Sportscar/GT (and Le Mans) Rumours and Repetition

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Lots of people are hoping that the guys who own COTA now give up and Tavo heads a group that takes over COTA.

It won't matter what Tavo does. The WEC/IMSA contracts are year to year, and they won't be re-signed for the 2017 season from a source intamite with the subject.

[chernaudi]

So it seems that the ACO/FIA and IMSA got tired of COTA management's screw ups and are willing to take their business elsewhere (rhetorical question)? It seems that COTA will have to impress the hell out of those guys to have a chance at having them there beyond 2016, and with RA willing to do what it takes to get them there and welcoming the WEC and WSC with open arms, I can't see that happening unless a major shake up happens at COTA.

And as you've hinted, it may be too little, too late for COTA now that they've got at least one other competitor willing to play ball.

[TheMightyM]

I'm not sure that IMSA and WEC are necessarily in the same boat with regard to COTA. The WEC would like to race in the U.S. at a track that meets its standards but isn't really tied to any particular part of the country.

IMSA has 11 dates in the U.S. and one in Canada. Texas is an awfully big state, and a race at a stable, competently run COTA would have considerable appeal even without the WEC also being there.

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

I'm not sure that IMSA and WEC are necessarily in the same boat with regard to COTA. The WEC would like to race in the U.S. at a track that meets its standards but isn't really tied to any particular part of the country.

IMSA has 11 dates in the U.S. and one in Canada. Texas is an awfully big state, and a race at a stable, competently run COTA would have considerable appeal even without the WEC also being there.

But they'd have to be competently run. Which they aren't.

COTA wasn't even able to come up with money to garner a date from a series that offered a 75% discount on it's sanctioning fees.

WEC/IMSA are in the same boat, from my understanding in terms of COTA and what they've gotten from them.

[chernaudi]

In short, both the ACO/FIA faction and IMSA aren't particularly happy with how COTA has been managed since Tavo was bought out by the current management, and with RA willing and ready to play ball, the ACO/FIA and IMSA now have an option if they decide to take it (and it seems very likely that they will if they feel that they're given no other choice in their opinions).

Not to mention that RA is a favorite among drivers from the WEC and WSC, the track is well run and managed, has a popular inbuilt fan base, and then there's the location--not too overly far away from Milwaukee or Chicago.

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

In short, both the ACO/FIA faction and IMSA aren't particularly happy with how COTA has been managed since Tavo was bought out by the current management, and with RA willing and ready to play ball, the ACO/FIA and IMSA now have an option if they decide to take it (and it seems very likely that they will if they feel that they're given no other choice in their opinions).

Not to mention that RA is a favorite among drivers from the WEC and WSC, the track is well run and managed, has a popular inbuilt fan base, and then there's the location--not too overly far away from Milwaukee or Chicago.

Spot on TL;DR

[Artur]

Originally Posted by Chiana

T So I think my prediction percentages for the US options are if COTA indeed goes down as merrily as it seems:
- Indy Boral 40%
- New Tilke Eurodisneyland when F1 eventually makes it as COTA replacement 30%
- Nothing at all, Montreal and/or Mexico "representing North America" shiz 20%
- Road America 9%
- Some other US venue 1%

I would put that with less than 1%.

F1 is a sinking ship and it's losing massive spectators pretty much everywhere. Also, it was never popular in USA, to begin with. Nobody will waste a fortune(sheiks esque) on building those FIA-specification(I don't agree with entirely blaming Tilke) car parks. COTA was an one off, imho.

MoMedic9019 , why don't they improve the tarmac of RAm? I heard it was repaved recently, so why didn't they improve it to a high grip asphalt instead of their polished one which grips almost like concrete?(at least that's what it seems to me)

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by Artur

MoMedic9019 , why don't they improve the tarmac of RAm? I heard it was repaved recently, so why didn't they improve it to a high grip asphalt instead of their polished one which grips almost like concrete?(at least that's what it seems to me)

Because it's incredibly expensive, and it would be back to where it is currently after two seasons.

The number of track days, schools, testing, races, and just general environmental wear make it prohibitively expensive, and unneccesary. The repaving was done in the corners that have been a problem since it was done in '95.

When it was done back then, it was found that the oil/tar that was used to hold the aggregate together leeched a slime when it got wet, then hot under the sun. It had been gone over a number of times, resurfaced, ground, all sorts of things. Nothing ever worked or held together. So, they finally took it back down to the gravel in the corners and re-laid the entire surface.

[FormulaFox]

Earlier today I had a MASSIVE bombshell dropped in my e-mail. And, annoyingly, I can't elaborate since NDAs were signed and if I do, the person who sent it to me could get in trouble over it.

All I can say is be prepared for something HUGE to come WAY out of left field sometime in the coming year. This is something that few(myself included) have considered a serious possibility, and has the potential really shake $#!% up in the US.

[TF110]

Originally Posted by FormulaFox

Earlier today I had a MASSIVE bombshell dropped in my e-mail. And, annoyingly, I can't elaborate since NDAs were signed and if I do, the person who sent it to me could get in trouble over it.

All I can say is be prepared for something HUGE to come WAY out of left field sometime in the coming year. This is something that few(myself included) have considered a serious possibility, and has the potential really shake $#!% up in the US.

Cant drop any hints? Does it involve Nascar in any way?

[YZFrider]

Originally Posted by FormulaFox

Earlier today I had a MASSIVE bombshell dropped in my e-mail. And, annoyingly, I can't elaborate since NDAs were signed and if I do, the person who sent it to me could get in trouble over it.

All I can say is be prepared for something HUGE to come WAY out of left field sometime in the coming year. This is something that few(myself included) have considered a serious possibility, and has the potential really shake $#!% up in the US.

This serious possibility, is it something that's been pondered this year, last year, or before?

[Deleted]

Last few days:

If you only knew wha--- oh whatever you know how that goes



Anyway

IMSA-NASCAR wants to introduce sportscars to roundy roundy speedway format?
Bill France has change of heart and wants to sell all assets beyond stock cars?
ACO establishes the 'American Le Mans Series'?
Trans-Am adopts Class One cars?
Ratel announces the United States Hypercar GT1 Championship?
American legend and family hero Scott Pruett retires?
Murphy the Bear replaces Varsha on Fox Sports?

[Bob Baldwin]

IRL/IMS to be bought by NASCAR/ ISC / FRANCE FAMILY

Nothing new here folks !!!

Hulman Family wants to CASH OUT after the 100 th anniversary if Indy 500 next year

[TF110]

Originally Posted by Bob Baldwin

IRL/IMS to be bought by NASCAR/ ISC / FRANCE FAMILY

Nothing new here folks !!!

Hulman Family wants to CASH OUT after the 100 th anniversary if Indy 500 next year

Hah, I was thinking the same thing! Nascar buys Indycar was on my mind when I read FormulaFox's comment

[Deleted]

If that were the case, why would he post about it to the sportscar area? And sure it would widen the notorious NASCAR monopoly even more but "shake $#!% up" wouldn't really apply either to the grand scheme of things, ICS isn't exactly the biggest thing out there

[MoMedic9019]

Originally Posted by Chiana

If that were the case, why would he post about it to the sportscar area? And sure it would widen the notorious NASCAR monopoly even more but "shake $#!% up" wouldn't really apply either to the grand scheme of things, ICS isn't exactly the biggest thing out there

We've exchanged PM's, and while there was no clear break of NDA. It would appear to be that whever it is may be a major barganing chip...

No timeline for media release, or info.

[FormulaFox]

One thing I know for certain I can confirm: It is NOT a buyout of ANYTHING - not by NASCAR or anyone else.

This is by no means a done deal - it could collapse under it's own weight at any moment. But if it does, I imagine the NDAs won't matter and I SHOULD be able to say something about it(assuming someone doesn't beat me to it).

[Coach Ep]

Thank y'all for keeping all this nonsense (?) in the Rumours thread, appreciate it!

I too keep dreaming of seeing the world's fastest sportscars on a true natural road course in the US one day again!

[TF110]

Little discussion on twitter here about the wec reducing the gap from Le Mans to the next race.

[Deleted]

Holy cow he is actually starting to address primary issues. Good

[Rcz]

Hmm... Why not a 6 hour race at my favorite track, Watkins Glen? It's getting a repaved this year you know, they probably could throw in few upgrades while they are at it.

[Bob Baldwin]

Upgrades such as ???

[Deleted]

VIP Package from Porsche costs double the amount at the imperial COTA F1 facilities than it does at Atlanta tents, even though it says that the package is almost the same

http://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/we...ml#prettyPhoto

So I guess these are some of the real reasons for picking circuits in WEC too

[Adam43]

What a joke.
I could understand it if there was the third car there and you could meet a current F1 driver.

[pablocomics]

Originally Posted by TF110

Little discussion on twitter here about the wec reducing the gap from Le Mans to the next race.

It won't be a crazy thing a calendar with 9 races, it will be a little bit more costly for teams but it's not crazy

IMO they should do short races of 500Km like the old WSC if they want to increase to 10 or 11 races.