50 Anniversary of the 24 HRS of Daytona

Engines roar and roads blur beneath. Jaws tighten. Then relax. Concentration remains in overdrive. Strapped in by a seat belt, but there is courage. Daylight fades and night shocks the senses. All the while, the heart is resolute. Endure.


There are some racing events which one should attend at least once in a lifetime. The picture above depicts one of them, the 24 hours of Daytona. Not only is it a world endurance event, on the same level of the better-known Le Mans 24 hours, but this year it will celebrate its 50th running.

Just get on the internet and book yourself a flight to Miami, Fla. Upon hearing the words "Bienvenidos a  Miami. Agaren sus pasamanos para su seguridad", you will know you arrived in the capital of Latin America. Proceed to get your rental car and follow the signs (huh....a female voice's directions) to either the Fla Turnpike or Interstate 95, and proceed due North. Occasionally make the necessary pitstop. After some 4 hours of cruising (of course depending on how heavy your right foot happens to be) you will near the City of Daytona Beach. Exit unto Int'l Speedway Blvd heading East and be ready to lower your window to hear the roar of the engines, as they head up the embankment at WOT.

My friend.. you have arrived at one of America's most celebrated circuits!

Find yourself a hotel, freshen up, and head back out to the track. You will find that the City of Daytona Beach, still after all this time, is very much a tourist conscious city, where locals will gladly give pointers or tips when asked, even as you pass by in a car.
At the track, buy yourself a Two-Day admission for $40 to get access to the infield and grandstand for the entire duration of the race. The Grandstand is nice to get an overall view as the cars come off the embankment and enter the slower section of the course. For me, the action is in the infield. You've got campers having a good time, BBQ-ing and drinking having fun and socializing with neighbours and passers by, all of this to the sound of the Boxer engines or V6's, V8's and V10's as they roar by in the chase of P1 in their respective categories.

As the sun sets over Lake Loyd and the drivers turn on the lights, the track has done the same a while back, you just haven't noticed it until now, find a nice spot a lay back and relax and enjoy the sight. When you have satisfied the racing freak in you, go back to the hotel, take a quick shower and had on out to catch a bite and hit the club scene. Be sure to visit one of my all time favourites, a club that was one of the best in the nineties, and the still going strong Razzles Night Club.
Don't forget that you are now in the Bible-belt, here strippers wear bikinis and nightclubs close early. Don't be dissapointed when at 1.45 you hear those dreaded words "last call". And as you have your last drink for the night, make sure you visit the toilet on your way out. You don't want to get caught by Daytona Beach's finest with your zipper down, standing in a pool of your urine, as a friend of mine explained "a man's got to do what he's got to do", who shall remain unnamed. Right Pieter?
As you head back to the track, trying your best not to swerve too much, enjoy the sights and sounds of early morning racing. It is the period in the race when mental fatigue can cause the most carnage. Alternatively, go back to the hotel for some much needed rest.

This being the final day, make sure you head back to the track passing by all the IHOP's and Denny's along the way. Any breakfast will taste much better when had at the track. Trust me!
Enjoy the experience, walk around and mingle with those hardy race fans. Don't be shy to walk on over to any group and join in on the talk and laughter.

Below you can watch the 2012 commercial:

On the first day, make sure you arrive with plenty of time to get park and get to the track, for the green flag falls at 3.30 pm. And don't rush to leave the track at the end of the race, you will be stuck in traffic anyway. Just relax and take in the scenery as the celebrations get underway. Alternatively, head out to one of the many watering holes or restaurants on International Speedway Blvd and enjoy the atmosphere. The crowd is usually super relaxed with lots of laughter and animated conversations about this years' race.

There are large parking areas everywhere around the track, just select one and hop on a bus to the track.

Source: Rolex, wikipedia