Formerly the LMDh, the new car will race at the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona
- The GTP will debut at the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona next January.
- The car, which has a mild hybrid component, was originally called the LMDh.
- The first semi-official test of the GTP/Hypercar will be in conjunction with the IMSA season-ender, Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta,
On March 15, 29 representatives showed up in person, another 21 checked in via Zoom for a meeting of all the suppliers and manufacturers involved in the new IMSA Prototype car, the GTP, which will debut at the 2023 Rolex 24 at Daytona next January.
In a press conference Wednesday, IMSA and WEC officials said that it has been surprisingly smooth sailing for the new car, which was announced at the Rolex in January of 2020, and was delayed by a year due to the pandemic.
The car, which has a mild hybrid component, was originally called the LMDh. IMSA now calls it the GTP, and the WEC calls it the Hypercar, but mechanically, they are identical, and are designed to be able to compete in both IMSA and WEC, including in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The press conference included comments by IMSA vice president of competition Simon Hodgson, IMSA technical director Matt Kurdock, IMSA senior engineer for performance and simulation Bill Pearson, ACO director of competition Thierry Bouvet and IMSA president John Doonan, as well as representatives from hybrid powertrain supplier Bosch, battery supplier Williams Advanced Engineering and gearbox supplier Xtrac.
The upshot: Cooperation among competitors and suppliers has been unprecedented. There are 25 tests planned between now and the Rolex 24 by the manufacturers, who are following Porsche’s lead, as the company has already logged track time in Barcelona in its new GTP/Hypercar. IMSA was “very pleased with the test, said Kurdock, and problems with the hybrid system were described as “very small” by Pearson, and promptly addressed.
Said one of the suppliers: “There is no hiding, everyone shares – it’s a new era in motorsports.” Of course, once 2023 arrives, “All bets are off.”
The first semi-official test of the GTP/Hypercar will be in conjunction with the IMSA season-ender, Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta, and will take place October 3-5. A mandatory test for teams that plan to compete in the 2023 Rolex 24 is scheduled for December 6-7 at Daytona.
Though eligible, no LMH cars, which compete in the WEC, have signed up to run at Daytona. The deadline is September 1, and if an LMH team signs up, the car will have to undergo testing, including in the wind tunnel.
Keyword: IMSA Officials 'Very Pleased' with Progress of New GTP Car