The Cadillac V-LMDh Has Logged Nearly 12,000 Test Miles
SEBRING, Fla. – Richard Westbrook exited the Cadillac V-LMDh and flashed a double thumbs up to the assemblage of engineers and crew along the pit lane wall at Sebring International Raceway.
It was a productive 24 hours by all accounts.
Cadillac Racing’s development of the Cadillac V-LMDh continued this week with the Chip Ganassi Racing-prepared race car completing a successful endurance session equaling back-to-back Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts races.
Data collection from race-equivalent stints, including night running, and validating durability on the bumpy 3.74-mile, 17-turn circuit were among the objectives. The car completed the 24-hour test with limited downtime as Cadillac prepares a two-car operation to join the new Grand Touring Prototype (GTP) class in the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
“It was good to come to Sebring to put the new car through its paces and see what it will do in the harshest environment it will race in terms of surface,” said Kalvin Parker, Cadillac Racing assistant program manager. “It was also beneficial for the team to see how it functions as a unit over 24 hours with a new car with new systems.”
Six drivers alternated time behind the wheel of the all-new race car.
“For every driver and every member of the crew, there is no other way to really get to know your machinery than having track time like this. The team sends you out and says you have two hours, go explore,” driver Alex Lynn said.
“Once the season starts, every run has something to learn, so exploring and learning on your own is a nice feeling, especially when you’re starting to look for more performance.”
Simultaneously at the Central Florida track, the sister Cadillac V-LMDh prepared by Action Express Racing conducted a prescribed test program. Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims participated in sessions over the two days.
“It’s really good to experience the car at Sebring with the challenges the track presents with the bumps and explore and understand what the car does in those situations,” Sims said. “We’ve gone through a fair few changes and we’re making good improvements. This is another step on from (last month’s test at) Road Atlanta, where the car is more in tune with me at speed and I feel quite comfortable with what it’s doing. The car is performing well.”
The Cadillac V-LMDh has logged nearly 19,000 kilometers (11,800 miles) since its maiden on-track test in July.
“It was helpful to have one car running the full 24 hours and have the other car run a very successful test plan that included some night running to get drivers used to the new headlights in changing track conditions,” Parker added.
The 2023 WeatherTech Championship campaign commences with Roar Before the Rolex 24 testing Jan. 20-22 at Daytona International Speedway. The season starts with the 61st Rolex 24 At Daytona on Jan. 28-29.
(Photo courtesy of Andy Hedrick)