IMSA - 2023 Calendar / News

[mikeamerica84]

IMS in; Detroit, Mid-Ohio out as IMSA Unveils 2023 schedule
By Richard S. James | August 5, 2022 7:25 PM ET

The previously-announced addition of Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the elimination of Detroit and Mid-Ohio highlight the announcement of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship schedule during IMSA’s annual State of the Sport presentation at Road America. The full schedule otherwise includes the venues familiar to the series in recent years.

“IMSA has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to re-energize our existing base of sports car racing fans and reach new audiences in 2023 and beyond,” said IMSA President John Doonan. “With the introduction of our new GTP prototypes, a robust and stable platform for GT racing, a renewed focus on sustainability and a calendar filled with legendary road racing venues, all of the ingredients are in place for continued success.”

As expected, the increased participation of IMSA WeatherTech Championship teams at the 24 Hours of Le Mans precludes including the early June Grand Prix of Detroit on the schedule. The Detroit weekend will, however, feature the GS category of the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.

The 2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship will include a total of 11 races, with six events to feature all five WeatherTech Championship classes: GTP, LMP2, LMP3, GTD PRO and GTD. The new GTP class will appear in nine races, with GT classes in each race on the schedule.

The IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup will include all classes for the four traditional endurance events: the Rolex 24 At Daytona (Jan. 26-29), Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts (March 15-18), Sahlen’s Six Hours of The Glen (June 22-25) and the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta (Oct. 11-14). Five-class races also will be held at Road America (Aug. 4-6) and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Sept. 15-17).

The new GTP class will have a total of nine events in 2023, adding Long Beach (April 14-15), WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca (May 12-14) and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (July 7-9). The GTD PRO and GTD classes will compete in all 11 WeatherTech Championship races, including GT-only events at Lime Rock Park (July 21-22) and Virginia International Raceway (Aug. 25-27). The WeatherTech Sprint Cup for GTD has been discontinued.

The LMP2 class also will compete at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca and LMP3 will return to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. The Rolex 24 At Daytona will not count toward full-season WeatherTech Championship points for the LMP2 or LMP3 classes.

In addition to the race events, the annual Roar Before the Rolex 24 At Daytona returns on the weekend of Jan. 20-22. In preparation for the 2023 season, IMSA-sanctioned testing for GTP cars will be held at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on Oct. 3-5 and at Daytona International Speedway on Dec. 6-7.

A sanctioned test for all WeatherTech Championship competitors also is planned for Sebring International Raceway in February 2023.

Although paddock rumors suggested an FIA bronze-rated driver requirement for GTD, that class will continue unchanged. However the series reinforced its commitment to bronze-rated drivers via the Bob Akin Bronze Cup championship. Top bronze drivers in GTD will be recognized on the post-race podium at each event and the Bob Akin Bronze Cup season champion will receive an entry to the following year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.

IMSA is evaluating additional incentives for bronze drivers regarding qualifying format and drive-time.

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2023 schedule
Roar Before the 24, Jan. 20-22
Rolex 24 at Daytona, Jan. 26-29
Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, March 15-18
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, April 14-15
WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, May 12-14
Sahlen’s Six Hours of the Glen, June 22-25
Canadian Tire Motorsports Park, July 7-9
Lime Rock Park (GT only), July 21-22
Road America, Aug. 4-6
Virginia International Raceway (GT only), Aug. 25-27
Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Sept. 15-17
Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, Oct. 11-14

https://racer.com/2022/08/05/ims-in-detroit-mid-ohio-out-as-imsa-unveils-2023-schedule/

[meha]

Was watching something this morning showing highlights from a test at Road Atlanta, It was the BMW, Acura, and the Cadillac all testing. My word they all sound very different (makes sense when you consider the variety of motors) and the lap times were pretty close to what the DPI are currently running.

The real test will be the BOP and how that will then look with the WEC series and particularly at Le Mans if all of the cars choose to run.   

[mikeamerica84]

Let us hope for the best for Liz:

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Power Withdraws from Rolex 24 at Daytona
By Marshall Pruett | January 17, 2023 10:00 PM ET

Will Power’s long-awaited Rolex 24 At Daytona debut will have to wait another year as the defending NTT IndyCar Series champion has been forced to withdraw from the event to care for his wife Liz.

“Liz has had a couple of complications after surgery this week and has a long recovery ahead of her,” Power said. “Obviously her health is my priority and unfortunately that means I have had to put Daytona on hold.”

Power was due to share the No. 75 SunEnergy1 Mercedes-AMG GT3 with countryman and team owner Kenny Habul, Fabian Schiller, and Axcil Jeffries. The Australian will be replaced by GT veteran Luca Stoltz.

“I have to thank Kenny for the opportunity and his total understanding of our situation and the support he has shown,” Power said. “I will be cheering them on from North Carolina and hopefully we get another opportunity to do something together in the future.”

https://racer.com/2023/01/17/power-withdraws-from-rolex-24-at-daytona/

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I was looking forward to watching him, Newgarden, and that third Penske IndyCar driver...... what's his name.....?  OH!  McLaughlin!

[mikeamerica84]

They are dropping like flies....

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Magnussen Withdraws from Rolex 24 at Daytona
By Mark Glendenning | January 19, 2023 11:00 AM ET

Kevin Magnussen has withdrawn from the Rolex 24 At Daytona after undergoing hand surgery last week. The Dane, who was slated to drive  a Porsche 911 GT3 R with MDK Motorsports alongside Mark Kvamme, Trenton Estep and father Jan, will be replaced by Jason Hart.

“I’ve been advised by the doctors not to drive the race next week,” said Magnussen, who had a small cyst removed from his wrist.

“The surgery went well, but I need to rest as much as possible to be fit for fight before we begin preparing for the F1 season. It’s a shame. I’ve been looking forward to that fantastic race and to get a new chance to drive with my father and MDK Motorsports. I’m wishing the team a great weekend at Daytona.”

Hart races for MDK’s Porsche Carrera Cup team, and owner/driver Kvamme said he expects him to rise to the occasion.

“We’re glad that Kevin’s surgery went successful, and we all wish him a speedy recovery,” he said.

“As we have already stated, our drivers’ and team members’ health are always our number one priority. We’re also happy to announce that Kevin will be replaced at Daytona by our Porsche Carrera Cup driver Jason Hart. Jason and I raced together at Le Mans last year and I was very impressed with his experience, talent and dedication to his craft. This is going to be another exciting challenge for MDK Motorsports.”

https://racer.com/2023/01/19/magnussen-withdraws-from-rolex-24-at-daytona/

[mikeamerica84]

Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona spotters guide:

https://spotterguides.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/SG_23_DAY_ONLINE_V1.pdf

[mikeamerica84]

Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona entry list - 61 cars:

https://us.motorsport.com/imsa/news/rolex-daytona-entry-list-2023/10412846/

I note a plethora of Oz and NZ wheel men in the race:  Scott Dixon, Earl Bamber, Matt Campbell, Brendon Hartley, Scott McLaughlin, James Allen, Cameron Shields, Josh Burdon, Kenny Habul, Jaxon Evans, & Ryan Briscoe.  And that's just by noting the nations' flags on the entry list.

I hope you can make it.  Race starts at 1330 EST here in the States on Saturday the 28th.

[skaifeman]

Am I right in saying that SMac finished 11th overall and 5th in class (2 laps behind the leader in a field of 10) after being 9 laps down at the start of the race?
I know it's 24hrs and it happened at the "better" time (start of the race), but that's still an effort.

[stp01]

Thanks for the thread Mike, it was a good reminder to tune in. The coverage, at least when I was watching, was heavy on Prototypes, but not much on GTs. But it was still cool to watch!

[meha]

Thanks for the thread Mike, it was a good reminder to tune in. The coverage, at least when I was watching, was heavy on Prototypes, but not much on GTs. But it was still cool to watch!

you tend to find that with a lot of the multi class stuff particularly the WEC as they focus on the race up front and often forget the rest.

[Kytabu]

Great finish for an Aussie to get up in LMP2!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuNTp4hqenw

[mikeamerica84]

Thanks for the thread Mike, it was a good reminder to tune in. The coverage, at least when I was watching, was heavy on Prototypes, but not much on GTs. But it was still cool to watch!

The 12 Hours of Bathurst will more than make up for that. 

The whole 24 hours is now up on www.gpreplay.com.  All IMSA races are on there delayed about a week after the running.

[mikeamerica84]

https://racer.com/2023/03/08/meyer-shank-accepts-penalties-for-rolex-24-infractions/

Meyer Shank accepts penalties for Rolex 24 infractions

Meyer Shank Racing released a statement accepting responsibility for the infractions and the penalties applied to the team for manipulating tire pressure data during the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and indicated that it has parted with the individual responsible.

“We accept the series’ decision and have taken responsibility,” read the statement.

“We want to apologize to everyone at Acura, HPD, and all of our partners. We have dealt with this issue internally and the team member that was responsible is no longer with the organization. We do not want this error to overshadow the tremendous effort that our team, drivers and all of our partners have put forth to develop this new LMDh car. We consider this matter closed and are fully focused on resetting and coming back for the Twelve Hours of Sebring,” said the statement.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) discovered the team was manipulating the tire pressure data that IMSA monitors to ensure compliance with minimum tire pressure regulation, and reported the matter to IMSA. IMSA and Michelin set minimum pressures for safety reasons, but teams often would prefer to use lower pressures to aid traction in cornering and acceleration.

“We are extremely disappointed in the misconduct of the Meyer Shank Racing (MSR) team during the Daytona race,” said David Salters, president and technical director at HPD. “We became aware of a problem with data from the No. 60 MSR car, and after a detailed investigation following the race, we reported our findings to IMSA. HPD does not tolerate any misconduct, delinquency, or data manipulation of any kind. We completely support the action of IMSA in this matter. We have put in a huge effort over two years with our chassis partners into the ARX-06 to make the best race car we could. To have this put into question is unacceptable.”

HPD and IMSA found that that team was adding a correction factor into the tire pressure data so that the data IMSA received shows higher pressures than were actually being used. IMSA revoked the annual credential of team engineer and strategist Ryan McCarthy, likely the individual referred to in the team’s statement, and suspended him indefinitely. Other penalties applied include the loss of 200 team and driver IMSA WeatherTech Championship points, loss of all Michelin Endurance Cup points, loss of prize money, a $50,000 fine and probation for the team through June 30.

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BUT, they KEEP the WIN!   

[Kytabu]

Just wanted to mention Scotty Mac and his teammates picking up the LMP2 class win and an outright podium at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

It was a crazy finish with the outright top three coming together and going out of the race with twenty minutes remaining.

[mikeamerica84]

Just wanted to mention Scotty Mac and his teammates picking up the LMP2 class win and an outright podium at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

It was a crazy finish with the outright top three coming together and going out of the race with twenty minutes remaining.

They actually were third on the overall podium due to the majority of the GTPs going down or out!

AND Tower Motorsports is atop the LMP2 table and their three drivers, including Scotty, are all tied for the overall LMP2 drivers lead.  Of course, he'll fall off for he is not running every round, but for right now, what a feather in his cap!