Thinking about running IMSA 24 hrs of Daytona

GTE is Pro only. DP/P2 are the home of VERY seasoned Am's. (I like that, "seasoned..." sort of like turning over on a spit! )

PC and GTD are the place for entry-level Am's, although I see a lot of them drive GT cars before the PC cars.

Several PC cars are finding their way into historics now. Those things are awesome, but they'll beat you to death!

DO it! Just a big L1 car!

 

I sure have trouble keeping track, but I think Daytona only has GTLM and GTD. I think GTE is a WEC class? And I thought the GTLM were mostly factory prepared, like the Corvettes, with the GTDs being the Pro/Am cars. But I can't keep it all straight, and it seems to change all the time.

For sure PC is the way to go non-GT as an amateur. I would LOVE to get one as a vintage car, as you could skip the Katech supplier gouging and just put a stock LS3 onboard. By 2017 I think the current cars will be obsolete as everything goes to coupes. I will be watching for sure...

 

Congrats Sherman!!!!!!!!!

Congrats Michael!!!!!!!!

 

IMSA has GTLM and GTD. GTD is adopting the GT3 specs for 2016. GTE=GTLM

I think one of the reasons William is asking about running at Daytona is that he already owns a Corvette DP and regularly races at Daytona in a different series.

So I think his question is... if you already have the car and probably some spares, how much would it cost to do the one off race.

 

William has a '80s-'90s-era GTP car....not a contemporary "DP" Daytona Prototype.

 

Actually I think he DOES have a contemporary DP he co-races with Eric Curran in the NARRA series

 

Unless he hasn't updated his public profile page lately, the page shows a 1987 Lola Corvette GTP as being his primary race car. Maybe The Hubbster can chime in and clear the air.

 

Here is a thread on his car. He has posted others about race results with it.

http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/silver-subscribed-private-forum/478140-corvette-daytona-prototype-jps-livery.html

 

This is still going to depend on what you're counting, which makes it hard to put a firm dollar figure on. Is the cost of a post-race rebuild included? Does it include the cost of attending one (or both) of the testing days, which, IIRC, you are REQUIRED to attend at least one of the two.

There's the cost of consumables (tires, fuel). There's the cost of support (transport, team, logistics). This includes travel, hotels, catering, credentials, etc. There's insurance. There's the cost of any infrastructure (re-fueling rigs, timing stand, air guns, etc.). Costs of any required/available updates on the car. And on and on and on.

I can't recall what was included in the numbers we worked up the last time we threw something together, but it was in the $250K range for the one-day event. This was a while ago, though, and was truly a no frills budget. Someone contributed the car. Another contributed the trailer. Lots of volunteers in the pits and behind the scenes. Our single biggest out of pocket was the tire budget, though. IIRC, that, itself, was in the $50K+ range (average one set per hour - times 24 - times cost per set - doesn't account for any flats, btw).

By comparison, doing the GrandAm season was a $2-3MM budget at the time. Again, depends on what you're counting. And, again, this was a while ago.

CW

 

I saw the car when he ran it at the 2014 Daytona Classic 24 Hours and one of my first thoughts was he could probably run the Rolex 24 if he wanted to.

I hope he gives it a go.

I'm also hoping he brings the 1987 Lola Corvette GTP to the Classic 24 this year.
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my advice to gentlemen drivers who get stars in their eyes about Daytona 24:

-buy a ride at the Thunderhill 25. will be significantly cheaper with most of the experience (grueling schedules, co drivers, driving at 3am, etc)

-if you enjoy Thunderhill 25, rent a seat in a GTD car with a team like Muehlner or TRG (or a PC car if you want the prototype experience)

-if that goes well look at doing own deal (all 4-5 drivers) with the same team the next year

-if that goes well consider a faster class, and/or full season.

the learning curve gets very steep and the safety net isn't that big at Daytona (as you know), better to start small and manage expectations and budgets early.

 

Ben Keating's current lawsuit over the crash of his Viper at Laguna Seca gives us the number of $300,000 for expenses for the (much shorter) weekend event. That includes travel, hotels etc and a $15,000 fee to the pro driver.

 

Cool. Official entry list out this Friday.

 

Congratulations on your success!

 

I agree with the given advice. Get some real endurance experience racing against similar cars before attempting the 24. FARA is third grade stickball FARA USA - Formula & Automobile Racing Association FARA USA . Daytona24 is the real thing. You will get your arse handed to you maybe even killed if you jump into the deep end of Daytona. I was offered a seat in a DP for $75k this year and probably not at the pointy end of the field. That should give you a budget indication.

 

Let's not be too harsh on his desire to compete at the 24 Hour, William did say "maybe 2017", so he knows plenty of prep will be necessary.

 

I missed the 2017 part. They are changing the regs for P2 for 2017. The DP he currently owns will no longer be eligible for the 2017 race. If he was looking at running that car, he would have to in 2016.

IMSA Not Expecting to Grandfather Prototypes in 2017 - Sportscar365

 

or buy a new car

 

I was kind of wondering why that hadn't come up in this thread. There is some hope of extending the grandfathering of the P2 cars maybe but nothing on the DP cars.

 

Unless your current DP is upgraded to the current spec, I wouldn't bother. It'll be super expensive and the field is VERY competitive. If you just want to tick it off your bucket list, buy a GT3 seat in the race w/ ABS and TC. It'll be fast, fun, easy and much cheaper. If you really want to do it in a prototype you'd save a lot of money by buying a seat in an existing PC entry, but it'll be hard as hell to drive and you'll be fighting (well, punched in the face by) GTLM cars every time you leave the pit lane.

Having said all that, if you ever have the chance to do the race, do it. The whole event is amazing.

I'd be happy to answer any particular questions and give you some honest feedback. Feel free to PM me or ask here.

-mike