Le Mans Series 2009

[Robert RS]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Hmm, then what about this quote from Peter van Merksteijn? @ DSC


L.P.

That should read:

“The car is for sale, with all of the hardware that goes with it"

that's no politics from my side but the honest truth As it stands right now we have no signed or 'close-to-sign' costumer for the car. There has been some interest of course, but this ranges from serious interest to not so serious contacts, from running the car with Equipe Verschuur to just buying the car and equipment, etc. etc. Nothing is fixed yet and we are looking, together with Peter I have to add, what the best option for next year will be.

[Graham Goodwin]

Robert - Please remove the quote marks from your post above - It rather infers that what I have reported wasn't what was said by Peter on Saturday. I'm not in any way inferring what you say is untrue, I'd appreciate it if you showed me the same level of respect.

[Robert RS]

Would be happy to oblige graham but I can't figure out how to edit my post... If anyone can show me how I'll make the change.

My intention was never to re-write your quote but I merely tried to show what Peter probably wanted to say but just picked the wrong english words to do so.

Having said that, and I'll stop repeating myself after this, the car has not been sold to anyone yet or is close to being sold to someone. We are looking at several options and hopefully we will be able to get a clearer picture for next year as soon as possible. As assistant team manager and someone who is closely involved in the possible sale of the car I think that gives me enough credit to say that the above is the actual truth.

If anyone has any more questions regarding this please do not hesitate to send me an e-mail or private message and I'll be happy to answer, but for now I will let this subject rest to avoid filling the forum with repeating myself too often

[Taxi645]

Robert, I just wanted to say what an excellent job done this year. To be so dominant even compared to the other Porsches and to be so consistently successful during a first year is really impressive in my view. At least for me it has been very exciting to see you guys race this year.

[Hugewally]

Originally Posted by Robert RS

Would be happy to oblige graham but I can't figure out how to edit my post... If anyone can show me how I'll make the change.

I believe you only have about 10 minutes to edit a post, after that its there forever.

[Duff_44]

How about this for 2009:

Races
4 x 1000km/6 hrs (Spa, Monza, Nürburgring, Silverstone)
4 x 500km/3 hrs (Catalunya, Estoril, Magny-Cours, Brno or Donington*) with two :30 qualifying races on Saturday (1 race for prototypes, 1 race for GT's)

Points
500km: 15-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for top 10; 3-2-1 for top 3 in qualifying race
1000km: 25-20-16-13-10-8-6-4-2-1 for top 10 (basically add 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 to 500km points)

* - Donington might not be available due to redevelopment for the new layout

[deggis]

I think in future LMS should change the team championship scoring system, to the system that ALMS has. Both cars scoring points for the team, but only highest finishing position counts. Currently both score points separately and imho it makes less sense in such short championship.

Then again what use is to have both Drivers' and Teams' championships? It's same thing basicly. I guess Manufacturers' championship is what really counts.

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by Duff_44

How about this for 2009:

Races
4 x 1000km/6 hrs (Spa, Monza, Nürburgring, Silverstone)
4 x 500km/3 hrs (Catalunya, Estoril, Magny-Cours, Brno or Donington*) with two :30 qualifying races on Saturday (1 race for prototypes, 1 race for GT's)

Points
500km: 15-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for top 10; 3-2-1 for top 3 in qualifying race
1000km: 25-20-16-13-10-8-6-4-2-1 for top 10 (basically add 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 to 500km points)

* - Donington might not be available due to redevelopment for the new layout

I like the idea of races of mixed lengths as you propose. Adds a little spice to the series.

DK

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

an LMS race at Magny-Cours it will never happen

[Duff_44]

Originally Posted by Subaru_WRX_STi

an LMS race at Magny-Cours it will never happen

Any particular reason why? Is there some ACO/Magny-Cours feud I missed?

[LeMans.pt]

Originally Posted by Duff_44

Any particular reason why?

Besides the fact that Magny-Cours is a horrible circuit?

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

Originally Posted by Duff_44

Any particular reason why? Is there some ACO/Magny-Cours feud I missed?

not in particular, but seems the ACO doesnt want another "LM" style race in France

[LeMans.pt]

Originally Posted by Duff_44

How about this for 2009:

Races
4 x 1000km/6 hrs (Spa, Monza, Nürburgring, Silverstone)
4 x 500km/3 hrs (Catalunya, Estoril, Magny-Cours, Brno or Donington*) with two :30 qualifying races on Saturday (1 race for prototypes, 1 race for GT's)

Points
500km: 15-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for top 10; 3-2-1 for top 3 in qualifying race
1000km: 25-20-16-13-10-8-6-4-2-1 for top 10 (basically add 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 to 500km points)

* - Donington might not be available due to redevelopment for the new layout

That would be a very good proposal... but i would include a 12 hours race for the season finale with double points.

Estoril is not an option, the circuit is still a great one, but he has no structural conditions (boxes, stands, accesses, media rooms, vip rooms, etc, etc ), and the new circuit of Portimão is going to be one of best in all world when finished.

Two races in England is a mistake. Not because of the fans, but because in a marketing point of view, the more different countries you visit, the widther will be the projections of the sponsors.

A race in France is almost of capital importance. Or Le Mans starts to be, again, part of an endurance championship, or other French circuit has to be in. Maybe ACO doesn't want another endurance race in France besides the 24H, but i think that the championship would have an enormous benefit. Its like having Ferrari in Formula 1 with no races in Italy... it can happen, but would not be the same thing...

By the way.... for the 12h season finale: Nordschleife

[wapomumalo]

Originally Posted by Duff_44

How about this for 2009:

Races
4 x 1000km/6 hrs (Spa, Monza, Nürburgring, Silverstone)
4 x 500km/3 hrs (Catalunya, Estoril, Magny-Cours, Brno or Donington*) with two :30 qualifying races on Saturday (1 race for prototypes, 1 race for GT's)

Points
500km: 15-12-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 for top 10; 3-2-1 for top 3 in qualifying race
1000km: 25-20-16-13-10-8-6-4-2-1 for top 10 (basically add 10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1 to 500km points)

* - Donington might not be available due to redevelopment for the new layout

Change Nurburgring for Hokkenheim, Catalunya for Valencia Street Circuit, Magny-Cours for Paul Ricard, and Estoril for the new Algarve Circuit...and you´ll get the greatest ever picture for the LMES´ future.

[Duff_44]

Originally Posted by wapomumalo

Change Nurburgring for Hokkenheim, Catalunya for Valencia Street Circuit, Magny-Cours for Paul Ricard, and Estoril for the new Algarve Circuit...and you´ll get the greatest ever picture for the LMES´ future.

Hockenheim: Maybe, but I prefer the 'Ring
Valencia: HATE IT, HATE IT, HATE IT. Sportscars should never be on a street circuit. Plus, I don't know if there are enough garages...
Paul Ricard: No spectator facilities.
Algarve: Don't know anything about it... Lemans.pt mentions something about another Portuguese circuit below.

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

That would be a very good proposal... but i would include a 12 hours race for the season finale with double points.

You already have Sebring, PLM, Le Mans, and four 1000km races... is a long race really needed?

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

Estoril is not an option, the circuit is still a great one, but he has no structural conditions (boxes, stands, accesses, media rooms, vip rooms, etc, etc ), and the new circuit of Portimão is going to be one of best in all world when finished.

Fair enough... I didn't know Estoril was in such poor shape.

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

Two races in England is a mistake. Not because of the fans, but because in a marketing point of view, the more different countries you visit, the widther will be the projections of the sponsors.

Maybe so, but if Aston Martin steps up their involvement, Jaguar enters the series, and the non-factory manufacturers based near by (Lola, Radical, AER, Judd, etc) it may be worth having two races in England.

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

A race in France is almost of capital importance. Or Le Mans starts to be, again, part of an endurance championship, or other French circuit has to be in. Maybe ACO doesn't want another endurance race in France besides the 24H, but i think that the championship would have an enormous benefit. Its like having Ferrari in Formula 1 with no races in Italy... it can happen, but would not be the same thing...

The only circuits I can come up with are Magny-Cours or Le Mans-Bugatti. Nothing else has the right facilities for 46+ cars.

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

By the way.... for the 12h season finale: Nordschleife

Peugeots bottoming out in the Karussell.... OUCH!

[Mirage M6]

A 12 HRS race wouldn't be a good idea, many teams would find difficult to race in another European event which more than 1000km. Thinking about the 3hrs/500km events it seems hard to find worth places, but I think Brno should be in the LMS next season, is a good track and there are hundreds of czechs who would be there, the circuit seems always full of people!

[broadrun96]

My only problem with 1000k races is the scheduling as a fan. Not that it's a problem for me since we don't get to watch the LMS races here in the US. But making the time for somebody that works retail and may have to work the same day as races can be hard, with 2:45 at least I can run through the DVR replay pretty quick but a 6 hour race is a LONG block of time for a fan to commit to one thing. Sometimes you have to admit the sponsors are the cause for many of the decisions in motorsports now and shorter races could help their TV exposure and bring in and keep fans that might be just stopping by when flipping through the channels.

[Mirage M6]

Thats true, but the 1000km events are essential to keep the 'endurance spirit' of the series. But why do we have to have 5 1000km events? they could be reduce to 3 (if I have to choose one it would be Monza cos the lack of attendance in every motorsport discipline F1 apart). A 1000km in a classic track can be worth to show the potential of your car/team and get promotion

[The Badger]

3 !!! ..... how does a team expect to progress with 3 races ?

If they could do it before , why cant they do it now ? I know racing has gotten a lot more expensive , but so has the budgets too .

The more the better I say . If you cant afford to do the championship and play with the big boys , stick with your national championships or Fia GT . LMP1 & LMP2 is a big boys game , moneywise anyway .

There is no lack of support , Im sure the ACO discussed the possibility of more races with the teams , and the teams are agreeable .

[Mirage M6]

No, no, no Badger I was talking about the 1000km events ONLY, it will be just stupid to organize a championship with just three races

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Mirage M6

No, no, no Badger I was talking about the 1000km events ONLY, it will be just stupid to organize a championship with just three races

Oh , early morning eyes here !!! Appologies M6

[Subaru_WRX_STi]

Originally Posted by Mirage M6

they could be reduce to 3 (if I have to choose one it would be Monza cos the lack of attendance in every motorsport discipline F1 apart).

sorry but World Superbike races there are HUGE, more than 100.000
plus 5 races are few for a series, so do you want to have onlt 3 races ? any DNF or bad finish means 0 chances of winning the title

[Mirage M6]

I didn't talk about a 3 event series, I was just referring to the 1000km events, only the 1000km events, 1000km events only

100000 is great, I didn't know it, but you know that Monza has been a disaster with the attendance since the very beginning of the LMS. Same for Fia GT.

[airbusA346]

I am sure I read that teams were telling the ACO they wanted 6 races next year like in 2007.

And really the races can't be too far a field unless the ACO are going to help with transport etc, or it will end up like Interlagos '07.

Tom.

[NightStalk3r]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

My only problem with 1000k races is the scheduling as a fan. Not that it's a problem for me since we don't get to watch the LMS races here in the US. But making the time for somebody that works retail and may have to work the same day as races can be hard, with 2:45 at least I can run through the DVR replay pretty quick but a 6 hour race is a LONG block of time for a fan to commit to one thing. Sometimes you have to admit the sponsors are the cause for many of the decisions in motorsports now and shorter races could help their TV exposure and bring in and keep fans that might be just stopping by when flipping through the channels.

If the Races were shorter then many fans wouldn't make the trips to the circuit, i know i wouldn't make the 3 hour trip to Silverstone for a short race.