2013 12 Hours of Sebring Entry List Speculation

[extramundane]

Originally Posted by Mike Hedlund

There's 2 GT cars on the confirmed list that won't be there. But the team(s) will be...

-mike

Something to do with this?

Flying Lizard Statement on Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Transition Announcement

October 26, 2012 – Sonoma, CA – Seth Neiman, Flying Lizard team principal said: "I and the entire Flying Lizard family would like to thank Porsche for their support and partnership over the last nine years. Together we have worked hard and have learned to rely on each other in critical moments, of which there have been many throughout our 100 races and multiple GT championships. Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Hartmut Kristen, Jens Walther, Uwe Brettel, Alwin Springer, Roland Kussmaul, Hans-Georg Breuer and many others at Porsche get our special thanks, along with the numerous Porsche employees and affiliates in Germany, Atlanta and Southern California who have been an integral part of our team, and with whom we have become close friends. Flying Lizard remains committed to sports car racing, and we look forward to announcing details of our 2013 racing program later this year."

[Simmi]

Big news! Wonder if they are going to Grand-Am?

[Fogelhund]

It does sound as though Lizards will be moving on to a new chassis for next year. Are they going to Ferrari, or something else? Interesting.

I wonder who would be the Porsche/Michelin backed team in the ALMS then?

[R4z3rw33n]

Originally Posted by extramundane

Something to do with this?

Originally Posted by Simmi

Big news! Wonder if they are going to Grand-Am?

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

It does sound as though Lizards will be moving on to a new chassis for next year. Are they going to Ferrari, or something else? Interesting.

I wonder who would be the Porsche/Michelin backed team in the ALMS then?

That's a big one. The release is pretty ambiguous.

[Fogelhund]

All development for the 997 has stopped, working on the 991 now. Interesting. Could it be that they are a 991 development team, and this is just semantics?

[Simmi]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

All development for the 997 has stopped, working on the 991 now. Interesting. Could it be that they are a 991 development team, and this is just semantics?

The release doesn't really read that way. Unless they are taking the p**s.


Really curious to know what their new direction is.

[Livininthinair]

I have a hard time seeing Flying Lizard in anything other than a 911...
I really hope this is not a sign of them moving to grand am early or poss. going WEC? Definitely my favorite GT team by a long ways - hard to think they would quit racing in America...

Would they miss the last year of ALMS to develop a 991 outside of competition?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Livininthinair

I have a hard time seeing Flying Lizard in anything other than a 911...
I really hope this is not a sign of them moving to grand am early or poss. going WEC? Definitely my favorite GT team by a long ways - hard to think they would quit racing in America...

Would they miss the last year of ALMS to develop a 991 outside of competition?

Without Seth, the Lizards would cease to exist... he isn't going to race forever.

[rich07]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Without Seth, the Lizards would cease to exist... he isn't going to race forever.

Seth owns the team doesnt he? Nothing stopping him from stepping completely back from driving and running two all pro cars.

[The Badger]

Quote from Mike Hedlund :

There's 2 GT cars on the confirmed list that won't be there. But the team(s) will be...

-mike

[Canada ALMS fan]

Lizards to P2?

[Canada ALMS fan]

Based on all the Prototype teams that have said they are coming or are seriously considering, the 2013 Sebring grid could be better than a lot of folks are predicting. Just the facts so far, add the speculation and who knows?

P1:
Audi x 2 (are evaluating)
Rebellion x 1 or 2 (said they will do a few ALMS events)
Strakka x 1 (looking at a possible full ALMS season)
JRM x 1 (expressed interest)
Muscle Milk x 1
Dyson x 1 or 2 (Mark Patterson said he would like to do this race with them)

P2:
Greaves x 1 (1 announced, maybe 2)
Starworks x 1 (announced)

The P1 grid (maybe 9 cars) alone is worth the price of admission IMO. Then add a P2 grid which we have no idea about at this point. Even if the standard ALMS GT grid shows it will be great, and there will be a couple of extras from WEC (AMR, Krohn) no doubt.

[gregtummer]

Toyota has a very real chance to win the last real 12 Hours of Sebring.

You'd think that would mean something to them.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by gregtummer

Toyota has a very real chance to win the last real 12 Hours of Sebring.

You'd think that would mean something to them.

But they have already said no as it is not in the budget... too bad.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by gregtummer

Toyota has a very real chance to win the last real 12 Hours of Sebring.

You'd think that would mean something to them.

They have a two overall victories on record there. They seem to be running to a tight budget so maybe a trip to Sebring for one appearance in a Championship isn't worth it. Also, and I am prompted by your saying 'the last real Sebring,' if it does go dp then quickly the history and heritage is devalued, so the expense of a trip to win it before it declines maybe doesn't make sense. They have their victories there on money spent long ago, they can not match the records of Ferrari, Porsche, Audi at Sebring with a trip in 2013. I am sure accounting rules and I doubt the voices of the few in marketing and engineering that would champion the cause would be heard by accounting and budget.

I already know I will weep when the checkered falls on Sebring next year.

[Graham Goodwin]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

Based on all the Prototype teams that have said they are coming or are seriously considering, the 2013 Sebring grid could be better than a lot of folks are predicting. Just the facts so far, add the speculation and who knows?

P1:
Audi x 2 (are evaluating)
Rebellion x 1 or 2 (said they will do a few ALMS events)
Strakka x 1 (looking at a possible full ALMS season)
JRM x 1 (expressed interest)
Muscle Milk x 1
Dyson x 1 or 2 (Mark Patterson said he would like to do this race with them)

P2:
Greaves x 1 (1 announced, maybe 2)
Starworks x 1 (announced)

The P1 grid (maybe 9 cars) alone is worth the price of admission IMO. Then add a P2 grid which we have no idea about at this point. Even if the standard ALMS GT grid shows it will be great, and there will be a couple of extras from WEC (AMR, Krohn) no doubt.

Strakka counted out Sebring in a direct reply to me in Shanghai - Potolicchio's new team have confirmed Sebring (not Starworks)

[Canada ALMS fan]

Thank you Graham. Are there any others you can add to the list? Or of you cannot name, is there a number you can give on how many more P cars to possibly expect? Autosport had mentioned Strakka was looking at ALMS 2013, maybe just sabre rattling for more rules breaks versus the factory teams I guess.
Also, Greg Pickett mentioned he was looking at a second car in P2 for 2013 at Petit.

[Graham Goodwin]

Also - if Audi do it it will likely be a single car.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Also - if Audi do it it will likely be a single car.

That ..... sounds very cool indeed , had to imagine , but sounds cool !!!

[skeeskirrt]

Originally Posted by Graham Goodwin

Strakka counted out Sebring in a direct reply to me in Shanghai - Potolicchio's new team have confirmed Sebring (not Starworks)

Did I hear right that Potolocchio hired Champion Racing?

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by skeeskirrt

Did I hear right that Potolocchio hired Champion Racing?

Champion, as in raced Porsches then Audi's? I thought they were gone, been gone, lights out, tumble weeds, gone.

[19dodge]

Originally Posted by skeeskirrt

Did I hear right that Potolocchio hired Champion Racing?

He bought Champion Racing's workshop.

[PointDSM]

^^^Correct.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by 19dodge

He bought Champion Racing's workshop.

Instant creditability

[gregtummer]

I don't see how it makes much sense for Audi to run just 1 car at Sebring.

Being the fastest car in the field isn't a guarantee at all to win Sebring. The track can easily break a car and you can easily wreck in lap traffic. Not to mention new parts and pieces can malfunction. Plus if Rebellion is there, you can't count on every other P1 car failing or having problems.

Audi had 3 cars at this year's race and Muscle Milk would have finished 2nd if they didn't have their problems near the end.