IMSA Daytona Action Heats Up Ahead of Rolex 24
The IMSA WeatherTech Championship is gearing up for one of its most iconic events, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. As teams prepare for this grueling endurance race, there's a flurry of activity, adjustments, and strategic planning underway. From unexpected setbacks to rule changes, here's a comprehensive look at what's happening before the race kicks off.
Unexpected Setbacks: Car Fire Forces All-Nighter for Autosport
One of the most dramatic stories coming out of the IMSA paddock is the incident involving the 13 Autosport crew. During Thursday night's practice session, their Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R caught fire during refueling. The team had to pull an all-nighter to get the car back on track for Friday's final practice session.
Fortunately, a GM spokesperson confirmed that there was no damage to the engine. The crew took the entire car apart overnight and put it back together, ready for the race. Team owner/driver Orey Fidani expressed his pride in the team's effort: 'The boys and girls worked all night and haven't gone home. They took the whole car apart overnight and put it back together for today. I think it's a perfect car and we're ready for the race. We want to go out and win this race for them.'
Balance of Performance Adjustments Ahead of the Race
IMSA's managing director of engineering, Matt Kurdock, confirmed that the Balance of Performance (BoP) for both the GTP and GTD Pro/GTD classes this weekend has been established according to each car's homologation parameters. This means that previous track-based data was not taken into account due to a combination of Evolution jokers for all LMDh cars, Evos for three of the ten GT3 models, and all-new or updated Michelin tires for both classes.
Kurdock indicated that plans are in place to return to a rolling race average beginning with the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March. This adjustment ensures a level playing field for all competitors, especially as new technologies and updates are introduced.
New Tire Strategy: Michelin's Role in the GTP Class
With unseasonably warm temperatures forecast for the race, teams are strategizing around Michelin's new-generation Soft tire in the GTP class. Per a competition bulletin from IMSA, teams can opt to use the Soft tire between 5 p.m. on Saturday through 10 a.m. on Sunday, with the Medium compound having no restrictions during the entire race.
Penske Racing President Jonathan Diuguid, who doubles as the race strategist on the No. 6 Penske Porsche 963, predicts that the Soft tire may not play as much of a factor as originally anticipated. He said: 'We'll see what the track temperature gets down to. I think there will be some Soft usage for sure but more of a result of how many Mediums people used during the practice sessions, rather than it being the preferred tire at that point.'
Porsche's Commitment to the GTP Program
Porsche Motorsport boss Thomas Laudenbach indicated that the German manufacturer is 'committed' to continue past next year with the factory Porsche Penske Motorsport program in GTP. He said: 'Like Roger [Penske] said, if we race, we race together. Yes we are committed to carry on after that.'
Sportscar365 understands that Penske holds a contract with Porsche through the end of the 2027 season, although it also had the same deal for the WEC, which was dissolved early at the end of last year. This commitment ensures that Porsche will remain a strong force in the GTP class for the foreseeable future.
Reigning GTP Champion Adjusts to New Lineup
Reigning GTP champion Matt Campbell, who is currently only confirmed for the first two races of the season as the third driver in the No. 6 Porsche, admits it's been a strange experience not having longtime friend and co-driver Mathieu Jaminet on the team. 'Obviously I don't have 'JamJam.' That's the weirdest thing,' Campbell said. Despite the change, Campbell is ready to take on the challenge and maintain his championship status.
Final Practice Insights: Bronze-Rated Drivers Take the Helm
A 15-minute practice session for FIA Bronze-rated drivers preceded the final session on Friday morning. Unofficially, Chris Cumming topped the charts in the LMP2 class, while Kenny Habul and Ryan Hardwick led the way in GTD Pro and GTD, respectively. These sessions provide valuable data for teams as they fine-tune their strategies for the upcoming race.
Looking Ahead: What to Expect from the Rolex 24
As the teams and drivers prepare for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, anticipation is building for what promises to be an exciting and competitive race. From the drama of the all-night repairs to the strategic adjustments and rule changes, every aspect of the race is finely tuned for success. Stay tuned for live coverage and updates as the race unfolds.
