By Bernard Kahn

Editors Note: What is today the Rolex 24 At Daytona, was first run at Daytona Intl Speedway in 1962 as the Three Hour Daytona Continental. After two seasons, the event was extended to 2,000 kilometers in 1964 and first became a 24-hour test in 1966. Heres the National Speed Sport News race report from the 1962 event, which was written by legendary sportswriter Bernard Kahn.

Tall Dan Gurney of Costa Mesa, Calif., won the fastest sports car race ever run in this country Sunday the inaugural Three Hour Daytona Continental with one of the slowest finishes in the history of racing.

Gurney was speeding along with about a four-mile lead over his closest pursuer when the engine on his red Lotus Mark 19 failed in the Easter turn 1,200 feet from the finish line.

The 5 p.m. checkered flag was due to fall in one minute and 40 seconds. Gurney, thinking quickly, coasted and braked to a dead stop just 14 feet from the yellow finish line.

He sweated out the clock and at the 5 p.m. signal, he used the starter to jump his crippled race car across the finish line as the winner.

If the 31-year-old had passed the finish line even a fraction of a second before 5 p.m., the 1962 International Sporting Code would have required him to complete another lap. Id never have made it, said the lipstick smeared, grease stained, windblown Gurney as well wishers crowded around him in victory circle.

Ricardo Rodriguez of Mexico, relief driving for Phil Hill, blazed over the line in a new rear engine two and a half liter Ferrari V-6 just 46 seconds behind Gurney.

Gurney, driving a Lotus powered by a two and a half liter Coventry Climax engine, covered 312.42 miles in three hours. He completed 82 laps on the 3.81-mile course at Daytona Speedway and averaged a torrid 104.101 mph.

Jim Hall, Midland, Texas, in a Chaparral placed third in the sports car bracket of the race. He also completed 82 laps.

True to form, Englands Stirling Moss captured high honors in the Grand Touring car division of the Continental.

The GT division only was for points toward the 1962 FIA Worlds Manufacturers Champinoship. Moss bagged nine points for the Ferrari team in his factorized 1962 three-liter Berlinetta couple.

Moss staged a remarkable performance in completing 80 laps and finish fourth overall against the swifter sports car field. He covered 304.80 miles in his silver Berlinetta.

Glenn (Fireball) Roberts, the Daytona stock car charger, making his debut in international championship competition was a surprising second in the GT division. Driving a 1961 Berlinetta factory entry, Roberts was three laps behind Moss and a strong 11th overall. He bagged six more points toward the World Manufacturers title for the Ferrari North American Racing team, which Moss also represented.

Ironically, the 1-2 cars in sports car and GT overcame troubles in scoring. Gurneys engine failed dramatically in the closing heart throbs of the race.

Hill, the FIA World driving champion from Santa Monica, Calif., and the prerace favorite, missed the first corner on the course in the 44th lap. Earlier he picked up a sea gull in his radiator. In the 45th lap, Hill pitted for 68 seconds, refueling, changing a rear right tire and also changing drivers. Ricardo Rodriguez replaced Hill for the remainder of the race. Rodriguez pitted again in the 55th lap as the cockpit appeared to be heating up.

Oil sprayed the windshield of Moss car. He said: I couldnt see a bloody thing out there. In the 20th lap, Joe Weatherly spun out on the infield in front of Moss. Bebop Joe Norfolk, of stock car fame, was driving a Lister Corvette. Weatherly nicked Moss in the spin and both cars received dented fenders.

Roberts pitted in the 48th lap for a routine gas stop. Mechanics hurriedly tried to repair a hood latch, and sent him on his way. Roberts returned to the pits in the 51st lap and this time waved the crew to remove the hood. He finished up without a hood.

There were 34 cars still running at 5 p.m. and the first Continental was completed without injury to a single driver.

The international classic drew 14,000 fans in 58 degree weather. A stiff northwest wind that blew up to 22 mph chilled the crowd and gave the cars a lift, too.

It was a unique race the first international sports car GT championship in which spectators could watch the entire operation, including all of the 3.81-mile course and the pit action.

New York born Gurney, a well built 6-2, 185-pound blond had an eight mile lead at one point in the race. He looked like the Lone Ranger, wearing a black leather mask on his face from goggles down. Gurney said he used it for the first time in December. He won, although, he finished in Nassau with no clutch and his exhaust system hanging by a thread.

The mask is a big help, Gurney said. I dont have to duck behind the windscreen and drop back when Im following another car through a corner. It protects me from wind and rocks or anything else that might be thrown up off the road.