Nascar
The NASCAR 24 Hours of Le Mans takes on the tough stuff at Sebring
The Floridian sun salutes the livery of the NASCAR Garage 56 © Hendrick Motorsports
Project NASCAR Garage 56 led by Hendrick Motorsports takes a new step this week with a test ofEndurance of 24 Hours at Sebring.
The test of the Florida night © Hendrick Motrosports
As soon as the livery of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 was revealed at the Daytona 500, the team headed to the nearby Sebring track to conduct its first real Endurance simulation. The choice of this route is not trivial since Sebring welcomes every year at the beginning of March the prototypes and GTEs entered in the 24 Hours of Le Mans during the first round of the FIA World Championship WEC. The verdict of the stopwatch will be final as to the American's performance compared to her future rivals.
The 24 Hours of Le Mans demand a perfect balance between performance and reliability © Hendrick Motorsports
The three starting drivers, Jimmie Johnson, Jenson Button and Mike Rockenfeller will be able to test the reliability of the car on this track which is particularly demanding with the mechanics, particularly due to a very bumpy surface. The team had already visited Sebring in January before conducting a 12 Hour test at Daytona following the Rolex 24.
La Hendrick Motorsports presented the main differences between this car and the Next Gen entered since last season in the Nascar Cup Series. The car loses around 238 kg to reach 1342 kg on the scale, a mark still far from the Ferrari, Porsche, Corvette and Aston Martin GTE (1240 kg before BOP) which she will have to face in Sarthe. Carbon fins appear on the front and rear wings to provide a little of this support so precious in Mulsanne and Indianapolis or at Tertre Rouge. Note the crazy size of the tires: 365/35R18 at the front and 380/35R18 at the rear!
The 5-speed gearbox control now takes place on the steering wheel and the steel brake discs are replaced by carbon elements. The Chevrolet R07 Small Block 5.8 liter naturally aspirated engine is now powered by TotalEnergies Excellium Racing 100 synthetic fuel stored in a 127 liter tank (hello tank with the impact that this will have between the start and end of a stint). Small important detail: the car is now equipped with headlights.
ALSO READ > VIDEO – On board the NASCAR Garage 56 at the 24 Hours of Le Mans
Gautier Calmels
Journalist MotoGP, Nascar, Rallye France, Endurance and Classic... Among others.
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