Ammo for those who think IMSA officials are a joke

In case you missed it read about what happened at Sebring:

How the worst stewards ever ruined the 12 Hours of Sebring - Road & Track

 

Wow. That is stupendously absurd.

 

Wow, you gotta know someone's credentials will be revoked.

Good on em.

BHW

 

If my math is correct, this is the 30th season I've been watching racing.

I have never seen racing fans as discouraged, disappointed, upset and angry as they are right now at IMSA...and I watched the IRL/CART split up close!

they have to change, this is either gross incompetence or NASCAR is intentionally ruining sports car racing to protect "the big show" (and its rapidly declining ratings).

I really, really hope this works out.

 

Don't get me wrong I have a huge amount of respect for the volunteers to marshal and who make racing happen. The IMSA officials are professionals governing a professional series. Moreover they act like bullies with a higher than thou take it or leave it attitude. Believe it or not the only reason the Daytona decision that determined the winner in GTD was overturned was because of the massive outcry of negative press in social media. After the race the Ferrari guys were told 'our decision is non-appealable' and it was not until the backlash started that the decision was reversed. Had nothing to do with the Level5 guys barking at IMSA

 

well if IMSA hasn't gotten the message loud & clear after Sebring.....

 

I guess this is loud and clear...

Turner Set for PWC Entry With BMW Z4 GT3 - Sportscar365

Porsche team owner Alex Job, sponsor David MacNeil still steaming over 12 Hours of Sebring penalty - Autoweek Racing United SportsCar news - Autoweek

 

The Alex Job situation got a lot of attention.

Did anyone notice what happened to Rum Bum's #13 Porsche? They got flagged for a technical pit violation....had to do a stop-plus-80. An IMSA official contended that the gas cap/filler system was not grounded (it was, just loose).

IMSA revokes the penalty as they later realize it was not a violation - after pretty much ruining the #13 car's race.

Rum Bum is one of the best teams in IMSA (Conti) and had a strong run going.

This will be a business school case study. NASCAR has grasped defeat from the jaws of victory. Everything the merger of ALMS and Grand-Am was supposed to promise has been erased into a PT Barnum-esque joke.

The real winner in this is Pirelli World Challenge....

 

agreed.

I was thinking today this is like the CART/IRL split in reverse...at least with the split, you had the good guys and the bad guys. now it appears you just have the incompetent guys

again, looking forward to PWC. might wander over to St Pete next Sunday...

 

After this debacle, we no longer think they're a joke. We know.

CW

 

I was at the race - and it was amazing how many yellows were thrown.. whole course yellows... I've never seen a race that cautious.

and with 60 cars on track - they all bunch back up - set off and crash again.. crazy!

while I'm glad they have it all together again ... the DP cars look horrible ..... ALMS was almost the perfect series ... when Audi and Peugot were running ... lets hope it gets better.

 

Pitiful T V coverage- bad for sponsors, pitiful officiating, and over 5 hours of full course yellows.

 

ALMS, particularly during the P2 manufacturer battle from 06-09 or whenever that was, was in my opinion the best racing series on the planet. I think WEC replaced it the last few years. but what we have now with TUSC leaves a lot to be desired.

 

Did IMSA really penalize the no.911 GTLM car as the R&T article states? At this rate the series should be sponsored by WTF? Inc. Instead of Tudor Watches. LOL.

 

The Autoweek (are they really still in business?) article answers the obvious
question as to if there is a former driver in the booth reviewing incidents a-la
F-1.

At Sebring it was Elliot Forbes Robinson.

Perhaps, and maybe I'm mistaken, they should go with a retired driver who has
driven in this century?

In F-1 names like Kristensen, McNish, Pirro, Warrick, etc. serve as guess marshals.
Something for them to think about anyway.

BHW

 

EFR was still racing in the mid 2000's, I'd trust his experience as much as anyone more recent.

and yeah...how does Autoweek survive?

 

some of us knew all along.

remember I made these predictions. I also predicted that if would not be long before Road A is closed and redeveloped into commercial or residential

 

this!

and by the way...this is not to be confused w/ imsa. bishop and his vision will be quickly wiped out by nascar. the days of jb were the very best but never to return.

 

I doubt that, NASCAR paid mightily for the track and they have better lawyers than most people or groups

and I hope it doesn't happen, Road Atlanta is my favorite track.

 

I hope you are right but fear I am. I think it could happen in the next 5 years.

 

the only thing that I think would make it happen would be a new source of jobs in that area (factory, back office, etc) that needed lots of land for employee housing. RA is far enough from the urban core that I think it's safe from suburban sprawl.

 

They penalized #911 but for a different incident. Marshall Pruett's article makes it appear that Porsche snuck one by the officials by delivering the #911 when the #912 was the offender but he's mixing 2 different incidents.

 

Thanks for the clarification Stig!