Testing Suspended for Prototype and PC Race Cars at Daytona (Update)

UPDATE Scary news is emerging out of Daytona, site of the second two-day test for the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship, as during Tuesday’s first day of testing there were two airborne accidents.

The first involved Spirit of Daytona Racing’s Richard Westbrook, the Englishman driving a Corvette Daytona Prototype (shown right in 2013 configuration at Kansas). Speaking to Sportscar365′s John Dagys, Westbrook told him he had a right-rear tire failure at 195mph on exit to the tri-oval, with that proving the launching pad to a series of rolls after getting airborne.

The shattered DP sat restless with Westbrook and Darren Turner of Aston Martin Racing embracing to the side, happy to be alive after such silliness.

A less severe accident occurred later in the afternoon when Joao Barbosa had another reported right-rear puncture to his Corvette DP, the Action Express entry. Both cars were running in the updated aero configuration with more downforce from the rear wing, new diffuser and tunnels. Both drivers, fortunately, were uninjured. NBC Sports

11/20/13 Officials from the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and Continental Tire have jointly decided to suspend on-track testing of TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Prototype (P) and Prototype Challenge (PC) race cars after issues were discovered during testing at Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday.

IMSA and Continental Tire are analyzing the situation and working toward a solution. On-track testing will continue at Daytona on Wednesday for the GT Le Mans (GTLM) and GT Daytona (GTD) classes. On-track testing of the DeltaWing DWC13 prototype – which utilizes a unique tire and technical package – will also continue as scheduled.