|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
8 Sep 2008, 08:28 (Ref:2284407) | #1 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,354
|
ALMS 2009 Discussion
Its about time we kicked off the discussion regarding the prospects for ALMS in 2009.
Unfortunately The Bear seems pretty pessimistic about the factory prototypes see here: http://murphythebear.com/blog/ Is he implying the Audi is unlikely to come back as a Factory team? |
||
|
8 Sep 2008, 18:07 (Ref:2284915) | #2 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,232
|
I adore Bear but doesn't make much sense since they finally get some competition next year in P1. To concentrate solely on LMS or new car development?
Looks like Bear is also implying Penske pulls out. But that would not be breaking news... |
|
|
8 Sep 2008, 19:03 (Ref:2284963) | #3 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 2,351
|
For the IMSA, returning to SNAFU, is status quo.
|
||
|
8 Sep 2008, 21:31 (Ref:2285082) | #4 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,042
|
I'll wait for Audi's announcement but it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't continue, unfortunately, I was surprised that they did this year.
GT2 may be looking good though, as long as not too many drop out. I hope the Vantage programme is still there and with the new Corvette GT2s and BMWs there may be a lot of variety. I'm still a little hopeful of a GA drop out or two to join (or rejoin) ALMS but can't see it with the recent news. |
||
__________________
Eat Sportscars Sleep Sportscars Drink Gulf |
8 Sep 2008, 22:11 (Ref:2285109) | #5 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,335
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
8 Sep 2008, 22:19 (Ref:2285117) | #6 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,793
|
I interpreted the Bear as referring largely to Penske in his latest post - about the departure of a factory program, at least. There are multiple references that all point towards Penske and Porsche. This does not invalidate the possibility of Audi not returning, but given that they are known to be building a new car and refreshing their driver lineup, a complete program contraction at this time would be a little strange. Could they not run a full schedule? I cannot help but think that when the 'official programs' of 2 manufacturers is quoted in that way, we could also be talking about Ferrari (Risi is a heavily factory-supported team, I believe).
Teams that will be leaving - Penske, AGR (?), Risi (?)...more? Teams that will be staying - Highcroft, De Ferran, Fernandez, Intersport, Corsa, Corvette (in some way, shape or form), Farnbacher-Loles, Flying Lizard (?), Dyson (?), Tafel (?). Hmm. Troubling times indeed, but we go through this every year. Last edited by cmk; 8 Sep 2008 at 22:23. |
||
|
8 Sep 2008, 22:33 (Ref:2285128) | #7 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,958
|
Quote:
I believe Audi will be back in some form next year, though I'm not sure what that will be. I think we'll lose a few entries, and gain a few entries, but in the end be about where we were this year, maybe a couple short. |
|||
|
8 Sep 2008, 22:47 (Ref:2285136) | #8 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,437
|
If anything I would expect the R15 to at least be at Sebring, maybe keep the R10s for the few races then bring an R15 back after Le Mans?
I think Dyson is a guarentee to stay. |
||
__________________
Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via |
8 Sep 2008, 22:53 (Ref:2285137) | #9 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,500
|
Numbers maybe similar, even a little down, but Acura and Corsa joining P1 and BMW and GM(?) in GT2 is a step in the right direction, especially if Penske moving on (for now) helps P2 attract privateers longer term.
Last edited by JAG; 8 Sep 2008 at 22:57. |
|
|
8 Sep 2008, 23:35 (Ref:2285154) | #10 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,348
|
Quote:
The best thing they could do would be to make sure they have two new cars racing in Europe and two in the US. A new car should be run in as many races as possible before Le Mans to avoid any surprises. |
||
|
9 Sep 2008, 00:36 (Ref:2285176) | #11 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,793
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
9 Sep 2008, 01:35 (Ref:2285210) | #12 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 254
|
A 'maybe' calendar for 2009 (it will look familiar)
3/21 - Sebring 4/4 - St Petersburg (w/ IndyCar) 4/18 - Long Beach (w/ IndyCar) 5/10 or 5/17 - Miller MP 7/11 - Lime Rock 7/25 - Road America 8/8 - Mid Ohio (w/ IndyCar) 8/29 - Mosport 9/5 - Detroit (w/ IndyCar) 10/3 - Petit Le Mans 10/17 - Laguna Seca Mid Ohio moves back 3 weeks and Road America moves ahead 2 weeks... the IndyCar schedule has already been announced. |
||
|
9 Sep 2008, 01:48 (Ref:2285216) | #13 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,611
|
Hope Risi doesn't leave even if Salo and Melo go elsewhere, GT2 is going to be even better next year!!
|
||
__________________
Somebody asked if the McLaren F1 was going to be like the Ferrari F40, Gordon Murray replied, "I don't think so, there's no one at McLaren who can weld that badly." |
9 Sep 2008, 01:59 (Ref:2285224) | #14 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,919
|
Quote:
L.P. |
|||
__________________
Probae esti in segetem sunt deteriorem datae fruges, tamen ipsae suaptae enitent |
9 Sep 2008, 01:59 (Ref:2285225) | #15 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,760
|
If Audi, Penske, and Risi all left...that is a loss whatever you look at it, although, at least, there are things like a strengthened P1 and BMW in GT2 to make it more survivable.
What is the deal with the torture that is GT1? Going to be three cars once more? |
||
__________________
"The world is my country, and science is my religion." - Christian Huygens: 17th century Dutch astronomer. |
9 Sep 2008, 02:05 (Ref:2285228) | #16 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 8,611
|
Well hopefully if Corvette leave then all the privateers will jump back in.
|
||
__________________
Somebody asked if the McLaren F1 was going to be like the Ferrari F40, Gordon Murray replied, "I don't think so, there's no one at McLaren who can weld that badly." |
9 Sep 2008, 02:10 (Ref:2285229) | #17 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 573
|
Thats wishful thinking, but it's not that simple. There aren't many GT1 teams or cars out there, save for the odd used C6.R, DBR9, or outdated Saleen or Murcielago.
|
||
|
9 Sep 2008, 02:20 (Ref:2285231) | #18 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2002
Posts: 6,760
|
For the last couple of years I've been getting increasingly of the mindset that the best thing for the ALMS could simply be to get rid of GT1 altogether (thus GT2 becomes simply GT). If there could be a viable GT3 field produced to fill GT1's void, well, why not have that (better than only GT[2])?
It would be lovely to have a strong GT1 field, but I'm not convinced there is anything like enough interest in the ALMS context to make it viable. Having said that, I am far from a font of wisdom in this regard. If others can show me why this is an incorrect belief to have, well, that would truly make my day. |
||
__________________
"The world is my country, and science is my religion." - Christian Huygens: 17th century Dutch astronomer. |
9 Sep 2008, 06:55 (Ref:2285304) | #19 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,763
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
9 Sep 2008, 09:21 (Ref:2285392) | #20 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,335
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
9 Sep 2008, 11:14 (Ref:2285474) | #21 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 6,232
|
Quote:
|
||
|
9 Sep 2008, 15:29 (Ref:2285672) | #22 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 573
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
9 Sep 2008, 23:37 (Ref:2286135) | #23 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,793
|
Quote:
|
|||
|
10 Sep 2008, 00:41 (Ref:2286153) | #24 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 10,500
|
Audi are building a new P1, have spent many years encouraging major manufacturer's to enter the class, and have supported the ALMS for almost a decade.
As with the move from the R8 to R10, you have to think Audi and Champion will find a way to race in '09, if only to maintain the series momentum and ensure the P1 class is strong when they are finally ready to run the R15 in the ALMS. |
|
|
11 Sep 2008, 07:52 (Ref:2286920) | #25 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,354
|
It may be that Audi will continue to run the R10 in ALMS under the Champion flag - at least until after Le Mans - while they develop the new car in Europe.
|
||
|
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
ALMS 2008 discussion | brielga | North American Racing | 1290 | 8 Oct 2008 18:34 |
De Ferran Motorsport 2009 P1 ALMS Entry | usa318 | North American Racing | 39 | 26 Jul 2008 01:20 |
De Ferran Motorsport 2009 P1 ALMS Entry | usa318 | North American Racing | 6 | 18 Jul 2008 03:04 |
2008-2009 ALMS Rumors/Additions | aeroehl | North American Racing | 179 | 20 May 2008 17:22 |
New Rules - Discussion | DKGandBH | Formula One | 28 | 19 Jan 2005 01:40 |