Elan DP-02 is the future of C-Sports after taking SCCA Runoffs win.
In the hands of Matt Miller Elan's IMSA Lites derived DP-02 chassis won
the C Sports Racing title at the 2009 SCCA Runoffs at Road America.
The Elan DP-02 single seat prototype sports car is accustomed to the
winner's circle. Since its inception it has been the premier car in the
IMSA Lites Pro Series, the feeder category to the American Le Mans Series.
Perhaps that comes as no surprise as IMSA Lites is a 'spec-series' and the
Elan is the sole chassis in the fastest class, Lites 1. However, it does
make this win, in the open regulations of the SCCA's CSR category, even
more remarkable.
The spec-series derived Elan has broken the back of the more exotic and
expensive Ralt and Swift Atlantic derived sports racers. Always considered
a well sorted, sophisticated yet straightforward car the DP-02 can now be
considered the benchmark in CSR.
Matt Miller (Orland Park, Ill) in his No. 82 HarryMillerAppliances.com
sponsored car qualified on the front row of the grid, only .797 seconds off
pole, and after leaping to the lead in turn one defended an onslaught of
attacks to take the victory.
"We had a really strong motor all weekend and I knew we were going to have
a good start," Miller said. "As long as we qualified toward the front, I
knew we could get through Turn One near the front. We just needed to
maintain a good pace and keep the car on the track, but these guys [Jacek
Mucha, Brian and James French] didn't make it easy."
To create the winning CSR car Miller made only a few modifications to the
DP-02 from official IMSA spec while utilizing all of the knowledge gained
from the DP-02's rapid development and refinement associated with running
the car in the highly competitive IMSA Lites series.
Miller's DP-02 was fitted with a Elan Power Products modified 2.0 Litre
Mazda MZR engine, replacing the 'stock' 2.3 Litre Lites motor. The only
other modifications were the fitment of a Dauntless rear wing and lowered
rear-deck bodywork.
Comprent Motor Sports' Kevin Kloepfer, the official representative for the
Elan DP-02 was thrilled with the win.
"On the same weekend that Comprent scored two podium finishes with DP-02s
in the IMSA Lites category at Petit Le Mans I am delighted to be able to
congratulate Matt Miller on taking what is a very significant and ground-
breaking win for Elan and the DP-02 chassis.
This weekend proves the car's supreme versatility, solid reliability and
outright speed. It demonstrates once again why the DP-02 is the perfect
choice for weekend warriors, serious club racers, and budding pro drivers.
I wouldn't be surprised if a few of my IMSA Lites customers attend the
Runoffs next year and more people consider doing combined seasons in both
categories. With only a simple engine swap you can have a car capable of
winning both.
I also must congratulate Nick Evans and Scott Rettich for taking first and
second respectively in Formula SCCA enterprise using Elite Racing
Transmissions and Comprent prepared actuators. As Elite's distributor we
are pleased to have provided them both with the winning formula."
Comprent Motor Sports is the official customer service representative for
the Elan DP-02 has over 20 years of experience in professional and SCCA
club racing. They are also the official USA distributor of Elite Racing
Transmissions, used in SCCA Formula Enterprise, agents for Pi Research
data systems and Bald Spot Sports seat kits.
Their knowledge of the DP-02 is second-to-none. Comprent won both the 2008
IMSA Lites Teams' and Drivers' Championships.
From its extensive facilities in Athens Georgia, Comprent offer full race
preparation and development services for CSR and Lites campaigns. Their in-
house technicians and engineers specialize in fabrication, machining,
transmissions, composites, data acquisition, and driver coaching.
Built by Elan Motorsports Technologies the DP-02 is a high-tech purpose-
built sports car designed to develop advanced drivers with aspirations of
graduating to the next level of professional racing. The single-seat DP-02
features an FIA certified carbon-fibre monocoque chassis built to the same
crash standards as European Formula 3, a 6-speed sequential 'no-lift
shift' Hewland gearbox and a high downforce tunnel-floor.
Top speed of an Elan DP-02 at most North American circuits approaches 170
mph, while their average speed is generally well over 115 mph resulting in
Lap times equally as fast or faster than ALMS GT2 and Star Mazda class
cars.
For further information on the Elan DP-02, SCCA CSR class and IMSA Lites
visit comprent.net
-credit: elan/csr
