Examining the Differences Between Classes in the IMSA Sportscar Championship : Grand Touring Prototype (GTP)
The GTP Class is the top tier class in the IMSA Sportscar Championship. GTP (Grand Touring Prototype) Class race cars will compete in nine (9) events in this year's Championship. Daytona; Sebring; Grand Prix of Long Beach; Laguna Seca; Detroit; Watkins Glen; Road America; Indianapolis; Road Atlanta.
In this Class (Per the Rule Book) three (3) drivers must race in the GTP car during a twenty-four (24) hour race. Such as the first race of the 2024 season, the Rolex 24 at Daytona. A maximum of four (4) drivers is permitted in these races as well. During ten (10) to twelve (12) hour races, three (3) drivers must race the car. There are no driver rating requirements in these races for the GTP class. Six (6) hours races require the GTP teams to have two (2) drivers and at most three (3) for the race. Any races under the six (6) hour mark two (2) drivers are required to race. In no hour range is there a driver rating requirement for the GTP class.
The GTP Class is involved in the IMSA Championship. There are four (4) classes in it including GTP, LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2), GTD Pro (Grand Touring Daytona Pro), and GTD (Grand Touring Daytona). A team champion is crowned at the end of the season. They are determined by the amount of points accumulated throughout the championship. These champions are determined based on the competition number (Car Number) and the Entrant as the rule book states. Points distribution can be found here.
Throughout the races the GTP class is participating in, drivers will need to swap in order to comply with the IMSA rule book. This means one driver exits the vehicle and the other takes the wheel during a pit stop. GTP Teams only use Discord to communicate HV (High Voltage) Status per IMSA rule book to teams.
GTP Cars also have another hoop to jump through, and this one complicates things in race strategy. GTP cars are limited with ‘virtual energy.’ Since the GTP cars are of the Hybrid breed, they use more than just one type of energy (Electric and gasoline). That means that teams have more potential in the car to go longer stints. However, IMSA put a rule on this. While teams might still have fuel in their tank, and some charge left in their hybrid batteries (Which are charged by the heat energy from braking), they could still be out of ‘virtual energy.’ This means they must come into pit road to complete a stop, replenish their energy and head back out. This can be very complicated during endurance races like the Rolex 24. It can be a tough strategy game between teams to duel on ‘virtual energy.’ Per the rule book, there are several violations and requirements for this that each team must follow. If not, penalties can even reach a stop on pit road, plus five (5) minutes.
Weather doesn’t affect these cars either. Rain or shine they’re racing. Different tires are used for each condition. The tires used can be either at the teams decision at any point in the race.
Qualifying for the GTP class is very simple. In IMSA qualifying drivers not only determine the starting position of the car based on lap-times, but there are also championship points that drivers are able to gain from their team in qualifying. In the GTP class, one driver (Any racing the car) qualifies the car during the one segment allotted for the class. However this driver ends in qualifying will determine the starting position and how many qualifying points are awarded for the effort.
During competitions, crashes happen and they can be large enough where race officials determine it is best to throw a full course caution flag. During this full course caution (Also known as FCY or Full Course Yellow) pit road will open when it is safe. GTP cars are the first class alongside the LMP2 cars that are allowed to pit the first lap the pits open. All other classes must remain out of the pits while the GTP class and others make their pit stops. During pit stops, GTP cars are only allowed to replenish six (6) seconds of stint energy.
After full course yellows, eligible GTP cars will line up at the front of the field to restart. GTP cars will always start at the front, unless IMSA race officials state otherwise.
GTP cars run with High Voltage systems (Due to their hybrid nature) and can be very dangerous. Teams must ensure at all times that the car itself is in working order and all pit visitors, team members, staff, and competitors are aware of the dangers. Teams must also take on the responsibility of safety when working on the car. Lights are present on the side of each GTP car. These lights represent the condition of the HV system. This is very important for pit crew, track members, visitors and safety officials as it could very seriously injure the person(s) that are working on the vehicle.
The GTP class is allowed to test cars before racing. Each manufacture gets three (3) days to test their car. This can be with support from other sanctions such as the FIA. Teams will also get time to test racecars as well. Each team is allotted four (4) days for testing .
Sources
IMSA. (2023, September 27). High-Tech Pit Stops: How Does GTP Virtual Energy Replenishment Work? https://www.imsa.com/news/2023/09/27/high-tech-pit-stops-how-does-gtp-virtual-energy-replenishment-work/. Retrieved from https://www.imsa.com/news/2023/09/27/high-tech-pit-stops-how-does-gtp-virtual-energy-replenishment-work/#:~:text=IMSA%20and%20the%20competitors%20are,is%20equitable%20for%20all%20competitors.
IMSA 2024 Rule Book
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