Back to the normal sprint race format. Here are the BoP changes.1
For the first time in either WEC or IMSA the rule makers have reduced the high speed power activation speed.
High Speed Power >190kph!
Unlike in WEC where there is a single high speed trigger (250kph), IMSA has a range. Low speed power top speed was 230kph and high speed lowest speed was 240kph. This has been reduced to 190kph and 200kph respectively to allow for the characteristics of the circuit.
The Cadillac brick gains relative to all others. BMW is perceived as the slipperiest – it has the highest low speed power and the lowest high speed power.
Power to Weight
Some of these changes to lower speed power and weight need to be considered in the context of the lower high speed power threshold.
Aston Martin gains due to increase power and lower weight. IMSA are getting enough evidence that they are actually slow. They lose out a little to some with high speed power.
BMW has been strong, but not got the results recently. They are nudged up ni power and down a little in weight. As is Acura, who hasn’t had the speed recently.
The tweaks for Porsche, Cadillac and Acura see Porsche’s recent success recognized and it drops to the bottom, mainly due to a reduction in power.
The wider range remains, but now with two groupings. BMW and Aston together, and the other three clumped together with lower Power:Weight. It should be noted that in the high speed power stakes this grouping isn’t there.
Here is how those changes occurred by Weight and low speed Power. The grouping is broadly there, but there are some differences.
Weight
Acrua’s drop in P/W has been achieved partially by increasing the weight. For Cadillac and Porsche they get a drop in weight…
Power
IMSA are still quite happy to go under 500kW for some. 485kW is the new low in BoP for a race.
Replenishment Rate
A full 100% energy stop is still 40 seconds.
Main BoP Categories for Reference
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