The LMDh race against time

Far from the European cold, it was under the hot Florida sun that the various LMDh manufacturers met for the IMSA pre-season tests, less than two months before the start of the new era of Endurance. , symbolized by the 24 Hours of Daytona (January 28-29, 2023).

For two days, Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche thus sent their new prototypes to the track, the famous LMDh, or GTP (“Grand Touring Prototype”) for the name of the new premier category across the Atlantic. The advantage in the United States is that everything is open. It was therefore easy to wander around the abnormally empty paddock of the Daytona International Speedway to admire the different philosophies chosen by everyone. A visual and auditory pleasure, including for pilots.

Porsche 963 © IMSA

 » It’s great to see what’s happening for the category, rejoiced Simon Pagenaud, who drives an Acura ARX-06 from Meyer Shank Racing. I walked in the paddock yesterday (Tuesday, December 6) and I was able to look at the different aerodynamic versions between the BMW, the Acura, the Porsche and the Cadillac. The mechanical part also by seeing how the engine compartment and the suspensions are distributed. It’s a bit like discovering the new Formula 1 cars every year. It’s very interesting and it’s a great new adventure. »

Newcomer to Acura and Wayne Taylor Racing, Louis Delétraz abounds.  » From the outside, I find the BMW very pretty… after the Acura, of course! (