The American Le Mans Series Offical Thread

[JohnBM01]

GTPlanet, no one has devised an official thread about the ALMS, so with the power invested in me, I figured I'd open a thread to talk about America's most underrated racing series, the ALMS. Underrated in the respect that when people talk about evolving motorsports, the ALMS is usually neglected. The wonderful Don Panoz had a vision by working with the A.C.O (Automobile Club l'Quest) to create a sportscar series that packs European-style racing in America. And since 1999, that dream has come true and never been watered down. It has no one-make prototype leauge, doesn't race "rovals" anymore, many different car companies represented, and world-class drivers. Basically, it is an American sportscar series we can all be proud of. I have been a big fan of sportscars. Nothing warms my heart or develop happy tears in my eyes than to see world-class sportscar racing. I was in love with the ALMS in its inaugural year when I seen the beautiful Momo Ferarri 333SP race around Petit Le Mans. Now that the car is retired, I wish Ferrari would make another beautiful machine to offer to privateers.

GTPlanet, nothing makes me happy but to talk about this wonderful series. The next round of competition as of this date will be at Mosport in Kart Racer's native Canada. It's a track that basically has no real straightaway, like Sears Point. It should be wonderful to check out. GTPlanet, this thread is open for discussion of the ALMS, its history, classic races, it's future, its drivers, what it brings to America, the P1/P2/GTS/GT ranks, why it's better than its rival Grand-Am series... let it all out for this topic. Reply now to keep the thread going.

 

[Fogelhund]

I'll be at Mosport. A number of us are meeting up on Saturday night (8pm) at the Restaurant. Should be a good weekend.

 

[JohnBM01]

Mosport is quite curvy. You'll want to have your car as an athlete. Mosport is an obstacle course disguised as a race track. And your car has to hang with it. Should be a good race.

 

[Darin]

I goto the Mobil 1 Sebring 12 Hours and the Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta every year.

I've done sebring for a long time. I think since 1996 or 1997 I've been hitting into Sebring 12 hour doors.

Ever seen 2003, when the Bentley's made their debut, the ALMS grid hasn't been great. this years Sebring wasn't great. The Corvette dominiated. The Audi sport UK and Champion Audi was the only real battle.
I personally think Prodrive is messing up by switiching to a Aston Martin. They should stick with that beautiful 550 Maranello.

 

[McLaren]

Ah, what a great racing series it is indeed. I remember in 2001, when they raced at Texas Motor Speedway. (The last year vefore the schedule changed)
The Audi's dominated. To bad about the #50 White Panoz. It was doing very well, until it broke down.

Anyways, I got to see the Sebring race that year, and last year. I really do hope to go see LeMans in France when once again, ALMS, and ELMS comes together.

BTW, did the #9 and #8 Audi get a new paintjob, because I see a pic of them at LeMans this year, and they were both that grey, but now Purple where the red and yellow used to be. ARe they grey and purple now?

 

[Darin]

BTW, did the #9 and #8 Audi get a new paintjob, because I see a pic of them at LeMans this year, and they were both that grey, but now Purple where the red and yellow used to be. ARe they grey and purple now?

The Joest Audi's arn't racing no more.

The Silver and Purple cars are the Velquex Audi Sport UK cars.

 

[McLaren]

The Joest Audi's arn't racing no more.

The Silver and Purple cars are the Velquex Audi Sport UK cars.

Oh ok. So those are the ELMS Audis. are they dominating as well?

 

[JohnBM01]

I kind of liked the black Panoz LMP that raced at Texas in 2001. And it's been sad that the ELMS and APLMS would fail. I guess you can say the LMES may or may not "replace" the ELMS. Who wouldn't want to road race a prototype around Monza, Silverstone, Vallelunga, Catalunya, or anything like that? The APLMS (Asia-Pacific Le Mans Series) was known for only one race, the "Race of a Thousand Years" on the streets of Adelaide (which looks more like a permanent road course than a temporary street circuit. I never seen the second half of NBC's tape-delay coverage, but even though Japan has the JGTC, the Asia-Pacific needs sportscar racing. Some of the top teams can come from Australia, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey (after all, Asia is Asia. It doesn't just mean the Pacific-bordered nations).

The ALMS is being regarded as perhaps the most succesful series in the world today. They may not go worldwide like in 2000 and 2001 anymore, but I see a lot in the ALMS. I think they need to expand. Now tell me. Would you want to see ADT Champion Audi and my hometown Risi Competizione teams to race around Magny-Cours or Suzuka? I think with great funding and great exposure, they can go back to being a sort of world circuit. Maybe they can race around the world like Champ Car/CART used to (can you imagine sportscars at Surfer's Paradise?). I love this series and going on 5 or 6 years now, it's better than Grand-Am. And even though I appreciate Grand-Am for making an American or almost all American series, ALMS covers more ground as is more diverse. To make a sort of World Series, we'll need Japanese involvement. Try Toyota, Honda, Dome, or whatever competing in America.

 

[Darin]

I kind of liked the black Panoz LMP that raced at Texas in 2001. And it's been sad that the ELMS and APLMS would fail. I guess you can say the LMES may or may not "replace" the ELMS. Who wouldn't want to road race a prototype around Monza, Silverstone, Vallelunga, Catalunya, or anything like that? The APLMS (Asia-Pacific Le Mans Series) was known for only one race, the "Race of a Thousand Years" on the streets of Adelaide (which looks more like a permanent road course than a temporary street circuit. I never seen the second half of NBC's tape-delay coverage, but even though Japan has the JGTC, the Asia-Pacific needs sportscar racing. Some of the top teams can come from Australia, Japan, China, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Saudi Arabia, Turkey (after all, Asia is Asia. It doesn't just mean the Pacific-bordered nations).

The ALMS is being regarded as perhaps the most succesful series in the world today. They may not go worldwide like in 2000 and 2001 anymore, but I see a lot in the ALMS. I think they need to expand. Now tell me. Would you want to see ADT Champion Audi and my hometown Risi Competizione teams to race around Magny-Cours or Suzuka? I think with great funding and great exposure, they can go back to being a sort of world circuit. Maybe they can race around the world like Champ Car/CART used to (can you imagine sportscars at Surfer's Paradise?). I love this series and going on 5 or 6 years now, it's better than Grand-Am. And even though I appreciate Grand-Am for making an American or almost all American series, ALMS covers more ground as is more diverse. To make a sort of World Series, we'll need Japanese involvement. Try Toyota, Honda, Dome, or whatever competing in America.

Personally. I rather see a return to the FIA GT series. Like have your LeMans cars all over the world, go at it at different tracks. Everywhere from Fuji Japan to Sebring, and then to Nurburgring.
Like Mercedes and Porsche did in 1997 and 1998, those years of racing where the stuff. You had the finest Manufactors going at it in one league.
But then Porsche dropped their program. And FIA GT Championship went with it.

 

[McLaren]

Personally. I rather see a return to the FIA GT series. Like have your LeMans cars all over the world, go at it at different tracks. Everywhere from Fuji Japan to Sebring, and then to Nurburgring.
Like Mercedes and Porsche did in 1997 and 1998, those years of racing where the stuff. You had the finest Manufactors going at it in one league.
But then Porsche dropped their program. And FIA GT Championship went with it.

I miss the FIA GT. It really was a great series. With Lister, McLaren, Mercedes, etc
I remember one race at Laguna in '97 with alot of those cars. I think it was the FIA GT.

 

[JohnBM01]

And I remember the BPR Organisation (exact spelling) being represetented in the 1990s, and also expressed in arcade game Sega Super GT/SCUD Race. Included are the Porsche 911 Turbo, Ferrari F40, Dodge Viper GTS-R, and the McLaren F1. My Road and Track magazine featured the Mercedes-Benz CLK-GTR, Porsche 911 GT1, Panoz Esperante GT1, and stuff like that. Those old-style GT1 cars (another example is the Lotus Elise GT1) and GTP cars would make wonderful machines to have in a GT series. But times have changed now. Maybe nowadays, not a lot of Le Mans cars for the road aren't being produced really. At least mold a supercar like the Jaguar XJ220. And with GT1s? Model after the Le Mans-winning Bentley EXP GT or the Lotus Elise GT1. And I thought the FIA GT was still around, unless you mean "the FIA GT series is dead because of competition and cars?"

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Will the C5-R still be racing at Laguna Seca? When does the C6R come out?

 

[Darin]

Will the C5-R still be racing at Laguna Seca? When does the C6R come out?

Hasn't the C5-R been in Every ALMS race?

The C6-R will make its debut at Sebring next year. When i'm there. I'll take mad shots of the C6-R and the Aston Martin DB9R Prodrive will be racing.

 

[JohnBM01]

Congratulations to Dyson Racing for knocking off Audi at Mosport. The reason why I don't seriously make Lola a threat to the Audis is because I don't really consider Lola as a pure factory team. Their Lola B2K-10 of the past was pretty much a privateer ride for what I can recall. You know, it's like the beautiful Ferrari 333SP. I'd personally love to see a brand-new Ferrari prototype to race around the world. Now sure, it will probably be based on the Ferrari Enzo. But Ferrari has made wonderful sportscar racers. I think with enough sales, Ferrari may release its 420 Modena. This Modena FINALLY has more horsepower. It's about 400+ hp. It actually looks slightly better better than the 420 Modena, and is a very sweet machine. I'd love to see what a Ferrari Challenge car based on that!

Don't like CBS Sports coverage of the ALMS? That's where Speed Channel comes in. Next round of the ALMS championship, the Road America 500 in Elkhart Lake, WI, USA. The race comes your way about... maybe August 28th or 29th.

 

[Solid Lifters]

Dyson won because JJ's car didn't get a tire change when it needed one. One stupid mistake like that cost JJ a victory. He was clearly the better driver, and had the better car of the two. It's too bad his crue let him down.

Did you hear what they said about Toyota and Mazda?

 

[McLaren]

Dyson won because JJ's car didn't get a tire change when it needed one. One stupid mistake like that cost JJ a victory. He was clearly the better driver, and had the better car of the two. It's too bad his crue let him down.

Did you hear what they said about Toyota and Mazda?

I don't know about Toyota, but I heard Mazda is designing their own prototype for the P2 class (P2?) and they hopw to move it up to the P1 class.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

Didn't they mention Toyota when they were talking about four-door cars in the GT class?

 

[JohnBM01]

Ahh... Rotary fans, rejoice! Then again, I don't know if their entry is going to be accepted in the ALMS. Because I heard one time that some series didn't allow rotary power, last I heard. I didn't get to see all of the ALMS race because my brother took me out kart racing. While my slide-happy style of driving that day ensued, I didn't get a chance to check out that information. Mazda is a very successful racing company. All I want to see is a Mazdaspeed RX-8, tuned for racing, taking the fight to... I don't know. GT or GTS. I had GTS in mind, but I don't think supercharging is allowed.

There would be one big issue as I was talking about JGTC involvement in the ALMS. The cars would have to be re-engineered to take on such a challenge here in America. The most it can compete with its power levels and weight would be GTS. If you can do it in Gran Turismo 3 against the Viper and Corvette, you can do it in America. The engines would have to be unrestricted and specially-modified. I seen that NSX race the Nurburgring event. So perhaps Mugen/Dome or even Honda can generate a sweet enough effort to bring GT racing with its NSX. So tell me. Which JGTC racer would have a better chance of...

A.) being able to compete in America, and B.) be successful, even if slightly?

 

[Darin]

Ahh... Rotary fans, rejoice! Then again, I don't know if their entry is going to be accepted in the ALMS. Because I heard one time that some series didn't allow rotary power, last I heard. I didn't get to see all of the ALMS race because my brother took me out kart racing. While my slide-happy style of driving that day ensued, I didn't get a chance to check out that information. Mazda is a very successful racing company. All I want to see is a Mazdaspeed RX-8, tuned for racing, taking the fight to... I don't know. GT or GTS. I had GTS in mind, but I don't think supercharging is allowed.

I think the Mazda Kudzu will make its debut once again with factory backed parts.

 

[VIPFREAK]

I keep missing the races...

 

[Solid Lifters]

Hasn't the C5-R been in Every ALMS race?

The C6-R will make its debut at Sebring next year. When i'm there. I'll take mad shots of the C6-R and the Aston Martin DB9R Prodrive will be racing.

I heard it will makes its debut at the Petit Le Mans race, and or Laguna Seca Raceway.

Didn't they mention Toyota when they were talking about four-door cars in the GT class?

Yep. They said Toyota/Lexus was sniffing around the area of including a GT class car for next year.

 

[JohnBM01]

Solid, sir... I thought there was a Mazda effort, like last year at Petit Le Mans? There was a Welter Rachel powered by a Mazda motor. At least I believe. But I surely hope that involvement from Japan will make the ALMS a pure, world-class championship. We can have a chance to have the Big Three of the world: America, Europe, and Japan.

As far as Toyota goes, they have plenty of options at their disposal. They can look to Lexus and make a GT effort by making a GT Race Car of the Lexus SC430 (Toyota Soarer in Japan). While the headlights may look like a Porsche in ways, the car should be a very sweet one to go racing with. Who wouldn't want an SC430 to take to the track? It's so small, yet fun. Toyota of America will have to check out Toyota of Japan for their JGTC effort. Because I think that the JGTC race cars, while weighing in at about 2600 lbs/1160 kgs, or whatever the measurements, their engines can be made to be great competitors. Who wouldn't want to see a Supra GT500 in America? Sure, they will have plenty of issues, but I think it can happen. They may need more lighting on the cars to see. I think the Japanese teams can do it. It can take time, so take your time before next year's 12 Hours of Sebring. At least be ready by then. And I think that not just Toyota can compete, but also Nissan, Mugen/Dome/Honda, but I'd also want to see the Vemac machinery. Looks very much like a smaller GT1 race car.

According to a website I glanced across, the allowance of 4-door cars into the ALMS will mean that Mazda may bring out not only a prototype effort, but also a GT effort with the Mazda RX-8. If I get more information, expect future posts about this.

 

[Fogelhund]

Dyson won because JJ's car didn't get a tire change when it needed one. One stupid mistake like that cost JJ a victory. He was clearly the better driver, and had the better car of the two. It's too bad his crue let him down.

Incorrect information. Both Dyson MG's were faster on pace then the Champion Audi. Champion gambled on the tires, as they knew that they would lose if they took the time to change the tires. They gambled and lost, but didn't really lose anything over the nearly assured 2nd place they would have had, if they'd changed the tires. I say kudos for taking the gamble, and congrats to the Dyson team for a well deserved victory.

--------------------------------------------

I'm not sure which Lexus they are looking at running, but it has been suggested it will be a four door.

Mazda has formally announced the LMP2 program is a go, with an eye towards LMP1 in the future. This isn't like the Welter or Kudzu's program, but a full fledged factory backed effort. No word on a GT program.

Nissan North America has no interest in a GT program, as I talked to them about it on the weekend. (There was a team in place, with some sponsorship if NNA was willing to help with the 350Z program.)

It would seem as though the Caddy SWC GT cars are targeted to stay in SWC. They would have been a nice addition to ALMS, and many had assumed they were the cause of the "rule changes".

Word on the street is the C6R is slower in testing then the C5R. I wonder if there will be a delay of introduction based on this.

 

[Solid Lifters]

No, The Dyson was going to lose if it weren't for the stupid gamble on JJ's car. JJ was in the lead, then he had to pit for the tire change. When he pit, He was in the lead by 30 seconds. Then, after pitting, he was behind by 40+ seconds. Near the end of the race, he was just 17 seconds behind the Dyson car. If he didn't pit for the new tires, he would have won easily.

 

[Fogelhund]

No, The Dyson was going to lose if it weren't for the stupid gamble on JJ's car. JJ was in the lead, then he had to pit for the tire change. When he pit, He was in the lead by 30 seconds. Then, after pitting, he was behind by 40+ seconds. Near the end of the race, he was just 17 seconds behind the Dyson car. If he didn't pit for the new tires, he would have won easily.

The reason he caught up, is Dyson let up near the end, due to having a huge lead. As you said, he was nearly a full lap down after emerging from the tire stop. The Dyson car was faster. How do you think he narrowed a gap to a faster car. Take a look around and read. Champion themselves have stated they gambled on the tire situation, as they knew it was their only chance.

 

[Solid Lifters]

The reason he caught up, is Dyson let up near the end, due to having a huge lead. As you said, he was nearly a full lap down after emerging from the tire stop. The Dyson car was faster. How do you think he narrowed a gap to a faster car. Take a look around and read. Champion themselves have stated they gambled on the tire situation, as they knew it was their only chance.

Oh sure, Dyson led up at the end. Give me a break. JJ was on the hunt, and if it wasn't for the stupid gamble on the tires, he would have done it.

BTW, they never said it was their only chance in winning. You say that, but it's not true. They thought JJ would have a better chance at winning, not only chance as you stated. It was a stupid gamble, and that is the only reason why JJ lost.

 

[JohnBM01]

We're kind of having a longish discussion about the race at Mosport. So who do you have as favorites for the Road America 500? This track is like our own FIA-style race track. The track will feature high speeds and technical corners. So who you got to win this one? I'll talk about what I discussed earlier, later (don't get it twisted!).

 

[JohnBM01]

Before I issue out a new topic for discussion, I think I said that the Road America race was on the 28th-29h weekend slot. If I did, correction. It is on the weekend of August 21st and August 22nd.

Nissan North America has no interest in the ALMS for GT? Let me tell you something. Last year in the JGTC, the Fairlady Z (350Z to us) won the GT300 title. And of course, this year, the Skylines (or most of them) are being replaced with a hopped-up Nissan Fairlady Z until the next Skyline comes out in about... 2 or 3 years. So perhaps debutting the already-proven Japanese GT 350Z can do well here in America. Then we need JGTC stars like Satoshi Motoyama, Michael Krumm, Juichi Wakisaka, Go Mifune, former F1 racer Ukyo Katayama, Hideo Fukuyama,Shinji Nakano, you know? Wow, the only non-Japanese I posted was Krumm. I think they have a chance in America, if only a slight one. Also, Nissan North America may want to tap in to their parent brand Infiniti and make a nice GT racer out of their G35. Of course, that's only if they want to go into GT.

This next Japanese tidbit is going to be very strange. What if Mitsubishi decides to resurrect the 3000GT, make a racing model of it, and compete in the ALMS with all-wheel drive and twin turbos? Mitsu will probably not only be good at rally, but also into road racing. I don't know if a front-drive Mitsu would do in a GT-dominant class. Keep in mind that the Bugatti EB110 had to deal with four-wheel drive had trouble trying to win Le Mans in 1994. Other Japanese companies... ahh! Honda's NSX or S2000 would make wonderful GTS and GT cars (respectively). Or to end this pro-Japanese post, what if the Falken Skyline of the Nurburgring, decided to challenge the ALMS in a one-off effort?

 

[Fogelhund]

Oh sure, Dyson led up at the end. Give me a break. JJ was on the hunt, and if it wasn't for the stupid gamble on the tires, he would have done it.

BTW, they never said it was their only chance in winning. You say that, but it's not true. They thought JJ would have a better chance at winning, not only chance as you stated. It was a stupid gamble, and that is the only reason why JJ lost.

Well, I guess you know more, then the guys I know at Champion, whom I talked to after the race. I guess you saw the Dyson interview after the race? Where Butch talked about letting up?

I guess you also know how much faster the Audi was in the race then? Check the stats.. it was the third fastest car in the race, and by a decent margin. The Dyson car pulled away at will.

John - re: Nissan North America - As odd as it may sound, I was trying to put together a program to run the 350Z in ALMS. I'd lined up half a mil sponsorship money already, and a team and crew to run the car, with prior Nissan LMP2 experience. I've had discussions with Bob Neville regarding the RJN platform 350Z for GT, and they were more then willing to supply a car. I met with Nissan North American representatives at Mosport, and they flat said they have no interest. NNA is completely different then NJPN, or Nismo Europe, and on their own budget. I am fully aware of the racing that goes on around the world, and other Nissan brands. They are only interested in promoting brands that they feel need the promotion, and support for sales. The 350Z is selling well, and they have no interest in "halo" branding. There is no way of making the JGTC cars ACO legal, particularly the JGTC500 Fairlady's., which are based on the Type E Fairlady.

There is a team that is likely campaigning a 350Z in Speed WC GT next year, though I'm told official NNA support is limited to parts at this point in time. The RTR team will also be switching from the Sentra SE-R to the Altima SE-R.

As you are likely aware, the Infiniti GTR is due in North America in 2007. Perhaps in 07' we can hope for a NNA entry into ALMS... but that sure is quite the time into the future.

Mitsubishi is having some serious financial issues in North America. Their sales of all but the Lancer are very poor. A racing program could help, but they appear to be on shaky ground from what I can see. I would be suprised to see their entry in the ALMS. The Bugatti entry was pretty impressive. If it wasn't for the Dauer Porsche's they would have led for a bit until the Turbo issue's cropped up. Four wheel drive is prohibited under ACO rules at the current time.

The next generation Honda NSX got axed. The present (NSX) sales are pitiful, and the racing $ are being spent on F1 and IRL. Honda has had little interest in International Sportscar racing over the years, so this seems incredibly unlikely. I doubt there is much you could do to make the S2000 competitive in the ALMS. The NSX's competed in the 94' - 95 era, but weren't particularly competitive.

The Falken Skyline would not be ACO compliant, and would take a great deal of $ to be made so, and homologated. Certainly more dollars then would be worth a one-off.


Onto Road America... I wonder why Risi aren't on the entry list.

 

[Firestarter75]

Oh sure, Dyson led up at the end. Give me a break. JJ was on the hunt, and if it wasn't for the stupid gamble on the tires, he would have done it.

BTW, they never said it was their only chance in winning. You say that, but it's not true. They thought JJ would have a better chance at winning, not only chance as you stated. It was a stupid gamble, and that is the only reason why JJ lost.

Look at the results

Lap Leaders:

Weaver 1-47
Werner 48-49
Weaver 50-85
Lehto 86-104
Leitzinger 85-137

Guess the Audi was so fast it could only lead for 24 out of 137 laps, thats speed I tell you!. And the Audi was so much faster thats why Weaver had fast qualifying and race lap too! You don't think Butch with nearly a one lap lead with less then 30 minutes to go isn't gonna back off? Come on now, don't underestimate how calculating the Dyson team and their drivers are.