Carl Haas takes over distribution of Panoz race cars and parts

[WMUCarGuy]

Before Carl Haas became better known as Paul Newman's partner in Newman-Haas racing, racers themselves knew Haas as the importer for Lola racecars and parts in North America. In recent years, Haas has continued as a distributor for Hewland gearboxes and has now assumed distribution and service responsibilities for Elan Motorsport Technologies (EMT).

EMT is the race car branch of the Panoz Motor Sport Group and builds machines under the Van Diemen and Panoz brands, including the Panoz Esperante GTLM. EMT products race in Formula Ford, American Le Mans Series and Superleague Formula among others.

Haas' operation will stock and sell EMT's cars and parts around the world and provide trackside service at races to help keep competitors running.

Source: Autoblog

[Fogelhund]

Selling off the empire......

[Tim Northcutt]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

Selling off the empire......

Yep...

There has to be more beneath the surface on this, because it isn't logical to give up the parts distribution side of your business, which is where a builder makes its money over the long haul.

[JAG]

Could someone move in and buy the rights to the ALMS?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by JAG

Could someone move in and buy the rights to the ALMS?

What exactly do you mean? The rights, or the property?

[JAG]

Initially just the rights to the series, but I guess any potential purchaser would have to weigh up whether the ALMS brand is of much value without also securing Sebring and Road Atlanta.

It would be interesting to see what could be achieved if someone with deep pockets stepped up, I wonder if they'd carry on in a similar vein or restructure the series, race formats etc.

All a dream ATM.

[Hugewally]

Of course, who is to say there haven't been attempts to do so already?

[WMUCarGuy]

Originally Posted by Hugewally

Of course, who is to say there haven't been attempts to do so already?

Didn't Murphy mention that Seth Nieman and Tracy Krohn had both been interested in buying the whole shebang at some point?

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by JAG

Initially just the rights to the series, but I guess any potential purchaser would have to weigh up whether the ALMS brand is of much value without also securing Sebring and Road Atlanta.

It would be interesting to see what could be achieved if someone with deep pockets stepped up, I wonder if they'd carry on in a similar vein or restructure the series, race formats etc.

All a dream ATM.

As a track, Road Atlanta is the least valuable asset. As real estate, is probably the most valuable asset. It's days as a track might be somewhat limited. Certainly Sebring and Mosport are important.

It depends on who stepped up, whether they'd carry on in a similar vein. There are some who might have somewhat different views on things.

[Tim Northcutt]

Originally Posted by Tim Northcutt

Yep...

There has to be more beneath the surface on this, because it isn't logical to give up the parts distribution side of your business, which is where a builder makes its money over the long haul.

Read Murphy The Bear's lasted "Paddock Poop" on this and it explains why PMG cut this deal...things seem to be rather dire in Braselton these days...

www.murphythebear.com

[Tim Northcutt]

Originally Posted by WMUCarGuy

Didn't Murphy mention that Seth Nieman and Tracy Krohn had both been interested in buying the whole shebang at some point?

Keep in mind that Duncan Dayton and Rob Dyson also have the $$$ to possibly do this as well...If just 3 of these 4 were to pool their interests together, they could buy it all and hire people who would run the series the right way...

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

As a track, Road Atlanta is the least valuable asset. As real estate, is probably the most valuable asset. It's days as a track might be somewhat limited. Certainly Sebring and Mosport are important.

It depends on who stepped up, whether they'd carry on in a similar vein. There are some who might have somewhat different views on things.

I wonder if PLM could continue unaffected at a new venue and still retain it's status?

From the outside looking in I reckon Miller Motorsports Park could be a possibility, with plenty of long term potential to grow.

[Speed-King]

I don't know if it could or could not retain its status, but it could definitely not at Miller.

Mid Ohio and Road America would probably be the prime suspects if one were to try.

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by WMUCarGuy

Didn't Murphy mention that Seth Nieman and Tracy Krohn had both been interested in buying the whole shebang at some point?

Ed Brown (Patron) was rumoured at one point too, I believe.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

I don't know if it could or could not retain its status, but it could definitely not at Miller.

Mid Ohio and Road America would probably be the prime suspects if one were to try.

I chose Miller as it's a new venue, PLM could put the place on the map.

When you think of Sebring, you think of the 12hrs, the same could happen with Miller and PLM.

Mid-Ohio and Road America have long histories, PLM's status could be devalued if it is seen as little more than a tag which is shuffled from event to event.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by JAG

I chose Miller as it's a new venue, PLM could put the place on the map.

When you think of Sebring, you think of the 12hrs, the same could happen with Miller and PLM.

Yeah, but Miller is neither challenging nor pretty... probably the worst track in American sportscar racing right now.

[Andy77]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Yeah, but Miller is neither challenging nor pretty... probably the worst track in American sportscar racing right now.

+1

[NaBUru38]

Road America had a traditional 500-mile race, so no PLM there to me.

[Fogelhund]

Miller is the last place for a marquee event. Frankly, the only way they can keep an event is with a decent sanction fee, which can't be profitable to them.

It is highly probably that the name Petit Le Mans is used under license from the ACO. Any new management group may choose to change the direction of IMSA, whether they continue on with the ACO relationship under it's current format, whether the name ALMS is used, or whether they are allowed to use the name PLM would be TBD.

Under any scenario where a new ownership group does take over, I would suspect that any marquee event would likely be hosted at a venue they own. Again, further assumptions, but it is most probably that Sebring and Mosport go with the IMSA package, if tracks are sold at all. Road Atlanta may, or may not be sold with it. (I certainly hope it is.)

[mountainstar]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Yeah, but Miller is neither challenging nor pretty... probably the worst track in American sportscar racing right now.

Have you ever been on it?

I like it a lot and the whole place is a great facility.

[aeroehl]

How much is the Series and its assets (Sebring, Road Atlanta, Mosport) worth, $40 million (considering the value of the land)?

I hope Dr. Don has to much pride to ever consider and offer from a pro Grand Am party that would kill the series off.

[HORNDAWG]

There would be no land (track) involved with Sebring.





L.P.

[JAG]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Yeah, but Miller is neither challenging nor pretty... probably the worst track in American sportscar racing right now.

Miller's start/finish straight gives it charactor IMO.

Add a dozen P1's and runnning into the dark, I think you'd have a classic on your hands.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqRXu...eature=related

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by Fogelhund

As a track, Road Atlanta is the least valuable asset. As real estate, is probably the most valuable asset. It's days as a track might be somewhat limited. Certainly Sebring and Mosport are important.

Seriously?! what gives you that impression? i've heard some rumblings of complaints from Hall County residents and others but.......money talks i reckon.

i don't like hearing that, but it was in serious problems before the Don took over, and if goes to someone else........mmmm. not making my day, Fogel.

[skycafe]

The encroaching development at Road Atlanta really makes you wonder what the future is there. Sebring even now has encroaching development.

I would say Sebring holds on because of fame/name/tradition if all goes bad and the ALMS or whatever stops. I would hate to see it with Grand Am, actually preferring NASA or something else like that. Something inspiring.

All this talk is making me fear for road racing's future in America beyond club only tracks, rovals and street courses.

robert -growing glum.