Q&A: Hunter-Reay on racing Petit Le Mans in WTR Cadillac

Have you done any testing in the Cadillac yet, and how did it compare with the old-era Daytona Prototypes?

I did about 20 laps at Road Atlanta, and it was a great car to drive, I really enjoy it. It’s definitely responsive – very responsive compared with the DPs – and you can feel the added aero effect and the reduced weight. The cockpit’s a lot smaller too, so putting all 6’2” of me in there was a process of trial and error, but we got it all sorted out eventually.

Will your stints be more tiring because of that increased downforce and therefore higher G-loads?

I don’t think so no. I mean, I’m coming from IndyCars with manufacturer aerokits and no power steering, so it’s less physical than what I’m used to. I was just surprised at how busy it is. Road Atlanta is obviously a busy racetrack anyway, but I’m talking about the characteristics of the car – it requires a lot of steering inputs. I’m sure it will become natural the more laps I do.

But anyway, I’m really happy to be back with Wayne’s team. We’ve finished on the podium together before at Daytona, and there are three or four ex-Andretti Autosport guys there, two of whom worked on my car when we won the Indy 500. So I’m really enjoying working with the team.

Can you tune the car to suit you, or will it be the usual sportscar thing of finding a setup that is the best compromise for all three drivers?

I’ll drive what I’m given! I’m there to support Ricky and Jordan and hopefully help them clinch the championship. Obviously I’ll give my feedback on what I think the car needs, but ultimately whatever those two want from the car’s handling, it’s my job to fit in with them.

Given the team’s results this year, do you think you stand a good chance of winning?

I think so, yeah. They got five wins at the start of the year, and then the last three races [Mosport, Road America and Laguna Seca] they took pole so they’re definitely fast enough. From a distance, I keep an eye on the ongoing soap opera that is Balance of Performance, but you really don’t know what you’ve got until you get to the track. It’s my understanding that the rev range the Cadillacs have now is very restricted compared with what they had at the start of the year, but like I say, the speed that the car’s shown would suggest we can go there, win the race, take the North American Endurance Championship [for the four enduro rounds on IMSA’s schedule] and the main IMSA title.