Porsche has stellar record in Rolex 24
For 2008, the Porsche contingent includes five Porsche-powered Daytona Prototypes and 30 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars running in the GT class, with 133 drivers representing the finest sports car drivers in the world. According to Paul Ritchie, president of Porsche Motorsport North America, the pride of running a Porsche combined with the Daytona 24 Hour tradition gives this event special meaning for both the manufacturer and every Porsche team.
“Our greatest drivers, representing the best sports car drivers in the history of auto racing, built their careers with wins at the 24 Hours at Daytona. From our first overall win here in 1968 to our GT win last year, Porsche has been the leading manufacturer at Daytona, and the effort of our customer teams this weekend promises to bring another good result," said Ritchie, who took over the president’s position on January 1.
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Porsches have won the Florida classic overall 20 times, the most recent victory being scored by The Racer’s Group Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in 2003. Porsche competitors have scored 61 class wins – dozens more than the nearest competitor – and 36 of those wins have been in 911-based race cars.
Two winning streaks that may never be broken at Daytona include a Porsche 12-year overall consecutive win period from 1977 – 1988, and a 22-year streak from 1966 – 1988 where Porsche scored either a class or overall win. In more recent events, since the debut of the Grand-Am series and the Porsche 911 GT3 race car (GT3 R, GT3 RS, and GT3 Cup) in 2000, Porsche has been undefeated in the GT class at the Rolex 24.
FOX Sports will kick-off 17 hours of live television coverage of the Rolex 24 At Daytona on Saturday, January 26 beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST. SPEED TV will then take over coverage beginning at 2:30 p.m. EST and broadcast the middle part of the race until 10:00 p.m EST. After an overnight break, SPEED cameras and expert commentators will capture all of the action from the final seven-and-a-half hours beginning at 6:00 a.m. EST on Sunday, January 28 and running through the checkered flag at 1:30 PM, and then 30 minutes of post-race interviews and highlights.
Here are some race win statistics for the Rolex 24 – a majority accomplished in Porsches.
Most Overall Victories
1. Hurley Haywood, 5 (1991, 1979, 1977, 1975, 1973)
2. Peter Gregg, 4 (1978, 1976, 1975, 1973)
Rolf Stommelen, 4 (1982, 1980, 1978, 1968)
Bob Wollek, 4 (1983, 1985, 1989, 1991)
Pedro Rodriguez, 4 (1971, 1970, 3 hour races in 1964 and 1963)
6. Brian Redman, 3 (1981, 1976, 1970)
Derek Bell, 3 (1989, 1987, 1986)
Andy Wallace, 3 (1999, 1998, 1990)
Butch Leitzinger, 3 (1999, 1997, 1994)
10. Mauro Baldi, 2 (2002, 1998)
Wayne Taylor, 2 (2005, 1996)
Elliott Forbes-Robinson, 2 (1999, 1997)
A.J. Foyt, 2 (1985, 1983)
Al Holbert, 2 (1986, 1987)
Jan Lammers, 2 (1990, 1988)
Ken Miles, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
John Paul Jr., 2 (1997, 1982)
Lloyd Ruby, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Didier Theys, 2 (2002, 1998)
Al Unser Jr., 2 (1987, 1986)
Most Consecutive Overall Victories
1. Peter Gregg, 3 (1973, 1975, 1976 – No Event Held in 1974)
2. Al Holbert, 2 (1986, 1987)
Al Unser Jr., 2 (1986, 1987
Derek Bell, 2 (1986, 1987)
Hurley Haywood, 2 (1973, 1975 – No Event Held in 1974)
Pedro Rodriguez, 2 (1970, 1971)
Ken Miles, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Lloyd Ruby, 2 (1966, 327-lap race in 1965)
Pedro Rodriguez, 2 (327-lap race in 1964, 3-hour race in 1963)
Most Class Victories
1. Peter Gregg, 6 (1978, 1976, 1975, 1973, 1972, 1968)
Hurley Haywood, 6 (1991, 1979, 1977, 1975, 1973, 1972)
Scott Pruett, 6 (2002, 1994, 1993, 1992, 1988, 1987)
4. Hans Herrmann, 4 (1968, 1967, 1966, 1963)
Pedro Rodriguez, 4 (1971, 1970, 1964, 1963)
Rolf Stommelen, 4 (1982, 1980, 1978, 1968)
Amos Johnson, 4 (1988, 1987, 1986, 1985)
Bob Wollek, 4 (1991, 1989, 1985, 1983)
Peter Uria, 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1990)
Robby Gordon, 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1990)
Wally Dallenbach Jr., 4 (1993, 1992, 1991, 1985)
Dick Greer, 4 (2001, 1993, 1992, 1991)
Andy Wallace, 4 (2003, 1999, 1997, 1990)
PORSCHE DAYTONA 24-HOUR FACTS
(updated 1/23/08)
Overall Wins: 20 (first in 1968; most recent in 2003)
Class Wins: 61
Porsche 911 Wins: 36 Overall and Class Victories
Initial Overall Win: 1968
GT Class Wins: 26
SGS Class wins (class ran only in 2004): 1
20 Race Winning Streak (overall or class): 1966-1987
Finished 1-2 overall in 11 Daytona 24-Hours
GT class winner finishing second overall: 2001, 2004
From 1977 to 1988, Porsche had compiled 12 consecutive overall wins
GTX Series Winner: 1978-1981
GTP Series Winner: 1982-89, 1991