New Zealand driver Earl Bamber has been hard at work testing Cadillac Racing’s new LMDh endurance racer alongside the Chip Ganassi Racing team.
The car made its eagerly awaited maiden on-track laps with Bamber behind the wheel last week in preparation for the 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Cadillac will be the only US-based manufacturer competing in both championships which will also see them make an appearance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Development of the Cadillac LMDh will continue through the year, with IMSA-sanctioned tests scheduled for October 3-5 at Michelin Raceway Atlanta and December 6-7 at Daytona International Speedway.
Earl Bamber had the privilege of being the first person behind the wheel and give it a shakedown, claiming he was impressed.
“This was a monumental event thanks to a complete group effort between Cadillac, Chip Ganassi Racing and Dallara,” said Bamber, co-driver with Alex Lynn of the No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R this season in IMSA competition.
“It was an exhilarating feeling to jump in the car for the first time and get a sense of what the future will look like. So much work has gone into the 2023 race car, and I can’t wait to see it take flight next season.”
The car has been codeveloped by Cadillac Design, Cadillac Racing and chassis constructor Dallara, and features an all-new 5.5-litre DOHC V8 developed by General Motors’ (GM) Performance and Racing propulsion team which produces a godly noise.
Paired with the V8 is the LMDh common hybrid system, the two produce a combined power output of 507kW.
We expect to see more of the Cadillac entry soon alongside what other manufacturers like BMW and Ferrari have been putting together, who will also be joining the 2023 field.
