The IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship has adjusted the Balance of Performance for the Cadillac DPi-V.R ahead of the upcoming round at Laguna Seca.
According to Sportscar365, IMSA will allow Cadillac DPi-V.R teams to run 20 kg less ballast in the race, along with a 0.3mm larger air restrictor. The air restrictor upgrade will enable a 1.6 horsepower increase, which may not sound like much, but is crucial in a series where fractions of a second can mean the difference between starting on pole position or the midfield. The horsepower increase and weight decrease will also compound with one another, obviously.
Additionally, IMSA will allow Cadillac teams to run with an extra two liters of fuel onboard, allowing them to slightly extend their stint or run the engine on a higher setting for longer.
The No. 31 Action Express Racing Cadillac of Pipo Derani and Felipe Nasr is currently locked in a closely contested battle for the DPi driver’s championship with the No. 6 Team Penske Acura ARX-01 prototype of Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya. The Brazilian Cadillac pairing sits second with 232 points heading into Laguna Seca, while the Cameron and Montoya lead with 239 points. The Team Penske Acura sister car of Helio Castroneves and Ricky Taylor is not to be discounted in the final two rounds, either, sitting third with 222 points and tied with Mazda’s Jonathon Bomarito.
While the Acura DPi entries will head to Laguna Seca with the same BoP settings as the previous round, the Mazda DPis will be 5 kg lighter. Previously win-less in IMSA DPi class competition, the Joest-run Mazda cars have taken two wins so far in 2019 and will also be on the charge at Laguna Seca and in the Petit Le Mans series finale at Road Atlanta.
The Cadillac DPi entries have struggled for pace for most of the year compared to the Acuras and the Mazdas, though with this late-season BoP break, they may be able to challenge for the championship on equal footing with rival manufacturers.
IMSA will head to WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the second last round of the racing season on September 13th.
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Source: Sportscar365
Comments
Attended Darlington Southern 500 last wknd. Watching NASCAR Brickyard 400 @ Indy my home track.(been there 4 times) .. Just watched F-1 race @ Monza, my driver 3rd.
John Force has always been a hero of mine.
Looking forward to IMSA race next weekend!
I own 2019 Colorado Midnight Edition, got 2 Vettes. I REALLY ENJOY YOUR ARTICLES!
sam,
FYI Mazda has won the last 3 DPI races. (not 2)