Anybody out there following the Grand Am?

[cnd01]

If they are gonna penalize Shank, why not WTR as well since they claimed "They have no chance" and yet there they were finishing 2nd? They have made themselves really look bad with this decision, I find it rediculously questionable (unfair even) and this is coming from a Ganassi fan.

I thought this as well. Wayne Taylor complained the whole race. I think barbosa would've passed angelleli had he not been penalized for running the dinger off.

 

[braunracing88]

In a sort-of Grand-Am-related news bit, Audi is considering a DP entry for 2014. It may not be the R18, but since I don't think hybrid LMP1 cars are gonna be eligible for the new merged series between Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series, this might be the next best thing. At least it will bring them back into prototype racing on this side of the Atlantic.

 

[BROHAM]

In a sort-of Grand-Am-related news bit, Audi is considering a DP entry for 2014. It may not be the R18, but since I don't think hybrid LMP1 cars are gonna be eligible for the new merged series between Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series, this might be the next best thing. At least it will bring them back into prototype racing on this side of the Atlantic.

I wonder if Audi chose DP if it was cheaper.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

In a sort-of Grand-Am-related news bit, Audi is considering a DP entry for 2014. It may not be the R18, but since I don't think hybrid LMP1 cars are gonna be eligible for the new merged series between Grand-Am and the American Le Mans Series, this might be the next best thing. At least it will bring them back into prototype racing on this side of the Atlantic.

Intriguing.

But, futile. I don't know if Grand-Am will even survive this season, with b:censored: like that. There's no chance, is there? You know, for anyone but Chip Ganassi, to win?


Chip Ganassi admits to sandbagging; "congrats on the win!"
MSR makes mistake with new specs; "you're losing $50,000, several points, and we're not helping your BoP."

If I were in charge, it'd be:

Chip Ganassi forcefully removed from competition, with restraining orders.
MSR given warning.

I wonder if Audi chose DP if it was cheaper.

Wonder no more. DP is, in terms of fairness, and cost, the cheapest of prototype racing series.

 

[MatskiMonk]

Yeah, I know I'm not going to make any friends around here given my allegiances, but breaking the technical rules is a no-no in motorsport, and it carries penalties. Regs are regs, whether it's a mistake or intentional rule breaking.

I still agree that the BoP is messed up, and the penalties for MSR do seem quite harsh, but to not penalise somebody just because they weren't as fast as the winner - though still beat the rest of the competition, would be silly and would set a poor precedent.

 

[cnd01]

Yeah, I know I'm not going to make any friends around here given my allegiances, but breaking the technical rules is a no-no in motorsport, and it carries penalties. Regs are regs, whether it's a mistake or intentional rule breaking.

I still agree that the BoP is messed up, and the penalties for MSR do seem quite harsh, but to not penalise somebody just because they weren't as fast as the winner - though still beat the rest of the competition, would be silly and would set a poor precedent.

Ganassi was running illegal Indy car suspensions in their DP according to a Daytona news journal article for over 5 years. They haven't been penalized at all for that. No consistency with penalties.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I agree with Con-Con. He told me to call him that, so...

 

[Wilbur]

Ganassi was running illegal Indy car suspensions in their DP according to a Daytona news journal article for over 5 years. They haven't been penalized at all for that. No consistency with penalties.

It just goes to show why there are less DP's. I will pull for any team other than the 01/02 even if I do like their drivers as it's not them who are calling the shots.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Honestly I don't even watch Grand Am for the DP's. I just don't like them, kind of a badly designed Le Mans prototype rip off. GT is the only thing that holds some interest with me, and now that Mazda is no longer running the RX-8's I lost even more interest...

 

[cnd01]

Honestly I don't even watch Grand Am for the DP's. I just don't like them, kind of a badly designed Le Mans prototype rip off. GT is the only thing that holds some interest with me, and now that Mazda is no longer running the RX-8's I lost even more interest...

If you don't like DP, you're not going to be happy with sports car racing in America for a LONG time. 0 LMP2 cars full season this year in ALMS. That means likely even less in the merged series. LMP1 is getting slashed. LMPC is basically a DP with a LMP body kit.

 

[CodeRedR51]

If you don't like DP, you're not going to be happy with sports car racing in America for a LONG time.

I hardly watch it anyway.

 

[cnd01]

I hardly watch it anyway.

Hey, Audi may be jumping in DP. They've kept the option open. Plus, GT is looking better and better with the larger variety of cars on the track. It's not just Porsche and RX-8 anymore. I, like you, enjoyed the RX-8 on track. That rotary sound is amazing. I'm hoping the RX-9 or whatever it is will have a Rolex GT version.

 

[CodeRedR51]

RX-7 is getting a revival, but it's still 4 years out at least.

 

[cnd01]

RX-7 is getting a revival, but it's still 4 years out at least.

Good. I'm hoping it will be a Mazda model of the Scion FR-S just with a rotary engine. That would be excellent.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Well it won't be exact, but supposed to be close in size/weight with N/A 16x Rotary & 300hp.

 

[JohnBM01]

I mentioned Audi possibly joining the Daytona Prototype ranks in my previous post. Here is a link and what I posted on Facebook:

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105349

"I've actually come full circle on Daytona Prototypes the past few years. Okay- they aren't as attractive as the current crop of closed-top prototypes (like the Audi R18 TDI), but considering what Chevrolet did with their Corvette and making a Daytona Prototype out of that, I wouldn't be too surprised to see an Audi DP based on the R8. I'm sure this R8 wouldn't dominate like, oh... the R8 LMP of the early and mid 2000s..."

-me on Facebook


I'm interested about this Mazda stuff you all are mentioning. Wouldn't a Mazda DP be sweet, especially a rotary DP?

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I'd only care for DP if BMW left 💡 (because Cheap Ganassi Racing,) and Audi, Mazda, Chevy, and Ford came to battle it out. Maybe then, we'd even have Toyota. That'd be awesome.

Then, invite the leaders in production quality and resale value (Subaru,) since they've already been in Conti...

 

[Mac K]

Ferrari Challenge at Daytona is on now, Continental Tire in about an hour.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Ferrari Challenge at Daytona is on now, Continental Tire in about an hour.

Darn, in about an hour I've got ITCC. I was hoping to be able to watch both. I wonder if I can set up my PVR for that...

 

[RACECAR]

I'd only care for DP if BMW left 💡 (because Cheap Ganassi Racing,) and Audi, Mazda, Chevy, and Ford came to battle it out. Maybe then, we'd even have Toyota. That'd be awesome.

Then, invite the leaders in production quality and resale value (Subaru,) since they've already been in Conti...

Implying BMW IS the only reason Ganassi wins. I see you don't recall this era:

And with my eyes, I spot no BMW badges in this shot.

Edit: Better pic

 

[cnd01]

Implying BMW IS the only reason Ganassi wins. I see you don't recall this era:

And with my eyes, I spot no BMW badges in this shot.

Illegal Indy car rear suspension.....

 

[RACECAR]

Illegal Indy car rear suspension.....

Point is, he seems to think if BMW were gone, Ganassi wouldn't win so much when as I just posted, that isn't the case.

Edit: Also, I seemed to notice that only this "Daytona Journal" is pointing this out and no one else. Forgive me if I question how valid it is. I get it, everyone hates Ganassi no matter what he does but I'm not ready to jump to that just yet.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

How is a site logo supposed to make me think that Cheap Ganassi's not winning because of help from the stewards and officials?


All I see in your post is:

 

[RACECAR]

As usual, Planetlemans being morons about hotlinking

Link fixed.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

As usual, Planetlemans being morons about hotlinking

Link fixed.

Nope. I see nothing.

 

[RACECAR]

Try it now.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Try it now.

But, Lexus is win!



I loved it when Cheap Ganassi ran Lexus, Max the Ax won more!

 

[MatskiMonk]

MrMelancholy, Any chance you can point how how BMW leaving (despite the fact this is not related to BMW Motorsport, and is built by Dinan etc.) is a good idea for parity and fairness and how introducing Audi and Mazda, along with Ford and Chevy, won't introduce any further pressure from manufacturers on the rules.

Besides it's not like Ganassi haven't been the victims of off balance bop and other teams cheating before.

 

[cnd01]

MrMelancholy, Any chance you can point how how BMW leaving (despite the fact this is not related to BMW Motorsport, and is built by Dinan etc.) is a good idea for parity and fairness and how introducing Audi and Mazda, along with Ford and Chevy, won't introduce any further pressure from manufacturers on the rules.

Besides it's not like Ganassi haven't been the victims of off balance bop and other teams cheating before.

That's when ganassi turns to Montoya...

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

That's when ganassi turns to Montoya...