The Ultimate Guide to What Time Is the Rolex 24: Schedule, Viewing, and Race Essentials

## Topic Map
1. **The Short Answer: Start Time & Duration**
2. **Date and Weekend Schedule Overview**
3. **Time Zones: Converting to Your Local Time**
4. **How to Watch: TV, Streaming, and Radio**
5. **Key Race Phases: What Happens When**
6. **Weather and Track Conditions Impact**
7. **Competing Categories and Classes**
8. **How to Prepare for an All-Nighter**
9. **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)**
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## 1. The Short Answer: Start Time & Duration
The **Rolex 24 at Daytona** is a 24-hour endurance sports car race held annually at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. The race always begins at **1:40 PM Eastern Time (ET)** on the designated Saturday in late January. It runs continuously until **1:40 PM ET on Sunday**. If you are searching for “what time is the rolex 24,” the core answer is: it starts at 1:40 PM ET on Saturday and ends exactly 24 hours later on Sunday. This fixed starting time applies barring any major weather delays or safety car interventions that might extend the race window.
## 2. Date and Weekend Schedule Overview
The Rolex 24 is the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. In 2025, the race is scheduled for **Saturday, January 25, to Sunday, January 26**. The weekend schedule, however, spans several days:
– **Thursday (Jan 23):** Roar Before the Rolex 24 (practice & qualifying)
– **Friday (Jan 24):** Final practice sessions, Historic Sportscar Racing support races, and the Motul Pole Award 100 (qualifying race for the GTD classes)
– **Saturday (Jan 25):** Pre-race ceremonies from 11:00 AM ET, driver introductions, the national anthem, and then **1:40 PM ET – GREEN FLAG**
– **Sunday (Jan 26):** Race continues overnight, concluding with the checkered flag at 1:40 PM ET
*Internal Link Opportunity:* [Click here for the full 2025 Rolex 24 weekend schedule with session times PDF](#)
## 3. Time Zones: Converting to Your Local Time
Daytona International Speedway is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET; UTC-5). Here are the conversions for common time zones:
– **Pacific Time (PT):** 10:40 AM Saturday start
– **Central Time (CT):** 12:40 PM Saturday start
– **British Summer Time (BST):** 6:40 PM Saturday start (note: the UK is on GMT, so 6:40 PM GMT)
– **Central European Time (CET):** 7:40 PM Saturday start
– **Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST):** 5:40 AM Sunday start (next day)
– **Japan Standard Time (JST):** 3:40 AM Sunday start
**Important:** The Rolex 24 always uses Eastern Standard Time (EST), not Eastern Daylight Time, as it falls in January. Always confirm your local time relative to ET.
*Internal Link Opportunity:* [Use our live race-time converter tool for your country](#)
## 4. How to Watch: TV, Streaming, and Radio
You have three primary ways to follow the race:
– **Television:** Generally, the first hour (1:40 PM – 2:40 PM ET) and the final hour (approx. 12:40 PM – 1:40 PM ET Sunday) are broadcast free on **NBC** (check local listings). The middle 22 hours are carried on **USA Network** or **Peacock** (premium).
– **Streaming:** **Peacock** in the U.S. provides full 24-hour coverage, including in-car cameras, team radios, and the main broadcast feed. International fans can use the **IMSA TV** app or website.
– **Radio:** **SiriusXM** (channels 211/380) and the **IMSA Radio** app offer free audio commentary throughout the entire 24 hours, complete with live driver interviews.
*Internal Link Opportunity:* [Complete TV & streaming guide for the Rolex 24](#)
## 5. Key Race Phases: What Happens When
Knowing the key phases helps you plan your viewing:
– **Start (1:40 PM – 3:00 PM ET):** The famous Le Mans-style start (drivers run across the track to their cars), full-course yellows are common, and early strategy unfolds.
– **Sunset (approx. 5:45 PM ET):** The track temperature drops, cars switch to night lighting, and the “night shift” begins.
– **Midnight (12:00 AM ET):** The psychological turning point. Drivers and teams settle into a rhythm. Watch for driver fatigue and mechanical issues.
– **Dawn (approx. 6:45 AM ET):** The “dreaded” dawn hour. Dew forms on the track, making it slippery. This is a high-incident period for crashes and spins.
– **Final 3 Hours (11:00 AM – 1:40 PM ET):** The race accelerates. Teams make final pit stop calls. Lead changes become frequent. The winner is often decided in the last hour.
*Internal Link Opportunity:* [Why the dawn hour is the most dangerous part of the Rolex 24](#)
## 6. Weather and Track Conditions Impact
Because the race spans 24 hours, weather in Daytona Beach in late January can vary wildly. Typical conditions:
– **Daytime:** 65–72°F (18–22°C), often sunny but can be windy.
– **Nighttime:** Drops to 45–55°F (7–13°C). Fog is a rare but race-disrupting possibility.
– **Rain:** The track can get wet. IMSA uses rain tires and wipers, but heavy rain can cause long caution periods (yellow flags). The most common weather delay is fog, which can stop the race entirely.
*Internal Link Opportunity:* [Live weather radar for Daytona International Speedway 2025](#)
## 7. Competing Categories and Classes
The Rolex 24 features four distinct classes racing simultaneously on the same track. Understanding them makes the race more exciting:
– **GTP (Grand Touring Prototype):** The fastest cars (hybrid-powered, LMDh). Top speed >200 mph. Main title contenders.
– **LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2):** Second-fastest prototypes, used by privateer teams and often featuring rising open-wheel stars.
– **GTD Pro (Grand Touring Daytona Pro):** Production-based sports cars (Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, BMW) driven by all-professional driver lineups.
– **GTD (Grand Touring Daytona):** Same cars as GTD Pro but with a mix of professional and amateur drivers (Bronze-rated). Typically the most competitive class in terms of numbers (20+ cars).
*Internal Link Opportunity:* [GTD vs GTD Pro: What’s the difference and why it matters](#)
## 8. How to Prepare for an All-Nighter
Watching the full 24-hour race is a marathon. Here’s how to prepare:
– **Sleep:** Take a nap on Saturday morning. Plan a 2–3 hour sleep window from 3:00–5:00 AM ET (or when the race is under a long caution).
– **Sustain:** Avoid heavy foods. Stock up on coffee, water, healthy snacks (nuts, fruit), and easy-to-reheat meals. Caffeine is your friend—but don’t overdo it.
– **Social:** Watch with friends or join a live online community (Reddit r/IMSARacing, Twitter #Rolex24). Commentary groups make the overnight hours more entertaining.
– **Tech:** Charge all devices. Have a second screen ready for timing & scoring (available free on the IMSA app).
*Internal Link Opportunity:* [The ultimate 24-hour viewing party checklist (printable PDF)](#)
## 9. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
**Q: Does the Rolex 24 ever end early?**
A: No, it always runs the full 24-hour clock, but a race can be shortened if conditions (like fog) make it unsafe to continue. If stopped, the result may be declared after a minimum number of laps.
**Q: Is the Rolex 24 broadcast on network TV?**
A: Yes. The first hour (1:40–2:40 PM ET) and final hour (12:40–1:40 PM ET Sunday) are typically on NBC. The middle part is on USA Network or Peacock.
**Q: What is the Le Mans start?**
A: At 1:40 PM ET, drivers are lined up across the start/finish straight. When the green flag drops, they run to their cars, buckle in, and accelerate. It is the signature start of endurance racing.
**Q: How many drivers does each team have?**
A: Most cars have three to four drivers, who rotate every 2–3 hours. Each driver must complete a minimum drive time (typically 4 hours total).
**Q: Can I attend the race in-person