The 62nd Rolex 24 Hours Of Daytona endurance race is in the books.
Next up in the Triple Crown of endurance racing is the 12 Hours of Sebring on Wednesday, March 13th, through Saturday, March 16th. Following Sebring will be the 24 Hours of Le Mans on Saturday, June 15th, through Sun, June 16th, 2024.
Since we have a moment to catch our breath between races, let’s look at the IMSA GTD class Corvette competes in and, along those same lines, why GM’s all-new GT3.R opens up a world of racing possibilities.
Race Within A Race
At first glance, the starting grid of an IMSA race can be confusing, especially if you’re accustomed to watching NASCAR or Formula One. In many ways, an IMSA event is a race within a race.
Drivers from all over the world compete for overall victory and first place within their respective classes. This hybrid format keeps the racing interesting on several levels for spectators and drivers alike.
The varying speeds of the four classes create intense racing within each class and constant traffic for the fastest classes to navigate during the event.
The classes essentially break down into “Prototypes,” which showcase the latest automotive technology designed for the racetrack, and “GTD,” built on street production models.
The Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) is the fastest on the track. It shares a common hybrid powertrain with all entries. This system takes kinetic energy gained in braking and stores it in batteries for use when needed.
Next is the Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), another closed-cockpit car developed by four approved builders to keep costs down. Finally, we get to Corvette’s category: the Grand Touring Daytona (GTD) and GTD PRO, which debuted in 2022.
These cars meet the stringent FIA GT3 tech standards. To keep all the action straight, IMSA uses a leader light system that features side-mounted LED panels showing the class by color and the current position within the class.
GTD & GTD Pro
As you might recall, GTD Pro emerged from the GTLM category, which closed out at the end of the 2021 season. Manufacture support was waning in GTLM because teams had to build one car for IMSA and another to compete in the more popular FIA GT3 series.
Even for the most prominent car brands, it quickly became wildly expensive. GT Le Mans (GTLM) requires cars to meet the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) GTE technical regulations.
It also required pro drivers, greater factory support, and individually developed tires for each manufacturer. As GTLM ended, IMSA adopted the FIA Group GT3 format and rules.
This format divided GTD into two categories: GTD and GTD PRO. The amateur GTD class is for bronze & silver-rated drivers only, while the GTD PRO class mandates experienced gold & platinum-rated drivers.
Stephane Ratel, president of SRO Motorsports Group, developed the GT3 class. Since its FIA adoption in 2006, GT3 has emerged as a worldwide success with fans and manufacturers.
The starting field in GT3 is usually deep, and the racing is close. It is typical for starting grids to exceed 40 entries and for the top qualifier through the 20th position to be separated by less than a second.
Balance Of Performance
All GTD entries need tech approval before FIA-sanctioned events. This means the car is sent to the FIA by manufacturers, not the teams.
The FIA ensures the race car meets all the technical requirements, and only then is it approved for racing. Since all manufacturers that compete in GT3 spec classes have to complete this, the cars are all similar in performance.
However, they’re still not perfectly equal, especially concerning the powerful Corvette. Part of that is due to characteristics unique to each model that give it a decided advantage over other manufacturers.
It could be engine placement, weight distribution, or the aero package that gives one brand a leg up on another. Therefore, a Balance of Performance (BOP) is applied to level out the performance in this class.
The FIA mandates aero, weight, and engine management changes to level out the field. The FIA also mandates changes to winning cars throughout the season to keep competition even.
The result for fans is close racing while providing huge cost savings for the manufacturers. Due to the BOP process, the overall performance of GT3 cars has remained about the same over the years.
Unlike Formula One, where teams spend millions to shave tenths of a second off of lap times, there is no need in GT3. Why invest in technology and testing if the Balance of Performance mandate will bring you back down to the rest of the field?
Worldwide Racing
The all-new Chevrolet Z06 GT3 spec’d race car opens up a world of racing opportunities for privateer teams. Because the GT3 platform is almost universally accepted, Corvettes will soon compete for top honors in several new venues.
Expect to see Corvettes on the starting grid for some of the biggest endurance races in the world, including the Spa 24 Hours, the Nurburgring 24 Hours, and the Bathurst 12 Hours.
The WEC is adding an LMGTE 3 class, which means GT3 cars will be eligible for this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Also, look for Corvette at the new GT World Challenge.
Many in the endurance racing world say the Z06 GT3.R is the right platform at the right time to extend Corvette’s winning road course legacy.
FastCarPhotos
A special thank you goes to our good friends at FastCarPhotos for sharing these stunning Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona photos. If you’re looking for racing photos to add to your personal collection, you should visit their site.
Our readers will remember FastCarPhoto from our article Kurt Roussell Keeps The Racing Action In Focus and Coverage Of The Roar Before The Rolex 24 Hour.
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