Was Mazda DPi record at Daytona legit?

[Danathar]

First of all, Congrats to Mazda for making Pole and being at the front of the pack speed wise.

Given the old and new track records are only a couple of tenths different, is it really a track record given the bus stop was different back in the early 90s? Seems like a couple of tenths might have been lost or gained due to that track change then to now.

Is the bus stop easier or harder than the way it was then. If it's harder now that makes the time even more impressive.

thoughts?

[Adam43]

I don’t know that it is, but the trend is normally to slow corners not speed them up.

[Adam43]

Here is the comparison on racing circuits

http://www.racingcircuits.info/north...l#.XEtTYaSnzDs

I what do you think? Tighter, but shorter.

[Akrapovic]

Here's a video from 2001 of Dale Sr driving the Corvette in 2001. Onboard @ 4:50 of the chicane. Dale fluffs passing a slower car there. The entry of the chicane looks to be at the same speed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rqj0g4ta6U8

Here's an external view. Skip to 23:00. Exit speed looks as good as the current chicane.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVJIMM8MGAs

Because the middle straight of the chicane is longer, I'd imagine it's a little slower back in the day. If that additional straight is about 50-100m long, then that's 50-100m where you're travelling at 100mph rather than 180mph. So in my uneducated, uninformed and made up opinion, I think the current layout is faster.

But the flip side is the Mazda has half the horse power and less fuel. Still broke the time.

[Maelochs]

Good analysis, Akropovic---well, you fooled me, anyway (not a particularly high bar to clear.) However .... the difference would be minimal anyway---a quick jab at the accelerator and a quick stab at the brakes almost immediately to make the exit, while with the tiny straight a driver could almost roll out of the entry and roll right into the exit without slowing.

As you also allude to ... the cars have changed so much that no matter the track, the old records aren't altogether applicable anyway. "Record" is more or less a PR term, now. Different motors, more advanced tires, different aero rules .... by whatever standard one applies, it was a pretty quick lap.

[TF110]

Looks like they have to let off the gas in the old chicane's exit but the current one is just so short it's an acceleration area. You slow it down to hit the entrance and then it's just clipping the curb on the left on exit basically flat out through the rest of the lap.

[Akrapovic]

It's also been resurfaced and rekerbed too many times to count, which could have a huge effect.

[fieldodreams79]

Track records change when the track is reconfigured in any manner to the actual shape of the circuit, imho. New pavement alone doesn't count, but it plays a part in times. Its the luck of the draw who and what type of homologation gets the crack at the new surface.

And it's a legit record if the legit sanctioning body records it as such. One can put asterisks next to records as they please but they are records...

Now, what's the debate?

[Maelochs]

Where do I join the pool for which Mazda blows up closest to the checkered flag?

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Where do I join the pool for which Mazda blows up closest to the checkered flag?

Oh - I didn't know that the chequered flag was kept next to Mazda's pit box.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

It's also been resurfaced and rekerbed too many times to count, which could have a huge effect.

How about the switch from Continental tyres to Michelins?
Wouldn’t mind betting a huge improvement over previous years...

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Where do I join the pool for which Mazda blows up closest to the checkered flag?

Which did you take?

[Maelochs]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Which did you take?

I have a love-hate relationship with this team way beyond the realm or reason.

I ma almost afraid to think about the team ... all hope Will be crushed, it seems.

For Sebring though ... the pool will be "How many minutes between Mazda flame-outs?"

[gttouring]

dont take it away from Mazda they have suffered enough at Daytona let them have this.

[chernaudi]

So OK, if we're questioning the track layout changes, are the records at Le Mans legit because of track layout changes?

Several tracks have had layout changes over the years, though Daytona's and Le Mans have been fairly minor since 2007.

IMO, a record, is a record, and that's what the record books will show, pun intended.