OT: Rolex 24

[Ralph]

Originally Posted by 72gmc

Mustangs return in GTD form today!

They do sound pretty glorious: https://youtu.be/l76WBXpSXiw?si=_qhfsWQlbxNy4QMH

Thanks for the link. Listen to that flat plane crank.

[72gmc]

Originally Posted by glepore

The LMP2 cars have had that config for several years. Its the "lesser" prototype class but they have Felipe Massa in the 74 car.

Massa gave a delightful pit lane interview about 5 hours in. He made sure to add how much he appreciated the fans and how much he was enjoying himself. Reinforced my notion that the Rolex 24 is a race I’d really like to go to, along with Petit LeMans.

[oliver1850]

Originally Posted by glepore

But that lineup in the 2nd Ganassi car, Bordais, Dixie, Palou...

I was pulling for the 10? time Indycar champs, but it appears that the car is out of the race. No indication of the problem but VanderZande is out of the car. The #24 BMW has lost a number of laps but is back on track.

[plunk]

Last year was a blast, and now with the hybrids on point, it's gonna be epic. Felipe in LMP2 is gonna bring some serious action.

[RacerJRP]

Have not had time to watch much yet but have the TV coverage recording. Looks like I may be at Super Sebring and Le Mans this year!

[bikinchris]

Carroll Shelby and Ford made a huge step forward in race preparation by making a dynamometer that ran his Lemans engines for 24 hour facing a program that was simulating the stress on the engine. He won Lemans 4 years in a row doing that while his competitor's didn't have that capability.
Multimatic in preparation for these races puts the entire drivetrain including the transaxle, mufflers, cooling system etc. on their dynamometer and run EXACTLY what the car will go through for the 24 hour race.
Ford customers can not only buy a GT3 race car, Ford sells the Mustang GTD in limited quantities for street use.
That Mustang GTD is FASTER than the track only car because it has 800hp to the track only car having 550hp as well as downforce controls that the track car isn't allowed to use.

[Plum Hill]

A bit ironic a race sponsored by a watchmaker has officials that can’t tell time.

[rice rocket]

Originally Posted by Plum Hill

A bit ironic a race sponsored by a watchmaker has officials that can’t tell time.

It was the Rolex 23:58.

Flags are botched all the time, unfortunately, and once you throw one, you can't really backtrack.

I attended this year, it was great to see the interest in IMSA growing. It's wild to think that Daytona is able to fill the grandstands on NASCAR events, because despite what they said about the attendance record, only the last 1/4 of the grandstands were open for seating, and maybe only 1 of every 10 seats were taken.

I'm sure the increase in racing-related media has helped immensely in the recent years.

[72gmc]

Rolex 24 and Nurburgring 24 are the two round-the-clock races I'd like to attend. While the Rolex may have space to move around, I'm pretty sure the N24 is crawling with people in the stands and in the woods.

[rice rocket]

Originally Posted by 72gmc

Rolex 24 and Nurburgring 24 are the two round-the-clock races I'd like to attend. While the Rolex may have space to move around, I'm pretty sure the N24 is crawling with people in the stands and in the woods.

Our group discussed which other races to see, I think our next target is Le Mans in 2025.

While Nurburgring is undoubtedly a historic track, with tons of great support racing, having to hike from sections of the forest to the other to see another microcosm of the track means it's probably better watched on TV/streaming.

[Old School]

Originally Posted by Plum Hill

A bit ironic a race sponsored by a watchmaker has officials that can’t tell time.

Perhaps the timekeeper was actually using a (incredibly overrated) Rolex Daytona, which times in 1/8 second increments as opposed to 1/10 second increments.

[VTCaraco]

My son enjoys these races.
He's done Sebring, this one and Petit Le Mans (as well as some F1 races).

He did this one last weekend (and is doing the Monaco Historic Grand Prix as the centerpiece for a buddies bachelor's party).

If I'm not mistaken, he says that Petit Le Mans is the best event to go to.

[glepore]

Originally Posted by VTCaraco

My son enjoys these races.
He's done Sebring, this one and Petit Le Mans (as well as some F1 races).

He did this one last weekend (and is doing the Monaco Historic Grand Prix as the centerpiece for a buddies bachelor's party).

If I'm not mistaken, he says that Petit Le Mans is the best event to go to.

I've heard the same, its a great track and the access everywhere is great.

[Ralph]

Largest crowd ever for a Rolex 24 at Daytona this year. it's popularity is growing.

[72gmc]

Originally Posted by VTCaraco

My son enjoys these races.
He's done Sebring, this one and Petit Le Mans (as well as some F1 races).

He did this one last weekend (and is doing the Monaco Historic Grand Prix as the centerpiece for a buddies bachelor's party).

If I'm not mistaken, he says that Petit Le Mans is the best event to go to.

In the not-24 category, Petit LeMans and the Bathurst 12 hour are currently tops on my list. I’d love to be on Mount Panorama in the dark when they drop the green flag and those GT3s come over for the first time.