General Motors debuted the 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype today at the world famous Daytona Speedway. This prototype started as a simple sketch less than eight months ago, but thanks to a team effort the 2012 Corvette Daytona prototype has made a grand entrance in the racing world in a short amount of time. According to the press release, “The 2012 Corvette Daytona Prototype was developed by a multi-faceted effort involving Chevrolet, Corvette Designers, Pratt & Miller and GRAND-AM. Chevrolet also worked closely with chassis builders Riley, Coyote and Dallara,” said Mark Kent, GM Racing director. In fact, this prototype will participate in GRAND-AM testing at Daytona Speedway on November 16, 2011, making this evolution from sketch to racecar even more impressive.

Photo © GM Company

According to a press release from GM, Jim Campbell, vice president of Chevrolet, stated that it was a natural fit to create this Corvette for GRAND-AM competition based on the company’s historic involvement in both racing and performance. After viewing numerous photos of this Corvette each image was drool inducing and breathtakingly beautiful, but the use of the iconic small block Chevy engine makes this a true work of art.

This new addition from Chevrolet will grace the 50^th anniversary of the GRAND-AM Road Racing Series Rolex 24 at Daytona Speedway in January. According to the press release, GRAND-AM President Tom Bledsoe said, “GRAND-AM’s new Daytona Prototype concept is aimed at allowing manufacturers to showcase their brand in an exciting, cutting-edge fashion.” Even without the debut this Corvette Daytona Prototype attracted GRAND-AM teams, and perhaps more will follow suit after seeing the in the car in the flesh as well as in action at the speedway. At this point four teams have signed on to drive the Corvette Daytona Prototype in the 2012 season; these teams include both #9 and #5 Action Express Racing, #10 SunTrust Racing, #90 Spirit of Daytona Racing and #99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing.

Photo © GM Company