ALMS 2012 Discussion

[Dyson Mazda]

No ALMS program has been announced. All seem to be waiting for the others to confirm, which could result in self-destruction if nobody acts

If they are planning no racing in LMP 2 next year doesn't mean they already have a are or need to think about putting an order in for one

[picchiofan]

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

If they are planning no racing in LMP 2 next year doesn't mean they already have a are or need to think about putting an order in for one

Me fail english? Unpossible!

[JAG]

Originally Posted by joeb

Pardon my asking, but which meetings are you referring to? and who is Mr. Viper?

Riley boss Bill Riley, who attended last week's Le Mans rule meetings on behalf of Dodge, would not comment on his relationship with Dodge.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...#ixzz1e0hcymmU

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

If they are planning no racing in LMP 2 next year doesn't mean they already have a are or need to think about putting an order in for one

Had to read that a few times...

Well surely 1-2 of the potential 4-5 cars are Level 5. They aren't going to race alone, and won't announce where they'll be until someone else does.

It seems that the others don't want to announce and order, until someone else does, so that they can ensure that there are cars in the class to race. Perhaps someone can arrange to get these people in a room together, and they can all announce at the same time? It is highly improbable that these cars will be Riley's, as Riley has to have TWO orders to even bother building a car, and crash testing it. It would seem as though the best option would be Oreca Nissan, in my opinion.

So, 4-5 cars in LMP2, is more cars than expected in LMP1 then if I read Dagys right. So, assume 5 LMP2 cars in Dagys statement, and you come out with a maximum of FOUR LMP1 cars. So Dyson x2, Cytosport and maybe Autocon?

Woot!!

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

So, 4-5 cars in LMP2, is more cars than expected in LMP1 then if I read Dagys right. So, assume 5 LMP2 cars in Dagys statement, and you come out with a maximum of FOUR LMP1 cars. So Dyson x2, Cytosport and maybe Autocon?

Dagys did say this a few minutes ago:

Pickett Racing is expected to announce its ALMS plans shortly, including a likely second full-season entry to go along with the purchase of a new LMP1 car.

It's believed the team is leaning towards Wirth Research's HPD ARX-03a, which Strakka Racing will also campaign in the new FIA World Endurance Championship.

In the same story is this:

It came at a time of uncertainty in the future of the prototype regulations in the ALMS, which have since been confirmed as remaining open to grandfathered LMP1 cars but also under more control from IMSA.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...olex-24-plans/

Now two cars does not mean two LMP1s or even one LMP1 and one LMP2. It could be a LMP1 and LMPC. So who knows, but maybe there is hope for two LMP1s.

As for the uncertainty in the regulations, I wonder how far the ALMS will go in changing their regs from the ACO regs aside from the continued grandfathering. I guess that is the million dollar question at the moment. I wonder if there is anyone hoping that the ALMS will let their cars rip and then commit to running a car. That may not happen in 2012, but what about 2013 and so forth. We'll see.

[Canada ALMS fan]

I am still convinced that one of the teams looking at P2 is Black Swan.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by JAG

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2011...#ixzz1e0hcymmU

Thanks Jag, I wasn't sure if you were referring to another meeting past that one.

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Had to read that a few times...

Well surely 1-2 of the potential 4-5 cars are Level 5. They aren't going to race alone, and won't announce where they'll be until someone else does.

It seems that the others don't want to announce and order, until someone else does, so that they can ensure that there are cars in the class to race. Perhaps someone can arrange to get these people in a room together, and they can all announce at the same time? It is highly improbable that these cars will be Riley's, as Riley has to have TWO orders to even bother building a car, and crash testing it. It would seem as though the best option would be Oreca Nissan, in my opinion.

I think somebody is also planning a P2 program with an Oak chassis, if the rumblings of Oak establishing a US distributor turn out correct. And, 4 P1's and 4 P2's would still be better than last season! Woot Woot! The best the ALMS can hope for in 2012, is getting 1 or 2 more cars in P1 and maybe actually having a P2 class. If that works, then it is something to build on for 2013. As much as I want to see the P classes grow, I think it will only happen incrementally.

[JAG]

With four or five teams considering P2 entries, and zero confirmed, I would hope it's a priority to get people talking and signed up.

Perceptions and momentum count for so much, often people come out of the woodwork if they see a good thing building, if things drag, you not only put them off, you can be left high and dry if the entrants you're counting on pull their programs.

[Dyson Mazda]

If they are planning no racing in LMP 2 next year doesn't mean they already have a are or need to think about putting an order in for one

Sorry studying for college exams for 8 hours fried my brain

If they are planning on racing in LMP 2 next year doesn't that mean they already have a car or need to think about putting an order in for one

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by AGD

Now two cars does not mean two LMP1s or even one LMP1 and one LMP2. It could be a LMP1 and LMPC. So who knows, but maybe there is hope for two LMP1s.

I don't think they will run a P2 car as well as P1, and two P1s is certainly out of the question... they just don't exist and that is too much money for that little team. I would expect a P1 and a PC car... maybe with pay drivers.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I would expect a P1 and a PC car... maybe with pay drivers.

Me too but with Drissi (already sponsored by Muscle Milk) and Marcelli in the LMPC car making the switch from Intersport. Should be favorites for the title then. Would like to see Marcelli in a P1 car but he will end up in one pretty soon anyway.

[WMUCarGuy]

Originally Posted by JHamilton

I don't think they will run a P2 car as well as P1, and two P1s is certainly out of the question... they just don't exist and that is too much money for that little team. I would expect a P1 and a PC car... maybe with pay drivers.

They already have the Porsche Cup car they ran in IMSA GT3 Cup. Maybe they'll just move up to GTC with that in addition to a P1.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by joeb

I think somebody is also planning a P2 program with an Oak chassis,.

Wouldnt that be United Autosports then . They ran one at PLM already with the intention of a 2012 campaign .

[AGD]

Dagys said it isn't United.

[The Badger]

New cup team to swell the ranks .

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ance-8812.html

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by The Badger

New cup team to swell the ranks .

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ance-8812.html

Doesn't sound too different from their program from 2011. Perhaps more races?

Chris

[HJJ]

Good story from Dagys.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...ar-superstorm/

[FstrthnU]

Originally Posted by HJJ

Good story from Dagys.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...ar-superstorm/

In all honesty, I'll be very excited to see what the IMSA does after the contract expires in 2013 (?). I think they'll do something special to react to Bahrain (entrywise), but they'll save the big movements for after the contract expires. I think Dr Panoz has at least one trick left for the future

[dxk1]

Baltimore for 2012 is looking a little iffy if the Baltimore Sun is to be believed. Apparently, the organizer of this year's race is far behind in their payments and the Mayor is setting a deadline for full payment sometime in December. So somebody better come up with the loot or else. Sad to see this as I attended the race this year and the crowds were huge and the event was very well received by the fans. Both race days went well. I'm not sure how the organizer managed to foul this up. Stay tuned!

DK

[AGD]

Originally Posted by dxk1

Both race days went well. I'm not sure how the organizer managed to foul this up. Stay tuned!

Regardless of what the attendance is, street races in the US are almost always mega money losers. That's why the list of failed events is so long. With the fall TBD looking dead, Baltimore looking dead, and Petit on the verge of death without a reschedule, I wonder if the ALMS will consider moving Petit up significantly to avoid the large gaps in the schedule that Dagys was talking about. The France family and the FIA are obviously are bringing their hammers to work from now on out so the ALMS may need to go back and rethink prior commitments.

[Dyson Mazda]

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

In all honesty, I'll be very excited to see what the IMSA does after the contract expires in 2013 (?). I think they'll do something special to react to Bahrain (entrywise), but they'll save the big movements for after the contract expires. I think Dr Panoz has at least one trick left for the future

I hope his next trick is better than this one.

[Victor_RO]

Please let's not rehash this discussion... it's been done to death ever since it's been first announced. We get it, opinions are very much split on this subject, some people want to see this car in action, some people want to see this car burn in the fiery depths of hell.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Dyson Mazda

I hope his next trick is better than this one.

Well, let's evaluate Panoz' last two moves. Ok, we know about the DeltaWang and we know about the Assbuttzi. What possibly could be next? I'm thinking he'll build a GT car reminiscent of the Edsel. It would compliment the perfect trio of unclassy (not to mention unclassified) erotic racing cars.



But, hey, maybe we can derive some comedic value from Panoz' latest erections after we hang our heads in shame for being under the thumb of the French Inquinate Association.

[JAG]

Be interesting to see if the engine partner gives support to the DW, as opposed to only supply, given the four likely candidates are Ford, VAG, PSA and BMW.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by JAG

Be interesting to see if the engine partner gives support to the DW, as opposed to only supply, given the four likely candidates are Ford, VAG, PSA and BMW.

I'm sure Panoz will take factory money if someone is willing to offer it, but this whole program is nothing but Panoz' personal money grab (I'm not saying other factory type programs aren't, but at least others try to make a race car to race and others generally don't invent their own rulebooks when they come to race) so I'm guessing Panoz/Elan would want exclusive engine rebuild rights or whatever for the 'Wang. Ahh, the glorious situation of a spec-car money grab. Don't you just love it?