ALMS 2011 Discussion - Page 99

JAG · 19 Aug 2011, 17:49 (Ref:2943041)

I wouldn't drop GTC overnight as you have to respect teams investment, 2013 would be ideal as you could also merge LMPC into P2.

As for GT3's, allow the Mercedes and Audi to run as GTE invitation entries alongside cars of interest like the 911 Hybrid, see if anyone turns up before throwing a successful GT rulebook out the window.

Deleted · 19 Aug 2011, 18:09 (Ref:2943052)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

As for GT3's, allow the Mercedes and Audi to run as GTE invitation entries alongside cars of interest like the 911 Hybrid, see if anyone turns up before throwing a successful GT rulebook out the window.

We're not that desperate yet, hopefully... and its easier for Audi and Merc to stay in those series where it doesn't matter whether your base car sucks or not, they can stop developing those cars any time they want and still be highly competitive in five years because of bop. Average joe can't tell the difference between GT2 and GT3 anyways

On my behalf Porkie hybrid can return for sure, but only as an unclassified entry. Or if GTH becomes a real class which I doubt

Fogelhund · 19 Aug 2011, 18:36 (Ref:2943061)

Regarding GT, not quite desperate, but then I would hope they are making plans on how to replace what will likely be (at least) one of the four top teams leaving the series for each of the next two years. Not a huge car count hit, but a large quality hit.

**joeb** · 19 Aug 2011, 19:21 (Ref:2943078)

In the article about United Autosports LMP2 plans for Petit, it mentions that there will be 5 LMP2's there: The UA entry, 2 Level 5's and then the ILMC entries from Signatech and Oak. It would be nice if somebody would run Level 5's current/old Lola, or maybe somebody else will make the trek across the atlantic.

JAG · 19 Aug 2011, 19:42 (Ref:2943086)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

We're not that desperate yet, hopefully... and its easier for Audi and Merc to stay in those series where it doesn't matter whether your base car sucks or not, they can stop developing those cars any time they want and still be highly competitive in five years because of bop. Average joe can't tell the difference between GT2 and GT3 anyways

On my behalf Porkie hybrid can return for sure, but only as an unclassified entry. Or if GTH becomes a real class which I doubt

I wouldn't want to see GT3, but just as the 911 Hybrid, Panoz, Comp Viper, DBRS9 etc. have been accomodated, so could the Audi and Merc.

Put it out there, see if there is interest and get on with the priority of increasing the prototype field. Whatever's decided the series should have already made a clear statement about 2012 like the LMS.

AGD · 19 Aug 2011, 19:42 (Ref:2943087)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

In the article about United Autosports LMP2 plans for Petit, it mentions that there will be 5 LMP2's there: The UA entry, 2 Level 5's and then the ILMC entries from Signatech and Oak. It would be nice if somebody would run Level 5's current/old Lola, or maybe somebody else will make the trek across the atlantic.

They might be able to find a buyer for the coupe especially if it can be converted into B12/80 cost-capped specification. I'm not so sure about the open-top car. They can probably sell it, but maybe the discount will have to be a bit higher for that one. Having said that, Scott Tucker is only 4 seconds off of Chris Dyson's time right now during the current session. Bouchut or Diaz could probably knock some time off of that. That's not too bad for an LMP2 HPD powered car on a high speed track.

**skycafe** · 19 Aug 2011, 21:24 (Ref:2943152)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

Did the John Pauls' elicit activities help fund their racing as well?

I believe at one point that was where all the income came from, but I may be incorrect. I read an article many, many years ago. I know their shop was prepping for some other people at various times, but I don't know if there was other income that set the whole thing up.

WolfsburgRS · 19 Aug 2011, 21:56 (Ref:2943165)

Quote:

Originally Posted by skycafe

I believe at one point that was where all the income came from, but I may be incorrect. I read an article many, many years ago. I know their shop was prepping for some other people at various times, but I don't know if there was other income that set the whole thing up.

They had some sponsorship from Miller Beer in the early 80s, but that's all I can recall seeing that was legit as far as my research goes. I really would like to do an interview with John Paul Jr, but the last thing I saw on him (about his disease, on youtube) was really, really depressing and I wasn't sure if he'd be up to it, or if I would be either.

**skycafe** · 19 Aug 2011, 22:08 (Ref:2943166)

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...08/1/index.htm

Here is an article I just found, from Sam Moses at SI. I had read another article, I believe in Orlando Sentinel, during that time period, but can not find it. As I recall there were financial issues that lead to the smuggling, maybe overleveraged in bad market?

I don't know what to say about Paul, Jr., other then that he was a huge talent and a sensation. A real shame how things turned out for him, but I am not sure he would have gotten where he was without the 'money.' The same could be said about the others of that era. Honestly, there is probably a movie in the Paul's story.

AGD · 19 Aug 2011, 23:49 (Ref:2943183)

Although the Pauls and Whittingtons get the most attention because of their successful driving careers, Randy Lanier was in deep as well. Real deep.

EDIT: Oh, and another 1980s IMSA owner who is a convicted criminal: Rick Hendrick. His case may have been the coup d'état of swindling depending on how you want to look at it.

And then you have Greg Loles. He makes Jon Field look like a saint even if all of the allegations against him, including the past allegations, are true.

Scott Tucker is basically is a legal loanshark. Charles Morgan/Acxiom is fully legal, but it is a kind of creepy company. Preston Henn has supposedly gone off the deep end in recent years, although I guess others could have said that years ago.

So, yeah, it's a bit surprising that Bernie Madoff, Ken Lay, and Pablo Escobar never came ready to race at Sebring or something with a superteam. It's too bad that not everyone makes their racing money in socially positive ways...like Paul Gentilozzi and the King of Toilets...haha.

lemansnsx · 20 Aug 2011, 01:45 (Ref:2943203)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

If they have done something wrong, that just really shows their dedication to racing. Breaking the law to fund racing - that has been a personal dream of mine too!

Back in the 80s I knew someone who funded racing school and some events by robbing banks. His girlfriend drove the getaway car. No, I'm not kidding.

Of course let's not forget the big time crooks like John Paul Sr., The Whittington brothers, Greg Loles and the numerous teams and drivers who were reputed to be operating on funds generated from the sale of cocaine.

HJJ · 20 Aug 2011, 14:03 (Ref:2943328)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

They had some sponsorship from Miller Beer in the early 80s

The Miller sponsorship they had was from the Atlanta distributor, Better Brands and not Miller corporate. Also, for one IMSA race at Road Atlanta, Bobby Allison also landed his plane on the back straight. I think he was driving in the Kelly Series.

The Badger · 20 Aug 2011, 17:17 (Ref:2943362)

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemansnsx

Back in the 80s I knew someone who funded racing school and some events by robbing banks. His girlfriend drove the getaway car. No, I'm not kidding.

Of course let's not forget the big time crooks like John Paul Sr., The Whittington brothers, Greg Loles and the numerous teams and drivers who were reputed to be operating on funds generated from the sale of cocaine.

Paul Jr , Ronny Meixner & Tom Walkinshaw & Vic Lee , you may add to that list too , reputedly ..... and dont ask about Kolin Kölles either !!!

gregtummer · 22 Aug 2011, 07:17 (Ref:2943978)

International Marijuana Smugglers Association

R4z3rw33n · 23 Aug 2011, 13:34 (Ref:2944675)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregtummer

International Marijuana Smugglers Association

I hear these guys can provide some relevant connections:
http://www.motogp.com/

chernaudi · 23 Aug 2011, 19:56 (Ref:2944794)

According to a Dagys tweet, Romain Dumas will be in for Luhr at Baltimore.

isynge · 23 Aug 2011, 22:17 (Ref:2944848)

Quote:

Originally Posted by chernaudi

According to a Dagys tweet, Romain Dumas will be in for Luhr at Baltimore.

Confirmation of this on Endurance Info. Good news, and while I'd been pondering the "returning Frenchman" news for a while Dumas hadn't sprung to mind.

**skycafe** · 23 Aug 2011, 22:49 (Ref:2944861)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregtummer

International Marijuana Smugglers Association

I know we shot far off topic on this, and it is probably better to go in Nostalgia Forum. I will stay a bit off topic--there was a Columbian in IMSA, long time Porsche runner, seemed to have great budget, won Sebring 84 overall, was in carnation business as I recall. He suddenly was no longer around, I don't recall the year for that. In all the of the news of that period, I never heard his name mentioned in relation to any illicit activity. Was that the case, or did I just not hear about anything? I have searched to no avail.

AGD · 24 Aug 2011, 01:57 (Ref:2944897)

Dagys is pointing out that the two Robertson Fords are not on the Baltimore entry list at the moment. I'm not sure what to make of that. I'm sure we'll find out more in the next few days.

WolfsburgRS · 24 Aug 2011, 02:41 (Ref:2944902)

Quote:

Originally Posted by skycafe

I know we shot far off topic on this, and it is probably better to go in Nostalgia Forum. I will stay a bit off topic--there was a Columbian in IMSA, long time Porsche runner, seemed to have great budget, won Sebring 84 overall, was in carnation business as I recall. He suddenly was no longer around, I don't recall the year for that. In all the of the news of that period, I never heard his name mentioned in relation to any illicit activity. Was that the case, or did I just not hear about anything? I have searched to no avail.

De Narvaez? I haven't found out much, and have also done some looking in that direction.

On topic: anyone else going to the baltimore race?

**skycafe** · 24 Aug 2011, 03:11 (Ref:2944905)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

De.......?

Yep, I was really hesitant to use the name as I never heard anything and my question was based on circumstances and associations; very, very loose in both cases.

Cuttlefish · 24 Aug 2011, 07:01 (Ref:2944948)

Quote:

Originally Posted by WolfsburgRS

De Narvaez? I haven't found out much, and have also done some looking in that direction.

On topic: anyone else going to the baltimore race?

I'll be there!

I'm pretty excited, it'll be my first street course AND first open-wheel event (5th ALMS). Apparently the paddock is indoors?

WolfsburgRS · 24 Aug 2011, 14:41 (Ref:2945166)

Quote:

Originally Posted by skycafe

Yep, I was really hesitant to use the name as I never heard anything and my question was based on circumstances and associations; very, very loose in both cases.

Yeah I've never seen anything directly putting him in touch with anything illegal, could just be the timing, as that period is also when IMSA went from pro / am to nearly full pro (that is what the book I am writing is about) - if you google him there is still a business in his name in FL. he also wasn't the youngest when he started, so could just be the age thing too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cuttlefish

I'll be there!

I'm pretty excited, it'll be my first street course AND first open-wheel event (5th ALMS). Apparently the paddock is indoors?

Nice! It'll be my first time to see a race at a proper street course as well, since I missed the DC race back in the day. I'm really curious to see how the sight lines compare to a permanent road course like Watkins, Lime Rock, etc.

The Indy car paddock is inside the Baltimore convention center, but the ALMS paddock is down in one of the stadium parking lots on the south side of the course.

AGD · 25 Aug 2011, 22:22 (Ref:2945966)

It looks like IMSA is giving the Porsches a 15 kg weight break.

http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/ALMS/...MS%2011-26.pdf

Purist · 25 Aug 2011, 23:56 (Ref:2946012)

Oreca has announced that they're taking part in PLM, so that's good to hear.

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