Page 1 of 1 Cadillac were among the first manufacturers to commit to the new-for-2017 Daytona Prototype International or DPi regulations. These were based on the international LMP2 regulations but allowed for manufacturer specific body designs and engines. Like the new LMP2 cars, the choice of chassis builder was limited to just one of four suppliers.
For their new DPi car, Cadillac opted to use the Dallara chassis. Built to the latest regulations, it was a conventional design with a carbon-fibre monocoque suspended by double wishbones with in-board, push-rod actuated suspension on all four corners. Also part of the package as supplied to Cadillac by Dallara was a transversely mounted, six-speed, sequential X-Trac gearbox.
What made the car the Cadillac DPi-V.R was the use of a production based V8 engine. Derived from the CTS-V road car unit, it displaced 6.2 litres and produced around 600 bhp when fitted with the mandatory intake restrictors. The Cadillac was also fitted with bespoke front bodywork that included the company's vertical lighting signature. The DPi-V.R tipped the scales at just 930 kg.
First raced at the 2017 Daytona 24 Hours, the Cadillac DPi-V.R was instantly successful. The Wayne Taylor Racing (WTR) entered example scored back-to-back victories at Daytona and the Sebring 12 Hours. It was the start of a hugely successful season that saw the Cadillacs dominate the United SportsCar Championship.
To slightly peg back the Cadillacs, smaller restrictors were stipulated. This to the extent that a new, 5.5 litre engine was introduced for the 2018 season. The use of a smaller V8 meant that larger restrictors could be used, which would provide for a more balanced torque curve. As before, the engine was built for Cadillac by ECR Engines.
Despite the changes, the Cadillacs remained hugely competitive with the Mustang Sampling team winning the Daytona 24 Hours at the start of the year. The Whelen team and drivers won their respective championships, while Cadillac clinched the manufacturers' title. In 2019, the winning continued with the WTR team winning the Daytona 24 Hours for the second time in three years. Page 1 of 1