[LM24] NASCAR returns to Circuit de la Sarthe...

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

Just wish RA would be more utilized in its current state. I love going there but other than the Petit and the Mitty, there really isn't much going on in terms of professional sports car racing. I guess that's the nature of race tracks. One or two big events per year.

* SVRA and Trans-Am on March 25-26
* HSR Fall Historics on September 23-24

[JT240Z]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

* SVRA and Trans-Am on March 25-26
* HSR Fall Historics on September 23-24

Trans-Am might be good but the historic races aren't really professional grade and I already go to the Mitty. Really hoped that RA would expand its Repertoire of pro racing after Panoz sold out to the France's and Michelin invested into the track.

[skycafe]

HSR's Group 8 is for 'historic stock cars,' as in the various Nascar series. Popular class, there should be several entries.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

Trans-Am might be good but the historic races aren't really professional grade and I already go to the Mitty. Really hoped that RA would expand its Repertoire of pro racing after Panoz sold out to the France's and Michelin invested into the track.

Excuse my ignorance, but what other really professional sportscar grade race series are there?

[JT240Z]

FIA, CART, F1, NASCAR. So may make specific serieses as well. I'm using the term "sports cars" very loosely. Basically, thinking of auto sports in general that have professional level drivers and international appeal. I hate waiting a year for the next Petit.

There were so many hopes that the property across the street (Lanier trash Raceway) would be purchased and provide needed support for parking, hotels and a landing strip but it never materialized. Panoz had a vision but is was never completed.

Ya, I know that some here would argue that it would destroy the "feel" of Road Atlanta. I just would like to see more real racing as opposed to exhibition. Additional revenue at the track being reinvested could greatly improve the fan experience. Hell, the only real improvement over the last few years has been the Michelin Tower and hot water in the bathrooms that sometimes works.

[Adam43]

BTCC and Aussie V8s too
I love the fantasy thoughts here, but that lot rarely happen anywhere.

It strikes me that the current situation is both realistically what you could get and pretty good.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by skycafe

HSR's Group 8 is for 'historic stock cars,' as in the various Nascar series. Popular class, there should be several entries.

And for those locally, and I'll be posting pictures, historic Cup cars featured on the schedule. Sadly I doubt any of the LM cars

Originally Posted by JT240Z

FIA, CART, F1, NASCAR. So may make specific serieses as well. I'm using the term "sports cars" very loosely. Basically, thinking of auto sports in general that have professional level drivers and international appeal. I hate waiting a year for the next Petit.

There were so many hopes that the property across the street (Lanier trash Raceway) would be purchased and provide needed support for parking, hotels and a landing strip but it never materialized. Panoz had a vision but is was never completed.

Ya, I know that some here would argue that it would destroy the "feel" of Road Atlanta. I just would like to see more real racing as opposed to exhibition. Additional revenue at the track being reinvested could greatly improve the fan experience. Hell, the only real improvement over the last few years has been the Michelin Tower and hot water in the bathrooms that sometimes works.

F1 couldn't, not Grade 1
CART done and gone, Indy can't run on the track as built
FIA would be WEC but they don't want to share Sebring so....
SRO doesn't because they run GT3s too
Nascar tests at the track and rules bar testing at tracks used. AMS already has a hard time with their dates and Charlotte roval ain't far and is in Petit date area.

That's pretty much it so all you could add would be WEC in the spring as the old ALMS race was run.

There was no chance of any of the Lanier plans being approved, new folks of Hall county wanted the track limited not expanded.

[Adam43]

So the car will be #24.

[kartman24]

#24 but no Jeff Gordon, doesn`t seem right to a NASCAR fan from years gone by!

[skycafe]

Updates on the project. Second chassis (the race car) up and running and tested at COTA. Engine program has done 30 hour durability runs. GoodYear is building car specific tires. Video is 7 minutes long.

https://youtu.be/IWMI95dNm3o

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by kartman24

#24 but no Jeff Gordon, doesn`t seem right to a NASCAR fan from years gone by!

Well, it is Hendrick's number.

Also, the project is to put a Nascar entry into the 24 Hours of LeMans, so 24 seems like a fitting number for that occasion.

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Well, it is Hendrick's number.

Also, the project is to put a Nascar entry into the 24 Hours of LeMans, so 24 seems like a fitting number for that occasion.

I feel like Gordan was considering joining the driving team, however his poor performance at the GT Porsche Carrera Cup races at Indy in 2022 scared him off.

[E.B]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Also, the project is to put a Nascar entry into the 24 Hours of LeMans, so 24 seems like a fitting number for that occasion.

When you throw something logical into the discussion like that, it seems with hindsight so very obvious!

[skycafe]

Updates. They did final testing at Sebring, with the development car and the race car.

https://www.nascar.com/news-media/20...d-off-le-mans/

[skycafe]

Gallery of the planned final livery of the car

https://www.nascar.com/gallery/garag...eveal-daytona/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Gallery of the planned final livery of the car

https://www.nascar.com/gallery/garag...eveal-daytona/

I love everything about this effort. Except that livery. I know this is stupid to complain about but why not make it imaginative instead of just parties involved? Everyone will know this is a different car by seeing it, why not make it awe inspiring to look at as well?

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by joeb

I love everything about this effort. Except that livery. I know this is stupid to complain about but why not make it imaginative instead of just parties involved? Everyone will know this is a different car by seeing it, why not make it awe inspiring to look at as well?

With you there. Really uninspiring..... Disappointing.

[JT240Z]

It's very typical NASCAR Livery style. After all, it's the sponsors that pay the way.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by JT240Z

It's very typical NASCAR Livery style. After all, it's the sponsors that pay the way.

Yep. It is a Nascar.

It does make a sound that is going to echo around the stands and countryside, that perhaps will be more memorable.

[Adam43]

I’m going to be really annoyed when it breaks or is taken out after a lap!

[rx555]

With Jimmy Johnson driving, it's quite possible. Hopefully he brings his nascar driving and not his Indycar driving. He is a rookie there.

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I’m going to be really annoyed when it breaks or is taken out after a lap!

I have been trying not to think of this possibility. A stock car in the middle of the GT pack piling into the Dunlop chicane on cool tyres. I'm sure it will be fine. Assume Rocky will take the start.

[joeb]

The team has finished its final stateside test at Sebring and will be sending the cars to Europe soon:

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...ing-shakedown/

[broadrun96]

I'm still hoping they bring one this weekend to Road Atlanta for the Nascar 75th celebration at The Mitty

[JT240Z]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I'm still hoping they bring one this weekend to Road Atlanta for the Nascar 75th celebration at The Mitty

I'd think that is never going to happen. I'm sure their focus right now is clearly on Le Mans. I'd like to see them at the Petit. Much higher probability there.