Third Picchio DP has first shakedown

Third Picchio Daytona Prototype on Test Track

The new Picchio Daytona Prototype, fully designed and built within the Ancarano factory in central Italy, had its first shakedown yesterday.

The test driver reported highly positive impressions:

- The steering wheel is direct and light exactly like a road car.

- The chassis and suspension seem to ensure optimum roadholding.

- The cockpit comfort is strikingly surprising for not being too hot and allowing good visibility.

- Since the car didn't reach very high speed on the track, he couldn't judge the aerodynamics efficiency and the reliability.

- The V8 4.5 engine has got a good sound and ensures powerful low speed torque

We asked Francesco Di Pietrantonio, GM of Picchio Racing cars, how he felt the DP project is evolving: 'This car was built according to the Picchio quality standards and adopting all the solutions that were mostly provided in the 1st edition design but weren't applied on the two Daytona Prototypes partially assembled in USA.

To be more specific, we adopted certain solutions about aerodynamics, chassis, engine installation, air intakes for cockpit, engine and brakes cooling, but those ideas weren't shared by the first car purchasers who later took part to the series. Next week we will start a development program of all the possible set-ups so to allow the Picchio technical staff to acquire specific experiences and optimize the performance.'

And what about the racing side?

'If some talks we are currently having with interested customers are not successful, the factory will directly manage the competition programme. We are actually evaluating, alternatively to synergy programmes with American teams, also some valid Italian drivers as candidates for an official programme. The development programme provides private test sessions at Italian circuits in September and October, then according to the schedule, the car will be brought in USA to take part in the last race in Mexico if the circumstances exist.

Then the developments will be continued until the January tests sessions in Daytona. In 2006 the Picchio cars will come back to a full-time commitment to the Grand-Am series, which we believe is of great interest for the future strategies of the factory itself.'

-www.picchio.com