Entertaining Daytona 6 Hour raises good funds for charity
Photos: Bowler Media
The 2024 Motorsport Australia DriveOnCancer Daytona 6 Hour has been run and won after a dramatic contest saw more than $2000 raised for the event’s charity partner.
With 24 drivers taking part in the unique endurance race, the event organisers’ goal of donating money was achieved, courtesy of the multiple donations made during the six-hour outing.
In a unique twist, drivers, live stream viewers and the broadcast team had the ability to purchase penalties or bonuses to competitors, with the proceeds making up the funds donated to Cure Cancer.
The penalties ranged from stop and go penalties, safety car interventions and drive-through penalties, while some drivers were lucky enough to receive a safety car wave around bonus.
Over the course of the event, nine penalties/bonuses were issued, all of which contributed to the total funds raised for Cure Cancer, a non-for-profit organisation focused at backing ground-breaking cancer research with brave thinking and new ideas.
Get more information on Cure Cancer.
As for the race itself, Daniel Benefield ended up claiming the victory by just one and a half seconds over fellow Porsche 963 GTP pilot Jack Marra, while Ewan Baker rounded out the podium.
Daniel Benefield crossing the finish line.
Benefield had been the main protagonist throughout the evening having secured pole position over Marra, Baker and Drop Bear Motorsport teammate Tyson Broad earlier in the session.
Amidst the chaos throughout the race, several different individuals took turns leading, including Toby Musico and Kaleb Belak, yet no matter what was thrown his way, Benefield always managed to charge to the front of the field.
From being demoted from the lead due to a $100 drive-through penalty donation, to dropping out of the server due to technical issues, Benefield kept finding a way to put himself in contention.
One of the last major moments eventually saw Benefield gain assistance, when a double donation aided his progress and helped him back to the lead during a safety car period.
Every driver then had to complete a Stop + Go penalty before the race resumed properly with just 30 minutes remaining.
While the race settled for 10 minutes following the big penalty, one more donation in the final 20 minutes saw the safety car brought out again, which resulted in an entertaining battle for second place between Marra and Baker.
Jack Marra, and Ewan Baker enjoyed a thrilling battle for the minor podium places.
On the restart, Baker made a move stick but overshot shortly after, allowing Marra to reclaim second place.
From that point onwards, the top three remained unchanged and Benefield got the win, earning him a Next Level Racing Pro Gaming Chair Leather & Suede Edition.
Top 5 Fundraising Contributors
• $400 - Beau Albert
• $355 - Shawn McNamara
• $250 - Dannii Logan
• $65 - BE Electrical & Solar
• $60 - Raceonoz & Scott Rankin
More than $2000 was raised for charity partner, Cure Cancer.