It is an exciting time to be a sportscars racing fan! The fastest endurance machines on the planet have just had a major rule change in order to create better racing and more competition - exciting, eh? However, the two new classes have created some confusion into how they are different. Here, we hope to be able to clear a few things up.
LMDh means Le Mans Daytona hybrid, and LMH means Le Mans Hypercar. Both series will run in the world endurance championship. LMH cars will race at the Le Mans 24, but the LMDh have a choice whether to or not.
The LMDh budget per year is €1,000,000 (excl. ICE (internal combustion engine)), whereas the LMH have an unlimited budget. In order to stop singular manufacturers dominating (looking at Toyota in the WEC over the last few years), BOP (balance of performance) will be enforced, similar to the idea in GT racing. This means LMDh and LMH will be able to race together in the WEC (world endurance championship), and the LMDh class can also race in the IMSA championship, a four race North American endurance championship separate from the WEC.
For both LMDh and LMH, engine choice is completely up to the manufacturer. LMDh have a maximum size of 640BHP, with LMH having a maximum of 671BHP. If using a hybrid powertrain, both can be pushed up to the 671BHP. In LMH, the hybrid power can be directed to both the front and rear axle. In LMDh, it can only go to the front wheels. This has to power along a minimum 1030KG weight for both categories.
The LMH should be based on a current road going Hypercar/Supercar, whereas LMDh have a choice of chassis from Dallara, Oreca, Multimatic or Ligier. The spine is based on the future LMP2 class, with the same dimensions.
The LMDh does have aerodynamic rulings, but allows for company identified styling such as the rear lights on the 9X8. The 'downforce:drag' must be a ratio of 4:1. In the LMH class, the rules are up for much more creativity. Excluding safety regulations, the rules are very free in terms of design, even the floor.
Most competitors will have a hybrid system. The LMDh cars all have the same system, delivering 50kW to the rear axle and regenerating 200kW, however the hybrid cannot be used in slow sections or initial acceleration until 120KPH. The LMH on the other hand is not mandatory to have hybrids; if the road going version does have a hybrid system, then that system may be used. 200kW can either go to entirely to the rear wheels, or to the front, meaning overall the car becomes 4WD. This may give a competitive advantage to the LMH, although similar to the LMDh, it cannot be used under 120KPH (75MPH).
All of this will come together to create exciting and thrilling racing from 2023 onwards. Will you be watching? We certainly will be!
LMH | LMDh |
Toyota | Audi |
Glickenhaus | Porsche |
Alpine | Acura |
Vanwall | BMW |
Peugeot | Cadillac |
Ferrari | Alpine |
| Lamborghini |
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