BMW: As you said, the factory would want a high level team running the car(s) if it allowed a customer operation. The only teams that may fit that bill in IMSA are Turner Motorsport and Paul Miller racing. I wonder though if those teams/owners aspire to go to a higher level than GT cars or prefer to be big fish in a smaller ( and less expensive) pond.
1:38: There is also the cost and availability of hiring additional staff. Additional machinists and other mechanical personnel in the race shop. Salaries of two or three new drivers. Mechanics, engineers, truck drivers and additional race hospitality staff. And because this is a top level series, there is a finite supply, especially of top notch engineers and senior mechanics, who are qualified to step right and be productive. This is NOT a series for training wheels personnel.
I feel that the reason why Porsche is the only company offering customer gtp's is because they probably were the only company with enough resources to build that many cars. Since Audi canceled their program for f1, the remaining parts probably were given to Porsche, and with some supply issues still affecting the world of racing other manufacturers are limited
I think Porsche was just best equipped from the get go to handle a customer racing operation. Considering all of the customer racing they supported worldwide with their GT3's, GT4's, Carrera Cup etc they probably had one of the better systems already in place to handle this!
I'd call it unlikely but I agree that they should! They have a pretty incredible team waiting in the states to run a program like that in Bryan Herta Autosport!
There is the team cost and also the production times to get enough spares for racing a second car. And can Porsche make that much stuff and not loose a lot of money if a team pulls out or a sponsor falls through.
Its a lot like GTLM/GTE. Way more expensive but similar. Porsche will be there, maybe Ferrari and Acura/Honda. Alpine will have some customer cars for the most French of French teams. I have heard that Alpine wants to play in IMSA. I know Sebas is going to need a ride but a whole team for him is crazy! lol BMW is already kinda doing a customer thing with WRT. I am unsure why the IMSA BMWs will not be at Le Mans this year. (info needed) I want to hope that BMW could go bigger but its going to be up hill all the way. Aston Martin. nope. an extra car for Le Mans maybe. IF. nope Pugeot I can't see that happening .....they need to do a pescorolo livery on that car. LMP2 pro will be introduced and they will run Michelin rubber. I say that 50% joking and 50% serious. the cost savings would huge!
WRT is actually running the BMW WEC operation for the factory( just as Penske for Porsche, etc.). The decision not to run LeMans may have been a decision by RLL, which runs the IMSA prototype operation, or possibly a parts and supply chain issue with the factory. Peugeot would have no shortage of French teams wanting to run a customer operation, but I think they need to get the reliability issues solved and probably want to be regularly competing for podiums before considering this.
A Turner Motorsports BMW GTP programme would make the most sense for a BMW customer car. Turner is a loyal BMW team and has been since the E36 days. If they'd be willing to bankroll a GTP programme though would be a different question. Furthermore BMW don't seem exactly thrilled about their cars' current performances. They might want to tweak the car a bit before commiting to establishing the infrastructure necessary for a GTP/Hypercar customer programme. It'd be cool to see a blue and yellow BMW M Hybrid V8 though!
I have a feeling that bmw's late start to their program has meant that have been playing catch up for a while. They want to wait and see if they can make some improvements and maybe the possibility will open up. These cars are incredibly complicated logistically and technologically, so it takes so much time to test and make sure these cars are up to the standards of the manufactures.
Yeah that probably played a role in it as well. I think seeing some of the struggles that Porsche had trying to produce spare parts may have also caused some other manufacturers to put a pause on a customer program
Of course like everyone else I would like to see more customer teams but as you said as well. Porsche showed just how difficult it is to get customer programs out.
@@offintheesses Much agreed, like all things it will take some time. We will have to see and wait. Fingers crossed for a diverse grid in the years to come.
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BMW: As you said, the factory would want a high level team running the car(s) if it allowed a customer operation. The only teams that may fit that bill in IMSA are Turner Motorsport and Paul Miller racing. I wonder though if those teams/owners aspire to go to a higher level than GT cars or prefer to be big fish in a smaller ( and less expensive) pond.
1:38: There is also the cost and availability of hiring additional staff. Additional machinists and other mechanical personnel in the race shop. Salaries of two or three new drivers. Mechanics, engineers, truck drivers and additional race hospitality staff. And because this is a top level series, there is a finite supply, especially of top notch engineers and senior mechanics, who are qualified to step right and be productive. This is NOT a series for training wheels personnel.
Really cool that you got an interview. Nice video. Keep up the good work.
Do you want to see more driver/team member interviews?
I know I would!
I feel that the reason why Porsche is the only company offering customer gtp's is because they probably were the only company with enough resources to build that many cars. Since Audi canceled their program for f1, the remaining parts probably were given to Porsche, and with some supply issues still affecting the world of racing other manufacturers are limited
I think Porsche was just best equipped from the get go to handle a customer racing operation. Considering all of the customer racing they supported worldwide with their GT3's, GT4's, Carrera Cup etc they probably had one of the better systems already in place to handle this!
Great choice of shirt for the video
One of the best looking cars ever!
Who is going to run the cadillac DPI-VR next year and Can you keep me update on Cadillac please
Excited to see Baker Racing in IMSA. Not just from a client standpoint, the Bakers are good people.
Yeah they're going to be fun to follow! Really happy to see more drivers from FEL taking that next step up the ladder!
@@offintheesses absolutely! Especially when they are clients! 😆
@@DAKINSDESIGN Yup that's even better hahaha
Hyundai/Genesis should really consider a HyperCar/GTP entry!
I'd call it unlikely but I agree that they should! They have a pretty incredible team waiting in the states to run a program like that in Bryan Herta Autosport!
There is the team cost and also the production times to get enough spares for racing a second car. And can Porsche make that much stuff and not loose a lot of money if a team pulls out or a sponsor falls through.
What if Tesla also entering IMSA or WEC.
Its a lot like GTLM/GTE. Way more expensive but similar. Porsche will be there, maybe Ferrari and Acura/Honda. Alpine will have some customer cars for the most French of French teams. I have heard that Alpine wants to play in IMSA. I know Sebas is going to need a ride but a whole team for him is crazy! lol
BMW is already kinda doing a customer thing with WRT. I am unsure why the IMSA BMWs will not be at Le Mans this year. (info needed)
I want to hope that BMW could go bigger but its going to be up hill all the way.
Aston Martin. nope. an extra car for Le Mans maybe.
IF. nope
Pugeot I can't see that happening .....they need to do a pescorolo livery on that car.
LMP2 pro will be introduced and they will run Michelin rubber. I say that 50% joking and 50% serious. the cost savings would huge!
WRT is actually running the BMW WEC operation for the factory( just as Penske for Porsche, etc.). The decision not to run LeMans may have been a decision by RLL, which runs the IMSA prototype operation, or possibly a parts and supply chain issue with the factory. Peugeot would have no shortage of French teams wanting to run a customer operation, but I think they need to get the reliability issues solved and probably want to be regularly competing for podiums before considering this.
A Turner Motorsports BMW GTP programme would make the most sense for a BMW customer car. Turner is a loyal BMW team and has been since the E36 days. If they'd be willing to bankroll a GTP programme though would be a different question.
Furthermore BMW don't seem exactly thrilled about their cars' current performances. They might want to tweak the car a bit before commiting to establishing the infrastructure necessary for a GTP/Hypercar customer programme.
It'd be cool to see a blue and yellow BMW M Hybrid V8 though!
I think a Turner Motorsports Taco GTP entry would make everyone happy hahaha
Cool video! Question tho.. do you have a video coming for Detroit preview like past races 😁
Of course! The plan is to have it released tomorrow!
Unfortunally, IMSA would not allow Isotta to race in the Series. It is time for IMSA review this rule. It would had saved Glickenhaus program.
RAHHH 50 CAR GRID 2025🔥🔥🔥
I have a feeling that bmw's late start to their program has meant that have been playing catch up for a while. They want to wait and see if they can make some improvements and maybe the possibility will open up. These cars are incredibly complicated logistically and technologically, so it takes so much time to test and make sure these cars are up to the standards of the manufactures.
Yeah that probably played a role in it as well. I think seeing some of the struggles that Porsche had trying to produce spare parts may have also caused some other manufacturers to put a pause on a customer program
Of course like everyone else I would like to see more customer teams but as you said as well. Porsche showed just how difficult it is to get customer programs out.
@@offintheesses Much agreed, like all things it will take some time. We will have to see and wait. Fingers crossed for a diverse grid in the years to come.
There might be 2 Porsches Available in the market next year from Jota. I believe they will run the Caddies next year.
Considering Jota maybe switching to Cadillac that frees up Porsche’s cap for chassis
That's a good point!
My dream GTP entry is definitely Risi Competizione getting a 499p. Even if it was just for the endurance rounds.
Ferrari coming to IMSA with the 499p would be incredible, even bettwe if Risi was able to bring it to the grid!
I hope Vanwall gonna be added into 2025 IMSA LMDh lineup...
I wish we could get a new Cadillac GT3 entry 😳😳😳
Or a 430 Scuderia LMGT3?
What Cadillac DPi next year
I am pretty confident that we won't be seeing a Cadillac DPi on the IMSA grid next year lol