Daytona 24 Wrap-Up Thoughts

[17RubyShelbyGT350]

Overall, it was a good experience, weather held up just barely long enough to finish Sunday afternoon. Parked in the Mustang Corral - very few takers for that program, but did have its benefits. Got to chat a lot with some Ford Program people and take a close up and personal look at the first Ford GT I ever saw parked there - #40 - in Grabber Blue. Personally, not my choice for that car, but the car itself is incredible. Mustangs did tolerably well in the Continental Race on Race, placing a high of third, I was disappointed with them not running the FPC motor this year and that they were not further developing this unique motor. Shared that with them and they listened politely as they if they would indulge any customer's ideas. LoL.

Another highlight was our small corral group running several laps on the track under the lights. My wife loved it, first time experience for her being on any track, let alone a super speedway. Of course we ran with tight restraints, but it was still a kick to be out there under the lights at about 80-90 miles per hour. We were allowed to go up towards the wall on the gentler banking but kept off the steepest banked turns, as to be expected.

Biggest problem we encountered was the incredible ignorance of the contract help working the gates. Not one of them gave me correct information regarding where the Mustang Corral parking was - some directing us inside to the in-field and some give vague directions towards outside the track.

Talked to the Ford people about it and they told me that they received a lot of complaints about this.

But overall, the even was great and it was cool to see the Ford GTs run 1-2 in their class Sunday afternoon!

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[Tomster]

Excellent. It would have been good to meet you guys. Next year, I will be sure to bid the time off.

 

[Bullitt40]

I stopped at the Ford Corral after Fridays race and saw your car and 2 other 350's and the GT. That was the only day I could make. I remember a couple of years ago they had a Ford corral and there were 50+ cars there. The difference this year I believe was the cost which started at $795. this year before being reduced right before the race, and the time frame of notification. I didn't know about the corral deal until 2 weeks before the race. a couple of years ago, I received mail or email notification in November before the race and it 0nly cost $350. if I remember correctly for the parking and race passes.

 

[Epiphany]

OP, the FPC engine was run in the GT35R-C a few seasons ago. While competitive, the engines were allegedly in need of a rebuild after every race. The CPC engines have proven to be more robust while having the capacity to provide a commensurate amount of power.

 

[HISSMAN]

I'm still pissed off! Because of everything I have going on I missed the race. It's the first race that I haven't seen in 22 years... Errrr!!!!!

 

[FranzVonHoffer]

Sounds like a great experience. We used to do the WEC in Austin every year but they won't be running there in 2018. I love the enduros. Great event. That caddy looked incredible.

 

[Lurker_350]

Sounds like a great experience. We used to do the WEC in Austin every year but they won't be running there in 2018. I love the enduros. Great event. That caddy looked incredible.

Circuit of the Americas is also not hosting the IMSA CTSCC races this year. They have a concert or something going on that interfered with the racing schedule......at a purpose built race track. :doh:

 

[5.0 435]

Weather was perfect which made for a great time for all. Glad to see the Ford GT finish 1-2. The mustang had 7 cars in the race but just couldn’t get by the Porsche and bmw. The bop will help the mustang @ Sebring in March. Not many people on this forum follow the race. Small coral doesn’t surprise me. Look @ the corvette or Porsche coral and they are packed. Both cars race in the GTLM class for 24 hours. The Ford GT is great but average mustang buyer hasn’t a clue about it or the conti race. The tv coverage is geared for us car crazy people and not the general public. I will continue to go to the Rolex 24 and have a great time. See y’all next year. Hope you all enjoyed the pictures from the other thread.

 

[5.0 435]

OP, the FPC engine was run in the GT35R-C a few seasons ago. While competitive, the engines were allegedly in need of a rebuild after every race. The CPC engines have proven to be more robust while having the capacity to provide a commensurate amount of power.

The durability of the cpc engine is why there were 7 mustangs in the race. Hope to see more next year. Bop will help put some more speed in the mustang long straights. :amen:

 

[TNcoupe]

Yeah, I was a little disappointed Ford Performance sent me the email about the Ford Package 3 days before the event. I renew my 4 day passes early every year when Daytona sends me the email. There was nothing on the Daytona website about the Ford corral this year.

 

[Epiphany]

The durability of the cpc engine is why there were 7 mustangs in the race. Hope to see more next year. Bop will help put some more speed in the mustang long straights. :amen:

I don't think anyone ever questioned the Coyote based CPC engines from Roush/Yates. Last year was the first season for the GT4 Mustang in IMSA and the number of cars exiting the doors at Multimatic were somewhat limited.

Still waiting to see any BOP changes.

 

[superman07]

I thought dean martin mentioned the mustangs took a HP hit before this race. The 2 Porsches at one point were clearly superior. you could tell the BOP was wacked when the larger supposedly more torque friendly v8s were getting pulled on the straight, badly. BMW sandbagged. both their cars turned lap times at the end of the race on old tires that were much better than practice or early on.

 

[Epiphany]

BOP changes for the 2018 season (so far) don't reflect any changes being made to the Mustang or favoring any other car.

https://competitors.imsa.com/sites/default/files/reults/downlods/ictsc_tb_18-02_gs_tcr_st_bop.pdf

https://competitors.imsa.com/sites/...wnlods/ictsc_tb_18-03_gs_tcr_st_bop_final.pdf

As for sandbagging - pretty hard to do given that IMSA can review (and does) all the relevant data from each and every car. They know pretty much what each and every car is capable of. If the next race is consistent with Daytona I could indeed see changes coming.

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