IMSA Race 2017 Long Beach GP

[joeb]

Looks like there is a race this weekend. No PC, but we have GTD, GTLM, and Protos for a total entry of 35 cars. There has been additional BOP since last round and pegged the Caddy's back again and there are numerous changes in the GT classes.

Entry List

Schedule

Track Map

Weather - no need for a link its southern Cal. Well actually, looks like there is a chance of rain Fri/Sat. Go figure.

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by joeb

Looks like there is a race this weekend. No PC, but we have GTD, GTLM, and Protos for a total entry of 35 cars. There has been additional BOP since last round and pegged the Caddy's back again and there are numerous changes in the GT classes.

Entry List

Schedule

Track Map

Weather - no need for a link its southern Cal. Well actually, looks like there is a chance of rain Fri/Sat. Go figure.

I think full course yellows could be an issue this year. I think the main culprit could be non Cadillac prototypes not the GTD's. I expect a Caddy 1-2-3 overall. I will also look to see how much Porsche is hurt by the BoP adjustments. They seem to get hit hard. Long Beach might be one of the few possible chances for BMW to contend.

Will be interesting to see how the PWC GT3 cars compare to GTLM and GTD qualifying times.

[Matt]

IMSA trying to peg back the Cadillac torque advantage by mandating their gear ratio. I feel like this will also be the spec used at Detroit, while the Sebring BoP will be the defacto spec for the rest of the schedule, outside of some minor tweaks.

[Jonerz]

I hope so, Matt.

I'm expecting a clean race, I think the ESM Nissan boys will have a good showing, at least for the #2 car. I expect more trouble for Mazda unfortunately, and that #52 car could challenge overall.

I have no idea what to expect in GTLM. I would have chosen Porsche, had they not been hit so hard by the BoP hammer. I'm hoping BMW has a stronger showing, but not holding my breath. I bet Corvette takes the W, followed closely by a Ford, and the Risi team should take a top four spot.

GTD is a roll of the dice, I think the Scuderia Corsa group should have a good showing.

Chris

[TF110]

I really hope the boost to the Mazda and Nissan helps them with their acceleration. That's the main thing (besides setup) preventing them from keeping up, especially the little Mazda.

[cbbrit]

Originally Posted by MaskedRacer

Will be interesting to see how the PWC GT3 cars compare to GTLM and GTD qualifying times.

Last year's PWC Pole Time was set by Alvaro Parente in a McLaren 650S in 1:18.947 which equals 89.741 MPH.

[Matt]

PWC cars will be faster, we all know this, they run a superior tire because there aren't any GTE cars to annoy.

[Lagunaseca_4life]

my baby girl was just born two weeks ago so it looks like I'm staying home and not going to long beach this year,real bummer but oh well next year should be funner with the baby.ill wait untill Laguna seca in September to get 2017 imsa experience

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Matt

PWC cars will be faster, we all know this, they run a superior tire because there aren't any GTE cars to annoy.

I assume the GTD class is BOP'd down as well as having the tyres. Wasn't long ago that the Ferrari Challenge cars were posting faster lap times than the 458 GTD.

[ATLFalconsFAN]

Originally Posted by Lagunaseca_4life

my baby girl was just born two weeks ago so it looks like I'm staying home and not going to long beach this year,real bummer but oh well next year should be funner with the baby.ill wait untill Laguna seca in September to get 2017 imsa experience

Congratulations!!!

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Akrapovic

I assume the GTD class is BOP'd down as well as having the tyres. Wasn't long ago that the Ferrari Challenge cars were posting faster lap times than the 458 GTD.

Those challenge cars are lightning fast though in a straight line. I don't believe the current gt3 cars in gtd are balanced down as a group. Sure imsa does a lot of tinkering, but I think it is to keep things close within the class.

[fieldodreams79]

Can Am cars on the streets on LB will be good, but this is one packed ass weekend. As much as I don't like this series on this particular circuit, IndyCars and everything else would be phenomenal to see in person.

Who wants to go next year?

[TF110]

Practice 1 just finished. Taylor's #10 Cadillac on top with a 1:14.9, next up is the #2 Nismo ESM with a 1:15.4 and then the #5 Cadillac with 1:15.5 with Mazda's #55 in 4th with a 1:15.6! Looks pretty close, so far. Hope it continues that way up front.

In GTLM, it's a Porsche 1-2. Doesn't seem like that BOP against them was as harsh as it was made out to be. But it's still only first practice.

[Matt]

Cadillac, Nissan, Cadillac, Mazda, Cadillac, Nissan.

Top 6 covered by < .75sec, 2-5 covered by < .25sec.
http://results.imsa.com/

[joeb]

Looks like Visit Florida is done for the weekend after a crash in practice

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/vi...e-in-accident/

[fergus_r]

Shame, one of the best sounding P cars on the grid.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by fergus_r

Shame, one of the best sounding P cars on the grid.

Not like there aren't two other cars with the same engines in them in the class.

[fergus_r]

Originally Posted by Matt

Not like there aren't two other cars with the same engines in them in the class.

Yeah, I was forgetting #52 and #85...oops.

But still, better having 3 than 2, and the Visit Florida car is the best of that bunch.

[otisdog]

Just got back from the track and I have to say I was amazed by the Can-am cars, even though I used to watch them regularly...they make the current cars sound quite feeble!
The amount of can-am cars on track was impressive, too.
Was having lunch at the Irish pub on the west end of the track when a off-road truck went flying by about 10' in the air...didn't quite expect that...

[deggis]

Qualification stream is technically on but either someone forgot to put the broadcast on or there's been a delay.

edit: schedule has changed or I had an outdated schedule, quali starts in 20 mins

[TF110]

2nd practice just wrapped up. Ricky Taylor fastest again, a 1:14.3 this time, ahead of the #55 Mazda's 1:14.9! Corvette was 1-2 in the session in GTLM. #4 Gavin fastest with a 1:17.4 over the #3's 1:17.5. GTD was Lamborghini and Lexus in the 1:19's with everyone else in the 1:20's.

[Maelochs]

Cat Legs is really going. i wouldn't mind if the Acuras got competitive.

Holy Lexus, batman! What kind of BoP did They buy!!

[TF110]

Is there a stream for qualifying?

[Maelochs]

Imsa.tv .... I couldn't find it so I just typed Imsa.tv and there it was

[TF110]

Hmm, not working for me, I'll retry!

edit- got it working, had to use internet explorer, chrome wouldn't play it