'09 ALMS Round 7 • Road America

HORNDAWG · 7 Aug 2009, 02:16 (Ref:2517094)

...

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..... Road America,
Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
....August 14-16, 2009
.
.
Schedule
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Entry List
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Track Map
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Timing & Scoring
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Hindy/Radio or RLM
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IMSA Site

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Spotters Guide
.
Live SpeedTV rounds "Q"ing Stream by Michelin
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Live Acura On Board Pass Race Streams from SpeedTV rounds
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Satellite
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Weather
.
World Times
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...........Qualifying for this round will start on:
Sat. Aug. 15th, 3:10pm/15:10 local CDST ( -5 GMT)

L.P.

Jonerz · 11 Aug 2009, 02:37 (Ref:2519269)

I'd like to kickoff all the crying over it being 2.75 hours instead of four.

The loss of the Generac sponsorship? Could that have something to do with the change in format? Or is it simply tough economic times?

Apparently Road America is not too pleased with the ALMS at the moment because it is not what it was in 2007 and 2008 competition-wise. With no ChampCar and an "ailing" ALMS they seem more content in pushing their historic races - could this be why the race is shorter?

Regardless, I will be tuned in all weekend and I will certainly enjoy every minute.

Chris

**joeb** · 11 Aug 2009, 02:53 (Ref:2519272)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'd like to kickoff all the crying over it being 2.75 hours instead of four.

The loss of the Generac sponsorship? Could that have something to do with the change in format? Or is it simply tough economic times?

Apparently Road America is not too pleased with the ALMS at the moment because it is not what it was in 2007 and 2008 competition-wise. With no ChampCar and an "ailing" ALMS they seem more content in pushing their historic races - could this be why the race is shorter?

Regardless, I will be tuned in all weekend and I will certainly enjoy every minute.

Chris

2.75 hours is hardly enough time to walk around the track to see all the corners!

But it will be interesting to see how the Vettes do on the long straights at RA. Also the Dyson v Cytoport v Fernandez battle should be another good one in P2.

Bob Riebe · 11 Aug 2009, 04:54 (Ref:2519293)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'd like to kickoff all the crying over it being 2.75 hours instead of four.

The loss of the Generac sponsorship? Could that have something to do with the change in format? Or is it simply tough economic times?

Apparently Road America is not too pleased with the ALMS at the moment because it is not what it was in 2007 and 2008 competition-wise. With no ChampCar and an "ailing" ALMS they seem more content in pushing their historic races - could this be why the race is shorter?

Regardless, I will be tuned in all weekend and I will certainly enjoy every minute.

Chris

Road America EXPECTS a return-on-investment, that is why they kicked CC out and only let them back in on a probationary status.
The IMSA show has become stagnant at best, and many of the fans who will show for vintage races, and pay, find nothing worth their bucks in the IMSA right now.
With a tiny field on the large Road America circuit a shorter race will look better.
In the past, if they had a forty some car field, it did not matter that beyond the first four, ninety nine percent of the rest stood a snowballs chance in hell of winning, more was better for everyone.

isynge · 11 Aug 2009, 07:35 (Ref:2519333)

Uncannily this looks like the first race since Sebring that Motors will be covering live in the UK. Oddly I'd sort of become used to the live T&S combined with RLM for the experience - it'll be almost odd going back to seeing moving pictures on a television.

Other than that I can see Bob's point about the size of field vs length of race - given that this is one of the best tracks out there, anything they can do to keep interest up and keep series coming back to Elkhart Lake is worth a try.

Speed-King · 11 Aug 2009, 08:16 (Ref:2519367)

Quote:

Originally Posted by isynge

Other than that I can see Bob's point about the size of field vs length of race - given that this is one of the best tracks out there, anything they can do to keep interest up and keep series coming back to Elkhart Lake is worth a try.

Run the short course!!

Mal · 11 Aug 2009, 15:56 (Ref:2519621)

Quote:

Originally Posted by isynge

Uncannily this looks like the first race since Sebring that Motors will be covering live in the UK. Oddly I'd sort of become used to the live T&S combined with RLM for the experience - it'll be almost odd going back to seeing moving pictures on a television.

Other than that I can see Bob's point about the size of field vs length of race - given that this is one of the best tracks out there, anything they can do to keep interest up and keep series coming back to Elkhart Lake is worth a try.

Motors TV appears to be screening last weeks race from Mid Ohio this weekend. Where did you get that Road America would be live?

NightStalk3r · 11 Aug 2009, 16:46 (Ref:2519650)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

Motors TV appears to be screening last weeks race from Mid Ohio this weekend. Where did you get that Road America would be live?

He is incorrect Petit Le Mans is the only race we will be getting Live for the rest of this season.

**joeb** · 11 Aug 2009, 17:27 (Ref:2519666)

Quote:

Originally Posted by isynge

Other than that I can see Bob's point about the size of field vs length of race - given that this is one of the best tracks out there, anything they can do to keep interest up and keep series coming back to Elkhart Lake is worth a try.

We are in luck, another challenge car has been added to the entry list. Now if they could just each start at a different part of the track, the emptiness of the track will seem non-existent!

isynge · 11 Aug 2009, 21:52 (Ref:2519822)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NightStalk3r

He is incorrect Petit Le Mans is the only race we will be getting Live for the rest of this season.

Mea culpa, mea maxima culpa

My rash reading of Motors TV schedule on their website had me read ALMS coverage on a Sunday evening and I failed to register that it was Mid Ohio rather than Road America we were getting. Thus Nightstalk3r is right on the money - I am incorrect.

The Badger · 11 Aug 2009, 23:07 (Ref:2519876)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

Apparently Road America is not too pleased with the ALMS at the moment because it is not what it was in 2007 and 2008 competition-wise

Oh wow ..... and so bloody what ..... If they cant understand that the world is in difficult times , maybe they should be told where to shove effing their track in future !!!

MJ_N_09 · 12 Aug 2009, 00:44 (Ref:2519899)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Oh wow ..... and so bloody what ..... If they cant understand that the world is in difficult times , maybe they should be told where to shove effing their track in future !!!

Champ car didnt have much more cars than ALMS does now.....I guess they want nothing short of 43 cars there.

jdetray · 12 Aug 2009, 01:10 (Ref:2519907)

I had the good fortune to attend several of the old Can-Am and Formula 5000 meetings at both Road America and Mid Ohio. Both are fabulous places to watch a race!

My favorite viewing area at Road America was the hillside overlooking the exit of Canada Corner and the whole of Thunder Valley. The sounds of the big Can-Am machines funneled down the Valley was a treat for the ears.

- Jeff

**joeb** · 12 Aug 2009, 01:57 (Ref:2519923)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdetray

I had the good fortune to attend several of the old Can-Am and Formula 5000 meetings at both Road America and Mid Ohio. Both are fabulous places to watch a race!

My favorite viewing area at Road America was the hillside overlooking the exit of Canada Corner and the whole of Thunder Valley. The sounds of the big Can-Am machines funneled down the Valley was a treat for the ears.

- Jeff

My favorite place at Road America is the woods leading downhill into turn 5. Any track where you can stand in the woods and watch cars go by is tops in my opinion. The Mazda RX792 screaming through the trees was something. Back on topic, to bad the current Mazda protos make nothing like that in decibels or tone.

andy_b · 12 Aug 2009, 07:02 (Ref:2520006)

The Ten-Tenths.com supported free download Spotter Guide for Road America is now online at http://www.spotterguides.com/content/view/20/43/

The guide will also appear on the official ALMS site later in the week.

Gingers4Justice · 12 Aug 2009, 12:17 (Ref:2520205)

Oooh I can't wait for the American GT2 Series - er, sorry, I mean American Le Mans Series - hits the greatest circuit in the world.

Is it a good spectator circuit?

Purist · 12 Aug 2009, 14:01 (Ref:2520250)

It's as good or better than Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Mid Ohio in my book. Overall access, including pit and paddock, is better than anywhere else I've visited. So, yes, it is an excellent spectator circuit.

tlongman · 12 Aug 2009, 15:32 (Ref:2520284)

I was there in 2002 and 2004 for the champ car races there. As a track its one of the best I've ever been to, if not THE best. As a spectator track it is without a doubt the best track I have ever been to. The whole place is beautiful, there's a variety of places to watch, and there are plenty of places where you can watch the action from a shady area. If anyone here was on the fence about going or not, I highly recommend you go for it. I doubt you would regret it.

dxk1 · 12 Aug 2009, 15:48 (Ref:2520289)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'd like to kickoff all the crying over it being 2.75 hours instead of four.
Chris

I too am disappointed that Road America will only be 2 hours 45 minutes this year instead of 4 hours/500 miles but this is not unusal. Since ALMS has been a reality there was no Road America Race from 1999 to 2001 and then a 500 mile/4 hour race in 2002. From 2003 to 2006 the race was 2 h 45 min. Its only been the last two years that were 4 hours. Sponsorship has been Chicago Tribune, Generac and Time Warner Cable during different years with some of them overlapping some years.

DK

Gingers4Justice · 12 Aug 2009, 19:08 (Ref:2520387)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

It's as good or better than Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Mid Ohio in my book. Overall access, including pit and paddock, is better than anywhere else I've visited. So, yes, it is an excellent spectator circuit.

Not a lot wrong with it then. It's great to drive on video games, too. And it has trees (!).

The Badger · 12 Aug 2009, 21:47 (Ref:2520469)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

And it has trees (!).

Maybe they should tell Xavier Pompidou about them !!!

dxk1 · 12 Aug 2009, 23:04 (Ref:2520504)

The entry list has been updated and VDS is off, Primetime is on and there are now 7 Cup cars for a grand total of 27 entries.

DK

fieldodreams79 · 13 Aug 2009, 03:28 (Ref:2520570)

getting upwards of 30 cars is a plus for the ALMS, even if %25 are challenge cars.

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

Any track where you can stand in the woods and watch cars go by is tops in my opinion.

how about a track where you can watch thru the screens of the Port-a-Jons at Road ATL's turns 2, 3, 6, 8 (the hump), 9 & 12?

....only if you're standing, of course

MJ_N_09 · 13 Aug 2009, 08:56 (Ref:2520678)

No Vici again. Where are these guys half the time?

Dauer 962 · 13 Aug 2009, 11:52 (Ref:2520757)

Quote:

Originally Posted by MJ_N_09

No Vici again. Where are these guys half the time?

Searching for money.

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