IMSA 2017 Daytona Rolex 24 Potential Entries

[Matt]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I like the NSX but there is no way in hell I will be able to pick that thing out from an Audi at night.

That's what the LED strips on the roof and in the grille will be for!

[pach233]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I don't think we're going to get that low come January but I like the goal of breaking it!

I thought the track configuration had been slightly changed since '93. At the very least I think I remember something about a surface change making the times not comparable. Am I remembering wrong?

Nevertheless good to see the DPIs showing some good early pace.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by pach233

I thought the track configuration had been slightly changed since '93. At the very least I think I remember something about a surface change making the times not comparable. Am I remembering wrong?

Nevertheless good to see the DPIs showing some good early pace.

Busstop was made tighter after '02.

From:


To:

[canamman]

Cars now on track. 9am - 12pm.

http://livetiming.alkamelsystems.com/imsa/

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

VisitFlatLands.

Ha! There goes a potential source of free passes for you.

They did forget hot, muggy, buggy too.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by skycafe

Ha! There goes a potential source of free passes for you.

They did forget hot, muggy, buggy too.

Glad someone caught that! Sorry that I may have burned a bridge with it. Feel free to call me a hill billy. That's not really true as hill billies are really from TN, KY and WVa.

Originally Posted by Matt

Busstop was made tighter after '02.

From:


To:

Originally Posted by pach233

I thought the track configuration had been slightly changed since '93. At the very least I think I remember something about a surface change making the times not comparable. Am I remembering wrong?

Nevertheless good to see the DPIs showing some good early pace.

I had recalled the slight change, too, but couldn't recall specifics. Now that I've seen it on the map and recall the older one, I would think the smaller bus stop would be quicker back to full throttle and therefore quicker times when comparing same / similar cars.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

Glad someone caught that! Sorry that I may have burned a bridge with it. Feel free to call me a hill billy. That's not really true as hill billies are really from TN, KY and WVa.

You're more generic white trash than hillbilly or redneck.

[Matt]

Ford Confirms Four-Car Rolex 24 Entry

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

You're more generic white trash than hillbilly or redneck.

I try, but it takes one to know one.

"Redneck is not something to aspire to; it's something to f**cking rise above." - Mike Cooley


Back on topic and speaking of rednecks, Ford with four bullets in the gun are going to be tough to beat, but that shows that the race is already showing signs of a return to international relevance, no?

[Matt]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I try, but it takes one to know one.

"Redneck is not something to aspire to; it's something to f**cking rise above." - Mike Cooley


Back on topic and speaking of rednecks, Ford with four bullets in the gun are going to be tough to beat, but that shows that the race is already showing signs of a return to international relevance, no?

Returning to it's place as No. 2 Most Important Sports Car Race in the World.

[MaskedRacer]

Originally Posted by Matt

Returning to it's place as No. 2 Most Important Sports Car Race in the World.

Well said. You can say the race's return from the abyss of Grand Am is complete this year now. As far as I am concerned the Daytona 24 did not even exist between 2004 through 2013.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by MaskedRacer

Well said. You can say the race's return from the abyss of Grand Am is complete this year now. As far as I am concerned the Daytona 24 did not even exist between 2004 through 2013.

Well, the 24 hr actually did exist, just like there's still the Indy 500, but let's not do this

And I still like Sebring more but it has to be a very close third behind the Rolex.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by MaskedRacer

(a)Well said. You can say the race's return from the abyss of Grand Am is complete this year now. (b)As far as I am concerned the Daytona 24 did not even exist between 2004 through 2013.

(a)Disagree. Hopefully reincarnation in the works. We'll see... :fingerscrossed:

(b)Absolutely. I attended a few, but, (ala the Righteous Brothers):

"I lost that lovin' feelin'
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
I lost that lovin' feelin'
Now it's gone, gone, gone, woh...

...Bring back that lovin' feelin'
Whoa, that lovin' feelin'
Bring back that lovin' feelin'
'Cause it's gone, gone, gone"...

[Mike E]

Good to see IMSA will start races with combined grids next year, not those silly separate proto and GT fields. Just a shame they will still group the cars by type rather than have a genuine qualifying time based starting order.

sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/combined-starts-highlight-sporting-regulation-changes-for-2017

[jimclark]

Like I said, I hope we're working our way back to real racing. I keep praying (with not the greatest amount of hope for a total return)...

[Matt]

What is "real" racing, ye olde jimclark?

I'm guessing something prohibitively expensive and not viable in 2016.

[YZFrider]

Originally Posted by Matt

What is "real" racing, ye olde jimclark?

I'm guessing something prohibitively expensive and not viable in 2016.

Discussions of fairness of BoP, getting rid of BoP, and resurrection of ALMS rules and regulatons aside "real" racing like allow the cars to race as they qualify. If a GT car qualifies in the top 5 of the prototype ranks then that's where it will start. None of this fastest GT car starting behind all 10 prototypes even though it's faster than half the class. Something along those lines being a start...

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by YZFrider

Discussions of fairness of BoP, getting rid of BoP, and resurrection of ALMS rules and regulatons aside "real" racing like allow the cars to race as they qualify. If a GT car qualifies in the top 5 of the prototype ranks then that's where it will start. None of this fastest GT car starting behind all 10 prototypes even though it's faster than half the class. Something along those lines being a start...

....and establishing a set of rules, having the entrants chose their steeds and "train" (build and develop) them to their best; have them race without bar lowering adjustments (BoPs)to "equalize" the playing field; stop the incessant and prolonged BS "cautions" to make the race more "entertaining for a continuance....

[pach233]

Originally Posted by Matt

What is "real" racing, ye olde jimclark?

I'm guessing something prohibitively expensive and not viable in 2016.

I think you know what he means here. None of it has to do with costs and basically all could be implemented this year with a few simple changes to the technical regulations. Personally, I don't see much of a point in not splitting the field if you don't allow the cars to start in the order they qualified but I'm not losing sleep over it.

1. Sensible BoP especially in the GT classes. Slight adjustments after a baseline once or twice a year is less than ideal but acceptable. 10 BoP adjustments a year is ridiculous and makes the competition farcical. (looking at you also WEC) While you're at it, open up the performance box a little. Yes the cars can be somewhat even, but we don't have to regulate torque levels and such to make them absolutely the same.

2. Yellow flag/Safety car procedures that make sense and aren't designed to artificially bunch up the field. This means no "lap back" rule, and judicious use of FCY or "virtual Safety Cars" or other means which are now widely accepted around the world.

3. Pit stop rules that allow for differing strategies. There should be an advantage to being able to double or triple stint tires. As it stands, the only advantage is not having to warm the tires on the out lap. Doesn't have to be ACO/ALMS rules, but the current rules don't allow for strategic flexibility.

I'm sure there are others, but these three would make for something that would be a more "real racing" series as opposed to a motor racing show.

Sorry for the OT rant, I actually still am really looking forward to Daytona.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by YZFrider

Discussions of fairness of BoP, getting rid of BoP, and resurrection of ALMS rules and regulatons aside "real" racing like allow the cars to race as they qualify. If a GT car qualifies in the top 5 of the prototype ranks then that's where it will start. None of this fastest GT car starting behind all 10 prototypes even though it's faster than half the class. Something along those lines being a start...

Thank you. That's a great start.
I find it hopeless trying to explain what's been lost over the years in the name of "business" to those that ask.
Methinks those that haven't invested their passion into the sport as some have, cannot understand. It's not a fault, 'just a reality.

edit: pach233 - Agree with all except the BoP portion. Zip, nada, none in regard to BoP. Set of rules, build and develop your best. Period.

[fieldodreams79]

How bout that Rolex grid, huh? Looking pretty good....

[joeb]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

How bout that Rolex grid, huh? Looking pretty good....

Yes, cars will be at Daytona. Lots of good quality ones with good quality teams and drivers making them go.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by joeb

Yes, cars will be at Daytona. Lots of good quality ones with good quality teams and drivers making them go.

MORE IMPORTANTLY.

Many cheap beers will be drank.

[Maelochs]

One issue to mention ... all those changes made to “improve the show” because it would be good for business ... didn’t improve the show, and thus weren’t good for business.

It seems now the management has realized it had its head up its atherton, and is now actually listening to the fans and considering giving them some of what they want.

I can see BoP in GT classes ... how else can a Ferrari race a Corvette, an Aston, and Audi, a Lamborghini, a Mercedes, and maybe even a Bentley? The way to do BoP is to have The Series test the cars twice a year, post the BoP, and leave it until the second test.

In prototypes ... maybe a factor to equalize displacement for turbo and NA engines? Not needed now, though.

I think the free lap might be hard for them to let go off ... (even though it is pretty offensive when a car which lost a bunch of laps wins) I think the mantra “close finish” is pretty deeply ingrained.

Whatever. Either by accident or through increased intellect ... IMSA has actually improved the series each of the past three years. not a lot of times a sports car fan can say that seriously.

[Lanky Turtle]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

I think the free lap might be hard for them to let go off ... (even though it is pretty offensive when a car which lost a bunch of laps wins) I think the mantra “close finish” is pretty deeply ingrained.

Whatever. Either by accident or through increased intellect ... IMSA has actually improved the series each of the past three years. not a lot of times a sports car fan can say that seriously.

Yep it's a long process but the arrow of improvement points upwards I'd say.
And in regards to the free lap, if the leader doesn't pit during the caution, there is no wave around for the other cars in that class so that is always a strategic option for the leader.