It's a done deal.
First details ...
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/grand-am-details-of-alms-unification-emerge/P1/
Mental note to myself : must get to Road Atlanta next year, no matter what.
Would make more sense to equalise the DTP cars with FLM, rather than slowing down the P2 class. Who remembers the first year of DTP when some of the GT cars ended up being faster than the slow and UGLY DTP field."
The idea of seeing DTPs at Sebring is really depressing.
trying to get rid of fast quiet european diesels?dont like hybrid technology?oil company rep on the board?the plot thickens.
You'll get your wish.
The Diesel Pugs are history and the Audi R18 will step aside for the new Porsche petrol powered hybrid proto. Don't forget that the Toyotas are petrol too. The Audis are the last of the oil burners.
at lm the doc said they dont race petrol engines as they have no future in modern cars.his words on radio le mans interview.
I think your onto something here Nordic, could very well be the dircetion to go in. Simply adopt the same regs, and presto! Full field of cars.
Fax
I think your onto something here Nordic, could very well be the dircetion to go in. Simply adopt the same regs, and presto! Full field of cars.
Fax
hhhmmm... Half of which are saloon cars, not my idea of GT/Endurance racing, but each to his/her own I guess.
I think it's safe to say that you can forget idea of this new series being a "feeder" for anything. You know how NASCAR thinks, the idea of a series of theirs, being a feeder for a another sanctioning body, is ridiculous as far as they're concerned.
My gut feeling is they could care less about the "Big Race" in June.
Fax
The ACO are unlikely to change their regs route for anyone - they simply don't do that - and why should they? ......
– Manufacturers will enter Manufacturer’s FIA World Endurance Championship
– Privateers will enter FIA Endurance Trophy for LMP1 Privateers
Brad, With all due respect, what "Gloden era" are you refering too? The EU is a joke, the US economy sucks. and China has crapped out. Where's the Golden era going to come from?
GF posted some great photos... from 1998! Things were great then, the height of the Clinton era, life was good lots of money to go around, where are all those prototypes now?
Some of you are living in fantasy land?
NASCAR, if it really buys into sportscar racing, will go into it making sure their series is the pinnacle of the sport, screw the ACO! I know people in NASCAR, their attitiude will be"If people want to race at Daytona or Sebring, then they'll race under our rules" These people went into the Meccca of Indycar racing, the heart of US racing, IMS, and their race became the biggest event on the calendar there, do you really think they're going to set their regs around a race held once a year in France?
GF mentions the heritage of US participation at Le Mans, really? The last ten years or so its been the Vettes and the Lizards, and a handful of other privateers. Your going to make that argument? Seriously?
Fax
If the UScar makers don't follow the ACO regs to go sportscar racing, the American auto industry will be left behind? I make sure to let them know that when I'm in Detroit next week. ;)
Fax
If the UScar makers don't follow the ACO regs to go sportscar racing, the American auto industry will be left behind? I make sure to let them know that when I'm in Detroit next week. ;)
Fax
If the UScar makers don't follow the ACO regs to go sportscar racing, the American auto industry will be left behind? I make sure to let them know that when I'm in Detroit next week. ;)
Fax
GF, I couldn't have put it any better. Racing is different over here, its not better, not worse, just different. Ther seems to be an opinion shared by many of the contributers to this forum that if its not done the traditional Euro way, its not right. That's such tunnel vision, because something works for one group, doesn't mean it'll work for everyone.
As GF said, it was a great fourteen years, but times have changed, things haven't been successful in recent years and its time to try something new. Its pointless to continue down the same path over here, TV ratings have never been good, attendance has dropped, and there's a very poor car in count in the prototype ranks. What's the point in continuing with the status quo when no one is showing any interest? Purist may cringe at the idea of NASCAR running a sportscar series, I do, but they will make it successful, whatever its incarnation will be, or it will be gone in a few years.
Fax
http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/us-scene/racing-on-tv-in-america/
Put aside any doubts about the steamroller NASCAR is in the USA compared to the other forms of racing.
By increasing the income for the Fox portion of its broadcast schedule NASCAR has gained the necessary leverage to raise the ante in next summer’s negotiations with ESPN/ABC so that it could bring in as much as $5 billion in TV rights fees for 2015-’22.
Are they dropping a lot of acid in the US again?
Eos? Is that with the roof up or down?
Or are they going back to old ACO rules where you had to stop and put down the roof? Could be a big advantage there.
Grand-MA's new 'GX' class homologation list includes... the "Ford Focus 4-door". I kid you not.......Clearly the two door is considered too quick :o
Interesting article about the lack of interest in LMP2 at the moment
http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/alms-p2-car-counts-in-question/
GRAND-AM, ALMS Announce Class Structure For Unified Series
Organizations Taking Inclusionary, ‘Best Of Both Worlds’ Multi-Class Approach
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Underscoring the cooperative spirit of their merger announced last September, GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón today unveiled the initial concept for the organizations’ unified competition class structure that will debut in January 2014 at the 52nd running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona.
The lineup – in effect for the 2014 and 2015 seasons – is based on a philosophy of inclusion. The majority of classes from both the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series and the ALMS will be retained with the exception of the ALMS’ P1 prototype class.
Individual class names have yet to be determined. The planned structure:
• GRAND-AM’s DP and the ALMS’ P2 classes will combine into one, headlining prototype class that also will include the revolutionary DeltaWing prototype, with performance of the cars balanced to maintain close competition.
• The ALMS’ Prototype Challenge (PC) class for spec prototypes will continue to run as a separate class.
• Both of the organizations’ production-based GT classes will continue as separate, distinct categories based on performance, preserving each class’ proud history and loyal fan following. As part of this plan, the ALMS’ GTC cars will join the GRAND-AM GTs.
• GRAND-AM’s new GX class, which is debuting at this year’s Rolex 24 later this month, is being explored as a possible addition to the GRAND-AM half of the GT mix in 2014-15. There also is the possibility that GX will run separately as a fifth class.
Specifications for all classes still are being determined and will be announced later this year. In addition, there will be continued discussion regarding the increasing inclusion of green technologies in the new unified series.
“This is a ‘best of both worlds’ approach that reflects the fact we have a true merger evolving on a daily basis,” said GRAND-AM Managing Director of Competition Richard Buck.
“And this announcement is only a first step in solidifying our class structure. Our organizations’ respective competition departments are working diligently on balance of performance for the top prototype class, plus overall class specifications across the board.
“This process is not being rushed. We are carefully gathering input from drivers, teams and stakeholders throughout the sports car industry, emphasizing inclusion, as we work toward a simple – but also complex – goal: we want to get it right the first time.”
Added International Motor Sports Association and ALMS Chief Operating Officer Scot Elkins: “Numerous important partners and stakeholders have been invaluable during this process. We could not have reached these decisions as rapidly as we did without that assistance. Many factors were taken into consideration for this initial conceptual lineup, but the priority was to enable as many current competitors as possible to continue racing with their existing equipment.
“We also want to thank the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) for its input as we strive to maintain the important ability of teams to qualify for and race in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”
Good news I think (hope) : teams can qualify for LM, so I guess they'll have to increase the DP performance to the level of the LMP's. Otherwise they'll be blown away by the ALMS GT's. Question is how many LMP2's will be on the grid next year ...
What the press release does not say is that Grand Ma intends to performance limit LM P2 more than they 'speed-up' the DP class. The other thing they don't say is that LM P2 regs will be unchanged in ACO sanctioned races and therefore it is unlikely that we will see DP's racing at Le Mans.
Please, spare us from DP's at Le Mans !
What the press release does not say is that Grand Ma intends to performance limit LM P2 more than they 'speed-up' the DP class. The other thing they don't say is that LM P2 regs will be unchanged in ACO sanctioned races and therefore it is unlikely that we will see DP's racing at Le Mans.
What the press release does not say is that Grand Ma intends to performance limit LM P2 more than they 'speed-up' the DP class. The other thing they don't say is that LM P2 regs will be unchanged in ACO sanctioned races and therefore it is unlikely that we will see DP's racing at Le Mans.
Humm ... perhaps Grand Ma has other ideas about getting the DPs to the Sarthe ..... http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/article/grand-am-daytona-protoypes-to-le-mans/
Let's hope not .........
You guys did notice that this is proposed as a small exhibition class?
Ever hear the story of the camel getting his nose under the tent? Sound familiar?
Now announced as "United SportsCar" ... excited yet?Uh wow, that's urm, errr... original?, no, zippy?, no, urm, yeah, I got it, sh!te. Sorry, it's taken me this long to awaken from the name induced coma .....
Now announced as "United SportsCar" ... excited yet?Uh wow, that's urm, errr... original?, no, zippy?, no, urm, yeah, I got it, sh!te. Sorry, it's taken me this long to awaken from the name induced coma .....