Plenty of boneheaded driving so far. I had joked in another place that the Porsches wouldn’t be able to hit each other at this race.
It has seemed that they have been very quick to throw the yellows this year. I have always applauded IMSA in the past for waiting till there was no other option but to throw the flag.
What do we think about the inclusion of LMP3? I was expecting a **** show like the old PC category but so far not so bad.
I have to say I am pretty impressed with the #57 Winward Mercedes in GTD. They stepped up from Michelin Pilot Challenge to run the 24. I wasn't expecting it, but they have been near the front all race.
Wake up to 2/3 of the race gone and still 90% of the field running. Hogwash. Let 'em breathe so they can build 'em to the max with strategy to win rather than a show for the sponsors and uninitiated "fans"........ As usual, of past two decades, it's time to find something else to do today. This boredom don't get it......
Absolutely. When it's only because the longevity is mandated by the rules (whoever heard of street engines producing more than their racing counterparts)....restrictors/power max mandate followed by BoPing (to "level the playing field".....wtf is that in auto racing? Too slow?.....build a better car.). In what universe should there be 5 cars on the lead lap after 18 hours unless the "show" is designed for sponsors exposure and the entertainment of those that enjoy a contrived "good" (close) race. Forget that it's "orchestrated"....I just wanna go to the race movie.......not to see who can design, build, develop, and race the best. Yup, I am "upset there are TOO MANY cars left in the race" unless the rules are re-opened and coincidentally it happens....which in real endurance racing is a very, very, very rare occasion. The last I remember was le Mans, 1969.
I forgot about the yellows to keep 'em bunched up. Like this one....a yellow for Dixon's flat? 'Not even any shrapnel on the track??? C'monnnnnn........gimme a break...... The 11, shredding sheet all over the track, no yellow? Of course not....they were nobody.....
I can't fathom someone being upset that cars are still racing each other for the win after 23 hours of racing. That was a great 24. My favorite race of the year delivers yet again.
At one point quite late, Risi's Ferrari was leading in GTLM, but next time I looked they were 68 seconds back, so they must have made a pit stop, and thus missed the podium. Mercedes 1-2 (in GTD). Where else in racing have we seen that before?
(A)Maybe you can if you read my explanation in post #36. I love when cars are racing (an endurance "race", not endurance "show") to the win, not parading (leveling the playing field, for the "show") their sponsors banner to the finish. (B) Of course it does, by design......a more "exciting" (artificially close) show, not an endurance racing test of the best minds have to offer.. Again, explained in #36. As I stated, the last close race between two.....unrestricted, unBoPed..... different designs that finished (24 hours, 3,000+ miles,) close together I remember was '69 Le Mans, the 908 (Hans) and the GT40 (Jacky), passing and re-passing each lap at the end. A real race, not a parade. Not as close (same lap, 2 mins. separation after 2,400+ miles), but real (unrestricted, unBoPed) excitement.....regarding the Daytona 24? 1996, the 333SP (Max), chasing the R&S MkIII down (was it Wayne?), to no avail at the end, 150 MPH down pit road, turning laps just 1 sec. shy of it's qualifying time.
I heard several drivers express that the team’s goal was to “finish on the podium.” Really? I thought the goal was to win the race. The whole podium thing is bull **** to me. Why should the first and second losers share the winner’s glory? It’s almost like a participation trophy. When you have so many classes, and so many drivers in each car, well, why don’t we just get everybody up on the podium?
Well, the best things in life are so hard that just getting close is quite an achievement. And in motorsport most even don´t have a winning car.
Risi was on a different pit strategy. They never really had the pace to win so I think they were gambling on some more late cautions to make it.
Drivers have repeatedly called the race a 24 Hour sprint race in interviews over the past few years so if they are giving it their all every single lap, it's good in my eyes. I recall that 1996 race. The R&S had engine issues if I remember correctly. I frequently try to find Youtube footage of the 333SP going full bore down pit road because even as a kid (which I was in 1996) I couldn't believe what I was watching!
Yes it was. I wish they had the pace at the end to get the win. Nothing would make me happier than a Mazda win at the 24.
Just be glad no NASCAR driver won the race, those poor NBCS NASCAR bastards would have had a conniption right then and there. We know NASCAR owns the series, but after all, it is a sports car racing series and while NASCAR, Indy Car and F1 drivers are welcomed guests, lets get over Jimmie was an 8-time champion, et.al. every time his car appears on screen. Dale Earnhardt, Jr AND Kyle Petty as guest commentators? Really? If I had heard "This ain't the way we do it in NASCAR" one more time, I would have pulled out a gun and done an Elvis on the TV. The constant NASCAR ass-licking has to stop. BHW Image Unavailable, Please Login