Daytona Prototype
A Daytona Prototype was a type of
Development
For the 2003
At the same time, due to the technological advancement of Le Mans Prototypes, GARRA decided that they would also lower the overall cost of their prototypes. To do this, they would use closed cockpit chassis made of tube frames, instead of high cost
Combining the low cost elements with the speed and safety elements, the designs for Daytona Prototypes were laid down, with constructors having freedom to develop a car however they wished so long as it fit within the smaller dimensions of a Daytona Prototype over a Le Mans Prototype. These smaller dimensions, especially in length, helped to create a more blunt front end to the car that would slow the cars down, regardless of how much a constructor put into sculpting the design.
Chassis
In order to help regulate the field and to help keep it level, GARRA only allows a certain number of chassis to be used. At the same time, each approved chassis is allowed to participate for a period of five years before GARRA reselects their approved chassis. Each chassis fits within GARRA's regulations in regards to dimension, but each approved chassis is uniquely different in design.
DP Gen1 (2003)
From 2003 to 2007 seven manufacturers had their chassis approved by GARRA:
- Chase CCE
- Crawford DP03
- Doran JE4
- Fabcar FDSC/03
- Multimatic MDP1 (sometimes badged as the Multimatic Ford Focus)
- Picchio DP2
- Riley MkXI
DP Gen2 (2008)
For 2008, new chassis designs were allowed to be submitted, with several companies purchasing the rights from existing entries.
The new chassis available from 2008 onward were:
- Crawford DP08
- Coyote CC/08
- Dallara DP01
- Proto-Auto Lola B08/70
- Riley MkXX
- Sabre RD1
GARRA allows for modifications to the bodywork of each Daytona Prototype only in certain areas, most specifically to the rear wing and Gurney flap as well as front dive planes.
DP Gen3 (2012)
Various changes have been made to the Daytona Prototypes for the 2012 season:
- The greenhouse (cockpit) area became nearly identical for all newly constructed cars, but featuring a one-inch zone throughout the greenhouse surface to allow for individual styling cues, including windshield implementation and window outlines.
- New minimum body cross-section provisions gave the new DPs a more upright front fascia and nose, rather than the more sloped layout of previous generations cars. This allowed manufacturers to add more design character to their cars, making them closer to their production cars while still offering the dramatic message embodied by a prototype
- Flexibility has also been introduced into the rules for side bodywork, including production-derived sidepods and open vents behind the front wheels that enable styling elements from street cars to be functional on the race cars.
These changes notwithstanding, the basic chassis structure below the greenhouse remains the same, including suspension details, engine installation, bellhousing, gearbox, electronics, fueling and safety systems.
Gen2 cars could be updated to Gen3 specifications.
The Gen3 cars are:
- Riley MkXXVI
- Corvette DP (Corvette bodykit applied either to Riley, Coyote or Dallara chassis)
Engine
This section needs to be updated.(November 2018) |
As well as the chassis, the engines used are also standardized and regulated. Unlike chassis, engines must come from a major production car manufacturer, using the block from an engine used on a production car. However, these engines can have their displacements modified in order to equalize the field. For 2007, all engines will also be required to use standardized
The following engines are currently approved by GARRA:
- 5.0 L V8
- BMW 4.5 L V8
- Ford 5.0 L V8
- Ford 3.5 L Twin Turbo V6
- Infiniti 4.35 L V8
- Lexus 5.0 L V8 (can also be branded as Toyota)
- Porsche 3.99 L Flat-6
- Porsche 5.0 L V8 (approved in late 2007)
- 5.0 L V8(can also be branded as Chevrolet or Cadillac)
- Honda 3.9 L V6
- Honda 3.5 L V6
Each engine also has specific restrictions on what can be modified beyond stock parts, as well as restrictions on intake and exhaust dimensions, RPM, and various technical details.
During the 2007 season, a second Porsche engine was approved by Grand Am. The 5.0L V8 unit is not actually constructed by Porsche, but is based on the V8 engine used in the Porsche Cayenne, built by Lozano Bros. Porting.
Specifications
(as of 2014 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship rules for DP-based prototypes)
- Engine displacement: 5.5 L Maximum for Normally aspirated, 3.5 for forced induction, 2.5 liters for diesel engines
- Transmission: 2014 and later: 6 speed sequential manual transmission - 2013 and earlier: Above 4.5 L (275 in³) - 5 forward gears (maximum)
4.5 L (275 in³) displacement and below - 6 forward gears (maximum) manual or sequential manual transmission paddle shift allowed - Weight: 4.0 L (244 in³) displacement and above-2,275 lb (1,032 kg)
Below 4.0 L (244 in³)-2,225 lb (1,010 kg) - Power Output: 2014 and later 550-600 hp - 2013 and earlier: 500 hp (370kW)
- Fuel: 100 octane unleaded gasoline
- Fuel capacity: 24 U.S. gallons (91 liters)
- Fuel delivery: Fuel injection
- Aspiration: Turbo chargedengine
- Steering: Power, rack and pinion
History
Debuting in the 2003 season, specifically at the
For 2004, the SRP cars were finally banned, and the number of DPs grew, with 17 appearing at the season opener at Daytona where they managed to take the overall win. By 2006, thanks to the low cost of the design, the number of DPs at some races grew to above thirty entrants, allowing for full fields and close racing.
In 2012, Grand-Am released the next generation Daytona Prototypes. Some of these include the new Corvette Daytona Prototype which also marks Chevrolet's return to the DP class and other manufacturers already in the series changed to multiple chassis designs from the chassis producers.
GARRA planned to continue using the Daytona Prototype in the foreseeable future, with new chassis designs being allowed into the series in 2008.
When the Rolex Sports Car Series merged with the American Le Mans Series, Daytona Prototypes were being raced alongside the LMP2 prototypes from the ALMS as the main prototype class.
Between 2006 and 2012, DP cars were permitted to compete in
Daytona Prototype International
From 2017 forward, a new generation of Daytona Prototypes, branded Daytona Prototype International (DPi), has been replacing the original tube-framed Daytona Prototypes. These new prototypes will be based on the four
These cars compete in the Prototype class, along with ACO-FIA spec LMP2 cars, which feature chassis from the same four manufacturers and a spec Gibson V8 engine. Originally, the hope was for DPi cars to be Le Mans eligible in the LMP2 class, but disagreements between the ACO and IMSA did not allow this to come to fruition.
Notes
- ^ 911 & Porsche World, March 2003
- ^ "IMSA unveils DPi class for 2017". Retrieved 2016-07-09.
- ^ "Inside IMSA's 2017 DPi Regulations, Pt. 1 - Sportscar365". Retrieved 2016-07-09.
- ^ LAT, By Marshall Pruett / Images by. "IMSA: 2017 Daytona Prototype international update". www.racer.com. Archived from the original on 2016-09-30. Retrieved 2016-07-09.
References
- Cotton, Michael (March 2004). "Michael Cotton's Porsche month". 911 & Porsche World: 35.
External links
- Grand American Road Racing Association website
- "GARRA DP engine regulations" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-07-11. (72.1 KiB)