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New Historic Car Race – The Classic 24 at Daytona

Three Daytona 24-Hour contenders take to the high banks of the Daytona International Speedway in 1971
High-bank racing at the 1971 Daytona 24 Hours: No. 28 Ferrari 512S driven by Merzario/Juncadella, No. 4 Porsche 917 driven by Elford/Van Lennep, and No. 22 Ferrari 512M driven by Revson/Posey/Parsons/Chinetti Jr. (photo: Bill Warner)

Historic Sportscar Racing LTD. (HSR), Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) and Vintage Racing Events (VRE) are teaming up for the first 24-hour endurance race for historic race cars in North America, scheduled for November 12-16, 2014 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The “Classic 24 at Daytona” will pay homage to all the great cars and drivers that have participated in the endurance sports car races held at Daytona International Speedway, including the famed 24-hour races held annually each January.

The 3.56-mile road course at the Speedway has been the proving ground for international sports car racing since 1962 when Dan Gurney won the three-hour Daytona Continental in the Lotus-Climax 19B entered by the Arciero Brothers. Since then, the long-distance enduros at Daytona have been the scene of some of history’s most spectacular races featuring the great marques and drivers of the day.

“Daytona is considered by many to be the toughest of the classic endurance races,” said James Redman, General Manager, HSR. “The nights are long and the speeds are high around the famously steep banks. It is a true test of car and driver. The Classic 24 at Daytona will give owners, drivers and spectators a chance to relive and witness what the greatest names in racing went through en route to the top step of the podium at Daytona.”

Five days of what is expected to be exciting on-track action, including HSR’s sprint and endurance race series, night practice and night races, lead into the start of “The Classic 24 at Daytona” at noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014 and finishing 24 hours later on Sunday.

The event will feature six period-correct groups of race cars competing in one-hour sessions, four times each over the 24 hours. A mandatory pit stop during each session for optional driver changes will allow spectators to see these vintage race cars up close. When one group is checkered the next group will be gridded, waiting and ready to roll out behind the pace car for the next green flag. The clock hands will sweep 24 hours between green flag and checkered, when the champions will be crowned.

For additional information, visit www.classic24hour.com.

[Source: HSR, HMSA]