IMSA What future for Sebring after 2023 or 2024?

[W2Motorsport]

I don't think the idea of splitting the classes up would work - no matter what one of those events will be significantly less prestigious. Most fans/viewers will not watch back to back 12 hour-ish races. If you were to split the races up I think it would make more sense to split it between the pro and pro am classes.

Sebring 12 Hours
LMH/LMDH (IMSA and WEC)
LMP2 Pro (WEC)
GRD Pro (IMSA)

Other Sebring 12 Hours
LMP2 (IMSA and WEC)
LMP3 (IMSA)
GTE AM (WEC)
GTD (IMSA)

I think this would keep the flavor of the racing much better than running a prototype race and a gt race separately. That said it would be very unfair to the am/pro am teams and drivers. The current situation is better although if WEC were to move their race to somewhere else close by the prior week (Daytona? Road Atlanta? Charlotte?) would be better, or even have their race the week before at Sebring. That would allow any teams that really want to participate in the 12 hours to do so.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by W2Motorsport

I think this would keep the flavor of the racing much better than running a prototype race and a gt race separately. That said it would be very unfair to the am/pro am teams and drivers. The current situation is better although if WEC were to move their race to somewhere else close by the prior week (Daytona? Road Atlanta? Charlotte?) would be better, or even have their race the week before at Sebring. That would allow any teams that really want to participate in the 12 hours to do so.

I think that's a non-starter idea without fully funded professional marshalling crews. March is already tough with multiple events including St Pete and Sebring within a short time usually, and Barber Indy race shortly after. Both draw marshals from across the SE and trying to run events within a short turnaround would be hard if not impossible. Only options would be Road Atlanta or Barber (dear god NO), Daytona and Charlotte aren't going to open to rovals for racing outside of their events.

[carbsmith]

Originally Posted by bella

surely - and i’m going a bit existential here - when you seperate gt from prototype you’re not actually holding a proper sportscar race any more. you’re holding a sro gt race and a really boring 12 hour sprint race. why would you even want that?

For a long time Le Mans only had GT cars if they happened to be among the 50 or 55 fastest cars entered, and in the late 80s they weren't.

Historically endurance racing casts a wide net because at one time if you started a 24 hour race with 15 prototypes not only would it be boring on a big track, you may not have 2 running at the end. Other than the big money factory teams the GT cars are fundamentally the same kind of filler to make a high level prototype race viable as LMP3, LMPC, or GTC. Even the GT endurance championships are like this with races gradually becoming GT3 only when they previously had touring and production cars.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

I think that's a non-starter idea without fully funded professional marshalling crews. March is already tough with multiple events including St Pete and Sebring within a short time usually, and Barber Indy race shortly after. Both draw marshals from across the SE and trying to run events within a short turnaround would be hard if not impossible. Only options would be Road Atlanta or Barber (dear god NO), Daytona and Charlotte aren't going to open to rovals for racing outside of their events.

And it is great for the fans to have these two events on the same weekend at the same place.

Sebring doesn’t need the Europeans coming over, but it is nice. WEC doesn’t need to race at Sebring, but it is nice.

At some point we won’t have this and I’ll be disappointed.

[Coach Ep]

Have they announced a contract extension or is it still in the just 'hope-to-be-back' stage?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Have they announced a contract extension or is it still in the just 'hope-to-be-back' stage?

On the WEC broadcast I did hear them say they will be back at Sebring for the Prologue and 1000 mile race next year but didn't hear anything for the long-term.

[Coach Ep]

I've heard the same multiple times the past week but haven't seen anything official. I'll try to be patient (just for once!) I guess haha.

[seanyb505]

I'd hazard a guess there's talk of 5 years.

[Coach Ep]

I'll be back next year. The current format seems to work considering there were almost 90 entries between the two series.

Next year will be bonkers with the new LMH (Peugeot + Ferrari) and LMDh (Porsche, Cadillac, Acura, BMW) cars!

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by Adam43

And it is great for the fans to have these two events on the same weekend at the same place.

Sebring doesn’t need the Europeans coming over, but it is nice. WEC doesn’t need to race at Sebring, but it is nice.

At some point we won’t have this and I’ll be disappointed.

Exactly this. Leave it alone. It's like going to Le Mans and watching the race twice in two days with different cars and teams. What an opportunity.

And splitting protos and GTs into different races? No.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by Mike E

Exactly this. Leave it alone. It's like going to Le Mans and watching the race twice in two days with different cars and teams. What an opportunity.

And splitting protos and GTs into different races? No.

[Anyopenroad]

I struggle to think of any reason ACO and IMSA wouldn’t want it to continue as it is. It’s an awesome weekend for the sport.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Mike E

And splitting protos and GTs into different races? No.

Yes, exactly! Splitting classes-NO!