2018 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship Season Discussion
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Hey, where'd everybody go? It's race weekend at Mid-Ohio and we've got a lot to catch up on.
Practice #1 was earlier tody and Penske seems to have the car set up well for this track as they finished 1-2 on the time sheets. (I've attached the official results below)
As you can see Mazda is pretty far off pace in terms of lap time and max mph but it's just the first practice and Joest is known for tinkering with setups during practice sessions so I'm not too worried. (yet)
Another race, another set of BoP changes. It seems IMSA is really trying to level the playing field between DPi and LMP2 cars.
Here's the changes to the Mazda's
link to all the changes made: BOP Changes for Mid Ohio
Anyone want to buy a championship winning racecar? Wayne Taylor Lists Cadillac DPi-V.R For Sale | GM Authority
Practice #1 was earlier tody and Penske seems to have the car set up well for this track as they finished 1-2 on the time sheets. (I've attached the official results below)
As you can see Mazda is pretty far off pace in terms of lap time and max mph but it's just the first practice and Joest is known for tinkering with setups during practice sessions so I'm not too worried. (yet)
Another race, another set of BoP changes. It seems IMSA is really trying to level the playing field between DPi and LMP2 cars.
Here's the changes to the Mazda's
The same is true for Mazda with its single-turbo four-cylinder engine, which lost boost in the same upper rev range for the same desired drop in power and speed, and will have 71.0 liters of fuel capacity to work from.
Anyone want to buy a championship winning racecar? Wayne Taylor Lists Cadillac DPi-V.R For Sale | GM Authority
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Figured this deserved it's own post.
IMSA Moves to NBC Sports in New Six-Year TV Deal
NBC Sports will be the new home of IMSA beginning in 2019, as part of a six-year exclusive deal that will see coverage of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Tire SportsCar Challenge and Prototype Challenge presented by Mazda across its family of networks.
The new agreement, announced Monday, sees the network take over from FOX Sports, which had broadcast the WeatherTech Championship since its inception, and prior to that, both Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series via SPEED Channel.
NBC Sports’ enhanced media rights partnership with IMSA includes close to a 50 percent increase in network coverage of the WeatherTech Championship.
Three races will be broadcast on NBC and there will be more than 45 hours of WeatherTech Championship action televised on the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) during the season, as well as additional coverage across broader NBC distribution platforms.
The NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com will offer flag-to-flag live streaming of every WeatherTech Championship race to authenticated subscribers.
“The resonance and gravity of this new partnership with the NBC Sports Group for IMSA fans and our stakeholders cannot be overstated,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett.
“This agreement is the culmination of a comprehensive process to align ourselves with a media rights partner that will capitalize on the tremendous momentum IMSA and the WeatherTech Championship are enjoying and will help our sport reach new heights.
“Without question, NBC Sports Group ‘gets’ motorsports and our unique product. We could not be prouder to call NBC Sports our partner.”
NBC Sports Group is the home of motorsports in the U.S., with this agreement adding to its extensive portfolio of auto racing that includes NASCAR and IndyCar, which most recently announced a new exclusive expanded deal.
“As the U.S. home of motorsports, we are excited to present IMSA’s high-quality and diverse racing circuit to our abundance of racing fans,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBCSN.
“By utilizing our wide-array of broadcast, cable, and digital platforms, we can service IMSA and motorsports fans with more coverage and in more ways than ever before.”
that's a pretty big move for IMSA and I think a big win for NBC as they continue to add to their motorsports coverage here in the US.
Plus, as much as I prefered Fox Sports to Speed Channel or Velocoity or whatever it was called, it has been extremely disappointing the way they cover certain races in that they change channels mid race and many people don't get fox sports 2 so they can't watch the whole thing.
Going with NBC should be a better experience for fans of the series.
IMSA Moves to NBC Sports in New Six-Year TV Deal
NBC Sports will be the new home of IMSA beginning in 2019, as part of a six-year exclusive deal that will see coverage of the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Michelin Tire SportsCar Challenge and Prototype Challenge presented by Mazda across its family of networks.
The new agreement, announced Monday, sees the network take over from FOX Sports, which had broadcast the WeatherTech Championship since its inception, and prior to that, both Grand-Am and American Le Mans Series via SPEED Channel.
NBC Sports’ enhanced media rights partnership with IMSA includes close to a 50 percent increase in network coverage of the WeatherTech Championship.
Three races will be broadcast on NBC and there will be more than 45 hours of WeatherTech Championship action televised on the NBC Sports Network (NBCSN) during the season, as well as additional coverage across broader NBC distribution platforms.
The NBC Sports App and NBCSports.com will offer flag-to-flag live streaming of every WeatherTech Championship race to authenticated subscribers.
“The resonance and gravity of this new partnership with the NBC Sports Group for IMSA fans and our stakeholders cannot be overstated,” said IMSA CEO Ed Bennett.
“This agreement is the culmination of a comprehensive process to align ourselves with a media rights partner that will capitalize on the tremendous momentum IMSA and the WeatherTech Championship are enjoying and will help our sport reach new heights.
“Without question, NBC Sports Group ‘gets’ motorsports and our unique product. We could not be prouder to call NBC Sports our partner.”
NBC Sports Group is the home of motorsports in the U.S., with this agreement adding to its extensive portfolio of auto racing that includes NASCAR and IndyCar, which most recently announced a new exclusive expanded deal.
“As the U.S. home of motorsports, we are excited to present IMSA’s high-quality and diverse racing circuit to our abundance of racing fans,” said Jon Miller, President, Programming, NBC Sports and NBCSN.
“By utilizing our wide-array of broadcast, cable, and digital platforms, we can service IMSA and motorsports fans with more coverage and in more ways than ever before.”
that's a pretty big move for IMSA and I think a big win for NBC as they continue to add to their motorsports coverage here in the US.
Plus, as much as I prefered Fox Sports to Speed Channel or Velocoity or whatever it was called, it has been extremely disappointing the way they cover certain races in that they change channels mid race and many people don't get fox sports 2 so they can't watch the whole thing.
Going with NBC should be a better experience for fans of the series.
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Practice #2 is in the books after having to start late due to rain and having the session Red Flagged after torrential downpour.
Acura again finishes 1-2
Mazda in 5th place with the #77 car.
Final practice is set for tomorrow morning and then qualifying in the afternoon
Acura again finishes 1-2
Mazda in 5th place with the #77 car.
Final practice is set for tomorrow morning and then qualifying in the afternoon
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Practice #3 is in the book and Acura comes in 1-2 AGAIN! dang those guys really do have their cars dialed in this weekend and they'll be tough to beat.
Good news though, Bomarito was 3rd fastest this morning! (quite a bit off the Acura pace but so was everyone else)
Good news though, Bomarito was 3rd fastest this morning! (quite a bit off the Acura pace but so was everyone else)
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Qualifying is done and (SHOCKER), Acura takes the top 2 spots!
Although, look who locked down the next 2 positions in qualifying: Mazda Team Joest!
As you can see below Mazda keeps finding speed and closing the gap with every practice session and qualifying was no exception.
Practice 1
Practice 2 (lots of rain)
Practice 3
Qualifying
Although, look who locked down the next 2 positions in qualifying: Mazda Team Joest!
As you can see below Mazda keeps finding speed and closing the gap with every practice session and qualifying was no exception.
Practice 1
- #55 - Time: 1.15.293, 107.961 mph, +1.692 behind the leader's time
- #77 - Time: 1.16.580, 106.147 mph, +2.979 behind the leader's time
Practice 2 (lots of rain)
- #77 - Time: 1.36.867, 82.375 mph, (+1.812 )
- #55 - Time: 1.43.200, 78.767 mph, (+6.333)
Practice 3
- #55 - Time: 1.13.767, 110.195 mph, (+1.092)
- #77 - Time: 1:14.014, 109.827mph, (+1.339)
Qualifying
- Acura #7 - Time: 1.11.837, 113.115 mph
- Acura #6 - Time: 1:11.984, 112.924 mph, (+0.147)
- Mazda #77 - Time: 1.12.339, 112.370 mph, (+.502)
- Mazda #55 - Time: 1:12.596, 111.972 mph, (+.759)
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been a hell of a race thus far with Acura and Mazda showing great speed!
I was about to post how well the Mazdas were holding up and right as I reached for the laptop, the #55 goes behind the wall with some kind of suspension issue. damn.
Nunez in the #77 currently in 3rd trying to reel in the Acuras but there's a TON of traffic and these damn cars aren't letting cars on the lead lap pass.
I was about to post how well the Mazdas were holding up and right as I reached for the laptop, the #55 goes behind the wall with some kind of suspension issue. damn.
Nunez in the #77 currently in 3rd trying to reel in the Acuras but there's a TON of traffic and these damn cars aren't letting cars on the lead lap pass.
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#55 completed 6 laps before the driveshaft broke.
#77 finished 1 lap back in 9th place.
https://jalopnik.com/action-express-...ory-1826510623
BC.
#77 finished 1 lap back in 9th place.
https://jalopnik.com/action-express-...ory-1826510623
BC.
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sorry guys, I've been travelling a lot lately and haven't had a chance to post many updates but race weekend is upon us again!
6 hours of the Glenn is always an interesting race and I'm looking forward to seeing how the cars perform, especially given that they're expecting near triple digit heat.
This will mean a lot of the teams will single stint their drivers and will have an impact on overall race strategies.
6 hours of the Glenn is always an interesting race and I'm looking forward to seeing how the cars perform, especially given that they're expecting near triple digit heat.
This will mean a lot of the teams will single stint their drivers and will have an impact on overall race strategies.
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Practice 1 is in the books and looks like Acura is still the fastest car out there.
almost a 1 second difference between them
I'm sure once we get a few more practice sessions done, we'll start to see teams closing the gap
Dane Cameron and Acura Team Penske led the way in opening practice for Sunday’s Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen.
Cameron reeled off a best lap of 1:33.562 in the No. 6 Acura ARX-05 in the 60-minute IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship session, outpacing the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R of Jordan Taylor by 0.914 seconds.
Cameron reeled off a best lap of 1:33.562 in the No. 6 Acura ARX-05 in the 60-minute IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship session, outpacing the No. 10 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac DPi-V.R of Jordan Taylor by 0.914 seconds.
I'm sure once we get a few more practice sessions done, we'll start to see teams closing the gap
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77 had a bad crash in P3.
Contact with the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R of Patrick Lindsey sent Rast into the dramatic crash at the exit of the Esses.
It was one of two red flags during the session, the first for the No. 55 Mazda DPi of Harry Tincknell, who briefly stopped on track before rejoining.
It was one of two red flags during the session, the first for the No. 55 Mazda DPi of Harry Tincknell, who briefly stopped on track before rejoining.
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Oh dang. Looks like Team Joest is going to pull an all nighter but they're expecting to race the #77 tomorrow.
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/n...tice-accident/
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/n...tice-accident/
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From the video, I think Rast got back on line too soon and assumed he had already cleared the Porsche. This type of contact has also happened many times in WEC, the prototypes have horrible rear visibility or the drivers underestimate how fast the GT cars are. The RT24P has a rear camera, so a lapse in judgement is all I can think of.
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Not if you were a fan of the Oreca LMP2 cars, coming in 1 and 2.
#54 stealing second place on the last corner from the #6 Acura.
At least this year isn't Cadillac walking away with every single race.
Also, last year, the Mazda had a podium finish in this race, and I wondered what was wrong with their race team, and wondered what it would take for there to be a change made for Mazda racing. A couple weeks later, and that change was announced, and now we have an even bigger mess than we did last year.
Who knew that bringing in a big name racing team would lead to even worse performance than what we had last year?
Maybe its time Mazda throws in the towel on this 4 cylinder race engine, and either builds a competitive V-6 or V-8 engine, or brings the rotary back into racing.
BC.
#54 stealing second place on the last corner from the #6 Acura.
At least this year isn't Cadillac walking away with every single race.
Also, last year, the Mazda had a podium finish in this race, and I wondered what was wrong with their race team, and wondered what it would take for there to be a change made for Mazda racing. A couple weeks later, and that change was announced, and now we have an even bigger mess than we did last year.
Who knew that bringing in a big name racing team would lead to even worse performance than what we had last year?
Maybe its time Mazda throws in the towel on this 4 cylinder race engine, and either builds a competitive V-6 or V-8 engine, or brings the rotary back into racing.
BC.
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Not if you were a fan of the Oreca LMP2 cars, coming in 1 and 2.
#54 stealing second place on the last corner from the #6 Acura.
At least this year isn't Cadillac walking away with every single race.
Also, last year, the Mazda had a podium finish in this race, and I wondered what was wrong with their race team, and wondered what it would take for there to be a change made for Mazda racing. A couple weeks later, and that change was announced, and now we have an even bigger mess than we did last year.
Who knew that bringing in a big name racing team would lead to even worse performance than what we had last year?
Maybe its time Mazda throws in the towel on this 4 cylinder race engine, and either builds a competitive V-6 or V-8 engine, or brings the rotary back into racing.
BC.
#54 stealing second place on the last corner from the #6 Acura.
At least this year isn't Cadillac walking away with every single race.
Also, last year, the Mazda had a podium finish in this race, and I wondered what was wrong with their race team, and wondered what it would take for there to be a change made for Mazda racing. A couple weeks later, and that change was announced, and now we have an even bigger mess than we did last year.
Who knew that bringing in a big name racing team would lead to even worse performance than what we had last year?
Maybe its time Mazda throws in the towel on this 4 cylinder race engine, and either builds a competitive V-6 or V-8 engine, or brings the rotary back into racing.
BC.
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Are we talking a bump up in displacement (2.2 to 2.5 still in an I-4 arrangement), are are we talking a different cylinder count?
Again, just like last year, you can't just keep doing the same thing, and hoping for a different set of results. The competition has completely left them behind in all metrics.
BC.
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I'm going to guess the engine is getting a bump to 2.5L because the 6 now has one with a turbo. Gotta match the product for marketing.
Or they could ask Toyota/Nissan for one of the GT500 engines, they're 2.0L-turbos and seem to make over 600hp reliably.
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How much extra hp can Mazda expect from an extra 500cc of displacement?
Or is it more for reliability over power?
I also wonder if they will bring back the SkyActiv branding on the race cars?
I thought it looked cool on the giant fin.
BC.
Or is it more for reliability over power?
I also wonder if they will bring back the SkyActiv branding on the race cars?
I thought it looked cool on the giant fin.
BC.