Sports prototype
Encyclopedia
A sports prototype, also referred to as simply a prototype, is a form of racing car
that is used as a top category in sports car racing
. These purpose-built racing cars differ from street-legal and production-based racing cars that also compete in sports car racing.
Prototype racing cars have competed in sports car racing since before World War II
, but became the top echelon of sports cars in the 1960s as they began to replace homologated
sports cars. Today, most sports car series use two forms of cars: grand tourer
s (GT), based on street cars, and prototypes, which are allowed a great amount of flexibility within set rule parameters.
Auto racing
Auto racing is a motorsport involving the racing of cars for competition. It is one of the world's most watched televised sports.-The beginning of racing:...
that is used as a top category in sports car racing
Sports car racing
Sports car racing is a form of circuit auto racing with automobiles that have two seats and enclosed wheels. They may be purpose-built or related to road-going sports cars....
. These purpose-built racing cars differ from street-legal and production-based racing cars that also compete in sports car racing.
Prototype racing cars have competed in sports car racing since before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, but became the top echelon of sports cars in the 1960s as they began to replace homologated
Homologation
Homologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
sports cars. Today, most sports car series use two forms of cars: grand tourer
Grand tourer
A grand tourer is a high-performance luxury automobile designed for long-distance driving. The most common format is a two-door coupé with either a two-seat or a 2+2 arrangement....
s (GT), based on street cars, and prototypes, which are allowed a great amount of flexibility within set rule parameters.
Types of sports prototypes
Since the 1960s, various championships have allowed prototypes to compete. However, most championships have had their own set of rules for their prototype classes. Listed here are some of the more commonly known types of prototypes.- Group 6Group 6 (racing)Group 6 was the official designation applied by the FIA to two motor racing classifications, the Prototype-Sports Car category from 1966 to 1971 and the Two-Seater Racing Cars class from 1976 to 1982.-Group 6 Prototype-Sports Cars :...
- Group CGroup CGroup C was a category of motorsport, introduced by the FIA in 1982 for sports car racing, along with Group A for touring cars and Group B for GTs....
- Grand Touring Prototype (GTP)
- Le Mans PrototypeLe Mans PrototypeA Le Mans Prototype is a type of sports prototype race car most notably used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, American Le Mans Series and Le Mans Series...
(LMP) - Daytona PrototypeDaytona PrototypeA Daytona Prototype is a type of sports prototype racing car developed specifically for the Grand American Road Racing Association's Rolex Sports Car Series as their top class of car, replacing contemporary open cockpit sports cars, specifically Sports Racing Prototypes...