Daytona United SportsCar test halted after big crashes

USC officials suspended testing in the Prototype class and in the one-make Prototype Challenge division after Richard Westbrook's Spirit of Daytona Coyote-Chevrolet and the identical Action Express car became airborne following high-speed tyre failures.

A statement read: "Officials from IMSA [the USC's sanctioning body] and [tyre supplier] Continental Tire have jointly decided to suspend on-track testing of USC Prototype and Prototype Challenge race cars after issues were discovered during testing at Daytona International Speedway on Tuesday.

"IMSA and Continental Tire are analysing the situation and working towards a solution."

Westbrook flipped when his Coyote Daytona Prototype suffered what was reported to be a blown right-rear tyre as he approached Turn 1. The car somersaulted at least once before landing on its wheels.

The Chevrolet factory driver was treated at the circuit medical centre before being released.

Barbosa also reported becoming airborne when he sustained a puncture in the Action Express car near the end of the test.

PERFORMANCE UPGRADES FOR DP CARS

The DPs were running the same Hoosier-made Continental tyre on which they have raced at the Daytona 24 Hours for the past two years, but the test was being run to evaluate changes designed to increase the performance of the cars for 2014.

The upgraded cars have significantly more downforce in their new configuration thanks to a new-spec rear-wing and ground-effect tunnels, as well as an increase in engine power.

The best time of the test on Tuesday, a 1m39.623s set by the Action Express car, was 0.9 seconds quicker than pole for January's 24 Hours at Daytona.

A revised tyre, to be known as 'Black' specification and modelled on the existing tyre, is due to be introduced in time for the traditional January Daytona test.

Testing for the GT classes is continuing.