IMSA IMSA : 2019

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by ATLFalconsFAN

Ha ha. Thanks, not feeling so sure about that after having pigged out too much last week.

Besides, I got a hot lap once at Sebring, it was a sobering experience. I always liked to think, "I'm a good driver, I could do what they do". After having a professional drive around that circuit at about 9/10ths and being terrified the whole time, yeah, I'm not cut out for that!

HA!

I get winded doing 13 laps on a go-kart track. So much so the visor gets fogged up!

Not bad for a fattie, eh?
Edit: not sure why is showing upside down, but I'm quick on a short stint, is the point
_

[Juntos]

Seems General Motors has millions to spend in crying-baby Alonso but can't avoid slashing more than 14,000 jobs. It doesn't look good to me.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Seems General Motors has millions to spend in crying-baby Alonso but can't avoid slashing more than 14,000 jobs. It doesn't look good to me.

I didn't know he was hired by GM (if hired at all...)...and 'don't know anybody in IMSA making "millions" (not even Roger, I bet...)...
Just for discussion, assuming it's so, what company, that even though downsizing, doesn't continue to advertise? If not, they'd be losing more revenue, thus having to downsize even more.
'Link to source and salary info for Ferdi please....thanks.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Seems General Motors has millions to spend in crying-baby Alonso but can't avoid slashing more than 14,000 jobs. It doesn't look good to me.

Plus most of the cuts are due to that plant not making a product anyone wants to buy so GM should keep them employed and building those models because??

And there's no way Alonso can demand millions for a couple appearances at best since he would likely only be able to do Daytona and Sebring.

[Victor_RO]

And Jordan Taylor with the irreverence straight away. https://twitter.com/jordan10taylor/s...14625615425536

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

And Jordan Taylor with the irreverence straight away. https://twitter.com/jordan10taylor/s...14625615425536

That did make me laugh a bit. I wonder if Alonso has seen it?

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I've met you. You look like you could do a triple stint.

But agreed. 5 drivers is a bit much with 4 even borderline for me.

Kudos to those who find any seat though!

I'm fine with 4 pro drivers. I think that the 5th driver should be an amateur.

[joeb]

Driver signings are beginning to trickle out. Will Owen will be aboard the Juncos Caddy.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/1...-campaign.html

[lemansnsx]

Interesting mention in the Sportscar365 article about Starworks returning to GTD about Core and Starworks looking into purchasing ESM's OnRoak Nissans but being unable to come to terms over the entrant fees with IMSA and Nissan. Nissan should take the $1,000,000 back from Ghosn and go racing.


https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/s...dalziel-chase/

[gsmith2424]

Originally Posted by lemansnsx

Interesting mention in the Sportscar365 article about Starworks returning to GTD about Core and Starworks looking into purchasing ESM's OnRoak Nissans but being unable to come to terms over the entrant fees with IMSA and Nissan. Nissan should take the $1,000,000 back from Ghosn and go racing.


https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/s...dalziel-chase/

It's crazy that IMSA wants that much just to enter a certain make of car. If they want to get more cars into the series (McLaren, Nissan both the GTD & DPi, Aston?, Callaway Vette) they need to drop the entrant fee. Since it's NASCAR/France family running the show it's highly unlikely.

[EffectiveSprinkles]

Originally Posted by lemansnsx

Interesting mention in the Sportscar365 article about Starworks returning to GTD about Core and Starworks looking into purchasing ESM's OnRoak Nissans but being unable to come to terms over the entrant fees with IMSA and Nissan. Nissan should take the $1,000,000 back from Ghosn and go racing.


https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/s...dalziel-chase/

Nissan have made it clear that they're not interested in running in IMSA. So that's not gonna happen.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

I'm fine with 4 pro drivers. I think that the 5th driver should be an amateur.

And what if he never got in the car? Anybody for that matter? A penalty? Something?
I haven't read the rules for years, but there's nothing that I remember stating that a listed driver MUST drive.

[seanyb505]

Originally Posted by fieldodreams79

I've met you. You look like you could do a triple stint.

But agreed. 5 drivers is a bit much with 4 even borderline for me.

Kudos to those who find any seat though!

I've seen other pics that indicate the car would look a little preowned after 3 of his stints.

[lemansnsx]

Originally Posted by jimclark

And what if he never got in the car? Anybody for that matter? A penalty? Something?
I haven't read the rules for years, but there's nothing that I remember stating that a listed driver MUST drive.

The drive time table for the Daytona 24H shows that the number of entered drivers and the number of drivers meeting the minimum drive time per driver must match.

[jimclark]

Originally Posted by lemansnsx

The drive time table for the Daytona 24H shows that the number of entered drivers and the number of drivers meeting the minimum drive time per driver must match.

Thanks. I think I get it; 'sure as heck ain't positive though.
I don't understand why when if you need your hotshoe pedaling extra stints due to circumstances but can't.... I know, I know....good ol' leveling of the playing field.
When did this start? I remember drivers switching to a team's sister car and even other teams (AJ from DNF'd AM Nimrod to Henn's 935 for the win, '83, for example); or just not used, even tho' officially entered as a driver. Legal at the time...

Got a link by chance? I'd like, to check it out. edit: never mind, I found this and even if not up to date, I git the gist...as I thought. https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/i...d-drive-times/

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

I've seen other pics that indicate the car would look a little preowned after 3 of his stints.

Ha! That just might be me after 1 stint. Car and body!

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by gsmith2424

It's crazy that IMSA wants that much just to enter a certain make of car. If they want to get more cars into the series (McLaren, Nissan both the GTD & DPi, Aston?, Callaway Vette) they need to drop the entrant fee. Since it's NASCAR/France family running the show it's highly unlikely.

I can somewhat understand the 'logic' behind the manufacturers fee but I'm not a fan of it either. However, the business model is currently proving to be successful, at least on a level where the series is sustainable - for the time being that is.

I wouldn't mind seeing the option for manufacturers to participate on a race-by-race base with the fee split in single race ones/partial season (with an obvious higher one for the enduros vs. lower for the sprint races), much like IMSA is now doing for the GTD sprint cup (If the seasonal manufacturers fee is $1M then Daytona or Sebring could be $150.000 or something).

None of this will bring Nissan back/in but it might convince others to give the series a try.

[skycafe]

I think one of the fee's purposes is for the full season commitment that IMSA can use for marketing. Huge drawback is that someone like Callaway probably can not Pay-to-Play. I may be wrong, but I think McLaren can afford, but haven't they had issues with gearbox reliability that would destroy their enduro chances?

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by skycafe

I think one of the fee's purposes is for the full season commitment that IMSA can use for marketing. Huge drawback is that someone like Callaway probably can not Pay-to-Play. I may be wrong, but I think McLaren can afford, but haven't they had issues with gearbox reliability that would destroy their enduro chances?

One would expect less issues with the introduction of the new GT3 car. Sounds like McLaren will make its entrance in the GTD Sprint cup starting at Mid-O.

[Nick Woodbury]

Madison Snow really got the shaft here by IMSA

"Racing has become as much about politics as the team and drivers getting the car to the finish line every weekend.

“After a lot of broken promises and false hopes on the path to next year, when it became final that Bryan and I wouldn’t be able to defend our championship together due to my upgrade in IMSA driver rankings, I finalized my decision that I didn’t want to continue in IMSA.


https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/s...-EWBtKp8gUsDPc

[broadrun96]

Well it seems IMSA hasn't responded well to PMR's request to return Madison to Silver and it doesn't seem like WC is their path either as he had parted ways with Paul Miller according to Racer this morning. It sounds like his comments are he's let the team and Sellers will remain and they are working on an IMSA plan with a new silver driver.

https://racer.com/2018/11/30/paul-mi...its-with-snow/

[seanyb505]

His performance was rewarded with a championship as well recognition of his abilities. What else are you shooting for as a racing driver?

The recognition took the form of upgraded driver ranking. I'm finding it hard to have sympathy that a good driver is being recognized as such.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Nick Woodbury

Madison Snow really got the shaft here by IMSA

"Racing has become as much about politics as the team and drivers getting the car to the finish line every weekend.

“After a lot of broken promises and false hopes on the path to next year, when it became final that Bryan and I wouldn’t be able to defend our championship together due to my upgrade in IMSA driver rankings, I finalized my decision that I didn’t want to continue in IMSA.


https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/s...-EWBtKp8gUsDPc

I did not expect him to quit racing over a driver ranking. Tough decision to make for Madison I'm sure. Does anybody know what the family business is that he is referring to here? Maybe in a few years he'll drop down the rankings and return to driving.

[WolfsburgRS]

Originally Posted by seanyb505

His performance was rewarded with a championship as well recognition of his abilities. What else are you shooting for as a racing driver?

The recognition took the form of upgraded driver ranking. I'm finding it hard to have sympathy that a good driver is being recognized as such.

Because he is an well-monied amateur who has a real job, but this is his hobby. He's fast yes, but just because you're paying it doesn't mean you have to be slow. He / his family has spent millions to race, and since they can't continue to do so in the way that they want, they're taking their money and doing something else with it. GTLM would have been the place to play with a pro/pro line up but the cost is so high it's not feasible even for a well-off family like the Snows.



He's not a pro driver and according to those who would know (marshall pruett) , isn't interested in it either. IMSA and sportscar racing's loss IMO.

[MaskedRacer]

In what other sport is a "promotion" hurting you career? Sportscar racing is the answer.

Still I think Madison is not handling it very well. I liked the Blancpain GT idea, why did he change is mind? Maybe media reaction scared him? He might be reading us for all we know.

My hope for Bryan Sellers is that perhaps Paul Miller racing can get funding for sprint cup program at least. If they can't get a full season then maybe Bryan can get on with Grasser or Magnus for Daytona and Sebring