Mazda to enter ALMS in '05?

[Dov]

From Autoweek: http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?p..._code=01445377

Mazda looking to enter ALMS, could run prototype

Mazda is evaluating an attack on the American Le Mans Series with a full factory program, and it could begin as early as next year.

Mazda U.S.A. has looked to join the sports car series for some time. Company executives are in ongoing discussions with ALMS bosses and have already met with two organizations capable of masterminding its return after a 13-year absence. Mazda senior vice president of marketing Robert Davis said, “We have had an involvement with the ALMS through the Star Mazda Series [a single-seater support class], and now we would like to take part in the main event. If you look at what Mazda represents in North America, it is sports cars and that fits with the profile of the ALMS.”

Davis said that the decision on which class Mazda might enter hasn’t been made yet. Sources say Mazda is looking at the prototype division, though the possibility of a new ALMS class for four-door cars would allow it to run the rotary-powered RX-8.

Mazda’s prospective entry into the ALMS has been welcomed by series boss Scott Atherton at a time when the Pratt & Miller-run Chevrolet Corvette is the only factory team on the grid. “There’s no question that they would be a boost to the ALMS,” he said. “We already refer to them as a partner because of the Star Mazda series, but it would be great to have them in the ALMS.”

Please don't tell me that you guys already know about this piece of news too?!

[jhansen]

It's been discussed. lol But by all means, join the discussion!

[Dov]

Thanks, jhansen, I will do that! Why is Autoweek rehashing old news?!

[RM40]

Hmm, could the RX-8 be one of the main reasons behind the four door class (besides the SCCA not wanting factory entries in either Speed World Challenge series)? I wouldn't mind that kind of four doors..

[pounetbf]

I think the door problem for RX is definitely a false problem.

The rule states :
"..automobile which has no more than one door on each side..." (FIA rule art257 1.1) And ACO say roughly the same thing.

But it is written nowhere that this door must be "monobloc" with only one part.
For me RX8 has ONE door divided in 2 parts (a bit like those doors for horse stabble, with top and bottom part)
And it is easy to prove : 2 doors means you can open the "back" door independantly of the "front" door, and exit the car trough this back door.
Is it possible on the RX8 ? I don't think so.

Definitively the RX8 is acceptable for ACO

[Thommy]

What do you think about this:

New prototype for ALMS, RX8 for Speedvision Worldseries

[pounetbf]

Originally posted by Thommy
What do you think about this:

New prototype for ALMS, RX8 for Speedvision Worldseries

I think :
- new prototypes for ALMS, LMES, and 24H : 2 factory cars, 2 for private european team(s), 2 for US team(s), on or 2 for japanese
teams

- plus a RX8-S to run in GT3/N-GT agains Porsche

- plus (but I don't think it is powerfull enough) some LM GTS

Think large !

[veeten]

Originally posted by pounetbf
I think :
- new prototypes for ALMS, LMES, and 24H : 2 factory cars, 2 for private european team(s), 2 for US team(s), on or 2 for japanese
teams

- plus a RX8-S to run in GT3/N-GT agains Porsche

- plus (but I don't think it is powerfull enough) some LM GTS

Think large !

... and now, the "other side of the coin".

the major question(s) to all of this is:

... which teams will be chosen for the efforts?

... what will the operating budgets look like?

... and, whom [i]exactly[i/] will be "ponying up" the cash for these projects?

so far, the announcements were made for the future entrants in ALMS & possibly LeMans. None have been made for European or Japanese competition of their engineering efforts at present(even though the RX-7 is still in competition in JGTC today). While they may be looking to expand in the future, they're not going to make the same misstakes they did post-'91 after their LeMans win.

[nsxr]

from what I've seen from the tuners in japan the rx-8 has become quiet a little package. plus have you heard a rotary at 9000+revs with full boost. oh yeah wwwhoooaaaaaaa please let this happen.!

[Carse]

All i can say is i hope so. One in lmp1 and one in gt would do nicely and hopefully they make them as loud and hgh-pitched as the early '90's Mazda herbet won in.

Also, hopefully if Mazda return it will spur Nissan and Toyota to return to the big league with new cars as that is where they should be, not messing around in JGTC. They have built winning race cars in the past and should come back to La Sarthe, but we can only hope and speculate!