Daytona Prototypes

The top category in Grand-Am Road Racing and the undisputed stars of the Rolex Sports Car Series, Daytona Prototypes are exotic, mid-engine machines that are purpose-built strictly for competition on the track. Low to the ground and capable of speeds in excess of 185 mph, Daytona Prototypes also feature the latest in safety technology, including carbon fiber side impact panels and a multi-point roll cage with a unique center post at mid-windshield.

Daytona Prototypes are produced to similar specifications by eight approved constructors--Riley Technologies, Doran Designs, Crawford Race Cars, Fabcar Engineering, Chase Competition Engineering, Picchio, Multimatic and Sabre. Although each chassis is independently designed and manufactured, competitor modifications are highly limited by Grand-Am rules and certain parts--including series-standard rear wings--are mandated by the series. A Daytona Prototype chassis costs between $400,000 and $550,000, but the cars have been raced in their current configuration for several years within Grand-Am's stable rules package.

Manufacturers are welcome to submit any production-based engine for approval in the series, but turbos and superchargers are not permitted. Engines that are currently approved for competition include powerplants from Pontiac (5-liter V-8), Lexus (5-liter V-8), BMW (5-liter V-8), Porsche (3.8-liter flat-six), Ford (5-liter V-8) and Infiniti (4.3-liter V-8). All engines are tuned to produce around 500 horsepower and each is capable of being mated 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-engined Daytona Prototypes under 4.5 liters are allowed the advantage of the six-speed gearboxes, while all race cars with larger engines must run the five-speeds. All Daytona Prototypes are required to have a minimum weight of 2,250 pounds.

Formula Mazda

The Star Mazda series has been identified as the second level of the AIM Autosport driver development process. The Pro Mazda car with significant increase in power and aerodynamic performance as well as longer race distances has emerged as the ideal place to continue the AIM development process. Skills acquired at this level include an advanced understanding of aerodynamic influences, race craft, tire management, increased physical and mental conditioning- all of which are essential in the development of professional drivers.

The Star Mazda Series offers a competitive package with many excellent incentives. This series offers a great deal of marketing exposure thru aggressive print and on-air media campaigns by Mazda and prime time broadcasts on the Speed Channel Network in the United States and the Sky Sports in Europe. The Star Mazda series competes at ALMS events throughout North America, as well as the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal.