2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship - General Season Discussion ThreadSports Cars

[Snaeper]

I'm surprised and disappointed that we haven't heard anything from Dyson racing, especially with the competitive elements that we're seeing in IMSA prototype racing right now.

 

[24HuresdeLoL]

I'm surprised and disappointed that we haven't heard anything from Dyson racing, especially with the competitive elements that we're seeing in IMSA prototype racing right now.

Is Dyson operating as a race team still? The last I looked at their website it was still the PWC Bentley GT3 program from 2015, as well as being into historics racing with their Riley &Scott Mk III. I'm actually suprised that Dyson didn't pounce on the DPi with Mazda when it was announced. Though it would be cool to see them to be on the grid again in prototype.

 

[IforceV8]

Chris Dyson recently raced in the Trans Am race at the Glen in a Cadillac bodied car.

 

[Jezza819]

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.

There might be a possibility that once this mid-engined Corvette comes out that Corvette Racing does something similar to Gnassi and runs a 2 car team in Weathertech and another 2 car team in WEC.

 

[IforceV8]

There might be a possibility that once this mid-engined Corvette comes out that Corvette Racing does something similar to Gnassi and runs a 2 car team in Weathertech and another 2 car team in WEC.

I doubt it.

Why we wont see a Dallara P2 in IMSA anytime soon, go to the bottom to read it. http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/09/26/dallara-ups-and-downs-in-lmp.html

 

[AnthonyD1993]

I'd love to see GM actually commit to the WEC with a true factory effort of some sorts too, but that's not going to happen. After all, Larbre won a championship in the WEC and won in class at Le Mans multiple times with the C6R and GM still won't give them full factory support.

 

[Snaeper]

This is a beautiful article for this bit alone

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/baker-michelin-were-going-to-approach-it-differently/

The internal vision goes back as far as 2013-ish. The actual live-fire discussions with IMSA and NASCAR holdings, that was about a 38-month work.

“My first substantial discussions with the IMSA executive team was in July of 2014, if memory serves, at Indy, where ironically enough we were also talking with the folks at IndyCar.

In many, many aspects, I think some folks don't realize the length of time it takes for those changes to take place. It's nice to hear someone actually mention that these changes are not knee jerk and sudden.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Racer put up an article on Van der Zande's race winning pass. It's an interesting read.
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/144528-van-der-zande-on-winning-corkscrew-pass

 

[24HuresdeLoL]

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jarvis-linked-to-mazda-team-joest-drive/#comment-2383018

Joest possible for Jarvis-to-Mazda planned driver inclusion.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Lexus is looking at having a second customer team in GTD next season. Meanwhile, Paul Gentilozzi said he wants to retain as much of the core team as he can and run next season as a 2 car operation. Sage Karam is probably grinning ear to ear at that news while most teams are probably saying non AUP friendly things upon hearing that.

 

[IforceV8]

Hmm



Petit entry list. https://www.imsa.com/sites/default/.../2017_iwsc_roadatlanta_preevent_entrylist.pdf

 

[AMPMROCKETFANN]

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.

valid point on both accounts

 

[01GTP]

Lexus is looking at having a second customer team in GTD next season. Meanwhile, Paul Gentilozzi said he wants to retain as much of the core team as he can and run next season as a 2 car operation. Sage Karam is probably grinning ear to ear at that news while most teams are probably saying non AUP friendly things upon hearing that.

With Austin Cindric in the other Lexus it may take some heat off of Sage.







A couple shots of Austin and Sage this summer.
The cars too.







And of course, "Hi to my family back home."

 

[RACECAR]

Hmm

Well he's not doing anything (Hopefully not the case next year) and they need someone to fill in so there that is.

 

[IforceV8]

Well he's not doing anything (Hopefully not the case next year) and they need someone to fill in so there that is.

It could be a peace offering/apology from Mulitmatic too after selling them a lemon too.

Penske is still possible but in doubt thanks to Mr. Hair gel. http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/144557-penske-petit-decision-looming

New drivers confirmed at AXR. http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/action-express-confirms-nasr-albuquerque-for-2018/

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Daytona will have a mandatory test session for P and GTLM teams in December. Sebring will also have a test session in December.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/imsa-confirms-december-daytona-test-for-prototype-gt-le-mans/

 

[IforceV8]

Petit livery for Rebellion

 

[Mike458]

Petit livery for Rebellion

Damn. Not bad...

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Penske will run at Petit if IMSA lets them in (They probably will because Penske). JPM, Helio, and Simon Pagenaud will be the drivers.
http://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/s/687/53456/Team_Penske_to_Enter_Prestigious_Petit_Le_Mans


EDIT:

IMSA said on Facebook that they are indeed letting Penske into the race.

 

[24HuresdeLoL]

Penske will run at Petit if IMSA lets them in (They probably will because Penske). JPM, Helio, and Simon Pagenaud will be the drivers.
http://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/s/687/53456/Team_Penske_to_Enter_Prestigious_Petit_Le_Mans

I personally can't wait to see the livery on it, to see if my predictions of Verizon sponsor would be right

 

[RACECAR]

I personally can't wait to see the livery on it, to see if my predictions of Verizon sponsor would be right

Given Verizon's financial problems (which was supposedly the reason behind Penske downsizing), I wouldn't be so sure about that.

 

[catamount39]

Penske will run at Petit if IMSA lets them in (They probably will because Penske). JPM, Helio, and Simon Pagenaud will be the drivers.
http://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/s/687/53456/Team_Penske_to_Enter_Prestigious_Petit_Le_Mans

Probably will because Ac

Given Verizon's financial problems (which was supposedly the reason behind Penske downsizing), I wouldn't be so sure about that.

Especially given the only reason Helio gets another Indycar season is because Chevy want Penske to run 4 cars in Indycar.

 

[Jezza819]

Petit livery for Rebellion

Glad to see Rebellion is coming back.

I know it's a long way out but the weather forecast is looking pretty good.

 

[IforceV8]

Lets just hope the Penske it is not that awful Menards color.

 

[flip55]

Petit livery for Rebellion

Nice. And it has Rebellion branded tires. Sweet!

 

[24HuresdeLoL]

Lets just hope the Penske it is not that awful Menards color.

Well if they did, they wouldn't be hard to pick it out when it gets dark . Kinda lit up like this Corvette, but just all of it in translucent yellow:

 

[IforceV8]

Some nice BOP bricks for the Risi Ferrari and they throw a bone to the Mercs. https://competitors.imsa.com/sites/default/files/reults/downlods/iwsc_tb_17-42_gtlm_and_gtd_bop.pdf

I'll put my internet money on Penske truck rentals for the livery on the Oreca.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Seems like BMW is looking towards sticking with the status quo when it comes to RLL.
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/144585-rll-tipped-to-keep-bmw-gtlm-program

 

[Jezza819]

Seems like BMW is looking towards sticking with the status quo when it comes to RLL.
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/144585-rll-tipped-to-keep-bmw-gtlm-program

I kind of figured that. RLL has done a pretty good job of being the face of BMW sports car racing in America.

 

[TheElbows]

Thinking of Petit LeMans and Penske...I got the odd thought in my head "Never Say No to Penske" (in the vein of "Never Say No to Panda" - the Panda Cheese videos...). I can see the Captain standing there, looking disappointed when IMSA makes a decision not to allow them.