Cart & Alms = Good Fun

Flatspot · 4 Oct 2002, 04:50 (Ref:395430)

I was just sitting here thinking how much I'd really love to be at the Grand Prix of the Americas this weekend. What a fantastic weekend of racing. Open wheelers, sports cars, Trans-Am, and good freinds, it doesn't get any better than that for a weekend of fun.

I mentioned some very fond memories in another post about going to Laguna Seca and seeing the same set of circumstances excepting it was IMSA (GTP,GTO & GTU) instead of ALMS. It was awesome. The paddocks full of purebred racing machines of all types. Waking up to the smell of methanol, a beer for breakfast, being so beat at the end of the day from walking the track that you slept like a baby.

That's was an important part what grew road racing in North America and makes it special for me. It seems things have become more specialized and without question less cooperative as time has gone on. I'm glad to see Chris Pook and Don Panoz giving it a go. It just may breathe some new life into the North American racing scene. I hope it ends up a long term relationship.

Sorry for rambling in the middle of the night but it just made me feel good!

macdaddy · 4 Oct 2002, 05:11 (Ref:395438)

This Miami weekend is gonna be awesome for those of us lucky enough to be there. I'd love to see the ALMS. I should make a point of visiting Mosport next year.

Liz · 4 Oct 2002, 10:40 (Ref:395584)

Yes, everyone who has not seen the ALMS should come and see it! And I agree that the two series together is a feast I wish I could visit. The thing about Miami that is going to be so great is the international party scene -- just like Montreal. Virtually every nationality will have its fans to support its drivers this weekend, and the paddocks will be packed with people who passionately love racing.

P.S. Come to Mosport and see the ALMS cars and then next year you'll want to step up to the Big Show: Le Mans!

SFonseca · 4 Oct 2002, 11:43 (Ref:395650)

It will an amazing race weekend for the real motorsport fans!

muggle not · 4 Oct 2002, 12:17 (Ref:395695)

Don't forget...Trans Am will be there also.

Liz · 4 Oct 2002, 16:03 (Ref:395855)

Now that we have Stu Hayner up in the front of the pack, it's time for Paul Fix II's efforts to pay off!

I've got 4 races to report on this weekend. I think I'm gld it's going to rain ....

JAG · 4 Oct 2002, 19:03 (Ref:395976)

Panoz and Pook seem very interested in extending the ALMS/Cart partnership at certain venues, i.e. venues other than Sebring, PLM were track time/space is at a premium with the long races.

If Cart continues to postione itself as a feeder series to F1 with high powered one make type cars, possibly backed by a manufactuer such as Ford, I can see the ALMS/Cart working together without stepping on each others toes for manufactuers/teams/drivers etc.

Cart will be primarily for up and coming hot shot drivers aiming for F1 while the ALMs would be for established professionals such as Brabham, Wallace, Herbert and the privateers.

Liz · 4 Oct 2002, 20:26 (Ref:396008)

And for those who don't cry "Too Dangerous!" perhaps there could be some "test laps" run by drivers from each series in the others' cars. I'd like to see Terry Borcheller in a Champ Car.

muggle not · 4 Oct 2002, 23:09 (Ref:396086)

Quote:

Originally posted by Liz
Now that we have Stu Hayner up in the front of the pack, it's time for Paul Fix II's efforts to pay off!

I've got 4 races to report on this weekend. I think I'm gld it's going to rain ....

If it rains you wont have any to report on.

It would be nice to see Stu win the Miami race.

Liz · 5 Oct 2002, 00:28 (Ref:396118)

If it rains HERE I meant.

I'd like to see Stu win, or Mike Lewis. But I expect Boris will win.

muggle not · 5 Oct 2002, 14:07 (Ref:396338)

Or maybe Leitzinger, they may have something to prove.
In any case I hope the sun shines at race locations and rains in Toronto and especially here in Virginia where we are in the midst of a "serious" drought.

Liz · 5 Oct 2002, 16:03 (Ref:396385)

My old neighbourhood in Toronto is without power after a massive windstorm last night -- fortunately we are not affected.

I see the track is making people think of Monaco. Seeing Trans Am cars on a track even narrower than Trois Rivieres should be, er, instructive.

Jay · 5 Oct 2002, 16:27 (Ref:396397)

It does appear similar to Monaco actually, but with a Florida feel instead of the Mediterranean feel...with the pom trees and scenery in the background.

The track looks to be about as narrow, but our champ cars are a bit wider so it actually comes off as narrower. According to the drivers there is maybe one place to pass, and from the looks of it there are many corners where it is 100% impossible to go side by side. So....while there won't be much passing it may mean a more bunched field.

muggle not · 5 Oct 2002, 19:48 (Ref:396470)

Geez...It looks like a one way street. On second thought I guess it is a one way street. I can just see Boris barreling down this track and trying to make a pass.

Lee Janotta · 5 Oct 2002, 23:31 (Ref:396576)

It's a lot tighter, flatter, shorter and more slippery than Monaco, though...

I'm hoping the track gets a _lot_ better when the extend it in to Bicentennial Park next year.

Jay · 6 Oct 2002, 01:33 (Ref:396639)

I wouldn't say it's tighter than Monaco... our cars are just wider...

yeah, it's not a great track, needs some reworking. But, I'm still not sure it will make the race a bore.

Liz · 6 Oct 2002, 02:04 (Ref:396651)

Judging by what we saw in qualifying today, I'd say "boring" is not an option in this race. However, I did notice that all the people ****ing and moaning about the track were deserters.

I found that very instructive.

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