Over the past two seasons at Daytona the appropriately named Daytona Prototypes have been the cars to catch for the overall win.
But looking at this weekend’s results, the battle for victory at the Rolex 24 at Daytona could be more wide open in 2016.
For 2017, the new Daytona Prototype International class will officially debut. The cars will be based on Le Mans-style LM P1 machine with manufacturers able to add some of their own styling cues.
While the P2 machines were able to take two victories in 2014, last year the DP machines reigned supreme despite flashes of speed from their European opponents.
This weekend at the Roar before the 24 test, Michael Shank Racing’s Ligier Honda set the pace with new recruit Olivier Pla adding to the team’s firepower. The team topped four of the seven sessions throughout the three-day event.
In the final session today, Patrón Racing ESM also showed they could also be a contender with new signing Pipo Derani topping the times.
Derani contested the FIA World Endurance Championship for G-Drive racing in 2015 and moves across the Patrón squad this year which is being run – like G-Drive last year – with the assistance of Oak Racing in France.
Second fastest this afternoon was the unique DeltaWing. The team has confirmed it will contest the full season in 2016 in what could be the final year for the car. Throughout the weekend, the car has been strong and Katherine Legge was fastest overall in practice 3.
The only session the DP cars scored the top spot was in session 4. The Wayne Taylor Racing entry topped the times with the No.55 Mazda P2-style entry actually showing improved pace in second place.
In the final test session this afternoon Antonio Garcia took the No.3 Corvette to the top of the timesheet in the GTLM class. The No.4 ‘Vette was fastest earlier in the day when Oliver Gavin led a Corvette 1-2.
Richard Westbrook’s Ford was second fastest this afternoon ahead of reigning GTLM champ Patrick Pilet’s Porsche.
Other class leaders included IndyCar ace Jack Hawksworth in PC and Damien Faulkner in GTD aboard the Dodge Viper.
The post P2 cars to the front at Daytona appeared first on Michelin Alley.