The forty ninth version of the Grand Prix of Lengthy Seashore will see drivers from each collection take to the 1.968-mile, 11-turn non permanent avenue circuit that has undergone some slight enhancements.
Among the many notable modifications are enhancements to the curbing in Flip 5. Important work was completed to permit the longer bolts which are connected to the curbs to resist the pounding from the sports activities vehicles.
There was additionally work completed to the painted portion of the curb (not raised, painted solely) in Flip 8, which has been moved again to the apex of the flip as a substitute of the earlier location that was 10 toes from the wall.
Asphalt grinding has additionally taken place in Flip 8 to easy out the floor.
Much like IndyCar’s season-opening spherical on the Streets of St. Petersburg, all the tire boundaries have additionally been coated by a conveyer belt materials as a substitute of signage that occupied the identical house beforehand.
When the choice for the belt materials to be utilized in St. Petersburg, the thought behind that was to attenuate the probabilities of a automotive being caught within the barrier. In flip, that would offer a profit to the AMR IndyCar Security Crew engaged on the scene, together with serving to reduce injury for the race workforce.
The affirmation of the monitor modifications got here courtesy of IndyCar throughout IMSA’s opening follow on Friday morning.
IndyCar may have its first follow session of the weekend later this afternoon, scheduled for five:50 p.m. ET and streaming on Peacock.
IMSA’s second follow will begin at 3:50 p.m. ET, with its qualifying – that might be even be streamed on Peacock – concluding the day’s festivities at 7:55 p.m. ET on Friday night.
The GTP and GTD courses for IMSA will contest its 100-minute race on Saturday, April 20 at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The IndyCar Sequence may have its second points-paying spherical of 2024 in an 85-lap battle set for Sunday, April 21 at 3:30pm ET.