Update

**Bentley03** · 12 Mar 2011, 09:35

With news filtering through from the 2011 LMS Test Days at Paul Ricard that the 2012 ILMC will no longer share dates/races with the Le Mans Series, please bring all 2012 ILMC discussion here.

The Badger · 12 Mar 2011, 11:12

Dont like this Mr.B .

Mal · 12 Mar 2011, 13:06

Looking optimistically perhaps it means that there are likely to be so many entries that it would not be possible to run them in the same race!

The Badger · 12 Mar 2011, 13:30

I hope this tradgedy in Japan doesnt interupt Japanese motorsports too much .

Fogelhund · 12 Mar 2011, 13:58

This is massively ironic and backwards.

It has always been my opinion that Europe needed the ILMC, while it was harmful for the Americas.

Now LMS boots it out, and will have privateer fields, while ILMC is likely to struggle to put on a full grid in Europe.

ALMS still embraces ILMC.

Meanwhile, ILMC will need to adopt a GT3 category or something to boost numbers... something the ALMS should have done a long time ago.

Mal · 12 Mar 2011, 14:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

I hope this tradgedy in Japan doesnt interupt Japanese motorsports too much .

I think they need to finish pulling the bodies out before they think about racing cars - your comment is a bit insensitive at this early stage of such an disaster.

Simmi · 12 Mar 2011, 14:52

Interesting to see commentator Martin Haven currently castigating the ILMC on twitter.

Victor_RO · 12 Mar 2011, 15:01

The ILMC tag in the title thread is slightly askew, if you haven't noticed.

Speed-King · 12 Mar 2011, 17:17

Quote:

Meanwhile, ILMC will need to adopt a GT3 category or something to boost numbers... something the ALMS should have done a long time ago.

Actually, I think it'll be the other way around... many teams will choose to run in the high profile ILMC-rounds, but LMS will be short of quality entries not just for a few but for all their races...

JAG · 12 Mar 2011, 17:51

When Pescarolo, a team who are the archetypal small constructor, say their 2011 LMS campaign is a stop gap to entering the ILMC as a World Championship is what the top level of the sport needs it seems obvious the long term roles of both series are quite different.

LMS P1 numbers are minimal before you remove Pescarolo and Rebellion, you also have to think privateer Astons from Jota etc. will be destined for the ILMC/ALMS while the example of Hope Polevision wshows a team moving straight from LMPC to P1 in the ILMC.

This is the first year of new LMP regulations and ILMC entrants number near 30 before you consider any local entrants. From day one the LMS have had entries near the 40 car mark and focused more upon the needs of teams stepping up from national series. The make-up of such grids are not only very different they cannot be hosted at most circuits.

I believe the ILMC and ALMS are destined to be the two major professional sportscar series like FIA WSC and IMSA GTP enabling the LMS to return to it's pro/am roots and develop teams. Free from juggling the calander for the ILMC and LMS the ACO will have more options to host races in the likes of South America.

Tom908V12 · 12 Mar 2011, 18:08

A bit early to create such a thread when 2011 didn't start yet

JAG · 12 Mar 2011, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simmi

Interesting to see commentator Martin Haven currently castigating the ILMC on twitter.

Had a quick read and disagree with a number of points.

Last years Sebring was the poorest for many a year, the LMS and ALMS both lost factory support and without a major change in strategy both would have been lost to the sport at a time series like F1 and the WRC are expanding into new markets.

We had a similar scenario in the mid-to-late 90's when Le Mans was packed with manufactuers who one by one they left as they could not justify multi-million dollar budgets for a single race. Today we have Audi and Peugeot back with more commitment to be joined by Aston and the beginings of interest from Honda, Toyota, Nissan and Lotus not to mention the GT field.

Back to the LMS, it began with the notion of bringing back classic events but they are only classic's if you have the top cars in the world competing. Furthermore the director/organisor of the ILMC stated the LMS could not afford some of the more prestigous circuits resulting in the calander changing often. The financial clout the ILMC has enabled the series to return to Italy, deals were sorted for Sebring and PLM and I would guess events in Germany and South America are around the corner.

You often hear about the cost of globetrotting and I don't deny it's an issue but travel is becoming easier, worldwide communication is instant and with global manufactuers and sponsors they need global reach. If you don't rely on those factors you can get along fine but the series will resemble the LMS leaving those of us who missed out on the height of Group C to dream of the days factory squads battled it out around the world.

The Badger · 12 Mar 2011, 19:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

I think they need to finish pulling the bodies out before they think about racing cars - your comment is a bit insensitive at this early stage of such an disaster.

It wasnt ment to be ..... read what Ive written in the Japanese GT thread , although I now see your point .

Appologies if it sounded a bit crass . I feel very deeply about what is going down in Japan ..... and hope the worst is over .

Graham Goodwin · 12 Mar 2011, 22:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Actually, I think it'll be the other way around... many teams will choose to run in the high profile ILMC-rounds, but LMS will be short of quality entries not just for a few but for all their races...

Is the correct answer I believe - Think you may find it's the LMS that adds classes!!!