IMSA News & Notes, 12.16

***Of the several teams testing this week at Daytona International Speedway, notable is Konrad Motorsports running both its own (2014 No. 28) and the ex-Dempsey Racing No. 27 Porsche 911 GT Americas. Konrad tested on its own late last year at Daytona before partnering with Dempsey for the first two races of 2014. Sportscar365 will have more on the two-day test itself later today.

***Following its rollout at Palm Beach International Raceway, Tequila Patron ESM has a test at Sebring International Raceway scheduled for early next week with its new HPD ARX-04b coupe.

***The Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge technical regulations for 2015 have been released. There are two notable changes. The first is section 6-2.1, where the language has changed from return of restrictor(s) is mandatory following each Event to a return only if requested by IMSA. Additionally, section 11-1.2 now permits the use of alternative OEM transmissions (Dual-Clutch or Semi-Automatic) with IMSA approval, besides just manual transmissions.

***IMSA has issued a Competition Bulletin that clarifies the regulatory language used for official updates. Competition Bulletin 15-02 defines Competition Memos as advisory notices or reminders, Competitor Bulletins as Modifications to the IMSA Sporting Regulations (ISR) and the Series Supplementary Regulations (SSR), and Technical Bulletins as a publication where the Technical Regulations may be modified or changed at any time.

***Corvette Racing’s Antonio Garcia made his open-wheel racing return for the first time in a decade this weekend at the Uruguayan round of the FIA Formula E Championship. Garcia had to shake off the rust and learn the electrical systems on his China Racing car for the weekend. The Spaniard qualified 14th and rallied to 11th in the race, holding on to finish despite broken seat shell mountings.

***Ozz Negri has maintained a relationship with 8Star Motorsports over the last year or so since ending second in the team’s PC car at the 2013 Petit Le Mans. Negri is spending some time as the team’s development and test driver for its new Indy Lights program, which will debut in 2015.

***Several IMSA drivers were in Germany for Porsche’s year-end celebration, including the Magnus Racing trio of Andy Lally, John Potter and Marco Seefried. The trio was recognized for its win in this year’s Twelve Hours of Sebring.

***Stefan Wilson, Justin’s younger but taller brother, will test JDC/Miller Motorsports’ PC car this week at Buttonwillow Raceway. Wilson is a Gold-rated driver and would seek to make his TUDOR United SportsCar Championship debut in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.