The Daytona 24 Hours is almost upon us, returning after two years. The stage is set, the Daytona Milton Keynes venue is primed and ready, and the sun has made a timely appearance. The biggest event in Daytona's calendar takes place on Saturday 27th May at 13:00 and the excitement is in the air.
For the very first time, racers will navigate the eleven corners of the Daytona International Circuit in a brand-new fleet of SODI SR5s, and Daytona’s flagship go-kart, the DMAX, will provide the ultimate test of driver skill for the two-stroke enthusiasts. There are many well-renowned Daytona faces in town, as well as some new teams who mount their own challenge, racing in a 24-hour endurance with us for the first time.
Six Helmets Racing return to the grid after being so close last time round, with only a dramatic weight penalty denying them the top spot in 2021. Brentwood Banta and MyPremier Racing Team also make a return to the grid in Milton Keynes and will be serious contenders for the podium after commendable performances last time round. Daytona Milton Keynes’ Enduro Championship winners, CI Group, take on the 24HR for the first time!
Maple Motorsport will surely put in a strong performance in the DMAX and SODI categories, after multiple endurance podiums in 2023. TRX Racing are competing in the same position and are certainly ones to watch in this competition across both categories.
There are 24 teams in total competing in the DMAX category, and 135 racers, littered with big names throughout. History beckons, but who will make it - will the podium be shared by existing champions, or will an up-and-coming team steal the race from the grasp of our veteran teams?
There are 25 SODI teams sharing the track with the DMAXs. Teams to watch out for in this category include Alpha Delta Racing, who were regulars on the podium in the Endurance Championship, and CS7 Racing. These two teams have bravely only entered four drivers in their teams – a brave strategy - will this work against them when fatigue kicks in?
In truth, anything can happen on the grid, especially when fatigue kicks in. Will the Daytona 24 Hours 2023 be a straight forward win for one of the favourites, or is 2023 a year for a wildcard victory?
Stay up to date with the race live on Daytona’s Twitter - @daytonamsport.
