ALMS/Grand Am Fusion 2014

[gsmith2424]

Originally Posted by picchiofan

And based on what awesome legal forum minds would you base this lawsuit?

This isn't a hostile takeover. Panoz/Atherton have been trying to sell the series for 3 years now, they finally found a buyer.

You have to take a close look at what they control/own:

Nascar
Grand-Am (also pays for teams to show up and pays for JC's ride)
AMA
ISC (Daytona, Watkins and many other tracks)
Action Performance/Lionel (50% stake with Bruton Smith with the other half)

With looking at that they are the dominant controling power of motorsports within the United States and could easily stop anyone if they wanted too.

[Articus]

Originally Posted by picchiofan

So, why does Porsche build a GTE spec car and a GTC spec one?

You would have had a *real* hard time following sports cars in the 90's.

I don't think its hard to follow i just think it looks stupid. GTC has been virtually invisible in the ALMs streams. I guess I never really noticed.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Articus

I don't think its hard to follow i just think it looks stupid. GTC has been virtually invisible in the ALMs streams. I guess I never really noticed.

You know nearly every manufacture builds GT3 and GT4 versions of their GTE car as well, right?

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by picchiofan

So, why does Porsche build a GTE spec car and a GTC spec one?

Because the GTC spec one (Cup spec) is raced all over the world in one-make championships.

[Nick6]

For what its worth nothing has been announced from either ALMS or GA.

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

Because the GTC spec one (Cup spec) is raced all over the world in one-make championships.

And, indeed, in open championships.

Manufacturers like to sell race cars, too...

Chris

[Articus]

Originally Posted by Matt

You know nearly every manufacture builds GT3 and GT4 versions of their GTE car as well, right?

Yes but they do not normally race each other. When is the last time an M3 GT2 raced its GT4 counterpart.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Nick6

For what its worth nothing has been announced from either ALMS or GA.

Scott Atherton said it wasn't happening, which means it will...

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Articus

Yes but they do not normally race each other. When is the last time an M3 GT2 raced its GT4 counterpart.

Nurburgring 24hr.

[Jacques Rabbit]

This sucks.

I have nothing else to say. I can't wait for the announcement. I want to just get this over with. I need to get to the ALMS race at Lime Rock.

[Gil Abobeleira]

DSC has further intake into this issue: http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewAr...nID=QKQSDN3ICN (free to view)

[gregtummer]

If DPs are the top class, we riot.

[CTD]

Originally Posted by Gil Abobeleira

DSC has further intake into this issue: http://www.dailysportscar.com/viewAr...nID=QKQSDN3ICN (free to view)

Well that's a much more positive view!

[Jonerz]

Originally Posted by CTD

Well that's a much more positive view!

Indeed. We need details from the horse's mouth, otherwise I feel most of the views provided are conjecture based on the same theories that have been thrown around since 2009.

Chris

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by CTD

Well that's a much more positive view!

Word is NASCAR has purchased IMSA... Which would explain their use of the word "regulatory framework."

[FordCosworthPanoz]

I think this can be very good if IMSA/Grand Am merged under NASCAR's commercial interest.

[gsmith2424]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

I think this can be very good if IMSA/Grand Am merged under NASCAR's commercial interest.

Only if they run ACO/IMSA rules and they keep the race control from IMSA.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by gsmith2424

Only if they run ACO/IMSA rules and they keep the race control from IMSA.

IMSA Race control? Today has shown it's just as garbage if not worse than Grand Am's.

[Purist]

ONE questionable call makes it garbage?! Come on!!

[gsmith2424]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

IMSA Race control? Today has shown it's just as garbage if not worse than Grand Am's.

Maybe but at least they probley won't let Chip get away with as much as his teams have this past year.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Originally Posted by Purist

ONE questionable call makes it garbage?! Come on!!

15-20 minute yellows just like all year, and a questionable call. Grand Am has had 2-3 questionable calls all year, not much worse. I realise what you're feeling right now is similar to what the Crapwagon brigade was feeling in 2008, please don't take it out on me.

[ptclaus98]

Speed up DPs(which was probably going to happen with turbos next year), Turn GT into a GTE type class, allow the silhouette cars from current GT into GX.


You guys are throwing a massive *****fit about losing the ACO prototypes. A real shame losing all 5 of them. And I hope no one blames Panoz for this. The ACO once again turning their back on one of the biggest markets they have to go race in Malaysia, Bahrain and China. Only so much he could do before exhausting his fortune, and if he got out before it really put a dent in it, then good for him.

[gregtummer]

Does the ACO/FIA have any say in this? Do they have to give approval?

If so and they give approval, that is a good sign for ALMS fans right?

[Holt]

There may be DPs at Le Mans soon

[ptclaus98]

Originally Posted by Maelochs

I hope I am wrong, but I don’t see any way the France Empire is going to follow ACO rules. The Emperors don’t give up once ounce of control in any of their series to the drivers, the teams, the manufacturers, or the tracks (well, they own almost all the tracks.)

You can expect dumbed-down DPs, I mean, normal DPs, dumbed-down GTs like they have now, and GX, which, since it will be a GA class, will be born dumb.

If we are lucky, they won’t replace DPs with American DTM cars, but I’d bet the two will share the same chassis and engine formulae.

ACO/FIA is going to try to use WEC and F1 as its marketing moneymakers in the U.S., a saturated car market where no track or town is willing to pony up huge bucks just to run a race (our billionaires think they are so exceptional, bringing a prestigious race series is pointless; unlike say, Russia or Bahrain.)

North America will get a WEC round and three F1 GPs, NASACR and Grand Am running a lot of doubleheaders, and NASCAR will buy out IndyCar when Randy Bernard leaves because no one else will want the job and the Sisters will be older and tireder and will want to believe it when NASCAR claims it will respect the tradition of Indy.

Every form of domestic North American racing will feature spec machinery except SCCA and local drag strips and ovals.

WEC will get all the cool machinery we now associate with “sports car racing.” GA will continue to emphasize identical, low-tech cars which only change every five years, where manufacturer involvement is limited to sponsorship, signage, and unique grille stickers on cars from each “manufacturer (like the “Corvette DP,” which is either a riley, Coyote, or Dallara with a 5-kiter GM power plant—and not the slightest part of a Corvette except the name.)

NASCAR thrives on control, not innovation. NASCAR thrives on consistent product, and is totally willing to manufacturer “racing action” to keep people coming back (Green-white-yellow is coming to sports-car racing; the “Lucky Dog” was already tried once; it will be back.)

There will be No LMP-anythings. Learn to love Daytona Prototypes.

As for GT—right now Grand Am GT is 100 percent Balance of Performance. How else can a Mazda RX-8, a Corvette, and a Camaro all have an equal chance at winning (oh, well, because the two of the three are purpose-built tube-framed replicas, I guess.)

Grand Am will willingly accept any GT3 which is modified to GA specs—that is, slowed down and dumbed-down so as not to embarrass the DPs. Instead of factories having to build GTE versions to race in North America, they will sell GT3 kit cars and GA will sell twice-as-heavy roll cages and engine-underpowering kits to help privateers comply with the “slower is better” GA philosophy.

Factories which want to compete in the big league (WEC) will still have to build GTE machinery; this ensures that only factories big enough to pay huge entry fees will bother getting involved.

If you finds the idea of Daytona Prototypes at the Rolex offensive, think how much you are going to love seeing them at Sebring—lapping almost as fast as the Flying Lizards used to back in the Good Old Days when ALMS was around.

Screw the ACO. Like they ever gave a damn about the ALMS.