ALMS 2009 Discussion

[Marcel ten Caat]

http://www.p2closeout.com/

That includes the two Lola's...

Lola B08/80 HU 02 (LMP2 Closed Cockpit Coupe) $650,000
2007 Lola B07/40 HU 09 (LMP2 Open Cockpit Coupe) $375,000

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by The359

You believe wrong. NASCAR engines do not all perform the same. Being the same layout doesn't mean everyone comes up with the same solution.

IRL engines have never been "spec" either. Ask Infiniti or Chevrolet about that when they were hanging out at the back of the field.

What I sould say then is that all of the engines sound the same. They are all V8's aren't they? In the ALMS, aren't there V10's, V8's, etc....sounding all different. I have been to Nationwide, Truck, and IRL races and all of the engines sound the same. ALMS is the only place where I have been where the engines sound different. I doubt the IRL will allow Audi to have diesel engines that don't make any noise.

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by Stranger

http://www.p2closeout.com/

That includes the two Lola's...

Lola B08/80 HU 02 (LMP2 Closed Cockpit Coupe) $650,000
2007 Lola B07/40 HU 09 (LMP2 Open Cockpit Coupe) $375,000

Liquidation.. Does that support the financial crisis issue, or?

[Ryan]

Originally Posted by Stranger

http://www.p2closeout.com/

That includes the two Lola's...

Lola B08/80 HU 02 (LMP2 Closed Cockpit Coupe) $650,000
2007 Lola B07/40 HU 09 (LMP2 Open Cockpit Coupe) $375,000

I am surprised to see that they owned the chassis. I thought they were property of Mazda. I live 20 minutes from their shop and have driven past it a few times. At those prices though, they will be holding on to that stuff a long time, unless they had an auction like Champ Car had. My ALMS contact told me that the stuff was so cheap, they couldn't pass it up. If there is an auction, I will try and attend. Jamie also attended the same uni that I currently attend, but I can't find his name in the white pages so I assume he graduated.

[Marcel ten Caat]

Could be...but liquidation is not always compulsory. It's basically nothing more than selling off the assets and property of the company as you end that company.

[Ryan]

I just remembered...auctions come with bankruptcy. Probably auction time if that occurs. I knew I should have paid better attention in Business Law class.

[HORNDAWG]

Straight to bankruptcy!



L.P.

[Aslak Vind]

I must repeat (I am sorry), how sad I am to see the development.

As could be expected due to the times we have, but still..

[HORNDAWG]

I was being facetious.



L.P.

[Aslak Vind]

I know, however I fear something is behind the closure of BK. But what do I know..

(Nothing!)

[bil588]

Will Intersport Racing be back in LMP1 in 2009? I heard a rumor they might be gone from ALMS next year, but I talked with them at round 11 and they said they would be back. Their Laguna Seca press release also talked of a return to ALMS in 2009.

[Aslak Vind]

Things has evolved somewhat, mate?

In terms of finance?

[Hugewally]

Originally Posted by Aslak Vind

I know, however I fear something is behind the closure of BK. But what do I know..

(Nothing!)

The team owner is retiring and selling all his toys. Nothing there to fear.

[Hugewally]

Originally Posted by bil588

Will Intersport Racing be back in LMP1 in 2009? I heard a rumor they might be gone from ALMS next year, but I talked with them at round 11 and they said they would be back. Their Laguna Seca press release also talked of a return to ALMS in 2009.

Of course their PRs don't mention totalling two cars at Mosport & Petit either...

[Aslak Vind]

Originally Posted by Hugewally

The team owner is retiring and selling all his toys. Nothing there to fear.

Well, I am "happy" to hear that, however it seems outragous to start the coupe program, race it once and then sell the whole deal.

Mazda must be furious.

[broadrun96]

Gotta agree with hugewally, the EI press release had Mazda thanking Bob Bach for his involvement in racing and wishing him an enjoyable retirement. Think it's more he was done with running the team and didnt find anybody to buy the team from him. I'm guessing Mazda has either another building team in the works or a new commitment from an established team, ie Dyson. Could see mazda pushing their car closer to front of the field, esp with the Penskes out of the way.

[Hugewally]

Originally Posted by Aslak Vind

Well, I am "happy" to hear that, however it seems outragous to start the coupe program, race it once and then sell the whole deal.

Mazda must be furious.

Or maybe part of the problem.

[Hugewally]

Originally Posted by broadrun96

Gotta agree with hugewally, the EI press release had Mazda thanking Bob Bach for his involvement in racing and wishing him an enjoyable retirement. Think it's more he was done with running the team and didnt find anybody to buy the team from him. I'm guessing Mazda has either another building team in the works or a new commitment from an established team, ie Dyson. Could see mazda pushing their car closer to front of the field, esp with the Penskes out of the way.

Of course, I was talking about the Intersport Racing PRs not mentioning their wrecks at those two races.

I don't think the team was ever considered for sale. IMO there was friction with the money source, so the team owner up and said, "F### it!" Think about it, they were there for 4 years and besides the win by default at Mid-Ohio, what else did they accomplish. Anyone think that lack of funding might've been an issue?

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by Hugewally

Anyone think that lack of funding might've been an issue?

If they were well funded then they hid it very well...

[Aslak Vind]

I am sorry, but I am getting the same vibes with the Charouz situation. The teamowner says F### it, pay for it yourself and sells the cars.

But what do I know..

[aeroehl]

A less optimistic view of what next year's field will look like for the majority of the season (smallest field in the history of the series?)

P1
2x Audi Sport North America Audi R10 TDI
1x Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura ARX-02a
1x Corsa Motorsport Ginetta Zytek Q-10
1x de Ferran Motorsports Acura ARX-02a
1x Autocon Motorsports Lola B06/10 AER

P2
2x Dyson Racing Team Lola B08/86 MZR-R
1x Lowe's Fernandez Racing Acura ARX-01c

GT2
2x Corvette Racing Corvette C6ZR
2x Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
2x Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT
2x Tafel Racing Ferrari F430 GT
2x Farnbacher Loles Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
2x NEC Rahal Letterman Racing BMW M3 GTR

P1: 6
P2: 3
GT2: 12
Total: 21

Status Unknown
2x Vici Racing Porsche 997 GT3 RSR
2x Intersport Racing Lola B06/10 AER
2x Penske Motorsports Porsche RS Spyder
1x Bell Motorsports Aston Martin DBR9
1x Primetime Race Group Viper Comp. Coupe
1x Panoz Team PTG Panoz Esperante
1x LG Motorsports Riley Corvette C6
1x Robertson Racing Ford GTR
1x Black Swan Racing Ford GTR

[Cypher09]

Speedhunters.com has posted some pix of a 997 RSR in Falken livery at SEMA.

http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...1/IMG_0047.jpg

http://ll.speedhunters.com/u/f/eagam...1/IMG_0053.jpg

Story here: http://speedhunters.com/archive/2008...ema-part1.aspx

[Hugewally]

Somehow I don't think he has the story right about the Ford GT program...

[Jonerz]

That has the old style (2007) exhaust on it and the 2007 style winglets on the front of the car, which makes me think that is perhaps TransSports' 2007 car.

Chris

[Hugewally]

Without position lights, etc...