IMSA Most liked posts in thread: IMSA 2017

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  1. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #142 Firebro17, Apr 9, 2017
    What a crappy finish to this year's LBGP. That final hairpin entry/exit has been a lousy design from day one.
     
  2. minimark

    minimark Well-Known Member

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    #143 minimark, Apr 10, 2017
    Agree.

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  3. Steve

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    #144 Steve, Apr 10, 2017
    When it doesn't cause a cluster****, the character of that odd hairpin is a great feature because it forces drivers and cars to deal with something unusual. Trouble is, it pretty much always causes a cluster****, sometimes more than once per race...like it did this time.

    It's a source of drama even when it doesn't cause carnage and controversy so I'll be surprised if they ever eliminate it.

    That said, if I were in charge I'd find a way to redesign it or eliminate it because the drama it causes is one of the reasons I usually don't even watch the races at Long Beach. My race calendar would drop LB and replace it with a dedicated track elsewhere. Maybe make room for Mid-Ohio. :D
     
  4. Crashton

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    #145 Crashton, Apr 10, 2017
    They need to open up that corner enough for two cars. There is enough room to do it. It looks like a corner that belongs on a go-kart track & not on a street circuit. Farking stupid.
     
  5. Firebro17

    Firebro17 Dazed, but not Confused
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    #146 Firebro17, Apr 10, 2017
    I've been to the LBGP a few times over the years, dating all the way back to the inaugural Formula 5000 race, back in my much younger days. They've really changed the track from back then, not really for all the best in my opinion... The race continues to remain popular and, while I agree a dedicated race course might be more well suited, I would vote for a move to Laguna Seca (keeping it out West) rather than Mid Ohio. But then, I'm prejudiced I guess...
     
  6. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #147 Crashton, Apr 11, 2017
    I like street courses just fine & LBGP seems to be a good one with the exception of that hairpin choke point. I think it would be a shame to lose a long time venue & move the race. The fix seems so easy, makes me wonder why the powers that be can't see it.
     
  7. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #148 Steve, Apr 11, 2017
    The hairpin isn't the only likely cause of carnage at LB but I suppose the others are no worse than at any other concrete canyon race.

    You can probably tell from my word choice that I'm not a fan of street courses. I've yet to see one I like, but given they're not going away I figure the least the organizers can do is learn from the issues and make improvements. That hairpin has been there for years (no idea when they added it) and it's been a perennial problem. Maybe they're happier with the drama than they are bothered by the criticism.

    Honest question here. Why do they have such small fields at LB? I've only been paying attention for a few years but it's been consistent. This year I even heard announcers talking about how small fields are better there (they're right) and people should stop bemoaning the lack of cars. But I can't imagine that's the cause, i.e., that small fields are better so they're restricted by the series. I feel like there are teams that just don't want to go to LB and deal with the potential carnage and associated expense for what I imagine to be the shortest race on the calendar, but I'm prejudiced against the venue so it's no surprise my mind says that's the cause.
     
  8. Crashton

    Crashton Club Coordinator

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    #149 Crashton, Apr 11, 2017
    I'd guess if you were a small team on a limited budget you'd stay away from a race that could likely cost you a fortune in parts, because street races can & do eat cars. Also the price of admission to run in that series is astronomical. IMSA & Pirelli have priced small teams out of the sport.
     
  9. minirab

    minirab Well-Known Member

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    #150 minirab, Apr 11, 2017
    Street course #1 - Macao
     
  10. Steve

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    #151 Steve, Apr 11, 2017
    Is that a thing? I feel like you might have meant Monaco.
     
  11. Crashton

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    #152 Crashton, Apr 12, 2017
    Yes it is a thing & the most daunting street circuit there is.

    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GLXAne-c64"]A lap around the Macau Grand Prix circuit - well almost a lap :) - YouTube[/ame]
     
  12. Steve

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    #153 Steve, Apr 12, 2017
    An excellent example of how not to build a race course, IMHO. Makes the hairpin in LB look like a great design.
     
  13. Crashton

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    #154 Crashton, Apr 12, 2017
    This is true. The Macao track has taken quite a few lives. :frown5:
     
  14. Agbullet25

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    #155 Agbullet25, Apr 17, 2017
    The biggest reason for small fields is lack of paddock space and space in pit lane. That particular weekend IMSA shared space with Pirelli World Challenge and the Indycar series. Normally it would have just been P and GTLM classes, but for whatever reason, IMSA decided to also allow the GTDs to join in.
     
  15. Steve

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    #156 Steve, Apr 17, 2017
    So if they have limited space how do they decide who gets a spot?
     
  16. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #157 Steve, May 2, 2017
    IMSA goes to COTA this weekend.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #158 Steve, May 3, 2017
    Looks like the Conti race will be avail via live stream Fri afternoon.

    [​IMG]
     
  18. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #159 Steve, May 5, 2017
    The Weathertech race quali is already up on YouTube:

    [ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7w-z-KHvZes"]2017 Advance Auto Parts Sportscar Showdown Qualifying - YouTube[/ame]
     
  19. Steve

    Steve Administrator
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    #160 Steve, Jun 22, 2017
    New liveries for Michael Shank Racing.

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Redbeard

    Redbeard JCW: because fast is fun!
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    #161 Redbeard, Jun 22, 2017
    So here is a fun fact: My wife works part time for IMSA as a race incident logger and pit communicator in race control. Since we live in Austin she also works all of the COTA races (IMSA, F1, MotoGP, etc...). She travels for IMSA races though. She'll be at Watkins Glen next.
     
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