I think it's pretty cool that the top four cars overall at this point are GTLMs. And they weren't gifted it by caution periods or whatever, they're running faster laps. The prototypes clearly not as fun to drive in a wet race.
I've been trying to get into this series for a while now, but I always seem to end up being busy when the races are on or I remember too late. I've actually watched a good part of today's race, from about an hour in until they took a break for the weather. Still trying to figure out the differences between all the classes, some are obvious, some not so much. I've found it quite interesting (especially seeing them run in the amount of rain that's going on there). Hopefully I can continue to watch and learn more about it. Good stuff!
I don't like the look of that trench they dug to divert water at turn 10. Fingers crossed it doesn't cause something disastrous for someone who runs wide.
There are a lot of conspiracy theorists griping about how and when the race ended. I think they did the right thing. Admittedly, it was a pretty anti-climactic way to end the season and the big endurance finale but it needed to end.
Better to end it like that rather than wait for the crash that bought a red flag out. Tough call, but necessary me thinks.
MINI Success at Road Atlanta Seems all this conspiracy theory talk has everyone forgetting that M/A is a group of MINI enthusiasts. This is far from the first time a Porsche 911 has won an overall victory in a major sports car race. Peter Gregg and Hurley Haywood won the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1973 and 1975 in a 911. The #73 MINI JCW finished second in Friday's Continental race. That should be worthy of some discussion on the forum. http://www.imsa.com/sites/default/files/race_result_files/2015_CTSC_RoadAtlanta_ProvisionalRace.pdf
Ran my old Mini more than once at RA in the rain, and yes it went from being one of the slower cars with all the very high HP cars in group in the dry to being a giant killer in the wet! Twas FUN!! PS: Note that Mazda MX5 won both the drivers and manufacturer ST Championships, beating out the Porsche Caymans in the process!
Rain is the great equalizer where high horsepower is a handicap. I always loved the rain. Didn't Steve Million win the Daytona 24 in his 300Z? I seem to remember that, but the older I get the harder it becomes to access those old memories.
Thanks for posting this. I, for one, didn't see the Continental race and had no idea one of the MINIs finished on the podium. I looked up IMSA's timing and scoring quite a few times during the first two-thirds (or so) of the race but none of them were doing well at all whenever I happened to check in. Just unfortunate timing on my part I suppose but I eventually lost interest...it was just timing and scoring after all. I was also confused to see a third MINI (#73) on the list and wondered why there would be a new team suddenly at the last race of the year. I guess I missed any news about LAP adding another to the roster. Will definitely be watching for IMSA to post the race broadcast online.
Here's an interesting factoid from the Continental race at Road Atlanta: Each of the three cars that finished on the ST class podium – the No. 75 Compass360 Racing Audi S3, No. 73 MINI JCW and No. 23 Burton Racing BMW 128i – made it to the podium for the first time this season.
Not suggesting that this is why those three made it to the podium for the first time, but one would believe that the title contenders were playing it safe in that mess and running their own races.. Also wasn't the Audi AWD?
A bit of digging shows that, yes the Compass 360 Audi S3 is AWD with a DSG gearbox. Ideal conditions for that car.