IMSA Continental Tires Sportscar Challenge 2018

[joeb]

This series is in line for some changes next year. There will be 3 classes: GT4, TCR, and ST. There is expected to be some new teams popping up and we are already starting to get some announcements.

HTP will be running a couple of the AMG GT4 cars for Winward Racing:
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/w...mg-gt4-effort/

[broadrun96]

I'm just hoping all the interviews and reports have a poor word choice, everything I've seen and the interview with the MB rep at Road Atlanta seemed to indicate factory assistance to the teams coming in. His interview was of course prior to the announcement so naming a team specifically wasn't in his program. But any factory involvement beyond a driver seems to be too much for a GT4 program, but then we've seen that seep year after year and class after class.

[jjvincent]

You need to understand what "support" means. It's not throwing in factory drivers and a factory team, it's trackside services. Porsche set the standard for this 40 years ago and if you want to get others to purchase your produce, you better provide a truck full of spares and a 20 something year old guy who is a computer wiz with the car. Audi stepped up to the plate to do this and others will have to follow as it's become the norm. Even Ford brought a boatload of spares to the track for the Mustangs. If you want to sell a spec car, you better be there to support it.

I suspect you will see lots of Audis because they will be represented in 3 classes in IMSA (TCR, GS and GTD). They already bring good support but right now they are doing arrive and drives to get those rich guys hooked and thus purchase a car.

When you are looking to run a car, you run the one with the best trackside support because you've learned that the first go around of doing it because you are a fan and to be different, didn't work out so well.

[broadrun96]

Seems like Turner and BimmerWorld racing will be flying the GT4 banner for BMW in 2018. I was concerned about where BimmerWorld would end up with TCR coming to replace their usual touring car routes. It sounds like Turner for PWC and CTSCC and BimmerWorld for CTSCC according to everyone's favorite Dagys and S365. $200k (170 euro) doesn't sound like a bad deal for a GT4 car.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Seems like Turner and BimmerWorld racing will be flying the GT4 banner for BMW in 2018. I was concerned about where BimmerWorld would end up with TCR coming to replace their usual touring car routes. It sounds like Turner for PWC and CTSCC and BimmerWorld for CTSCC according to everyone's favorite Dagys and S365. $200k (170 euro) doesn't sound like a bad deal for a GT4 car.

Nice to see the new car well represented, and 2 Turner cars in PWC GTS too


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[Akrapovic]

€170,000 brings it in almost €30,000 cheaper than the Audi R8 GT4. That's not an insignificant amount of money.

[joeb]

Mercedes is expecting a large presence in the GT4 category:

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/m...north-america/

At least 10 of their cars have been sold stateside.

[cbbrit]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

€170,000 brings it in almost €30,000 cheaper than the Audi R8 GT4. That's not an insignificant amount of money.

I thought the Audi costs around $205K, so not much more than the BMW. But I heard that price about 4 months ago, so things may have changed! Remember all these GT4 Manufacturers sell their cars delivered to the US in $$$, not Euros!

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by cbbrit

I thought the Audi costs around $205K, so not much more than the BMW. But I heard that price about 4 months ago, so things may have changed!

Suppose it'll depend on local rates I guess, but this is from the Audi PR -

In April, Audi Sport customer racing presented the Audi R8 LMS GT4 as its third model range for customer sport. The GT4 sports car delivering up to 364 kW (495 hp) can now be ordered. The company offers the race car at a price of 198,000 euros (excluding VAT). Deliveries are planned to begin in December.

198,000 Euros is approx $230,000.

[Bcarr6]

2x multimatic Ford Mustangs for Daytona ONLY

Entry tracker so far:

CTSC 4 Hours Daytona Entry List 2018


GT4

TeamTGM - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Ted Giovanis / TBA
TeamTGM - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
Winward/HTP Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Damien Faulkner / Russell Ward
Winward/HTP Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
BimmerWorld Racing - BMW M4 GT4 - TBA / TBA
Turner Motorsport - BMW M4 GT4 - TBA / TBA
Murillo Racing - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
Murillo Racing - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
RS1 Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
Andrew Wojteczko Autosport - Ford Mustang GT4 - Martin Barkey / Brett Sandberg
Multimatic Motorsports - Ford Mustang GT4 - Chase Briscoe / Austin Cindric
Multimatic Motorsports - Ford Mustang GT4 - Cole Custer / Ty Majeski / Scott Maxwell


TCR

Compass 360 Racing - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Roy Block / Pierre Kleinubing
Compass 360 Racing - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Rodrigo Sales / Kumo Wittmer
JDC-Miller Motorsports - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Stephen Simpson / Michael Johnson

[Nick Woodbury]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

2x multimatic Ford Mustangs for Daytona ONLY



GT4

TeamTGM - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Ted Giovanis / TBA
TeamTGM - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
Winward/HTP Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Damien Faulkner / Russell Ward
Winward/HTP Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
BimmerWorld Racing - BMW M4 GT4 - TBA / TBA
Turner Motorsport - BMW M4 GT4 - TBA / TBA
Murillo Racing - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
Murillo Racing - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
RS1 Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
TBA - Audi R8 GT4 - TBA / TBA
Andrew Wojteczko Autosport - Ford Mustang GT4 - Martin Barkey / Brett Sandberg
Multimatic Motorsports - Ford Mustang GT4 - Chase Briscoe / Austin Cindric
Multimatic Motorsports - Ford Mustang GT4 - Cole Custer / Ty Majeski / Scott Maxwell

I know its still a bit early for most Conti Confirmations, but NO Cayman GT4's confirmed so far? That is quite the surprise.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

I know its still a bit early for most Conti Confirmations, but NO Cayman GT4's confirmed so far? That is quite the surprise.

I have no doubt there will be Caymans, but bare in mind so far Team TGM and Winward have both moved from caymans to AMG's for 2018.

[Accident]

Won't be the same without Stevenson...

Hopefully someone runs the Camaro, would be a shame to have the only ones running be in the European series.

[WolfsburgRS]

Pretty sure RS1 will be back with a Cayman GT4.

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by Accident

Won't be the same without Stevenson...

Hopefully someone runs the Camaro, would be a shame to have the only ones running be in the European series.

It looks like Blackdog Speedshop is likely returning to PWC GTS with their Camaro GT4s.
http://www.blackdogspeedshop.com/ind...=cat/cat22.htm
https://www.facebook.com/BlackdogSpe...55556354906141

[Accident]

Originally Posted by TRspitfirefan

It looks like Blackdog Speedshop is likely returning to PWC GTS with their Camaro GT4s.

Neat, what's the link to the YouTube channel or other free streaming service that they promptly upload the races to?

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by Accident

Neat, what's the link to the YouTube channel or other free streaming service that they promptly upload the races to?

The GTS races were all streamed live (and free) on the series website last year. We'll have to wait and see what 2018 brings for replay archives, but if a motortrendondemand subscription is still required, it's really not all that expensive. I've probably spent more on Bratwurst at Road America in a single weekend than an entire year of MToD would cost.
https://www.motortrendondemand.com/subscribe/

[Bcarr6]

GMG Motorsports - Audi R8 LMS GT4 - Cameron Lawrence / Rick Parfitt Jnr / Daren Jorgensen


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[WolfsburgRS]

I'm not sure of the official European price, but a VW GTI TCR is $144,900, imported, duties paid, checked over / run tested, delivered and ready to race.

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

I'm not sure of the official European price, but a VW GTI TCR is $144,900, imported, duties paid, checked over / run tested, delivered and ready to race.

€90,000 with a DSG gearbox, or €110,000 with a sequential. A six race European season "including travel, technical support and all of that jazz, you’re looking at roughly 150-180,000 euros".

According to drivetribe. Not the best source, but sounds reasonable.

[WolfsburgRS]

Based on that, it's roughly 39% higher than European base price. So Presumably the R8 GT4 could be a lot closer to $300k delivered with all-inclusive taxes, delivery and basic prep.

[Akrapovic]

For what it's worth, the Audi TCR is €129,000 without tax, but with the sequential gearbox required. So around €20k more than the VW. Although you can find them cheaper -

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/De...s3-lms-tcr-car

[Bcarr6]

GS and TCR for Daytona ROAR

CTSC 4 Hours Daytona Entry List 2018

GT4


Winward/HTP Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Damien Faulkner / Russell Ward
Winward/HTP Motorsport - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Indy Dontje / Bryce Ward
Bodymotion Racing - Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport - Stevan McAleer / Joe Robillard
Volt Racing - Ford Mustang GT4 - Alan Brynjolfsson / Trent Hindman
Multimatic Motorsports - Ford Mustang GT4 - Chase Briscoe / Austin Cindric
Multimatic Motorsports - Ford Mustang GT4 - Cole Custer / Ty Majeski / Scott Maxwell
Multimatic Motorsports - Ford Mustang GT4 - Patrick Gallagher / Chad McCumbee
GMG Motorsports - Audi R8 GT4 - James Sofronas / Andrew Davis
GMG Motorsports - Audi R8 GT4 - Cameron Lawrence / Rick Parfitt Jnr. / Daren Jorgensen
RS1 - Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport - Spencer Pumpelly / TBA
RS1 - Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport - Dillon Machavern / TBA
Stephen Cameron Racing - BMW M4 GT4 - Greg Liefooghe / Ari Balogh
BGB Motorsports - Porsche Cayman GT4 Clubsport - James Cox / John Tecce
Carbahn Motorsports - Audi R8 LMS GT4 - TBA / TBA
TeamTGM - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Ted Giovanis / Owen Trinkler
TeamTGM - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Hugh Plumb / Guy Cosmo
Murillo Racing - Mercedes AMG GT4 - Jeff Mosing / Eric Foss
KOHR / Rousch Performance - Ford Mustang GT4 - Nate Stacy / Kyle Marcelli
KOHR / Rousch Performance - Ford Mustang GT4 - Jack Rousch / Joey Atterbury
DXDT Racing - Mercedes AMG GT4 - David Askew / Aaron Povoledo
Motorsports in Action - Mclaren 570s GT4 - Kenny Wilden / Ron Randall
Motorsports in Action - Mclaren 570s GT4 - Jesse Lazare / TBA
Classic BMW - BMW M4 GT4 - Mike Vess / Jason Hart / Toby Grahovec
Compass 360 Racing - Mclaren 570s GT4 - Paul Holton / Matt Plumb
AWA Performance - Ford Mustang GT4 - Martin Barkey / Brett Sandberg
BimmerWorld Racing - BMW M4 GT4 - James Clay / Tyler Cooke
Automatic Racing - Aston Martin Vantage - Steven Phillips / Al Carter / Tanner Whitten
Automatic Racing - Aston Martin Vantage - Brandon Kidd / Ramin Abdolvahabi


TCR

eEuroparts.com Racing - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Lee Carpentier . Kieron O’Rouke
Rs Werkes Racing - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - TBA / TBA
Rumcastle LLC - VW Golf GTI TCR - Tanner Rumburg / Luke Rumburg / Jon Miller
Murillo Racing - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Matt Fassnacht / Justin Piscitell
Compass 360 Racing - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Roy Block / Pierre Kleinubing
Compass 360 Racing - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Rodrigo Sales / Kumo Wittmer
JDC-Miller Motorsports - Audi RS3 LMS TCR - Stephen Simpson / Michael Johnson*


My my, Ford have been busy, 7 Mustangs... And Audi too with 6 RS3's making up the bulk of the new TCR class.

28 GS cars is most certainly impressive

[Rodger Davies]

Nice list, shame the Camaro GT4 doesn't seem to have taken off. Bit disappointing.

Lack of CJ Wilson is a bit of a downer too.

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

For what it's worth, the Audi TCR is €129,000 without tax, but with the sequential gearbox required. So around €20k more than the VW. Although you can find them cheaper -

https://racecarsdirect.com/Advert/De...s3-lms-tcr-car

Yeah, I've been seeing those listed. I downloaded all the RS3 data from the LMS engineering site and it lists a 10,000 Euro 'USA' competition package so i'm assuming you could buy an older model and pay to upgrade it, but at that point I wonder if it would make fiscal sense.