Corvette Daytona Prototype
The Corvette Daytona Prototype is a prototype racing car that began competing in the Rolex series in North America in 2012. It marked Chevrolet's return to Daytona racing as a full constructor, not just as an engine manufacturer. Previously General Motors had competed in Rolex Sports Car Series under the Pontiac brand as well, but shelved that program when they discontinued the Pontiac brand for the 2010 season.
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| Category | Daytona Prototype DP | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Coyote, Dallara, Riley Technologies | ||||||||
| Predecessor | Chevrolet Corvette GTP | ||||||||
| Successor | Cadillac DPi-V.R | ||||||||
| Technical specifications | |||||||||
| Chassis | Dallara, Coyote or Riley built steel tube frame | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbone, push-rod actuated coil springs over dampers | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Double wishbone, push-rod actuated coil springs over dampers | ||||||||
| Axle track | (Front) 65.25 in (1,657.3 mm) (Rear) 64.75 in (1,644.6 mm) | ||||||||
| Engine | ECR Engines designed, developed, and produced Chevrolet LS9 based 5.5 litre V8 naturally aspirated, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted | ||||||||
| Transmission | EMCO or Xtrac 5 (2012-2013) or 6 (2014 on) sequential manual (2012-2014) sequential semi-automatic (2015 onwards) | ||||||||
| Fuel | Sunoco (2012-2013), VP Racing Fuels (2014-2016) | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Spirit of Daytona Racing GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Action Express Racing Wayne Taylor Racing | ||||||||
| Debut | 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona | ||||||||
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| Constructors' Championships | 4 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 3 | ||||||||
The car raced in Grand-Am competition from 2012 through 2013 as a Daytona Prototype and then continued in the P class in the IMSA Tudor SportsCar Championship Series, now called the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
With the change to IMSA racing, the car was updated to compete against ex-ALMS P2 cars. These included carbon brakes, carbon clutch, large rear diffuser (not part of Grand-Am rules), dual element rear wing, and other aerodynamic upgrades.[1][2] For 2015, an aesthetic upgrade included a C7 style grille, headlights, and taillights.[3]
The 5.5 L port injected LS based GM small-block engine was built by ECR Engines and features individual throttle bodies and a dry sump oil system.[4][5]
References
- Dagys, John (October 26, 2013). "DP Aero Updates Set for Production, Track Testing". SportsCar365.com. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- Dagys, John (October 28, 2013). "IMSA Releases Updated Draft DP Technical Regulations". SportsCar365.com. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- "Corvette DPs to Feature New C7 Style Bodywork in 2015". SportsCar365.com. December 12, 2014. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
- "Corvette DPs at COTA: Closing in on Another Engine Manufacturer Championship". media.chevrolet.com (Press release). September 14, 2016. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
- "Proze prototype" (PDF). rameywomer.files.wordpress.com. 2017. pp. 30–43. Retrieved May 21, 2021.