(LEFT) Spirit of Daytona
Racing’s Coyote-chassied version was
the first Corvette DP
to put in the test miles
(Oliver Gavin behind the
wheel). (BELOW) Input
on styling for the new
DP car came from
GM’s own design
department, as well as
the in-house capabilities
of Pratt & Miller.
DPG3 concept, with Chevy’s backing, was
officially green-lighted in April 2011 for
an intended debut just eight months later
at the 50th Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The accelerated timeframe put
Chevrolet and Pratt & Miller in a race
against the clock to build and develop
Corvette-specific bodywork for the 2012
Rolex Series. A process that typically takes
12 to 15 months had to be compressed
into 240 days, according to Louth.
“Both from Jim France’s viewpoint and
Chevrolet’s top management, the car had
to debut for the Rolex 24,” says Jim Lutz,
Chevy’s Grand-Am program manager.
“It was the most prestigious race of the
