IMSA to Control GTD Performance

Photo: IMSA

While IMSA adopts FIA GT3-spec machinery for its GT Daytona class next year, the cars won’t run in the same configuration seen in other popular GT3 championships, with series-imposed performance adjustments set to be enforced in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

Sportscar365 has learned that all 2016 GTD class cars will receive a 50 kg increase in minimum weight and 10 percent reduction in horsepower, in an effort to maintain a reasonable gap in performance from the GT Le Mans class.

IMSA declined comment when asked by Sportscar365, regarding the adjustments.

The adjustments, which have been agreed upon by all GT manufacturers, will result in a noteworthy reduction in speeds.

It’s understood that if the weight and restrictor changes will not be enough to keep GTD cars outside of a 4 percent performance window of GTLM, IMSA may also reduce the width of the GTD cars’ rear wings.

With the this month’s Daytona test not mandatory for manufacturers, IMSA is set to begin its Balance of Performance process with wind tunnel and dyno testing for all GTLM and GTD cars, prior to January’s Roar Before the Rolex 24.

Similar BoP measures involving weight and air restrictor adjustments have been made to GT3 cars in other series, including the European Le Mans Series, in order to maintain class separation with GTE-spec machinery.

The development come in the wake of news of the class being restricted to IMSA Automotive Partners only, first revealed by Sportscar365 in August.

It’s understood only seven GT3 manufacturers out of a potential dozen-plus automakers have committed to the participation requirements so far.

John Dagys

John Dagys is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sportscar365. Dagys spent eight years as a motorsports correspondent for FOXSports.com and SPEED Channel and has contributed to numerous other motorsports publications worldwide. Contact John