Grand AM / ALMS Merger

[aMaff]

I didn't realize we don't yet have a thread about this huge, huge news, but... discuss.

Obviously there's been a lot of news going on about this. For a brief summary, Rolex and World Challenge driver Mike Skeen has an excellent write up here:
http://www.mikeskeen.com/2012/09/thoughts-on-the-grand-amalms-merger

Highlights:

LMP2. These cars were being replaced in 2014 anyways, as a new rule structure is being put into place requiring closed cockpit cars. Is it possible that we could see some parity rules to run these alongside Daytona Prototypes? Possibly, but the two classes are currently quite a ways apart on time, so DP would need more downforce allowances to really bring them up to speed. Also, in practical terms, these cars would be tough to race against each other simply because of how robust DPs are as compared to LMP2 carsany contact would likely see the LMP2 car in the pits for bodywork.

Now for the GT cars. The ALMS GT class is the cream of the crop in the US. These are the cars with lots of factory backing that you will recognize from Le Mans, like Corvette Racing, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, and others. Many consider this to be some of the best racing around and it is likely this class will stay mostly intact. Next, there will probably be some amalgamation of Rolex GT, GTX, ALMS GTC, and new GT3 cars into one large and easily accessible class for the masses. These cars are already relatively close on paper, and should be easy to combine.

There is also some info on a probable schedule, along with the logistical and support staff that may carry over from the various series. Good read.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Exciting news. Cant wait to see what the races look like.

 

[genericuser]

Here's what I posted on the Grand AM site when they asked for fan feedback:

First of all, thank you for soliciting fan input. It is clear GA/ALMS is committed to giving the fans what they want, and that is truly what it is all about! You guys do have the opportunity to create a wonderful series. 2014 provides you with the opportunity to virtually start from scratch, but at the same time utilize components of two successful racing series.

Here's what I like to see as far as classes go.

P1: Keep as is. This class is your link to Europe/LeMans and should stay in tact. Additionally, teams like Dyson can continue to race in the prototype class. I think this would help stir up more interest in P1 and truly make it a marquee class.
DP: Leave in Tact.
GX: Combine with the Prototype Challenge class. They both seem to have similar objectives, experimental technologies and newer teams will thrive.
GTLM: GT "LeMans" class. This would consist of the GT class from ALMS with their rules/sanctioning in tact. Once again, this is to preserve the link to the LeMans 24.
GTC: GT Challenge, existing mostly of the Rolex series GT class. This will serve as a "ladder" class, helping out the smaller teams put low cost entries out on the track. The key thing about the Rolex series is that it was accessible. This class will keep that spirit.

My only other concern is that too many cars will be out on the track at once. That would lead to too much chaos and too many full course cautions. Both the Rolex series and ALMS have some strong teams with great racing pedigrees. We don't want to lose them. At the same time, I'd love to see Flying Lizard motorsport mix it up with the likes of Brumos and the gang!

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Also glad that the Continental series wont be changing. Thats a fun series to watch.

 

[THE Phen]

I talked with Steve Focasio at Mazda Raceway about this a bit on Saturday. One big thing that's going to be good for the series as a whole is having a bigger budget for promotion. This is one big thing that can improve attendance. Tracks will be losing an event from their own calendars, but will bring about a bigger turnout, which will be better in the long run.

So, from that standpoint, I'm looking forward to it. I'm anxious to see how this will all come together.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

That is good stuff there. There's no reason why this sport shouldnt be as big as NASCAR in this country, if not bigger...

I talked with Steve Focasio at Mazda Raceway about this a bit on Saturday. One big thing that's going to be good for the series as a whole is having a bigger budget for promotion. This is one big thing that can improve attendance. Tracks will be losing an event from their own calendars, but will bring about a bigger turnout, which will be better in the long run.

So, from that standpoint, I'm looking forward to it. I'm anxious to see how this will all come together.

 

[genericuser]

Also glad that the Continental series wont be changing. Thats a fun series to watch.

Agreed 100% The Continental series is almost like watching a British Touring Car race. It is NUTS.

 

[aMaff]

P1, sadly I think, has relegated itself to irrelevance. Sure Audi and Toyota are making some noise internationally, but as far as the US market is concerned, manufacturers voted with their wallets for DP & P2 as far as prototype racing is concerned, and ALMS GT for "street car" racing. That's where the money is, and that's what's going to stay.

 

[WillD]

P1, sadly I think, has relegated itself to irrelevance. Sure Audi and Toyota are making some noise internationally, but as far as the US market is concerned, manufacturers voted with their wallets for DP & P2 as far as prototype racing is concerned, and ALMS GT for "street car" racing. That's where the money is, and that's what's going to stay.

100% correct.

I'd like to see 3 maybe 4 classes at the most. 5-6 classes is crazy. Super hard to cover and follow for the fans.

- LMP2/DP - Make it so the American LMP2 teams can still compete in Le Mans and the WEC (read Dempsey and Starworks), but so the DPs can somehow be competitive without smashing the s*** out of the LMP cars.
- ALMS GT (to be know as GT ) - Keep this class exactly the same. Again I believe it is important that Corvette and the other American teams can still go and compete in Le Mans.
- Rolex GT/GTX, ALMS GTC (to be known as GTC) - Have a separate championship for the best finishing GTX/alternative fuel car. Similar to how ALMS has the GreenX challenge now.

I don't know any additional classes are required after that? Another GT-type class is just confusing when you are watching on TV or at the track. It keeps the most successful parts of each series moving forward.

 

[Perro del Sol]

I am looking forward to merger and 2014 as it will make for better racing here in the US, maybe get to the point where road racing here will get the attention it deserves! It makes things easier for us, as we don't have to split our allegiance and we now get to see the Skayactiiv D in the Dempsey P2 car and maybe Dyson willl run P2 or maybe P1 with a higher HP Skyactiv engine. with larger fields and more marketing dollars, etc, maybe the Euros will spend more time in the US....Looks like the MOCO crew will have two Florida races this year, Daytona and Sebring.......we should have larger corrals at these high profile tracks.....

 

[WillD]

I've heard lots of mention of a 12-race schedule. I'm going to modify the list from the article to this:

Daytona 24 Hours
Sebring 12 Hours
Long Beach
Laguna Seca-Mazda Raceway (sorry)
Mid-Ohio
Mosport
Road America
Watkins Glen
Indianapolis
VIR
Road Atlanta

Adding:
Circuit of the Americas - This series is going to go here there is no doubt about it.


Removing these:

Detroit, Belle Isle - terrible circuit both in layout and surface.
Lime Rock - too short for multiclass racing with lots of cars. I know lots of people around here love that place, but as a fan of both series, the racing there just isn't that great.
Baltimore - This is an OK street circuit with a horrid surface.
Montreal - Another bad street circuit...
Barber - I love this place, but there are much better options so this gets left out of the 12 race schedule.

I don't know for sure about any of this and I just follow both series religiously as a fan this is just what I'd like to see. Some tracks are going to win or lose out on the race based on other factors like attendance, promoters, sponsorship, accompanying series (NASCAR etc)... but we shall see.

Should be an exciting couple of months nonetheless!

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Will definitely have to be at the first Daytona 24 hour race when this merger begins. Should be a blast to see all of these cars go round.

Also, I'm a bit slow but am I correct to think that the RX8s are done racing after this season?

 

[Perro del Sol]

Will definitely have to be at the first Daytona 24 hour race when this merger begins. Should be a blast to see all of these cars go round.

Also, I'm a bit slow but am I correct to think that the RX8s are done racing after this season?

The Rx-8's are not done racing, as they are still in limited production in Japan and can still be raced in the GT Class of Grand-Am.......Sahlen's is selling the # 49 car for $125,000........

 

[Perro del Sol]

Also, with the merger, ALMS and Grand-Am willmake them the premier series and they do not have to play 2nd fiddle to Indy Car, which is not a viable option for me......who knows maybe World Challenge and a few MX-5 Cup races will be on our undercard as well.

 

[genericuser]

if they remove the lime rock race, I cannot and will not support the series.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Sweet. Want to see them again in January at Daytona!

The Rx-8's are not done racing, as they are still in limited production in Japan and can still be raced in the GT Class of Grand-Am.......Sahlen's is selling the # 49 car for $125,000........

 

[WillD]

I hope you're right Marlon. But with NASCAR likes having the additional draw of Grand-Am at their road course events and Indianapolis. Wouldn't surprise me one bit if there were a couple events where the new series was just the second fiddle event to a NASCAR event as much as that annoys the s*** out of me.

 

[genericuser]

Will definitely have to be at the first Daytona 24 hour race when this merger begins. Should be a blast to see all of these cars go round.

Also, I'm a bit slow but am I correct to think that the RX8s are done racing after this season?

They are for the most part.

GA would have let them run until 2014/15, but all the teams are dropping them after the season.

 

[evilmonkeyMSP]

The World Challenge race is the only race I care to watch during the St Pete Grand Prix event. Saw the MS3 take the checkered this past year. Awesome race.

Also, with the merger, ALMS and Grand-Am willmake them the premier series and they do not have to play 2nd fiddle to Indy Car, which is not a viable option for me......who knows maybe World Challenge and a few MX-5 Cup races will be on our undercard as well.

 

[WillD]

The Rx-8's are not done racing, as they are still in limited production in Japan and can still be raced in the GT Class of Grand-Am.......Sahlen's is selling the # 49 car for $125,000........

They still can be raced but who is going to? Not Sahlen, not Speedsource. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think Dempsey had any plans of continuing to campaign it either.