ALMS v. Grand Am
08-27-2007, 07:32 AM
#16
Nordschleife Master
I was at the race today and all the cars were braking (brakelights coming on)after the first apex at turn 2. I was very suprised as I thought I knew the fastest way around turn 2 and I had heard that they go flat out at 2 which was one of the reasons I attended. also I met Alan Mcnish on thursday and he told me that since they have a 6 speed they don't run full out in 2.
08-27-2007, 08:52 AM
#17
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Hmmmmm.....
Having watched plenty of Grand Am, and then watching the ALMS yesterday, it was notable how much less contact there was at Mosport than the garden variety Grand Am race. On a bumpy, tight, roller coaster track like Mosport, with freightening speed disparities and cars passing everywhere, VERY LITTLE CARNAGE. The average Grand Am race is like demo derby.
I like clean, professional racing. Must be a NASCAR thing over in Grand Am.
Having watched plenty of Grand Am, and then watching the ALMS yesterday, it was notable how much less contact there was at Mosport than the garden variety Grand Am race. On a bumpy, tight, roller coaster track like Mosport, with freightening speed disparities and cars passing everywhere, VERY LITTLE CARNAGE. The average Grand Am race is like demo derby.
I like clean, professional racing. Must be a NASCAR thing over in Grand Am.
08-27-2007, 10:12 AM
#18
Drifting
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08-27-2007, 10:28 AM
#19
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Yep !!! And they "seed" the Daytona Rolex 24 hour race with a whole bunch of NA$CAR Cup drivers... a few of whom (Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Earnhardt Jr.) can actually drive.
08-27-2007, 10:58 AM
#20
Last year I compared the times between the two series at Miller in Utah. I don't have the numbers in front of me, but IIRC, the GT1 Vettes were faster than the DP cars on that track. On that relatively long track, I think it was close to a 10 sec. differential.
08-27-2007, 01:58 PM
#21
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As far as the question;
Apples-to-Oranges. ALMS prototypes are "true" high tech cutting edge protoypes just like the old (80s-90s) days. They are aero monsters. DPs are Nextel cup cars by comparison, more like CanAm. Very little aero downforce, small tires, etc. Slide all over the place.
I'm sure that is the reason for some of the contact, but...
Apples-to-Oranges. ALMS prototypes are "true" high tech cutting edge protoypes just like the old (80s-90s) days. They are aero monsters. DPs are Nextel cup cars by comparison, more like CanAm. Very little aero downforce, small tires, etc. Slide all over the place.
I'm sure that is the reason for some of the contact, but...
08-27-2007, 02:21 PM
#22
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So you are saying these Rollex prototype cars driven by Max Angeletti and Scott Pruett are slower than Corvettes and Aston Martins in ALMS GT1? Always thought it was the other way around...
08-27-2007, 11:52 PM
#24
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Joe
08-28-2007, 01:56 AM
#25
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Thank you, Speed for not cutting out to show start of ALMS race... 
I just don't get nascar...
Regards to ALMS race- DANG! All those cars passing on inside and outside was just F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!
WOW!
I just don't get nascar...
Regards to ALMS race- DANG! All those cars passing on inside and outside was just F-A-N-T-A-S-T-I-C!
WOW!
08-28-2007, 03:27 AM
#26
Burning Brakes
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http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/grandam/36343/
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7871
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7662
08-28-2007, 08:19 AM
#27
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DPs are faster, but developments are very limited which is why Riley dominates DP. New rules are coming next year along with spec tires from Pirelli (08-10)
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/grandam/36343/
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7871
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7662
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/grandam/36343/
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7871
http://www.grand-am.com/News/Article.asp?ID=7662
08-28-2007, 10:15 AM
#29
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Yep... they were created to kill off Panoz's ALMS series...and to add money to Family France.
When they first ran the Grand Sham DP's... Justin Bell posted the fastest qualifying time for the Rolex 24 hour race in a slightly modified Corvette.
Bell was allowed to start... behind all the DP cars.
08-28-2007, 10:56 AM
#30
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Other than providing for some of the best road racing in a long time? The drivers and teams love racing them. It's the snobby "road racing fans" who have the problem with the cars. They are meant to provide for close racing, not to be technological masterpieces like ALMS Prototype cars. They would be a lot faster just by allowing for tire development, but why do that when the spec tire is working and providing exciting racing?