GT3: ACO style

[Bcarr6]

I absolutely do not like the idea of splitting WEC or IMSA grids between prototype / GT.

We have SRO, DTM, GT Open for straight up GT racing. Keeping a proto/gt multi-class format would trump more entries for me in terms of priorities.

[NaBUru38]

The problem is is that entries are growing, to the point that the FIA WEC no longer has LMP2.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

I absolutely do not like the idea of splitting WEC or IMSA grids between prototype / GT.

Losing LMP2 is bad enough. It's imperative we keep multi-class racing. That's the secret sauce for me that keeps it intriguing across long distances. You're constantly having to work - constantly having to be on your toes.

Plus if Toyota or whoever is dominant in a race, you need other storylines or you end up like F1 and being excited about battles for fifth place.

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Losing LMP2 is bad enough. It's imperative we keep multi-class racing. That's the secret sauce for me that keeps it intriguing across long distances. You're constantly having to work - constantly having to be on your toes.

Plus if Toyota or whoever is dominant in a race, you need other storylines or you end up like F1 and being excited about battles for fifth place.

100% disagree with the first comment. Its awesome that LMP2 is not in WEC anymore. GT3 LM is going to be great and it will probably get as much TV time as GTD Pro got in 2016-2019. Great thing is that Hypercar will still get a ton too. Only two classes now :-)

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

Please do someone tell me why this doesn't make sense, but my mind goes straight to the IMSA way of doing pits. They are capable of running these very same cars from a marquee behind a line of concrete blocks.

So, while I don't think we need to be that extreme, im sure there is a way of increasing capacity when there is only 36 physical garages?

Each GT MFG will have 2 cars on the pitlane this year, why not give each team 1 garage for 2 cars.

Maybe the teams have to reduce the amount of gear they have in the back of the garage, and put up a tent out the back.

I'm sure theres practical issues with it, but seems like a worthy compromise

The teams are already using the space out the back of the garage. All the stuff to do with tyres and bodywork repairs are all in EZ-UP's and the Hypercar teams have structures built between their two trucks.

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

No, Sebring pit structures are/were temporary. Adequate nevertheless. Here are a few examples on how things looked: https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/...bring-paddock/

A similar type of set up for additional entries could work. Heck, the ACO did it @ LM so why not for other WEC rounds?

They managed it at LM because they could fit them into an existing gap which if I'm remembering correctly they have now filled with permanent garages.

The problem is a lot of circuits don't have the space to expand their pit buildings towards pit entry or exit.

It wouldn't surprise me if many European teams found the races in Sebring a nightmare with regards to the lack of easy access to garages etc.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

The teams are already using the space out the back of the garage. All the stuff to do with tyres and bodywork repairs are all in EZ-UP's and the Hypercar teams have structures built between their two trucks.

It wouldn't surprise me if many European teams found the races in Sebring a nightmare with regards to the lack of easy access to garages etc.

So what IMSA teams do at every track??

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

So what IMSA teams do at every track??

Well seen as they do it for every race in IMSA, they will be used to it.

And then the Americans like putting concrete blocks in the way.

[Nick Woodbury]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

And then the Americans like putting concrete blocks in the way.

You know, I've always wondered why we're one of the few (if not only?) areas in the motorsporting world who do this? Maybe it's an obvious issue like insurance & liability or even something as simple as "we've always done it like this".

[veeten]

"we've always dine it like this", which is synonymous for " tradition ". The often used excuse for unwillingness to change. Some things should, and need, to be let go of, especially when they have no practical use in modern major racing.

[Graham Goodwin]

It's not s simple as putting up temp garages - it's how that fits with pit in and pit out - and unsurprisingly most circuits design those aspects of their infrastructure around the number of pit that they have!

[veeten]

True, not to mention the "pit wall" , which is the real inhibitor to all of this. Ovals and speedways, one can understand, but road courses are a different matter altogether. I just don't see it.

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Steve McQ

Are there any plans to expand COTA's pitlane ? I only see 34 pit garages, 2 or 3 less than WEC entrants in 2024.

BTW, are there serious reasons why they refuse one off entries on tracks with enough space once the grid is fully subscribed ? In other words, could SCG or Vanwall or a second IFM be at Spa and Le Mans only (if they want and are ready)?

The regs do not allow for one-off Hypercar entries - they allow for additional cars to be requested by full season teams

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by veeten

True, not to mention the "pit wall" , which is the real inhibitor to all of this. Ovals and speedways, one can understand, but road courses are a different matter altogether. I just don't see it.

What? the reason for the pit wall?

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

The regs do not allow for one-off Hypercar entries - they allow for additional cars to be requested by full season teams

In other words: IF and Proton - yes, Vanwall or SCG or any other left field prospect - no (assuming Vanwall will not receive a fulltime entry).

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

In other words: IF and Proton - yes, Vanwall or SCG or any other left field prospect - no (assuming Vanwall will not receive a fulltime entry).

It's the same reg that allowed Cadillac and Porsche to apply for extra cars at LM too

[veeten]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

What? the reason for the pit wall?

Mainly the holdover of IndyCar and nascar, been around since the 1930's. Could've been given up, but it feels like it's more tradition than anything else.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by veeten

Mainly the holdover of IndyCar and nascar, been around since the 1930's. Could've been given up, but it feels like it's more tradition than anything else.

Not sure quite what you mean by this? Are you saying the pitwall is more a hinderance?

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by veeten

True, not to mention the "pit wall" , which is the real inhibitor to all of this. Ovals and speedways, one can understand, but road courses are a different matter altogether. I just don't see it.

Originally Posted by veeten

Mainly the holdover of IndyCar and nascar, been around since the 1930's. Could've been given up, but it feels like it's more tradition than anything else.

Go to most any of the US road courses and go look at the pit wall. Tell me how exactly it is any different than the ovals? Pretty sure no, it's not and picturing Road Atlanta, Road America and Sebring, yeah, that extends to the end opening to head to the garages/haulers. So it's basically the length of the pit lane available.

And given they haven't built garage stalls along the pit lane there would have to be a pit wall or other serious structure between the team and the cars, and keep in mind the *****ing and crying about Road Atlanta allowing storage behind the team setups on pitlane for one reason why no stalls. Pit wall and visibility behind and COST COST COST make it a perfectly fine solution. I do not want tracks who can't already make a large profit then have to shell out to build 25-30 bay physical structures in pit lane and further decrease the area to have cars in the paddock. The teams have come up with a perfectly workable plan in the US and if the WEC teams can't adjust maybe they aren't willing to. And frankly, that's not the track's problem but theirs and they can suck it.

[Steve McQ]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

The regs do not allow for one-off Hypercar entries - they allow for additional cars to be requested by full season teams

Article 3.2.5. of the 2023 WEC Sporting Rules : Entry of “race-by-race” Competitors

Exceptionally, and depending on the interest that they might represent for the Championship, the Selection Committee may admit, for one or more Competitions, one or more additional cars, subject to their conformity with the applicable Technical and Homologation regulations.
The additional cars will appear in the classification of the Competition but will be invisible for the different classifications for this Championship.
Any competitors entering “race-by-race” cars must register in accordance with the entry procedure described in Article 3.2.2. However, these Competitors must send their full dossier at the latest eight weeks before the beginning of the Competition concerned. The Competitors must also provide certification of payment of the advance on supplies and other technical costs.

It seems to be possible, on paper at least. It depends on what you put behind "the interest that they might represent for the Championship".

[GT3_Fan]

The liveries of some of these GT3 efforts have been disappointing so far. I was looking forward to seeing a traditional United Autosport livery on the McLaren. Both them and Phaff have gone with the orange instead?!

[v8supes]

I was surprised by the United Autosports driver lineup, i had expected some of the Mclaren factory drivers to be involved like Rob Bell or Kirchhofer.

[Bcarr6]

Originally Posted by v8supes

I was surprised by the United Autosports driver lineup, i had expected some of the Mclaren factory drivers to be involved like Rob Bell or Kirchhofer.

Very disapointing not to see Marvin or Tom Gamble in one of those cars. Seems like United stuck to existing contacts.

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by Bcarr6

Very disapointing not to see Marvin or Tom Gamble in one of those cars. Seems like United stuck to existing contacts.

Maybe the two drivers paying the bills didn't want to pay extra for the McLaren Factory drivers.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

Maybe the two drivers paying the bills didn't want to pay extra for the McLaren Factory drivers.

How dare you point out the economics of a professional race team. Don't you know there's a requirement United MUST consult the forum FIRST before signing drivers

[airbusA346]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

How dare you point out the economics of a professional race team. Don't you know there's a requirement United MUST consult the forum FIRST before signing drivers