Audi in the ALMS full time in '08?

[Chernaudi]

I posted this at VW Vortex/Fourtitude, and I decided to copy/paste to save time. This concerns some moves recently made by IMSA to seemingly keep Audi in the ALMS this season: Of course, most conspiracy theories about Audi's ALMS program are angled towards IMSA trying to screw them. However, there are some things that I've recently found out that seem to coincidental to ignore as far as IMSA trying to keep Audi in the ALMS with a full season 1(preferably 2) car program. Althought the LMP2 rules wern't adjusted enough to fully suit Audi, IMSA made the changes to place a little gap between LMP1 and LMP2 at the faster circuits, and close the gap at the shorter circuits. That might be just enough to hobble the LMP2 cars at many circuits. Though 25kgs/55lbs don't sound like a lot, it has hobbled the LMP2 cars at the Sebring test. Last year, the gap between the Audis and Porsches at Sebring was a little more than a second in qualifying. This year, the average lap-to-lap gap is 1.2-1.5 seconds between the Audi/Peugeot at the Sebring test, and the Porsche LMP2 cars. So some progress was made. Also, at Miller Motorsports Park at Salt Lake City, the ALMS decided to switch to the 3.06 mile Perimiter Course(as opposed to the 4.5 mile full course). The 3 mile course is much faster than the 4.5 mile circuit, as it skips the tight and twisty inner section. The ALMS' site says that it will be one of the fastest tracks on the calendar this season(probably third only to Road America and Mosport). This of course inproves the excitment factor, but the Audi's had a fairly big advantage over the LMP2 cars on that part of the full course. And then, there's the fact that Audi will be only the third manufacture inducted into the Sebring hall of fame. Granted, Audi is deserving of this due to the technical advances that they brought to the ALMS. But after the criticism that Audi has doled out to IMSA management over the past 1 1/2 years, would IMSA be so fast to induct them? I know that this is all probably coincidental, but it does have a strange feeling to it. It seems to have a slight feel to it that IMSA is trying to butter up Audi to run the full season in the ALMS. Combine that with the fact that if IMSA feels after Miller that the gap is still too close between LMP1 and LMP2, they may go to the full ACO regs, the fact that Acura has LMP1 ambitions, and the likely hood of the rumor that this season may be the last for the Porsche RS Spyder as a "factory" program, Audi would be somewhat ignorant to sit out this ALMS season in my opinion. And if they do, they'll be back in '09, as IMSA will probably switch to the full ACO regs, and Penske might be gone, or at least not as heavily factory backed in LMP2. This sequence of events seem a little odd to me. Who knows what the real intention of such moves are-though it may mean good news for us, as Audi may decide to run the full ALMS season if this comes true.

[snoogins]

I know they're gonna do a few dates in Europe, but I have a hard time believing that they're not gonna do a full schedule in the ALMS. The US is their main market.

[nord1899]

from the past two years, thats the track they have run. Oddly this year, World Superbike is doing the outer track and AMA Superbike is doing the full track (believe sponsorship is the main reason).

Anyway, the outer track is absolutely awesome. The "new" turn 7, called Witchcraft, is a very high speed right hand turn that ultimately puts you track left, where you then have to brake and get track right to setup for the Attitudes (left right left).

I worked turn 8, the Attitudes, for AMA last year as the corner marshal captain, and man that was a blast on that corner.

Unfortunately, one of my favorite parts of the full track is the turn 11-12 section (fast-faster-gotchya), also known as the inside straight. But oh well.


And I do believe it will be better for the fans as the cars will always be near them.

[jbchinoca]

for LMS and two conflicting race dates with ALMS, who would they run with here? Best bet is to sneak into Champion's shop to see if they have an R10 there after Sebring.

[Rakete]

who they send over if they decide they are really going to race here.....

[The Chef.]

Link?

Earlier this year Audi announced a two car team for the entire year ALMS. McNish/Capello and Luhr(replacing Pirro)/Werner.

Later Audi announced that they will also be racing in the Lemans Series, citing McNish/Capello driving.

Currently there are two over lapping dates on ALMS/LMS weekends. Houston and St. Pete I believe...

That said, from what I have seen and who I have talked to, the intent is for Audi to run a full on two car program all year in ALMS this year...Audi has stated McNish and Capellos priority are in LMS this year and that they will attened all ALMS races unless there is a scheduling conflict. (Houston and St Pete). As of now it is believed that some contingent of Pirro/Biela(likely) or Kristinsen/Rockenfeller etc would make up those two weekends.

There are rumors out there about a possible Sebring and Petit only apperance but to this point they are nothing other then rumors so I am hearing. Audi is still very prevlent on the ALMS webcite, they are going into the Sebring HoF and also IMSA is spreading out the P1/P2 cars this year by adding more weight and changing some circuts, like Utah...something that benefits Audi after the issues they have had with IMSA/ACO the past two years. There are also to this point no announcements stating anything other then running a full two car season that I have seen....further ALMS needs Audi BAD...

...that said I hope they do race the full season, as a fan. Either way I will see them at Petit but I enjoy Houston alot also, though the ALMS drivers have never cared for it and I am sure it would not hurt there feelings if it was dropped.

[Chernaudi]

The stuff that I talked about may not be only for Audi. It seems that IMSA is courting another certian LMP1 team...

[Mike S]

[jbchinoca]