ALMS 2012 Discussion

[The Badger]

P1 isnt allowed next year , is it ?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by The Badger

P1 isnt allowed next year , is it ?

P1 stays around for next year, the series merge only from the 2014 season onwards and that's when P1 will reportedly be dropped.

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

AIUI the flybrid is pretty much plug-and-play by now... and Dyson really need to do something to close the gap to the HPD, so I wouldn't read too much into this for now.

Originally Posted by CTD

I don't think Mazda has those kind of money.

Dyson has two races this season, plus 10-ish races next season against the HPD. As has been said, the Hybrid system is an attempt to close the gap to Pickett Racing. I also think that they may be trying to get the jump on HPD as the Honda family are big supporters of the hybrid concept.

I'm really proud of Dyson, in the face of no television exposure, virtually no outside sponsorship, and little more than token dollars from Mazda, not to mention all the insults they receive from jaded sports car fans, they continue to push the envelope technologically. Privateer hybrid systems have yet to prove their worth and Dyson is trying to take the lead with a plug-and-play Flybrid, they developed a one-of-a-kind steering wheel that is more ergonomically suitable for their drivers (buttons on the rear of the wheel so their drivers don't have to take a hand off the wheel to make adjustments). And of course they continue to run my favorite green-fuel, Isonutanol.

Dyson has raced DPs before, but they are ardent supporters of "hot rodding" and high technology. You can do neither in DP and when asked if he still owns any of the DPs the team has fielded Chris Dyson simply said "nope".

I expect Dyson, along with Pickett to campaign for a relevant, technologically forward-thinking and open prototype class in 2016 Grand-ALMS that will supplant the need for LMP1. I suspect the rules makers might even be able to compromise and if P2 is a part of the equation in 2014, pro drivers and more P1-like attitudes towards technology could be factored in.

And as has been said above, Dyson haven't shown much desire to race abroad. Furthermore, I think Chris is very interested in seeing American prototype racing grow back to (at least) the level it was at in GTP's high water mark.

Also as has been said above, Mazda doesn't have the money to go WEC racing, and certainly John Doonan's branch on its own wouldn't have the money. Quite frankly at the best of times Mazda was only good for organizing sponsorships with the likes of BP/Castrol, Modspace and the like. (Which was fantastic work for the small company as they had sponsors put their names on prototypes, GTs and events.) If the Mazda name remains on the AER four pot next year, I'd suspect Dyson would be receiving even less money from Mazda than the relative pittance they got this year.

Chris

[porman]

Originally Posted by CTD

I don't think Mazda has those kind of money.

Neither do I. I believe Mazda is pretty much hemorrhaging, and has been for some time now.

A real shame to hear about Honda. Would have loved to have seen them at Le Mans come 2014.

[porman]

Also as has been said above, Mazda doesn't have the money to go WEC racing, and certainly John Doonan's branch on its own wouldn't have the money. Quite frankly at the best of times Mazda was only good for organizing sponsorships with the likes of BP/Castrol, Modspace and the like. (Which was fantastic work for the small company as they had sponsors put their names on prototypes, GTs and events.) If the Mazda name remains on the AER four pot next year, I'd suspect Dyson would be receiving even less money from Mazda than the relative pittance they got this year.

Chris[/QUOTE]


You make some very good points. My post is rather redundant as I should have read yours. I think it's amazing Dyson even has the mazda name on his cars with the amount of support that he receives.

[Purist]

What's the shame about Honda? Did I miss some big news item?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Purist

What's the shame about Honda? Did I miss some big news item?

Don't seem to have the cash to step up to full works P1 as was being rumoured.

But will at least roll out the NSX GTE it seems.

[Livininthinair]

Was there a prior announcement about the Dyson/Flybrid link, I don't remember hearing about it until this morning.

Winning what will be the last ALMS season and what may end up being the last LMP1 title in America would be nice to have.

In addition - doing it with hybrid power and using isobutanol would be making a good case for high tech cars using alternative fuel in the future of "the merger"...

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Don't seem to have the cash to step up to full works P1 as was being rumoured.

But will at least roll out the NSX GTE it seems.

Honda isn't pressed for cash. They don't want to spend cash is what the issue is. They aren't as big as Toyota or the VW group, but they're definitely capable of running in P1 if they wish to. I think there's more to it than not having money. Just like Peugeot. There P1 program wasn't sucking money from the company. They exited to 'save face'. It's a shame.

[DeathOrGlory]

I've met Japanese who work for Mazda, and they were quite surprised of the Dyson program. I guess Mazda Japan was kept in the dark about Dyson's efforts, good news or bad news.

[MitchZ06]

So they're buying a 2013 car and keeping the other 2012 car for -Am?

[Creep89]

I thought that there won't be GTE-Am class next year..

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Creep89

I thought that there won't be GTE-Am class next year..

That is correct. No changes to ALMS classes for next season.

[MitchZ06]

Well that's news to me then, guess Black Swan probably won't want that Corvette then...

[Simmi]

Apparently Aston were also looking to do some business in the ALMS according to Nick Daman on Midweek Motorsport - all of which has now fallen through.

[DeathOrGlory]

I guess it depended on Adrian Fernandez, but he left Aston Martin Racing, right?

[fanta4]

Originally Posted by DeathOrGlory

I guess it depended on Adrian Fernandez, but he left Aston Martin Racing, right?

It depended on them not wanting to race a car for one year in the ALMS with no specific details on what's going to happen in 2014.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by fanta4

It depended on them not wanting to race a car for one year in the ALMS with no specific details on what's going to happen in 2014.

What, something other than the statements that the class is staying the same?


L.P.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

What, something other than the statements that the class is staying the same?


L.P.

Apparently the deal went dead the second the merger was announced. Don't know whether talks will resume in light of this recent announcement.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Apparently the deal went dead the second the merger was announced. Don't know whether talks will resume in light of this recent announcement.

The statement was made at the presser by S.Atherton with Ed Bennett sitting next to him shaking his head in confirmation and verbally confirmed by Ed France.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCSXK6PikhQ&t=46m45s



L.P.

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

The statement was made at the presser by S.Atherton with Ed Bennett sitting next to him shaking his head in confirmation and verbally confirmed by Ed France.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCSXK6PikhQ&t=46m45s



L.P.

Yeah but you can't tell me it's not potentially off-putting to look to commit to a series and then find out that series will only be around for one year longer. I am aware GTE will be retained going forward. It's still a voyage into the unknown.

[fanta4]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

What, something other than the statements that the class is staying the same?


L.P.

What is the point of running a car(s) for 1 year in a series in limbo, regardless of the class structure remaining the same?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Yeah but you can't tell me it's not potentially off-putting to look to commit to a series and then find out that series will only be around for one year longer. I am aware GTE will be retained going forward. It's still a voyage into the unknown.

What, the current health (pre merger) of the ALMS and ELMS was not 'a voyage into the unknown?



L.P.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by fanta4

What is the point of running a car(s) for 1 year in a series in limbo, regardless of the class structure remaining the same?

So which is it? Limbo or remaining the same?




L.P.

[Mike Hedlund]

Originally Posted by Simmi

Apparently Aston were also looking to do some business in the ALMS according to Nick Daman on Midweek Motorsport - all of which has now fallen through.

Actually, it hasn't. :-)

-mike