Recognizing the fact that the Ford GTs are walking away from their GT Le Mans competition, IMSA has broken from its standard rules requiring a two-week notification for making Balance of Performance (BoP) changes by issuing an emergency order for BoP changes to take place before this weekend’s running at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
Racer.com explained the changes following Tuesday’s technical bulletin as well as the IMSA rules in making these BoP changes during the week of a race:
“Due to the atypical shortage of days between the Watkins Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Events, IMSA is exercising Article 2.2.2. (language below) to enable a change to the IWSC CTMP Balance of Performance Tables outside the standard notification timeline listed in Attachment 2, Paragraph 2.4. of the IWSC Sporting Regulations and SSR.
“2.2.2. Principal Rule. On occasion, circumstances are presented, either unforeseen or otherwise extraordinary, in which strict application of the rules may not achieve the Purpose. In such rare circumstances, Officials, as a practical matter, may make a determination that is not contemplated by or is inconsistent with the rules. Such determinations are reviewable by the Supervisory Officials. All such determinations are Conclusive, except as provided for in the rules.”
As IMSA has recognized the currently existing imbalance of performance between the turbo-powered Ford GTs and the rest of the field, the following changes to BoP have been made:
Corvette Racing will receive a reduction of 10 kilos (22 lbs) and the air restrictor receive a 0.4 mm wider opening. The C7.R also receives a 2 liter fuel increase to compensate for the additional fuel consumption.
The Porsche 911 RSR receives a reduction of 10 kilos (22 lbs). Ferrari 488 receives a 1 liter fuel increase. No changes to the BMW M6.
The Ford GT gets an extra 15 kilos (33 lbs) weight and will have power and torque reductions through turbo boost changes from 2000-7200 rpms.
We’ll see if the emergency changes by IMSA result in a more level playing field later this week. The first practice sessions for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at CTMP is Friday.
Source:
Racer.com
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Corvette Racing at Watkins Glen: Strategy, Execution Rule the Day
Corvette Racing at Watkins Glen: Full Focus on Sunday’s Six Hour
Corvette Racing at Le Mans: Garcia, Magnussen, Taylor Complete 24 Hours
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Racing is about driver skill and getting the best performance out of the car. What is the point of developing state-of-the-art vehicles, cutting edge design and technology if all these sanctioning bodies handicap everything? I can understand rules and regs for a vehicle regarding what qualifies it to be in what class, but I find it difficult to accept that the GTLM cars racing for glory and prestige at some of the greatest tracks in the world are, in some cases, over a hundred horsepower down on what i can buy at a local dealer.
I think IMSA is missing the point. The fans of sports car racing are not so much fans of the drivers or race teams, they are fans of the cars. Even with IMSA displays the race results and standings using the Driver names and team names leaving out the manufactures name is testament enough that they just don’t get it. IMSA could not be more disconnected with its fans.
We want to see one manufacture beat the socks off of another and we want to see a great battle between Ford, Chevy, Ferrari and Porsche without intervention from IMSA to make sure everyone has a chance to win.
Why would I want VW to show up with its bug and be allowed to compete with the other awesome GT cars on the grid. I don’t want the great cars to be slowed down so that the lessor car has a fair chance to win. I want to see the great cars put the lessor car in its place. If that means the lessor cars don’t come to play, fair enough.
If the BMW is not as good as the Ford GT in top end speed because the BMW is not as streamlined as the Ford, well it’s not Fords fault that BMW entered a passenger car to race with other exotic sports cars. The BMW should pay the price for being what it is, rather than take away from the Ford because it’s more aerodynamic that the BMW. That’s an advantage the Ford should have over the BMW. If the BMW is a better handling car is low speed corners, then that an advantage it should have over the Ford. Those are characteristics of the cars that I would love to see played out on the race track. I don’t want to see the exact same performance from in every aspect of racing from cars that are fundamentally very different. I want to see a car for what it is rather than what IMSA has made it to be so it’s fair for everyone.
We want to see the cars for what they are. We do not want to see BoP so everyone has a chance to win. There should be regulations that define what a class is. If your car meats those regulations, then its eligible to race in the series and the governing body should not be tweaking the performance so everyone has a chance to win. If one car is dominate, then lets see the other manufactures step up to match it. Lets not have IMSA slow the dominate cars so the other guys have a fair chance.
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