2014 United Sports Car Championship

[Zuel]

The latest article I read stated some updates in the areas of suspension, brakes, differential, weight(which deals with the brakes) engine size. The changes have been a major improvement from what a number of DP teams have stated, they're looking forward to the new aerodynamic package that should be given soon. I'm looking forward myself to see how much the front of the cars will change.

 

[IforceV8]

The rules http://www.grand-am.com/Portals/0/Images/PDF/Comp. Memo 2014-09.pdf

I'm not sure how a diesel with only a 11.1 compression ratio will work.

 

[cnd01]

The rules http://www.grand-am.com/Portals/0/Images/PDF/Comp. Memo 2014-09.pdf

I'm not sure how a diesel with only a 11.1 compression ratio will work.

That's something I was looking at as well lol... I'm assuming that diesel powerplant is for the sky-activ Mazda or the engine Dyson uses or a franken-engine between the two

 

[TDZdave]

Has anything changed regarding tires for the USCR, I'm at the understanding that they will use the Continental Grand Am control tire, which is not to Le Mans specifications, so will any P2 car from the USCR bother to enter Le Mans on tires they are not familiar with?

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Has anything changed regarding tires for the USCR, I'm at the understanding that they will use the Continental Grand Am control tire, which is not to Le Mans specifications, so will any P2 car from the USCR bother to enter Le Mans on tires they are not familiar with?

Don't see why not, Corvette did it last year.

 

[Snaeper]

Has anything changed regarding tires for the USCR, I'm at the understanding that they will use the Continental Grand Am control tire, which is not to Le Mans specifications, so will any P2 car from the USCR bother to enter Le Mans on tires they are not familiar with?

Continental said they wanted to make a tire that was competitive with Michelin's and Dunlop's. That's a pretty heady comment to make, but I say give them a chance. I'd love to see a P2 team run at Le Mans with the tires.

 

[TDZdave]

Continental said they wanted to make a tire that was competitive with Michelin's and Dunlop's. That's a pretty heady comment to make, but I say give them a chance. I'd love to see a P2 team run at Le Mans with the tires.

I love watching tire manufacture battles, But I'd hate to see a teams chances killed off in the first practice sessions because the tire is slow or unsafe,

 

[Zuel]

Has anything changed regarding tires for the USCR, I'm at the understanding that they will use the Continental Grand Am control tire, which is not to Le Mans specifications, so will any P2 car from the USCR bother to enter Le Mans on tires they are not familiar with?

Continental Grand-AM controlled tire is still the controlled tire for three classes in the TUDOR United Sports Car Championship. There has been no update as of yet. http://unitedsportscar.stg02.mcmurr...s/2013/09/2014-imsa-tire-strategy-release.pdf

 

[cnd01]

I love watching tire manufacture battles, But I'd hate to see a teams chances killed off in the first practice sessions because the tire is slow or unsafe,

I think continental will have a better tire than we expect. They've massively improved their tire over the past few seasons. Teams were double stinting tires in DP this season on occasion. That wasn't possible the season before.With as much money as continental is putting into the series, I'd be more than happy to allow a spec tire. A lot of the commercials on grand am and alms tv broadcasts were for continental tires. If anything, the spec continental tires makes the field more even. I haven't seen any American LMP2 teams racing Le Mans recently other than L5, and they're racing WEC this coming season.

 

[TDZdave]

I think continental will have a better tire than we expect. They've massively improved their tire over the past few seasons. Teams were double stinting tires in DP this season on occasion. That wasn't possible the season before.With as much money as continental is putting into the series, I'd be more than happy to allow a spec tire. A lot of the commercials on grand am and alms tv broadcasts were for continental tires. If anything, the spec continental tires makes the field more even. I haven't seen any American LMP2 teams racing Le Mans recently other than L5, and they're racing WEC this coming season.

I was hoping Ganassi would have a crack

 

[Snaeper]

I love watching tire manufacture battles, But I'd hate to see a teams chances killed off in the first practice sessions because the tire is slow or unsafe,

Slow maybe, but I doubt it would be unsafe. Any company that makes rubber that can handle Daytona, Street Courses, and regular road courses knows a thing or two about making rubber. And then there's the fact that they essentially can learn from an entire field of those cars running on all of those tracks. I'd reckon it's a pretty good learning process.

 

[TDZdave]

Slow maybe, but I doubt it would be unsafe. Any company that makes rubber that can handle Daytona, Street Courses, and regular road courses knows a thing or two about making rubber. And then there's the fact that they essentially can learn from an entire field of those cars running on all of those tracks. I'd reckon it's a pretty good learning process.

Im suddenly flooded with flashbacks of the USGP '05,

I so hope that it doesn't make any issues arise,

 

[AnAL0G]

Im suddenly flooded with flashbacks of the USGP '05,

Let's not have anymore of that now...

 

[cnd01]

I was hoping Ganassi would have a crack

Ganassi wants to keep racing DP. They have had so much success with that car that I'm not surprised at all they're staying put. I also wouldn't be surprised if continental sponsored a car like Falken does in GTLM in the upcoming season to help tire development as well

 

[TDZdave]

Ganassi wants to keep racing DP. They have had so much success with that car that I'm not surprised at all they're staying put. I also wouldn't be surprised if continental sponsored a car like Falken does in GTLM in the upcoming season to help tire development as well

Last I heard they were looking at a P2 entry? maybe entering both categories?

 

[jjaisli]

Last I heard they were looking at a P2 entry? maybe entering both categories?

I think ol' Chip is just waiting to see which goose lays more eggs. :-D

A deposition included with Sabates’ divorce filing reveals that Sabates testified that the late Bill France Jr. -- NASCAR’s former CEO and the son of NASCAR founder Bill France Sr. -- offered him and Ganassi $1 million to start a team and also guaranteed $400,000 in annual profits. Jim France founded Grand-Am in 1999. Sabates and Ganassi joined Grand-Am racing in 2004.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20131008/grand_am/131009821#ixzz2jCg7u6W9

The article goes on to say that as of the 2008 season, the Grand Am Goose stopped laying. Or at least, Brian France stopped paying the team(s) just for showing up. It alludes that it had to do with Bill Frances' passing, but I suspect it had more to do with the onset of the financial crisis in 2008.

 

[Diehardracer]

Will there be streaming of the USSC online??

 

[cnd01]

Last I heard they were looking at a P2 entry? maybe entering both categories?

http://www.racer.com/ganassi-sticking-with-daytona-prototypes-for-tuscc/article/317408/

 

[Furinkazen]

Just dropping the official 2014 USCR DP regs here:

http://www.grand-am.com/Portals/0/Images/PDF/Comp. Memo 2014-09.pdf

 

[RACECAR]

I think that was already posted days ago.

 

[cnd01]

I think that was already posted days ago.

They updated them (THANK GOD) Now the shocks will only cost $10,000 instead of $150,000. Huge improvement there. Bob Stallings is back at least partially now http://www.racer.com/gainscobob-sta...uscc-daytona-prototype-return/article/318324/

Also, Westy and Valiante in the 90 next season. http://www.racer.com/valiante-joins-spirit-of-daytona-squad-for-tuscc/article/318602/ Taylor bros in the 10

 

[MrWednesday]

I think that was already posted days ago.

It was, #2312. On this very page, no less.

 

[Mac K]

 

[Wilbur]

No matter what they do, their cars always look amazing! One of the few teams I have never stopped following or been banwagon fan (one reason I even started following ALMS).

 

[Sam48]

Is this proof that Porsche will indeed send Team Falken Tire one of their new 991s, or is this just a concept rendering?

 

[01GTP]

Also, Westy and Valiante in the 90 next season. http://www.racer.com/valiante-joins-spirit-of-daytona-squad-for-tuscc/article/318602/ Taylor bros in the 10

It's great to see Valiante back in the 90 for a full season,
I think he's a great driver and really deserves a full time ride.

I was waiting for the driver lineup since Wayne announced the sponsor at Lime Rock.
I was wondering where Max fits in.

I'm guessing here, but I'm going to miss that black carbon livery.
Here's a couple shots of it.

I'll be putting this years photos in the Grand-Am thread soon and adding more from the past.

 

[Wilbur]

Is this proof that Porsche will indeed send Team Falken Tire one of their new 991s, or is this just a concept rendering?

I still haven't heard anything about if they are even running next year yet, it was up in the air a few months ago because of budgets, and they are hoping though that they can be the one team that gets a 991 that isn't factory backed. I think their win probably helped them a ton in where they will be next year since they really need a new car anyway.

 

[Mac K]

According to their Facebook page it is..

(god I hate this new mobile site..)

 

[IforceV8]

Connect the dots here. According to a tweet on John Daygs sportscar365 feed Scott Pruett and Team Ganassi are both following Ford Racing on twitter, and Ford has a press conference scheduled for Tues.Nov 5th at the SEMA show.

 

[Jav]

Guys when does testing starts at Daytona?