2016 Rolex 24 Entry List

[Lanky Turtle]

Man look at that crowd in the stands! Of course at the time there weren't 100,000 seats on the frontstretch to spread out in. This was the first 24 Hours of Daytona I attended in person and the debut of the legendary Porsche 962.

[Nick Woodbury]

Originally Posted by skycafe

NOT Group C at all! GTP formula and 'old' group V which became GTX.

When I see March's, 962's, Group 44 Jags, and Nimrods, I automatically think Group C. Sorry, force of habit.

[hondafan37]

very good image of the contenders in GTLM
https://scontent-mia1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...33&oe=57383DFE

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Chiana

However both are still pitch black when compared to the laughable night-for-day WEC COTA and full F1-conditions WEC Bahrain, which might as well be in daylight.

Ir's even more absurd that the FIA WEC claimes to be environmentally friendly when the Bahrain round spends more energy in lighting than thousands of kafala workers.

[FLGTFAN]

For those of you lamenting the lack of proper night racing, the most exciting 20 minutes of at-dark GT racing is happening in 3 weeks.

[BSchneiderFan]

Interesting that the new BMW was fastest, but I guess the times don't mean much. *reaches for sandbag*

[Nick Woodbury]

In regards to BMW's choice of number this year, why have they chosen to grace one of their entries with the #100 instead of the usual #24 and #25 arrangement like last year?

Heritage? History? Something else significant to the automaker?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

In regards to BMW's choice of number this year, why have they chosen to grace one of their entries with the #100 instead of the usual #24 and #25 arrangement like last year?

Heritage? History? Something else significant to the automaker?

100th anniversary of BMW this year (according to Wiki, precise day will be 7 March).

[rich07]

Originally Posted by BSchneiderFan

Interesting that the new BMW was fastest, but I guess the times don't mean much. *reaches for sandbag*

Is it just me or does that sandbag have a blue oval on it?

[FLGTFAN]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

100th anniversary of BMW this year (according to Wiki, precise day will be 7 March).

At the risk of sounding too negative, I find it strange that we are commemorating BMW's 100 years with a big V8 racing car.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by FLGTFAN

At the risk of sounding too negative, I find it strange that we are commemorating BMW's 100 years with a big V8 racing car.

Ha! Its at least in the street version this time right?

[ATLFalconsFAN]

Originally Posted by FLGTFAN

For those of you lamenting the lack of proper night racing, the most exciting 20 minutes of at-dark GT racing is happening in 3 weeks.

Bathurst??? If that's what you are referring to I am totally in agreement! Been looking forward to Bathurst 2016 since the end of Bathurst 2015. One of these days will have to head "Down Under".

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by ATLFalconsFAN

Bathurst??? If that's what you are referring to I am totally in agreement! Been looking forward to Bathurst 2016 since the end of Bathurst 2015. One of these days will have to head "Down Under".

Agreed. I need to start my "research" soon.


As for proper night racing, what is that? Only having lights in certain corners or very little lighting at all to make circuits more dangerous in the dark?

[FLGTFAN]

Originally Posted by ATLFalconsFAN

Bathurst??? If that's what you are referring to I am totally in agreement! Been looking forward to Bathurst 2016 since the end of Bathurst 2015. One of these days will have to head "Down Under".

Yes! It doesn't last long, but those first few laps around Mt. Panorama in near total darkness are amazing.

[FLGTFAN]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Agreed. I need to start my "research" soon.


As for proper night racing, what is that? Only having lights in certain corners or very little lighting at all to make circuits more dangerous in the dark?

Proper just means the place isn't artificially lit for racing. It's not unsafe.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by FLGTFAN

Proper just means the place isn't artificially lit for racing. It's not unsafe.

Le mans, Sebring and Road Atlanta (amongst others) artificially light locations of the course. Is that proper? Why are these spots lit? Safety or viewing?

Too much is made of Daytona being lit.

[JHamilton]

I don't know the actual number but I would say that Daytona only uses 1/4 of the lights available during the Rolex 24. You still get the sensations of night racing in person, but you can see everything that's happening too. It's just different.

As a fan, I want the corner lights at Sebring and Road Atlanta. I like to confirm what I'm watching as the cars briefly pass through the light. Also, it makes night trips to the port-o-johns much easier.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by FLGTFAN

Yes! It doesn't last long, but those first few laps around Mt. Panorama in near total darkness are amazing.

So true and the TV pictures don't show truly how dark it is for those first few laps, it doesn't last long but it's really something to enjoy.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I don't know the actual number but I would say that Daytona only uses 1/4 of the lights available during the Rolex 24. You still get the sensations of night racing in person, but you can see everything that's happening too. It's just different.

As a fan, I want the corner lights at Sebring and Road Atlanta. I like to confirm what I'm watching as the cars briefly pass through the light. Also, it makes night trips to the port-o-johns much easier.

Ha! Stumbling to the Port-a-lits is difficult at times and we need all the assistance we can get!

I thought it was half at Daytona but I think you're correct. And to your point, the Rolex 24 is just different than all others, which is certainly one of the appeals for me.

[Pontlieue]

At Daytona, I like the lights. Over half of the race takes place during the night, and with the lights, it's easier to keep up with what's happening on track.

Don't get me wrong, I like the atmosphere of proper night racing, and I definitely don't want all circuits to become like Daytona. But for Daytona, it's fitting.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Pontlieue

At Daytona, I like the lights. Over half of the race takes place during the night, and with the lights, it's easier to keep up with what's happening on track.

Don't get me wrong, I like the atmosphere of proper night racing, and I definitely don't want all circuits to become like Daytona. But for Daytona, it's fitting.

Agreed. Especially for TV viewing, you can see something more than headlights and taillights with the occasional exhaust flash while still getting the glowing brake rotors and sparks that you get with night time racing.

[Rodger Davies]

Must say, as a trackside spectator, I much prefer the N24 and Spa 24 to Le Mans when it comes to spectating for exactly that reason; when you're out around the back/top of the circuit in the early hours everything is done by headlights and it really allows you to appreciate what the drivers are doing. The only way to still get that at Le Mans is to go 'off piste' a little bit. It's the same as night stages in rallying; they always light up spectator zones but it doesn't quite capture it properly unless you find a more remote section without the lighting.

The lights sort of work for Daytona, seeing as there's something 'stadium-esque' about it as a venue, although it would be nice to have a section or two without them. I've been to Road Atlanta too, and I don't remember the lights being too intrusive down the back section of the circuit, but there was certainly a bit too much for my liking in certain parts of the lap.

[fieldodreams79]

Good points, RD. There's something appealing about both sides of the spectrum, imo.

[Lanky Turtle]

Night at Daytona still feels like night to me. The air is cool, the sky is black and when you head to the infield kink, the cars seem to be passing by at double speed.

[BudLightJaguar]

Seeing a night race at Zandvoort Circuit was pretty interesting because of the lack of lightning. Only the pit lane straight and marshalling posts were lit, so on the dunes the only way to recognize cars was the sound.