-
Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
-
Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Games
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
- Home
- TV Shows
-
TV Schedule
-
SPEED Showcase
-
- NASCAR
- Formula 1
- Auto Racing
- Moto Racing
- Cars
- Bikes
- Store
- Social
- Mobile
- Deals
- Videos
- Photos
GRAND-AM
GRAND-AM: Teams, Drivers Weigh In On DP-LM24 Talks
John Dagys talks to GRAND-AM team owners and drivers on the prospects of Daytona Prototypes racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans...
GRAND-AM drivers and teams have been excited at the potential prospect of racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, should the Daytona Prototype platform become approved. (Photo: Brian Cleary/GRAND-AM)
With the recent launch of the FIA World Endurance Championship, proposed new worldwide GT regulations and the merger between the American Le Mans Series and GRAND-AM for 2014, the sports car racing scene is going through a significant period of change.
Another potential development in the works is the globalization of GRAND-AM’s Daytona Prototype platform, with SPEED.com learning that talks are underway with the NASCAR-owned organization and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest on the possibility of inviting DPs to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
While details and a timeline of the potential arrangement are unclear at this point, the thought alone of the American-bred prototypes perhaps one day having a place in the world’s greatest endurance race created a buzz throughout the paddock last weekend at Daytona International Speedway, site of the annual Roar Before the Rolex 24 pre-season test.
"My assumption is that with all of the merger that's been done and had been announced, you would almost believe that the next stage would be going to Le Mans,” veteran team owner and two-time WSC champion Wayne Taylor told SPEED.com. “So I have no doubt that must be on the cards somewhere.”
Having made 13 starts as a driver in the twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic, Taylor is the DP team owner with the most experience at Le Mans, and says, without a doubt, he would take his team back to La Sarthe should DPs become eligible.
It’s a sentiment that was echoed by nearly every DP team and driver polled by SPEED.com, including defending Rolex 24 champions, Michael Shank Racing.
"The Indianapolis 500 was always what held me as a kid coming through the ranks, but Le Mans would be huge,” said team owner Michael Shank. “And if we could make it commercially viable, we'd be there in a heartbeat. There's no question about it.
"I hope we're there the first year it happens because I think it has some historical [context] to it. Understanding we're not going to be the top class; we weren't ever meant to be. But if it gives another opportunity to get the American product out to European folks, I think it's great.”
If a deal is struck between the soon-to-be-unified North American sports car series, set to run a combined P2/DP category in 2014, and Le Mans organizers, the ACO, it’s believed DPs could initially join the grid as an exhibition-stye class in limited numbers, potentially as early as next year.
When asked by SPEED.com on such prospects, officials from both organizations declined comment.
Second-generation racer Ricky Taylor, who moved from his father’s Wayne Taylor Racing operation to fellow Corvette DP squad Spirit of Daytona for 2013, is itching to follow in his family’s footsteps in the legendary race.
"I went to Le Mans to watch my dad and then this past year to watch my brother. And with Jordan driving the Corvette [C6.R], it made me totally jealous,” he said.
"My goal would be to go there in a Chevrolet, so if we could go there with our DP, that would be the perfect thing. It's been such a big part of our family and is the number one race on my checklist.”
For Starworks Motorsport’s Peter Baron, who celebrated on the top step of the LMP2 podium in 2012 following his team’s class victory, returning to Le Mans, but with a DP, would also be something special for the longtime GRAND-AM entrant.
"I think the cars would be very good there,” Baron said. “The DP car's strengths are more straightaways than turns, so that would cater to Le Mans for sure. It would be very cool to do that.
"If we could have a proper race with a fair amount of cars swapping for the [class] lead, it would be a great way to introduce American DP racing.”
Another potential development in the works is the globalization of GRAND-AM’s Daytona Prototype platform, with SPEED.com learning that talks are underway with the NASCAR-owned organization and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest on the possibility of inviting DPs to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
While details and a timeline of the potential arrangement are unclear at this point, the thought alone of the American-bred prototypes perhaps one day having a place in the world’s greatest endurance race created a buzz throughout the paddock last weekend at Daytona International Speedway, site of the annual Roar Before the Rolex 24 pre-season test.
"My assumption is that with all of the merger that's been done and had been announced, you would almost believe that the next stage would be going to Le Mans,” veteran team owner and two-time WSC champion Wayne Taylor told SPEED.com. “So I have no doubt that must be on the cards somewhere.”
Having made 13 starts as a driver in the twice-around-the-clock French endurance classic, Taylor is the DP team owner with the most experience at Le Mans, and says, without a doubt, he would take his team back to La Sarthe should DPs become eligible.
It’s a sentiment that was echoed by nearly every DP team and driver polled by SPEED.com, including defending Rolex 24 champions, Michael Shank Racing.
"The Indianapolis 500 was always what held me as a kid coming through the ranks, but Le Mans would be huge,” said team owner Michael Shank. “And if we could make it commercially viable, we'd be there in a heartbeat. There's no question about it.
"I hope we're there the first year it happens because I think it has some historical [context] to it. Understanding we're not going to be the top class; we weren't ever meant to be. But if it gives another opportunity to get the American product out to European folks, I think it's great.”
If a deal is struck between the soon-to-be-unified North American sports car series, set to run a combined P2/DP category in 2014, and Le Mans organizers, the ACO, it’s believed DPs could initially join the grid as an exhibition-stye class in limited numbers, potentially as early as next year.
When asked by SPEED.com on such prospects, officials from both organizations declined comment.
Second-generation racer Ricky Taylor, who moved from his father’s Wayne Taylor Racing operation to fellow Corvette DP squad Spirit of Daytona for 2013, is itching to follow in his family’s footsteps in the legendary race.
"I went to Le Mans to watch my dad and then this past year to watch my brother. And with Jordan driving the Corvette [C6.R], it made me totally jealous,” he said.
"My goal would be to go there in a Chevrolet, so if we could go there with our DP, that would be the perfect thing. It's been such a big part of our family and is the number one race on my checklist.”
For Starworks Motorsport’s Peter Baron, who celebrated on the top step of the LMP2 podium in 2012 following his team’s class victory, returning to Le Mans, but with a DP, would also be something special for the longtime GRAND-AM entrant.
"I think the cars would be very good there,” Baron said. “The DP car's strengths are more straightaways than turns, so that would cater to Le Mans for sure. It would be very cool to do that.
"If we could have a proper race with a fair amount of cars swapping for the [class] lead, it would be a great way to introduce American DP racing.”
Road Atlanta
LATEST HEADLINES: AUTO-RACING
-
LE MANS: BoP Adjustments For GTE Announced
GTE-Pro Aston Martins handed extra weight, larger restrictor for… -
LE MANS: Jim France Named LM24 Starter
GRAND-AM founder and NASCAR Vice Chairman to wave tri-colour flag… -
INDYCAR: 49ers Coach Jim Harbaugh To Pace The Indy 500
Jim Harbaugh, head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, will drive the… -
MILLER: Dinner With Legends
It’s become an annual event and, as my pal and longtime Indy… -
VIDEO: Dyson Tech Talk - Tires 101
The art of going fast: what kind of feedback does a driver want from… -
VIDEO: SPEEDing Through Hinchtown, Episode 2
Andretti Autosport IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffe utilizes the… -
LE MANS: Driver Lineups For LM24 Finalized
Seats at Delta-ADR, Morand Racing, JMW Motorsport and others confirmed… - More News
