IMSA TUSC 2015 Entries, Schedule, and Rumors

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Rcz

It's just too expensive...

Endurance racing is simply too expensive compared to sprint racing.

That's it, that's why there leaving. So even if they went GT3 two years ago it may not matter.

What they could have done back then but probably can't do now since the GTD-grid is below the critical mass for something like that, is to spin off the GTDs into their own sprint series (with two drivers per car a la BSS) for the non-NAEC-rounds. All the cost savings of sprint races, but potentially spread out over two drivers.

When you think about it, that is also pretty much (minus the two drivers) what old IMSA used to do with their lower classes for the non-endurance rounds (or at least a significant chuck of those).

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

What they could have done back then but probably can't do now since the GTD-grid is below the critical mass for something like that, is to spin off the GTDs into their own sprint series (with two drivers per car a la BSS) for the non-NAEC-rounds. All the cost savings of sprint races, but potentially spread out over two drivers.

When you think about it, that is also pretty much (minus the two drivers) what old IMSA used to do with their lower classes for the non-endurance rounds (or at least a significant chuck of those).

Is the cost savings between a 2 hr race vs 2 hr 45 mins significant enough?

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

Is the cost savings between a 2 hr race vs 2 hr 45 mins significant enough?

BSS does two one hour races per weekend...and if you do it that way the savings are quite significant as you don't need to refuel or change tires, (though BSS does) and can really cut down on fly-in pit crew.

[canamman]

Originally Posted by joeb

Want to know what teams and drivers think about the switch between GTD and PWC?
http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints...orld-challenge

Been thinking about getting back to Barber next year for the IRL in April.
With PWC there as well that weekend, this may be the article that makes
me go ahead and get the hotel reserved. The museum is great there too.
Have you been to Barber yet?

[Gulf]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

What they could have done back then but probably can't do now since the GTD-grid is below the critical mass for something like that, is to spin off the GTDs into their own sprint series (with two drivers per car a la BSS) for the non-NAEC-rounds. All the cost savings of sprint races, but potentially spread out over two drivers.

When you think about it, that is also pretty much (minus the two drivers) what old IMSA used to do with their lower classes for the non-endurance rounds (or at least a significant chuck of those).

I like that idea. Maybe they should spin off P2 and GTLM into one series and Dp and GTD into another? Since P2 and GTLM can race at Le Mans maybe they could call it something like the American Le Mans series. Since they would have grid room maybe they could invite P1s back.

[Rcz]

Well Ive been think about split races since Laguna Seca, but I wouldn't have based it on Pro-Pro and Pro-Am.

I would based it on the classes instead.
1st race would be Protos-P,PC 2hours
2nd race would be GT -GTLM,GTD 2hours

With exception at the enduros of course. and maybe Road America too.

It would be more easier to manged on TV.
Slower classes would get more spotlight
Possibly less cautions
They race would be easier to manage so less weird pit stop rules and easier to make calls for penalties.
Somewhat less expensive.

It could be done on one day with or split between Saturday and Sunday.

[Lanky Turtle]

Originally Posted by Gulf

I like that idea. Maybe they should spin off P2 and GTLM into one series and Dp and GTD into another? Since P2 and GTLM can race at Le Mans maybe they could call it something like the American Le Mans series. Since they would have grid room maybe they could invite P1s back.

Sounds feasible. And since the DP and GTD races would still be American sportscar races but without the Le Mans connection, they could call it something like "Magnificent American" or "Splendid American" or "Grand American."

[joeb]

Originally Posted by canamman

Been thinking about getting back to Barber next year for the IRL in April.
With PWC there as well that weekend, this may be the article that makes
me go ahead and get the hotel reserved. The museum is great there too.
Have you been to Barber yet?

I haven't been yet, but my April race schedule already includes a trip to NOLA for Indy car. Seeing PWC would be nice though.

[Rcz]

Originally Posted by Lanky Turtle

Sounds feasible. And since the DP and GTD races would still be American sportscar races but without the Le Mans connection, they could call it something like "Magnificent American" or "Splendid American" or "Grand American."

Magnificent American=Man Am, sounds bad ass for a racing series.



Even though Spend Am is more closer to to IMSA right now. Spend into oblivion.

[Accident]

Originally Posted by Rcz

Magnificent American=Man Am, sounds bad ass for a racing series.

"Man Am" makes me think of a bunch of tubeframe muscle cars with flashy paint jobs and bodywork altered in this sort of manner:

[Gulf]

Originally Posted by Lanky Turtle

Sounds feasible. And since the DP and GTD races would still be American sportscar races but without the Le Mans connection, they could call it something like "Magnificent American" or "Splendid American" or "Grand American."

That does have a ring to it!

Originally Posted by Accident

"Man Am" makes me think of a bunch of tubeframe muscle cars with flashy paint jobs and bodywork altered in this sort of manner:

Sounds like a DP.


This is so exciting after a whole year we have finally come up with a fix United Sports Car.... Un-unite! Un-Merge!

[Speed-King]

http://www.imsa.com/articles/prototy...validate-cache

Let's see if the naysayers can find something bad about this one...

[Ginaro Zukovsky]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

http://www.imsa.com/articles/prototy...validate-cache

Let's see if the naysayers can find something bad about this one...

Let's see - PC didn't want to run at VIR with the Lites again, and with the reduction in P/GTD numbers they needed extra cars for Detroit

[Purist]

Here's the piece from Racer about it.
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11042...event-for-2015

Having the third class, even if car counts are similar, will complicate the traffic situation over 2014. Maybe, that will be eased slightly by the planned straightening of the latter portion of the back stretch at Belle Isle.

I'm glad they will be leaving the GTs in peace from the PCs at VIR.

Funny though, I thought the PC guys didn't want a cost increase. Hmm, maybe they could take them out of Mosport, and swap GTD back in at Mosport. Make the other street race P/PC, also, and put GTLM in with GTD at Lime Rock.

[Danske]

Originally Posted by Purist

Here's the piece from Racer about it.

That's not a piece. That's the same IMSA press release.

[Purist]

Fine.

(I can't see well enough to skim text, so unless I read both in their entirety, I can't be sure that they're simply the identical thing.)

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Purist

Funny though, I thought the PC guys didn't want a cost increase.

Dual 45 mins at Virginia swapped for 100 minutes at Detroit doesn't sound like too much of a cost increase.

[Purist]

The 100-minute race will require a pit stop, and all that that entails with regards to team logistics. Twin 45-minute races don't demand that same level of involvement, in a number of areas.

[Deleted]

Maybe little saving in personnel or whatever but pretty sure they still swapped tires for the second race, and obviously re-fueled them as well as fixed whatever there was to fix in between rounds

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by Ginaro Zukovsky

Let's see - PC didn't want to run at VIR with the Lites again, and with the reduction in P/GTD numbers they needed extra cars for Detroit

Exactly what I was thinking. Plus it guarantees an all GT race at VIR now which is the best news. I predicted this in a previous message a few days ago by the way. Maybe IMSA read it

[David Land]

I might be planning a trip to VIR next year. Too bad the Vipers are gone.

[jasonjessica09]

For all the talk about new LMP2 entries. All we got so far is a NAEC Krohn Ligier (ACO based LMP2 cars) Does anybody know what is up with Oak, 8Star, and/or Starworks speculation?

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by David Land

I might be planning a trip to VIR next year. Too bad the Vipers are gone.

Yeah that one still hurts. Not over that yet.

[Gulf]

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

For all the talk about new LMP2 entries. All we got so far is a NAEC Krohn Ligier (ACO based LMP2 cars) Does anybody know what is up with Oak, 8Star, and/or Starworks speculation?

I really don't see why Oak would bother coming back.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Rumour is that the only full season P2 will be the Mazolas.