IMSA 2024 preview: GTD and GTD Pro
Class-By-Class: Previewing The GTD Class For 2024
The GTD class for 2024 is quite fascinating, to say the least.
Although there are more of a clear-cut top three or even top five cars that will be serious contenders, the grid is so packed that things could drastically shake out over the course of the 2024 season.
This year, the GTD class will see some IMSA regulars such as Vasser Sullivan, Andretti Motorsports, Wayne Taylor Racing and more. But there are also some new entries and cars, with the AWA Corvette’s and Proton Competition Mustang customer entries being among the highlighted ones.
There are definitely some unknowns with some of these teams, including groups that may only be running a fraction of the season, but that doesn’t make the season predictions any easier leading up to the year.
Our GTD Predictions
1. #12 Vasser Sullivan Lexus: Frankie Montecalvo and Parker Thompson (season); Aaron Telitz (IMEC); Ritomo Miyata (Rolex 24)
2. #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin: Roman De Angelis and Marco Sorensen (season); Zacharie Robichon (IMEC); Ian James (Rolex 24)
3. #32 Korthoff/Preston Mercedes: Mikael Grenier and Mike Skeen (season); Kenton Koch (IMEC); Maximilian Goetz (Rolex 24)
4. #17 AWA Corvette: Anthony Mantella and Nico Varrone (season); Thomas Merrill (IMEC); Charlie Eastwood (Rolex 24)
5. #92 Kellymoss with Riley Porsche: David Brule and Alex Udell (Rolex 24); other drivers TBA
6. #13 AWA Corvette: Orey Fidani and Matthew Bell (season); Lars Kern (IMEC); Alex Lynn (Rolex 24)
7. #57 Winward Racing Mercedes: Daniel Morad and Russell Ward (season); other drivers TBA
8. #43 Andretti Motorsports Porsche: Jarett Andretti and Gabby Chaves (season); Scott Hargrove (IMEC); TBA (Rolex 24)
9. #55 Proton Competition Mustang: All Drivers TBD
10. #44 Magnus Racing Aston Martin: Andy Lally and John Potter (season); Spencer Pumpelly (IMEC); TBA (Rolex 24)
11. #78 Forte Racing Lamborghini: Misha Goikhberg and Loris Spinelli (season); Devlin DeFrancesco (IMEC); Sandy Mitchell (Rolex 24)
12. #91 KellyMoss with Riley Porsche: TBA
13. #45 Wayne Taylor Racing Lamborghini: Danny Formal and Kyle Marcelli (season); Graham Doyle (IMEC); Ashton Harrison (Rolex 24)
14. #120 Wright Motorsports Porsche: Adam Adelson and Elliott Skeer (IMEC races plus Long Beach); Jan Heylen (IMEC); Fred Makowiecki (Rolex 24)
15. #86 MDK Motorsports Porsche: Anders Fjordbach and Kerong Li (season); other drivers TBA
16. #96 Turner Motorsports BMW: Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher (season); Jake Walker (IMEC); Jens Klingmann (Rolex 24)
17. #66 Gradient Racing Acura: Katherine Legge and Sheena Monk (season); Tatiana Calderon (IMEC); Stevan McAleer (Rolex 24)
18. #70 Inception Racing McLaren: Brendan Iribe and Frederik Schandorff (season); Ollie Millroy (IMEC); Tom Gamble (Rolex 24)
19. #34 Conquest Racing Ferrari: Albert Costa Balboa and Manny Franco (season); Cedric Sbirrazzuoli (IMEC); Alessandro Balzan (Rolex 24)
20. #83 Iron Dames Lamborghini: Sarah Bovy, Rahel Frey, Michelle Gatting and TBA
21. #60 Iron Lynx Lamborghini: Matteo Cairoli, Matteo Cressoni, Romain Grosjean and Claudio Schiavoni
22. #21 AF Corse Ferrari: Kei Cozzolino, Francois Heriau, Simon Mann and TBA
23. #47 Cetilar Racing Ferrari: Antonio Fuoco, Roberto Lacorte and Giorgio Sernagiotto (IMEC); Eddie Cheever III (Rolex 24)
24. #023 Triarsi Competizione Ferrari: Ricky Agostini, Alessio Rovera, Charlie Scardina and Onofrio Triarsi
25. #80 Lone Star Racing Mercedes: All Drivers TBD
(Note: Driver List Not Updated)
Predictions Overview
The top team has to be the #12 Vasser Sullivan.
A team that is undeniably quick on track — any pairing that features the likes of Frankie Montecalvo and Parker Thompson, not to mention Aaron Telitz and Ritomo Miyata — is a dangerous grouping.
Looking down the aforementioned list, the AWA Corvettes pairings have the potential to be something.
With a good listing of Corvette Factory Drivers in the customer entries, it will be hard not to have one of their two entries not in the top five, but we do believe that one of the two will have struggles.
Other teams that look to also potentially be contenders this year include Heart of Racing with their new Aston Martin, Proton Competition’s Ford Mustang entry, and Korthoff/Preston with their Mercedes-AMG.
There are some teams, such as Turner Motorsports, Wayne Taylor Racing and Andretti Motorsports that have the potential to be up towards the podium. However, it is likely going to be a steep hill to climb.
One of the partial-season teams to look out for is the Iron Lynx/Iron Dames camp. Usually a pretty dominant team on track, leading laps in previous IMSA events, Iron Dames has a chance to make some history with their all-female lineup, who finished the WEC season last year on a high note.
Nevertheless, while the GTD class may not have the notable firepower that GTD Pro has, there will for sure be some noteworthy stories to tell with how packed to the brim this class is.
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Class-By-Class: Previewing The GTD Pro Class for 2024
The GTD Pro class is practically an all-star field.
From top to bottom, the GTD Pro grid may have the most exciting driver entry list in recent memory, featuring Le Mans and Rolex 24 winners all across the board.
This driver lineup not only pairs up remarkably, but with the addition of new cars and even manufacturers, the Pro class of IMSA has never looked stronger.
Personally, this is probably the most exciting class heading into the 2024 season outside of the top GTP level. But there are still things that need to shake out to see how far it can reach its potential.
My GTD Pro Predictions
1. #14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus: Ben Barnicoat and Jack Hawksworth (season); Kyle Kirkwood (IMEC); Mike Conway (Rolex 24)
2. #1 Paul Miller Racing BMW: Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow (season); Neil Verhagen (IMEC); Sheldon van der Linde (Rolex 24)
3. #3 Pratt Miller Racing Corvette: Antonio Garcia and Alexander Sims (season); Daniel Juncadella (IMEC)
4. #23 Heart of Racing Aston Martin: Ross Gunn and Alex Riberas (season); Mario Farnbacher (IMEC)
5. #65 Multimatic Motorsports Ford: Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller (season); Frederic Vervisch (Rolex 24)
6. #4 Pratt Miller Racing Corvette: Nicky Catsburg and Tommy Milner (season); Earl Bamber (IMEC)
7. #9 Pfaff McLaren: Oliver Jarvis and Marvin Kirchhoefer (season); James Hinchcliffe (IMEC); Alexander Rossi (Rolex 24)
8. #64 Multimatic Motorsports Ford: Mike Rockenfeller and Harry Tincknell (season); Chris Mies (Rolex 24)
9. #62 Risi Competizione: Alessandro Pier Guidi, Davide Rigon and Daniel Serra
10. #77 AO Racing Porsche: Laurin Heinrich and Sebastian Priaulx (season); other drivers TBA
11. #75 SunEnergy 1 Racing Mercedes: Maro Engel, Jules Gounon, Kenny Habul and Luca Stolz
12. #19 Iron Lynx Lamborghini: Mirko Bortolotti, Andrea Caldarelli, Jordan Pepper and Frank Perera
Predictions Overview
Similarly, to our GTD class predictions, it is hard to not have one of the top teams on the grid in the #1 spot.
The defending champs of the class, until Vasser Sullivan gets knocked off the podium, the Lexus team will be hard to dethrone, especially with how strong their GTD Pro lineup is.
Potentially a bit surprising, Paul Miller Racing, in their first year in GTD Pro, has the makings of being a team to reckon with.
Coming off a season where the BMW team outran GTD Pro class teams, Paul Miller Racing may be a dark horse to win the class championship this year.
While some of our other picks are more chalk, with Pratt Miller Racing finishing 3rd last season, there are still many unknowns with some of these new pairings heading into 2024.
We are most looking forward to Pfaff Motorsports' new McLaren partnership.
Pfaff, a group that features Oliver Jarvis, James Hinchcliffe, and Alexander Rossi, will be looking to find instant success in what was a bit of a down season for the iconic Canadian-based team.
Beyond that, keep an eye on the Ford vs. Chevrolet battles this season.
With two factory teams fielding two factory entries, the two American juggernauts will add to what is the most star-studded class among the four.