This weekend’s IMSA Sanctioned Test at the Daytona International Speedway is set to host a field of more than 30 cars as the build-up to the 2025 season opener in January gets truly underway.
In the GTP ranks the headline is the new-for-2025 Heart of Racing Team Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH, which is one of 12 cars in the class listed. The Aston Martin will sport #23 and run alongside 12 additional entries from the existing manufacturers.
This appearance follows a significant test in Bahrain for the Valkyrie alongside a number of cars from the FIA WEC’s Hypercar field after the 2024 season finale.
The Sanctioned Test will also provide an opportunity to get a glimpse of some of the new-look GTP factory entries for 2025. Cadillac Wayne Taylor Racing is set to run a pair of Cadillac V-Series.Rs and Acura Meyer Shank Racing is slated to test a pair of ARX-06s after a recent run for the returning team at Sebring.
Beyond that, Porsche Penske Motorsport, BMW M Team RLL, Lamborghini Iron Lynx, Action Express Racing (Cadillac) and JDC-Miller Motorsport (Porsche) are listed too.
From the 2025 LMP2 entry, six cars are due to take part, including a pair of ORECAs from United Autosports and single cars from TDS Racing, AO Racing, Riley and CrowdStrike Racing by APR.
In the GT3-based classes, seven manufacturers – Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Ford, Lexus and Porsche – will be represented, with five cars from GTD Pro and seven from GTD.
While ‘Targeted Performance Testing’ for the GTD cars to help aid the BoP process is not on the agenda this week (it will take place at the Roar), this is still an important test for both GTD categories. It will mark the first official run at an IMSA event for the teams with torque sensors.
There is no full entry list featuring drivers currently available, though Cadillac has confirmed the drivers that will be on-site this week.
The #10 from WTR will be shared by Ricky Taylor, Filip Albuquerque and Will Stevens, while the sister #40 will be driven by Jordan Taylor, Louis Deletraz and Alex Lynn.
Adding to that, the Whelen Cadillac from Action Express will be put through its paces by Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, Frederik Vesti.
Brendon Hartley and Kamui Kobayashi, who will drive in the 63rd twice-around-the-clock race in January with Cadillac, are not available to join their teammates this week.
The three-day test is set to get underway on Friday for the GTP and LMP2 cars, before the GTD Pro and GTD teams join in on Saturday. The final sessions on Sunday are reserved for production-based cars only.
