2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship - General Season Discussion ThreadSports Cars

[Northstar]

So a seemingly enhanced effort from Caddy with the ATS budget allegedly being diverted to the DPi effort, Penske running the Acura, Joest fielding the Mazda, ESM being strong at the end, and several teams stepping up to Prototypes next year. If the BoP is right, the prototype class could be a literal bloodbath next year.

Daytona and Sebring should be especially epic if we get some more international teams besides Rebellion and United.

GTLM should be as good as ever.

GTD as well, hopefully the SC lineup can find a ride together next year. Cooper better not utter a single complaint or there will be lots of angry people.

 

[Leadfoot530]

Anybody have any footage of the #52 prototype getting airbourne? The video from Fox Sports.com isn't all that great IMO.

 

[DesertPenguin09]

When are they gonna start using the ND MX-5 instead of the NC generation?

 

[RACECAR]

Anybody have any footage of the #52 prototype getting airbourne? The video from Fox Sports.com isn't all that great IMO.

We'll likely have to wait until a fan posts one from their perspective.

 

[Leadfoot530]

We'll likely have to wait until a fan posts one from their perspective.

Just found the same video I mentioned on Facebook with the video size about twice the size. Yeah, that's gonna hurt tomorrow.

Now, I'm curious about the Lexus crash, as I hear that was a bad one as well.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

 

[RACECAR]

Juat found the same video I mentioned on Facebook with the video size about twice the size. Yeah, that's gonna hurt tomorrow.

Could you show me?

Now, I'm curious about the Lexus crash, as I hear that was a bad one as well.

It was a very hard one. Car just went dead straight into the tires and destroyed the front end. Looked like a Suspension failure.

 

[Leadfoot530]

Could you show me?



It was a very hard one. Car just went dead straight into the tires and destroyed the front end. Looked like a Suspension failure.

Gonna need a flight attendent next time:

 

[Jezza819]

Michelin named as official tire provider for IMSA starting in 2019.

https://www.imsa.com/news/092017/imsa-names-michelin-official-tire-beginning-2019

I heard John Hindaugh interviewing the Michelin representative at Road Atlanta on Saturday but I cold only catch bits and pieces in between the cars coming by.

 

[RACECAR]

Michelin named as official tire provider for IMSA starting in 2019.

https://www.imsa.com/news/092017/imsa-names-michelin-official-tire-beginning-2019

I heard John Hindaugh interviewing the Michelin representative at Road Atlanta on Saturday but I cold only catch bits and pieces in between the cars coming by.

Kinda old news there, bud

 

[AMPMROCKETFANN]

GYSOT Baby! WOO!

@Leadfoot530 the video didn't stick

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Michelin named as official tire provider for IMSA starting in 2019.

https://www.imsa.com/news/092017/imsa-names-michelin-official-tire-beginning-2019

I heard John Hindaugh interviewing the Michelin representative at Road Atlanta on Saturday but I cold only catch bits and pieces in between the cars coming by.

Was talked about ten pages or so ago...typically when you're new to a thread it's best to go through it so you don't bring in old news that we're aware of.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

I have to say that the final Spirit of the race from IMSA Radio (RLM) was fittingly given to the Porsche crew member that pulled his fellow crew member away from the fire. Absolutely went to the right person as far as I'm concerned.


Also, Racer posted their summary write up on the race. 3 page article, but well worth the read. I'll link it here.

 

[DesertPenguin09]

He didn't just pull the crew member away, he literally got on his back to put the fire out because the other member didn't even know he was on fire. That's how good the fire-proof equipment is that they wear.

 

[Jezza819]

Kinda old news there, bud

Was talked about ten pages or so ago...typically when you're new to a thread it's best to go through it so you don't bring in old news that we're aware of.

Sorry about that.

 

[Snaeper]

When are they gonna start using the ND MX-5 instead of the NC generation?

I believe you'll want to discuss that in the Production Car Racing thread, as this thread is specifically pertaining to the Weathertech Sportscar Championship which is Prototypes, GTLM and GTD (GT3) cars.

To answer your question though, the NC is more adaptable to ST racing due to it's 2.5L engine, which gives it more torque and makes it more competitive with larger displacement four cylinders and turbocharged cars. The ND's largest engine thusfar is a 2.0L and though it may not seem to be a significant difference on the road, it's a massive difference on the track.

Couple that with the cloudy future of the class and you have a reluctance for teams to want to attempt to develop it, even if they used the spec MX-5 car as a basis.

 

[Jezza819]

Listening to the rumble that those Cadillac prototypes made and the scream that the Porsche 911 RSR's made at Road Atlanta Saturday was very special.

I've got a lot of pictures but I didn't know if it was appropriate to put them here.

 

[LMSCorvetteGT2]

Listening to the rumble that those Cadillac prototypes made and the scream that the Porsche 911 RSR's made at Road Atlanta Saturday was very special.

I've got a lot of pictures but I didn't know if it was appropriate to put them here.

Yes, others do it as well after attending races, as I said in the prior post, looking through the thread quickly will help you understand the ins and outs.

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Kuno Wittmer is out at BMW. He left because he is looking for a full time ride instead of an endurance role.
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/wittmer-parts-ways-with-bmw/

 

[IforceV8]

Kuno Wittmer is out at BMW. He left because he is looking for a full time ride instead of an endurance role.
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/wittmer-parts-ways-with-bmw/

His performance at Petit wont help him, he was on avg 1 sec per lap slower than his team mates in the #25.

 

[Jezza819]

Some pictures that I took this past weekend at Road Atlanta. Here are 3 class winners.

The overall winner ESM #2

GTLM class winner #25 RLL BMW M6

GTD class winner #29 Montaplast Audi R8 LMS

 

[catamount39]

Old news in a way, but confirmation of what we were hoping for; GM is behind the Callaway Corvette and IMSA are recognizing it as a GM product so no need from them to fork up money. However, only 2 cars can be supported next year, more in 2019 possible as they setup a support system for North America.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/doors-open-for-callaway-corvette-c7-gt3-r-in-imsa-pwc/

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Just like I said- Weathertech to Scuderia Corsa. Cooper MacNeil will be paired with Balzan.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/macneil-weathertech-confirmed-at-scuderia-corsa-for-2018/

 

[catamount39]

Just like I said- Weathertech to Scuderia Corsa. Cooper MacNeil will be paired with Balzan.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/macneil-weathertech-confirmed-at-scuderia-corsa-for-2018/

Absolutely disgusting. Well good luck to Nielsen, hope a GTLM or P team signs her.

 

[AMPMROCKETFANN]

Absolutely disgusting. Well good luck to Nielsen, hope a GTLM or P team signs her.

I hope she ends up with the Callaway Vettes paired with an ex-Stevenson/GM driver.

 

[Snaeper]

Absolutely disgusting. Well good luck to Nielsen, hope a GTLM or P team signs her.

I hope she ends up with the Callaway Vettes paired with an ex-Stevenson/GM driver.

All she has to do is show up with the check.

 

[AMPMROCKETFANN]

All she has to do is show up with the check.

Well, better follow to see where this is going

 

[AnthonyD1993]

Ricky Taylor will be headed to Penske. Graham Rahal and Simon Pagenaud will be the endurance drivers.

http://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/c/687/53473/TAYLOR,_RAHAL&PAGENAUD_COMPLETE_IMSA_LINEUP

 

[Jezza819]

Ricky Taylor will be headed to Penske. Graham Rahal and Simon Pagenaud will be the endurance drivers.

http://www.teampenske.com/news/index.cfm/c/687/53473/TAYLOR,_RAHAL&PAGENAUD_COMPLETE_IMSA_LINEUP

Now the speculation begins as to who is replacing Ricky at WTR.

 

[catamount39]

Now the speculation begins as to who is replacing Ricky at WTR.

A one, Christina Nielsen perhaps?