IMSA Race 2023 MOTUL Course de Monterey Powered By Hyundai (Laguna Seca)

[Adam43]

Last year the Acura teams seemed to have it covered at Laguna Seca. Pole, fastest lap and a 1-2. Even though the cars are different those teams know how to race this track…

Clear favorites for this weekend?

This year more than just the Acura Caddy show. Maybe we’ll see the BMW continue to improve?

[tomcug]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Clear favorites for this weekend?

I'd say it depends what "brilliant" idea pops up in Ricky's or Filipe's head this time #60 Acura for sure is more predictable but usually doesn't challenge for the wins. In theory Acura should have the upper hand as they just have the best car but who knows what will happen during the race, especially since it's IMSA with Full Course Yellows

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Adam43

Last year the Acura teams seemed to have it covered at Laguna Seca. Pole, fastest lap and a 1-2. Even though the cars are different those teams know how to race this track…

Clear favorites for this weekend?

This year more than just the Acura Caddy show. Maybe we’ll see the BMW continue to improve?

Originally Posted by tomcug

I'd say it depends what "brilliant" idea pops up in Ricky's or Filipe's head this time #60 Acura for sure is more predictable but usually doesn't challenge for the wins. In theory Acura should have the upper hand as they just have the best car but who knows what will happen during the race, especially since it's IMSA with Full Course Yellows

To my surprise, Porsche is in 1st in the drivers championship. I think this will be a close battle all year depending on who decides to make that last second move and wipe out the competition!

[joeb]

Porsche 1st and 3rd after the first practice. Bourdais lost control of his Cadillac again and hit the barriers.

[joeb]

Oh and JDC took their Porsche on track for the first time today! I gotta say I admire the team taking the challenge of a new car right away with no testing!

[Adam43]

They put in the most laps too. Proper test session! Great stuff.

Campbell put that lap in on his last flyer. Whereas Braun got his in on only the fifth lap.

[Adam43]

I think we’re meant to be moaning about the track changes.
https://twitter.com/jordan10taylor/s...yWILSZ0DMY7C-g

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I think we’re meant to be moaning about the track changes.
https://twitter.com/jordan10taylor/s...yWILSZ0DMY7C-g

I can't believe they added paint to the kerb. I won't watch now.

[veeten]

Well, they were supposed to have a full repaving of the track, but too much of things over the past few years got in the way, with weather, covid and such. At least there's racing...

[N Martin]

An all Porsche front row for the race tomorrow at Laguna seca.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I think we’re meant to be moaning about the track changes.
https://twitter.com/jordan10taylor/s...yWILSZ0DMY7C-g

Well I for one won't watch until they return to original layout

[Adam43]

I watched qualifying anyway (although I didn’t enjoy it).

Porsche then. Impressive.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Adam43

I watched qualifying anyway (although I didn’t enjoy it).

Porsche then. Impressive.

I have been waiting for the time when Penske gets to grips with the car and dominates the races. Has it happened now? I think an Acura needs to find some extra energy to make it fun for the race

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by joeb

I have been waiting for the time when Penske gets to grips with the car and dominates the races. Has it happened now? I think an Acura needs to find some extra energy to make it fun for the race

I see what you are subtly hinting here. Can I have a table and a couple of charts?!

Combined practice times for all the cars (no qualifying):

Average Lap time

Rank	Car	Fastest	Top 10	Top 20	Top 40
1	7 Porsche	1:15.493	1:16.412	1:17.076	1:18.156
2	6 Porsche	1:15.745	1:16.842	1:17.284	1:18.051
3	31 Cadillac	1:15.642	1:16.833	1:17.324	1:18.187
4	60 Acura	1:15.716	1:17.015	1:17.508	1:18.214
5	24 BMW	1:16.153	1:16.907	1:17.604	1:18.483
6	25 BMW	1:16.259	1:17.131	1:17.640	1:18.526
7	10 Acura	1:15.784	1:17.207	1:17.697	1:18.832
8	1 Cadillac	1:16.835	1:17.556	1:18.354	1:21.552
9	5 Porsche	1:19.062	1:19.698	1:20.107	1:21.234

The charts are the usual all the laps of each car ordered from fastest to slowest. Everyone is pretty clumped together in the one that has them all. Second one is just the best of each car (based on Top 20 lap average).

Crikey!

The one to cheer for is JDC.

[skycafe]

Dreadful! The painted curbing is clashing with the Penske Porsche livery.

[skycafe]

Bourdais seems to particularly getting caught out by the brake-by-wire system, although he seemed to do 'ok' at Sebring, until the engine bay fire ruined their race.

Is he using more agressive setting on smooth tracks vs. a conservative setting for bumpy Sebring?

[fergus_r]

It’s a bit foggy at Laguna.

MX5s out racing in crazy conditions.

[N Martin]

Anyone's IMSA TV feed started yet? Or is it just me as usual?

[N Martin]

Oh here we go.

[Adam43]

Porsche. Oh.

[Adam43]

Originally Posted by N Martin

Anyone's IMSA TV feed started yet? Or is it just me as usual?

Yeh, fine. Started about 3:05 ET.

[N Martin]

Wow! It's gone yellow.

[JoeW04]

Two Penske lads just displayed how not to do a rolling start

[Adam43]

Remember here’s the discussion on how yellows are good or bad for IMSA. https://tentenths.com/forum/showthread.php?t=156878

In the context of this race. A yellow gives Roger time to chat to his drivers.

[veeten]

Classic example of how three does not go into one...