RSA333

Folks-

We have seen the same thing occur in US open whell racing (IRL and Champ cars), and given the financial position of the Rolex series and other changes, I would argrue that we need a single top-level race car series that would draw more spectators and help the teams. Here are some details:

(1) Rolex Grand Am's major financial backer is Pontiac, which is relected in their marketing and cars that dominate in FABCARS and GT. They are having financial problems as a series.

(2) With the coming FIA changes in the European LeMans and ALMS in 2010, the GT categories will be collapsed, opening up GT1 for other cars than the Corvettes (and Aston Martins), and down-sizing of GT2.

(3) The uncertainty of LMP1 and LMP2 classes in ALMS. Audi may withdraw.

I propose they merge in the US, it would increase spectatror popularity, however fewer racers would have drives.

I hope this is not a repeat of a previouos thread. Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance - Gerry

Professor Helmüt Tester

Unless you happen to be a member of a family with the last name of "France"...and your immediate family has agreed on this proposal, there is not a chance in hell that any merger would happen.

chris walrod

While I generally agree, I will say that is what we said about the possibility of an open wheel merger a few years back.

I am at Miller now and spoke to a Pontiac employee today in pit lane who confirmed the rumor that Pontiac looks to be pulling back funding in Grand Am next year.

RSA333

Yeah, Bill France can be a determined man.

But in an interview in 2006, when Tony George was asked about merging IRL with Champ Cars on Speed Channel his response was "over my dead body". I believe he is still alive.

As grand am keeps losing money the way it has been going, France may change his mind.

DrJupeman

Wow, if Pontiac goes away, this would become interesting. I am against a merger now, as I prefer ALMS as-is, but wish for more GT1 and LMP1 competition to balance things out.

BlueRiver86

The series are way too different for something like this to happen. The other problem is that ALMS has BIG European appeal, whereas they see Grand-Am, especially the DPs, as low tech and rather silly.

Chads996

ALMS has a fantastic formula. While other series are trying to expand, their intent is to grow the fan base gradually. So far, it has been quite successful. They have come a long way. And growing nicely. I do not think a merger between the Grand Am and ALMS will happen.

C.

Geoffrey

Totally different series with totally different cars. Merger not likely. I like watching both, although I basically like the DP cars in Grand Am and don't care about the GT cars in Grand Am. Love the ALMs GT2 and LMP2 classes the best.

Professor Helmüt Tester

Bill France would be.....dead.

BlueRiver86

France Jr. passed away in June of '07

stuttgart46

Is Pontiac getting out of Sports Car racing all together or just out of Grand Am?

BlueRiver86

Color me stupid, but outside of Grand-Am, what other factory backed Pontiac sports car efforts are there? (excluding the drift solstice)

kurt M

Fixed that for you.


I like both but they are far from each other.

John H

While having manufacturers involved in auto racing is a good thing, Pontiac is sucking wind right now and spending millions on racing seems to be not the best use of its credit.

Perhaps build a car that could actually be raced by someone (without millions to spend on fabricating a car that resembles the skin of a Pontiac product) and then get back into racing. GM has the capacity, look at the Corvette.

stuttgart46

I was just curious if they may be heading to ALMS GT2 while keeping the Vette in GT1. It was just a thought. I guess GM is having so many money problems right now they're bailing on all kinds of projects.