IMSA screws racers who think that racing is about going faster than the other car.
Ferrari and BMW lose GT manufacturer points from Daytona.
IMSA says: "We make the rules! You are supposed to win by not going faster than the other cars. Take your participation trophy and shut up!"
We decide who is allowed to win. Go F yourself!"
Jake Galstad/Motorsport Images
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Richard S. James | February 23, 2024 3:14 PM ET
BMW and Ferrari have lost all their IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and Michelin Endurance Cup manufacturers points from the Rolex 24 At Daytona for the GTD PRO and GTD classes. Both manufacturers were found to have performance in excess of IMSA’s expectations. That includes the GTD PRO victory points for Ferrari (Risi Competizione) and third-place points for BMW (Paul Miller Racing). Ferrari had a best finish of second in GTD with AF Corse.
According to the penalty notice for Ferrari: “The IMSA Technical Committee and the IMSA supervisory officials have unanimously determined that Ferrari’s demonstrated performance in the Daytona 24-hour race exceeded IMSA’s expectations as shared in the GT Manufacturers Technical Working Groups. The goal was to ensure the demonstrated performance of the best example of each manufacturer’s car model would be within a targeted performance window — allowing for competitive equivalency.” The notice for BMW read similarly.
IMSA adopted revised GTD Balance of Performance procedures this year for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, with each manufacturer nominating a team and driver to carry out testing during the IMSA homologation test in December. Each had to go through a series of prescribed tests, including qualifying simulation and a full-stint simulation, in order to better hit the marks for the BoP tables. IMSA set the BoP tables for the Roar Before the 24 based on those tests, and further revised BoP ahed of the race weekend.
Last year, teams running several new cars found themselves without much shot at victory, including the BMW M4 GT3 and Ferrari 296 GT3, as well as the 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R and the Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Evo2. All found their fortunes greatly turned around for 2024, and Risi Competizione captured the GTD PRO victory with Daniel Serra, Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon and James Calado.
The penalties for the manufacturers, which also included a $25,000 fine, do not affect the drivers or team standings, and all will keep their finishes and points and IMSA will keep their money.