Rolex 24 At Daytona Wasn't Always Rolex And Wasn't Always 24; SunBank?

The Rolex 24 At Daytona, one of the most prestigious endurance races in the world, has undergone several name changes and distance modifications since its debut in 1962. Initially known as the SunBank 24 at Daytona, the race was held over a three-hour distance before being extended to 2,000 kilometers in 1964, similar to the 12 Hours of Sebring. The race was won by Ken Miles and Lloyd Ruby in a Carroll Shelby Mustang in its inaugural year, and eventually, two-man teams gave way to rosters of three or four drivers. In 1972, due to an international rules change on engines, the race was dramatically shortened, and won by Mario Andretti and Jacky Ickx.

In 1992, the race became known as the Rolex 24 At Daytona, and the distance was increased to 24 hours. Since then, the race has been held annually, with various drivers and teams competing for the coveted victory. The Rolex 24 At Daytona [+]

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Before 1992, everything started with the SunBank 24 at Daytona. That's right: Same race, different name.

Citation: si.com

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Here are some bios on people relevant to the topic of the Rolex 24 At Daytona:

Dan Gurney: An American race car driver and entrepreneur, Dan Gurney was the first winner of the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 1962. He was a versatile driver who competed in various forms of racing, including Formula One, IndyCar, and sports cars. Gurney was known for his innovative approach to racing and his ability to adapt to different cars and tracks.

Pedro Rodriguez: A Mexican race car driver, Pedro Rodriguez won the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 1963. He was a successful sports car driver in the 1960s and 1970s, winning numerous races in Europe and the United States. Rodriguez was known for his aggressive driving style and his ability to push his cars to the limit.

Ken Miles: A British race car driver, Ken Miles was the winner of the inaugural 24-hour race at Daytona in 1964. He was a skilled driver who competed in [+]