The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the toughest and most demanding driving challenges in the world and a highlight of the international motor sports calendar.
A wide array of stars from NASCAR and IndyCar will once again compete on January 24th, 2009, with a record number of visitors from the UK expected to enjoy the curtain raiser of the Rolex Sports Car Series.
Competing in this past year’s 2008 Rolex 24 at Daytona were racing stars from 24 countries, including 2007 NASCAR Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, former F1 star Pablo Montoya and previous Rolex 24 winner, Englishman Dan Wheldon.
As well as being one of the most-watched sporting events in the US sporting calendar, Daytona 24 is now drawing record numbers of fans from around the world, from established motor sports enthusiasts to those with a new interest in the sport.
To cater for unprecedented interest from the UK, the organisers of Rolex 24 have introduced a range of special travel packages for fans eager to make the trip in 2009.
Visitors from the UK will be given VIP treatment at the race, including exclusive behind-the-scenes access and a-once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to race with 5-time Rolex 24 champion and racing legend Hurley Haywood around the world famous high banks of Daytona.
Perhaps the world's most iconic endurance-racing driver, Hurley has amassed an astounding number of wins in this most intense form of motor sport — five overall victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, three at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and two at the 12 Hours of Sebring. He has just announced that he’ll be racing once again at Daytona in 2009 at the sprightly age of 60!
The Hurley Haywood Race Experience gives fans the chance to have a guided tour around the garages of Daytona with the man himself, plus full and exclusive garage and driver access throughout the 4 days of action.
For UK fans of Daytona and newcomers to the sport, it is the ultimate racing experience, culminating in a photo opportunity with the winning Rolex 24 team.
Hurley Haywood said: “I have raced at Le Mans many times and have enjoyed the enthusiastic fans from England. It would be great if they all could come to Daytona for the Rolex 24 in 2009. This is a race filled with nonstop action with many top form racers like Dan Weldon from the UK all fighting for the win”.
Haywood continued: “I have actually just returned from Goodwood where we ran our Daytona Prototype up the hill. The fans were hugely interested in our car, its shape and power plant and the competitive racing we do here in America under Grand Am Racing. The weather is great in Daytona the end of January so come and enjoy both the racing and Florida!”
The 2009 Rolex 24 at Daytona begins on January 24, 2009. Tickets and travel packages can be arranged by visiting .racetickets.com/rolex, a one-stop resource for Grand-Am, NASCAR, IndyCar and AMA tickets and travel packages.
