World Sports Car 2024
The new Hypercar regulations began in 2018 and brought the officiating bodies of FIA/ACO and IMSA together through Convergence. This new framework allows their top class of Hypercar (WEC) and GTP (IMSA) to be compatible with very few changes. the WEC Hypercar class (LMH spec - Le Mans Hypercar) premiered in 2021 (replacing LMP1) with IMSA’s GTP starting in 2023.
Thanks to the tireless work of Storm Gang Simulation and our many partners, we can now experience this incredibly thrilling occasion in simulation. 21 different cars from dozens of manufacturers have all been meticulously developed through the Smart BOP process, allowing for uniquely performing vehicles that all have a shot at the top spot.
We'd like to thank our partners (listed below) and especially our patrons who have supported us. This work is all because of you.
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Credits:
Optical Dream Soft (Slava Oleksii!)
Hably Rizqi
DSG Studio
Classic Motorsports Hub
JM Tracks
Barry Dimarzo
Brian van Beusekom (BrianB)
Alec King, Jamie Zolecki
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rFactor 2 mod workshop release Q3 2025
HYPERCAR
Acura ARX-06 LMDh
What started in the 90's as Honda's first entry into IMSA's GTP prototype racing, has grown into a dominating force that has fought ferociously for podiums through the decades. The success saw future iterations run in IMSA, FIA events and at Le Mans for over 80 wins. The most recent being the dramatic 2022 Petit Le Mans finish which also clinched the manufacturer's championship ahead of rival, Cadillac.
The ARX-06 leaves behind the DPi regulations for the new LMDh specs, featuring a 40 kW (50 HP) hybrid unit and a screaming, 6-cylinder, 670 HP engine influenced by future IndyCar programs. The custom bodywork by HPD Design takes strong cues from the previous ARX-05, including the slasher headlights and double front wing, sitting on a chassis developed by Oreca. The Acura has remained exclusively in IMSA but the marquee has strong ambitions to run at Le Mans.
Alpine A424 LMDh
Peugeot isn’t the only manufacturer hitting the track from France. With a robust racing history, Alpine has stepped into the ring with their LMDh effort. One of the first manufacturers running solely in WEC with the IMSA-style chassis, The A424 struggled at first but started to show promise early on.
Taking their experience from the LMP era, they developed a design on the Oreca platform with strikingly similar cues to the Acura ARX-06. The RWD Mechachrome-powered , turbo 3.4L V6 RWD layout has put its rivals on alert.
BMW M Hybrid V8 LMDh
The Bavarian manufacturer makes a strong return to top level sportscar racing after a 20+ year hiatus. The LM V12 was the first foray into prototype racing back in 1998 and was an initial disaster. The LM was practically abandoned mid-season for its successor. the LMR V12, which would go on to take the 1999 Le Mans race in dominant fashion.
Then, BMW disappeared from prototypes, staying focused on touring and GT motorsport predominantly. But that has changed with the advent of new Hypercar regulations. Surprisingly, the Germans went for the IMSA LMDh instead of WEC's LMH ruleset, likely due to cost savings. So, the thrumming V8 stuffed in a Dallara chassis, and its infamous gaping nostrils have been slow out of the gate but have started showing more success as the program matured.
Cadillac V-LMDh
General Motors has been a stalwart competitor both regionally in the USA and across the world. The GTE program had a tearful departure where the C8 said its last goodbye at a bitter 2022 Bahrain round, while the upcoming GT3 spec version will take its place. On the prototype side, the very powerful DPi-V.R has waged war in IMSA over the last years. The 2022 season saw an epic struggle between their sole, remaining rival, Acura, who edged them out on the farewell tour for the car and specification.
Cadillac was not modest with the reveal of their Hypercar concept which saw elegant, transparent bodywork on the wing and striking aero design that singled the car out as a serious threat in both design and function. While the aesthetics were trimmed back for the race-ready version, the booming V8 roar and strong presence on track are ever present. GM has been very successful in IMSA while its WEC program struggles with numerous race incidents keeping it from better finishes.
Ferrari 499P LMH
No other manufacturer can say they have a history like Ferrari's. Whether you're a tifoso or you hate the brand, Ferrari demands the respect of motor enthusiasts around the world and it's no surprise that they turned heads when they announced their return to official prototype racing after 50 years.
Using the LMH spec, Ferrari debuted their car (fashionably late) and easily stood out as the most elegant of all recent hypercars. Interestingly, it shares the same twin turbo, V6 engine with its GT3 counterpart. The 499P has a semi-permanent all-wheel drive, with an electric motor situated at the front axle, providing 200 kW (272 PS; 268 hp) above 120 km/h (75 mph) (as stipulated by the regulations), and is connected to a bespoke 900 V battery pack, with the ability to be recharged by Ferrari's own Energy Recovery System (ERS).
Their immediate success at Le Mans has inspired the teams to push for overall victory in the WEC championship.
Isotta Fraschini Tipo 6 LMH
This little boutique brand from well over a century before hypercars were even considered has taken on the goliaths in the field.
The fully functioning 3.5L Twin Turbo V8 powers all four wheels on this LMH. Despite its cues from LMP3 form and Italian ancestry, the brand struggled to find traction against the heavyweights in the field, many who have had up to two years of development behind them. Even still, the team put on a valiant effort, crossing swords with every team in the field and being well remembered.
Lamborghini SC63 LMDh
Ferrari’s hated cousin came to the show with the sharp, angular lines reminiscent of their modern design aesthetics and an appetite for runs in both WEC and IMSA.
The RWD layout driven by 2.6L Twin Turbo V8 has shown the car has pace in both series. However, over the first two years in competition, it was obvious that the car needed more development. As the teams cut back and focus on IMSA, the car’s future would hang in the balance as the teams struggled to exploit the car’s potential.
Peugeot 9x8 LMH
The wingless wonder made a return for the last time (despite the winged Evo version actually premiering in 2024 in WEC).
The AWD format gave some unique pros and cons for the 2.6L Twin Turbo V6 beast. While the aero was made for Le Mans success, the French manufacturer has had very limited success on the grand stage. With the added wing, there were some improvements but other than looking totally unique on the grid, Peugeot is desperate for gains.
Porsche 963 LMDh
Porsche is the peanut butter to Ferrari's jelly. The two are iconic juggernauts in endurance racing and motorsport in general. The rivalry is older and more prominent than Enzo's spat with Ford. And bigger than the arm-wrestling Porsche did with Mercedes in the 90's. When Ferrari said they wanted revenge for the beating they took in the 70's, Porsche dinged the bell for round 2.
Leaning full into the heritage of GTP and Group C racing of the 80's (956 & 962), the 963 was developed on the Multimatic chassis for IMSA's LMDh spec. Its own twin turbo V8 blasts the svelte prototype around and it’s been an absolute powerhouse in both IMSA and WEC since its premier
Toyota GR010 LMH
The sole manufacturer to see LMP1 run its course and one of the first to join the LMH club, Toyota has shown that they are a racing brand. While they may not have some of the same, glorious history in world sportscar racing as others in this list, they absolutely know how to win and never quit.
Since the inception of Hypercar rules, Toyota was ready to go toe to toe with everyone from Aston Martin to Glickenhaus and beyond. The GR010 dominated the WEC before more manufacturers began showing up. But even as the juggernauts of Ferrari, Porsche and Cadillac appeared, Toyota showed that they were ready and fully prepared to go to war. Even when hit with some of the heaviest BOP in WEC, they still manage to keep their rivals in check.
GT
Acura NSX Evo GT3
Honda’s luxury brand has a rich heritage in the NSX line. The first “cheap supercar” of the modern age transformed into something that is not so cheap anymore. The 2022 version of the car will be the last in production through 2024. The chassis will continue to be provided by the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, while the final assembly is completed by JAS Motorsport in Milan, Italy.
The original NSX GT3 was introduced in 2017 and since then, it has achieved 25 class wins in IMSA GTD and SRO GT competitions. It’s currently defending the titles in both competitions as a manufacturers’ champion. Relying solely on a lightly modified version of the production model’s 3.5-litre twin turbocharged V6 engine to produce 550 HP and 644 Nm of torque. Storm Gang provides both the original and the final Evo version of the car for drivers to enshrine this classic sportscar in its swan song year.
Corvette C8 GT3
Ford and GM were both developing their next entry into the GT3 field to do battle in the most popular GT racing fields. For Corvette, they needed to maintain presence, so they opted to convert their C8 GTE format to GT3 spec while they worked on their customer program in the Z06.
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With its very strong inherited aero and even weight distribution, the car is very nimble but way down on power, only 500 HP. A struggle on the straights but a cutlass in the corners, the C8 is a unique weapon of choice for drivers that love to attack and defend.
Ferrari 296 GT3
Ferrari introduced a refreshed model to its GT3 roster, replacing the aging, yet successful, 488. The 296 entered the field with a very unique approach to GT3 construction. The car is designed to easily be pulled apart down to its components, able to be completely replaced within 15 minutes. And even more interesting, the GT3 shares the same power plant as its contemporary Hypercar brother, the 499P.
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With its refined aero, and 550 HP 2.9L Twin Turbo V6, the aggressive looking 296 has very quickly earned its place among the ranks, taking victories at the 24 Hours of Nordschleife and elsewhere.
Ford Mustang GT3
Ford finally revealed their GT3 to debut in WEC and IMSA for 2024. Their last pony car carries on the Ford Performance legacy with Joey Hand helping oversee the car's production, After some flopped attempts to add the Mustang to the class between 2007-2011 and killing off the Ford GT GTE program in 2019, this resurgence sees the Mustang come back hard and fast with a thundering, 500 HP V8 and an incredible 50/50 split in a front engine layout.
Lamborghini Huracan Evo 2 GT3
Lamborghini has an incredibly strong showing in GT3 and GTD around the world. The Italian marquee is one of the most visually radical designs, maintaining the age-old wedge shape. The Evo 2 has taken visual cues from the Super Trofeo version of the car, which was the basis for the 2022 car. Historically, The GT3 Evo’s follow the Super Trofeo versions from the previous generation with some other enhancements. While equipped with a 5.2L NA V10, the Huracan is actually on the light side, at around 1230kg and a popular choice for pros and ams alike.
Lexus RC F GT3
The Lexus RC F GT3 made its debut in the GT Daytona (GTD) class of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at the 2017 Rolex 24 at Daytona. It has taken several class victories and poles through its lifetime, allowing Toyota’s luxury brand to stand shoulder to shoulder with their Japanese rival, Honda/Acura. While support is being pulled in Europe, the US program is still very strong as well as privateer programs. The weight is maxed at 1300kg and the car is powered by a powerful 5.4L V8 pumping out 500 HP.
Porsche 911 (992) GT3
Porsche came to the game with its successful 911 format. Coming into 2023, the newest iteration a la the 992 was...mediocre. But after some development and push for BOP updates, the 992 became a powerhouse. The 4.0L NA Flat-6 is at home in the car's bumper, giving it the classic German balance.
No series is complete without Porsche, and for those who can tame the quirky characteristics through setup and driving style, the 992 will be an absolutely hero.