260 replies to this topic

[tampaguy]

Sebring is going through a renaissance. Being situated off the beaten path it’s amazing how many folks can’t wait for the race each year. I myself always preferred going to Sebring over Daytona. Now that the WEC is combining with IMSA the fans will be going bonkers ! Just read they are adding additional areas for viewing. F1 in Miami, how about another F1 at Sebring ? It would be well supported I’m sure.

[Afterburner]

I worked the 12-Hour from 2014-2016, at Turn 16 once and Turn 15 twice. In many ways, Sebring has changed a lot less than F1 has since its last visit to the track. I can't see F1 running there again unless the pitlane facilities are completely remodeled and the bumps through Turn 17 and the start/finish straight are paved, plus a whole host of other issues that would currently deem it completely unsuitable for the FIA's Grade 1 homologation. Anecdotally speaking I think there's a rather large contingent of regulars at the 12-Hour who would prefer the changes necessary to earn that homologation (significantly larger paved runoff areas, a smoother surface, and better impact barriers) did not occur.

The atmosphere at the track itself is far more suited to Indycar than F1, I think, although I'd imagine many of us would enjoy watching an uncensored, unedited excursion of the current F1 grid through Green Park. Though it's mellowed considerably over the years I'd say Green Park still retains its status as Florida's answer to Indy's Snake Pit.

I'd love to work it again this year, but have been way too busy the last few years to give it the time it deserves.

[jonpollak]

https://racer.com/20...ebring-tickets/

This proves the OP is spot on.
Jp

[tampaguy]

I was jesting about an F1 return. On a more dreary topic, I do hope that organizers take a moment before the race to honor the recent fallen Sebring residents.

[AustinF1]

I was gonna go this year for the first time with my oldest son, but we couldn't work out the logistics so that he wouldn't miss too much school. Long drive from Texas. Looks like an awesome time, and we really wanted to see Alonso race there. We probably would've gone had they pushed the schedule back a day & had the races on Sat & Sun rather than Fri & Sat. 

[paulb]

Perhaps this could be used as the IMSA race thread. I do not think WEC fans would approve of such a casual approach to race foruming.

[Henri Greuter]

I was jesting about an F1 return. On a more dreary topic, I do hope that organizers take a moment before the race to honor the recent fallen Sebring residents.

 

 

Is the track still as bumpy as in the past? Then we can't have those current longwheelbased groundhugging F1 cars on the track, F1 need as flat  as possible tracks in order to run theier aero package

[ANF]

Last year it was bumpy.

[jonpollak]

Perhaps this could be used as the IMSA race thread. I do not think WEC fans would approve of such a casual approach to race foruming.

Oh screw ‘em.
It’s for them on Friday and ours on Saturday
https://youtu.be/bwanO57oCoM


Jp

Edited by jonpollak, 14 March 2019 - 00:53.

[Docc]

Love that bumpy nasty track.. Can't wait to see the IMSA WEC cage match !!

[Beri]

Sebring has always been one of my all-time favorite tracks. Ever since playing it on Sports car GT. The track itself is so bumpy, so fast in various sections and it has this old-school feel to it. It won't suit F1, but it's great to see the WEC giving it a go.

[Peat]

Generally, I think it's been well received, the WEC return to Sebring. But, I saw more than a few comments on the WEC fb posts where fans are seemingly annoyed that they are visiting a 'lesser' track. 

I find that bizzare. Sebring is a proper test of equipment and some sorely needed edge that the WEC was missing outside of Le Mans. My assumption is that there is a small number of crossed-over F1 fans who adore the formulaic processions on dull Cat1 tracks. They probably only have post-shower missionary intercourse at a pre-agreed time/date too. 

 

Sebring is all about the naaassshhty.

Edited by Peat, 14 March 2019 - 07:47.

[MattK9]

Indycar test at Sebring. Is there a reason that they don't race there?

[ANF]

This is the race(s) thread, right? Here's the circuit map if you need one:

[stewie]

Indycar test at Sebring. Is there a reason that they don't race there?

Full circuit is too bumpy for Indycars. They test on the short 1.7 mile north circuit.

[tampaguy]

I m just disappointed that the special character of Sebring is not appreciated by the France organization. While they pumped mega millions into the track just north that’s home to a dying franchise, the little track that could, got a new coat of paint. Sebring has always been a right of passage. Think of spring break, think of Sebring. It’s a cosmic experience that very few tracks possess. Yes it’s bumpy, rough and crude around the edges! But so is life. I suggest the powers to be take a close look at COTA ,perfect example of how focusing on safety paramount, produced a barren wasteland.

[ANF]

Full lap on board the #7 Toyota in yesterday's FP1: https://twitter.com/...952260213878790

[DanardiF1]

I think Sebring's 'resurgance' has come from it being that rough and ready antidote to the Tilke-isation of modern racing circuits. I think lots of American circuits are in a similar position, which is why I think Indycar and IMSA have had growth in popularity in Europe and elsewhere. Sebring, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta and others all have a distinct character and feel to them, and represent a different path in a way. They're earthy, in some places a bit rough round the edges, but they feel 'authentic' challenges for drivers and cars and don't reward slack driving with acres of run-off.

Edited by DanardiF1, 14 March 2019 - 15:55.

[ray b]

even sebring is not what it use to be most of the back area has been cut of the real bumps on WW2 era runways the highest speed areas cut out

 

the 5.x mile track cut to a bit over 3 miles  many years ago

 

today's  track is NOT the f-1 track of 59 or the Ferrari vs ford battle ground of the 60's

 

 

has any old track got bigger and better or just safer but boring

[ANF]

The Prototype Challenge LMP3 race is just about to start. Live streaming at https://imsatv.imsa.com/

[AustinF1]

Full lap on board the #7 Toyota in yesterday's FP1: https://twitter.com/...952260213878790

Cool. Any idea who was driving?

[ANF]

Cool. Any idea who was driving?

Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi or José Maria López.

[OvDrone]

I was just thinking the other day that this needed to be the official IMSA/WEC thread. Great decision.

Can't wait to see y'all on Saturday. I'll skip most of the WEC race.

DPi over the World.

[DanardiF1]

I was just thinking the other day that this needed to be the official IMSA/WEC thread. Great decision.

Can't wait to see y'all on Saturday. I'll skip most of the WEC race.

DPi over the World.

 

The WEC race just doesn't feel 'legit' to me... I get why they couldn't combine the grids into one race, but having the proper Sebring 12H and then before it this Sebring 1000 mile WEC race doesn't really do anything for me...

[Afterburner]

A fun chapter from Sebring lore to get everyone ready for the weekend.

[paulb]

A fun chapter from Sebring lore to get everyone ready for the weekend.

Glorious stories. May this year at least be an honorable mention.

[azza200]

I think Sebring's 'resurgance' has come from it being that rough and ready antidote to the Tilke-isation of modern racing circuits. I think lots of American circuits are in a similar position, which is why I think Indycar and IMSA have had growth in popularity in Europe and elsewhere. Sebring, Watkins Glen, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Laguna Seca, Road Atlanta and others all have a distinct character and feel to them, and represent a different path in a way. They're earthy, in some places a bit rough round the edges, but they feel 'authentic' challenges for drivers and cars and don't reward slack driving with acres of run-off.

Laurens Vanthoor said last year he prefers racing in america because the tracks have not been ruined with tarmac run offs or turned into tilke dromes and are roughly the same challenge there were decades ago. Unlike a majority of European tracks

 

http://www.dailyspor...r-vanthoor.html

 

“It’s also from a driving point of view. If you dive your nose in, you’re not scared that you will get a penalty if there’s contact. In Europe, you push somebody off, or you have contact while overtaking in something like DTM, sometimes you have to give positions back.

“Here it’s just racing. You leave the pits with a pile of smoke, you crank the full engine open. You get an applause here.”

Vanthoor also feels that with the increase in track changes, particularly at tracks like the Circuits de la Sarthe, on the grounds of safety, that some of the enjoyment behind the wheel has been lost. It’s clear that he’s not happy about the direction modern motorsport is going in Europe.

“Every track (in the USA) is a lot more pure,” he explained. “Here (in the USA) if you drive there’s no room for error, you’re so tense. Even Le Mans doesn’t offer that anymore. It’s only two corners at the Porsche Curves. Then after that everything is open. If you brake late at the chicane you go straight, if you miss your point at Tertre Rouge you have a massive run-off.

“Is it spoiling it for me? Yeah, big time.

 

“I love things like the Nurburgring, Macau, Bathurst, the GP loop at Brands Hatch. Even Lime Rock. Because you can’t make a mistake. If you do you’re punished. It’s about drivers who are daring, it’s not just about being able to drive quick, it’s about having ‘balls’, taking risks.

“That’s what made racing great in the past.”

 

Edited by azza200, 15 March 2019 - 00:11.

[ANF]

Well whaddaya know! The two Toyotas will share the front row in the WEC 1,000 miles race.

[ANF]

Qualifying for the 12 hours race is two hours away. It will be live on https://imsatv.imsa.com/

[Dan333SP]

Well whaddaya know! The two Toyotas will share the front row in the WEC 1,000 miles race.

 

Alonso hype train continues in full force... he now holds the all time Sebring lap record and was clearly the fastest of all the P1 drivers. God I wish Porsche/Audi were competing with Toyota this weekend... I'd be in a car on the way up to Sebring right now rather than waiting until tomorrow for the 12 hour.

[jonpollak]

Acura’s looking fast in both Dpi and GTD.
Jp

[ezequiel]

IMSA qualy results here

[OSX]

[Bloggsworth]

I just noticed that at 8PM Friday Sebring is live on Eurosport 1

[Nonesuch]

Most excellent.

 

Bring it on!

[ANF]

They are twelve minutes into the Michelin Pilot Challenge race: https://imsatv.imsa.com/ A badly damaged Porsche has already been craned away from Turn 6.

[jonpollak]

I just noticed that at 8PM Friday Sebring is live on Eurosport 1

AND BT Sport 3
I’m fearing the gang at the pub will get bored with WEC and turn over to the boxing match.

But I’ll try.... it’s my duty.
Jp

[jonpollak]

Also... is Jenson Button driving the SMP car with Mikayla Lotion?
Jp

[paulb]

big hit by the #10 GS BMW. https://imsatv.imsa.com/

[Joseki]

https://twitter.com/...613374123761665

 

Fred Nando LeManso record's lap onboard.

[ANF]

Qualifying for the 12 hours race is two hours away. It will be live on https://imsatv.imsa.com/

Full qualifying broadcast has already been uploaded on Youtube: https://youtu.be/a9fiVVTRViM

[ANF]

The WEC race is only 85 minutes away now!

[jonpollak]

Looks a lovely day as the Anthem is sung.

Almost time.
Jp

[ANF]

Three laps and nobody has fallen off the road? Amazing.

[ANF]

Senna in the #1 rejoins after 8 minutes in the pits with a gearbox problem.

[Ben1445]

For the first time I can remember, I sort of don’t want Alonso to win ...just so we never have to argue about wether this race ought to count as a leg of the Endurance Triple or not.

[Dan333SP]

Also... is Jenson Button driving the SMP car with Mikayla Lotion?
Jp

He opted for a weekend testing the JGTC car over this, sadly. I think Hartley is filling in?

[Henri Greuter]

For the first time I can remember, I sort of don’t want Alonso to win ...just so we never have to argue about wether this race ought to count as a leg of the Endurance Triple or not.

 

!2 hours is the classic one, I really can't see the problem in this.

 

 

Great scenery, what a location! Please let F1 never contaminate this anymore!!!!

[Ben1445]

12 hours is the classic one, I really can't see the problem in this.

Because Dan Gurney, Phil Hill and Jacky Ickx are listed as Endurance Triple winners even though their Daytona legs were 3 Hour, 2000km and 6 Hour races respectively. That makes them a fundementedly different races to win.

If Alonso were to win an endurance race that is very similar to the Sebring 12 in many many ways, just a tad shorter and the day before... that’s much closer in achievent than, say, a Daytona 3 Hour counting as a Daytona leg.

[Nonesuch]

Did BMW make changes to their cars?

 

The battle between the BMW/Porsche/Ford/BMW makes the Porsche look properly huge - quite unlike the popular joke, which pins that on the BMW.