The 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona Grand-Am race kicks off this weekend and several US racing teams are in the final preparation stage. One of them is the well-known tuner and racing team Turner Motorsports which will race once again in their self-prepared BMW M3 Coupe.

The Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona is, like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, an endurance race of man and machine to see who can traverse the longest distance in the alotted time. Many teams have tried and many have failed to survive the grueling conditions of the race. The series, typically dominated by Porsche and GM cars, had an abundance of Bavarians at the 2010 running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona held in Daytona Beach, Florida.

To introduce us to their Rolex GT M3 race car, Turner Motorsport releases the timelapse below.

Courtesy of CarGuyDad, we have a detailed description of the Gran Touring class and its rules and regulations:

  • Tubed production cars or custom tube frame chassis.
  • Rules employ several methods of equalization, including race car weight, tire size and engine RPM limits.
  • Engines in GT cars produce between 390-450 horsepower.
  • Minimum weights range from 2,300 to 2,800 lbs.
  • The successful Porsche GT3s and BMW M6s must weigh in at 2,600 lbs, while the Corvettes tip the scales at the maximum 2,800 lbs.
  • The top speed for Rolex Series GT cars is 180 mph.
  • Factory wheelbase must be retained.
  • Engines include Mazda 3 Rotor; 5.0L Ford 4V; 6L GM Pushrod 2V; 4.5L Infiniti 4V; 5.0L BMW 4V; 3.8L Porsche Flat 6.
  • Brakes systems consist of 4-piston calipers steel rotors (carbon pads).
  • No traction control systems or any other bull shit.
  • Eight people are allowed over the wall during pit-stops.
  • Qualifying sessions last 15 minutes with two classes on the track at the same time.
  • Pit road speed limit is 45mph.
  • All teams must pit within the first 45 minutes of an event.
  • Each driver has a limit of three and one half hours of driving.
  • At least an hour of rest is required before that same driver can resume racing.
  • Drivers are allowed to drive more than one car in a race, but the driver must qualify and start in that same car.
  • The driver is only awarded points for the first car driven.
  • A driver must drive at least 30 minutes and at least one lap under green flag to be eligible for points.
  • At least two drivers must drive under green flag conditions.
  • A team owner may enter more than one car in a race but points will not be combined.