IMSA ushers in a new era with the return of Grand Touring Prototypes
Prototype: noun. Pro-totype. An original model on which something is patterned. ARCHTYPE. See also: bad fast race car.
The world of prototype sports car racing has a unique flavor all its own, and with good reason.
Its storied history, the iconic events contested by prestige brands, its roster of world-class drivers who either specialized in this particular discipline, or the interlopers from other forms of the sport who could not resist the special allure. Combined, they all add up to an intoxicating mix that defines and distinguishes it from all others.
Of particular significance are the “golden eras” that have served as milestones along the way. The Ford vs. Ferrari battles of the sixties, the legendary Group 5 period of the early seventies that saw perennial favorites Porsche with their fearsome 917 go head to head against Ferrari’s equally impressive 512 series. If you want a taste of this, check out Steve Mcqueen’s 1971 film “Le Mans”, which is not only the best racing flick ever, but is also a tribute to his adroitness as an actor, producer, cinematographer, director and most importantly, a racer. Talk about multi-tasking.
More recently, the FIA Group C/IMSA GTP period from
1982 through 1993 was equally renowned, and saw perhaps the most comprehensive collection of manufacturers take a seat at the table. Aston Martin. BMW. Porsche. Lancia. Jaguar. Ford. Chevrolet. Mercedes-benz. Nissan. Toyota. Peugeot. Mazda. This was full-on factory warfare at its finest, and it was epic. While Group C was the norm for both Europe and Japan, in the United States it was IMSA with its Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) derivative that remains to this day a high-water mark for the sport.
At the recent IMSA 24 Hours of Daytona, the GTP class was reborn with the coming out party for the latest iteration of top-flight prototype sports cars. Bringing the GTP name back to the sport seemed only fitting, given that this transition has been in the works for some time between IMSA, the FIA and the ACO, and Daytona proved it was worth the wait. Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche all debuted their latest offerings, and Lamborghini is warming up, set to enter the fray in 2024.
What was on display was a feast of high-tech confections, featuring state-of-the-art projectiles that utilize hybrid technology, an element that was central to OEM’S committing to this new formula. Indeed, they were instrumental in its inclusion. Another feature that facilitated their involvement was the ruling bodies specifying four chassis constructors (Oreca, Dallara, Ligier and Multimatic), which served to keep costs low and quality high.
After 24 hours of hard-fought racing, the
Acura entered by Mike Shank Racing emerged victorious, their second win in a row at this race. Cadillac was also in the hunt, and they ended up finishing 3-4. The Penske Porsche effort was tripped up by electrical gremlins, and BMW also was on the learning curve. As the season unfolds, these players will find their way, and this process will see some truly spectacular action.
The second course will be served up next month at the 12 Hours of Sebring, which is a double-header that will also see the season opening event for the World Endurance Championship (WEC) held on the same weekend at this legendary
Florida venue. The icing on this cake will be in June when the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will be held, and it promises to be a feast for racing aficionados all over the world. Bon Appetit.