2014 United Sports Car Championship

  • Thread starter Earth
  • 6,133 comments
  • 266,866 views
Ah, was under the impression this whole time that was run by Schubert Motorsport. I guess its because I've gotten so used to the Yellow and Blue on Turner's cars.

Not sure BMW is willing to make more GTE spec Z4s though for another team, last I read they didn't seem interested in doing so anyway.
 
Last edited:
RACECAR
Ah, was under the impression this whole time that was run by Schubert Motorsport. I guess its because I've gotten so used to the Yellow and Blue on Turner's cars.

Not sure BMW is willing to make more GTE spec Z4s though for another team, last I read they didn't see interested in doing so anyway.
Click to expand...

I doubt Turner has the money to be competitive with what is basically a factory team. Besides, Turner relies on Amateur drivers
 
It looks basically the same, but I love that livery. I'm all for different engine suppliers in DP, it'll be a nice change from everyone running a big mean V8.
 
So it's a Riley, with a couple styling cues from Ford. Eh, not impressed with the looks really then. I'm still waiting for DPs to be at the forefront of what's technically possible (Or at least as technical as the P2 machinery).
 
Mac K
It looks basically the same, but I love that livery. I'm all for different engine suppliers in DP, it'll be a nice change from everyone running a big mean V8.
Click to expand...

It's still from the same place who built their engines before and builds all of the Ford's. I swear someone was running one of these already to test it or see how it did.

If I recall hasn't MSR already been testing this engine or run it in a race?
 
Sam48
So it's a Riley, with a couple styling cues from Ford. Eh, not impressed with the looks really then. I'm still waiting for DPs to be at the forefront of what's technically possible (Or at least as technical as the P2 machinery).
Click to expand...

At that point it will no longer be a DP. It's the alternate to being technologically advanced, so you won't ever be impressed by a true DP. In 2017, there won't be a dp
 
Wilbur
Well it's here! MSR's new DP...it actually looks good BUT I'm not sure about his engine at all.

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131001/GRAND_AM/131009989
Click to expand...

I like it. Yeah its essentially a slightly altered Riley DP, but its better then the Sticker job we got with the Gen 2 DPs and its much more specific.

Also, it looks we may have a court case on our hands here.


Personally, I don't think its necessary. Its a Ben Bowlby creation ,of course it looks strikingly similar.
 
So let me get this straight....the delta wing is pretty much a very mixed up car with alot of hands in the pot?

Hell kill the damn thing off for all I care, I didn't really like it but if it's going to be this big of an issue, no need to start more drama than needed.
 
Wilbur
So let me get this straight....the delta wing is pretty much a very mixed up car with alot of hands in the pot?
Click to expand...

Essentially, it was a giant collaboration between Highcroft racing, AAR, Panoz and the Deltawing Racing racing cars company.


The funny thing is, its only Don Panoz that seems interested in doing this. Duncan Dayton isn't involved and neither is Dan Gurney (or Chip Ganassi for that matter since he is part owner of the Deltawing Racing cars group).
 
Confirming what we heard over the ALMS/WEC weekend, Autoweek just released an article on the state of sportscar racing in the U.S:

http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131002/ALMS/131009957?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign

Several nights before the International Sports Car Weekend at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas—the American Le Mans Series on Saturday, Sept. 21, the FIA World Endurance Championship on Sunday, Sept. 22—FIA officials summoned COTA management to a hastily called meeting. The officials proceeded to slam them mercilessly, claiming this was one of the worst-promoted, worst-run races they've seen; that they expected this in China, but in America? Where their sophisticated Audis and Toyotas should be playing to a packed house in their only appearance here this year? Not acceptable, and we wondered if the WEC's three-year contract would see year two. This was days before the races even started.
Friday, rain trimmed the crowd, but on Saturday and Sunday, the weather was perfect. COTA claimed a three-day crowd of about 35,000, which seems optimistic. Near the end of Sunday's WEC race, it is simply not possible to claim there were more than 5,500 fans there. The ALMS, with its familiar Corvettes and Vipers and comparably loud cars, outdrew the WEC significantly. That's item No. 1 you should know about.
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
So if that is anything to go by, we're not getting a WEC race in the US next year are we? About early for Doom & Gloom I know but to here them get slammed like that, I'm not sure that means well at all.

Also, the ALMS drawing a bigger crowd then the WEC. Wow.
 
RACECAR
So if that is anything to go by, we're not getting a WEC race in the US next year are we? About early for Doom & Gloom I know but to here them get slammed like that, I'm not sure that means well at all.

Also, the ALMS drawing a bigger crowd then the WEC. Wow.
Click to expand...

Wellllll...we also heard something like that, too. But WeWillSee I guess.
 
RACECAR
Also, the ALMS drawing a bigger crowd then the WEC. Wow.
Click to expand...

Actually, this didn't surprise me. Like the article stated, the ALMS race consisted of cars many Americans can relate to like the Corvettes and the Vipers. I'll bet that at least half the fans in attendance that day came for the GT battle only. On top of that, it was pretty much a three hour race (Longer than the average spectator would bother to stay for). To then tell everyone there would be a second race the next day that is twice as long, had a smaller grid, and included next to no American manufactures (Just the Labre Corvette), of course you're going to have a small crowd.
 
Sam48
Actually, this didn't surprise me. Like the article stated, the ALMS race consisted of cars many Americans can relate to like the Corvettes and the Vipers. I'll bet that at least half the fans in attendance that day came for the GT battle only. On top of that, it was pretty much a three hour race (Longer than the average spectator would bother to stay for). To then tell everyone there would be a second race the next day that is twice as long, had a smaller grid, and included next to no American manufactures (Just the Labre Corvette), of course you're going to have a small crowd.
Click to expand...

Well, they missed some amazing action. This is where COTA failed. They just didn't get the word out about the product.
 
Sam48
Actually, this didn't surprise me. Like the article stated, the ALMS race consisted of cars many Americans can relate to like the Corvettes and the Vipers. I'll bet that at least half the fans in attendance that day came for the GT battle only. On top of that, it was pretty much a three hour race (Longer than the average spectator would bother to stay for). To then tell everyone there would be a second race the next day that is twice as long, had a smaller grid, and included next to no American manufactures (Just the Labre Corvette), of course you're going to have a small crowd.
Click to expand...

Couldn't agree more.
 
ITCC_Andrew
The fact that ALMS essentially just told the FIA off? 💡 Win!
Click to expand...

:confused: I don't see how.

FIA officials summoned COTA management to a hastily called meeting. The officials proceeded to slam them mercilessly, claiming this was one of the worst-promoted, worst-run races they've seen.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what this has to do with the ALMS at all, but maybe I'm missing something.

Either way, as arrogant as the FIA comes off being portrayed in this article, they do have a point. And their point was directed at COTA. The WEC could have gone to a number of tracks in the US. Granted they don't want to share or 'dilute' their own event and series by running it together [with another series] at Sebring or the Petit Le Mans. But I think they misread and misunderstood their presence and the pull and sway they had in those events vs just themselves (WEC), or just themselves at another venue. People in the US have always flocked to Sebring, to Daytona, to Road Atlanta. They go there to watch sports car racing. And the addition of cars from the WEC is a huge plus. And even more fans will come because of their presence. But what they [the FIA] probably misunderstood is that their presence [WEC] alone is not enough to draw a crowd. And especially not to a new venue. A venue that has no history, no pedigree in sports car racing. The track and facilities are top notch, no doubt. But that's not the issue.

What the FIA/WEC seemed upset about is the lack of promotion from COTA themselves. And this much is clear. They're disorganized. And few people at the head of COTA really understand motor racing and how to promote it. Look at what their backgrounds are. It's no wonder the FIA were furious. They didn't just decide to put on the event at COTA because nobody was interested. I'm sure many other tracks also put in bids. The FIA didn't beg COTA to host the race. COTA wanted the WEC event. THEY sought to bring the WEC to Austin. And once the contract was signed, at least according to the FIA, they did a poor job of organizing and promoting the race.

That's what all of this is about. If you see it as some snub by the ALMS against the FIA, please enlighten me.
 
Last edited:
FIA has a huge right to complain. I'm not saying I really like their way of thinking at times BUT they seem to be doing ok with all the stuff they have.

COTA has failed I think in the fact they never really promote anything outside of F1. I have only been there once and granted the place is nice, they are friendly overall (I lost my tickets before I left home, called them up and they had replacements waiting when I landed). No one in the area seemed to really either care about the track or know about the series coming with V8's but we also saw a few other series while there. They are going to have to push hard for their track at first to get the word out to the world to come but alot of things aren't great about the track either.

Overall if we want any form of none Nascar based series to gain fans, they are going to have to promote the hell out of it period. I mean I want to my first Grand-Am race this year, loved it and already going back along with first ALMS this weekend. So there is a huge market but you have to some how get fans there.
 
Wilbur & jjaisli...agree on all counts. COTA has done a miserable job of promotion, even for F1. The F1 crowd should have been much bigger given the pent-up demand, new circuit, etc. Every race since then the performance has gotten worse and worse. Just wait for the 2014 USGP.

They don't even know what they don't know. That's how far behind the curve they are.

I love the circuit itself, but the management is holding it back in a big way.

Remember, we heard after V8SC that they had similar complaints, and now they aren't returning.
 
Last edited:
hairy_scotsman
Wilbur & jjaisli...agree on all counts. COTA has done a miserable job of promotion, even for F1. The F1 crowd should have been much bigger given the pent-up demand, new circuit, etc. Every race since then the performance has gotten worse and worse.

They don't even know what they don't know. That's how far behind the curve they are.

I love the circuit itself, but the management is holding it back in a big way.

Remember, we heard after V8SC that they had similar complaints, and now they aren't returning.
Click to expand...


Granted the track itself isn't easy to get to. I know a few Aussies were counting on a shuttle til they found out there wasn't one and paid for a cab ride out there at like $30 bucks a pop. The tolls were iffy and then on top of that, they only allowed water brought in MAY which was hot! If you want fans to come you have to be alot more flexible in what comes in that gate and offer help getting there.
 
Wilbur
Granted the track itself isn't easy to get to. I know a few Aussies were counting on a shuttle til they found out there wasn't one and paid for a cab ride out there at like $30 bucks a pop. The tolls were iffy and then on top of that, they only allowed water brought in MAY which was hot! If you want fans to come you have to be alot more flexible in what comes in that gate and offer help getting there.
Click to expand...

Hindsight, I wish COTA had taken a little longer before it opened to ensure that the support structure getting fans to and from the track was organized and efficient. If COTA can't provide that, outsource it to a private company
 

Similar threads

Jimlaad43
Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix 2024
2 3 4
Replies
108
Views
8K
sillybilly
S
ScottPuss20
2025 World Endurance Championship
Replies
9
Views
1K
NotThePrez
NotThePrez
ScottPuss20
2024 World Endurance Championship
38 39 40
Replies
1K
Views
95K
Eqill5
Eqill5
Jimlaad43
Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix 2022
8 9 10
Replies
271
Views
13K
Bosso
B
Famine
Mercedes-AMG Launches Multiplatform “Virtual Championship”, Starting Today
5 6 7
Replies
181
Views
18K
newmedia_dev
N

Latest Posts

Back