Historic Mazda RX-7 GTO and Lola Corvette GTP Triumph at First-Ever HSR IMSA Classic Daytona
The unmistakable four-rotor 1991 Mazda RX-7-001 GTO and the thundering 1985 Lola Corvette GTP emerged victorious at the inaugural Historic Sportscar Racing IMSA Classic at the 63rd Rolex 24 At Daytona, showcasing IMSA's rich motorsports heritage.
Mazda race car at Daytona
Tom Long drove the Mazda Heritage Collection RX-7 GTO to claim both overall and GT class victories. Scooter Gabel piloted the Alegra Motorsports Lola Corvette GTP to second overall and first in the Prototype category. Jim Norman's 1980 Interscope Porsche 935 K3 secured third place overall, representing IMSA's GTX era.
The HSR IMSA Classic, announced in December, is an invitational race celebrating IMSA's 50-year history at the Rolex 24. This inaugural event featured cars from 1973-1993, with future editions set to showcase different IMSA eras.
Red and white vintage racing car
All three podium finishers boast previous Rolex 24 success, including class wins for Gabel (2007 – GT) and Norman (2013 – GX), and a third-place GT finish for Long (2011).
The three-day event included practice sessions, qualifying, and a qualifying race, culminating in Saturday's 30-minute feature race before the Rolex 24.
Black and red striped racecar
The HSR season continues with the Sebring Classic 12 Hour Presented by Mission Foods, March 7-9, marking the debut of the HSR Classic Endurance Championship Presented by Mission Foods - the first major endurance race championship for vintage sports cars in the U.S.
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