ALMS 2007 New cars

[aeroehl]

The ALMS looks to be growing for 2007 with several announcements and rumors floating around.

Here is what we know.
1x Highcroft Acura Courage C75
1x XM Satellite Andretti-Green Acura Courage C75
1x Lowe's Fernendez Acura Lola B05/40

Here are some rumors floating around
Krohn + another rumored unnamed Riley team (Grand Am forums) jumping to the ALMS
Panoz Abruzzi GT1 Car
New Mazda Prototype

[yamato]

another rumored unnamed Riley team (Grand Am forums) jumping to the ALMS

This one is interesting. If it is true; who would be ready to make the jump, and where would they go?

Looking at the teams that run riley's now,.... I have to think Suntrust. Most of the other teams are just so new to the riley, so I would illiminate SigalSport, TrueSpeed, Brumos, PCM, Cyberspeed, and likely Gainsco as well. Southard is also seems unlikely.

that leaves me with:

Michael Shank Racing
Team Tuttle Racing
SunTrust Racing
Citgo
Derhaag
Rocketsports

Of those I can only think of two possibillities: 1) a owner/racer team that would move into GT2 with a porsche for example, or 2) a team has found a "factory" deal to run cars in the ALMS.

1) Given the relationship between BAM and Tuttle, a move to a 997GT2 might work.

2) SunTrust, having severed ties with Riley, have been hired to run a "factory" effort for a rumored Subaru P2 program or Radical factory deal, or perhaps something even more exciting that isn't even a rumor yet.

Of corse Citgo's money could buy Milka back into the ALMS, as could Rocketsports, or pehaps a joint effort btween the two ex Trans Am teams.

What do you think?

[19dodge]

Suntrust wont be leaving Grand Am AFAIK. They have signed Jeff Gordon to drive for them in the Rolex 24 Hours.

[The Badger]

Whats the score with the rumoured Mazda proto ? An in house project or perhaps going with an off the shelf chassis ?

Same engine or the quad rotor ?

Was there somebody else looking into another Radical SR9 too ?

I would have thought that if anybody was looking at P2 for Subaru , it would be Prodrive ?

Badly needs more GT1 entries . Whats the word about Corvette pulling outta GT1 to go LMP1 ?

Will Pratt & Miller be supporting the private C5R & C6R chassis ?

[jhansen]

The ALMS has been reasonably successful at adding entries. What it needs to do is retain this year's grid while adding some entries. That is the only way 2007 will see a significant increase in grid size.

[The Badger]

Krohn were rumoured to be interested in both a radical SR9 and a 911 GT3 RSR .

Any news about any teams interested in running Aston's ?

Any news about possible privateer C6R teams if GM pull the plug ?

Any news about Acemco returning or for that matter another S7R team ?

[extramundane]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Krohn were rumoured to be interested in both a radical SR9 and a 911 GT3 RSR .

Any news about any teams interested in running Aston's ?

Krohn's name has been mentioned regarding Astons as well. Personally, I apply the Bobby Rahal Principle to these rumors: Believe it only when you see it on the track, and even then maybe only after you've seen it 3 or 4 times.

[The Badger]

I reckon you will see krohn racing back in the Alms . A point of interest , at Le mans Tracy Krohn was so impressed with the place that he said that he would be back . What better way of doing that , but with your own team and plenty of wedge .

I just have a feeling is all , but I didnt hear the DBR9 rumour before .

[The Badger]

I just spotted this at Mariantic

Miracle out - Team Spencer in. C65 could be running with Mazda power .

Wonder exactly what this means ?

Possibily that Spencer has aquired the Miracle car and it will run with a Mazda engine ?

If BK come back and we have Team Spencer . Could this mean a bigger imput from Mazda in light of the forthcomeing Acura assault ?

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by The Badger

I just spotted this at Mariantic

Miracle out - Team Spencer in. C65 could be running with Mazda power .

Wonder exactly what this means ?

Possibily that Spencer has aquired the Miracle car and it will run with a Mazda engine ?

If BK come back and we have Team Spencer . Could this mean a bigger imput from Mazda in light of the forthcomeing Acura assault ?

See http://www.mulsannescorner.com/news.html for some more info

[JAG]

Reading between the lines, it sounds like Spencer plans to re-develop the C65, ala Acura (LC75) and Pescarolo (C60).

Could the use of a Mazda motor mean BK may link up with Spencer, and re-develop their C65, rather than buying a new chassis?

[TWK]

Originally Posted by JAG

Reading between the lines, it sounds like Spencer plans to re-develop the C65, ala Acura (LC75) and Pescarolo (C60).

Could the use of a Mazda motor mean BK may link up with Spencer, and re-develop their C65, rather than buying a new chassis?

Right now the chance of another B-K / Spencer link up is way less than zero.

A careful reading here might provide a clue.

http://murphythebear.com/blog/

[Garrett]

I hope that Mazda will put more effort into their C65 Rotary after hearing that Acura are making a jump into the racing ring. From Acura's recent announcements, it seems as if this is going to be a pretty serious effort from Acura. When the Mazda Courage C65 first raced, it kind of disappointed me to see the lack of speed from the car, even though I love that the Mazda C65 is out running around the tracks! Yet, I feel as if Mazda needs to step up and put some force behind their C65 to play off Acura and keep up with Porsche. Not too long ago, there were rumors floating around here that Mazda was testing a 4-rotar for the C65... if so, they need to hurry up and use it! It would be nice to see a 4-rotar in the C65 at Petit Le Mans that would speed them up to a podium finish!!!

[aeroehl]

As if this would be ‘news’ in sports car racing – historically, it’s pretty ho-hum – but the Bear’s been told there is a team out there that hasn’t paid some bills. One of those is six figures. Not good when you’re looking for a new engine supplier, is it?

This has to be B-K Motorsports. No, team needs a new engine more and that six figure bill must be from their accindent at Lime Rock.

Right now the chance of another B-K / Spencer link up is way less than zero.

Is Spencer going to buy the B-K stuff as well and finally make Mazda somewhat competive with a two car effort?

[JAG]

Any news on the potential 2 car 'factory' Courage LC70 Cosworth entry?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by JAG

Any news on the potential 2 car 'factory' Courage LC70 Cosworth entry?

The article that derived from, suggested no decision until about late October/November.

[Bramzel]

Another rather safe bet would be 997's for Alex Job, White Lightning and Flying Lizards.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Bramzel

Another rather safe bet would be 997's for Alex Job, White Lightning and Flying Lizards.

add in J3 to that list.

Lizards have yet to decide what they will run next year.

[lukebarcelos]

Any other team will run with Porsche RS Spyder in ALMS 2007?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by lukebarcelos

Any other team will run with Porsche RS Spyder in ALMS 2007?

It would appear as though they are not really for sale yet, so certainly not in the first half of 2007.

[Baritone2400]

GT1 is lookin too thin where are the super cars when u need them. also why doesnt the factory pratt and miller Corvette team race other event around the world with the US banner. I would like to see how they handle other competion!

[SALEEN S7R]

Indeed, it would be nice to see the factory Corvettes at other selected races other than just Le Mans. The Spa 24hrs would be the most obvious choice IMO due to the fact there is a G1 class in the race and it is also the race where they would get the most competition. IMO.

[flavorPacket]

Originally Posted by Baritone2400

why doesnt the factory pratt and miller Corvette team race other event around the world with the US banner.

I hope you weren't seriously asking this.

Pratt & Miller do what GM pays them to do, not what's good for racing. Also involved are the small matter of cost and the fact that nobody (aside from Bush voters) actually likes Corvettes enough to buy them, especially in Europe.

[Bob Riebe]

Originally Posted by flavorPacket

I hope you weren't seriously asking this.

Pratt & Miller do what GM pays them to do, not what's good for racing. Also involved are the small matter of cost and the fact that nobody (aside from Bush voters) actually likes Corvettes enough to buy them, especially in Europe.

Ignoring your childish trolling remarks, how do you explain their being raced, and winning in Europe?
Not to mention the quite large Corvette clubs racing meets in German speaking part of Europe.
Bob

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by flavorPacket

I hope you weren't seriously asking this.

Pratt & Miller do what GM pays them to do, not what's good for racing. Also involved are the small matter of cost and the fact that nobody (aside from Bush voters) actually likes Corvettes enough to buy them, especially in Europe.

Are you referring to Road Corvette's? Or Race Corvette's? There are more race Corvette's at this level in Europe, than in North America.