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Official 2013 Grand Am season Discussion

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Old 07-30-2013, 03:03 PM
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RIWWP: If I'm reading Al's last post correctly
GX goes into GT, GT will get faster and become GTD? Do you think they can squeeze that kind of power / speed out of the 6 to keep up? I have a difficult time imagining that turbo diesel keeping up with Ferrari and Porsche if they let those boys run wild. (they're already grenading motors like crazy)

GX class was a good idea on paper but has turned into a complete joke.
Gotta give Tremblay and crew credit for always saying the right things and being professionals but you gotta think deep down they regret this move.

So what about next year?
you think SpeedSource runs the 6 in GTD, tries to jump to P2 (is Sahlens staying in that class?) or they bow out for a year to rethink their strategy?
Old 07-30-2013, 03:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
GX is too slow to run with GT especially if they want the GT's going even faster.
I can't envision a scenario where Mazda runs in this series next year unless SS jumps up to P2 ??? (with what engine?)

this has gotta suck for SpeedSource, I"m sure they expected more cars to run in GX to make this competitive but to be in a 3 dog race every event and then have your class eliminated a year later? ouch.

You guys think they'll stick around?
I tried, I really did. Decided to watch the race last night and lost interest about 30 minutes in. I think I'll watch the race at Laguna Seca but other then that I'm done.
No I think Mazda will pull their support for the 6. Do they still sponsor a LMP2 car?

I've farther gone than you. I've taken the auto-record for the GA series out of my DVR. I think I haven't even watch any of the last 2 races.
Old 07-30-2013, 03:16 PM
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Originally Posted by alnielsen
No I think Mazda will pull their support for the 6. Do they still sponsor a LMP2 car?

I've farther gone than you. I've taken the auto-record for the GA series out of my DVR. I think I haven't even watch any of the last 2 races.
Maybe the rx8 will return to GA

and the easter bunny is real, 9/11 was a government conspiracy, and the holocaust never happened.(sorry bse, it did really happen).
Old 07-30-2013, 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by alnielsen
No I think Mazda will pull their support for the 6. Do they still sponsor a LMP2 car?

I've farther gone than you. I've taken the auto-record for the GA series out of my DVR. I think I haven't even watch any of the last 2 races.
so what you're saying is that I can go back to not giving a damn about racing.
Grand Am was the only series I got into (mainly for the RX8)
Old 07-30-2013, 03:28 PM
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The only racing series I give a damn about anymore is F1. Thank god for football.
Old 07-30-2013, 03:35 PM
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never got into F1
I'd probably just root for one of the big teams like Mercedes or Ferrari because I don't know any better.

I agree.
Football season can't get here fast enough now that hockey and basketball are done.
Old 08-01-2013, 01:49 PM
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This is an interesting read...

The New BMW 4.5L Daytona Prototype Engine

"It's pretty thirsty", "Turns more RPM and gets worse gas mileage".. where have I heard that before?
Old 08-17-2013, 04:12 PM
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I'm watching the "Racing Insiders" on MAV TV. They report first of all, that there aren't going to be any tube frame cars in GT next year. More importantly, they said, that Speedsource was not going to be in GT class next year. They were going to move up. No more information was given.

May we see a rotary in LMP2 again?
Old 08-18-2013, 01:53 AM
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al, consider this facts:

-LMP2 LeMans diesel program is still on (i suppose)

-Mazda have the right race engine for the emerging series DTM-JSGT and rumored US series inspired too...the 2.0 gasoline turbo IL4 (eventually hybridized)

Super GT and DTM to share regulations | Racecar Engineering


-Maybe Mazda is developing a 2.0 turbo for Mazdaspeed models AND/OR a 6 coupè (rumored in pasts months)... Honda and Toyota have presented this past week the 2 cars with a 2.0 turbo engine...

http://audi-motorsport-blog.blogspot...gt500-dtm.html


my 2 cent:

MAzda efforts in LMP2 euro/WEC series and in GRANDAM/DTM/JSGT series in a couple of years.

Last edited by MattMPS; 08-18-2013 at 01:56 AM.
Old 08-18-2013, 02:09 AM
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I don't know if both of their diesel cars have finished the same race this year. The reliability of the car has been poor. While they were running video of the report from Road America, the #00 car came by on the back of a flat bed tow truck. I don't watch GA races any longer so I believe it broke during this race too.
I don't think a small diesel engine is a viable platform for racing. All the successful ones have been larger displacement. Turbo engines have had to run inlet restrictors which suck the life out of the engines.
Old 08-18-2013, 09:51 AM
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Thank goodness for Spa this coming weekend, F1 is the only thing I can get into now a days
Old 08-18-2013, 12:28 PM
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If your interested in commenting on Formula One, we do have a discussion thread specifically on that.
https://www.rx8club.com/general-auto...ussion-241455/
Old 08-19-2013, 01:16 PM
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SpeedSource pretty much HAS to move up, I'm just curious as to what they'll end up in and what the motor will be.
IF they put a rotary in an LMP2 car I'd be all over that.
Old 08-19-2013, 01:24 PM
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Pretty sure it would be the SkyD in LMP2. Keep in mind that Dempsey has already been pushing that direction.

However, I guess it will depend on if the rule-set about current production tech will remain in place, and if the rotary would even fit within the rules. It will totally have my interest back if they find room in the rules for a rotary, of any type.
Old 08-21-2013, 05:32 PM
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saw there was a race from this weekend in my DVR.
deleted it without watching any of it.

I think some (most?) of us at this point are just waiting for next season to see how that goes.
With that in mind: There’s uncertainty as United SportsCar Racing heads towards its first season

doesn't address the GX class but it's an interesting read.

I know we were talking about it recently but I'm still amazed by the difference between LMP-2 and DP
On August 8 and 9, both series raced at Road America in Wisconsin, the first time they've shared a track weekend together. The LMP2 cars ran laps around the four-mile road course that were six and seven seconds faster than DP cars.
Old 08-21-2013, 06:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Jedi54
saw there was a race from this weekend in my DVR.
deleted it without watching any of it.

I think some (most?) of us at this point are just waiting for next season to see how that goes.
With that in mind: There’s uncertainty as United SportsCar Racing heads towards its first season

doesn't address the GX class but it's an interesting read.


I know we were talking about it recently but I'm still amazed by the difference between LMP-2 and DP
GX was said to being folded into regular GT. But, like I posted earlier, the report is there won't be tube frame cars (eg. Mazda 6) allowed. Only oem floor pan cars.
Old 09-22-2013, 01:17 PM
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watching the ALMS race and just saw that next year's schedule is out.

  • Jan. 25-26: Daytona International Speedway ... The 52nd running of the Rolex 24 will be perhaps the most significant sports car race in the history of North America, as the debut event for the new championship.
  • March 15 Sebring International Raceway ... The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring fueled by Fresh From Florida – North America's oldest sports car race – will be run for the 62nd time. ... For the first time since 1998, the Daytona and Sebring endurance classics will be part of the same series and under the same sanctioning (IMSA). ... Previously the ALMS' premier event.
  • April 12 Long Beach ... Longtime ALMS street race again in conjunction with IZOD IndyCar Series. ... Prototype and GT Le Mans classes will compete in one of the largest and most important consumer markets (Southern California) for nearly all TUDOR United SportsCar Championship stakeholders.
  • May 4 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca ... Historic Monterey, California circuit considered hallowed ground for sports car racing. ... On both series' schedules this season.
  • May 31: Detroit Belle Isle ... Also a companion street-race event to IndyCar. ... Will feature the Prototype, Prototype Challenge and GT Daytona classes. ... The Rolex Series has raced at Detroit the last two years; previously, the ALMS was part of the Detroit weekend. The "Motor City" is home to many of the auto manufacturers participating in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship plus numerous supplier partners.
  • June 29: Watkins Glen International ... The Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen endurance event in Watkins Glen, New York has been a staple on the Rolex Series schedule. ... Event started in 1968 and for many years was part of IMSA's former Camel GT Series.
  • July 13: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park ... Historic Bowmanville, Ontario circuit – currently amid a massive renovation project – is retained from the ALMS schedule.
  • July 25: Indianapolis Motor Speedway ... Brickyard Grand Prix will again join the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend for third consecutive year, with Friday-at-dusk finish. ... Previous two years was part of Rolex Series schedule.
  • Aug. 10: Road America ... Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin track has been on both ALMS and Rolex Series schedules. ... Hosted historic event this season when both series raced there on the same weekend.
  • Aug. 24: Virginia International Raceway ... Danville, Virginia track has fervent fan following and an ALMS race next month. ... Formerly part of the Rolex Series schedule. ... Event will have a combined GT Le Mans/GT Daytona race and another race featuring the Prototype Challenge class.
  • Sept. 20: Circuit of The Americas ... Spectacular year-old road racing facility in Austin, Texas hosted the Rolex Series in the spring this season and is hosting the ALMS and FIA World Endurance Championship this weekend.
  • Oct. 4: Road Atlanta ... The Petit Le Mans, traditional 10-hour or 1,000 mile ALMS season finale at the storied Braselton, Georgia road course. ... Event will retain its status as a link with the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Left off the schedule are Lime Rock, Barber Motorsports Park, Mid-Ohio, Kansas Speedway



Looks like I'll be heading out to Long Beach in April.
Old 09-22-2013, 01:27 PM
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I expect that Mid-Ohio is in discussions with USCR and it will be added to the schedule later. Lime Rock is small. Most sanctioning bodies only like to put 20-25 cars per mile on a course. I'm surprised that it has remained relevant for this long. Barber likes motorcycles, so I'm not surprised it's not there. However, money talks. Kansas is a hybrid short oval and road course. Like Lime Rock, I don't think it can handle the amount of cars that would race there. I stood on a hill outside of Kansas Speedway (off season) a few years ago and saw the track.
Old 09-22-2013, 01:38 PM
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ya, would be pretty tough to cram this many cars on some of those smaller tracks.
Long Beach will be interesting because it's a pretty narrow street course.

speaking of tracks, I'm once again in awe of the Circuit of Americas; talk about a gorgeous race track.
Old 09-29-2013, 04:33 PM
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Just watched the last Grand Am race of the season / series for old times sake
Was good to see Jordan Taylor take the win and the Championship, that guy has really grown as a driver the past few years.

Bitter sweet for the Mazda guys as the 70 takes another win but the 00 blows another motor and the Porsche guys take the championship.
how the hell a small team like that beats out a manufacturer sponsored team...
It's a cred it to the Porsche guys but an embarassment to Mazda as they just couldn't field reliable cars.

I guess here's to next season and hoping Mazda comes back with a better plan.
Old 09-30-2013, 08:07 AM
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The GX class was rolled into the GT class for the manufactures championship.
GrandAm > Standings > Rolex > manufacturer
Even with the points gained from that, Porsche couldn't win the title.
Old 09-30-2013, 08:59 AM
  #122  
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Comparing Porsche vs Mazda motorsports programs is like comparing a Leer Jet and a Piper Cub. If your pockets are deep enough it can equate to a full factory effort


Motorsports - Events and Racing - HOME - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG


PMNA Business Information - Motorsports - Events and Racing - Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG

It's to SpeedSources credit to mount the challenge that they do against them, pretty much a David vs Goliath battle situation


.

Last edited by TeamRX8; 09-30-2013 at 09:03 AM.
Old 09-30-2013, 11:29 AM
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Al: that's odd because during the broadcast they announced that the Porsche had won GX.
Old 10-01-2013, 05:08 PM
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Mazda Celebrates Racing Success in NYC - Oct 1, 2013

mazda celebrates racing success in nyc

multiple grand-am honors for mazda6 skyactiv-d clean diesel

oct 1, 2013
new york, oct. 1, 2013 /prnewswire/ -- after closing out a dynamic 2013 rolex grand-am gx season with nine-straight wins, the mazda motorsports team proceeded to new york city for the annual post-season awards celebration. Mazda teams and racers received multiple awards and recognitions during the grand-am awards gala, highlighted by mazda winning the 2013 grand-am gx manufacturers championship.
(photo: Login)
in twelve races, the speedsource mazda team scored nine wins, five for the #00 visitflorida.com mazda6 and four for the #70 castrol edge mazda6. The season highlights were many:
  • first diesel to compete in grand-am competition
  • first diesel to win in grand-am competition
  • first diesel to ever win at the indianapolis motor speedway
  • winner - north american endurance championship presented by visitflorida.com (gx class)
  • winner - grand-am manufacturers championship (gx class)
  • sunoco diamond performance award for most laps led during the season - #70 mazda6
  • total performance lubricants pole award – tom long with seven (7) pole positions
  • monticello motorsports club grand-am rookie-of-the-year – joel miller
  • rolex "moment of the year" finalist
in accepting the gx manufacturers trophy for mazda, john doonan, director of mazda motorsports for mazda north american operations, noted that; "the story of mazda's 2013 gx manufacturer's championship began with our colleagues in hiroshima, japan who had the courage to design and build an amazing skyactiv-d clean diesel engine that will allow mazda to be the first asian automaker to bring modern clean diesel cars to the u.s. Market. The vision of our management in the u.s. And japan led us to take the very first five engines off the assembly line and ship them to our partners at speedsource race engineering to be built into race engines…with more than 50% of the stock engine still being used for the race engine….and to align this race program with the launch of our new mazda6 road car.
The final part of our 2013 story is the conviction of everyone at speedsource, led by sylvain tremblay. There were many long hours by everyone in the engineering department and the race shop to develop the engine and the mazda6 platform into a race winning package in the toughest environment possible. And for sure the driver line-up…all of whom have come up through the mazda ladder system – sylvain tremblay, tom long, tristan nunez, joel miller, and andrew carbonell, who brought the cars home every race without a scratch on them.
We are grateful to all of our partners…especially bosch, castrol, continental tire, and visit florida who have supported our vision, fought through early challenges with us, and celebrated our nine race wins alongside us. We are already planning for a great 2014 season in the new tudor united sportscar championship."
the all-new skyactiv-d clean diesel engine in the all-new mazda6 is a true production based engine. The engine is 51% stock by parts count, and 63% stock by weight. Mazda chose this path as it is the most honest way to demonstrate the quality, durability, and reliability of mazda cars.
bc.
Old 10-10-2013, 01:44 PM
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new thread: https://www.rx8club.com/general-auto...ussion-248943/
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