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Detroit Pre-Race Notebook

Tony DiZinno’s pre-race notebook from Belle Isle Park…

Photo: Magnus Racing

Photo: Magnus Racing

***The 20-minute morning warmup session went off without incident. The No. 90 VisitFlorida.com Racing Corvette DP led the timesheets; the full results are linked here.

***It’s understood IMSA is considering re-naming its top Prototype class to GTP once the new-for-2017 global LMP2 regulations are rolled out. The name would pay homage to the sanctioning body’s past. More news on the technical details of the 2017 LMP2 global regulations will be announced at Le Mans next month.

***Today’s race marks the first Prototype Challenge race on a street course since Baltimore 2013, a race won by today’s polesitting team, Performance Tech Motorsports. James French and James Vance will try to match the feat achieved by Tristan Nunez and Charlie Shears.

***After today’s race, Chris Cumming, Ben Keating, Jeroen Bleekemolen, Townsend Bell, Bill Sweedler and Bell and Sweedler’s data engineer will be on Cumming’s plane en route to Le Mans for the test day. Jordan Taylor will also be en route immediately after the race on a separate flight.

***For this weekend, Prototype teams will be allowed seven sets of Continental tires (including dry and wet tires); while both PC and GTD teams will receive six sets. PC teams 6 sets; and GTD teams will receive 6 sets. Continental Tire will bring roughly 1,500 tires to Belle Isle.

***Magnus Racing has a Detroit tie-in this weekend, in the form of “Magnus the Shark,” the official mascot of Detroit’s SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium. No, this is not a typo and no, John Potter didn’t specifically petition the aquarium to get the name change. “Like any creative endeavor, the time has come for us to jump the shark,” Potter said in a release. “We have a lot in common, we both love seafood, we mature slowly, and there are some days where we’re completely lost at sea.”

***In terms of serious news, Saturday’s Chevrolet Sports Car Classic will air live on FOX Sports 2 at noon ET, with an encore on FOX Sports 1 at 2 p.m. ET. Live radio coverage will be available via IMSA Radio.

***Be sure to check out Andy Blackmore’s official Spotter Guide in advance of Saturday’s race. While no major livery changes are expected, it still remains a handy way to keep up with the field at your fingertips.

Tony DiZinno (@tonydizinno) is Sportscar365's North American Editor, focusing on coverage of the IMSA-sanctioned championships as well as Pirelli World Challenge. DiZinno also contributes to NBCSports.com and other motorsports outlets. Contact Tony

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