Porsche’s highly anticipated 963 made its debut at the Daytona last year, but it was far from impressive. The team faced numerous technical issues, including problems with the hybrid battery and gearbox. However, the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship season opener proved to be a turning point for the 963. While the race was relatively trouble-free for most cars, the No.6 car faced penalties for failing to adhere to controlled powertrain parameters. Fortunately, a team of engineers at Porsche’s brain farm worked tirelessly to identify and distribute software fixes to prevent a recurrence of the issue. This allowed Felipe Nasr to secure victory by a narrow margin, defeating pre-event favorite Cadillac.
After the race, Porsche’s LMDh factory director, Urs Kuratle, shed light on the issue that led to the No. 6 car’s penalties. He explained that the problem arose from excessive power being generated while the car was charging, particularly near the Bus Stop Chicane. The system couldn’t handle these peaks, resulting in the penalties. The team implemented the necessary corrections to tackle the issue, ensuring that it wouldn’t hinder their performance in future races.
Learning from Mistakes
Jonathan Diuguid, PPM’s managing director for the program, reflected on the challenges faced by the No. 6 car. He acknowledged that while the other cars didn’t experience the same issues, it was essential to learn from the mistakes and avoid repeating them. Raul Prados, the lead race engineer of the victorious No. 7 car, emphasized the need for precautionary measures. They applied the solution even before encountering the problem. However, the question remained: why did the issue occur in one car and not the other? Prados couldn’t provide a definitive answer and speculated that it might have been a timing issue or another unknown factor.
Diuguid highlighted the complexities associated with the systems used to regulate energy regeneration and deployment in the cars. These systems employ Bosch MGU-Ks, which are common across all GTP cars. The controllers and software governing these processes are intricate and can be violated under specific conditions, such as a brake lock-up or aggressive driving over kerbs. To avoid further violations, Diuguid and Prados collaborated closely with the race engineers to establish countermeasures. Personal discussions with the drivers, Matt Campbell and Dane Cameron, were vital to ensure that they were aware of the potential pitfalls and adjusted their driving accordingly.
The Puzzle of Performance
Implementing countermeasures came with its own set of challenges. The team had to sacrifice some performance to accommodate larger margins within the control limits. This trade-off required careful analysis to strike the right balance. Diuguid admitted that they were still in the process of comprehending the consequences of these adjustments. Indeed, finding the optimal solution while maintaining peak performance remains an ongoing endeavor for the team.
In contrast to the testing phase before the previous year’s race, where system reboots plagued the class, the 963 didn’t require any updates or restarts during the race. The necessary software was already integrated into the car’s electronic systems. The drivers could select the appropriate settings using the steering wheel controls. Prados highlighted the importance of supporting the drivers by making their task easier. Different parameters could be selected using the multi-function and switches already present in the car, thereby eliminating the need for software updates.
Porsche’s 963 faced a challenging debut but managed to turn the tide in the 2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship. The team’s dedication and resilience, demonstrated by the swift identification and implementation of software fixes, played a pivotal role in their success. While uncertainties remained regarding the discrepancy between the No. 6 and No. 7 cars, the team’s commitment to learning from mistakes and optimizing performance will undoubtedly shape their future endeavors. As the engines roar, Porsche continues to push the boundaries of racing technology, fueling the excitement of motorsport enthusiasts worldwide.
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