The new Cadillac DPi-V.R topped the timesheets during this week’s IMSA pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway.
The No. 31 Whelen Engineering Action Express DPi-V.R of Mike Conway, Seb Morris, Dane Cameron and Eric Curran turned in a fastest lap of 1:37.797 with Curran at the wheel. AXR’s No. 5 Mustang Sampling sister car, piloted by Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi and Filipe Albuquerque, was second fastest overall, while the Wayne Taylor Racing DPi-V.R went third fastest. The WTR car was also clocked at 199.5 mph Tuesday.
“We’ve had a solid car and it’s fun,” Curran said post-session. “I was quickest this afternoon and that feels really good to be in a new car and to feel so comfortable. We’re good. We’ll keep plugging away, but I really love the whole new program. I love the look of the car, the red and white Whelen colors, and it’s just fun to be part of this Cadillac program. It’s going to be a great season.”
“We’re not the only ones in the new-car boat,” he added. “Everybody’s here with us. It seems like the whole paddock is full of new cars. It’s kind of like whoever can get their new car together the quickest and be ready for the 24 coming up in January.”
The sole WEC-spec P2 car that participated in the test, Visit Florida Racing’s Riley-Gibson, was around two seconds slower than the DPi-V.R. Mazda’s new RT24-P DPi was fourth quickest but was still nearly two seconds off pace from the Cadillacs.
The Cadillac DPi-V.R will take to the track in mid-January for the annual Roar Before the 24 test at Daytona ahead of the 2017 24 Hours of Daytona.
Comments
GM did well going with Dellara as a chassis builder. It will cut down on the teething issues.
There still may be some things they will have to tweak at the 24 Hours but they should do well outside a silly crash or the like.
now they will have a performance adjustment to slow them down. did not they learn from ford if you want to win sandbag till the day the of the race like ford did at le mans.
They can’t sandbag because IMSA will see them if they do. ACO wanted ford too win lemans, so they slowed everbody else down and made the fords run faster.
all they have to do is change the balance on the car to slow it down.