For 2013, the new combined sportscar championship will kick off with the Rolex 24 at Daytona. That may be 12 months away, but teams and drivers are already preparing – taking a close look at this year’s event.

Leading American Le Mans Series teams and drivers are contesting this year’s event. While all have their eyes set on “chasing a Rolex”, this year’s event will give teams an important insight into what the future holds.

ALMS regulars taking part this weekend include Joey Hand, Ryan Dalziel, Allan McNish, Alex Popow, Oliver Gavin, Jordan Taylor, Jon Bennett, Colin Braun, Richard Westbrook, Ed Brown, Scott Shaprp, Johannes van Overbeek, Damien Faulkner, Marco Holzer, Andy Lally, Jan Magnussen, Tommy Milner, Bryan Sellers, Melanie Snow, Sascha Maassen, Jorg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Dominik Farnbacher, Kuno Wittmer, Romain Dumas, Spencer Pumpelly, Bill Auberlen and Michael Marsal.

To a man, every ALMS star is eagerly awaiting the chance to return in 2014 with their regular teams.

“I think that’s going to be super special,” Corvette Racing’s Jan Magnussen said.

“While the Corvette has been there before, I wasn’t driving the car at that time. Last time they were there in 2001, they won it. Hopefully we can come back there and have a great result in the first race of the C7.”

While the race duration fo Daytona and Le Mans are the same, the Danish ace who is switching from a Corvette to a Camaro this weekend says there are massive differences.

“For one thing, the night is a lot longer at Daytona, with close to 13 hours of darkness. The track is also a lot shorter than Le Mans but with the same amount of cars, so it’s super busy all the time,” Magnussen said.

“There are fewer places where you can relax, where at Le Mans you have the long straights where you can catch your breath. At Daytona, you’re either always turning or on the banking. It’s a little bit more physical than Le Mans.”