Lamborghini SC63 to Begin On-Track Testing Next Month

Image: Lamborghini

The Lamborghini SC63 is set to begin on-track testing next month according to its motorsport boss Giorgio Sanna, who has outlined the next phase of the prototype’s development program.

Launched on Thursday at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 3.8-liter V8-powered car is set to make its race debut in the Qatar 1812 FIA World Endurance Championship season opener in March following its homologation and an extensive testing program.

Sanna said the fully in-house designed engine has now been on the dyno for two months, with a focus on static ‘indoor’ testing prior to the car’s first rollout.

“At this moment, we’re happy with the results that we’ve seen,” he told Sportscar365. “For us, of course, it’s a first experience with a prototype.

“But I have to say that in the last year, we grew a lot in terms of competence and organization in Squadra Corse in bringing a few key persons that are working with us to give additional value to the job we’re doing.

“There’s also a new philosophy in terms of development that in my opinion will also give us more experience for the future in the development of the new GT cars.

“We will start testing on the race track in the beginning of August. But before, to go on the track, for the first time we’ve done a very long and intensive testing program indoors.

“With the simulation on the dyno testing the entire powertrain for the last two months, [we’ve been] simulating endurance tests. We also went on the dyno with the entire rolling chassis.

“In principle, the back of the car is basically done indoors. We expect when it would be the time to start to go on the tarmac, a good part of the job will already be done and we’ll start immediately focusing on performance and endurance tests.”

Sanna said Lamborghini will build two test chassis and two race cars, with the former set to begin their testing program in Europe before moving to the U.S. in October.

It will include participation in IMSA’s December test at Daytona International Speedway, which is mandatory for any new LMDh manufacturers wishing to compete in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.

This is despite the car not currently scheduled to debut in North America until the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring in March, with a program around the remaining Michelin Endurance Cup rounds.

“We will do what’s needed in terms of the homologation process and to also collect as much data as possible,” said Sanna. “But then today, to say that we’d be ready to do Daytona is too early. At this moment it’s not planned [to race in the Rolex 24].

“To test is one thing. To do 24 hours is another. But it’s also a matter of capability to produce the race cars, then the spare parts.

“To go to races it’s not only to have the car able, it’s a matter to have all the organization ready.”

Sanna said he has seen advantages in working with chassis constructor Ligier Automotive, in currently being the only LMDh project from the French constructor.

“We’ve worked a lot with Ligier as one team in a sort of co-design, where the involvement of Lamborghini Squadra Corse is quite deep as this was the intention from the beginning, to create competence and know-how and that’s what we’re doing.

“For sure the advantage is to have a [constructor] that’s focusing only on us. This has already given us some advantage.

“But I suppose that there will also be additional advantages along the program because we can be more flexible and fast to take decisions and to have better support.”

Sanna Confident in LMH, LMDh Equality By 2024

While having seen LMH cars win the opening five rounds of the WEC season, Sanna believes the FIA and ACO will take a closer step towards platform equality in the Hypercar class by next year.

“At this moment I don’t think the balance is the right one,” he said.

“But we know how difficult it is to make the Balance of Performance on two [platforms] of cars that are quite different from a technical point of view.

“But I believe it will be possible to achieve the best and fair BoP. Because honestly since the first race until Le Mans, I saw a progression, an improvement race by race.

“Le Mans probably was the best Balance of Performance, but it’s clear we expect to have something better but it’s just a matter of time.

“I’m sure that within the end of the season, the promoter will achieve already a good result.”

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