IMSA TUSC 2015 Entries, Schedule, and Rumors

[joeb]

I think Mike gets a lot of grief he doesn't deserve on these boards. Yes he looks out for his interests, but don't we all? As a team owner that is actually his job. How many other DP team owners are even regularly quoted in news stories? Not many, that is why Mike stands out.

[Maelochs]

Having lurked on a lot of forums, I can say as a self-proclaimed expert that no forum poster anywhere ever has said anything like "I just want these people to speak their minds, uncensored, instead of serving up corporate swill and PR puffery," and then condemned the speaker for not saying exactly what the poster wanted to here.

Just never happens, never has, never will.

I'd say more P2s in TUSC in 2015 is like ESM in P2 in 2014--it helped push the line back so DPs, and in this case real p2s, have a better chance of existing in the future.

I don't see Starworks and Shank buying P2 cars for just two seasons--they must expect either to be grandfathered or actually admitted in 2017 at least.

Still the series could go with genericars for 2017 and just grandfather current P2s ... but I don't want to be negative now, I have a long drive ahead of me.

Bravo, Mike Shank if you choose to join the P2 brigades. And don't worry, you can always sell that DP ... I am sure the demand is high all over.

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Having lurked on a lot of forums, I can say as a self-proclaimed expert that no forum poster anywhere ever has said anything like "I just want these people to speak their minds, uncensored, instead of serving up corporate swill and PR puffery," and then condemned the speaker for not saying exactly what the poster wanted to here.

Just never happens, never has, never will.

I'd say more P2s in TUSC in 2015 is like ESM in P2 in 2014--it helped push the line back so DPs, and in this case real p2s, have a better chance of existing in the future.

I don't see Starworks and Shank buying P2 cars for just two seasons--they must expect either to be grandfathered or actually admitted in 2017 at least.

Still the series could go with genericars for 2017 and just grandfather current P2s ... but I don't want to be negative now, I have a long drive ahead of me.

Bravo, Mike Shank if you choose to join the P2 brigades. And don't worry, you can always sell that DP ... I am sure the demand is high all over.

I just don't buy the idea of Shank going to a LMP2 car whatsoever. I see him running the same car as now at Daytona. The Starworks-HPD link I think is a bit more credible albiet maybe just for 1 car not 2. That has a shot of happening I am guessing. Same for the idea of an 8Star-Oak alliance.

[Maelochs]

Dude, I am trying as hard as I can to be hopeful. No reality just now, please ....

[Maelochs]

DTM/Super GT Class One—P2’s Future?
http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/...urbos-for-2017

Here’s an interesting story: DTM and Japan’s Super GT series, which already share a common chassis and aero specs, will move to a 600 bhp turbo four-cylinder for 2017—possibly presaging where TUSC plans or hopes to go with its P2 regs.

The article explicitly states these regs “will also be used by IMSA in the U.S. “

According to Werner Aufrecht, (some head of something) "The agreement between the leading car manufacturers in Germany and Japan is an important milestone on the way to a set of joint, globally implemented Class One regulations. It's up to the manufacturers to decide if they want to let their Class One vehicle race at Suzuka today, at the Nurburgring next week and at Daytona in a fortnight. (Emphasis added.)

I know NASCAR/IMSA wanted to create an American “DTM” series (seeing as DTM is basically Germany’s NASCAR, with spec chassis and 4-liter V8s) and those always-important (to manufacturers) “styling cues.”

This could be how they plan to get it all to work out—turn P2 into a front-engined spec-chassis coupe class with grille and headlight decals imitating road cars, to hopefully pull in more teams with the lure of potential international competition.

With German and Japanese manufacturers already on board with the new spec for 2017, this might be an easy sell—and if TUSC can’t sell it maybe they will drop P2 altogether and just run the “Class One” cars as the top class.

I can’t see a separate American Touring Masters series working, if TUSC isn’t working, but NASCAR could be planning to go that route, I don’t know.

[BullMan]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

DTM/Super GT Class One—P2’s Future?
http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/...urbos-for-2017

Here’s an interesting story: DTM and Japan’s Super GT series, which already share a common chassis and aero specs, will move to a 600 bhp turbo four-cylinder for 2017—possibly presaging where TUSC plans or hopes to go with its P2 regs.

The article explicitly states these regs “will also be used by IMSA in the U.S. “

According to Werner Aufrecht, (some head of something) "The agreement between the leading car manufacturers in Germany and Japan is an important milestone on the way to a set of joint, globally implemented Class One regulations. It's up to the manufacturers to decide if they want to let their Class One vehicle race at Suzuka today, at the Nurburgring next week and at Daytona in a fortnight. (Emphasis added.)

I know NASCAR/IMSA wanted to create an American “DTM” series (seeing as DTM is basically Germany’s NASCAR, with spec chassis and 4-liter V8s) and those always-important (to manufacturers) “styling cues.”

This could be how they plan to get it all to work out—turn P2 into a front-engined spec-chassis coupe class with grille and headlight decals imitating road cars, to hopefully pull in more teams with the lure of potential international competition.

With German and Japanese manufacturers already on board with the new spec for 2017, this might be an easy sell—and if TUSC can’t sell it maybe they will drop P2 altogether and just run the “Class One” cars as the top class.

I can’t see a separate American Touring Masters series working, if TUSC isn’t working, but NASCAR could be planning to go that route, I don’t know.

Shank will be in a P2 before we ever see this series materialize in any form.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by C6R Racing Fan

Radio LeMans back for 2015 in TUSC/Tudor/IMSA.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/im...indhaugh-shaw/

Thank goodness, that was the best news I've ever heard! No more MRN commentators spewing how great NASCAR is at a TUSC race!

Meanwhile, I hope Ford can fit the bill on both MSR and CGR when it comes to bringing their Ecoboost V6 to P2. Question is, will it be Ligier, Zytek (Gibson), or Dome?

[Pontlieue]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

Thank goodness, that was the best news I've ever heard! No more MRN commentators spewing how great NASCAR is at a TUSC race!

Meanwhile, I hope Ford can fit the bill on both MSR and CGR when it comes to bringing their Ecoboost V6 to P2. Question is, will it be Ligier, Zytek (Gibson), or Dome?

I think Ligier would be the preferred option. Of the P2 coupes it is the only one that has raced so far (not counting the Lotus LMP2). Dome had lots of issues this season, The Oreca 05 won't be ready in time for Daytona, the Gibson won't be available before 2016 or late 2015, and I don't think you can put a Ford engine into the new HPD.

[Coach Ep]

How about Riley? Developed in 2015, officially introduced at Cota towards the end of the year, race debut at Petit and ready to win at Daytona 2016. All with a bit of Ford money of course.

[DistortedSmile]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

DTM/Super GT Class One—P2’s Future?
http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/...urbos-for-2017

Here’s an interesting story: DTM and Japan’s Super GT series, which already share a common chassis and aero specs, will move to a 600 bhp turbo four-cylinder for 2017—possibly presaging where TUSC plans or hopes to go with its P2 regs.

The article explicitly states these regs “will also be used by IMSA in the U.S. “

According to Werner Aufrecht, (some head of something) "The agreement between the leading car manufacturers in Germany and Japan is an important milestone on the way to a set of joint, globally implemented Class One regulations. It's up to the manufacturers to decide if they want to let their Class One vehicle race at Suzuka today, at the Nurburgring next week and at Daytona in a fortnight. (Emphasis added.)

I know NASCAR/IMSA wanted to create an American “DTM” series (seeing as DTM is basically Germany’s NASCAR, with spec chassis and 4-liter V8s) and those always-important (to manufacturers) “styling cues.”

This could be how they plan to get it all to work out—turn P2 into a front-engined spec-chassis coupe class with grille and headlight decals imitating road cars, to hopefully pull in more teams with the lure of potential international competition.

With German and Japanese manufacturers already on board with the new spec for 2017, this might be an easy sell—and if TUSC can’t sell it maybe they will drop P2 altogether and just run the “Class One” cars as the top class.

I can’t see a separate American Touring Masters series working, if TUSC isn’t working, but NASCAR could be planning to go that route, I don’t know.

I see a lot of people only focusing on DTM and assuming that's why it would be crap whenever this gets brought up, I was also very skeptical when SuperGT announced they would use the same regs but the series is still awesome and has great racing, GT500 also allows more freedom than DTM and they're much faster (faster than last year's Rebellion actually).
Naturally I would prefer LMP1 as the top class, but I'd take GT500 style cars over cost capped P2s and DPs any day.

...into a front-engined...

They can be mid engined too:

[MagVanisher]

I agree, DistortedSmile. Even though Super GT got DTM's rules, they got better racing than those from Germany. The only I don't like is not opening the engine regulations a bit as it needs more variety.

[TF110]

They have had the same engine type for nearly a decade in gt500. The thing about that class is the cars are recognizeably different from eachother. DTM has differences, but nowhere as noticeable as the RC F, GTR and NSX. If they opened up aero development and ran those Fuji spec wings, itd go a long way imo.

[Fogelhund]

More Silhouette Car BS.

[MagVanisher]

You know, it would be better if the series have both ACO-style prototypes with DTM/Super GT silhouette cars. Oh yeah, and add the Deltawing.

General Motors can go with the latter, while Ford and the rest would go on the former. Also, if the GTA convinced ACO to add their Super GT cars to Le Mans, silhouette cars can race there.

[Coach Ep]

More fuel to the fire:

There appears to be a very serious wave of discontent in the GTD class. On track, it looks OK, depending on who you speak with, but off track – don’t ask. It is very caustic right now. There is a significant list of teams that may not return next season, for various reasons. For some, it is the BOP, but for others race officiating is a big deal.

Plus the rest of the story - from GB Autosport's perspective:

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2014/1...ice-notes.html

[Speed-King]

Not saying he's wong, but Gary Horrocks seems awfully focused on the negatives - according to Hindy on this week's MWM the mood in the paddock at COTA was much improved vs earlier races this season ....

[Coach Ep]

MWM was referring to Laguna vs. CotA, it's also overall vs. GTD.

Meanwhile it seems IMSA is trying to 'fix' their FCY issues:

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/b...ge-everything/

On the other hand: clearly they haven't fixed their officiating issues as CotA saw 'the return of Daytona & Sebring ghosts' when it came to addressing contact incidents so that continues to be one of the major headaches for this series. It certainly doesn't help convincing teams to stay in the series as they're trying to figure out next year's program...

[Fogelhund]

Keep in mind Horrocks is independent, and Hindy is now an employee.

[FstrthnU]

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/te...urns-for-2015/
Team Seattle-AJR returns for 2015 in GTD, I think it's safe to say that the main AJR is also returning.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by TF110

The thing about that class is the cars are recognizeably different from eachother. DTM has differences, but nowhere as noticeable as the RC F, GTR and NSX.

TBH I can instantly recognize the Honda, but Nissan and Lexus look kinda too bland to separate in a heartbeat. But anyway they do have more brand identity than the boring German cousins

[TF110]

The cars are easily distinguishable imo. You cant miss the big "L" in the middle!



I dont think they should replace lmp2 or DP, but be a model of what could be done with 'brand identity'.

[Simmi]

It's not too bad but they have moved closer to each other visually this year.

But with the combination of development, a tyre war, endurance and multi-class racing it utterly destroys DTM in terms of entertainment.

[Purist]

I don't know, TF110. After the first few laps, I just about have to pause the video to double-check to be certain which is which. They all have that large, black region, front and center. If you don't have direct sunlight hitting the details on the front, it's tough for me to tell them apart. And no, I need a still shot, and/or my magnifying glass, to be sure I'm reading an "L" on the front of the Lexus.

On the back of the Nissans, the rear bodywork on either side of the venturis doesn't wrap around like on the Lexus or Acura, so that helps a little.

[tjh8402]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

DTM/Super GT Class One—P2’s Future?
http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/...urbos-for-2017

Here’s an interesting story: DTM and Japan’s Super GT series, which already share a common chassis and aero specs, will move to a 600 bhp turbo four-cylinder for 2017—possibly presaging where TUSC plans or hopes to go with its P2 regs.

The article explicitly states these regs “will also be used by IMSA in the U.S. “

According to Werner Aufrecht, (some head of something) "The agreement between the leading car manufacturers in Germany and Japan is an important milestone on the way to a set of joint, globally implemented Class One regulations. It's up to the manufacturers to decide if they want to let their Class One vehicle race at Suzuka today, at the Nurburgring next week and at Daytona in a fortnight. (Emphasis added.)

I know NASCAR/IMSA wanted to create an American “DTM” series (seeing as DTM is basically Germany’s NASCAR, with spec chassis and 4-liter V8s) and those always-important (to manufacturers) “styling cues.”

This could be how they plan to get it all to work out—turn P2 into a front-engined spec-chassis coupe class with grille and headlight decals imitating road cars, to hopefully pull in more teams with the lure of potential international competition.

With German and Japanese manufacturers already on board with the new spec for 2017, this might be an easy sell—and if TUSC can’t sell it maybe they will drop P2 altogether and just run the “Class One” cars as the top class.

I can’t see a separate American Touring Masters series working, if TUSC isn’t working, but NASCAR could be planning to go that route, I don’t know.

Thanks. this would be the one thing that actually makes me want to keep the DPs...

[Deleted]

I've been watching Super GT in 720p and I hadn't even noticed the L in Lexus until now

They all look utter crap in comparison to last years GT500, now you have glorified taxi cabs instead of mean looking GT1 esques. (Real) GT300s look fabulous in comparison. But anyway as I said elsewhere they're perfectly fine for me otherwise, they still race great and have fabulous performance helped by the hybrids and non-spec tires