2016 Goodbyes: Daytona Prototypes

We say so long to the venerable Daytona Prototype race cars of Grand Am and IMSA, after 14 years, and 171 races.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/31/2016-goodbyes-daytona-prototypes.html

Dumas Chasing 24H Le Mans LMP2 Drive

After being dropped from the Porsche factory team, who he won Le Mans with in 2016, Romain Dumas is searching for a drive for 2017 in LMP2.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/dumas-chasing-lmp2-drive-for-24h-le-mans/

IMSA Sets Initial 2017 Balance of Performance

IMSA has set the initial Balance of Performance for 2017 before the test session for the Rolex 24 at Daytona next weekend.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-sets-initial-2017-bop/

Jordan Taylor Talks DP and DPI

In an intrview with NASportscar.com, Jordan Taylor compares and contrasts the old Daytona Prototype race car, with it's successor, the Daytona Prototype International race car.

http://nasportscar.com/jordan-taylor-talks-dp-and-dpi/

More FIA WEC news

More news from the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Prost, Beche, Piquet, Senna Confirmed in Two-Car Rebellion Team

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rebellion-confirms-two-car-wec-effort-with-prost-beche-piquet-senna/

Calderon: RGR Sport "Doing Everything to be Back On the Grid"

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/calderon-rgr-sport-doing-everything-to-be-back-on-the-grid-in-2017/

Lapierre to Continue with Signatech Alpine
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lapierre-retained-by-signatech-alpine/

REVIEW: Le Mans 2016 Yearbook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/review-le-mans-2016-yearbook/

Scuderia Corsa Set for Two-Car Ferrari 488 GTE-Am Effort
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/scuderia-corsa-set-for-two-car-ferrari-488-gte-am-effort/

More IMSA headlines

We update the headlines coming out of IMSA and specifically, the WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, that are single stories, not necessarily to do with the shuffling and reshuffling of drivers and teams during the "silly season" as updated yesterday.  Here are the goings on.

Kanaan Confirmed in Four-Car Ford GT Lineup For Rolex 24
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/kanaan-confirmed-in-four-car-ford-gt-lineup-for-rolex-24/

Sandberg Joins Change Racing for TPNAEC Races
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/sandberg-joins-change-racing-for-tpnaec/

In Case You Missed It.

Alex Job Confirms Audi TPNAEC Entry for Sweedler, Bell, Montecalvo

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/alex-job-confirms-audi-r8-lms-for-sweedler-bell-montecalvo-in-tpnaec/

Beche Joins JDC-Miller for Rolex 24; Goikhberg Confirmed For Season
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/beche-joins-jdc-miller-for-rolex-24-full-season-lineup-confirmed/

Stevenson Confirms Single Audi Entry for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/stevenson-confirms-single-audi-entry-for-daytona/

IMSA: JDC-Miller Motorsports Confirms Rolex Lineup

JDC-Miller Motorsports reveals their driver squad for the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  Your bonus post for this Wednesday.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/137388-imsa-jdc-miller-motorsports-confirms-rolex-lineup

IMSA Silly Season Updates

These updates have been sporadic.  But, yours truly is doing his best to put them in order in one blog entry.  Here's what has happened for the 2017 IMSA silly season so far.

Some of this info is fairly outdated by now, unfortunately.

Entries Open for 2017 WeatherTech Championship
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/entries-open-for-2017-imsa-weathertech-championship/

2017 IMSA Silly Season Update: Prototype
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2017-imsa-silly-season-update-prototype/

2017 IMSA Silly Season Update: GT Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2017-imsa-silly-season-update-gt-le-mans/

2017 IMSA Silly Season Update: Prototype Challenge
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2017-imsa-silly-season-update-prototype-challenge/

2017 IMSA Silly Season Update: GT Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2017-imsa-silly-season-update-gt-daytona/

2017 IMSA Silly Season Update 2: Prototype
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2017-imsa-silly-season-update-2-prototype/

2017 IMSA Silly Season Update 2: GT Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2017-imsa-silly-season-update-2-gt-daytona/

2017 IMSA Silly Season Update 2: Prototype Challenge
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2017-imsa-silly-season-update-2-prototype-challenge/

More IMSA news still to come.  Stay tuned.

IMSA: Alex Job confirms Audi for Endurance Cup

Alex Job Racing, will reduce their effort in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship in 2017, only focusing on the four big races in the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup.  But, they have a strong driver squad for these events, starting at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  They also are switching from a Porsche 911 GT3R to an Audi R8 for 2017.  Drivers include Bill Sweedler, Townsend Bell, Frankie Montecalvo, and Pierre Kaffer.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/137383-imsa-alex-job-confirms-audi-for-endurance-cup_137383

24H Dubai Reaches Near 100-Car Entry

Another massive entry list for the opening race of the 24 Hour Series, the 24 Hours of Dubai.  98 cars are entered at the time of this story being published.

http://sportscar365.com/other-series/24hseries/nearly-100-cars-set-for-24h-dubai/

Christmas Day Film Show: Flops & Legends

An after Christmas film show, more specifically.  Some very cool sports cars, that just weren't as successful as their designers and builders had hoped.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/25/christmas-day-film-show-flops-legends.html

Chasing The Mighty Television

This is why yours truly sometimes has a hard time keeping up with sports car racing.  TV ratings are what it is all about, and soon, I think, many categories of sports car racing may be relegated off of television as it dies a slow death, and move to live streaming on the net.

http://nasportscar.com/chasing-the-mighty-television/

Never mind sports car racing.  All forms of racing, may become that way.

IMSA: December Daytona test sound experience

A Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukah to all the readers of Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog.  Yours truly, presents, a gift.  Check out Racer magazine's Marshall Pruett, and his latest podcast.  You will hear, from December testing for the Rolex 24, all the ambient sounds of each different car in all classes of competition.  Enjoy this.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/137362-imsa-december-daytona-test-sound-experience

Kanaan joins Ford GT squad for Rolex 24 assault

IndyCar regular Tony Kanaan will join Ford Chip Ganassi Racing for its assault on the Rolex 24 at Daytona next month, it has been announced.

http://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/kanaan-joins-ford-gt-squad-for-rolex-24-assault-861251/?s=1&r=161305&em=1

AMG-Team Riley completes Rolex 24 lineup

Mario Farnbacher and Adam Christodoulou will join Ben Keating and Jeroen Bleekemolen in the #33 Mercedes AMG GT3 for next month's 55th Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

http://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/amg-team-riley-completes-rolex-24-lineup-860841/?s=1&r=161305&em=1

REAR VIEW: Foyt, Waltrip Race An Aston Martin

Flashback to the 1983 24 Hours of Daytona.  As a promotional stunt, for race sponsor at the time, Pepsi Cola, A.J. Foyt, and NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip, raced an Aston Martin Nimrod GTP prototype.  The outing did not go as planned at all.  Ironically, after the car retired, Foyt joined up with another team, Preston Henn's Swap Shop Porsche 935 outfit, and despite a downright grouchy and skeptical Frenchman, Bob Wollek, he, and Foyt, would go on to win the race, after he said of Foyt, "ugh!  He knows nothing about the car or this kind of racing!  He'll ruin our race!"  Guess again.  Those chaps, won!

http://www.racer.com/indycar/item/137344-rear-view-foyt-waltrip-race-an-aston-martin

Christmas Week Film Show: GT1

Remembering the awesome power of the GT1 class cars.  Nothing against GT3, GT4, and the other worldwide GT classes of today.  But, GT1 was something pretty special.  Check this out.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/21/christmas-week-film-show-gt1.html

TRANS AM: Ribbs, Unsers form new team

Some legendary names are teaming up to run a car in the Trans Am Series in 2017.  Willy T. Ribbs, Al Unser Jr., and Robby Unser.  Racer magazine, has the scoop. 

http://www.racer.com/scca-home/item/137317-trans-am-ribbs-unsers-form-new-team

more Daytona testing video footage

More video of testing for 2017 at Daytona International Speedway, from YouTube channel, Fansofthe12Hours, obviously referring to the 12 Hours of Sebring. 

Go Onboard with the Acura NSX GT3

Ozz Negri Jr. from Michael Shank Racing, is your chauffeur, as we take a lap around Daytona International Speedway during the test session, about a week ago, aboard the new Acura NSX GT3.

IMSA headlines (continued)

More of the latest headlines from IMSA, as we prepare for the 24 Hours of Daytona and the beginning of the 2017 season, next month.

JDC-Miller to Focus on LMP2; PC Class Set for Reduced Entry
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jdc-miller-to-focus-on-lmp2-pc-class-set-for-reduced-entry/

Von Moltke Exploring Next Step After Audi Exit
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/von-moltke-exploring-next-step-after-audi-exit/

IMSA to Allow Variations on LMP2 Regulations
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-to-allow-variations-on-lmp2-regulations/

Farnbacher, Christodoulou Complete AMG-Riley Lineup for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/farnbacher-christodoulou-complete-amg-riley-lineup-for-daytona/

Acura Reveals Shank Liveries, Driver Pairings
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/acura-reveals-shank-liveries-driver-pairings/

ESM Ligier Nissan DPi Revealed; Testing Begins
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/esm-ligier-nissan-dpi-revealed-testing-begins/

Lone Star Confirms Mercedes-AMG GT3 for Skeen, Knox
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/lone-star-confirms-mercedes-amg-gt3-for-skeen-knox/

Alegra Confirms TPNAEC Program with Porsche 911 GT3 R
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/alegra-confrims-tpnaec-program-with-porsche-911-gt3-r/

IMSA Reveals 2017 Fox Sports Broadcast Schedule
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-reveals-2017-fox-sports-broadcast-schedules/

Revolutionary engineering at the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans

Yours truly, was a witness to this miracle of motor racing technology, at age 14, in front of my eyes, on television, at the 2000 24 Hours of Le Mans.  The 68^th renewal of that great race, saw something that was unprecedented, a few different times.  Audi Sport Team Joest, entered three of their R8 prototypes for the 2000 running of Le Mans.  The #8 entry that won the race, in the hands of Frank Biela, Tom Kristensen, and Emmanuelle Pirro, did not have to undergo this procedure.  But, the team’s other two cars (#7 driven by the trio of Rinaldo Cappello, Christian Abt, and the late, great Michele Alboreto), and the #9 machine in the hands of Allan McNish, Stephane Ortelli, and Laurent Aiello, had to undergo the rear end change, which consisted of having a full rear end unit (rear end assembly plus suspension, and brake rotors and pads) fully assembled, while taking the old unit out of the car, on a hoist, and then, swinging the new unit into position, and fastening it down, which could be done in anywhere from four to seven minutes.

This practice, was so revolutionary, it was banned by the ACO (the organization that sets the rules for the 24 Hours of Le Mans).  But, despite that, it still goes down as one of the greatest technological innovations in sports car racing history.  Speedvision broadcast crews, covered both changes.  For the first one, Gregg Creamer, Alain de Cadenet, and Danny Sullivan, in the booth, with Guy Hobbs calling the actual change of parts, in the pit lane.  For the second change, play-by-play is provided by Derek Daly, David Hobbs, and Sam Posey, topside, and the men on the ground, covering the garage action, Calvin Fish, and Dorsey Schroeder.  At the same time, the Panoz team, who had the legend Mario Andretti on their driver's strength, along with David Brabham and Jan Magnussen, was also doing a gearbox change.  But that year, Panoz was not as lucky as Audi as both their cars ran into further problems.

This is a truly amazing.  Check it out.

More news about the Bathurst 12 Hours

This race comes up in February.  But, there is more news pertaining the Bathurst 12 Hours at Mount Panorama, that has come out in recent weeks.  Some of this news actually dates as far back as September.

BMW Confirms Two-Car Attack for Bathurst 12H
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/bmw-confirms-two-car-attack-on-bathurst-12h/

Nissan Confirms Expanded Two-Car Effort for Bathurst 12H
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/nissan-confirms-two-car-effort-for-bathurst-12h/

More Than 50 Provisional Entries for Bathurst 12H
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/more-than-50-entries-for-bathurst-12h/

Lowndes, Whincup in Maranello Ferrari for Bathurst 12H
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/lowndes-whincup-in-maranello-ferrari-for-bathurst-12h/

BMW Confirms Bathurst Legends for 12H Race
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/bmw-confirms-bathurst-legends-for-12h/

Dalla Lana Planning Rolex 24, Bathurst 12H Double
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/dalla-lana-planning-rolex-24-bathurst-12h-double/

Van Gisbergen to Leave McLaren; Set For Mercedes Drive In Bathurst 12H

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/van-gisbergen-to-leave-mclaren-gt-set-for-mercedes-amg-drive-in-bathurst-12h/

All the action from the Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi

Yours truly, neglected to post about this when it actually happened, last weekend.  Well, here is all the news, and all the action from the recent Gulf 12 Hours endurance race at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi.

36 Cars on Preliminary Gulf 12H Entry List
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/36-cars-on-preliminary-gulf-12-hours-entry-list/

United Autosports Enters Three Ligier JS P3's for Gulf 12H
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/united-autosports-enters-three-ligier-js-p3s-for-gulf-12h/

26 Entries Set for Gulf 12H
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/26-entries-set-for-gulf-12-hours/

United Autosports Fastest on Thursday in Abu Dhabi
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/united-autosports-fastest-on-thursday-in-abu-dhabi/

Graff Tops Final Practice in Abu Dhabi
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/graff-tops-final-gulf-12h-practice-at-yas-marina-circuit/

Kessel Racing Claims Gulf 12H Pole
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/kessel-racing-claims-gulf-12h-pole/

Kessel Racing Leads Gulf 12H at Six-Hour Mark
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/kessel-racing-leads-gulf-12h-at-six-hour-mark/

Kessel Racing Wins Second Consecutive Gulf 12H
http://sportscar365.com/other-series/gulf12h/kessel-racing-wins-second-consecutive-gulf-12h/

More FIA WEC news

More news from the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Bamber, Tandy Test 2017-Spec Porsche 919 Hybrid
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bamber-tandy-test-2017-spec-porsche-919-hybrid/

VIDEO: Porsche's Message to Audi's LMP1 Withdrawal
 http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bamber-tandy-test-2017-spec-porsche-919-hybrid/

Audi's Stillborn 2017-Spec R18 Revealed
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/audis-stillborn-2017-spec-r18-revealed/

DTM Confirms Date Clash With 24H Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/dtm-confirms-date-clash-with-le-mans/

New LMP1 Manufacturers to Receive Technical Waivers, Incentives

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/new-lmp1-manufacturers-set-to-receive-technical-waivers-incentives/

WEC Locks Down GTE-Pro Tire Regulations
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/wec-locks-down-gte-pro-tire-regulations/

LMP1 Privateer Trophy Poised for Hiatus
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lmp1-privateer-trophy-set-for-hiatus/

A European Le Mans Series team, could move to the FIA WEC in 2018.

Graff Confirms Second Oreca 07 Entry; WEC Effort in works for 2018
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/graff-confirms-second-oreca-07-entry/

ACO Adjusts Final Lap Classification Rule for 24H Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aco-adjusts-final-lap-classification-rule-at-24h-le-mans/

Scuderia Corsa Secures Second 24H Le Mans Auto-Invite
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/scuderia-corsa-secures-second-24h-le-mans-auto-invite/

More IMSA news

One of these stories has already been highlighted, about IMSA combining the race start for both Prototype and GT classes instead of separating them like they used to.  But, there is more news, too.

Jaeger, Van Gisbergen Complete WeatherTech Lineup for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jaeger-van-gisbergen-complete-weathertech-lineup-for-daytona/

Combined Starts, Points Revisions Highlight Changes to Sporting Regs
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/combined-starts-highlight-sporting-regulation-changes-for-2017/

Mazda Targeting Customer DPi Program
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/mazda-targeting-customer-dpi-program/

IMSA Adjusts PC, GTD Drive Time Requirements
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-adjusts-pc-gtd-drive-times/

DPi, LMP2s Undergo Wind Tunnel Testing; Nearing Final Homologation

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/dpi-lmp2s-undergo-wind-tunnel-dyno-testing-nearing-final-homologation/

DragonSpeed, JDC-Miller Complete Oreca 07 Shakedowns
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/dragonspeed-jdc-miller-complete-oreca-07-shakedowns/

Revisiting a story we have talked about, 2017 tech regs from IMSA.

IMSA Releases 2017 Technical Regulations
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-releases-2017-technical-regulations/

PR1/Mathiasen Confirms Kimber-Smith, Guttierez, Guasch
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/pr1mathiasen-confirms-kimber-smith-gutierrez-for-season/

Technical Regulations Released For 2017 WeatherTech Championship

The 411 on the technical regulations for the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.

http://www.imsa.com/news/122016/technical-regulations-released-2017-weathertech-championship

Inside Dunlop's Sebring Tyre Test, 2017 LMP2s On Parade

Major effort to unlock pace and endurance potential.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/16/inside-dunlops-sebring-tyre-test-2017-lmp2s-on-parade.html

Are We Sitting on a GT3 Implosion?

Headed into the 11th year of GT3 based production sports car racing, will these cars implode, and decline like their GT1 and GT2 predecessors did?  Matt Kistler, writing for NASportscar.com, analyzes what could happen.

http://nasportscar.com/are-we-sitting-on-a-gt3-implosion/

Hartley & Bamber Test 2017 Porsche 919 at Aragon

Bamber returns to the LMP1 cockpit ahead of the 2017 season.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/14/hartley-bamber-test-2017-porsche-919-at-aaragon.html

Le Mans 2030 design contest

A couple of stories on the Michelin Challenge Design initiative, "Le Mans 2030", designing what the future of LMP1 racing could look like in another 15 years.  A similar idea has already been laid out and presented for Formula 1.

Inside the Michelin Challenge Design "Le Mans 2030" Selection Process

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/inside-the-michelin-challenge-design-le-mans-2030-selection-process/

...and

Michelin Challenge Design "Le Mans 2030" Winners Announced

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/michelin-announces-winners-of-le-mans-2030-challenge-design/

In Memoriam: Peter Gregg

Rest In Peace, sports car racing legend, Peter Gregg, who won a grand total of 11 championships during his career.  Two-time SCCA Trans Am champion.  Six-time IMSA GTO champion, and also, a four-time winner of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  He also owned Brumos Porsche in Jacksonville, Florida, and sadly, died at age 40, of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

https://thisdayinmotorsporthistory.blogspot.com/2016/12/brumos-porsche-owner-peter-gregg-found.html?spref=fb

IMSA Daytona December Testing

More video to check out.  Once again, with credit, to YouTube user, Lanky Turtle.  Here are some videos from the December test session at Daytona International Speedway.

Cadillac DPi

 Mazda DPi

Assorted GT class cars.

IMSA Daytona December Testing footage

Bonus.  From Racer magazine, a snippet of testing footage from Daytona featuring a varied mix of different Prototype and GT class cars.  More testing video from Daytona, still to come.

IMSA abandons split starts, revises points system

A couple of other announcements by IMSA at the Daytona test session.  Split starts (separating Prototype and GT class cars), have been abandoned.  The point of this, is to provide more action.  But, the negative is, with all the cars starting together, that could trigger more first lap wrecks.  There is also going to be a revision in how the points system works.

http://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/imsa-abandons-split-starts-revises-points-system-859443/

Daytona testing news (continued), Day Two

It is day two, of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship's first test at Daytona International Speedway before the Rolex 24.  Here is what happened via Sportscar365.

Flis: "Hurdles Getting Smaller Each Day" with Visit Florida Riley-Gibson

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/flis-visit-florida-our-hurdles-are-getting-smaller-and-fewer-every-day/

Ford Confirms Four-Car Rolex 24 Entry
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/ford-confirms-four-car-rolex-24-entry/

Action Express Cadillacs Top Daytona Test
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/action-express-cadillacs-top-daytona-test/

Daytona Wednesday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-wednesday-notebook-5/

*Note.  The test results, are linked, within the article about Action Express being fastest for the whole session.

We'll see you again, from Daytona International Speedway, for the mandatory test for all competitors, at the "Roar Before The Rolex 24", which is set to take place, in about three weeks.

more Daytona testing news, (Day One)

As the IMSA test session for the Rolex 24 (the first of two), is underway, more news unfolds.  Here is the latest, via Sportscar365.

PHOTOS: Daytona Monday Gallery
http://sportscar365.com/features/photography/photos-daytona-monday-gallery-2/

3GT Confirms Endurance Driver Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/3gt-confirms-endurance-driver-lineup/

Starworks Rules Out Riley-Gibson LMP2 for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/starworks-rules-out-daytona-with-riley-gibson-lmp2/

Jonsson, Long Complete CORE Porsche Lineup For Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jonsson-long-complete-core-porsche-lineup-for-daytona/

Vanthoor: "I've Finished a Chapter and Have Turned The Page"
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/vanthoor-ive-finished-a-chapter-and-turned-the-page/

Henzler Joins TRG for Porsche GTD Effort
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/henzler-joins-trg-for-porsche-gtd-effort/

PHOTOS: Daytona Tuesday Gallery (UPDATED)
http://sportscar365.com/features/photography/photos-daytona-tuesday-gallery-5/

Action Express Cadillac Quickest in Opening Day of Testing at Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/action-express-quickest-in-opening-day-of-daytona-test/

Gordon: "I Want To Give These Guys Everything"
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/gordon-every-lap-ive-made-in-the-car-has-been-helpful/

Daytona Tuesday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-tuesday-notebook-4/

More news, and possible video, to come, from the test.  Stay tuned, for all the news of what happens, tomorrow.

Farnbacher, Menezes, Cindric and James Complete 3GT Lexus Enduro Lineups

Lexus and 3GT Racing, have filled out their entire driver roster for the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship endurance races.  Here is how the lineups break down for the enduros in the team's #14 and #15 entries, joining already confirmed drivers Scott Pruett, Sage Karam, Robert Alon, and Jack Hawksworth.

#14 Lexus RC F GT3
Sage Karam, Scott Pruett, Ian James, & Gustavo Menezes

#15 Lexus RC F GT3
Robert Alon, Jack Hawksworth, Austin Cindric, & Dominik Farnbacher

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/12/farnbacher-menezes-cindric-and-james-complete-3gt-lexus-endure-line-ups.html

IMSA Test - Daytona - 28 Cars - Debuts Galore

Today is the kickoff for the first Rolex 24 test session at Daytona International Speedway.  Dailysportscar.com, has all the details.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/13/imsa-test-daytona-28-cars-debuts-galore.html

Wayne Taylor Racing Shows Cadillac DPI (pics)

For your viewing pleasure, pictures of the new Wayne Taylor Racing, Konica Minolta sponsored Cadillac DPi racer.

http://nasportscar.com/wayne-taylor-racing-shows-cadillac-dpi-pics/

Tequila Patron ESM Returns To IMSA With Familiar Lineup

After racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship the past two seasons (but also, coming back in 2016 and winning both the Rolex 24 at Daytona, and the 12 Hours of Sebring), Tequila Patron ESM returns to IMSA full-time in 2017.

http://nasportscar.com/tequila-patron-esm-returns-to-imsa-with-familiar-lineup/

FIA WEC news

Some big news in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

2017 FIA WEC Silly Season Update: GTE-Pro & GTE-Am
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/2017-wec-silly-season-update-gte-pro-gte-am/

Duval, Rast Switch to Audi DTM Program
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/duval-rast-switch-to-audi-dtm-program/

BMW Names 2018 GTE Development Drivers
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bmw-names-2018-gte-development-drivers/

Clearwater Closing In On GTE-Am Effort With Ferrari 488
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/clearwater-closing-in-on-gte-am-program/

Walliser: Bruni Would "Fit In" to Porsche's GTE Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/walliser-bruni-would-fit-in-porsches-gte-lineup/

VIDEO: Porsche Sepang 12H Race Recap

Earl Bamber, Nick Tandy and Patrick Pilet check into Sportscar365 following their second place finish in Saturday’s Motul Sepang 12 Hours.

http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-porsche-sepang-12h-race-recap/

BMW Confirms 2017 WeatherTech Championship Drivers

BMW revamps it's lineup and brings in some fresh talent for the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.  One name, that is taking a major step into sports car racing, and has a bright future, is Briton Alexander Sims, who was part of Rowe Racing's winning squad, with a BMW M6 GT3 in the Blancpain Endurance Series 24 Hours of Spa, last July.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bmw-confirms-2017-weathertech-championship-drivers/

Rusinov Remains Gold; FIA Releases Updated 2017 Driver Ratings List

The FIA released their updated driver ratings list for 2017, this past Thursday, and FIA World Endurance Championship driver, Roman Rusinov, remains a Gold status driver.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/rusinov-remains-gold-fia-releases-updated-2017-driver-ratings-list/

12 Hours of Sepang

All the news and action, from this weekend's 12 Hours of Sepang, another endurance event for the Intercontinental GT Challenge, coming up, now.

Porsche Confirms All-Factory Lineup for Sepang 12H
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/porsche-confirms-all-factory-lineup-for-sepang-12h/

K-PAX Enters Sepang 12H With McLaren
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/k-pax-enters-sepang-12h-with-mclaren/

Phoenix Confirms Two-Car Audi Effort for Sepang 12H
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/phoenix-confirms-two-car-audi-effort-for-sepang-12h/

Sepang 12H Entry List Released
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/motul-sepang-12-hours-entry-list-revealed/

Parente, van Gisbergen, Ledogar to Drive K-PAX McLaren in Sepang 12H

http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/parente-van-gisbergen-ledogar-to-drive-k-pax-mclaren-in-sepang-12h/

Three-Way Fight for Inaugural IGTC Title in Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/three-way-fight-for-inaugural-igtc-title/

K-PAX McLaren Tops Free Practice 1 in Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/k-pax-mclaren-tops-free-practice-1-in-sepang/

VIDEO: Porsche Sepang 12H Update: Thursday
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-porsche-sepang-12h-update-thursday/

Phoenix Audi Quickest in Free Practice 2 at Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/phoenix-audi-tops-free-practice-2-in-sepang/

Sepang Thursday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/sepang-thursday-notebook/

Christensen: "It's Fair to Say That You've Got To Earn Your Respect"
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/christensen-its-fair-to-say-that-youve-got-to-earn-your-respect/

Parente Quickest in FP3 at Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/parente-quickest-in-fp3/

Makowiecki Takes Manthey Porsche to Sepang 12H Pole
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/makowiecki-takes-porsche-to-sepang-12h-pole/

VIDEO: Porsche Claims Sepang 12H Pole
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-porsche-claims-sepang-12h-pole/

Sepang Friday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/sepang-friday-notebook/

Ratel: First Season of IGTC "Definitely Not a Disappointment"
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/ratel-first-season-of-igtc-definitely-not-a-disappointment/

That was the pre-race news.  Now, for highlight articles, from the Sepang 12 Hours itself.

Bamber Leads Opening Hour in Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/bamber-leads-opening-hour-in-sepang/

Porsche 1-2 After Four Hours in Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/porsche-1-2-after-four-hours-in-sepang/

Audi in Control At Halfway After Rain Hits Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/audi-in-control-at-halfway-after-rain-hits-sepang/

Frijns Out Front as Rain Returns With Three Hours to Go
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/frijns-out-front-as-rain-returns-with-three-hours-to-go/

Phoenix Audi Wins Sepang; Vanthoor Crowned IGTC Champion
http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/phoenix-audi-wins-sepang-vanthoor-crowned-igtc-champion/

12 Hours of Sepang: Live Video

Here is the live video of the Sepang 12 Hours.  Check it out.

http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/live-sepang-12-hours/

What will happen is, all the news from pre-race and post-race, will be collected in one blog entry. Then, if there is video of the race after it is done, that too, will be posted.

BMW M6 GTLM testing at Sebring

Another video from Lanky Turtle.  This is the BMW M6 GTLM, testing at Sebring.  The same car, that was featured in that GT car sound comparison, blogged here, last week.

New 2017 P2 Ligier Testing at Sebring Raceway

YouTube user Lanky Turtle, catches video of the new 2017 Ligier LMP2 racer testing at Sebring International Raceway.  Check this out.

Shootout Qualifying Format Confirmed For Bathurst 12H

A simple, and effective method for qualifying has been confirmed for the Bathurst 12 Hours this February.

One classic lap of Mount Panorama will decide the winner of the Allan Simonsen Pole Award at the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/pirelli-shootout-confirmed-for-bathurst-12h/

Pirelli Named Exclusive Tire Supplier for Bathurst 12H

Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour organizers have announced Pirelli as the official exclusive tyre supplier of the 2017 event, to be held at Mount Panorama on Feb. 3-5.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/pirelli-named-exclusive-tire-supplier-for-bathurst-12h/

Ratel Targeting Kyalami 9 Hour Race for 2018

Yours truly, will have some updates on GT racing, as this weekend is the Sepang 12 Hours.  But, first, a story where SRO and their CEO Stephane Ratel, has interest in reviving one of the great endurance classics that fell off the radar, for many years.  The Kyalami 9 Hours in South Africa.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/igtc/ratel-targeting-kyalami-9-hour-race-for-2018/

Sarrazin Added to Rebellion Lineup for Rolex 24

Stephane Sarrazin, a veteran of sports car racing, completes the four-driver lineup for Rebellion Racing for the Rolex 24.  Sarrazin joins Neel Jani, Nick Heidfeld, and fellow Toyota FIA World Endurance Championship factory driver, Sebastien Buemi.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/sarrazin-added-to-rebellion-lineup-for-rolex-24/

New DPi's Highlight December Daytona Test Entry List

We continue to focus on the December test at Daytona International Speedway, before the action begins to heat up, next month before the 55th running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona.  Yours truly has seen the entry list as it stands so far, and it's an interesting mix of cars in all classes.  You can find a link, within this article from Sportscar365.  Prototype Challenge cars are not permitted to run in the upcoming test session as they are years old already and outdated technology.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/new-dpis-highlight-december-test-entry-list/

IMSA: 28 cars for December Daytona test

28 cars will be welcomed by IMSA to their final test session of 2016 at Daytona International Speedway before the January test and the Rolex 24 in 2017, this coming Tuesday and Wednesday.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/137033-imsa-28-cars-for-december-daytona-test

More IMSA news + other things

Before we get to more news from the IMSA ranks, yours truly will also soon update the goings on in the FIA World Endurance Championship, and have some news insofar as the Ferrari Challenge races at Daytona International Speedway (if I can find that), and updates on Lamborghini Super Trofeo, throughout this week.  Right now, let us examine some of the latest IMSA headlines after Daytona testing, via Sportscar365.

DragonSpeed Confirms Rolex 24 Effort With Lapierre, Duval
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/dragonspeed-confirms-rolex-24-program/

Cressoni Joins Scuderia Corsa for TPNAEC
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/cressoni-joins-scuderia-corsa-for-tpnaec/

The latest Double Stint podcast.  Another edition, was published today, and will appear if you scroll down in this post.

Double Stint: News Roundup; Jeff Segal Interview (11-29-16)
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/double-stint-news-roundup-jeff-segal-interview-11-29-16/

Q&A With Continental's Travis Roffler on New Prototype Tire, P3 Expansion

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/qa-with-continentals-travis-roffler-on-new-prototype-tire-lmp3-expansion/

This story has already been discussed.  But, once again, we look at the unveiling of the new Cadillac Daytona Prototype International racer.

Cadillac DPi-V.R Unveiled
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/cadillac-dpi-v-r-unveiled/

Rebellion Confirms NAEC Program; Jani, Buemi, Heidfeld for Rolex 24
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/rebellion-confirms-tpnaec-program-with-jani-buemi-heidfeld/

Doonan: Initial Feedback on Mazda RT-24P "Overwhelmingly Positive"

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/doonan-initial-feedback-on-mazda-rt24-p-overwhelmingly-positive/

BMW Unveils Art Car for Rolex 24
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bmw-unveils-art-car-for-rolex-24/

Konrad Set for Rolex 24 Return
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/konrad-set-for-rolex-24-return/

Jeff Gordon Set for Rolex 24 in WTR Cadillac DPi-V.R
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jeff-gordon-to-drive-rolex-24-in-wayne-taylor-cadillac-dpi-v-r/

BMW Art Car Designer Baldessari: "Nobody Ever Wants To Be Slow!"

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bmw-art-car-designer-john-baldessari-nobody-ever-wants-to-be-slow/

Harvey Joins Visit Florida Racing in Management Role
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/harvey-joins-visit-florida-racing-in-management-role/

Turner Working on 2017 GTD Return
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/turner-working-on-2017-gtd-return/

Here is the second Double Stint Podcast I mentioned.  IMSA's season-in-review.

Double Stint: IMSA Season Review (12-6-16)
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/double-stint-imsa-season-review/

Grasser Confirms Two-Car Rolex 24 Effort with Lamborghini
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/grasser-confirm-two-car-rolex-24-program/

Taylor: "It's Cool Being A Part of The Project From the Ground-Up"
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/taylor-its-been-cool-being-part-of-the-project-from-the-ground-up/

Corvette Retains Full-Season Drivers for 2017
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/corvette-retains-full-season-drivers-for-2017/

More news from the FIA WEC

Headlines continue to abound in the FIA World Endurance Championship.  One big question now being asked is, could the Audi R18 continue to race, in the hands of privateer teams, even though the factory pulled the plug? 

Sanna: No Decision on Lamborghini GTE Program
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/sanna-no-decision-on-lamborghini-gte-program/

Tandy: Porsche LMP1 Deal an "Exciting Prospect"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/tandy-porsche-lmp1-deal-an-exciting-prospect/

The first update on the 2017 FIA WEC silly season.  More to come on this situation in the coming weeks, for sure.

2017 WEC Silly Season Update
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/2017-wec-silly-season-update-lmp1-lmp2/

WEC Prologue Date Changes Due to Pope Visit
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/wec-prologue-date-changed/

Larbre Waiting on Decision from GM for Corvette GTE-Pro Effort
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/larbre-waiting-on-decision-from-gm-for-corvette-gte-pro-effort/

MTEK To Run BMW WEC Program; Schnitzer Returns to GT Racing
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/mtek-to-run-bmw-wec-program-schnitzer-returns-to-gt-racing/

Durheimer: Audi R18s Could Continue in Privateer Hands
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/durheimer-audi-r18s-can-continue-in-privateer-hands/

Vanthoor, Werner Confirmed as Porsche GT Factory Drivers

Two ace German drivers, who drove for other German automakers in the past, have both been confirmed as factory Porsche GT drivers in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/vanthoor-werner-confirmed-as-porsche-gt-factory-drivers/

These Four Twin-Turbo V8s Don't Even Sound Remotely Similar

This is too cool!  Marshall Pruett's latest podcast for Road & Track magazine doing a soundscape of four of the best, modern twin-turbo V8 powered GT sports cars in action today, either in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, or the Pirelli World Challenge, or for that matter, in worldwide GT championships.  For your listening pleasure, and consideration of which one you like the best, we have:

1. IMSA: Ferrari 488 GTE
2. IMSA: BMW M6 GTLM
3. Pirelli World Challenge/Blancpain Sprint & Endurance Series: McLaren 650 S GT3
4. Pirelli World Challenge/Blancpain Sprint & Endurance Series: Bentley Continental GT3

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/a31742/attack-of-the-twin-turbo-v8s/

Porsche Confirms 2017 GTE Pro WEC Programme

A pair of 911 RSR's to compete in the full WEC season next year.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/03/porsche-confirms-2017-gte-pro-wec-programme.html

IMSA Daytona testing coverage

A bit late on this one.  But, here is what went down in November testing at Daytona for the 55th Rolex 24 at Daytona, and also, related articles about teams and drivers.

Daytona Monday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-monday-notebook/

PR1/Mathiasen Ligier JS P217 Turns First Laps At Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/pr1mathiasen-ligier-js-p217-turns-first-laps-at-daytona/

Shank Getting Up To Speed With Acuras
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/shank-getting-up-to-speed-with-acura-nsx-gt3/

Daytona Tuesday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-tuesday-notebook-3/

Bennett (CORE): "We're All Excited To Start This New Chapter"
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bennett-core-were-all-excited-to-start-this-new-chapter/

Q&A With Lexus Motorsports Manager Mark Egger
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/qa-with-lexus-motorsports-manager-mark-egger/

Mazda Unveils RT24-P DPi Car
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/mazda-unveils-rt24-p-dpi-car/

PHOTOS: Mazda RT24-P Gallery
http://sportscar365.com/features/photography/photos-mazda-rt24-p-gallery/

Daytona Wednesday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/daytona-wednesday-notebook-4/

TRG Returns To Porsche, Enters Full GTD Season
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/trg-returns-to-porsche-enters-full-gtd-season/

United Autosports Planning ELMS, IMSA LMP2 Programs
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/united-autosports-planning-elms-imsa-lmp2-programs/

Aston Martin Racing Set for Rolex 24 GTD Effort
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/aston-martin-racing-set-for-rolex-24-gtd-effort/

Jagonya Ayam Targeting Daytona Entry with Ligier JS P217
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jagonya-ayam-targeting-rolex-24-entry-in-lmp2/

More IMSA coverage to come.  Stay tuned.

Bamber, Tandy & Lotterer Added To Porsche LMP1 Lineup

Porsche has done a total refresh on their driver lineup for their 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship campaign with the 919 Hybrid.  Earl Bamber, Nick Tandy, and new hire (from the Audi program that disbanded after the end of this past season), Andre Lotterer.  The 2017 Porsche driver lineup, will be in this order for each race.

#1 Porsche 919 Hybrid = Neel Jani, Nick Tandy, & Andre Lotterer
#2 Porsche 919 Hybrid = Earl Bamber, Timo Bernhard, & Brendon Hartley

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/12/03/bamber-tandy-lotterer-added-to-porsche-lmp1-lineup.html

EXCERPT: A Big Ask - The Story of Ford's Return To Le Mans

In "A Big Ask: The Story of Ford's Triumphant Return to Le Mans," author David Phillips chronicles Ford's return to Le Mans 50 years after Henry Ford II opened the Ford Motor Company's checkbook to defeat bitter rival Ferrari.

http://www.racer.com/more/racer-stuff/item/136867-excerpt-a-big-ask-the-story-of-ford-s-return-to-le-mans

IMSA: Turner Motorsport BMWs Back To GTD

Turner Motorsports will be back in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, once again, in 2017, in GT Daytona.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/136930-imsa-turner-motorsport-bmws-back-to-gtd

How Cadillac and Mazda Built Vastly Different Racers for the Same Series

Road & Track magazine observes the different approaches taken by the first two manufacturer's to build race cars for IMSA's new Daytona Prototype International regulation formula, and how vastly different the contenders from Cadillac, and Mazda, are, proving that mechanical diversity still does exist in modern prototype sports car racing.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a31727/how-cadillac-and-mazda-built-vastly-different-racers-for-the-same-series/

Jeff Gordon to race new Cadillac prototype in Rolex 24 Hours

Four-time NASCAR Cup champion Jeff Gordon will join Wayne Taylor Racing for the 2017 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, racing the new Cadillac DPi-V.R.

 

http://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/jeff-gordon-to-race-new-cadillac-prototype-in-rolex-24-hours-855878/?r=82414&em=1

An update on IMSA news + IMSA 2017 testing

Yours truly, hopes to blog about a couple of remaining 2016 IMSA races that I have not been able to work on yet.  But, there has been a lot of 2017 news, and, lots of testing to talk about.  We'll cover some of the general news, first.  Then, a post about testing, which has already been highlighted in some videos, too.

Mazda DPi Unveil Set for LA Auto Show
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/mazda-dpi-unveil-set-for-la-auto-show/

Revisiting a story from almost three weeks ago in an FIA WEC update post about Rebellion running Oreca 07 LMP2 machines.  This is also relevant to IMSA.

Rebellion To Run Oreca 07 LMP2 Cars
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rebellion-to-run-oreca-07-lmp2-cars/

Visit Florida Confirms Riley-Gibson LMP2 for 2017
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/visit-florida-confirms-riley-gibson-lmp2-car-for-2017/

Hawksworth, Alon Complete 3GT Lexus Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/hawksworth-alon-complete-3gt-lexus-lineup/

Van der Zande Confirmed at Visit Florida
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/van-der-zande-confirmed-at-visit-florida/

Wilkins, Dyer Named MSR Acura Endurance Drivers
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/wilkins-dyer-named-msr-acura-endurance-drivers/

Testing updates, coming soon.