IMSA 2023 IMSA Season

[NaBUru38]

IMSA is considering removing two races and adding an Indianapolis endurance race.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/i...ions-for-2023/

I'm intrigued by this phrase:

(The Indy enduro race) has been rumored to feature a unique race length, potentially for marketing purposes

Maybe the Indianapolis 5 Hours?

[Coach Ep]

Hopefully just 5 mins on that crappy track.

[broadrun96]

5 minutes is 7 too long, that's a GARBAGE track. I'll accept it for Indy, teams are there, preparation for the biggest race of the season, great. NASCAR, just skip the whole place guys Brickyard races almost all sucked and the road course was JUNK last year. There's just no personality to the road course and sportscars aren't all about the oval speeds so why?

Oh yeah, the pagoda, the contacts, the press the flesh moments and Roger. Parents went to Indy multiple years as guests and Pratt & Whitney, Mom was the only person on the pagoda balcony during the race. Rest of the time was ALL about trying to sell aircraft engines and people who really didn't care what was happening outside the room. Most didn't even know what kinda cars they were, Mom would skip school with her father and watch mid-week testing at Trenton so she was a bit familiar with the older roadsters over now but at least knew a bit

[Coach Ep]

Jim G. hungry again for publicity attention: https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/...1wnBicbzo1O-wo

[broadrun96]

That schtick is getting old, I've seen multiple legal people respond with it is not a violation, they write the rules and get to make the entry requirements. I like the car, and think the IMSA rule is stupid but the Frances aren't going to suddenly say sht our lawyers didn't read this first, and we released it again after he threatened legal action to clarify our position and we didn't make sure again? Yeah, gonna guess they're good and he'll get dismissed quick. But sell a car THEN make the claims, until we see the car ready to go I don't care

[broadrun96]

The new track for Detroit is a Caddy track if setup and drivability remains the same. Lots of straights and square corners.

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

The new track for Detroit is a Caddy track if setup and drivability remains the same. Lots of straights and square corners.

If IMSA races there. I watched the TV coverage, and they made it seem as as if that was still up in the air. You'd think if it was a given, then the best time to announce it would be this weekend.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

If IMSA races there. I watched the TV coverage, and they made it seem as as if that was still up in the air. You'd think if it was a given, then the best time to announce it would be this weekend.

IMSA likes to confirm tracks later in the season, usually Augustish I think it's been. So nothing to see with the no confirmation, just the schedule as usual. As long as Caddy and Corvette run and fund the race IMSA will accept the check and let them have their moment. Even with GTD Pro not there, Corvette still had trackside presence.

[tomcug]

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/t...-in-gtp-class/
Not that I find this surprising but had some hope before official announcement.

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

IMSA likes to confirm tracks later in the season, usually Augustish I think it's been. So nothing to see with the no confirmation, just the schedule as usual. As long as Caddy and Corvette run and fund the race IMSA will accept the check and let them have their moment. Even with GTD Pro not there, Corvette still had trackside presence.

Just listened to Marshall Pruett And Graham Goodwin, with Marshall saying that he'd be shocked if there wouldn’t be complete accommodations for Le Mans next year. Given that both the dates of Detroit and Le Mans have been announced, complete accommodations would mean no IMSA race (or at least no IMSA GTP) at Detroit.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

Just listened to Marshall Pruett And Graham Goodwin, with Marshall saying that he'd be shocked if there wouldn’t be complete accommodations for Le Mans next year. Given that both the dates of Detroit and Le Mans have been announced, complete accommodations would mean no IMSA race (or at least no IMSA GTP) at Detroit.

It would be for a SINGLE car, Penske isn't moving the IMSA cars over and CGR has the WEC already going. But we'll find out at Road America

[broadrun96]

Guessing they don't want to share with Lexus in branding and Toyota NA ain't gonna pony up the cash

[Simmi]

BIG Porsche news as JDC become first customer entrant for the 963.

https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...36158765912064

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Simmi

BIG Porsche news as JDC become first customer entrant for the 963.

https://twitter.com/PorscheRaces/sta...36158765912064

That is great for jdc, I would have thought they'd try for a Caddy. I wonder if they will retain the mustang sampling sponsorship and livery or go back to the yellow?

sent during haircut

[NaBUru38]

I thought Porsche wasn't actually selling the car to privateers, so I'm happy they did.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

I thought Porsche wasn't actually selling the car to privateers, so I'm happy they did.

They announced sales with the announcement of the car, 4 customer cars on offer with 2 for WEC and 2 for IMSA max in 2023. More cars likely offered in 2024

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

They announced sales with the announcement of the car, 4 customer cars on offer with 2 for WEC and 2 for IMSA max in 2023. More cars likely offered in 2024

Looks like 2024 would see an extra two customer cars in each series. 4+4=8 in total.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/w...ay-notebook-8/

Also a tidbit in there about it being a European-based team who will be running the 2nd IMSA customer chassis next year.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Looks like 2024 would see an extra two customer cars in each series. 4+4=8 in total.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/w...ay-notebook-8/

Also a tidbit in there about it being a European-based team who will be running the 2nd IMSA customer chassis next year.

Not Proton,

**Proton Competition, which is known to have pursued an IMSA allocation, is understood to not be the second customer Porsche LMDh entrant in the WeatherTech Championship.

(from that same source).

What/who can be more important/valuable for IMSA than a Weathertech Racing by Proton Porsche GTP entry?



Intriguing!

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Not Proton, (from that same source).

What/who can be more important/valuable for IMSA than a Weathertech Racing by Proton Porsche GTP entry?



Intriguing!

I would guess he didn't have a customer quite yet for the car, Reid doesn't make money buying things himself. I'm guessing there have been inquiries and would assume he's got at least one interested party in WEC/LM entry

[Simmi]

Got to say it would be surprising if Proton didn't get at least one of the initial four customer cars given their history and the Multimatic tie-in in the last couple of seasons.

I'm increasingly doubting whether we'll see two JOTA cars in WEC now, just purely from a means of spreading the cars out across new customers. Surely it's better for Porsche to hook in four individual teams?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Not Proton, (from that same source).

What/who can be more important/valuable for IMSA than a Weathertech Racing by Proton Porsche GTP entry?

Intriguing!

United? Dragonspeed? or would those both count as US based? Also was thinking Dempsey, but the Proton connection again.

Originally Posted by Simmi

Got to say it would be surprising if Proton didn't get at least one of the initial four customer cars given their history and the Multimatic tie-in in the last couple of seasons.

I'm increasingly doubting whether we'll see two JOTA cars in WEC now, just purely from a means of spreading the cars out across new customers. Surely it's better for Porsche to hook in four individual teams?

I think you are right, and Porsche would like to see 4 teams run 1 car each instead 2x2. Helps with future sales perhaps as teams may want to expand?

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Got to say it would be surprising if Proton didn't get at least one of the initial four customer cars given their history and the Multimatic tie-in in the last couple of seasons.

I'm increasingly doubting whether we'll see two JOTA cars in WEC now, just purely from a means of spreading the cars out across new customers. Surely it's better for Porsche to hook in four individual teams?

Jota now confirmed as 1 car entry for WEC. With JDC already confirmed for IMSA that leaves 1 and 1 car TBA for both series.


I like this guessing game - maybe Graham Goodwin will shed some light - or hints! - at potential entrants soon!

[Coach Ep]

Proton after all?


https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...Xjav49NwX1x6tM

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Proton after all?


https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...Xjav49NwX1x6tM

Maybe? Sounds like they will get a car but possibly not for IMSA. Also in the article it mentions that the customer cars may not be ready for Daytona or Sebring. Ouch.

[Coach Ep]

If only allocated 1 car it might be advantage WEC entry over an IMSA one (which might the case already as far as we know)?

Edit: keep in mind WEC has stricter requirements for drivers to compete in the top class than IMSA - Keating who's a bronze rated driver has already participated in the current DPi class and one has to expect that to continue to being possible in the new GTP class as well. Bronze rated drivers in Hypercar for WEC and Le Mans is probably a bit more of a stretch. That could swing the decision for a privateer squad with a gentleman sponsor towards IMSA (Weathertech's Cooper MacNeil for instance).