VGLNTE1

So, are the lmp2 cars in the same class as the DP cars? If so, how? The dp cars are blowing them away on speed.

Also, who does SRT keep blowing to keep the v10? The only reason corvette has beat them in the past is because the vette drivers are far better. Viper is a lot faster car.

Dodge venting over...

jwebsta32

Prototype (P): the flagship class, combining Grand-Am Daytona Prototype with the American Le Mans Series P2 prototype and DeltaWing cars, built to 2014 specifications.

why they are losing is beyond me.

jcsperson

In qualifying, the DPs were only a half second faster than the P2s. Daytona favors cars that are faster in a straight line. The P2s should show better on high downforce tracks. Horses for courses.

All the GTLMs run inlet restrictors of some kind or another. Expect those to be fiddled with throughout the season along with the subsequent whining.

TLGunman

Far better, really? lol

VGLNTE1

ya...really. thats quite obvious with the constant screw ups for losses last year, along with drivers that are not to the Gavin, Garcia, Magneson level.

VGLNTE1

doesnt that just measure peak HP? I imagine the V10 has a ton more tq under the curve. They eat everyones *** out of the corners.

jcsperson

Maybe. I haven't seen the numbers. If they do have an advantage, I'd expect them to lose inlet restrictor area or have to add weight.

VGLNTE1

doubt the numbers even get released.

TLGunman

ok....

TLGunman

http://www.24h-lemans.com/wpphpFichi...ons-lm-gte.pdf

During the year, BoP will adjust the restrictor size as needed. Corvette C7.R is new, so ACO/IMSA might have them a little small, right now. I expect BoP adjustments before Sebring. Viper had restrictor, and weight changed a number of times since our first race in 2012. ACO over did the restrictions at lemans last year, which killed our top end.

rfn026

First - The number of classes is a big issue if NASCAR wants to expand the fan base. Even the people here at the race would have trouble explaining all the different classes.

Second - They were still changing rules on Thursday. Every team engineer looks for a wide variety of rule changes coming before Sebring. It seems that NASCAR got it almost right this first time around but there's still a need for adjustments.

I look for performance adjustments all season long. Right now the GT cars are just as fast as the DP cars in a straight line. The DP car are suffering from a lack of tire grip. That's not a big deal since all of the DP cars run Continentals. It is a problem when the GT cars have Michelin tires though.

NASCAR knows that this may be the last chance to get sports car racing right. They're really trying. Crowds are huge (for sports car racing) and Daytona has done a tremendous amount of work to improve the on-site fan experience.

I sort of miss the old day when only about 10 people showed up for the 24. This though is the new reality. It's working. It's time though for fine tuning both the fan experience and the on track racing.

Richard Newton
Racing Images

'Shifter

It actually went the other way. Not only did Viper get lighter (60kg), but it has bigger restrictors and bigger fuel tanks. A lot like the 2013 GTE-Pro LeMans math, fastest cars get a weight reduction.

TLGunman

fuel tank got bigger, but I'm not aware of a restrictor change for this race.

'Shifter

They didn't get bigger, but they are bigger, that's what I was trying to point out. 29.6 (x2) vs the Corvette's 29.2 (x2).

TLGunman

yep. and the Vette was faster at lemans.

'Shifter

I was referring to the Astons, which got a weight break, even though they were already the fastest.

RedLS1GTO

Judging by my eyeballs high up in the grandstands, the Vette isn't even in the same league on the straights as the Viper or the Porsche today.

When Viper, Porsche, and Vette were all running nose to tail, the Vette would close the gap through the infield and proceed to get it's *** handed to it as soon as they hit the banking. Close up throught the infield... and repeat.

TLGunman

"off season" development messes up previous year BoP too.

How the cars are trimmed out is a variable too, infield (high downforce) vs. the oval (low drag).

RedLS1GTO

That doesn't seem to be the case right now with the Vettes vs. the Vipers. At the big end, they seem to be pretty close to equal. It is accelerating onto the banking and out of the bus stop where the Vipers are walking away.

Corvee

Why is the GTLM class is so small?