IMSA’s new GTP class, premiering in 2023 with LMDh prototypes is growing in strength of numbers and in prestige. Lamborghini has elected to join Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Porsche in the LMDh category that will be known as GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) once all cars hit the track. The GTP name is a nod to 1980s IMSA history in prototype racing and gives fans an easy recognition nod for the class.
IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is a familiar one to Lamborghini, which has competed – and won 15 victories – in the series’ GTD class, including consecutive wins at the Rolex 24 in 2018, 2019 and 2020. Lamborghini Squadra Corse, the automaker’s motorsports division, is the designated manufacturer and is working towards the brand’s 2024 premiere. Lamborghini began competing in GTD during the 2016 season. IMSA has sanctioned and operated the Italian marque’s Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America single-make series since 2013.
“This step us into the highest echelon of sports car racing marks an important milestone for our company,” noted Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini chairman and CEO. “We will be measuring ourselves against the very best, on the most demanding proving grounds.” While the Italian firm’s competition will have a year’s worth of experience once Lamborghini enters the class, knowledge of how development is going for its four-marque competition could help Lamborghini in its build-up and preparations for the 2024 Rolex 24 at Daytona.
IMSA president John Doonan recognized the advantage of having Lamborghini in IMSA’s top class, moving up the racing ladder from IMSA’s most popular WeatherTech category. “IMSA has enjoyed a longstanding partnership with Lamborghini, dating back to the introduction of Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America a decade ago, and continuing into a successful GTD program,” he said. “We are proud that Lamborghini is confirming plans to grow its IMSA footprint even further in 2024 into GTP and the top category of prototype sports car racing.”
IMSA’s LMDh regulations, jointly created by IMSA, the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest that sanctions and operates the 24 Hours of Le Mans) and the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), will complement the World Endurance Championship’s (WEC) Hypercar class and were intentionally designed to race together. These hybrid machines can now race together at such well-known races as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, Mobil 1 1`2 Hours of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, among many others.
“I am absolutely delighted that Lamborghini will be taking the next step in our motorsport journey, the step into LMDh and the top level of sports car racing,” declared Giorgio Sanna, Lamborghini’s head of motorsport. “LMDh will play a special role in Lamborghini’s motorsports strategy,” he noted, “giving us the unique opportunity to expand our customer racing activities to new platforms and enforce our long-term partnership with customer teams and drivers.”
Winkelmann, the Lamborghini CEO, sees this investment into LMDh and GTP as having an all-encompassing effect beyond the racing program. “On one hand, this will give our successful motorsports program even more visibility. It will also allow us to reset future technologies,” he noted. “Our LMDh prototypes will become our most sophisticated open laboratory on four wheels.”
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