IMSA Race 2014 Grand Prix of Kansas (June 6-7)

[polo735]

They would have had a way better crowd for this race at lime rock. They could have ran it the same weekend as conti tire. What is imsa thinking here? An 11pm start in the middle of nowhere?

[Maelochs]

Maybe thinking, "You won't let us out of our contract? Fine, see if you make any money off this event."

[rich07]

Originally Posted by BullMan

Declan Brennan says there may have been 500 people at most there. Ridiculous.

Well if you count in the tumble weed it would've been over 500 but I digress....

Seems like everyone except the teams ignored this race.

[Rcz]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Maybe thinking, "You won't let us out of our contract? Fine, see if you make any money off this event."

Lol

But doesn't nascar own this track too?

The International Speedway Corporation which is control by the France family couldn't let IMSA out of their contact, another France controlled entity.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Looks like they had fine attendance there at the... hidden exhibition event, or whatever it was supposed to be.

Looks like a sell-out crowd...

[Coach Ep]

The Grand-Am-now IMSA events are supposedly the result of a deal that allowed the speedway to put up a casino right next to the oval - one of the conditions was a night race till at least 11 pm. Please don't ask me how those two items are connected to each other cause I don't have the slightest clue either...

Local officials are confident some sort of 'event' will return next year as the contract between KSW and (now) IMSA is for 3 years apparently.

Re this year's event: the combo of PC and Lites cars seemed to work, combining 25-30 open cars is an big improvement over running both classes separately. A repeat of this format will be done at VIR and it wouldn't surprise me to see more of this next year as it makes a good way to phase out the PC cars from the primary championship.

The audience was small, having the place closed for spectators on Friday completely and the big grandstands closed all weekend didn't help (although I doubt whether that made a big difference). The few spectating folks that were there were mostly NASCAR orientated fans, however they seemed rather curious about this type of racing and were enjoying the variety that they were served. General admission was $30 (seasonal ticket holders got a 50% discount)

As said the track lay-out was boring (as it always is with rovals) and (smaller) sportscars and GTs really belong somewhere else.

[JHamilton]

Corvette needs to sign Braun IMO.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Corvette needs to sign Braun IMO.

Somebody needs to pick him up. Proto or GT, the kid is fast!

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by joeb

Somebody needs to pick him up. Proto or GT, the kid is fast!

He ain't a kid anymore Joe, and neither are we. I think he "interviewed" for a Porsche drive and that didn't work out, but I totally agree. I'd like to see him as the second American driver at vette, but someone needs to sign him to a top level drive.

[BudLightJaguar]

Well, if this race was held less than 30 miles away from my house I'd go there without hesitation. It's still more interesting than national events in Finland (excluding stage rally). But wouldn't book a 14 hour flight from Helsinki to Kansas City either.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Re this year's event: the combo of PC and Lites cars seemed to work, combining 25-30 open cars is an big improvement over running both classes separately. A repeat of this format will be done at VIR and it wouldn't surprise me to see more of this next year as it makes a good way to phase out the PC cars from the primary championship.

So they did run both classes together?

[Coach Ep]

They raced together, yes (and did 2 practice sessions combined) although the starts were separated by 5 seconds or so, roughly the difference in lap times between the fastest cars of each class. All PC cars finished ahead of the Lites cars as far as I can remember.