Is the IMSA-spec Aston Martin Valkyrie GTP about to get louder?

A chance encounter between an IMSA official and the team principal for The Heart of Racing at November’s Daytona International Speedway test could become a gift to WeatherTech SportsCar Championship fans.

The meeting in front of the garage where the team's factory Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH GTP car was housed sparked a conversation during which the official encouraged team leader Ian James to explore the possibility of returning with the V12-powered Hypercar in 2025 using straight exhaust pipes -- minus the mandatory, European-spec mufflers -- to give the Valkyrie a more intense shriek when it debuts at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

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Urged to follow the formal change process with IMSA’s technical regulations staff, provided the switch to an unmuffled V12 was of interest to The Heart of Racing and Aston Martin, the suggestion appears to have been acted upon based on observations of the Valkyrie during testing at Sebring recently.

Asked if he’d followed through on the official’s idea, James stopped short of saying whether the Cosworth-built V12 will or won’t have mufflers installed in GTP configuration, but did tell RACER, “I think our fans will be pleased.”