By alley - Nov 10, 2016, 3:20 PM ET

IMSA: DPi testing ramps up

The private race among Daytona Prototype international manufacturers to complete testing mileage continues to build. Although Cadillac has yet to formally confirm the existence of its Dallara-built DPi, and Mazda only acknowledged its DPi in a media advisory that went out on Wednesday, both brands have been busy compiling hours of testing in preparation for full 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship factory campaigns.

Nissan, the third member of IMSA's DPi debut class in partnership with the Tequila Patron ESM team, will see its twin-turbo V6-powered Ligier JS P217 test in America for the first time in late December.

Outside of the behind-the-scenes testing for Cadillac and Mazda, it was believed the Japanese brand's scheduled DPi unveiling next Wednesday at the LA Auto Show would serve as the first look at IMSA's P2-based Prototype formula.

In an unexpected twist, RACER has learned Cadillac could earn that distinction during next week's open test at Daytona. Although the presence of the Cadillac DPis

was not included on IMSA's entry list for the event

, entries from the Action Express Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing teams are said to be headed to Daytona to participate.

Starting Tuesday, first images of the Cadillac with its naturally-aspirated V8 engine and custom DPi bodywork could be captured around the 3.56-mile circuit along with the 12 others cars scheduled to attend. The sound of the Cadillac V8, with its top-mounted exhaust exits, is also said to be a significant departure from its predecessor, the Corvette Daytona Prototype, which routed its exhausts out through the sidepods in front of the rear wheels.

Given the program's intensely secrecretive efforts so far, it also wouldn't be a surprise to learn it has oped out of having its cars photographed in public prior to an official unveiling. Regardless, the potential appearance of the Cadillacs at Daytona – site of the season opener in January – would follow a recent endurance outing at Charlotte where one or more of its cars participated in a 24-hour-plus test.

Mazda, which will have one of its DPis and half of its driver roster at the LA Auto Show at the same approximate time of the Daytona test, will not run alongside Cadillac with the sister car. Like the General Motors DPi, Mazda's Riley-built Prototype has also been active with private testing, and while the SpeedSource-led program will skip Daytona next week, it's tabbed to return the following week and make additional Daytona visits before the next official IMSA test in December.

IMSA revealed the plan for multiple engines and custom bodywork with its new DPi formula on April 11, 2015; hopefully, on Tuesday, 584 days later, fans will get to see them run in anger.