Next episode in the dispute between the IMSA series and Glickenhaus: Former Hollywood director and racing enthusiast James “Jim” Glickenhaus renews his criticism of the championship. In a video interview with the US racing YouTuber David Land, Glickenhaus speaks of an “absurd” and “illegal” position of the US sports car racing series.
The original trigger was the decision by IMSA not to allow certain makes in the course of the convergence between the LMH and GTP (LMDh) class if they are not mainstream manufacturers. An indication that the Americans’ hypercar could not be used in the domestic championship of all places.
Just over a year ago, the hatchet seemed to be buried. But the dispute flared up again in the summer when new framework conditions for an IMSA mission were defined. This also includes a number of 2,500 vehicles sold per year.
Glickenhaus: The fans hate it
“Frankly, we think that IMSA’s position – if we don’t make 2,600 or 2,700 cars a year, we can’t race in IMSA – is absurd,” says Glickenhaus now. “The fans hate it. Why would they ban us? But honestly, it’s illegal. Under the antitrust laws, you can’t discriminate against anyone based on their size.”
“For IMSA to disqualify us or not want us to race for some bizarre reason is completely absurd and frankly illegal,” Glickenhaus reiterates emphatically. On the other hand, things were very different at the Nürburgring and in the WEC. Glickenhaus has been at the start in the Eifel since 2011.
In the meantime, one has long been part of the inventory at the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. He recalls his early days there: “I went to them and said: I want to show up with a car that will be a racing version of my Ferrari P4/5 and I’ll make sure it complies with the rules. Are you going to let me drive ?”
Welcomed with open arms at the Nürburgring and in WEC
“And they said: Yes, of course!” The rest is history: Glickenhaus became the darling of the public and, with its prototypes, is one of the biggest threats for the GT3 top dogs. “We are now a big part of the Nürburgring,” said Glickenhaus.
“We give out a special trophy for the fastest qualifying time. I can’t move a meter ringside without someone offering me a beer or a pretzel. And we love it. We’ll be there again this year.”
It’s similar in the long-distance World Championships, where the team was given a very friendly welcome, Glickenhaus continues. “And we’re working together to get a fair BoP so you can see fair racing in the WEC. And they’re a great partner, their media people are great. We encourage each other.”
Therefore, Glickenhaus cannot understand why IMSA is so stubborn in sticking to its position. “I just don’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want us to race,” he shakes his head. “What’s not to like about this car? I don’t know, it’s crazy.” The Glickenhaus hypercar has been competing in the WEC for a year.