2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar ChampionshipSports Cars 

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Cracking race the whole way through that through all (well 3 out of 4 with LMP2 being what it is) categories. Is Hindy has pointed out in post-race tech on IMSA Radio, the DPi's seemed to drive with a certain air of impatience, especially when lapping traffic (looking at the #31 and #5 with that incident at the end too especially). Plenty of mistakes and penalties too, which makes the result all the more remarkable too given the #7's penalties. I'd say the the #10 pit-lane incident with the #6 was more of a racing incident than anything deliberate for sure. If anything the #10 could've have possible avoided running into the back of the #6 and giving a bit more space on entry, plus I didn't see if a penalty was given for that. Overall great to Acura and the #7 win, and a great P2 for the #55, but bittersweet for Mazda fans like myself with the #77 though :indiff:.

Otherwise GTLM was close and as fraught as ever (still missing the absence of Ford though :(), great job by the BMW's especially the #25 to snatch the win, even sweeter to end that Corvette winning streak :sly:. Looking very sparse as a class though is GTLM...

GTD, well no change there on the action front either, awesome to see Acura and the NSX back on the top step with the #86 (weird to think that's the first time Acura has won in both DPi and GTD since the ARX-05 came into DPi...)

Organ-Donor
I'm sorry but LMP2 needs to go back with the DPi's, get them as equal as possible. Having a class with only a couple cars is stupid. It's like when they had the PC class late in the season and they were just racing to avoid crashing and the result would give them a victory.
Also with Porsche pulling out next year that leaves only 2 teams in GTLM. GTLM needs to merge with GTD somehow if no other entries show up.

I hate to admit it but I'd love seeing the Ford GT's back battling with the now mid engine Corvette. And even the Vipers in the mix, I loved seeing them race against Corvette.
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Agreed on this to be honest. I felt separating LMP2 from DPi was not the best option at the time, as I didn't think the number of teams or class interest would be enough to justify its separation, and that sadly seems to have been true. No fault in the racing in LMP2 between it's two consistent runners, but it's just too small as it is. Merging with DPi like they used to be would be the best option going forward I feel, before LMDh reg's take effect.

And GTLM, well it's sad to see that GTE as a class is dying out globally, as well as here in IMSA. Though perhaps not as surprising given the current climate, but disappointing nonetheless as it's produced some fantastic racing and some fantastic cars, especially from a bias perspective with the Ford GT, being my favourite GT car of a generation. And I've loved watching the battles had with the Corvette's for example too, even more so when they beat those pesky 'Vettes :P.

But with Porsche pulling out, as has been discussed convergence between GTD and GTLM I think is best and most probably solution going forward. Whether a class split of AM's and PRO's would be needed with the driver rating differences in GTD, is another discussion in itself. It's certainly achievable on a BoP front too, to have the likes of the new 'Vette and the M8 mix with the GT3's in a single GTDLM-eqsue unification.

As for what comes out of, or replaces GTE altogether? Well that's a very interesting one I think. Logic perhaps says GT3 would be the easiest to replace it with, whether that becomes a GT3+ type situation or just stays as is to become a single GT class split between Pro's and AM's, I don't know. I know the GT2 name had been revived for plans for the confusing new AM only class, with more powerful but heavier cars with less down force, seemingly meaning it'd actually sit below GT3, despite being billed as an evolution of the GT3 setup using the GT4 philosophy, Confusing for sure. Odd as I thought a modern set of GT2 regulations would be an ideal GTE replacement at the time when the SRO announced it, ironic given what GTE evolved from I suppose.
 
IMSA's press release to the State of the Sport. TLDR applies to the WSCC, and I probably still missed stuff.

https://www.imsa.com/news/2020/09/0...or-three-series-new-features-for-2021-season/

TLDR:

LMP3 will join the Weathertech for 6 races- rating system TBD with no platinum drivers.
LMP2 can have 1 platinum driver.
Points will be worth 10x current value (eg 350 for winning instead of 35)
Qualifying points at 10 percent value (eg 35 for pole).
GTD, LMP3, LMP2 all change format for qualifying. Am runs first with new tires followed by another driver with new tires. Both qualifying sets must be used in the race
 
The MSR one I kind of expected but the WTR for me was kind of out of left field. I honestly thought MSR would take both Acura's and run it as a two car team. I certainly didn't expect another existing DPi team to jump manufacturers and WTR was the least likely of any of the rest. I figured he would always be GM in whatever car they used.

So I wonder if someone else will take over the NSX program in GTD?
 
This is great news, and I had MSR as the most likely candidates to take over the Acuras, but it's definitely a surprise (a pleasant one really) to see WTR to jump ship. Given their long established ties with GM, it's interesting to see them go Acura, but given Waynes comments about Le Mans and the plans for LMDh, leaves me very curious for a potential Acura/Honda LMDh program.

Jezza819
So I wonder if someone else will take over the NSX program in GTD?
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Thats what I'm wondering now. It would be a shame to see the NSX disappear from GTD altogether, but I'd assume someone else would take over, given it's a proven race and championship winner. Perhaps the REM guys would be a good fit, given their performances with the NSX in World Challenge America?
 
It's nice to see Shank back in the top class as they certainly have the ability to be competitive right away.

Jezza819
So I wonder if someone else will take over the NSX program in GTD?
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Gradient already does the Sprint Cup races, wouldn't be surprised to see them bump it up to a full schedule next year.
 
Michelin Man
This is great news, and I had MSR as the most likely candidates to take over the Acuras, but it's definitely a surprise (a pleasant one really) to see WTR to jump ship. Given their long established ties with GM, it's interesting to see them go Acura, but given Waynes comments about Le Mans and the plans for LMDh, leaves me very curious for a potential Acura/Honda LMDh program.



Thats what I'm wondering now. It would be a shame to see the NSX disappear from GTD altogether, but I'd assume someone else would take over, given it's a proven race and championship winner. Perhaps the REM guys would be a good fit, given their performances with the NSX in World Challenge America?
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I would like to see someone be able to run both NSX's preferably as a team as opposed to say Compass ditching the McLaren 720 but only being able to run one NSX.
 
Jezza819
I would like to see someone be able to run both NSX's preferably as a team as opposed to say Compass ditching the McLaren 720 but only being able to run one NSX.
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Agreed, the more the merrier really. And with GTLM/GTE participation already declining, the last thing needed would be to sacrifice a GTD entry or two, given the classes strength in variety and competitiveness.
 
Jezza819
I figured he would always be GM in whatever car they used.

So I wonder if someone else will take over the NSX program in GTD?
Click to expand...

Michelin Man
Given their long established ties with GM, it's interesting to see them go Acura, but given Waynes comments about Le Mans and the plans for LMDh, leaves me very curious for a potential Acura/Honda LMDh program.

Thats what I'm wondering now. It would be a shame to see the NSX disappear from GTD altogether, but I'd assume someone else would take over, given it's a proven race and championship winner. Perhaps the REM guys would be a good fit, given their performances with the NSX in World Challenge America?
Click to expand...

While not an Acura/Honda fan in general - all the while appreciating all they've done in terms of racing and street machines both on 2 and 4 wheels - I truly hope for not losing the NSX as GTD/GT3 is for me all about the variety. If I understood correctly, MSR would be supporting a customer team if they would run the NSX, that's combined with a very much proven car should sound tasty for interested people and teams.

The potential participation in Le Mans is very much enticing, even if this HPD made it clear that they haven't committed officially to LMDh, this is still the first semi-official LMDh participation as far as I understand.

WTR going Acura/HPD was also a bit strange but I only started following racing in earnest at the end of 2018 after a really-really long time and never really looked at the US scene before anyway, hence I missed that Wayne started in IMSA with Acura according to the articles, so there are certainly ties to them, too.
 
The MSR Acura is gorgeous with that purple/black livery and I can't wait to see it in person next year at Road Atlanta. But I think the WTR livery looked better on the Cadillac. Something about that big black Cadillac just looked more menacing. But again, in person or even on tv I might even change my mind about that one.
 
Sooo the race isn't being broadcast live on TV, Trackpass or NBC sports gold only. Then being tape delay rebroadcasted (in USA) on NBCSN late at night 11pm EST. At least its a valid reason because of premier league games. I just wish it would be at minimum free on NBCSN streaming or app because its not on TV.
 
Organ-Donor
Sooo the race isn't being broadcast live on TV, Trackpass or NBC sports gold only. Then being tape delay rebroadcasted (in USA) on NBCSN late at night 11pm EST. At least its a valid reason because of premier league games. I just wish it would be at minimum free on NBCSN streaming or app because its not on TV.
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Just came to that realization as well. I really love NBC buying the rights to this stuff just to not broadcast it anywhere. Guess I'll watch the replay once IMSA gets it on youtube later in the week. Generally a better watch there anyway so oh well.
 
Won't divulge spoilers for now but both the MPC and the WeatherTech races were great today. All three classes in the WeatherTech race had close battles during the closing laps. Weather was near perfect the whole weekend.
 

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