Formal: WTR Leaning on GTP Torque Sensor Experience in GTD

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Wayne Taylor Racing is pooling its resources from the GTP class amid the debut of torque sensors in the GTD category according to Danny Formal, who revealed that he’s had to adjust his driving style in order to prevent power spikes.

While having been utilized in the top prototype class since the LMDh platform’s debut in 2023, torque sensors will now also be equipped on all GT3 cars competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, as a new tool in the sanctioning body’s balance of performance system.

Formal, who returns to WTR’s Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 entry in GTD alongside new-for-2025 co-driver Trent Hindman, believes that the integration of torque sensors into the GTD class will deliver even closer competition this year.

“It’s a big switch in GTD with the new torque sensors that I’m very [much] looking forward to driving,” he said. “I think the parity of the class is already pretty close and I think with torque sensors, it’s going to make it that much closer.

“Watching the GTD guys qualify [and the entire field be separated] within four-tenths is just insane.

“I’m very much looking forward to being able to race with the torque sensors.

“BoP has really been a thing in GTD in the past and I think with the torque sensors, it should make everything a lot closer, just like the GTP class.

“That makes me super excited to be able to race in an almost equal playing field to any other GTD car.”

When asked by Sportscar365 if he’s felt a big difference in the approach of driving the car with the sensors, Formal said it’s taken a team effort to dial in the specifics.

As is the case in GTP, GTD Pro and GTD teams will have now have to dial in their cars to prevent so-called power spikes that could be caused by excessive wheel spin, particularly when driving over curbs.

“You definitely have to drive [the car] a little bit differently,” said Formal. “I talked to Jordan and Ricky [Taylor] about it, just because, especially Jordan had the most recent GT experience and then I asked him what’s the big difference in torque sensors.

“He said you have to drive a little bit smoother, not getting [power] spikes over curbs and bumps.

“But at the end of the day it comes down to the team and the team of engineers to tell you where you’re doing the over-spikes or where you have to change your driving style.

“We have to rely a lot on the experience we have in GTP. They have two years’ of experience with torque sensors, so we’re translating that to us in GTD.

“The engineers have so much more data. It really comes down to the engineering squad and the drivers just making sure the drivers are on the same page and helping each other to see where you get those spikes and what kind of driving style helps and benefits from that.”

Formal: Hindman Brings “New Tricks” to WTR Effort

The Costa Rican, who had previously been paired with Kyle Marcelli in both Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America and GTD competition, will have former class champion Hindman as his new full-time co-driver this year, in a shakeup in the No. 45 Lamborghini’s lineup.

“Trent is a true professional,” said Formal. “He’s been with a different manufacturer, Porsche, for a couple of years now.

“He’s bringing a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge. He’s a professional driver, being the Gold [rated driver] in the car.

“I’ve known him since 2009. We were karting together in the U.S. He was one class below me because I was always one of the heavy kids, so I had to race one class above my age.

“Trent was a great karter and I’ve been following his career for a long time. He was with the team back in 2017; he started the same way I did, with team in Lamborghini Super Trofeo, and he did fantastic there.

“Every time you get in a car with a different driver, they have their tricks and what makes them fast. I’m very much looking forward to learning some of those tricks he has and hopefully I can share some of mine and things I’ve learned this past season.

“The Lamborghini has some specific driving styles that Kyle [Marcelli], Graham [Doyle] and myself had to learn to do.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what we can all accomplish together.”

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