Hurley Haywood
Mastering time, lap after lap
Hurley Haywood is one of endurance racing’s most successful drivers, with landmark victories at Le Mans, Daytona and Sebring.
Success in the longest, most revered races
Renowned for his consistency and technical understanding, Haywood secured multiple victories in the sport’s most demanding events, including the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the 12 Hours of Sebring. His achievements place him among a select group to have triumphed across endurance racing’s most prestigious contests.
A career marked by resilience
Born in Chicago, Haywood made his entry into motor sport unexpectedly while studying in Florida. His performance at a local autocross event brought him to the attention of legendary racing driver Peter Gregg, leading to a formative partnership with the Brumos Porsche team. Early success followed, including class victory at the Six Hours of Watkins Glen in 1969.
Haywood quickly established himself in endurance racing. He claimed back-to-back International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) Grand Touring (GT) championships in 1971 and 1972, before securing overall victories at both the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1973. Over the following decades, he became closely associated with Porsche, competing internationally and contributing to numerous race wins.
His record includes five overall victories at the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA (1973, 1975, 1977, 1979, 1991), three wins at Le Mans (1977, 1983, 1994) and two at Sebring (1973, 1981). These results place him among the few drivers to achieve the informal Triple Crown of endurance racing. Beyond endurance competition, he demonstrated versatility, achieving success in the Trans-Am Series and participating in IndyCar events, including the Indianapolis 500.
Haywood’s career was also marked by determination in adversity. Following a serious leg injury in 1983, he adapted his driving approach to continue competing at a high level. He retired from professional racing in 2012, concluding his career at Daytona, a circuit central to his achievements.
Hurley Haywood is a long-standing member of the Rolex family.