Italian specialist sportscar constructor, Picchio, is now putting the finishing touches to the first of its new Daytona Prototypes in readiness for the start of a limited Grand American Sportscar Series racing programme later this year.

This new car, now painted in Picchio's traditional yellow racing colours, is currently taking final shape at the firm's headquarters, which are located near the town of Teramo, in Central Italy. Some last elements remain to be incorporated into the bodywork, as does the addition of the new, and as yet undisclosed, powerplant.

Picchio are one of a handful of race car constructors licensed to build chassis for use in the United States-based Grand American Sports Car Series. Along with the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), GrandAm, which counts the legendary Daytona 24 Hours as its 'blue riband' event, is one of the two premier North American sportscar championships. In the few years since the introduction of new regulations for Daytona Prototypes (DP), which aim to achieve exciting and lower-cost racing, were introduced, the series has gone from strength to strength.

The new car, the third in the line, shows many external visual differences to the first two Picchio Daytona Prototype cars, that were actually assembled in the United States by G&W, rather than in Italy.
 

The frontal surfaces have been heavily revised to incorporate a new radiator and cooling set-up, while the rear end features new grids. As such the overall aerodynamic package has been revised, and Picchio are confident that feedback gathered from the existing two chassis has allowed them to improve the package, which has seen more than seventy changes made.

The new Picchio DP also now provides power steering as a basic feature, and the kinematic behaviour of suspensions has been revised and optimized to adapt them to the new Hoosier tyres, which recently replaced Goodyear for Grand-Am competition.

"The next step is the installation of the new power plant, that will be soon delivered to the workshop, and then the technical staff will proceed to the first shakedown on the track," report Picchio. While not disclosing the nature of the planned engine, rumour suggests that it will be the as yet unraced, but Grand American homologated Maserati unit, which Picchio has previously admitted has already been tested by them.

No details either are as yet forthcoming regarding any potential team identified to run the new car, or the driver line-up. "About the racing strategy, talks are currently going on with USA-based teams to take part to Grand-Am events in the late part of the Championship. The managers are also evaluating a possible participation with another Daytona Prototype car later on in the Championship. Picchio has come to specific agreements with some Italian drivers too, who will have a seat in the car."

by Edd Ellison