Rolex 24 2021
It was the start of 2021, and we were kicking off the year right by attending the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway. Leaving behind Boston's brutally cold weather, we were off to Florida's moderately warm climate for the event. At the airport, I was picked up by fellow photographer Nathan Deremer, as we would be shooting together throughout the event.
Despite having broken my shoulder just a month before, there I was, strapping a camera to each arm to photograph the race for four days straight. I was incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to work with the Amelia team, who brought in all of the vintage cars to be displayed in the Fan Zone.
If you're staying at a Florida hotel, I highly recommend avoiding the cheapest options, as they can be quite disappointing. When I opened the door to the room, it reeked of cigarettes, and the floor was disgustingly sticky. I found myself playing the "floor is lava" game, reminiscent of childhood, jumping from one less sticky spot to another just to get to the bathroom.
Returning home was a relief; finally getting to lay in a bed that hugged me back, unlike the uncomfortable slab of concrete at the hotel. It's moments like these that make you appreciate the comforts of home even more.
As many are aware, the pandemic brought about stringent rules at each event, particularly regarding gatherings. This year, those rules were in full effect at the Rolex 24, with no access to the pits or the ability to go out on the track like in past years. The separation between fans and drivers was strictly enforced.
Despite the restrictions, there were fewer people in attendance this year, which made the experience quite enjoyable in its own way. I could easily navigate to wherever I needed without any hassle or long lines, allowing for a more intimate and relaxed atmosphere.
Nathan and I spent Thursday walking around the track, scouting for the best areas to photograph from since we were behind the fence. I made the decision not to wear a media vest, as IMSA's contract prohibits photographers from selling their photos if they do. To work around this restriction, I rented a lens with a long zoom reach, allowing me to shoot through the double fences without the wall obstructing the view.
Each day of the four-day event, we estimated that we walked about 25,000 steps. It was a physically demanding but incredibly rewarding experience capturing the action from various vantage points around the track.
Throughout the day, as I searched for ideal spots to photograph from, I decided to try the Ferris wheel in the middle of the track again, just like last year. This time, armed with a longer lens, I thought it might offer some unique perspectives. However, I quickly remembered how sketchy it was, being one of those fold-up carnival rides.
When I reached the top, I asked the operator to stop for about 5 minutes. It was then that I recalled how terrifying it was when the wheel started swinging back and forth. The shots I got weren't worth the nerves, and I decided it might not be worth going up there again next year.
Later, when I spoke to the ride's owner, she remarked, "I will never go on that." Hearing that from the owner herself was even more frightening!
While searching for a high vantage point on top of a camper or trailer, I stumbled upon the same group of guys who had let me up on their trailer last year. As I stood there, I was surprised to find legendary Irish race car driver Tommy Byrne also up there. He was watching Jimmie Johnson race, as he was set to teach Jimmie how to drive an Indy car for the series in a couple of weeks.
It was a great opportunity to catch up, as we had first met at an event with John Campion in Hackensack, NJ. John Campion was one of the most genuine car enthusiasts out there, always dedicated to involving children in the world of cars. Unfortunately, the automotive community suffered a loss in 2020 when John passed away due to Leukemia. His passing was a heavy blow felt by all who knew him.
It was a thrill to witness Will Turner and his team achieve 2nd and 3rd place in the Michelin Pilot Series on Friday with their two BMW M4 GTs. Their success was truly well-deserved.
In the IMSA races, my personal favorites on the track were the Corvette C8.R race cars. They performed exceptionally, securing 1st and 2nd place in the GTLM class. The winner of the 2021 Rolex 24 in the DPi class was Filipe Albuquerque in the #10 Acura, with Kamui Kobayashi closely following in the #48 Cadillac. These drivers and teams put on an incredible display of skill and determination throughout the event.
