2024 Daytona 24 Hours preview: When does it start and how can I watch?

What is the Daytona 24 Hours?

The Daytona 24 Hours – branded since 1992 as the Rolex 24 at Daytona – is a 24-hour race for sportscars held at the Daytona International Speedway, first held in 1962.

As opposed to the Daytona 500, which exclusively uses the oval at Daytona, the 24 hours uses the infield sections as well, creating a mixture of oval banking and classic race track that proves diversely challenging to both driver and machine.

When does the Daytona 24 Hours start?

The main race starts at 6.40pm UK time on Saturday 27th January 2024, or 1.40pm EST if you’re watching in the USA.

How can I watch the Daytona 24 Hours?

In all countries outside the US – the UK included – you’ll be able to watch the whole race live on imsa.tv, with no breaks for adverts. They normally also offer a suite of live onboards throughout the 24 hours for you to switch between.

In the USA, Peacock will broadcast the whole 24 hours online, with selected sections shown live on NBC and USA network:

Saturday, 27th January, 1:30-2:30pm – NBC

Saturday, 2:30-8:00pm – USA network and Peacock

Saturday, 8:00-10:00pm – Peacock

Saturday, 10:00-11:59pm – USA Network and Peacock

Sunday, 12:00-6:00am – Peacock

Sunday, 28th January, 6:00-11:59am – USA network and Peacock

Sunday, 12:00-2:00pm – NBC

What cars race at the 2024 Daytona 24 Hours?

Sportscars is the simple answer. As with most forms of sportscar racing there are multiple classes racing at the same time. To easier understand how that works, it’s best to look at it this way: Three classes are for so-called “prototype” cars, both are purpose-built racing cars that are not related to any road-going machines. The other two are for GT cars, racing cars that not only look like beefy versions of road cars that you know, but have to be based on those designs. To simplify it even more, GT cars fast, prototypes much faster.

What is GTP?

GTP is the name chosen for the top class that’s been racing since 2023. These GTP cars are all hybrid, they use identical hybrid systems provided by Bosch and WAE, and they are all based on chassis that can be bought off the shelf to save costs. These chassis are made by one of four manufacturers: Oreca, Dallara, Multimatic and Ligier. Manufacturers are then allowed to take one of those spec chassis and fit their own bodywork and engine, making them distinct.

In order to keep costs down, the formula will also be balanced on a Balance of Performance, which will mean that it doesn’t matter how much money you spend on developing the car, it won’t give you a better chance of winning.

Is GTP different to LMH?

No. It is a little murky here, but in reality the same cars can race in LMH in the World Endurance Championship as can race in IMSA’s GTP class. There are more differences, but the only cars racing at Daytona this year are as above.

What are the other classes?

LMP2 is the fastest, with a mix of pro and gentleman racing drivers all in Oreca 07 prototype cars. Then LMP3 is another step down, still prototype cars, but now a mixture of chassis, which are slower than LMP2 cars.

GT is split into two categories. GTD Pro is for fully pro driver line-ups in GT3-spec racing cars, while GTD is the same cars with pro-am mixed line-ups.

What manufacturers are racing at Daytona?

The headline manufacturers of of the top level GTP class do not change for 2024. Porsche join Cadillac, Acura and BMW at the head of the pack. New for this year's running are the privateer-run Porsche 963s of JDC Miller Motorsports and Proton Competition, which will be joining the two factory 963s of Porsche Penske Motorsports, to fill out a 10-car GTP lineup at the 2024 Daytona 24 Hours.

The rest of the brands can be found in the GTD ranks, where Porsche, Acura and BMW are also represented with GT3 cars. There you’ll also find GT3 cars from Corvette – the Z06 GT3R is new for this year – Lexus, Aston Martin – with the new Vantage GT3 Evo – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes and McLaren. Ford also return to GT racing in 2024 with the new Mustang GT3.

Who is on pole for the Daytona 24?

Cadillac came out on top at the Roar Before the 24 this year, which is where qualifying is completed, as Pipo Derani put the Whelen Engineering V-Series R on pole with a time of 1:32.656. He’ll be trailed by the #1 Cadillac factory car, the #7 Porsche-Penske car, the #25 BMW M Hybrid V8 and the #40 Acura ARX-06. The privateer Porsches are disappointingly at the bottom of the roster.

Topping GTD Pro was the #77 Porsche 911 GT3R of AO racing, better and more affectionately known as ‘Rexy’. Trailing it will be the #14 and #12 Lexus RCF GT3s, the #8 MDK Motorsports 911 GT3R and the #66Gradient Racing Acura NSX GT3. One of the Pratt & Miller Corvettes is further down the line in ninth, while the Mustangs are even further back.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.