2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship - General Season Discussion ThreadSports Cars

[Organ-Donor]

The #48 Lambo had heavy front end damage, he rear ended the #4.

 

[catamount39]

So nice to have just a P, GTLM and GTD field.

 

[flip55]

The #48 Lambo had heavy front end damage, he rear ended the #4.

That probably explains the flapping floor on the 4, then.

 

[IforceV8]

Somebody wake Beaux up and tell him we need a competition caution.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

25 BMW beached in the gravel trap. FCY

 

[Organ-Donor]

That Corvette pit strategy

 

[Northstar]

This is intense!

 

[Organ-Donor]

What a move by the #90 to pass the #31

 

[catamount39]

VFR WON! LIGIER HAS DOWNED THE CADILLAC'S ONCE AGAIN, AND THIS TIME IN WEC SPEC!

Mega congrats to RLL and Scuderia Corsa as well!

 

[Leadfoot530]

This is why I love endurance racing. No matter the length of the race, the finishes are always intense!

 

[Northstar]

The GTLM finish was pretty good as well.

It's going to be a shame if the SC duo doesn't have a ride next year. Wasn't Risi talking about adding a GTD car? I could see them going there if that happens.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

This is by far the best race of the season.

 

[Organ-Donor]

What a finish in both P and GTLM.

 

[catamount39]

The GTLM finish was pretty good as well.

It's going to be a shame if the SC duo doesn't have a ride next year. Wasn't Risi talking about adding a GTD car? I could see them going there if that happens.

After the initial rumor there hasn't been much on that, though it's extremely possible.

Edit: The yapping continues about DPi/LMP1 global spec, however IMSA at least seems positive on the situation. Hybrids being discussed for 2020 and the second homologation of DPi, with a transitional year between gen 1 and gen 2. http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/atherton-genuine-interest-for-common-2020-prototype-regs/

 

[IforceV8]

IMSA and the FIA/ACO should bundle Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans into a true World Championship title and then go their own way the rest or their season with DPi/P1 as the lead class. IMSA should have a separate P2 class with it's own podium and points and the WEC/ELMS should adopt GT3 into GTE-AM. Leave the expensive GTE/LM cars to the factory teams and let the funded Am drivers buy a GT3 for half the cost of a GTE.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Atherton says there is a shared interest in unifying the top prototype ranks.
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/atherton-genuine-interest-for-common-2020-prototype-regs/

 

[catamount39]

IMSA and the FIA/ACO should bundle Daytona, Sebring, and Le Mans into a true World Championship title and then go their own way the rest or their season with DPi/P1 as the lead class. IMSA should have a separate P2 class with it's own podium and points and the WEC/ELMS should adopt GT3 into GTE-AM. Leave the expensive GTE/LM cars to the factory teams and let the funded Am drivers buy a GT3 for half the cost of a GTE.

I still cannot fathom why the hell the WEC doesn't replace GTE-Am with GT3 cars. It doesn't make any sense as it works perfectly fine in IMSA.

 

[RACECAR]

To think they've gone from having the worst car on the grid and having the worst luck on the grid, to winning a race. Does Troy still think there should be a sub category?

 

[Adam41]

I was fortunate enough to be at Laguna Seca yesterday to witness the really good racing in 3 classes. I enjoyed the GTLM battle the most, if only the Ferrari would have passed the Porsche a bit quicker!

It was great to finally see this track in all its glory after lapping it thousands of times in games and sims.

 

[Eh Team]

I still cannot fathom why the hell the WEC doesn't replace GTE-Am with GT3 cars. It doesn't make any sense as it works perfectly fine in IMSA.

Because they didn't think of the class first. That is pretty much the only reason that it hasn't been done.

 

[IforceV8]

 

[catamount39]

That's slick! Makes that pass he made yesterday even more amazing.

 

[Snaeper]

I think with the 2020 regulations, the ACO should go for a name refresh. LMPE for the hybrid factory backed cars and LMP for the former LMP2 cars.

I think the off-the shelf component should continue into hybridization. Allow two-three battery constructors and a potential 1-3 electric motor suppliers.

Manufacturers can elect to make their own e-motor or their own battery and they can alternate between seasons but development on the previous item stops unless its reliability-related.

Alternatively manufacturers can go fully off the shelf.

I'd expect IMSA to likely pick a single e-motor and battery supplier and apply it to the current DPi formula albeot modified.

Lastly, I'd like to see privateers be able to purchase spec electrical parts and put them in a spec chassis and motor to race for overall wins at Le Mans

Less likely, but desireable; I'd like to see non-spec chassis (built to P2 regulations) permitted on the condition that they must use the spec engine and electrical components. Allowing chassis variety in the top class and also allowing progression in chassis design and the potential for components to be ready to go in the event a lincese-holding chassis constructor drops out and the ACO desire something different to replace it.

 

[IforceV8]

Petit Le Mans TV
FS1 10:30-11:30 am ET
FS2 11:30-1:30 pm
FS2 5:00-9:30 PM

 

[Jezza819]

Petit Le Mans TV
FS1 10:30-11:30 am ET
FS2 11:30-1:30 pm
FS2 5:00-9:30 PM

I will be there in person. I've been 8 out of the last 9 years. Only missed the monsoon of a couple of years ago.

 

[AMPMROCKETFANN]

I still cannot fathom why the hell the WEC doesn't replace GTE-Am with GT3 cars. It doesn't make any sense as it works perfectly fine in IMSA.

For whatever it's worth, it would put small, factory nodded teams such as Larbre (and one more I think but their name escapes me) in a bit of a bind if GTE cars were phased out of GTE AM. They would have to A: buy a GT3 Vette and possbly incur the wrath of GM which I'm sure would not be good for them given their relationship, or GM would have to pony up to turn them into a European factory team. Seeing as how that hasn't happened yet even with the Ford Vs. Chevy rivalry playing out now on two continents, I wouldn't hold my breath.

EDIT: Proton was the other team

 

[IforceV8]

For whatever it's worth, it would put small, factory nodded teams such as Larbre (and one more I think but their name escapes me) in a bit of a bind if GTE cars were phased out of GTE AM. They would have to A: buy a GT3 Vette and possbly incur the wrath of GM which I'm sure would not be good for them given their relationship, or GM would have to pony up to turn them into a European factory team. Seeing as how that hasn't happened yet even with the Ford Vs. Chevy rivalry playing out now on two continents, I wouldn't hold my breath.

EDIT: Proton was the other team

Labre is nothing, they have one raced once this year. If GM had any real interest in the WEC they would fund a GTE-Pro car with Labre already.

Proton just spent a couple of million $$ on 4 new 911 GTE cars for the WEC and ELMS for 2018. They could have had 911 GT3's for half the price and the difference to anybody watching would not have been noticeable.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Jann Mardenborough said he's interested in running at Daytona and Sebring. ESM said they may consider him as a driver.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/mardenborough-daytona-sebring-on-radar-for-2018/

 

[RACECAR]

Wasn't he supposed to be at Daytona with Greg Pickett in 2014 with this car:

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Jann Mardenborough said he's interested in running at Daytona and Sebring. ESM said they may consider him as a driver.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/mardenborough-daytona-sebring-on-radar-for-2018/

May consider, not even considered...what's a guy like that to do? I bet you if Nissan fork over more money, he'll be in a seat tomorrow