IMSA Realizing Unprecedented Positive Results

IMSA Realizing Unprecedented Positive Results On And Off

The Race Track Following Successful Rolex 24 At Daytona

Season Opener Sees Increase In Key Metrics; Strong Attendance

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Feb. 2, 2017) – The 55th Rolex 24 At Daytona likely will be remembered as a watershed moment in IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship history.

On the racetrack, the event saw the competition debut of 12 brand-new Daytona Prototype international (DPi) and LM P2 race cars in the series’ top Prototype class, as well as a new car from Porsche in the GT Le Mans (GTLM) class and the WeatherTech Championship debut for Mercedes-AMG, Lexus and Acura in the GT Daytona (GTD) class.

In total, 14 manufacturers participated in the Rolex 24, and the margin of victory was under a second in the P and GTD classes, and less than three seconds in GTLM at the end of a grueling 24 hours of competition in sometimes extremely difficult weather conditions. Five cars, representing three different manufacturers or constructors led the race in the Prototype class. Ten different cars led the race in GTLM and 15 different cars led in GTD, including each of the aforementioned newcomers.

“The IMSA Technical Committee did a remarkably effective job with a lot of new cars and unknowns heading into the Rolex 24,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton. “While we recognize it will always be a topic of great debate, we believe it was extremely fair and equitable for all involved. We are very pleased by the fact that three of the four races for the class win came down to the final few moments of the race, and both GT classes could have gone to any one of several different manufacturers. The results were determined by driver and team performance – exactly as it should be.”

In addition to the on-track success, IMSA and Daytona International Speedway also realized outstanding results off-track. Two metrics often used to measure an event’s success are television ratings and attendance.

On television, the live FOX network telecast of the first three hours of the Rolex 24 drew a .5 rating, which represented a 25 percent increase over 2015, which was the last time a portion of the Rolex 24 aired on FOX. In addition, the final, two-hour segment on FS1 earned a .3 rating and an average of 516,000 viewers, a 20 percent increase over the same time last year. In addition, the FOX Sports GO app debuted flag-to-flag coverage of the entire Rolex 24.

In terms of at-track audience, Daytona International Speedway hosted one of largest Rolex 24 crowds in history. Race-week attendance followed a strong camping turnout for the Roar Before the Rolex 24 test on Jan. 6-8.

The infield at Daytona International Speedway featured a record 12 displays from different automotive manufacturers, and top executives from all 17 manufacturers participating in either the Rolex 24 or Friday’s BMW Endurance Challenge for the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge were in attendance. Also in attendance were leaders of seven different sanctioning bodies and promoter partners from all 12 venues hosting WeatherTech Championship events in 2017.

“Whether it was the on-track racing or the activities throughout the property, the Rolex 24 At Daytona generated an incredible experience for both fans and competitors,” Daytona International Speedway President Chip Wile said. “The event came down to the final minutes with the No. 10 Cadillac team capturing the overall victory and Jeff Gordon joining an exclusive club of drivers to have won both the Rolex 24 and the DAYTONA 500. We look forward to continue growth with this event for years to come.”

Digital and social media metrics also were strong for the Rolex 24. IMSA had more than 4 million Twitter impressions and 9 million impressions on Facebook throughout race week. The participation of four-time Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Gordon, who won the Rolex 24 alongside No. 10 Konica Minolta Cadillac DPi-V.R co-drivers Ricky and Jordan Taylor and Max Angelelli, drew substantial activity on NASCAR social and digital platforms as well.

NASCAR.com content focused on the 2017 Rolex 24 earned nearly 1.2 million page views. NASCAR’s social media channels generated more than 7 million impressions and reached 4 million Facebook users.

“We couldn’t be more proud of how well the Rolex 24 performed on all levels,” said Atherton. “There was so much anticipation going into the race, yet we were able to meet or even exceed our expectations. There was a lot of positive energy among fans and competitors throughout the weekend and we’re confident this event sets the tone for what will be an outstanding season.”

The next round of the WeatherTech Championship and Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida, which will take place on March 15-18 at Sebring International Raceway.