IMSA: Cadillacs and BMWs have been most reliable GTP cars so far

After two years of planning, design and development, it is a new beginning in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class with the hybrid electrified cars at the Rolex 24 At Daytona.

The three Cadillac V-LMDh entries combined to turn 366 laps in six free practice sessions without incident or protracted time on pit lane as they gathered data about mechanical and aerodynamic setups, tire wear and the hybrid system’s performance contributions among other items.

The same cannot be said for the faster Acuras and Porsches.

The Porsche 963s experienced a suspension failure and a wheel bearing issue on Friday. The No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Acura ARX-06 had to change a fuel pump before the third session and the missed a bunch of time. The No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing Acura missed the second half of the third session while a brake issue was fixed.

In qualifying Nick Tandy pulled out all stops: the outright Le Mans winner of 2015 set top times in the first two sectors and was on course for pole position – only to lose the rear of his Porsche 963 when braking for the last chicane. The vehicle shot over the grass and crashed into the tire barrier. Despite damage to the front of the car, Tandy managed to drive slowly back to the pits.

Philipp Eng was unconcerned at BMW M Team RLL qualifying down in seventh and eighth. “I think we could already see that in free practice we don’t have the outright one-lap pace,” he said. “But we just need to make sure that the car is in a good window and the driveability is good. The 24-hour race starting position doesn’t really matter.”

The electrified Cadillac prototype features an all-new Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V8 engine developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan, with a seven-speed sequential gearbox. IMSA has specified the power output at 670 horsepower, including the hybrid system; weight at 1,030kg without fuel and driver; and a maximum of 8,800 RPM.

While the Acuras and the Porsches appear to have the outright pace advantage so far, the BMWs and Cadillacs are hoping a trouble-free race will propel them to victory next Sunday.

Porsche hoping ‘God’ (i.e. IMSA) will intervene in GTD

In the GTD-Pro class, the new Porsche 911 GT3 R (Gen. 992) concluded its qualifying debut in eighth place. Works driver Laurens Vanthoor from Belgium turned seven qualifying laps and improved significantly over the course of the session. However, the vehicle fielded by the defending champions Pfaff Motorsports was unable to join the fight for pole position. In the GTD category, the six new identical 415 kW (565 PS) GT3 vehicles from Weissach also struggled. Jan Heylen (Belgium) and factory driver Kévin Estre from France planted the two cars from Wright Motorsports on positions 14 and 18. Both cars fielded by Kelly-Moss with Riley take up the race from P19 and P20 of the GTD field. Lining up on the grid behind them are the vehicles from MDK Motorsports (P21) and AO Racing (P23).

“Our cars haven’t been able to match the pace of the competition since the Roar began,” explains Sebastian Golz, Project Manager Porsche 911 GT3 R.

“On the one hand, the Balance of Performance process is based on basic data such as the vehicle’s weight, engine output and aerodynamics, which help determine the initial classification. On the other hand, what is taken into account is the data collected out on the circuit under comparable track and weather conditions. The organizer receives the data when the qualifying session is over so that the adjustment of the BoP process can begin. We work closely with the organizers and look forward to a balanced field for the race.”

Driver of the #9 Porsche 911 GT3 R, Laurens Vanthoor said, “We have a new car. And this version of the 911 GT3 R is also new for the IMSA management. So there’s a lot to learn for all parties – also in terms of the classification. At the moment it’s obvious that all of the GT3 Porsche are too slow. I gave it my best shot in qualifying – I can’t do more. I have complete confidence in everyone involved that things will go in the right direction for the race.”

Mark C. reporting for AutoRacing1.com