IMSA test session for the new GTP class
Less Than 36 Hours after being presented to the fans at Motul Petit Le Mans, Acura, BMW and Cadillac got back on track at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta with their new GTP class cars.
New Regulations
IMSA and ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest in charge of WEC (FIA World Endurance Championship) created jointly the LMDh car’s regulations allowing LMDh and Le Mans Hypercar (LMH) cars to compete equivalent classes in both the WeatherTech Championship and FIA World Endurance Championship.
New Cars - New Manufacturers
The future of endurance races will be lead by new Prototypes of more than 670 horsepower from the combined output of a combustion engine and hybrid powertrain.
Whether the car is one or another (either a LMH or a LMDh Regulations) it can race in the Hypercar class (WEC) or the GTP class (IMSA).
📷 © Luc Warnotte.
Both championships attract new manufacturers as BMW (with Team RLL) and Porsche (with Penske) who will compete with Acura and Cadillac in the 2023 IMSA championships; Lamborghini is due in 2024.
In WEC, Toyota and Peugeot have already aligned two cars each in the current championship, Cadillac V-LMDh (with Chip Ganassi Racing), Ferrari 312 PB (with AF Corse) and Porsche 963 (with Penske) will join next year. BMW (with WRT team), and Lamborghini are due in 2024
📷 © Luc Warnotte Road Atlanta 2022.
Acura, BMW and Cadillac participated to the IMSA-sanctioned three days test giving restricted numbers of media members the opportunity to capture on-track video and photography of the new 2023 GTP. Access to paddock and pit lane was prohibited unless approved by manufacturer.
📷 © Luc Warnotte @ Road Atlanta 2022.
Before our trip back to Europe, we had the opportunity to bring you some photos from Monday morning session.
Acura
📷 © Luc Warnotte.
The 2022 DPi champion was present with two ARX06: #10 Wayne Taylor Racing and #60 Meyer Shank Racing W/Curb-Agajan.
📷 © Luc Warnotte.
Filipe Albuqueqrque and Ricky Taylor will be the driver roster for #10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06. They will be joined by Louis Deletraz for the Michelin Cup races (Daytona, Sebring, The Glen and Road Atlanta).
Blomqvist is confirmed to drive the #60 Meyer Shank ARX-06 LMDh car next year. Co-driver is yet to be announced.
BMW
📷 © Luc Warnotte.
After the BMW M Hybrid V8’s accident at Watkins Glen International last week, BMW M Motorsport, Team RLL and chassis partner Dallara have worked hard to get its GTP car ready for IMSA test. Lap times were not published but we saw Blomqvist on board of Acura #60 catching and then passing the BMW in a few laps. Obviously, this says nothing about the performance of both cars as we have no information about the teams goals at that moment.
Cadillac
📷 © Luc Warnotte @ Road Atlanta 2022.
It was the Cadillac V-LMDh’s return to Road Atlanta since suffering a crash here in August, in what is believed to be have been the first on-track accident for a LMDh car in testing.
E. Bamber, A. Lynn and Richard Westbrook will drive the Cadillac V-LMDh in the seven WEC races, including Cadillac's first outing to the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2002. The 2023 WEC season begins March 17 with the 1,000 Miles of Sebring in Florida.
Renger Van der Zande and Sebastien Bourdais will continue as teammates in a Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared Cadillac V-LMDh..
Pipo Derani, the 2021 IMSA DPi champion, will be paired with Alexander Sims in the sister Cadillac V-LMDh prepared by Action Express Racing.
All seven Cadillac Racing drivers are participating in the on-track development of the GTP Cadillac V-LMDh.
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