IMSA has published the initial WeatherTech SportsCar Championship Balance of Performance table for the season that will be in effect for the Roar Before the 24. While the weight, restrictor and fuel cell capacities listed, as well as maximum power and maximum stint energy for the GTP category, will be in effect for the the Jan. 19-21 test sessions and qualifying for the Rolex 24 At Daytona, the sanctioning body can and has made changes between the Roar and race weekend.
For the GTP class’s first race in 2023, all the cars had equal weight and maximum power. That has changed for this year, although the variances are not relatively large. The Acura ARX-06 will be the heaviest of the four LMDh cars at 1072kg, with the Porsche 963 at 1051kg, the BMW M Hybrid V8 at 1030kg and the Cadillac V-Series.R 1kg lighter than the BMW. Maximum power ranges from 510kW for the Cadillac up to 520kW for the Acura. The Cadillac is allowed the least maximum stint energy at 902MJ, and the Acura the most at 920MJ.
With Sean Creech Motorsport bringing the Ligier JS P217 back into LMP2 competition, the series has, as promised, elected not to treat it and the ORECA differently, and both will have a 950kg minimum weight. Aero specifications will remain as homologated.
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IMSA introduced a new BoP testing procedure at the December homologation test, with each GT3 manufacturer nominating a team and driver to carry out series-prescribed tests on their behalf. Those tests included qualifying simulations and full-stint runs to gauge performance of each car. In the past, new GT3 cars coming into GTD PRO or GTD were often hit pretty hard at Daytona before being brought into line at subsequent races. The new procedure was intended to give all the cars equal footing at Daytona, which is a fairly unique track thanks to very long, fast “straights” and a tight infield section.
Three new cars are entering the GTD and GTD PRO ranks for 2024: the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, the Ford Mustang GT3 and an evo version of the Aston Martin Vantage. For the Roar, the Corvette will weight 1335kg and have a 50mm restrictor. The Mustang will be a bit lighter at 1315kg, with air flowing through a pair of 35mm restrictors. The Aston Martin starts at 1325kg. The heaviest car will the Mercedes AMG GT3 at 1390kg, while the Porsche 911 GT3 R is the lightest at 1305kg.
Roar Before the 24 testing begins on Friday, Jan. 19.