Honda engine approved for DP competition

Since its inception in 2003, the Daytona Prototype category of the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series has seen its share of competition. While today, many teams have opted for the Riley Technologies MkXX chassis, there has been a great diversity amongst the power plant of choice.

Lexus, Pontiac, Ford, Porsche, BMW and Infiniti all have approved engines for competition. Add a new nameplate to the list, as today, a production-based Honda engine has been given the green flag for DP competition, starting in 2009.

Occasional series competitor Margraf Racing, in conjunction with Comptech USA, has completed the approval process for a Honda-based V6 engine. The 3.9-liter power plant will be eligible to compete starting at the season-opening Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona on Jan. 24-25.

"It took a little longer than we had hoped, but it was worth the wait", team owner Bill Margraf said. "The Honda engine showed very well on the dyno. We are now seeking a long term partner to work with so we can get the engine package on the track."

Margraf has made a handful of starts in the DP category since 2004 with its Riley chassis. With the engine now approved, the California-based team aims to be back on the grid next year.

Comptech USA's Honda engine joins the Lozano Brother's Porsche Cayenne-based V8 as independently developed power plants approved for the Rolex Series' DP category.