The C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype Racer Looks Championship Ready

The Corvette Daytona Prototype was introduced in 2012, marking the Corvette’s return to the prototype endurance racing ranks. That return was met with great success, with Corvette DP teams claiming the top three spots in the IMSA Tudor United SportCar Championship series in 2014 as Wayne Taylor Racing claimed the Prototype class championship. With the exception of a few races, the Corvette Daytona Prototype dominated the 2014 Tudor USCC season and the program will look to continue that success with the introduction of the new C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype shown above.

The C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype
Unlike the Chevrolet Corvette C7R that competes in the GT class of the IMSA Tudor United Sports Car with a road car basis including a front mounted engine, the C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype is really nothing like the Corvettes you see driving around your local country club. The Corvette DP uses a mid-engine configuration, with a naturally aspirated 5.5L V8 built specifically for racing purposes mounted behind the driver. Really, the only aspects of the Corvette Daytona Prototype that resemble the 2015 Corvette Stingray or Z06 are the basic front end design and the taillights.

Up front, the C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype has elongated, angular headlights that resemble those on the production road car, with a lower front fascia opening and center-hood design that are also similar to what is featured on the Corvette Stingray. Of course, the lower front fascia that almost touches the ground, the huge, flared fenders with integrated ducts and the narrow windshield/greenhouse differentiate the race car from the road car in a big way.

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Really, along the sides, the Corvette Daytona Prototype looks nothing like the road-going version and out back, the only thing that makes this rear end a Corvette is the angular taillights that look to be pretty much identical to what is worn on the Corvette Z06.

The Debut of the C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype
It has not yet been officially announced, but I expect to see the new C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype hit the track for the first time at the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona International Speedway on January 9th through the 11th. No entry list has been released, but I fully expect to see the newest Corvette racing preparing to defend the 2014 prototype championship at the big Rolex 24 practice event. Competition within the Prototype class should include cars from Ford, Honda and Nissan.

The first actual race for the C7 Corvette Daytona Prototype should be the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which begins on the afternoon of January 24th.