Anybody out there following the Grand Am?

[Snaeper]

The Kansas Roval is a recent addition to the track, with the teams only just doing a tire test there a week or so ago. Kansas no doubt is putting forth a good deal of money to get the series there, so it's hard to pass up an opportunity to go racing when there are sponsors and promoters waving green in your face.

Not surprisingly, New Jersey and Miami got bumped, which is a shame since Miami did have a very nice road course, possibly one of the best looking rovals out of all of them, but we'll see how interesting Kansas turns out. One of the higher-ups in the track management races in the Ferrari Challenge series, so I'm sure the group will want to put on a good show, though I'll give it a 50/50 chance it survives the merger.

Also, it's hard for teams to go to Canada. It requires an excruciating amount of time and paperwork, and then you have sponsors that might not do business up there, and are not willing to pay for you to go to that race since it doesn't benefit them. Since the truck series will be going to Canada (rumored anyways) look for them to fill the spot previously used by Grand-Am, and then Mosport will become the Canadian race for sports cars... again, assuming they want to take the series to Canada.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

We have all sponsors in America here in Canada.


Name one company stupid enough to deny ghe existence of a valuable, affluent Canadian market. The GDP per capita in Canada is much higher than in America, I've heard. I'm 18, and I make $15.25 CDN. That's pretty much $15.25 USD an hour. How? It's a common thing in Canada. If American companies are too closed-minded to bring their products here, their business is laughable.

 

[01GTP]

If it were easy and cheaper, MrMelancholy, I'm sure all kinds of corporations would be sponsors in the racing world.

Here is some info about Target, not a American company but in America before Canada.
I did not know they were not in Canada until last years Indy race when Dario mentioned how excited he was about them opening stores in Canada.

I'm not saying their stupid and/or close-minded, but they are making strides for sure.
Some things take time.
I don't pretend to know what happens behind the sponsor's closed doors but I imagine there are plenty of processes to got through that most of us have no clue about.

And it is too bad that Canada is left out.


On another note, Lime Rock 2103 !!

 

[Mac K]

I went to the Canadian race in person this year, it was completely drowned out by NASCAR, just like when they visit Watkins Glen for a second time. Watkins Glen 2 years ago was my first Grand Am and NASCAR race, the atmosphere was terrible amongst the NASCAR fans and with the exception of the Daytona 500 I would never go to another NASCAR race again. This year I went to the 6 hour at Watkins Glen, no NASCAR at all, so the atmosphere was fantastic. As far as I'm concerned, the less weekends Grand Am combines with NASCAR, the better.

 

[cgr-10]

I went to the Canadian race in person this year, it was completely drowned out by NASCAR, just like when they visit Watkins Glen for a second time. Watkins Glen 2 years ago was my first Grand Am and NASCAR race, the atmosphere was terrible amongst the NASCAR fans and with the exception of the Daytona 500 I would never go to another NASCAR race again. This year I went to the 6 hour at Watkins Glen, no NASCAR at all, so the atmosphere was fantastic. As far as I'm concerned, the less weekends Grand Am combines with NASCAR, the better.

What's different? Is it just the attitude of the stock car fans who are there towards sports car racing? Can see some NASCAR fans not being terribly interested by Grand Am which I can't imagine generates a great overall atmosphere.

 

[polarbear345]

What's different? Is it just the attitude of the stock car fans who are there towards sports car racing? Can see some NASCAR fans not being terribly interested by Grand Am which I can't imagine generates a great overall atmosphere.

I went to the Indy super weekend this year. The difference in fans is crazy. At Indy, the grand am series were all done on Friday. When we showed up Saturday morning, the NASCAR fans had taken over.

It was almost funny! Friday had the corvette, viper and Ferrari clubs all having their cars parked on the outside of the back straight, and on Saturday, the whole thing was filled with pickup trucks.

I'm not saying that's a bad thing, but Grand-Am fans and NASCAR fans want nothing to do with each other for the most part. I do understand grand am wants their races with NASCAR because they want more people to watch the races, and hope to get more fans.

Actually, my dad and I said we won't go to another NASCAR race unless Sam Hornish Jr. Is racing (We know him quite well). We're all sports cars and open wheel now

 

[Mac K]

What's different? Is it just the attitude of the stock car fans who are there towards sports car racing? Can see some NASCAR fans not being terribly interested by Grand Am which I can't imagine generates a great overall atmosphere.

The attitude yes, most people were rude, loud, and only saw the race as in excuse to go out and get drunk.. There were some nice people, but 95% fit the "red neck" stereotype sadly..

 

[polarbear345]

The attitude yes, most people were rude, loud, and only saw the race as in excuse to go out and get drunk..

This is very true, but what is kinda cool about NASCAR races- PEOPLE WATCHING!

Something about seeing a 85+ year old in a motorized wheelchair thingy (you know) wearing a shirt that says "Drive it like ya stole it!" Is VERY funny!

But drunk people are a hit/miss people throwing coolers and drinks in the air after Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR race in the street was pretty funny too. (Guy was 300lbs+)

 

[Mac K]

This is very true, but what is kinda cool about NASCAR races- PEOPLE WATCHING!

Something about seeing a 85+ year old in a motorized wheelchair thingy (you know) wearing a shirt that says "Drive it like ya stole it!" Is VERY funny!

But drunk people are a hit/miss people throwing coolers and drinks in the air after Jimmie Johnson won the NASCAR race in the street was pretty funny too. (Guy was 300lbs+)

Exactly why I don't like it, it's one thing to have a good time, but some people. Take it to far and need to grow up, and unfortunately these people ruin it for others who are there for the race. The mentality of Sports car fans is much better as well. I'm not trying to offend anyone, these are just some observations I've made.


Race is on. Limerick is gorgeous. Last race for the Mazda RX-8.

 

[Snaeper]

We have all sponsors in America here in Canada.


Name one company stupid enough to deny ghe existence of a valuable, affluent Canadian market. The GDP per capita in Canada is much higher than in America, I've heard. I'm 18, and I make $15.25 CDN. That's pretty much $15.25 USD an hour. How? It's a common thing in Canada. If American companies are too closed-minded to bring their products here, their business is laughable.

Forgive me, the issue isn't so much sponsors existing in one market and not in the other, but the issue is that most of the sponsors have separate marketing budgets for the United States and Canada, and the Canadian wing might not have the budget or the enthusiasm to shill out the money for one race.

In reality, I don't know much about the complexities of sponsorship and marketing when crossing the borders, I just read an article from one of the series' drivers who mentioned that there were rumors about not going to Canada anymore. It's nothing personal.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

I don't have a passport. I won't get one, until I go visit the old countries in Europe.


Hopefully, by then, the dirty tactics in DP will have disappeared. When I saw the #7 & 01 cars getting together, I realized how unfortunate the attitudes in DP are.

 

[Mac K]

I don't have a passport. I won't get one, until I go visit the old countries in Europe.

Hopefully, by then, the dirty tactics in DP will have disappeared. When I saw the #7 & 01 cars getting together, I realized how unfortunate the attitudes in DP are.

That's just Starworks and Ganassi having a pissing contest. Peter Baron is obviously still bitter about Indy, and is being a bit hypocritical by entering a third car to do exactly what Ganassi did to him at Indy. I don't know, I guess I can understand why that happened, but at the end day the joke was on him. I have a feeling if the Stevenson Camaro didn't crash at Indy and get taken out at Watkins Glen that it could have won the championship.. Just saying. Fantastic race though, Limerock looks beautiful in the Autumn. Sad to see the RX-8 go, going to miss that rotary scream.. Roll on 2013 and the Daytona 24!

 

[Jav]

Sad to see the RX-8 go, going to miss that rotary scream.. Roll on 2013 and the Daytona 24!

That car will certainly be missed! Hopefully Mazda will grow some balls and bring back the RX7 with an updated version of the Renesis and that sweet sweet 4 rotorengine on the racecar!!

 

[01GTP]

Limerock looks beautiful in the Autumn. Sad to see the RX-8 go, going to miss that rotary scream..

That car will certainly be missed!

And the flames, don't forget the flames.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/713/img9605s.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/29/infieldpan.jpg/

 

[gogatrs]

Went to Lime Rock on Saturday.
One of my karting coaches is APR's data analyst, so he gets to sit on the pit wall during the races. Stood there talking to him for awhile during the false grid or whatever they call it. Also got to talk to Dion Von Meltke for a few minutes. He actually knew my name before we met which is pretty cool. Eventually he had to go take pictures with some disabled kid so I walked a little farther down the grid. Saw someone that goes to my school at the Corvettes' pit and it turns out her grandfather owns the team! They're based right down the road from me and I had no idea!
Talked to some Callaway guy too. They're headquarters are also in my town. Internship next summer is very likely there!

Went to my special spot to watch the start at right at the braking point for big bend. Love it because you can see all the way down pit road and the front straight as well as part of big bend and there are usually no people there. Love seeing the cars drive by there. Coming at you at 180 mph then you watch as they drop down to 60 mph right in front of you no more than yards away.

Ended up taking a short nap on the outfield hill during the first few cautions.

After all that I went down, watched a bit from every corner (the best part of Lime Rock, you can walk the perimeter of the track in under 15 minutes). Then watched the last 30 minutes on APR's monitors. Watching a pit stop and driver change from close up is something everybody should do at some point in their lifetime. It is simply amazing. Organized chaos and then the fumes of burning rubber as the car pulls away. I was pretty amused when one of the crew members pulled what I think is for the air jack out of the car and then threw it over the pit wall and it hit some guy that watching in the head.

Was actually my first Grand Am race. Much less crowded than the ALMS race there. Dunno why, but if I had to make the choice between going to a race for one of the two series, I'd prefer going to the ALMS race.

Also, I find the sound of the RX8s VERY annoying.

And on a side note, another one of my karting coaches ran in the Continental Tire ST race on Friday. His team got taken out before he got in the car (which I expected having seen the races on TV before ), but in the practice in the pouring rain he was the quickest of the entire field. Including Andy Lally.

 

[ITCC_Andrew]

Sounds fun, gatrs. I bet your friends from APR weren't horribly bothered at the finish... It was their strongest race of the season, despite the... "incident..." I just feel bad for Turner... That sucked. Ha-ha, Brumos.

 

[gogatrs]

Sounds fun, gatrs. I bet your friends from APR weren't horribly bothered at the finish... It was their strongest race of the season, despite the... "incident..." I just feel bad for Turner... That sucked. Ha-ha, Brumos.

Contrary to what they said on the broadcast, it was the doctor guy that spun, not Dion. More rich people ruining others' races.

 

[Shinshiki]

I was surprised to see the APR Audi make podium. Given that it's an R8 LMS, it should be a strong contender. Hope to see more Audis next season.

 

[Racingworld68]

Was actually my first Grand Am race. Much less crowded than the ALMS race there. Dunno why, but if I had to make the choice between going to a race for one of the two series, I'd prefer going to the ALMS race.

Also, I find the sound of the RX8s VERY annoying.

If I am correct you do not need to choose, Grand Am and ALMS will be a joined championship next year. And the 'annoying' sound of the RX8 will not ever bother you again, as it was the last race of these cars (in this championship).

 

[LongbowX]

Given that it's an R8 LMS, it should be a strong contender. Hope to see more Audis next season.

It's a heavily modified/hampered R8 LMS. Much less downforce, no TC. It had gotten a weight break for Lime Rock, and Grand-Am allowed a different wing position the race before. Perhaps now it will be competitive, but we shall see.

If I am correct you do not need to choose, Grand Am and ALMS will be a joined championship next year. And the 'annoying' sound of the RX8 will not ever bother you again, as it was the last race of these cars (in this championship).

Grand-Am and ALMS will be joined in 2014, not 2013. In 2013 it will still be run separately. There is only one event where ALMS and Grand-Am will be run together - but on different days (and separate) - and that is at Road America.

And it was mentioned during the broadcast that teams can still run the RX-8 next year, it just won't be supported by Mazda. I also don't think its sound is annoying, but to each their own.

 

[Sam48]

It's a heavily modified/hampered R8 LMS. Much less downforce, no TC. It had gotten a weight break for Lime Rock, and Grand-Am allowed a different wing position the race before. Perhaps now it will be competitive, but we shall see.

One thing I never like about Grand Am is the fact that they are constantly trying to balance each end every car out so that they're as equal as possible. I know it's a spec sires, so to speak, but I wish Grand Am would just do what ALMS does and develop a universal set of rules that each manufacturer must comply with. We could then see the actual manufacturer play a role as each tries push the limit of the given rules.

 

[Kingofweasles]

One thing I never like about Grand Am is the fact that they are constantly trying to balance each end every car out so that they're as equal as possible. I know it's a spec sires, so to speak, but I wish Grand Am would just do what ALMS does and develop a universal set of rules that each manufacturer must comply with. We could then see the actual manufacturer play a role as each tries push the limit of the given rules.

I feel that the reason why the Grand-Am does that is to keep one manufacturer from building a better car than everyone else... It's probable that this is also the main reason why Porsche has all-but given up on making their cars competitive under Grand-Am rules (As they feel that they favor smaller private teams building, developing and racing cars rather than just buying a turn-key race car). More diversity, sights, sounds, colors etc. etc.

That and there's just something uniquely American about a series doing everything it can to try and equalize it's playing field; Maybe the European mindset is different, but some spectators across many different sports don't like seeing the same drivers/teams/athletes winning again and again and again (Jimmie Johnson and the hatred he's inspired for winning five NASCAR titles in a row Leaps forward in my mind)...

I guess the idea of a wide-open field of drivers and teams is an easier sell to the press and the sponsors than one team, or driver or make of car winning every week, eh?

 

[Mac K]

Went to Lime Rock on Saturday.

Well aren't we the little celebrity Sounds like you had a good time. 👍

 

[Sam48]

That and there's just something uniquely American about a series doing everything it can to try and equalize it's playing field; Maybe the European mindset is different, but some spectators across many different sports don't like seeing the same drivers/teams/athletes winning again and again and again

But that's not the case at all in ALMS GT. They aren't a spec sires, yet they are extremely competitive because each manufacturer is pushing the boundaries of what is legal within the universal regulation.

(Jimmie Johnson and the hatred he's inspired for winning five NASCAR titles in a row Leaps forward in my mind)...

But NASCAR is a spec sires, yet we have one person dominating. I'm confused, I thought you were relating JJ to European racing were singular teams dominate? That makes no sense since the Europeans don't do much spec racing on a large scale.

 

[Jav]

One thing I hate about the rule makers in general is how far they can go from road cars in order to please certain manufacturers... In my oppinion the furthest a series should go is the Super GT formula, want to run a certain car on a certain layout? Build and sell the car then you can race, if your proposed car is not on your car line up it's a no go!

 

[Mac K]

One thing I hate about the rule makers in general is how far they can go from road cars in order to please certain manufacturers... In my oppinion the furthest a series should go is the Super GT formula, want to run a certain car on a certain layout? Build and sell the car then you can race, if your proposed car is not on your car line up it's a no go!

Assuming you're talking about DPs?

 

[Jav]

Assuming you're talking about DPs?

Yes, Daytona Prototypes and as much as I love LMPs I'm talking about them too. Those cars are so disconnected from anything on the road that they are pretty much irrelevant, a GT500 car at least remotely retains an exsisting car's shape and it's drive/powertrain layouts...

 

[LongbowX]

SuperGT's are just as artificial...so much so I don't see the real difference.

That is not anything like a GT-R. It's rear-wheel drive, and has a 4.5L V8. Not to mention the dimensions. And let's not even get into the Honda HSV. That car doesn't even exist as a road car.

I'm fine with the DPs, I guess. As long as they get it cleaned up and reliable/fair officiating.

 

[Shinshiki]

That's why they are called Prototypes though.

 

[Mac K]

http://jalopnik.com/5948767/the-last-race-of-grand+ams-flame+spitting-mazda-rx+8s

The Last Race Of Grand-Am’s Flame-Spitting Mazda RX-8s

This Grand-Am season had its final race last weekend and while some people came first, we all lost. The tube-framed, flame-spitting, rotary powered Mazda RX-8s are dead. RIP.
Yes, Grand-Am is moving away from tube-frame cars, and the Mazdas had their last race at Lime Rock. We will miss their fireworks in every braking zone.

As to the winners, Max Angelelli and Ricky Taylor in the SunTrust Corvette Daytona Prototype won the race overall. It's their third consecutive victory at Lime Rock and it's their third consecutive Grand-Am championship, too. That's dominance.

As for GT, the Magnus Racing Porsche gave up the lead with two minutes left in the race, pulling into the pits and the end of the lap. That meant that the Stevenson Camaro clinched the GT class win ahead of the APR Motorsport Audi R8 and the Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458.


As we wipe off our tears for the rotary Mazdas, let's appreciate these excellent shots from the MotorSportMedia crew of Trevor Andrusko and Halston Pitman.

NOT MY PICTURES

They also brought us onboard video of Boris Said thundering around the course in the Whelen Motorsports Corvette. That V8 is fantastic.