GRR

GT cars battle into the night at Daytona

04th November 2022
Ben Miles

The Classic 24 at Daytona races through the night, so of course beforehand all the drivers need to get used to hammering around the track in the lowest light conditions. That means night practice, and while the prototype cars look good, the mixture of headlight shape and colours mean that the GTs really hold the attention.

classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-12.jpg

Historic Sportscar Racing uses the endurance lighting for the Classic 24. Meaning that while the circuit is definitely brighter than some tracks – Sebring’s inky blackness or Le Mans’ deep dark – it isn’t the daylight hue in which NASCAR races.

So a combination of yellow, white and even slightly blue lights pierce the Floridian night, sending shafts of colour across the track as these cars clatter the kerbs and ride the high banking.

The other thing that catches the eye, other than the sheer noise and performance, especially of some of the more modern machines, is the incredible liveries some cars arrive with. Take for example Samantha Tan’s stunning new BMW M4 GT3 car, which looks like it’s been sent through a paint factory.

Photography by Pete Summers and Ben Miles.

classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-01.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-19.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-20.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-03.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-04.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-11.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-06.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-07.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-08.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-09.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-10.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-12.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-13.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-14.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-15.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-16.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-17.jpg
classic-daytona-24-2022-paddocks-day-1-18.jpg
  • Daytona

  • Classic 24

  • Classic 24 2022

  • GT

  • Gallery

  • classic-daytona-24-paddocks-day-1-22-thumb.jpg

    Historic

    The Classic Daytona 24 paddocks are a place of chaotic wonder

  • hsr_classic_24_daytona_goodwood_09112017_3875.jpg

    Historic

    Gallery: From LMP to XKE - sportscar variety in the Classic 24 paddocks

  • classic-24-daytona-practice-thursday15111915.jpg

    Historic

    Gallery: The best images of Daytona Classic 24 practice

BOOK NOW

2025 Motorsport tickets now on sale
Video Alt Text