2014 United Sports Car Championship

[cnd01]

http://garra-fans.com/2010_GAUL/2013_shows/032613_dyson.mp3

Interesting interview with Chris Dyson. John Vincent gives some good insight as well on this podcast.

 

[braunracing88]

United SportsCar stated recently that they plan to continue their strategic alliance with the ACO and Le Mans. Could we see some DPs at Le Mans in the LMP2 class?
http://www.grand-am.com/News/GA_New...ance-with-aco-and-le-mans.aspx?cid=6383&sid=1

 

[RACECAR]

Kinda of two weeks old news really (just not posted here).


Also, its already known that the DP deal is already being looked into.

 

[cnd01]

Kinda of two weeks old news really (just not posted here).

Also, its already known that the DP deal is already being looked into.

Yep. That's exciting to think about. Of course, there would need to be Daytona prototype racing in other European series for it to really work.

 

[freshseth83]

I doubt anyone in Europe would take a DP to a European racing series. DP will be America only IMO. They may get an invite for the winners of the series or something like that to LeMans, but I think that's about it.

In other news, Porsche has the intent to race their new 911 RSR in USCR next year http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/uscr-porsche-considering-factory-911-rsr-program-for-2014/

 

[cnd01]

I doubt anyone in Europe would take a DP to a European racing series. DP will be America only IMO. They may get an invite for the winners of the series or something like that to LeMans, but I think that's about it.

In other news, Porsche has the intent to race their new 911 RSR in USCR next year http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/uscr-porsche-considering-factory-911-rsr-program-for-2014/

Funny you say that. I do agree, but I also think the same applies in that LMP isn't popular enough in America to have LMP1 in the uscr.

 

[freshseth83]

You've got it backwards. LMP1 had more interest than LMP2 this year 'in America'. Yet they're keeping LMP2? Because they can balance their DP's with LMP2 much easier than they can with LMP1. They want DP to be the top class, you should know this.

 

[cnd01]

You've got it backwards. LMP1 had more interest than LMP2 this year 'in America'. Yet they're keeping LMP2? Because they can balance their DP's with LMP2 much easier than they can with LMP1. They want DP to be the top class, you should know this.

Oh my bad, 3 cars over 2.

Yes they want DP as the top class because its grand am bailing the alms out. Rather than repeat the failure the alms prototype system has been since Audi pulled out, they are taking a wise path. They're making the largest amount of teams happy.

 

[tbwhhs]

Starworks posted a Q&A with Peter Baron on their facebook page and he made it sound like that Indy and Laguna Seca are going to be on the schedule and Long Beach and Baltimore are possibilities.

Qu: What are your thoughts on the ALMS/GRAND-AM Rolex Series merger for 2014, the United SportsCar Racing series?

Peter:I’m quite excited for the unified series. I think the racing, participation and schedule is going to be fantastic. A series with the 24 at Daytona, 12 Hours of Sebring, 10 hours at Petit Le Mans, a Glen 6 hour and other events to include Indy, Laguna and possibly Long Beach and Baltimore has the makings of the best sportscar schedule ever, anywhere. But there will undoubtedly be concern regarding the cost. We could add roughly 50% more race hours next year with events like Sebring and Petit which tend to be week-long events with all the testing. Plus there is the question about what is going to happen with the paddock. GRAND-AM teams set up, roll out and practice on the same day, whereas some ALMS events have teams show up two days early to erect their pit land monstrosities! We hope to get some information on the integration decisions soon so we can start to work on proper budgets. We need to know a.s.a.p. what the financial needs are for 2014 so we can start trying to secure funding now.

 

[cnd01]

I read that too. Hopefully, laguna seca and indy will make it on the schedule.

 

[hawkeye122]

If Laguna doesnt make it, this year is gonna be backed.

Although, at the SCCA Rationals a couple weekends ago, several of the stewards talked about how Laguna Seca didnt have a large enough paddock space to accommodate SCCA Finals (Which usually happen back East somewhere?). Granted, USCR has way fewer teams than an entire SCCA Final, but if you count up IMSA Cup, Cooper P-Lites, and CTSCC then you start to get pretty big numbers.

tl;dr- Laguna Seca may not have a big enough paddock space to be a proper round.

 

[cnd01]

That makes sense. I really like the layout. The corkscrew is epic.

 

[freshseth83]

Oh my bad, 3 cars over 2.

Yes they want DP as the top class because its grand am bailing the alms out. Rather than repeat the failure the alms prototype system has been since Audi pulled out, they are taking a wise path. They're making the largest amount of teams happy.

There was no interest in lmp2. The ESM team only dropped GTE because Risi was returning and their team specific bop was no more. Porsche was interested in running P1 next year. That would possibly bring Audi back. In addition to the 3 cars running this season. Thats possibly 5 or more. Dont let the facts get in the way of your comments though.👎

 

[Northstar]

There was no interest in lmp2. The ESM team only dropped GTE because Risi was returning and their team specific bop was no more. Porsche was interested in running P1 next year. That would possibly bring Audi back. In addition to the 3 cars running this season. Thats possibly 5 or more. Dont let the facts get in the way of your comments though.👎

You won't last long if you run a business on what may happen. I'm sure if Audi, Porsche and Toyota called tomorrow and said they wanted to run full USCR seasons they would announce the class in a heartbeat as manufacturer teams are what bring in serious cash, but that's not what we have as they are busy with their WEC programs. This whole deal is ultimately about the GTE class, the inclusion of LMP's is just there to not totally screw those teams over.

Adding onto that, the WEC has basically turned P1 in regional series' into a thing of the past with both Asian and European LM series only having LMP2 and LMPC classes. So really USCR is just doing what the other regional series have done and eliminate LMP1.

 

[cnd01]

You won't last long if you run a business on what may happen. I'm sure if Audi, Porsche and Toyota called tomorrow and said they wanted to run full USCR seasons they would announce the class in a heartbeat as manufacturer teams are what bring in serious cash, but that's not what we have as they are busy with their WEC programs. This whole deal is ultimately about the GTE class, the inclusion of LMP's is just there to not totally screw those teams over.

Adding onto that, the WEC has basically turned P1 in regional series' into a thing of the past with both Asian and European LM series only having LMP2 and LMPC classes. So really USCR is just doing what the other regional series have done and eliminate LMP1.

 

[BKGlover]

P1 will ultimately become a Le Mans exclusive. The only organizations that run the class competitively and regularly are Audi, Toyota just got back in the game, and Peugeot just left, but the racing isn't their primary income, as opposed to Muscle Milk, or anyone else really. After watching Sebring, I see why it's gonna go away. If there was anyone else, they weren't even discussed, and there is no sense in having a single car, single team class for nostalgia's sake. Like the LMS rulebook, things change regularly, and this will, either something will happen and it stays, or mum's the word and it's out FOR NOW. They can always reintroduce the class later.

 

[Silver-Sylph]

The LMP1 class is going to be like the old GT1 class and how it got slowy phased out until nobody wanted to run them. Im fine with not seeing the new Audi R20 Quattro E-Plus Hybridtronic Lightweight Carbon Fibernator dominate the whole race. That and quiet race cars are boring race cars.

 

[cnd01]

the lmp1 class is going to be like the old gt1 class and how it got slowy phased out until nobody wanted to run them. Im fine with not seeing the new audi r20 quattro e-plus hybridtronic lightweight carbon fibernator dominate the whole race. That and quiet race cars are boring race cars.

+1

 

[aarror]

P1 will ultimately become a Le Mans exclusive. The only organizations that run the class competitively and regularly are Audi, Toyota just got back in the game, and Peugeot just left, but the racing isn't their primary income, as opposed to Muscle Milk, or anyone else really. After watching Sebring, I see why it's gonna go away. If there was anyone else, they weren't even discussed, and there is no sense in having a single car, single team class for nostalgia's sake. Like the LMS rulebook, things change regularly, and this will, either something will happen and it stays, or mum's the word and it's out FOR NOW. They can always reintroduce the class later.

I'll be sad when P1 eventually disappears, because whether you like it or not (and many of you have made it very clear you do not) it is the pinnacle of sports car racing. The are the fastest, most technologically advanced cars out there, and to see them die will be a pity. Especially since there is no current class that can pick up the baton as the top tier. DP and P2 are cost capped, development restricted classes with little to no room for innovation. (Not to mention that P2 has a no manufacturer rule).

IMO, when P1 is dropped they should ditch P2 and DP as well and create an unlimited GT class, where we can see insanely fast cars that bear some resemblance to there road cars, unlike the current prototypes. Have very few regulations, the chassis must be production based, and the engine must be based on one that said manufacturer makes. The car must resemble its road going counterpart, and adhere to certain dimensions. Then add a cost restriction for each year, and let them have at it!

 

[BKGlover]

I'll be sad when P1 eventually disappears, because whether you like it or not (and many of you have made it very clear you do not) it is the pinnacle of sports car racing. The are the fastest, most technologically advanced cars out there, and to see them die will be a pity. Especially since there is no current class that can pick up the baton as the top tier. DP and P2 are cost capped, development restricted classes with little to no room for innovation. (Not to mention that P2 has a no manufacturer rule).

Oh, without a doubt. I'm not against P1, but if it is to continue it needs more than two manufacturers roflstomping everything else. The Audis, the Toyotas, and the Peugeots are awesome cars to study and watch solo, but in a race, they just feel like they defeat thier own original purpose and have become, basically, tech demos.

IMO, when P1 is dropped they should ditch P2 and DP as well and create an unlimited GT class, where we can see insanely fast cars that bear some resemblance to there road cars, unlike the current prototypes. Have very few regulations, the chassis must be production based, and the engine must be based on one that said manufacturer makes. The car must resemble its road going counterpart, and adhere to certain dimensions. Then add a cost restriction for each year, and let them have at it!

Not well read on the rulebooks, but that sounds like the basis for what would be GT1 had anyone bothered to run it. Not sure though.

Late thought- You know what would save P1? Penske running prototypes again. As far as I know(not much, mind) Penske and Porsche basically abandoned ALMS when the FIA made an 11th hour rule change that effectively banned the Porsches from competition at Le Mans. I know it was P2 then, but still, you throw Penske into any conversation and it instantly gains some interest, and mybe traction.

 

[cnd01]

I heard Bob Varsha talking about the DTM announcement on the Rolex tape delayed broadcast today. He said it was more of an "interest check" to see if they could get enough manufacturer interest before they created the series on the Super GT/DTM platform.

 

[BKGlover]

Just a thought, what happens to the Continental Series and the GS and ST classes when the merging begins?

 

[polarbear345]

Just a thought, what happens to the Continental Series and the GS and ST classes when the merging begins?

Nothing

 

[BKGlover]

Fair enough, just goes from Grand-Am to USCR. I'm watching the Barber race right now, and just thought of it.

 

[cnd01]

Fair enough, just goes from Grand-Am to USCR. I'm watching the Barber race right now, and just thought of it.

I'd argue the continental series is the best sports car racing around. I'm glad it's not changing.

 

[LongbowX]

I agree, to me also it is the best sports car racing...maybe even the best racing around. Hopefully it will still be on TV after SPEED stops existing.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

What if [don't take me seriously] USCR had all of the classes (DP, LMP2, GT, GT, GX, GS, and ST) all on the track at once?!

 

[cnd01]

I agree, to me also it is the best sports car racing...maybe even the best racing around. Hopefully it will still be on TV after SPEED stops existing.

It's awesome because a Mazda MX-5 and a BMW328i can be balanced to be very even. Not to mention the Mazda 3 and the Honda Civic that are very competitive too. In GS, everything from an AWD Subaru to a Hemi V8 Challenger competes. It's stock car racing in pure form.

 

[freshseth83]

I heard Bob Varsha talking about the DTM announcement on the Rolex tape delayed broadcast today. He said it was more of an "interest check" to see if they could get enough manufacturer interest before they created the series on the Super GT/DTM platform.

The Japanese manufacturers are all for it. They said there will be "mutual participation". So what manufacturers are they trying to 'interest'? That would be the American makes. 2015 is still a year and some good months away. Plenty of time left for that 'interest' to increase (in addition to the 6 manufacturers interested now).

 

[cnd01]

The Japanese manufacturers are all for it. They said there will be "mutual participation". So what manufacturers are they trying to 'interest'? That would be the American makes. 2015 is still a year and some good months away. Plenty of time left for that 'interest' to increase (in addition to the 6 manufacturers interested now).

I hope you're right. From what I'm speculating, all the foreign manufacturers are waiting until the series gets going before they try anything. I don't see any American manufacturers interested atm. I don't think they will be because of the economy. We've seen how much foreign manufacturer interest in sports car racing in America has been inconsistent in the last decade.