Just minutes before it was announced, Murphy was told the two TBA’s were Detroit and Texas. Subsequently, other candidates have made the routine rounds of the rumor mill. Boss Scott confirmed the Detroit TBA in a rather odd and self-serving  press release after Grand Am confirmed it would have that June 2 Detroit Race. Now it seems likely nothing will fill that ALMS April/May TBA.

Nor does the September/October event seem very likely. Though Sears Point, Montreal, Oklahoma City (the only thing going on there appears to be the all-too-routine legal wrangling amongst the promoter group – Oklahoma City Grand Prix LLC et al v. Mattioli), and Thunderbolt (New Jersey) have been thrown out there by fans, the only one that makes sense – the only one that might motivate Braselburg to move PLM to late October date  – is Texas.

Unfortunately, that’s ground being plowed by others. The gang from International Speedway Boulevard was in Austin not long before PLM, just the latest in a series of such visits. Australia’s V8 Supercar – a NASCAR ally, an FIA darling, and a growth product for Speedtv – is already scheduled for the new Texas track. The FIA’s ally in North America is Grand Am, not the ALMS, the partnership with the ACO in the WEC notwithstanding.

The Circuit of the Americas needs an event ahead of the its first F1, if for no other reason than to sort out its traffic and parking plans. As of now, Murphy will bet on Grand Am being that event, even though he can’t think of a weaker way to test traffic (little will be expected) and parking (little will be needed). Perhaps they want to make sure their dry run isn’t too challenging?

All that assumes the Texas track will get built in time for any 2012 race, even the November F1 date. Construction’s been halted while the principals fight for control (see also Oklahoma City and Baltimore). The only “money guy” in the promoter group is Billy Joe “Red” McCombs, who in owning the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, and Minnesota Vikings, pretty much defined “cheap” and “ruthless”  for sports ownership and promotion.

The continued “temporary” absence from the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg. Boss Scott told us this was just a temporary scheduling conflict, and that ALMS would be back in the streets of St. Pete. Temporary is now 3 years; the promoters don’t seem to be very interested in getting the Braselburgers back, do they? The Bear’s said from the beginning the combination of geography and calendar made this a “cannibal event,” one that would do little more than leech from the series’ premier event in Sebring. But why dissimulate?

Laguna Seca moves back to the spring. Make up your fricken mind! Are they really trying to kill sports car racing on the Monterey Peninsula? Braselburg’s spin is “requested by the venue.” Of course Boss Scott has given us nothing but reasons to believe him, hasn’t he?
The likely outcome of all this is another 9-event ALMS schedule, with two breaks, eight weeks in May-July, and seven weeks in September-October.

Sebring Confusion

Who to believe? Here’s Scott Atherton’s description of Sebring rule from his State of the Series at PLM:

“Next year’s 60th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring will be round one of the 2012 ALMS. It will also be round one of the FIA WEC… The ALMS cars will be competing with technical specifications consistent with what will be in place for the balance of the ALMS season. …
Our class configurations will remain unchanged for 2012:
LMP1 – utilize the current 2011 regulations that include permitting grandfathered cars.
LMP2 – as current
LMPC – as current
GT – as current
GTC – as current”

Autosport, in its October 6, 2011, issue paraphrased Boss Scott this way:

“Atherton said that the latest contract would give the ALMS new freedom when implementing ACO rules. He stated that cars from his series would be able to run in ALMS specification when they compete at Sebring next March.”

and continued:

“That comment has been contradicted by the ACO.
ACO president Jean-Claude Plassart said: ‘Sebring will be 100 percent WEC rules. There will be no GTC cars, for example. They are not in the rules.’”

Nor, Murphy reminds his readers, are 12 cylinder LMP1’s. “100%” is pretty unequivocal, isn’t it? The Bear emailed Messr. Plassart for clarification. Valérie Girard, (v.girard@lemans.org) actually, to whom Jean-Claude’s mail is routed. Murphy will pass on what he hears – if anything.

Corvette

Corvette, under pressure from GM to deliver in the remaining years of its contract with Pratt & Miller – or sooner – met at Road Atlanta with the ACO. Their point? Others have been given an “unfair advantage,” not in the way Mark Donohue meant it, through engineering and team performance, but off the track in the way “performance balancing” is conducted in the sport.

Does this have to do with the design waivers granted in the homologation of entrants? It doesn’t seem likely, does it? Ferrari got none in 2011, and Corvette (and BMW) got a bazillion. Perhaps the devil is in the (engineering) details? Murphy’s been told Corvette would rather have the rules and homologation done at the beginning of each season (as it once was), then leave it alone. Without (as they see it) getting “on par with BMW, Porsche, and Ferrari,” the American team might easily be gone before the end of 2013. Pratt & Miller’s contract extends through the 2013 season, but the company’s work can easily be directed into pursuits other than the American Le Mans Series if GM believes that would be advantageous.

So why go to the ACO, since the ALMS has announced a separation of rule-setting from the ACO the ‘Vettes are an ALMS program? At least one source says the ALMS so-called “declaration of independence” from ACO rules is largely window-dressing, mostly concerned with the Sporting Regulations, not so much the Technical Regulations. Then there’s the fact that Chebby has always said that the most important part of the Corvette Racing program is Le Mans, not the ALMS.

Far more ominous to the American Le Mans Series is the obvious budding romance between Chebby and Grand Am. That shouldn’t come as a surprise.  The General moved last season to make the NASCAR sports car series the place it would establish a performance resume for its new Camaro, while it discouraged Corvette GT entries, preparing to move ”the American Sports Car” into a prominent place in Daytona Prototypes, where it was designing and funding a Corvette body for the new “DP 3.”

At the end of the season the Bear was told Chevrolet would substantially strengthen its Grand Am factory driver program, abandoning the use of part-time ALMS drivers in favor of an expanded full-time Grand Am group. In fact look for considerable “restructuring” across the board, with drivers being assigned and re-assigned to different series, with movement in all directions between ALMS, Grand Am, and Pirelli World Challenge.

A new IndyCar engine program, a continued strong relationship with NASCAR (despite the rants of a Detroit pundit), and now the title sponsorship of Grand Am’s first race in the Motor City means at least a relative reduction of the prominence in the Division of Corvette’s American Le Mans Series program.

Ferrari

The Bear won’t be surprised if you’re at least a little confused at Corvette’s ACO complaints, since he’s written that a Ferrari team is unhappy about the same tinkering, and “the straw” was an advantage given mid season to (wait for it) – Corvette. So much so that the “pause and review button” was punched for the ALMS racing program.

A move to Grand Am seemed  a slam-dunk just a few weeks ago (the toe is already in the water via a little noticed partnership) until Maranello signaled it was getting cold feet. Backtracking a bit, when Ferrari committed its 458, it was generally supposed that Mazda would not return in 2012. Now it appears the RX8 is back.

Why would Ferrari expose its 458, (MSRP $247,000) to regular losses to Mazda’s RX8 (MSRP $26,795)? The simple answer is they don’t want to, and Grand Am’s reversal of its early decision to let the RX8’s homologation lapse has caused Maranello to review its commitment to support full-season Grand Am entries. It’s bad enough they’ve had to suffer through a season of losses to the BMW M3 (MSRP $58,900), but that car at least has some racing history and a performance cachet, as does the Porsche 911  (MSRP GT3 $103,100). Murphy’s certain zoom-zoom doesn’t count Maranello among its fans.

For manufacturers the attraction of racing is the establish your performance creds – or in Ferrari’s case, reinforce them. If you are Ferrari – or more recently, Audi  – the last thing you want to do is damage a hard-won performance reputation.

So what are the 2012 choices for Murphy’s favorite Ferrari team in the whole wide world? (1) Take the year off (2) Race in the WEC – including Le Mans (3) a Grand Am campaign (4) an ALMS campaign, with or without Le Mans. The Bear’s betting that’s pretty much the order of probability, too.

Jaguar

In its second full season, RSR’s Jaguars completed just 44% of ALMS GT laps. In 18 entries, had one top-ten finish.  The kitty cats averaged a 13th place finish in a field that averaged 15 entries. Is there any doubt this is the worst GT team ever? It certainly is among those that raced for so long. Others in history this bad had the sense to be embarrassed – and quit. When will Tata realize what a great advertisement this is for its competitors in America, providing reasons at every event not to purchase a Jaguar?

Fun with Numbers

The Braselburgers – led by “Two-T” Scott – continue to have a problem with numbers. During the Silverstone round of the LMS, on-line viewing reportedly peaked at 2,500. We’re told that ESPN3 routinely draws 100 times that for ALMS races.

Or try this from the 2011 State of the Series: “Attendance is up 12%,” reflecting in large part the substitution of Baltimore for Salt Lake City. To which Murphy says, “duh!” In 2009, Miller was reported to have attracted 35,000 fans willing to drive around the Oquirrh Mountains from Salt Lake City. That number – already “ambitious” – fell further in 2010 before the northern Rockies were abandoned in 2011. Given that Baltimore was claimed to be on the far side of 100K, it’s not just a “large part” of a 12% increase, but rather likely all of it, and perhaps more.

The funniest numbers faux pas was by Boss Scott, again in the State of the Series. “In addition to our already extensive international distribution through Motors TV in Europe (50 internationally-recognized nation-states), Fox Sports Latin America (33), Fox Sports Middle East (19) and Rogers Sports Net in Canada (1), we are now fully distributed through ESPN International which represents an additional 149 countries…” The ALMS is seen in 252 countries? Better tell Hillary, her Department only recognizes 195 (Taiwan not included).

ALMS Twitter followers nearly doubled from 3900 to 7500. Meanwhile, Murphy attracted over 800 followers (Twits?), even after winnowing out the pole dancers not already close friends.

The Other Jaguar

As soon as Ian Dawson (Taurus, ECO, etc.) was identified as the boss of an oddly ambitious out-of-nowhere Lotus racing program, the Bear knew something was up (or down). Now that shoe has dropped, with the thud we’ve come to know and love from Dawson’s racing adventures. The thud this time was the sound of the Lotus LMP2 program’s hitting the trash bin. After watching the Evoras at PLM, it wasn’t hard to imagine another Jaguar Racing program in the making.

Abruzzi: a cousin to the Norwegian Blue?

Dissembling again, Boss Scott said the Abruzzi was “on hiatus.” Unless “hiatus” no longer means “a pause, or break in continuity,” that was wrong when he said it. The Abruzzi was dead, gone, is no more, a former Abruzzi, very much like a Norwegian Blue.

Losing Count

…of the departures. This time, Lynda Polk, long time timer/scoring chief for IMSA will not be returning next year. Murphy expects her position to be filled by a needy Champ Car refugee.

Bathurst

Murphy sent Crocodile McFly  – the Down Under Mole – from Hendry’s Beach to Australia to report on the Bathurst 1000. The Croc called with his impressions on Monday. “Wow! A great event. Good, close racing. The fly-over was so low, I had to duck. Great crowd at a track “you aught to see.” Crocodile thinks this would be a better show than DTM. They have the right idea on so-called “gentleman drivers,” he says. They simply refer to them as “Co-drivers.” Simple, and without the negative (to some) connotation. Now that the FIA has approved the Supercars as an international sanctioning body, we’ll undoubtedly see more of them, including at Texas in 2013. Supercars, F1, and DTM – can USA racing get any more crowded?

The Bear understands there are new Supercar rules coming. That’s good, since the current technical regulations are compromised by as many adjustments as the infamous ACO homologations, and for just two cars. Perhaps they’ll provide little more exhaust noise, the only thing our mole thought should be tweaked.

Crocodile is going to stay over for the Gold Coast race this weekend. Check back with Murphy for that report.

Andy Lally Challenge

Andy’s had four races since Murphy last updated the Challenge, Chicagoland (28th, $95,100), New Hampshire (34th, $80,300), Dover (33rd, $78,925), and Kansas (37th, 85,250). That added $339,575 to his season earnings, bringing the total to $2,618,856. He’s also captured and maintained the 35th place in owner’s points for Kevin Buckler, so is ensured a spot on the starting grid.

The American Le Mans Series field closed out its season with races at Laguna Seca, where the field earned $148,000, and Petit Le Mans, which paid them $135,000. With that $283,000, the entire ALMS field was happy to claim total season winnings and bonuses of $1,795,000 including estimated privateer bonuses that Murphy added at the beginning of the Challenge.

Six races remain on Andy’s 2011 schedule.

Bad luck? Hardly. According to the Bear’s sources, the Keystone Kops routine was on display all week, from an embarrassing rented transporter that ultimately had to be covered up, to an empty hospitality suite for Jaguar executives and their guests  – no furniture, not even a cup of coffee.

Even the mainstream press had serious doubts about the program continuing once they saw it at Le Mans. The Daily Telegraph, UK’s largest circulation broadsheet newspaper, noted Jaguar’s “approval (of RSR’s official support) became rather strained” at Le Mans. Twenty years after the Tony Dowe-managed XJR-12 win, the Gentilozzi Jag went just 18 minutes 30 seconds into the 24-hour race before expiring. Murphy hears now that Jaguar will likely end its support for the RSR program before the American Le Mans Series gets to Miller. Will Jaguar continue with some other arrangement? Perhaps, but not immediately. Meanwhile, some suggest that since it’s been largely a privateer effort anyway, Gentilozzi may try to continue.

Bavarians aren’t thrilled, either

Jaguar wasn’t the only famous make that had a troubled Le Mans. insiders admit Schnitzer was an embarrassment to BMW, too. The betting is that the Bavarians will – or have – express their unhappiness, but won’t “changing horses.” For now Schnitzer will continue as BMW’s most important racing partner.

Porsche wins Le Mans GT2 – maybe

Le Mans GT2 winners – or not? What could possibly be in doubt about the winning Porsche’s motor that would take until “early next month” to sort out. Some wag wondered if the timing was dependent on “the check clearing.” Meanwhile, any marketing value in having won Le Mans is frittering away – except, of course, Porsche has been happy to claim its 98th class win anyway. Since the runner up Ferrari is also under review, perhaps Porsche feels secure because the third place car is another Porker?

A Dane Sprints – and Likes it

Jan Magnussen had his Sprint Cup series debut and loved it. He called it “fantastic; unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
“They go two wide and three wide. That’ll never happen in ALMS…here (in NASCAR), they allow you to race and to be two and three wide. Fantastic.”  Yuppers, Jan, the ALMS will pull you into the pits for “avoidable contact.”

Kevin to “Start and Park”

Given the instruction by cash-strapped Kevin Buckler’s TRG to “start and park,” 2000 Cup champion Bobby Labonte decided to walk. Andy Lally will get the opportunity to try to make the field, then park for the cash. That’s good for Andy, who gets a chance to show his skills to the Cup paddock.

Murphy told you about Buckler’s plans for new digs at New Jersey – and his sponsorship troubles – last August. Any chance Buckler’s fancy new shop will progress beyond this photo appears to be fading fast.

Mid-Ohio still “on” for IRL

Murphy’s been sorting through the comments on the 2011 schedule by IndyCar VP Terry Angstadt. Of most import to ALMS fans is his confirmation that Mid-Ohio will remain on the IRL schedule, albeit on a different date, the current one having now been committed to the new-in-2011 Baltimore street race.

With Baltimore and Loudon added, two current events will necessarily be dumped to achieve the series’ preferred 17 events. There could be more, but two seem certain according to Angstadt’s latest comments. Also implied in his remarks to the Elmira (NY) Star Gazette is that any “drops” will be within the events that occur before August on this year’s schedule. Since Long Beach is sacrosanct, it seems certain the only impact on the American Le Mans Series is the changed date for Mid-Ohio. Still to be answered, of course, is whether the ALMS will “follow” the IRL to the new date.

Prototypes Prospects

Expect Highcroft to return as Honda’s “Semi-Official Foot-in-the-Door” entry in Le Mans-style sports car racing. Although there have been statements of interest in an LMP1 engine under the new rules (since that would be a 3.4 liter NA designed-for-racing V8 they actually already have one, don’t they?) what they do will be determined by analysis of the final 2011 IMSA rules (if it and the ACO ever actually get around to publishing those). There’s no way there will be enough prototype entries for the series to restore its LMP1/LMP2 structure, so that class distinction is irrelevant and whichever engine appears to have the best chance to win will be the way this goes.

Murphy similarly thinks you can count on Dyson Racing to return, even though both Mazda money (cut this season) and BP petrodollars (other obligations to worry about) are “problematic” at best. Will Dyson stick to the so-called “little four-banger?” Yes, if the redesigned-for-2010 engine proves to be good over the remainder of this season, and the feeling on the team is it’s off to a pretty good start. As with HPD and Highcroft, the idea of a Dyson “class change” is moot as long as IMSA stays with a single LMP class – which it will do if it isn’t planning seppuku (though it does seem to be working on that).

Autocon’s LMP1 entry depends on Bryan Willman’s largess. He loves to race, but sooner or later will “hit the wall” (see Tom Weickardt). How does the Le Mans disappointment figure in that? Will the team be able to replace Shrek if it needs to? The Bear will score a 2011 return as “probably not.”

Intersport likewise needs one or more Sugar Daddies. Futility got old for Richard Berry, and the new Beverly Hills mark (er, driver) has hardly turned a wheel with a third of the season already gone. It’s a crap shoot to predict a top-class LMP entry for this team the rest of this year, say nothing of next, though the Bear expects continuation of its LMPC and IMSA Lites programs.

There’s some speculation that rule changes could end Cytosport’s Porsche run. Some of that appears to be rooted in an idea that a Porsche LMP1 (not just a modification of the RS Spyder) is imminent. Murphy doesn’t believe it is. So, will Cytosport continue? The team is not (like Highcroft or Dyson) an  ALMS competitor of many years. Greg Pickett is “getting on in years” (his lap times show it). Porsche doesn’t seem eager to support the Spyder (though they will continue to do so if adequately paid). Murphy thinks there’s no more than an “even chance” Pickett and his team will return.

Will Audi return? Yes and no. The “no” first. The R18 is about as substantial as any other video game, meaning it hasn’t made it off the hard drive of the design computer, and won’t until Audi’s board says “jawohl.” 

If it does, Murphy expects to see the new prototype in the Intercontinental Cup events and nowhere else. Herr Doktor Ulrich told a respected radio personality earlier in the spring  that a GT program in the American Le Mans Series is probably the way to go. Murphy would be disappointed if an Audi GT effort was wasted on a GTC entry, but it’s not clear which of those directions (GTC or GT), if any, Audi will finally take.

Everything the Bear hears about Corsa/ARES screams “dead on arrival.” Even the most recent team Facebook update couldn’t find anything more positive to say than “we are in a bit of a holding pattern,” and though they “want to race this year,” the “main concern” is 2011. Murphy puts the odds of even that happening about equal to those he gives to full seasons from Creation and ECO Racing. Both of those are slim and none, hoping in vain for one (or more) of those “sugar daddies,” so much in short supply. It’s a measure of the dearth of interest in racing in the American Le Mans Series that beyond ARES and ECO, Murphy can’t even find a good rumor about 2011 prototype entrants.

Drayson Racing is the one entrant for whom prospects for next season (and this one) have actually improved, due to Labour’s UK election loss. That left Lord Drayson “unemployed,” but now free to take on partners and sponsors. His current Judd V10 will be obsolete by the rules in 2011, and his enthusiasm for losing will be tested at some point (See Bryan Willman), but for now the Bear expect’s the Lord to return.

Unless there’s something out there completely under the radar, the American Le Mans Series top class will include no more than the six entries on this year’s grids with “bumps” in the two Intercontinental Cup races at Sebring and Road Atlanta.

LMP2 Kit Car

Kit car builder Bailey Edwards Cars claims it has six people working on a new-rules LMP2 to be built entirely in South Africa. Nearly two years into the project, there’s nothing to show but Greg Bailey’s chatter about testing in October and some artists drawings. To the Bear it looks like a small-scale US F1. Speaking of whom, they auctioned off US F1’s assets the other day, getting about a million dollars for tools, desks, parts and pieces, the largest of which, one tub, brought a mere $8,000. The You Tube guy, who’s turned out to be more big mouth than big money, seems perfectly happy to let his employees get stiffed on the pay due them. Class.

Peugeot’s Plan

Peugeot’s plan to participate in Petit – or in any of the remaining Intercontinental Cup and Le Mans Series races remains in some doubt. At the start of the season, it was Sebring oui, and PLM non. Then they said PLM ( and China) ouah! (Murphy dutifully booked his trip.) Following the Le Mans debacle, though, reports spread that it was now ah non Petit! (At least.) “Directly from the boss,” wrote one of the Bear’s trusted sources. Whatever. Girls and Frogs reserve the right to change their minds – often. As long as Paddy’s is open, Murphy will be happy.

Where’s T-Mobile?

 An article appearing in “Wall Street 24/7” lists the “10 Brands Most Likely to Disappear” T-Mobile, Kia, BP, Blockbuster, RadioShack, Moody’s, Merrill Lynch. Murphy had to laugh when he saw T-Mobile on that list. The chuckleheads ripping the poor Bear lately are the same ones who were touting VICI Racing’s Porsche T-Mobile sponsorship as “all set for 2010.” Murphy’s still looking for it…maybe later? Hey, corporate budget cycles don’t work like that – approving 2010 money in early 2009. What you saw in 2009 was all that was committed. 2010 was just hope – or hooey. The Bear told you as much.

Abruzzi

Le Mans was something short of a complete success for Don, Danny and the rest of the Braselburg gang. The Abruzzi made it across the Atlantic, but worries it might not make it around cancelled its scheduled demo laps. After a run up and down a nearby airport runway revealed a little problem or two (including wrong-length pushrods – “hey, we were in a hurry”), the Italian-inspired automotive sculpture became a static display at Le Mans, and remains in Europe. Parts packages are headed to Winchester, Virginia, so it’s now up to Tom Milner to see if he can build a racer. According to an observer, “It’s 75-1 on making PLM…against.”

Prius-R

Corsa finally confirms its prototype, and it’s a blockbuster, a prototype Prius! Well, not exactly – it’s a Zytek.

Though there’s been some internet chatter about “two new manufacturers,” Murphy consulted his notes, and more recently Braselton’s referred to one, not two. Was BMW one of the original two? If it were, then Corsa’s Zytek might be the second. If not, we’re still looking for another one. (Edit: The Bear’s a bit confused by many referrences to new entries, both this year and next. Murphy certainly would not put BMW in the ‘attracted by the Green Racing initiative’ catagory, and if Braselton was being precise about ‘next year,’ Zytek won’t fit either. Don’t forget that ‘manufacturer’ in IMSA’s parlance includes chassis builders like Zytek.)

In April, the Bear passed on some things that pointed to a real Prius. Is that “off the table?” Perhaps not.

The General

There was this item in Murphy’s Mosport Special Edition:
It’s settled. The General shows a bit of good sense. Corvette will be back in 2009.

AutoWeek says a split season next year – half GT1, half GT2. Murphy’s not sure of that. He thinks the prototype idea could still be on the table, though the GT2 thing is probably the odds on favorite in the paddock. This will be a Pratt & Miller program. Riley took a flyer to put a GT2 Corvette on the track with Lou Gigliotti, and it was clear to Murphy (and to the paddock, and importantly, to GM) that the Gigliotti part of that program was the best part.

Murphy was told a Pratt & Miller prototype made it all the way to the wind tunnel. What happens to that? Some speculate that there still may be opportunities for Corvette power, and even for that chassis, somewhere on sports car prototype grids.

Acura

The announcement of its LMP1 program was the third bit of good news for the series. Three teams will contest two prototype classes, and Honda would clearly like to have a second P2 team, too.

Doubts

That brings Murphy to some unhappy rumblings in the paddock. The list of teams that may not return next season has grown to three, four, or five, depending on who’s talking – plus doubts about the “official programs” of two manufacturers. The economy isn’t particularly strong, and sponsors aren’t exactly awash with cash, so none of that should come as a surprise. Given the history of such things, the Bear doesn’t start celebrating when it’s said “there’s a 70% chance” of returning.

Someone out there reported that Murphy said Porsche was testing an LMP1. He didn’t. If they are, he doesn’t know about it. What he actually wrote was that Porsche was testing a P1 when word of the impending ACO diesel rules put an end to that program – over a half-decade ago. He does think they should build and race a P1. But they don’t pay a lot of attention to stuffed animals in Weissach. Perhaps they should.

2004

At least part of the prototype grid next season may look like it did only in 2004.

Driver Quietly Looking

A very, very good American Le Mans Series driver of some year’s experience is said to be quietly inquiring about ride possibilities for 2009. That’s not just interesting in the “driver silly season rumor mill,” but in the whole question of teams that will or will not – return. The driver’s quiet job search is the best clue yet that a key prototype team does not – for now – intend to return in 2009, and neither does a manufacturer.

It’s the economy, stupid

American Le Mans Series racing programs have been curtailed – and some didn’t happen – because of the economic climate. The series will do well to hold the line on the grid next season. You might have noticed that Grand Am’s DP field didn’t grow from year-to-year, and the Bear expects it to contract in 2009. Southard Motorsports announced this morning it will skip Grand Am’s season-ending event in Utah and pointed directly to the economy.

Good News, Bad News

In ALMS GT, a Porsche team will add both a car and a factory driver next season. This is an area in which Grand Am – if it keeps its promise for GT to become “all tube frame” – is going to take a big hit. Porsche sources say they’ll not build, nor will they support, tube frame 911s, even though they were willing to do so twenty years ago. The premier Porsche prototype program will also wrap up.

That increase in Porsche participation in ALMS GT could well be greeted by a decrease in the Ferrari presence. Murphy hopes that’s not the case, but he’s hearing…

Bored

The English fish-and-chip-oil burner now won’t be ready for Silverstone, just as it wasn’t ready for Sebring (sitting about the paddock doesn’t count), and for anything else so far this year. Ho hum.

NASCAR Diversifies

We’re told that NASCAR is making a bid to get into the casino business. As part of that, they’re promising to toss in a second Cup race at a nearby track, where they’ve promised to build a roval track and race guppies. The prototurtles might be around much longer than Murphy had been hearing, and the now-official acquisition by NASCAR just may be more than a way to cover some losses before the shut-down. One thing seems certain. The gnomes at International Speedway Boulevard are ignoring the advice they got from Detroit and will stay the course on which they’ve been for the past decade – to separate themselves entirely from reliance on the auto industry. With the Car of Tomorrow the last step is pretty easy – just rip off the Toyota, Cheby, and Ford decals.

Toot-toot Department

Murphy’s been accused of tooting his own horn. Why the hell shouldn’t he? This item appeared in Paddock Poop 60, October, 2007.

NASCAR Sports Cars – an Oxymoron whose time has come…

No more Grand Am. It’s going to be the NASCAR Sports Car Series…That might sound good, but Murphy’s not so sure. It looks like a compromise between full speed ahead and a more complete withdrawal to support NASCAR events only. NASCAR Sports Cars will still have an independent schedule including some non-NASCAR tracks, but the pitch is being focused on the already-captive market. How that makes sense, the Bear hasn’t got a glimmer.-10/23/2007

Millville and Monterrey

Speaking of Grand Am, it was at dusty, narrow, and unready Millville on the weekend. While the crowd was reported to be ‘huge by Grand Am standards,’ the teams were quite unhappy about racing at a track so clearly unprepared to host professional motorsports, and some of them said so. The American Le Mans Series is losing some interest in the venue, while becoming more enamored with the Lady of the North.

Petit Le Mans

Plan on getting there. Some say this is another sports car racing “Golden Age.” It’s mixing metaphors, but the 11th Petit Le Mans could also be the “high water mark” for some time.

Murphy will be at Petit. Look for him. La Parilla, the woods near Turn 10, Paddy’s and Jeffrey’s are all favorite haunts. And the paddock, of course.

Below is a Spitfire – Wisconsin style.

The Break makes Seibken’s Stop-Inn Tavern, where Murphy Stopped-Inn Friday and Saturday, seem real upscale, though. It was a “say-hey” to rickybaker on Friday. Pictured are two close friends of Murphy’s on Siebken’s patio.

Saturday, he chatted with Wolf and Jörg after the race, and made some new friends, too.

As always, he stopped by to see friends and visit Brian Redman’s cat in the Carousel, too.

2009 Schedule

Braselton thinks that 14 would be a nice schedule, long-term, and doesn’t want to add more than one new race in a season. But there’s a “whoops” to that second part that goes like this: “Unless a good opportunity comes along,” in which case they might “have to” add two. So, waddayaknow, there seems to be a “good opportunity” in the upcoming season.

Murphy’s heard seven venues mentioned in the paddock and around the water cooler. The Rose City is entirely out of the running for the IRL, so that puts the Northwest in play again for the ALMS. Will the third time be the charm? Or has the track finally settled into the minor leagues for good, now listing drifting, bicycle races, and the Cascade Sports Car Club on its “major event” schedule?

NASCAR declared victory (“mission accomplished, we’ve raised motorsports profile here, our work is done,” or some such nonsensical statement that you’d have to be into the Kool Aid to believe) and will take its Nationwide series out of Mexico City. Murphy doesn’t think Grand Am will stay there on its own. Like Portland, Mexico City gets no mention with the open wheel guys, so does the American Le Mans Series step into a void there? That’s the rub, of course, so many think of the Mexican capitol as a big, scary void. Some not particularly eager to race in Ciudad de México are key to making the sports car schedule. On the other hand, there is another former big-league racing venue south of the Texas boarder. Murphy’s heard it could be one of two new venues to make the grade in 2008.

The Bear told you about the NAS and Lukoil, but there’s another option nearby – east, not north, of Philly – that seems more likely now. The track that shares a name with the famous “Jug” that flew in the middle of the last century may be that second 2008 “opportunity.”

Cleveland and Houston have gotten mentions, especially since the promoter has met with the IMSA guys, but inclusion in some future IRL season seems more likely than landing on the ALMS schedule.

Another Cannuckistani race? The Bear hears (as his lion friend once famously said), “not nohow.”

New Porker Lumps for Dyson

Dyson Racing will get its first DI motor at Mosport and the second at Detroit. (That’s the Weissachian promise, anyway.) Seeking to change his luck, this guy rubbed the Bear before starting his Spyder at Road America. It worked.

What will we see at Petit Le Mans? Lots of cars, it seems. Pugs for sure; Connor says they’ll announce this week. (Independent of web broadcasts, Murphy got a “not our announcement to make…”). You can read that anyway you like, but the Bear thinks just two questions remain: One or two? (that’s cars and races) The Lola with the gasoline V12 might be on its way. In fact there may be a plethora of Astons, beyond the two in the ALMS now.

Forget Cytosport, it seems their announcements of their post-Le Mans ALMS program were as bogus as the ones about the pre-Le Mans program – both LMS and ALMS. On the other hand, we’re going to be much happier with the Corsa Zytek, anyway. And maybe Embassy. Don’t forget the AIM Creations.

Y’all know Mazda’s stepped up to the plate and will field a new Lola coupe in place of the B0something/something spyder (sometimes it seems an extra dive plane will get a new model designation). Murphy’s not sure it will put B-K on race pace, but he’s pretty sure it will get more useful notice than another walk-over bridge with “MAZDA” painted on it.

Will Eco make it to Petit? Silverstone will tell us; good if it shows up, bad if it still won’t run or is damaged. So in the meantime the Bear will ignore everything that’s announced, said, printed, or rumored. You should, too.

Murphy thinks the Mansells are telling the truth about wanting to share a Lola, but also are truthful that someone else will have to pay the bill. So, if “Our Nige” is such a hot commodity under St. George’s Cross, will someone step up? The Bear’s waiting for a note from his correspondent in the Empire.

For 2009, the Bear hears that optimism over funding for a Florida team is at an all-time high.

Murphy spent race day morning with some friends down at the “pit-out” end of the paddock, talking with U.B. about the good old days of shade tree (or garage) mechanics, about Kugelfischer FI, and about engine braking on diesels (now the Bear knows why there isn’t any to speak of). The Herr Doktor was there and in good form with a broad smile, as was Murphy’s new favorite Audi driver, (apologies to the wee Scot) who gave him a big hug. Is there another Audi in the DTM driver’s future? Murphy couldn’t get any denials.

There was a printed copy of Peter de Lorenzo’s “Fumes” from last week on various paddock tables. It’s interesting that what Detroit described it wanted from Daytona Beach was a pretty good description of what GM is already getting from Corvette Racing, albeit on a smaller scale. Does that mean the General understands what Corvette in the ALMS does for it? We can hope, can’t we? Doug said “I’ve given it my best shot.”

The Bear’s heard that planning is underway for a very special event for forum fans at Mosport. Look for information soon. (Actually, while finishing this Poop, Murphy’s just now seen the news posted in the ALMS forum’s Mosport thread.) The Bear is planning a “Paddock Poop Special Edition” to be available only at the gathering.

Well, it’s not all bad if a poop brings the denizens of the paddock out of the wordwork, is it?

Murphy said that there was an “if” associated with each of the prototypes that had indicated they’d be at Road America.

The Three “ifs”

First was “due diligence.” Corsa Motorsports said it was “evaluating an opportunity,” that it “would miss the next two races (Lime Rock and Mid-Ohio), but would participate “in the remainder of the season.” That “remainder” would have started at Road America. With this one, there’s good news and bad news. The bad? There will be no Corsa prototype at Road America, and a Ferrari is similarly unlikely. The good, is that Corsa has completed its “due diligence” and a new car will be delivered “in a month.” So, perhaps Petit?

Next, Murphy wrote that the participation of one team would be related to “the cost of salad oil.” The “semi-official” word – just communicated to Braselton today – is that a test of the Eco Racing Radical led the team to conclude that “running a four hour race” at Road America was beyond its capabilities. So they’re going to race at Silverstone (1,000 K), then at Petit Le Mans (1,000 miles). Huh?

Third, at team would have to change its “modus operandi,” which, in a word is “announce, but don’t show up.” (They drove them all a bit nuts in Europe with that one, didn’t they?) Anybody see Cytosport listed on the Road America entry? Murphy was going to say “case closed,” but then he heard that a team-related source said “Cytosport will be at Road America.” We’ll see, won’t we?

Fourteen Races? 

Murphy’s heard that the maximum number of races in a season that is considered acceptable is fourteen. With eleven now, that means the ALMS could add three. They’d like to be orderly about it, the Bear hears, and add no more than one each season. But if an opportunity presents itself….

Cold Water on one Airbase

Related to all that, there’s the quiz, based on a fantastically detailed rumor. (Do people actually make that stuff up? It seems so.) Willow Grove, Paul Newman, the Russian oil company, and corn weren’t exactly ruled out, but a well placed friend of the Bear’s offered the opinion that Thunderbolt still seems more likely for something near Philly – which is an area the series would love to be. Perhaps some of those details apply to an event at the New Jersey track?

Airports seem to be in Vogue

So, that’s why some think that two races could be added in 2009. Perhaps one might be that near-Philly thing? The other is said to be on an airport near a lake, and just might be a combined weekend, The IRL team partner promoter was at Mid-Ohio to meet with ALMS cheeses; was it about the lake place or their other one?

Whatever, it seems that the addition of a pre-Le Mans event is particularly attractive.

Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives

Another visitor at Mid-Ohio was the one-time team manager of Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives. What that’s about is anybody’s guess.

Resurfacing

A much-mentioned team is finally near an agreement that will deliver the funding needed to field a prototype in 2009. What will it be? Not Porsche, not Lola, not Zytek. Something else. Play with that one.

OK, the Bear is caught up. He needs a nap now.

The 6…or 4…or 2

Forsythe. There are some insiders who continue to believe that one or more Forsythe LMP entries are possible. Murphy calls his drivel Paddock Poop, and that’s exactly where this story comes from, amongst the mechanics and worker bees of the sport (and are most likely to know what’s happening).

Walker. Derrick Walker’s team is a business that makes its revenue racing. With the “Team Australia” partnership gone, and only a small Atlantics program remaining, why not an ALMS program? “…we will be where we can get the corporate support to be able to keep racing.” said Derrick Walker in February. Has Derrick found that corporate support to finance an ALMS venture? Some think he has.

ECO. They almost – but not quite – turned a wheel at Sebring. They promised they’d be in Utah, then Lime Rock, now Mid-Ohio. ECO Racing’s principle has said quite clearly that the car and team are not a priority amongst his other ventures. They’ll show up – if and when he has the time to deal with the team’s many problems of homologation, design, organization, shipping, and administration.

BMW/Rahal. The most informed of the Bear’s friends believe that Petit Le Mans is possible, Laguna Seca is probable. Testing prohibitions after debut apply to the team, not to the manufacturer, so as with Porsche, Acura, and Audi, it’s BMW Motorsport (the MPower boys and girls) that will be doing the bulk of the testing and development – as it’s doing now on a Deutschland track.

Muscle Milk. Yes, the Bear’s source mentioned Muscle Milk. van der Steur would seem to be a similar case – a part time 2007 entrant yet to race in 2008 – but pointedly wasn’t included. (Murphy adds: Walter the Walrus reminds the Bear that van der Steur Racing was at St. Pete. Oops. They were just so memorable.)

That’s the list from around a water cooler in a small Georgia town.

Pugs, an Icon, Desert Coupe, and the Rat’s Races

But it’s not the final word, because there have been hints from more rarified precincts. Primary amongst these was the prediction that an alternative energy – not just diesel and ethanol – vehicle will be on an ALMS grid before season’s end. Since it was already announced as the kick-off of the Green Racing Challenge, Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta presumably is the place. So what is the likely entry? For various reasons, Murphy’s speculated (and has given reasons for that) it will be Toyota’s LF-A, but that’s far from certain.

Will Bell Motorsports come back to GT1? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Is that a big deal? Not to most bears. (Murphy quickly gets “an  attitude” about part-timers who promise way more than they ever deliver.) Some have mentioned Wayne Taylor Racing…but that initiative’s already been slapped down to preserve the New Order.

The Bear was told on pit lane at Miller – by the guy who’s “going to run it” (congratulations to a motorsports icon) – that the Tim Pappas’ Ford GT is being screwed together as you read this. Gawd willing and the creek don’t rise, they’ll be on the grid at Lime Rock.

Peugeot? They’ve said, “Non!” Murphy held out hope for a while because Atlanta and Monterey are kind of on the way to China from France. Now that the LMS flyaway is cancelled – again – Petit will have to depend on its own merits as an international draw. Recently, that’s mean two or three entries. The usual suspects – Creation and Zytek – are mentioned again, the former actually having announced its intent (with the obligatory “funding” escape clause) to contest the final two ALMS rounds.

Among other possibilities are a pair of cars-that-Murphy-embargoed-mention-of. Their namesake gave in interview in which he said he “hoped to return to the ALMS before the end of the season.” He’s been testing and is proud of his pace. We’ve been around on this so many times that the Bear will have to see the car(s) on the grid before he gets  very excited.

Murphy would never tell who, but he’s heard there’s interest in a Lola coupe near Heidi’s laundry.

Speaking of trying to create races in places there’s little interest, Murphy’s come to a conclusion such events are a bit of a fetish for the Rat. Ah well, at least there are no whips involved. (The Bear’s heard there’s an updated remake of renowned producer Max Bailystock’s hit play. The new version will be titled Springtime for Max.)

We stand on the threshold of a new beginning.

Meanwhile, it’s really only a matter of time before Grand Am ends the pretense and makes Prep 2 the de jure requirement. It’s already de facto. Then some pro teams (racing teams in the business for profit) will probably go elsewhere (though not in the midst of a season).

Those most affected by the rules tinkering in favor of tubeframe (some are more specific: tubeframe Pontiacs) of the NASCAR road racing cabal are AJR, TRG, and Farnbacher Loles. They seem not to be particularly happy with the status quo.

Speaking of Grand Am, another pretense will end when NASCAR takes de jure (there’s that word again) control and makes the Daytona Prototype the Official NASCAR Sports Car (the Road Course Car of Tomorrow). What will actually happen is the absorption of the fig leaf Daytona Motorsports Group, which – nominally at least – controls Grand Am, MotoST, and now Superbike and all other series (except – for now – Arenacross and Supercross) formerly run by AMA Pro Racing.

It didn’t take long for the Sith of International Speedway Boulevard (Darth France and Darth Edmondson) to take their rules meat axe to the Superbikes, either. Murphy’s not saying they’re draconian, of course, but if you like Grand Am’s approach to racing you’ll love the new NASCAR-like Superbike (renamed Daytona Superbike, of course). The contrary view is expressed by Mat Mladin, who when asked what he will do if the newly announced rules go into effect said, “I won’t be riding Daytona Superbike next year.” (If you don’t know who Mat Mladin is, you don’t understand any of this, and probably don’t care.)

The Empire is on the prowl.