2016 Rolex 24 Entry List

[DeezPutz]

Originally Posted by canamman

Now that the ROAR is behind us, what are you most interested in seeing
in a couple of weeks ?

I'm interested in seeing an actual fight in the P class between something other than Corvette DPs. Negri obliterating the car at Sebring last year ruined the last real chance of a P2 win.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

BoP doesn't really change reliability.

But that would make it more exciting wouldn't it?

[wdave0]

Originally Posted by Chiana

It's useless to talk about the P2-DP performance variations until final revisions of the post-Roar bop tables have been released. The only one probably remaining completely unchanged is the DW, but they always fail on reliability sooner or later anyway so they don't counter in. The two Frankenstein Lolas could be interesting, but I still don't trust in their longetivity either, petrol or not.

The other factor we haven't seen is restart - acceleration grunt and first couple of laps of green - the part not covered in BOP and the part where DPs have made LMP2s look like PC's. Daytona belongs to Daytona Prototypes and if you forget it management will subtly remind you with a few dozen yellows or a green white checker.

[chernaudi]

Biggest thing that BOP doesn't change is the fact that a lot of the LMP2 spec cars still have at least one gentleman driver in their line up, be it for funding (MSR) or a team using Daytona as a pre-WEC test seassion (SMP and ESM). And even with the nature of IMSA races being different than WEC races, if the gentleman driver is error prone or just not up to speed, that's still not an optimal situation to say the least.

All the DP teams have in reality an all-pro driver line up (having Pruett being considered an "am" driver based on age doesn't disguise the fact that he's a fast professional), as does one of the Mazdas.

Only way that most of the LMP2 cars in my opinion will have a shot is if they don't get wrecked by a pro busting his balls to make up for a gentleman driver's lack of speed, the gentleman driver has a decent or even very good turn of speed (which in fairness nowadays happens fairly often, but said gentleman driver has to be like a DHH or Mike H for that to be counted on), or as often used to happen in IMSA sprint races in the ALMS, the slower drivers start and get their minimum drive time in to score points, and then ramp up with the faster guys.

On paper, the LMP2 vs DP field looks much more evenly matched than before, for sure at Daytona. How the actual race will play out is anyone's guess, though.

[Deleted]

Proam drivers may factor in the sprint races with limited time and opportunities, and of course generally you don't want em crashing all around either. But in the enduro waveby lands that is greatly bypassed, since as long as you are still in the line for couple of final caution restarts, it's fine.

However, even if SMP/AFC or Shank or whomever P2 do make it for the 'final dash for the flag', maybe even by leading the train, they will have crap luck when the DPs and their optimized tires always power through in restarts. And Prutos can make boogity contact too without falling apart so easily.

[chernaudi]

And ironically, I can remember back when DP cars couldn't take the abuse that an Audi R8 of that era could. And for sure the Audi was easier to repair and get back up to speed than a DP was at that time.

[Rodger Davies]

Minor point, but looking through the great photos on DSC one thing that jumps out at me (again) is how ridiculous the 'all end plates and mirrors must be the same colour' rule is, especially when you have team cars running identical liveries. The Turner cars would look so much better with alternative highlights to each other and it makes some of the liveries look like they're from the same team, even when they're not.

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

Minor point, but looking through the great photos on DSC one thing that jumps out at me (again) is how ridiculous the 'all end plates and mirrors must be the same colour' rule is, especially when you have team cars running identical liveries. The Turner cars would look so much better with alternative highlights to each other and it makes some of the liveries look like they're from the same team, even when they're not.

Yeah, it looks dumb. I had someone ask me why the DPs and GTEs were in the same class at PLM.

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by BullMan

Yeah, it looks dumb. I had someone ask me why the DPs and GTEs were in the same class at PLM.

If you stayed consistent with Europe land even the ALMS. Then P would be blue, LMPC purple, GTLM green, and GTD would be orange. I'd prefer that myself but IMSA does things their way. DPI in 2017 is proof of that. Same goes for the silly full course yellow wave bys.

We have to tell ourselves that as long as a car is not more than 5 laps down (maybe 7) going into sunday morning then they have a shot to win still.

Also lets laugh when the TV or radio announcers say that the Daytona is another "24 hour sprint race" when we know it is not anymore.

[chernaudi]

In a way, it's over-simplistic how IMSA divided the color schemes to pro class (red) and pro-am class (blue), and that two classes fit in each color coding category.

What was wrong with the WEC/ALMS leader light system as far as color coding, where red was LMP1, blue was LMP2, green was GTE-Pro/GT and yellow/orange was GTE-Am/GTC. Also, in the LMS and ALMS, purple was used for LMPC/FLM. Only edge I'd give IMSA's leader lights system is that it notes class (sort of) and position within class, while the WEC leader lights system (based off the old ALMS system) only indicates car number (back lit number plate) and if the car is in the top three in class.

But I do think that IMSA needs a color coding format beyond denoting pro vs pro-am classes.

Also, Daytona is a 24 hour sprint race, but not like Le Mans is. Le Mans is a 24 hour sprint race with minimal interruptions by full course yellows, while Daytona and Sebring are a series of sprints separated by yellows. Even Sebring in '13 was a 12 hour sprint race (at least for Audi) interpreted only by a couple of relatively brief full course yellows.

[Rodger Davies]

I l have no issue with the colours used, red and blue, red and green, whatever. I just wish that a little less of the livery had to be in those colours, let teams choose their own mirrors and end plates for crying out loud, I can see the colour of the number plate and leader lights clearly enough.

[Deleted]

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/20...et-on-fs1-fs2/

Ahaha and FOX/IMSA bosses still BS on improved package, now not only cost cutting and personell sackings but you also get ZERO coverage on FOX Network (so even the first couple hours have been axed) and FS1 gets grand total on 7 hours, of which you cut out the pre and post race pieces. Rest is 6 hours on FS2 and leftover 12 hours is presumed Rooftop-Ray-single-camera-vision on web without production.

Growth, unprecedented coverage. Can't wait for Justin's lifestyle pieces!

[chernaudi]

Makes me wonder how butchered FS's LM coverage will be. Makes me appreciate when they showed 20+ hours of the '12 and '13 events live and even '14 they covered around 20 hours split between FS1 and 2.

[Deleted]

I bet that for Sebring, all on FS2/Web of course, they don't even send Bell in, but just pre-record his lifestyle-informercials already at Daytona so that their entire FOX on-site broadcasting team (Till, one cameraman, one producer) can single trip it to Sebring on THE VAN. That should also mean sufficient room for their work-benefit sleeping accommodations, in the back floor of THE VAN. But only after they've man-handled the cargo broadcast equipment out of the way and overworked till 4am on Friday morning to get it all in place. Then it's all "Kumbayaa my Lord, kumbayaa" in THE VAN, well until 7am wake up for work and attempt of making video connection to Charlotte home base for morning briefing where bosses bark demands. They are also reminded not to pass the imposed gas limit for THE VAN, as otherwise they will get invoiced. The three amigos decide it's time for early bar visit.

I seem to be more invested in this self invented story line than the actual season.

[joeb]

Just out of curiosity, if the manufacturers mandatory fees imsa enforces are supposed to help with advertising the series. What are they spending on exactly? Weather Tech has brought more money for the prizes, and I'm sure advertising as well. Do we at least get video streaming for the entire 24?

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by joeb

Just out of curiosity, if the manufacturers mandatory fees imsa enforces are supposed to help with advertising the series. What are they spending on exactly? Weather Tech has brought more money for the prizes, and I'm sure advertising as well. Do we at least get video streaming for the entire 24?

RLM says streaming will be the same as last season, so we should have it for every race commercial free.

The majority of the manufacturer dollars are going to TV, be it air time or commercials during the broadcast. Don't know about the rest.

[fieldodreams79]

As long as we get "Rooftop" Ray again...

[Matt]

I'll be Tenths Rooftop Ray at 1am drunk on the Ferris Wheel.

[Deleted]

Someone actually voted for the Porsches lol.

[canamman]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

As long as we get "Rooftop" Ray again...

Remind me , who was he? Camera man or commentator? What
was his claim to fame?

[Nick Woodbury]

Originally Posted by canamman

Remind me , who was he? Camera man or commentator? What
was his claim to fame?

When Radio Le Mans covered the entire Daytona 24 in 2012, including the overnight hours when SPEED was off air, they had a live-stream with the RLM commentary and Ray covering all the action atop the roof of the control tower...hence, rooftop ray!

As far as I know, since the merger and implementation IMSA's overnight streaming he's been the only camera man during the midnight hours and early morning when the TV Broadcast is off air.

[Nick Woodbury]

Nascar fans ladies and gentlemen!

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...45386929_o.jpg

[rich07]

Holy moly he has to be trolling, no one is seriously that dumb

[FormulaFox]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

Nascar fans ladies and gentlemen!

https://scontent-lga3-1.xx.fbcdn.net...45386929_o.jpg

Any idea what FB page this is on? I MUST see how much this got dragged out.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

When Radio Le Mans covered the entire Daytona 24 in 2012, including the overnight hours when SPEED was off air, they had a live-stream with the RLM commentary and Ray covering all the action atop the roof of the control tower...hence, rooftop ray!

As far as I know, since the merger and implementation IMSA's overnight streaming he's been the only camera man during the midnight hours and early morning when the TV Broadcast is off air.

Is this Rayray, the bold guy? I've met him a couple of years ago, really nice guy. Very much enjoyed his view from high up the platform at Sebring's T1 around dusk!