2010 Le Mans Intercontinental Cup - Page 2

scoff · 9 Dec 2009, 12:49 (Ref:2596638)

I don't think Audi will skip Sebring ever.

veeten · 9 Dec 2009, 14:51 (Ref:2596700)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

I would expect it to be 2 in america - Sebring / PLM
2 in Europe - Spa & Silverstone
2 in Asia / Middle East

LM24 will remain separate.

I havent quite grasped the 5 races bit this year - is that 5 races inc the cup and LM24 or is is 5 races plus the cup and LM24??

Good start, Mal.

North America: Sebring & PLM - As Sebring starts the official international Sports/Proto/GT racing year, it is a must for many teams looking to LeMans. So it stands to reason.

Europe: Silverstone & Spa/Monza/Nurburgring - Pre- or post-LeMans is a good deal, as many of the teams visiting will be able to get some racing in that will fit nicely into their budgets.

Asia: Best guesses are Suzuka & China/Malaisia - The best chance to involve Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Mazda. Honda is presently involved thru Acura & HPD in Torrance, California, similar to what Mazda are doing with Dyson. Toyota & Nissan have facilities in all three quadrants to design, build, and race a LMP, all that was needed is the impetus to go in that direction.

And so, one man's dream (namely the person in my avatar standing to the left of me) is finally starting to take shape.

ubrben · 9 Dec 2009, 15:12 (Ref:2596715)

Sebring
Spa
Silverstone
Petit Le Mans
Sepang
Suzuka

Would be my ideal. Monza would be first reserve :-)

Ben

HORNDAWG · 9 Dec 2009, 16:17 (Ref:2596742)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jc_nl

According to DSC they already announced that they will enter the LM 24 race with 3 cars.

But the LM 24 is NOT included in the 5 races Downforce, so they still need to add one more race in either the LMS or the ALMS.

Le Mans, is included in meeting that requirement.

Quote:

they must also take part in 5 races run under the Le Mans label (the 24 Hours excepted) to be eligible for the Intercontinental Cup.

L.P.

Purist · 9 Dec 2009, 16:26 (Ref:2596754)

Umm, I don't think so. It says that Le Mans is "excepted", NOT that Le Mans is "accepted", in order to fill the requirement. There is a critical difference between the two.

JAG · 9 Dec 2009, 17:02 (Ref:2596772)

In recent years the ACO have had too many meanigless races, devaluing the Le Mans brand.

If the ACO can put together half a dozen races with Le Mans like support and media attention, that can only be a good thing.

As for those races left out in the cold, they have to adapt or close up shop.

With only five to six LMS races, upto half could form part of the LMIC, so on balance the series will be strengthened significantly.

The question is whether the ALMS should follow suit, or can they sustain seven or so races without LMIC status.

Fogelhund · 9 Dec 2009, 17:45 (Ref:2596792)

Strengthened significantly?

Exactly who do we expect to run this, at least for now?

Peugeot, Audi... maybe Oreca with a single car. Anyone else?

The359 · 9 Dec 2009, 19:05 (Ref:2596835)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Peugeot, Audi... maybe Oreca with a single car. Anyone else?

Drayson? Maybe Rebellion? Rebellion did mention considering Petit Le Mans.

NaBUru38 · 9 Dec 2009, 21:05 (Ref:2596904)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

The question is whether the ALMS should follow suit, or can they sustain seven or so races without LMIC status.

The ALMS can because most races are relatively short, unlike Euro LMS full-endurance calendar. They are more interesting to watch on television.

Gingers4Justice · 9 Dec 2009, 21:17 (Ref:2596917)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The359

Drayson? Maybe Rebellion? Rebellion did mention considering Petit Le Mans.

Plus perhaps the new privateer Pug team(s), and a few others. The IC shouldn't be short of entries, with the smaller LMS teams its largely the cost of travelling to the US and Asia that will prove difficult.

Purist · 9 Dec 2009, 21:24 (Ref:2596923)

And to maintain presence throughout the season here in the States, the ALMS NEEDS to run more than just half a dozen races a season. After all, we're talking about one country that has roughly the same land area as all of Continental Europe, and that area gets doubled more or less when you add in Canada. And yes, I do realize that most of Canada is considered uninhabitable. Plus, if the LMS was making a real attempt to service Europe across the board, they'd be running 10-12 races too to cover Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe (as nobody seems to think Hungaroring is a good choice for LMS), Holland, and Scandinavia.

Gingers4Justice · 9 Dec 2009, 21:30 (Ref:2596925)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

nobody seems to think Hungaroring is a good choice for LMS.

That is because it isn't, atleast IMO. Tight, twisty circuit with little soul and few overtaking opportunities.

LeMans.pt · 9 Dec 2009, 21:31 (Ref:2596927)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

And to maintain presence throughout the season here in the States, the ALMS NEEDS to run more than just half a dozen races a season. After all, we're talking about one country that has roughly the same land area as all of Continental Europe, and that area gets doubled more or less when you add in Canada. And yes, I do realize that most of Canada is considered uninhabitable. Plus, if the LMS was making a real attempt to service Europe across the board, they'd be running 10-12 races too to cover Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe (as nobody seems to think Hungaroring is a good choice for LMS), Holland, and Scandinavia.

Portugal (Algarve) and Spain (Barcelona, Valencia...) are also in Europe

LeMans.pt · 9 Dec 2009, 21:33 (Ref:2596929)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

...few overtaking opportunities.

True for Formula 1. Could it be the same for the LMP/GT?

Gingers4Justice · 9 Dec 2009, 21:35 (Ref:2596930)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

True for Formula 1. Could it be the same for the LMP/GT?

Short answer, yes!

carsten66 · 9 Dec 2009, 22:33 (Ref:2596955)

The press release indeed is confusing - simply because you can read it in both ways - that's a point they still have to clarify or for shure just like in this forum a controversy about the stuff will start...

deggis · 10 Dec 2009, 07:17 (Ref:2597130)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwyllion

The ACO press release is a little confusing as it states:

Quote:

Competitors will be obliged to compete in all 3 races to be included in the overall classification. In addition, they must also take part in 5 races run under the Le Mans label (the 24 Hours excepted) to be eligible for the Intercontinental Cup.

This seems to suggest they must participate in 3 + 5 = 8 races?!

Could mean... but if that was the case don't you think it would say "24 Hours and Intercontinental Cup races excepted". Since the Cup races are not actually separate races but part of ALMS, LMS and AsianLMS respectively.

NightStalk3r · 10 Dec 2009, 07:43 (Ref:2597135)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Short answer, yes!

Richard Westbrook seems to disagree

NaBUru38 · 10 Dec 2009, 13:36 (Ref:2597289)

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeMans.pt

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

if the LMS was making a real attempt to service Europe across the board, they'd be running 10-12 races too to cover Germany, Italy, Eastern Europe (as nobody seems to think Hungaroring is a good choice for LMS), Holland, and Scandinavia.

Portugal (Algarve) and Spain (Barcelona, Valencia...) are also in Europe

Of course they are, LeMans.pt. Purist listed the regions that the series does not visit in 2010.

LeMans.pt · 10 Dec 2009, 14:10 (Ref:2597313)

Quote:

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

Of course they are, LeMans.pt. Purist listed the regions that the series does not visit in 2010.

I was just messing arround...

Fogelhund · 10 Dec 2009, 14:16 (Ref:2597316)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

Plus perhaps the new privateer Pug team(s), and a few others. The IC shouldn't be short of entries, with the smaller LMS teams its largely the cost of travelling to the US and Asia that will prove difficult.

Shouldn't be short of entries? How many LMS entries have regularly gone to Sebring, Petit Le Mans? How did the proposed Brazilian event go over? How many went to the Asian Le Mans series? (with assistance) I suppose "some" privateers may choose to do this, instead of the ALMS, or LMS, there are afterall only limited budgets.

Here is one view, as not all seem to think this is a good idea, in this format.

fieldodreams79 · 10 Dec 2009, 15:47 (Ref:2597347)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Here is one view, as not all seem to think this is a good idea, in this format.

well...i haven't been paying much attention to what has transpired over the years with the ACO & IMSA, and Chuck paints a completely different picture than what i had envisioned about the IntContCup. shame, really...2010 will be interesting, indeed, with 2011 being even more so.

cmk · 10 Dec 2009, 19:05 (Ref:2597406)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Shouldn't be short of entries? How many LMS entries have regularly gone to Sebring, Petit Le Mans? How did the proposed Brazilian event go over? How many went to the Asian Le Mans series? (with assistance) I suppose "some" privateers may choose to do this, instead of the ALMS, or LMS, there are afterall only limited budgets.

Here is one view, as not all seem to think this is a good idea, in this format.

I agree with Chuck almost completely. It is nice that someone so erudite took the time to write those thoughts down and save me the time!

JAG · 10 Dec 2009, 21:42 (Ref:2597496)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Strengthened significantly?

Exactly who do we expect to run this, at least for now?

Peugeot, Audi... maybe Oreca with a single car. Anyone else?

Last year Audi competed in Europe once, Le Mans. Thanks in part to this new series they'll be seen three times next year, hopefully Peugeot will follow suit.

With those two in place I would think any manufactuer/major team with a Le Mans program will be looking at an LMIC entry. Previously they considered the LMS too low profile, while a full ALMS entry was too large a commitment/not relevant to their marketing.

In effect we've had an unnoficial LMIC for some time, but rather than looking forward to, and promoting these races throughout the year, we've been waiting until the last minute for manufactuer's/teams to firm up their entries.

Graham Goodwin · 10 Dec 2009, 21:53 (Ref:2597502)

Quote:

Originally Posted by deggis

Except that it isn't "World Championship" and likely will never be.

That's certainly not what Patrick Peter thinks

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