Valkyrie Gets Power Reduction for Sebring Debut

Photo: Mike Levitt/IMSA

Aston Martin’s new Valkyrie has received a reduction in power ahead of the car’s IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship debut next weekend at Sebring International Raceway.

As detailed in IMSA’s newly released Balance of Performance table for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the V12-powered LMH car will be limited to a maximum output of 509 kW (682 hp) at the first power stage of speeds below 230 km/h.

It marks a sizable 11 kW (14.7 hp) reduction compared to the car’s configuration at last month’s IMSA-sanctioned test at the Florida airfield circuit, although it will benefit from a slight 0.8 percent power increase at speeds higher than 240 km/h.

The Aston, which also receives a 12 kg weight reduction, isn’t the only GTP class car to have received power cuts at the first stage, with the BMW M Hybrid V8 and Cadillac V-Series.R both getting -6 kW (8 hp) reductions, with the Porsche 963 at a 9 kW (12 hp) deficit compared to the Sebring test.

While the Acura ARX-06 gets a 2 kW (2.68 hp) reduction as well, only the Lamborghini SC63 has received a power increase at Stage 1, to the tune of 2 kW.

Notably, the Porsche receives a 1.8 percent increase in two-stage power, with the Cadillac up by 1.2 percent and the Lamborghini down by 1.9 percent at the top-end.

In terms of minimum weight changes since the test, the Acura (+6 kg), Cadillac (+5 kg) and Lamborghini (+2 kg) have all gotten heavier, with the BMW (-5 kg) and Porsche (-2 kg) shedding weight in addition to the new Aston.

Porsche Penske Motorsport led the way in the Sebring test with its No. 6 Porsche 963, which was some 1.8 seconds quicker than the best driver in the new LMH-spec Valkyrie.

Each of the nine GT3-spec cars that are eligible for GTD Pro and GTD, meanwhile, have underwent changes since the two-day test as well, although all are relatively minor in power and/or weight.

The BMW M4 GT3 EVO, Ford Mustang GT3 and Porsche 911 GT3 R have all gained 3 kg, while the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R has a 2 kg minimum weight increase.

Slight power adjustments, either through Stage 1 or/or Stage 2, have been made to the BMW, Mustang GT3, Porsche, Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo, Ferrari 296 GT3, Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2, Lexus RC F GT3, and Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo.

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