For Aston Martin, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari, Ford and Porsche, bluff and counterbluff is the name of the game.  Why? Balance of Performance, known as BOP. The abbreviation refers to the technical adjustments imposed by the organiser to level out the playing field between cars with widely differing architectures and technologies. This is done by making minimal changes to various settings such as weight, the engine air restrictor diameter or fuel tank capacity. “We gathered all the data from the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship to adjust performance this year,” ACO Sporting Director Vincent Beaumesnil explains. “It’s trickier to determine the potential of a new car like the Porsche or a car that doesn’t compete in the World Endurance Championship like the Chevrolet Corvette. That’s why we have to have the option of tweaking the balance right up to the last minute.”

To avoid seeing their balanced adjusted unfavourably, the teams are therefore tempted to hold back a little until qualifying. “Test Day times are not a true indicator of performance,” Beaumesnil confirms. “But we have all the parameters, including fuel consumption, acceleration and maximum speed. We look beyond the timesheets to forge our own idea of everyone’s potential.”

Fast forward to Thursday at midnight... the moment of truth. The ACO Sporting Director had grounds to be delighted with the balance achieved. The 13 cars fielded in LMGTE Pro by Aston Martin, Chevrolet Corvette, Ferrari, Ford and Porsche lapped within two seconds of each other. It promises a fantastic battle between an array of machines with different outlines (front or rear engine) and producing different engine noises determined by cylinder arrangements, and whether they are turbocharged or naturally aspirated. It promises a very open race.

Photo: The fastest LMGTE Pro entries top 300 kph on the Mulsanne Straight.