(Daytona, Florida) - Of the 62 teams that competed in the 43rd annual running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona, most boasted Fikse USA Inc's forged modular race wheels, making Fikse the largest wheel supplier for the round-the-clock race, as well as for the entire Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series.
During the 24 hour long race, teams put 70,609 miles on Fikse wheels, in one day, with no wheel incidents. No team was forced to pit or garage a car due to any Fikse wheel issue -- a record unmatched by any other wheel manufacturer. In addition, Fikse completed three separate design and engineering projects for three different teams, delivering custom manufactured race wheel solutions before the race with time to spare.

Fikse builds the wheel of choice for such renowned race teams as Brumos Racing, Chip Ganassi Racing, Howard-Boss Motorsports, Bell Motorsports, Doran Lista Motorsports and others, eclipsing the foreign wheel manufacturers who once dominated American sports car racing. In the 2005 Rolex 24, 20 of the 29 Daytona Prototypes and 13 of the 33 GT-class cars selected American-made Fikse wheels.

"Fikse wheels have what it takes - proven durability, optimized design and light weight - to withstand this grueling round-the-clock race," says Chief Designer Jim Fikse. "We strived from the start to offer a winning mix: competitive wheels, friendly service to our customers and excellent technical support."

"When this series was launched, Fikse was the first wheel manufacturer to step up with a new wheel designed specifically for the Daytona Prototypes," adds Chief Operating Officer Matt Fikse. "Seeing the activity in this series, it is clear that the momentum of the Daytona Prototypes program is unstoppable. All of us at Fikse are honored to be able to support such outstanding teams, owners and constructors with an American-made race wheel that leads the field."
Fikse customers in the Rolex series give the product strong reviews. "Being a race car builder, I'm, always looking for several things in wheels," says Dave Klym of FABCAR Engineering, a Daytona Prototype car constructor. "Number one is quality and safety, obviously. Number two is service - which is just as important. Fikse is right there when I need them. Fikse wheels are beautiful and safe. We've run thousands of miles on hundreds of Fikse wheels, and we've never had any problems."

The more than 1,000 Fikse wheels at the event were tended to by a crew from Fikse Motorsport Service. The six-person staff operated an on-site service facility day-and-night throughout the race. Fikse customers were able to obtain spare parts, repairs and the occasional hot cup of coffee as the hours raced by.

Fikse supplies race team with competition wheels directly through the TeamFikse Motorsport Program. For more information, contact motorsport@fikse.com.