United SportsCar Championship

United SportsCar Championship ( USCC ) is a company incorporated in 2013 sports car series in the United States and Canada. According to a sponsorship agreement is the official name currently Tudor United SportsCar Championship. As part of the USCC and the North American Endurance Cup will take place ( see below). The first season of the series takes place in 2014.

2.3.1 Points and Title
2.3.2 Driver Pairings / travel times
2.3.3 pit stops

History

The series was created from the merger of the American Le Mans Series and the Rolex Sports Car Series and forms the highest American sports car series. Both previous series were created after the end of the IMSA GT Championship.

The Vereinung to a new range was announced on 5 September 2012 on March 14, 2013, the name and the class structure of the combined series were announced. On July 19, 2013 update of the class structure was belanntgegeben in which the GX class was grouped into the GTD class. The series will continue to have a partnership with the Automobile Club de l' Ouest, the organizers of the 24- hour race at Le Mans. Host of the USCC is the International Motor Sports Association, which currently aligns the ALMS.

With the release of the title sponsor on 12 September 2013, the IMSA announced that the series is not as initially planned debut under the name United SportsCar Racing but under the name of United SportsCar Championship. Title sponsor is the watch brand Tudor.

Rules

Class structure

The USCC unites the classes from the two previous series:

Prototype Class (P): In this class, the former ALMS LMP2 class and the Daytona Prototype class of the Rolex Sports Car Series are united. In addition, the DeltaWing, which previously was a LMP1 car in this class takes.

Prototype Challenge ( PC): This class was continued analogous to the current ALMS class of the same name.

Gran Turismo Le Mans ( GTLM ): This class was continued analogous to the current GT class of the ALMS.

Gran Turismo Daytona ( GTD ): In this class, the former ALMS GTC class and the GT and GX- classes of the Rolex Sports Car Series are united.

The current LMP1 class of the ALMS has been deleted.

In the Prototype class are up to and including the 2016 season continues LMP2 cars and DP cars can be used according to the new regulations. From 2017, new technical regulations for LMP2 cars in use should be, which is then supposed to be the only technical basis for the Prototype class.

Technical Regulations

Prototype Class

By merging the Daytona Prototypes with the LMP2 cars and the Delta Wing had to be designed a new technical regulations. When merging the technical regulations of the distance to the other classes was matched and the Prototype Class defined as the fastest class. The Daytona Prototypes, as a top class of the Grand Am were previously significantly slower than the LMP2 class in the ALMS. This is evident in a comparison of the qualifying times on race tracks that have sailed both series in their last season:

The DPs were 2013 ie approximately between the LMPC and the GTE cars. To bring the vehicles in the new P- class to a level, so it is only possible to make the DPs faster because there would be a mixing of the classes in a slowing of the LMP2 cars. Here, the objectives are to generate at least 60 % more output for the DP cars and to make the cars about 6 seconds faster than the GTLM cars. In the first draft of the technical regulations, among others, the following adjustments were provided:

New diffuser
Second item on the rear wing
Increase the engine power by 50PS
Carbon brakes
Carbon coupling
Ban on traction control

On the basis of this design will cost the update for a Daytona Prototype approximately $ 600,000 was assuming in advance only $ 200,000. The new parts are produced centrally on behalf of IMSA from a single manufacturer. In an update of the design include the following items were described:

Definition of eligible types of shock absorber
Determination of the disc diameter
When using carbon brake discs, an additional ballast weight of 25kg is required
Gear ratios may now be freely set

The test of the new parts and rules has been to four days, depending on two performed on the routes of Sebring and Daytona, in November 2013, with the collected data to finalize the technical regulations and the classification in the balance of performance are to be used. While the new parts to the Daytona Prototype at Sebring immediately made a good impression, and achieved good lap times, there were two serious accidents in Daytona. When two vehicles burst a rear tire, the vehicles turned, lifted off the ground and flying through the air. Whether these accidents is attributable to the new parts is questionable, since there was already before this type of accident at Reifenplätzern.

For a second test at Daytona in December there were new Continental tires, which are designed for the higher output of the DP cars. Moreover, the new diffuser was removed, whereby the output to the rear axle was reduced again. However, it is possible that the diffuser is required again after the 24 - hour race at Daytona. Openings in the wheel housings are provided on the upper side, which allows air to escape from under the car. This is to prevent the lifting of the car.

For the LMP2 cars continue the ACO regulations will apply, where the cars will also be adjusted via a balance of performance on the 6 -second intervals to the GTLM cars ..

Prior to the 24 - hour race at Daytona, the final adjustments to the Balance of Performance Systems were announced. Our own specifications was ever made chassis / engine combination. This affected both the air restrictors, the boost pressure, the tank size and the diameter of the tank opening for refueling the vehicles.

It is expected that the parameter will be made for the next race of the season adjustments.

Prototype Challenge

The technical regulations are adopted by the previous LMPC class of the ALMS, where there will be reductions in the context of the balance of performance to adjust the speed of the vehicles at the other classes.

GT Le Mans

The technical regulations is taken from the previous GT class of the ALMS. The vehicles, as adjusted in the ALMS, by a balance of performance to a similar level.

GT Daytona

Also needed for the Daytona GT class designed a new rule, since the Spec1 vehicles in the GT class of the Grand Am, the GX class of the Grand Am and FIA GT3 regulations are merged.

All vehicles must use a standardized rear wing, which is provided by the IMSA available. In addition, chassis made of carbon are admitted, although there currently is no starter with such a chassis. The vehicles must weigh at least 1.215kg, may have a maximum of 8.5 l displacement (4.0 for Turbo engines) and have no driving aids such as traction control or ABS.

The approximation of the vehicles via a balance of performance system. It may be prescribed adjustments to the weight of the air-restrictors, the boost pressure, the tank size and the rear wing Gurney flap incl.

Tire

In the tire regulations the way of the Grand-Am will be pursued and be prescribed unit supplier, while the ALMS in the LMP2 class had an open tire rules. For the new top class of the USCC and for the PC and GTD - class Continental will be the tire partner.

Sporting Regulations

Points and titles

All races of the season will be evaluated on the same point system. The following points apply:

Every driver of a vehicle receives a point ( = same as last placed ) and they cross the start line. As in American sports car racing usual, a vehicle must at least 70 % of the race distance to complete to be classified in the final classification for more points. A cross the finish line is not required. To receive points for the drivers' standings on the start point, every driver must also comply with the travel times. Each driver in a maximum of two vehicles, but only achieve from different classes, points, as long as he complies with the minimum travel time for each vehicle as well as the maximum driving time in the entire race.

The team classification is assessed per vehicle called. Thus, a team can be listed with several vehicles in the team standings. Each vehicle that crossed the start line automatically gets a point ( = as last -placed ). The Master is the vehicle which has the most start and end points in the season. For each team maximum of two vehicles are allowed to start.

In each class title for the best driver and the best vehicle will be awarded. Moreover, in the P- class title for the best engine manufacturers as well as in the GTLM class are awarded titles for the best vehicle and tire manufacturers.

Driver pairings / travel times

For the PC and the GTD - class a combination of professionals and amateurs ( Pro / Am concept ) is prescribed. As a professional driver from the categories Gold and Platinum are considered amateurs driver from the categories silver and bronze. The classification of the drivers in these categories will be based on criteria which are similar to that used in the ALMS system. Here, a committee has been established, which gives the final decision on any driver. If two or three drivers being listed in any of the Pro / Am cars, so only one of the drivers must be a professional. If more drivers to be called, so there may be two professional drivers.

Depending on the race length are also different minimum and maximum travel times prescribed. There are also different rules for the Professional and the Pro / Am classes:

Pit stops

During a pit stop at most four mechanics are authorized to work in the pit lane. In addition, should ever a mechanic to check (not change) the tires and brakes are working in the pit lane. For a change of driver, the driver may support each other when out and enter. This task may also be done by a mechanic who is not in addition to see the above.

Maximum of two impact wrench may be used for the tire change. Refuelling may also happen during the tire change and the engine is allowed to run along the way. Especially this differs from the ACO Regulations of the 24 - hour race at Le Mans and corresponds to the former Grand -Am regulations.

Calendar

The calendar for the first season provides twelve races and is composed of events, which was played in previous season either in the Rolex Sports Car Series and the American Le Mans Series. New events were intentionally not included. By merging the two series are for the first time since 1997, the two classic North American long-distance race, the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring, reunited in a series.

North American Endurance Cup

The North American Endurance Cup ( NAEC ) was adopted by the Grand Am, where he was known as the North American Endurance Championship. Under the sponsorship agreement, the official name Tequila Patrón North American Endurance Cup, the sponsor was active as the title sponsor of the ALMS.

The special classification includes all long distance race of the season in a separate classification. For this race other drivers are obliged to ordinary occupations of the team in general, and there are some teams that will compete only in the long distance races.

The points are awarded to drivers, teams and manufacturers. Here in the team and manufacturer's rating is each one only the best vehicle. The point system is different from the USCC rules:

Points are awarded not only at the end of the race, but also to pre- defined intermediate levels of the race. Use is made no distinction between score and final score in the number of points.

While were awarded in the Grand Am title only for drivers and teams, there will be in addition also the title for the manufacturers in the NAEC in IMSA.

In addition there are special prizes for the winners of the votes. $ 100,000 will be awarded to the winning teams from the classes Prototype and GT Le Mans, $ 50,000 to the winning teams of the Prototype and GT Challenge Daytona classes.

Le Mans Prototype Grand tourer Road America Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca Lime Rock Park Downforce Diffuser (thermodynamics) Sebring International Raceway Daytona International Speedway Carboniferous Continental AG Endurance racing (motorsport)

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