Glickenhaus Calls Off Planned LMH Engine Modifications

Glickenhaus has not brought planned modifications of its LMH engine to the TotalEnergies 6 Hours of Spa, saying the changes have been called off until after the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the earliest.

The American constructor revealed to Sportscar365 at the Sebring season-opener that it had started working with engine supplier Pipo Moteurs on changes to its engine package to suit the FIA World Endurance Championship’s new-for-2022 sustainable fuel.

At the time, it was understood that the modifications including new spark plugs and fuel pump revisions were scheduled to be put in use for round two at Spa this weekend.

However, team principal Luca Ciancetti has now stated that the changes to the 007’s twin-turbo, 3.5-liter V8 have not been installed, citing reliability concerns.

“No, it hasn’t happened,” Ciancetti told Sportscar365.

“We actually were working on a possible evolution for our engine, but [didn’t have] enough time to be sure about reliability and everything.

“We found something good in the evolution, but it’s not the case to use it for the current season.”

Team owner Jim Glickenhaus similarly said that the team was not willing to risk reliability mid-campaign, which is why the changes have been delayed.

He also said that the engine would have to be homologated again, although it was unclear at Sebring if the engine modifications would take up one of the five Evo jokers that are available to LMH manufacturers between 2021 and 2025.

Only Glickenhaus and Toyota are currently able to use these jokers, as Alpine is not allowed to modify its grandfathered LMP1 car.

The LMH technical regulations state that Evo jokers are to be used for performance reasons.

Ciancetti hinted that the modifications to the 007’s engine wouldn’t be used until the 2023 WEC season, although he admitted that a decision on the matter has yet to be made and would not be made until after the 24 Hours of Le Mans next month.

“It is not a decision taken at the moment,” he added. “It is not something we want to try before Le Mans.

“We will check after Le Mans if there is a chance and will also discuss with the FIA and the ACO when and how we can do the upgrade, but at the moment it’s standing by.”

Glickenhaus is coming to Spa off the back of an overall podium finish at Sebring.

The American squad has never raced at Spa before, only completing testing with its 003C Nürburgring model several years ago.

With rivals Alpine taking a 20kW power reduction in the Hypercar Balance of Performance and a track layout that could potentially play to the 007’s strengths, Ciancetti is cautiously optimistic about the team’s chances.

“We will see after the first free practice, we are not particularly concerned at the moment,” Ciancetti said.

“For sure our car has always shown very good performance where you have long straights and good top speed is needed, so we are good from that point of view.

“Like at Monza last year, maybe. This is very different for sure.

“You need different characteristics, but this will be a good point at Spa.

“It’s not only about the car, it’s also about ourselves, how quickly we will find a good way of using the car on this track.”