2014 GTLM IMSA Racing

HerrK · 01-26-2014, 01:38 PM

Congradulations to Team RLL & BMW as the Z4 BMW's managed a respectable 2nd & 4th at the Rolex 24 hrs of Daytona, the opening round of the series. Preparation and opportunity contributed to the luck behind the high placements as once again M is no longer ther most Powerful letter in the alphabet - at least they were reliable. BMW's were 1.2 sec off the qualifying paces of the Porches, Vipers, & Vette's. Looks like it might be another long season for the underpowered Z on the high speed tracks. Much better than the other GTLM group on the tighter technical tracks. Bring on Long Beach!

http://www.imsa.com

BackNblack · 01-26-2014, 05:32 PM

Excellent showing and I would like to have seen the result if the Ferrari had not pinned Joey Hand against the wall in the final laps. One of the best Rolex 24's I have seen in recent years.

mbetoni · 01-27-2014, 01:11 PM

I know there's a racing section, Mods, if this needs to be moved completely understood.

For the sake of being rhetorical, is anyone aware of the "why" the Z4s are underpowered? My understanding: E90 M3s early were overpowered, hence the domination. Then they were put on air restrictors (which, if you haven't seen in person, make you wonder how the car runs at all), then the Vettes and eventually Vipers were much more powerful.

Now, the Z4 is on the same (or similar) restrictors, and it's underpowered vs. the Vettes/Vipers as well. Why the seeming disparity? (also, I know RLL has been fighting this fight the last few years, curious just to hear other thoughts).

RedRabbit · 01-28-2014, 10:14 AM

One of the reasons the commentators brought up was the shape of the e89. The vettes, porsches, and vipers all have a fastback shape whereas the z4 has a more pronounced rake from the pillar to the rear wing. Then there's the displacement difference between the v8s with the BMW having to be rung out more than the other two American entries.

01-26-2014, 01:38 PM	#1
HerrK Captain 42 Rep 640 Posts Drives: 21 X5 40i, 77 R100Rs Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: AZ iTrader: (0)	2014 GTLM IMSA Racing Congradulations to Team RLL & BMW as the Z4 BMW's managed a respectable 2nd & 4th at the Rolex 24 hrs of Daytona, the opening round of the series. Preparation and opportunity contributed to the luck behind the high placements as once again M is no longer ther most Powerful letter in the alphabet - at least they were reliable. BMW's were 1.2 sec off the qualifying paces of the Porches, Vipers, & Vette's. Looks like it might be another long season for the underpowered Z on the high speed tracks. Much better than the other GTLM group on the tighter technical tracks. Bring on Long Beach! http://www.imsa.com __________________ HerrK - 2021 X5 40i M Sport l PCD l Atlantis Blue/Ext'd Tartufo Merino l M Sport w/blue Calipers l Matt Popular l HK Sound l 740's l Exec & Drive Pro Pack Sold w/Great Memories - E89 Z4 l ED 2010 l 2011 35i l Crimson/Ext'd Coral Red w/Alum l 6 sp MT l Prem Sound l Sport Pack l 296's
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01-26-2014, 05:32 PM	#2
BackNblack New Member 4 Rep 19 Posts Drives: 2009 Z4 35i Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Beavercreek Ohio iTrader: (0)	Excellent showing and I would like to have seen the result if the Ferrari had not pinned Joey Hand against the wall in the final laps. One of the best Rolex 24's I have seen in recent years.
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01-27-2014, 01:11 PM	#3
mbetoni First Lieutenant 19 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2014 Z435is Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (0)	I know there's a racing section, Mods, if this needs to be moved completely understood. For the sake of being rhetorical, is anyone aware of the "why" the Z4s are underpowered? My understanding: E90 M3s early were overpowered, hence the domination. Then they were put on air restrictors (which, if you haven't seen in person, make you wonder how the car runs at all), then the Vettes and eventually Vipers were much more powerful. Now, the Z4 is on the same (or similar) restrictors, and it's underpowered vs. the Vettes/Vipers as well. Why the seeming disparity? (also, I know RLL has been fighting this fight the last few years, curious just to hear other thoughts).
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01-28-2014, 10:14 AM	#4
RedRabbit Enlisted Member 3 Rep 43 Posts Drives: Z4 sdrive 30i Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: LHC iTrader: (0)	One of the reasons the commentators brought up was the shape of the e89. The vettes, porsches, and vipers all have a fastback shape whereas the z4 has a more pronounced rake from the pillar to the rear wing. Then there's the displacement difference between the v8s with the BMW having to be rung out more than the other two American entries.
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