Scot Elkins, GRAND-AM Managing Director of Technical Regulations and Development, explains Balance of Performance. What it is, why it’s used and how it’s applied.
A core principle of GRAND-AM Road Racing is the creation of regulations enabling manufacturers to compete on the most equitable basis possible. This is achieved through Balance of Performance (BOP). GRAND-AM sat down recently with Scot Elkins, chief operating officer for the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and Managing Director, Technical Regulations and Development for GRAND-AM, to learn more about BOP.
GRAND-AM: What is Balance of Performance?
Elkins: This is a way of adjusting the performance of different cars with different specifications.
G-A: Why does GRAND-AM and IMSA Balance Performance?
Elkins: IMSA and GRAND-AM adjust the performance of the cars that race in the respective series because the cars are configured differently. For example, in IMSA & GRAND-AM the GT class consists of cars that have the engine in the rear of the car, the front of the car and middle of car. These engines have different displacements and architectures.
By applying BOP to these different car configurations it allows IMSA and GRAND-AM to assure a level playing field with the many different types of cars.
G-A: How is BOP accomplished?
Elkins: BOP is applied in different ways by different race organizers around the world. In the United States, IMSA and GRAND-AM use a process of “observed performance;” that is the data from the cars during the race. The series has data from the circuit that is generated via the timing and scoring department, this data is lap time, section times and top speeds. We also have access to the data from the cars, which can be speed, RPM, gear shift and driver inputs such as steering and throttle.
It is the analysis of this combination of data that is used to determine the BOP for the different classes. A good quick check of the BOP involves using average lap times for an event. This process allows a normalizing of the data and limits some of the variables such as which driver is in the car and at what point the lap time took place in the race.
G-A: Does BOP application differ between IMSA and GRAND-AM?
Elkins: The process with IMSA and GRAND-AM used to be quite different but currently with my position being responsible for both series, the system is quite similar. There are some differences as GRAND-AM tests cars in the wind tunnel and on an engine dyno, but this is due to the differences in the regulations between the two series.
G-A: What are the different ways of balancing performance?
Elkins: We try to limit the knobs that we turn. Typically, we use RPM, weight, fuel capacity and air restriction. In some circumstances we use aerodynamics.
Source : Grand Am