USCC (leave your axe outside)

[Purist]

As to the schedule, I made my thoughts clear in the previous thread, that you really need a 15-race calendar to maintain momentum and presence. This includes being able to stretch out the schedule from the end of January till, say, mid October, and avoid an off-season like IndyCar is about to come off of (you know, falling into a black hole of seeming inactivity for six months).

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by Purist

As to the schedule, I made my thoughts clear in the previous thread, that you really need a 15-race calendar to maintain momentum and presence. This includes being able to stretch out the schedule from the end of January till, say, mid October, and avoid an off-season like IndyCar is about to come off of (you know, falling into a black hole of seeming inactivity for six months).

I too want a longer schedule, but it will be hard to justify the expense initially. Furthermore, I think sports car racing is far less susceptible to the black hole in news over the winter. New cars will be tested, new manufacturers rumored or announced and the build up to Daytona and the 36 Hours of Sebring will be something for the hardcore to discuss daily until the 24 gets the green. Who is coming over from Europe for the 36 Hours? What will team x run, will team y go to Le Mans? How will manufacturer x's new direct injection motor going to fair in competition?

IndyCar fans on the other hand have a couple of series-sanctioned tests and political nonsense to bicker over all while threatening to never follow IndyCar again if 'x' happens.

Chris

[Ephaeton]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

On top of that, Use-Car, or Us-Car ... neither rolls off the tongue. Rather they skid off the tongue ripping flesh as they go.

U'S'-CAR rhymes on NAS-CAR. Flows well. Just say it ten times. USCARNASCARUSCARNASCAR.

I too wish for a longer calendar, but didn't they want to begin with a 10? race schedule?

I suppose I'm one of the guys who'll give it their "one shot" and remain to be positively surprised. I hope I'll be.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

L.P.

How about this modified logo by me?

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Purist

As to the schedule, I made my thoughts clear in the previous thread, that you really need a 15-race calendar to maintain momentum and presence.

Originally Posted by Jonerz

I too want a longer schedule, but it will be hard to justify the expense initially. Furthermore, I think sports car racing is far less susceptible to the black hole in news over the winter. New cars will be tested, new manufacturers rumored or announced and the build up to Daytona and the 36 Hours of Sebring will be something for the hardcore to discuss daily until the 24 gets the green.

I agree with Purist: people watch races, not manufacturer tests. 12 races as they promised last year is too short a schedule. But Daytona + Sebring + Watkins Glen + Petit Le Mans is 52 hours of racing, it's not easy to ask teams to run an extra 10 races of 3-4 hours each.

Originally Posted by The Happy Track Fan

I can seriously see Prototypes and GT cars combined for the larger circuits and separate races for the smaller circuits, and I can also see the Prototypes running on their own at Long Beach and Baltimore and the GT cars running on their own in Detroit and possibly Mosport.

I think the combined series needs to find a place for all of the circuits on both the ALMS and the Grand-Am series. Those circuits have stood behind both series, and now this combined series needs to step up and support ALL of the circuits.

I agree, it's the only solution to keep everyone happy. More precisely, I'd reduce some GTD aparitions at shorter circuits (Long Beach, Lime Rock, Baltimore) and drop the Protos at others (Detroit, Barber).

[Fogelhund]

http://www.motorsport.com/scca/news/...-psr-97-11-21/

SCCA owns a Trademark for the term SportsCar... wonder if they worked this out before the announcement?

[chernaudi]

It's not surprising that IMSA has been retrained as the sanctioning body's name, since Jim France is the majority owner of the series, and it was Bill France Jr--Jim's late older brother--who co-founded IMSA 40 years ago.

And, yes, the IMSA logo is a bit NASCAR-ish, but it might look better on the ACO spec cars--I've seen the current IMSA decals on the Audi R18s and they look rather small and undefined on the Audis, and with as small and squat as the ACO prototypes are, they're probably not alone in this.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

It's not surprising that IMSA has been retrained as the sanctioning body's name, since Jim France is the majority owner of the series, and it was Bill France Jr--Jim's late older brother--who co-founded IMSA 40 years ago.

And, yes, the IMSA logo is a bit NASCAR-ish, but it might look better on the ACO spec cars--I've seen the current IMSA decals on the Audi R18s and they look rather small and undefined on the Audis, and with as small and squat as the ACO prototypes are, they're probably not alone in this.

Big Bill, not jr.







L.P.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by deggis

Here is the new IMSA logo:

Think of the revenue generated by sticker sales!

[chernaudi]

All I know is that the France family--irrespective of which Bill was behind it--were the initial big backer of IMSA while John Bishop ran the series until he fell ill in the 1980's. The France family held a significant interest in the series until about that time.

And with Jim being the CEO and majority owner of the series, it's sort of come full circle in a way, because even though Bill Sr. and Jr. got most of the publicity with their ownership contributions to the series, I'd bet that it was Jim who did a lot of work for the series until the France family sold their stake in it.

[HJJ]

Atherton interview.

You'll note that the new name doesn't include current sponsors, such as Rolex (Grand-Am's title sponsor) or Tequila Patron (ALMS' presenting sponsor). That's possible for the future, Atherton said, but premature for now. Potential sponsors want to hear the schedule and TV package before they commit.Those are two of the three critical details regarding the combined series that we won't hear this weekend, but Atherton said he hopes that in the next 90 days they'll be able to provide a 2014 schedule, a 2014 rules package and a 2014 television deal. After Sebring this Saturday, he said, “It's all hands on deck” to get those three initiatives completed.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/2013...#ixzz2NZT1K1Zg

[Purist]

This is a revised/updated listing of the circuit information I posted in the initial merged series thread.

Current North American Sportscar Venues:
1. Austin- 3.427 miles (20 turns), 1:59.811 (102.972-mph), DP (2013)
2. Baltimore- 2.100/2.070 miles (15/14 turns), 1:24.982 (87.689-mph), LMP1 (2012)
3. Barber- 2.300 miles (17 turns), 1:19.624 (103.989-mph), DP (2010)
4. Belle Isle- 2.385 miles (12 turns), N/A (N/A), DP (2013)
5. Daytona- 3.560 miles (15 turns), 1:40.099 (128.033-mph), DP (2011)
6. Indianapolis- 2.534 miles (13 turns), 1:22.712 (110.291-mph), DP (2012)
7. Kansas- 2.370 miles (10 turns), N/A (N/A), DP (2013)
8. Laguna Seca- 2.238 miles (11 turns), 1:10.103 (114.928-mph), LMP1 (2008)
9. Lime Rock- 1.500 miles (9 turns), 44.017 (122.680-mph), LMP1 (2012)
10. Long Beach- 1.968 miles (11 turns), 1:11.330 (99.324-mph), LMP1 (2008)
11. Mid Ohio- 2.258 miles (13 turns), 1:07.969 (119.596-mph), LMP1 (2008)
12. Mosport- 2.459 miles (10 turns), 1:04.094 (138.116-mph), LMP1 (2008)
13. Road America- 4.048 miles (14 turns), 1:46.935 (136.277-mph), LMP1 (2008)
14. Road Atlanta- 2.540 miles (12 turns), 1:06.242 (138.039-mph), LMP1 (2008)
15. Sebring- 3.700 miles (17 turns), 1:43.195 (129.076-mph), LMP1 (2008)
16. Virginia Int'l- 3.270 miles (17 turns), 1:35.434 (123.352-mph), LMP1 (2012)
17. Watkins Glen- 3.400 miles (15 turns), 1:38.011 (124.884-mph), GTP (1993)

Sportscar Circuits Since 2000:
1. Bayfront Park- 1.387 miles (14 turns), 1:03.873 (78.174-mph), LMP900 (2002)
2. Bayfront Park- 1.150 miles (12 turns), 47.848 (86.524-mph), LMP900 (2003)
3. Belle Isle- 2.125 miles (14 turns), 1:13.357 (104.285-mph), LMP1 (2007)
4. Charlotte- 2.250 miles (14 turns), 1:04.096 (126.373-mph), LMP900 (2000)
5. Fontana- 2.820 miles (21 Turns), 1:29.151 (113.874-mph), SRP-I (2002)
6. Homestead- 2.300 miles (11 turns), 1:11.806 (115.311-mph), DP (2010)
7. Iowa- 1.300 miles (10 turns), 41.624 (112.435-mph), DP (2007)
8. Las Vegas- 2.250 miles (13 turns), 1:06.628 (121.571-mph), LMP900 (2000)
9. Mexico City- 2.500 miles (10 turns), 1:19.508 (113.196-mph), DP (2008)
10. Miller (long)- 4.486 miles (23 turns), 2:18.128 (116.918-mph), LMP1 (2007)
11. Miller (short)- 3.048 miles (17 turns), 1:30.645 (121.052-mph), LMP1 (2009)
12. Mont Tremblant- 2.650 miles (15 turns), 1:22.961 (114.994), SRP-I (2002)
13. Montreal- 2.709 miles (12 turns), 1:31.524 (106.556-mph), DP (2010)
14. Phoenix- 1.510 miles (12 turns), 49.669 (109.445-mph), GTP (1992)
15. Portland- 1.964 miles (13 turns), 1:02.712 (112.744-mph), LMP1 (2005)
16. Reliant Park, 1.690/1.683 miles (12 turns), 1:01.824 (98.001-mph), LMP1 (2007)
17. Sears Point- 2.520 miles (12 turns), 1:20.683 (112.440-mph), LMP900 (2000)
18. St. Petersburg- 1.800 miles (14 turns), 1:02.825 (103.144-mph), LMP1 (2008)
19. Texas- 2.324 miles (13 turns), 1:12.716 (115.056-mph), LMP900 (2000)
20. Thunderbolt- 2.250 miles (13 turns), 1:14.057 (109.375-mph), DP (2009)
21. Trois Rivieres- 1.521 miles (10 turns), 57.740 (94.832-mph), LMP900 (2003)
22. Washington D.C.- 1.670 miles (7 turns), 1:03.287 (94.996-mph), LMP900 (2002)
23. Watkins Glen- 2.450 miles (11 turns), 58.669 (150.335-mph), GTP (1992)

Obviously, there will be a significant reduction in the record lap time, and increase in record lap speed, when the WEC/ALMS weekend at Austin comes around.

After this season, I doubt we'll be seeing any new venues, to sportscars at least, added to the calendar for a few, if not several, years.

[HORNDAWG]

My list/schedule.

Daytona (Jan.)
Barber (Feb.)
Sebring (Mar.)
Laguna Seca (April)
COTA (May)
Road America (late May)
Mid Ohio (July 4th)
Belle Isle (July)
Mosport (Aug.)
Watkins Glen (Sept)
VIR (Sept./Oct.)
Road Atlanta-PLM (Oct.)







L.P.

[Maelochs]

@Jonerz: "How relevant is United in United States of America?"

Considering the USA is composed of individual States on the American continent, working in a United fashion ...

Last I checked, there were fifty individual states, united into a single entity, but preserving some individual sovereignty.

On the other hand, once U-Sucker starts, both the Rolex Series and ALMS will cease to exists. Sorry, but my comments are valid.

Anyway, I think we all want the new series to start strong and get better. That doesn't mean I need to like the name or the lame logo ... I will for sure watch the racing.

#NoKoolAid4Me

[dxk1]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

My list/schedule.
Daytona (Jan.)
Barber (Feb.)
Sebring (Mar.)
Laguna Seca (April)
COTA (May)
Road America (late May)
Mid Ohio (July 4th)
Belle Isle (July)
Mosport (Aug.)
Watkins Glen (Sept)
VIR (Sept./Oct.)
Road Atlanta-PLM (Oct.) L.P.

All in all, not bad. However, I think Barber in Feb is somewhat chancy as it is far enough north to still get potentially risky weather so maybe late March would be better. Also, I would switch Laguna Seca and COTA as Austin gets pretty hot in May. I believe it is a little optimistic to believe you could hold a race at Road America in late May and still get folks to Le Mans so maybe move Road America to Aug. I love the thought of Watkins Glen in Sept, especially if it is late Sept as it is very beautiful time of year there.

DK

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by dxk1

All in all, not bad. However, I think Barber in Feb is somewhat chancy as it is far enough north to still get potentially risky weather so maybe late March would be better. Also, I would switch Laguna Seca and COTA as Austin gets pretty hot in May. I believe it is a little optimistic to believe you could hold a race at Road America in late May and still get folks to Le Mans so maybe move Road America to Aug. I love the thought of Watkins Glen in Sept, especially if it is late Sept as it is very beautiful time of year there.

DK

Yeah, flippin Laguna and COTA would probably be a good idea. Looking into to the weather ( http://www.weather.com/weather/wxcli...graph/USTX0057 ) May is also the wettest month in Austin. The rest I would leave as is.
Two weeks (maybe 3 if the ACO cooperated) should be enough time, though tight at 2, to make it to Le Mans testing and not have a monster gaping hole in the middle of the season. With this schedule, and the thought of dropping a round in the points championship (I would expect the Le Mans teams to skip Mid-Ohio on the 4th) a full mostly flowing schedule is achieved IMO.




L.P.

[NaBUru38]

Do you know about any teams who might leave the merged championship? I guess that a few GT Daytona teams might do Conti Challenge or SCCA World Challenge instead, rather than fight as the fourth class.

[NaBUru38]

Here's the transcript of the press conference.

Originally Posted by ED O'HARA

So the goal is to define and brand a new era of motorsports in a fresh, relevant, motivating way that excites, inspires and leads.

Words like unity, excellence, performance, sophistication and competitive came shining through and became the foundation that inspired our strategy and design teams.

These insights also led to the creation of a brand creed, which is an emotional and poetic expression of the new brand personality which you'll see in action in a moment.

The new brand is built on modernity, aspiration, authenticity and uniqueness so that we may stand apart in a crowded marketplace. It's ownable, clean, simple, iconic, like the great brands of our culture and one that will come to symbolize our collective passions for our sport by communicating its pure essence at every turn.

That's some nice talk. Some of those adjectives don't mean much. My favourites are "exciting", "excellence", "authentic", "unique", "emotional, "poetic" (I'm really corny) and the full phrase pure "essence at every turn".

[NaBUru38]

"Scott, double‑header weekends with different sanctioning bodies have become popular. Any chance the unified sports car series will race with say IndyCar?"

Originally Posted by Scott Atherton

SCOTT ATHERTON: I think there's a good historical example of that. I can tell you the criteria that we've always used is when the only alternative to penetrate a market that is important for us by the criteria that we've talked about is to link up with someone else, then that becomes a viable opportunity. I think we're positioning this series as a standalone feature series, but I think there's always a history between both organizations that we play well with others, and we love open wheel racing, IndyCar ‑ I'm a big fan‑ and to see us on the streets of Long Beach or Baltimore or Detroit, that would be a nice place to be.

I think that you can't be more honest than that without becoming rude.

[Maelochs]

With all the support series attached to both ALMS and Rolex, it would be tough to pair with any other series and its attendant series.

And yeah, that Mr. O'Hara made Scott A. sound 100 percent sincere and trustworthy.

So that logo is "ownable"? Great---I own it. You can't use it any more.

You will thank me later.

[Adam43]

As the event was launching a name, logo and brand they are going to talk marketing spew rather than conrods.

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

With all the support series attached to both ALMS and Rolex, it would be tough to pair with any other series and its attendant series.

As in "none". No Trans-Am, Spec Miata, Pro Mazda or USF2000, I guess, and I'm pretty sure the SCCA World Challenge is out of the question. Except for some IndyCar street races, it will be an IMSA head-to-tail show.

[HJJ]

Originally Posted by NaBUru38

As in "none". No Trans-Am, Spec Miata, Pro Mazda or USF2000, I guess, and I'm pretty sure the SCCA World Challenge is out of the question. Except for some IndyCar street races, it will be an IMSA head-to-tail show.

World Challenge should be worried. I could see them shut out at Long Beach next year with a split P & PC and GTLM & GTD field next year on Saturday & Sunday.

The other would be sponsor dependent. Like Petit being "Presented by Mazda" you would have Proto-Lights, Star Mazda, USF2000 and Playboy MX-5. As well as the odd K&N East race.

Hell, Indycar should be worried.

[HJJ]

Sooner rather than later.

http://auto-racing.speedtv.com/artic...ing-agreement/

[NaBUru38]

I guess that SCCA World Challenge will have to keep joining IndyCar at whatever weekends it can, and fill the rest of the calendar with SCCA Pro Racing weekends.