Daytona Prototypes Transition Defined

Daytona Prototypes Transition Defined

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 19, 2002) - Grand American Road Racing Association announced today how the transition will go from this year's current SportsRacing Prototype and SportsRacing Prototype II classes to the new Daytona Prototypes championship formula that will begin in the 2003 season.

The current SportsRacing Prototype chassis will be allowed to run for the Daytona Prototypes championship in 2003 using the same rules as the coupes regarding minimum weight, wheel and tire size and engine type and displacement. At the conclusion of the 2003 season, the SRP cars will no longer be approved for competition.

The current SportsRacing Prototype II class will continue as is for at least the next three seasons. Renamed Daytona Prototypes Roadster II (DPRII) beginning in 2003, the class will continue to run as a separate championship at least through the 2004 season. The class will be continued in future seasons if the level of entries is sufficient to support the class.

"The Daytona Prototypes coupes are the featured cars of the Rolex Sports Car Series beginning in 2003," Grand American President Roger Edmondson stated. "We are totally committed to that transition and it will occur as scheduled. At the same time we feel an obligation to the SRP owners to give them another year of use with their current chassis, if that is the direction they choose.

"Regarding the SRPII teams, we want to make it very clear that our commitment to that separate championship has not wavered," he added. "We are seeing new teams joining the Rolex Series this year and we want to encourage further growth there. This class is a great way to get involved in prototype racing and can be a stepping stone to the major Daytona Prototypes championship."

Additional information about the Rolex Sports Car Series and Daytona Prototypes is available online at www.grand-am.com.

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EDITORS NOTE:
Renderings are available on the Grand American media-specific website at www.grand-am.com/media. 
Additional information may be requested from: 
Grand American Road Racing Association Communications
Christie Hyde (386) 681-4182
email: CHyde@grand-am.com