2014 United Sports Car Championship

[raven214]

I have been a Grand-Am fan for the past few years, and while I am excited about the merger I am extremely disappointed with the coverage schedule. It all started at the end of last season when Fox killed SPEED (at least for us in the US). I used to record and watch every Grand-Am race, and if I couldn't catch it on tv then I'd watch the replay on the Grand-Am app. It was a nice setup.

Now, I don't even know if I get Fox Sports 2 (I have to check but I don't think so - I have Time Warner digital) and the IMSA app isn't out for Android (seriously!?), so I will have to see if I can get the website to stream on my phone. At least I'll be able to see the start and finish on tv. I'm still not happy about losing SPEED though - we race fans finally get a dedicated channel with widespread availability (it wasn't like that when SPEED started) and Fox takes it away so they can show more college football or golf or whatever (because there aren't enough channels for that already)!

 

[cnd01]

No love for the PC class?

 

[raven214]

I forgot to mention this in my earlier post, so let me take the opportunity to say greetings to ALMS fans! When I first heard of the merger I was unsure how I felt (typical resistant to change type feelings), but I think we all have the same goal: to see sportscar racing thrive in North America. To that end I welcome bringing the fan bases together and hopefully preserving the cars/structure as much as possible (insert best of both worlds statement here, but I really do hope it proves an enormous success).

With all that said, I have not found a layout of the class structure yet. Does anyone have a link to such info? I'm used to just 2 classes from Grand-Am: Daytona Prototype (DP) and GT. That GX stunt they pulled last year doesn't count in my book, at least not without more manufacturers and participants.

 

[Jav]

No love for the PC class?

No love!! Burn it!!!

 

[cnd01]

No love!! Burn it!!!

Yea! That's that no-good NASCAR knock off spec class that sounds like a tractor in low gear. BURN IT XD

 

[Organ-Donor]

With all that said, I have not found a layout of the class structure yet. Does anyone have a link to such info? I'm used to just 2 classes from Grand-Am: Daytona Prototype (DP) and GT. That GX stunt they pulled last year doesn't count in my book, at least not without more manufacturers and participants.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_United_SportsCar_Championship_season

Different classes will be color coded by red or blue markings (example: GTLM will have red numbers/side mirrors while GTD will have blue). I really didnt care for the GX class in Rolex Series (only Mazdas and Cayman Porsches) or the Porsche only GTC class in ALMS. The GTD category in the United Sports Car will have such more variety: Audi R8, Porsche, 1 Viper (the 2 SRT vipers are still in GTLM), Aston Martin, 458 Italia, etc.

 

[MrWednesday]

Link for those who are not on a mobile device:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_United_SportsCar_Championship_season

 

[cnd01]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_United_SportsCar_Championship_season
Different classes will be color coded by red or blue markings (example: GTLM will have red numbers/side mirrors while GTD will have blue). I really didnt care for the GX class in Rolex Series (only Mazdas and Cayman Porsches) or the Porsche only GTC class in ALMS. The GTD category in the United Sports Car will have such more variety: Audi R8, Porche, 1 Viper (the 2 SRT vipers are still in GTLM), Aston Martin, 458 Italia, etc.

Best thing about the merger is getting rid of GX. Most pointless class ever. I'm curious as to how much Mazda paid grand-am to make that class so they could get a free year of testing in for their P program this year by making the GX class. GTD will be by far the best race at the Rolex 24 this year. The diversity of the class, and how closely balanced all cars seem to be (Hasbro should sponsor the Roar with all the games being played). Sandbagging aside, GTD has me stoked. GTLM will be solid as always. Just wish Corvette racing would stop painting their cars yellow PC will probably be feast or famine. Same with P in terms of how good the race will actually be. I don't think the P class is balanced well at all, but no one can tell who has what from the Roar based on the roars of the past.

I'm super ready for Daytona, and I'll have to find @Organ-Donor and his cape

 

[Organ-Donor]

^ Corvette Racing MUST be yellow. If it was another color it'd be like Ferrari changing colors to blue, it just wouldn't sit right with me. I'm biased to yellow Vettes anyway lol. I've always enjoyed GTLM class the most but I agree the diversity in GTD will make for some great racing. I'm pretty ****** excited.

 

[RACECAR]

I have been a Grand-Am fan for the past few years, and while I am excited about the merger I am extremely disappointed with the coverage schedule. It all started at the end of last season when Fox killed SPEED (at least for us in the US). I used to record and watch every Grand-Am race, and if I couldn't catch it on tv then I'd watch the replay on the Grand-Am app. It was a nice setup.

Now, I don't even know if I get Fox Sports 2 (I have to check but I don't think so - I have Time Warner digital) and the IMSA app isn't out for Android (seriously!?), so I will have to see if I can get the website to stream on my phone. At least I'll be able to see the start and finish on tv. I'm still not happy about losing SPEED though - we race fans finally get a dedicated channel with widespread availability (it wasn't like that when SPEED started) and Fox takes it away so they can show more college football or golf or whatever (because there aren't enough channels for that already)!

If you had Speed, then you have Fox Sports 1. It literally is on the same channel that Speed used to occupy.

 

[raven214]

If you had Speed, then you have Fox Sports 1. It literally is on the same channel that Speed used to occupy.

Erm, I said Sports 2. I know Sports 1 replaced SPEED on my lineup.

 

[RACECAR]

Erm, I said Sports 2. I know Sports 1 replaced SPEED on my lineup.

Sorry then, misread that. Basically, it occupies the channel where Fuel TV use to be.

 

[Jav]

Yea! That's that no-good NASCAR knock off spec class that sounds like a tractor in low gear. BURN IT XD

Seriously, I wouldn't mind if it dissapeared and both GT classes became one...

 

[ukfan758]

I have been a Grand-Am fan for the past few years, and while I am excited about the merger I am extremely disappointed with the coverage schedule. It all started at the end of last season when Fox killed SPEED (at least for us in the US). I used to record and watch every Grand-Am race, and if I couldn't catch it on tv then I'd watch the replay on the Grand-Am app. It was a nice setup.

Now, I don't even know if I get Fox Sports 2 (I have to check but I don't think so - I have Time Warner digital) and the IMSA app isn't out for Android (seriously!?), so I will have to see if I can get the website to stream on my phone. At least I'll be able to see the start and finish on tv. I'm still not happy about losing SPEED though - we race fans finally get a dedicated channel with widespread availability (it wasn't like that when SPEED started) and Fox takes it away so they can show more college football or golf or whatever (because there aren't enough channels for that already)!

To get Fox Sports 2 with Time Warner Cable you have to get the Sports Pass which is $8.99 a month.

 

[cnd01]

http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/races/entry_lists/Daytona Entry List 1-15.pdf

Here it is!

@Jav PC is the cheapest class of all 4 as per driver's twitter accounts and that probably means it isn't going anywhere. I'd love to see just 1 prototype class though; however, I am stoutly against making 1 GT class if factory teams are involved. If I came up with the GT configurations, I would've gone full, unmodified GT3 spec from the get go. I'd have 2 separate classes: GTF and GTC (grand touring factory and grand touring customer). Both would run the same spec, but I would not have the big factory boys dominating chasing off the small guys.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

To get Fox Sports 2 with Time Warner Cable you have to get the Sports Pass which is $8.99 a month.

Are you sure that is the case for each region? Also I pay more for Cox cable which is the main cable provider here where I live than I did for TW where I use to live. So with people running such tight budgets it isn't hard to believe that even a 10 dollar increase may be in the realm of impossible. And with every motorsport but Nascar being put on premium cable stations it's easy to see why people complain.

 

[ukfan758]

Are you sure that is the case for each region? Also I pay more for Cox cable which is the main cable provider here where I live than I did for TW where I use to live. So with people running such tight budgets it isn't hard to believe that even a 10 dollar increase may be in the realm of impossible. And with every motorsport but Nascar being put on premium cable stations it's easy to see why people complain.

Here's the link:
http://www.timewarnercable.com/en/residential-home/tv/premium-channels/sports/sports-pass.html

 

[ukfan758]

Are you sure that is the case for each region? Also I pay more for Cox cable which is the main cable provider here where I live than I did for TW where I use to live. So with people running such tight budgets it isn't hard to believe that even a 10 dollar increase may be in the realm of impossible. And with every motorsport but Nascar being put on premium cable stations it's easy to see why people complain.

For Cox Cable, Fox Sports 2 is under your "Cox Advanced TV Premier" which is $69.99 a month for 3 months then $86.29 after that. I get "Triple with turbo" which is a TV bundle at TWC ($120 a month), I then pay for the sports pass to get Fox Sports 2.

 

[cnd01]

For Cox Cable, Fox Sports 2 is under your "Cox Advanced TV Premier" which is $69.99 a month for 3 months then $86.29 after that. I get "Triple with turbo" which is a TV bundle at TWC ($120 a month), I then pay for the sports pass.

With Charter, it's another $40 a month for FS2. Not worth an extra $480 a year for something I can wait and see the following Monday when it's going to be uploaded in full to the IMSA website like what was done in grand am

 

[raven214]

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2014_United_SportsCarChampionship_season

Different classes will be color coded by red or blue markings (example: GTLM will have red numbers/side mirrors while GTD will have blue). I really didnt care for the GX class in Rolex Series (only Mazdas and Cayman Porsches) or the Porsche only GTC class in ALMS. The GTD category in the United Sports Car will have such more variety: Audi R8, Porsche, 1 Viper (the 2 SRT vipers are still in GTLM), Aston Martin, 458 Italia, etc.

How did I not think to wiki this lol? To be fair I did look over the official site the other day thinking they would have that info prominantly featured.

So PC is one-make? It sounds like it should be a feeder series (or part of one) rather than in the main series but oh well.

http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/races/entry_lists/Daytona Entry List 1-15.pdf

Here it is!

@Jav PC is the cheapest class of all 4 as per driver's twitter accounts and that probably means it isn't going anywhere. I'd love to see just 1 prototype class though; however, I am stoutly against making 1 GT class if factory teams are involved. If I came up with the GT configurations, I would've gone full, unmodified GT3 spec from the get go. I'd have 2 separate classes: GTF and GTC (grand touring factory and grand touring customer). Both would run the same spec, but I would not have the big factory boys dominating chasing off the small guys.

Good points. I would like to see just one prototype class as well. I could imagine seeing the GT classes combined next year. I agree with the factory vs gentleman driver thing. Doesn't Le Mans have GT-pro and GT-am categories? Maybe something like that would work.

I was just looking over the entry list and I am really bummed to not see any Camaros in the field (though I love the others that I do see!). In full disclosure, I am a Chevy fanboy and the Camaro is my favorite car. Guess I got spoiled watching them in Grand Am. I'll just root for the Vettes and hope to still see Camaros in the Continental Tire series.

 

[Organ-Donor]

I was just looking over the entry list and I am really bummed to not see any Camaros in the field (though I love the others that I do see!). In full disclosure, I am a Chevy fanboy and the Camaro is my favorite car. Guess I got spoiled watching them in Grand Am. I'll just root for the Vettes and hope to still see Camaros in the Continental Tire series.

Yeah the Stevenson Camaro was a beast I always rooted for them.

 

[tbwhhs]

With Charter, it's another $40 a month for FS2. Not worth an extra $480 a year for something I can wait and see the following Monday when it's going to be uploaded in full to the IMSA website like what was done in grand am

I don't have that problem, I have Comcast and they don't even bother to carry FS2.

 

[cnd01]

I don't have that problem, I have Comcast and they don't even bother to carry FS2.

Bless your heart if you have Comcast. Worst cable provider in history

 

[raven214]

Yeah the Stevenson Camaro was a beast I always rooted for them.

Cool! Wasn't sure if you followed Grand Am or were coming from the ALMS side of things - not that there's anything wrong with that.

Is Stevenson not in the USCC? I looked again at the entry list and don't see them anywhere. I absolutely loved their Camaro liveries - both in GT and GS.

 

[cnd01]

Cool! Wasn't sure if you followed Grand Am or were coming from the ALMS side of things - not that there's anything wrong with that.

Is Stevenson not in the USCC? I looked again at the entry list and don't see them anywhere. I absolutely loved their Camaro liveries - both in GT and GS.

They're running the Camaro in Conti. That screaming eagle is going to be on track in 2014!

 

[Mac K]

They're in GS with two cars, but not in the Tudor series.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

For Cox Cable, Fox Sports 2 is under your "Cox Advanced TV Premier" which is $69.99 a month for 3 months then $86.29 after that. I get "Triple with turbo" which is a TV bundle at TWC ($120 a month), I then pay for the sports pass to get Fox Sports 2.

No it's not, that may be a special deal but I already contacted Cox that is only offered to new customers, current customers don't have a deal and to add it would cost me 140 USD a month so...

Also TWC prices aren't constant and have variation from location it seems. I also have the first advance package from cox there is a second advance that you have to get to get the premium channels, for racing.

 

[hawkeye122]

So PC is one-make? It sounds like it should be a feeder series (or part of one) rather than in the main series but oh well.

It originally was. The ALMS needed grid fillers when the economy crashed, so they added these and Porsches, the same Porsches they use in the Supercup, which is a Formula 1 support series.

The Porsche Cup cars are quite literally the same as the road car. One day the factory can put out a Carrera 2, full leather, Harmon Kardon stereo, and the next day on the same line it's Recaro seats, no interior, digital gauges, race fuel cell, etc. It's probably the closest thing to "Showroom racing" you can get, other than GT4 maybe. The racing is always close, and it attracts top drivers. My favorite part of the Porsche cup car was in person, you could tell how hard they were going by the attitude of the car. If it floated between corners, and shifted early, you could tell easily. And if it was diving around, shuffling on the brakes, breaking loose on exit, you knew they were going 10/10ths. Awesome stuff.

While LMPC didn't work well in Europe, it's amazingly successful in the US. It's about as expensive as a season in CTSCC in a (ST? What's the fastest one?)car. The LS3 is reliable, and that chassis was first used in like 2006 as a LMP1 for Pescarolo Sport, so they're pretty reliable. Literally no development or upgrade packages make running costs really low, and since the cars aren't developed, they're tricky enough to force drivers to pay attention.

Both classes offer really close racing, and the qualifying is 2nd to none, properly exciting stuff.

 

[Wardez]

Gabe Newell, yes, THAT Gabe, creator of Half-Life, Valve, Steam, etc, is an owner of a GTD car running in the inaugral year of TUSCC and they're doing it for charity!:

Hi.

I'm running a Porsche GT America in the United SportsCar Championship this year in partnership with Alex Job Racing and Team Seattle. The goal is to raise funds for the pediatric cardiology unit at Children's Hospital.

I'm happy to answer questions people might have about the race effort.

I've not been involved in motorsports previously, so it's been a pretty interesting experience.

• AJR/Team Seattle (Porsche 911 GT America, New Car): 23-Ian James/Mario Farnbacher (full season)/Alex Riberas/Marco Holzer (Rolex 24)

He's always loved cars, but he just got into racing after finding out about Team Seattle's cause, which is great! He's gonna be at this year's 24 Hours of Daytona himself, and will be attending every race they run the car at - he's super down!

I'll be at all the races on the schedule:

http://www.imsa.com/series/united-sportscar/schedule

except Long Beach, which won't have GTDs racing.

Their goal is to raise over 5 million dollars for the pediatric cardiology unit at the Seattle Children's Hospital. To donate, go here:
http://theheartofracing.org/donate/lap/

It's based off of how many laps they end up doing, so donate what you want, and note that you don't have to donate a full dollar per lap, you can donate down to a penny if that's all you can afford, no problem!

He got together with Team Seattle when people form Valve started doing track days at Pacific Raceways in Kent, Washington, which the team managers ran:

A bunch of people at Valve started racing at Pacific Raceway down in Kent. We got to know Don and Donna Kitch at the race school, and things snowballed from there. My son ended up at Children's Hospital several times in his first year of life, so I was already a fan of their work.

Awesome cause, this makes me look forward to the race even more, and especially to track GTD #23!

Gabe posted all this information randomly on the Motorsports subreddit on reddit.com.
Seriously out of nowhere!

This is akin to Kazanori Yamauchi making an account on GTPlanet to promote a charity marathon event and posting in the Fitness thread here in the rumble strip!

 

[CodeRedR51]

Anyone know where I can find livery previews (like the ones in post #2904) for 993 Porsche models?