Behold, the Daytona Prototype International

It’s not from today that the competitions under the IMSA banner had one or two or more machines that don’t exactly fit ACO Standards counting from the first American Le Mans Series season. The most recent examples are or were in the United Sportscar Championship, with the BMW Z4 GTE and the Daytona Prototype models.

And one more time, IMSA is doing its way to do ACO-related things, as the new prototypes for 2017 will be known as Daytona Prototype International (DPi).

In fact, the IMSA Sportscar Championship will follow the same steps of ACO in terms of base chassis, as the eligible ones for 2017 will be from Dallara, Onroak Automotive, ORECA and Riley/Multimatic. The path starts to differ here, as while the ACO LMP2 models will feature a spec engine from Gibson Technology, the IMSA DPi models will be able feature a wide range of engine manufacturers and configurations, including even those present in FIA GT3 spec models, with proper adaptations to fit in these chassis, although it isn’t confirmed that current engines present in the Daytona Prototypes will be used or new units will be constructed. Also, manufacturer-styled bodywork and styling cues can be fitted in these new cars, meaning that the relationship with the auto makers will not be lost.

Like the new regulations of the ACO LMP2 category, the new IMSA DPi guidelines will have a four-season homologation, from 2017 to 2020, and a Balance of Performance will be made to promote a level field in the IMSA Sportscar Championship. For those interested, the current LMP2 coupés will be available during the first season of the new regulations, in 2017, and then the doors will be closed for these cars. For open-top LMP2s and the current DPs, the deadline will be the 2016 edition of the Petit Le Mans.

PHOTO: TUDOR Champioships