Looking Forward: Lamborghini Huracán GT3

NOTE: This is the fifth in a series of stories on the FIA GT3-specification race cars that will be eligible to compete in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship GT Daytona class in 2016 and beyond.

For the most part, many of the teams planning to compete in the GT Daytona class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2016 have been playing their cards close to the vest.Not surprising – with IMSA going to the global FIA GT3-specification car for the GT Daytona class, many of the current teams in GT Daytona, as well as other teams planning to enter the series, are investing in new cars. It’s understandable that teams are waiting until late in the season to try and make sure the cars they are buying offer the most bang for the buck.After all, at least 50 racing series around the world are using GT3-spec cars, which gives the manufacturers a huge incentive to build the cars, and then back them on the track with solid parts and service efforts. There are a lot of cars to choose from.One of the GT3 cars that has already proven its worth in other series is Lamborghini’s new Huracán GT3. The car underwent development in 2014, and in 2015, made its entrance in series such as the Blancpain Endurance Series in Europe.Typical of most of the GT3 teams, Lamborghini won’t field a factory team in the U.S.“We are only focused and committed to customer racing,” Automobili Lamborghini Head of Motorsport Giorgio Sanna said. “For us, GT3 is the pinnacle of our strategy.”Lamborghini offers a lot, not the least of which is its legendary name and reputation as builder of top-end Italian sports cars, and the production car’s sexy styling.The Huracán GT3 uses a FIA-approved roll cage that is integrated into the chassis, which is made from an aluminum and carbon fiber mix. Weight is 2,731 pounds – there are six-piston brakes up front, four-piston in the rear. There’s a bigger radiator, a six-speed transaxle and the other expected beefed-up components, such as a race-ready suspension.Similarly, the output of the 585-horsepower V-10 engine that comes in the consumer Huracán LP610-4 will be adjusted to match its competitors, and help ensure a long life between rebuilds.Lamborghini already has identified a couple of teams planning to field the Huracán in the 2016 WeatherTech Championship, and didn’t have to look very far to find them. Change Racing and O’Gara Motorsport, two front-running teams in the IMSA-sanctioned Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series, both were identified as teams planning to compete full time in GTD effort next year.“I’m very proud to have the opportunity to grow our relationship with Lamborghini and complement our Super Trofeo program with a GTD effort for 2016,” said Change Racing Team Principal Robby Benton. “We’ve been fortunate enough to build a résumé and footprint in the North American Super Trofeo Series and this is a logical next step for us.”In addition to the full-season programs planned for Change Racing and O’Gara Motorsport, longtime Rolex 24 At Daytona competitors Konrad Motorsport – which runs three cars in Super Trofeo Europe – already have expressed interest in fielding a Lamborghini at the 2016 Rolex 24.The 2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship kicks off with the Rolex 24 At Daytona on January 30-31.