Imsa/wec 2025

[CurtEgerer]

Most overall wins at Sebring: Porsche with 18. But the last Porsche win was in 2008, also with Penske, with the RS Spyder. The Twin-Turbo V8 in the 963 is a development of the 2008 RS Spyder normally-aspirated V8 engine.

[rfuerst911sc]

I personally think Lamborghini is going to pull the plug on the program . Or I should say VW is going to pull the plug . With global auto sales being what they are VW has to trim some $$$ . Audi will continue with the F1 effort and Porsche will be the IMSA/WEC brand of choice for VW .

[astrochex]

I heard they are underfunded too, not being able to develop the car sufficiently. Riley is a very good team and should be able to get the most out of the car. Bortolloti seemed to be the only driver who could drive the car competitively.

[CurtEgerer]

^^^ Agreed.

We shouldn't leave out the LMP2 winners either. Always great racing in LMP2. OK, there's a few sketchy amateurs in there, but they usually weed themselves out.

[astrochex]

^^^ Agreed too.

It is an under appreciated class that is very competitive with great drivers. As you say, people pay more attention to the incidents than the racing.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by astrochex

^^^ Agreed too.

It is an under appreciated class that is very competitive with great drivers. As you say, people pay more attention to the incidents than the racing.

Agree 100 % .

[Scott Watkins]

Didn't get to watch the entire 12 hours, don't have the Peacock.

I did watch the highlights on the YouTube and looked like when I take my grandkids to the go kart track. Terrible racing!

[CurtEgerer]

^^^ Terrible racing? Maybe the highlights only showed the accidents, offs, etc.? The race was excellent with long caution-free periods.

GTP testing today. Strange that BMW took the time to remove the drivers' names from the car ... did they all get fired? Aston Martin is doing a 24-hour test with the camo test car, tomorrow I think, to prep for Le Mans.

[cockerpunk]

Originally Posted by Scott Watkins

Didn't get to watch the entire 12 hours, don't have the Peacock.

I did watch the highlights on the YouTube and looked like when I take my grandkids to the go kart track. Terrible racing!

>watches highlight reel only
>why is it all cautions, restarts, and contact?

:shocked Pikachu jpeg:

[red 928]

Two friends watching the later part of second half with a friend when a car got a flat tire and part of the tire carcass ended up on track but not in the line, and the yellow flag was called. One of them started channel-surfing.
The other said what the heck, we were watching that!
The first guy said don't worry, we'll come back to it in 15 or 20 minutes in time to catch the green flag.

A local yellow, with one guy running out to pick it up would have worked just fine.
Or for the squeamish, in a pick up truck.
But why a 15 minute pause in the entire race just to pick up a part of a tire?
It doesn't need to take that long.

Pretty soon the wimps will insist they repave the Sebring track because it's too bumpy!!

[Scott Watkins]

Yes sir, looked like amateur hour, imho.

[astrochex]

Do you think they are going to show clean racing in highlights, Scott?

Sure there were number of bonehead moments, but the vast majority of the race was good clean racing.

And as for “extended yellows” they usually do track cleaning too.

[CurtEgerer]

The Plaidborghini

[CurtEgerer]

And so it begins for Hyundai (Genesis Magma Racing) in Hypercar & GTP. They are running an LMP2 car with IDEC in ELMS and Le Mans this year. First event this weekend. I'm assuming this will be similar to the livery for the Hypercar next year. IMSA comes in 2027. They just made a multi-billion $$ investment in a new US steel plant and assembly plant so I'm sure the IMSA program is very important for them. Hyundai seems to be the 'new VW' for young people today. What used to be tons of modified VW Golfs, Jettas, etc. 20-25 years ago, is now Hyundai from what I see at the races.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

And so it begins for Hyundai (Genesis Magma Racing) in Hypercar & GTP. They are running an LMP2 car with IDEC in ELMS and Le Mans this year. First event this weekend. I'm assuming this will be similar to the livery for the Hypercar next year. IMSA comes in 2027. They just made a multi-billion $$ investment in a new US steel plant and assembly plant so I'm sure the IMSA program is very important for them. Hyundai seems to be the 'new VW' for young people today. What used to be tons of modified VW Golfs, Jettas, etc. 20-25 years ago, is now Hyundai from what I see at the races.

Penske ran an LMP2 in WEC before the 963. Excellent way to develop a team and learn racing cadence and strategy.

[CurtEgerer]

Wow, Genesis Magma nearly won the 4 Hours of Barcelona. Last lap pass by the AF Corse car put them in second, but excellent first race for the team. Iron Dames Porsche 911GT3 took LMGT3.

[Captain Ahab Jr]

McLaren joining the WEC Hypercar class in 2027

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motorsport-le-mans-and-sportscars/mclaren-bid-le-mans-24-hours-victory-2027

[CurtEgerer]

I was hoping for a naturally-aspirated V10, but oh well, I guess Aston Martin and Cadillac will still reign supreme in the audio wars At what point does the grid max out due to pit space? Ford, Genesis, McLaren, ??? - that's at least 6 more cars.

[astrochex]

Long Beach this weekend for GTP and GTD Pro-Am.

[CurtEgerer]

Qualifying tonight at 8PM EST on Peacock/IMSA.TV
Race tomorrow at 5PM EST on Peacock/USA

BMW GTP once again looking strong in practice. Can they keep it together for a full race?

Also, first race for Robert Wickens in the GT3 Corvette with Milner. Full hand-controls. They were 4th fastest in practice.