IMSA is expecting to finalize the homologations for its existing DPi cars “in the coming weeks” according to technical chief Geoffrey Carter, who has reiterated that manufacturers are unable to run outside of its provisionally approved configurations.

Carter, the Senior Director of Technical Regulations and Compliance, said all cars have essentially already been running to its final expected homologations, with recent developments to both the Mazda RT24-P and Nissan Onroak DPi falling under IMSA’s procedure for reliability related updates.

“Even though it’s listed as a draft homologation, it is the exact same as a stamped homologation and there are no areas of freedom,” Carter told Sportscar365.

“There’s a specific process within IMSA to address any reliability issues, based on a demonstrated need and applied for to the IMSA Technical Committee on the DPis. Otherwise, it’s straight through the FIA and ACO.

“We are considering the draft homologations as the homologation until IMSA issues the final stamps.”

The Mazda DPi, which rolled out with cooling updates at Watkins Glen, is expected to focus the majority of its development with Multimatic on the chassis front, which Carter said would need to be approved through the FIA and ACO’s LMP2 regulations.

LMP2 rules permit each constructor to roll out with one “joker” update per four-year homologation period, which Multimatic is expected to take it up by the end of this year.

Onroak Automotive’s recent electronics swap for its Nissan DPi, meanwhile, fits the criteria of IMSA’s permitted reliability updates and completed its re-certification dyno testing at NASCAR’s R&D center in Concord, N.C. last month.

Under the defined process outlined in the regulations, DPi manufacturers are allowed to roll out with aero and engine-related updates on an unlimited basis, but subject to re-certification through dyno and/or wind tunnel testing, which is aimed to maintain the car’s performance.

Carter, meanwhile, would not be drawn on exactly when the homologations for the Nissan, Mazda and Cadillac DPis would be made final but confirmed it would occur before the end of the season.

He indicated the new Acura ARX-05 DPi, which will debut in January’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, will be given similar allowances in its debut season, beginning with a draft homologation just as IMSA has done with the rest of the DPi manufacturers.