2019 Weathertech Championship, IMSA, PWC, etc

So it looks like ESM have officially closed up shop. Sounds like CORE bought both cars but will only run one and use the other for spares/backup. Part of me is happy that CORE are switching to DPi as I think Braun is as good as Derani if not better, and will likely stick that thing on a pole or two, but most of me is sad that ESM are done. They've been a staple of IMSA/ALMS for years and were a well-run team. 

In other news, seems like there will be at least one Mclaren in GTD next year. Variety is always welcome.

https://sportscar365...msa-gtd-effort/

So it looks like ESM have officially closed up shop. Sounds like CORE bought both cars but will only run one and use the other for spares/backup. Part of me is happy that CORE are switching to DPi as I think Braun is as good as Derani if not better, and will likely stick that thing on a pole or two, but most of me is sad that ESM are done. They've been a staple of IMSA/ALMS for years and were a well-run team. 

 

In other news, seems like there will be at least one Mclaren in GTD next year. Variety is always welcome.

 

https://sportscar365...msa-gtd-effort/

Will CORE be sticking with the Nissan lump?

Will CORE be sticking with the Nissan lump?

They went from Orecas to Ligiers, which is the slower car. The conclusion I draw from here is that the only reason to do it would be to run a DPI. The only Ligier based DPI at the moment is the Nissan. This is what CORE autosport wrote on their Twitter as well: we continue with the Nissan DPIs

^Thanks for the intel.

Zanardi on coming to Daytona.

https://racer.com/20...a-over-le-mans/

Have a feeling the Oreca Acura/Honda/HPD whatever they call them is going to be really strong next year. The CORE Ligier Nissan will be good at Daytona imo because that car had good top end when ESM ran it. They need to have Nissan put up some work on their part though. The engine is heavy from the last reports on it. I'm not sure on Mazda, hope they get some wins but if they fall just short again it won't surprise me. The Cadillac's have sheer numbers, both in terms of entries and power so of course I expect them to win most of the races. Can't wait to see how they do on the new Michelin tires most of all.

Rubens in at JDC Miller. .. not the painter.. the Brazilian.
Jp

Former Indycar driver, Rubens B.?

Wow, Barrichello, Alonso, Maldonado – good lineups so far.

Wow, Barrichello, Alonso, Maldonado – good lineups so far.

Indeed.  Although this post reminds me of a song from my youth on the PBS television program, Sesame Street:  "One of these things is not like the other, One of these things just doesn't belong . . ." 

PWC news for 2019, https://racer.com/20...ned-qualifying/.

Significantly expanded TV coverage and a combined PRO/AM qualifying time are some key updates.

By the way, who knew PWC will be celebrating its 30th season in 2019?

Rossi joins Penske Acura for IMSA enduros!!

https://racer.com/20...ra-for-enduros/

Rossi joins Penske Acura for IMSA enduros!!

https://racer.com/20...ra-for-enduros/

Bastard Wright Motorsport has dumped our heroine.
https://sportscar365...n-gtd-shakeups/

Jp

Rossi joins Penske Acura for IMSA enduros!!

 

https://racer.com/20...ra-for-enduros/

.....

..

.. .

*puts Daytona 24h in the calendar in block capitals*

Rossi joins Penske Acura for IMSA enduros!!

 

https://racer.com/20...ra-for-enduros/

Power's not getting any younger.  And Pagenaud . . . 

Given they refer to Rene Binder as an ‘open-wheel ace’, are we sure this actually happened?

Edited by jonpollak, 07 December 2018 - 23:07.

Bastard Wright Motorsport has dumped our heroine.
https://sportscar365...n-gtd-shakeups/

Jp

 damn.

.....

 

..

 

.. .

 

*puts Daytona 24h in the calendar in block capitals*

Are you going? If so, let’s chat.

IMSA trying to make it impossible to win the title with LMP2:

https://www.motorspo...etroit/4310356/

I think, at this point, you mean "IMSA trying to make it impossible to race in LMP2."  How unattractive can a class become before it's just irredeemably ugly?  

Edited by red stick, 08 December 2018 - 15:03.

Bastard Wright Motorsport has dumped our heroine.
https://sportscar365...n-gtd-shakeups/

Jp

I wonder if she will unpin her tweet that started the 2018 season.

I think, at this point, you mean "IMSA trying to make it impossible to race in LMP2."  How unattractive can a class become before it's just irredeemably ugly?  

At least they are being obvious now, instead of quitely giving a huge edge to Cadillac in 2017

Dang, that’s cuthrout. One year and out is brutal for the drivers.

Nice detective work jp.

Pat back at Park Place, https://racer.com/20...h-lindsey-long/

Edited by paulb, 11 December 2018 - 01:13.

Sean Rayhall calls it a day..... at 23.

Big talent. Did alot with not alot (by motorsport standards...) I must admit, I thought he was nearer 30, having seen his name atop timing screens for years. 

Hi long time lurker and reader of this forum. Only got into endurance racing a few years ago now follow Imsa, Wec, Blancpain used to follow F1 but now find it boring & to predictable. One thing i have noticed Imsa nows what it is about its fanbase etc while Wec has gone downhill for one the way the races are shot TV wise comes across as boring. While Imsa has good coverage i watch the races on the online stream or once uploaded onto Youtube. The tracks are far better as well real races tracks.  

Anyone going to the ROAR at Daytona?

Christina in Acura GTD for the 24hr, https://racer.com/20...g-for-rolex-24/

Edited by jonpollak, 28 December 2018 - 22:03.

Well... that’s the best Christmas present I’ve had this year.

http://www.michaelsh...p-for-rolex-24/


My 2 favorite drivers in IMSA.. together !

Jp

Well.. as much as I like to see Nielsen on the grid too, hoping for a speedy recovery for Heinricher - back injuries can be nasty.

-----

Anyways, I get the feeling IMSA has a problem with GTD. If someone like Nielsen can't find a budget for a season, that has to be a sign of change in the playing field. Whether this is mainly about cost, or simply the competition getting more fierce between the German marques, I'm not sure. But the final Rolex 24 entry list should provide some clues, as should the list of full-season entries for 2019.

Anyone know if there will be any IMSA.TV coverage of the ROAR?

...(Starting THIS FRIDAY btw.)

http://www.daytonain...4/Schedule.aspx

Jp

Anyone know if there will be any IMSA.TV coverage of the ROAR?

...(Starting THIS FRIDAY btw.)

 

http://www.daytonain...4/Schedule.aspx

 

Jp12:05

IMSA.tv will cover Saturday. Time is 12:05 - 3:15 EST. I plan on going that day.

Happy New Year to all the IMSA fans here.



Jp

Damn Jp, Joni Mitchell is aging well!

Looking forward to seeing what everybody running Michelins will do to the laptimes.

Damn Jp, Joni Mitchell is aging well!

Big changes at Mazda Joest, including the return to racing of one Leena Gade, https://racer.com/20...zda-team-joest/

Edited by paulb, 02 January 2019 - 16:44.

Did we ever get to the bottom of why Gade was unceremoniously dumped by Schmidt?

D24 is looking strong this year. 

I nearly had an Instagram Deja Vu seeing that pic of Miss Capricorn.

Bring on 2019; I am more than ready.

Did we ever get to the bottom of why Gade was unceremoniously dumped by Schmidt?
D24 is looking strong this year.