Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) president Pierre Fillon has been given the honor of waving the green flag at this next Rolex 24 At Daytona on 25-26 January 2014 – another sign of the close co-operation between the new TUDOR United SportsCar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The honor for Fillon reciprocates the invite given to Jim France, Chairman of International Speedway Corporation, creator of the Grand-Am Road Racing and Vice President of NASCAR who served as Honorary Starter for the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.

British sports car legend and racing commentator David Hobbs (pictured right) has also been named as Grand Marshal for the 52nd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Hobbs, a versatile driver, who competed in many forms of motorsport including sports cars, NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One, took part in all the major events worldwide starting with the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, the 500 Miles of Daytona, the Indianapolis 500 Miles and the Le Mans 24 Hours.

As Grand Marshal he will deliver the starting command “Drivers, start your engines,” and he joins other racing legends such as Hurley Haywood, A.J. Foyt, Dan Gurney, Vic Elford and Brian Redman.

Inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2009, Hobbs also appeared in the movie Cars 2 as announcer “David Hobbscap,” a 1963 E-Type Jaguar.

“David Hobbs’ starting command and the waving of the starter’s flag by Pierre Fillon will kick off a new era in North American sports car racing,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said.

“The anticipation for the upcoming Rolex 24 is at an all-time high and we’re looking forward to kicking off the new season and the new championship with a historic event.”