Grand-Am 2011 Discussion

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'm dreaming here, but it would be really cool if GA included a DTM category for the 24 Hour race to open up the DTM USA series every year.

Chris

It seems to me it would be very unlikely that they would let DTMs run with the DPs in the 24 hours because they (the DTMs) might just win!

DK

[joeb]

Originally Posted by dxk1

It seems to me it would be very unlikely that they would let DTMs run with the DPs in the 24 hours because they (the DTMs) might just win!

DK

Maybe, but what is the longest race on the dtm schedule? Don't know if the cars are built for endurance.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by joeb

Maybe, but what is the longest race on the dtm schedule? Don't know if the cars are built for endurance.

They'll be different cars starting next year....

[FordCosworthPanoz]

I just hope the new DTM cars actually produce better racing, especially if they expect Americans to watch a full series of racing. Cool cars, but right now the quality of racing in DTM outside of perhaps the Norisring street circuit makes the 2005 U.S. Grand Prix look like the most exciting, action packed race in the history of motorsports.

Was Hoping Opel/Williams rumour would have come true.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by joeb

Maybe, but what is the longest race on the dtm schedule? Don't know if the cars are built for endurance.

Very slightly modified DTM cars have completed (and won) the Nurburgring 24h not too long ago.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Wow, it now took only six minutes for the Spirit of Daytona Coyote to have a problem today! This time suspension issues.

[NightStalk3r]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Wow, it now took only six minutes for the Spirit of Daytona Coyote to have a problem today! This time suspension issues.

It left its spirit at daytona.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

For those like me who have nothing better to do in their life right now, live timing for the race is available here:
http://grandam.racersites-cluster.co...=1508&VN=50517

As well as horrible MRN radio coverage on the Grand Am homepage.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

This is comical, Pruett nearly crashes into the pitwall and comes into his stall too fast, yet they still beat Suntrust out of the pits. Pruett has the lead of all the cars that have made a pitstop, so the DP race is already over despite having over an hour left in the race.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

A series of odd events has made the race partly exciting towards the end, certainly worth watching when it comes on speed tomorrow.

[DistortedSmile]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'm dreaming here, but it would be really cool if GA included a DTM category for the 24 Hour race to open up the DTM USA series every year.

Chris

I've been lurking around this forum for a few months and this post gave me an idea I thought I'd share:
They should pretty much replace the DPs with a DTM class, perhaps this could persuade American manufacturers to make some silhouettes for this category and replace the GT category with FIA GT3 (IIRC they're already doing this?).
Now imagine the possibilities if the DTM/SuperGT merger happens, we could end up with races featuring battles with cars such as a Honda HSV vs Audi A5 DTM ( I believe this is their next DTM car?) vs possibly Camaro/Challenger/Mustang based GT500/DTM spec cars. Now that's something I'd watch.

[AuzGrams]

What was the crowd like at Laguna Seca? Didn't seem that great to me, but it was hard to tell. Would love to see Grand-Am return to MMP.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by AuzGrams

What was the crowd like at Laguna Seca? Didn't seem that great to me, but it was hard to tell. Would love to see Grand-Am return to MMP.

Yes, crowd was small, empty grandstands and not that many visible spectators in GA areas from television camera angles. It appears California still dislikes Grand Am, although there was a significant drop in ALMS attendance last year.

[AuzGrams]

Would be nice to have Utah/Miller Motorsports Park back on the schedule, but a lot of people complain about the track being out in the middle of the desert.

[HJJ]

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...t-tom-bledsoe/

Marshall Pruett interview.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by HJJ

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...t-tom-bledsoe/

Marshall Pruett interview.

Every minute the new DPs get closer to fruition the less I get excited about it, however Good to see the GT3 plans are moving along, and no need to basically do away with the current tube framed cars since they are putting on great racing this year. I Could not care less about anything to do with DTM, but it could be good for Grand Am.

I just hope Grand Ams visit to Indy next year isnt a sign of things to come regarding the schedule. Kansas Speedway is building an infiled road course, and I hope this doesnt mean another roval on the schedule with all of its 3 spectators and dull racing.

[HJJ]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Kansas Speedway is building an infiled road course, and I hope this doesnt mean another roval on the schedule with all of its 3 spectators and dull racing.

When Kansas said they were adding a road course, the first thing I thought of was that they would get a GrandAm date. Gotta keep that new casino full.

[Audi Racer]

Nascar/GrandAm and DTM operate on similar principles but i still have no clue who conjured this tie-up with DTM coming to America, if anything i expected DTM to come on it's own.

[Jonerz]

I'm looking forward to American DTM, myself. It'll be nice to have more road racing on our shroes, of course it seems there will be a lot of rovals on their schedule... if half their races are with the Cup series.

As for the GT3 cars, Distored... they're trying to bring in GT3 marques with cars based on their GT3 cars but reigned in to Grand-Am performance levels. I don't know how successful that will be in replacing the current GT class, but if we get a couple Ferraris, a Mercedes and perhaps a Lotus that would be fine by me.

Chris

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I'm looking forward to American DTM, myself. It'll be nice to have more road racing on our shroes, of course it seems there will be a lot of rovals on their schedule... if half their races are with the Cup series.

As for the GT3 cars, Distored... they're trying to bring in GT3 marques with cars based on their GT3 cars but reigned in to Grand-Am performance levels. I don't know how successful that will be in replacing the current GT class, but if we get a couple Ferraris, a Mercedes and perhaps a Lotus that would be fine by me.

Chris

If DTM really thinks they are going to draw anything close to a crowd instead of flies at infield road courses on NASCAR weekends then they are misguided. The 2009 and 2010 running of the July Grand Am race showed that most NASCAR fans are more likely to be at the concession stand or listening to country music outside the track than they are watching road course racing.

If Grand Am couldnt draw anything close to a crowd with American cars, teams and drivers, then I cannot imagine DTM would do well. If I were them I would focus on nascar race weekends like Road America or Watkins Glen, and if the Mosport rumours are true then that as well.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Lou Gigliotti will be racing at the Grand Am Rolex Sports Car Series finale at Mid Ohio in September with his Corvette, second driver to be announced at a later date.

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

If DTM really thinks they are going to draw anything close to a crowd instead of flies at infield road courses on NASCAR weekends then they are misguided. The 2009 and 2010 running of the July Grand Am race showed that most NASCAR fans are more likely to be at the concession stand or listening to country music outside the track than they are watching road course racing.

If Grand Am couldnt draw anything close to a crowd with American cars, teams and drivers, then I cannot imagine DTM would do well. If I were them I would focus on nascar race weekends like Road America or Watkins Glen, and if the Mosport rumours are true then that as well.

It'll be American teams and drivers in American DTM, and perhaps eventually American manufacturers. But NASCAR fans would respond to loud, crazy looking cars... I just don't think NASCAR have ever put on good race weekends in terms of action. They seem to have long periods of nothing between races where fans have learned to go do their own thing, party in the infield, checkout the garages, or go off circuit for entertainment. If the NASCAR publicity machine can interest the American or NASCAR public in Darren Law in an Audi S5 DTM then the races will be well attended.

Likely I think the races will just be a pain in the ass for fans at the race weekend. "What do you mean I can't have my old spot? ... Bull, the race track don't go nowhere near our campsite! ... American what? DTM, doesn't that poison the water supply? I thought it was outlawed, what does that have to do with racin'?!"

Chris

[DS"]

It's actually interesting to see the American DTM making progress. There are rumours after all that the DTM will already come to America in 2012. Maybe the American race will a sort of launch race for the new American series. Kinda like the Petit Le Mans in '98.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by DS"

It's actually interesting to see the American DTM making progress. There are rumours after all that the DTM will already come to America in 2012. Maybe the American race will a sort of launch race for the new American series. Kinda like the Petit Le Mans in '98.

I think one thing that will determine whether or not the series is a success is just how much the manufacturers will get behind US DTM in support and promotion. Many people dont realize just how many German car fans/owners/fanboys there are in the US that will indeed come out to watch a weekend of racing to support their favourite European brand. Just look at all the American based Audi, BMW and Mercedes forums there are on the internet. However, these people are more likely to be at Grand Am
weekends than NASCAR weekends, and for example, BMW fans can watch their favourite brand race in all three Grand Am series.

You obviously know better than I do, but judging by their website DTM and its partners do an incredible amount of promotion in Europe, and if Mercedes, Audi and BMW were to give out free tickets in the US to races, then people may be introduced to the series and enjoy it, then be willing to pay for it in the future. If Audi, BMW, and Mercedes are going to promote the series about half as much as they do in Europe, then people will probably watch.

In my opinion, US DTM is either going to be a smashing success at a level we have not seen in north american road racing for some time or a complete epic failure.

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Jonerz

Likely I think the races will just be a pain in the ass for fans at the race weekend. "What do you mean I can't have my old spot? ... Bull, the race track don't go nowhere near our campsite! ... American what? DTM, doesn't that poison the water supply? I thought it was outlawed, what does that have to do with racin'?!"

Chris

That was one of the best thought out and written posts I have seen in a long time!