ALMS 2009 Discussion

[Mal]

Its about time we kicked off the discussion regarding the prospects for ALMS in 2009.

Unfortunately The Bear seems pretty pessimistic about the factory prototypes see here:

http://murphythebear.com/blog/

Is he implying the Audi is unlikely to come back as a Factory team?

[deggis]

I adore Bear but doesn't make much sense since they finally get some competition next year in P1. To concentrate solely on LMS or new car development?

Looks like Bear is also implying Penske pulls out. But that would not be breaking news...

[Bob Riebe]

For the IMSA, returning to SNAFU, is status quo.

[Rodger Davies]

I'll wait for Audi's announcement but it wouldn't surprise me if they didn't continue, unfortunately, I was surprised that they did this year.

GT2 may be looking good though, as long as not too many drop out. I hope the Vantage programme is still there and with the new Corvette GT2s and BMWs there may be a lot of variety.

I'm still a little hopeful of a GA drop out or two to join (or rejoin) ALMS but can't see it with the recent news.

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Rodger Davies

I'm still a little hopeful of a GA drop out or two to join (or rejoin) ALMS but can't see it with the recent news.

I'd hate to see them leave GA, as they are my favourite team there and it would possibly take quite a bit of excitement out of watching GA, but I wouldn't bet the farm on AJR returning come Daytona next year. Their contract with Ruby Tuesday is running out and has suppossedly not been renewed, so I guess they'll race wherever a potential new sponsor wants them to race.

[cmk]

I interpreted the Bear as referring largely to Penske in his latest post - about the departure of a factory program, at least. There are multiple references that all point towards Penske and Porsche. This does not invalidate the possibility of Audi not returning, but given that they are known to be building a new car and refreshing their driver lineup, a complete program contraction at this time would be a little strange. Could they not run a full schedule? I cannot help but think that when the 'official programs' of 2 manufacturers is quoted in that way, we could also be talking about Ferrari (Risi is a heavily factory-supported team, I believe).

Teams that will be leaving - Penske, AGR (?), Risi (?)...more?

Teams that will be staying - Highcroft, De Ferran, Fernandez, Intersport, Corsa, Corvette (in some way, shape or form), Farnbacher-Loles, Flying Lizard (?), Dyson (?), Tafel (?). Hmm. Troubling times indeed, but we go through this every year.

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

I'd hate to see them leave GA, as they are my favourite team there and it would possibly take quite a bit of excitement out of watching GA, but I wouldn't bet the farm on AJR returning come Daytona next year. Their contract with Ruby Tuesday is running out and has suppossedly not been renewed, so I guess they'll race wherever a potential new sponsor wants them to race.

The person I talked to, suggested their only current plans were to support the IMSA GT3 Cup car they are currently running. It would be a shame to lose AJR after all of their years.

I believe Audi will be back in some form next year, though I'm not sure what that will be.

I think we'll lose a few entries, and gain a few entries, but in the end be about where we were this year, maybe a couple short.

[The359]

If anything I would expect the R15 to at least be at Sebring, maybe keep the R10s for the few races then bring an R15 back after Le Mans?

I think Dyson is a guarentee to stay.

[JAG]

Numbers maybe similar, even a little down, but Acura and Corsa joining P1 and BMW and GM(?) in GT2 is a step in the right direction, especially if Penske moving on (for now) helps P2 attract privateers longer term.

[Dead-Eye]

Originally Posted by The359

If anything I would expect the R15 to at least be at Sebring, maybe keep the R10s for the few races then bring an R15 back after Le Mans?

We know that Audi can easily support programmes on both sides of the pond. A problem might be availability of new chassis, and it could very well happen that they decide not to bother with the R10 anymore, especially if it looks like the Acuras are faster.
The best thing they could do would be to make sure they have two new cars racing in Europe and two in the US. A new car should be run in as many races as possible before Le Mans to avoid any surprises.

[cmk]

Originally Posted by JAG

Numbers maybe similar, even a little down, but Acura and Corsa joining P1 and BMW and GM(?) in GT2 is a step in the right direction, especially if Penske moving on (for now) helps P2 attract privateers longer term.

Maybe losing Penske and 2 top Acura teams from P2 helps it be a little more attractive to privateers, but the loss of the Penske organization is a big blow to the ALMS as a whole. Before Roger entered, we had not seen a prototype effort with the quality in all areas to match or exceed Audi since the BMW LMRs left after 2000. Having a team like Penske raised the bar in the ALMS and raised the stature of the series within the motorsport world. I would unreservedly state that Penske remaining in the series in some form is always going to be preferable to losing them.

[Duff_44]

A 'maybe' calendar for 2009 (it will look familiar)

3/21 - Sebring
4/4 - St Petersburg (w/ IndyCar)
4/18 - Long Beach (w/ IndyCar)
5/10 or 5/17 - Miller MP
7/11 - Lime Rock
7/25 - Road America
8/8 - Mid Ohio (w/ IndyCar)
8/29 - Mosport
9/5 - Detroit (w/ IndyCar)
10/3 - Petit Le Mans
10/17 - Laguna Seca

Mid Ohio moves back 3 weeks and Road America moves ahead 2 weeks... the IndyCar schedule has already been announced.

[rich07]

Hope Risi doesn't leave even if Salo and Melo go elsewhere, GT2 is going to be even better next year!!

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by cmk

Maybe losing Penske and 2 top Acura teams from P2 helps it be a little more attractive to privateers, but the loss of the Penske organization is a big blow to the ALMS as a whole. Before Roger entered, we had not seen a prototype effort with the quality in all areas to match or exceed Audi since the BMW LMRs left after 2000. Having a team like Penske raised the bar in the ALMS and raised the stature of the series within the motorsport world. I would unreservedly state that Penske remaining in the series in some form is always going to be preferable to losing them.

I would agree with that, but I also think the time for Penske/Porsche in P-2 has passed!


L.P.

[Dutton]

If Audi, Penske, and Risi all left...that is a loss whatever you look at it, although, at least, there are things like a strengthened P1 and BMW in GT2 to make it more survivable.

What is the deal with the torture that is GT1? Going to be three cars once more?

[rich07]

Well hopefully if Corvette leave then all the privateers will jump back in.

[Zurbert82]

Thats wishful thinking, but it's not that simple. There aren't many GT1 teams or cars out there, save for the odd used C6.R, DBR9, or outdated Saleen or Murcielago.

[Dutton]

For the last couple of years I've been getting increasingly of the mindset that the best thing for the ALMS could simply be to get rid of GT1 altogether (thus GT2 becomes simply GT). If there could be a viable GT3 field produced to fill GT1's void, well, why not have that (better than only GT[2])?

It would be lovely to have a strong GT1 field, but I'm not convinced there is anything like enough interest in the ALMS context to make it viable. Having said that, I am far from a font of wisdom in this regard. If others can show me why this is an incorrect belief to have, well, that would truly make my day.

[The Badger]

Originally Posted by Zurbert82

Thats wishful thinking, but it's not that simple. There aren't many GT1 teams or cars out there, save for the odd used C6.R, DBR9, or outdated Saleen or Murcielago.

Outdated Saleen ..... that car is as fast as a privateer Corvette or Aston , when run by the right team , same goes for the Lambo , on a good day though .

[Speed-King]

Originally Posted by Dutton

For the last couple of years I've been getting increasingly of the mindset that the best thing for the ALMS could simply be to get rid of GT1 altogether (thus GT2 becomes simply GT). If there could be a viable GT3 field produced to fill GT1's void, well, why not have that (better than only GT[2])?

I agree. The ACO doesn't...

[deggis]

Originally Posted by cmk

I interpreted the Bear as referring largely to Penske in his latest post - about the departure of a factory program, at least. There are multiple references that all point towards Penske and Porsche.

Except that "the silver may have a cloudy lining".

[Zurbert82]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Outdated Saleen ..... that car is as fast as a privateer Corvette or Aston , when run by the right team , same goes for the Lambo , on a good day though .

I didn't say it was slow, just old as the hills

[cmk]

Originally Posted by deggis

Except that "the silver may have a cloudy lining".

The bear has said that people often read too much into his wordplay. I could be wrong, but I think that could be a stretch to designate that phrase as referring directly to Audi. After all, I cannot think of any more suitable phrases to reference even ignoring the reference to the colour silver.

[JAG]

Audi are building a new P1, have spent many years encouraging major manufacturer's to enter the class, and have supported the ALMS for almost a decade.

As with the move from the R8 to R10, you have to think Audi and Champion will find a way to race in '09, if only to maintain the series momentum and ensure the P1 class is strong when they are finally ready to run the R15 in the ALMS.

[Mal]

It may be that Audi will continue to run the R10 in ALMS under the Champion flag - at least until after Le Mans - while they develop the new car in Europe.