IMSA - Cadillac, first king of the GTP era

That's what we call a razzia. On Sunday evening, at the IMSA awards ceremony at the Château Elan, there was nothing but Cadillac. General Motors' premium brand didn't cut any corners, rounding off its 2023 season in style with two wins, six podium finishes and two pole positions in nine races.

The result was Cadillac's first Manufacturers' title in the GTP era, and fourth in IMSA after the DPi titles won in 2017, 2018 and 2021. To this must be added - as in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 - the Manufacturers' title in the Michelin Endurance Cup, which comprises the four long races: the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 12 Hours of Sebring, the 6 Hours of the Glen and Petit Le Mans.

“It’s been an incredible season,” said John Roth, vice president, Global Cadillac. “On behalf of everyone at Cadillac, I’d like to thank IMSA for the incredible work they’ve done to usher in the first year of hybrid sports car racing. It’s a great honor to win the inaugural IMSA GTP Manufacturer and IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.”

“You can’t ask for better than straight As,” added Laura Wontrop-Klauser, head of GM Sportscar racing programs . “This program has been a challenge of resilience, and everyone has stepped up - all of the partners that are involved from GM, Dallara, our race teams, our hybrid-supplier partners. We delivered excellent results. It was not an easy year. We had our ups, and we had our downs. Ultimately our eyes were on the prize, and we were ready to seize any opportunity that was thrown at us.”

 In its quest, Cadillac was able to count on two cars, as many as its rivals. But like Acura, its two V-Series.R were split between two different teams: Action Express Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing. This is not necessarily an advantage, as the two cars are not completely transparent. Nevertheless, they both contributed to the American giant's triumph, which was not easy against Acura, Porsche / Penske and BMW / RLL.

AXR clinched the Teams and Drivers titles (Pipo Derani / Alexander Sims) as well as victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup Teams and Drivers titles.

By contrast, the season of CGR and Sébastien Bourdais / Scott Dixon / Renger van der Zande was disappointing, with just one win, at Laguna Seca, and a success that eluded them at Petit Le Mans despite an overwhelming domination. More on that later....

“Helping clinch the overall GTP championship and IMEC championship for Cadillac is great because we didn’t have many great moments this year aside from Laguna Seca this year,” Renger van der Zande said. “To have the championships with Cadillac is a testament to the whole program. You can see in endurance racing on what a lift we are and you see how many people are here. It was sold out already in February here. Le Mans was sold out. Endurance racing is on an all-time high. I'm super proud to be part of it. I'm looking forward to next season. It's been a bit of a frustrating season for us. On the other hand, finishing third and fourth in Le Mans also shows what the American brand of Cadillac can do. Winning all the championships here again is quite impressive and makes me proud to be part of that.”

Next year, Cadillac will embark on a similar programme. Action Express Racing and Cadillac Racing (Chip Ganassi Racing) will be defending its interests in IMSA, with a second V-Series.R for CGR, which is likely to compete in the 24 Hours of Daytona and maybe other endurance races. Not forgetting the car entered in the WEC. For the Le Mans 24 Hours, Action Express Racing should - quite logically - benefit from the IMSA invitation, while Cadillac Racing will be applying for a second V-Series.R.

In WEC, the V-Series.R can boast 'only' two third-place finishes, at the 1000 miles of Sebring and the 24 Hours of Le Mans, although the latter has a very special flavour. With the possible exception of Porsche at Fuji, no car complying with the LMDh regulations has managed to really threaten the LMHs. But their operating teams were not beyond reproach either.

However, with just five points behind Porsche in the Manufacturers' standings ahead of the final race in Bahrain (November 4), everything is still up for grabs for third place in the championship behind Toyota and Ferrari. The triumph would then be complete... 

Cadillac Manufacturer Championships - 9

• IMSA GTP : 2023
• IMSA DPi : 2021, 2018, 2017
• Pirelli World Challenge GT : 2014, 2013, 2012
• SPEED World Challenge GT : 2007, 2005

Cadillac Championships in IMSA

• Michelin Endurance Cup Manufacturer Championships: 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
• GTP/DPi Driver Championships: 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017
• GTP/DPi Team Championships: 2023, 2021, 2018, 2017
• Michelin Endurance Cup Driver Championships: 2023, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017
• Michelin Endurance Cup Team Championships: 2023, 2018, 2017