USCC – Pierre Fillon will start the 24 Hours of Daytona

It’s just a beautiful and fair return of things. After Jim France, President of International Speedway Corporation, creator of Grand-Am Road Racing and Vice President of the NASCAR, gave the start of 24 Hours of Le Mans last June, it was the turn of Pierre Fillon, eighth President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, to announce the 52nd edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona on Saturday January 25. An edition which will have a very special flavor, since it will constitute the inaugural event of the USCC (United SportsCar Championship. Editor's note), this new championship resulting from the merger between Grand-Am and ALMS.

“It is a new era of endurance in North America which will be launched thanks to President Fillon who will lower the starting flag in front of the competitors and David Hobbs, explains Joie Chitwood III, President of Daytona International Speedway. There is immense anticipation ahead of the next Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona. We can't wait for this new season and this new championship to kick off with this historic event. » 

British driver seen in Nascar, in IndyCar, riding a Formula 1 and who notably participated in the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 500 miles of Daytona, the 500 miles of Indianapolis and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, David Hobbs will be the “Grand Marshal” of this 52nd edition. He will therefore have the honor of pronouncing this legendary phrase: “Drivers, start your engines”. As a reminder, David Hobbs has 20 starts in Sarthe to his credit. He signed two category victories there (In 1962, he finished 1st in GT1.3 on Lotus, and in 1982 he did the same in IMSA GTX on Porsche). Overall, his best result was third, a position he finished in twice, in 1969 with Ford and in 1984 with Porsche.