IMSA TUSC 2015 Entries, Schedule, and Rumors - Page 47

Deleted · 5 Nov 2014, 19:56 (Ref:3471979)

Shocking. Maybe he's not as Scrooge McDuck as I/we thought.

I can see P2 BoP magically improving now as mr Shank should have more politics negotiation power with IMSA/NASCAR than Oak & ESM together ever did. Also now that Oak has actual US customer, there's no real need for them to return anymore.

Maybe the team can now finally remove this annoying piece from their website too
The top category in Grand-Am Road Racing and the undisputed stars of the Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve, Daytona Prototypes are exotic, mid-engine machines that are purpose-built strictly for competition on the track. Low to the ground and capable of speeds in excess of 185 mph, Daytona Prototypes also feature the latest in safety technology, including carbon fiber side impact panels and a multi-point roll cage with a unique center post at mid-windshield.

Anyway his Le Mans ambitions are the most interesting. Running in second division class and not being served BoP on the plate all the time is something very new to that team.

Canada ALMS fan · 5 Nov 2014, 20:12 (Ref:3471989)

Music to my ears:

"We were frankly having a hard time selling the DP program with the change to the Prototype class ahead; everybody wants to be in the latest cars—the cars that are next up on the scene, and this isn't going to be a cheap move for us, but we knew it had to be done to keep our program moving ahead,"

The market will decide.

David Land · 5 Nov 2014, 21:01 (Ref:3472022)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

I wonder if this is a new chassis or one of the 3 originals? Waiting till after Daytona to debut is probably a good idea with the advantage the DP has there.

I have a feeling the fan opinion of Mike Shank is going to be shifting slightly after this announcement!

edit: just saw part of article saying they won't get the car until after Daytona, so that's the reason for running dp - not bop.

Fan opinion of Mr. Shank will improve when he stops his incessant moaning.

That said.

This is a smart move, and his team, sponsors, and drivers will have a lot more exposure running a Ford powerd Ligier rather than the DP.

It also unfortunately proves that the inclusion of the DPs was unnecessary from the start because if Mike Shank is running a P2 that means everybody else could too (looking at you Wayne Taylor Racing!).

J Jay · 5 Nov 2014, 21:12 (Ref:3472027)

Update from Pruett on MWM: Already struggling to "keep the lights on" and faced with the prospect of losing Pew's interest (and therefore backing), Shank decided a P2 purchase was the most sensible option.

BullMan · 5 Nov 2014, 22:17 (Ref:3472051)

Marshall Pruett also said it's a new engine going into the Shank car. Not a new marque, but a new engine, most likely with aim towards the global engine rules. So, something under 2 liters in displacement with a turbo.

TRspitfirefan · 6 Nov 2014, 00:21 (Ref:3472079)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

I have a feeling the fan opinion of Mike Shank is going to be shifting slightly after this announcement!

As an LMP/ALMS fan, I have often found Mike Shanks opinions abrasive.
However I will happily bury the hatchet and wholeheartedly cheer for his team next season. For me, the cars really are the stars and those Ligiers are really stunning!

TRspitfirefan · 6 Nov 2014, 00:27 (Ref:3472080)

Another bit of news from Midweek Motorsport, It sounds like Bobby Rahals plans for a DP have been abandoned. BMW to focus on GT and better marketing.

jasonjessica09 · 6 Nov 2014, 02:02 (Ref:3472092)

I think in 2015 all of the full time prototype teams except for the Delta Wing are going to be ex-Grand Am teams, including teams that appears to be running LMP2 cars: Speedsource, Shank, and perhaps Starworks (what the heck is their status). I personally think Oak won’t be around in TUSC next year. Gustavo seems like will have plenty of options for rides in WEC and ELMS.

GTLM seems to be 8 cars right now. The cars from last year minus SRT.

Deleted · 6 Nov 2014, 02:27 (Ref:3472096)

Think you have to go back to 2009 Long Beach GT1 to get smaller headline GT category grid than that? And for GT2, I don't know, 2005-2006 or something?

Deleted · 6 Nov 2014, 02:46 (Ref:3472100)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

And for GT2, I don't know, 2005-2006 or something?

Wait, why am I asking this when I've made a graph about it?
http://postimg.org/image/tax7w5odn/full/

If 8 GTLM cars start the race: Mosport 2002

schmidder · 6 Nov 2014, 03:22 (Ref:3472106)

Good on shank. Just funny..seems like almost the most unlikely to buy a p2 15 months ago...hell..3 months ago. Hope he can get bop help needed to keep the car competitive

Lagunaseca_4life · 6 Nov 2014, 03:39 (Ref:3472110)

Intresting shank news,good for him for doing something different with out throwing a huge fit (yet).but I still don't like the guy or going to start liking him.shank,Barron,and Taylor I can care less what they do,plus this car will make what three p2s and with his drivers it will be faster than only the mazdas.and if they go 2 liter turbo for goods sake I hope ford doesn't try to make any of its i4 ecoboosts into a race engine!

rich07 · 6 Nov 2014, 05:18 (Ref:3472128)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRspitfirefan

Another bit of news from Midweek Motorsport, It sounds like Bobby Rahals plans for a DP have been abandoned. BMW to focus on GT and better marketing.

Fantastic!! One less DP to think about.

Maelochs · 6 Nov 2014, 06:36 (Ref:3472135)

With ESM likely running only NAEC, this means ... two Lola-Mazdas and Mike Shank in modern race cars. He now will be moaning because he has a fast car and never wins.

Really good news in a way ... because it means Oak won't be back with an actually competitive P2, and Shank will be learning a new chassis and working with a new motor while restricted by BoP.

What this really means is WTR, SDR, and Ganassi will be the only competitive teams.

schmidder · 6 Nov 2014, 07:11 (Ref:3472141)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

With ESM likely running only NAEC, this means ... two Lola-Mazdas and Mike Shank in modern race cars. He now will be moaning because he has a fast car and never wins.

Really good news in a way ... because it means Oak won't be back with an actually competitive P2, and Shank will be learning a new chassis and working with a new motor while restricted by BoP.

What this really means is WTR, SDR, and Ganassi will be the only competitive teams.

So..same as this last year

TzeiTzei · 6 Nov 2014, 08:11 (Ref:3472152)

No love for action express? I think they won something this year.

Deleted · 6 Nov 2014, 13:23 (Ref:3472219)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maelochs

With ESM likely running only NAEC, this means ... two Lola-Mazdas and Mike Shank in modern race cars. He now will be moaning because he has a fast car and never wins.

Really good news in a way ... because it means Oak won't be back with an actually competitive P2, and Shank will be learning a new chassis and working with a new motor while restricted by BoP.

What this really means is WTR, SDR, and Ganassi will be the only competitive teams.

Mike won't be complaining that he has a fast car (even if it is), he will complaining - among repeating how much money he had to spend again - that P2 has crap BoP against DP, ie total magic turn around from last year. But since he is ex-Grand-Am figure, his performance balancing arguing-whining power will be stronger than Oak's or ESM's ever were, so it shouldn't be too worrying for him. However, unless he manages to stick Ecoboost into this coupe somehow, he will lose the DP-OEM-politics shield he used to have. So it's 50-50

Coach Ep · 6 Nov 2014, 15:35 (Ref:3472250)

Seems like OAK will be back, at least for the NAEC:

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11060...ototype-return

Ganassi confirms continuation of current package, only 1 car is mentioned, hopefully we'll see the second car out for the enduros:

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11060...engine-package

Also, no up-front class limits by IMSA:
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11059...-consideration

There are a lot of TUSC news/press releases coming out at the moment (take that any way you want), especially in the Prototype class.

I'm wondering, with the abundance of P2 programs announced for the WEC, could we see one or two of those 'proposed' entries flocking over to TUSC?

Danathar · 6 Nov 2014, 16:03 (Ref:3472258)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Seems like OAK will be back, at least for the NAEC:

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11060...ototype-return

Ganassi confirms continuation of current package, only 1 car is mentioned, hopefully we'll see the second car out for the enduros:

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11060...engine-package

Also, no up-front class limits by IMSA:
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11059...-consideration

There are a lot of TUSC news/press releases coming out at the moment (take that any way you want), especially in the Prototype class.

I'm wondering, with the abundance of P2 programs announced for the WEC, could we see one or two of those 'proposed' entries flocking over to TUSC?

I'm hoping we'll at least see a bunch of one off's (or two) at Daytona and Sebring with P2 cars. (other than ESM and OAK)

Gulf · 6 Nov 2014, 16:03 (Ref:3472259)

Quote:

Originally Posted by schmidder

Good on shank. Just funny..seems like almost the most unlikely to buy a p2 15 months ago...hell..3 months ago. Hope he can get bop help needed to keep the car competitive

I wonder if nascar bought the car as a way to keep a few P2s around and that's why he has had a sudden turn around on how he feels about P2 cars.

Gulf · 6 Nov 2014, 16:04 (Ref:3472260)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danathar

I'm hoping we'll at least see a bunch of one off's (or two) at Daytona and Sebring with P2 cars. (other than ESM and OAK)

What a sad state we are in now. We have gone from expecting one off P1s at Sebring to hoping for one offs P2s.

ger80 · 6 Nov 2014, 21:35 (Ref:3472332)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Also, no up-front class limits by IMSA:
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/11059...-consideration

How many PC's are around right now?

MoMedic9019 · 6 Nov 2014, 21:49 (Ref:3472336)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gulf

I wonder if nascar bought the car as a way to keep a few P2s around and that's why he has had a sudden turn around on how he feels about P2 cars.

My exact thought...

Coach Ep · 6 Nov 2014, 22:11 (Ref:3472342)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ger80

How many PC's are around right now?

You mean the number of cars available or the number of cars expected to join the series in 2015?

DeezPutz · 7 Nov 2014, 00:36 (Ref:3472370)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoMedic9019

My exact thought...

You're pretty hooked into this series. Can't you just ask him instead of saying you had a thought?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
2015 IndyCar schedule	NaBUru38	Indycar Series	330	19 Jun 2015 12:11
IMSA 2015 Tudor SportsCar Championship schedule	NaBUru38	Sportscar & GT Racing	8	16 Jul 2014 04:35
What cars would we like in TUSC, but aren't eligible entries?	TRspitfirefan	North American Racing	154	7 Apr 2014 17:14
Laguna rumors and entries	HORNDAWG	Sportscar & GT Racing	45	16 Oct 2008 14:45
Petit Le Mans 2008 Rumors / Entries Thread	mattcat	Sportscar & GT Racing	570	2 Oct 2008 18:47