[ALMS] ALMS 2012 Discussion

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

And for those who have said it, the ALMS doesn't need Daytona, but it would be an immense asset and would be nice to add to Sebring and Atlanta (Petit) to make possibly the greatest sports car calendar on Earth let alone US history.

Well, since we're in dreamland talking about a domestic rulebook, Chevrolet Intrepids, and all things that are holy, here is a two part question to those in support of a new domestic formula: 1) Should there be a new American 24 Hour race, 2) Not counting Daytona or any other track IMSA has no shot at racing at, which track would you want it to be at?

[Speed-King]

1) Not sure - cost might be an issue in these days...
2) But if there is to be one have it at Road America

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

1) Not sure - cost might be an issue in these days...

True

2) But if there is to be one have it at Road America

That would be awesome. That was my first thought too. The only drawback is that it would have to be run in the summer months. Something in the late fall (for example) could attract some star drivers from elsewhere around the racing world. I don't think that is a make-or-break issue though. It might be a dumb question, but are there any safety hazards at Road America at night? Deer or stuff? I guess that is a city slicker question, but I don't know.

[Jonerz]

I'd want the American 24 Hour race to be Daytona, because of the history, but since there is a greater chance of the ALMS throwing the ACO out than a non-Grand-AM Rolex 24 at Daytona...

1) I'd like it, but like Petit you would be trying to force-start history. So...

2) Why not just turn Petit into the Atlanta 24 Hours? (Although a track that could support 60, 70 or more entries going 24 Hours would be cool.)

Chris

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

2) Why not just turn Petit into the Atlanta 24 Hours? (Although a track that could support 60, 70 or more entries going 24 Hours would be cool.)

Chris

24 hours of Road America. You could run it in the summer time.

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by mountainstar

24 hours of Road America. You could run it in the summer time.

It would be a fabulous few months for sports car racing. 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, 24 Hours of Spa in late July/early August and 24 Hours of Road America in August.

Chris

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'd want the American 24 Hour race to be Daytona, because of the history, but since there is a greater chance of the ALMS throwing the ACO out than a non-Grand-AM Rolex 24 at Daytona...

1) I'd like it, but like Petit you would be trying to force-start history. So...

2) Why not just turn Petit into the Atlanta 24 Hours? (Although a track that could support 60, 70 or more entries going 24 Hours would be cool.)

Chris

Road Atlanta would make the most sense from a logical perspective. It already has a large fan base, Atlanta is well connected to the auto industry (Porsche NA being based there, etc.), IMSA would have to do something to Petit as they can't call it Petit if the ACO is kicked out, it's owned by Panoz so there's no worry about someone holding up IMSA's premier race to get a lower sanctioning fee (assuming Panoz is still owning this hypothetical no ACO series, I'm not sure if that could actually happen), and it has some weather flexibility. The only problem I guess is the size of the track. I'm sure we all remember the Daytona and Sebrings of old where there would be cars streaming through turn one for the first time on the first lap for like 3 minutes. You can't really have that at Road Atlanta. Then again, I'm not sure where all that many cars would come from these days.

[Jonerz]

Indeed. However, in a few years if the new IMSA series was to attract the amateur as much as it does the private, professional race team i wouldn't be surprised to see 70. There will be sixty some-odd at Daytona this year, and the DP class has had as many as a dozen more cars than are entered this year, so I'd hold whatever IMSA does without the ACO to the same standards. A premier prototype category, a cost-effective prototype category, a premier GT category, and a Grand-Am-GT-like sub-GT category could pull 60+...

"P1": 15
"P2": 10
"GT1": 15
"GT2": 20

Chris

[DeathOrGlory]

Definitely a long endurance event in Road America. 1000km, 1000mile, 12 hr, 24 hour it does not matter.

[JAG]

The sports car media does the best they can, but they are not numerous (not the English speaking ones at least) and they are stretched pretty thin as it is. Sometimes it's better to stick to the niche and do it very well rather than water down everything so nothing has any real importance.

If you're running a World Championship and expect manufactuers to spend tens of millions, and let's not forget privateers who need to raise sponsorship, they not only need increased coverage in the motorsport press, they need to start breaking into the mainstream with online reports from the likes of the BBC, Sky, national papers and the major (motor)sports sites, alongside increased coverage and features on TV, basically the kind of coverage Le Mans itself recieves

Le Mans is unique and draws media and fans who wouldn't otherwise be interested, but when you take the Le Mans package to these far flung places, attracting some of the increased interest for the whole championship has to be the goal.

Unless you read DSC or tune into RLM, ALMS coverage is limited these days, Autosport is down to half page reports in an 80-100 page magazine, you won't find much coverage beyond this.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by JAG

Unless you read DSC or tune into RLM, ALMS coverage is limited these days, Autosport is down to half page reports in an 80-100 page magazine, you won't find much coverage beyond this.

I reckon that SpeedTV.com has the greatest readership of any website that provides in depth coverage of the ALMS.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

I reckon that SpeedTV.com has the greatest readership of any website that provides in depth coverage of the ALMS.

I was thinking more about ALMS coverage in Europe beyond those listed, but you're right to point out Speed's coverage.

I do wonder how much of that is down to the dedication of the reporter, we'll see what happens next season but it does appear you have to jump through hoops to get actual TV coverage for anything but NASCAR on Speed. Being the official Le Mans broadcaster I would have though even streaming the WEC world feed via Speed's site would be a worthwile step.

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

I reckon that SpeedTV.com has the greatest readership of any website that provides in depth coverage of the ALMS.

Not only do they provide the most ALMS coverage, but they provide the most WEC coverage than any other free English language outlet. If the WEC conflicted with ALMS and Dagys was told to cover the ALMS or vice versa, one series would have a major hole in their coverage.

And who really cares about F1 media who can't even be bothered to learn the names of the different classes and who could write about sports car racing in a negative light? Again, they'd rather rehash and fortify press releases talking about how "Button is going for the win at Montreal."

Originally Posted by JAG

I do wonder how much of that is down to the dedication of the reporter, we'll see what happens next season but it does appear you have to jump through hoops to get actual TV coverage for anything but NASCAR on Speed. Being the official Le Mans broadcaster I would have though even streaming the WEC world feed via Speed's site would be a worthwile step.

NASCAR pays bills. ALMS and WEC does not. The ILMC race from China had 33 viewers watching the official ACO Dailymotion stream. Infomercials that SpeedTV airs gets more viewers. Ok, there were more viewers on Audi and Peugeot's website, but still the infomercial would probably win especially if you just look at the markets where Speed airs.

ILMC highlights were on Speed's web streaming service, Speed2. Of course, that has a fraction of member ISPs than ESPN3 even and a lot less promotion from the big sister network than ESPN3. It's essentially RacefansTV with less access.

[FstrthnU]

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...up-in-the-air/
Risi has apparently not TOTALLY ruled out a full season ALMS (or Grand-Am) program. They're still trying to secure funding. They say they'd rather do a season in the ALMS, but they weren't pleased with the fuzzy rule changes last year (Corvette's fuel flow restrictor was specifically named). They say that they don't like Grand-Am that much, but as it stands they'll at least have a "fair chance" in the series.

[AndrewF31]

From the article, I think Risi wanted ALMS and/or LM, but doesn't have the funding for it yet.
And as you mention, he doesn't seem to like Grand-Am all that much apart from the tyres and the Rolex 24.

But when you see that part "I'm at a different place in my life at the moment,", I understood it as "I'll wait until January 18 for ALMS+LM(?) funding but if I don't have enough money I'll go with Grand Am or nothing.

Wouldn't it be nice to see Vilander and Beretta in ALMS? With Gimmi in the Enduros.