IMSA Race TUSC Round 11: VIR

[joeb]

VIR will feature a GT (GTLM & GTD) only race and two sprint races featuring the PC/Lites combo for the weekend. Qualifying kicks off at 12:30 local track time on Saturday 23 August and the 2:45 race will be on Sunday at 16:05.

Schedule

Entry List

Spotters Guide

[Salamus]

It's going to be really cool seeing a GTLM car win a race overall.

[Porsche917K]

Very excited to see my two favorite classes get the full attention.

[Ephaeton]

very sad my visa ran out and I cannot repeat my visiting of the beauty that is VIR.

very, very sad that I have come to terms with IMSA most likely torpedoing my attempts to watch the race.
A bit of curiosity remains as to how.

To all who go: enjoy! I know I'll be trying to.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Salamus

It's going to be really cool seeing a GTLM car win a race overall.

Yes but not as cool as if it came via surprise, from behind the prototypes. Almost happened at Baltimore last year, and before that Reliant Park 06. Few other mid-2000's races could've also ended for GT1 overall win

It's actually somewhat shocking that GT car never won overall in ALMS despite the depleting LMP grids particularly during the final years. Grand-Am obviously had few 24 GT overalls

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Yes but not as cool as if it came via surprise, from behind the prototypes. Almost happened at Baltimore last year, and before that Reliant Park 06. Few other mid-2000's races could've also ended for GT1 overall win

It's actually somewhat shocking that GT car never won overall in ALMS despite the depleting LMP grids particularly during the final years. Grand-Am obviously had few 24 GT overalls

I knew it would never happen in the 2000's because even with just one Audi R8 LMP car in the race it was so reliable that they would win.

I was giddy every year in the Baltimore races because the GT cars were competitive overall. That is one reason why I am bummed that Baltimore is not back this year. But an all GT race at VIR is awesome. I am very excited for this. I wish 2015 had more of that but not the case. I know GTLM/GTD format will work out well. I also think P/GTLM format is fun too.

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by Salamus

It's going to be really cool seeing a GTLM car win a race overall.

I'll put money on no full course yellows as well.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

I'll put money on no full course yellows as well.

That is a tough one to call there. Plenty of GTD cars will make the potential for mistakes high, but the smaller number of cars on track might counter this effect.

[TRspitfirefan]

I'm really looking forward to watching this event.
It will be great to be able to watch an IMSA race, without having to put up with the stupid Prototype class and it's "Imbalance Of Performance".
The P class pretty much ruined a great GT race at Road America.

[Maelochs]

At least we know the GT cars will get sufficient TV coverage this time.

[DeezPutz]

Originally Posted by TRspitfirefan

The P class pretty much ruined a great GT race at Road America.

How so? This just seems like more grasping at straws.

[BullMan]

I'll be there. Really happy to not have to deal with the prototype nonsense, too.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by joeb

VIR will feature a GT (GTLM & GTD) only race and two sprint races featuring the PC/Lites combo for the weekend. Qualifying kicks off at 12:30 local track time on Saturday 23 August and the 2:45 race will be on Sunday at 16:05.

This should have been done at the beginning of this season. I am over PC - the overall driver talent is mucking up the remainder of the field and there is no longer a draw for me with this particular class anymore as a part of the main event, as it is currently speced. Will be interesting to see how it's received by drivers and teams, but PC by itself or with Lites is an excellent support series. Keep it that way please.

GT main event at this beautiful and daunting circuit will be awesome. I had talked about this date being a possible weekend road trip for me, but perhaps it's not in the cards. Temping, very temping...

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Will be interesting to see how it's received by drivers and teams, but PC by itself or with Lites is an excellent support series. Keep it that way please.

They hated the format at Kansas. Of course that event was a disaster mainly for other reasons but it didn't help

Anyway we already know it's not gonna change for the next two years so no point in hoping for downgrade in class status

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Chiana

They hated the format at Kansas. Of course that event was a disaster mainly for other reasons but it didn't help

Anyway we already know it's not gonna change for the next two years so no point in hoping for downgrade in class status

Oh yeah, I forgot about Kansas (or never knew or cared in the first place).

And one can always hope

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Oh yeah, I forgot about Kansas (or never knew or cared in the first place).

And one can always hope

True, majority of my posts center around hope and wishes

[Adam43]

Can I be the first to say for this race that the FCY was a joke?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Can I be the first to say for this race that the FCY was a joke?

I thought they did a fine job clearing the wrecks, I mean what are the officials to do when the track is covered in that much debris?

[WolfsburgRS]

I'm pondering a last-minute trip / sleep in the car kind of adventure if things line up right. Mainly because i really want to see CTSCC and the support races on Saturday, and I haven't made it to an event yet this year so would like to check out the paddock as much as possible. Beautiful track, one of my favorites.

[seanyb505]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

I'm pondering a last-minute trip / sleep in the car kind of adventure if things line up right. Mainly because i really want to see CTSCC and the support races on Saturday, and I haven't made it to an event yet this year so would like to check out the paddock as much as possible. Beautiful track, one of my favorites.

I wouldn't have had second thought about going until I read this. Something about "last minute" inspired me to take Friday off and head up! Sleep in the car adventures are great - that's how I did Sebring last year. Really wish I could stay in Hotel Subaru again, but with the wife coming and it doubling as an anniversary trip...I'm surprised local hotels are sold out. Nearest availibility is 30 miles away.

[wheelz22]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

I'm pondering a last-minute trip / sleep in the car kind of adventure if things line up right. Mainly because i really want to see CTSCC and the support races on Saturday, and I haven't made it to an event yet this year so would like to check out the paddock as much as possible. Beautiful track, one of my favorites.

Yeah, I agree....to me it's like 'Road America East'.....it's just such a delightful place to spend a weekend. Next Friday can't come soon enough....the long range forecast shows a warming trend with scattered T-storms possibly popping up....

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

I wouldn't have had second thought about going until I read this. Something about "last minute" inspired me to take Friday off and head up! Sleep in the car adventures are great - that's how I did Sebring last year. Really wish I could stay in Hotel Subaru again, but with the wife coming and it doubling as an anniversary trip...I'm surprised local hotels are sold out. Nearest availibility is 30 miles away.

Yeah there's not much around VIR that isn't 30 miles away, hehe.

Originally Posted by wheelz22

Yeah, I agree....to me it's like 'Road America East'.....it's just such a delightful place to spend a weekend. Next Friday can't come soon enough....the long range forecast shows a warming trend with scattered T-storms possibly popping up....

Yeah I think VIR invites this sort of thing. It's a huge track, plenty of places to park / camp / sleep and the vibe there is great. Yeah it's been repaved, and year the Oak tree is gone, but something about this track feels like you've gone back in time when you're there. I've gone for some vintage events, done some HPDE there and this will be my first actual pro-race as far as attendance. Really looking forward to watching the GT cars go up through those esses!

[wheelz22]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

Yeah there's not much around VIR that isn't 30 miles away, hehe.
Yeah I think VIR invites this sort of thing. It's a huge track, plenty of places to park / camp / sleep and the vibe there is great. Yeah it's been repaved, and year the Oak tree is gone, but something about this track feels like you've gone back in time when you're there. I've gone for some vintage events, done some HPDE there and this will be my first actual pro-race as far as attendance. Really looking forward to watching the GT cars go up through those esses!

Speaking of the dearly departed Oak Tree......did Connie replace it with a new one ? Perhaps a semi-mature tree ? This will be my first visit since we lost the tree.

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by wheelz22

Speaking of the dearly departed Oak Tree......did Connie replace it with a new one ? Perhaps a semi-mature tree ? This will be my first visit since we lost the tree.

Unfortunately no, they cleared everything out. The corner station was moved over to the left side of the track, before entering oak tree, so it's a lot more open but it obviously has less character.

[Richard C]

Originally Posted by wheelz22

Speaking of the dearly departed Oak Tree......did Connie replace it with a new one ? Perhaps a semi-mature tree ? This will be my first visit since we lost the tree.

My understanding from talking to senior track staff, is that they do not plan on putting a tree back at or near the original location. The turn will still be known as "Oak tree" minus a tree, just like "Hog Pen" still exists, but minus the original hog pen which is long gone.

I do wonder if at some point they will plant a new oak somewhere on the track as a commemorative substitute for he original given the almost "mascot" nature the tree represented?

Richard