Glickenhaus’ Guadianesque season in his WEC debut in 2021 has given way to a much more solid and consistent project. The American team competes full time with a unit of its SCG 007 LMH, a prototype that has started the season with a podium finish at Sebring and Spa. Two third places that perhaps do not look too good, but confirm that the LMH prototype of the structure can be competitive with a suitable ‘BoP’. For that reason, Glickenhaus has decided to go for reliability over performance in its WEC project.
Jim Glickenhaus’ team began the 2022 season with a defined work plan and deadlines set. After competing in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring, the structure planned introduce an update of the V8 engine that mounts the SCG 007 LMH for the 6 Hours of Spa. However, Glickenhaus has finally delayed modifying his engine and will not undertake this update until after the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A decision based on the reliability of the prototype.
Glickenhaus has worked with Pipo Moteurs, supplier of the engine that uses his LMH, in a complete update of its V8 engine to adapt and optimize its performance to the use of the new sustainable fuel used by the WEC. An update that includes new spark plugs, a complete fuel pump overhaul and a small power increase. Nevertheless, this package of novelties will not arrive until after Le Mans for reliability reasonsas explained by the team itself.
Luca Ciancettidirector of the Glickenhaus team, has pointed out in this regard: “No, this update has not been carried out. We were working on a possible evolution of our engine, but we did not have enough time to be sure of the reliability and what was involved in its installation. We found something good in the evolution, but it is not yet the time to use it in the current season. We do not want to risk reliability in the middle of the year, especially when the results are arriving».
Along these lines, Ciancetti added: «It is not a decision made now, but rather one that has arisen from what has been seen. It’s not something we want to try before Le Mans. We will check after Le Mans if there is a possibility to install this update, but we also have to discuss with the FIA and ACO when and how we can do it.. We are not very worried seeing the performance we have had in Spa. I think we have good top speed and good performance on the straight. And that has been noticed.”
Source: SportsCar365
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Photos: glickenhouse