2014 IMSA TUSC - Round 1 - Rolex 24 at Daytona

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by Beetle

I feel really bad for Andy Blackmore... new liveries have never been so hard to find. And so many!

The teams are working directly with Andy. IMSA put out a bulletin that said teams had to send him livery info.

[Beetle]

Originally Posted by BullMan

The teams are working directly with Andy. IMSA put out a bulletin that said teams had to send him livery info.

That's a shame. I hope the FIA WEC staff aren't as strict about it.

[Louie Loper]

Hey kind of off topic but TUSC related, I'm trying to get an new Tudor decal or IMSA sticker but their shop on IMSA's website is not working for me.

[david5]

Apologies as it's probably already been covered.........but, is there any streams available for the race and any truth to the rumour that Channel 10 Australia is showing some of the race ? Thanks in advance.

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by david5

Apologies as it's probably already been covered.........but, is there any streams available for the race and any truth to the rumour that Channel 10 Australia is showing some of the race ? Thanks in advance.

You'll be able to find less than legal streams. It's what I'll be watching the race on.

[canamman]

Originally Posted by Beetle

I feel really bad for Andy Blackmore... new liveries have never been so hard to find. And so many!

Just curious, is it possible teams are still working on sponsorships right up to race time thus the livery will then be determined?

This pre race has so far met all my wildest expectations. A year ago
from reading some posts you would think we would be lucky to get 35 total entries for the 24. I knew this was going to be a can't miss event.
IMO, this is NOW the superbowl of sportscar racing in North America.
Could not really say that in the GA/ALMS days.

Hate to do it...... but...... the 10 day weather is looooooking gooooooood!

[Maelochs]

well, now we know who to blame if the forecast changes ...

I didn't doubt the race would get a healthy grid---the Rolex always does--but I doubted there would be much racing worth watching because I doubted the series could ever find a solution to the different classes.

Now it looks like it might look like ... just another ALMS race, except with Rolex cars included. Nothing wrong with that.

It's going to be a real race, with a wide variety of chassis and engines, and the typical Rolex 24 stew of national and international driving stars.

Bravo, TUSC.

I am even more excited for Sebring.

[ACFlinn]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Now it looks like it might look like ... just another ALMS race, except with Rolex cars included. Nothing wrong with that.

If you review the 2014 Rolex24 entry list you'll notice that 39 of the entries would have been eligible for the ALMS and 38 would have been eligible for the Grand-Am.

Far from being just another ALMS race, the 2014 Rolex24 (and Sebring and the series in general) will be exactly what the new owners and organizers said it would be - a merger.

I am unbelievably excited - just like I always knew I would be. I can't wait to leave for Daytona on Thursday.

Andy Flinn

[PointDSM]

Not including GTD (which is nearly impossible to allocate due to the similarities), Daytona has 27 ALMS cars and 11 Grand-Am cars (DP).

Obviously GTD is a big class, but the teams are about 1/2 and 1/2 on GA and ALMS.

I can't wait to see pictures of the haulers arriving!

[ACFlinn]

Originally Posted by PointDSM

Not including GTD (which is nearly impossible to allocate due to the similarities), Daytona has 27 ALMS cars and 11 Grand-Am cars (DP).

Obviously GTD is a big class, but the teams are about 1/2 and 1/2 on GA and ALMS.

I can't wait to see pictures of the haulers arriving!

Why would you NOT include GTD (but you include GTLM)?

Only two (Viper and BMW) of the 29 GTD entries would not have been eligible for Grand-Am.

Andy Flinn

[GT-Eins]

We did a short overview analysis on the P-Class (Laptimes & Top-Speeds) Maybe some are interested in that:

http://www.gt-eins.at/cms/index.php?...=8990&Itemid=1

[Maelochs]

However you chop it up, the whole remains exactly as Mr. Flinn described it---a merger. Somehow IMSA managed to make it all fit and didn't have to leave out much--and nothing really important got dropped.

Whether the field is 50/50 or 36.908/63.092 or whatever ... just look at the entry list. Pretty solid entry list ... a bunch of fast cars and drivers, a bunch of experienced teams.

Seems to me that's what I was afraid to hope for, and I am getting it anyway. Others are free to be less happy.

On the other hand I am not so excited to be leaving for Daytona Thursday because I will be leave at or before dark:30 a.m. I can only hope I get some serious sleep Friday night.

[Bandicoot17]

Originally Posted by ACFlinn

Why would you NOT include GTD (but you include GTLM)?

Only two (Viper and BMW) of the 29 GTD entries would not have been eligible for Grand-Am.

Andy Flinn

Probably because, as he said, they are too similar. You could buy a Porsche 911 and with minimal work get involved in either could you not?
GTLM had no real comparative class in GA.

Hopefully I can find a stream to watch this. MotorsTV's quality is usually
dreadful.

[rwintle]

Even more astonishing, the Ten-Tenths discussion forum seems to be converging on overall positive outlook for the race!!!

Seriously though, I tend to agree with Maelochs', JHamilton and others above - this has the potential to be a really exciting dust-up (in a good way). Tons of talent, lots of very experienced teams fielding a wide variety of cars... no matter what kibbitzing about BoP takes place after the fact, this is likely to be one heck of an entertaining 24 hours.

[FstrthnU]

LMP1 or not, I think the Daytona 24 is on the right track to regaining it's former glory alongside Le Mans and Sebring. Let's go racing!

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

However you chop it up, the whole remains exactly as Mr. Flinn described it---a merger. Somehow IMSA managed to make it all fit and didn't have to leave out much--and nothing really important got dropped.

Whether the field is 50/50 or 36.908/63.092 or whatever ... just look at the entry list. Pretty solid entry list ... a bunch of fast cars and drivers, a bunch of experienced teams.

Seems to me that's what I was afraid to hope for, and I am getting it anyway. Others are free to be less happy.

On the other hand I am not so excited to be leaving for Daytona Thursday because I will be leave at or before dark:30 a.m. I can only hope I get some serious sleep Friday night.

After the first test at Daytona this looked to be going bad in a hurry but has come together WAY better than most of us had hoped or expected. The driving talent for Daytona is ridiculous! I will be flying out Wednesday. I am pleasantly surprised the word "merger" wasn't just lip service and that a genuine effort was made not only to have P2 included but also make it arguably the better choice of chassis for any new entries. I am starting to believe 2017 may just have ACO compliant prototypes classes.
I just hope the manufacturers don't push for silhouette bodies in the P class or we may never be rid of DP.

[Speed-King]

I just hope the manufacturers don't push for silhouette bodies in the P class or we may never be rid of DP.

What would be so bad about that? Surely a top class with manufacturer involvement is preferable to a class of no name constructors...

Let's say they kept the general DP-concept but replaced the tubeframe with a carbonfibre tub, would that really be a problem?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

What would be so bad about that? Surely a top class with manufacturer involvement is preferable to a class of no name constructors...

Let's say they kept the general DP-concept but replaced the tubeframe with a carbonfibre tub, would that really be a problem?

I agree that mfg. participation with the advent of bespoke bodies, per se, is a very good thing as well as the boutique builder customer car.

I am all for a CF tub, as long as tube sub-frames are allowed to be utilized and the engines are not required to be stressed. It is much more budget friendly for the teams to be able to enact repairs that way.

But I digress, this belongs in the USCC thread not here.



L.P.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Let's say they kept the general DP-concept but replaced the tubeframe with a carbonfibre tub, would that really be a problem?

I just want to see global platform so the top teams from all over are eligible to participate in all the major events globally with a consistent rule set. Why needlessly have a bespoke car for one series? I understand manufacturers may want a shot at the overall and LMP1 is very expensive so there is no easy solution for IMSA. Especially as the vast majority of fans have rejected and loathe the concept of DP. Sorry for the OT, just answering the question.

[Louie Loper]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

I just want to see global platform so the top teams from all over are eligible to participate in all the major events globally with a consistent rule set. Why needlessly have a bespoke car for one series? I understand manufacturers may want a shot at the overall and LMP1 is very expensive so there is no easy solution for IMSA. Especially as the vast majority of fans have rejected and loathe the concept of DP. Sorry for the OT, just answering the question.

Agree on this, sports car racing will be as healthy as ever if a team is able to go anywhere anytime and race. That's what I want.

[Nick Woodbury]

Originally Posted by Louie Loper

Agree on this, sports car racing will be as healthy as ever if a team is able to go anywhere anytime and race. That's what I want.

+1.

And to add, I have never anticipated a Rolex 24 more than this coming race in 2014...so many cars, so much prestige in terms of driving talent and manufacturers.

I know that the infield during this endurance race is always a knockout/sellout hit, but I wonder how the main front stretch grandstands will look this time around now that the ALMS side of the merger is making its debut at the track with their cars and stars.

We shall see!

[canamman]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

I know that the infield during this endurance race is always a knockout/sellout hit, but I wonder how the main front stretch grandstands will look this time around now that the ALMS side of the merger is making its debut at the track with their cars and stars.

I don't expect to see much of a crowd in the grandstands as usual. Its a hike to get there and back. I do like sitting up high though for the sunrise
and the final 3 hours. Allows you to watch the pit action and the battles
a little bit better in the final laps. Someone earlier mentioned turn 1
from the grandstands. That might be interesting.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

I just want to see global platform so the top teams from all over are eligible to participate in all the major events globally with a consistent rule set. Why needlessly have a bespoke car for one series? I understand manufacturers may want a shot at the overall and LMP1 is very expensive so there is no easy solution for IMSA. Especially as the vast majority of fans have rejected and loathe the concept of DP. Sorry for the OT, just answering the question.

Or: why needlessly follow some worldwide rule when the cars will be mostly used for this one, national series? After WEC, I think the situation has been looking a bit similar to WSPC and IMSA GT years. And IMSA did the rules their own way. While the rules were then quite similar, there weren't really that many direct crossovers during the later years (but before the 3.5 rules). I actually think after 2008, ALMS hurt itself by sticking to 99% ACO rules for so long.

[CyberMotor]

I agree. Many hurdles have been jumped while the 'proof in the pudding' remains.

I think the intelligent discussions on this board and this thread have helped influence (for the better) the entire complex process.

We have yelled, *****ed and moaned a whole bunch in our differing opinions for the past few months and now is the time to come together to see a safe, exciting and fun event.

Many of the world's best are attempting to unite and put on a great show.

I can't wait to see it happen.

Cautiously optimistic here...

[david5]

Originally Posted by BullMan

You'll be able to find less than legal streams. It's what I'll be watching the race on.

Ok, thanks for the reply. I'll google.