The Rolex 24 at Daytona is the most popular 24-hour race in the world, also known as the Superbowl of road. Viewers will get to watch competing teams in a 24-hour endurance race covering more than 2,400 miles on the Daytona International Speedway — a test for teams, a measure of mechanics and a demon for drivers. Against the clock, teams seek to outlast the competition in the races, but in this event, the track itself becomes a seasoned competitor, edging man and machine toward its limits in the series The Edge: Grand- Am Road Racing.The series premieres on August 16 and airs every Tuesday at 10 pm on Discovery Turbo.For half a century the greatest names in racing have endured the grandest marathon in motor sport at Daytona. Drawing in audience and racers who are eager and excited, it takes them to the edge. This daylong event requires year long planning and lifelong dreaming. Consisting of one race with two classes; the Daytona Prototype and Grand Touring class, it features an international caste of drivers, both professional and amateurs from over 26 countries who are living the dream of coming to Daytona and racing. Where each class winner is rewarded with one of a kind engraved Rolex wristwatch.The Edge: Grand-Am Road Racing combines the power of man with the performance of machine. All teams work tirelessly preparing for the demands of the season. For this series of racing, Grand- Am merges Dayton’s infield course with the banks of the NASCAR oval. The special signature car is the custom built Daytona prototype class, the top class in the Rolex sports car series.These light-weight race machines exceed 180 miles per hour. They are purpose-built for competition and powered by the likes of Ford, Porsche, BMW, and Chevrolet. The prototypes are joined by the GT Class, each division enduring a 12-event season in the pursuit of the coveted series title. Compounding the challenge of Grand-Am competition, both auto types run concurrent races around a trying circuit that spans 3.56 miles.During the race more than 700 laps are logged.The car is pitted nearly two dozen times with most driver changes occurring every three hours. On the way in to the pits in fewer than 20 seconds, a racer has to unplug a water system, a radio, a driver ID card, and air cooling systems to the helmet. While making sure headlights are sorted out right before one can hop out.A pit stop lasts 40 seconds during which the driver is switched and all four tyres are changed after which the car returns to the track. After escaping the confines of the race car drivers welcome the reprieve of their motor home. Where they immediately push in some fluids, carbohydrates and try getting a nap. But their minds are always racing.With over 24 hours event, this The Edge: Grand-Am Road Racing spectacle combines all the elements of racing with the elements of nature.Chilling rains can cloud a driver’s vision and drench his spirits. It can also stop the effectiveness of brakes or overload electrical systems.This grueling test showcases Grand-Am’s style of racing, above meteorology and mechanics the most critical preparation is mental.
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