Michelin IMSA Insider: 24-Plus Hours With Engineers

Photo: Michelin

The IMSA schedule offers an array of long days. Ten-hour race? Challenging. Twelve-hour race? Demanding. Twenty-four-hour race? A whole different ballgame.

“Full transparency, this is the toughest race for me with the lack of sleep,” said Hans Emmel, IMSA WeatherTech Series Manager – GTP & LMP2. “There’s a point when energy drinks aren’t working anymore.”

Emmel’s first Rolex 24 with Michelin was in 1999, when he served as a volunteer. “I’m an old guy,” he joked.

The Rolex 24 is a test of endurance no matter the age. But we also asked the younger series manager for his take.

“This is my favorite race of the year,” said Jeff Fischer, IMSA WeatherTech Series Manager – GTD Pro & GTD. “I feel the pain, like I’m tired, but it helps me to know that there’s also 61 cars, whose engineers are sitting on their pit stands feeling the same way.”

Fischer’s first race for Michelin was in 2018, also the Rolex 24.

Photo: DPPI/Michelin

Preparing for the Race

There are different legs of this marathon, starting well before race day. Think planning and supply chain logistics. The race tires travel over from France. Then comes determining the optimal running conditions, including pressures and cambers.

“Because it might not be the same as last year’s race,” said Emmel.

Daytona weather in January is unpredictable and can dramatically impact track temperatures. Pack the winter coat and short sleeve t-shirt sort of weather. For example, the 2022 Rolex 24 saw temperatures on track in the 30s overnight and in the 90s for the finish.

The Roar before the Rolex 24 is a critical time to prepare for these elements. Teams get seven sessions with more than ten hours of track time.

“That’s where the magic really happens,” said Fischer.

Michelin engineers work closely with teams. Analyzing data to help them adapt, make changes and tune the car for the big race.

“It really defines if you’re going to have a successful race,” Fischer said. “There’s a limited amount of adjustment and intervention that can take place once the green flag drops.”

Photo: IMSA

The Longest Race Day

When the alarm goes off on race day morning, the longest day of the season begins. Michelin engineers arrive at the track around 8:00 a.m.

After a team meeting and pre-race ceremonies, the race officially starts at 1:40 p.m. Fischer and Emmel settle into the Michelin pit stand, where they’ll spend around 21 hours monitoring the action.

Only leaving periodically to inspect used race tires coming off the cars, or grab a bite to eat, but no sleep for these guys during the race.

“A team of data analysts from the design team join us,” Fischer said. “Looking at a lot of car data, performance data, tracking the performance of the cars throughout the stint, how that correlates to what the tires are doing.”

On pit lane, about 15 Michelin tire specialists manage zones covering four-five cars each, keeping a close eye on every tire. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, tires that have been on track are going back to crews in the Michelin tire workshop to be remounted with fresh sets.

During quieter moments, some tire specialists may catch quick naps while drivers are on longer stints. But as the finish draws near, the intensity ramps up.

“The closer and closer you get to that checkered flag, the more you’re putting it all out on the line,” Fischer said. “Lap times go down, stress in the tire goes up.”

Photo: Porsche

Crossing the Finish Line

When the checkered flag waves, it’s a moment of accomplishment.

“It’s kind of like that adrenaline rush at the beginning of the race, but in a different flavor,” said Fischer.

“The win for us is getting through the race and knowing that we did what we needed to do, our part of that for the 24-hour race,” said Emmel.

Afterward, the Michelin team gathers for a celebratory champagne toast in the workshop.

“It’s the only race of the year we have a toast,” Emmel said. “We recognize what a big deal it is for the entire team that came to support us at the track.”

With the race behind them, there’s still time for a good burger before finally getting some well-earned rest.