Looking ahead to Michelin’s new GTP/Hypercar tires on final IMSA event with first-gen tires…
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Photo: Rick Dole/IMSA
The caution flag flew with five minutes remaining at Motul Petit Le Mans in 2022—the end of an era becoming a reality in the final race for the DPi class.
The No. 60 Meyer Shank Acura ARX-05 crossed the line first, closing one chapter in IMSA history. Almost immediately, focus shifted forward—to a new generation of prototypes, hybrid-powered, with each manufacturer creating a car unique to its brand identity.
What else was coming? New Michelin tires designed to unlock every ounce of that performance.
“Launching the new tire with the new cars was a big challenge for the team,” Raymond Cotton, director of motorsports, Michelin North America said. “It’s hard to co-develop a tire with a new car platform. We were at tests where cars were only able to run limited laps a session.”
Fortunately, tire development has evolved dramatically with more focus on using Michelin simulation tools.
Teams and drivers now test virtually, using car models and driver-in-the-loop simulators. That means Michelin’s designers can create a tire that, on the very first build, lands remarkably close to the performance targets.
“With limited run time, simulating what the tire would face on the track was even more important,” said Cotton.
Photo: Mike Meadows/IMSA
The debut for both the GTP class and Michelin’s new tire came at the most demanding event of the season: the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
“The temperature swing can be extreme, and it’s the most demanding track of the year,” said Cotton.
Adding to the challenge, tire allocations were cut by about 30 percent compared to the DPi era. Teams had a tire fully capable of double-stints, making strategy and performance even more critical.
Now, nearly three full seasons later, the GTP field arrives at Motul Petit Le Mans having raced 61,000 laps and 193,000 miles on the Michelin Pilot Sport tires—each lap and mile bringing incredible excitement to the sport. After Saturday’s race, the next generation of tire in GTP will carry that momentum forward.
“We aren’t designing a new tire to fix a problem,” Cotton said. “We’re designing a tire that aligns with our values. It will use more sustainable materials, last longer, be more durable, and deliver better warm-up and drivability.”
That vision comes to life in Michelin’s latest innovation: a slick tire with a visible, web-like pattern called the “Vision” tread. The design draws attention to what’s inside—50 percent renewable and recyclable materials.
“Increasing sustainability, raising the recycled and renewable content, and delivering better performance is something the whole team can be proud of,” Cotton said.
But first, it’s time to give one final nod to the tires that helped launch the GTP era with ten hours of racing at a fitting place—Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta.
Photo: Michelin
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