24 Hours at daytona: capturing history
motorsport
In 2017, Steak+Sizzle was contracted by Alegra Motorsports to document their effort in the IMSA Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona, a decade after their impressive win in 2007. This gruelling round-the-clock endurance race required a unique skill set from our team to capture endless action and intense moments, while navigating the challenges of limited sleep and the utmost discretion to not disturb the race team. This case study explores our journey and the creative process behind lensing this monumental sports event.
production team
Agency — Steak+Sizzle
EP — Bonar K. Bulger
Producer/Director — Alex Colthart
Cinematographer — Ash Xavier
Cinematographer — Sebastian Kubatz
Sound — Justin Dhama
Editor — Alex Colthart
Photographer — Jordan Lenssen
the Brief
Our task at hand was multiple-tiered and high-stakes. Hired by Alegra Motorsports, we were entrusted to chronicle every crucial moment of their return to the 24 Hours of Daytona race, ten years after their triumphant victory. However, our responsibility extended beyond mere event documentation through video and photography.
The essence of this project lay not only in capturing the tension, grit, emotion, and action of the devoted race team but also in bringing all these pulsating moments to the eagerly anxiously waiting fans in real-time. We were tasked with sharing these vivid snapshots and clips on Alegra Motorsports' social channels throughout the race. This multi-faceted responsibility held the objective of fostering a deep interactive connection with their audience and evoking an immersive experience for fans that virtually placed them directly in the heart of the racing excitement.
Accounting for these comprehensive factors, our challenge was to adeptly handle the ordeals of the strenuous 24 hours, capture high-quality footage synchronously, and distribute this content seamlessly to generate an engaging, dynamic social media presence for Alegra Motorsports through the entirety of the race.
the SOLUTION
Our comprehensive solution came in two phases: pre-production preparation and real-time execution.
Upon being selected by Allegra Motorsports for this significant task, our first priority was to ensure that we pre-empted all challenges that stood before us. We dispatched a nimble and experienced team to Daytona well in advance. This allowed us to sort out all the needed credentials, navigate through licensing requirements, and understand the details of the race track. We also established a foolproof communication channel amongst the team—preparation was key to our success.
When it came to capturing the race, we worked around the clock to document every intense moment, from the ecstatic highs to the challenging lows. Even as circumstances morphed throughout the race, our team was ready and adaptable, continuously capturing and producing high-quality photos and video content for social media.
Social media engagement was critical. We treated every image with care, ensuring it not only captured the emotions of the moment, but also looked strikingly impressive. The captions were crafted with finesse, aiming to enhance the engagement of each post and keep their fans hooked to their screens, as if they were right there at Daytona.
When victory seemed within reach for the team, our adaptability was put to the ultimate test. We made a swift decision to split our team. While one group captured the dramatic moment of the car crossing the finishing line, the other was in the pit, capturing the joyous and triumphant celebration unfolding amongst the team members. This enabled us to chronicle the triumph from multiple perspectives, providing a complete, multi-faceted narrative of the thrilling final moments.
Despite the inherent challenges that came with the 24 Hours of Daytona event, we successfully documented every turning point and emotion-filled moment with agility and expertise. Throughout the process, we maintained a captivating social presence, seamlessly blending storytelling with visually stunning content.
Episode 1: The beginNing.
The first episode captures the electrifying anticipation leading up to the drop of the green flag at the 24 Hours of Daytona race. Immerse yourself in the gripping intensity and last-minute preparations as the team embarks on this challenging endurance test.
EPISODE 2: INTO THE NIGHT.
The second episode follows the team deep into the night of the 24 Hours of Daytona race. Witness first-hand the gritty endurance and unwavering focus of the team as they race against time, tackling every curve and challenge thrown their way under constant rain.
EPISODE THREE: THE WIN.
In the final episode, we emerge from the darkness of the night to the rising dawn. Experience the exhilarating rush alongside the team as they race through the final laps, culminating in a fairytale-like victory that caps a gruelling 24-hour saga.
