For the first time in several years, the qualifying for the prestigious Rolex 24 At Daytona will now occur during the race weekend itself. The 2025 event's qualifying session is set to take place on Thursday, January 28th, a full two days before the actual race. This significant change comes as part of IMSA's ongoing efforts to optimize the event schedule and enhance the overall racing experience.

Unprecedented Qualifying Shift for Daytona's Iconic Race

IMSA's Schedule Adjustments

With the provisional schedules for the Roar Before the 24 and the Rolex 24 now released to IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship competitors, it has become clear that the Roar weekend on January 17th - 19th will consist solely of testing sessions. In addition to this, there will be two races for the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. Qualifying, which was previously held on the Sunday of the Roar weekend for the past four years, will now take place on the following Thursday. This shift is a direct result of IMSA moving up the pre-season test to November instead of December. The implementation of torque sensors in the GT classes also played a role, as it led to the Targeted Performance Testing of GT3 cars in GTD PRO and GTD being moved to the Roar weekend, thereby necessitating the change in qualifying.The Roar weekend will feature a total of seven sessions, providing a combined track time of 10 hours and 15 minutes. Among these sessions, there will be a special 90-minute session dedicated exclusively to Bronze-rated drivers in LMP2 and GTD. This session marks the last scheduled test of the weekend and offers an excellent opportunity for these drivers to gain valuable track experience.

The Aston Martin Valkyrie's IMSA Debut at Sebring

The RACER Mailbag from November 20 brought exciting news about the Aston Martin Valkyrie's impending IMSA debut at Sebring. This highly anticipated event is set to add a new dimension to the racing calendar and showcase the capabilities of this remarkable vehicle. The presence of the Aston Martin Valkyrie at Sebring is sure to generate significant interest among racing enthusiasts and fans alike.

Lamborghini and Ford's Dominance at Daytona IMSA Test

During the recent Daytona IMSA test, Lamborghini and Ford emerged as the top performers. Their exceptional performance during the test sessions has raised expectations for their future performances in the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The data and insights gained from these tests will be crucial in shaping the teams' strategies and preparations for the upcoming race.

Qualifying Changes and Class Interactions

A significant alteration to the qualifying schedule has been revealed, with each class now having its own 15-minute qualifying session. In the past two years, the GTD PRO and GTD classes were combined for qualifying. This change has prompted a thorough review of the sporting regulations, which has led to the decision to split the classes. GTD PRO cars will now start ahead of all GTD cars, regardless of qualifying time. This is a major departure from the previous system, where the two GTD classes started based on qualifying time with the classes intermixed. Additionally, GTD PRO and GTD will be split for restarts after a full-course caution. These changes are expected to add an extra layer of excitement and strategic complexity to the race.

Michelin Pilot Challenge and Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup

The Roar weekend will also feature sessions for the Michelin Pilot Challenge. On Friday, there will be the traditional four-hour BMW M Endurance race, which serves as a prelude to the Rolex 24. Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup will also have a pair of races on Thursday and Friday of the race weekend. These additional races provide more opportunities for drivers and teams to showcase their skills and compete for victory.The 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona is scheduled to begin at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, January 25th. This highly anticipated event promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with all the changes and developments in place. Racing enthusiasts around the world will be eagerly watching as the teams battle it out on the track for glory.