ALMS 2012 Discussion - Page 21

Speed-King · 12 Oct 2011, 18:04 (Ref:2970035)

I don't think so... The race is billed as the Chevrolet Sportscar Challenge and there's a bit of a GA-lovefest going on at Chevy nowadays with the new Corvette-bodied-DPs and everything, so choosing GA might be more than just a stop-gap.

Deleted · 12 Oct 2011, 18:17 (Ref:2970047)

I think it would've been called Chevrolet GP either way... not only because of ALMS presence but Chevrolet will be powering several Indycars as well.

If GA was always going to be there why did it take so long to announce the sportscar headliner...? Also, if ALMS is even claiming to push Detroit-comeback for 2013 I think the GA deal isn't very long-term...

**joeb** · 12 Oct 2011, 18:37 (Ref:2970056)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Yup, Infineon would be high on my wish list along with Barber and Mont Tremblant, but unlike those two it's actually somewhat plausible option. They probably don't fancy having three races in California thou

Three races in Cali does seem a bit much, but it is a big state! I would also like to see Barber or Mont Tremlant.

Assuming Mr. Atherton was correct in saying 3 venues were vying for 2 schedule spots, what other options are there? A street race in OKC, VIR, Miller, Austin?

Deleted · 12 Oct 2011, 18:42 (Ref:2970061)

That planned Oklahoma street race isn't due until 2013 I believe...

I hope that the absence of Detroit doesn't mean that one of the TBA slots mysteriously disapperas now.

FordCosworthPanoz · 12 Oct 2011, 19:08 (Ref:2970080)

Also, if someone thinks the terrain between Austin and Miller is similar they have obviously never visited Austin before, the circuit will have plenty of elevation and (gasp) unlike Detroit may have more than 1 passing zone. Having been to both Austin and Detroit in the past Six years, Austin is a significantly more vibrant city, particularly at night, unless your idea of *vibrant* is shooting, although Belle Isle itself is not too bad. Id rather go to a circuit with the world's biggest car racing series (even though Im not a fan of it), the world's biggest motorcycle racing series, and one of the best (most action packed imo) touring car series than a circuit with a struggling open wheel series and an SCCA championship.

Despite this, Im betting Grand Am will get an Austin race in the future.

FordCosworthPanoz · 12 Oct 2011, 19:10 (Ref:2970081)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Whatever

As predicted, the reason for ALMS's absence is (officially) the date clash with the test day... however Atherton claims on Autosport that this should be "resolved" for 2013.

GA was probably always going to be the back-up plan.

Which means whatever he says is probably not going to happen.

**joeb** · 12 Oct 2011, 19:43 (Ref:2970097)

I was looking at the 2012 schedule again, and the May/June TBA date has the following possibilities:

May 5th - one week before Laguna
May 19th - one week after Laguna
May 26th - two weeks after Laguna
June 2nd - out because of test day and after they won't likely happen because it would be too close to Le Mans.

The September TBA date is more wide open with Baltimore wrapping up on the 1st of Sept and Petit not taking place until Oct 20.

gregtummer · 12 Oct 2011, 19:44 (Ref:2970098)

Sonoma is the 3rd track looking for a race date.

FstrthnU · 12 Oct 2011, 20:41 (Ref:2970120)

new news: http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...troit-in-2013/

ALMS confirms that they want to return to Detroit (since IRL is coming back next year), but they can't next year because of that Le Mans testing conflict. So they're pushing for 2013. Another article says that Grand-Am wants to do Belle Isle too.

pederb · 12 Oct 2011, 20:46 (Ref:2970122)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Yup, Infineon would be high on my wish list along with Barber and Mont Tremblant, but unlike those two it's actually somewhat plausible option. They probably don't fancy having three races in California thou

3 races in CA? Have I missed something? What other track then Laguna?

3 races in CA sounds good to me

Cheers

gregtummer · 12 Oct 2011, 21:28 (Ref:2970144)

Quote:

Originally Posted by pederb

3 races in CA? Have I missed something? What other track then Laguna?

3 races in CA sounds good to me

Cheers

Long Beach

Coach Ep · 12 Oct 2011, 22:50 (Ref:2970183)

Edmonton, Alberta, Canada was also rumored to be vying for one of the TBD slots. Haven´t got a clue what the weather is like over there in September (or May/June for that matter but I guess it´s a little better then).

cmk · 12 Oct 2011, 23:14 (Ref:2970189)

Could be anything. Edmonton is a good ways from the mountains, at least, so it's not quite as erratic as Calgary or points SW from recollection, but Alberta is pretty bonkers when it comes to weather. In either spring or fall it's totally plausible to get either a bit of snow, balmy tropical conditions or anything in between! Actually this could go for summer or winter too...

19dodge · 13 Oct 2011, 00:39 (Ref:2970211)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregtummer

Sonoma is the 3rd track looking for a race date.

No, it's not, AFAIK.

Canada ALMS fan · 13 Oct 2011, 03:05 (Ref:2970238)

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmk

Could be anything. Edmonton is a good ways from the mountains, at least, so it's not quite as erratic as Calgary or points SW from recollection, but Alberta is pretty bonkers when it comes to weather. In either spring or fall it's totally plausible to get either a bit of snow, balmy tropical conditions or anything in between! Actually this could go for summer or winter too...

And it all changes in a matter of hours... Septembers have been good the past couple of years. It was 30C two days before I left for Petit this year.

I really doubt this race will happen but it would be fantastic as the next closest race for us is Laguna Seca!

Mal · 13 Oct 2011, 07:52 (Ref:2970301)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

Whatever

As predicted, the reason for ALMS's absence is (officially) the date clash with the test day... however Atherton claims on Autosport that this should be "resolved" for 2013.

GA was probably always going to be the back-up plan.

Maybe - but it wasn't rocket science to know that the ALMS would struggle to be there when they picked the June date was it?

The Badger · 13 Oct 2011, 15:12 (Ref:2970546)

What , they have picked a date in June ? ..... Your kidding !!!

seanyb505 · 13 Oct 2011, 15:28 (Ref:2970554)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiana

I hope that the absence of Detroit doesn't mean that one of the TBA slots mysteriously disapperas now.

Called it back on page 28. I would file TBDs in the 2012 schedule in the same file as 5-6 LMP1 cars in 2011.

AGD · 13 Oct 2011, 21:39 (Ref:2970725)

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanyb505

Called it back on page 28. I would file TBDs in the 2012 schedule in the same file as 5-6 LMP1 cars in 2011.

So, as someone else said, TBD = To Be Deleted?

Are there any prospects for an IRL race at Houston's Reliant Park in 2012? Could that have any relevance?

FstrthnU · 14 Oct 2011, 07:10 (Ref:2970862)

Just in case anyone's still not sure of the decision, here's a story link
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/a...%28Autoblog%29
They'll fiddle around with the Le Mans test date in 2013 to hold the Belle Island Grand Prix.

AGD · 14 Oct 2011, 16:37 (Ref:2971210)

According to Atherton's interview on Bloomberg (more on that in the media thread), Atherton says two factory backed programs are under development for the ALMS in 2012. One will be there at the start of the season and the other will join midway through. I suppose the start of the year one could be Aston Martin with the Lola-V12. It could also be Lotus, but that has already been announced so I don't know why he would be secretive about that. As for the middle of the season one, I don't know. Lotus again? Possibly Viper?

And, yes, I do realize that "Atherton says..." means virtually nothing.

http://www.bloomberg.com/tv/shows/bloomberg-enterprise (Around the 18 minute mark).

Speed-King · 14 Oct 2011, 17:00 (Ref:2971219)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FstrthnU

Just in case anyone's still not sure of the decision, here's a story link
http://www.autoblog.com/2011/10/13/a...%28Autoblog%29
They'll fiddle around with the Le Mans test date in 2013 to hold the Belle Island Grand Prix.

The question is, how much substance there is to that ALMS-PR... a lot of people seem to think it's only spin/damage control...

Mal · 15 Oct 2011, 06:44 (Ref:2971435)

I guess there is a real possibility that with the full blown large factory efforts heading for WEC programmes teams such as Rebellion & AMR could head to ALMS. Who knows - maybe Nissan and Honda will follow as speculated in DSC

gregtummer · 15 Oct 2011, 07:09 (Ref:2971438)

At Petit Le Mans, I specifically asked the Aston Martin crew if their car was obsolete next year.

They said it is in WEC, but they were not sure for ALMS.

I asked them if it was allowed in ALMS (which now it is) if they would enter, and they said that they hope so.

ubrben · 15 Oct 2011, 09:23 (Ref:2971483)

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregtummer

At Petit Le Mans, I specifically asked the Aston Martin crew if their car was obsolete next year.

They said it is in WEC, but they were not sure for ALMS.

I asked them if it was allowed in ALMS (which now it is) if they would enter, and they said that they hope so.

My understanding is that Aston Martin will run 2 factory GTE in WEC.

Ben

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