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Coyote DP Bodywork Set for March Debut

Generic Coyote DP bodywork set to begin on-track testing in March…

Photo: John Dagys

Photo: John Dagys

While having been initially tabbed for a debut in this weekend’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, Coyote’s new generic DP bodywork is now expected to begin on-track testing in March.

Coyote Cars CEO Gary Nelson told Sportscar365 Wednesday that the bodywork, designed by British engineering firm Delta Motorsport, is nearing completion at its composite shop, but  no firm plans having been set for its race debut.

“We certainly want to do testing and go through the IMSA process of approval, which is wind tunnel [evaluations] and all of that,” Nelson told Sportscar365. “We’re hoping to have it all in place right around the Sebring race, just before or just after.”

It was initially understood that AXR’s No. 9 Prototype entry, run at Daytona in association with Delta-ADR, would be fitted with the bodywork as a validation race prior to customer sales. However, Nelson would not confirm those intentions at this time.

“A lot depends on our workload on our day job, getting our Coyote [Corvettes] competitive on a day to day basis, then bringing in the updates as we can put them into the workload,” he said.

“We haven’t gotten that plan down. Hopefully a customer comes along and buys a Coyote-bodied Coyote and races it. If I got an order the Monday after this race, things can change.”

Nelson revealed that the bodykit will also be made available for Riley chassis, similar to the Pratt & Miller-designed Corvette DP, which is compatible on Riley, Dallara and Coyote chassis with minimal modifications.

In fact, Nelson said the bodywork could initially be tested on one of the firm’s Riley chassis, believed to be a former Gen 2 car from Action Express Racing.

“For us to have market share, or opportunity to get market share, we would like to have that same kind of opportunity,” Nelson said. “We would like to have the same opportunities as any of our competitors in this business.”

Nelson would not reveal specifics of bodywork’s design but said it would be a “relevant car” when it hits the track.

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John

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