The on-track action will be easier than ever for fans to follow in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series in 2003, with four competitive classes of cars competing simultaneously for both class and overall honors.

Whether it's the roar of a Daytona Prototype or the scream of a high-revving sports car, the Rolex Sports Car Series has the most diverse lineup of cars, models and manufacturers offered in sports car racing.

The Rolex Series treats fans to the explosive power and pinpoint handling of prototype race cars; the exciting action of race-bred production cars; plus fender-banging American performance from Ford, General Motors and Dodge.

The four classes of the Rolex Series are designed to provide close and exciting competition that can be enjoyed to its fullest by competitors and fans alike.

Daytona Prototypes

A new era in American sports car racing began at the 2003 Rolex 24 At Daytona when the Daytona Prototypes led the field to the green flag. The Daytona Prototypes are the premier class for the Rolex Sports Car Series. Announced on the eve of 2002 Rolex 24, the concept quickly took root and is flourishing in 2004.

An Affordable Race car

When the Grand American staff sat down to develop rules for the Daytona Prototypes, their first priority was to design a car that would be affordable for privateer teams, not just multi-billion dollar auto manufacturers. By restricting the use of exotic materials and relying on proven technologies, a race-winning Daytona Prototype can be manufactured for less than $400,000 - a substantial savings compared to other sports car formulas.

Technical Overview

The Daytona Prototype is a flat-bottomed, closed cockpit, mid-engine coupe with a complete frame (non-stressed engine). It uses independent suspension with adjustable shock absorbers. Each car is aerodynamically designed to be as efficient as possible in speed and downforce, using a mandated, common to all cars, rear wing.

Engines

Engines for Daytona Prototypes are available from production car manufacturers from throughout the world. To be legal, an engine must be submitted to Grand American for approval. Engines are tested and inspected to determine the power characteristics and internal components, and then that engine is approved for competition with the configuration established during testing. All engine components are available to any competitor who wishes to use them. This guarantees each competitor a chance to run near the front of the pack and race fans the prospect of exciting, close racing from start to finish.

Closed cockpit purpose-built prototypes
• Normally-aspirated (5.5 liter max) engines with restrictions to balance performance
• Full-width roll cage
» 18 x 14-inch maximum wheel diameter and width
• Steel brakes
• Chassis design must have prior approval by Grand American
• Spec wing
• Working headlights and brake lights
• Six-speed sequential gearbox
• Flat bottom
• Weight: 1,980 to 2,020 pounds, depending on engine size

In 2003, Grand American announced a two-year strategy to give the Rolex Series Grand Touring division a new format. The 2004 season features a two-class structure in the Grand Touring division with the GT and SGS classes. Grand American's transition to its new format will be complete in 2005 when a single GT class is formed.

GT CLASS

This year's GT class includes cars that competed in the Rolex Series GT and GTS class in 2003, with some modifications relating to weight, fuel capacity and engine performance.

The 2004 GT rules are established to let more brands compete by allowing some modifications to the basic production models that were not allowed in the older GT format. The rules list 28 different car models from 19 manufacturers including Acura, Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Corvette, Chrysler, Dodge, Ferrari, Ford, Honda, Jaguar, Lexus, Lincoln, Mercedes, Maserati, Nissan, Pontiac, Porsche and Toyota.

Grand-Am Cup Street Stock Series

2004 Grand-Am Cup Series Class Descriptions

The Grand-Am Cup Series is the premier proving ground for many of today’s automotive manufacturers. The series features some of the best production car drivers from around the world.

The series typically complements the Rolex Sports Car Series by using race cars that are actual production cars. Grand-Am Cup cars are straight off the showroom floor with only minimal racing modifications to enhance safety and performance.

Two classes of race cars compete on the track at the same time during Grand-Am Cup events, with drivers competing for top honors in their specified class, as well as the overall win. Grand-Am Cup cars are classified by weight, engine size and model.

GRAND SPORT (GS)

The Grand Sport class includes popular sports and muscle cars, such as the BMW M3, Ford Mustang, Pontiac Firebird and GTO, Porsche 996 and Nissan 350Z.

SPORT TOURING (ST)

The Sport Touring class includes various small-to-mid-size, four door sedans and sports coupes, including the BMW Z4 and 328, Lexus IS300, Acura RSX, Mazda RX-8, Mini Cooper and Porsche Boxster.