ALMS News

[Canada Phil]

For those coming over Aston still listed however Porsche not ready yet.
"Despite Porsche's announcement today that its new LMP2 race car, the RS Spyder, will not compete at Petit Le Mans as originally planned, the race will by no means lose any of its luster, said American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton."

Well thats trying to be positive. I for one am disappointed.
This week end: While some of you head off to Nurburgring ... Have a good time.
 I will be heading out to Mosport for the ALMS Race 2 3/4 hours ( hardly a long race
Wether looks good so far taile end of Katrina should have passed by then. I plan to fly the Club Arnage Flag ( thanks Robbo) in case any of you get to see it on TV. 
Canada Phil

[Werner]

Have fun in Mosport, Phil, I wish you a nice weekend

Werner

[hgb]

Arrghh, there are 52 weekends in a year and still they manage to pack the race weekends in that way that they collide. Last year saw the 24 hours of LM and the Ring both at the same weekend, bravo. Last weekend there were the 24 hours of Zolder, WTC / FIA GT, DTM and WRC all at the same weekend and in a fair distance. Not easy to pick the right choice. Still, I hope everybody will have picked his favorite choice this weekend. I know I will. 

[Fax]

Hi Phil,
Bummer that the Porker won't be ready for Road Atlanta but we'll see plenty of it next season.  While up at Mid-Ohio last weekend got some news that there will be a second Maserati MC12 at the Petit and of course that the Aston's were definitely go for Road Atlanta.  Should be fun.  Have a good time at Mosport (the true home of the Canadian Grand Prix, not that crappy little circut in Montreal).  The Dyson Lola's are always at home around the rolling hills of the Ontario circut so the Champion guys won't have it all their own way.  The Vette's should smoke 'em in GT1.  Sink a cold Blue for me
Fax

[Canada Phil]

Have fun in Mosport, Phil, I wish you a nice weekend

Werner

Thanks
 Werner

[chop456]

Official announcement:

That word "official" makes me feel better. 

http://americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?NewsID=1487

Braselton, Ga. - Aston Martin Racing made official today what American Le Mans Series fans were hoping: the two-car team is returning to the ALMS for the final two rounds at Road Atlanta and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

The Aston Martin Racing DBR9 made its debut in the first ALMS race of the 2005 season at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, taking a hard-fought GT1 class victory and fourth place overall.

Since the Sebring triumph, the two-car team has competed at Silverstone, Le Mans and Spa, achieving three more podium finishes, including an outright win at Silverstone. The team looks to continue its success on Oct. 1 at Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta and on Oct. 15 in the Monterey Sports Car Championships.

Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Having started our program at Sebring in March this year, it is fitting that we return to the U.S. to complete the season, and I think we have a good chance for success at these two race tracks.

"We've learned many lessons and have accomplished a great deal in our first year back in racing."

Speaking on behalf of Aston Martin Racing, David Richards added: "It's a pleasure to be returning to the highly competitive ALMS series in the U.S., where Aston Martin has many fans and customers, and we look forward to renewing the rivalries we have enjoyed all year."

Driving DBR9 No. 57 at Petit Le Mans, Road Atlanta will be David Brabham (Australia), Darren Turner (UK) and another driver yet to be confirmed. Car No. 58 will be driven by Peter Kox (Netherlands), Pedro Lamy (Portugal) and Tomas Enge (Czech Republic).

The line-up for the four-hour race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will see Brabham and Turner piloting car No. 57, and Kox and Lamy in car No. 58.

The ninth round of the American Le Mans Series is the 1,000-mile/10-hour Petit Le Mans, scheduled for 11:20 a.m. EDT Oct. 1 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Ga. SPEED Channel will provide live television coverage. Qualifying is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. EDT Sept. 30. American Le Mans Series Radio, and IMSA Living and Timing Scoring will be available at www.americanlemans.com.

[Fax]

Yeah Baby!
Roll on the end of the month.  Dave & Matt Harper and I will be in attendance. Who else among the CA'ers are joining us at lovely Road Atlanta.  Airfare is dirt cheap right now, got a Delta flight from Indianapolis to Atlanta for $89 bucks.  Matt's going to scoop me up at Hartsfield Intl. in the C-5 on the way north.
Fax

[chop456]

Myself, Hardpoint and Warlock! will all be in attendance.  Driving down from Wisconsin and Ohio x2, respectively.  About 15 non-CAers will be meeting us there.  We hope to be there for the start of night practice on Thursday.

Does a Petit get-together deserve it's own thread? 

[Fax]

Hmm...May warrant one.  Very excitied about this years autumn classic (oh hell, I'm always excited about the Petit)
but the tie-breaker between Aston and the Vettes should be great fun.  Hopefully Matt will get to stick around for more than an hour of this years race.  We're getting into Atlanta Friday afternoon and will have the usual beverage fest at the nearest watering hole Friday night.
Fax