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