When fears of a global coronavirus pandemic ground the world to a halt almost a year ago, the automotive industry found itself facing shuttered dealerships, repurposed factories, and canceled motorsport events. Enthusiasts, meanwhile, discovered that social distancing behind the wheel of their favorite cars filled the time safely—leading to a rash of speeding tickets—while museums and industry events switched to online formats to bring automotive culture into homes across the globe.
Today, as hope grows on the horizon that vaccines will allow for safe reopenings and public gatherings, events like the Rolex 24 at Daytona have served as sounding boards and target goals for an entire industry desperate to regain its footing. And tomorrow, the famous endurance race looks set to run beginning at 3:40 PM EST, with plenty of pandemic-related measures in place for the crowds and a historic parade lap in advance of the race featuring a host of cars on display out of The Brumos Collection.
Semi-Empty Stands And Restricted Access
Putting on the Rolex 24 at Daytona in the midst of a pandemic sounds like it has been a bit of a challenge—if limited media access can be viewed as a measuring stick. For attendees, safety measures have been enacted including limiting ticket sales and enforcing social distancing rules throughout the day, night, and day of competition. In addition, attractions like fan access to garages, grid walks, and pre-race festivities have been entirely eliminated, including infield tent and car camping.
The infield bleachers and front-stretch seating will remain in use for general admission, albeit with markers on the bleachers so that fans can more easily comply with these new regulations. In standing-room areas along the fenceline, additional markers will delineate safe distances, while guest services will be on hand to make sure that access to certain areas will become restricted during peak business.
Remembering Daytonas Of The Past
The changes on tap for this year's 24-hour race will no doubt serve as further cause to look back at the long and storied history of Daytona, which makes it all the more appropriate that The Brumos Collection will contribute six historically significant Porsches for an honorary lap before founder Dano Davis waves the green flag as the official race starter. Fittingly, this will be the 59th running of the 24-hour endurance challenge at Daytona—59 serving as The Brumos Collection's racing number after former co-owner Peter Gregg took 41 IMSA victories in Porsches bedecked in the digits.
This Year's Competition
Fans will anxiously await the emergence of current stars like Kevin Magnussen, Loic Duval, Jimmie Johnson, Simon Pagenaud, Kamui Kobayashi, and Mike Rockenfeller in this year's race. After a rain-affected running of the Roar Before The Rolex 24 and a 100-minute qualifying race this past weekend, Felipe Nasr and Pipo Derani have clinched pole position in their Number 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi V.R. Nasr and Derani will also count FIA World Endurance Champion Mike Conway and Nascar Cup Series champ Chase Elliott in their corner. Meanwhile, Chip Ganassi Racing has returned to Daytona with former race winners Renger van der Zande and Scott Dixon behind the wheel in partnership with F1 driver Magnussen.
As usual, the drivers to complete the most laps will receive a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona with special engravings to celebrate their achievements. In a statement from Rolex, the knighted racer Jackie Stewart said “Few sports have ever been blessed with enduring relationships such as that of Rolex and motor racing. Rolex has always been a company that thinks long-term and fostered remarkable partnerships, and as such, has been part of tremendous moments in history. It is always with great excitement that the start of the motor sport season arrives with the Rolex 24, where attention to detail and the very highest standards of performance are fundamental to achieve success."
Brumos Back In The Spotlight
But one of the more exciting moments will take place Saturday before the race, when a collection of Porsches pulled out of The Brumos Collection will thunder around the 3.56-mile circuit. They will include a 1971 914-6 GT IMSA Championship winner, to be driven by Ray Shaffer, and a 1975 911 RSR, which will be driven by legendary racer Hurley Haywood, who won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1977.
In addition, the display will include a 1979 935, the last race car driven by Peter Gregg and set with Andrew Davis at the wheel, a 2009 Daytona 24-winning Porsche Riley, to be driven by David Donohue, a 2011 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup Grand-Am Spec driven by Leh Keen, and a 2017 Porsche 911 RSR, which will be driven by Earl Bamber.
The Brumos Collection's Dano Davis
The fleet of Porsches will draw additional attention to The Brumos Collection's benefactor, Dano Davis. Davis purchased the iconic Brumos Porsche dealerships in 1990 and reintroduced the racing team to competition that same year. By 1991, Brumos had won the IMSA Supercar Series championship and would do so the next two years, as well. Brumos also won first and third in 2009 at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, plus a GT Championship in 2011 before retiring from competition in 2013. The Brumos Collection opened to the general public almost exactly one year ago, before being forced to shutter its doors due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Brumos Collection recently reopened in advance of this year's Rolex 24 at Daytona, with limited attendance and safety measures in place for guests. Brandon Starks, The Brumos Collection's Executive Director, said, “We were trying to open prior to the 24 Hours of Daytona so that people could, on their way down to the track, stop by. That was the goal, the 24 Hours was the driving factor."
Reopening For Daytona Weekend
"We’ve had a variety of challenges but we’ve worked through them throughout the year," added Starks, "Just coming up with a plan that was the safest possible plan, that followed the CDC recommended best practices while still maintaining a positive experience. Luckily, we’ve been able to talk to people within the medical industry to get some guidance on how to approach opening so I think we’re in good shape. The size of the building and the height of the ceilings, the ability to spread out is a real advantage for us, so we think we can do this safely and comfortably."
The Brumos Collection as a whole would never have been possible without Davis, who will start this year's 24-hour race and of whom Starks said, "We’re all really excited for Dan, he’s always been a very quiet guy. He’s happy to be out of the limelight but he’s supported a lot of dreams in his life, a lot of people have been able to pursue their dreams and do amazing things because he’s supported them. Brumos never would have been able to go back racing in the 1990s and 2000s if Dan hadn’t stood behind it, so it’s neat to see him get a little recognition. And it makes it extra special for us to do that."
Sources: daytonainternationalspeedway.com, thebrumoscollection.com, and imsa.com.