OT: Racing 2016 (Spoiler Alert)

[GB_Simo]

We probably should, since it's nearly time for Daytona. Is there such a thing as an off season any more?

If rumours are to be believed, Candy Maldonado's off season might extend into the summer:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/35299887

[Rodster]

Wow, Crashtor Maldonado out of a race seat. I'll believe it when I see it. There's one seat another young up and coming talent could use, such as Kevin Magnussen.

Also another rumor floating around is that the engine mfg's are calling the FIA's bluff and plan to offer alternative engines around $12m per year which is what the FIA wanted. It just needs the approval from FOM. Somehow I can see him turning down the offer to bring in more competition such as Cosworth. The name GM has been thrown around as well. But then again the FIA created this engine mess with the new regulations.

These new PU's are more expensive than the V8's they replaced.

[pk500]

Even larger clusterf*ck on horizon for F1 in 2017, which could make the racing even more dreadfully boring than now:

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/f1/op ... -own-goal/

I'm getting fed up with this BS. Looks like my racing attention will focus on sports cars, MotoGP, Isle of Man TT and WRC this season. I've pretty much had it with open-wheel racing.

[F308GTB]

So with every dollar drop in the price of oil does it make the likelihood of no Venezuelan in the field a higher probability? Didn't realize how much the state oil company was paying for his ride.

[Dave]

Even larger clusterf*ck on horizon for F1 in 2017, which could make the racing even more dreadfully boring than now:

http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/f1/op ... -own-goal/

I'm getting fed up with this BS. Looks like my racing attention will focus on sports cars, MotoGP, Isle of Man TT and WRC this season. I've pretty much had it with open-wheel racing.

Mechanical Grip > Aero Grip. Why do so many sanctioning bodies seem to get that wrong? At least NASCAR is peeling back downforce next year. Let's put some big, fat, sticky tires (without artificial limits) on open-wheel cars with smaller wings. Please?

I'm really excited for the Rolex 24. Pretty interesting test last week, the DeltaWing and Mazda prototypes showing some speed. Can't wait to see how the GTLM battle shakes out, that's going to be the most fun storyline to watch for me.

[pk500]

So with every dollar drop in the price of oil does it make the likelihood of no Venezuelan in the field a higher probability? Didn't realize how much the state oil company was paying for his ride.

Good riddance. The last decent Venezuelan driver/rider was Johnny Cecotto.

And yes, I know Maldonado won an F1 race. Blind squirrels do find nuts.

[pk500]

I'm really excited for the Rolex 24. Pretty interesting test last week, the DeltaWing and Mazda prototypes showing some speed. Can't wait to see how the GTLM battle shakes out, that's going to be the most fun storyline to watch for me.

Yes, yes and yes! I'm also stoked to see the progress of the Lamborghini Huracan in GTD. The Lamborghini Super Trofeo North America series is one of our clients, and that company is filled with good people SO passionate about motorsport. I hope the Raging Bull does well.

[Rodster]

The FIA is considering bringing back refueling for the 2017 rule changes. I would like to see it return. Jean Todt says it only adds 50,000 euros for each team and should help the races. One of the complaints last year were the radio calls where the driver was told to coast in order to save fuel.

[pk500]

The FIA is considering bringing back refueling for the 2017 rule changes. I would like to see it return. Jean Todt says it only adds 50,000 euros for each team and should help the races. One of the complaints last year were the radio calls where the driver was told to coast in order to save fuel.

Disagree 100 percent. Refuelling turns F1 races into a series of sprint races. Reduces strategy and passing.

[Rodster]

The FIA is considering bringing back refueling for the 2017 rule changes. I would like to see it return. Jean Todt says it only adds 50,000 euros for each team and should help the races. One of the complaints last year were the radio calls where the driver was told to coast in order to save fuel.

Disagree 100 percent. Refuelling turns F1 races into a series of sprint races. Reduces strategy and passing.

Ditto on the disagreement. F1's passing is artificial anyways, the cars can't get out of their own way and most teams still use pitstops to leapfrog their cars. At least we won't hear Capt Morgan bitching on his radio: "Fernando let's save fuel. No want, no want let me race".

[Dave]

Never change, Brian France. A 20-minute caution clock is coming to the truck series, really f'ing awesome

[pk500]

Never change, Brian France. A 20-minute caution clock is coming to the truck series, really f'ing awesome

NASCAR basically admitting "debris cautions" were complete bullsh*t. This will come to Cup either next season or by 2018. Remember, GWC finishes started in the Truck Series.

Most sports create gimmicks to create more action. The NBA and the shot clock are an example. Only NASCAR creates gimmicks to eliminate action and stop racing.

[Dave]

I'll still watch some of the races, mostly because it is racing and they race more often than any other series and it is easy to follow off-and-on during a race. But it is getting harder and harder to actually care about the results with all of the BS building up, Jeff Gordon's retirement is a good jumping off point for my investment.

[GB_Simo]

Never change, Brian France. A 20-minute caution clock is coming to the truck series, really f'ing awesome

I'll be brief: this can f*ck right off.

[Rodster]

Still nothing beats the COT idea. That did a lot of damage to Nascar.

[F308GTB]

I'll still watch some of the races, mostly because it is racing and they race more often than any other series and it is easy to follow off-and-on during a race. But it is getting harder and harder to actually care about the results with all of the BS building up, Jeff Gordon's retirement is a good jumping off point for my investment.

If you actually have cable or satellite, there's no need to watch NASCAR. In the 2015 racing season the various channels gave me: WEC, Lamborghini Trofeo, F1, GP2, Australian V8, BTCC, DTM, Formula E, Continental Tires series, and many other sports car series. If anything, I'm still pissed that NASCAR pre-empted one of my F1 DVR sessions

[pk500]

I'll still watch some of the races, mostly because it is racing and they race more often than any other series and it is easy to follow off-and-on during a race. But it is getting harder and harder to actually care about the results with all of the BS building up, Jeff Gordon's retirement is a good jumping off point for my investment.

You're more tolerant than me. I may watch the last 20 laps of the Daytona 500 and bits and bobs of the road-course races, half-miles and Richmond. Otherwise, I prefer to stay awake on Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

F308GTB is right: I'm almost running out of fingers to count the number of series televised in the U.S. that are more compelling and entertaining than NASCAR.

[Rodster]

The FIA is set to discuss for the 2017 rule changes:

1) Saturday Sprint Race.

2) Changes to the Qualifying sessions.

My suggestion to the sprint race is, stop with the gimmicks and fix the current mess as to why cars can't pass without any aids like DRS. Even with DRS both Mercs found it hard to pass each other. The one thing the stooges at the FIA got right was the Saturday Qualy format. Leave up to them to fix something that doesn't need fixing and trying to fix something that's so badly broken because of all the rules they've put in place, won't be fixed with another gimmick for race weekend.

http://en.f1i.com/news/39979-f1-to-disc ... -race.html

[GB_Simo]

Wow, Crashtor Maldonado out of a race seat. I'll believe it when I see it. There's one seat another young up and coming talent could use, such as Kevin Magnussen.

Brace yourself, mate:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/magnu ... lt-670349/

[Rodster]

Wow, Crashtor Maldonado out of a race seat. I'll believe it when I see it. There's one seat another young up and coming talent could use, such as Kevin Magnussen.

Brace yourself, mate:

http://www.motorsport.com/f1/news/magnu ... lt-670349/

Shhh, let's not jinx it. Crashtor should have been out of F1 several years ago. I wonder how much money he costed Renault for all his mistakes and early retirements? Kevin Magnussen showed a lot of promise in his rookie season.

[DChaps]

Brian Ekberg of Turn 10 posted a nice summary of the action and television schedule of this weekend's Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

http://forzamotorsport.net/en-us/news/wir_1_29_16

Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona

When you’re not driving Daytona 24 Hour competitors in Forza 6, you can spend the rest of your time watching the race live as it happens. The 54th Role 24 at Daytona opens the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season as well as the international racing calendar. This is also the opening race for Daytona International Speedway’s reimagined motorsports stadium, which you can see and drive in Forza 6, and is the result of a massive $400 million renovation.

You’ll be able to watch the race live on FOX Sports 1, FOX Sports 2, and IMSA.tv – from the pre-race grid all the way to the waiving of the checkered flag. Here’s some additional detail of the race happenings for each day of the race weekend:

Friday, Jan. 29 (All Times ET)
The Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge opens 2016 competition with the BMW Performance 200, streamed live on IMSA.com and the IMSA mobile app beginning with the green flag at 1:45 p.m. for two hours, 30 minutes of door handle-to-door handle racing.

Saturday, Jan. 30
Follow all the action live as the 54th Rolex 24 At Daytona kicks off the 2016 WeatherTech Championship season. FS1 begins coverage from 2-4 p.m., including the green flag at 2:40 p.m. FS2 then takes over from 4-10 p.m. which includes coverage on the FOX Sports Go app.

Overnight, Jan. 30-31
IMSA.com and the IMSA mobile app will live stream both video and commentary from 10 p.m.-7 a.m. This year’s coverage includes additional at-track and in-car cameras throughout the overnight hours.

Sunday, Jan. 31
FS1 picks up the action at 7 a.m. FS2 picks up the action at 10:30 a.m., when FS1 returns with complete coverage through the checkered flag at 2:40 p.m. and the Victory Lane celebration through 3 p.m.

If you want to watch the race but aren’t sure which teams are which, or where your favorite drivers are on the grid, make sure you check out this handy 2016 Rolex 24 at Daytona Spotters Guide, created by designer Andy Blackmore and featuring a detailed (and gorgeous) breakdown of all the cars, teams, and drivers on the grid. Its a must-have on race day!

[pk500]

The first hour of the Rolex 24 will be wild.

GTLM cars locked out the first six or seven spots on the grid during the wet qualifying session because they're much better in the rain than Prototypes. But the race is supposed to be dry, so it will be crazy to see the Prototypes pick their way through traffic.

Still, I can't wait for the GTLM battle. Porsche, Audi, Ferrari, Ford, BMW. We could be entering a new golden age of manufacturer racing in North America, and they're in GT cars that look like the actual cars on the streets instead of those horrific Daytona Prototypes. Thank God for P2 spec starting in 2017.

IMSA -- the best antidote for spec racing. (Note to NASCAR, IndyCar)

I'm also stoked to see how Lamborghini does with the Huracan in its debut in GTD. Such a bad-ass car. Plus we work with Lambo, and they're really nice people who are so passionate about this project and the company's new emphasis on racing. Roar on, Raging Bulls!

[Rodster]

Maldonado, officially out of F1 and he's ruled out Manor.

[pk500]

Maldonado, officially out of F1 and he's ruled out Manor.

Maybe he'll come to IndyCar and succeed the illustrious Milka Duno and EJ Viso as the latest inept Venezuelan carrying a big checkbook.

[Rodster]

Maybe he'll come to IndyCar and succeed the illustrious Milka Duno and EJ Viso as the latest inept Venezuelan carrying a big checkbook.

Now that I would love to see. Can you just imagine Crashtor tagging Montoya? Oh the fireworks