Race Weekend Central

IMSA Adds Weight to the Acura NSX GT3 for Watkins Glen

On Thursday, IMSA issued a new set of Balance of Performance tables ahead of next weekend’s Sahlen’s Six Hours at the Glen.  Compared to previous tables (such as giving the Lexus an extra 25 kilograms prior to Belle Isle), the changes are slight.

The biggest move was IMSA adding 10 kilograms (approximately 22 pounds) to the Acura NSX GT3.  Minimum weight for the car is now 1320 kilograms (2910.1 pounds).  This move comes after Meyer Shank Racing scored a one-two finish at Belle Isle Park in the GT Daytona class.  It is the second consecutive year that the Pataskala, Oh.-based team has won at Belle Isle.

In addition, the BMW M6 GT3 has been hit with a slight cut in fuel capacity.  Maximum fuel capacity in the car has dropped from 106 to 104 liters (27.4739 gallons)

Outside of GT Daytona, the changes are more slight.  In the Prototype class, both the Cadillac DPi-V.R. and the Acura ARX-05 lost two liters of fuel capacity.  The Acura drops from 71 to 69 liters (18.2279 gallons) of capacity, while the Cadillac drops from 64 to 62 liters (16.3787 gallons) of capacity.

In the GT Le Mans class, there were no changes made on Thursday.  However, the class didn’t compete at Belle Isle.  Prior to Belle Isle, two changes were made to the BMW M8 GTE that will debut this weekend.

First, the fuel capacity has been cut from 93 liters to 89 (23.5113 gallons).  In addition, the boost ratio settings on the M8 GTE’s turbocharged engine have been adjusted.  There are decreases in available boost from 3500 to 7500 rpms.  The result will be a lower total amount of boost for the M8 that peaks earlier in the power band.  It will also taper off a little more smoothly as the car progresses through the power band.  The moves come after BMW Team RLL’s John Edwards scored a surprise pole at Mid-Ohio.

The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to action on July 1 at Watkins Glen International.  Coverage of the six-hour race begins at 9:30 a.m. on FOX Sports 1.  Frontstretch will be at Watkins Glen to cover all the action for you.

 

About the author

Phil Allaway has three primary roles at Frontstretch. He's the manager of the site's FREE e-mail newsletter that publishes Monday-Friday and occasionally on weekends. He keeps TV broadcasters honest with weekly editions of Couch Potato Tuesday and serves as the site's Sports Car racing editor.

Outside of Frontstretch, Phil is the press officer for Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. He covers all the action on the high-banked dirt track from regular DIRTcar Modified racing to occasional visits from touring series such as the Super DIRTcar Series.

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