[h=2]IMSA Sebring test Cadillac's DPi-V.R "Balance of Power" changes[/h]
Cadillac DPi slowed with Sebring test BoP
Tuesday, 21 February 2017
By Marshall Pruett / Images by LAT
Coming off its domination of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Cadillac's DPi-V.R prototypes have received a number of changes to its Balance of Performance figures aimed at slowing the cars during this week's IMSA test at Sebring International Raceway.
Those modifications, along with changes made to other models in three of the four WeatherTech SportsCar Championship classes, will be evaluated prior to solidifying the BoP for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring held on March 18.
IMSA has taken power away from the Cadillacs with a decrease in airflow to its 6.2-liter V8 engines (-1.5mm total through its two air restrictors), and taken seven liters of fuel capacity from its fuel tank (now 68L). The refueling process has also been slowed with a decrease in fuel flow (-2.5mm to the fuel hose restrictor).
Within Prototype, the two turbocharged DPis from Mazda and Nissan also received power reductions for the test through decreased boost tables. Smaller fuel capacity changes were made to four models as the WEC-spec Riley/Multimatic Mk 30 (+2.5L), Ligier JS P217 (+0.5L) and ORECA 07 (+0.5L) received increases for their Gibson V8-powered cars. The Nissan Onroak DPi lost capacity (-2.0L).
All prototypes will run in high-downforce "sprint" aero configuration at Sebring (and for the rest of the season) after using the low-downforce "Le Mans" package for Daytona.
In GT Le Mans, BMW's twin-turbo V8 M6 will test with a weight reduction (-10kg), more fuel capacity (+2L) faster refueling (+3.5mm), and boost increases throughout its rev range. Porsche 911 RSRs will also sample faster refueling (+4.5mm) during the visit to Sebring.
And finally, in GT Daytona, weight, power, capacity or flow alterations were made to four of the nine manufacturers.
Acura's NSX GT3 will run at a lower weight (-20kg) while the Ferrari 488 GT3 and Lexus RC F GT3 will carry more ballast (+10kg). Boost has been taken from Ferrari's twin-turbo V8 while the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 (+1mm total across both restrictors) and the Lexus RC F GT3 (+2mm total across both restrictors) will have more power available at the test.
Fuel capacities and refueling speeds also improved for Lamborghini (+1.0L, +0.5mm) and Lexus (+2L, +2.0mm).