ALMS - Grand Am 'merger'

[Grand_Fromage]

As an interesting aside on this subject...

I interviewed NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Brian Vickers at Le Mans (before his flaming Ferrari experience), and it was obvious that not only was he loving his time in La Sarthe, he was also totally amazed and surprised at the fundamental differences in the 'Euro approach' to all facets of racing.

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

[Boorish Grobian]

Think Michael Waltrip had a similar experience at the Sarthe a few years ago, and he's done some sportscar racing since then.  Actually a number of the Cup guys will seize the opportunity to do some sportscar racing, their schedule allowing.  I know several of them race at the Glen over the weekend Sprint Cup and Grand-Am share the weekend.
Actually Brad, all cars and trucks sold in the US are required to get at least 27 MPG, and that goes up to 54.5 by 2025.  I suspect by then we'll mostly be filling our cars with ethanol based fuels (and plugging then into a battery charger).  Corn's one thing we've got plenty of.  There's still some kinks to work with ethanol fuels, but they getting closer, and the Indycars run exclusively on it.
Fax

[Nordic]

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.

[JDS]

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.

I think this says it all personally, with that amount of leverage NASCAR can dictate exactly what happens in racing in the US whether it has an interest in the series or not, simply by the ability to swamp the airwaves with content.

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.

[Grand_Fromage]

The France empire has been cast as the villain in the ALMS merger, but it is not ALL bad. I don't like it, but it is now a fact and we have to be where we are. Yes, Grand Am is merging with ALMS very much like a shark 'merges' with a drowning man, but say what you like about NASCAR, they have brought all levels of racing to mainstream America. Yes, they do it in a particularly American way, that's to be expected, but they have infused motor racing deeply into the US popular sports agenda (particularly in the south) at a level that is unheard of in Europe. They should be applauded for that... but their success has now given them a strangle hold on the media and the ability to either knock aside or engulf any competition, which gives them the 'evil empire' reputation in the minds of sports car and open-wheel race fans. We will see in 2014 if they live up to that opprobrium. 

Let's wish the unification series success. It will soon be the only game in town!

[Boorish Grobian]

That last paragraph in the MotorSport article pretty much says it all.  I agree with GF, at first I was horrified at the idea of NASCAR getting a stranglehold on sportscar racing over here...But!  If they apply the same sort of marketing genius, and organizational skills to the new sportscar series, as they have to their other divisions, it will make money and be a success, no doubt about it.
Fax

[Grand_Fromage]

Grand-MA's new 'GX' class homologation list includes... the "Ford Focus 4-door". I kid you not...

GRAND-AM Announces Eligibility List For New GX Class
13 Models Can Compete In Newest Rolex Series Category In 2013

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 24, 2012) – Competitors looking to participate in GRAND-AM’s newest race category will have 10 new models from nine manufacturers to choose from, based on the list of cars eligible for the new GX class in the Rolex Sports Car Series.
Earlier this year,  GRAND-AM announced the new class to allow for cars and technologies currently not involved in the Rolex Series, that will debut in the 2013 Rolex 24 At Daytona.

Eligible cars already announced for the class were the Lotus Evora GX, Porsche Cayman, and Mazda with the Skyactiv-D turbo diesel in a model to be determined.

GRAND-AM today expanded that list to 13 models from 12 different manufacturers, adding the Audi TT, BMW 1 Series, Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus (four door), Hyundai Genesis, Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S, Nissan 370Z or Altima, and Volkswagen EOS.

GX will join the Daytona Prototype and GT classes at all Rolex Series races. Rules are being developed to allow for the exploration of a wide variety of alternative technologies and alternative fuels. This could include turbocharged engines; fuels other than gasoline, such as clean diesels; and hybrid powertrains. The class will be developed with performance levels that complement the current DP and GT
classes. No changes to GT performance levels are expected.

[Barry]

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.

[nopanic - neil]

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.

Are they going to have to re-mark the pit lane then?

[Truck]

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

[Kristof]

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_Fromage]

With P2 population in ELMS and WEC, it is not entirely surprising that ALMS P2 grid is a bit thin. Add to that the probable demise of P2 in the unified series of 2015, when all remaining vestiges of ALMS will probably be disposed of.

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_Fromage]

If rumour proves true... it looks like the LM P2 class is going to be slowed down to match DP in the unified series. That might also require the ALMS GT classes to be restricted too, to avoid the embarrassment of GTs running faster than prototypes, which happened in the early years of the DP (until the GT class was hobbled). This rings true, as the chances of speeding-up DP to the pace of LM P2 is neither safe nor practical.

[Kristof]

Here it is ...

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 ...

[Grand_Fromage]

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.

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 ...