Rumored PLM entrants

[Mindspin13B]

Found this on Mariantic last night:

News:-

• European entries for PLM & Laguna Seca soar according to Autosport (print edition)
  • Arena Zytek P1
  • Charouz Lola P1
  • Creation P1
  • Rollcentre Pesacrolo P1
  • Chamberlain Synergy Lola P1
  • Team Modena Aston Martin GT1
  • Autorlando Porsche 997 GT2
  • Peugeot will not be going
  • No mention of previously expected teams Racing for Holland Dome P1, Kruse Pescarolo P2 & Barazi Zyek P2

So why wouldnt Peugeot make the trip to compete against the R10s again?

[cmk]

Originally Posted by Mindspin13B

Found this on Mariantic last night:



So why wouldnt Peugeot make the trip to compete against the R10s again?

They don't sell cars in the US, so there's not the same marketing draw for them as there is for Audi. Couple that with the fact that at Road Atlanta, where Audi has reams of experience and they have none, they are unlikely to win, and you don't have a recipe for a cross-Atlantic trip to the north. Yes, they are going to Brazil we'd assume, but you can still save money by not swinging through N. America if you don't want to race.

I think we'll have to wait on a much closer date before seeing how many Euro teams actually show though. Budgets have a way of tightening by season's end.

[Francesco]

Autorlando GT2 won't be there... just received a mail from the team...

[cmk]

Not terribly surprising when the wealthiest of their patrons this year (their Le Mans drivers) already have a Farnbacher chassis waiting for them in the US.

[ThePenguin]

I doubt that we will see any LMP2 entries from Europe at PLM or Laguna Seca, because the level of competition IMO is much higher here in the ALMS than it is in Europe, so it wouldn't be worth it to race here.

[chewymonster]

I think we will see the European gasoline P1s not do too well against the factory gasoline P2s. That should be interesting, and should put an end to a couple of arguments.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by ThePenguin

I doubt that we will see any LMP2 entries from Europe at PLM or Laguna Seca, because the level of competition IMO is much higher here in the ALMS than it is in Europe, so it wouldn't be worth it to race here.

True but it would be great to see how the ALMS-only Acura and Porsche chassis compare to the top tier LMS squads, esp RML and Radical factory squads.

[Mindspin13B]

I'll be happy enough to see a DBR9...

[I love 04s]

I have very little doubt that a well run Zytek 07S/2 with some rapid drivers, say Shimoda and Johansson would be equal to the Spiders and Acuras.....If Vegers can stick one P4 on a tight track (ahead of works Pescas etc) whos to say that they wouldnt be up to the task. Fernandez was more than impressed with its speed through tight corners.....

[The359]

No Oreca Saleen?

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by I love 04s

I have very little doubt that a well run Zytek 07S/2 with some rapid drivers, say Shimoda and Johansson would be equal to the Spiders and Acuras.....If Vegers can stick one P4 on a tight track (ahead of works Pescas etc) whos to say that they wouldnt be up to the task. Fernandez was more than impressed with its speed through tight corners.....

Agreed. Zytek should have spent time over here this year. Being competitive against Porsche and Acura would have spoken volumes. With Michelin tires and pro drivers, I think it would take a win.

[Purist]

It would also be a good idea for the European LMP2s to show as Acura at least will be headed their way next year.

I believe teams who make the stop in the States will get financial/travel assistance for the trek to Brazil.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by cmk

They don't sell cars in the US, so there's not the same marketing draw for them as there is for Audi. Couple that with the fact that at Road Atlanta, where Audi has reams of experience and they have none, they are unlikely to win, and you don't have a recipe for a cross-Atlantic trip to the north. Yes, they are going to Brazil we'd assume, but you can still save money by not swinging through N. America if you don't want to race.

I think we'll have to wait on a much closer date before seeing how many Euro teams actually show though. Budgets have a way of tightening by season's end.

Also IMO it's a given that even if they scored no more points in the LMS this year they would get an invite to LeMans in 08. An automatic non-"Auto Entry" if you will, so there is no pressure to secure a spot for LeMans.

I'm with you on the budgetary thoughts, but also think that the top contenders in class (except maybe P-2) will come to PLM in the hopes of securing an "Auto Entry".

L.P.

[Hugewally]

The auto-entry really hasn't been that big of a draw...

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by Hugewally

The auto-entry really hasn't been that big of a draw...

I hear what you are saying. I was thinking it might be more of an incentive with the (paid travel) swing through to Interlagos(??) than it has been in the past.

L.P.

[Foster]

If not looking to secure the auto entry, I would think it looks well in the eyes of the ACO, seeing different teams travel, willing to compete, and the such.

[bil588]

Charouz Racing Systems at PLM and Laguna

http://www.the-paddock.net/content/view/241195/49/

[AU N EGL]

Ahhhhh ACO / ALMS Silly season begins. This team and that team will do PLM and LS, this team has THOSE great drivers, THAT team has more great drivers.

What the teams lack is FUNDING. No ALMS will not pay their way. American Sponsors are tight with money for the unproven teams. Unproven means no results and lack of Public relations in the US.

I think it would be great if these European teams traveled and raced a few races in the US.

Some of the challanges are the Distance from Altanta GA to Montrey Califonia is about 4000 miles. Two very very difficult race circuits which only teams with experienced drives ON THOSE circuits do well. Both are great ciruits too.

IMHO dont look at teams saying they will be there. Look at teams who are very very quite, and dont talk about travel to the US.

[Hugewally]

Originally Posted by AU N EGL

Two very very difficult race circuits which only teams with experienced drives ON THOSE circuits do well. Both are great ciruits too.

I think Shimoda put that argument to rest a couple of years ago...

[cmk]

Originally Posted by bil588

Charouz Racing Systems at PLM and Laguna

http://www.the-paddock.net/content/view/241195/49/

Forgive my skepticism but, while I think Charouz are one of the more likely appearances, I don't take the words in a March press release to mean much about what happens in reality come the end of the season. Everyone claims they plan to do PLM and Laguna, every year, at the outset of the season...then, as I said before, budgets have a habit of tightening up.

[minimangler]

Why would Oreca bother?
The sponsor is (i think) french, their drivers mostly French, there's bugger all competition...

Why have Modena bothered?
Without a big slice of luck (which is something Modena never seem to have) they would be hugely unlikely to beat a two car factory corvette team.

Why should RML et al bother?
The ALMS P2 is full of jumped up derestricted P2s that are used to having massive power, how would RML adjust?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by minimangler

Why would Oreca bother?
The sponsor is (i think) french, their drivers mostly French, there's bugger all competition...

You don't think that Corvette is enough competition?
You don't think the American Saleen company would like a couple of their cars to compete here at least once this year?

Why should RML et al bother?
The ALMS P2 is full of jumped up derestricted P2s that are used to having massive power, how would RML adjust?

I'm not sure what you are referring to here. Who are all these jumped up, derestricted P2's, with massive power?

[KA]

Originally Posted by minimangler

Why should RML et al bother?
The ALMS P2 is full of jumped up derestricted P2s that are used to having massive power, how would RML adjust?

Haven't ALMS now adopted the 5% smaller restrictor that the ACO mandated at the beginning of 2007....?

[SebringMG]

Originally Posted by minimangler

Why would Oreca bother?
The sponsor is (i think) french, their drivers mostly French, there's bugger all competition...

Why have Modena bothered?
Without a big slice of luck (which is something Modena never seem to have) they would be hugely unlikely to beat a two car factory corvette team.

Why should RML et al bother?
The ALMS P2 is full of jumped up derestricted P2s that are used to having massive power, how would RML adjust?

Theywould bother because there is an automatic entry up for grabs!! IF they have the money this year it is worth running just because next year it makes getting sponsorship easier if you can say 'we have a guaranteed entry at LM'!!

ALMS P2 cars run the same regs as LMS now - if nothing else it would allow RML (or any other team) to decide how much of a threat the ACura/Porsche cars will be at LM next year. If they truly are seconds quicker then they now they have a lot of work to do over the winter.....maybe even consider a new car to attempt to weather the threat!!

[TWK]

Originally Posted by minimangler

Why should RML et al bother?
The ALMS P2 is full of jumped up derestricted P2s that are used to having massive power, how would RML adjust?

Yup, jumped up and "deresticted" all the way to a massive twenty or so more horsepower. That was before Lime Rock, of course.


But there are a lot of reasons that you are right, the LMS P2's won't likely do PLM. Their names are Dumas, Brabham, Briscoe, Maassen, Bernhard, Johansson, Herta, and Franchitti.