Cadillac DPi Set to Begin Testing

Photo: Cadillac

While the program has not yet been officially announced, Cadillac’s DPi contender is set to soon begin on-track testing in preparation for the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season

Multiple industry sources have indicated to Sportscar365 that a Dallara-chassised LMP2 car, fitted with a Cadillac-badged V8 engine, will run for the first time in the next few weeks at an undisclosed circuit in the U.S.

Details on the first planned rollout have not yet been disclosed but it’s understood that it will not feature the Cadillac-specific bodywork package, as it is not yet ready. Instead, the first car may run with Dallara’s generic LMP2 bodywork.

Wayne Taylor Racing, which holds close ties to the Italian manufacturer, is believed to be the team that will handle initial testing duties on behalf of GM and Dallara.

WTR will be joined by Action Express Racing with Cadillac DPi machinery next year, with Visit Florida Racing also believed to be campaigning a Dallara-built Cadillac after having evaluated multiple options.

The car will feature a Chevrolet-based normally aspirated V8 engine, tuned by ECR engines, instead of the Cadillac V6 twin-turbo from the ATS-V.R GT3, which had been initially considered.

Pratt & Miller, which designed the Corvette DP bodywork and provided engineering support, is understood not to be part of the Cadillac DPi project, which is being undertaken largely by Dallara.

A formal program announcement may not come until the LA Auto Show in mid-November, the same week official IMSA testing takes place at Daytona, where all of the new-for-2017 Prototypes are expected to make their public debuts.

It’s unclear when the Mazda DPi will begin testing, although it’s understood the Riley Mk. 30, which the Mazda will be based on, may not be turning its first laps until early October.

Both the Ligier JS P217 and Oreca 05, in LMP2 specification with the spec Gibson engine, are expected to break cover early next month for testing.

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