2014 United Sports Car Championship
- Thread starter Earth
- 6,133 comments
- 266,809 views
- 9,765
- OrlandoFL GMT-5
- GTP__Jav
- 7,594
- Ontario,Canada
- macospet1
- My What?
Source: Motorsport.com
http://www.motorsport.com/business/...ks-and-manufacturers-on-alms-grand-am-merger/
Bobby Rahal, One of the BMW RLL team owners : As weve seen in Indy car racing, this is nothing but great news for the sport, for the teams and for the fans. Its a huge win for racing in general and sports car racing in particular. I commend Jim France and Don Panoz for finding a way to come together and doing what is best for the sport. I think that with the combined schedules, the might of ISCs marketing and the types of circuits we can focus on, it couldnt be any better for a series. Im very, very enthused and excited about it and looking forward to seeing it all come together.
Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing: "This is an epic moment for sports car racing in America," said Jamie Allison, director, Ford Racing. "The opportunity to take the best of ALMS and GRAND AM and create a strong, unified professional road racing series is what the fans have wanted, the teams have wanted, and the manufacturers have wanted for many years. We at Ford congratulate the GRAND AM and ALMS leadership and all those involved in helping put the merger together for the good of the sport.
"While we await further details on the homologations and rules for the individual classes, the new, unified approach has a lot of appeal to Ford due to the potential international alignment. We are a global auto manufacturer, and will look for this new series to align well with our global OneFord platform of vehicles and technologies. As a manufacturer and stakeholder in the sport overall, we look forward to working with the new unified management team to frame our involvement going forward."
#05 CORE Autosport: Jonathan Bennett, Colin Braun
Photo by: Richard Sloop
Jon Bennett, owner and founder, CORE autosport: On behalf of CORE autosport, I would like to congratulate all parties that were involved in this historic sports car merger to create a unified series in 2014. It took the cooperation of true visionaries to create one strong new series out of the American Le Mans Series and GRAND-AM. The positives that will emerge from this unification will be felt by teams, drivers, sponsors, partners and most importantly, fans. The entire CORE autosport organization looks forward to continuing sports car competition at the highest level, and adding to our team and driver championships.
Rob Dyson, Team Principal, Dyson Racing: "The history of sports car racing in America has centered around sophisticated performance and innovation. Dyson Racing has raced top-line prototypes for three decades and the variety of technology and competitors during that period has defined the sport and produced the memories that sustain its growth today and propel its future. We anticipate that this historic merger will produce sports car racing that embraces the diversity that has made our racing a fan favorite, with world-wide legitimacy. There are currently twelve auto and engine manufactures plus four tire manufactures in our series. We expect the newly combined series will produce an even more enhanced arena of value for manufacturers and privateers alike."
This combination has the potential to be a significant milepost in the history of sports car racing.
Chris Dyson
Chris Dyson, Vice President and Sporting Director, Dyson Racing: "The best mergers strengthen. This combination has the potential to be a significant milepost in the history of sports car racing and to foster a period reminiscent of our sport's glory days. The addition of GRAND-AM's historic tracks to IMSA's existing set of iconic tracks will only reinforce the appeal to fans, competitors and manufacturers. We are optimistic that with a continued emphasis on technical advancement, variety, high levels of on-track performance, close competition and a welcoming paddock atmosphere, unified sports car racing in North America is about to enter a new era - one of long term strength. There are always challenges involved with change, but Dyson Racing will continue to work with all in our sport to ensure the strongest possible future."
Alex Job, Team owner, Alex Job Racing: "We have been racing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and International Motorsports Association (IMSA) since our inception as a team in 1988," Job said. "We have also raced with GRAND-AM in both the Daytona Prototype and GT categories. It will be interesting to see how the philosophy of ALMS and their association with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) translates to GRAND-AM and their relationship with NASCAR. "
"Personally, I like the manufacturer involvement, technology and differing tire combinations in the ALMS. In GRAND-AM, I can appreciate the willingness to control costs and level the playing field. However, I also like the thought of competing at the Le Mans 24 Hours with the same car that I am competing with here in the United States. Endurance racers are a resilient bunch. It appears that the group in Daytona are going to give themselves 18-months to forge a sturdy business and technical plan. This has been a long time coming. I am looking forward to going to the Rolex 24 Hour at Daytona in January of 2014 and then to Sebring for the 12 Hour a month-and-a-half later like the old days."
Joie Chitwood, President of Daytona International Speedway
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
DIS President Joie Chitwood III: This is a very special day for the sport and an incredibly exciting time as we look ahead. I applaud the leadership of both organizations for this bold move that ultimately benefits the great fans of sports car racing in the North America. I am especially pleased to have Daytona International Speedway host the 2014 Rolex 24 the first unified race of this new sports car series.
Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer: "We congratulate and celebrate this historic merger of North American sports car racing. It has created an even more exciting future for this thrilling form of motorsports, which was met with a very enthusiastic reception from our fans during the IMS debut of GRAND-AM in July."
Mark Reuss, President, GM North America: This is an exciting moment in sports car racing. This merger combines the best attributes of GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series to create a singularly focused series. Congratulations to Jim France and Dr. Don Panoz on having the passion for sports car racing and the vision to take it to the next level. The joining of these two series will provide a foundation for Chevrolet to develop technologies and race cars with tremendous relevancy to the production vehicles we sell today and in the future.
Ralph Gilles, President and CEO Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Brand and Motorsports, Chrysler Group LLC: "Congratulations to both leadership teams for unifying their efforts to create what will certainly be an amazing new series featuring outstanding sports car competition at some of the most legendary race courses. From a factory team perspective and with our recent return to the track with our new SRT Viper GTS-R, we're looking forward to working together to make this new series the best in the world for our teams, sponsors and all fans at the track or watching from home."
Honda has participated in sports car racing, under a variety of sanctioning bodies and formats, since the mid-1980s.
Art St. Cyr
Art St. Cyr, President, Honda Performance Development: In much the same way as unification provided a way forward for open-wheel racing, todays news announcing the merger of the American Le Mans Series and Grand-Am has the potential to grow and improve the sport.
"Honda has participated in sports car racing, under a variety of sanctioning bodies and formats, since the mid-1980s. As a company, we have always sought out series where races and championships could be won or lost on engineering merit. Since 2007, we have been continuous participants in the American Le Mans Series under both the Acura and Honda Performance Development banners. HPD is the reigning American Le Mans Series LMP champion, having won class titles for the past three years.
"In 2012, HPD and its partner teams continue to take part in both LMP1 and LMP2 in the American Le Mans Series; and launched an ambitious multi-team prototype effort in the World Endurance Championship. We look forward to taking part in a new, combined North American road-racing series, featuring a defined rules package that maintains sports car racings traditional role as a technological leader and innovator.
Eric Bachelart,Team Principal - Conquest Endurance: "This is exciting news to everyone in the sports car world. I'm happy to see that the two series have decided to take their time and make sure the process of unification is completed in the best possible way, so that it gives teams, sponsors, drivers and promoters time to prepare and to adjust to the new unified series. Obviously there's still a lot that we don't know, specially the major details that will have the most impact in a team like Conquest Endurance. I hope that the decision makers of the new unified series will consult with the teams as they make these tough decisions so that we make sure that the best components of every series are carried on after 2014."
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
I think there shouldnt be so many NASCAR guys on the board. I mean, I'm not saying they're uninformed, just less interested. I really just wish Grand-LMS could stand on it's own, without having to lean on NASCAR for support.
If IMSA had bought the rights to Grand Am, I think we would have been set.
If IMSA had bought the rights to Grand Am, I think we would have been set.
- 4
- Chicago
- djpatrick35
Here's an interesting set of podcasts on the subject.
http://www.bybillwood.com/online/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=54&Itemid=106
I'm worried, but relatively hopeful. I hope to see the Daytona 24 back on the world stage.
Like others have said, prototype classes have suffered in the ALMS and with the new bodies, it has become a relative strength of the GRAND-AM just in the last season. That said, they have a tough road ahead of them getting the DPs up to speed with the ALMS P2s.
GT has been the OBVIOUS strength of ALMS with Porsche, BMW, Corvette, with the Patron 458 battling it out. Essentially combining the DP and P2 categories (if it can be done well) kinda makes sense and having the ALMS GTs come over essentially unchanged makes sense as well. Maybe we have the Rolex GTs as the lowest rung on the totem pole as a kind of GT3 category. So, I'm hopeful that it'll make for great racing on a world class set of tracks.
But I'm actually more worried about the feeder series as the Continental Tire series has actually made for some great racing with already packed grids. Combining that with the ALMS feeeder series may make for the bigger issue.
I hope it'll all work out for the best, but I am ultimately afraid that I'm witnessing my favorite motorsport series both imploding in front of me. I like having 20+ American sports car races to watch every summer. I like being able to go to Road America (I live in Chicagoland) 2x a year for different series. But, hopefully we'll get to see the best of both series merged into one without American racing again taking a self-imposed backseat to the world stage by making their own rules for their own series and saying F-- off to the world.
I guess we'll see in a year and a half.
http://www.bybillwood.com/online/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=54&Itemid=106
I'm worried, but relatively hopeful. I hope to see the Daytona 24 back on the world stage.
Like others have said, prototype classes have suffered in the ALMS and with the new bodies, it has become a relative strength of the GRAND-AM just in the last season. That said, they have a tough road ahead of them getting the DPs up to speed with the ALMS P2s.
GT has been the OBVIOUS strength of ALMS with Porsche, BMW, Corvette, with the Patron 458 battling it out. Essentially combining the DP and P2 categories (if it can be done well) kinda makes sense and having the ALMS GTs come over essentially unchanged makes sense as well. Maybe we have the Rolex GTs as the lowest rung on the totem pole as a kind of GT3 category. So, I'm hopeful that it'll make for great racing on a world class set of tracks.
But I'm actually more worried about the feeder series as the Continental Tire series has actually made for some great racing with already packed grids. Combining that with the ALMS feeeder series may make for the bigger issue.
I hope it'll all work out for the best, but I am ultimately afraid that I'm witnessing my favorite motorsport series both imploding in front of me. I like having 20+ American sports car races to watch every summer. I like being able to go to Road America (I live in Chicagoland) 2x a year for different series. But, hopefully we'll get to see the best of both series merged into one without American racing again taking a self-imposed backseat to the world stage by making their own rules for their own series and saying F-- off to the world.
I guess we'll see in a year and a half.
- 35,423
- Addison,Texas
- GTP_RACECAR
I believe the part about IMSA continuing to operate all of their other series independently pretty much guarantees we won't see that happen with the feeder series.
- 1,274
- Denver,Miami,Vegas
- terryparker15
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOoKB1z-FNk&feature=youtube_gdata_player This guy breaks it all down in this you tube video posted today.
- 3,585
- Phoenix, AZ
- GTP_Snaeper
Completely agree, I was under the impression that the DP's were specifically designed to have long life spans to reduce costs for long-term ownership. It's possible that the DP's might be more of a Gen 3.5? With the cars getting updated powertrains and aero packages to make them at least faster than the GTE cars.
It's a questionable quote, though.
- 35,423
- Addison,Texas
- GTP_RACECAR
One idea I have for 2013 just to kick off things for the merger: A united TV package that includes Speed (that way we go back to the old days of the 24,12 and 24 combo, along with flag-to-flag coverage
). No more ESPN (because all racing fans, NASCAR, Indy and ALMS, know that ESPN nowadays doesn't give two craps about motorsports) and as ambitious as this might sound, how about the two promoting each other? I know all this likely sounds completely stupid (and this doesn't take into account the double weekend with both series at different tracks on the same weekend), but its thought I had and felt like maybe this could help abit with the unification and as much I'm not keen on the amount of promotion Grand-Am gets, at least the ALMS will get more then just a banner on a site and no commercials.
). No more ESPN (because all racing fans, NASCAR, Indy and ALMS, know that ESPN nowadays doesn't give two craps about motorsports) and as ambitious as this might sound, how about the two promoting each other? I know all this likely sounds completely stupid (and this doesn't take into account the double weekend with both series at different tracks on the same weekend), but its thought I had and felt like maybe this could help abit with the unification and as much I'm not keen on the amount of promotion Grand-Am gets, at least the ALMS will get more then just a banner on a site and no commercials.
- 3,915
- California
- gdwest1
Speed never has replays online. And I like having John Hindaugh.
I cant wait to see Paul Tracy clash with Christophe Bouchut on-track. All of the hot-heads will now be together. All we would need now is Pastor Maldonado and Kyle Busch, we'd be set!
I cant wait to see Paul Tracy clash with Christophe Bouchut on-track. All of the hot-heads will now be together. All we would need now is Pastor Maldonado and Kyle Busch, we'd be set!
ITCC_Andrew
(Banned)
- 18,532
- Kitchener
Or, you know, Juan Pablo Montoya... 💡
Seriously, Grand-Am is the get-together of those people who have hot-tempers. Another reason to like it! It's like BTCC, that lasts for at least 2 hours!
- 3,585
- Phoenix, AZ
- GTP_Snaeper
One idea I have for 2013 just to kick off things for the merger: A united TV package that includes Speed (that way we go back to the old days of the 24,12 and 24 combo, along with flag-to-flag coverage
At the very least, they need to work with the media package to get people excited and help build *positive* momentum for 2014. If there were more races, I'd say split coverage between networks if they're both interested. But only 12 races makes it difficult to do something like that.
However, I think the group needs to get Speed to take a chance on the series. Show all the events live, with endurance races getting strong coverage and build up. Maybe even re-gearing Speed Center to put more of a focus on the new ALMS/Grand-Am merger as well as their associate series. Also putting the AMA bikes, Indy, and other North American series on the schedule (as well as international Sports Car news). Basically NASCAR Race HUB, but for Sports Car Racing (albeit, only one or two days a week).
This is a chance at a new beginning, I wanna see some hype, I want to see the right moves made, and I want to potentially see this American Sports Car series re-launched with a huge bang and riding a huge wave of momentum.
- 3,585
- Phoenix, AZ
- GTP_Snaeper
Well, if LMP2 and DP ever get merged, I have an idea on what the resulting potential car(s) should look like...
Fantasy time!
If I was in charge of picking the classes...
2014 would look like this:
LMP2 (Pro/Am)
DP (Pro/Pro)
GTE (Pro/Pro)
GT (Mixed)
GX (Mixed)
2016 would look like this:
LMP2 (Pro/Am)
DP (Pro/Pro)
DeltaWing (Mixed)
GTE (Pro/Pro)
GT3 (Pro/Am?)
GX (Pro/Am?)
2018 would look like this:
American Prototype (Pro/Pro)** (Assuming a relationship with ACO deteriorates or interest in Le Mans wanes, this class could result.)
DeltaWing (Pro/Am)
GTE (or equivalent) (Pro/Pro)
GT3 (Pro/Am?)
How would you structure everything if you were the guy in sole charge of deciding?
I'd like to see the FIA GT3 get a full-on class. Would prefer a smaller spoiler or different ECU to bring down the performance if need be, so they're not out-running or nipping the faster GTE's. However, it'd be nice to see cars that are closer to the full spec, as GT3 racing tends to be very exciting, and it opens the door for American teams to travel internationally, or international teams to come to America.
In addition, it allows the lower GT class to take advantage of the proposed "drop your lowest result" clause that will be implemented for those going to Le Mans, but instead, could be taken advantage of by teams who want to go to Australia, Japan, Germany, Dubai, etc.
The DeltaWing simply needs to happen. It's a revolutionary car that looks radically different from anything else. Finally, a car that people can point at and go "That's in it's own class" and not have to explain to your wife/kids/idiot friend for hours as to why.
Fantasy time!
If I was in charge of picking the classes...
2014 would look like this:
LMP2 (Pro/Am)
DP (Pro/Pro)
GTE (Pro/Pro)
GT (Mixed)
2016 would look like this:
LMP2 (Pro/Am)
DP (Pro/Pro)
DeltaWing (Mixed)
GTE (Pro/Pro)
GT3 (Pro/Am?)
2018 would look like this:
American Prototype (Pro/Pro)** (Assuming a relationship with ACO deteriorates or interest in Le Mans wanes, this class could result.)
DeltaWing (Pro/Am)
GTE (or equivalent) (Pro/Pro)
GT3 (Pro/Am?)
How would you structure everything if you were the guy in sole charge of deciding?
I'd like to see the FIA GT3 get a full-on class. Would prefer a smaller spoiler or different ECU to bring down the performance if need be, so they're not out-running or nipping the faster GTE's. However, it'd be nice to see cars that are closer to the full spec, as GT3 racing tends to be very exciting, and it opens the door for American teams to travel internationally, or international teams to come to America.
In addition, it allows the lower GT class to take advantage of the proposed "drop your lowest result" clause that will be implemented for those going to Le Mans, but instead, could be taken advantage of by teams who want to go to Australia, Japan, Germany, Dubai, etc.
The DeltaWing simply needs to happen. It's a revolutionary car that looks radically different from anything else. Finally, a car that people can point at and go "That's in it's own class" and not have to explain to your wife/kids/idiot friend for hours as to why.
- 2,121
- Chicago
- mustang622006
I would save all the headaches, bitchin & moaning, just mirror the ACO regs and be done with it. Why spend all that effort re-inventing the wheel?
- 8,017
- GTP_Royalton
How about
LMP2 equalized with Daytona Prototypes for one premier class. Those who want to see/run the DPs are happy and those who want to see/run the P2 lemans prototypes are happy. LMP1 only for WEC rounds, Sebring and perhaps Petit or CotA. Maybe LMPC can be combined with this top class.
GTE (ACO regs)
GTC (ACO regs - Should be easy as Grand-AM GT cars run about the same speed as ALMS GTC CARS)
So 2/3 classes run according to ACO rules. The LMP2 cars are close to ACO rules but run some restrictions to get them down to DP speeds, which are sped up themselves.
- 3,585
- Phoenix, AZ
- GTP_Snaeper
"Hi, I'm Grand-Am! I just bought another racing series, and now I'm going to completely do away with the regulations that I've been using for the past decade or so to do their stuff instead. Not to mention completely alienating all of the teams that currently compete in my series using those regulations, which outnumber the amount of teams using ACO regs."
ACO regulations just don't work for everyone. Hence why Grand-Am was created in the first place. If teams wanted to race in the WEC or at Le Mans, then ALMS would be flourishing and Grand-Am would've been dead a long time ago.
- 3,585
- Phoenix, AZ
- GTP_Snaeper
Tommy Milner of Corvette Racing makes some good points about how to possibly organize the class structure moving forward.
While certain restrictions should apply, I completely agree that the idea of having a GT class that's closely grounded to, say FIA GT3, while keeping an open-format of sorts at the same time is a really cool idea. Let small manufacturers like Panoz, Saleen (hopefully they revitalize their racing heritage now that the Boss is back), wealthy gentleman drivers like Glickenhaus to race competitive but interesting cars. At the same time, European teams can come over with their GT3 cars, lightly modify them (ECU, restrictor, smaller splitter/spoiler) and be competitive. Plus American racing manufacturers could develop local GT3 cars for American or International competition. Cars like the Audi R8 and Ferrari 458 (among other potential GT3 cars) could also remain available to American teams interested in racing exotic machinery locally.
Additionally the ALMS' Green Challenge could be adapted to be a sort of championship within a championship that specifically applies to/replaces what Grand-Am is/was(?) trying to do with their GX class, and instead incorporates the GX cars into this "open-format" GT class, while allowing them to race for a double prize or even triple prize (Championship, Green Challenge, Endurance Championship), to encourage more teams to utilize exotic fuels and foreign technologies, without forcing it down their throats or making auto manufacturers that don't have the resources feel the need to have to develop alternative cars, and raise costs.
This American series could potentially be one of the first large-scale customer series to feature the GT3 R Hybrid if they did, not to mention other similar cars.
Meanwhile, GTE remains strong with entries who desire to go to Le Mans, or have large corporate backing (Tequila Patron, Falken) to continue racing at the top-level of GT racing against large manufacturer-backed entries from Corvette, Viper, BMW, Porsche, Lotus, Aston Martin(?), Jaguar(?) etc.
While certain restrictions should apply, I completely agree that the idea of having a GT class that's closely grounded to, say FIA GT3, while keeping an open-format of sorts at the same time is a really cool idea. Let small manufacturers like Panoz, Saleen (hopefully they revitalize their racing heritage now that the Boss is back), wealthy gentleman drivers like Glickenhaus to race competitive but interesting cars. At the same time, European teams can come over with their GT3 cars, lightly modify them (ECU, restrictor, smaller splitter/spoiler) and be competitive. Plus American racing manufacturers could develop local GT3 cars for American or International competition. Cars like the Audi R8 and Ferrari 458 (among other potential GT3 cars) could also remain available to American teams interested in racing exotic machinery locally.
Additionally the ALMS' Green Challenge could be adapted to be a sort of championship within a championship that specifically applies to/replaces what Grand-Am is/was(?) trying to do with their GX class, and instead incorporates the GX cars into this "open-format" GT class, while allowing them to race for a double prize or even triple prize (Championship, Green Challenge, Endurance Championship), to encourage more teams to utilize exotic fuels and foreign technologies, without forcing it down their throats or making auto manufacturers that don't have the resources feel the need to have to develop alternative cars, and raise costs.
This American series could potentially be one of the first large-scale customer series to feature the GT3 R Hybrid if they did, not to mention other similar cars.
Meanwhile, GTE remains strong with entries who desire to go to Le Mans, or have large corporate backing (Tequila Patron, Falken) to continue racing at the top-level of GT racing against large manufacturer-backed entries from Corvette, Viper, BMW, Porsche, Lotus, Aston Martin(?), Jaguar(?) etc.
Last edited:
- 3,585
- Phoenix, AZ
- GTP_Snaeper
So I really don't know how they're going to make a schedule with only 12 events. Lets break it down.
(Not trying to multi-post, I promise!)
Grand-Am Current Schedule:
Daytona
Barber
Homestead
New Jersey Motorsports Park
Belle Island, Detroit
Mid-Ohio
Road America
Watkins Glen
Indianapolis
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Laguna Seca
Lime Rock
American Le Mans Series Schedule:
Sebring
Long Beach
Laguna Seca
Lime Rock
Mosport
Mid-Ohio
Road America
Baltimore Street Course
Virginia International Raceway
Road Atlanta
There's 18 total events (not counting duplicates of Laguna Seca, Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Lime Rock), as it is. While Grand-Am has the larger schedule, ALMS arguably has the stronger one, with all 10 of it's events taking place at desirable locales, with the sole exception maybe being Baltimore.
Indigo Events = Tracks that host events for both series. Laguna Seca, Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Lime Rock being the four. While it would be easy to say these are guranteed, I'll play it safe and instead give three of them a 99.99% chance that they'll be included. Lime Rock will get a 70% chance, given it's size. Assuming the new series has the big and successful fields it's touting on getting, Lime Rock might prove a tad too small to show up to, it's definitely the most likely of the four to get the axe.
Blue Events = Tracks that host marquee events for the series. While Indianapolis is new this year, it was a huge talking point during the merger, and I'm sure it's got a contract for a few more years anyways, so I don't see it going anywhere (It's freakin' Indianapolis!!). The rest being Daytona, Sebring, Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen.
So, counting up the five marquee events, and the four dual-events, that puts us at 9, with 3 spots to fill in the proposed 12-race calendar. Currently leaving:
Long Beach
Mosport
Baltimore
Virginia International Raceway
Barber
Homestead
New Jersey
Belle Island
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Orange Events = Long-standing events.
Homestead has been on the Grand-Am schedule since it's inception almost. Dating back to 2000. Though can the series really survive three races in Florida? Especially consecutive ones? As Homestead has always been early in the season, and if the calendars were merged, it'd be either the third or (if they kept Barber and in it's current position) fourth event.
Mosport, meanwhile, has been on the ALMS Calendar since '99, and is now run by a former ALMS driver and his group. I think this is the likeliest event that we'll see in terms of races in Canada. Look for the American DTM series to head to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to replace Grand-Am's presence there. However, both Canadian events are apparently in jeopardy, since some sponsors don't have the desire or at least the money to budget sending teams to a market where they're not represented.
Dark Red Events = Events run in unison with IndyCar. Currently both series share two weekends with the IRL, so it's interesting to see if these relationships will be continued. Given Penske's presence and the general location (Detroit) of the Belle Island race, I'd look to see the new series continue it's presence there. Although it might be a one-hit wonder in 2014, depending on how successful the whole combined weekend is. There's currently at least two more years of visiting there, as the contract was for three years of racing, making 2014 the last of that, assuming they don't continue. Also, Long Beach, while being more of an open-wheel event, is easily the most prestigious street-course race in the United States. Baltimore is.... meh... same with Barber, although Barber is notoriously linked with Porsche, and there's a very good chance that Porsche will want it's landmark North American sports car race on the schedule.
Dark Green Events = Events run in unison with a NASCAR series. Circuit Gilles Vileneuve is a likely candidate to get the American DTM series instead of this ASCS merger.
That leaves New Jersey, which is a relatively new race track (since '08) and could make some strong bids to keep a premier series visiting, as well as the legendary Virginia International Raceway. VIR has hosted both Grand-Am up until 2011, and ALMS as of this year. It's one of the best tracks in the United States and I think everyone would love to see it on the roster. But things are not getting any easier. Especially when you consider...
Notable/Interested Courses:
Circuit of the America's
Sonoma
Kansas Speedway
Miller Motorsports Park
So a few of these (Sonoma, Miller) are purely speculative, but it isn't entirely unreasonable to see old circuits (that used to run ALMS/Grand-Am) gain interest in the newly-combined series. Again, though, Sonoma could end up being a likely candidate for the American DTM race (running alongside Sprint Cup), instead of the whole circus of the combined series. Then we have Kansas. Brand new infield road course, Grand-Am just had a tire test there, as well. It could end up that GA runs one event and then disappears, but normally these things stretch over a few years to build interest. We'll see what happens with Kansas, as there's such a strong group of road courses to pick from, it'd be a shame to pass them up to race on ovals like Kansas and Homestead.
And then there's COTA. Brand-spaking new! Host of V8 Supercars, Formula 1, MotoGP and possibly the WEC, and IRL as well! If this circuit isn't on in 2014, it'll be added very soon.
(My Guess at) American Sports Car Series 2014 12-Race Potential Schedule:
Daytona***
Sebring***
Lime Rock***
Belle Island, Detroit (To be replaced after 2014 with a different event)
Mid-Ohio***
Long Beach
Road America***
Watkins Glen***
Indianapolis***
Laguna Seca***
Virginia International Raceway
Road Atlanta***
(My preferred) American Sports Car Series 2014 Non-12-Race Potential Schedule:
Daytona***
Sebring***
Barber
Lime Rock***
Belle Island 2014/Circuit of the America's 2015-
Long Beach
Mid-Ohio***
Kansas 2014-2015/Sonoma 2016-
Mosport
Road America***
Watkins Glen***
Indianapolis***
Laguna Seca***
Virginia International Raceway
Road Atlanta***
15 Races in total, which is pretty solid in my opinion.
***= (Almost) Guaranteed to be in the new series.
Purple = Indicates rounds of the North American Endurance Championship. None of these races should fall around notable endurance races around the world (Nur24, Spa24, 24duMans, etc) Idea: Any class eligible to participate in those events, could be eligible to score bonus points for participating, finishing or winning those events, you may only score bonus points for one event that must be announced in advance.
Dark Orchid = Indicates rounds that could also be included in the NAEC, assuming they keep their ALMS length, as opposed to their Grand-Am lengths, which run significantly shorter.
Note= Lists are not necessarily in order.
Too Long; Didn't Read?
What 3 races would you pick to fill out your American Sports Car Series, schedule?
OR
Disregarding the 12 race limit, what would be your (realistic) suggested schedule for the new series?
(Not trying to multi-post, I promise!)
Grand-Am Current Schedule:
Daytona
Barber
Homestead
New Jersey Motorsports Park
Belle Island, Detroit
Mid-Ohio
Road America
Watkins Glen
Indianapolis
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Laguna Seca
Lime Rock
American Le Mans Series Schedule:
Sebring
Long Beach
Laguna Seca
Lime Rock
Mosport
Mid-Ohio
Road America
Baltimore Street Course
Virginia International Raceway
Road Atlanta
There's 18 total events (not counting duplicates of Laguna Seca, Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Lime Rock), as it is. While Grand-Am has the larger schedule, ALMS arguably has the stronger one, with all 10 of it's events taking place at desirable locales, with the sole exception maybe being Baltimore.
Indigo Events = Tracks that host events for both series. Laguna Seca, Road America, Mid-Ohio, and Lime Rock being the four. While it would be easy to say these are guranteed, I'll play it safe and instead give three of them a 99.99% chance that they'll be included. Lime Rock will get a 70% chance, given it's size. Assuming the new series has the big and successful fields it's touting on getting, Lime Rock might prove a tad too small to show up to, it's definitely the most likely of the four to get the axe.
Blue Events = Tracks that host marquee events for the series. While Indianapolis is new this year, it was a huge talking point during the merger, and I'm sure it's got a contract for a few more years anyways, so I don't see it going anywhere (It's freakin' Indianapolis!!). The rest being Daytona, Sebring, Road Atlanta and Watkins Glen.
So, counting up the five marquee events, and the four dual-events, that puts us at 9, with 3 spots to fill in the proposed 12-race calendar. Currently leaving:
Long Beach
Mosport
Baltimore
Virginia International Raceway
Barber
Homestead
New Jersey
Belle Island
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
Orange Events = Long-standing events.
Homestead has been on the Grand-Am schedule since it's inception almost. Dating back to 2000. Though can the series really survive three races in Florida? Especially consecutive ones? As Homestead has always been early in the season, and if the calendars were merged, it'd be either the third or (if they kept Barber and in it's current position) fourth event.
Mosport, meanwhile, has been on the ALMS Calendar since '99, and is now run by a former ALMS driver and his group. I think this is the likeliest event that we'll see in terms of races in Canada. Look for the American DTM series to head to Circuit Gilles Villeneuve to replace Grand-Am's presence there. However, both Canadian events are apparently in jeopardy, since some sponsors don't have the desire or at least the money to budget sending teams to a market where they're not represented.
Dark Red Events = Events run in unison with IndyCar. Currently both series share two weekends with the IRL, so it's interesting to see if these relationships will be continued. Given Penske's presence and the general location (Detroit) of the Belle Island race, I'd look to see the new series continue it's presence there. Although it might be a one-hit wonder in 2014, depending on how successful the whole combined weekend is. There's currently at least two more years of visiting there, as the contract was for three years of racing, making 2014 the last of that, assuming they don't continue. Also, Long Beach, while being more of an open-wheel event, is easily the most prestigious street-course race in the United States. Baltimore is.... meh... same with Barber, although Barber is notoriously linked with Porsche, and there's a very good chance that Porsche will want it's landmark North American sports car race on the schedule.
Dark Green Events = Events run in unison with a NASCAR series. Circuit Gilles Vileneuve is a likely candidate to get the American DTM series instead of this ASCS merger.
That leaves New Jersey, which is a relatively new race track (since '08) and could make some strong bids to keep a premier series visiting, as well as the legendary Virginia International Raceway. VIR has hosted both Grand-Am up until 2011, and ALMS as of this year. It's one of the best tracks in the United States and I think everyone would love to see it on the roster. But things are not getting any easier. Especially when you consider...
Notable/Interested Courses:
Circuit of the America's
Sonoma
Kansas Speedway
Miller Motorsports Park
So a few of these (Sonoma, Miller) are purely speculative, but it isn't entirely unreasonable to see old circuits (that used to run ALMS/Grand-Am) gain interest in the newly-combined series. Again, though, Sonoma could end up being a likely candidate for the American DTM race (running alongside Sprint Cup), instead of the whole circus of the combined series. Then we have Kansas. Brand new infield road course, Grand-Am just had a tire test there, as well. It could end up that GA runs one event and then disappears, but normally these things stretch over a few years to build interest. We'll see what happens with Kansas, as there's such a strong group of road courses to pick from, it'd be a shame to pass them up to race on ovals like Kansas and Homestead.
And then there's COTA. Brand-spaking new! Host of V8 Supercars, Formula 1, MotoGP and possibly the WEC, and IRL as well! If this circuit isn't on in 2014, it'll be added very soon.
(My Guess at) American Sports Car Series 2014 12-Race Potential Schedule:
Daytona***
Sebring***
Lime Rock***
Belle Island, Detroit (To be replaced after 2014 with a different event)
Mid-Ohio***
Long Beach
Road America***
Watkins Glen***
Indianapolis***
Laguna Seca***
Virginia International Raceway
Road Atlanta***
(My preferred) American Sports Car Series 2014 Non-12-Race Potential Schedule:
Daytona***
Sebring***
Barber
Lime Rock***
Belle Island 2014/Circuit of the America's 2015-
Long Beach
Mid-Ohio***
Kansas 2014-2015/Sonoma 2016-
Mosport
Road America***
Watkins Glen***
Indianapolis***
Laguna Seca***
Virginia International Raceway
Road Atlanta***
15 Races in total, which is pretty solid in my opinion.
***= (Almost) Guaranteed to be in the new series.
Purple = Indicates rounds of the North American Endurance Championship. None of these races should fall around notable endurance races around the world (Nur24, Spa24, 24duMans, etc) Idea: Any class eligible to participate in those events, could be eligible to score bonus points for participating, finishing or winning those events, you may only score bonus points for one event that must be announced in advance.
Dark Orchid = Indicates rounds that could also be included in the NAEC, assuming they keep their ALMS length, as opposed to their Grand-Am lengths, which run significantly shorter.
Note= Lists are not necessarily in order.
Too Long; Didn't Read?
What 3 races would you pick to fill out your American Sports Car Series, schedule?
OR
Disregarding the 12 race limit, what would be your (realistic) suggested schedule for the new series?
Last edited:
- 2,121
- Chicago
- mustang622006
Why so negative? I prefer something along the lines of:
(insert name of combined new series here)
US sportscar racing ready to take on the world!
We the (new series) feel that our cars and teams are world class and as such have adopted world class racing regs of the ACO to allow such competition to take place. (Or some such blather) I am sure the PR people could do much more with the concept than I since that is not my area of expetise
Besides we all know that manufacturer involvement is paramount for racing. Why expect them to build one spec of cars for ALMS, one for Grand-Am and yet another for overseas? If they could build one set of cars for all racing it would surely cut costs and increase participation.
- 3,585
- Phoenix, AZ
- GTP_Snaeper
Why so negative? I prefer something along the lines of:
(insert name of combined new series here)US sportscar racing ready to take on the world!
We the (new series) feel that our cars and teams are world class and as such have adopted world class racing regs of the ACO to allow such competition to take place. (Or some such blather) I am sure the PR people could do much more with the concept than I since that is not my area of expetise
Besides we all know that manufacturer involvement is paramount for racing. Why expect them to build one spec of cars for ALMS, one for Grand-Am and yet another for overseas? If they could build one set of cars for all racing it would surely cut costs and increase participation.
I feel this whole situation with ALMS and Grand-Am merging is partly because the ALMS and ACO had a falling out. The ALMS realized that with a deteriorating relationship with the one thing that made them relevant, they would either have to suck it up and live with the WEC visiting the Circuit of America's. While relying on trying to field a group of cars in a small market in a down economy while competing against another series in the same market that is pretty much doing the same thing with a different formula and is slightly more successful at it. Grand-Am is innovative (in a different sense of the word) and will want to take the best elements from ALMS, while keeping things competitive and affordable, by increasing the length a spec is run for example, so teams don't have to buy new cars all the time. GTE might be the only class that runs an ACO regulation, and even then, it might differ itself but remain close enough so that the conversion heading into Le Mans is simple.
Besides, the chances of seeing Audi, Toyota and Porsche make both an LMP1 and an American prototype are so slim that your point is rendered moot.
