Amelia Island Concours partners with Historic Sportscar Racing to present Classic 24 Hour at Daytona

In 2014, Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) debuted a new 24-hour vintage racing event at Daytona International Raceway. In the years since, HSR’s Classic 24 at Daytona — now presented by IMSA — has become one of the fastest-growing vintage racing events in the world. Thanks to a newly announced partnership between the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance and the Classic 24 at Daytona, the November 8-12 event will likely be larger than ever, and will include a new Cars & Coffee event on Saturday, November 11.

The Amelia Island Concours team will lend its promotional and marketing expertise to the event, assisting in the sale of VIP packages, event sponsorship, and vendor spots. Saturday’s Cars & Coffee gathering will also be organized by Amelia Island, based upon the format adopted by the concours’ own C&C show, traditionally held the day before the main event. Space for the gathering at the Classic 24 at Daytona is limited, so prospective attendees must register in advance.

Of the new partnership, HSR president David Hinton said, “The Amelia is without peer when it comes to automotive special-event marketing, promotion, and sales, and we are grateful for the new partnership that will elevate the Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA to a new level. The team behind The Amelia has built the event into one of the most important automotive and motorsports events in the world and we look forward to working with them in building the Classic 24 Hour to the same prestigious international status.”

Bill Warner, founder and chairman of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance (and himself a vintage racer), spoke of the event’s importance, saying, “The HSR Classic 24 Hour at Daytona brings Florida’s racing history to life. The location, cars, and people involved complement the mission of The Amelia. We look forward to working together with HSR to both celebrate and promote the legacy of Daytona’s iconic endurance race.”

The highlight of the Classic 24 at Daytona is the 24-hour race that begins at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Six run groups, each composed of period-correct cars previously raced at Daytona, compete in four one-hour race sessions, giving fans a chance to see these cars compete both day and night. The one-hour race format ensures that neither classic racing cars nor (in some cases) their equally vintage drivers are overtaxed.

The action isn’t limited to Saturday’s main event, either. Testing begins on Wednesday, November 8, followed by qualifying on Thursday, November 9, and Friday, November 10. Racing for HSR competitors begins on Friday afternoon, and the paddock remains open to spectators throughout the weekend, giving the opportunity to see legendary racing cars (and perhaps legendary drivers) up close.

For additional details on the 2017 HSR Classic 24 Hour at Daytona presented by IMSA, or to purchase tickets, visit Classic24Hour.com or HSRRace.com. To register for the Cars & Coffee on November 11, contact Brian Webber bwebber@automotiveheritage.co

SOURCE: Hemmings

AUTHOR: Kurt Ernst