Imsa/wec 2026

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Simply lovely.

The gold, white and green Miller High Life car would be cool, too. (The Marlboro livery is OK, but nothing close to the Sunoco colors!)

[herr_oberst]

Thanks for all the shots URY914. You're as talented as you are prolific!

[CurtEgerer]

Live Sunday practice at the Roar coming up at 9:40 on YouTube.

[William930t]

Enjoying Roar coverage on YT. Was watching, now stream listening with headphones as chores are getting done, win+win! Also like the new Michelin IMSA/WEC hypercar tires

[Scott Watkins]

[CurtEgerer]

I still can't figure out these tires. Did any of you guys look at these in person? Is that just a cosmetic pattern or is there a functional reason for it? They showed some tire closeups last night in pit lane after a number of runs and the pattern looked the same.

[astrochex]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I still can't figure out these tires. Did any of you guys look at these in person? Is that just a cosmetic pattern or is there a functional reason for it? They showed some tire closeups last night in pit lane after a number of runs and the pattern looked the same.

I forgot about the odd tires, so I did not think to look for them and I did not see anything resembling them.

[CurtEgerer]

The Flying Banana was running with the big boys, 3rd behind the Penske-Porsches in the last session. It's interesting because they stayed with the 2025-spec car while Penske upgraded their cars to 2026-spec. Big improvement for JDC. We'll see if it means anything for qualifying/race.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

The Flying Banana was running with the big boys, 3rd behind the Penske-Porsches in the last session. It's interesting because they stayed with the 2025-spec car while Penske upgraded their cars to 2026-spec. Big improvement for JDC. We'll see if it means anything for qualifying/race.

I wonder why JDC stayed with the 2025 car ? Was it a financial decision ? Or do they think they finally have a handle on how to setup that chassis ? The test sessions seem to prove they have a handle on the setup . Only time will tell .

[CurtEgerer]

It was purely financial and IMSA had to sort of grant a waiver to use the old car. I also read/heard that IMSA is going to give the IMSA Le Mans entry - which should have gone to Penske-Porsche for winning the championship - to Cadillac or BMW since Porsche is ineligible.

[Scott Watkins]

[URY914]

Originally Posted by William930t

Enjoying Roar coverage on YT. Was watching, now stream listening with headphones as chores are getting done, win+win! Also like the new Michelin IMSA/WEC hypercar tires

https://www.imsa.com/news/2026/01/15/sustainability-range-set-to-highlight-michelins-new-gtp-tire/?fbclid=IwY2xjawPbtuFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFYNkVk c0hpSG1zUVV1bVBpc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMD g5MgABHvvcoKulMsWEjMyg_1tD8Szi_uG-ueqWlkproZ0b8bn0dkI_SXlpzyaUWVXT_aem_CyU8-BRyQbe4Gi6lc3G-jA

[CurtEgerer]

^^^ 2000 words of corporate-speak gobblity-gook and we still don't know what the purpose of the 'tread pattern' is I suspect this is a fake cosmetic 'tread', sort of like the fake energy replenishment when they pretend to charge the cars hybrid motor during pit stops ....

[wilnj]

From ChatGPT.

The striking look of Michelin’s new Pilot Sport Endurance prototype tire — especially its unusual glistening tread pattern and texture — isn’t just for show; it reflects both purposeful design choices and broader technological/sustainability goals behind the tire.

1. Distinctive Surface Pattern Is Intentional and Cosmetic

The unusual tread-like pattern you’ve seen on the prototype isn’t a performance tread in the conventional sense like on wet-weather tires — it’s largely cosmetic and designed to draw attention. This pattern is inspired by Michelin’s Vision concept tire, which uses organic, alveolar structures (similar to natural formations like coral) to symbolize a balance of flexibility and rigidity, tying into Michelin’s long-term sustainable mobility vision. On track, the pattern will often wear away quickly in the first few laps — a sign it’s meant to be seen and spark curiosity, not to directly affect grip or lap times.

2. Laser-Etched Mold Leaves Fine Surface Texture

Behind that visual stand-out look is a laser-engraved production mold that leaves very fine hairs/textures on the rubber. These don’t last long but give the tire its glistening, unusual appearance off the track. The texture reduces light reflection and makes the prototype look markedly different from traditional slick racing tires.

3. Focus on Sustainability

Michelin is moving toward higher sustainable content; the Pilot Sport Endurance prototype contains about 50 % renewable and recycled materials, including recovered carbon black, bio-sourced resins, natural rubber, and recycled steel — a significant shift for a top-tier motorsport tire. The visual design ties into this sustainability narrative by echoing elements of the Vision concept, which embodies Michelin’s push toward a circular economy and sustainable material usage by 2050.

4. Performance and Function Remain Core

Despite the unusual look, the tire itself is engineered for endurance racing performance, aiming to improve warm-up time, consistency, durability, and wear, all while meeting sustainability targets.

In short: the new Pilot Sport Endurance prototype looks unusual because Michelin deliberately designed it to visually reflect its innovation and sustainability goals, using laser-etched surface details and patterns inspired by forward-looking concept work — and not primarily to enhance on-track performance.

[CurtEgerer]

^^^ Thanks. What I found interesting is the tread pattern appeared to be still intact after running the tire numerous laps.

[astrochex]

I wonder if it will reduce (or increase) clag. Kinda seems like the former.

[CurtEgerer]

IMSA must be monitoring our discussion They dropped this 5 minutes ago:

[CurtEgerer]

Daytona 24 Qualifying today (Thursday) 2:10 - 3:25 EST on Peacock & YouTube IMSA Channel.

[astrochex]

I am very happy that IMSA is embracing YouTube for broadcasting.

[rfuerst911sc]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

Daytona 24 Qualifying today (Thursday) 2:10 - 3:25 EST on Peacock & YouTube IMSA Channel.

I will be watching on Peacock , let the season begin