speedwayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. The No. 25 car finished fifth. At the head of the field, the BMW works drivers thrilled GT fans with magnificent overtaking manoeuvres to finish ahead of two Porsche cars in second and third place. ~ Source: Rahal, Letterman, Lanigan Here is the No. 25 BMW M8 GTE, Team RLL (Rahal, Letterman, Lanigan) in the afternoon light.

Beauty is in the details. Classic Cars in the FanZone

â&#x20AC;&#x153;We pushed hard right from the start, stayed amongst the frontrunners for 24 hours and led for a long time. To kick off the season on the podium with the two new RSR is a fantastic start to the 2020 racing year.â&#x20AC;? ~ Matt Campbell (Porsche 911 RSR No. 911)

No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche GT Team on the back stretch, entering NASCAR T3.

Tire prep.

Sunrise splash of color at the Ferris wheel.

Race start for the 58th Rolex 24 at Daytona.

Moving parts. Dpi engine prep before the race.

No. 48 Lamborghini Huracan GT3, Paul Miller Racing and the #19 Lamborghini Huracan GT3, Gear Racing (all female team). GEAR Racing, which stands for Girls Empowerment Around Racing, teamed up with Grasser for the 2020 season to field the No. 19 Huracan GT3. They sported this colorful pop art-style livery. It was designed by motorsport artist Andy Blackmore.

The No. 77 Mazda RT24-P, Team Joest. Two Mazda RT24-Ps battled over 24 hours of racing at Daytona International Speedway to record the companyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best overall finish at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The No. 77 Mazda RT24-P driven by Oliver Jarvis, Tristan Nunez and Olivier Pla finished in second position, completing 833 laps over the 24-hour race. Jarvis qualified the car on pole position, and from the drop of the green flag it was a factor for the victory, leading 190 total laps in the race. ~ Source: Mazda

No. 3 Corvette C8.R, Corvette Racing on the front stretch at night practice.

The No. 4 Corvette C8.R, Corvette Racing at sunrise at T3, the International Horseshoe.

Doc Hudson Hornet on display in the Fanzone. Doc Hudson (Voiced by Paul Newman in his last non-documentary film role) was Radiator Springsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; local physician. His license plate read 51HHMD which was a reference to his year and track number (51), model (Hudson Hornet) and profession (medical doctor). A racer-turned-mechanic, the character had Newmanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blue eyes. ~ Source: Wikipedia

Reflection.

Fans crowding around the Dpi car garages before race start.

No. 86 AutoNation / SiriusXM LaSalle Solutions Acura NSX GT3, Meyer Shank Racing entering the International Horseshoe during the 11pm fireworks display.

No. 77 Mazda RT24-P, Team Joest - a panning shot at sunrise.

Ferrari’s a@!&$ is mine.

— Carroll Shelby

No. 6 Acura ARX-05 DPi, Team Penske. Front stretch during night practice.

No. 62 Ferrari 488 GTE, Risi Competizione. Alone at Sunrise.

Sunrise . . .

Opening a new era for Corvette, the mid-engine C8.R race car powered to fourth and seventh place in class at its Rolex 24 Hours of Dayton. On track, the No. 3 car hammered along relentlessly for 24 hours, its driver team of Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor and Nicky Catsburg leading the class twice and covering 785 laps for 2,795 miles â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a record distance for any Corvette entry in Rolex 24 history. Here the C8.R racing at sunrise, heading into T3 â&#x20AC;&#x201C;17.5 hours into the race.

A Watch Born to Race Rolex’s close ties with motor sports date back to Sir Malcolm Campbell’s World Land Speed Record successes in the 1930s, when he became the first driver to break the 300 mph barrier (483 km/h) at the wheel of his car Bluebird. Since then, Rolex’s presence in motor racing has grown steadily, its support extending to revered endurance events, such as the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World The Rolex Daytona I am wearing was given to me in the late sixties in Monaco for winning one of the legendary races. I’ve kept it all those years and still wear it a lot. It’s just a classic watch (shown above) ) that reminds me of the old times and the most glamorous, most colorful, most exciting Grand Prix of the whole season. ~ Sir Jackie Stewart

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Endurance Championship. In 2013, Rolex became associated with Formula 1®, the pinnacle of motor sport, having supported Rolex Testimonee Sir Jackie Stewart since 1968. The brand also has a global appreciation for classic car events steeped in elegance, beauty and tradition, including the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and the Goodwood Revival. ~ Source: Rolex

Rolex at the Daytona® With a simple drop of the green flag, anticipation gives way to intense action. For a demanding 24 straight hours, drivers must endure competition from all walks of racing, unforgiving curves and a track only 20% illuminated at night. If for any second, endurance gives way to mental and physical exhaustion, the chance to triumph slips away as fast as a speeding opponent. Drivers who remain resolute and confident in the face of danger, however, will go further than they ever have before.

Some gift them to family and friends. Some keep them for their children. Some put them in safekeeping. Others wear them as a daily reminder of perhaps their greatest accomplishment in auto racing. It’s the steel and yellow gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona (with a white dial) that has become synonymous with victory in the 24-hour race that opens the IMSA season. Since 1992, every driver on a class-winning team in the Rolex 24 at Daytona (and the race’s grand marshal) has received the watch, whose retail price starts at more than $10,000. Last year, there were 16 watches awarded to the winners at Daytona International Speedway. Every winner has a story of what the watch means, and every driver still trying to win their first has a story of what they’d do with it. Visit NBC Sports to learn more. ~ Source: NBC Sports

The Next Evolution . . . In November 2015, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and WeatherTech jointly announced that the leader in automotive accessories and one of the industry’s most strategic marketers of its products became the new entitlement partner of IMSA’s premier sports car series. As part of a multi-year agreement with IMSA, the series was named IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. The first race for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship was the 54th Rolex 24 At Daytona in January 2016. The race was also the first event to take place in the new Daytona International Speedway motorsports stadium after the completion of the DAYTONA Rising project – a $400 million renovation that confirms Daytona International Speedway as the most advanced and fan-friendly motorsports venue in the world. As stated in 2015: “I have been involved in racing for over 30 years,” MacNeil said. “I’ve competed in IMSA with Alex Job, finishing on the Sebring podium in 1999. My son Cooper has been driving in the American Le Mans Series and TUDOR Championship for the past six years. We are thrilled to be a part of the next evolution of sports car racing with the influx of new FIA GT3 cars next season and the new prototypes coming in 2017. This is an exciting time for sports car racing in America and I hope to help broaden the appeal of this compelling sport.”

WeatherTech is 100% owned by its Founder and CEO David MacNeil. Founded in 1989, Mr. MacNeil started WeatherTech out of his home in Clarendon Hills, Illinois. Dissatisfied with the quality of existing automotive floor mats, WeatherTech began with importing the mats directly from England. However, Mr. MacNeil was convinced that he could create a better product right here in America, using American workers. So, in 2007 he made the decision to move production of his entire line of automotive accessories to America, opening facilities within the suburbs of Chicago. Since then, WeatherTech has expanded operations significantly. Opening new facilities, developing new and innovative products and creating jobs for Americans from every walk of life. WeatherTech and Mr. MacNeil are dedicated to investing in American manufacturing and the American economy. We build, buy and hire American… Isn’t this the way it’s supposed to be? - Sources: Forbes and IMSA

Making a Difference We wanted to use the biggest stage possible to highlight Scout’s story and these incredible breakthroughs, which are not just limited to helping dogs and pets. –David MacNeil, Founder and CEO, Weather Tech

When clinicians at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine began caring for Scout in July 2019, they had no idea they would soon inspire, and appear in, a Super Bowl commercial. But they had a canine star on their hands, and a very appreciative client who set in motion the ad’s production. The Super Bowl LIV aired on Sunday, Feb. 2 on FOX, and Scout appeared alongside members of the school’s faculty and staff who have been part of the 7-year-old golden retriever’s cancer treatment journey. The 30-second commercial, titled “Lucky Dog,” aired during the game’s second quarter and was paid for by WeatherTech, manufacturer of automotive accessories and home and pet care products. Scout is a member of the family of WeatherTech founder and CEO David MacNeil. The ad follows Scout’s journey as a cancer survivor, celebrates the work being done at the UW School of Veterinary Medicine, and encourages viewers to donate to the school’s cancer research efforts. This is the first time UW–Madison has been the subject of a Super Bowl commercial. It was filmed in December at the school and its teaching hospital, UW Veterinary Care. “This is an amazing opportunity not only for the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the School of Veterinary Medicine, but for veterinary medicine worldwide,” says Mark Markel, dean of the School of Veterinary Medicine. “So much of what’s known globally today about how best to diagnose and treat devastating diseases such as cancer originated in veterinary medicine. We’re thrilled to share with Super Bowl

viewers how our profession benefits beloved animals like Scout and helps people, too.” Cancer is the number one cause of illness and death in the aging dog population. Having lost his last three dogs to cancer and with Scout now also affected by the disease, efforts to advance life-saving treatments and technology are close to MacNeil. “Scout’s illness devastated us,” says MacNeil. “We wanted this year’s Super Bowl effort to not only raise awareness, but also financial support for the incredible research and innovative treatments happening at the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine, where Scout is still a patient. We wanted to use the biggest stage possible to highlight Scout’s story and these incredible breakthroughs, which are not just limited to helping dogs and pets. This research will help advance cancer treatments for humans as well, so there’s the potential to save millions of lives of all species.” To learn more click the links below: Click he visit S re to co Instag ut’s ram page!

- Sources: Forbes and University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine.

IMSA: Behind the Scenes IMSA, the International Motor Sports Association, has a long history as the premier sanctioning body for sports car competition in North America. The sanctioning body was founded in 1969 by John Bishop with the assistance of NASCAR President Bill France Sr. Bishop was a 12-year employee of the Sports Car Club of America, who elected to follow his own vision for professional road racing. Bishop and his wife, Peggy, brought a family-style feel to the organization, based in Bridgeport, Conn.

The first IMSA-sanctioned race was at Pocono International Raceway in October. 1969, a Formula Ford and Formula Vee event that paid $3,000 and attracted 348 spectators. Bishop abandoned his plans for openwheel competition by the end of 1970, concentrating on forming a six-race series in 1971 for FIA Group 2 and Group 4 sports cars, along with “Baby Grand” stock cars.

O RE T K HE ORE! C I L C NM LEAR

The first IMSA-sanctioned race was at Pocono International Raceway in Oct., 1969, a Formula Ford and Formula Vee event that paid $3,000 and attracted 348 spectators. Bishop abandoned his plans for open-wheel competition by the end of 1970, concentrating on forming a six-race series in 1971 for FIA Group 2 and Group 4 sports cars, along with “Baby Grand” stock cars. That series became the IMSA GT Series .The R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company began sponsoring what became Camel GT in 1972, and the series quickly gained in popularity. Bishop’s vision of adding prototype sports cars in the early 1980s proved to be a huge success, and the series thrived throughout the 1980s with many of the top names in U.S. and international sports cars battling on North America’s top road circuits in Porsche, Jaguar, Ford, Nissan, Chevrolet and Toyota Camel GTP Prototypes. In addition to the GTP Prototypes , Camel GT also featured Camel Lights Prototypes and production-based competition in the GTO, GTU and American GT classes. IMSA also sanctioned American stock cars in the Kelly American Challenge; small sedans in the Champion Spark Plug Challenge; production cars in the Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship; exotics in the Bridgestone Super Car Championship; and open-wheel cars in the Barber Saab Pro Series. Bishop sold the organization to Florida businessmen Mike Cone and Jeff Parker in 1989. The company was relocated to Tampa, Fla. With a sharp drop in participation in the GTP class due to a challenging economy, IMSA announced a shift to a revolutionary concept for 1994, introducing the World Sports Car, an opencockpit prototype. There were many additional changes for 1994. Florida businessman and GT racer Charlie Slater purchased IMSA. Exxon USA took over sponsorship of the series, which became the EXXON World Sports Car Championship, while GT competition took place in the EXXON Supreme GT Series.

In September 1996, the International Motor Sports Group – a conglomerate including Roberto Mueller and Andy Evans – purchased IMSA and changed its name to Professional SportsCar Racing for 1997. Many changes took place over the following three years. The United States Road Racing Championship sanctioned races with the assistance of the Sports Car Club of America in 1998-99. While originally affiliated with the USRRC, Don Panoz departed to hold the inaugural Petit Le Mans endurance race at Road Atlanta in 1998. He expanded that concept into a full series in 1999, the American Le Mans Series. He envisioned bringing European-style endurance sports car racing to America – highlighted by the 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans. Panoz also acquired rights to IMSA, which became the sanctioning body for the organization. Faced without a sanctioning body for Daytona International Speedway’s flagship road race, Jim France put together a team of investors who shared his vision for a new North American sports car championship to carry on the legacy of the series cofounded by his father, Bill France Sr., 30 years earlier. GRAND-AM Road Racing debuted with the 2000 running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and ran its opening three seasons with similar classes to the ALMS. From its birth in 1999, the ALMS proclaimed its racing “For the Fans,” and built a loyal group of followers. The series later undertook a number of initiatives to become recognized as the Global Leader in Green Racing, gaining both national and international recognition for its Green Racing protocols. GRAND-AM took a radical step when it introduced the Daytona Prototype as its lead class beginning in 2003. The new car became popular with both fans and drivers for its durability, affordability and safety. The DP attracted competitors from NASCAR, IndyCar and international sports car racing, especially to GRAND-AM’s marquee events at Daytona, Watkins Glen and Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While both series were successful on their own, it became apparent that they would have to combine in order to grow the sport. The two groups announced in Sept. 2012 they would merge into one organization beginning with the 2014 season. Fittingly, it was also announced that the unified series would be sanctioned by IMSA. IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship opens with a pair of historic events – the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring fueled by Fresh from Florida – building on the vision of John Bishop and Bill France Sr. from 45 years ago. ~Source: IMSA

IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship opens with a pair of historic events – the Rolex 24 At Daytona and Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring fueled by Fresh from Florida – building on the vision of John Bishop and Bill France Sr. from 45 years ago.