2014 SCCA World Challenge

[Mike Hedlund]

Originally Posted by Accident

I'm not looking forward to the splitting of the classes, and I'm kinda surprised so many people seem to be, since so many people insist that the multi-class aspect is one of the great things about sportscar racing.

I'm with you. I think I'm in the minority in that I also don't want any split races. I'd prefer they just increase the driver standards (in both classes). There's a few people that just really shouldn't be out there. Not because they're slow, but they just don't pay attention and are generally a menace to anyone around them.

-mike

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Mike Hedlund

I'm with you. I think I'm in the minority in that I also don't want any split races. I'd prefer they just increase the driver standards (in both classes). There's a few people that just really shouldn't be out there. Not because they're slow, but they just don't pay attention and are generally a menace to anyone around them.

-mike

A couple of the faster guys are in that list, also imo.

[Rodger Davies]

Originally Posted by Accident

I'm not looking forward to the splitting of the classes, and I'm kinda surprised so many people seem to be, since so many people insist that the multi-class aspect is one of the great things about sportscar racing.

Completely agree with you there; one of the reasons I've been finding PWC interesting is that it has the true multi-class system that the top European GT series are lacking. British GT has a good GT4 class this year and, as a spectator, I couldn't be happier about that. Also, the first BES season had several GT4 cars and was the best GT racing I'd seen for years.

Both Blancpain and GT Masters are great series, but that's the one thing they lack, in my opinion.

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

Completely agree with you there; one of the reasons I've been finding PWC interesting is that it has the true multi-class system that the top European GT series are lacking. British GT has a good GT4 class this year and, as a spectator, I couldn't be happier about that. Also, the first BES season had several GT4 cars and was the best GT racing I'd seen for years.

Both Blancpain and GT Masters are great series, but that's the one thing they lack, in my opinion.

The wealth of diversity for the GT cars eliminates that need though. I for one don't think multiple GT classes are needed at all at a race for that reason. Sometimes I like I prefered it when GTLM in TUSC ran without GTD in fact.

[Maelochs]

Much as I'd like to see PWC run longer events, I think it might be too big a step too soon for a series which has only achieved a measure of popularity in the last couple seasons, and which could easily be pushed back into the shadows if TUSC gets itself together.

On the other hand, if enough of the wealthy teams wanted to do one big race, that could be a boost promotionally. I wonder if the series officials are thinking about capitalizing on the hole left by the demise of ALMS and hoping to move mainstream as a headlining series n time?

[Christian Mogami]

I don't want to see them to do long races but would like to see two sprint races in a weekend Sat(2hrs event) and Sun(1hr event).

[Maelochs]

Problem is pit stops. Even with a two-hour race you are into a crew, tire-changing gear, fuel rigs, safety personnel ...

I like your idea but once you go beyond one tank of fuel you really raise the cost.

[TRspitfirefan]

It would be cool to see a GT3 endurance race here in America, (Elkhart Lake please. ) But I'm happy with the current sprint format that the PWC uses.
Two GT/GTS plus two TC/TCA/TCB events, totaled nearly four hours of on track action, plus several practice/Qualifying sessions.
Separating the GT and GTS races would add an additional hour and forty minutes, however personally I prefer the current multi class format.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

Problem is pit stops. Even with a two-hour race you are into a crew, tire-changing gear, fuel rigs, safety personnel ...

I like your idea but once you go beyond one tank of fuel you really raise the cost.

Well, I guess they could use a ridiculously long mandatory stop to ensure that all the pitwork can be done without having to rush it or a big need for manpower.

That's what was done in the original GT3 series and is still done in ADAC GT-Masters, only that there is no pitwork to be done and it's a 60 second stop for the driver change. The idea is very similar, though.

[jasonjessica09]

Originally Posted by TRspitfirefan

It would be cool to see a GT3 endurance race here in America, (Elkhart Lake please. ) But I'm happy with the current sprint format that the PWC uses.
Two GT/GTS plus two TC/TCA/TCB events, totaled nearly four hours of on track action, plus several practice/Qualifying sessions.
Separating the GT and GTS races would add an additional hour and forty minutes, however personally I prefer the current multi class format.

I agree the two 50 minute races works just fine. Hopefully it will be GT3's only next year. I don't favor PWC going endurance and abandoning what works for them because I think is a matter of "when" not "if" TUSC adopts full GT3 for the GTD category. If IMSA does not do it in 2015 it will be no later than 2016. Then PWC will need this sprint format to help keep their customers/teams.

[Hendrix]

I think even if TUSC did go full GT3 there would still be a market for WC enduros as the prospect of overall victory is a tempting one (not to mention actually getting some attention from TV cameras).

If they are serious about adding one though I think the Road America round would be a good time to try it. Presuming they will once again support the Nationwide series they would be able to run a sprint race prior to the Nationwide race and have Sunday all to themselves for the enduro, this would also be a good time to see if they can draw a headlining crowd.

That being said, I really hope the series doesn't move too fast, the fan base may be growing, but there is no guarantee that it will continue doing so, especially if they change the product too much from its current state.

[PointDSM]

TUSC won't go GT3, simply they won't (too many priorities, contracts, teams, etc.)

I raised the question to RA about the Optima Shootout being on Sunday of the NA/PWC weekend. Optima actually pays quite a bit to have the track (without much support), so PWC would need to make a big draw. I think a 12 hour GT3 race with 50 cars would suffice....

[broadrun96]

I doubt you could find 50 GT3 capable teams that would do an enduro outside of a season long championship. Mike has already pointed out how insanely expensive adding pit stop equipment to PWC race teams, sounded to me like he felt it was beyond impractical and definitely outside the reach of most of the teams.

[rich07]

I don't get why people want to add on LMPs or turn the series into an endurance series. The series is awesome as it is and can only get stronger from here in its current format.

It needs a few tweaks here and there but beyond that let's not spoil a good thing.

[airbusA346]

Don't think this has been mentioned...

Nick Tandy is to drive for Effort Racing at Toronto.

http://nasportscar.com/tandy-in-at-e...g-for-toronto/

[NaBUru38]

Nick Tandy! Great news!

A longer race should be non-points, I agree.

[TRspitfirefan]

Originally Posted by airbusA346

Don't think this has been mentioned...

Nick Tandy is to drive for Effort Racing at Toronto.

http://nasportscar.com/tandy-in-at-e...g-for-toronto/

Will Tim Bergmeister be back in the car after Toronto?

[PointDSM]

Originally Posted by rich07

I don't get why people want to add on LMPs or turn the series into an endurance series. The series is awesome as it is and can only get stronger from here in its current format.

It needs a few tweaks here and there but beyond that let's not spoil a good thing.

I don't think anybody wants the series to add LMP's or endurance races anymore. What they do want is the series to sanction 1-2 key endurance races in North America.

12 Hours of Road America with a 40 car GT (or 80 car GT/GTS) field would be insane!

[Accident]

I doubt the GTS cars would be involved in an endurance race, especially if it was a longer one. I don't think many of the cars were built with running anywhere near that long in mind.

[ttdriver2009]

When I was at Watkins Glen, one of the guys from SRT told me that they were delivering a new Viper at the Toronto PWC race.

[nasportscar]

Originally Posted by TRspitfirefan

Will Tim Bergmeister be back in the car after Toronto?

That's TBD - depends on scheduling conflicts, etc

[nasportscar]

Originally Posted by ttdriver2009

When I was at Watkins Glen, one of the guys from SRT told me that they were delivering a new Viper at the Toronto PWC race.

Yes - #92 to be raced in GT with the driver TBD (but all signs point to Wittmer)

[Rodger Davies]

Great news, really hope for SRT that their GT3 programme can take off, glad to see them stick with it.

[rwintle]

Originally Posted by nasportscar

Yes - #92 to be raced in GT with the driver TBD (but all signs point to Wittmer)

Racer's reporting today that it will in fact be Kuno Wittmer:
http://www.racer.com/pwc/item/105492...-double-header

[TF110]

Hell yeah! http://www.world-challenge.com/news/...bleheader.html