With the excitement of the recent Rolex 24 At Daytona still fresh in all minds, the race is on for the 2011 challenge champion.

Derek Johnston won the 2010 Sunoco Challenge and with it a seat in a Daytona Prototype (DP) at Daytona International Speedway in the Rolex 24. Driving for Doran Racing in the #77 McDonald’s Ford Dallara, Johnston crossed the line at the end of a gruelling 24 hours tenth place in class.

His teammate – one of three other drivers – Memo Gidley climbed seven places in four laps in atrocious weather to lead the pack for an hour before gearbox problems took their toll.

Back to the 2011 Rolex 24, the race to which – for drivers in the Sunoco-fuelled race championships in Europe, such as the Avon Tyres British GT Championship, the Cooper Tires British F3 International, Radical UK Cup and SPEED Sports Prototype Series – begins now.

Well-known driver Rob Garofall, one of the top contenders for the 2010 Rolex 24 seat, has signed up for the 2011 challenge.

“I can’t think why anyone wouldn’t sign up for such a chance,” commented the Leighton Buzzard-based 38-year-old, whose race experience stretches back to 1996 and the FF2000.

Garofall, driving a Ligier for RLR in the SPEED championship and the UK Norma factory team in the European Championship, is no stranger to endurance racing; his tracktime includes competing in the 24 Hours Nürburgring on the testing, twisting Nordschleife.

He is no stranger, either, to taking pole position and appearing on the winner’s podium in a variety of disciplines.

“It’s going to be a seriously professional challenge this year and anyone with aspirations in motor racing – as a professional or as a gentleman driver – should be in this,” said Garofall.

“Win and you’re on the start line with drivers from NASCAR, GRAND-AM, F1, Le Mans… To drive at Daytona International Speedway in the Rolex 24... What an event.”

Sam Hancock, professional sportscar and GT driver and co-owner of the Jota Sport team, is equally keen to accept the challenge.

Hancock is, as he puts it, “...lucky enough to have been living the dream of racing professionally for six years so far,” yet he is still excited by the chance the Sunoco Driver Challenge offers drivers in the UK to race in the Rolex 24.

“[The Rolex 24] is one of the few true blue riband races and to have the chance of competing in it with a competitive, professional team is really exciting.

“I’ve raced at Le Mans four times and am a big fan of the Rolex 24; it's an amazing race and should be an ambition for any driver,” said Hancock.