Drivers Moving Into LMS/ALMS/etc. The Ladder

simontibbett · 13 Sep 2010, 19:37 (Ref:2758910)

What in your opinion is the best route to go to get a seat in a sports car racing series such as ALMS. Not speaking of Grand-Am.

IMSA Prototype Lites? Touring cars? Formula cars?

**Dani Filth** · 13 Sep 2010, 20:06 (Ref:2758925)

... the Lottery .. ??? .. only half joking

ger80 · 13 Sep 2010, 20:10 (Ref:2758928)

go if you cant get/stay in F1 - thats reality

simontibbett · 13 Sep 2010, 20:25 (Ref:2758935)

Not every ALMS driver has F1 backing. It's a fairly legit question, sure it costs money, ALL racing does, but to have the chance for some prototype teams they look highly at some series than others. Is the likely hood of racing for a small prototype team good if your experience is say in World Challenge versus a sports racer series? I'm not even talking about free rides, still paying rides but SOME teams still don't accept just anyone.

HORNDAWG · 13 Sep 2010, 20:38 (Ref:2758941)

A driver who has come through the system could answer better, but, an IMSA lites ride, Patron GT3, WC, etc.. with associating one self with teams that are running in GTC or LMPC would seem the best way. Intersport, GETG, AJR, TRG etc.. from the ALMS side. There is an ACO school for prototypes as well as various and sundry GT series and VdeV in Europe that would fit the bill. Then of course getting known by the teams in the LMS to further the possibilities of moving into a P-2 or GTE-AM in the Future.

And welcome to the forum 'simontibbett'.

L.P.

simontibbett · 13 Sep 2010, 21:07 (Ref:2758955)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

A driver who has come through the system could answer better, but, an IMSA lites ride, Patron GT3, WC, etc.. with associating one self with teams that are running in GTC or LMPC would seem the best way. Intersport, GETG, AJR, TRG etc.. from the ALMS side. There is an ACO school for prototypes as well as various and sundry GT series and VdeV in Europe that would fit the bill. Then of course getting known by the teams in the LMS to further the possibilities of moving into a P-2 or GTE-AM in the Future.

And welcome to the forum 'simontibbett'.

L.P.

Thanks for the reply! That's some good information. I'll have to look up the ACO school you speak of.

Thanks for the welcome as well, I'm a long time browser but have decided to start posting some!

HORNDAWG · 13 Sep 2010, 21:14 (Ref:2758960)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simontibbett

Thanks for the reply! That's some good information. I'll have to look up the ACO school you speak of.

Thanks for the welcome as well, I'm a long time browser but have decided to start posting some!

Here: http://www.lemansdriver.fr/protos-pe...o-le-mans.html

L.P.

simontibbett · 13 Sep 2010, 21:18 (Ref:2758963)

Yeah I just found that, thanks!

I don't know French though.

lol

HORNDAWG · 13 Sep 2010, 21:32 (Ref:2758975)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simontibbett

Yeah I just found that, thanks!

I don't know French though.

lol

Run it through Bing or Google (translater)

L.P.

The Badger · 13 Sep 2010, 22:17 (Ref:2759005)

Quote:

Originally Posted by simontibbett

Yeah I just found that, thanks!

I don't know French though.

lol

Who does !!!

Ultimo · 13 Sep 2010, 22:50 (Ref:2759021)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Who does !!!

Je parle un petit peu... Tres, tres mal.

The remnants of 7 years of French language instruction in Canada.

I wish I had taken to it.

HJJ · 13 Sep 2010, 22:52 (Ref:2759022)

Prototype or IMSA Lites cars can also be run in the SCCA club racing scene (don't know where you are located) and it's a good way to work on your racecraft if your new to racing.

But winning the lottery is also good.

simontibbett · 14 Sep 2010, 00:02 (Ref:2759048)

Quote:

Originally Posted by HJJ

Prototype or IMSA Lites cars can also be run in the SCCA club racing scene (don't know where you are located) and it's a good way to work on your racecraft if your new to racing.

But winning the lottery is also good.

I'm located in the US, right down the road from Road Atlanta actually. I currently have an SCCA road race car but it's just an IT touring car not a sports racer.

Speed-King · 14 Sep 2010, 08:16 (Ref:2759124)

I think Mazda MX-5-Cup is a good place to start in the US (or rather spec MX-5 racing in general).

simontibbett · 14 Sep 2010, 11:15 (Ref:2759200)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Speed-King

I think Mazda MX-5-Cup is a good place to start in the US (or rather spec MX-5 racing in general).

I use to run a Miata and have been SERIOUSLY considering MX-5 Cup for next season over and over again for quite a few reasons:

-TV coverage.
-Real money involved.
-Good title sponsorship.
-Mazda ladder system.
-Spec series.

However speaking with a couple of drivers in it there are the downsides, as with any series though. My goal is to get into higher up sports car racing, I just don't know if this series would lead me to touring cars and if down the road any ALMS teams would care about that. Possibly GT though.

One thing IMSA Lites doesn't have like MX-5 Cup is good media coverage and it seems like the series is slowly dying in a way. However because IMSA Lites runs with ALMS on race weekends it just seems like a better way to get your name out.

Oh and then there is the money thing.

MX-5 Cup is a lot less to run than IMSA Lites that's for sure.

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