Daytona 'Roar Before The 24' Testing: Day One

By MotorSportMedia January 12, 2012 4:15 pm EST

Real racing fans know race day is the culmination of extensive prep work. Teams from around the world met in Florida this weekend for the 'Roar Before The 24' event before the Daytona 24-Hour race. Here's a full gallery of hardcore racing porn created exclusively for Jalopnik by MotorSportMedia. — Ed.

Click through the photos to enjoy the raw madness of Daytona.

January has brought cold winds to many parts of the country shortly after many were wondering if they were going to need their winter jacket this season. Grand-Am Rolex and Continental Tire are in Daytona Beach, Florida hoping to warm you up with some high octane racing.

As the New Year starts the participants in the Daytona 24-Hour get a little taste test of the race to come during the Roar Before the 24. Three testing days are on the docket and the teams spend the most possible time on track that they can get.

All the sessions are full of cars from the infield to the banks of the historic NASCAR track. It's not hard to figure out why as this track time is priceless. It's the last time they wheels will be turned before everyone will be driving 24 hours in a row... passed the Ferris Wheel and into the Bus Stop.

This is a special year though in the sunny state of Florida as 2012 will be the 50th running of this historic race. This year's race is bringing out the big stars from all different corners of the world. Rockstars to Hollywood celebrities to international racing superstars!

Names like Allan McNish, Patrick Dempsey and Brian Johnson are being repeated in the paddocks and garages this weekend. Resumes for the drivers include NASCAR, ALMS, Grand-Am, Formula 1 and more.

The air is thick with drama as the boys from Germany and Italy have unleashed new machines to fight the old guard of Grand-Am GT.

Ferrari has a special Grand-Am spec 458 Italia competing this year. Germany has brought the Audi R8 to help the Porsche and BMWs keep the wins from escaping the German hands. Not the be outdone a lone Dodge Viper is hoping to put a bite into the veins of the other competitors. Will we see an American powered car on the top step of GT this year?

There's also a new line-up of Daytona Prototypes, including one styled after the Corvette and, while it's no Audi R18 or Peugeot 908, it sure does look good as it prowls for its prey around the Daytona Speedway.

Check back tomorrow for more.

Photos and text by MotorSportMedia

Photo Credit: MotorSportMedia

Daytona 'Roar Before The 24' Testing: Day One

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