Bosch System Gives Wickens a “Chance” at LMDh Drive

Bosch’s new LMDh-derived hand control braking system could give Robert Wickens a “chance” to compete in top level prototypes in the future according to the Canadian driver.

The new system makes use of the Bosch-made electronic braking system from the current-generation LMDh cars, with modifications made to work with the hand controls Wickens uses in his Hyundai Elantra N TCR in IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

“I think it provides opportunity,” Wickens told Sportscar365.

“I think it’s safe to say the system that we developed with Bryan Herta Autosport and Hyundai, its ceiling was more or less at the level of the TCR category and I’ve always had ambitions of trying to have the opportunity to explore the possibilities of racing in WeatherTech or even other professional categories around the world, frankly.”

With Hyundai having recently announced a LMDh program under Genesis branding, Wickens is optimistic about how the new hand control braking system could help him achieve his goal of racing in top-flight prototypes.

“I think racing an LMDh or GTP would always be the ultimate goal of mine,” he said.

“I want to race for overall victory like anybody, but first and foremost I need to get myself in the WeatherTech [Championship] first, and right now I don’t have anything confirmed so we’re going to keep working hard and try to see what we can find.

“It’s not a guarantee by any stretch of the imagination, but it does give me a chance. So if I do have that opportunity one day, hopefully I have a chance to make that happen.”

Bosch Motorsport senior applications engineer Jordan Krell said the new system could be adapted for use in a number of different race cars, including in a LMDh cockpit.

“There’s a lot of components in this that are from the LMDh system,” said Krell. “So they’re already race-proven, but now we’re putting them in a new application.

“We designed it to be very modular, to be able to go into pretty much any race car. So with the LMDh is actually less work than it would be to go into a TCR.”

Wickens also spoke to his excitement about the system’s ability to be used across different platforms.

“I think with this Bosch system, although there will always be adaptation from car to car, it’s the base of something that I can take from one car to the next,” he said.

“It limits the time demand of having an opportunity to test another car substantially. It reduces the financial risk of the next team owner quite substantially of trying to develop something that doesn’t exist.

“So with the help of Bosch, we’ve now created an electric brake system that we can take from car to car, from paddock to paddock, and then give myself further opportunities for my motorsport career.”

Bosch Motorsports North America director Jacob Bergenske said the ability to open the door for more than just able-bodied drivers was a part of the mission being creating the system.

“I think if you look at the success of LMDh, a hybrid system is not new and racing, but the platform of LMDh is such that you have a parity and that creates the excitement that we all love on track and that what this system is about,” he said.

“Creating that parity and opportunity for not just your able-bodied drivers but people who are not fully able to race at the top levels of racing and Robert is here to prove that.”

Wickens: New Braking System “Only Going to Get Better” Amid Successful TCR Debut

The system was tested and developed by Wickens ahead of its race debut in last weekend’s Pilot Challenge round at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, with Wickens driving to a second place class finish in his No. 33 Hyundai.

Wickens said the new hand controls are a significant step up from his current system in terms of appearance, feel and overall performance.

“When you look in the passenger side door of our race car now, it looks like there’s brake system that belongs in a race car,” he said. “It’s still very young in its life. It’s just going to keep getting better and better.

“With the prior brake system, I had a pneumatic actuator to help me basically apply more brake pressure.

“I can only squeeze so hard with my hands. And then we had the pneumatic actuator to finish off the job to get me to the same amount of brake pressure that my able-bodied teammates can do.

“Where now, I have basically all the pressure I want instantaneously when I want it, as if I’m an able-bodied driver again. So from a competitive aspect, I think it’s a big step forward in my journey.

“It responds extremely consistent to my inputs and whatnot. I would just love to continue to work on the feeling that I get.

“But honestly, it feels great. So far it’s doing everything I want it to do and with no latencies, no surprises like I’ve had in the past. I’m just really looking forward to just the potential that this system has for me.”