IMSA Race TUSC Round 3: The Tequila Patron Sportscar Showcase at Long Beach

**joeb** · 26 Mar 2014, 14:17 (Ref:3384639)

I guess it is about time to throw a race thread out there since there has been some movement on the entrylist side of things. This is the first TUSC race to not feature the entire grid, and the first to not be part of the NAEC. We only get the "pro" classes here Prototypes and GTLM. This will open a lot more room up on the track with only 21 cars currently expected for the 100 minutes race. This race length means all teams should be able to finish with one pit stop (if my math is correct). Given that driver changes will still be mandatory this really will put an emphasis on pit stop efficiency, and in all actuality whoever catches the yellow flag(s) best will probably come out on top.

Qualifying is on Friday April 11, and the race begins at 15:10 local track time on Saturday April 12.

Schedule

Entry List

Track Map

Spotters Guide

carbon_titanium · 26 Mar 2014, 14:23 (Ref:3384643)

Why does Bruni appear in the entry list?

**joeb** · 26 Mar 2014, 14:26 (Ref:3384645)

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

Why does Bruni appear in the entry list?

That is the latest entry list from IMSA, but I"m sure there are things that will change on it in the next 3 weeks.

IndyMeister · 26 Mar 2014, 14:30 (Ref:3384647)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

That is the latest entry list from IMSA, but I"m sure there are things that will change on it in the next 3 weeks.

It already has

: no Pickett-Oreca-Nissan.

jasonjessica09 · 26 Mar 2014, 16:24 (Ref:3384684)

Is Souther Cali still in drought? I wonder that becuase if there is rain during the race then a GTLM could have a shot at overall victory. Especially Falken. All they would need is about 10-15 of green flag time to the front too.

With that said I'm sure it is unlikely. In normal conditions this race SHOULD go wtihout any cautions. But we'll have to wait and see I suppose.

CyberMotor · 26 Mar 2014, 16:45 (Ref:3384700)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

In normal conditions this race SHOULD go wtihout any cautions. But we'll have to wait and see I suppose.

A street course without cautions? I think that is being a bit overly-optimistic.

Danathar · 26 Mar 2014, 18:41 (Ref:3384754)

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyMeister

It already has

: no Pickett-Oreca-Nissan.

Pickett wants to see how the BoP settles out on a couple of tracks that SHOULD have P2's with an advantage.

He can do it (sit out) because he is his own sponsor. Sharp can't because he depends and has commitments to his sponsor.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/10216...na-seca-rounds

"Additionally, while we did lead some laps at Sebring, the speed differential between the DP cars and the P2s is still quite big and I want to see what the series does with that over the course of the next couple of races, as these will take place at tracks that should favor the P2 cars.

We came here to be competitive and we know that we have the drivers and the car to do so, but a big part of that competitiveness comes from the balance of performance and you can't be fighting for wins if you're not on a level playing field," concluded Pickett."

Dodge_Swinger · 26 Mar 2014, 19:01 (Ref:3384766)

I would love for this and every other race to be FCY-free, but I wouldn't bet a warm beer on that happening. If a car opens up too much of a lead, even a DP, I am 99.9 percent certain there will be a caution flag thrown for "mystery debris".

Lagunaseca_4life · 26 Mar 2014, 19:47 (Ref:3384781)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge_Swinger

I would love for this and every other race to be FCY-free, but I wouldn't bet a warm beer on that happening. If a car opens up too much of a lead, even a DP, I am 99.9 percent certain there will be a caution flag thrown for "mystery debris".

Yea I have the same feeling too!

And I think this race will favor dp's, with the long front straight and almost every corner is 90* point and go.all dp's have to do is slow the apex in front of p2's and then get the most power down,with traction control now that shouldn't be a problem to keep p2s behind.only question is how they will do with the hair pin,but again even if they are slow at it all they have to do is balk the p2's long enough to put the power down.

This one might be dependent on qualifying,pit stop speed, and who gets lucky when the cautions come out.

Articus · 27 Mar 2014, 08:12 (Ref:3384931)

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

Why does Bruni appear in the entry list?

IMSA handed Malucelli a 1 race suspension.
But the Bruni Fisichella pairing is strong.

chernaudi · 27 Mar 2014, 08:53 (Ref:3384945)

Not that it matters, seeing as how Risi probably fired him before IMSA decided to suspend him, so even without IMSA's intervention, he probably wouldn't be racing at Long Beach by default.

carbon_titanium · 27 Mar 2014, 09:00 (Ref:3384949)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Not that it matters, seeing as how Risi probably fired him before IMSA decided to suspend him, so even without IMSA's intervention, he probably wouldn't be racing at Long Beach by default.

I don't think that Malucelli is directly under contract with Risi, we need to wait for laguna seca to see if he has been replaced in some other ferrari customers program or if he will remain with Risi.

skells22 · 27 Mar 2014, 09:12 (Ref:3384956)

plus Malucelli has to behave for one race when he comes back from his ban, which class is Kearby in?, he has also been given the ban for one race plus need to behave when he comes back from his ban

chernaudi · 27 Mar 2014, 09:35 (Ref:3384964)

There's only one serious TUSCC team that runs Ferraris and that's Risi. I know that Krohn ran Daytona and Sebring, but Krohn is full time WEC and won't run the full TUSCC season.

I think that this is one bridge that Risi has definitely burned, and probably rightfully so. He's spent how much money the past year or so getting that 458 re-tubbed or repaired? Probably better now to make sure his Ferrari is in safe and capable hands instead of fast but inconsistent, let alone error prone hands.

johncho · 27 Mar 2014, 13:55 (Ref:3385141)

why would sharp/ed brown sit out? They were on pace to win sebring by a mile had it run green, and the speed traps and laptimes showed they were head and shoulders above muscle milk.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danathar

Pickett wants to see how the BoP settles out on a couple of tracks that SHOULD have P2's with an advantage.

He can do it (sit out) because he is his own sponsor. Sharp can't because he depends and has commitments to his sponsor.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/10216...na-seca-rounds

"Additionally, while we did lead some laps at Sebring, the speed differential between the DP cars and the P2s is still quite big and I want to see what the series does with that over the course of the next couple of races, as these will take place at tracks that should favor the P2 cars.
."

Danathar · 27 Mar 2014, 16:12 (Ref:3385199)

Quote:

Originally Posted by johncho

why would sharp/ed brown sit out? They were on pace to win sebring by a mile had it run green, and the speed traps and laptimes showed they were head and shoulders above muscle milk.

I didn't say he would, just that as a realistic option only Picket can really do that if he wanted.

TRspitfirefan · 27 Mar 2014, 18:03 (Ref:3385244)

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndyMeister

No Pickett-Oreca-Nissan.

Bummer.

rwintle · 27 Mar 2014, 20:16 (Ref:3385289)

Quote:

Originally Posted by carbon_titanium

I don't think that Malucelli is directly under contract with Risi, we need to wait for laguna seca to see if he has been replaced in some other ferrari customers program or if he will remain with Risi.

Mr. Risi has "benched" an entire car before now. Can't remember the year (2009 maybe?) when late in a race (Road America?) their second car, not on the lead lap, got in the way of a charging Mika Salo which ultimately caused Salo to push too hard and spin, losing out on a podium for sure and maybe a second or even a win.

Next race: Mosport. Second car and both drivers nowhere to be seen. The stated reason, if I'm remembering this all correctly, was "one of our drivers was unavailable" or words to that effect.

So - it doesn't really matter what the arrangement with Malucelli and/or Ferrari is, if Giuseppe Risi is ticked off, I very much doubt we'll see Malucelli again.

Articus · 28 Mar 2014, 01:07 (Ref:3385387)

it's always driver issues with any Ferrari team isn't it. The shenanigans that went on at AF Corse and at Risi these past few years amongst the likes of Bruni, Melo, Vilander, and Fisichella is dubious at best.

PointDSM · 28 Mar 2014, 02:03 (Ref:3385401)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Articus

it's always driver issues with any Ferrari team isn't it. The shenanigans that went on at AF Corse and at Risi these past few years amongst the likes of Bruni, Melo, Vilander, and Fisichella is dubious at best.

What was wrong with ESM? I really think Guy Cosmo would be the best driver for Risi. Fast, smart...

I tend to think that Ferrari isn't quite there with driver development, certainly not on-par with Porsche or other customer teams.

Accident · 28 Mar 2014, 07:14 (Ref:3385451)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PointDSM

I really think Guy Cosmo would be the best driver for Risi. Fast, smart...

I was thinking that during the Sebring race. He's fast, smart, seems to be good with fans, has experience with the car, has experience with the tracks, has experience against most of the competitors, and is looking for work.

I'm struggling to think of anyone else who seems currently available that can offer that. Perhaps Jeff Segal since he is out of a ride with L5 not participating? I wouldn't place him as high as Cosmo but he's pretty solid.

BudLightJaguar · 28 Mar 2014, 19:49 (Ref:3385783)

So, it will be interesting how this early-season drama develops when there's only Pro-classes and short race distance.

Articus · 28 Mar 2014, 23:35 (Ref:3385857)

Quote:

Originally Posted by PointDSM

What was wrong with ESM? I really think Guy Cosmo would be the best driver for Risi. Fast, smart...

I tend to think that Ferrari isn't quite there with driver development, certainly not on-par with Porsche or other customer teams.

There was nothing wrong at ESM. It's just that things have blown up quite literally at AF Corse and Risi amongst drivers in years past. Remember when Melo was "sick" at Petit one year...

jasonjessica09 · 8 Apr 2014, 03:32 (Ref:3390019)

Mr. Blackmore's spotters guide is out for this race but I think only the Shank car has a different livery. Interesting that on the guide the TUSK and Indy car schedules are posted on there but not PWC.

I for one will combine the TUSK and PWC qualifying times on to one list after their sessions are done provided it does not rain for one of them.

What is the weather forecast for Friday and Saturday in Long Beach at this point?

TRspitfirefan · 8 Apr 2014, 03:38 (Ref:3390021)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasonjessica09

What is the weather forecast for Friday and Saturday in Long Beach at this point?

http://nasportscar.com/weather-forec...of-long-beach/

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
ALMS 2013 Round 2: Long Beach	joeb	North American Racing	137	2 May 2013 15:24
FRC 2012 - Round 3: Long Beach	joeb	Predictions Competitions	28	18 Apr 2012 06:52
Round 2: the Long Beach Grand Prix	FstrthnU	North American Racing	162	17 Apr 2012 11:23
'09 FRC Round 3, Long Beach	HORNDAWG	Predictions Competitions	53	25 Apr 2009 22:08
Toyota Atlantic: Round 2 Long Beach	Jay	ChampCar World Series	20	14 Apr 2003 13:33