GTP cars about 500-600 hp, LMP-1 Diesels about 700 hp/1000 lbs of torque. LMP-2/DPi about 550 hp less weight than the old GTP cars. GTO about 500 hp mostly small block engines, later turbos from Audi, Mercury (Roush) and others. GTLM 500 hp, better aero, higher cornering speeds, better braking, based exactly on production cars (except the Porsche 997 911). GTU about 300 hp, GTD or GT3 about 600 hp, less aero, more driver assist very fast 180-185 mph top speed in Blancpain GT configuration. LMP3 is faster than GTP Light. So no the racing is better today than before, I've been to and seen both eras. You just have bias against the new series.
I went to this race when I was 11, met Al Jr in the paddock and he was so nice to talk with me and my father for a good five minutes during the race after he had finished his stint.
Geez, there's a lot of history in this video. There are a lot of feature pieces showing technical details of the cars during the best era of factory support in IMSA history. The Nissan GTP was beginning to come into its own and led much of the race. Toyota's GTO program matured to the point that they could beat the V8 cars, and I assume much of the turbo I4 engine tech was transferred to the GTP program in later years. Al Holbert talked in victory lane that the handwriting was on the wall for Porsche dominance, after the BMW was 4 seconds a lap faster. But in the end, the more powerful cars failed in the last 20 minutes, leaving an easy victory for Porsche. And in the post-race interview with the Dyson team, father Rob Dyson was carrying son and later IMSA racer Chris Dyson on piggyback.
Im a BMW fan and loved the gtp car back in the day. I remember how Davey Jones first with BMW and then with Jaguar was fast but had a tendency to either crash or break the car. BMW left because all carnage brought by the drivers, they destroyed most of the chassis they had.
The "Mustang" Ford Probe, CorvetteGTP & Buick Hawk where way before they'er time. The technology just wasn't in place yet for any of these cars. Turbo four bangers of that era couldn't take the boost so they blew up and the turbo V6 GM engine put out so much torque it broke half-shafts and CV joints. I also had no idea that the Nissan, BMW & Buick Hawk all used the same March chassis Great ideas with Ford & GM backing just before the tech was there... to bad too. Who is Bruce Jenner?
The 1976 Decathlon Athlete who converted himself into a woman, yes one in the same. Bruce Jenner was a decent pedaler did some Trans Am with Roush too.
