As RACER reported last week, the Brad Pitt racing movie centered on Formula 1 is filming at Daytona International Speedway during the Roar Before the 24 and the Rolex 24 at Daytona, with real life IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship cars and action expected to be featured. Both Wright Motorsports and Turner Motorsports cars are connected to the filming.
Produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Joseph Kosinski, the not-yet-officially titled movie (although it has been referred to as “Apex”) stars Pitt as former F1 driver Sonny Hayes brought back to help an F1 rookie played by Damson Idris. It also counts Lewis Hamilton as a producer through his Dawn Apollo Films, and he’s expected to be on screen as well.
The No. 120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3R has been liveried the same as a second car that’s being used for filming, the only difference being the movie car has the names “S. Hayes,” “C. Kelso,” and “P. Long” above the door — the latter being former Porsche factory driver Patrick Long. The camera-laden 911 sits next to Wright’s real entry in the Daytona garage, with the banner above it reading “Chip Hart Racing.”
Wright’s drivers have been seen wearing suits identical to their own for this race, but with “Hayes” sewn where their name would be. Wright driver Elliot Skeer was called away from Media Day activities on Wednesday to do some driving on a day when no on-track activity was scheduled. Skeer will share the No. 120 with Adam Adelson, Jan Heylen and Porsche factory pilot Fred Makowiecki for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
In addition to the car housed next to Wright’s real entry, there are at least two other cars with the same shades-of-blue livery, one made to look like it had been through 24 hours of racing. Other cars involved in the filming are scattered throughout the paddock, including a spare pair of Turner Motorsports BMW M4 GT3s and a Lola B2K/10 prototype fitted with a camera rig at the rear.
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Other film-related sightings around Daytona International Speedway include a vintage Volkswagen bus.
Bruckheimer, who also produced another Daytona movie, Days of Thunder, has been named Grand Marshal for the 62nd Rolex 24 at Daytona, which officially begins on Thursday, Jan. 25.
“Daytona International Speedway is an iconic venue and it’s going to be an honor to give the command for the Rolex 24 At Daytona,” said Bruckheimer. “I’ve been here for the biggest NASCAR race and now I can’t wait to experience one of the most prestigious sports car races in the world.”
