24 Hours of Daytona, but with vintage cars

HSR recently announced a 24-hour vintage race for Daytona: http://classic24hour.com

It sounds like they're using the same format used by the LeMans Classic: 24 hours of racing, but with multiple race groups, each getting several stints throughout the 24-hour period.

"But it's not a real 24-hour race," someone's going to cry. Technically, not really, but it reduces the headaches and costs of refueling and changing tires under green. I think it also makes the event more attractive to those with the irreplaceable machines.

Know what? The LeMans Classic was the coolest vintage race I have ever been to. Where else can you see a real Daytona Coupe, GT40, GTO or D-Type running LeMans at o-dark-30? This has the potential to be epic.

So, a question: What would you run?

In my wildest fantasies I'd be driving a Cobra Daytona coupe, but in reality the most logical choice would be a Triumph TR8 since we're building one up for vintage racing. Group 44 TR8's ran well there. Not that we'd expect to be that fast however.

GT40 MK1 of course.

I would be Andres co-driver.

Leo

Hertz rental Shelby GT350H Mustang. And I mean one that I actually rented at Hertz on Friday and sneaked back onto the lot Monday morning early enough to just use the key drop.

So is Classic Motorsports going to have a classic car corral at this event?

Game on Leo. I need a serious car fix.

Andre, you should come down to Watkins Glenn(we'll meet half way). Ill let you drive the Cooper sometime...I hope to have it on the track by mid season.

Leo

I love the Glen. When I finally own a truck I will expand my racing into the US. Funds & time permitting.

My Glen experience in 2008 was amazing. Really the same amount of driving as me going to Mosport.

Once I get a little bit of time I would love to go to Mosport.

Maybe Classic Motorsports could host a series...The Motorsports Classic! LOL

Leo

Well we are doing a TR VS MG thing this summer.

I'll need to get some decals on the FIAT :)

David S. Wallens wrote: So, a question: What would you run?

I still think a well prepared 240Z would make a great endurance racer for that sort of thing. BMW 2002 or Datsun 510 also come to mind. Parts are still around and in my experience aren't to expensive to maintain for the track on my budget.

I'm gonna have to say Mazda RX-3 SP coupe. Just too cool still.

one day....

I just finished reading Touch Wood, which is Duncan Hamilton's biography. He and Tony Rolt won overall at Le Mans in 1953 with a C-Type Jag. He had great praise for the C-Type in long distance events so I'd have to say that's the classic I'd like to run at Daytona if I had the financial means and the ability.

No votes yet for Porsche 911? I hear those things do okay at Daytona.

Porsche 907L

I don't recall it being done at the time, but a 70's Trans Am with proper GT level prep sounds like fun. As for the real thing, weren't there a couple of late 60's vettes that did well?

Would be kind of fun to drive the Greenwood Corvette. I remember watching that car leading the race for the first few hours back in the mid 1970's before it blew up. 75 or 76 if I remember right.

Lotus 11, just because I always loved them, and now have the joy of drooling over one that a buddy of mine preps for vintage.

But if I were to race it at Daytona, I would mandate larger mirrors, because I would be being overtaken on a constant basis.

But I would still be happy!!!

But if I had to settle for something a bit more "mundane" just to participate, I guess either an Interscope or Brumos 935 would be fun.

I would be up for that, either to bring a car or just to watch

Great idea! However I'm confused about the rules. It says all significant sports cars from 1961 to 2010. Who decides what is significant and what is not & on what basis? For that matter, who defines sports cars & on what basis?

Considering the continuous discussions on what a sports car is, what vintage is (certainly not 2010), & what classic is? Those answers would certainly make a huge difference on what could or should be entered.

A list of eligible cars can be found here: http://classic24hour.com/eligiblecars.html

Want to bring a car that's not on the list? I'm guessing that you could plead your case to HSR.

I believe JG is bringing a Buick Somerset.

In reply to David S. Wallens:

That list.....
So many incredible options.....

In reply to David S. Wallens:

Thanks for the eligible cars link. I noticed they show several Mazda models eligible but no Miata or MX-5. I guess Miatas, of which over 1,000,000 have been sold, aren't significant enough to suit them. But a Plymouth Belvedere is??

Gearheadotaku wrote: I don't recall it being done at the time, but a 70's Trans Am with proper GT level prep sounds like fun. As for the real thing, weren't there a couple of late 60's vettes that did well?

there most certainly were:

Rupert wrote: In reply to David S. Wallens: Thanks for the eligible cars link. I noticed they show several Mazda models eligible but no Miata or MX-5. I guess Miatas, of which over 1,000,000 have been sold, aren't significant enough to suit them. But a Plymouth Belvedere is??

You know, I was going to say that a Miata (or MX-5) has never run in the 24, but I believe that's not entirely true. Now that I think about it, I think John Finger entered (or planned to enter) a tube-frame Miata one year. Espenlaub was going to drive it.

So, short answer, I'd say plead your case to HSR.