IMSA Shifts 2025 Rolex 24 Qualifying to Race Week at Daytona
For the first time in several years, qualifying for the 2025 Rolex 24 At Daytona will take place on Thursday, Jan. 28, two days before the race, instead of during the Roar Before the 24 weekend.
Red racecar at Daytona testing
The Roar Before the 24, scheduled for Jan. 17-19, will now focus solely on testing sessions and two VP Racing SportsCar Challenge races. This schedule change follows IMSA's decision to move pre-season testing to November from December and accommodate Targeted Performance Testing for GT3 cars in GTD PRO and GTD classes.
Key Changes for 2025:
- Roar weekend includes seven sessions totaling 10h15m of track time
- Special 90-minute session for Bronze-rated drivers in LMP2 and GTD
- GTD PRO and GTD will have separate 15-minute qualifying sessions
- GTD PRO cars will start ahead of all GTD cars regardless of qualifying time
- Classes will remain separated during restart after full-course cautions
Additional Events:
- Michelin Pilot Challenge with four-hour BMW M Endurance race on Friday
- Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup races on Thursday and Friday of race weekend
- 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona starts at 1:40 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 25
The Roar weekend schedule includes extensive testing opportunities and features dedicated sessions for different driver classifications, ensuring optimal preparation for the main event.
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