IMSA: 2020

[MaskedRacer]

IMSA Weathertech Series 2020 discussion can start here

[MaskedRacer]

Thought it could be time to start the thread for this since the State of the Series and the schedule is going to be announced at the next 2019 race at Road America.

What to speculate? I think the tracks and dates will be consistent from the past couple years. The series has as stable of a schedule as it has ever had in the 50 year history. Can speculate class structure at some of the events, but that is about it. Even with that IMSA has in the past changed the class structure of a race or two during the winter months based on projected entries. The announcement of LMP2 not running at Long Beach and Detroit in 2019 was done in February I think.

Wonder if GTD sprint cup might return? Or if Daytona becomes non points for LMP2 and/or GTD. Maybe finally in 2020 we get an IMSA paid streaming service with extra goodies and features. We'll see.

[broadrun96]

What contract did they sign with NBCSports? I'm guessing no stand alone IMSA streaming until at least that deal is up and it's still way too early for it for major sponsors. I think if they go streaming only we'll see every car have only B2B sponsors you've never heard of and a fight to keep an open paddock so those VIPs don't have to slum it with us fans. It's the future, ill-advised as it's actually a return to proto-cable but how soon we forget, but sportscar racing isn't the domain of the young fan. Its base is the older generations and like golf it's a tough sell, however, people do age into sportscars so you can't neglect growth. If they wanted to be smart IMSA needs to get their products on NBCSports Gold and allow streaming that way. Not a stand alone service to compete with NBCSports but still offers the same access, Indy has had reasonable success with it and adding both series to Gold would increase the value. But they haven't hosted live racing at this point.

I think we will see an LMP2 Sprint series rule set appear to match GTD Sprint, don't think it's going away after 1 season. Especially since they will talk up the McLaren entry as a test before the claimed full season run in 2020, now who is left who will foot the bill for the "racing ransom" is the big question there. Nissan already in and no one has taken the GTR option, Bentley doesn't seem like they have any interest if they aren't the top class, is there anyone left with a current GT3 spec car?

I think we'll see the usual PR speak of how great IMSA is and only small changes are needed if anything. Look how built up our grids are and how many builders we've signed.

[CyberMotor]

I think the addition of Roku is an excellent addition. I can't wait to see who won Lime Rock!

[MaskedRacer]

I think its ok to speculate what the DPI and GTLM grids might look like in 2020 at this stage. With P2 and GTD there is no point until the Daytona entry list comes out. But yeah as far as the all pro divisions go:

-Think DPI will remain the same cars as we have now. Maybe Juncos is 50/50 to return. But otherwise I think there are going to be no departures and new new entries as well.

-GTLM will have BMW M8, Chevy C8, and Porsche RSR 19. Still holding out hope for someone to run a Ford GT. And who knows what Risi will do beyond a run at Daytona with what is now the Le Mans winning AF Corse driving squad. Doubt AF Corse will enter GTLM races directly, same with Aston Martin. But yeah GTLM is looking long in the tooth like David Land said on one of his youtube vids. I thought allowing full pro GT3 cars in would help give it some fresh air but IMSA rejected that. Need that convergence big time now. Chevy (contrary to what Fehan says) and Porsche aint helping with that though. I mentioned this on a comment/question post to John Dagys on an S365 podcast. He disagreed with me but I stand by that Porsche and Chevrolet are NOT sad that the GTLM/GTE grids in 2020 are smaller because they have less competition.

[broadrun96]

Well looks like the continuous "it's so close to being confirmed" rumor is now dead, Ford NOT building their DPi for 2020 to bridge the gap until DPi 2.0

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Well looks like the continuous "it's so close to being confirmed" rumor is now dead, Ford NOT building their DPi for 2020 to bridge the gap until DPi 2.0

THat is a bummer. And a positive with mention of dpi 2.0. On the MP podcast this week he said he had heard that the GT program is dead as well even though some execs were trying to stay involved.

[broadrun96]

Well looks like most of the guesses were accurate this year:

LMP2 reduces schedule by dropping Mosport and Rolex 24 is non-points for the season Championship. But it will still award points for the Michelin endurance cup

The GTD Sprint series stays with the same schedule as 2019.

Atherton says all is well and strength to strength:

“We’ve said it numerous times in the past, but one of the strongest attributes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship continues to be the 12 events, facilities and promoter partners that make up our schedule each year,” said IMSA President Scott Atherton.

Coverage stays on NBC family with some NBC coverage of Rolex, Laguna Seca and Road Atlanta. Otherwise the usual with Road America moved to CNBC due to the Olympics. And the NBCSports app coverage remains, says all races will have live flag to flag coverage there and NBCSports.com so expect take delayed coverage for a couple rounds again.


2020 WeatherTech Championship Schedule:
Jan. 23-26 — Rolex 24 at Daytona (No LMP2 Points)
March 18-21 — Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
April 17-18 — Long Beach (DPi, GTLM Only)
May 1-3 — Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course
May 29-30 — Detroit Belle Isle (DPi, GTD Sprint Cup Only)
June 25-28 — Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen
July 3-5 — Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (DPi, GTLM, GTD Only)
July 17-18 — Lime Rock Park (GTLM, GTD Only)
July 31 – Aug. 2 — Road America
Aug. 21-23 — Virginia International Raceway (GTLM, GTD Only)
Sept. 11-13 — WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Oct. 7-10 — Motul Petit Le Mans

[broadrun96]

More importantly some "details" have been released about DPi 2.0 from MP. https://racer.com/2019/08/02/2022-im...tent=home-hero

Most important bits are:

With the recent completion of the DPi 2.0 feasibility study, the next phase of the process involves wind tunnel testing that will run through the third quarter of 2019. Compared to the current models, the new DPis will feature more styling freedom, giving manufacturers greater latitude to incorporate road-car design cues into the custom bodywork. The wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamic testing is designed to benchmark the range of areas where the new freedoms will be allowed, and how they might impact performance

And:

Although it is currently undefined, IMSA intends to welcome alternative fuels in DPi 2.0, but it’s unclear how far the door will be opened beyond the use of gasoline/ethanol blends.
Once the aero and KERS solutions are in place, teams and manufacturers will get their first look at the final regulations in the first quarter of 2020. Initial track testing for the DPi 2.0s is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2021.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

More importantly some "details" have been released about DPi 2.0 from MP. https://racer.com/2019/08/02/2022-im...tent=home-hero

Most important bits are:

With the recent completion of the DPi 2.0 feasibility study, the next phase of the process involves wind tunnel testing that will run through the third quarter of 2019. Compared to the current models, the new DPis will feature more styling freedom, giving manufacturers greater latitude to incorporate road-car design cues into the custom bodywork. The wind tunnel and computational fluid dynamic testing is designed to benchmark the range of areas where the new freedoms will be allowed, and how they might impact performance

And:

Although it is currently undefined, IMSA intends to welcome alternative fuels in DPi 2.0, but it’s unclear how far the door will be opened beyond the use of gasoline/ethanol blends.
Once the aero and KERS solutions are in place, teams and manufacturers will get their first look at the final regulations in the first quarter of 2020. Initial track testing for the DPi 2.0s is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2021.

Most importantly, what is this about? and you better get in line!

***Atherton said the first 1,969 fans to enter Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta will receive a “special gift.”

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by joeb

Most importantly, what is this about? and you better get in line!

I missed that but I'll definitely be in the first 100 people in the gate so I better get something. Although I'm guessing it's a crap vinyl IMSA 50th but something to add to the coolers

[carbsmith]

That ridiculous LMP2 schedule is just to fulfill a contractual obligation with the ACO isn't it?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

That ridiculous LMP2 schedule is just to fulfill a contractual obligation with the ACO isn't it?

I don't think there is anything requiring them to run P2s in IMSA. If you as a team want to try to earn the Trueman award entry you must run LMP2 to qualify for the LM24 entry for the Bronze or Silver driver. If no one enters then there would be no Trueman award winner.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by carbsmith

That ridiculous LMP2 schedule is just to fulfill a contractual obligation with the ACO isn't it?

I thought the schedule was in response to input from the current P2 teams who have to find drivers to pay them for seats. Costs are/were too high for customers, so they came up with something new to try and attract interested parties.

[broadrun96]

From S365's roundup this evening:

***The prospects of a third Acura ARX-05 on the grid for next year are believed to have been recently vetoed by Team Penske, which currently holds the right of exclusivity for the DPi car. An existing IMSA GT Daytona team had been known to have inquired about running a customer Acura DPi car.

Any guesses as to who? My money would be in Shank wanting to run an Acura program.

***Doonan confirmed to Sportscar365 that its DPi program is “here to say” although would not outright confirm Joest Racing returning for 2020. The manufacturer’s partnership with the German outfit was multi-year when announced in mid-2017 although Doonan said they will “never comment” on the exact duration of such agreements.

Any chance they'd change from Joest after 2 wins finally? I wouldn't be surprised if it was a 2 year deal so it could expire this fall but they would have to renew if Joest was interested.

***Madison Snow is set to return to the wheel of Paul Miller’s Lamborghini in a test at Road Atlanta next week. Miller said he let the Snow family know of the testing opportunity, which was taken up by the 23-year-old, who hasn’t driven since winning the GTD championship at Motul Petit Le Mans last year.

One of the greatest screw jobs on a driver continues, Madison isn't a pro just really damn good.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

From S365's roundup this evening:

***The prospects of a third Acura ARX-05 on the grid for next year are believed to have been recently vetoed by Team Penske, which currently holds the right of exclusivity for the DPi car. An existing IMSA GT Daytona team had been known to have inquired about running a customer Acura DPi car.

Any guesses as to who? My money would be in Shank wanting to run an Acura program.

***Doonan confirmed to Sportscar365 that its DPi program is “here to say” although would not outright confirm Joest Racing returning for 2020. The manufacturer’s partnership with the German outfit was multi-year when announced in mid-2017 although Doonan said they will “never comment” on the exact duration of such agreements.

Any chance they'd change from Joest after 2 wins finally? I wouldn't be surprised if it was a 2 year deal so it could expire this fall but they would have to renew if Joest was interested.

***Madison Snow is set to return to the wheel of Paul Miller’s Lamborghini in a test at Road Atlanta next week. Miller said he let the Snow family know of the testing opportunity, which was taken up by the 23-year-old, who hasn’t driven since winning the GTD championship at Motul Petit Le Mans last year.

One of the greatest screw jobs on a driver continues, Madison isn't a pro just really damn good.

I saw that im glad to see that Madison is going to get some seat time. He was too good to just be retired at 20.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

***Doonan confirmed to Sportscar365 that its DPi program is “here to say” although would not outright confirm Joest Racing returning for 2020. The manufacturer’s partnership with the German outfit was multi-year when announced in mid-2017 although Doonan said they will “never comment” on the exact duration of such agreements.

Any chance they'd change from Joest after 2 wins finally? I wouldn't be surprised if it was a 2 year deal so it could expire this fall but they would have to renew if Joest was interested.

.

I found it interesting that when interviewed right after Mazda's third win in a row a very emotional Doonen credited Multimatic and crew and drivers, but did not mention Joest. He was very caught up in the moment so maybe there was nothing to it.

[broadrun96]

It's just the test though, he still can't run in the car in a race since he's Gold and they can't have him and Sellers in the car together

[broadrun96]

With his usual enthusiasm and energy I would be more willing to give him slack than most. He often feels more like a fan than the corporate machine out in front of the team. That said to lose Joest and all the work they have put in to put the car right would be tough, assuming Joest is key to the turn around and not more so Multimatic. I don't know the reality of the working relationships and don't think it's even been made public, other than Joest pulling the cars to focus on development over racing.

[skycafe]

Doonen's comments were on the RLM coverage in the craziness of the winner's circle. They and he explained his emotion was not just the Mazda victory, but that Doonen grew up five minutes from the track and started attending races there with his father when he was five years old, so the victory was a professional triumph and family memories flooding in, so it would be understandable that his statements might have been jumbled.

At the same time Mazda Team Joest started this year by having Ralf Juttner going back to Germany and engineers from Multimatic taking lead point on the cars-which I guess is still the case? So it does seem there has been some shifting around of responsibilities. We shall see I guess.

[skycafe]

https://racer.com/2019/01/02/major-c...da-team-joest/

[broadrun96]

It looks like we'll be losing at least one AMG for 2020, Keating is running with Project 1 in WEC and may only run Michelin Endurance Cup but no program confirmed yet. I could see him run Daytona and Sebring with possibility of running The Glen and Petit depending on time and success.

[Kcza47]

Did anyone see this coming?

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/asia...lmp2-programs/

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Kcza47

Did anyone see this coming?

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/asia...lmp2-programs/

Nope! Wow, interesting.

[broadrun96]

I saw another article and didn't recognize the team name so when it said Asian LM series and LMP2 I assumed they were running there and skipped it. I don't follow NASCAR closely enough to know every team but haven't seen them much, do they run every week and well? Will be interesting to see how they adapt to the Ligier before Daytona, and if they'll wait until Sebring to start the season.