The Classes

As with most sports car racing, the field is split into different classes depending on performance.

For the Rolex 24 at Daytona, there are three classes: Prototype, GT Le Mans (GTLM) and GT Daytona (GTD).

The Prototype class is the top category at Daytona, and has 20 entries for this year’s race. It features a mix of DPi and LMP2-spec entries. The DPi cars are newer and therefore hold a performance advantage. Unfortunately for Alonso, he is in an LMP2 Ligier, making his odds of victory somewhat slim.

The big-hitters in Prototype (often noted simply as ‘P’) are Cadillac, Nissan, Acura and Mazda, all of whom enjoyed manufacturer involvement. Ligier and Oreca are the two LMP2 chassis suppliers.

GTLM features more mainstream manufacturers fielding their GTE-spec cars, the same that feature in the GTE-Pro class of the WEC. Nine cars have been entered to this year’s race: two each from Ford, Porsche, Corvette and BMW, and one from Ferrari.

GTD is a class for cars run to FIA GT3 specification, made up of privateer teams. A vast array of manufacturers are represented in GTD including Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Lexus, Ferrari, Mercedes and BMW. GTD is the biggest class at Daytona, featuring 21 of the 50 entries