So basically GT, circa 1998.
In a way, yes. If those cars had continued to evolve using modern aerodynamics. Realistically, I'm thinking more along the lines of a Corvette DP built using LMP2 chassis materials and techniques. And instead of making your Prototype car look like a specific car (like some of the GT1 cars did, at least pre-'98 yadda, yadda, homologation cars, road-going, etc.), you could just use the general design language your entire brand is using (similar to the Furai).
If anything, they should keep the P2 class. This will allow the Grand-ALMS to stay relevant in the international community. Nissan(Has a HUGE market in the USA), Honda/Acura(Same), and even Chevrolet(Currently power the LMPC cars, they ARE an American Brand) and Ford(Could hit the ground running with "Beat Chevy" and "Take back Endurance Racing") could take a pretty good swing at an LMP2 fight.
A key change would be making the engine regs allow V8 engines. Let Chevy pin their V8 against the Ford V8, and whatever witchcraft they're discussing over at Mazda/Honda/Nissan/Judd. That would add manufacturer relevance to the equation. Heck, with V8's allowed, we could even see BMW put the new M5 engine in one. Pick your engine, pick your frame. (Sounds a bit like DP, right?) Go racing.
As much as this seems like a good idea, I really just don't see it happening for a number of reasons:
1. LMP2's currently only field two full time teams with an additional two racing part-time. Of those, one of them raced at the first two races and hasn't raced since.
2. LMP's will be getting new ACO regulations in 2014, so all the teams currently fielding LMP cars will have to be buying new machinery anyways, if there's even a remote chance that the LMP's are going to be replaced or merged in the future, I'd hope that the new series would just combine the classes now to avoid setting teams back financially just to keep the P2's on the track for a short time then watching them get combined with DP's anyways. Then those P2 teams would have to buy yet another car.
3. Daytona Prototypes, while relatively thin in numbers, still field more (or at least as many) cars than both ALMS LMP categories (I'm really not counting LMPC) combined assuming all full-time and part-time teams were racing at the same time. And that's not counting all part-time DP entries either.
4. With Ford currently developing it's Ecoboost 3.5l V6, and Aston Martin rumored to be considering a DP entry in the future, there seems to be more interest. I'm sure that any engine currently in a P2 car could be adjusted to compete in a "DP2" car. There's also the DeltaWing, and that could serve many manufacturers as well.
And most of those manufacturers could also be represented by a GT car, as well. HPD/Acura want to use their NSX, while Nissan could easily bring in the GT-R, especially if GT3-based rules are adopted for the Grand-Am GT class.
Keep DP until they run out of their useful life, and then try VERY hard to get those teams into LMP2 cars. With the continued plans for Cost-capping, and the relative closeness of the LMP2 field, this seems like a good deal.
Until that time comes, pump up the power on the DP cars. Make the DP's competitive on High-Speed tracks, and the LMP2's good for sharp tracks.
Like I said above, you're asking a larger portion of your teams to move to a car that only a handful are currently using, and half of that handful don't even race full time. Plus the car will be using entirely new regulations upon commencement of the 2014 season. DP's useful life, on the other hand, is 5-6 years, which means they'll be expiring around 2017-'18. Many of the teams that just bought their brand new DP's are most likely planning on running them until then, I assume. Again, strong chance that P2 will just be quickly phased out for a DP 3.5.
Delta Wing wont make it as it's own class in endurance racing. The moment a Porsche puts one off the track even faster than the Toyota did will cause everyone to relaise just how unsafe it is.
That remains to be seen, really.
Plus, the FIA are pushing for closed-cockpit LMP2 cars. This would be a step backwards.
Well then it's a good thing the DW will be racing in a series that is outside of the FIA's normal sanctioning (even though they're in good relations with them).
(means: "I wasn't listening very well." in French, the language spoken in Belgium)
