IMSA IMSA 2024

[GT3_Fan]

Originally Posted by joeb

I was thinking about Madison during the race today and qualifying yesterday. He is so quick for an am, and has been reclassified in the past, but BMW should just pay him. I guess with this announcement that is what is happening?

I wonder if PMR decided to go GTD Pro due to the extra endurance race being put in. So that is 5 races where they can have a 3rd BMW factory pro driver to join Madison and Bryan now. Overall winning contender for sure with that driver line up.

[seanyb505]

How do we feel about 2023 gtd cars being ahead of gtd pro cars in 2024? Surely switching mirror and wing endplate colors can't excuse the travesty..

[joeb]

Originally Posted by tomcug

Toyota I don't think so but Ferrari is likely indeed (Risi entry?) and I'd love to see that happen Another thing - will Lambo race at Daytona? I haven't seen any clear answer from them, only something like "maybe, we'll see".

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Lambo feels Daytona comes too early but you'll never know.

Ferrari's Daytona 'momentum' seems to have slowed down as well.

There was talk of a Sebring debut at the Road America race broadcast this past weekend. I think that is a safer bet.

Originally Posted by GT3_Fan

Probably the full season entry list reveal

Well, yes, but in the interview with Doonan I saw it made it sound like there will be a surprise on the entry list.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

How do we feel about 2023 gtd cars being ahead of gtd pro cars in 2024? Surely switching mirror and wing endplate colors can't excuse the travesty..

You have to change out endplates if you are leading, make some quick release tabs cause you can't win overall wearing green by rule

[Simmi]

Listening to TWISC and trying to join some dots...

Shank to leave at the end of this year. Take a year out and then return in 2025 running Alpines. Sounds plausible if Alpine are actually serious about the US market.

[NaBUru38]

A Michael Shank switch to Hypercar?

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Clashes are a result of tv airtime requirements, according to IMSA. Not giving potential adjustments much chance.

Let's so some math:

* IMSA, IGTC, GTWC and DTM shouldn't clash with FIA WEC.
* IMSA shouldn't clash with IGTC.
* IGTC and GTWC shouldn't clash with DTM.

What's the result?

* IMSA may clash with DTM and GTWC, except IGTC rounds.

Does that make sense?

[broadrun96]

Ok so you're offering 5 series there. Lets do some event math

WEC-8 rounds
IMSA-10 rounds
IGTC-4 rounds
GTWC-10 rounds
DTM-8 rounds

Say there are 10ish weeks of the year to exclude, Dec and Jan appear to be out for most of the tracks as there is not much Southern hemisphere running for the majority and honestly drivers and team probably need the time. Add in a few missed weeks in spring as well to get around uncertain weather so 10 seems fair. So we ae down to 42 there. We have then 40 rounds between the series purely for races alone. That's the entire year right there. Add in any testing, travel, rest, etc and you have to have conflicts between the series.

That's ignoring any other series who want to push their weight around and conflicts with track use, and then add in requirements of other series partnering with that series and their schedules.

[Nick Woodbury]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

Would I be annoyed if I was a Lime Rock local?

It’s just been poor. And you certainly wouldn’t get anyone traveling far for it.

1) Yes. No exceptions. You need to appreciate how little professional motorsport we have on offer in this corner of the U.S. that doesn't include turning left for 300 laps with a fanbase full of idle racists. The saving grace with this being the ONLY reason it was left off the calendar is due to the Olympics and the utter monopoly NBC's TV rights hold over it. No matter, Lime Rock will return in '25 to it's rightful and deserved place on the calendar as has been the case for nearly 25 editions now.

2) With respect, you would only say that if you've never been to the circuit yourself for the NE Grand Prix, and I'm willing to hedge that you haven't. What does it matter if you don't think anyone would travel far for it if the circuit itself enjoyed one of if not the strongest attendances for this year's meeting? Clearly there continues to be a healthy appetite for such a "poor" weekend program.

In the meantime, time to undergo an 8 hour roadtrip to The Watkins 6hr next year because the Olympics have run me straight outta' options.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

1) Yes. No exceptions. You need to appreciate how little professional motorsport we have on offer in this corner of the U.S. that doesn't include turning left for 300 laps with a fanbase full of idle racists. The saving grace with this being the ONLY reason it was left off the calendar is due to the Olympics and the utter monopoly NBC's TV rights hold over it. No matter, Lime Rock will return in '25 to it's rightful and deserved place on the calendar as has been the case for nearly 25 editions now.

2) With respect, you would only say that if you've never been to the circuit yourself for the NE Grand Prix, and I'm willing to hedge that you haven't. What does it matter if you don't think anyone would travel far for it if the circuit itself enjoyed one of if not the strongest attendances for this year's meeting? Clearly there continues to be a healthy appetite for such a "poor" weekend program.

In the meantime, time to undergo an 8 hour roadtrip to The Watkins 6hr next year because the Olympics have run me straight outta' options.

Thanks, I had completely forgotten about the i think 6 week window of TV hell the NBC networks have for the "event." Makes the IMSA schedule even more restricted if they want a TV package that isn't all streaming.

Oh and for the streaming is the future folks, Disney has lost close to 20 BILLION on Disney+ and ESPN streaming packages since roll out. Yeah, it ain't quite there yet for major marketing of things that aren't "water-cooler" events

[veeten]

Looks like MSR will be stepping away from IMSA and heading to IndyCar for '24. With Hello Castroneves as a part owner. Wouldn't be surprised if that tire pressure issue at Daytona may have been part of it, but there's more that we probably don't know that put paid to the move.

Bet that this was how WTR/Andretti Racing got that 2nd Acura for next year.

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by veeten

Bet that this was how WTR/Andretti Racing got that 2nd Acura for next year.

Seems so, from this article it's pretty clear MSR lost their Acura even if it's not officially confirmed yet:
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/m...up-in-the-air/
Blomqvist will land at IndyCar with same team but for Colin Braun this is very bad news. I hope Wayne Taylor hires him as a full season driver in that second Acura or at least as an endurance driver.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by veeten

Looks like MSR will be stepping away from IMSA and heading to IndyCar for '24. With Hello Castroneves as a part owner. Wouldn't be surprised if that tire pressure issue at Daytona may have been part of it, but there's more that we probably don't know that put paid to the move.

Bet that this was how WTR/Andretti Racing got that 2nd Acura for next year.

I'd like to invoke karma here, but leaving/being pushed out of IMSA to move full-time to IndyCar, with Helio, would be at worst a sideways step for Shank, provided it's a full-season effort.

WTR/Andretti getting both Acuras was always the plan though, regardless of certain tyre shenanigans.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

1) Yes. No exceptions. You need to appreciate how little professional motorsport we have on offer in this corner of the U.S. that doesn't include turning left for 300 laps with a fanbase full of idle racists. The saving grace with this being the ONLY reason it was left off the calendar is due to the Olympics and the utter monopoly NBC's TV rights hold over it. No matter, Lime Rock will return in '25 to it's rightful and deserved place on the calendar as has been the case for nearly 25 editions now.

2) With respect, you would only say that if you've never been to the circuit yourself for the NE Grand Prix, and I'm willing to hedge that you haven't. What does it matter if you don't think anyone would travel far for it if the circuit itself enjoyed one of if not the strongest attendances for this year's meeting? Clearly there continues to be a healthy appetite for such a "poor" weekend program.

In the meantime, time to undergo an 8 hour roadtrip to The Watkins 6hr next year because the Olympics have run me straight outta' options.

Just to clarify, I'm on Lime Rock's side here. It's a wonderful circuit and one near the top of my bucket list but as someone who lives in the UK and has to carefully pick and choose what IMSA events to attend, it's a shame that I can't justify the travel and expense because of the poor show IMSA put on there. I'm happy to see the record crowds and long may it continue, but I think the track deserves more from IMSA.

A 10-15 car GT race and 14-car TCR exclusive Pilot Challenge race is poor form. However, the addition of two VP Challenge races was a nice bonus this year - better than last year when it was just GT and MPC!

In comparison to 10+ years ago when Lime Rock had ALMS (all classes), Grand Am and PWC. The ALMS races there were some of my favourites.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by J Jay

I'd like to invoke karma here, but leaving/being pushed out of IMSA to move full-time to IndyCar, with Helio, would be at worst a sideways step for Shank, provided it's a full-season effort.



WTR/Andretti getting both Acuras was always the plan though, regardless of certain tyre shenanigans.

Reducing their overall racing program from full-time IMSA and full time Indy to just full-time Indy can't be a sideways move, has to just be worse doesn't it? And Helio is retiring from driving everywhere but Indy.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by joeb

Reducing their overall racing program from full-time IMSA and full time Indy to just full-time Indy can't be a sideways move, has to just be worse doesn't it? And Helio is retiring from driving everywhere but Indy.

I didn't realise MSR was already doing a full Indy season (shows you how much I know).

In that case, it becomes clearer. Karma has, inadvertently or otherwise, won out.

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by J Jay

WTR/Andretti getting both Acuras was always the plan though, regardless of certain tyre shenanigans.

How do you know? Second WTR Acura for 2024 was announced after MSR's tyre pressure manipulation at Daytona had surfaced. For Taylor/Andretti cooperation maybe having two cars was always the plan indeed but for HPD? Not sure about it. Also I bet Shank probably knew he's losing his car already in March.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by tomcug

How do you know? Second WTR Acura for 2024 was announced after MSR's tyre pressure manipulation at Daytona had surfaced. For Taylor/Andretti cooperation maybe having two cars was always the plan indeed but for HPD? Not sure about it. Also I bet Shank probably knew he's losing his car already in March.

Why would WTR, with their success, need to partner with Andretti in the first place? They were already better resourced than most (all?) privateers; they didn't need to form a partnership for their single entry. I don't see either WRT or Andretti partnering speculatively on the chance that they get another ARX-06, either the third or effectively taking MSR's. They likely had some form of assurance that a second ARX-06 would be coming their way.

[veeten]

Not to mention, it puts WTR/Andretti in a better position to contest Le Mans, depending on wether Honda chooses to "pick up the tab" on such an endeavor. Both Wayne and Michael want to go, and having a 2-car effort makes it easier.

[broadrun96]

WTR and Andretti announced they were working together well before the Acura announcement. They are working together on other projects and it was rumored to be a path out for Wayne to get money out of his investment.

If you think they went from Daytona to announcement in March of another car for the team because of the tire issue, will I've got a bridge to sell ya. That's not something they spur of the moment decided

[J Jay]

The merry-go-round begins:

- Aitken replaces Sims at Action Express
- Sims replaces Jordan Taylor at Corvette
- Deletraz & Jordan Taylor in the second WTR/Andretti Acura

[tomcug]

So no Colin Braun in either of the Acuras (full season at least).

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by tomcug

So no Colin Braun in either of the Acuras (full season at least).

Assuming he was available for the full season, it would be a tough call. But Deletraz and Taylor are at least equal to Braun, and both have the advantage of experience at WTR.

[veeten]

So, the Taylor family will be together again for next season, with two cars to boot.

That just leaves Ganassi and AXR, as to wether Cadillac will keep them as single car teams or have either run a second car. My money is on Ganassi...

[Coach Ep]

I feel the continuation of the Shank Acura or a 3rd Caddy is wishful thinking at this stage.

Is it me or is the LMDh (GTP) momentum starting to stall already?