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 Post subject: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:26 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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Howdy everyone to the 2014 racing season. I plan on putting up the 2014 IndyCar and Formula 1 threads soon, but I realized that the 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship begins in 5 days as of this posting!

The United SportsCar Championship is the result of the merger between the Rolex Grand-Am series and the American Le Mans Series. It is organized by the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA), which is part of NASCAR. The United SportsCar Championship's website may be found here.

The unique aspect of a racing series like the United SportsCar Championship is that multiple classes of cars race on the same track at the same time. For the USSC there are four car classes Prototype (P), Prototype Challenge (PC), GT Le Mans, and GT Daytona (GTD). The Prototype cars will be the quickest and the GT Daytona cars will be the slowest.

Below are the class specifications taken from the USSC's website:
Prototype (P)
About: The Prototype (P) class features the fastest and most technologically advanced cars in North America. They are specifically designed and engineered for the race track and look drastically different than a typical street car.
Top Speed: 190 mph
Horsepower: 450 - 600
Wheelbase: Length varies; based on production vehicle design
Weight: 1,990 to 2,285 pounds
Height: Height varies; based on production vehicle design
Width: 74 inches
Cars: Corvette DP, DeltaWing DWC 13, HPD ARX-03b, ORECA, Mazda, Riley DP
Engines: Chevrolet V8, Dinan, Ford EcoBoost Turbo, Honda V6 Turbo, Mazda SKYACTIV Clean Diesel, Nissan
Fuel: VP Racing Fuel E-10 and diesel
Gearbox: 6-speed paddle shift
Tires: Continental
Chassis: Steel tubing with integral roll cage or carbon fiber monocoque
Suspension: Front and rear - independent coil springs, upper and lower A arms
Traction Control: Permitted

Prototype Challenge (PC)
About: The Prototype Challenge (PC) class is a spec class featuring open-cockpit race cars and technology such as carbon fiber chassis, carbon brakes and sequential gearbox.
Top Speed: 175 mph
Horsepower: 430
Wheelbase: Length varies; based on production vehicle design
Weight: 1,990
Height: 40 inches
Width: 74 inches
Cars: ORECA FLM09
Engines: Chevrolet LS3
Fuel: VP Racing Fuel E-10
Gearbox: Xtrac sequential with paddle shifting
Tires: Continental
Chassis: Carbon fiber
Suspension: Front and rear - independent coil springs, upper and lower A arms
Traction Control: Not permitted

GT Le Mans (GTLM)
About: The GT Le Mans (GTLM) cars are the most elite and fastest GT cars on the track. They are based on production models and are engineered to extract the maximum performance possible. The class serves as a true proving ground for leading manufacturers such as BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche and SRT.
Top Speed: 180 mph
Horsepower: 500
Wheelbase: Length varies; based on production vehicle design
Weight: 2,745 minimum
Height: Height varies; based on production vehicle design
Width: 79 inches
Cars: Aston Martin V8 Vantage, BMW Z4 GTE, Corvette C7.R, Ferrari F458 Italia, Porsche 911 RSR, SRT Viper GTS-R
Engines: Aston Martin V8, BMW 4-valve; 6-liter Chevrolet pushrod 2-valve; Ferrari V8; 5.0 liter Ford 4-valve; Porsche flat 6, Viper V10
Fuel: VP Racing Fuel E-85C
Gearbox: 5- or 6-speed
Tires: Open (Michelin and Falken currently are participating)
Chassis: Steel tubing and integral roll cage or production tube with cage, based on production model available to the public
Suspension: Front and rear - independent coil springs, upper and lower A arms
Traction Control: Not permitted

GT Daytona (GTD)
About: The GT Daytona cars are enhanced (not defined by) technology. They are also based on production model cars but do not feature the same level of aerodynamics and power as the GTLM class cars. The GDTD class consists of cars from the GRAND-AM GT and ALMS GTC classes, as well as FIA GT3-spec cars.
Top Speed: 180 mph
Horsepower: 450
Wheelbase: Length varies; based on production vehicle design
Weight: 2,680 pounds
Height: Height varies; based on production vehicle design
Width: 79 inches
Cars: Aston Martin Vantage, Audi R8 LMS, MBW Z4, Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT America, SRT Viper GT3-R
Engines: Aston Martin V12; Audi 5.0-liter V10; 5.0-liter BMW 4-valve; Ferrari V8; Porsche 3.6-liter flat 6, Viper V10
Fuel: VP Racing Fuel E-10
Gearbox: 5- or 6-speed
Tires: Continental
Chassis: Steel tubing with integral roll cage or production tube with cage, based on production model available to the public
Suspension: Front and rear - independent coil springs, upper and lower A arms
Traction Control: Not permitted

Below are the following tracks where the USSC will head this season according to their website:
January 24 - 26: Rolex 24 at Daytona
February 20 - 21: Sebring Test
March 12 - 15: Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring
April 11 - 12: Grand Prix of Long Beach
May 3 - 4: Continental Tire Sports Car Festival
May 30 - 31: The Raceway at Belle Isle Park
June 6 - 7: Kansas Speedway
June 27 - 29: Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen
July 12 - 13: Canadian Tire Motorsport Park
July 24 - 25: Brickyard Grand Prix
August 8 - 10: Road America
August 23 - 24: Virginia International Raceway
September 19 - 20: Circuit of the Americas
October 1 - 4: Petit Le Mans

I will go into more detail in the next post about the first race of the season: The Rolex 24 at Daytona.


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 2:48 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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The first race of the 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship is the Rolex 24 at Daytona: http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Tickets-Events/Events/2014/Rolex-24-At-Daytona/Rolex-24-At-Daytona.aspx

This will be the 52nd running of the Daytona 24 hour race which takes place at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The Tudor United SportsCar Championship races on a combined road course, utilizing portions of the tri-oval and the infield track. The circuit layout may be found later in the post. This circuit's length is 3.56 miles and will feature 18 Prototype cars, 9 Prototype Challenge cars, 11 GT Le Mans cars and 23 GT Daytona cars. That is 61 cars on the same track racing at the same time for 24 hours!

Each team may employ up to 5 drivers during this race where each driver must race between a minimum and maximum amount of time:
PC / GTD drivers must drive a minimum 4 hours and 20 minutes, while P / GTLM drivers have to race a minimum of 45 minutes. No driver may drive more than 14 hours during the course of the race.

While I could go into the history of the race and explain the track in more detail the current Wikipedia page does a much better job then I ever could.

The race may be found different ways depending what time you plan on tuning in. The first two hours of the race may be found on Fox, the next five hours may be found on Fox Sports 2, the next 10 hours may be found on IMSA's website and the final seven hours may be watched on Fox Sports 1:
2:00 PM EST - 3:59 PM EST -- Fox
4:00 PM EST - 8:59 PM EST -- Fox Sports 2
9:00 PM EST - 6:59 AM EST -- IMSA.com
7:00 AM EST - 1:59 PM EST -- Fox Sports 1

Image

Next post I will attempt to go over a few of the teams.


Last edited by Al Fire 101 on Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:36 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:34 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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Prototype Race Team List


DeltaWing Racing Cars
-The DeltaWing is the most unique looking racecar on the racing circuit. This car has a very narrow front end with a very wide rear end. This allows the car to be very aerodynamic and extremely fast around corners. This design was almost chosen to be the current chassis of the IndyCar series.

Extreme Speed Motorsports
-They won the 2013 Long Beach race in the American Le Mans Series

Action Express Racing
-They won their debut Rolex Sports Car Series Daytona Prototype race in 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona and 5 more since then.

Muscle Milk Pickett Racing
-They won their second consecutive P1 team championship in 2013 in the American Le Mans Series
-Since Pickett Racing began competing in ALMS in 2007 they have finished on the podium in 39 of 46 races
-The team owner Greg Pickett is the founder of CytoSport. Creator of Cytomax and Muscle Milk

Wayne Taylor Racing
-They won the 2013 Rolex Sports Car Series Driver's championship with Max Angelelli and Jordan Taylor.
-They have won 26 DP races, second most of all-time in that class

Marsh Racing
-This team is moving the the Prototype class with Corvette DP after racing in the GT class for the last three years.

OAK Racing
-Known more for their racing in the FIA WEC in which they finished first and second in the LMP2 class during the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans

Highway To Help
-Brian Johnson's team, aka the front man of AC/DC
-They drive to support the Alzheimer's Association in which you can make a donation by going here: http://fiftyplusracing.com/highway-to-help/

Michael Shank Racing with Curb / Agajanian
-With Ozz Negri, John Pew, A. J. Allmendinger and Justin Wilson they won the 2012 Rolex 24 at Daytona.

SpeedSource
-First team to race at Daytona using diesel
-It is a Mazda!

Starworks Motorsport
-They won back-to-back Rolex Series races among six DP podium finishes at Indianapolis and Road America.

Spirit Of Daytona
-Won three races and captured three poles in 2012


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 3:47 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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Location: Waukesha, WI
Prototype Challenge Team List


Starworks Motorsport
- See previous post

8Star Motorsports
-This team is named for the eight stars on the Venezuelan flag
-They finished second in the PC class in the 2013 Petit Le Mans

[url]Performance Tech Motorsports[/url]
-ALMS PC winner at Baltimore in 2013

PR1 / Mathiasen Motorsports
-Won the 2013 PC class championship
-Won 45 championships since 1990

CORE Autosport
-Won the third consecutive PC team title in 2013
-Captured three poles in 2013
-Won the 2013 Long Beach and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park races

BAR1 Motorsports
-Finished second in 2013 PC team championship
-Finished the 2013 season with three consecutive victories

RSR Racing
-Won two races in 2013


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:03 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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Location: Waukesha, WI
GT Le Mans Team List


Corvette Racing
-Won their second consecutive ALMS GT team championship in 2013
-Won eight consecutive ALMS GT1 team titles from 2001-08
-Overall winners of the 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona

BMW Team RLL
-Second in the 2013 GT team championship
-Co-owned by 1986 Indianapolis 500 winner and three-time IndyCar champion Bobby Rahal with David Letterman and Mike Lanigan. They have been around for over two decades!

Krohn Racing
-Known for their racing in the FIA WEC series in 2012 and 2013
-Finished second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 and third in 2009 and 2012

Risi Competizione
-Won the GT2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2008 and 2009

SRT Motorsports
-Won at Road America in 2013
-Returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013 for the first time in more than a decade!

Aston Martin Racing
-Aston Martins racing. How can you not watch that!?!

Porsche North America
-Partnering with CORE Autosport


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Sun Jan 19, 2014 4:30 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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GT Daytona Team List


Muehlner Motorsports America
-In its 35-year history this team has more than 100 victories, eight championship and about 250 podium finishes

Alex Job Racing
-Won ALMS GTC drivers' championship in 2012 and 2013
-ALMS GT champions in 2002, 2003 and 2004

Team Seattle / Alex Job Racing
-Some guy who all of you may know named Gabe Newell is backing this car and if their charity raises 500k dollars he will do a Reddit AMA! You can donate by going here!
-See above for racing information

Dempsey Racing
-Finished second in the 2013 ALMS GTC races at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Petit Le Mans
-Patrick Dempsey is a co-owner

NGT Motorsport
-Won GTC class at the 2013 Long Beach Grand Prix with Henrique Cisneros and Sean Edwards
-Won GTC class at 2013 Laguna Seca with Henrique Cisneros and Nick Tandy
-Finished third in the 2013 GTC Drivers Championship

GMG Racing
-Founded in 2001 by James Sofronas
-Frequent competitor of the ALMS Rolex 24 at Daytona 2010-2012

Riley Motorsports
-New team for 2014!

Flying Lizard Motorsports
-Won 2013 ALMS GTC team championship

Magnus Racing
-Finished in 2013 Rlex Series' GT class

Fall-Line Motorsports
-Regular in IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge 2006-2013

Paul Miller Racing
-Finished third in the 2007 Rolex Series GT class championship

Spirit of Race
-???

Snow Racing
-One of their drivers, Madison Snow, won the 2013 Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge USA

Scuderia Corsa
-Won the 2013 Rolex Series GT championship

Park Place Motorsports
-Had three second-place finishes in 2013

SMP / ESM Racing
-???


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Thu Jan 23, 2014 7:55 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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Racer.com recently created a page that covers just about everything for the season-opening TUDOR United SportsCar Championship event. Please take a look at before this weekend's big race. Additionally, this is one of the few times where you will see F1, IndyCar and sports car race car drivers on the same track at the same time.

http://racermag.kinja.com/rolex-24-at-daytona-resource-guide-1505555277

And the tv / streaming times are below:
2:00 PM EST - 3:59 PM EST -- Fox
4:00 PM EST - 8:59 PM EST -- Fox Sports 2
9:00 PM EST - 6:59 AM EST -- IMSA.com
7:00 AM EST - 1:59 PM EST -- Fox Sports 1


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Fri Jan 24, 2014 8:23 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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We are getting closer to the beginning of the 24 Hours of Daytona and a commenter on Jalopnik known as Porsche9146 wrote up a fantastic mega guide for the race. This guide goes into a lot more detail on the types of cars that will be competing in the race as well as a detailed description of each car competing! Along with a picture of each one so you can easily recognize them when the race begins.

http://rennsport.kinja.com/52nd-rolex-24-at-daytona-the-megaguide-1508509293/@matthardigree


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Sat Feb 01, 2014 5:58 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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The Rolex 24 at Daytona is now over and what a great race that was! It was interesting to see just how each class of car ran differently to each other class. Here are a few quick notes about the race:

The start of the race had multiple cars going off the track and / or spinning and a lot of close racing!


Unfortunately while the sun was setting there was a horrendous crash, thankfully over the last week the medical teams have said they will be all right.
Note: While they will be alright this is still a very hard crash to watch, please keep that in mind before clicking the play button:


But after a long night of racing and a fast morning two cautions occurred in the final hour creating a fantastic battle for the finish!


If anyone is interested the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship has posted the entire race online which is linked to below:
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=htKgmzV5Sm8
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSbb8u6H77k
Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17ENkeIHkbs
Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InZAer056I0

The next race is the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring from March 12 - 15. I'll post more about the race as it nears. In the mean time, did anyone watch any of the race and if you did what did you think of it? Also, what do think of the penalty that was later rescinded on the #555 Ferrari 458 Italia against the #45 Audi R8 LMS car?


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 Post subject: Re: 2014 Tudor United SportsCar Championship
PostPosted: Mon Mar 17, 2014 2:23 pm 
Renegade Heroes
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Sorry in advance, I forgot to write up a post on the 12 Hours of Sebring race that occurred last weekend. The race was interesting mostly because how long the cautions during the race lasted. With so many cars in the TUDOR United SportsCar Championship when a caution occurs the field marshals have less time to clean up any dabree to safely before the cars come around again. With around 11 cautions during the race the total time racing under green flag conditions came to around 6 hours. The video below has a few highlights from the race and when the full race becomes available I'll embed the video(s) below. The next race is at the Long Beach Street Circuit on April 12th. As the date nears I'll go further into detail about the race. Finally, how many cars should be allowed on a track at the same time when racing? 20? 30? 50? Unlimited?



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