Multimatic ‘Has the Capacity’ for Additional DPi Manufacturer

Photo: Multimatic

Multimatic has the capacity to support an additional DPi manufacturer, amid the increased interest in IMSA’s burgeoning prototype platform, according to company President and COO Raj Nair.

The development comes in the wake of Ford’s uncertain future in sports car racing, with the manufacturer yet to commit to a presence in prototype racing following the conclusion of its factory Ford GT program at the end of this year.

Multimatic currently enjoys a long-term partnership with Mazda in the build and engineering of the Team Joest-entered Mazda RT24-P, although Nair said their presence in IMSA could be extended to another team or manufacturer in the future.

“We’ve got capacity. If it’s the right program and the right situation, absolutely,” Nair told Sportscar365

“Because the motorsports and engineering group are so integrated with the rest of the company, we’re able to flex a lot of resources in and out, depending on what’s going on with the rest of the business.”

While being Canadian-based, the automotive engineering and motorsports firm employs thousands of people worldwide, with facilities spread across the U.S., Europe, Asia and Australia.

Nair, who joined the company last year following his exit as Ford’s President of North America, said Multimatic has great flexibility in being able to gear up, or scale down its motorsports programs, even in short notice.

“The rest of the Multimatic business is actually much bigger than the motorsports side,” he explained.

“It’s the same engineering team that’s working on both. That’s one of our great recruiting tools, even for the rest of the business.

“It’s a great way to leverage that and not be totally dependent on the whims of what’s going to happen next season.”

Multimatic “Pretty Agnostic” to Prototype Regs Future

Nair said they have the flexibility to develop projects for both IMSA’s DPi 2.0 and the in-flux ‘Hypercar’ regulations from the FIA and ACO, which have yet to be fully confirmed.

“We at Multimatic are pretty agnostic to that because we support everyone,” he said. “We can do different cars based on different regs based on what our customers want.

“But I think for the sport as a whole, there’s some efficiencies and areas to be gained if you have similar cars.

“For a while there, that was driving a lot of what was going on in GTLM and GTE. It definitely works but it’s hard to maintain the same rules across the ocean.

“From our side, we’re happy to support whichever way the rules go but clearly from the broader sport side, as much communization as you can, I think is good for the sport.”

Nair has praised IMSA for its approach to the development of its next generation of DPi regulations, which are due to debut in 2022.

“I think it’s been very collaborative,” he said. “I think the IMSA approach… Jim France has set up a really great relationship with the OEMs, the manufacturers, the engine manufacturers and sponsors.

“It’s always a tough discussion but I think the way IMSA approaches it is a model for a lot of people on how to approach rules changes.

“It’s a hard job. But I think everyone is on an equal footing in terms of communication and everyone feels like they have a say at the table. I think that’s important.

“Whatever comes out, everyone will feel like they’ve been a part of it, and that’s a big factor.”

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