Picchio Daytona Prototype unveiled in Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (November 7, 2002) -- Picchio SpA unveiled its D2 Daytona Prototype on Wednesday night during a reception held at DAYTONA USA. G&W Motorsports team managers Price and Carissa Cobb had the honors of pulling the silver cover off the new Picchio to reveal the Daytona Prototype painted in traditional Maserati livery.

Picchio unveiling.

Photo by Grand American Road Racing Association.

It was the first time members of the media and racing community had a chance to see the completed Picchio D2, the only European-manufactured Daytona Prototype. The car carried the Maserati of Orange County logo on the nose and front door panels of the blue, silver and red car, raising many questions as to a possible association between the two.

"This particular car here will run at the Rolex with the BMW engine," explained Motorsports Manager Armando Trentini. "The second car will come with a Maserati engine."

While the BMW and Maserati power plants are currently the only two under development for the Picchio D2, the Italian manufacturer plans to offer several different kits and engine packages.

"If someone comes to us and wants a Nissan engine, we will give them the kit with that engine," said Trentini.

Currently, G&W Motorsports plans to run two Picchio Daytona Prototypes at the 2003 Rolex 24 At Daytona, however Cobb said that the team should have a third car on-hand for any interested parties. Four P2 chassis are being built, with the two additional chassis ready for sale at this time.

"The best part about this car is the serviceability during the long races," Cobb noted. "The ease of maintenance on this car is amazing. A team can work on the car much easier and quicker. The down force and aero packages on these are great."

The new Picchio is tentatively scheduled to run its first test at the end of the month at Virginia International Raceway, home of G&W Motorsports. The Picchio Daytona Prototype will be on display to the public throughout the weekend in the garage area outside the media center at Daytona International Speedway during the Dark Dog Grand American Finale.

For information about the Picchio online, visit www.picchio.com. Additional information about the Daytona Prototypes, including photos of the new Picchio D2, are available on the Grand American website at www.grandamerican.com.

-grandamerican-