Daytona Beach – The Birthplace of the Rolex Daytona

King of Speed

        1903–1935From 1903 to 1935, the hard-packed sand of Daytona Beach became the ideal location for breaking land speed recordsand gained international renown, with over eighty official records set here, fourteen of thembeing the fastest speed records in the world. At the time, the measured distance marked permanently on the sand for calculating racingThe tachymeter scale for speed * has recorded several glorious motor racing achievements, including the Vanderbilt (W.K.Vanderbilt) set the first world record at Daytona in 1904 with a speed of 92 mph (148 km/h)per hour; Barney · Oldfield drove the “ Blitzen ” (Lightning  Benz) in 1910 at a speed of 131 miles (210 kilometres) per hour to break the record and claim the crownthrone. Subsequently, Oldfield claimed that the record he set was “ the absolute limit of human driving speed”.

       At that time, one of the prominent racing drivers, Ralph · DePalma, drove a powerful12-cylinder Packard racing car in 1919 at a speed of 149 miles (240 kilometres) per hoursetting a brand new world record that stood for over 10 years. From then on, the era of speed conquestsaw the emergence of two closely matched rivals in history: Malcolm · Campbell and Henry · Segrave(Henry Segrave). From the 1920s onwards, these two wealthy Englishmen raced at 1907the world's first purpose-built motor racing track, —— Brooklands in England,where they both set speed records and were subsequently knighted by King George V.When the concrete oval circuit at Brooklands proved inadequate for their increasingly powerful high-speed cars, theymoved on to hard-packed beaches, first at Pendine Sands and Southport in England,and eventually, inevitably, to Daytona. Their secretly manufactured racing cars reached speedsexceeding 200 miles (321 kilometres) per hour, velocities previously attained only by aircraft.

      Fitted with aero engines, their cars were built specifically for straight-line sprinting on the beach. Se-grave won the first Daytona showdown in 1927 driving the “Sunbeam Mystery S” ecret (Sunbeam Mystery S) at a speed of 203 miles (328 kilometres) per hour. This victory was the first to be verified by internationalstandards, measured by timing runs over the same distance in opposite directions and calculating theaverage to cancel out the effect of the wind. The following year, Campbell drove the “Bluebird” (a name he gave toall his racing machines) to break the record at 207 miles (333 kilometres) per hour. In 1929,Henry · Segrave drove a new racing car, the “Golden Arrow”, taking the lead again with a speed of 231 miles(372 kilometres) per hour. This world record earned him a knighthood and landed him onthe front page of the New York Times. Tragically, however, he lost his life in an accident the following year while attempting to break the water speed record.tragically, however, he lost his life in an accident the following year while attempting to break the water speed record.

        Thereafter, year after year, Campbell drove increasingly powerful “Bluebird” machines to breakhis own world records at Daytona, cementing his status as the true King of Speed. Each of his feats attractedthousands of spectators and media from around the globe flocking to Daytona Beach. In 1935 3,he set his sights on 300 miles (482 kilometres) per hour, and on his first run achieved a speed of 330 miles (531kilometres) per hour, setting the highest speed record ever seen at Daytona. However, when he made the return run in the opposite directionwhen his average speed dropped to 276 mph (445 km/h), which was also the speed at Daytonathe final record he set. This setback prompted Campbell to test a new venue —— the BonnevilleSalt Flats in Utah. In September of the same year, he successfully completed the challenge,breaking the final official record at a speed of 301 mph (485 km/h). Since 1930, Campbellhad achieved these feats wearing a Rolex Oyster watch. In advertisements at the time, he personally attested to the exceptional shock resistance of the Rolex Oysterwatch. This demonstrates that Rolex's first motorsport ambassador was long linked withDaytona.

THE WORLD'S ONLY SAND RACING TRACK

       Although the land speed record competitions moved to Utah, Daytona still maintained aninseparable connection with motorsport. Since 1936, Daytona has hosted many unique world competitions,helping to establish its extraordinary status in the racing world. Soon after, the golden age of oval track racingarrived, with half the track being beach and the other half narrow coastal roads. From 1937,this unique track became the venue for the 200-mile American Motorcycle Championship, and this eventbecame a classic race under the name “ Daytona 200” (Daytona 200). Beach racingwas spectacular, attracting hundreds of spectators. Soon, temporary wooden grandstands were builtalong the sandy turns, a corner that left some cars immobilised or plunging directly into the sea.

       Subsequently, NASCAR (National Association forStock Car Racing) was founded in Daytona in 1948. Today, NASCAR races are heldacross four different regions of the United States, becoming a motor racing category immensely popular with American audiences. That same year,Daytona revived the “Speed Weeks” held in the early 20th century,a two-week event typically held in February. Under the Florida sunshine, Daytona Beachonce again became the centre of American motor racing. The measured mile on the beach allowed high-speed racing to take place again,with major American car brands and top European sports cars joining the fray to promote theirnewest models.

       After running for several miles, the cars built up sufficient momentum to arrive at top speedthe speed trap. These races were open to the public: every driver could drive their own carto set official-record top speeds. The famous “Daytona Beach-Road Course” (Daytona Beach-Road Course), situated between the highway and the low-tide beach, hosted spectacular motorcycleand motor racing events that were the focus of “Speed Week”. It is said that many top drivers had previously smuggledmoonshine from the Appalachian Mountains in the southeastern United States (particularly Georgia and North and South Carolina),honing their skills while constantly evading federal agents,and thus possessed extensive racing experience.

      1950 In the mid-decade, urban development and the degradation of the sand increasingly threatened beach racing. In view ofthis, NASCAR chairman and founder William · France Sr. launchedan ambitious project to construct a permanent paved speedway for high-speed racing: the Daytona International Speedway.The track opened in 1959, carrying on Daytona's unique traditions and promoting its international reputation.

TEMPLE OF SPEED

       When the Daytona International Speedway opened in 1959, it was not only the fastest track in America, but also one of the world's leading “superspeedwaysgrade circuit ”. This tri-oval track, measuring 2.5 miles (4 km) in total length, continues to leave a lasting impression on every spectator who enters.The unique design of this track is built for speed, with its banked curves reaching 31 degrees and a maximum height of 10with unobstructed views of the action from any seat in the grandstands. However, construction presented a formidable engineering challenge, particularlyfrom any seat in the grandstand, the entire race can be seen clearly. However, the construction work was an extremely arduous engineering challenge, particularlythe paving of the surface. Project engineer Charles · Moneypenny developed a unique technique,and this patented technology was later used in the construction of other tracks.and this patented technology was subsequently used to build other circuits.

       The distinctive design of the Daytona International Speedway is not its only feature: from the very beginning, the founder of the circuitSir William · France hoped that this new circuit would be more than just an important venue for NASCAR races,but rather an international benchmark. To attract the world's top racing drivers to Daytona,racing, it was essential to host what was then recognised as the elite discipline of motorsport: sports car racing. Sir Franceconceived the innovative concept of constructing a road racing circuit in the infield of a large speedway for sports car and motorcycleracing, combining a classic course with a unique banked oval. It was thisinnovative approach that led to the subsequent development of the World Endurance Championship, which includes the equally famous “ LeMans 24 ” Hours (24 Hours of Le Mans) “ Rolex Cosmograph Daytona24 Hours ” (Rolex 24 At Daytona®), earning this American circuit international renown.The inaugural race was held under the name “ Daytona Continental ” in 1962, andjust 1 years later, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was launched, meaning the race and the watch were practicallyborn at the same time, and their destinies have been inextricably linked ever since.

The race isnamed after Rolex watchnamed after Daytona

        William · France not only had a passion for the Daytona International Speedway, but also greatly admired Malcolmm · Campbell, who wore a Rolex watch just like him. Sir France once, in the brand's 1960 era,early advertisements, stating that Rolex was the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway. From the veryfirst “ Daytona Continental ”, winning drivers were awarded a Rolex watch in addition to a trophy.When the Cosmograph, designed specifically for racing drivers, was released, it naturally became the grand prize for the victors.Shortly afterwards, to emphasise the brand's connection with the American circuit, Rolex specially named the watchthe Cosmograph Daytona.

In       1992, Rolex became the title sponsor of the “ Daytona 24 ” (24 Hours of  Daytona), officially cementing their long-standing relationship, and the race was subsequently renamed the “ Rolex Daytona24 Hours ”. This oldest and most prestigious race in America kicks off the international motor racing season,and is affectionately known simply as “ The Rolex ”. Spectators consistently leave the standsto soak up the atmosphere in the open spaces of the infield. In 2012, this legendary race celebratedCelebrating the 50 anniversary. This anniversary edition event broke attendance records and concluded with brilliant results.After 24 hours of fierce competition, it was finally timed precisely by the Rolex timekeeping team near the finish line,with the winning team taking the title by a margin of just 5 seconds. Ultimately, the winners completedover 2,673 miles (4,300 kilometres) of the journey, equivalent to travelling across the United States from New York to Los Angeles.distance.

       “The Rolex Daytona 24-hour endurance race is ” thrilling and captivating, yet exceptionally demanding,testing the limits of both humans and machinery for a full 24 hours, believed to be, apart from the “ Le Mans 24-hour endurancerace”, a truly unique sports car event in the world. To this day, many drivers from Formula One,NASCAR, IndyCar, and endurance racing eagerly participate in this event, sharingthe same dream: hoping to wear the Daytona watch awarded to the winner and be reveredby the world.

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