Audi pulls out of ALMS
12-05-2008, 12:03 PM
#1
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Audi pulls out of ALMS
http://www.marketwatch.com/news/stor...-51BA72C2B827}
INGOLSTADT, Germany, Dec 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Audi announced it will concentrate its motorsports efforts for 2009 on the new R15 TDI sport prototype for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, the re-worked race touring car A4 for the DTM circuit and the newly developed R8 LMS for customer use in the GT3 class. Audi also said it will not be represented by its factory team, Audi Sport North America, in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2009.
[...]
INGOLSTADT, Germany, Dec 05, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Audi announced it will concentrate its motorsports efforts for 2009 on the new R15 TDI sport prototype for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, the re-worked race touring car A4 for the DTM circuit and the newly developed R8 LMS for customer use in the GT3 class. Audi also said it will not be represented by its factory team, Audi Sport North America, in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2009.
[...]
12-05-2008, 03:22 PM
#8
And tow truck drivers in Chicago.I didn't mind that Honda pulled out of F1 considering that I hate what is going on with F1 at the moment. It downright sucks that Audi is pulling out of the ALMS right now. It's just starting to take off and this is a major blow to the series IMO.
The good thing is that Audi is still active with LeMans prototypes and hopefully they will return as soon as the economy picks up again. You can't say the same about Honda in F1. Going back to F1 after leaving takes a major commitment.
12-05-2008, 05:55 PM
#10
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Last year in Grand Am for the Daytona 24, they had 68 entries. This year, the deadline was this week, they have 34 entries.
The impact of so many people and investors, et all losing value of their assets will no doubt trickle down to everyone.
Honda out of F1, Porsche out of ALMS with no Penske team. GM Saving money by eliminating mechanical pencils (really) in favor of #2 lead pencils as a "Cost cutting measure" is probably the signal that the Corvette factory team will not be in ALMS either but for maybe lemans or a couple of races total, and Probably no GT2.
It is hard to cut back on pencils then go ahead with a 20 million dollar ALMS program. And if they did race while asking for 19 BILLION dollars would be Corporate malpractice.
So I doubt that they will be back unless they have pictures of the executives doing nasty things.
Looks like a good year for a bunch of "Track days".
So be it.
Lou G
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12-05-2008, 06:22 PM
#12
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Penske already left for Grand AM.
Last year in Grand Am for the Daytona 24, they had 68 entries. This year, the deadline was this week, they have 34 entries.
The impact of so many people and investors, et all losing value of their assets will no doubt trickle down to everyone.
Honda out of F1, Porsche out of ALMS with no Penske team. GM Saving money by eliminating mechanical pencils (really) in favor of #2 lead pencils as a "Cost cutting measure" is probably the signal that the Corvette factory team will not be in ALMS either but for maybe lemans or a couple of races total, and Probably no GT2.
It is hard to cut back on pencils then go ahead with a 20 million dollar ALMS program. And if they did race while asking for 19 BILLION dollars would be Corporate malpractice.
So I doubt that they will be back unless they have pictures of the executives doing nasty things.
Looks like a good year for a bunch of "Track days".
So be it.
Lou G
Last year in Grand Am for the Daytona 24, they had 68 entries. This year, the deadline was this week, they have 34 entries.
The impact of so many people and investors, et all losing value of their assets will no doubt trickle down to everyone.
Honda out of F1, Porsche out of ALMS with no Penske team. GM Saving money by eliminating mechanical pencils (really) in favor of #2 lead pencils as a "Cost cutting measure" is probably the signal that the Corvette factory team will not be in ALMS either but for maybe lemans or a couple of races total, and Probably no GT2.
It is hard to cut back on pencils then go ahead with a 20 million dollar ALMS program. And if they did race while asking for 19 BILLION dollars would be Corporate malpractice.
So I doubt that they will be back unless they have pictures of the executives doing nasty things.
Looks like a good year for a bunch of "Track days".
So be it.
Lou G
Lou,
What are your plans for next year? Will you be returning to ALMS - GT2?
Hopefully, your answer is "YES!!!" ... and we'll see you up at Mosport!
Mark
12-05-2008, 07:18 PM
#13
Team Owner
doubt congress will approve much racing and I haven't heard of AIG or Citi guys flying commercial.
Last edited by John Shiels; 12-05-2008 at 07:27 PM.
12-05-2008, 07:48 PM
#15
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Audi and Penske leaving are no surprise. Porsche got what they wanted and have sold several cars to private teams. DHL is not doing good and Penske sure isn't going to foot the bill himself. Audi has been frustrated with the rules and have threatened to pull out the last 2 years. With no announcement by the final race it was obvious they would not be back. Maybe Dyson will still be running Porches.
I'm still hoping that AGR will be back but I doubt it with the merger of XM and Sirius. Last I heard Acura was looking for a P2 team to replace them. They were not having good luck.
Sports car racing will suffer in 09. Let's just hope the ALMS survives as a series.
I'm still hoping that AGR will be back but I doubt it with the merger of XM and Sirius. Last I heard Acura was looking for a P2 team to replace them. They were not having good luck.
Sports car racing will suffer in 09. Let's just hope the ALMS survives as a series.
12-05-2008, 07:52 PM
#16
Safety Car
This is going to at least be good for T.V.. With no covering of the mano e mano GT1 and Audi and Penske out for sure, Acura possibly soon to follow, it will be all privateer racing at the top level. I like that idea.
And the emphasis will be on the epic battle in GT2 and they can quite skimping on the coverag of it. I do hope GM can get into GT2 though to add to the excitement. BUT NOT WITH TAX DOLLARS.
I hate to say it, but corvette racing needs to be put on hold for a little while.
And the emphasis will be on the epic battle in GT2 and they can quite skimping on the coverag of it. I do hope GM can get into GT2 though to add to the excitement. BUT NOT WITH TAX DOLLARS.
I hate to say it, but corvette racing needs to be put on hold for a little while.
12-05-2008, 08:12 PM
#17
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wow...what a shame. I really enjoyed watching the Audi's and I am happy I got to see them run in person a few times. What an amazing car!
So Penske is running in Grand AM? What car are they running? Did they sell off their P2 cars already?
So Penske is running in Grand AM? What car are they running? Did they sell off their P2 cars already?
12-05-2008, 09:25 PM
#18
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We will see. It looks like we can start at Sebring (with new cylinder heads) and play it by ear.
If the Presidential runners can raise 750million, why can't we raise just 2mil??
LG
12-07-2008, 08:36 PM
#19
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Audi and Penske leaving are no surprise. Porsche got what they wanted and have sold several cars to private teams. DHL is not doing good and Penske sure isn't going to foot the bill himself. Audi has been frustrated with the rules and have threatened to pull out the last 2 years. With no announcement by the final race it was obvious they would not be back. Maybe Dyson will still be running Porches.
I'm still hoping that AGR will be back but I doubt it with the merger of XM and Sirius. Last I heard Acura was looking for a P2 team to replace them. They were not having good luck.
Sports car racing will suffer in 09. Let's just hope the ALMS survives as a series.
I'm still hoping that AGR will be back but I doubt it with the merger of XM and Sirius. Last I heard Acura was looking for a P2 team to replace them. They were not having good luck.
Sports car racing will suffer in 09. Let's just hope the ALMS survives as a series.
12-09-2008, 07:42 PM
#20
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I'm planning on making the trip down to Sebring again next year, and I look forward to Watching the #28 Corvette roaring around the track! Last year at Petit Le Mans, I was fortunate enough to get a Baseball Hat from your team ... so I'll make sure to wear that as well
Will your team have more things for sale next season? The Flying Lizard guys always have some neat things up for sale to raise money. Corvette guys and gals love to be decked out in Corvette Stuff ... give us more GT2 Corvette Stuff!
Mark