I'm currently watching a replay on MotorsTV.... aren't ther track limit rules? These guys are constantly going wide.
EDIT: Just saw it was discussed before. My goodness....
It's an interesting take on track limits, and certainly a new approach on a modern circuit.
At first, I was like WTF?!?!? But after watching the full race, it wasn't that bad.
It certainly opened up room for some good wheel to wheel action.
Anyone know the motivation for the decision? Was it IMSA giving up on trying to enforce limits at a track where they were clearly going to be broken....or was it IMSA giving a mild finger to modern track design.
Any of these tracks that have track limit issues are all the same. They have massive run off areas, and consist of sharp, angular corners (which more closely resemble a street course, minus the walls). Drivers never seem to exceed the limits on sweepers, or when the track itself follows a natural path through the corner. It's only when you have these tight, angular, multii apex corners where the problem arrives. T1 at Portimao is a good example of this..if that was a smooth right hander instead of two angular right handers, there would be no issue with limits.
I think if designs went back to more flowing, sweeping style trwcks, we see less issues with the limits.
T1 at COTA is a great example of how the track profile simply needs to be changed to accommodate racing. There's no reason the track limit can't extend all the way to the edge of the pavement on driver's right through the exit. Who cares if the track becomes extremely wide there....everyone will stick to the line unless they need the space. You still have the safety and continence of a paved run-off, yet without having to mess around with penalties.
Personally, I can't stand tracks that are defined by painted lines. Same thing in drifting. If you want to confine the driver in a certain space, put up a wall, or some other obsticle. Painted lines just don't cut it, lead to controversy, and typically ruin good racing.
I would much rather see lots of passing attempts, successful or not, on a wide track, as opposed to a procession on a narrow track.
