274 replies to this topic

[Volcano70]

A wonderful and challenging 10-hour race around Road Atlanta- the Petit Le Mans finishes of the 2nd season of the TUSC. (see main Petit Le Mans thread)

Next year WeatherTech will take over sponsorship for this series, replacing Tudor.

New class for 2017, Daytona Prototype International (DPi) http://www.imsa.com/...-dpi-debut-2017

It sounds like they will get rid of PC though 

Edited by Volcano70, 01 October 2015 - 22:34.

[Victor_RO]

It sounds like they will get rid of PC though 

 

That isn't so much of an issue if they replace it with the new P3 class, even though only 5 chassis will be homologated for that all of them have sold in their dozens (rumours are that at least 30 OAK/Ligier P3 cars are in Onroak's build backlog right now).

[August]

That isn't so much of an issue if they replace it with the new P3 class, even though only 5 chassis will be homologated for that all of them have sold in their dozens (rumours are that at least 30 OAK/Ligier P3 cars are in Onroak's build backlog right now).

 

A "P2 Light" seems like the new PC car for 2018 onwards. P3 won't be raced in WeatherTech, though possibly in IMSA Lites. http://www.racer.com...ng-for-pc-class

[JHSingo]

It sounds like they will get rid of PC though 

 

What's wrong with that? Those cars are already very old, plus LMPC cars seem to cause most the cautions in this series.

Edited by JHSingo, 01 October 2015 - 21:44.

[Volcano70]

EDIT: Sorry, is this the Petit LeMans race thread? http://racing.ap.org...ts-history-imsa

Just about to post one.

[Volcano70]

What's wrong with that? Those cars are already very old, plus LMPC cars seem to cause most the cautions in this series.

I guess I didn't realize that they would still be running open-prototypes in WUSC.

[Volcano70]

Bringing this tread back with some recent news

Ford GT- http://www.motorspor...ctscc-graduate/

Spirit Of Daytona- http://www.motorspor...ida-com-racing/

Some other news- GTD Champs Sweedler and Bell will drive for O' Gara Motorsport in a Lamborghini Huracan,Kuno Wittmer- BMW?

[WhiteSGPlayer]

Has Christina got a drive yet? She's still a Silver, so it would make loads of sense for her to show up in gtd somewhere

[Volcano70]

Haven't heard anything.

[Wingcommander]

Has Christina got a drive yet? She's still a Silver, so it would make loads of sense for her to show up in gtd somewhere

 

Wasn't there some problem with Aston Martin not wanting to pay IMSA? 

[Dan333SP]

New Fort GTE testing at Sebring-

 

 

Surprise! Another V6 turbo that sounds much, much better than F1.

 

Too bad that it sounds like a farting donkey when the TC kicks in, but it's otherwise much nicer than I was expecting.

 

It might even sound better than the new Ferrari, which sadly is now a turbo-

 

 

I'll miss the screaming V8

[WhiteSGPlayer]

I quite like the Fez. I mean, nothing will replace the 458 GT2's howl, but there's still some element of it there. And let's be honest, it can't sound any worse than the Porsches.

With regard to Christina, she said that she was declaring her 2016 plans tomorrow

EDIT: but the ford sounds like balls and nothing will change my mind

Edited by WhiteSGPlayer, 16 November 2015 - 14:00.

[Dan333SP]

I quite like the Fez. I mean, nothing will replace the 458 GT2's howl, but there's still some element of it there. And let's be honest, it can't sound any worse than the Porsches.

With regard to Christina, she said that she was declaring her 2016 plans tomorrow

EDIT: but the ford sounds like balls and nothing will change my mind

 

The "ecoboost" Ford doesn't sound outright great like an Aston V12 or somesuch, but when I listen to it I compare it to the current F1 PUs as a V6 turbo, and by that metric it sounds fantastically musical. The car certainly looks cool with the scalloped sides and little struts attaching to the rear fenders. With the wide road car canopy it almost looks like a 1st generation DP, but with much more sophisticated aero treatment at the rear.

 

I'll always miss the F430 GT2 car, that thing howled and had a delicious crackling while off throttle. Honestly, as long as these companies are still making factory GTE cars I don't care what engines are in them, I just want this class to remain stable and competitive on the top of the GT pyramid. I can't wait to see them again at VIR.

[WhiteSGPlayer]

Corvette are making their response to the up and coming Ford program, by signing Marcel Fässler and Mike Rockenfeller as their third drivers for Daytona and Sebring, with the Taylor boys taking over at LM

http://sportscar365....aytona-sebring/

Those are enormous signings, Fässler especially. As much as he is the "steady one" LMP1, he is deadly in GT's

[Dan333SP]

Anyone know when Mazda announced they were switching from "skyactiv" diesels back to a normal gasoline turbo 4?

 

This will hopefully increase their competitiveness so they're not mired in the GTLM ranks with a factory prototype, but you also have to shake your head because they'll be racing in 2016 with what is basically the same package that Dyson were running for Mazda in 2009, a Lola-AER with an aero package that hasn't even changed that much. I guess the competition has changed from Porsche RS Spyders and factory Acuras to "Corvette" DPs, but still... Mazda should be capable of better than this.

[August]

Has Christina got a drive yet? She's still a Silver, so it would make loads of sense for her to show up in gtd somewhere

She'll go to Scuderia Corsa.

http://sportscar365....scuderia-corsa/

[WhiteSGPlayer]

Interesting, it's a good team, although the Pro driver hasn't been signed yet. Not only that, they have a Le Mans invite for winning the '15 championship, don't they? Do they have a GTE car to use?

 

thanks for the info

[Victor_RO]

Interesting, it's a good team, although the Pro driver hasn't been signed yet. Not only that, they have a Le Mans invite for winning the '15 championship, don't they? Do they have a GTE car to use?

 

thanks for the info

 

1: not certain, IMSA doesn't allocate invites based on class championships any longer, they allocate them to teams most likely to go to Le Mans (apart from any works team, Corvette are guaranteed their two entries as long as they keep their factory involvement and they want to go to Le Mans). 2: yes they do, they finished on the class podium at Le Mans this year, let's not forget.

[Volcano70]

BMW confirms daytona lineup- http://www.motorspor...ineup-for-2016/

[paulb]

I keep forgetting about this series. I hope the quality of racing does not let that happen in 2016.

[BRG]

Oh God, the Stupidwing is going to be allowed to drive a coach and horses through the regulations again in 2016.

[Volcano70]

Don't Mind the Deltawing, just an ugly livery. The all-black one was the best

[BRG]

 The all-black one was the best

Especially at night.  With the lights off.

[jonpollak]

I keep forgetting about this series. I hope the quality of racing does not let that happen in 2016.

Well paulb, if, like me, you didn't have your radar on the series this year...

You'd be a fool not to follow the skyrocketing fortunes of a certain Ms.Christina Nielsen in 2016.

 

http://www.racer.com...s-to-imsa-plans

 

Jp

[Dolph]

Oh God, the Stupidwing is going to be allowed to drive a coach and horses through the regulations again in 2016.

 

Well... its not like they are going to win the race.

[Jonnycraig37]

Well paulb, if, like me, you didn't have your radar on the series this year...
You'd be a fool not to follow the skyrocketing fortunes of a certain Ms.Christina Nielsen in 2016.

http://www.racer.com...s-to-imsa-plans

Jp

"Roll up, roll up, lucrative opportunity for one lucky Gold driver to handle setup and drive bulk of tracktime for marketable showpony.....

Successful candidate will show selfless attitude and extreme compliance to being ignored by media and viewers despite undertaking 95% of the work required."

[jonpollak]

Who the **** are you?... Coming in here taking pot shots at my pal..

[OvDrone]

I keep forgetting about this series. I hope the quality of racing does not let that happen in 2016.

Some of us cool cats out here will make sure that won't happen, for you, Jp and the others.

 

USC is too comfy and fun not to.

[jonpollak]

Christina got a LeMans drive out her second place in last years championship !!

[Jonnycraig37]

Christina got a LeMans drive out her second place in last years championship !!

Yeah, that had nothing to do with her backers..

[WhiteSGPlayer]

Yeah, that had nothing to do with her backers..

I'm not quite sure what your argument is. She's a silver driver in a pro am GT class/series, she isn't exactly barring another drivers entry, and she can hang it with the big boys pretty well. A few times in the season the team kept her in the car because her pace was so good. I haven't even mentioned her successful PWC season, with numerous podiums and a class win.

Sure, she has backing, but putting her in the same leagues as any other untalented silver or bronze is well wide of the mark

[jonpollak]

Ah leave him.... Mums front bedroom seems to be a cauldron of hate for our he-man woman hater.

[Jonnycraig37]

I'm not quite sure what your argument is. She's a silver driver in a pro am GT class/series, she isn't exactly barring another drivers entry, and she can hang it with the big boys pretty well. A few times in the season the team kept her in the car because her pace was so good. I haven't even mentioned her successful PWC season, with numerous podiums and a class win.

Sure, she has backing, but putting her in the same leagues as any other untalented silver or bronze is well wide of the mark

I wasn't trying to make any sort of argument. Was simply pointing out that unlike the countless other painfully average ride buyers in the TUC, piggybacking off the work of a talented Pro driver, she gets laughable praise based off her lady bits.

Equally was merely pointing out that she will drive at Le Mans off the back of a large cheque. Rather than an abundance of talent. Again, no different than the gentleman drivers there trundling around after a busy week of orthopaedic surgeries.

Edited by Jonnycraig37, 08 December 2015 - 15:27.

[Prost1997T]

Who do you think pays for the pro drivers' salaries, and the teams?

 

It's not like the Pro-Am classes are the only ones in the series. Prototype and GTLM have plenty of good talent to follow, not to mention the crossovers from other series at Daytona\Sebring\Petit Le Mans.

[Dan333SP]

I wasn't trying to make any sort of argument. Was simply pointing out that unlike the countless other painfully average ride buyers in the TUC, piggybacking off the work of a talented Pro driver, she gets laughable praise based off her lady bits.

Equally was merely pointing out that she will drive at Le Mans off the back of a large cheque. Rather than an abundance of talent. Again, no different than the gentleman drivers there trundling around after a busy week of orthopaedic surgeries.

 

I get your point on her, a lot of the hype is because she's a decently attractive young lady and isn't an embarrassment in the car. Then again, like the others point out, any publicity for the series and $$$ coming in is a good thing for the US sportscar racing scene.

 

Does she have any relation to John Nielsen of TWR-Jaguar fame? That name is probably like "Smith" in the US, but she is about the right age to be his daughter or niece or something.

[Prost1997T]

IIRC she is John's daughter, that's how she got started in racing.

 

Stevenson Motorsports retains its drivers for 2016 and switches to the Audi R8: http://www.racer.com...udi-gtd-program

Edited by Prost1997T, 09 December 2015 - 11:03.

[Victor_RO]

IIRC she is John's daughter, that's how she got started in racing.

 

Stevenson Motorsports retains its drivers for 2016 and switches to the Audi R8: http://www.racer.com...udi-gtd-program

 

She's actually the daughter of Lars-Erik Nielsen, who raced in GT classes at Le Mans in the 2000s and finished on the podium in GT2 in the topsy-turvy (in that class) 2007 race.

[Jonnycraig37]

"Roll up, roll up, lucrative opportunity for one lucky Gold driver to handle setup and drive bulk of tracktime for marketable showpony.....

Successful candidate will show selfless attitude and extreme compliance to being ignored by media and viewers despite undertaking 95% of the work required."

The lucky recipient of the 'do Christina's driving for her' award is Alessandro Balzan.

[Prost1997T]

The lucky recipient of the 'do Christina's driving for her' award is Alessandro Balzan.

 

So which Silver-rated driver is better for that seat? Did you complain when the gentlemen drivers in Blancpain made a mockery of the Spa 24 hours?

[Volcano70]

Pruett sets podium hopes for 2016

http://www.motorspor...lopment-season/

Mazda retains lineup

http://www.motorspor...ineup-for-2016/

Lime Rock Park looks for more track time, also mentions a bit about USF4

http://www.motorspor...e-legal-threat/

[Afterburner]

The lucky recipient of the 'do Christina's driving for her' award is Alessandro Balzan.

I've worked several IMSA races over the past few years, and have had the pleasure of watching her race in person many times in both IMSA and PWC. Trust me: she's the real deal.

[Volcano70]

http://sportscar365....eup-at-daytona/

 

http://sportscar365....eup-at-daytona/

 

Rolex 24 news

[Prost1997T]

RE: Perez, have we seen an active F1 driver race at the Daytona 24 recently? I don't recall one.

[Volcano70]

Good question, not that I recall off the top of my head

[Dolph]

Any idea when the entry list will be released for the Daytona 24h?

[OvDrone]

I love the fact that Perez is doing Daytona. More of this please, F1 drivers.

[Prost1997T]

I love the fact that Perez is doing Daytona. More of this please, F1 drivers.

 

He isn't driving, unfortunately.

[Jonnycraig37]

I love the fact that Perez is doing Daytona. More of this please, F1 drivers.

It's a strange PR arrangement. The companies that sponsor him will sponsor a car with other Mexican drivers whilst Perez himself actually has no role to speak of bar an ambiguous potential bit of driver training.

[OvDrone]

How bizarre.

[Prost1997T]

Ganassi have set their lineups for the Prototype class at Daytona: http://www.racer.com...nd-rolex-24-win

 

The expected Dixon\Kanaan\Larson\McMurray combination is there. Interestingly the other car will have Wurz, Hartley, Priaulx and Lance Stroll aboard.

Edited by Prost1997T, 29 December 2015 - 15:14.