ALMS 2012 Discussion

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Duff_44

Scott Tucker is in the news... and not in a good way.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/...html?tag=stack

I knew about Tucker's business and the Indian tribe loophole situation, but I did not know he was an ex-con. But, yeah, pay day loans are essentially legal loan sharking and I would not be surprised if some of those players aren't fully legal at that. Plus, it is never shocking when a sports car player is involved with white collar crime. I believe Jon Field may be under investigation by the IRS as well, although the details are sketchy in that situation.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Duff_44

Scott Tucker is in the news... and not in a good way.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/...html?tag=stack

Suprise factor: 0

[AGD]

Here's another story that goes more in-depth into Tucker's business practices. It looks like there will be another article about Tucker, or at least the type of business he conducts, later on this week.

What Tucker doesn’t publicize: he is an ex-convict who runs a controversial business that regulators in at least five states have tried to shut down for violating their laws. Hiding behind a labyrinth of shell companies and operating from the ether of the Internet, Tucker’s businesses make payday loans over the Web even in states where they are outlawed. He offers quick cash to people desperate enough to borrow money from a faceless Web site, even signing over access to their bank account to total strangers. And he charges nearly 800 percent interest on loans that take months to pay off.

But, hey, what's new in the world of racing?

[Joe Taylor]

And he charges nearly 800 percent interest on loans that take months to pay off.

Is that all? I'm pretty sure the companies over here charge more than that.

[Jonerz]

This is picking at straws and off the mark, but does anyone believe the money he is getting to put Microsoft logos on his car are paying for much of any of his racing activities?

Chris

[AGD]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

This is picking at straws and off the mark, but does anyone believe the money he is getting to put Microsoft logos on his car are paying for much of any of his racing activities?

Chris

I highly doubt it. It's probably more of a token sponsorship. It's Tucker's hobby pretty much.

Between Andy Evans and Tucker, anyone with Microsoft connections, even if they are highly distant and external, must be viewed suspiciously by the sports car community! Let's just hope Tucker does not make Don any unbelievable offers.

That CBS News story that was linked earlier seems to be very popular. My local newspaper had a link to it on it's front page and I saw it as a main news link on Google News. I guess Scott Tucker was hoping to make a splash this week, but not in this manner. Oh well, I doubt the people he swindles read those stories anyway.

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by AGD

Between Andy Evans and Tucker, anyone with Microsoft connections, even if they are highly distant and external, must be viewed suspiciously by the sports car community! Let's just hope Tucker does not make Don any unbelievable offers.

We've all thought that then, huh? Haha.

If Scott is a bad man, and he has done that intentionally, putting Microsoft on the side, he must be a sociopath trying to hurt us sports car fans so!

Chris

[The Badger]

800% ..... thats bad but , people know about this when they enter the contract , so Its their own fault .

Trying to close an opp down if its illegal . If its really illegal , there would be no tryin , it would be closed down , at least here it would be .

And so what if he has served time . He doesnt have to broadcast that if he doesnt want to either .

While I may not agree with his ethics ..... who here hasnt tried to dodge the tax man at some stage . I know I have , and I dont feel bad about that either .

[AGD]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Trying to close an opp down if its illegal . If its really illegal , there would be no tryin , it would be closed down , at least here it would be .

It's not simple in this case to say whether it is legal or illegal. This isn't so clear cut because it deals with Indian sovereignty laws that we have in the US as well as other issues. It's not unusual for people trying to do things that are normally illegal to make a deal with an Indian tribe to take advantage of their sovereignty. Anyway, Tucker is either legally exploiting loopholes or is illegally operating businesses and is getting away with it.

[Mal]

Dagys has just tweeted that if some of the rumours he has heard are true then ALMS could have more P1's than WEC next year

[Deleted]

I'm not sure if I buy that, however grid numbers should improve considering that next year it'll be the one and only place where you can be on the overall podium with petrol engine. Plus if those WEC testing limitations come into place.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Chiana

I'm not sure if I buy that, however grid numbers should improve considering that next year it'll be the one and only place where you can be on the overall podium with petrol engine. Plus if those WEC testing limitations come into place.

We've been through that before, with changing rules in Europe, that were grandfathered in over several years in North America... it didn't make any difference then.

The other thing is while there is often lots of talk at this time of year, it most often is dependent on obtaining funding. Hopefully something positive occurs, but let's wait and see who these teams are.

Also keep in mind that Friday should be interesting with the series State of the Onion address, and both Dyson and Cytosport are on record questioning future involvement, if they cannot compete for wins at the premier events.

[Mal]

The only foundation could be if there is a chance of American run Audi's again, plus maybe Aston Martin.

What about the thought of a Nissan or Toyota supported customer P1?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Mal

The only foundation could be if there is a chance of American run Audi's again, plus maybe Aston Martin.

What about the thought of a Nissan or Toyota supported customer P1?

Nissan North America will not spend a dime..

[Nick6]

Originally Posted by Mal

Dagys has just tweeted that if some of the rumours he has heard are true then ALMS could have more P1's than WEC next year

So are Audi and Peugeot dropping support for WEC then? What it means is that at the Chinese race(s?) Oak will be the only P1.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Nick6

So are Audi and Peugeot dropping support for WEC then? What it means is that at the Chinese race(s?) Oak will be the only P1.

Nope, Strakka, Pescarolo and possibly Rebellion as well.

[Fogelhund]

johndagys John Dagys
#ALMS LMP1 could end up with a higher car count than #WEC LMP1 next year considering the rumors I've been hearing.
50 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

» johndagys John Dagys
Wow, just heard some possible encouraging news regarding #ALMS LMP1 in 2012. Hope to have story later in week.

[rabbit_racer]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

johndagys John Dagys
#ALMS LMP1 could end up with a higher car count than #WEC LMP1 next year considering the rumors I've been hearing.
50 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

» johndagys John Dagys
Wow, just heard some possible encouraging news regarding #ALMS LMP1 in 2012. Hope to have story later in week.

I hope that is true.. I was hearing some interesting, sadly unrepeatable yet stuff over the weekend that gave my dreary outlook on ALMS a bit of a boost.

See if anything comes up it as always.

[R4z3rw33n]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

This is picking at straws and off the mark, but does anyone believe the money he is getting to put Microsoft logos on his car are paying for much of any of his racing activities?

Chris

This is something I've pondered for a while. Historically, M$ have shown little interest in motorsport sponsorship, exempting the cyclical promotions for gaming related product launches (e.g. console/game - see: Xbox/Forza). Which are usually deals with a series itself, rather than competitors.

It seems odd that sponsorship would be forthcoming for a gentleman-oriented squad, and one that can't seem to decide which region/s it competes in.

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

We've been through that before, with changing rules in Europe, that were grandfathered in over several years in North America... it didn't make any difference then.

The other thing is while there is often lots of talk at this time of year, it most often is dependent on obtaining funding. Hopefully something positive occurs, but let's wait and see who these teams are.

Also keep in mind that Friday should be interesting with the series State of the Onion address, and both Dyson and Cytosport are on record questioning future involvement, if they cannot compete for wins at the premier events.

Agreed. Especially after last year's off-season speculation.
I can vaguely remember suggestions of P2 grid counts between 5-8 entries. The reality was only slightly different once the dust had settled.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

johndagys John Dagys
#ALMS LMP1 could end up with a higher car count than #WEC LMP1 next year considering the rumors I've been hearing.
50 minutes ago Favorite Retweet Reply

» johndagys John Dagys
Wow, just heard some possible encouraging news regarding #ALMS LMP1 in 2012. Hope to have story later in week.

This sounds like its more good for the ALMS and not about the WEC losing entries. But going into early 2011 Dagys also predicted Five to Six LMP1 cars for the full season in 2011.

I assume he thought:
2 Dyson
1 Muscle Milk
1 Highcroft
1 Autocon
1 Intersport

Perhaps Dagys is Thinking about the best case for 2012 ALMS LMP1: ie Autocon, Intersport, Signature, Audi returns, AMR, 3rd Dyson car and the worst for 2012 WEC: ie OAK and Rebellion with 1 car, forgetting about Pescarolo ect, no ORECA

[lms]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Perhaps Dagys is Thinking about the best case for 2012 ALMS LMP1: ie Autocon, Intersport, Signature, Audi returns, AMR, 3rd Dyson car and the worst for 2012 WEC: ie OAK and Rebellion with 1 car, forgetting about Pescarolo ect, no ORECA

no autocon next year it seems
http://twitter.com/#!/Murphythebear/...55728429367297

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by lms

no autocon next year it seems
http://twitter.com/#!/Murphythebear/...55728429367297

Exactly, and Im betting out of Intersport, Signature, Audi returns , AMR and the 3rd Dyson car, none of those actually happen.

About Muscle Milk, I can see why, Pickett hasnt driven since Sebring, and they really have no chance at a victory. Not to mention Dyson will have their slow drivers as well. As for the Dyson weight ballast:

[The Badger]

Rumour is that OAK are building up to 6 custemer chassis for 2012 ..... surly they all wont end up in the LMS or WEC , also considering existing OAK chassis .

Possibily some for the ALMS ?

Could Mazda have turned their attention towards P1 ?

Pescarolo new chassis planned ?

Teams deserrting Grand-Am ?

I can think of loads of possibilities .....

Customer Audi's , Champion Racing return .

Its killin me , this waitin !!!

[Matt]

Just bring back IMSA GT and everything will be fine.

[skycafe]

Originally Posted by Matt

Just bring back IMSA GT and everything will be fine.

As much as I dig protos, this does seem like a good idea, allowing not only the bought cars like Porsches, but also allowing enthusiasts who want to weld/machine/layup/paper mache an entry in a shed or spare garage to field an entry too.