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While the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16 features different classes that are traditional to sports car racing, spectators will have no problem following the “race within the race.” The Rolex
Series features two distinct classes, with both classes racing for their own podium and championship. The Daytona Prototypes are built-for-racing machines, while the GT class features cars that closely resemble those sold in the showroom.
Here is a detailed look at both of the Rolex Series’ classes:
>> DAYTONA PROTOTYPES
The top category in the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series is the
Daytona Prototypes — exotic, mid-engine machines that are
purpose-built for competition. Low to the ground and capable of
speeds in excess of 190 mph, Daytona Prototypes also feature the latest
in safety technology, including carbon-!ber side-impact panels and a
multi-point roll cage with a unique center post at mid-windshield.
Daytona Prototypes are produced to similar speci!cations
by !ve approved constructors — Riley Technologies, Dallara,
Crawford Race Cars, Coyote and Lola. Although each chassis
is designed and manufactured independently, competitor
modi!cations are highly limited by Grand-Am rules. Certain parts,
including series-standard rear wings, are mandated by the series.
A Daytona Prototype chassis costs about $400,000, but the cars
can be raced in their current con!guration for several years within
Grand-Am’s rules package.
Manufacturers are welcome to submit any production-based engine
for approval in the series, but turbochargers and superchargers are not
permitted. Engines currently approved for competition include power
plants from Pontiac (5-liter V-8), Lexus (5-liter V-8), BMW (5-liter V-8),
Porsche (3.9-liter "at six and 5-liter V-8), Ford (5-liter V-8), Honda
(3.8-liter V6) and In!niti (4.3-liter V-8). All engines are tuned to
produce about 500 horsepower and each is capable of being mated
Grand-Am Rolex SeriesF e a t u r e s T w o D i s t i n c t C l a s s e s
D A Y T O N A P R O T O T Y P E S
>> GT - GRAND TOURING
The Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series GT division is home to
production-based race cars that are similar in appearance to the latest
high-performance sports cars and coupes that are seen on the street
every day. Underneath their skin, however, GT cars are all business
and use some of the same technology found in the more exotic Daytona
Prototype class.
The rules for GT — short for Grand Touring — employ several
methods of equalization, including weight, tire size and engine rev
limits to provide an even playing !eld for a variety of international and
American-made cars. Only in GT can one see nimble, "at-six Porsche
GT3s take on big-bore, V-8 Corvettes and Pontiac GXP.Rs while also
mixing it up with three-rotor Mazda RX-8s, mid-engine Ferrari 430s
and BMW M6 coupes.
Engines in GT machines produce between 400 and 450
horsepower depending on the car, and minimum weights range
from 2,240 to 2,800 pounds. The Mazda RX-8 is the lightest car,
weighing in at 2,240 pounds while the Porsche GT3s must weigh
in at 2,700 pounds, and the bigger Pontiac GXP.Rs tip the scales at
the maximum 2,800 lbs. The top speed for GT cars is 180 mph.
to any of the approved Daytona Prototype chassis, which creates an
interesting variety of chassis/engine combinations. Five- or six-speed
sequential gearboxes from EMCO and XTrac are the series standard in
Daytona Prototypes. Smaller engine Daytona Prototypes under 4.5 liters
are allowed the advantage of the six-speed gearboxes, while all cars
with larger engines must run the !ve speeds.
In addition to approved chassis designs and engines tuned to
Grand-Am speci!cations, Daytona Prototype competition is equalized
further through minimum car weight. Daytona Prototypes with smaller
engines can run at lighter minimum weights than their counterparts with
more power. Cars !tted with engines less than 4 liters can weigh 2,225
pounds or more. Daytona Prototypes running engines 4 liters and up to
the maximum 5 liters must weigh in at a minimum 2,275 pounds.
G T - G R A N D T O U R I N G
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