2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship - General Season Discussion ThreadSports Cars

[IforceV8]

What is that car in the garage on the right @ 1:39? Perhaps a base Oreca 07 they are using for baseline comparisons? OK after actually reading the article and seeing that the driver in the video is likely Ben Hanley and the fuel rigs 39-40 belong to Graff racing so maybe that other chassis belongs to Graff.

 

[RACECAR]

Bodywork is abit odd (Somewhat Picchio-esque), but I don't think that's final. Not enough of that beak.

Like the Nissan DPi, I am very much against the adding of panels/body pieces just to force that "manufacturer" look. It doesn't work well on the Nissan and I don't really see it here either, it's just another wing on top of the nose basically.

Except the bodywork on the car isn't even designed by Nissan, it was ESM just doing it with money from Nissan.

Also, would you say the same about the Cadillac DPi.VR or the Mazda RT24-P?

 

[Eh Team]

I like the Acura, from certain angles it looks like the Mazda LM55 VGT with added front winglets.

 

[DesertPenguin09]

Bodywork is abit odd (Somewhat Picchio-esque), but I don't think that's final. Not enough of that beak.



Except the bodywork on the car isn't even designed by Nissan, it was ESM just doing it with money from Nissan.

Also, would you say the same about the Cadillac DPi.VR or the Mazda RT24-P?

I would say they have lines that flow much better.

 

[Michelin Man]

I also quite like it, looks striking, though granted the dazzle camo won't reveal too much at the moment. Will be interesting to see how looks in its proper colours, would certainly have to be stunning to take the crown away from the current best looking DPi; the Mazda.

 

[flip55]

Also, I wouldn't read too much into that Oreca being the JDC car. They're expanding to a second car next year and are remaining with the WEC regulation LMP2. It wouldn't make that much sense for Acura to be having a customer team in the first year of development of their car. Cadillac only did that with AXR because they put in a ridiculous amount of R&D into the car and WTR is a single car team. The only "real" customer DPi could potentially be the #90 next year if they do indeed buy/get a Cadillac.

You're probably right, but who doesn't love making wild speculations based on 5 and a half seconds of footage?

 

[fortbo]

What is everyone's opinion of Road America as a track? Fun to drive? Fun to watch?

I enjoy racing it in PCars but there are definitely some really tricky spots. It looks like there's good spots for overtakes and what not. What do you think?

To answer your question after driving the track today, it is my new favorite track. All high speed and the hill on the start finish straight is huge in person. Also, the rumble strips are very violent something most of the sims don't show properly at times.

 

[05XR8]

The Acura looks like a pod on wheels. Not bad, but different looking.

 

[Northstar]

I'll wait until we see the livery before making a judgement on the Acura. I thought the Nissan was horrible in plain black, but now think it looks rather good with a proper paint job, I wouldn't be surprised if something similar happens with the Acura.

 

[catamount39]

I'll wait until we see the livery before making a judgement on the Acura. I thought the Nissan was horrible in plain black, but now think it looks rather good with a proper paint job, I wouldn't be surprised if something similar happens with the Acura.

As long as Penske doesn't skimp out on the livery.

 

[trustjab]

Had a great time this weekend, here's a some photos from the event. View attachment 665437
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Those weathertech girls...

 

[DesertPenguin09]

To answer your question after driving the track today, it is my new favorite track. All high speed and the hill on the start finish straight is huge in person. Also, the rumble strips are very violent something most of the sims don't show properly at times.

What car were you driving?

Those weathertech girls...

That's what they're there for!

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

I like the Acura design and it does a better job of manufacture design elements than the subtle Nissan ones

 

[GTRacer22]

who doesn't love making wild speculations based on 5 and a half seconds of footage?

Me.

 

[fortbo]

What car were you driving?

A track prepped Audi S4.

 

[Organ-Donor]

Didn't see it mentioned but Risi has returned and will finish the rest of the season. I'm glad to see them back.
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/risi-to-make-gtlm-return-at-vir-complete-season/

 

[catamount39]

Didn't see it mentioned but Risi has returned and will finish the rest of the season. I'm glad to see them back.
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/risi-to-make-gtlm-return-at-vir-complete-season/

Somebody mentioned it last week. Glad to see them back none the less, especially after that moron LMP2 driver (the dolt F3 driver slammed into a 600hp car) wrecked them.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Marshall Pruett had an interesting article on Racer today regarding the then and now of Nissan prototypes winning in IMSA competition. The article mentioned a lot of interesting similarities between Nissan's win in 1992 and the win at Road America. I'll link that article here.

 

[RACECAR]

Marshall Pruett had an interesting article on Racer today regarding the then and now of Nissan prototypes winning in IMSA competition. The article mentioned a lot of interesting similarities between Nissan's win in 1992 and the win at Road America. I'll link that article here.

Wow, that is insane. The amount of similar things is just uncanny. Wonder if Wayne taylor was reminded of that race seeing the race play out like that.

And as if there wasn't enough crazy stuff pointed out in that article:

"The best part was Geoff Brabham was there last weekend to see it,"

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Somebody mentioned it last week. Glad to see them back none the less, especially after that moron LMP2 driver (the dolt F3 driver slammed into a 600hp car) wrecked them.

If you're talking about Le Mans as @aarror made note of, that accident had nothing to do with them pulling out of IMSA for a short time.

 

[mwoodski]

Wait til you see the Acura without camouflage on it.

It looked like there was a clip in that video where they were fitting an Acura clip to the JDC Oreca, but I'm sure that it wasn't just to compare their data and whatnot.

JDC isn't getting Acura's, they just used it to test-fit stuff, and as they're the only team in the country with an Oreca, made the most sense to mock it up on theirs.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Here's some clips and videos from my phone from the weekend:
https://goo.gl/photos/mq9wL9xoWuGtANtt5

And here are the pictures from the camera:
https://flic.kr/s/aHsm5U76WE
It's quite a bit more compared to last year as I used the continuous shot feature. I did a bit more walking and made it to a few more corners.

DSC03357

DSC03030

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Pipo Derani signed a 1 year extension with ESM.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Double post, but Penske just announced that the driver pairing for one of the Acuras will be Dane Cameron and JPM. Link here.

 

[IforceV8]

Good move for HPD and Penske. Dane has been the fastest driver in the 31 car for the majority of the year.

 

[MustangManiac]

Good move for HPD and Penske. Dane has been the fastest driver in the 31 car for the majority of the year.

Unfortunately for Dane he has a co-driver who tends to run into everything in sight and I'm not talking about the jet dryer even though that accident couldn't have happened to a more deserving driver in my opinion. Any time JPM has fenders on his car he drives like a bull in a china shop, I'm surprised any series will allow him to race.

 

[mwoodski]

Unfortunately for Dane he has a co-driver who tends to run into everything in sight and I'm not talking about the jet dryer even though that accident couldn't have happened to a more deserving driver in my opinion. Any time JPM has fenders on his car he drives like a bull in a china shop, I'm surprised any series will allow him to race.

Oh look, this tired old **** again.

Dude is one of the most naturally talented drivers the world has ever seen, full stop.


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The other Penske car will definitely be interesting, and definitely shake up this silly season even more, if what I'm hearing is true.

 

[MustangManiac]

Oh look, this tired old **** again.

Dude is one of the most naturally talented drivers the world has ever seen, full stop.


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The other Penske car will definitely be interesting, and definitely shake up this silly season even more, if what I'm hearing is true.

Go back and watch him nearly destroy a DP car for the Chipster in the 24 hours of Daytona awhile back and tell me how naturally talented he his. I am surprised even NASCAR put up with his crap, that was before "boys have at it" after all.

 

[Wiz]

Little late but here's my Road American gallery - https://goo.gl/photos/SwRg9JvNHJHT6AEN9

 

[mwoodski]

Go back and watch him nearly destroy a DP car for the Chipster in the 24 hours of Daytona awhile back and tell me how naturally talented he his. I am surprised even NASCAR put up with his crap, that was before "boys have at it" after all.

What year were you referring to?

Maybe 2007?

Possibly 2008?

Or perhaps 2013?

In JPM's 8 Grand-Am starts, he was on the podium six times. Outside of a DNF in 2010 due to a blown engine, the lowest he ever finished in Grand-Am competition was 4th.

3 wins, 2 second places, and 2 fourths out of 8 races is pretty damn good. Especially when it wasn't your normal thing.