How to experience the action at Daytona early | 2023 Roar Before the Rolex 24 schedule

Colin
By Colin Wood
Jan 19, 2023 | Endurance Racing, Daytona, Rolex 24 at Daytona, Roar Before the Rolex 24, rolex 24, Daytona International Speedway, 24 Hours of Daytona

Photograph Courtesy BMW

Why just celebrate the Rolex 24 for a single weekend? The Roar Before the Rolex 24 offers a second weekend to experience the thrill of the Rolex–all before the big race even starts.

[2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona | Complete schedule of events]

The Roar, set for January 20-22 (this Friday through Sunday), is essentially the final test session for teams to prepare their cars before the green flag drops. The weekend also offers one of the first chances to get up close to the cars competing in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, including the all-new GTP machines.

There’s more than just testing and qualifying on the roster, however, as the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge is set to hold two races–one on Saturday and the other on Sunday.

The full schedule for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 is as follows:

Friday, January 20

  • 8:45 AM to 9:15 AM ET
    Practice 1 - VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
  • 9:30 AM to 10:45 AM ET
    Practice 1 - Michelin Pilot Challenge
  • 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM ET
    Practice 1 - WeatherTech Championship
  • 1:45 PM to 2:15 PM ET
    Practice 2 - VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
  • 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM ET
    Practice 2 - Michelin Pilot Challenge
  • 4:15 PM to 6:00 PM ET
    Practice 2 - WeatherTech Championship

Saturday, January 21

  • 8:40 AM to 9:15 AM ET
    Qualifying - VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
  • 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM ET
    Practice 3 - Michelin Pilot Challenge
  • 11:15 AM to 12:45 PM ET
    Practice 3 - WeatherTech Championship
  • 2:05 PM to 2:50 PM ET
    Race 1 of 2 - VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
  • 3:10 PM to 4:10 PM ET
    Practice 4 - WeatherTech Championship
  • 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM ET
    Practice 4 - Michelin Pilot Challenge
  • 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM ET
    Practice 5 - WeatherTech Championship

Sunday, January 22

  • 10:15 AM to 11:15 AM ET
    Practice 1 - Michelin Pilot Challenge
  • 12:20 PM to 1:05 PM ET
    Race 2 of 2 - VP Racing SportsCar Challenge
  • 1:25 PM to 3:00 PM ET
    Qualifying - WeatherTech Championship

Tickets start at $15 for single-day admission on Friday and Sunday, or $20 for single-day admission on Saturday. If you already have a two- or four-day ticket to the Rolex 24 at Daytona, you receive free admission to the Roar.

Find full details at imsa.com and daytonainternationalspeedway.com, plus make sure you check out our full schedule for the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona here.

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Comments
Colin Wood
Colin Wood Associate Editor
1/19/23 4:34 p.m.

For anyone who might not be totally interested/on the fence about going to the Rolex 24, the Roar is a great way to get a little taste of what it's like–even if you only go a single day.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/20/23 12:04 p.m.

And see you all at the track this weekend. Heading that way in a bit. 

MauryH
MauryH GRM+ Memberand New Reader
1/20/23 7:57 p.m.

I was there today and found the crowd much larger than any past Friday at the Roar. Lots of fast cars this year, should be a great race.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/20/23 8:17 p.m.

In reply to MauryH :

Yeah, good crowd today. For $15, it's a terrific deal.

Floating Doc (Forum Supporter)
Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
1/20/23 10:42 p.m.

I'd love to be there, but I'm working Friday and Saturday, then Sunday I'll be getting some seat time (always my first priority).

I'll be able to hear the cars from work tomorrow. 

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/20/23 10:45 p.m.

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

You will definitely hear them. 

Racerjiggs
Racerjiggs New Reader
1/21/23 2:34 p.m.

I miss being able to attend the Roar Before the 24. Not longer able to travel due to my disability, but from 2010 until 2015  I made it 5 times, several with the Daytona Sports Club. With other club members , thanks to Dave Wallens, we would meet at the food concession area and do tours visiting various teams and supporters. After one of our sessions , I wondered into the Mustang garage and met up with Jack Roush. I was the old guy roaming around on 4 wheel scooter..     Gerald Elliott

Spitsix
Spitsix GRM+ Memberand HalfDork
1/21/23 8:34 p.m.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/23/23 12:07 p.m.

In reply to Spitsix :

So you made it? Very cool.

David S. Wallens
David S. Wallens Editorial Director
1/23/23 12:08 p.m.
Racerjiggs said:

I miss being able to attend the Roar Before the 24. Not longer able to travel due to my disability, but from 2010 until 2015  I made it 5 times, several with the Daytona Sports Club. With other club members , thanks to Dave Wallens, we would meet at the food concession area and do tours visiting various teams and supporters. After one of our sessions , I wondered into the Mustang garage and met up with Jack Roush. I was the old guy roaming around on 4 wheel scooter..     Gerald Elliott

It was good seeing you at those Roars. Maybe we'll get back to doing something during the Roar. Those informal tours were fun. 

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