ILMC 2011 Discussion

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Mal

Try This:

http://www.endurance-info.com/versio...ance-5745.html

PLM back in plus 6 hours at Imola!

I just watched the new Clarkson DVD which is set at Imola, lots of character and a great match for sportscars.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dxKo80k7gs

[Simmi]

Very good news I'd say. Always hoped PLM would be resolved. This is a firm basis from which a great championship can hopefully grow. Japan will come in time I imagine.

Imola is a surprise and should be a very interesting race.

[The Badger]

Im already looking into the chances of attending Imola next year . Wonder will any teams from ALMS or AsLMS do the ILMC ? Would make for an interesting grid .

i reckon I can get there easy enough by train .

[Speed-King]

The Lime Rock ALMS round is a week after Imola, so that probably rules out any ALMS-teams racing there. However, some ALMS-teams have chosen to skip Lime Rock this year, so perhaps there is a slim chance.

[R4z3rw33n]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Im already looking into the chances of attending Imola next year . Wonder will any teams from ALMS or AsLMS do the ILMC ? Would make for an interesting grid .

i reckon I can get there easy enough by train .

Tokai mentioned something earlier in the year about the possibility of attending some of the pre-LM LMS events for preparation.
Whether this is still being considered, I'm not sure.

[Simmi]

According to John Dagys over at Speed there is a chance that the Fuji 1000km could still run, but as an AsLMS event. Would be good to get the event running and then slotted in to the big show possibly for 2012.

[LeMans.pt]

Originally Posted by JAG

In the latter years of Group C the season reviews dried up because the FIA/Bernie charged too much for the rights.

... and there was also Bernies hands in that stupid 3.5l regulations!

[The Badger]

It was the 3.5 litre deal that sounded the death bell for group C . I remember meeting up with Hugh chamberlain ..... he said that there wasnt enough money in the sport to make it work (in those days) except if you were a works outfit . But those 3.5 Pugs & Toyota's were amazing to watch .

[KingKenny04]

SUCH a relief to see PLM back in. I don't understand having a Chinese event over a Japanese one. I would think that Japan is a much bigger market for this type of thing than China. Is this a case of "Well all the cool kids are doing it, why not us?" or am I missing something?

Also, in regard to the FIA thing, did I notice a "*subject to FIA WMSC approval" note at the bottom of that ILMC schedule?

[CTD]

Originally Posted by KingKenny04

SUCH a relief to see PLM back in. I don't understand having a Chinese event over a Japanese one. I would think that Japan is a much bigger market for this type of thing than China. Is this a case of "Well all the cool kids are doing it, why not us?" or am I missing something?

Also, in regard to the FIA thing, did I notice a "*subject to FIA WMSC approval" note at the bottom of that ILMC schedule?

The main reason is that the Japanese market is dominated by the Japanese, Peugeot and Audi sell no cars there.
In China on the other hand, PSA and VW group are both running large programs to capture the market, especially PSA has a good grip on the middle (east cost) class, and VW on the top class.
Therefor it's much more profitable to race in China than Japan.

The "subject to FIA approval" is probably more about a track or the dates. FIA might hold some sort of power over some tracks (ex. the HTTT Paul Richard) which the ACO has to get approval to use.

[Asa]

Originally Posted by CTD

The main reason is that the Japanese market is dominated by the Japanese, Peugeot and Audi sell no cars there.
In China on the other hand, PSA and VW group are both running large programs to capture the market, especially PSA has a good grip on the middle (east cost) class, and VW on the top class. Therefore it's much more profitable to race in China than Japan.

PSA and VW are huge in China. Audi alone has sold one million cars in China by October 2010. To say the Chinese market is very important to Audi is an understatement.

[NaBUru38]

ILMS isn't just about Audi and Peugeot. Porsche and Ferrari also sell loads of cars in China.

[Lola T70]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

ILMS isn't just about Audi and Peugeot. Porsche and Ferrari also sell loads of cars in China.

True, but there is a big luxury tax in China that hits higher priced cars more, also Porsche worldwide sales are less that Audi China sales.

China is important for all manufacturers as it is one of the few markets that they have big expansion potential. I suppose this is where the line is more blurred between sport and business. Without the business we do not have the sport I suppose.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Lola T70

True, but there is a big luxury tax in China that hits higher priced cars more, also Porsche worldwide sales are less that Audi China sales.

China is important for all manufacturers as it is one of the few markets that they have big expansion potential. I suppose this is where the line is more blurred between sport and business. Without the business we do not have the sport I suppose.

China is 100% capitalistic, if there isn't money in it, they wont do it.
And there is a lot of exposure in Sports, which is why they dominate the Olympics and now hold all sorts of sports in the country.
Having this exposure gives China the initiative to invite ILMC, and with Peugeot and Audi especially (i know about Ferrari and Porsche) pushing to race where there markets are, it's ideal for a race in China.
To be honest i'm amazed there isn't a race in ex. Hong Kong together with the mainland race. (Hong Kong as it can be argued to differ from a Mainland Chinese)

Of course Japan wants exposure too, but just not as bad as China, and Japan doesn't have the economy to pay large bits of the cake, as a major race like ILMC cost. China on the other hand, does have the economy to spend (even though they shouldn't but thats another talk) larger amounts to host a race.

Unfortunately it's probably only us, the fans, who wants to see a Japanese race, and unless we want the fly to Japan and see the race, there isn't much point in racing there.

[Simmi]

If Toyota announce a return expect to see Fuji added to the schedule. I'm sure the two are intrinsically linked.

[JAG]

Just got off the phone with Frederic Henry-Biabaud, #ILMC general director. Got some interesting tidbits of info on series future

http://twitter.com/johndagys

Could be interesting considering so little is known outside of the schedule and Peugeot/Audi's entry.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Lola T70

China is important for all manufacturers as it is one of the few markets that they have big expansion potential

i thought they all drive Saab's in China !!!

[Asa]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

ILMS isn't just about Audi and Peugeot. Porsche and Ferrari also sell loads of cars in China.

Yeah, but who owns Porsche? Isn't it VAG anyway? Both support races at the Zhuhai 1000km were VAG races: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Sirocco Cup China.

When ILMC was first announced, there were only LMP1 titles. GT2 titles were only added later as an after thought. You only think it is not about Audi and Peugeot.

Maybe the fans in Europe or America wants a Japanese or even Malaysian race, but not the manufacturers, and ILMC is created for manufacturers.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Simmi

If Toyota announce a return expect to see Fuji added to the schedule. I'm sure the two are intrinsically linked.

Very much so. Toyota own Fuji so if they are in the series I would put big money on the ILMC paying a visit there.

[dj4monie]

http://www.planetlemans.com/2010/11/...2011-calendar/ in english

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

ILMS isn't just about Audi and Peugeot. Porsche and Ferrari also sell loads of cars in China.

Originally Posted by Asa

Yeah, but who owns Porsche? Isn't it VAG anyway? Both support races at the Zhuhai 1000km were VAG races: Porsche Carrera Cup Asia and Sirocco Cup China.

When ILMC was first announced, there were only LMP1 titles. GT2 titles were only added later as an after thought. You only think it is not about Audi and Peugeot.

I meant to say that Porsche and Ferrari are interested in racing in China in addition to Audi and Peugeot. Everyone does, therefore the ILMC goes there.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

I meant to say that Porsche and Ferrari are interested in racing in China in addition to Audi and Peugeot. Everyone does, therefore the ILMC goes there.

While you are correct, that Ferrari and Porsche would be interested in racing in China you will find they won't have the influence that Audi and Peugeot have.

http://www.lemans.org/en/races/inter.../partners.html

[JAG]

Originally Posted by JAG

http://twitter.com/johndagys

Could be interesting considering so little is known outside of the schedule and Peugeot/Audi's entry.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...rtscars-121/P1

[The Badger]

Someone mentioned in another thread , that the Krohn Ferrari is expected on stage too .

Will that be a new 458 ?

It will probably be Risi running it , so whats the chances of seeing Risi doing it too / Makes sence as the travel could be split . Be great to see Risi at some of the european rounds . Send a few sparkes flyin .

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Someone mentioned in another thread , that the Krohn Ferrari is expected on stage too .

Will that be a new 458 ?

It will probably be Risi running it , so whats the chances of seeing Risi doing it too / Makes sence as the travel could be split . Be great to see Risi at some of the european rounds . Send a few sparkes flyin .

No and no apparently according to Murphy. Still seems unclear but looking like a 430 run by Krohn as a separate entity, not with Risi support.

I agree about with the sentiments about seeing a Risi 458 in Europe though. Not sure outside of Le Mans we will...