Dallara SP1
Italian-built LMP that raced as Chrysler LMP and later with privateers.
The Dallara SP1, which also carried the name Chrysler LMP, was a Le Mans Prototype constructed by the Italian manufacturer Dallara. Chrysler Corporation originally used the car in its bid to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and later, private teams ran it in championships like the FIA Sportscar Championship and the Le Mans Series.
After Dallara helped build the Toyota GT-One in 1998, the Audi R8R in 1999, and the Audi R8 in 2000, the company chose to apply its experience to creating its own LMP900-class prototype for 2001. The goal was to offer customer teams a car that could compete against factory-backed efforts.
While the SP1’s design was still being finished, Chrysler was expanding its Le Mans program. Having won three class victories with the Chrysler Viper GTS-R, the company had already started prototype development, running two Reynard cars in 2000. For 2001, Chrysler and its partner Oreca decided to drop the Viper program and focus solely on prototypes. Needing a better car than the Reynard, Chrysler approached Dallara and agreed to use the SP1, which was still under development. With this partnership, the cars became known as Chrysler LMPs and were fitted with a Mopar 6.0L V8. Oreca helped Dallara develop the SP1 chassis, which is why the chassis code became DO (Dallara-Oreca).
After Chrysler left the program, privateers replaced the Mopar V8 with Judd V10s ranging from 4.0 to 5.0 litres. In 2005, Rollcentre Racing installed a turbocharged Nissan VQ V6, based on a JGTC unit, as part of an agreement with Nissan Motorsports to test the engine for a customer program. That project was considered a failure. The SP1 always used an X-Trac six-speed sequential gearbox, though Rollcentre upgraded it to a paddle-shift system in 2005.
The SP1’s appearance differed sharply from prototypes like the Audi R8. It featured many curved elements, including a large, rounded nose and footbox, as well as sweeping fenders. A large air intake nacelle sat on the side of the chassis, though it was later moved to a more conventional position on top near the roll hoop. The design also used multiple dive planes, including the first application of some on the nose. Later, vertical boards were added to the rear tail to increase downforce in combination with the rear wing.
As part of its deal with Chrysler, Dallara promised three SP1s for the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Manufacturer
- Dallara
- Class
- LMP900
- Engine
- Mopar 6.0L V8 (initial); later Judd V10s (4.0L to 5.0L); turbocharged Nissan VQ V6 (2005)
- Gearbox
- X-Trac 6-speed sequential-shift (upgraded to paddle-shift in 2005)
- Notable victory
- 2002 24 Hours of Daytona overall win (Doran Racing)
- Best le mans finish
- 4th overall (2001)
Lore & Background
Following Dallara's work on the Toyota GT-One, Audi R8R, and Audi R8, the company developed its own LMP900 prototype for customer teams. While the design was still being completed, Chrysler Corporation, expanding its Le Mans program after success with the Viper GTS-R, approached Dallara and partnered with Oreca to use the SP1. The cars became known as Chrysler LMPs, using a Mopar 6.0L V8, and the chassis carried the designation DO (Dallara-Oreca).
The SP1's design featured many curved elements including a large, rounded nose and footbox, sweeping fenders, and a large side air intake nacelle later moved to the top near the rollover hoop. It incorporated multiple dive planes, including some on the nose, and later vertical boards were added to the rear tail to increase downforce.
After Chrysler withdrew from the program at the end of 2001, Oreca continued as a privateer, replacing the Mopar V8 with Judd GV4 V10s. Other teams, including Doran Racing and Rollcentre Racing, later campaigned the SP1. In 2005, Rollcentre installed a turbocharged Nissan VQ V6 in one car, but the project was considered a failure.
Reader's Guide
The Dallara SP1's significance lies in its dual life as a factory-backed effort and a successful privateer platform. Its debut at the 2001 24 Hours of Le Mans saw a lone car finish fourth overall, 23 laps behind the winning Audi R8, demonstrating competitive pace. Chrysler's withdrawal after one season left the SP1 to be taken up by Oreca, who achieved a second-place finish and a win in the FIA Sportscar Championship, and fifth and sixth at Le Mans in 2002.
Doran Racing gave the SP1 its first overall victory at the 2002 24 Hours of Daytona, winning by six laps, and added three more wins that season. Rollcentre Racing later campaigned the car in the Le Mans Endurance Series, earning podium finishes and a fifth place at Sebring. The SP1's adaptability to different engines—from the Mopar V8 to Judd V10s and a brief Nissan turbo V6—underscored its versatility. Though never a class-dominating machine, the SP1 proved a credible contender against factory Audi and Bentley efforts, and its continued use by privateers extended its competitive life well beyond Chrysler's original program.
Did You Know?
- The SP1 was also known as the Chrysler LMP when used by Chrysler Corporation.
- The chassis designation DO stood for Dallara-Oreca.
- Doran Racing's SP1 won the 2002 24 Hours of Daytona overall by six laps.
- In 2005, Rollcentre Racing installed a turbocharged Nissan VQ V6 engine in one SP1, but the project was considered a failure.
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