This afternoon’s 2021 Rolex 24 at the Daytona International Speedway is looking, uh, a little more dangerous than normal. Not because of the weather or the conditions of the track, mainly because of the addition of the LMP3 class, which ended up being a bit complicated.
In theory, there is nothing wrong with the prototype of the LMP3 machines, which normally run their own special series in the United States. They look a lot like LMP2 machines, but all LMP3s share a Nissan V-8 that produces 455 horsepower. Altogether, it seems quite simple.
But for some reason, if you put these cars on a track with other classes, disaster will ensue. Part of that is because it is a big step for novice pilots or gentlemen – people who may not have much skill or experience, but who have the ability to compete. That’s nice. I don’t judge. But the action on the track – whether in training or last weekend’s qualifying race – showed that these bad boys can cause impressive chaos.
During Thursday night training, for example, LMP3 driver Austin Dillon locked on Curve 6, tried to avoid hitting the tire barrier by turning on Curve 1 and facing traffic, before finally returning on Curve 6. According to a Twitter user, race control said, “That was the stupidest thing we’ve ever seen.”
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Here’s a practical look at the traffic flow for you to imagine the situation.
Dillon’s instincts were right in this situation, for the most part. As a professional driver Ryan Lewis explained, Dillon was probably just trying to avoid hitting the tire barriers head-on. He’s new to the car, so it makes sense that there’s a learning curve. It is a pity that it had to be during night training before one of the biggest endurance races in the world.
Another big problem here is the fact that the LMP3s are practically on the same level as the GTLM class machines in terms of speed, which means that we are about to have two very different types of cars competing for the same track positions. Which could easily get nasty.
Sports car fans are waiting for chaos to descend on Daytona Beach this weekend, and many are imagining that chaos will be caused by LMP3 machines. Rolex is always a good watch, but it will be especially fascinating this year with this wildcard added to the mix.