2021 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar ChampionshipSports Cars

[Northstar]

Peugeot really doesn't have a reason to unless they rebrand it as one of the FCA brands.

Sounds like this is something they are considering.

https://racer.com/2021/07/16/dodge-brand-being-considered-for-imsa-return-based-on-peugeot-lmh/

 

[Jezza819]

Chip Gnassi expanding to two Cadillac DPi for 2022. 👍

https://racer.com/2021/07/27/chip-ganassi-racing-expanding-cadillac-dpi-program-for-2022/

It will be interesting to see who the drivers are.

 

[Northstar]

With Ganassi seemingly being the GM factory team it will be interesting to see where Action Express and JDC slot in. I just hope JDC finds a way to stay in the top class since Minnesota based race teams at the top level aren't exactly commonplace.

 

[Northstar]

Apparently there is a rumor going around that Hendrick may buy AXR. I wasn't even aware of it until AXR denied it so I kind of wonder if there actually is something to it.

Action Express dismisses sale rumors | RACER

The championship-winning Action Express Racing team expects to continue on its current prototype trajectory for years to come in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. According to longstanding AXR team manager Gary Nelson, the Cadillac DPi-V.R outfit has no plans to sell or wind down the...

racer.com

Not gonna lie, I kind of want to see it happen and Andretti also get a LMDh deal just so we can finally get a showdown between the top 4 teams in American racing.

 

[HaydenFan69]

Apparently there is a rumor going around that Hendrick may buy AXR. I wasn't even aware of it until AXR denied it so I kind of wonder if there actually is something to it.

Action Express dismisses sale rumors | RACER

The championship-winning Action Express Racing team expects to continue on its current prototype trajectory for years to come in IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. According to longstanding AXR team manager Gary Nelson, the Cadillac DPi-V.R outfit has no plans to sell or wind down the...

racer.com

Not gonna lie, I kind of want to see it happen and Andretti also get a LMDh deal just so we can finally get a showdown between the top 4 teams in American racing.

Same. That rumor never came my way either. Though, I’d like to see Hendrick expand outside NASCAR again as well. Wouldn’t be the first time they ran a prototype in IMSA.

AER does seem to be very dependent on big sponsorship to survive though, more so than manufacturer involvement or a big backed ownership. So maybe Whelen could be leaving?

 

[Northstar]

Lamborghini is apparently close to confirming an LMDh program. It would be another rebadge of the VAG car but if it means another manufacturer team on the grid I can live with it.

Lamborghini Nearing LMDh Decision – Sportscar365

Italian manufacturer closing in on decision to enter IMSA, WEC with LMDh program starting in 2024...

sportscar365.com

So maybe Whelen could be leaving?

I think they came close to leaving a couple years ago, so it wouldn't surprise me. I hope they don't though as that scheme is up there in my favorites list.

 

[Northstar]

...And Lamborghini is now a confirmed LMDh entry.

Lamborghini to become sixth LMDh manufacturer | RACER

Welcome to the growing LMDh wars, Lamborghini.RACER has learned the Italian supercar constructor will become IMSA’s sixth LMDh manufacturer after recently greenlighting a factory prototype program in the upcoming hybrid formula due to start in 2023. The Lamborghini Squadra Corse effort is primed...

racer.com

 

[JackRyanWMU]

Lamborghini also aiming for at least one GTD Pro entry next year:

Lamborghini Ramping Up for GTD Pro Program – Sportscar365

Multiple teams in contention for Lamborghini IMSA GTD Pro program...

sportscar365.com

 

[HaydenFan69]

Lamborghini also aiming for at least one GTD Pro entry next year:

Lamborghini Ramping Up for GTD Pro Program – Sportscar365

Multiple teams in contention for Lamborghini IMSA GTD Pro program...

sportscar365.com

Should be an obvious bet that Paul Miller Raci g would get that given they’ve won a couple of titles for the brand, but business people are necessarily smart people.

 

[Jezza819]

IMSA coverage moves to USA network & Peacock for 2022.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-tv-coverage-to-shift-to-usa-network-peacock-in-2022/

With the demise of NBCSN this fall IMSA is moving to USA next year when not on the main NBC network. It sounds like they're still kind of sketchy as to how Peacock is going to play into this.

 

[HaydenFan69]

IMSA coverage moves to USA network & Peacock for 2022.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-tv-coverage-to-shift-to-usa-network-peacock-in-2022/

With the demise of NBCSN this fall IMSA is moving to USA next year when not on the main NBC network. It sounds like they're still kind of sketchy as to how Peacock is going to play into this.

Who says Peacock makes it to 2022? Sounds like they aren’t getting subscribers.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Race is up on the tubes


Highlights:

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Some pictures from the IMSA weekend (Weathertech, Michelin Pilot Challenge, Porsche Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, MX-5 Cup) - mainly Friday and Saturday, also Lamborghini race from Sunday morning

2021 Road America IMSA

Explore this photo album by Marcin J on Flickr!

flic.kr

DSC06012

DSC06064

DSC06138

DSC06231

 

[HaydenFan69]

I love that Pfaff Porsche. Canadians really know always be a little lighthearted about things.

 

[Northstar]

RLL will be running the BMW LMDh program (in IMSA at least, still no word on a WEC program), which will be based on the Dallara chassis.

BMW confirms Dallara as IMSA LMDh chassis supplier | RACER

BMW has confirmed Dallara as its LMDh chassis supplier.As RACER has previously written, the Italian chassis constructor, which builds Cadillac’s current DPi model and will also produce its LMDh chassis for the new hybrid prototype formula that debuts in 2023, came to terms with the German auto...

racer.com

 

[RACECAR]

Wasn't expecting that. Keeps RLL in the BMW fold, but I am surprised that it's not in the form of a GTD PRO Program. Maybe that's where Turner Motorsport comes in?

 

[MIE1992]

RLL will be running the BMW LMDh program (in IMSA at least, still no word on a WEC program), which will be based on the Dallara chassis.

BMW confirms Dallara as IMSA LMDh chassis supplier | RACER

BMW has confirmed Dallara as its LMDh chassis supplier.As RACER has previously written, the Italian chassis constructor, which builds Cadillac’s current DPi model and will also produce its LMDh chassis for the new hybrid prototype formula that debuts in 2023, came to terms with the German auto...

racer.com

Doesn't this mean this'll be the first time in over 20 years since BMW was in prototype racing? As far as I'm aware, their last prototype was the V12 LMR.

 

[Northstar]

Doesn't this mean this'll be the first time in over 20 years since BMW was in prototype racing? As far as I'm aware, their last prototype was the V12 LMR.

That depends on whether you want to count the prototurtles or not as they had a Daytona Prototype program until 2014.

 

[Jezza819]

Vasser Sullivan will run one Lexus in GT Pro and another one in GT Daytona for 2022.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/vasser-sullivan-confirms-lexus-gtd-pro-entry/

 

[Northstar]

Seems the class has a decent chance of getting to double digits for full season entries, plus I'm sure a few more will enter for at least the Florida portion of the NAEC. Hopefully it doesn't cannibalize the Pro-Am class too much though.

 

[HaydenFan69]

Seems the class has a decent chance of getting to double digits for full season entries, plus I'm sure a few more will enter for at least the Florida portion of the NAEC. Hopefully it doesn't cannibalize the Pro-Am class too much though.

I think you’ll still see the smaller guys (Paul Miller/Wright/Steve Dinan’s new team) stay in the Pro-Am as somebody has the pay the bills for them to run.

 

[JackRyanWMU]

Ganassi confirms a second Cadillac DPi entry for 2022.

CGR Confirms Second Cadillac; Bamber, Lynn, Bourdais Added – Sportscar365

Earl Bamber, Alex Lynn, Sebastien Bourdais confirmed in two-car CGR Cadillac DPi lineup...

sportscar365.com

 

[JackRyanWMU]

Tristan Nunez will join Pipo Derani in the AXR Cadillac next year. Mike Conway will be the Endurance Driver.

 

[Jezza819]

Mustang vs. Corvette in GT3 in 2024? That would be interesting.

https://racer.com/2021/11/10/mustang-and-corvette-gt3-pony-car-wars-coming-in-2024/

 

[Northstar]

2024 is shaping up to be a big year for sports car racing.

It does kind of suck that Corvette will only have 1 car in each series, but it’s understandable since they don’t have a massive stockpile of C8.R GTE chassis laying around.

 

[Jezza819]

2024 is shaping up to be a big year for sports car racing.

It does kind of suck that Corvette will only have 1 car in each series, but it’s understandable since they don’t have a massive stockpile of C8.R GTE chassis laying around.

This article says both C8.R's will run in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. So they're going to have two C8.R GTE cars at Le Mans only for that race, one running the regular season in WEC and just one for the entire season in IMSA?

https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news...c-programs-in-22-customer-gt3s-in-24/6768784/

 

[JackRyanWMU]

NBC Sports to Present More than 80 Hours of IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship across NBC, USA Network and Peacock in 2022 | IMSA

www.imsa.com

Thank goodness, I don't have to pay a separate fee for Trackpass next season. I can just watch on TV and on Peacock now.

 

[kjb]

I wonder if it will be on the free version of Peacock? Probably not I guess I will have to pony up 4.99 a month when the next season starts

 

[Jezza819]

I wonder if it will be on the free version of Peacock? Probably not I guess I will have to pony up 4.99 a month when the next season starts

I have Xfinity cable so Peacock Premium is included.

 

[JackRyanWMU]

Fare the well to this meme.