Which European circuit will the ALMS race at next year?

Mark F1 · 17 Jun 2002, 16:19 (Ref:315491)

It was announced on Friday that the ALMS will return to Europe next year with a single race in 2003. A venue for next year's event is undecided, but Don Panoz has said it is likely to be one of Europe's major and most historical circuits.

But Which European circuit would you like to see the ALMS racing at next year. I'd love to see them racing at Spa, just imagine an Audi going flat out through Eau Rouge at 170 Mph, now that really would be something to watch !!!!

paul-collins · 17 Jun 2002, 17:00 (Ref:315515)

With Audi and Porsche being so firmly entrenched in the ALMS (and I believe that the R8s will be running full force in 2003, whether factory or not), I'd have to guess that Nurburgring is the frontrunner. I'd prefer to see Spa, and if Ferrari (GT/GTS) / Maserati (LMP?) are being wooed, then Monza is a possibility.

Frankly, if the race is going to be in the UK, I'd prefer Brands.

Speedworx · 17 Jun 2002, 17:09 (Ref:315521)

Brands will never host an ALMS race. The best UK track for the series is Silverstone.

paul-collins · 17 Jun 2002, 17:31 (Ref:315540)

Well, the ALMS runs just fine without F1-level ameneties over here. Is there a reason other than the state of Silverstone's development to not go to Brands?

I've always felt that Brands was the best natural race layout the UK had.

I'm assuming you have some insight about tracks in the UK, hakkiman. What is the status of Brands and Donnington, and how would they not be suitable for ALMS? Didn't the ELMS run at Donnington last year?

I'm not trying to be cheeky. I really want to know.

Speedworx · 17 Jun 2002, 17:43 (Ref:315547)

The ALMS/ELMS did run at Donington last year, but even the DTM teams complained about the pits and paddock at the track. The redevelopment work has been put on hold, while ownership changes hands (thats last I heard)

Brands has a good layout, but is not as good as Silverstone for sportscars in my view.

paulzinho · 17 Jun 2002, 19:48 (Ref:315638)

BRANDS!!!!!!!

1000km please!!

**touringlegend** · 17 Jun 2002, 20:32 (Ref:315668)

No no no!! Not Silverstone! Please god no! I'm sure no Sportscar fan wants their sport to travel to flat boring circuits like Silverstone !! Donington would be my first choice, Brands the 2nd in the UK. In mainland Europe, either Spa or Nurburgring.

Chofar · 17 Jun 2002, 21:11 (Ref:315685)

I voted other, thinking about Dijon. Why ?
- There was Fia GT in 98
- The track is being rebuilt and now property of Snobeck
- It's ten miles from home

Speedworx · 17 Jun 2002, 21:43 (Ref:315710)

How about Paul Ricard or Mugello?

Lee Janotta · 18 Jun 2002, 02:59 (Ref:315813)

Brands and Donnington are the strongest choices. I hope Brands Hatch.

There's always the Eiffel 1000km at the Nurburgring, though. With the ground effects coming back.... Hmm, maybe someone should put Hans Stuck in an Audi and see if he can get around the Nordschliefe without flipping?

**Craig** · 18 Jun 2002, 11:07 (Ref:315984)

Brands Hatch please!! The atmosphere there is superb and if it were a race of some length (1000km ?

then you get the opportunity to wander around at your leisure and watch from places such as Dingle Dell where the cars would be awesome.

Yet again some people talk out of their arses. Why wouldn't Brands be suitable ? It has hosted major races from all classes of the sport before and almost everyone who comes loves the circuit, whether they be drivers, team personnel, or fans.

rdjones · 18 Jun 2002, 12:01 (Ref:316021)

Silverstone for a 1000km, as I reckon about 50 or 60,000 people might turn up, noiw that would be a site.

**Craig** · 18 Jun 2002, 12:05 (Ref:316026)

They've already been to Silverstone with the ALMS and it was poor to average at best. Though I seem to recall the weather was good!

hgb · 18 Jun 2002, 12:09 (Ref:316032)

It's got to be Spa, definately.

FastJoel31 · 18 Jun 2002, 15:09 (Ref:316168)

I think they will race at either the Nurburgring, Silverstone, or Donington. Those were the tracks that they raced at before that counted as ALMS points, but you cannot rule out the ELMS tracks from last year. I don't believe they would go to Spa, as it already has the 24 hours...

paulzinho · 18 Jun 2002, 16:30 (Ref:316224)

Ah yes and the Spa 1000km is coming back again isn't it. As part of the FIA Sportscar championship.

Speedworx · 18 Jun 2002, 20:25 (Ref:316455)

It will probably be a track that the ALMS has already used. I said Brands is not suitable, because would it fit all the cars in the pits?

If I was to put money on it, I'd say Nurburgring, but I'd prefer Silverstone.

hgb · 18 Jun 2002, 20:37 (Ref:316468)

The FIA sports cars used Spa for a cuple of years now (this year included, if late). The Fia GT cars are running on it for 25 hours and the F1 cars are here. So, there shouldn't be any savety issues against it. Another plus: Spa pulls crowds because of its history, the unique track and it's in the heart of Europe and close to the autobahn (better than Nuerburgring). Every driver I talked to loves it. So Don, bring it to Spa, please.

FG1 · 19 Jun 2002, 09:47 (Ref:316787)

Brands Hatch. Simply for selfish reasons, it's close to where I live.

The historic stuff looked great going around there a month or so ago.

FG

BarryR · 19 Jun 2002, 16:01 (Ref:316995)

Brands would be fantastic as you can see so much of the bowl from a lot of places, and would have time to get out to the long circuit, much better than the flat airfield. If it was set up with big screens like WSB it would be perfect.
BUT Brands only has permission to use the full circuit for a limited number of days due to noise restrictions, and I think they are all allocated.
ALMS on the short circuit???

paulzinho · 19 Jun 2002, 19:04 (Ref:317089)

They did Interseries on the short circuit once, got a bit crowded!

hgb · 19 Jun 2002, 19:12 (Ref:317101)

FG1, don't suppose I'm not selfish myself. Spa is about half an hour ride from the place I spent most of my weekends.

paulzinho · 19 Jun 2002, 19:38 (Ref:317116)

Here's an idea.....

What about a world sportscar championship similar to that one from the 80's. You know that really good one.

It could visit Brands, Spa, Nurburgring, Suzuka, Fuji, Monza, Le Mans the lot and it would really rake the crowds in.

Big Mac · 27 Jun 2002, 06:18 (Ref:322642)

Here here paulzinho!!!

Brauch · 3 Jul 2002, 06:18 (Ref:326309)

Imagine a race at the old Ring!!! Oh My god! I would be there in an instant from the states. The Ring is the greatest. Nothing compares to it.. I will be at Road America this weekend. It does is the only thing in America that even remotely compared to the ring.

-Brauch

View Poll Results: Which European circuit will the ALMS race at next year?
Silverstone	6	17.14%
Nurburgring	5	14.29%
Spa-Francorchamps	10	28.57%
Brno	1	2.86%
Jarama	0	0%
Monza	1	2.86%
Estoril	0	0%
Donnington Park	3	8.57%
Magny-Cours	0	0%
Other	9	25.71%
Voters: 35. You may not vote on this poll

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