IMSA Race Sebring 2015

[HORNDAWG]

Post Daytona AoP (1-16-15) .. http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/fi...20%2315-06.pdf

Pre Sebring AoP for all classes (2-23-15) .. http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/fi...s/IMSA-TEC.PDF

L.P.


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Schedule

Entry List

Track Info

Weather

Spotters Guides

Radio

Timing & Scoring Alternate

FRC

[HORNDAWG]

Bertolini will join Kaffer and Fisichella for Sebring In the Risi 458.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/be...up-at-sebring/








L.P.

[fieldodreams79]

A (pre) race thread? Excellent!

Looks like I won't be making the spring trek south this year, but looking forward to it nonetheless.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Post Daytona AoP (1-16-15) .. http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/fi...20%2315-06.pdf

Pre Sebring AoP for all classes (2-23-15) .. http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/fi...s/IMSA-TEC.PDF

Every time I look at these tables I scratch my head. For the Proto class, why mandate what level of downforce the teams use, wouldn't they always just choose the best option themselves? For Daytona they were mandated to use low downforce kit, and now the high downforce has mandated for Sebring. The other area that I wonder about is the refueling restrictors. They seem to want it to take the same amount of time to refuel all cars. Which is fine if they had the same fuel tank size, but the DW gets "rewarded" for having better fuel economy by getting a smaller refueling restrictor. Also, doesn't the diesel flow slower and therefore the Mazda is being actually taking longer to fuel by using the same restrictor size? GTLM has equally puzzling refueling restrictors.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by joeb

Every time I look at these tables I scratch my head. For the Proto class, why mandate what level of downforce the teams use, wouldn't they always just choose the best option themselves? For Daytona they were mandated to use low downforce kit, and now the high downforce has mandated for Sebring. The other area that I wonder about is the refueling restrictors. They seem to want it to take the same amount of time to refuel all cars. Which is fine if they had the same fuel tank size, but the DW gets "rewarded" for having better fuel economy by getting a smaller refueling restrictor. Also, doesn't the diesel flow slower and therefore the Mazda is being actually taking longer to fuel by using the same restrictor size? GTLM has equally puzzling refueling restrictors.

They have always tried to equalize the 'fueling time', from empty to full, between cars in class.








L.P.

[fieldodreams79]

Dixon in with Pruett and Hand in the lone Ganassi.

[HORNDAWG]

Scott Dixon will complete the CGR #01 lineup joining Pruett and Hand. No #02 it seems.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/di...p-for-sebring/







L.P.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

They have always tried to equalize the 'fueling time', from empty to full, between cars in class.








L.P.

Yes, I just don't like that rule! I say give everyone same fuel tank size and the same refuel restrictor.

[Porsche917K]

Am I reading the GTLM Ferrari restrictor right? 41.2 compared to every else being around 30 and larger is better in this case?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Porsche917K

Am I reading the GTLM Ferrari restrictor right? 41.2 compared to every else being around 30 and larger is better in this case?

You are correct, but that is for a single restrictor for the ferrari and 2 restrictors for each of the other cars.

[wdave0]

Why such a huge change to the BMW restrictor -19mm.?

[joeb]

Originally Posted by wdave0

Why such a huge change to the BMW restrictor -19mm.?

That is GTD only, and it actually is back to its restrictor from Petit last year. They got a big boost at Daytona.

[toledo47]

I've never been to Sebring but considering making the trip. Does anyone know where the best spots are to watch from? Are there grandstands? or are lawn chairs needed?

thanks!

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by toledo47

I've never been to Sebring but considering making the trip. Does anyone know where the best spots are to watch from? Are there grandstands? or are lawn chairs needed?

thanks!

There's all of one small grandstand, so lawn chairs are recommended. It's a long race, so you can wonder and watch the action from multiple locations.

[toledo47]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

There's all of one small grandstand, so lawn chairs are recommended. It's a long race, so you can wonder and watch the action from multiple locations.

Thanks for the info! I'll make sure to grab the chairs! Do you know which part of the track has the small grandstand?

[jasonjessica09]

What is the difference between attending the Daytona 24 vs the Sebring 12 hr? I guess the lack of grandstands is a biggie? You probably only can see 1 or 2 turns at the Sebring at a time compared to Daytona where you can see all the way around at times.

[TheMightyM]

On the airport side, by turn 14. Correction: Looks like they've added a grandstand at turn 7 as well since I was there in 2013.

The Sebring track map is here. It's 3 3/4 mile circuit, so it's a pretty big track: http://www.sebringraceway.com/fan-info/track-map

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

What is the difference between attending the Daytona 24 vs the Sebring 12 hr? I guess the lack of grandstands is a biggie? You probably only can see 1 or 2 turns at the Sebring at a time compared to Daytona where you can see all the way around at times.

The reason you can see so much at Daytona is because it’s a roval. Grandstands or not, you’re going to see a smaller percentage of the action at most natural-terrain road courses (and that's what Sebring effectively is these days). That's especially true at a track as long as Sebring.

[toledo47]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

On the airport side, by turn 14. Correction: Looks like they've added a grandstand at turn 7 as well since I was there in 2013.

The Sebring track map is here. It's 3 3/4 mile circuit, so it's a pretty big track: http://www.sebringraceway.com/fan-info/track-map

I see a few spots on that map show that there are scoreboards. Are there any viewing areas with a big monitor, like at Road Atlanta?

[TheMightyM]

Originally Posted by toledo47

I see a few spots on that map show that there are scoreboards. Are there any viewing areas with a big monitor, like at Road Atlanta?

When I was there two years ago, there was a big monitor in the Party Zone. Not sure about where else they might have one.

[Maelochs]

Outside Turn Seven is good. Either side around Three, Four, and Five is good ... cars sometimes pass in Three, and slide off the track exiting Five. Inside Turn Ten is ... special. Drivers' left between Six and Seven is good, because they are accelerating hard from Five to Seven, and you can wander down to outside Seven and all the way back to Three, Four, and Five, cross the footbridge between Six and Seven, and walk over to inside Ten and down towards Nine, which is basically a long curved straight—the cars appear from the trees and accelerate all the way to the braking zone for Ten.

Best bet is to go for a few days and walk a Lot the first day and figure out where you like to be. It's Not that long a race, I find. It seems long, but then suddenly the sun is setting.

For late night I like outside Turn Seven because it is lit, but depending how close to the corner you get you can still see some nice brake-rotor glow if you are into that, and Seven is another overtaking/Oops zone. There are also a couple spots between Three and Five like that, where the cars come out of darkeness, into the light, and disappear into darkness ... if you like that sort of thing.

[toledo47]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Best bet is to go for a few days and walk a Lot the first day and figure out where you like to be. It's Not that long a race, I find. It seems long, but then suddenly the sun is setting.

I have not been to Sebring, but I have done Petit Le Mans 3 times which is a little shorter, but I agree that it does not feel that long! I should be able to go Friday, So i'll try to scope things out before Saturday, but I always like to check online and see if I can figure out the best areas to check out before I get to the track!

I probably wouldn't be doing Sebring this year, but Formula E Miami is the weekend before, makes for a perfect double race trip. Makes the long trip a lot more worth it! IndyCar at St Petersburg is the weekend after as well, which would make a perfect south Florida triple race trip but I can't afford to do them all.

[Maelochs]

If you have been to PLM then it's the same deal but no hills ... and no mud, but watch out for fire ants.

I hope you get more responses because I know my habits are limited and there is a lot of track to walk. Some folks here must have different favorite viewing spots?

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by toledo47

I see a few spots on that map show that there are scoreboards. Are there any viewing areas with a big monitor, like at Road Atlanta?

Sebring is pretty much the exact opposite of Road Atlanta in just about every way. They have a scoreboard in the hairpin that i am sure was there when Steve McQueen raced in the 12 hours.

Check the viewing mounds out and walk the fences. Its a long walk everywhere but usually worth it the effort. T10 after dark is a hoot. Hell, everywhere in Green Park is a zoo 24 / 7. If you are looking for chill camping, don't camp in Green Park and maybe find a hotel. Watch for couch fires everywhere but especially on the viewing mound at the hairpin on the last lap.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

If you have been to PLM then it's the same deal but no hills ... and no mud, but watch out for fire ants.

I hope you get more responses because I know my habits are limited and there is a lot of track to walk. Some folks here must have different favorite viewing spots?

I like 3-5 as well, but Gurney to the hairpin to T10 is where I spent the majority of my time in that place. Outside of 7 is pretty cool getting towards sunset, too.

Both Road Atlanta and Sebring a relics but Sebring is a special place. I got more goosebumps entering it the first time than I did for my first trips to Daytona and Indy. Such a lovely dump for a race and a whacky and wild FLA party.