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Cadillac is Ready to Go Racing

Cadillac has released photos and video of its new racing liveries. The three all-new electrified V-LMDh race cars will make their debuts at the Rolex 24 At Daytona, later this month.
Cadillac V-LMDh Race Car Debuts

Cadillac is ready to hit the track in Daytona with three all-new electrified V-LMDh race cars. The new hybrids will debut at the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The three different designs represent different teams. Cadillac says its new race cars will continue to influence its V-Series vehicles like the 2023 Cadillac Escalade-V.

“Cadillac is ready to compete against the very best in North America and internationally — including one of the world’s toughest races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans,” said Global Vice President of Cadillac Rory Harvey. “As Cadillac builds toward an all-electric future, the all-new V-LMDh furthers our dedication to exploring new advanced performance technologies.”

Cadillac Competing in Several Race Classes

Cadillac Racing will be competing in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the No. 01 Cadillac Racing and No. 31 Whelen Engineering V-LMDh cars and in the FIA World Endurance Championship with the No. 2 Cadillac Racing V-LMDh. The three liveries share a V-Series graphic-and-color theme. Each car wears one of the primary colors of the V-Series logo, including No. 01 in gold, No. 2 in blue and red on the No. 31.

The V-LMDh is powered by Cadillac’s all-new LMC55R 5.5L DOHC V-8 that’s paired with the LMDh common hybrid system. Developed in-house, the naturally aspirated racing engine is rated up to 670 horsepower, per series specifications, and is paired with a seven-speed gearbox.

The Cadillac V-LMDh was developed by Cadillac Racing, Cadillac Design and Dallara. The design is similar to the Project GTP Hypercar that debuted last summer. It incorporates distinctive Cadillac design elements such as vertical lighting and floating blades. It was interesting when the new race car was announced, Cadillac said the car would compete in a number of different classes. Now we know which ones.

"From an aesthetic point of view, the LMDh regulations allowed us to create a vision for the car that is clearly Cadillac," said Chris Mikalauskas, lead exterior creative designer, Cadillac. "And that's really exciting for fans and for people who are true enthusiasts, every car is unique.”

The Cadillac Teams

According to Cadillac. each Cadillac Racing driver contributed to the V-LMDh’s development. Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn and Richard Westbrook will co-drive the No. 2 Cadillac V-LMDh in FIA WEC competition, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, and the Rolex 24 At Daytona, where the car will compete as No. 02. The No. 2 is a tribute to the first Cadillac entry at Le Mans in 1950, Briggs Cunningham’s “Le Monstre”.

Additionally, Sebastien Bourdais and Renger van der Zande will drive the No. 01 Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. They will be joined by six-time IndyCar champion and four-time Rolex 24 At Daytona winner Scott Dixon for the 2023 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Pipo Derani and Alexander Sims will drive the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac V-LMDh in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. Throughout the season they will be joined by Jack Aitken.

Cadillac’s Racing Success

Cadillac has competed since 2017 at the forefront of American sports car racing in the Cadillac DPi-V.R. Before that, Cadillac Racing scored several wins in the Pirelli World Challenge.

Recent Cadillac Race highlights include:

  • Winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship three times: 2021, 2018 and 2017
  • Winning the Rolex 24 at Daytona four consecutive times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017
  • Winning the Michelin North American Endurance Cup four consecutive times: 2020, 2019, 2018 and 2017
  • Earning five Pirelli World Challenge Manufacturer Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2007 and 2005) and five Driver Championships (2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2005).

Cadillac's racing success history influenced the Project GTP Hypercar, which debuted in June 2022 and previewed the all-new Cadillac V-LMDh prototype race car. It is Cadillac’s third-generation prototype race car and represents the start of the fifth generation of the brand’s V-Series.

Since 2004, Cadillac has used its V-Series to highlight its commitment to performance, on and off the track. The lineup has grown in recent years to include the 2023 Escalade-V. It joined the CT4-V and CT5-V, along with the track-capable CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing.

The Rolex 24 At Daytona kicks off the racing season. Following Daytona, Cadillac Racing will compete at the 1000 Miles of Sebring on March 17 with the No. 2 car, with the No. 01 and 31 competing in the Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 18.

Cadillac Heading to Formula One?

Just recently Cadillac announced its intention to compete in Formula One. Cadillac is teaming with Andretti Global and has applied to join the race field. While the Formula One governing body has showed some enthusiasm, other F1 teams are reluctant to enlarge the ten-team, twenty-vehicle grid. Cadillac is definitely stepping up its game in the racing world.

Cadillac Photo

Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.

Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.

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