Daytona Prototype
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A Daytona Prototype is a type of prototype racing car developed specifically for the Grand American Road Racing Association's Rolex Sports Car Series as their top class of car, replacing contemporary open cockpit sports cars, specifically Le Mans Prototypes. They are named after the Rolex Sports Car Series event, the 24 Hours of Daytona.
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[edit] Development
For the 2003 season, the Grand American Road Racing Association (GARRA) announced that they would stop support of their two premiere open cockpit classes, known as SRP-I and SRP-II. These cars, mostly modified from Le Mans Prototypes, were technologically advanced and could reach high speeds, specifically on the Mulsannes Straight at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, these same speeds were found to be dangerous at GARRA's premiere track, Daytona International Speedway. The concrete walls of the oval section of the road course that the series runs were dangerous enough on their own, but were also on the parts of the track where cars reached their highest speed. Therefore GARRA decided that they would need to slow down their competitors in order to make Daytona more safe.
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 carbon fiber composites. They would also standardize the amount of technology that could go into a car, as well as not allowing teams to develop their cars over a season, instead being forced to stay with the same basic car. This would stop teams from having to spend money on aerodynamic tweaks and technological experimentation, as well as private track testing. To further restrict cost, the series would regulate who could provide chassis and who could provide engines, thus preventing teams from trying a unique chassis or engine that may end up being a failure. Engines specifically would have to be based on a road-legal production unit from a major manufacturer. At the same time, major manufacturers would not be allowed to run Daytona Prototype teams, in order to help keep competition level and keep costs down.
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.
[edit] 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.
At the moment, seven manufacturers have their chassis approved by GARRA:
- Chase CCE
- Crawford DP03
- Doran JE4
- Fabcar FDSC/03
- Multimatic Ford Focus
- Picchio DP2
- Riley MkXI
For 2008, the Sabre RD1 is planned to be added, while Lola Racing Cars in association with Krohn Racing have purchased Multimatic's entry for the construction of a new prototype, under the name Proto-Auto.
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.
[edit] Engine
As well as the chassis, the engines used in 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 ECUs in order to better regulate engine performance.
The following engines are currently approved by GARRA:
- BMW 5.0L V8
- Ford 5.0L V8
- Infiniti 4.35L V8
- Lexus 5.0L V8 (can also be branded as Toyota)
- Porsche 3.99L Flat-6
- Pontiac 5.0L V8 (can also be branded as Chevrolet or Cadillac)
Each engine also has specific restrictions on what can be modified beyond stock parts, as well as restrictions on intake and exhaust dimensions, RPMs, and various technical details.
[edit] History
Debuting in the 2003 season, specifically at the 24 Hours of Daytona, six Daytona Prototypes initially ran: A Fabcar-Toyota, Picchio-BMW, Doran-Chevrolet, two Fabcar-Porsches, and a Multimatic-Ford. Unfortunately the cars suffered problems, failing to even take the pole position from heavily restricted SRP prototypes. In the race itself, only two DPs managed to finish, far behind a much lower Grand Touring class car. However, after the teething problems were worked out, the cars began to take overall victories as the season progressed.
For 2004, the SRP classes were finally cancelled, 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.
GARRA plans to continue using the Daytona Prototype in the forseable future, with new chassis designs being allowed into the series in 2008.
