IMSA Race TUSC Round 2: The Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Ford is worthless, screwing around in amateur rubbish while they continue to fail in NASCAR and cower away from F1.

[Articus]

To be honest the whole race felt like a bit of a sham. THE 12 hours a Sebring. That used to be run by the likes of Audi, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Puegeot, Acura in the top LMP1 class. Are they going to put "2014 Ganassi" or "2014 Ford" up on the wall. Either doesn't seem right. No offense to Ganassi and the DP guys but they aren't in the same league.

[jasonjessica09]

Ford now joins an elite group of overall Sebring winners in the 21st century with Audi, Porsche, and Peugoet. Think about dat!!!

[EricS]

Originally Posted by Holt

There was nothing they could do about that last caution. It really hurt the race yes, but besides cleaning it up faster, there was little to nothing they could do.

Not true! They could have called a "debris full course" caution (47.2.5.E in rule book), which would have shortened the procedure considerably.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

The butthurt is palpable in this here thread.

All 100 people globally watching the race are furious by the result.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Holt

Seems alot of people are overlooking the fact the caution screwed Viper out of the GTLM win. It completely changed the race

I will be shocked if they let this go. The 01 DP winning was opportunistic and a gamble but well done to them for taking the chance. But the 912 Porsche won because it got away with one and escaped a penalty.

As of yet there's not even been a public acknowledgment of error. Well I suppose those who only watched the last half hour won't need to know about it, will they?

[Articus]

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

Ford now joins an elite group of overall Sebring winners in the 21st century with Audi, Porsche, and Peugoet. Think about dat!!!

I did. It's a Grand Scam.

[Louie Loper]

42, 5, 1, 2, 02 i could see deserving the win...01 not quiet, they had an automatic 7 second lead on the restart

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by EricS

Not true! They could have called a "debris full course" caution (47.2.5.E in rule book), which would have shortened the procedure considerably.

I might be wrong, but IIRC there are some parameters on when they can do that. Either shortly after the end of another yellow or if all cars would be good to go on fuel anyway. Neither of which was the case here.

[belt driven]

Franchitti pitting before the caution was the move of the race.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Go to the TUDOR Championship Facebook page for more epic pitchfork action.

[skycafe]

Magnus Porsche won D class I believe, correct?

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by Matt

There is no "lucky dog" and the wave by procedure was an ALMS thing.

That is false.

[Louie Loper]

912 ultimate lucking out.

[chernaudi]

IMO, one can say whatever they want about the Audi R18 "test session" last year, but at least the race played out naturally, they raced each other, and it was a close finish by Sebring standards.

The FCY and driver ranking/licensing deal needs to be straightened out. We managed only 4 FCYs last year. Granted, this year's field was 1.5 times as large, but some of the driving standards issues need to be cleaned up ASAP, especially in the pro-am classes.

Also, as mentioned, there's a rule in IMSA's rule book that would allow that last yellow to be shortened. Unlike Daytona, there was nothing else really that could've been done for the last yellow. A FCY needed to be called. But IMSA could've shortened up the procedure per their own rules. As with BOP initially, I wonder if IMSA are using all the tools they have available to put on a good race and a good show without overdoing stuff.

I could care less if a DP won, and to be fair Ganassi won by the old road racing deal of being the first to make their last stop. But if it wasn't for that caution being so long, they could've blown it because of being short on fuel. It may be a bit NASCAR-y, but it happens some times. And I'm not a fan of the DPs, but if they win on merit, be it car or team, a win's a win.

However, the bogus AJR penalty shows that the series still isn't learning from past mistake as they should be. If IMSA wasn't NASCAR owned, I'd bet that Paul Walter would be looking for a new job come end of business Monday, if not sooner. The FIA/ACO wouldn't put up with that standard of officiating.

The blow is a bit softened in that IMSA, unlike NASCAR, is willing to own up to mistakes, but if they keep making them, that's still counterproductive.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

IMO, one can say whatever they want about the Audi R18 "test session" last year, but at least the race played out naturally, they raced each other, and it was a close finish by Sebring standards.

The FCY and driver ranking/licensing deal needs to be straightened out. We managed only 4 FCYs last year. Granted, this year's field was 1.5 times as large, but some of the driving standards issues need to be cleaned up ASAP, especially in the pro-am classes.

Also, as mentioned, there's a rule in IMSA's rule book that would allow that last yellow to be shortened. Unlike Daytona, there was nothing else really that could've been done for the last yellow. A FCY needed to be called. But IMSA could've shortened up the procedure per their own rules. As with BOP initially, I wonder if IMSA are using all the tools they have available to put on a good race and a good show without overdoing stuff.

I could care less if a DP won, and to be fair Ganassi won by the old road racing deal of being the first to make their last stop. But if it wasn't for that caution being so long, they could've blown it because of being short on fuel. It may be a bit NASCAR-y, but it happens some times. And I'm not a fan of the DPs, but if they win on merit, be it car or team, a win's a win.

Agreed.

The last time we had a field this big though there was 11 FCY, so it's about on par.

[Speed-King]

The FCY and driver ranking/licensing deal needs to be straightened out. We managed only 4 FCYs last year. Granted, this year's field was 1.5 times as large, but some of the driving standards issues need to be cleaned up ASAP, especially in the pro-am classes.

Same number of cautions as in 2012, though, also same number of starters - so that's actually par for the course.

[Holt]

Originally Posted by Articus

To be honest the whole race felt like a bit of a sham. THE 12 hours a Sebring. That used to be run by the likes of Audi, Porsche, Toyota, BMW, Puegeot, Acura in the top LMP1 class. Are they going to put "2014 Ganassi" or "2014 Ford" up on the wall. Either doesn't seem right. No offense to Ganassi and the DP guys but they aren't in the same league.

Maybe not in the same league equipment wise, but Ganassi is every bit as good as Penske when it comes to preparation and professionalism. As for the many recent Audi banners which came with victories that were more like 12 hour test sessions then races...really not that impressive. Ganassi beat champion OAK racing champion Muscle Milk etc. Not an easy task.

Originally Posted by EricS

Not true! They could have called a "debris full course" caution (47.2.5.E in rule book), which would have shortened the procedure considerably.

The cautions are WAY too long, especially for what amounted to a parked car. The caution was necessary, it was at the end of a high speed straight. But its length was so unecessary...

[Birddog07]

Anyone have the times of green/yellow running? I'll be surprised if there was less than 6 hours of yellow.

[Lagunaseca_4life]

Well it is what it is,I don't like ganassi but I'm a ford tech so seeing the Eco boost win is quite nice since I see them break and work on them all the time.

Core is just a bad ass team and great for them!

I'm not upset about the caution,go back and you tube the last hour of this race since 2010 and there have been last minute cautions in EACH and every race.the fcy is an Imsa thing since the alms glory days always has been.only caution was uncalled for and that was the sod one on the back straight.

I do not agree with the 912 the win is rightfully srt's. This isn't as bad as daytona, and you guys know it.the last caution at daytona was bull ****.this one was not!

It's been a long day and I agree the fcy's need to change but there were many that had every reason to be long.

All in all it was a good race during rhythmic green flag periods,p2 and dp racing was spot on and I hope they don't get anymore tweaking between races.

[Louie Loper]

hope they do an interview with ESM

[belt driven]

Another record has been set. During the 12 Hours of Sebring there were 964 posts to this thread with the lowest percentage of almswhiningaboutdp that I have seen in months.

Y'all have a good night. I'm going for 3 hrs sleep, then F1 (2AM here).

[Livininthinair]

Good night everybody, it was nice spending the day with you all...

See you next time

[Louie Loper]

yeah i will say that really wasnt any issues with 01 winning, was just luck and how it played out. no way 912 shld win, though they could have came back from the penalty and still won. i understand how not much can do for the 22 after they served their penalty, but once u realize what you did need to penalize the car that actually comitted the crime

utter amazement some of the driving in the LMPC today, I've raced in online leagues on Forza and don't have things like that happen.

[Dodge_Swinger]

Total BS officiating and total BS FCY procedures. I watched every minute of this race and all I can think of is that I wasted 12+ hours. It doesn't take skill or preparation to stay on the lead lap or even win due to the wave arounds. It's NASCAR with some foreign cars. Why even run the first 11.5 hours?

So much for the improvements promised by Mr. Atherton. I really want to hear the BS that comes out of his mouth to explain the GTLM finish.

I think I'll stick to watching the highlight video. I won't be spending any money attending races in person except Austin, but I'll be there for WEC. IMSA has made the two biggest races on the calendar into a sad joke. And the jokes on me for watching.