Anybody out there following the Grand Am?

[Sam48]

If DP and P2 are the same class, then I sure hope they give the DPs more power and larger tires rather than downgrading the P2 cars.

GX, with such under powered models, would look ridiculous competing with GT cars from Grand Am. A Mazda 6 beating a 458 Italia shouldn't happen. I think GX should therefore be eliminated.

I'm also surprised they kept the PC class. Isn't the combination of DP and P2 in one class confusing enough?

 

[RACECAR]

Was planning on going today to the Roar, but 56 degrees in the rain is definitely not my kind of weather... Hope it get's better for tomorrow!

Wuss

 

[cnd01]

It makes sense from the team point of view... but goddamn that's going to be a mess to follow for anyone new to the sport. They needed to plan this merger out more. So much for a fresh start.

I think they rushed the merger. I do NOT like 2 prototype classes. That was not a good idea. We basically now have 2 spec prototype classes about a second a lap apart. I am glad that there are separate gt classes. I'm hoping grand am will say 🤬 you to the GTE class spec, and they will make a 520-540 horsepower GT class. The prototype class needs 575-600 horsepower with no driving aids. In fact, traction control should not be in any class whatsoever imo.

 

[David]

GX, with such under powered models, would look ridiculous competing with GT cars from Grand Am. A Mazda 6 beating a 458 Italia shouldn't happen. I think GX should therefore be eliminated.

Why is that any different than RX-8s or Camaros beating a 458 in previous years? They are made to a certain spec so the differences in production versions don't matter.

As for the DP and P2 discussion, it seems most likely DP will get a nice upgrade so everyone can keep participating in Le Mans.

 

[Furinkazen]

Nothing wrong with GT class idea's, that will still be the strongest part of the whole merger.

 

[RACECAR]

GX, with such under powered models, would look ridiculous competing with GT cars from Grand Am. A Mazda 6 beating a 458 Italia shouldn't happen. I think GX should therefore be eliminated.

Love how there is this seemingly paranoid thought against the idea of 458s going against Mazda's and Camaro's all the while in the GT3 classes in europe, we have BMW Z4s (a car that isn't anything near "supercar" ) competing against cars like the Mercedes SLS, Audi R8, Lamborghini Gallardos and Mclaren MP4-12Cs and after watching BMW M3s competeting against Corvettes and 458s.


Explanation, I demand one.

 

[Jav]

Wuss

Lol!! I'll take tomorrow's weather!! Sunny with a 61 low 72 high!

 

[Sam48]

Explanation, I demand one.

I say this in reference to the new generation of racing cars in GA/ALMS, but in my opinion, when a manufacturer goes racing, they should put forth the fastest car they produce. If the out of the box differences are too vast, we make a new class, or you don't race at all. I don't like it when they make a rule book that caters to anyone holding any make/model. As you can imagine, this only applies to GT cars.

Anyway, like I said, if Mazda want to compete with Ferrari, then Mazda should build their own super car, rather than letting the rule book hold the Ferrari back to make it "fair". I know this view is a bit old fashioned but it's what made racing cool in the first place. An example like this would be when Ford built the GT40 specifically in order to beat Ferrari.

And yes, I know Grand Am GT is a spec sires and maybe it should be for the sake of the manufacturer who simply doesn't have the money to make a new car for racing. But I just don't see any pride in beating your rivals when you know it was due to the rule book, and not the manufacturer.

 

[David]

The racing 458s have as much in common with their street versions as the racing Mazdas do (which is to say, not much at all beyond body work) so what is the problem? Why build a new supercar when the racing version would be totally different anyway? The body work is just to give fans an easy way to identify whats under the hood.

 

[cnd01]

Nothing wrong with GT class idea's, that will still be the strongest part of the whole merger.

The GT part of the merger is spot on IMO except for where the GX will fit in. All the ALMS GTE class needs is more horsepower. That will separate the two GT classes enough where people won't get confused. GT will continue to be the strongest part of the series. There were average 19-22 GT cars in the Rolex GT category. Add the GTC and maybe the GX to that. That's 30+ cars in 1 class. Not to mention the GTE category with 12 or more. I will be interested to see how many of the Rolex GT teams try their luck against the big boys.

 

[Sam48]

@David

I think my last paragraph somewhat explained that, but to restate, the way in which spec racing is done demeans the manufacture's product in my opinion.

 

[cnd01]

@David

I think my last paragraph somewhat explained that, but to restate, the way in which spec racing is done demeans the manufacture's product in my opinion.

Grand Am pretty much made GX class for Mazda to have a place in a production chassis based series IMO. All Mazda needs is a (hopefully rotary powered) 2 door sports car that makes stock 400 horsepower. RX-9 anyone?

 

[Jav]

Anyway, like I said, if Mazda want to compete with Ferrari, then Mazda should build their own super car, rather than letting the rule book hold the Ferrari back to make it "fair". I know this view is a bit old fashioned but it's what ade racing cool in the first place. An example like this would be when Ford built the GT40 specifically in order to beat Ferrari.

Amen!! And it doesn't have to be a "super car" but just race the car you want to race in its native configuration and have the rules enforce this! No more stupid tube frame silhuette cars on GT classes!!

 

[Sam48]

Two more topics of discussion relative to today,

Firstly, with the news of the main sires class structure, what will become of all the support sires? (e.i., IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup, Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Sportsman Showcase, etc.)

Secondly, any photos/videos from the Roar Before the 24? I'd love to see all the new teams, cars, liveries, and drivers on the track and in the paddock.

 

[cnd01]

Two more topics of discussion relative to today,

Firstly, with the news of the main sires class structure, what will become of all the support sires? (e.i., IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup, Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Sportsman Showcase, etc.)

Secondly, any photos/videos from the Roar Before the 24? I'd love to see all the new teams, cars, liveries, and drivers on the track and in the paddock.

1.) CTSCC is staying the same. No changes there. Sportsman Showcase is dead if I'm not wrong. No clue on Porsche GT3 cup series.

2.) Here's a link to a few photos http://www.motorsport.com/#!/granda...-corvette-dp/?sz=2&r=6204&s=2&id=1498564&i=19

 

[Mac K]

All I could find for now, not much has popped up. Might expect something from John Dagys though..

 

[CodeRedR51]

Even sexier than the street car.

 

[cnd01]

Boy, those groceries are getting home fast

 

[Sam48]

Found a not so good picture, but nonetheless a picture, of the Alex Job Audi R8 and Rum Bum R8 (Which doesn't sport a livery yet). I'll edit/update this post if I find anything else.

EDIT: The APR R8's are out now as well. We couldn't see it before, but the tribal stripe is only on one side. As if this care could look any more evil.

 

[cnd01]

The 2nd roar session for the Rolex series is over now.

DP order:

1.) 60-Michael Shank-Riley
2.) 01-Chip Ganassi-Riley
3.) 02-Chip Ganassi-Riley
4.) 6-Michael Shank-Riley
5.) 2-Starworks-Riley
6.) 90-Spirit of Daytona-Corvette DP
7.) 77-Doran/Jim Lowe-Dallara
8.) 10-Wayne Taylor-Corvette DP
9.) 42-Sahlens-Riley
10.) 99-Bob Stallings-Corvette DP
11.) 3-8Star-Corvette DP
12.) 9-Action Express-Corvette DP
13.) 8-Starworks-Riley
14.) 5-Action Express-Corvette DP
15.) 50-Highway to Help-Riley
16.) 27-BTE Sport-Riley
17.) 43-Sahlens-Riley

 

[Jav]

Two more topics of discussion relative to today,

Firstly, with the news of the main sires class structure, what will become of all the support sires? (e.i., IMSA Porsche GT3 Cup, Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, Sportsman Showcase, etc.)

Secondly, any photos/videos from the Roar Before the 24? I'd love to see all the new teams, cars, liveries, and drivers on the track and in the paddock.

They will most likely stay the way they are. The GT3 Cup can be squeezed into the regular GA/ALMS weekends along with the Continental Series wich I don't see going anywhere as that series is doing very well!
For the NASCAR weekends they obviously be excluded or perhaps moved to Friday/Saturday or Thursday/Friday.

 

[cnd01]

In the second roar session the GT class had 6 different makes in the top 10.

4 Porsches
2 Audi's
1 Camaro
1 BMW
1 Corvette
1 Viper

 

[Mac K]

Hold the phone, a Viper? The one that ran select races last year wasn't all that fast..

 

[cnd01]

Hold the phone, a Viper? The one that ran select races last year wasn't all that fast..

It was 8th quick. It's also the same number as the car that finished next to last overall in 2012. Vehicle Technologies is the team. Drivers are Jan Heylen, Doug Peterson, and Tony Ave. There might be a 4th driver though.

 

[Mac K]

Yup, thats the one.

 

[Sam48]

Wow, well good for them.

 

[cnd01]

Yup, thats the one.

8th quick out of 34 cars isn't too bad.

In GX, only 2 cars actually made laps. The Napleton Cayman was faster than the BGB Cayman.

 

[Mac K]

Its on all weekend correct?

 

[cnd01]

Its on all weekend correct?

Yes. Today, tomorrow, and Sunday will be the testing. Right now, DP are less than 2 seconds off of last year's pole. Looks like they will definitely be faster than last year. Right now Subaru is dominating the CTSCC testing going on. They were 1-2 in the first session, and they are currently 1-2 in the second session.

 

[freshseth83]

Here's a couple shots of the Mazda