Well been some interesting news in ALMS this off season.

Lets start with the facts:
- Gil de Ferran to field an LMP2 Acura hopefully around mid-season and run the remainder of the season.
- Corvette running ethanol
- BP sponsors Mazda LMP2
- Lou Gigliotti to field GT2 Vette
- Bell Motorsports to run Aston Martin full season in GT1
- Scott Sharp to Highcroft with Patron sponsorship

Rumors:
- PTG down to 1 Panoz
- Couple of Ford GTs to enter. One for Tim Pappas and another for Robertson racing (This may be official but I haven't seen the release if it is)
- RLR might not run...Our own Tom M rumored to be in PTG Panoz. (Getting ready for M3s??? I like starting rumors.)
- Viper in GT2?
- Aston Martin in GT2?

Let the discussion begin...

I am excited for the ALMS but still not as much as I could be, partly due to the lack of interest in any field other than GT2. First and foremost, Bell Motorsports campaigning a GT1 DB9.R brings excitement to the much deprived class...but will they be competitive against the amazingly successful C6.R?

I am also interested in LMP2 as for the new competition that is being exhibited between the Acura teams and Porsche.

PTG...dont know any of their plans.

Is ethanol sponsoring the series for all the GT cars? I saw some pics from testing and saw the Ethanol 'e' on a Ferrari and Aston Martin as well. I think some e85 consortium or such is also involved with IRL.

The ALMS has launched a campaign, calling itself the Global Leader in green racing. This claim is supported by the percentage of cars running E10, E85, and diesel...

New Highcroft livery:

http://www.americanlemans.com/News/NewsImages/1272008193024859_Image1.JPG

im die hard audi fan, went to 8 races last season.... i cant wait for sebring in march...ive been waiting for it since i watch the checkered flag fall in atlanta...

cant we just skip February?

http://trahanphoto.carbonmade.com


thats what i do at the races

What about the rumored 3rd RS Spyder entry? Any updates on that?

got off the phone w/ clint field, they blew 2 motors so far in testing so they haven't had much track time.

i hope RLR comes back, i want tom to have a real chance at the champoinship.

i am doing special helmet jobs for intersport racing that is centered around the 10th aneversery of the series. clint's should be super sweet. blue chrome!

Anyone know what the Koenigsegg CCGT is supposed to race in? Haven't heard a damn thing about it since they first introduced it.

Rumors:
- PTG down to 1 Panoz Considering there were 4 drivers in the Panoz at the Winter test, I would think that they might run 2 cars (note: cars)
- Couple of Ford GTs to enter. One for Tim Pappas and another for Robertson racing (This may be official but I haven't seen the release if it is) One of the two teams was supposed to run 2 cars, but backed out and is going with one. Still, they is 2 Ford GTs
- RLR might not run...Our own Tom M rumored to be in PTG Panoz. (Getting ready for M3s??? I like starting rumors.)Not sure if RLR will be back, as the team got sued recently by one of the Indy drivers (can't recall who), plus, Tom was running the Panoz at the Winter test.
- Viper in GT2? I can't recall if the team that ran them last year will be back or not, but I believe so.
- Aston Martin in GT2? This is confirmed. In fact, Dale White (owner of White Lightning) will be working with the team running the Aston in GT2.

As for the speculation about the RS Spyder that is supposed to be over here, it could be a one off (or two?) from European teams. Another RS Spyder point, Marino Franchitti signed with Dyson. When asked about whether the Spyder was better than the Acura, he said that he was going to keep that to himself.
The most surprising thing was that there were no GT2 Porsches at the Winter Test. The only thing I can think of is that Porsche realized their mistake with the wide-body RSR, and is switching back to the narrow-body for this year.

Anyone know what the Koenigsegg CCGT is supposed to race in? Haven't heard a damn thing about it since they first introduced it.
I might be mistaken, but the Koenigsegg would not be eligible to race in the ALMS at all because it is not produced in sufficient numbers. I don't know how Spyker sells enough cars to be legal, but apparently, they do.
Jake

got off the phone w/ clint field, they blew 2 motors so far in testing so they haven't had much track time.

i hope RLR comes back, i want tom to have a real chance at the champoinship.

i am doing special helmet jobs for intersport racing that is centered around the 10th aneversery of the series. clint's should be super sweet. blue chrome!Can't wait to see....chrome. How's the new shop?

The most surprising thing was that there were no GT2 Porsches at the Winter Test. The only thing I can think of is that Porsche realized their mistake with the wide-body RSR, and is switching back to the narrow-body for this year.

The guys over on Rennlist don't seem to have any info either.

I might be mistaken, but the Koenigsegg would not be eligible to race in the ALMS at all because it is not produced in sufficient numbers. I don't know how Spyker sells enough cars to be legal, but apparently, they do.
Jake

Traditionally you would buy the inspector lunch, which would include wine (naturally). The you would have different people drive the same three cars around the building until he counted 25, or however many you need. :D

Rumors:
The most surprising thing was that there were no GT2 Porsches at the Winter Test. The only thing I can think of is that Porsche realized their mistake with the wide-body RSR, and is switching back to the narrow-body for this year.


I think all the Porsche drivers were at the Rolex series.

I think all the Porsche drivers were at the Rolex series.

I highly doubt that all of them were unavailable. Plus, this occured during the week and the Rolex was on the weekend.

Can you think of any team that would get the least out of Sebring testing then Porsche? (cause they've been there for like forever!) :D

I'll have to ask my Son, he follows all the ALMS news like the Nut he is! (he won a fictional writing contest last year at DSC about where the Lizards got their name! You should read it! He got a free DSC membership, tons of goodies from the Lizards (we each got '07 Crew Shirts too in the mail during the holidays) and has several of his drawings on their site. He just recently won on ebay a nice CF piece from one of the Champion R8's that had a mishap a couple years ago - big piece from behind the front wheel that he pans a huge shadow box for on the wall! Told ya, he's a nut! :D

IIRC he mentioned only one team had any cars (forget who, will ask tonight) and if Porsche was redesigning the rear width it would make sense, the majority of ALMS tracks feature a lot of mid and high speed corners (unlike the gokart tracks in much of Europe) like Lemans that place a high premium on aero... And the USA is their biggest Market!

A great place for news and ramblings is Murphy The Bear (google it), also Lou G has been nice enough to share his C6 developments on the ALMS boards too.

Traditionally you would buy the inspector lunch, which would include wine (naturally). The you would have different people drive the same three cars around the building until he counted 25, or however many you need. :D
ahh, I'm new to this whole racing thing, so excuse my ignorance.
I highly doubt that all of them were unavailable. Plus, this occured during the week and the Rolex was on the weekend.
+1
Jake

...As for the speculation about the RS Spyder that is supposed to be over here, it could be a one off (or two?) from European teams. Another RS Spyder point, Marino Franchitti signed with Dyson. When asked about whether the Spyder was better than the Acura, he said that he was going to keep that to himself.


Marino doesn't have to say anything, the Porsches dominated the Acuras in every race except Sebring where they had electrical problems. I think it is pretty obvious the Spyder was the better car, and Penske the better team, last year. Still Acura had a good first season and I'm sure they will be back with a vengence this year. I wish the Peugeot was running a full season then we could have good battles in both LMP1 and 2.

The other Spyder you mention is probably the Al Solari car that was bought a year ago and is collecting dust somewhere. There will be a couple new Spyders in the LMS though.

Can you think of any team that would get the least out of Sebring testing then Porsche? (cause they've been there for like forever!) :D

Seeing as they were slow last year and the Ferrari dropped around 1.5 seconds from last year's pole time in testing this season, I'd think Porsche would need to be out testing in FULL force.

I highly doubt that all of them were unavailable. Plus, this occured during the week and the Rolex was on the weekend.

And they are both in Florida, making it even easier.

Seeing as they were slow last year and the Ferrari dropped around 1.5 seconds from last year's pole time in testing this season, I'd think Porsche would need to be out testing in FULL force.


Yeah, it was only a joke. At least the Lizards made then earn it all the way to the last event at Laguna!

Murphy the bear is definately pretty good rumblings. You have to read a few to understand the inuendos (sp?) though because he doesn't just flat out say what he has heard.

Also, Lou G. has always been entertaining on forums. He is a good majority of the reason I check(ed) the SWC forums because anytime that he got a penalty, weight change, or there was some controversial issue he was sure to say how he felt.

Anyone hoping we have another photo-finish? Last years Melo-Bergmeister battle at the last lap was one for the history books, you can only pray to see something like that happen at the last lap of a 12hr race.

Seeing as they were slow last year and the Ferrari dropped around 1.5 seconds from last year's pole time in testing this season, I'd think Porsche would need to be out testing in FULL force.

All I know is the Ferrari has been seriously hauling ass on the local tracks!

Can't wait to see....chrome. How's the new shop?

its great man, the paint booth came in today. i'll get pics up when everything is finished. (shop and clint's helmet)

post pics of your new helmet when you get it finished.

I think all the Porsche drivers were at the Rolex series.

Wait, what? Nobody called me to fill in? :D

Murphy is saying only 1 Audi at the "sprint" races and this has been confirmed by a couple different online. Also, Puegot is supposedly running Sebring, St. Pete and Petit according to some.

But the real big news is that BMW is rumored to be making an announcement on the ALMS program at the Chicago Auto Show.

Lou Gigliotti announced his entry today. We can now add a Corvette to GT2...although he is saying it won't sound as good as his SWC cars because he has to split the exhausts out of either side.

Flying Lizard to 3 cars this year.

Flying Lizard to 3 cars this year.
yep. as far as I know, they are the only Porsche team in GT2 this year (so far). Team TranSport hasn't been reported, Tafel went to Ferrari, Rahal-Letterman is out until later this year (hopefully) with the M3, and Farnbacher-Loles is concentrating on Grand Am.
Flying Lizard has committed to 3 cars, but I still wonder if they might be a new spec narrow-body RSR.
one month until we will know for sure...
Jake

yep. as far as I know, they are the only Porsche team in GT2 this year (so far). Team TranSport hasn't been reported, Tafel went to Ferrari, Rahal-Letterman is out until later this year (hopefully) with the M3, and Farnbacher-Loles is concentrating on Grand Am.
Flying Lizard has committed to 3 cars, but I still wonder if they might be a new spec narrow-body RSR.
one month until we will know for sure...
Jake

TranSport is rumored to go to a Ford GT running on ethanol.

All I have to say is...I can't wait for Lime Rock. :D

Farnbacher-Loles bought Tafels's RSRs. Are you positive about them only running Grand-Am? I'm not positive either way, just pointing something out.

I don't think the '08 cars that FLM is running are narrow body.

yep. as far as I know, they are the only Porsche team in GT2 this year (so far). Team TranSport hasn't been reported, Tafel went to Ferrari, Rahal-Letterman is out until later this year (hopefully) with the M3, and Farnbacher-Loles is concentrating on Grand Am.
Flying Lizard has committed to 3 cars, but I still wonder if they might be a new spec narrow-body RSR.
one month until we will know for sure...
Jake

I don't think the '08 cars that FLM is running are narrow body.

No one has seen the '08 cars testing yet...they didn't show up to Sebring.

Farnbacher-Loles bought Tafels's RSRs. Are you positive about them only running Grand-Am? I'm not positive either way, just pointing something out.

I don't think the '08 cars that FLM is running are narrow body.
my mistake, I thought F-L was going to stick to Grand Am. I read that somewhere, and didn't even think to question it's accuracy.

Bryan is dead-on with my thinking about the narrow-body RSR. Nobody has seen any Porsche GT3 RSRs, old or new, that are destined for ALMS, so there is some plausibility to the speculation about a new RSR.
as for FLM, in the press release on the ALMS site, Seth Neiman, the team principal said:
"We're focused on launching the most competitive program possible: three new cars..."
now, I'm not saying that it is the nail in the coffin, but still, we would have seen someone testing their RSR if it was just going to be an updated '07 spec car.
Jake

Lou Gigliotti announced his entry today. We can now add a Corvette to GT2...although he is saying it won't sound as good as his SWC cars because he has to split the exhausts out of either side.

That is one of the many reasons why I am a huge fan of SpeedWorld GT racing. The sound of those Vette and Cadillac V8s ripping around the track is incredible. Tube framed, Trans-Am styled racers are the tits.... Gotta love it....

I will definately be rooting for the Flying Lizard team in GT2 this year, "as well as the Rahal M3 whenever we see it".... I spent some time talking to the F.L. team at Midohio and they were the nicest group of dudes... They have the Porsche down pat....

That is one of the many reasons why I am a huge fan of SpeedWorld GT racing. The sound of those Vette and Cadillac V8s ripping around the track is incredible. Tube framed, Trans-Am styled racers are the tits.... Gotta love it....

Speed World Challenge cars are all production frame/body with a roll cage. Suspension and Driveline are all based off of stock as well. Some cars are allowed alternate transmissions.

Speed World Challenge cars are all production frame/body with a roll cage. Suspension and Driveline are all based off of stock as well. Some cars are allowed alternate transmissions.

The GT class is more of a psuedo Trans-AM class I guess you could say.... The GTO was by no means a production frame/body. The Caddy was a HEAVILY modified version of stock. The driver sat almost in the back seat compared to the stocker.... Those two were mainly Pratt Miller chassis with enough stock thrown in to to consider them production..... Regardless... the GT class is the closest thing to Trans-AM racing we have today, outside of SCCA GT1 which happens to have alot of previous Trans-Am cars.

I was probably being a little hasty when I stated the GTO "was in no way production"... I guess the bottom frame rails are probably stock... =)

I just miss Trans-am racing... =) Gentillozzi's Jaguar XKR racers were some of my favorite....

sorry guys for getting the thread off topic....

I was probably being a little hasty when I stated the GTO "was in no way production"... I guess the bottom frame rails are probably stock... =)

I just miss Trans-am racing... =) Gentillozzi's Jaguar XKR racers were some of my favorite....

sorry guys for getting the thread off topic....


The GTO was very much production. The Caddy...eh not so much.

No one has seen the '08 cars testing yet...they didn't show up to Sebring.

Porsche finally releases info on the 2008 RSR:

Click here (http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.endurance-info.com%2Findex.php%3Fop%3Dedito&langpair=fr%7Cen&hl=en&c2coff=1&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&prev=%2Flanguage_tools) and then scroll down to the article called:
"http://www.endurance-info.com/themes/Permanent-Double-Side/images/topics/24h_du_mans.gif (http://64.233.179.104/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&langpair=fr%7Cen&u=http://www.endurance-info.com/search.php%3Fquery%3D%26topic%3D30&prev=/language_tools) Presents its new Porsche 997 GT3-RSR EVO!"

Google translator (the article is in French) won't let me link to the specific article...it always reloads back to the main page.

The GTO was very much production. The Caddy...eh not so much.
The GTO was chopped up just as much as the Cadillac. Not quite as much as the ACS Express Mustang though.

No one has seen the '08 cars testing yet...they didn't show up to Sebring.Just because they haven't been seen testing, doesn't mean they haven't been seen.

Just because they haven't been seen testing, doesn't mean they haven't been seen.

Well, sure, obviously...but you didn't indicate you had any sort of inside information. There certainly hasn't been any publicly available information until now.

I'm glad to see Porsche at least giving it a go. The teams that pulled away from Porsche have been MUCH LESS than complimentary about the way the 2007 car was handled. I expected Porsche to sorta fade away and let Ferrari, and next year BMW, dominate with more developed cars and then to reappear to start up the Porsche spec series again after BMW and Ferrari got tired of dominating with better developed cars.

http://www.worldcarfans.com/9080213.010/porsche-gt3-rsr-updated

Looks like Romain Dumas behind the wheel.

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/02/rsr-6.jpg

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/porsche-911-gt3-rsr/

I am very excited to watch some great racing and BMW participate once again. Its going to be another terrific season.

This should definately be a great season, especially in GT2. No one has really talked about Lou Gigliotti and the Corvette this year. I think the Vette has the potential to be a strong contender. Definately should have the grunt to be competitive

Anyone noticed the Spec on the RSR vs the new M3? 08 RSR seems to have 465 bhp and weigh Approx 2700lbs. The new M3 racer is 485 bhp and weigh just over 2500lbs. I haven't seen the specs for the Ferrari.

I don't think you can really trust any of the advertised weights and power figures...the ACO will make sure they're equal with weight and restrictors.

I don't think you can really trust any of the advertised weights and power figures...the ACO will make sure they're equal with weight and restrictors.

True but sometimes they don't do this till the following year.

Looks like Romain Dumas behind the wheel.
I don't recognize the helmet, but it looks more like Timo Bernhard to me.

Anyone noticed the Spec on the RSR vs the new M3? 08 RSR seems to have 465 bhp and weigh Approx 2700lbs. The new M3 racer is 485 bhp and weigh just over 2500lbs. I haven't seen the specs for the Ferrari.
the main weight difference is offset by the fact that the RSR will be able to run wider tires than the M3.
the RSR had about 20hp more last year, but the ACO gave them smaller restrictors.
Jake

Well, sure, obviously...but you didn't indicate you had any sort of inside information. There certainly hasn't been any publicly available information until now.
It's not really inside information, I just drive by their shop every day. They are in the same building where I work.

I really hope Aston Martin comes back. They are such beautiful cars and sound awesome.

I really hope Aston Martin comes back. They are such beautiful cars and sound awesome.

Bell Motorsports is running one all season.

Bell Motorsports is running one all season.
Thank you. That is going to make my trip to LRP so much better.

I also just saw on another site that Aston Martin will be racing a car in the same category(LMP1?) as the audi diesel and the peugeot at Le Mans this year. I don't know if this was mentioned in this thread already, I kind of skipped around.
Edit: Here it is.
http://www.motivemag.com/pub/news/Aston_Prototype_Racer_Undergoes_Testing_at_Prodriv e_Proving_Ground.shtml

http://www.motivemag.com/Content/uploads/1/aston_lmp1.jpg

I also just saw on another site that Aston Martin will be racing a car in the same category(LMP1?) as the audi diesel and the peugeot at Le Mans this year. I don't know if this was mentioned in this thread already, I kind of skipped around.
Edit: Here it is.



It's an Aston powered Lola. It will run at the Le Mans 24hr but not in the ALMS.

The 24hr will have a 20-car LMP1 grid, I'm really looking forward to it.

Speed World Challenge cars are all production frame/body with a roll cage. Suspension and Driveline are all based off of stock as well. Some cars are allowed alternate transmissions.

Rob, take a closer look at those caddies, bud. I'd be stunned if there's anything production on that car. I know I couldnt find anything at Laguna.

I was browing the ALMS website and came across
the Vitesse Program.
Anyone know more about this?
How do you get a ride in one of the cars?
Looks pretty cool.

http://www.americanlemans.com/vitesse/what.aspx

-Sean

I was browing the ALMS website and came across
the Vitesse Program.
Anyone know more about this?
How do you get a ride in one of the cars?
Looks pretty cool.

http://www.americanlemans.com/vitesse/what.aspx

-Sean


For those of you who are familiar with BMW CCA racing...you may recognize one of their drivers. Patti Hughes Mayer is the daughter of Scott and Fran Hughes. Cool program kinda based off of the CART pacecar program.

ALMS preseason show on SPEED now... (7-8 ET)