The Roar Before the 24
Winter hat... Check. Sweatshirt and jacket... Check! Say what?! 30 degrees in Florida? Brrr! The weather may be surprising, but that's not even the wildest part of this story. And this is no ordinary car and driver tale.
Checking into my hotel near the track, I struggled with my key card, finally getting in after multiple tries. After bringing everything up, I realized I forgot something and made another trip to the car. As I closed the door, a raccoon appeared, and in a moment of panic, I dashed to my room, swiping the key card frantically.
Once inside, I peeked out to find the raccoon still there, seeming to size me up. Grabbing my camera for a "death by raccoon" photo, I saw it had vanished. Sneaking out later, I realized it was fixated on leftovers nearby, not me. Just another unexpected adventure.
With media credentials out of reach just three days before the Roar before the 24, I had to improvise. A trip to the nearest Home Depot for a small step ladder became necessary, allowing me to scale the fence for those crucial action shots. It was a different experience, feeling like both an outsider and a spectator without special access.
I headed towards the media room, hoping for a chance to grab a vest. While I received approval for the next day, I couldn't make the mandatory photographer's meeting due to covering the Mecum Auctions in Kissimmee. Despite lacking preferred vantage points, I still managed to capture some good shots.
The Roar Before the 24 showcases 30 GTLM/GTD and 20 Prototype cars, serving as a test session for the prestigious Rolex 24. Held at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, the track's steep banks are so formidable that attempting to climb them on foot would be a daunting task.
For these drivers, the experience is unparalleled as they push their cars to the limits in pursuit of the best lap times. This three-day event kicks off the IMSA series for the season, starting on Friday and concluding on Sunday. I was only able to attend on Friday due to prior commitments that weekend, which meant I caught the practice sessions rather than the prototype race held on Saturday at the Roar Before the 24.
BMW made a stunning debut with the new BMW M8 GTE IMSA car at this event, and it was nothing short of spectacular! Everything about the car exudes power and performance.
While I was there as a spectator, I took the opportunity to experiment with low shutter speeds. The results were decent, but I'm quite meticulous about sharpness—if it's even slightly out of focus, it's deleted. I don't settle for mediocrity; if I'm not satisfied, nobody gets to see the photos.
I remember asking Regis Leferbure once if a bit of blur was okay, and he said yes. However, I still struggle with it. I also know that if a car is on a bend, it will be out of focus no matter what, which adds another layer of challenge.
When a session ended, the pits became a flurry of activity. Everyone had to be alert and fully aware of the cars coming in and out of the track, as well as the trailers filled with tires weaving through the crowd. It was a chaotic scene, and if you weren't paying attention, you risked getting your feet run over.
A few more photos from the event
