After running many shorter endurance events at Daytona in it's early years, including a 100 mile Indycar race in 1959, "The Continental Classic" was added to the FIA World Sportscar Championship in 1962. The event was 3 hours, and is famous almost entirely for Dan Gurney blowing the engine of his Lotus 19 while leading with just minutes to go. Gurney simply coasted to a stop at the top of the banking behind the finish line and waited for time to expire, then turned his wheel left to roll down the banking across the finish line for the victory.
In 1964 the event was increased to 2,000 miles, which took roughly 12 hours to complete. Still not complacent being equal to the Sebring race, race organizers decided to run a full 24 hour event to rival Le Mans in 1966. The event was a triumph for Ford, with Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby winning in a GT40, but the international racers were highly critical of the tracks "poor marshalling, and officials often acted childish and unprofessional."
For the rest of the 60's Daytona became newsworthy for positive stories. Suzy Dietrich, Janet Guthrie, and Donna May Mims became the first all female team to finish an FIA sanctioned 24 hour race in 1966 with their little Talbot Sunbeam.
In 1967, Ferrari scored a 1-2-3 finish to finally get back at the Fords, while Porsche matched the feat in 1968.
The Lola T70 Mk. 3 scored it's only World Sportscar win with Team Penske in 1969, just ahead of Jim Garner's American International Racing team.
Attendance for these events, however, were abysmal. With over 30,000 seats available, less than 6,000 attended on average, with many leaving after nightfall.
By 1972 the length of the race was reduced to 6 hours due to the 70's fuel crisis, and in 1974 the race was cancelled altogether. When the 24 Hours of Daytona resumed in 1975, the race organization was handed over from the SCCA to IMSA, who continue to sanction the race to this day.
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23 май 2024
