2016 WeatherTech SportsCar ChampionshipSports Cars 

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IforceV8
It is a different series with different issues so it is impossible to make a exact comparison.
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How is it hard to make a comparison on budgets?

ESM and JDC/Miller are both well funded 4 car teams so making the switch should not be a big deal for them. I dont know anything about the rest of the Lites field.
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A very good percentage of the field is paying to be there so it's more of a question of whether or not the drivers are willing to part with the cash. The teams themselves may be able to flip the bill, but that doesn't mean they will, just look at Rum Bum who recently pulled out of racing.

There will be a few PC drivers looking for rides so there will be a few funded drivers walking around.
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I'm not so sure of that to be honest. The big draw of PC is being able to compete for a class win in the biggest endurance races in NA, going to 45 minute sprint races with little attention would be a bit of a letdown. I see this being a major issue with making PC/LMP3 the lead class of the CTSCC as well.

Is it something used to used to defeat a $20 billion wall on the Mexican border?
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So do you want to have a serious debate or are you just going to be a smart:censored:?

See the ELMS LMP3 class for a reference of where the Imsa Am is likely heading.
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So you won't compare the budgets of two series run by the same body, but will compare the racing ladder system of two different continents?

Open top cars are being phased out due to driver safety concerns which makes that car obsolete.
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So the whole series should be phased out because of that?:confused:

The DP02 has a FIA-certified carbon fiber monocoque and meets European F3 crash test standards and the NP01 has none of that so you might want to start your modifications there. There is a reason it costs $81K vs $143K of the DP02.
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I'm well aware of the differences, perhaps I should have said the NP01 would make a good starting point instead.

It is a KIT CAR for rich guys that live near one of those country club race tracks. It is not suitable for a Imsa ladder series as a replacement for the Lites car.
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I've said multiple times that it's not suitable as it for a DP02 replacement, a fact you seem to continuously ignore. I also don't see what it being available as a kit car has to do with anything since turnkey race cars are a relatively new thing.
 
Question for those of you who have been watching longer than I have, why is Mazda continuing to run an ancient P2 chassis when there are much better options on the market? I don't think they have lack of funding as they're a manufacturer. Is there some preference towards the Lola chassis or has their focus been on the engine they just never bothered to update the chassis?
 
FutureF1
Question for those of you who have been watching longer than I have, why is Mazda continuing to run an ancient P2 chassis when there are much better options on the market? I don't think they have lack of funding as they're a manufacturer. Is there some preference towards the Lola chassis or has their focus been on the engine they just never bothered to update the chassis?
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From what I understand the program was originally to promote there gas-powered engines. Unfortunately they were about as powerful as Donald Trumps hair clippers, and they switched engine. The Lola was a fairly new chassis at the time (B12 from 2012 IIRC) and probably for a program focusing on the engine mainly the chassis was no real concern. After all, the Lola was proven in Europe as well.
 
Northstar
How is it hard to make a comparison on budgets?
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Different cars in different classes running different schedules.

Northstar
A very good percentage of the field is paying to be there so it's more of a question of whether or not the drivers are willing to part with the cash. The teams themselves may be able to flip the bill, but that doesn't mean they will, just look at Rum Bum who recently pulled out of racing.
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Ok.

Northstar
I'm not so sure of that to be honest. The big draw of PC is being able to compete for a class win in the biggest endurance races in NA, going to 45 minute sprint races with little attention would be a bit of a letdown. I see this being a major issue with making PC/LMP3 the lead class of the CTSCC as well.
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I agree that is a issue. A future of All-Pro P class leaves a huge void in the prototype drivers field if the only other option is a LMP3 sprint format. The car is somewhat interesting but the fact that it was not designed to run anything longer than 4hr ELMS races is a problem with the concept here. The original Ginetta P3 car fell apart at the table top smooth Red Bull ring, imagine what 12hr of Sebring would do to that car. I think Imsa should have a separate Pro-Am P2 class using either the ARX-04 HPD chassis with the 2.8L HPD or the soon to be flooded market of used P2 coupes that will be obsolete when the new car comes. Stick a spec Judd V8 in the back and restrict it down 525-550 HP and BOP it 2 sec per lap slower than the new DPI/P2 spec. I think the reason this idea has been left off of the table at Imsa is the fact that the GTLM teams are tired of dealing with the PC traffic interfering in their racing. There is no problem when the Pro's are in the PC car but the Am's are sometimes like a rolling chicane. The ELMS has the same issue with the P3 cars but their GTE cars are Pro-Am so it kinda equals out.

Northstar
So do you want to have a serious debate or are you just going to be a smart:censored:?
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thinking about that one... Maybe the ladder can be stored at racecars house in Texas so it is near the wall.:p

Northstar
So you won't compare the budgets of two series run by the same body, but will compare the racing ladder system of two different continents?
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Yes. Class structures and team budgets are two separate multi quotes.

Northstar
So the whole series should be phased out because of that?:confused:
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Maybe. http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoint...ee-class-program-under-consideration-for-2018 http://files.ctctcdn.com/db5636c9001/9c89f7fb-0e9a-4d50-bf7c-337f37bc700c.pdf

Northstar
I'm well aware of the differences, perhaps I should have said the NP01 would make a good starting point instead.
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If the starting point involves tearing up the paper and starting from scratch then it was the wrong place to start.

Northstar
I've said multiple times that it's not suitable as it for a DP02 replacement, a fact you seem to continuously ignore. I also don't see what it being available as a kit car has to do with anything since turnkey race cars are a relatively new thing.
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Which is it, a good starting point or not suitable?
 
TV ratings for MRLS. FS1 1st race 77k, FS2 2nd race 33k.:confused: Between the terrible faux sports production and the now restricted live stream Imsa these guys are making the Indycar management look brilliant.
 
IforceV8
TV ratings for MRLS. FS1 1st race 77k, FS2 2nd race 33k.:confused: Between the terrible faux sports production and the now restricted live stream Imsa these guys are making the Indycar management look brilliant.
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It's a shame because the races themselves were absolutely brilliant, the PC/GTD race was astounding!



Please NBC, please buy the IMSA TV contract. :(
 
catamount39
It's a shame because the races themselves were absolutely brilliant, the PC/GTD race was astounding!



Please NBC, please buy the IMSA TV contract. :(
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Calling it Pit Stop Wars on A&E would be a upgrade over what we have now.
 
I hope somebody, anybody, takes over the IMSA broadcast. In my opinion, it's one of the worst racing broadcasts around right now.

First off, you have Craimer and Fish yelling their asses off non stop. It's embarrassing when other people walk in the room while I'm watching.

Next, the non-stop commercial breaks.

Third, their obsession with pit stops. Who the hell wants to see a car trundle down the lane at 60km/h when there are 3 cars going into T1 nose to tail. I actually yelled at my TV and grabbed my head a couple times during the last round because of this.

The ticker with the running order in brutally small, updating 3 positions at a time.

Overtakes and position changes happen up and down the field, and there is no coverage of it. Only way to notice it is to realize 3 laps later, "oh hey, the Corvette passed the BMW...when did that happen?"

My biggest gripe though, is with the talking heads in the pits. I like hearing from the drivers and all (even though most sat basically the same crap), but not while there is action on the track. There were periods of several minutes where it was back to back interviews. I was actually jittery with rage!! Especially because we know they have the tech to do the interviews in a side window while still keeping eyes on track.

The Fox broadcast really seems like it is only interested in the result, and has no care about the journey to the finish.

Love the cars, the tracks, the racing.....HATE the coverage!!
 
I guess it sounds like I missed both a great race(s) and another great example of Fox sucking ass at motorsports coverage. Honestly, if IMSA decided to make people pay for season long access of the stream, I'd send the money in a heartbeat just so I don't have to deal with Fox's "coverage".
 
AnthonyD1993
I guess it sounds like I missed both a great race(s) and another great example of Fox sucking ass at motorsports coverage. Honestly, if IMSA decided to make people pay for season long access of the stream, I'd send the money in a heartbeat just so I don't have to deal with Fox's "coverage".
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I really wish they would, I got the entire WEC season for about $30. Live, flag to flag, no commercials 👍
 
IforceV8
TV ratings for MRLS. FS1 1st race 77k, FS2 2nd race 33k.:confused: Between the terrible faux sports production and the now restricted live stream Imsa these guys are making the Indycar management look brilliant.
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That's pathetic considering FS1's availability and how NBCSN can get 300-500k for F1 races that happen early in the morning.

The rights need to go to CBS or NBC.
 
I've just started waiting until the You Tube videos are posted and watch it on my Roku.
 
It is funny that the ACO does not want the DPi's cars at Le Mans because of "BOP" issues and Imsa's inferior technical awareness and yet the BOP in WEC GTE-Pro is so far off it is laughable compared to what Imsa does with GTLM.
 
RACECAR
Unexpected, but cool. I expect her to get up to speed in no time, though the track itself (the only one I don't think she's ever raced at, along with Watkins Glen) I'm unsure about.
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Maybe it is connected with Honda/Grace autosport Indy as some kind of consolation prize.
 
13256156_10208331002567854_5863713684037759771_n.jpg


http://sportscarchampionship.imsa.c...rossing-ocean-four-times-compete-imsa-le-mans
 
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twitcher
I hope somebody, anybody, takes over the IMSA broadcast. In my opinion, it's one of the worst racing broadcasts around right now.

First off, you have Craimer and Fish yelling their asses off non stop. It's embarrassing when other people walk in the room while I'm watching.

Next, the non-stop commercial breaks.

Third, their obsession with pit stops. Who the hell wants to see a car trundle down the lane at 60km/h when there are 3 cars going into T1 nose to tail. I actually yelled at my TV and grabbed my head a couple times during the last round because of this.

The ticker with the running order in brutally small, updating 3 positions at a time.

Overtakes and position changes happen up and down the field, and there is no coverage of it. Only way to notice it is to realize 3 laps later, "oh hey, the Corvette passed the BMW...when did that happen?"

My biggest gripe though, is with the talking heads in the pits. I like hearing from the drivers and all (even though most sat basically the same crap), but not while there is action on the track. There were periods of several minutes where it was back to back interviews. I was actually jittery with rage!! Especially because we know they have the tech to do the interviews in a side window while still keeping eyes on track.

The Fox broadcast really seems like it is only interested in the result, and has no care about the journey to the finish.

Love the cars, the tracks, the racing.....HATE the coverage!!
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I agree with all of this, but there's one thing that can be solved "easily":

twitcher
Next, the non-stop commercial breaks.
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Go there (as in to the live event). :p
 


I'm digging this new Alkamelsystems timing. Lots of data available.

I wonder if this will be the last visit to Detroit for Imsa. The weekend of this race in conflict with the Le Mans test day has turned into a major issue for many more teams now than in the past.
 
Chevrolet sports car classic was dominated by Chevy Corvette DP's 5-10-31, fastest in every sector and 5 mph faster in the traps. It looks like right now the 60 and the 90 DP are fighting for 4th place this weekend.

Porsche, Viper, and BMW are quickest in GTD.

FP2 up next.
 
The on boards give a huge appreciation to the difficulty of the track. I had no idea they were bouncing around as much as they are till I saw the cameras. Legge was seriously showing some pace in the 60. Fittipaldi spun and narrowly avoided wrecking the car while trying to throw down one last lap to defend his pole lap. Goossens could have stolen it if he didn't have to slow down to not hit Fittipaldi's DP.
 
Might have a sliiiiiiiiiiggggggghhhhttttttt BoP issue in P. :lol: Aston Martin missing from GTD again. :( At least the Lambo's are fast! :drool:
 
BoP is a partial issue, but the track itself seems to favor the DPs. The P2s have to make ride height adjustments to get around the track to avoid tearing themselves apart with the roughness of it, and the ride height change hurts the areo grip and thus track performance according to RLM (IMSA Radio).
 
Frankly, P2 cars simply aren't made for Street courses. They were made For Le Mans, hence they aren't that effective at a place like Detroit.
 
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