Acura, Cadillac Set to Utilize Further Evo Jokers in 2026

Photo: Jake Galstad/IMSA

Both Acura and Cadillac are set to deploy additional Evo jokers for its LMDh cars ahead of the start of the 2026 FIA World Endurance Championship and/or IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship seasons.

The two cars, which debuted along with the Porsche 963 and BMW M Hybrid V8 in 2023, will take advantage of a mandatory re-certification of LMDh and LMH machinery by the FIA, ACO and IMSA that will require each prototype to undergo new validations at the Windshear wind tunnel in Concord, N.C. this fall and winter.

The FIA and ACO previously utilized Sauber’s wind tunnel in Switzerland for the homologation of Hypercars competing in the WEC, although Audi’s acquisition of the company for its Formula 1 program has resulted in both championship now utilizing the Windshear facility.

Honda Racing Corporation USA President David Salters admitted this will likely result in nearly all LMDh and LMH manufacturers taking aero-related jokers for next year.

“I think everyone will because you’ll find that all the cars are back in the wind tunnel and everyone will use the opportunity,” he told Sportscar365. “You’ll find in January that most people will have some form of joker.”

It’s already known that Alpine, BMW and Toyota will all undergo significant aero updates to its cars, while Ferrari has stated it will not utilize any further jokers for next year, along with Aston Martin, and Peugeot is understood to have already used up all five of its jokers that are valid through the 2027 season.

Two additional jokers will be available to manufacturers for use in the 2028 and 2029 seasons, along with an additional new car homologation.

Porsche, meanwhile, is understood to also be taking an additional joker next year, also for an aero update to its 963, which would mark the German manufacturer’s fourth token.

Both Acura (front brakes) and Cadillac (electronics) took its first jokers ahead of the start of the 2025 seasons.

“You sort of have to,” HRC’s Salters said on deploying an aero update but stated there are “not currently” any plans for mechanical-related updates to the ARX-06 for next year.

Cadillac Racing program manager Keely Bosn also reaffirmed further developments to its car, which competes in both the WEC and WeatherTech Championship.

“With the V-Series.R, we’re always looking at where we can improve and make those improvements across the cars,” she told Sportscar365.

“We’re always looking for ways to do so. The homologation opportunity at Windshear does give us a chance to do that.

“I think going into 2026, we’ll show some overall improvements to the car.”

When asked what areas they are looking at, Bosn said the “full package.”

She added: “We’re looking at everything on how we can improve the car. We’re always working with Dallara and we’re always looking at how we can change the car, improve the car, look at different styling aspects with design.”

Bosn wouldn’t confirm how many jokers Cadillac is looking to take for next year, which could also see mechanical updates in addition to aero changes.

“As our competitors keep looking to improve and pull their jokers, we’re looking to do the same,” she said. “We’re all in the same boat of raising the bar for each other.

“That’s the best part about competition and racing is that they continue to raise the bar month after month, year after year.

“Going into next season, we’re going to bring our best foot forward and see where it takes us. This year has been pretty great so far.”

Salters: “Imitation is the Best Form of Flattery” 

While the ARX-06 was the first ORECA-chassised LMDh car to debut, models from Alpine and Genesis have since been developed which feature similar styling characteristics, primarily in the nose section of the prototypes.

When asked by Sportscar365 his personal thoughts on the designs of their LMDh competitors, Salters said: “I guess it’s a vote of confidence!”

Ford is set to become the fourth manufacturer to base its LMDh car on the ORECA spine when it debuts in the 2027 WEC season, but the design of that car has yet to break cover.

“We like ORECA a lot,” said Salters. “They’re a real racing company. Hugues [de Chaunac] is awesome. Christoph [Guibbal], the chief engineer, has done a fantastic job. You’ve got Remy [Taffin] there… the whole team.

“We were with ORECA before in DPi so we have a great relationship. They make a great car. I guess imitation is the best form of flattery, isn’t it?

“We know the ruleset, we know what happens. Good luck to ORECA.

“It helps their business and it makes it all a bit more sustainable. It helps them sustain their business, and I think that’s good for the health of sports car racing.”

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