IMSA is looking to implement a high-voltage hybrid system when its DPi 2.0 (Daytona Prototype International) regulations come into a effect for the 2022 racing season, prompting concerns over rising costs.
The American sports car racing series had previously targeted mild hybrid 48V hybrid systems for DPi 2.0. While this would be a more cost effective route, Ford and other manufacturers interested in DPi 2.0 allegedly asked for a more intensive hybrid system that would help them further development of their hybrid road car programs.
According to Sportscar 365, more than 40 automotive and racing industry representatives met with IMSA in Florida this past week to further hash out the future of DPi, where suggestions of a 400 volt hybrid system were abound. A cost cap of $100,000 would be placed on the hybrid system, which could be purchased from a supplier.
But some teams aren’t convinced that IMSA will be able to keep costs down. Cadillac Racing team Wayne Taylor Racing, which currently fields a single Cadillac DPi-V.R in the IMSA WeatherTech Series, is unsure if it would even be able to continue operating should the proposal get approved.
“It’s a very big worry for me,” Taylor told Sportscar 365 in an interview. “As it may look from the outside that we’re a factory program, we’re not. We are customers just like every other Cadillac [DPi]. But we’re racing against Honda, which is Penske and factory, and we’re racing against Mazda, which is factory with Joest.”
“Quite honestly, the budgets have got to such a point that at the moment, it’s almost impossible to keep going at this level.”
Taylor said he was spending $5.6 million for 10 races a season in DPi as it is – making the idea of a hybrid prototype program simply out of the question.
“A team like mine will not exist unless a manufacturer calls up and says they’ll pay for everything,” he added.
The discussions around the future of DPi are set to continue when IMSA and industry reps meet at Road America in early August.
Photos via IMSA
Source: Sportscar365
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Comments
We go though this every so many years. The cost of racing always goes up as companies want to win.
The hybrid system will grow in cost too or the MFGs will pull out due to the lack of interest.
IMSA has been one of the great series but it is one where teams and companies spend millions to wind thousands of dollars.
The old joke used to be is How to make $5 Million in IMSA is to spend $10 Million.
They will figure something out but GTE class is where most of the interest is.
If the engines don’t make noise, then the desire to hear the cars race in person goes away. The race track sounds have a vibration in the air which you feel, when full tilt race cars goes past you. Electric cars hum. Ho hum. No real fans want a track that doesn’t make noise. IMSA, pay attention, go the hydrid route and lose teams.
Cry Baby Wayne always crying about$$$$$$! Some things never change.
I think IMSA should stick to whats working now. Formula 1 suffers with this system, so would IMSA. Formula E has the electricity thing sewn up. Does IMSA think their race cars should be similar to the new FIA Hyper Car? What a waste of money.
And -that (electric cars in IMSA) is the end of sports car racing as we know it. “Last guy out, turn the lights off.. zzzzz”
Let’s see. Switch to electric cars, cost go up. Mary wants the government to mandate electric cars. We consumers buy the cars. Will our costs go up? Nah, because it’s magic. Don’t believe me? Ask any Democrat presidential candidate. It is all free.
As it is we are subsidizing $100,000 Teslas and other electric cars for folks who can already afford them. What is wrong with this picture?
That is the whole point, governments want to drive the price of driving up so high that the regular person cannot afford it anymore. Control of the masses.
When did the fool Obama buy out IMSA to be under control of the federal government?
LMP1 class $200,000,000 per year.
LMPh class $30,000,000 per year.
DPi class $5.600,000 per year.
Many US teams are struggling to pay for the DPi for a season. How does IMSA think these teams will be able to afford to run the LMPh?
LMPh will likely consist of a small group of factory teams while most privateers will go down to LMP2 or GT classes.
GTLM and GTD are the best racing classes anyway.
But what do you expect with a username like mine…