Pirelli World Challenge Rounds 1 & 2: COTA

Mechanic Z · 15 Feb 2015, 05:33 (Ref:3505060)

The first two races of the Pirelli World Challenge season are finally almost here, March 6-8 at Circuit of the Americas!

The series was incredible last year with the introduction of the GT3 machinery, and this year looks like it could be even better.

COTA will mark the debut of Cadillac's new GT3 car, it will be the first race of KPax and Flying Lizard's alliance to run the McLaren 650s and Dyson Racing will be embarking upon their first full season of running the Bentleys.

As it's still a bit early, some of the information, like Weather and the Entry List aren't complete yet, but here are some links anyway.

Schedule

Entry List

Live Streaming (WC TV site)

Live Timing & Scoring

Track Map

Weather (Racecast Weather site)

Series Twitter Account

Mechanic Z · 18 Feb 2015, 18:47 (Ref:3506258)

I guess this lineup will debut at COTA:

http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/estre-thorne-confirmed-at-k-pax-racing-with-flying-lizard-motorsports/

Kevin Estre and Robert Thorne in the KPax/Flying Lizard McLaren 650S GT3s!

TF110 · 18 Feb 2015, 20:18 (Ref:3506298)

Cant wait to see the 650S's. Great looking cars.

TRspitfirefan · 19 Feb 2015, 00:33 (Ref:3506402)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TF110

Cant wait to see the 650S's. Great looking cars.

Same here.
Last years 12Cs were absolutely gorgeous!

TRspitfirefan · 19 Feb 2015, 00:38 (Ref:3506404)

Really looking forward to this event. So many exciting new cars and teams this season, it will be incredibly difficult to predict the winners.

Mechanic Z · 19 Feb 2015, 03:17 (Ref:3506443)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TRspitfirefan

Really looking forward to this event. So many exciting new cars and teams this season, it will be incredibly difficult to predict the winners.

Agreed! I think there's going to be a lot of race win contenders, although the most difficult session to guess could be qualifying for the first race!

The KPax/Flying Lizard lineup looks pretty quick, wouldn't be surprised to see one of the two McLarens starting first.

TF110 · 19 Feb 2015, 04:36 (Ref:3506466)

Really hope we see more GT3 Vipers.

Mechanic Z · 19 Feb 2015, 18:21 (Ref:3506726)

Sounds like Nissan's GT3 Godzilla will be making it's World Challenge debut at COTA as well! Davidson & Heitkotter for an Always Evolving with AIM Autosport 2 car effort.

http://www.racer.com/pwc/item/113591...son-heitkotter

Edit: Posted in the series thread, from Sportscar 365, numbers will be #05 and #33.

JHamilton · 20 Feb 2015, 01:59 (Ref:3506888)

Nuttin' but dem 'Lacs

fieldodreams79 · 20 Feb 2015, 02:11 (Ref:3506891)

Not a fan of the circuit. I think I saw the race from 2013 (geez, i had to look it up as i thought it was last year), and only liked the cars. I am really thrilled about the series' direction and looking forward to the event. I may even get to watch some live, at least I would like too. Think everything i watched last year was delayed

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHamilton

Nuttin' but dem 'Lacs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bq1GR0YVxs

Mike Hedlund · 20 Feb 2015, 03:57 (Ref:3506917)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Not a fan of the circuit. I think I saw the race from 2013 (geez, i had to look it up as i thought it was last year), and only liked the cars.

Ya, the COTA short track sucks.

Full GT3 spec on the big track should be pretty good... the cars with a lot of top end speed will be able to make passes on the 2 long straights (Bentley, Mercedes, Nissan, McLaren... and probably Cadillac) and everyone else should be able to throw it down on the rest of the track. Really a toss up for who will have the advantage.... I'd imagine the strongest drivers will be at the front.

-mike

fieldodreams79 · 20 Feb 2015, 12:23 (Ref:3506998)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Hedlund

Ya, the COTA short track sucks.

Full GT3 spec on the big track should be pretty good... the cars with a lot of top end speed will be able to make passes on the 2 long straights (Bentley, Mercedes, Nissan, McLaren... and probably Cadillac) and everyone else should be able to throw it down on the rest of the track. Really a toss up for who will have the advantage.... I'd imagine the strongest drivers will be at the front.

-mike

Good insight, mike. What COTA has going for it is it's the first circuit of the new year for this group. I can watch just about anything through rose tinted glasses at this point in the season.

**joeb** · 20 Feb 2015, 14:43 (Ref:3507064)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Hedlund

Ya, the COTA short track sucks.

Full GT3 spec on the big track should be pretty good... the cars with a lot of top end speed will be able to make passes on the 2 long straights (Bentley, Mercedes, Nissan, McLaren... and probably Cadillac) and everyone else should be able to throw it down on the rest of the track. Really a toss up for who will have the advantage.... I'd imagine the strongest drivers will be at the front.

-mike

So not the TCB class?

Coach Ep · 20 Feb 2015, 14:57 (Ref:3507067)

The TC classes were pretty entertaining 2 years ago when they ran the short course I've heard. As long as the pack(s) can stay together/relatively close, they should be allright on the long course as well since they'll have close to 50 cars on track at once. GT/GT-A/GT Cup should be hoot!

Mechanic Z · 21 Feb 2015, 00:39 (Ref:3507236)

Cool video from Effort Racing, good way to get in the right mood for the season opener!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLOWrawe2ts

DeezPutz · 21 Feb 2015, 22:20 (Ref:3507491)

I'm really looking forward to this race and to the entire season. There's so many good cars to cheer for. Everything but the Ferrari anyway.

ttdriver2009 · 23 Feb 2015, 17:38 (Ref:3508081)

Looks like work will take me into that area for the race. With the explosive growth of this series, should I buy tickets before hand? I don't want to show up and find out they are sold out.

Is there a ten tenths compound somewhere at the track? If so, where is it? I went to Miller last year and couldn't find it. How many here are going?

nasportscar · 23 Feb 2015, 19:58 (Ref:3508119)

For anyone headed to this event, we'll be hosting an event with GTSport Racing where you can grab a cup of coffee and mingle with some drivers. Details here: http://nasportscar.com/fuel-up-caffe...rld-challenge/

Coach Ep · 23 Feb 2015, 22:27 (Ref:3508177)

Paddock pics from testing @ CotA:

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2015/0...g-at-cota.html

Mechanic Z · 24 Feb 2015, 04:51 (Ref:3508252)

New livery for at least one of GMG Racing's Audis, from the same test at COTA.

Quote:

GMG Racing @GMGRacing · 3h 3 hours ago Here is your first look at one of our Audi's for the 2015 @wcracing season! At @circuitamericas doing… https://instagram.com/p/zdynigykoq/

DeezPutz · 24 Feb 2015, 11:34 (Ref:3508356)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttdriver2009

Looks like work will take me into that area for the race. With the explosive growth of this series, should I buy tickets before hand? I don't want to show up and find out they are sold out.

Is there a ten tenths compound somewhere at the track? If so, where is it? I went to Miller last year and couldn't find it. How many here are going?

Unless they're capping ticket sales at a couple thousand, I think you'll be okay buying at the gate.

nasportscar · 24 Feb 2015, 19:06 (Ref:3508511)

We're doing PWC pick 'ems again. COTA is coming up quickly, get your picks in! http://nasportscar.com/2014-pwc-pick-em/

Mechanic Z · 25 Feb 2015, 03:57 (Ref:3508660)

I was just looking at the COTA entry list and it's been updated with the Nissans and KPAX Lizard McLaren drivers.

It also features multiple previously unannounced cars/drivers

Mike Skeen returns to the #2 Audi.
A TBA entry in GT, Reiter Lamborghini perhaps?
Jorge De La Torre in a De La Torre Racing Aston GT3 (#4) for GTA.
Mark McKenzie in a second TRG Aston GT3 (#09) for GTA.
Two TBAs in GTA, could be Lamborghinis?

http://www.world-challenge.com/image...ry-List-v4.pdf

Coach Ep · 25 Feb 2015, 13:27 (Ref:3508815)

yeah, total number of entries up to 110 and there could be a couple more, mainly in GT(A), perhaps the second Ferri M'sport Ferrari and - like you said - 1 or 2 Lambos.

Looking at the numbers in the different divisions, it would make more sense to let the Cup Porsches run with the GTS class, the GT(A)/GT cup combo now has almost 50 cars while GTS sits on a much leaner 20.

Speed-King · 25 Feb 2015, 15:30 (Ref:3508865)

Running a spec class ahead of a non spec class doesn't make much sense, either. So I can see where they are coming from.

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