The #18 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 streaks past the newly expanded grandstands at Daytona International Speedway on Day Two of the IMSA WSCC open test, Nov. 18, 2015. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—IMSA’s Weathertech SportsCar Championship staged a two-day test at Daytona International Speedway Nov. 17-18, a chance for teams to test their latest purchases or developments and a chance for the series to gather some initial Balance of Performance data.
Some new cars, like the much-anticipated Ford GT and the 2016 BMW M6 showed up along with a trio of Mercedes which may or may not run in the series, the latest GT3 Audi, plus updated versions from series regulars like Corvette and Aston Martin.
The TRG-AMR GTD #007 Aston looked meaner than ever in all-black livery. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
Michael Shank Racing brought its #60 Ligier with its new 3.5-liter Honda motor, to join a few Prototype and Prototype challenge cars. While the weather was dodgy (often overcast, occasionally rainy) every car got a chance to turn plenty of laps over the two-day test, and the press got plenty of chances to check out the new machinery.
Next up on the WSCC schedule is the two-day Roar Before the Rolex 24 test Jan. 08–10, 2016 at Daytona International Speedway.
The #60 Michael Shank Racing Ligier JS P2 was one of the quickest cars on track with its new 3.5-liter Honda engine. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
BMW brought a pair of new M6 coupes which will replace the Z4-V8s. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
The #70 SpeedSource Mazda also had a new engine—a 2-liter gasoline-powered turbocharged inline four. The car looks to finally have the speed and reliability to match the competition. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
The 2016 AMG Mercedes coupe won't be running at The Rolex 24 at Daytona, unfortunately. Bill Kent/Epoch Times
International effort: Austrian-based Grasser Racing Team provided this Lamborghini Huracán GT3 to German-based Konrad Motorsports which had North American team Change Racing run the car at the HSR Classic 24 at Daytona November 11–14. Change Racing then ran the car at the WSCC Daytona test Nov. 17 and 18, where a host of drivers including Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, Corey Lewis, Justin Marks, Richard Antinucci, Bryan Sellers, Madison Snow and Bryce Miller got time behind the wheel. Change Racing also ran the car in the Blancpain Super Trofeo World Championships at Sebring Nov. 20–23, where driver Corey Lewis won four races in three days to win both the 2015 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Pro-Am championship and both World Championship rounds. The Lambo could be a car to watch in 2016. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
Ford brought a pair of its new EcoBoost turbo V6-powered GTs, about the quickest of the GTLMs and easily among the prettiest cars at the test. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
The #54 Core Autosports Oreca FLM-09 blasts around the banking. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
Unsurprisingly the Corvette racing C7.Rs were also on top of the GTLM timing sheets. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
The DeltaWing is likely facing its last season in WSCC, as all-new prototype rules for 2017 will ban all but four chassis manufacturers. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
It's gorgeous, but the 2016 AMG Mercedes coupe won't be on the grid until the middle of the season if then, depending on whether Mercedes and IMSA can work out the entrance fees. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
BMW's new M6 coupe will be V8-powered like the controversial Z4GTE it replaces. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
A battle which will recur throughout the season: the #5 Action Express Coyote-Corvette Daytona Prototype pursues the #60 Shank Racing Ligier-Honda Le Mans Prototype through the infield. These cars will also be gone from the grid come 2017. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
The #70 SpeedSource Mazda also had a new engine—a 2-liter gasoline-powered turbocharged inline four. The car looks to finally have the speed and reliability to match the competition. Chris Jasurek/Epoch Times
