Porsche, Cadillac Gear Up for First Group LMDh Test

Photo: Porsche

History is set to be made at Sebring International Raceway this week when two examples of LMDh cars are set to run alongside each other, in the first group test between manufacturers.

Porsche’s 963 and the yet-to-be-named Cadillac are scheduled to take part in a multi-day test at the historic Florida circuit, marking the German manufacturer’s first outing on U.S. soil with the car and Cadillac’s first significant mileage for its Dallara-chassied contender.

Cadillac completed a shakedown of its car with Earl Bamber at Putnam Park last week, while Porsche has collected more than 6,000 kms in testing so far in Europe.

Acura, which was set to also join the two rival LMDh manufacturers with its ARX-06 car, is understood to have opted for a revised testing schedule for its car in North America.

The fourth LMDh manufacturer for the 2023 launch season, BMW, is understood to be targeting for an initial rollout later this month in Europe with its BMW M Hybrid V8, prior to track testing on both continents.

Among the targets this week at Sebring is the validation of updated MGU components from Bosch, following reliability concerns with the first batch that were exclusively tested on track with the Porsche 963.

Sportscar365 understands that the issues were not present in dyno testing when the spec hybrid system was paired to some of the manufacturers’ internal combustion engines.

Additional group testing is scheduled in the coming months leading up to the first of two IMSA-sanctioned LMDh tests, the first coming on Oct. 3-5 at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta following the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season-ending Motul Petit Le Mans.

A second IMSA-sanctioned test, which is mandatory for all LMDh manufacturers wishing to be on the grid at the Rolex 24, is set for Dec. 6-7 at Daytona International Speedway.

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