Cadillac has exceeded 11 km of testing with its LMDh

Acura, BMW and Cadillac filed down the asphalt of Road Atlanta (Georgia) at the start of the week, following the finale of the 2022 season of theIMSA won by Meyer Shank Racing. On this occasion, Pipo Derani, Alexander Sims, Sébastien Bourdais, Renger van der Zande and Richard Westbrook took turns at the wheel of the manufacturer's V-LMDh. For the last named, recently confirmed for the 2023 season of WEC alongside Alex Lynn and Earl Bamber, it was a great first.

Competitive debut at Daytona

“It's nice to have a comparison while the DPi is still fresh in your mind, because it was a totally optimized car at the end of its development, explains the driver, who competed in the JDC-Miller MotorSports Cadillac DPi in 2022. Right now we're just running the car, putting miles on it and that's what we're focusing on. The second step in the learning process will be to unlock certain performances. » The prototype from the Detroit (Michigan) firm has accumulated more than 11 kilometers on its odometer since its run-in at the beginning of July at the Putman Park Road Course (Indiana). 

“It is important to feel comfortable with the systems we have developed, to accumulate data, to get used to the tires and durability, explains Kalvin Parker, the deputy program manager. We've been developing and adding new components as we get closer to homologation, and the question is are they robust? »

“For the drivers, going directly from DPi to V-LMDh on the same circuit was very useful to understand where the limits will be, Parker continues. They've been to a few tracks now where they can compare the weight differences, the power differences. The progress of the teams between these first two tests and today is remarkable in terms of comfort with the cars, feeling like they can push the systems and understanding of the car. »

The American prototype is expected to compete at the 24 Hours of Daytona (January 26-29). It will also run in WEC from 1000 Miles of Sebring (March 17) and 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 10-11).

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