Sports prototype

A sports prototype, sometimes referred to simply as a prototype, is a type of race car that is used in high-level categories of sports car racing.

They are purpose-built auto-sports race cars, as opposed to production-car based or street-legal, low-volume homologation specials – thus entirely not intended for consumer purchase, or production beyond the fabrication of the (nearly) unique cars entered into races and in race-car competition classes or "formulas", with sufficiently open regulations to allow for vehices of unique design to partake.

From the 1953 season to 1984, the World Sportscar Championship titles were awarded to manufacturers of sports prototypes (except 1978–1981).

From 1985 to 1992, titles were awarded to teams entering sports prototypes.

Sometimes, they are metonymically referred to as "Le Mans cars", as the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been closely associated with the category in recent decades and features entries from several of the main championships contested by prototypes.