ALMS @ Laguna Seca 15th and last time.

I hadn't seen an ALMS racing in forever, and I am partially glad I got to see one and partially sad I got to. I am glad I got to see a race in the series final season, but I am also sad that the pinnacle of sportscar racing is going to be the Daytona Prototype, especially after seeing the Dyson and Rebellion Racing cars pound around Laguna Seca. They are such awesome awesome cars.

But, here are some shots I got while I was there, enjoy.

Nice ones !

My understanding of the situation was that there is to be a merger of the organization, but I didn't think these formulae (LMP, GT cars etc) were departing the North American racing scene - or, am I wrong ?

TustinMike wrote in post #15931977
My understanding of the situation was that there is to be a merger of the organization, but I didn't think these formulae (LMP, GT cars etc) were departing the North American racing scene - or, am I wrong ?

As I understand it, they are getting rid of some, combining others. P1 will be gone, P2 will be lumped with Daytona Prototypes (but need to be slowed down by a good bit to match the DP speed). The GT Classes I have read too many different things to really know.

Mainly, just knowing how NASCAR does things, it isn't going to be a bleeding edge sport anymore. DP cars are all made to match so closely, and the chassis designs have long lives built into the rules package, so no one will be pushing the edge there.

We shall see how it ends up, but I am feeling similar to how I felt when WSC was announced and GTP died. haha.

chopperdave wrote in post #15932018
As I understand it, they are getting rid of some, combining others. P1 will be gone, P2 will be lumped with Daytona Prototypes (but the DP need to be sped up by a good bit to match the P2 speed). .

fixed that for ya

Great shots... Very sad for me also going to miss the ALMS.

I think it's too early to tell what will go and what will stay. Not withstanding LMP1.

The thing to keep in mind is ALMS GT cars are at the heart of the merger and will not see any significant change. Those cars are need to retain the tie to the ACO and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. So... consider everything else will align, from a performance standpoint, to the ALMS GT cars. That's the starting point and everything will need to "fit" around those cars.

That means Prototypes will have to be faster than GT and any other classes will need to be slower.

The Daytona Prototypes, while carrying more speed, can not get out of their own way in the corners. They are going to need aero help and bigger brakes. You really can't put more horsepower in them. The ALMS P2 car is far superior technologically and will out run the DP on most North American circuits. Finding the balance between these cars is going to be a challenge.... and probably painful ($$) for the DP teams.

Many argue that since there are more DP teams compared to ALMS P2 teams, that the P2 should have to adapt or go away. I wouldn't count on it. I say that given a fairly simple set of logical criteria.

It's not secret that the ALMS is by far a better and more professional show. For a North American series to survive, the racing format has to be inviting to teams from the LMS and WEC. Those teams want to race in the 24 Hours of Daytona, Sebring 12 Hour and Petit Le Mans. USCR will need a rules package that's adaptable to global racing.

However, to my mind, the most glaring rationale is this. If Jim France (Grand Am) wanted the Daytona Prototype to be the flagship class, why on earth would he even merge? He already has a series where the DP is flagship class. It isn't working. It doesn't attract manufacturers and it doesn't have global appeal.

Just my opinion... I could be wrong.

Sorry for the thread drift... nice photos.

John Thawley wrote in post #15932859
However, to my mind, the most glaring rationale is this. If Jim France (Grand Am) wanted the Daytona Prototype to be the flagship class, why on earth would he even merge? He already has a series where the DP is flagship class. It isn't working. It doesn't attract manufacturers and it doesn't have global appeal.

Sorry for the thread drift... nice photos.

That's a really good point, and one I hadn't actually thought of.

I will just hope for the best =)

Excellent imagery.

Awesome shots!!

New series class structure

There are five different classes in the United SportsCar Racing series, featuring two sports prototype categories and three grand tourer classes:

Prototype (P): the flagship class, combining Grand-Am Daytona Prototype with the American Le Mans Series P2 prototype and DeltaWing cars, built to 2013 specifications.

Prototype Challenge (PC): a spec class carried over directly from the American Le Mans Series, featuring Le Mans Prototype Challenge cars built by Oreca with engines supplied by Chevrolet and tires from Continental.

GT Le Mans (GTLM): a continuation of the ALMS GT class, consisting of cars matching the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's GTE specification.

GT Daytona (GTD): a class that combines the Grand-Am GT class with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars from the ALMS GTC class.

GX: a Grand-Am class that permits the use of alternative technologies such as diesel engines in GT-based cars

Thanks all, and hopefully it all works out over the next couple of years. I love sportscar and prototype racing more than any other racing!

Here is a link to my top 20 images, did the processing differently (for me).

ALMS Photos

chopperdave wrote in post #15931716

Great shots Dave, I like this one best.

Cheers, jim