Surviving the Rolex 24 at Daytona
Enjoying a race on any normal day is an easy task. Scorching heat, pouring rain or similar environmental inconveniences won't prevent you from enjoying the race. After all, you want to be there. When it’s over in a few hours, you'll just head home or head out for a bite to eat while traffic dies down. But what happens when the race is more than just a few hours? How about considerably more ... such as 24 hours.
Endurance races like the Rolex 24 at Daytona are notorious for being unpredictable. That’s part of their mystique and part of how they’ve earned their place at the top of motorsports totem pole.
Today we're sharing our top tips for making the most of Rolex, which this year (2016) runs Jan 30 - 31. Common sense helps, except this race is anything but common.
Ponchos. Bring them.
Rain seems to be an every-other-year occurrence, perfectly timed to catch everyone off-guard. Nothing says, “Let’s do this!” like starting off the race drenched to the core. You have 24 hours of racing ahead, and in the lottery that is Florida weather patterns, the potential for wet weather mishaps is real.
Water. Drink it.
While you are busy keeping dry, remember to hydrate. Start well before you get to the track. A $6 concession stand water isn't fun for anyone, but neither is passing out. There’s a theme here - water can both make and break your Rolex 24 experience, so be prepared.
Sharpies. Leave your mark.
You could use Sharpies for autographs, if you are into that sort of thing. But at Daytona, Sharpies serve another purpose. Use your Sharpie to sign the track, not a hero card. About two hours before the race, find out when and where you need to be to get out for the fan grid walk. See the cars up close, meet the drivers, get some pictures and then go see those high bankings for yourself. And don't forget to sign the start/finish line.
An old-school battery-powered radio.
Two creature comforts are scarce when you are trackside in Daytona - power and cellular signal. More than 50,000 people will show up to this race, which can overwhelm nearby cell towers. This can make communicating with friends difficult and accessing the IMSA live stream nearly impossible.
However, there is still an old-school AM station you can use to get a more complete picture of the race. If you are parking in the infield (a very popular and highly sought after ticket) just be careful not to drain your car's battery. Getting roadside service inside the track from an external source can leave you waiting for hours.
Sunscreen. And a good hat.
Lots of people forget that just because it’s nice outside doesn’t mean that the sun can’t get you. A solid sunburn from Saturday makes Sunday morning miserable.
Cash.
While the vendors try their best to take plastic, there’s nothing like going without lunch because no one can get cell service on their wireless card readers. We've also seen a few well-placed dollars buy VIP seats on top of enterprising fans' Winnebagos.
Family and friends.
Bring your friends, family and kids. It’s time to make some memories. 24 hours of racing is best enjoyed with entertaining people by your side. No one believes you when there’s no backup for a crazy race story, so you better have someone along to corroborate those tales. Keep in mind that race cars are LOUD so ear protection for the family is a good idea as well.
Maximize your smiles per hour at this year's Rolex 24 by getting out there and exploring. We gave you our tips for getting ready, but it’s up to you to explore the new views Daytona built this year. Don’t dwell on the loss of the Party Porch, take the chance to get up high in the stands and find a new view for you.
Look for our reporting from this year’s event, and check out our coverage of last year’s Rolex 24.
Editor’s note: Whether you drive a race car or only dream about it, visit Advance Auto Parts for the best in savings and selection for your ride.
