#Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona

[coimbrabertone]

Le Mans vs. Daytona, Two Sides of the Endurance Racing Coin.

A bit of a belated blog on the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans, how it compares to the other major 24-hour race - the Rolex 24 at Daytona - and how IMSA and WEC differ.

First things first, sports car racing in general is at a peak right now.

The largest prototype fields in decades, interclass competition of sorts with LMDh/GTP cars on one end and Hypercars on the other, and equally diverse GT3 fields to go with it. It's not a competition between IMSA and WEC as far as I'm concerned, both series collaborated on these regulations and that has benefitted endurance racing as a whole.

That being said, I've noticed some differences between the two, and I've had some discussions with friends about it lately.

The crux is this: the Rolex 24 at Daytona is the curtain raiser for the racing season, where drivers from every discipline from Formula One to NASCAR to half the Indycar field, plus all the regular cast of characters from endurance racing come to play. It's all within the confines of a 2.5-mile oval with big grandstands and clear sightlines, and the lights are all over the track, meaning you can see all the action pretty well. It's also in Daytona Beach a few weeks ahead of the Daytona 500.

Daytona is a party, a celebration of motorsport to kick off the next season of racing.

Le Mans, meanwhile, is a beacon of history. The start-finish line is where it has always been, the Dunlop Bridge has outlasted Dunlop itself making racing tyres, and it's an old school reminder to when those types of circular bridges were all over racing. Then onto the Mulsanne, the long, dark highway, with bits of civilization interspersed with woods, a theme with continues in the back half of the track. Some corners are named after historic tracks, like Indianapolis, others are named after the marques which defined era of Le Mans history - Corvette, Porsche, and Ford in particular.

Corvette, which has dominated GT racing at Le Mans for decades now.

Porsche, which is the most successful brand at Le Mans, and

Ford, who went back-to-back-to-back-to-back in the late 60s with the GT40, and then returned with the GT1 and GTE models in more recent decades.

That dedication to history shows in the broadcast too, with the broadcast often cutting to Tom Kristensen for interviews or by harkening back to similar events in Le Mans' past. Obviously, that's something that comes up in all racing broadcasts, but it was very apparent at Le Mans this year.

For the record, I'm not saying that's bad, this blog is proof that I'm a massive nerd when it comes to racing history, and I love that, I'm just noting it's a difference.

The crowd burning a couch in celebration after the 12 Hours of Sebring? Fans celebrating the misadventures of the Sean Creech Motorsports American flag Ligier LMP2 with its many cautions at Daytona and now Watkins Glen? You don't really see that at Le Mans.

In fact, there was one very fun thing from the 2023 Le Mans that was missing this year: the Garage 56 NASCAR. Now, i understand that was a one-off thing, and I do get the impression that the hydrogen car they showed off before the race - which was numbered #24, just like the NASCAR had been - was supposed to be a G56 entry for this year but they couldn't quite get it working yet, so I know that it's a bit of an unfair criticism to levy against Le Mans.

Still, 2023 had the big Camaro memes, the V8 sound, all those Freebird on the Mulsanne edits, it made Le Mans more fun.

And of course, Le Mans is fun even without those things - ferris wheels, fireworks, and, you know, the whole twenty-four hours of motor racing thing - all make for appointment television for racing nerds like me, but it is something I've noticed coming out of the 2024 race.

So does Le Mans need to change? No, i don't think so.

I like seeing cars coming down the Mulsanne, I like seeing the Ferrari hypercar racing against Toyota in addition to all the cars that do both IMSA and WEC, I like the announcers getting increasingly delirious as it gets into the night stint, and I like the fact that Valentino Rossi is now a BMW GT3 driver who competed at Le Mans.

The Rolex 24 at Daytona is probably more fun that Le Mans and its position on the calendar probably lets it get a handful of one-off drivers that may not be able to do Le Mans, but Le Mans also attracts plenty of unique talent as well. Ferrari doesn't do IMSA, nor does Toyota, nor does Valentino Rossi.

Would I like them to? Absolutely.

Am I fine with just having two different, successful endurance racing series on either side of the Atlantic? Absolutely. It's like the modern version of CART vs. Formula One as far as I'm concerned, only this time, I'm in a position to enjoy it.

So yeah, there are some things I prefer about IMSA, but there's plenty I love about Le Mans as well.

Hell, the fact that after the sister Ferrari won last year, we got to see the #50 Ferrari of Nicklas Nielsen, Miguel Molina, and Antonio Fuoco win. Both cars have now won Le Mans, and this means that last year's Antonio Giovinazzi, and this year's Antonio Fuoco - two drivers I've followed since the mid-to-late 2010s when they were actively in the open wheel junior series - are both Le Mans winners.

That's cool. I love the fact that drivers can fulfill their dream of winning for Ferrari, not just in Formula One, but now at Le Mans too. It's a great time to see, and between this and Indycar, I'm developing a lot of hope for talented junior drivers without F1 prospects.

Hell, on that very note, Felipe Drugovich raced at Le Mans for Action Express Cadillac this year, which seems to be his first time back in a major racing series since his F2 title campaign. Glad to see him back behind the wheel, just wish it went better for him.

Anyway, this last weekend of racing was a bit of a dud for me and I find myself busy yet again, so I'll leave the blogpost here, but do let you know what you think!

[viper-motorsports]

Now starting its second year of competition, the N°21 Ferrari 296 GT3 proves to be a strong machine after AF Corse earned a second place GTD podium with it at the 2024 IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona.

[forzalife]

Rawr-That's how you spell Love.

Its the GT3 Rawr for me. What a great car and a wonderful livery! Fingers crossed AO Racing will bring it home! 🦖

[f1]

[house-of-mclaren]

i am so sorry, im watching the rolex 24 hr daytona and i am confused can someone please explain

[bsigafoos2005]

And the LMP2 class usually has some of the best racing during this long event, so I’m shocked to see how bad the racing has been thus far. Everything else has been great though 🔥

Image creds to nascarcasm on Twitter/X

[forzalife]

I love Jenson Button. He is very down to earth.

At the Rolex 24, I saw him and asked him to sign my book for my son. He saw my son in the stroller and asked him about his cars. They were Disney's Lightening McQueen and Mater cars. He said, my kids love Lightening McQueen too. Jenson asked me how old he was and I told him three, but he is built like a six year old. He replied, 'Ours too. I have a three and a four year old and they are going to be tall.' I then asked, 'May I ask how old are you? I am a mature mother at 44 and people always look at me weird, when I tell them my son is three.' He replied, 'That he was 44 as well. My wife is 5ft 10 and I am 6ft 1 and our kids are going to be tall.' I stated, my ex husband was average height at 5ft 10 and I am 5ft 7, but my son would be over 6ft tall.' Jenson then replied that he agreed but thought my son would be over 6ft 1.' My son then started to get out of the stroller and Jenson was like he is getting out. I told him, it was fine, he could walk. My son had other plans, he wanted to go to their trailer. After stopping y son, I thanked him for the autograph and his time and we went to go look for Rexy.

Such a cool experience to just talk to him like the normal person he is.

”I might have a mancrush on my ex-teammate”

Oh Jenson honey, we know 😂❤️

How many teammates can this quote work on? 😂

[suzie-shooter]

Clem's going to be driving at the Daytona 24 hours at the end of January.

"I’m thrilled to be racing this year at the Daytona 24 hours in IMSA with Inter Europol. It was amazing to test with them last year for my first time on American soil, and I’m really looking forward to racing with them. I’ve matched well with the boys and girls over at IEC/PR1, and they’ve really helped me out in getting comfortable with the car, so I can’t wait to be back in the car at the Roar."

[wealthtv]

GOOD  AFTERNOON  PASSENGERS,  this is an annoucement  for  flight  AA118  to  NEW  YORK  CITY.  this  is  a  boarding  call  for  the  following  passenger(s):  LUCIANA LABAKI, MOIRA LILIAN RHODES, PRESTON LEE, LOGAN MEDHA SETHI, QUIN LORI SINCLAIR, JONATHAN YOON, PRESLEY BRAM, VERONICA MARTINEZ, DARIUS EATON, CANDI AMORA CABRERA.  please  proceed  to  gate  42A  immediately.  please  have  your  boarding  pass  and  identification  ready.  the  captains  will  order  for  the  doors  of  the  aircraft  to  close  in  approximately  24  hours  time.  thank  you.

* just  a  quick  reminder  as  the  majority  of  our  current  muses  are  younger  than  their  ccs  -  that  we  should  be  reasonable  with  what  works  of  their  cc  we  take.  if  your  muse  is  early-mid  twenties  and  the  cc  is  mid  to  late  thirties,  their  current  career  in  last  few  years  wouldn't  really  be  applicable.

𓏲   *     (  emeraude  toubia,  cis  woman,  she/her,  the  osbourne  family  and  sheri  moon  zombie  )     ⸺     pictures  of  luciana  labaki,  the  thirty-three  year  old  reality  tv  star  /  actress  /  businesswoman,  have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  allegedly  hosting  invite-only  occult  gatherings  in  hidden  locations  across  the  city,  fueling  speculation  about  her  involvement  in  secretive  cult-like  activities  among  the  elite  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  raven  hair,  risqué  wardrobe  and  unapologetic  attitude  that  exudes  fierce  fashion  with  a  sprinkle  of  sass,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  charismatic  than  brash.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  self-indulgent  than  fervent  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  clingy,  cleavage-baring  ensembles  ;  the  sound  of  high  heels  clicking  against  pristine  floors  &  sunglasses  hiding  a  mischievous  glint  in  her  eyes.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  mistress  macabre  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      ani,  30+,  est,  she/her,  n/a.

𓏲   *     (  ashton  wood,  cis  woman,  she  &  her  )     ⸺     pictures  of  MOIRA  LILIAN  RHODES,  the  twenty  six year  old  tennis  player,  have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  being  spotted  leaving  a  rehab  center  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  ralph  lauren  jumper,  burberry  mini  skirt,  black  prada  loafers  with  white  socks  &  prada  cleo  bag,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  ambitious  than  boastful.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  overcritical  than  meticulous  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  freshly  done  french  tip  nails,  bored  eye  rolls  covered  by  designer  sunglasses,  watermelon  flavored  gloss  and  spearmint  gum  &  a  drop  of  sweat  running  down  tanned  skin.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  MISS  DOWN  UNDER  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      ri,      twenty5,      est,      she  &  her,   none.

𓏲  *     (  charles  melton,  cis  man,  he  &  him,  sebastian  vettel  cc  )     ⸺     pictures  of  PRESTON  LEE,   the  thirty  one  year  old  former  formula  one  driver  &  entrepreneur,  have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  announcing  his  retirement  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  giorgio  armani  made  to  measure  suit,  rolex  cosmograph  daytona  watch  &  ferragamo  leather  dress  shoes,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  charming  than  arrogant.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  manipulative  than  persuasive  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  pretty  boy  charm  laced  with  a  deceiving  smile,  the  smell  of  whiskey  and  cigars  mixed  with  expensive  perfume,  flipping  off  paparazzi  &  being  spotted  with  a  different  model  in  his  arms.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  FAST  AND  FURIOUS  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      ri.

𓏲  *  (  ritu  arya,  cis  woman,  she/her/hers,  daft  punk  career  claim  )  ⸺  pictures  of  LOGAN  MEDHA  SETHI,  the  thirty  -  one  year  old  music  producer  /  dj,  have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  leaving  in  the  middle  of  a  gig  due  to  a  panic  attack  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  signature  doc  martens  &  ripped  boyfriend  jeans,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  affable  than  scatterbrained.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  awkward  than  genuine  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  browsing  alone  at  a  record  store,  freshly  glazed  cinnamon  rolls,  ears  ringing  after  a  loud  night,  &  fluffy  pillows  stacked  on  a  messy  bed.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  HONEYBEE  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).  ──  laur,  twenty4,  est,  they/she,  n/a.

𓏲   *     (  sydney  sweeney,  ciswoman,  she/her,  taylor  swift  )     ⸺     pictures  of  quinn  lori  sinclair,   the   twenty-six   year   old   singer,   have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  getting  a  potential  boob  job  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  sweeping  white  ralph  lauren  dress  and  white  lucchese  cowgirl  boots,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  kind-hearted  than  vindictive.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  shrewd  than  reflective  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  blue  and  white  floral  sheets  in  a  familial  cape  cod  home,  seducitve  &  warm  fires  with  lyrics  being  thrown  into  the  air,  and  polaroids  hanging  from  beach  home  walls  .  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  coastal  cowgirl  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      chris,      25,      est,      she/her,   n/a.

𓏲   *     (  hwang  hyunjin,  cisman,  he/him  )     ⸺     pictures  of  jonathan  “jonnie”  yoon,   the   twenty-four   year   old   musician  (drummer),   have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  verbally  assaulting  a  paparazzi  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  signature  neon  green  crocs,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  laid-back  than  oblivious.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  reckless  than  adaptable  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  feet  kicked  up  on  any  surface,  glazed  over  eyes,  unbuttoned  shirts  as  sweat  rolls  down  his  chest,  the  aftermath  of  terrible  decisions.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  grape  soda  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      chase,  24,  cst,  she/her,  n/a.

𓏲   *     (  gracie  abrams,  cis  woman,  she/her,  lizzie  mcalpine)     ⸺     pictures  of  PRESLEY  ‘REESE’  BRAM,   the   24   year   old   singer/songwriter,   have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  leaking  a  song  off  their  next  album  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  monochromatic  skirts  that  match  the  ribbons  in  her  hair,  baby  tees,  Mary  Jane’s  and  ruffle  socks,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  romantic  than  melancholic.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  unrealistic  than  passionate  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  delicate  ribbons  tied  in  perfect  bows  sported  in  brown  soft  curls,  Polaroids  and  flowers  pressed  between  pages  of  vintage  books,  and  the  sound  of  piano  melodies  being  made  by  a  restless  mind  throughout  the  night.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  DARLING  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      Ella,      27,      est,      she/her,   n/a.

𓏲   *     (  priscilla  quintana,  cis  woman,  she/her  )     ⸺     pictures  of  VERONICA  MARTINEZ,   the   31   year   old   sex  columnist/virtual  assistant,   have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  accidentally  leaking  nudes  of  a  a-list  celebrity  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  baby  tees  and  light-washed  jeans,  pin-straight  hair  and  cherry  lips,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  comedic  than  stubborn.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  childish  than  ambitious  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  takeout  boxes  loitering  the  kitchen  counter,  pop  culture  references  always  seeming  to  pop  up  in  conversation,  and  the  glow  of  a  laptop  screen  in  the  early  A.M.s.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  BRADSHAW  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      Ella

𓏲   *     (  harry  styles,  androgynous,  he/she/any,  hozier  +  harris  reed  )     ⸺     pictures  of  darius  eaton,   the   30   year   old   musician  &  fashion  designer,   have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  being  photographed  leaving  the  vanity  fair  oscars  after  party  with  two  different  people,  one  on  each  arm  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  avant-garde,  genderfluid  aesthetic,  often  seen  rocking  flamboyant  suits,  funky  patterned  buttoned-downs,  dresses  &  accessories  in  bold  vibrant  colors-  accented  by  experimental  eye  makeup  &  chunky  vintage  rings  adorning  every  finger,  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  innovative  than  histrionic.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  extravagant  than  uninhibited  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  adrenaline  high  from  the  rush  of  the  crowd  hanging  on  every  word  he  sings  like  gospel  ;  residual  powder  dusting  their  own  photo  on  the  cover  of  the  latest  issue  of  vogue  ;  moonlit  debauchery.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  bohemian  hedonist  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      miranda,      28,     pst,     she/her.

𓏲   *     (  maia  reficco,  cis  woman,  she/her,  chappell  roan)     ⸺     pictures  of  candi  amora  cabrera,   the   23  year  old   singer/songwriter,   have  been  showing  up  all  over  my  feed,  and  considering  the  last  time  they  were  #trending,  it  was  due  to  putting  her  record  label  on  blast  for  not  letting  her  release  a  song  unless  it  went  viral  on  tiktok  —  i’m  not  likely  to  unfollow  anytime  soon.  with  their  diy  popstar,  drag  queen  inspired  on-stage  aesthetic,  often  seen  rocking  mini  skirts  &  gogo  boots,  embracing  all  things  campy  &  tacky  in  signature  rhinestones,  glitter,  sequins,  frills,  &  fringe.  they’ve  managed  to  garner  a  reputation  for  being  more  authentic  than  machiavellian.  their  critics  say  that  they’re  more  kitschy  than  candid  when  they  aren’t  too  busy  focusing  on  their  candles  burning  on  a  flower-covered  alter  beside  an  array  of  spell  jars  ;  playfully  flashing  the  crowd  from  onstage  during  a  sold-out  live  performance  ;  a  technicolor  fever  dream  followed  by  a  tour  bus  rendezvous.  reputation.com  has  taken  to  calling  them  midwest  princess  in  order  to  avoid  a  lawsuit  (  again  ).   ──      miranda.

[viper-motorsports]

Dale Earnhardt joined his son in piloting Corvette Racing’s N°3 Chevrolet Corvette C5-R to a GTS class victory with their overall fourth place finish in the 2001 24 Hours of Daytona.

[juergenklopp]

Let’s close with what could be a fun one, if and when it gets confirmed. Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin took to social media this week to tease his need to learn Daytona’s roval circuit, and from what I’ve learned, he’ll be competing in his first Rolex 24 At Daytona in January in the LMP2 class. Even better, I’m told it will be a #BusBros-themed driver lineup with Penske teammate Josef Newgarden in the same car. And if that isn’t enough of a party, the final bit might be the coolest of all as McLaughlin and Newgarden are said to be continuing their LMP2 adventure together after Daytona where they’re meant to make their debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the middle of June on the great endurance event’s 100th anniversary. From conversations I’ve been part of regarding IndyCar-grade drivers being considered for factory GTP seats at major endurance races, most manufacturers have been very strict in their requirements for the McLaughlins and Newgardens of the world to first gain experience in similar cars at big events before the door would opened to racing in those factory cars at Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans. This has a similar feel. Assuming everything moves forward for Penske’s IndyCar stars at Daytona and Le Mans 2023 – and it’s with an excellent LMP2 team – I would not be surprised to see their names listed as enduro drivers with the Porsche Penske Motorsport GTP program or one of its customer teams in 2024.

Racer.com | MARSHALL PRUETT: IndyCar silly season update, November edition

[forzalife]

Its the Plaid for me...

Pfaff my favorite. I fell in love with you ever since the buffalo check Porsche. Then even deeper in love when I saw the Ferris wheel. Don't get me wrong, I love a McLaren, but Porsche has my heart.

Still waiting to go on a date on the Ferris wheel at Daytona. #MaybeOneDay

[retromania4ever]

Andy Lally (crewed with Paul Macey, Martin Henderson and Peter Seldon), Lola B2K/40 – Nissan. Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series – 24 Hours of Daytona, 2001🏁

[dystini]

Indycar Driver Lore

Indycar Driver Lore Masterlist

Katherine Anne Legge

Birthdate: July 12, 1980 Hometown: Guildford, Surrey, England Residence: USA Height/Weight: 5’8”/132lbs

Rookie Year: 2006

Team: Dale Coyne Racing (Indy 500)

Follow her on: Instagram Twitter

Career Stats

Champ Car 2006: PKV Racing - 16th Overall 2007: Dale Coyne Racing - 15th Overall Indycar 2012: 10 races with Lotus-Dragon Racing/Dragon Racing - 26th Overall 2013: Schmidt Peterson Hamilton HP Motorsports (Indy 500) - 26th 2023: Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing (Indy 500) - 33rd

IMSA 2014: DeltaWing Racing Cars P class - 19th Overall 2015: DeltaWing Racing Cars w/ Claro/TracFone P class - 8th Overall 2016: Panoz DeltaWing Racing/Michael Shank Racing w/ Curb Agajanian P class - 10th Overall 2017: Michael Shank Racing GTD class - 6th Overall 2018: Michael Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian GTD class - 2nd Overall 2019: Heinricher Racing w/ Meyer Shank RacingGTD class - 9th Overall 2020: GEAR Racing powered by GRT Grasser GTD class - 57th Overall 2021: Team Hardpoint EBM GTD class - 9th Overall 2022: Team Hardpoint GTD class - 16th Overall 2023: Gradient Racing GTD class - 11th Overall

Introducing IndyCar hopeful Katherine Legge Champ Car Road America 2006 - Kathrine Legge horrific crash Up Close Katherine Legge Katherine Legge: "It doesn’t matter – whether you’re male or female, black or white" Katherine Legge – Up To Speed | Mobil 1 The Grid Katherine Legge Returning to the Indy 500 | Women In Motorsports Katherine Legge on W Series Katherine Legge | The First Female Formula E Driver | Forgotten Formula E ZF Fast Track Pop Quiz! With Katherine Legge & AJ Allmendinger Katherine Legge enters the field for the Indy 500 Katherine Legge Is A British auto racing driver | Pitstop | Episode 68 Katherine Legge and her Ice IndyCar Talking to Katherine Legge

Katherine Legge’s motorsports resume includes experience in Formula 3, Formula Renault, a Formula One test, Champ Car, INDYCAR, A1GP, DTM, Formula E and sports car racing. Legge was the first woman to win pole in a Zetec race in 2000. One year later she won BRDC’s “Rising Star” award.

In November 2005 she became the first woman to test a Formula One car since Sarah Fisher in 2002. Legge competed in the Toyota Atlantic Championship in 2005, winning the series opener in Long Beach in her first career start to become the first woman to win a developmental open wheel race in North America. She finished the 2005 Atlantic season third in the championship with three wins and five podiums. She moved up to PKV Racing in Champ Car in 2006 and became the first woman to lead a lap in that series when she led Lap 12 at Milwaukee and went on to earn an Indy car career best finish there of sixth. She later had a massive crash at Road America but was largely uninjured and able to compete in the final two races of the season. She competed for Dale Coyne Racing in 2007 and matched her best series finish of sixth at Long Beach and earned her best Indy car start of eighth, twice, before returning to Europe to compete in the DTM touring car series from 2008-2010 where she was an Audi factory driver. After a one-year hiatus from racing, she joined Dragon Racing’s INDYCAR SERIES team in 2012 but a short-lived Lotus program led to the team only being able to secure one Chevrolet engine for two drivers and Legge only competed on oval tracks.

She moved to the Delta Wing sports car program from 2013-2015 and also competed in two Formula E races with Amlin Aguri in the 2014/2015 season. She spent three seasons with Meyer Shank Racing from 2017-2019 in a factory-backed Acura GTD program and earned four wins and 11 podium finishes – including the first win worldwide for NSX in Detroit in 2017. In 2020, she competed in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in a Lamborghini in the GTD class before switching her focus to a European-based racing program. She signed with Richard Mille Racing to take part in the 2020 European Le Mans Series and 24 Hours of Le Mans in the LMP2 prototype category but was injured in a pre-season testing crash after a tire failure at the Paul Ricard circuit and missed the remainder of the season while recovering from her injuries. In 2021-2022, she returned to IMSA as lead driver for Team Hardpoint, driving a Porsche 911 in the GTD class and currently competes in an Acura NSX in the GTD class for Gradient Racing in 2023. She and her co-drivers recently finished fourth in class at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

In her free time, Katherine is a Girl Scouts STEM Ambassador and enjoys skiing, cycling, training and competing in triathlons, yoga and is a vegan athlete. Legge is the second female race car driver to compete for RLL. Danica Patrick competed in the Atlantic Series with the team from 2003-2004 and in the IndyCar Series from 2005-2006.

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[bsigafoos2005]

Also the GTP cars have had an insane amount of issues tonight.. much more than recent years to my recollection

- #24 BMW - out until roughly an hour ago with an issue (wasn’t able to figure this out)

- #1 Cadillac - stopped on track with an issue (missed the exact reason for this)

- #40 Acura losing power

- #10 Acura power loss & dead engine

Those are the ones I got noted down, I don’t think I missed any of them this far