Grand American Execs Visit Prototype Builders

EDITORS NOTE: Renderings of the Ford Focus and Picchio Daytona Prototypes are available on the media-specific website at www.grandamerican.com/media 
Additional information may be requested from Grand American Road Racing Association 
Christie Hyde (386) 681-4182; email: CHyde@grand-am.com
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Grand American Execs Visit Prototype Builders

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (July 25, 2002) -- Grand American executives traveled far and wide last week as two separate groups visited Multimatic in Canada and Picchio SpA in Italy to get a first-hand look at development of Daytona Prototype efforts.

Grand American Director of Competition Dave Watson was joined by ISC President and Grand American co-founder Jim France on a trip to Canada where they met with representatives from Multimatic, Ford Motor Company and Robert Yates Racing to discuss the recently-announced Ford Focus Prototype program.

Grand American President Roger Edmondson headed a group that flew to Italy last week for visits with Picchio and Ferrari. Edmondson was joined by Daytona Prototypes Project Manager Mark Raffauf and engineering consultant Don Hayward.

"Having talked with Dave and Jim since I got back, we were all impressed with the professionalism and engineering efforts behind the Picchio and Multimatic projects," Edmondson said. "When I got to Italy, I was brought into Picchio's engineering center where they had 25 engineers all working on different aspects and components of their car."

Watson echoed Edmondson's reactions in recalling his trip to Canada. "The design of the Multimatic Ford is definitely state-of-the-art," he said. "There's more to technology than using carbon fiber. It's how you go about designing things and, from what Jim and I were shown, the Ford Focus is very carefully engineered for maximum performance."

Multimatic and Picchio both confirmed they will have cars ready to test by November when Grand American is holding its first Daytona Prototypes test session at Daytona International Speedway during the Grand American Finale event weekend.

Edmondson returned to the United States with other news as well, having made a visit to Ferrari headquarters in Marinello. "We had some great discussions with the folks at Ferrari," he recalled. "They are very interested in having a Maserati engine approved for Daytona Prototypes competition, and we had some very serious discussions about chassis options and other details."

More information on the Daytona Prototypes and the Rolex Sports Car Series is available online at www.grandamerican.com. 

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