IMSA IMSA 2024

[GT3_Fan]

Great article here about IMSA's progress currently. Makes me wonder what happens if more entries in GTP are going to be in demand which I hope will happens. Perhaps LMP2 will need to be removed after this year? I think they are expendable.


https://www.dailysportscar.com/2024/...-2-of-gtp.html

[Coach Ep]

GTP would have to grow considerably beyond 15 for P2 to be booted. A more WEC orientated GT model (where each manufacturer is allotted 2 spots) might be IMSA's preferred solution to their increasing grid size 'problem'.

[seanyb505]

Nice thing that a regional series like imsa has over a global series is flexibility in class participations at each event, support series, and not requiring global sized travel budgets.

I don't think p2 needs to go anywhere. We don't see 60 cars at each race, and there are always ongoing bang for the buck conversations with imsa and teams. "Okay guys, you'll participate in 9 races this year - endurance cup events and the rest are sprints. Where do you want to go most and we'll curate a schedule that way."

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Nice thing that a regional series like imsa has over a global series is flexibility in class participations at each event, support series, and not requiring global sized travel budgets.

I don't think p2 needs to go anywhere. We don't see 60 cars at each race, and there are always ongoing bang for the buck conversations with imsa and teams. "Okay guys, you'll participate in 9 races this year - endurance cup events and the rest are sprints. Where do you want to go most and we'll curate a schedule that way."

Petit Le Mans in particular only needs to be 32 max cars to be honest. And we all know the quality of the race has declined due to so many safety car periods. My suggestion is make it GTP and GTD Pro only!

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

Petit Le Mans in particular only needs to be 32 max cars to be honest. And we all know the quality of the race has declined due to so many safety car periods. My suggestion is make it GTP and GTD Pro only!

I'm kindly tell you how fairly incorrect and VERY VERY VERY minority opinion that is. Don't think any one at the track agrees fewer is better, and as I've pointed out before the pro classes cause more cautions than P3/P2

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I'm kindly tell you how fairly incorrect and VERY VERY VERY minority opinion that is. Don't think any one at the track agrees fewer is better, and as I've pointed out before the pro classes cause more cautions than P3/P2

Too many cars causes chaos. We are in the 2020s, the reliability of the cars allows for this. See 2018 and 2020 Daytona 24 or even the last quarter of the race last week. But we are talking about the small under 2 mile Road Atlanta here. And about who causes more cautions...I somehow don't think pros cause more than P2/P3/GTD am. The Daytona 24 replay is on youtube now. Will track that data! And will post that when done.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

Too many cars causes chaos. We are in the 2020s, the reliability of the cars allows for this. See 2018 and 2020 Daytona 24 or even the last quarter of the race last week. But we are talking about the small under 2 mile Road Atlanta here. And about who causes more cautions...I somehow don't think pros cause more than P2/P3/GTD am. The Daytona 24 replay is on youtube now. Will track that data! And will post that when done.

We did from Petit and it was Pro cars being aggressive more than everyone's punching bag P3. Just cause a P3 was there didn't mean it's their fault

[fergus_r]

It might be too early for a thread, but the Sebring timetable has been published and it's another packed 4 days with Lamborghinis and MX5s replacing WEC, alongside the usual Porsche races, MPC and of course the 12 Hour.

[JT240Z]

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

Too many cars causes chaos. We are in the 2020s, the reliability of the cars allows for this. See 2018 and 2020 Daytona 24 or even the last quarter of the race last week. But we are talking about the small under 2 mile Road Atlanta here. And about who causes more cautions...I somehow don't think pros cause more than P2/P3/GTD am. The Daytona 24 replay is on youtube now. Will track that data! And will post that when done.

Most all of your points are very incorrect and indicate that you have never attended a Petit weekend. The mix of GT and Prototype is what makes the race interesting and so well attended.

PS, the track is 2.54 miles around. NOT "under 2 miles" as you stated.

It has always amazed me how those that have never attended a Petit weekend always want to change the way it's conducted.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

It might be too early for a thread, but the Sebring timetable has been published and it's another packed 4 days with Lamborghinis and MX5s replacing WEC, alongside the usual Porsche races, MPC and of course the 12 Hour.

But with a rather different timing on Friday with a late start and the 2nd Porsche race to run in the dark/under the lights!

The 12H also starts (and finishes) about an hour earlier than normal, 9:40am.

[seanyb505]

Big reduction of night racing, whomp whomp.

[stuart thompson]

Suits us staying up in the Uk.

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Big reduction of night racing, whomp whomp.

100% disagree. More daytime racing makes for better TV viewing for sure. And even for you guys in person its less time having to stare at cars with those bright headlights.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

But with a rather different timing on Friday with a late start and the 2nd Porsche race to run in the dark/under the lights!

The 12H also starts (and finishes) about an hour earlier than normal, 9:40am.

The late start on Friday suits me - I'll take an extra hour or two in bed.

Also, I agree with GT3 fan. The less night stuff, the better, and that's an opinion I hold both for trackside and TV viewing.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

100% disagree. More daytime racing makes for better TV viewing for sure. And even for you guys in person its less time having to stare at cars with those bright headlights.

What angle do you think most of the crowd is to the lights? And no, most people seem to like the night running, see Petit on Thursday night when the crowds jump again cause they want to be in before night practice. Never had a headlight blind me and have astigmatism and light sensitivity

[Adam43]

The problem is the race is just too long.

[broadrun96]

Well by about 6 hours my brain could often use a rest so you aren't wrong there occasionally

[JT240Z]

Personally, I wish the Petit was a 12-hour race for more nighttime racing. Half of a 24 hours of Le Mans would truly be a Petit Le Mans. ;

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Big reduction of night racing, whomp whomp.

As much as I love night time racing, it's also always at the end of a long and tiresome stretch of 4 days trackside. An earlier finish is more than welcome therefor!

[GT3_Fan]

Having Ford back makes a huge difference I must say. After going through Daytona, I can say now that GTD Pro now feels like we are close to what we had in GTLM in the 2010s now. Looking ahead the sked for the first half of the season looks awesome. Got several races with no LMP2 cars to fill up the track.

[Coach Ep]

Maximum number of cars admitted for the 12H has been increased from 60 to 62 according to the supps, see 9.4.11 https://www.imsa.com/wp-content/uplo...12H-013124.pdf

[Mike E]

Sebring testing

https://youtu.be/idkgkhLK4KY?si=I_Z3CAEk-BA0yYRF

[seanyb505]

Sc63 sounds pretty fun. Getting excited for more racing before we head to mid season.

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Sebring testing

https://youtu.be/idkgkhLK4KY?si=I_Z3CAEk-BA0yYRF

Amusing interlude from the Osprey on its nest on top of a lamp post!

[broadrun96]

Oops

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/f...turers-points/

Teams keep their points, wins, etc. Just manufacturer hit. Have to wonder if they both updated software or other to make changes across the board rather than team doing it.