IMSA 2023 IMSA Season

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

Proton after all?


https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...Xjav49NwX1x6tM

Maybe? Sounds like they will get a car but possibly not for IMSA. Also in the article it mentions that the customer cars may not be ready for Daytona or Sebring. Ouch.

[Coach Ep]

If only allocated 1 car it might be advantage WEC entry over an IMSA one (which might the case already as far as we know)?

Edit: keep in mind WEC has stricter requirements for drivers to compete in the top class than IMSA - Keating who's a bronze rated driver has already participated in the current DPi class and one has to expect that to continue to being possible in the new GTP class as well. Bronze rated drivers in Hypercar for WEC and Le Mans is probably a bit more of a stretch. That could swing the decision for a privateer squad with a gentleman sponsor towards IMSA (Weathertech's Cooper MacNeil for instance).

[Simmi]

If you combine the DSC and S365 reporting then it leads you to believe that Proton will get the other WEC car and then another unnamed European team are in line for the second IMSA one.

Let's see how it plays out.

I think like a few people have said it kinda makes sense for Porsche to widen out that customer base initially and get four different teams on their books.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Simmi

If you combine the DSC and S365 reporting then it leads you to believe that Proton will get the other WEC car and then another unnamed European team are in line for the second IMSA one.

Let's see how it plays out.

I think like a few people have said it kinda makes sense for Porsche to widen out that customer base initially and get four different teams on their books.

I'm at a loss as to who the European team could be. I was thinking on terms of prototype teams, but I suppose it could just as easily be a GT team.

[Coach Ep]

I've been surprised a few times already by this whole Porsche for Privateers movement so find it best to refrain from any more speculation.


On that note how about Vector?

[Mike E]

European teams with a foot in the IMSA paddock, besides Proton?

United Autosports
Racing Team Nederland
Algarve Pro Racing
High Class Racing
Inception Racing

A Jumbo Porsche would look cool, on the track and on a shelf.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

If only allocated 1 car it might be advantage WEC entry over an IMSA one (which might the case already as far as we know)?

Edit: keep in mind WEC has stricter requirements for drivers to compete in the top class than IMSA - Keating who's a bronze rated driver has already participated in the current DPi class and one has to expect that to continue to being possible in the new GTP class as well. Bronze rated drivers in Hypercar for WEC and Le Mans is probably a bit more of a stretch. That could swing the decision for a privateer squad with a gentleman sponsor towards IMSA (Weathertech's Cooper MacNeil for instance).

I had forgotten about that guy and his Porsche collection, would assume he would want a 963 to round it out and he would have a better chance higher up the grid in IMSA than WEC most likely with minimum drive for DPi being one stint effectively (30 min) to score points.

And Pfaff keeping a plaid 963 on the radar, would be an interesting livery on it

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/p...adar-for-2024/

[broadrun96]

Well for the 6 people who asked, LMP3 and GT4 will race together in sprint races with single Bronze or Silver driver instead of the LMP3 Challenge series.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/imsa-c...enge-for-2023/

[Mike E]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Well for the 6 people who asked, LMP3 and GT4 will race together in sprint races with single Bronze or Silver driver instead of the LMP3 Challenge series.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/imsa-c...enge-for-2023/

'We're gonna need a bigger safety car'

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Well for the 6 people who asked, LMP3 and GT4 will race together in sprint races with single Bronze or Silver driver instead of the LMP3 Challenge series.

https://sportscar365.com/imsa/imsa-c...enge-for-2023/

Is this going to siphon any cars from MPC? Or world challenge? I guess running costs will be lower with no pit stops, and the am gets all the seat time, just not sure what the market is for this.

That being said, I'm glad imsa is doing something because the P3 cars have never really taken off in their own series. There should be 30 or 40 cars on the grid in this class but they've never gotten anywhere close.

sent during haircut

[joeb]

Has there been an announcement on Action Express for next season? I was under the impression that Ganassi has the Caddy lmdh covered, and jdc already switched to Porsche for 23, so where does that leave the 31?

sent during haircut

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by joeb

Has there been an announcement on Action Express for next season?

AXR will be there. They were part of Cadi's initial announcement. Gary Nelson has even said they hope to race at Le Mans next year - https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/...ender/6652931/

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by joeb

Is this going to siphon any cars from MPC? Or world challenge? I guess running costs will be lower with no pit stops, and the am gets all the seat time, just not sure what the market is for this.

That being said, I'm glad imsa is doing something because the P3 cars have never really taken off in their own series. There should be 30 or 40 cars on the grid in this class but they've never gotten anywhere close.

sent during haircut

It replaces MP(rototype)C and would likely reuse some cars from MP(ilot)C. IMSA has at least been reasonably good at asking the teams for input and I'm assuming there is some interest in more seat time for GT4 guys. Now selling an LMP3 ride to one guy over 2 could be a sticking point but there were a few P3 guys who already ran MPC solo anyway. I wonder about teams in WC coming over but some of the previous Pilot Challenge teams are running the WC TCX I think it is with MX-5, Minis and M2s. IMSA kinda screwed themselves there with making only GT4/TCR eligible.

P3 cars seem to have sold about as well to club racers as the pro series teams. There are at least 10 who run in HSR off and on, and 5 or 6 in SVRA including the fan favorite Ave-Riley car at times.

[Racing Harz]

Originally Posted by Simmi

AXR will be there. They were part of Cadi's initial announcement. Gary Nelson has even said they hope to race at Le Mans next year - https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/...ender/6652931/

One Full season car and the #48 in the Endurance Cup, likely in Sebring, WGI and PLM.
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/n...-for-rolex-24/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Simmi

AXR will be there. They were part of Cadi's initial announcement. Gary Nelson has even said they hope to race at Le Mans next year - https://www.autosport.com/imsa/news/...ender/6652931/

Originally Posted by Racing Harz

One Full season car and the #48 in the Endurance Cup, likely in Sebring, WGI and PLM.
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/n...-for-rolex-24/

Thanks for the info, somehow all i could remember was the Ganassi cars.

Also good to see that Caddy is making enough cars to supply current interest and hopefully will have others available for sale in years following.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

It replaces MP(rototype)C and would likely reuse some cars from MP(ilot)C. IMSA has at least been reasonably good at asking the teams for input and I'm assuming there is some interest in more seat time for GT4 guys. Now selling an LMP3 ride to one guy over 2 could be a sticking point but there were a few P3 guys who already ran MPC solo anyway. I wonder about teams in WC coming over but some of the previous Pilot Challenge teams are running the WC TCX I think it is with MX-5, Minis and M2s. IMSA kinda screwed themselves there with making only GT4/TCR eligible.

P3 cars seem to have sold about as well to club racers as the pro series teams. There are at least 10 who run in HSR off and on, and 5 or 6 in SVRA including the fan favorite Ave-Riley car at times.

Sounds like they have interest, but some teams are wondering how they could train in this series to step up if they don't do pit stops.

https://racer.com/2022/07/05/insight...p3-gt4-series/

[Coach Ep]

How many chassis do you intend to build for the programme?
“It will be depend on what could happen. But we think from eight to 12.”
Are there any plans to race more than two cars anywhere?
“For the time being the framework of our programme is for just two cars.
“But, if we have the opportunity to register one more, it’s open. For the time being our framework, and our budget, is a programme of two cars.”
There was talk about the potential for this car in future years perhaps being used by other Stellantis brands either in the FIA WEC or in IMSA. Is that still a possibility?
“It is still a possibility. For the time being, nothing is scheduled. But it’s still open and we could have the opportunity to engage with several brands in Championships. So we have to match with the needs of the brands in terms of marketing and communications, which markets.
“But it’s still open as we think that these regulation will have a long life.
“It won’t be next year. But as we have 14 brands. I think we could have many opportunities.”
Talking about the Peugeot, not a brand that’s in the United States at the moment, but they do have some very big races with some very big audiences worldwide. Is there any appeal at all in doing a one-off for let’s say, a Rolex 24 in the future?
“It could be considered, it would be a way to get more experience and also for marketing, communications and with visibility. Nothing is decided, nothing is scheduled. But it’s open and maybe in a year’s time we could participate in one of these famous races.”

from https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...arc-finot.html


Lots of If's and Buts but it sounds like the door to potential future IMSA participation is certainly not closed.

[Simmi]

I guess it's hard for them to make too many decisions without knowing where the initial performance of the car is. I think if it comes out of the box well in these next three races then things can begin to happen a lot quicker.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

from https://www.dailysportscar.com/2022/...arc-finot.html


Lots of If's and Buts but it sounds like the door to potential future IMSA participation is certainly not closed.

8-12 chassis seems like a lot for a stated 2 car program.

[Coach Ep]

2-3 new chassis each year for the next 4 I guess.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Coach Ep

2-3 new chassis each year for the next 4 I guess.

I suppose this is a way big manufacturers find ways to spend extra money in a format designed to reduce costs.

[broadrun96]

It does seem like an inordinate number of chassis for a 2 car program with homologation of the chassis not allowing updates at each race.

[broadrun96]

Intrigue from Mr MP this afternoon and the picture (and dear God that livery would be SPECTACULAR) is important



Foyt can't get the money to field their best placed Indy car in Toronto but have 10 million to run a 963?? Wouldn't be against it at all and come on you have to use the Copenhagen base livery, but do they have the money?

[Simmi]

Pretty surprising one!

Full article here - https://racer.com/2022/07/13/pruett-...customer-team/

[joeb]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Intrigue from Mr MP this afternoon and the picture (and dear God that livery would be SPECTACULAR) is important



Foyt can't get the money to field their best placed Indy car in Toronto but have 10 million to run a 963?? Wouldn't be against it at all and come on you have to use the Copenhagen base livery, but do they have the money?

The Foyt Team and Hildebrand have connections to many sponsors, and if you were trying to sell a program to run a Porsche or run a Chevy which one do you think is an easier sell?

To me this doesn't sound like it's a 100% done deal because it needs that sponsorship money up front, but that money is certainly not coming from a tobacco company!

sent during haircut