IMSA: Progress Continues in Development of Cadillac V-LMDh

Cadillac Racing continued working on its development checklist of the Cadillac V-LMDh during three days of testing this week at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

The sessions on the 2.54-mile, 12-turn natural-terrain road course were among many planned through the remainder of the year as Cadillac Racing prepares to contest the top category of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 2023.

The first IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race is in late January 2023 at Daytona International Speedway, so time is of the essence.

Cadillac V-LMDh race car front view testing on track at Road Atlanta. (Richard Prince/Cadillac Photo).

“Our focus has been on durability – which is putting as many miles on the car as possible,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “We have a lot of integration work with the engine, hybrid and electronic braking system. We are also working to understand the tires and make sure the driver experience is great, so they feel confident pushing the car to its limits in the races.”

IMSA has scheduled sanctioned tests for Oct. 3-5 and Dec. 6-7 for manufacturers planning to compete in the Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class. The Jan. 20-22 Roar Before the Rolex 24 will be the first official competition session.

Cadillac Racing drivers Pipo Derani, Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Sébastien Bourdais participated in the sessions at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.

“I think we had a really successful first test at Sebring and the guys at Cadillac have done a great job in the short break to take all the information and make some positive steps forward in the overall development of the car,” Bamber said. “We continue to learn about the engine and the hybrid system, which is new for everybody. Same goes for the powertrain and the chassis with Dallara.

“The car is wicked fun to drive. Now it’s about getting more miles, so it’s a busy time coming up with tests that are critical to the project. All eyes forward to 2023.”

Side profile of the Cadillac V-LMDh race car at Road Atlanta. (Richard Prince/Cadillac Photo).

Added reigning IMSA DPi champion Derani: “To be part of the program and develop this new hybrid technology with Cadillac Racing is fantastic for me as a driver. I’ve had a successful time with the DPi and now I’m looking forward to the future. The car was born quite well; there’s a strong base to start with. When a driver gets in a car, they immediately know if they’re going to be able to develop it into a good car or they’re going to have trouble with it. This car shows great promise. It gives us a reason to smile and keep working hard.”

Since 2017, Cadillac has competed at the forefront of American sports car racing in IMSA in the DPi class, where it has recorded 27 victories, three Manufacturer Championships and four Manufacturer Endurance Cup Championships. Cadillac Racing has also won three Team and Driver Championships.

Five Cadillac DPi-V.R entries will compete for the brand’s fifth victory of the season Oct. 1 in the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.