Imsa 2024

[astrochex]

^Interesting. McLaren figured out what Porsche and Lamborghini have known for a while.

[rfuerst911sc]

Wow this is big news . I wonder who they will partner with ? And who might pick up the pieces ?

https://racer.com/2024/03/11/chip-ganassi-racing-cadillac-to-part-ways-at-seasons-end/

[CurtEgerer]

Pretty surprising. It sounds like Cadillac did not renew CGR's contract. I'm sure the details will eventually emerge. Action Express Racing is likely to become a 2-car IMSA team next year. And Ganassi is "looking for a new manufacturer" (in reality, that deal is probably already done behind the scenes!)??? There's been a long-standing rumor that Alpine-Renault-Stelantis could run an Alpine with Dodge badging, sooo ....

[CurtEgerer]

Toyota and Ferrari would be CGR's other options, both LMH cars. LMH cars can run in IMSA but the manufacturer must sell at least 2500 production cars in the US. Peugeot, therefore, would not qualify. Ferrari would be my bet since their competitor Lamborghini is in IMSA now.

[cockerpunk]

shame, i hope GM find someone to run the caddies in WEC. that the **** is a kilometer indeed.

[CurtEgerer]

They've got 3-4 WEC teams chomping at the bit to get the Caddy. Probably will go to United Autosport who ran a great LMP-2 program and this year has the McLaren GT3. I really think Ganassi is going with Ferrari in IMSA. It's the only thing that really makes sense. He's got an ego (all team owners do) that wants to one-up Roger Penske and Porsche for bragging rights and Ferrari is the only way to do that. And Ferrari wants to be in IMSA GTP, not just GT3. Awesome for the series if it comes together.

[CurtEgerer]

[astrochex]

Thats so cool Curt!

I've never watched car loadout. Looks like a fun time everyone should be in a good mood.

[CurtEgerer]

It was interesting to watch Penske set up. Everyone else pretty much unloaded the car, the spares, the giant awnings and started building their temporary garages all at once. The cars were parked wherever they could find space, sometimes under the giant awning being erected (hope nothing falls on the car!). Some were even running their cars thru tech while they were setting up their garages. Chaotic at best. Penske? The cars were no where to be seen. They were meticulously setting up their garage (it looks permanent and like a giant surgical unit). Every spare body part, every spare engine, every tool box, every piece of equipment was protected in its own custom-made cover. There were people with clipboards and checklists. Only after everything was perfectly in position and spotless were the cars unloaded.

[CurtEgerer]

[CurtEgerer]

Lamborghini SC63 in FP1:

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I smile every time I see this livery

[CurtEgerer]

Cadillac 1-2 in FP1. Lamborghini off the pace a bit as expected but not bad. The 01 Cadillac is running a gold livery (rather than yellow) to commemorate Mobil 1's 50th Anniversary.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by rfuerst911sc

I smile every time I see this livery

Me too, I’m a huge fan. For what its worth, there are now 1:43 and 1:18 scale models of 2023 Rexy in Sebring and LeMans form by Spark, TSM, and TopSpeed. I will be pre-ordering mine through Toronto Motorsports. IMSA is selling the TSM and TopSpeed models.

[CurtEgerer]

Lamborghini looked good in night practice. Less than 2 seconds off the leading Cadillac. Qualifying today.

[astrochex]

You do good work, Curt!

Those Ferraris are compact.

[rfuerst911sc]

Great pics thanks for sharing 👍

[CurtEgerer]

Thanks. Those night shots are always a challenge. Sebring has no permanent lights. Just temporary lights at some of the corners. So you can only see headlights coming and don't usually know what car it is until it goes by (the BMW GTP is easy because the kidney grill is outlined in LED lights ). With today's cameras you can shoot at ISO 6,000-12,000 and beyond and get decent results! Back in the film days, ISO 800 was about it. You'd have to use a powerful flash to get any sort of result.

Qualifying should be interesting because I just have a feeling that the Porsche-Penske boys have not been showing their full hand in practice. We'll see.

[URY914]

Great shots Curt!
Shooting fast cars at night is a challenge.

[CurtEgerer]

Thanks Paul. GTP qualifying was a mess with the Porsche crash. Cadillac 1-2. But it doesn't make any difference in a 12-hour race anyway. Should be a good race.