The US sportswear racing season is over. It is during this downtime between seasons, I enjoy looking to what’s going to be different for the upcoming 2016 season. There is a lot.
What’s in a Name?
The IMSA series has its 3rd name change in as many years. I loved the change to the Tudor! Its easy to say and exudes the class of the Swiss made watches it represents. But it is gone. In its place comes WeatherTech.
WeatherTech, however, doesn’t roll off the tongue quite the same way. They have a strong history in racing, sponsoring the Alex Job team for several years and almost everybody knows who they are.
That said, WeatherTech is a bit of a hero company for me. My background is in manufacturing and WeatherTech is an ALL-American company! A family company too. They use Toyota’s lean manufacturing philosophy to make great products for cars and trucks. They represent what is good about American businesses and they have a DIRECT connection to racing. I like that! No, I mean I LOVE THAT!
Welcome WeatherTech.
The More Things Change, The More They Remain The Same
The prototypes generally get top billing, and this year is no exception. The new international rules for LMP2 coming in 2017 will have a number of teams looking at changes now so to be competitive by then.
I think IMSA did the right thing by keeping the engine and bodywork options open. Unlike the WEC, IMSA is manufacturer driven. If our manufacturers were interested in the F1 budgets of LMP1’s high tech hybrids, they would be there. Mazda is a perfect example, running their diesel LMP2 to develop the concept. The did get caught out with the rules change outlawing diesels and are now working on the gas version. The story for Prototypes, though =, is still being written.
The change from GTD to GT3 this season will transform the series. The influx of new cars already listed and the potential for cross over from Pirelli World Challenge has me just giddy with optimism.
Last year’s GT mix (GTLM and GTD) was a great mix with Porsche, Audi, Ferrari, Dodge (Viper), Chevy, Aston Martin and BMW all fighting for wins! So far, we have Lamborghini committed to running, with Cadillac testing at Sebring with the Pratt&Miller team. Flying Lizard?K-Pax are discussing a possible McLaren for at least the NEAC. I also want to believe that Dyson Racing won’t completely turn its back on IMSA with the brutish but beautiful Bentley!
The field is full of opportunity!
History Returns
Saving the best for last, the Historic 24 is in November. IMSA has heroically added its name to the race and it should be somethings see. I for one will be there with my boys. Camping in the infield old-school style. I will post pictures.
Here is how it works. There are 6 classes ranging from 50’s cars to more modern cars from the 2000’s. Starting with class A and going through F, each class runs for 1 hour. Once all classes have run, they start over and repeat the process for 24v hours. Each class runs 4 hours total over the 24.
There will be some great old, and not so old, cars there! This may be IMSA’s next hidden treasure.