DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – In a marquee day for speed, nine cars broke the previous track record at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday. The qualifying session for the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) division in this weekend’s Rolex 24 saw even the slowest effort break the record.
The mark for quickest time around Daytona’s road course configuration was set by Oliver Jarvis in 2019, who drove his Mazda DPi around the course at 1:33:685. That record stood for five years, until the new mark was set by Pipo Derani. Driving a Cadillac V-Series.R, Derani put down a lap in 1:32.656, over one full second faster than Javrvis.
The record prior to Jarvis was set all the way back in 1993, when PJ Jones set the record in a Toyota Eagle Mk III. Factors contributing to the quick succession of records this time around were considered to be GTP development and ideal weather conditions.
“Obviously, the Cadillac was flying out there today,” Derani said of his run. “It was just a privilege and a pleasure to drive such a car – really well balanced. There was great teamwork to improve what was needed for qualifying. The car felt on rails, and it was nice to enjoy and feel the full potential of GTP.”
The 2024 running of the Rolex 24 will take place at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday and Sunday, starting and ending at 1:40 pm on each day.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
