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the_mad_electrician · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1073 Location: Central Georgia

With the merger of Grand Am and ALMS in 2014 I'm affraid that sportscar racing will soon be just like NASCAR. They have already announced the elimination of the LMP1 class andtet are folding Daytona Prototypes into LMP2. When the LMP2 cars kick the crap out of the DP cars they will probably do away with them also.
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emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

I think LMP1 was pretty much defunct anyway -- how many LMP1 cars were in the field at Sebring last year (was it 2 or 3 Peugots?). Similar numbers for LMP2. So other than the GT fields, there wasn't much competition going on. And there were so many classes there, just about anyone that showed up and turned a wheel scored a podium.

I remember fields of 25 DP cars not so long ago (last year, 2012 - it was 10), so ALMS is not alone with smaller fields.

JMHO, I think the "merger" was necessary for top-tier road racing to survive in North America -- the cars just aren't there any more and neither are the fans. Sadly, Indy, ALMS, GrandAm, SCCA, yes NASCAR and the amateur ranks aren't immune to slimmed-down fields and empty grandstands...

So, to say it will become NASCAR may or may not be a good thing (don't forget who pays for all those DP cars and engines). But it might offer us loyal road racing fans a viable, competitive series and keep us from getting oval-dizzy by watching teams and drivers that do more than go round and round.

I say let's give it a try. I don't see a lot of other options out there.

Grenadiers · Posted: Sat Jan 26, 2013 12:18 pm Post subject:

Then there is a need for something other than Speed, aka Nascar. Snooooorrrrrr.
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the_mad_electrician · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1073 Location: Central Georgia

There were plenty of p2 cars at the Petite Le Mans last year I think the p1 feild only had 5 cars bit neither Audi or Peugeot showed up. The DP cars are basicly 1970s tech compared to the lmp cars they are low tech. I just don't see anything good coming of this. I've been wrong before though.
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MikesCoupeGT · Joined: 18 Oct 2006 Posts: 474 Location: Ontario Canada

This has been an ongoing discussion with my online racing group as well. After looking at the rules for the 2014 season, things should be fairly well adjusted so that it will be competitive. In the end I feel that the best way for the ACO and Road Racing to go would be silhouette cars again, much like it was in the late 70's and early 80's. The fans (us) like to be able to recognize the cars, and even though technology has changed I think the silhouette formula can work.

So for a couple of years, use the combined DP/LMP and see how it goes, then as the new formulae come out let it die the gradual death it has been dying.

Just my opinion.
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emoore924 · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 2822

Rasta Monsta · Joined: 12 Jul 2006 Posts: 11733 Location: PacNW

Anyone who fails to show up at the track should not be complaining about this.

And I agree, the fantastic opportunity of see LMP cars in the US will plummet in 2014.
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the_mad_electrician · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 1073 Location: Central Georgia

My opinion is one of a long time ALMS fan who attends at least one race a year. I wish I could attend the 12 hours of Sebring this year to see Audi's last run but I have to choose between getting a new project car or the race so...
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