More Info · Daytona 24 Hours · 2008
Daytona 24hrs Winning Watch
The Race · 2008
At the Daytona 24 Hours
In 2008, I had the opportunity to join a friend at the Rolex 24hrs race in Daytona. Taking my long lens and DSLR, I quickly became absorbed in the atmosphere of the race — the noise, the light, the mechanical drama playing out on the banking.
I posted a few photos at the time on two of the period’s key watch forums:
TerraFirma Motorsports and G. Jensen put an incredible team together. They completed the race despite having no brakes in the final several laps — and that’s how I came to meet one of the drivers, Ron Zitza.
The Driver
Ron Zitza — A Racing Family
Ron Zitza — TerraFirma Motorsports, 2008
Ron is a local guy. He grew up in a racing family — his family business began by repairing Porsches and later evolved into preparing them for endurance competition, including Rolex 24hrs entries.
He has spent a significant part of his life on the racetrack and has competed in the Daytona 24hrs approximately fourteen times — a seasoned veteran of that particular circuit’s demands.
Daytona 24hrs — ~14 starts
Grand Am
HSR
PCA
PBOC
IMSA
World Challenge
Beyond Daytona, Ron’s résumé spans Grand Am, HSR, PCA, PBOC, IMSA, and the World Challenge series. He has taken multiple National and Regional victories and has been active as an instructor with PCA for over fifteen years.
The Watch
A Daytona Won on the Track
The 16520 White Dial — Worn During the 2008 Race
In 2008, Ron was a co-driver for the TerraFirma Motorsport team. As with many of his races, he wore his Rolex Daytona 16520 White Dial on the wrist throughout.
I later asked him about the watch he was wearing. He told a wonderful story that I would like to share here.
Rolex Daytona 16520 — White Dial, Year 2000 Divisional Winner’s Watch
He told me that the Daytona he was wearing had been earned on the track. In 2000, Ron raced a Chevy Camaro and won the championship in his division — a year in which other drivers in that race included actor Paul Newman.
Each member of the winning team was presented with a Rolex Daytona for that achievement — a Model 16520 with white dial, fitting for the year.
Reference
16520
Dial
White
Year Awarded
2000
Race
Chevy Camaro Divisional Championship
Ron admitted that he initially did not wear the Daytona much after receiving it. Over time, however, the watch found its place — earning significant wrist time during special races and events. He was enthusiastic about the connection between watches and racing and was happy to share that enthusiasm.
The Watch in Detail
16520 — Close Up
16520 White Dial — Detail Shot
16520 — Case and Bracelet
Beyond Racing
The Man Behind the Watch
Ron’s other interests center on his family, his church community, and staying active. He enjoys taekwondo and skiing with his family — a full life beyond the pit lane.
A watch earned on the track, worn back on the track a decade later. That connection between the object and the achievement it represents is exactly what makes a racing Daytona different from any other.