804 replies to this topic

[Proto402]

The IMSA Weathertech Sportscar Championship is upon us, but before they start....they ROAR!!!!!

 

 

 

Weathertech Sportscar Championship list

http://www.imsa.com/...ntentrylist.pdf

 

 

 

Continential Sportscar Challenge list

http://www.imsa.com/...ntentrylist.pdf

 

 

 

Oh, and the BoP shenanigans show up:

 

http://www.racer.com...e-24-bop-issued

 

I'm curious to see how the lambda figures will effect the performance. 

[f1paul]

Calendar 

 

 

28-29 JANUARY: ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA P/PC/GTLM/GTD (24 HOURS)

 

18 MARCH: MOBIL 1 TWELVE HOURS OF SEBRING P/PC/GTLM/GTD (12 HOURS)

 

8 APRIL: BUBBA BURGER SPORTSCAR GRAND PRIX AT LONG BEACH P/GTLM/GTD (1 HOUR 40 MINUTES)

 

7 MAY: CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS AUSTIN P/PC/GTLM/GTD (2 HOURS, 40 MINUTES)

 

3 JUNE: BELLE ISLE DETROIT GRAND PRIX P/PC/GTD (1 HOUR 40 MINUTES)

 

2 JULY: SAHLEN’S SIX HOURS OF THE GLEN WATKINS GLEN INTERNATIONAL P/PC/GTLM/GTD (6 HOURS)

 

9 JULY: CANADIAN TIRE MOTORSPORT PARK P/PC/GTLM/GTD 2 HOURS, 40 MINUTES

 

22 JULY: NORTHEAST GRAND PRIX LIME ROCK PARK GTLM/GTD 2 HOURS, 40 MINUTES

 

6 AUGUST: ROAD AMERICA – ELKHART LAKE P/PC/GTLM/GTD 2 HOURS, 40 MINUTES

 

27 AUGUST: VIRGINIA INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY GTLM/GTD 2 HOURS, 40 MINUTES

 

24 SEPTEMBER: MAZDA RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA P/GTLM/GTD 2 HOURS, 40 MINUTES

 

7 OCTOBER: PETIT LE MANS ROAD ATLANTA P/PC/GTLM/GTD 10 HOURS

[highdownforce]

So far, for the Roar:

 

A) 12 Prototypes

   - 7 DPi's

   - 5 LMP2's

 

   -> 2 Nissan-Ligier DPi

   -> 3 Cadillac-Dallara DPi

   -> 2 Mazda-Multimatic/Riley DPi

   -> 3 Oreca LMP2

   -> 1 Ligier LMP2

   -> 1 Multimatic/Riley LMP2

 

   -> No Manufacturer-Oreca DPi.

   -> No Dallara LMP2.

 

B) 2 5 LMPC

C) 11 GTLM

D) 25 27 GTD

 

Total of 50 entries, 4 less than 2016.

Total of 55 entries, 1 more than 2016.

This year, 68% 71% of the grid is racing under IMSA only regs (DPi, LMPC, GTD).

 

When compared to last year we have:

 

2016

-----

Prototypes 13 (-1 for 2017)

- LMP2 5 (=)

- DP 8 (-1 for 2017)

LMPC 8 (-3 for 2017)

GTLM 11 (=)

GTD 22 (+5 for 2017)

 

In 2016 we had 70% of the grid on IMSA only regs.

 

 

 

Really minor changes with news rules for prototypes. (Daytona only)

 

 

Edit: Entry List Updated.

Edited by highdownforce, 05 January 2017 - 01:45.

[SonnyViceR]

Oh, and the BoP shenanigans show up:

 

http://www.racer.com...e-24-bop-issued

 

I'm curious to see how the lambda figures will effect the performance. 

 

It's been re-bopped again

http://www.racer.com...-tables-revised

[jonpollak]

Oi vey. I've been reading up on all this BoP bull$hit today and I must apologise to Sonny as he's totally correct in his indictment of this NASCAR garbage. It's a farce indeed but my eyes are pretty much only on GTD this year as that's where my drivers are.

[SonnyViceR]

As that was probably sarcasm (?) I just wanna say that I'm not gonna go on axe hunt if someone likes the direction of something, good for you if you find enjoyment in it

Edited by SonnyViceR, 04 January 2017 - 22:17.

[jonpollak]

Cheers mate. No sarcasm today and I totally see your point now.

Edited by jonpollak, 04 January 2017 - 22:20.

[SonnyViceR]

 

Christina will be in GT3 right?

Edited by SonnyViceR, 04 January 2017 - 22:23.

[jonpollak]

Yep,reigning champion. But it's gonna be a much tougher fight this year. I'm happy Katherine Legge will be in the class as well.

[highdownforce]

The Roar Entry List updated:

http://www.imsa.com/...ist_updated.pdf

[SonnyViceR]

Not only the aero and co seems to have changed, re-re-revision now also sees pace-setting Dallara-Cadillac getting 1,2mm air restrictor break + Riley-Mazda & Onroak-Nissan RPM boost breaks. It doesn't really mean that much for the larger picture given that there will be plenty of adjustments after Roar and before start of 24, however it doesn't exactly go in line with the "ACO LMP2 is our benchmark" PR line

Edited by SonnyViceR, 05 January 2017 - 02:24.

[TF110]

Not only the aero and co seems to have changed, re-re-revision now also sees pace-setting Dallara-Cadillac getting 1,2mm air restrictor break + Riley-Mazda & Onroak-Nissan RPM boost breaks. It doesn't really mean that much for the larger picture given that there will be plenty of adjustments after Roar and before start of 24, however it doesn't exactly go in line with the "ACO LMP2 is our benchmark" PR line

Maybe the p2's are actually faster and imsa made this adjustment in response.

[SonnyViceR]

In a way it's kind of funny that the Zytek-engined are treated as one entity in the first place, given that they are still four different cars and exactly the same as used in "DPi".

[Prost1997T]

In a way it's kind of funny that the Zytek-engined are treated as one entity in the first place, given that they are still four different cars and exactly the same as used in "DPi".

 

Actually they were going to give "WEC" LMP2s an aero break because of Daytona's layout, but that would be in breach of ACO rules

 

http://www.racer.com...pis-and-wec-p2s

 

 

Per the FIA's stated plans with its WEC P2s where no performance balancing will be performed, IMSA will honor an agreement with the ACO and FIA to run the WEC P2s without applying its own BoP tables.

It means that if one WEC P2 model is faster than the others, it will retain that innate advantage. The only exception, it's believed, could come at Daytona International Speedway for the Rolex 24 race.

With the long straights found on Daytona's banking, reaching top speeds at or above 200mph will be important for every WEC P2, and with the track's unique configuration in mind, some level of aero balancing could be made if one or more models prove to be seriously deficient during the Roar test.

[SonnyViceR]

But they could still bop them for Daytona.

 

IMSA will use BoP to create DPi parity, leave the WEC P2s alone (unless something dire is revealed for Daytona with the aerodynamics of one or more models) and allow the built-in performance of each WEC P2 car to dictate its competitiveness

[Dan333SP]

I was watching some old 1999 ALMS race replays on Youtube yesterday. Those really were a high watermark for US sporstcar racing. I think Laguna had over 20 prototypes, and the sheer variety and sounds (333s, BMW V12s, Judds, Ford/Chevy V8s, Porsche turbo, Panoz, ect.) was just spectacular.

 

Anyone remember this guy?

 

 

 

I'm glass-half-full about DPi, even with the BoP, but I still don't think we're ever going to see quite such an interesting field.

[jonpollak]

SAM BIRD joins Christina and Alessandro in the Scuderia Corsa #63

 

Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 05 January 2017 - 17:50.

[Prost1997T]

I was watching some old 1999 ALMS race replays on Youtube yesterday. Those really were a high watermark for US sporstcar racing. I think Laguna had over 20 prototypes, and the sheer variety and sounds (333s, BMW V12s, Judds, Ford/Chevy V8s, Porsche turbo, Panoz, ect.) was just spectacular.

 

Why stop there, why not IMSA GTP? They even got a class at Le Mans.

[Dan333SP]

Why stop there, why not IMSA GTP? They even got a class at Le Mans.

IMO the variety and depth in the first year of ALMS was more impressive than anything in the GTP era. To me, of course. I can see why people would hold GTP fields in high regard, but I preferred the open cars.

Edited by Dan333SP, 05 January 2017 - 18:55.

[Prost1997T]

IMO the variety and depth in the first year of ALMS was more impressive than anything in the GTP era. To me, of course. I can see why people would hold GTP fields in high regard, but I preferred the open cars.

 

Yet within a year Audi was steamrolling the LMP category. To think people complain about VAG dominance in today's WEC   also I don't care for the Charlotte/Vegas rovals or street circuits in Baltimore and Houston. That's the thing with nostalgia, it's easy to forget the bad when you're watching Youtube clips of races you like (I'm guilty of that myself as well).

[SonnyViceR]

They still had BMW to compete against in 2000 as well as Panoz, R&S-Caddys and the rest

[Dan333SP]

Yet within a year Audi was steamrolling the LMP category. To think people complain about VAG dominance in today's WEC   also I don't care for the Charlotte/Vegas rovals or street circuits in Baltimore and Houston. That's the thing with nostalgia, it's easy to forget the bad when you're watching Youtube clips of races you like (I'm guilty of that myself as well).

 

I know it went downhill, that's why I'm thinking of '99 specifically. Definitely rose-tinted because I attended 2 races that season (Sebring and PLM) so my love for the sight and sound of those cars is based on actual experience rather than just grainy VHS clips on youtube.

 

'99 was very competitive. BMW and Panoz were pretty much equal on pace, Rafanelli was at the front in the first few races as well, and before the Le Mans disaster Mercedes were intending on coming to the last couple races of the season.

 

It was obvious you needed a factory team and drivers to win, so the huge number and variety of privateers running oddball machines dropped off quickly, but I enjoyed it while it lasted.

 

Who here remembers the Kudzu-Mazdas? Those things were ear-shattering. And Franz Konrad even tried to run a Lola with a Lotus engine from the Elise GT1!

 

It's all about peaks and troughs in US sportscar racing. I think '99-'00 were a peak, same for '07-'08 with the Porsche/Acura/Audi battles. Hopefully we're approaching another one soon, it's been a while.

[highdownforce]

[jonpollak]

http://www.racer.com...-to-le-mans-bid

[SonnyViceR]

"Wayne [Taylor] and I have had many conversations about [Le Mans] and I've had conversations with [General Motors] about it."

 

Why would he need to talk to GM about it? The only way GM would gain from it if they slotted him to one of the Corvettes, or they supplied engine to privateer LMP1 and placed Gordon there.

 

Also Wayne changes his mind every year, in one instance he praises Le Mans and says going back would be nice and then in another he plays it's importance or blatantly rejects it.

[jonpollak]

Well... I thought it was cool.

[TF110]

GM is Gordon's employer. I think he is with Taylor because of GM and his general interest of the race (D24). So if it's a mutual thing between them, he must be trying to get the team more open to the idea.

[FLB]

[SonnyViceR]

GM is Gordon's employer. I think he is with Taylor because of GM and his general interest of the race (D24). So if it's a mutual thing between them, he must be trying to get the team more open to the idea.

Yeah I was just wondering on how GM was gonna benefit on him or WTR possibly going there

[Risil]

Holy shit, Rebellion are entering a car for Daytona driven by Neel Jani, Sebastien Buemi, Stephane Sarrazin and Nick Heidfeld? That's more driving talent than is at some Formula One teams.

 

They're fast, anyway.

[highdownforce]

Just your typical FE lineup... 

[Prost1997T]

Probably been mentioned but Sam Bird, James Calado, Robert Wickens and Rene Rast are also in the field now it's like a who's who of motor racing, except for any F1 drivers...

 

http://www.racer.com...turday-notebook

 

The Cadillac DPis have had their top speed limited with extra drag added by IMSA:

 

 

The drop has been attributed to a tall 30mm Gurney tab added to the back of the Cadillacs through the BoP (below), and with the increase in rear downforce and drag, the parachute-like effects of the change are told through the decreased top speed.

With a need to run in low downforce and drag settings to maximize speeds on the long Daytona straights (seen below in December), the 30mm rear Gurney has cause an imbalance for the Cadillacs; solving the imbalance by adding more front downforce is the obvious solution, but that fix would increase overall drag and downforce, which goes against the need the aforementioned need to run in a slippery aerodynamic configuration...

 

Edited by Prost1997T, 07 January 2017 - 21:21.

[highdownforce]

Edited by highdownforce, 08 January 2017 - 21:52.

[Prost1997T]

Apparently IMSA is reducing top speeds for insurance reasons: http://sportscar365....unday-notebook/

[Dan333SP]

The fastest prototype and the slowest GTD car in 55th place were about 10 seconds apart at the Roar.

 

I was curious, so I went back and looked at the grid for the 2000 running of the 24 hours. Fastest in qualifying to slowest on the grid in 81st (there were slower cars that didn't make the grid) was just over 21 seconds of spread (1:41 vs. 2:02, Dyson R&S and an RX7).

 

I guess this could be interpreted in a few different ways. You could say that the quality of cars and drivers throughout the grid has increased, or you could say that increased regulations have led to artificially close fields. Look at GTLM, all cars within 8 tenths of each other.

 

Regardless, I think that they should open up the top speeds on the P cars a bit. I don't see why exceeding 200mph is a bad thing, it can help them get past gaggles of quick GT cars without having to make moves under braking.

[Prost1997T]

Daytona has had some debris get into spectator areas recently, most notably at the 2013 Xfinity race, but also at the Ferrari weekend a few weeks ago. It's the risk of being sued that's affecting their ability to get insurance, I guess.

Edited by Prost1997T, 09 January 2017 - 16:57.

[HistoryFan]

is there any site which shows the combined times of all three days?

[JHSingo]

Daytona has had some debris get into spectator areas recently, most notably at the 2013 Xfinity race, but also at the Ferrari weekend a few weeks ago. It's the risk of being sued that's affecting their ability to get insurance, I guess.

 

Do US tracks not have the "motorsport is dangerous" (aka, you're there at your own risk) disclaimer like we have in the UK?

[Dan333SP]

Do US tracks not have the "motorsport is dangerous" (aka, you're there at your own risk) disclaimer like we have in the UK?

 

http://www.breitbart...-daytona-crash/

 

I hate to quote Breitbart because it's a despicable website, but the details in that article are relevant.

 

Basically, yes. There is a personal injury liability disclaimer on tickets at virtually all races here, but there are still legal loopholes that an injured party could go through to file suit against the track owners, and insurance carriers probably have an interest in ensuring that these types of suits aren't filed.

[jonpollak]

I ain't clicking THAT.. No frickin' way.

Jp

[TF110]

They're worried about 200mph like 195mph is a lot slower. Not sure on the insurance thing, there's no one in the stands anyway 

[SonnyViceR]

Yeah they could ban all public access to stands and fill the seats with fake cardboard cutouts, just like at Bahrain or wherever. It would look just as lifeless as now but without safety nanny fears. All the people are in infield anyways

Edited by SonnyViceR, 10 January 2017 - 03:54.

[Dan333SP]

They're worried about 200mph like 195mph is a lot slower. Not sure on the insurance thing, there's no one in the stands anyway 

 

On some level it might also be the lingering "fear" from the Daytona/NASCAR people about the prototypes being perceived as faster in any way than NASCAR. I think pole for the cup cars is around 195-196 these days, maybe they're afraid of press releases talking about a Corvette going 210 mph at their sacred grounds?

[SonnyViceR]

On some level it might also be the lingering "fear" from the Daytona/NASCAR people about the prototypes being perceived as faster in any way than NASCAR. I think pole for the cup cars is around 195-196 these days, maybe they're afraid of press releases talking about a Corvette going 210 mph at their sacred grounds?

This logic would make more sense if this wasn't also a series run by NASCAR Is NASCAR "DPi" going faster than NASCAR Cup car really that much worse PR wise?

Edited by SonnyViceR, 10 January 2017 - 18:25.

[highdownforce]

If your main event is the Cup and you're running European Nascar DPi's as a side act, maybe. But lets not tinfoil yet.

 

There is an easy way to know: Wait for February 18th to 26th, Daytona 500 should attract more spectators and a Nascar weekend should produce more debris.

[Prost1997T]

On some level it might also be the lingering "fear" from the Daytona/NASCAR people about the prototypes being perceived as faster in any way than NASCAR. I think pole for the cup cars is around 195-196 these days, maybe they're afraid of press releases talking about a Corvette going 210 mph at their sacred grounds?

 

Makes no sense given Cup cars have had restrictor plates on them for 30 odd years now. $50+ million in liability insurance is much more likely to be the issue.

 

Meanwhile, the McLaren GT4 is making waves in the Continental Tire Challenge: http://www.racer.com...w-mclarens-audi

Edited by Prost1997T, 10 January 2017 - 21:51.

[jonpollak]

Here's huge side track for ya...

MotorSport magazine's Gary Watkins has done a terrific piece on Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner -the racing driver.

 

Famous name, forgotten racer

 

check it out.

Jp

[paulb]

Bump for 1 week before Daytona 24hr weekend.

[Peat]

Really looking forward to this one. Great lineups in each class. GTD looks particually tasty.

[Afterburner]

I think it's high time someone starts a thread for that race if we don't already have one.