2023 Sportscar Thread (WEC, IMSA, NLS, GT World Challenge)

[ArnageWRC]

In what should be a golden era for Sportscar racing, I think we need a thread here covering all series.

Dubai 24 kicks things off the weekend after next, swiftly followed by the ROAR before the 24 Daytona test..

[ArnageWRC]

As already said, the Audi 'Truth in 24' films are very good, as is the Porsche film from 2019 'Endurance' especially as it shows when things don't go right....a year after winning both races.

[ArnageWRC]

FredericRobinson said:

Definitely, and much less money than Le Mans

Well yes; the other less attended rounds could do with the support from all these fans. Spa is surely the perfect weekend away?

[ArnageWRC]

Entries for the WEC, 38 cars entered:

https://twitter.com/FIAWEC

Edited by ArnageWRC on Wednesday 11th January 14:31

[ArnageWRC]

https://www.imsa.com/tvlive/

[ArnageWRC]

freedman said:

LukeBrown66 said:

Lol shock horror red flag when you put rich men with average talent in prototypes in a qualifying session at Daytona, someone explain to me why this is a hood idea?

Someone has to pay the bills

Sportscars wouldn't exist without those funding teams and driving themselves, its nothing new.

And half an hour later Nick Tandy did exactly the same thing, in the factory 963, so its hardly the prerogative of pay drivers

I think both were at the same place - the chicane, and were attributed on the coverage to strong tailwinds affecting the downforce. As soon as Tandy turned in, it swapped ends.....

However, it looks like it's going to be a great race, and season...bring it on.

[ArnageWRC]

Vette_1978 said:

Has the IMSA site crashed?

All okay at the moment; make sure any ad blocker is turned off.

[ArnageWRC]

FCY for a car pitting with a problem continually frustrates me....A massive over-reaction. One of the few downsides of IMSA racing....

[ArnageWRC]

Bathurst 12 Hour - starts tonight a 18:30

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfS3OXbrpdU&ab...

[ArnageWRC]

There is a podcast out this week with the boss of WRT, Vincent Vosse, interviewed by the Vanthoors.....It's a good listen.

[ArnageWRC]

LukeBrown66 said:

Not sure trucko, I would imagine that gets you everything and catchup and on demand I hope.

Will be buying in the next few days so will let you know, it is almost worth it for Le Mans coverage alone! Anything is better than ad every 10 minutes Eurotrash

I would hope they would try and capitalise on the new season by making more stuff free, first hour of race or something, try and get you hooked!

A new era for the sport with new manufacturers, and it's behind a paywall - yet the IMSA is free. Could/should be far better from the ACO; their promotion needs to be better.....

[ArnageWRC]

FredericRobinson said:

df76 said:

A decent Sebring 12h so far, halfway through.. although I do struggle with overly long safety car periods in US racing.

They’re absolutely nuts, half an hour for a couple of bits of bodywork debris earlier

Yeah, it doesn't matter how much IMSA racing I watch, it continues to frustrate. The most minor of things brings out the FCY.......Saying that, there were a few races last year where there were very few stoppages.

[ArnageWRC]

Interesting qualifying session - and a 'weirdly slow' off for Hartley at Eau Rouge/Raidillon on cold tyres....

Pole for the #51 Ferrari which was later pinged for supposedly going off track, giving it to Kobayashi in the Toyota.
As ever, LMP2 looks super competitive, United's Blomqvist taking pole.

[ArnageWRC]

During the commentary of qualifying for the N24, they were announcing some BoP changes......Blimey, they don't mess around do they....20kg added just like that, a bit of wing, but you can have another mm for your restrictor......

[ArnageWRC]

My favourite race of the year, maybe because the Nordschleife reminds me more of a Special Stage than a modern race track. I just wish a few rally drivers would have a go, like Latvala did about 10+ years ago.

Estre has already made a few positions.....

[ArnageWRC]

2024 WEC calendar was announced this morning:

https://www.fia.com/news/wec-2024-calendar-expands...

As expected Sebring is dropped and replaced later in the season by CoTA, Imola replaces Monza, and the season is bookended by Qatar and Bahrain.

Sadly, no UK round at Silverstone - but if they won't put the money up, no round.

[ArnageWRC]

Further news; a possible Toyota hydrogen hypercar, plus Alpine.

https://the-race.com/wec-le-mans/wec-reveals-alpin...

[ArnageWRC]

freedman said:

Monza is the next WEC race

Next year, 2024. Monza is supposedly having work done.....

[ArnageWRC]

Less than an hour to go; pretty quiet here......I thought it would be busy.

[ArnageWRC]

Haven is part of the commentary team - in fact it's quite a big team this year.

Not a great start for the Cadillac driven by Aitken.....