Alonso sees Daytona for the first time
#16

It finally got above 50 degrees F late this afternoon. It was fun watching brakes lock up on the first lap, or rear ends squirm with cold tires and little grip. It was surprising how much grip/heat they had after only one lap (or probably less than a full lap).
Tomorrow will be about the same temps. Sunday will be a bit warmer and into the 60’s. No precip predicted.
We didn’t bother going this morning when it was in the 30’s. I was wondering if they delayed things or if they drove anyway despite super cold temps. Great vantage points today as hardly anyone was there. I assume tomorrow will be busier.
Any RL’ers there? Saw several nice Porsches in various places.











Don’t know who they belong to but sure looked nice^
#17

Not to derail the thread, but Ferrari and Mclaren have wasted his talent. Not to say his decisions to join said teams was perhaps not the most wise but we don't know internally what happened to convince him to join either.
#18

Alonso will need all of his skills — the car looked to be a handful. Definitely lacking grip compared to the fastest cars. Penske cars looked slow everywhere. Hard to determine the real pecking order as most teams sandbag/hotlap at the ROAR. Perhaps Sunday “qualifying” will bring out the true pace.
Three standouts for me: 1) first day pace of the two Porsche GTLMs, 2) outstanding braking performance of the Corvette GTLMs, and 3) amazing variety of pricey alignment equipment in team garages. Random observations — the BMW GTLMs were the biggest sandbaggers (as usual), Porsches were the best sounding cars, and Ford GTs the worst sounding but also the best looking.
Bob L
Three standouts for me: 1) first day pace of the two Porsche GTLMs, 2) outstanding braking performance of the Corvette GTLMs, and 3) amazing variety of pricey alignment equipment in team garages. Random observations — the BMW GTLMs were the biggest sandbaggers (as usual), Porsches were the best sounding cars, and Ford GTs the worst sounding but also the best looking.
Bob L
#19
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The guy can wheel better then anyone in the planet at the moment, imo.
Not to derail the thread, but Ferrari and Mclaren have wasted his talent. Not to say his decisions to join said teams was perhaps not the most wise but we don't know internally what happened to convince him to join either.
Not to derail the thread, but Ferrari and Mclaren have wasted his talent. Not to say his decisions to join said teams was perhaps not the most wise but we don't know internally what happened to convince him to join either.
Norris has quite a bit more time in the car and, if you look at the lap delta between them from first to second Friday session, not long before Alonso matches and perhaps eclipses him.
Agreed the P2 cars (as opposed to the DPi cars) are at the greatest disadvantage at this flat out, trimmed out track. Kudos to Jeff Braun, Colin Braun and Jon Bennett for sticking that Ligier right up there!
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Session 3 sees Alonso eclipse Norris’ mark from yesterday (by a tenth) and Fords P1/P2 in GT/LM...
There may be more sandbagging in GT classes than the P car’s, based on lap times, but the additional logging capability and forensic analysis now mandated and practiced by IMSA has everyone a lot happier. And almost impossible to sandbag, unless you “tune out” the car (big wicker, tunnel blocks, etc.).
#21
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not to hijack, but whats up with the AMG Benzs? seems all of them had little pace all event. i know they were delivered rather late to teams..... so just the learning curve? or something more organic....or sandbagging
the cayman gt4s beat them handily..
fran
the cayman gt4s beat them handily..
fran
#22

I don't know how everyone else feels but I enjoy a race on TV so much more if I have driven the track. Having driven at Daytona several times now I enjoy the 24 so much more now.
Personally, I have had nothing but heart brake and bad luck during my races at Daytona and it is still one my favorite tracks to drive. Not every track has to be overly technical to be enjoyed. There is just something about man-handling the car around the track that I love. Diving into turn 1 is like landing on an aircraft carrier. I love it!
I am rooting heavily for Alonso and also wishing Scott Pruett good luck in his last appearance.
Personally, I have had nothing but heart brake and bad luck during my races at Daytona and it is still one my favorite tracks to drive. Not every track has to be overly technical to be enjoyed. There is just something about man-handling the car around the track that I love. Diving into turn 1 is like landing on an aircraft carrier. I love it!
I am rooting heavily for Alonso and also wishing Scott Pruett good luck in his last appearance.
#23

I don't know how everyone else feels but I enjoy a race on TV so much more if I have driven the track. Having driven at Daytona several times now I enjoy the 24 so much more now.
Personally, I have had nothing but heart brake and bad luck during my races at Daytona and it is still one my favorite tracks to drive. Not every track has to be overly technical to be enjoyed. There is just something about man-handling the car around the track that I love. Diving into turn 1 is like landing on an aircraft carrier. I love it!
I am rooting heavily for Alonso and also wishing Scott Pruett good luck in his last appearance.
Personally, I have had nothing but heart brake and bad luck during my races at Daytona and it is still one my favorite tracks to drive. Not every track has to be overly technical to be enjoyed. There is just something about man-handling the car around the track that I love. Diving into turn 1 is like landing on an aircraft carrier. I love it!
I am rooting heavily for Alonso and also wishing Scott Pruett good luck in his last appearance.
I agree, the same was true for watching a golf tournament on a course that has been played. Doesn't seem to matter for a lot of other sports though.
#24
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http://results.imsa.com/Results/18_2...20Practice.PDF
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"Combining the Art and Science of Driving Fast!"
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#25

I don't know how everyone else feels but I enjoy a race on TV so much more if I have driven the track. Having driven at Daytona several times now I enjoy the 24 so much more now.
Personally, I have had nothing but heart brake and bad luck during my races at Daytona and it is still one my favorite tracks to drive. Not every track has to be overly technical to be enjoyed. There is just something about man-handling the car around the track that I love. Diving into turn 1 is like landing on an aircraft carrier. I love it!
I am rooting heavily for Alonso and also wishing Scott Pruett good luck in his last appearance.
Personally, I have had nothing but heart brake and bad luck during my races at Daytona and it is still one my favorite tracks to drive. Not every track has to be overly technical to be enjoyed. There is just something about man-handling the car around the track that I love. Diving into turn 1 is like landing on an aircraft carrier. I love it!
I am rooting heavily for Alonso and also wishing Scott Pruett good luck in his last appearance.
#26

Bring your big boy pants to Daytona if you think it's a boring track. It scares you and it bites very hard.
#27

Though I do find it somewhat frustrating that, from watching available in-car footage, those cars seem to go wherever they are pointed (the Indycars at Mid-O are just ridiculous) whereas my car, well, doesn't.
But I'll bet I'm having more fun than they are!

Gary
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