Top world drivers to compete in Daytona 24

Drivers from around the world to compete in Rolex 24 at Daytona.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (January 28, 2004) -- The top race car drivers from across the globe will be at the Daytona International Speedway this weekend to compete in the most grueling endurance race in the world - the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Joining America's best drivers from 23 states will be more than 60 international drivers from across the world. Four continents and nineteen countries are currently represented on the entry list for the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Canada and Italy will each have 12 drivers competing in the historic race, while Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Monaco, The Netherlands, Portugal and Switzerland also have multiple drivers on the entry list.

Thirteen former winners of the Rolex 24 At Daytona are slated to compete in the historic event. Among the top international drivers trying to repeat their success are Jorg Bergmeister and Timo Bernhard (2003), both of Germany, Jan Lammers (1988, 1990), of The Netherlands, Fredy Lienhard (2002), of Switzerland, Max Papis (2002), of Italy, Wayne Taylor (1996), of South Africa, and three-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Andy Wallace (1990, 1998, 1999), of Great Britain.

Other former winners competing this weekend include Kevin Buckler (2003), Hurley Haywood (1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1991), Butch Leitzinger (1994, 1997, 1999), Elliot Forbes-Robinson (1997, 1999), Scott Sharp (1996), and Didier Theys (1998, 2002).

Rolex 24 At Daytona International Drivers

Austria - Klaus Engelhorn, Manfred Jurasz, Andrea Montermini, Dieter Quester, Phillip Peter

Belgium - Marc Goosens, Sascha Maassen

Brazil - Thomas Erdos

Canada - Ross Bentley, Tony Burgess, Jean-Francois Dumoulin, Hugo Guenette, Robert Julien, Dave Lacey, Marc Lieb, Scott Maxwell, Greg Pootmans, Kenny Wilden, Greg Wilkins, Mark Wilkins

Denmark - Lars Nielsen

France - Emmanuel Collard

Germany - Jorg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard, Ralf Kelleners, Mile Rockenfeller

Great Britain - Frank Mountain, Johnny Mowlem, Robert Nearn, Mike Newton, Tim Sugden, Andy Wallace

Italy - Diego Alessi, Mauro Casadei, Luca Drudi, Maurizio Mediani, Matteo Meneghello, Ferdinando Monfardini, Fabrizio De Simone Niquesa, Max Papis, Fabio Rosa, Gabriel Rosa, Fabio Spatafora, Armando Trentini

Mexico - Jimmy Morales

Monaco - Max Angelli, Lucas Luhr

New Zealand - Rob Wilson

Portugal - Miguel Amaral, Carlos Barbot, Pedro Couceiro, Manuel Giao

Puerto Rico - Edison Lluch

Scotland - Robin Liddell

South Africa - Wayne Taylor

Switzerland - Iradj Alexander, Robert Dubler, Francois Labhardt, Fredy Lienhard

The Netherlands - Jan Lammers, P. van Merkstijn

Venezuela - Milka Duno

Tickets for the 42nd Rolex 24 At Daytona currently on sale and available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling the Speedway ticket office at 386-253-RACE.

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