Following two wins in a row and a season-long podium streak by the #31 Motion Specific Cadillac, the V-Collection.R acquired a 21-kilogram weight penalty that dominated the headlines when launched final week.
Nevertheless, as normal, we have to take a more in-depth take a look at the BoP sheets to see how a lot of an obstacle the naturally aspirated V8-powered LMDh is carrying into the inaugural 6-hour race at Highway America.
The legendary circuit close to Elkhart Lake is a really totally different playground when in comparison with The Glen, the place the GTP class held its final race. Highway America options three lengthy flat-out sections blended with numerous 2nd to third gear corners – not like Watkins Glen Worldwide with its sooner, sweeping turns.
A weight penalty all the time hits laborious, however nowhere tougher than in quick corners. That’s why the Porsche 963 acquired a weight break for Watkins Glen after its 1,100-kilogram outings on the road circuits of Lengthy Seaside and Detroit, although it wasn’t any extra aggressive nonetheless being the heaviest GTP automotive.
Nonetheless, Highway America options the lengthy Carousel and the ultra-fast Flip 1 the place further weight hurts. But, there are numerous sections the place lateral grip counts, making Highway America such an iconic circuit with quite a lot of corners.
Under 230 kph (143 mph)
As normal, we’ll check out the power-to-weight ratios first:
Aston Martin Valkyrie – 1.962 kg/kW
BMW M Hybrid V8 – 1.981
Acura ARX-06 – 2.030
Cadillac V-Collection.R – 2.068
Porsche 963 outdated – 2.099
Porsche 963 – 2.124
The hybrid-less Aston Martin Valkyrie nonetheless boasts one of the best power-to-weight ratio, however it’s anticipated to undergo from its high velocity deficit on the lengthy straights. For the primary time in 2026, Cadillac’s power-to-weight ratio is considerably worse than Acura’s, after being rated extra favorably in the beginning of the 12 months and sitting on roughly the identical degree since Detroit.
Notably, the hole between the BMW M Hybrid V8—which scored the ultimate RLL-run victory at Elkhart Lake final 12 months because of a intelligent technique—and Acura/Cadillac has additionally elevated considerably.
This turns into particularly evident when evaluating the power-to-weight ratios to Watkins Glen:
BMW M Hybrid V8 -0.024 kg/kW
Porsche 963 -0.018
Acura ARX-06 -0.014
Aston Martin Valkyrie +-0.000
Cadillac V-Collection.R +0.025
Porsche 963 outdated +0.064
BMW, having already loved a comparatively favorable power-to-weight ratio since Detroit, acquired the most important break. However, the Cadillac V-Collection.R, after beginning the season with essentially the most favorable power-to-weight ratio of all vehicles, is now solely surpassed by the 2 Porsche fashions.
Ever since Lengthy Seaside, the manufacturing unit Porsches have been paying a excessive worth for his or her main successes in the beginning of the 12 months, however they’re slowly gliding again into the pack BoP-wise. In the meantime, the personal JDC-Miller Porsche acquired the most important hit when it comes to BoP in comparison with Watkins Glen.
Nevertheless, when evaluating the values to Highway America 2025, the image adjustments fully:
Porsche 963 outdated -0.081 kg/kW
BMW M Hybrid V8 -0.067
Porsche 963 -0.056
Acura ARX-06 -0.030
Aston Martin Valkyrie -0.019
Cadillac V-Collection.R -0.012
To start with, each automotive receives a break when it comes to BoP. Nevertheless, remember the fact that all 4 LMDh fashions acquired technical updates over the winter, whereas solely the 2025-spec Porsche of JDC-Miller and the Aston Martin Valkyrie (constructed below LMH rules) are working in final 12 months’s specification.
Right here, it’s the 2025-spec Porsche that receives the most important break. That is largely all the way down to Porsche having to run the 2025 season with very low energy under 230 kph. The 963 continues to be heavier than in 2025, however each fashions have acquired a large energy increase.
Once more, the BMW M Hybrid V8 will get a large BoP break. Acura, regardless of setting the 2 quickest laps within the 2025 race, additionally acquired a medium increase. Aston Martin, having run at 1,030 kg and 520 kW again in 2025, didn’t have a lot room for enchancment because the Cadillac will get a slight break as a result of it runs solely 3 kilograms heavier than in 2025. Nonetheless, it’s the smallest acquire of all vehicles.
Above 240 kph/149 mph
Highway America is among the few tracks on the calendar the place the high-speed vary actually issues. With three intensive flat-out sections, vehicles spend a big share of a lap above 240 kph in a (roughly) straight line.
The facility-to-weight ratio standings look as follows:
Aston Martin Valkyrie – 1.962 kg/kW
Acura ARX-06 – 2.010
BMW M Hybrid V8 – 2.011
Cadillac V-Collection.R – 2.033
Porsche 963 outdated – 2.063
Porsche 963 – 2.067
The slightly draggy Aston Martin nonetheless leads the chart, however the different vehicles have closed the hole a bit since Watkins Glen. That is anticipated to point out way more at Highway America because of the aforementioned circuit traits.
In comparison with Watkins Glen, the adjustments are comparatively minor:
BMW M Hybrid V8 -0.033 kg/kW
Porsche 963 outdated -0.028
Acura ARX-06 -0.008
Aston Martin Valkyrie +-0.000
Porsche 963 +0.003
Cadillac V-Collection.R +0.028
Right here, Cadillac receives the most important hit by a substantial margin as a result of, not like within the lower-speed vary, the upper weight isn’t compensated for by the next energy output. The one different automotive to obtain a worse power-to-weight ratio is the 2026-spec Porsche, although its BoP stays much better than it was at Lengthy Seaside, Laguna Seca, and Detroit.
Once more, the BMW M Hybrid V8 emerges as the large winner, whereas the 2025-spec Porsche receives a extra favorable high-speed power-to-weight ratio than its 2026-spec sister automotive for the primary time since Laguna Seca.
In comparison with Elkhart Lake 2025, the changes are principally minor once more:
BMW M Hybrid V8 -0.048 kg/kW
Aston Martin Valkyrie -0.019
Porsche 963 outdated -0.010
Porsche 963 -0.006
Acura ARX-06 -0.006
Cadillac V-Collection.R +0.006
The one exception is BMW, which receives a large break in comparison with final 12 months, leaving Cadillac as soon as once more on the backside of the desk. Not like within the sub-230 kph vary, Porsche doesn’t get a serious break in comparison with the earlier 12 months and stays at its comparatively unfavorable ranking—albeit with extra energy and extra weight in comparison with 2025.
Conclusion
Given the numbers, it must be BMW’s race to lose. However we mentioned that again at Detroit and Watkins Glen as nicely. Nonetheless, BMW might have received on each events, simply because it has finished twice within the FIA WEC now.
Trying strictly on the knowledge, BMW have to be thought of the favourite, however regulate Acura. Meyer Shank Racing was in a primary place to win the race in 2025 earlier than BMW pipped everybody with a intelligent technique, anticipating the ultimate warning.
It will likely be robust for Motion Specific to maintain their podium streak going based mostly purely on the numbers. Moreover, the #31 had a uncommon uncompetitive outing at Highway America in 2025. On the opposite facet, Wayne Taylor Racing appeared very aggressive till an incident with one of many manufacturing unit Porsches put it out of rivalry.
It would nonetheless be fascinating to observe the evolving traits of the Porsche 963, which is present process a metamorphosis much like Watkins Glen with way more energy and weight in comparison with 2025. And Aston Martin? The Valkyrie continues to be awaiting its upgrades over the upcoming winter. We don’t anticipate it to be any stronger than at The Glen previous to its unlucky accident below Full Course Yellow.
After all, you want the velocity, however as 2025 confirmed, a intelligent technique in IMSA GTP racing can greater than make up for the final tenth of a second on the street.
BoP 2026 Motul SportsCar Endurance Grand Prix
(Variations to Watkins Glen 2026 / Highway America 2025 in parentheses)
Acura ARX-06
Min. Weight: 1,045 kg (+0 kg / +7 kg)
Max. Energy <230 kph: 514.80 kW (+3.64 kW / +10.92 kW); 690 hp
Max. Energy >240 kph: 520.00 kW (+2.08 kW / +5.20 kW); 697 hp
Max. Engine Pace: 9,512 rpm
Max. Vitality per Stint: 912 MJ (+1 MJ / +5 MJ)
Gasoline Replenishment: 22.800 MJ/sec (+0.025 MJ/sec / +0.125 MJ/sec)
Aston Martin Valkyrie
Min. Weight: 1,020 kg (+0 kg / -10 kg)
Max. Energy <230 kph: 520.00 kW (+0.00 kW / +0.00 kW); 697 hp
Max. Energy >240 kph: 520.00 kW (+0.00 kW / +0.00 kW); 697 hp
Max. Engine Pace: 8,400 rpm
Max. Vitality per Stint: 912 MJ (-2 MJ / +2 MJ)
Gasoline Replenishment: 22.800 MJ/sec (-0.050 MJ/sec / +0.050 MJ/sec)
BMW M Hybrid V8
Min. Weight: 1,030 kg (+0 kg / -3 kg)
Max. Energy <230 kph: 512.20 kW (-1.56 kW / +9.36 kW); 687 hp
Max. Energy >240 kph: 520.00 kW (+16.12 kW / +19.76 kW); 697 hp
Max. Engine Pace: 8,000 rpm
Max. Vitality per Stint: 906 MJ (+5 MJ / +16 MJ)
Gasoline Replenishment: 22.650 MJ/sec (+0.125 MJ/sec / +0.400 MJ/sec)
Cadillac V-Collection.R
Min. Weight: 1,053 kg (+21 kg / +3 kg)
Max. Energy <230 kph: 509.08 kW (+4.16 kW / +4.16 kW); 683 hp
Max. Energy >240 kph: 517.92 kW (+3.12 kW / +0.00 kW); 695 hp
Max. Engine Pace: 8,800 rpm
Max. Vitality per Stint: 908 MJ (+5 MJ / +1 MJ)
Gasoline Replenishment: 22.700 MJ/sec (+0.125 MJ/sec / +0.025 MJ/sec)
Porsche 963 (2025 Homologation)
Min. Weight: 1,062 kg (+4 kg / +11 kg)
Max. Energy <230 kph: 505.96 kW (-14.04 kW / +23.92 kW); 679 hp
Max. Energy >240 kph: 514.80 kW (+8.84 kW / +7.80 kW); 690 hp
Max. Engine Pace: 8,158 rpm
Max. Vitality per Stint: 906 MJ (-3 MJ / +10 MJ)
Gasoline Replenishment: 22.650 MJ/sec (-0.075 MJ/sec / +0.250 MJ/sec)
Porsche 963 (2026 Homologation)
Min. Weight: 1,066 kg (-7 kg / +15 kg)
Max. Energy <230 kph: 501.80 kW (+1.04 kW / +19.76 kW); 673 hp
Max. Energy >240 kph: 515.84 kW (-4.16 kW / +8.84 kW); 692 hp
Max. Engine Pace: 8,158 rpm
Max. Vitality per Stint: 907 MJ (-6 MJ / +11 MJ)
Gasoline Replenishment: 22.675 MJ/sec (-0.150 MJ/sec / +0.275 MJ/sec)
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