Cadillac Racing's LMDh Hits the Test Track

Cadillac Racing's LMDh is off and running.

The Project GTP Hypercar, which was unveiled on June 9, completed its first on-track laps this week. Cadillac Racing plans to race the car next year in the top categories of both the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

While invitations have yet to go out for the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans, Cadillac hopes to have more than one car on the Le Mans grid.

The car will make its racing debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January. Chip Ganassi Racing and Action Express will partner with Cadillac for the racing effort.

The prototype features a Cadillac 5.5-liter DOHC V-8 engine that will produce an expected 680 hp and is being developed by GM’s Performance and Racing propulsion team based in Pontiac, Michigan. It is paired to the LMDh common hybrid system that will allow the car to race in both IMSA and the WEC.

“The first laps are the start of an aggressive testing schedule ahead of next year,” GM sports car racing program manager Laura Wontrop Klauser said. “Our team is dedicated to continuing Cadillac Racing’s rich heritage of winning on the track.”

Cadillac Racing driver Earl Bamber handled the test duties.

“This was a monumental event thanks to a complete group effort between Cadillac, Chip Ganassi Racing and Dallara,” said Bamber, co-driver with Alex Lynn of the No. 02 Cadillac Accessories Cadillac DPi-V.R this season in IMSA competition. “It was an exhilarating feeling to jump in the car for the first time and get a sense of what the future will look like. So much work has gone into the 2023 race car, and I can’t wait to see it take flight next season.”