[WEC] Sebring 2012 - March 14-17 (entries/news/rumours)

[Bentley03]

At the request of pdxracefan, a pre race week Sebring thread (I'm sure he had the talent to start this thread himself ).

There will be another thread for race week and I'm looking for a volunteer with the time and flair to prepare all our race threads this season (as HORNDAWG used to). Anyone willing to take this on as a full season commitment (WEC/ALMS/ELMS) should pm me and we'll discuss.

[Coach Ep]

Event schedule is up!

Other info can be found here and here.

[vogelmann4]

what a crappy bunch of support races and no ALMS on Wednesday! For being one of the top three events in the world they don't give you much. At least Saturday will be worth watching.

[Jonerz]

Another casualty of the St. Pete GP getting so close to Sebring is the loss of World Challenge as a support series - that is a pretty big loss. But IMSA Lights and the GT3 Cup will be good.

Chris

[Coach Ep]

WC hasn´t featured for the 12 hours for a couple of years now. Same for no ALMS on Wednesday. Don´t know why (there is extensive testing on Monday and Tuesday however). Anyway, the favour is returned with night practice on Thursday.

Actually I find the support races ok for this event, the historics are always a real pleasure to watch - and hear! And remember they´re just appetizers for the big boys.

[Livininthinair]

What happened to the new style CanAm cars? I know I have taken the winter off from ALMS news but did I miss something...

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Livininthinair

What happened to the new style CanAm cars?

Nothing really aside from that it seems that nobody has been dumb enough to buy one of those things.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by Livininthinair

What happened to the new style CanAm cars? I know I have taken the winter off from ALMS news but did I miss something...

Good question, at the booth at Petit they said they had 13-15 already sold they figured. Here's an idea fellas - buy a P2 car instead.
Sebring was not one of the 4 weekends these were supposed to run though unless I am mistaken.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Good question - at the booth at Petit they said they had 13-15 already sold they figured.

13-15 already sold? Ha. I'm not so sure about that! That must be some Atherton math there.

[Canada ALMS fan]

0 + 2 = 5?

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

0 + 2 = 5?

World Class!

[911targa]

Some early pics from Motorsport
http://www.motorsport.com/alms/photos/main-gallery/

[911targa]

Another gallery
http://www.latphoto.co.uk/photos;sea...+testing&pp=25

[joeb]

Wow, this morning the Level 5 HPD is crushing the P2 pole time from last year.

[Acid09]

That's kind of expected, last year was the first for the new LMP2 formula and cars usually get quicker over the winter.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Acid09

That's kind of expected, last year was the first for the new LMP2 formula and cars usually get quicker over the winter.

True, but this is a big increase in speed! Last year the pole was 1:53.8 by the Signatech car. At the test this morning Bouchut has a 1:51.7. Also the GTE pole time from AF Corse has been broken by a few cars this morning with the Lizards on top early.

[lms]

they took that beautiful 01e and chopped the front end off. Seriously ugly design. Its a shame. That 01e was one of the most beautiful sportscars i have ever seen (mainly because of the front), no goddamn holes and fins, really pretty car..... arghh!!! my fav racecar

http://www.flickr.com/photos/maccrae...57626337617138

[Porsche917K]

Wow the 03a is really not a pretty car... the P2 acura is much more attractive.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Porsche917K

Wow the 03a is really not a pretty car... the P2 acura is much more attractive.

I agree, the new front end treatment doesn't look as good as the 01e that Highcroft ran last year. Not to mention the holes making the fenders look very fragile.

[Pandamasque]

Originally Posted by Porsche917K

Wow the 03a is really not a pretty car... the P2 acura is much more attractive.

It's ok. I'd say it's better than the last year's version that Highcroft ran. Reminds me of the Panoz LMP-1

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Porsche917K

Wow the 03a is really not a pretty car... the P2 acura is much more attractive.

You can say that again and the 03b isn't a real looker either. It's better than the 03a though. The 03a reminds me a bit of the Lister. Ugh, ugly cars. More and more ugly cars. What's the deal? F1, Indycar, and LMPs?

[JHamilton]

Where are yall seeing pics (other than that camera phone shot) of the HPD? Other than the headlights I'm not seeing a big difference.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Where are yall seeing pics (other than that camera phone shot) of the HPD? Other than the headlights I'm not seeing a big difference.

Go to the ALMS facebook page and look at the side shot.

[Livininthinair]

Happy to see the Musclemobile is finally on track , can't wait to see Simon back in action...

[Simmi]

So much complaining about looks of cars. Don't think it looks half bad given the design hoops they have to jump through.

Would people rather it didn't race or something? If a car was too attractive people would find a reason to start complaining.