Short Description
BMW dominated the official Roar test ahead of the Daytona 24 Hours, showcasing impressive performances in their LMDh machinery, with Dries Vanthoor clocking the fastest lap time.
Read Time
4 minutes, 10 seconds
Main Article
The lead-up to the 2024 Daytona 24 Hours has seen BMW’s LMDh program shine during the official Roar test. Over three days at the iconic Daytona International Speedway, BMW emerged as the fastest entity in multiple sessions, highlighting their strong competitive edge in the IMSA SportsCar Championship this season. The #24 Rahal BMW M Hybrid V8, piloted by Dries Vanthoor, marked the fastest lap of the test with an impressive time of 1m35.424s, establishing a new benchmark for the GTP class.
In the second session, Vanthoor’s quickest time eclipsed that of Nick Yelloly in the #93 Meyer Shank Racing Acura ARX-06, who clocked 1m35.619s. This close competition showcases the heightened rivalry in this year’s IMSA series. Acura’s performance continued to impress, with Tom Blomqvist placing third overall with a time of 1m35.827s, demonstrating the competitive nature of the Acura entries in the GTP class.
Additionally, BMW’s strengths were apparent as they led in multiple daylight sessions, with Marco Wittmann and Sheldon van der Linde making significant contributions to their overall fast times. Notably, Porsche opted for a strong nighttime performance, with Laurens Vanthoor in the #7 963 LMDh leading that session. This diverse performance spectrum among manufacturers indicates a promising season ahead for IMSA, as teams prepare for the upcoming Daytona 24 Hours.
Beyond the GTP class, the rest of the field was equally compelling. The LMP2 and GT Daytona Pro classes showcased their competitive spirit as well, with standout performances from the Crowdstrike Racing ORECA in LMP2 and the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 in GTD. Overall, the Roar test exemplified the strengths of multiple makes and teams, setting up an exhilarating race week.
Short Summary
BMW’s strong performance in the official Roar test, especially Dries Vanthoor’s fast lap, positions them as key contenders for the Daytona 24 Hours. Competitive times from Acura and Porsche highlight an exciting season ahead in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, promising thrilling action for motorsport fans.
