LMS to be World Series within 5 years

Mal · 24 Apr 2009, 16:01 (Ref:2448715)

according to an article on DSC based on an ACO press conference today the LMS is intending to develop into a world series within 5 years with aspiritations to become the 2nd largest world series!!

Bob Riebe · 24 Apr 2009, 16:40 (Ref:2448726)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

according to an article on DSC based on an ACO press conference today the LMS is intending to develop into a world series within 5 years with aspiritations to become the 2nd largest world series!!

Do they know something about the economy of the world we do not?

Mal · 24 Apr 2009, 16:59 (Ref:2448733)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

Do they know something about the economy of the world we do not?

Perhaps all the other series are going bust

Gingers4Justice · 24 Apr 2009, 17:26 (Ref:2448749)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Riebe

Do they know something about the economy of the world we do not?

Well, I'm told that after the recession ends we're set for a huge boom to recover the lost ground, as economists say.

Also, with 2009 apparently going to be the 'darkest year' of the recession, if Le Mans had 82 entrants this year I think it's safe to say that atleast in Europe, sportscars are healthy.

Hugewally · 24 Apr 2009, 16:54 (Ref:2448731)

We're #2! We're #2!

Bob Riebe · 24 Apr 2009, 17:04 (Ref:2448737)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugewally

We're #2! We're #2!

LOL

Mal · 24 Apr 2009, 17:11 (Ref:2448742)

To be fair if the Asian LM series finally happens it would be easy to create using the 2 races in Asia; some or all of the existing LMS races plus Sebring and PLM. Those entered in the world series could score points towards that as well as the regional championship. The cost to create would be minimal - you just need the entrants.

The Real DMN · 24 Apr 2009, 18:44 (Ref:2448784)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

To be fair if the Asian LM series finally happens it would be easy to create using the 2 races in Asia; some or all of the existing LMS races plus Sebring and PLM. Those entered in the world series could score points towards that as well as the regional championship. The cost to create would be minimal - you just need the entrants.

Thats how I see it. Easy to create and for the teams that go for it, the rewards could be great (pr mainly for the manufacturers)

TWK · 24 Apr 2009, 22:48 (Ref:2448924)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mal

To be fair if the Asian LM series finally happens it would be easy to create using the 2 races in Asia; some or all of the existing LMS races plus Sebring and PLM. Those entered in the world series could score points towards that as well as the regional championship. The cost to create would be minimal - you just need the entrants.

So, they throw away a bunch of successful ALMS races and keep a bunch of failure LMS races? How very, very French (or European, I should say).

When you get some fans to show up for those LMS races, give us a holler over here in the colonies. We'd be happy to consider racing. In the meantime, there's not one LMS race that touches the top five ALMS races for attendance. And the so-called Asian Le Mans Series hasn't even happened yet, after two aborted tries.

carsten66 · 24 Apr 2009, 23:12 (Ref:2448940)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWK

So, they throw away a bunch of successful ALMS races and keep a bunch of failure LMS races? How very, very French (or European, I should say).

Who is throwing away? And what are they throwing away? ALMS is US, LMS is European and Le Mans is French... so you are talking about three organisations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWK

When you get some fans to show up for those LMS races, give us a holler over here in the colonies. We'd be happy to consider racing. In the meantime, there's not one LMS race that touches the top five ALMS races for attendance. And the so-called Asian Le Mans Series hasn't even happened yet, after two aborted tries.

The holler are the 24 h of le Mans - for shure one of the so called three biggest and famous race events worldwide... and also the figurehead for LMS and ALMS...

JAG · 25 Apr 2009, 11:11 (Ref:2449157)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWK

So, they throw away a bunch of successful ALMS races and keep a bunch of failure LMS races? How very, very French (or European, I should say).

When you get some fans to show up for those LMS races, give us a holler over here in the colonies. We'd be happy to consider racing. In the meantime, there's not one LMS race that touches the top five ALMS races for attendance. And the so-called Asian Le Mans Series hasn't even happened yet, after two aborted tries.

I'd suggest the ACO and LMS organisors are more interested in bringing Asian manufactuers, teams and sponsors into a World Series.

The likes of Toyota, Nissan, Mazda, Honda etc. not only have long Le Mans histories, they also sell millions of cars in Europe. The ALMS could offer Corvette and Panoz, but their market is premoniantly the US, with Europe taken care of by customers, afterall there are approximately 6-8 GT1 Corvette's currently competing in the LMS, FIA GT and French GT.

I haven't read anything about this proposal yet, but I assume it's only being discussed as the Asian Le Mans Series events have superb entry lists with plenty of European teams.

I wouldn't expect any series to consist of more than 8 races, the core LMS events, two in Asia, plus one other.

Mal · 25 Apr 2009, 11:28 (Ref:2449172)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWK

So, they throw away a bunch of successful ALMS races and keep a bunch of failure LMS races? How very, very French (or European, I should say).

When you get some fans to show up for those LMS races, give us a holler over here in the colonies. We'd be happy to consider racing. In the meantime, there's not one LMS race that touches the top five ALMS races for attendance. And the so-called Asian Le Mans Series hasn't even happened yet, after two aborted tries.

Who said anything about throwing away any races?? You are completely missing my points.

If you read my post it said that the world series would be on top of the regional series and the rounds in each region that counted to the world series would allocate points to both depending on who was entered in which championship. No races would be lost. It could only do good as it would add to the car count and would broaden the TV audience by offering more relavence to viewers outside Europe and the States.

In reality it is happening already without the official tag as some of the top European teams head to Sebring and PLM as well as doing LMS and some US teams head to Europe in June - if those same teams are willing to do Asia you already have it in all but name.

What my comments have to do about attendances at races and complexes you may have about being in the 'colonies' is totally irrelavent to the discussion.

...and no the Asian series hasnt happened but it is planned and there is no harm in setting out a 5 year plan as there is no harm in us discussing it.

Have you eaten some of Murphy's poop?

Gingers4Justice · 26 Apr 2009, 16:04 (Ref:2450021)

Quote:

Originally Posted by TWK

So, they throw away a bunch of successful ALMS races and keep a bunch of failure LMS races? How very, very French (or European, I should say).

When you get some fans to show up for those LMS races, give us a holler over here in the colonies. We'd be happy to consider racing. In the meantime, there's not one LMS race that touches the top five ALMS races for attendance. And the so-called Asian Le Mans Series hasn't even happened yet, after two aborted tries.

Silverstone had 53, 000 at it's LMS race. Don't forget, TV coverage of LMS races doesn't make it look like there's more there than there is than F1, A1GP, WTCC etc.

prototype · 24 Apr 2009, 16:55 (Ref:2448732)

I wonder how the ALMS is incorporated in this, if at all.

zac510 · 24 Apr 2009, 18:58 (Ref:2448794)

Quote:

Originally Posted by prototype

I wonder how the ALMS is incorporated in this, if at all.

Same rules still, hopefully, so that's a benefit for 'integration' .

isynge · 24 Apr 2009, 19:30 (Ref:2448812)

Quote:

Originally Posted by prototype

I wonder how the ALMS is incorporated in this, if at all.

America's always done fine being adjacent to a world series but not part of it. Throughout the heyday of World Sportscars IMSA did perfectly fine, with similar rules, a lot of cross pollenation, and a mutually beneficial relationship.

I'd see the ALMS being perfectly able to exist alongside something like the LMS world championship - ideally we'd see rounds like Sebring and PLM being part of it, but if not I don't see this being a deal breaker at all.

And as far as the economy goes - lots can happen in 5 years - and if this year can support the LMS plus the Asian series then there's certainly scope for supporting something akin to a championship.

Is it desirable? I'm not that fussed to be honest - sportscars are so dominated by Le Mans that that will still be the focus of most teams, if it broadens the appeal of the series more widely and allows us to see sportscars in action on a different array of tracks, well, I guess I'd be happy enough to see it. If however it tries to become something much more all encompassing, insisting on complete entries to all rounds with punitive fines for missing fly away races, then I can't really see it working.

LeMans.pt · 24 Apr 2009, 17:38 (Ref:2448754)

HURRAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

deggis · 24 Apr 2009, 18:49 (Ref:2448787)

About a time to try to recover some of the prestige WSC used to have. Long way to go though.

Press release about this going to break media later? Need more info.

Tim Northcutt · 24 Apr 2009, 19:39 (Ref:2448818)

This will drive team racing budgets through the roof...I think it is a stupid idea....privateers will be left out in the cold

zac510 · 24 Apr 2009, 19:50 (Ref:2448826)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Northcutt

This will drive team racing budgets through the roof...I think it is a stupid idea....privateers will be left out in the cold

If it's allied with a good tv deal and races with specator interest hopefully it will push sponsor interest through the roof too!

Tim Northcutt · 24 Apr 2009, 20:08 (Ref:2448835)

Quote:

Originally Posted by zac510

If it's allied with a good tv deal and races with specator interest hopefully it will push sponsor interest through the roof too!

Don't count on it...Look at how much interest there was in traveling to the Brazilian race in LMS...

deggis · 24 Apr 2009, 20:19 (Ref:2448838)

Still no links or anything? Not even @ EI.

zac510 · 24 Apr 2009, 20:40 (Ref:2448850)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Northcutt

Don't count on it...Look at how much interest there was in traveling to the Brazilian race in LMS...

I think when some people look at this they think of the same quality of TV, same level of spectator interest, but with more international races.

I'm thinking of not only more international races, but more TV (or maybe occasional short race for TV like ALMS), more print media coverage, more specatator interest, more commercial interest. These four things will enable more international races to become viable as they each scratch each other's back.

Of course it won't happen over night but they have a 5 year plan.

Gingers4Justice · 24 Apr 2009, 21:19 (Ref:2448875)

If they're going to do it, I think the smaller teams can race within the race within 'regional' championships - ie WR is simply never going to race at Interlagos or San Luis, but they can be part of a European Championship for the Euro racers that only the small(er) teams can afford to race in.

What would you have as the races, too?
It would be great to have:

Sebring
Brands Hatch
San Luis
Interlagos
Kylami
Le Mans
Petit
Long Beach
Fuji
Dubai
Spa
And that new circuit planned for Korea (not the F1 one)

NightStalk3r · 24 Apr 2009, 21:36 (Ref:2448884)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gingers4Justice

If they're going to do it, I think the smaller teams can race within the race within 'regional' championships - ie WR is simply never going to race at Interlagos or San Luis, but they can be part of a European Championship for the Euro racers that only the small(er) teams can afford to race in.

What would you have as the races, too?
It would be great to have:

Sebring
Brands Hatch
San Luis
Interlagos
Kylami
Le Mans
Petit
Long Beach
Fuji
Dubai
Spa
And that new circuit planned for Korea (not the F1 one)

Brands Hatch doesn't have the facilities for the LMS.

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