IMSA USCC in 2016 and 2017

[Fogelhund]

I highly doubt Ganassi will spread himself thin and run a Prototype program, in addition to the factory Ford program. Too bad the Vipers aren't still running, it would make a heck of a headline class.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Too bad the Vipers aren't still running, it would make a heck of a headline class.

I don't necessarily disagree with you, though people were saying pretty much that about GT1 around 2004/05...

[Coach Ep]

I would not be surprised to see the factory Vipers return in 2016 or 2017.
BoP will (almost) guarantee their competitiveness even after being away from the racing scene for a year or two, so that would not be an issue.

[NaBUru38]

I hope that this new Ford is a proper 2010s supercar and not yet another GT40 replica.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

I don't necessarily disagree with you, though people were saying pretty much that about GT1 around 2004/05...

Maybe they were, though I don't recall it... but then GT1 didn't have the depth that GT currently has.

I'm just talking about for TUSC though of course... but then GTD is so weak right now it just doesn't work.

[Coach Ep]

GTD will be fine again in 2016 and probably even better in 2017.

With Ford returning will there be an answer from Ferrari?

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Maybe they were, though I don't recall it... but then GT1 didn't have the depth that GT currently has.

I'm just talking about for TUSC though of course... but then GTD is so weak right now it just doesn't work.

What 2005 ALMS GT1 with Corvette C6.R, Corvette C5-R, Viper GTS-R, Aston Martin DBR9, Saleen S7-R and Maserati MC12 didn't have the 'depth' as current GTLM has?

[Maverick248]

Great news for GT category, It's good for Ford to have a team like Ganassi for this return.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

GTD will be fine again in 2016 and probably even better in 2017.

Several teams are defecting to SCCA World Challenge.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by Maverick248

Great news for GT category, It's good for Ford to have a team like Ganassi for this return.

Yeah, I agree but SRT Motorsports is missing it out... Maybe in 2016, they'll return!

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Chiana

What 2005 ALMS GT1 with Corvette C6.R, Corvette C5-R, Viper GTS-R, Aston Martin DBR9, Saleen S7-R and Maserati MC12 didn't have the 'depth' as current GTLM has?

Two factory backed/assisted efforts vs. How many?

That really was just C6.R vs, Aston.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Two factory backed/assisted efforts vs. How many?

That really was just C6.R vs, Aston.

It's just one more in 2015 (two in 2016). But even so the others models didn't win back then because it wasn't all bop and waivers. Yesyes Saleen had some restrictor breaks and MC12 wasn't down to regs and whatever but you know what I mean

Anyway even with less competition and car counts I would argue that the cars itself made the depth. They had amazing grid at Sebring

P&M C6.R
P&M C6.R
AMR DBR9
AMR DBR9
Maserati/Risi MC12
Larbre 550-GTS
ACEMCO S7-R
GNM S7-R
Carsport GTS-R
Pacific C5-R

Had they been the headline class who know what could've happened. FIA GT always had bigger grids, but due to it being myriad series with lack of promotion and no direct works teams allowed it doesn't work as comparisons

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Several teams are defecting to SCCA World Challenge.

Don't worry, they'll be back.

[J Jay]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Don't worry, they'll be back.

I don't have an a strong opinion either way, but you could look at the fortunes of International GT Open over the last 3 years and draw some interesting conclusions. While the ELMS was floundering and Blancpain was in its infancy IGTO was the go-to series for teams that wanted to race over Europe. Then BES & BSS took off and ELMS got it's house in order and all of a sudden it's is just another GT3 series.

Could we conceivably see PWC in a similar situation if IMSA manage to find a balance that pleases the majority of teams and fans?

[Rodger Davies]

Massive cost differences involved though, more so than in Europe; NAEC + PWC might make most long-term sense.

[J Jay]

I can definitely see teams dipping into the NAEC races as sponsors/budget dictate - quite a few teams doubled up over the various European series but as you say, the budget isn't pushed nearly as hard in those cases. Did anybody do that this in America season?

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Several teams are defecting to SCCA World Challenge.

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Don't worry, they'll be back.

Only if IMSA, (or PWC) give the teams a good reason to switch back.
Currently PWC offers a great home for these teams.
Fantastic cars, fantastic competition, and a great atmosphere. Plus a growing fanbase. It is really a very stark contrast to the situation in IMSA right now.

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by TRspitfirefan

Only if IMSA, (or PWC) give the teams a good reason to switch back.
Currently PWC offers a great home for these teams.
Fantastic cars, fantastic competition, and a great atmosphere. Plus a growing fanbase. It is really a very stark contrast to the situation in IMSA right now.

They will its called switching GTD to GT3 in 2016. I am not overestimating the car count boost in my feeling I think this class can get back to 2014 Daytona 24 levels at minimum perhaps even better.

[Rcz]

While the rules of GTD is a small barrier, the real reason is cost.


Exposer as the top class in the PWC is also a good reason as well.

I predict factory back cars like Audi, Nissan, and Bentley in the NAEC coming 2016 however

[Gulf]

Originally Posted by Rcz

While the rules of GTD is a small barrier, the real reason is cost.


Exposer as the top class in the PWC is also a good reason as well.

I predict factory back cars like Audi, Nissan, and Bentley in the NAEC coming 2016 however

The other big plus for PWC is teams don't have to deal with Imsa/Nascar.

[DeezPutz]

Originally Posted by Gulf

The other big plus for PWC is teams don't have to deal with Imsa/Nascar.

They get to deal with SCCA instead, and we all know how successful they've been over the years running a pro series.

[Ginaro Zukovsky]

Originally Posted by Rcz

I predict factory back cars like Audi, Nissan, and Bentley in the NAEC coming 2016 however

Bentley said on a recent MWM that they wouldn't come over to be the 4th class in TUSC.

[CyberMotor]

I think the basic question is, "Do they want to participate in the top tier of international endurance prototype racing with the world's best, or do they want to be a 2nd tier series?"

Chevy and now Ford, have gotten their feet wet big time and there is a lot of local talent behind them. Not sure if there is an understanding at the BOD level, but those of us following this understand.

P1 needs to return and P1-H needs to be highlighted. Don't care if it is one car, two cars or 10 cars.

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by DeezPutz

They get to deal with SCCA instead, and we all know how successful they've been over the years running a pro series.

World Challenge is actually run and owned by an independent group.
The SCCA is merely the sanctioning body.

[canamman]

Originally Posted by CyberMotor

I think the basic question is, "Do they want to participate in the top tier of international endurance prototype racing with the world's best, or do they want to be a 2nd tier series?"

Chevy and now Ford, have gotten their feet wet big time and there is a lot of local talent behind them. Not sure if there is an understanding at the BOD level, but those of us following this understand.

P1 needs to return and P1-H needs to be highlighted. Don't care if it is one car, two cars or 10 cars.

I am glad I saw your post. I have been meaning to ask
if you knew of a parts shop called Automod in your neck of the woods
back in the day?