Murphy had almost forgotten the IRL scribe’s penchant for tossing out ”the big one” – almost. So it really wasn’t a big surprise when he floated a rumor that Grand Am would purchase/had purchased the ALMS. The Bear had to scramble to find the “team principal” from whom the scribe had heard the story, in the end without success. If there was such a statement, no one was owning up to it (and that’s no surprise, either).
Without finding anyone that had heard the rumor other than our erstwhile scribe, say nothing of actually confirming its content, Murphy checked for other indicators, and bingo, he found a few.
His first question? Anything about another buyer? Certainly the Don wouldn’t go to Jim (who the Bear hears would love to get his hands on Sebring) first. In fact there have been, an offer turned down over a year ago, then more recently the rumor of an approach – rebuffed – to that same source. In a separate story, Patrón was a suitor. That’s cooled, though agave-squeezers are said to remain hot for the Porsche-only series.
Murphy also heard the driving school (McDreamy’s alma mater?) closed, and someone from Braselton cleaned out the T-shirt inventory at Sebring. Some might sum all that and come up with an imminent sale. Murphy doesn’t.
Underwear
Speaking of underwear, ALMS is going to sell “organic T-shirts” to support something called “Adopt an Acre” run by the Nature Conservancy. It’s a tree planting thing. Not original, but nice – bear habitat. Pearls, G-oil, organic T-shirts – can edible undergarments be far behind? There’s a hint from the boss, who told us to “Look for an announcement of a major new licensing deal in the third quarter that will greatly enhance our product position and global exposure. “ Exposure. Underwear. That’s intriguing.
Green Park(s)
Then there’s Lowe’s sponsoring “Green Parks.” Do those come with mosh pits and unconscious freshmen? Seriously it’s a good thing; they’ll be dedicating one in Torrington, Connecticut, with playground stuff for the kiddies and a sand box for an oil gazillionaire driver.
Brazil
The IRL’s going to Brazil. They’re a bit pissed in Cleveland (but consoling themselves with landing the Diesel, of course). That’s got to be ok with Tim. It makes Murphy go “hmmmm” at his assertion he’s not tying up with the IRL. Maybe he’ll “consult” then. Murphy can’t see him missing work/play/family in Brazil.
(re)Formatting
SA wrote to teams, etc. on June 22. Amongst the trivia (stuff like organic T-shirts), Ed is working on some new partnerships. Events are being “formatted” for fans and television (forgive the Bear for being a cynic, but that sounds scary), and to showcase IMSA’s “other series.”
Reorganizing
They’re combining IMSA and ALMS into a single staff. A very important person, a friend of the Bear’s was called to Braselton for a chat the other day. Can that be good?
Rules and Classifications
There are hints of continued (restored) ACO accommodation of some ALMS deviation in “technical rules (and) future classifications.”
Protos in 2010
The evidence is mounting that all three teams currently operating Acuras will be racing Honda-powered Dallaras in 2010. Will they race in two series? Not likely, given current economic realities. What ALMS prototypes will remain – or return?
Tags: Acura, Brazil, G-Oil, Grand Am, Green Park, McDreamy, Sebring, T-shirts, The Nature Conservancy
Intersport wins another championship in 2010!(perhaps 2!)
If Audi and acura aren’t there in 2010, it will be the final year of the ALMS. I wonder if the LMS model would work better from a cost structure perspective.
5 or 6 races that are 100km:
Sebring – 12 hour
Road America – 1000 km
Mid Ohio – 1000 km
Road Atlanta – 1000 km
Laguna Seca – 1000 km
I think it is hard to build a fan base, and harder to attract sponsorship with that kind of limited schedule.
This two month gap for Le Mans kills things. It would be even worse with an average of at least a month in between races.
Plus, even though we fans love the longer races, it isn’t good for TV and it probably isn’t the best for attracting new fans. ALMS has a hard enough time now with TV contracts. Imagine trying to get good live coverage of 4 and 5 hour events? Maybe it is better for those who go to the races, even the casual fans, but the infrequency of the races is still a problem in my opinion.
Murphy hears there are discussions within the sport about a schedule that would consist of six races of six hours duration, plus Sebring and Petit, which would continue in their current format.
While the thought of Nascar getting its mitts on ALMS is revolting in and of itself, a combined series would bring about a more interesting 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring. I recall the “Fantasy Grid” in which the qualifying times of CART or Indy, Grand Am and ALMS were compared on same raced circuits. The taxi cabs (a nod to the Bear) posted such high times in comparison to the others that it was embarrassing.
Frankly, a class or two of LMP’s, DP’s, GT2’s and 3’s in a combined series would be exciting and interesting. A field in excess of 45 or so cars back at Sebring and Road Atlanta would be terrific. The question would be, do we hold our noses when D-dubya whoops “boogity…” or do we laugh when the family and crew of the GA series (you know, the only ones who actually show-up for a race) look in awe what a real race car and race crowd looks like?
I almost think the new LMP2 rules will welcome some of those DP’s quite nicely.
And lets add Mosport to Robs list of 5 races and you have your schedule.