Definition of Prototype in Racing...

[The Treester]

(This could have been posted before but I'm fairly new to this forum)

Seriously...

As much as I hate to admit this, I don't know the adequate answer to this question. I know what it means in a basic engineer world version and ACO reg'z, but what & where did it come from?
:confused:
It's hard to sell the series to new fans or sponsors, if I can't answer that question thoroughly. Thanks in advance.

TMN

[sportscarsRULE]

As far as selling prototype racing goes, you could market the exciting possibilities of a class of cars that aren't held back by production-based boundaries. Engine variety could be another good selling point, especially if there are some notable brands to mention.

For the definition, I think prototype was just a fitting name since the cars really had nothing to do with street cars(even less than the GT classes do). Factory-built cars have even translated some of their technology to the company's road cars(Audi fuel injection), so the racers can hsve prototype technology in them.

[The Treester]

Thanks SportcarsRULE.

I didn't want to assume that it’s defined by a one-off design concept that's not used as a production vehicle.

[sportscarsRULE]

Where the prototype designation gets confusing(for me at least) is that the majority of prototypes are not made by car manufacturers. Riley&Scotts, Dallaras, Lolas, and Domes are called prototypes; however, they aren't used as rolling test beds for a manufacturer's street cars(at least I don't think so).

Maybe a more knowledgeable person can help us out?

[jhansen]

This doesn't have to apply to racing, but here is the definition of the term prototype as far as the dictionary is concerned.

Main Entry: pro·to·type
Pronunciation: 'prO-t&-"tIp
Function: noun
Etymology: French, from Greek prOtotypon, from neuter of prOtotypos archetypal, from prOt- + typos type
Date: 1552
1 : an original model on which something is patterned : ARCHETYPE
2 : an individual that exhibits the essential features of a later type
3 : a standard or typical example
4 : a first full-scale and usually functional form of a new type or design of a construction (as an airplane)

[Bob Riebe]

Treester:
See JHansen for how the word was used by the racing bodies until the very recent past.

The cars had to be designed with possible street applications. Even in the days of the Porsche 917 and Ferrrari 512, the cars still had a direct connection,i.e. spare-tires, and a compartment for a suitcase.
The class of cars the term is applied to now were for decades--sports racers-group 7--cars which had no relation or had to show relation to the street.

I would not doubt that the sactioning bodies using the term now, use it because it has the ability to cause some to assume a connection, even if false, to cars well known from the past, plus they assume the average race attendee nowadays is too ignorant, and apathetic, to know, or care if they are being suckered.
Bob

[The Treester]

Thanks Bob and jhasen.