The Maserati MC20 GT2, 2024 Ferrari 296 Challenge and Lynk & Co 03 TCR all broke cover this week and I have all the details.

In addition to these new race cars, I have details on the BoP controversy brewing in IMSA over this year’s new 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R race cars, how Indy NXT is more than just a name change and a new track car from Australia you might want to check out.

All this and more in this week’s edition of the Motorsport Series & Track Day News Roundup on Motorsport Prospects.

Sportscars

Maserati MC20 GT2, 2024 Ferrari 296 Challenge and Lynk & Co 03 TCR Break Cover

The Maserati MC20 GT2 has completed its first shakedown at the Varano circuit in Italy. Official test driver Andrea Bertolini put the new car through its first miles in a multi-colored camouflage livery, kicking off a wider testing program that is set to culminate with homologation for SRO Motorsports Group’s GT2 platform. “The Maserati MC20 GT2 is being developed for a platform that is designed for non-professional drivers. Maserati is the seventh manufacturer to join SRO GT2 after Porsche, Audi, KTM, Lamborghini, Brabham and Mercedes-AMG.”

Porsche will not pay for customer teams to run in the Pro class of Intercontinental GT Challenge according to its GT3 project manager Sebastian Golz, who is hopeful of seeing additional cars for the remainder of the season. “The customer support side is always the same: we are supporting teams but we are not buying them. Every race we support the same for our GT3. It doesn’t matter if it’s DTM or SRO. We can just support. We support through performance support, technical support, parts support, drivers and also a little bit of money. Nothing more.”

Lamborghini’s Chief Technical Officer takes you behind the scenes of the 24 Hours of Daytona.

Several of the GT Daytona teams running the new 992-generation Porsche 911 GT3 R are withdrawing from or altering their participation in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship following the test at Sebring International Raceway over two weeks ago where all Porsche teams were still considerably off the pace reports Racer. 2022 series runner-up Ryan Hardwick’s has decided to switch to the World Endurance Championship because of it. “The product that we all put forward on track in Daytona was a disgrace to our fans, our manufacturers, our sponsors, our teams and our drivers. The truth is the current BoP process has failed us. All of us. This sport is special because it has historically been a competition among people, and it has always rewarded those people who can extract the most performance from their cars. Unfortunately, the current BoP process and the IMSA officials who continue to defend it, are severely damaging the true spirit of competition within our sport. What took place in Daytona should never happen again, and it is my hope that the manufacturers and IMSA officials will work together to make some much-needed changes, because our sport deserves it.”

John Doonan of IMSA have responded by saying, “We are currently reviewing data gathered from January’s Rolex 24 At Daytona, as well as a two-day test last month at Sebring to establish the Balance of Performance for the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring,” said Doonan as quoted in Racer. “During the Sebring open test, we worked in collaboration with the manufacturers of new GT3 cars to evaluate a range of performance levels in an effort to bring all car models into an established GTD/GTD PRO performance window at this circuit. As always, IMSA is committed to providing a level playing field for all competitors and will continue to use its data-driven process to achieve that goal. Any adjustments will be reflected in the BoP for Sebring when it is released next week.”

The 2024 Ferrari 296 Challenge, the replacement for the Ferrari 488 Challenge, as the stalwart of Ferrari’s global one-make racing programs was spotted in testing last week by Daily Sportscar’s man in Monza Fausto Mathei.

Hertz Team JOTA look set to add entries to the Rolex 24 Hours and “some other North American races” to their Porsche 963 programs in future seasons reports Daily Sportscar. “I hope others follow our path as privateers in the class. We think there are real opportunities for consumer brands in this marketplace to get real value from their investment. That’s why Hertz are backing this effort and their objective is simple, to build brand awareness and to talk to important current and future customers.”

Single-Seaters

Autoweek explains why there are plenty of reasons for IndyCar teams to pay attention to the Indy NXT Series. “It wasn’t too long ago—less than a decade—that the Indy Lights developmental series was on life support. The number of full-time teams had dropped to six and the series’ future appeared dismal at best. Fast forward to today and IndyCar’s junior league is a picture of health and wealth, with 19 full-time teams slated to take part in the 14-race 2023 series, which was rebranded during the off-season from its longtime Indy Lights moniker to the Firestone Indy NXT (a cute way of saying “Next”) Series.”

Touring Cars

Geely Group Motorsport has announced the launch of an updated version of the successful Lynk & Co 03 TCR, which will debut in the new TCR World Tour this season. “The latest incarnation of the TCR machine is based on the refreshed Lynk & Co 03 road car that was revealed last year, featuring revised styling to the front and rear and with a number of changes under the skin to prepare for the introduction of hybrid systems in 2024. One thing unchanged from the existing car will be the engine, with the decision taken to retain the two-litre, four-cylinder turbocharged unit that powered the outgoing machine.”

Hyundai’s Customer Racing department has confirmed that a pair of Elantra N TCR cars will feature in the inaugural TCR World Tour season. “The Customer Racing department and the TCR programme are very important elements of Hyundai Motorsport,” Hyundai Motorsport’s new team principal Cyril Abiteboul said. “We embrace this new era with the experience and expertise gained from years of success in the WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup and the confidence that we can start the season with the same strength we have shown before.”

Miscellaneous Racing Series

Over 130 teams have been confirmed for Formula Student 2023. “Following the close of registration, the IMechE is delighted to announce the teams participating in this year’s special 25th Anniversary of the competition. To view the full list of teams competing this year, please visit the 2023 Teams page on the Formula Student website.”

Track Days

Looking for a track day car? How about the Spartan? The mid-engined, street-legal Spartan track-day car is produced by Sydney, Australia-based twins Nick and Peter Pap. The vehicle benefits from a Rotrex supercharged 2.4-liter Honda K24 powertrain capable of producing 570ps per ton in its top-specification model. “We are thrilled to be offering this stunning car that, by combining cutting-edge technology with jaw-dropping 1960s-inspired styling, brings something completely fresh and exciting to the ever-expanding track-day market,” said Oliver Hulme, managing director of Le Mans Coupes. Professional Motorsport World has more details and pictures.

Team News

Author: Mark Boudreau

Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.