Re: 2012 American Le Mans Series

by **CQR Rogue** Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 9:42

Yea Dan its a shame but no factory support from AM, and the better choice is the HPD ARX-03A.

Aston Martin never had the budget of a manfacture hence last year.

Still dont think it will be allowed to run, last year @ ILMC @ silverstone cars V12 was pegged back not as good as 2007.

Cant wait sportscar season is almost here in full.

by Stonewall458 Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 11:40

ATR DAN wrote:I know I'm sounding like a fanboy (again), but it's a pitty that team Muscle Milk have switched from the Lola Aston Martin. As far as I'm aware, that car was gonna be outlawed but the amercan le mans series organisers allowed it to be run in 2012.
I could be wrong but I'm guessing there car now is the HPD ARX-03a?

The GT's looks to be extremely close again according the times in Sebring testing as well.

As far as I'm aware, the Lola program was just a lease from AMR for last season only.

by lfcnicklfc Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 13:23

Conner wrote:
ATR DAN wrote:I know I'm sounding like a fanboy (again), but it's a pitty that team Muscle Milk have switched from the Lola Aston Martin. As far as I'm aware, that car was gonna be outlawed but the amercan le mans series organisers allowed it to be run in 2012.
I could be wrong but I'm guessing there car now is the HPD ARX-03a?

The GT's looks to be extremely close again according the times in Sebring testing as well.
As far as I'm aware, the Lola program was just a lease from AMR for last season only.

He's right Muscle Milk just loaned the car off AMR for the season.

The ARX-03a's time from yesterday was almost exactly the same time as Tom Kristensen's from last years qualifying in a Audi R15++ so the HPD will need to find maybe a second or two to be really fighting for victory at Sebring!

by Duke of Bruno Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 15:38

narboza22 wrote:...
Anybody know what the 50 car is? Obviously its a Vette, but its not listed as a C6R on the timing and scoring. Is some one other than Pratt and Miller and Labre running a Vette this year?

According to the Entry List (http://www.americanlemans.com/files/events/2012/0/WT_Entry.pdf) the #50 Corvette is from the ILMC/WEC Larbre Competition team.

by narboza22 Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 20:33

Oh, interesting. I was looking at the Entry List I posted earlier in this thread. I didn't know there was an updated one. That new one still lists the second Level 5 car as an 03b though when I'm pretty sure its an 01g.

by HCR generaltso Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 20:39

still plenty of set up work to be done.

by Stonewall458 Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 21:16

narboza22 wrote:Oh, interesting. I was looking at the Entry List I posted earlier in this thread. I didn't know there was an updated one. That new one still lists the second Level 5 car as an 03b though when I'm pretty sure its an 01g.

The Level 5 car (and the Starworks, as well as all the P2 HPDs I believe) are 03bs.

by narboza22 Fri 10 Feb 2012 - 21:38

The 055 Level 5 car is an 03b, but the 95 car is not, or at least its not running 2012 bodywork.

by Duke of Bruno Thu 23 Feb 2012 - 15:50

Lotus Latest Manufacturer to Join ALMS Ranks:
http://www.americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=news|16504

by Duke of Bruno Mon 27 Feb 2012 - 21:56

Moar ALMS news!

The BIG shocker - Risi Competitzione announces its Ferraris will not contest Sebring 12 hours!
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97687

We have the entry list for the 12 Hours of Sebring showing 64 cars total taking part (34 ALMS & 30 WEC)
http://www.americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=news|16505
http://americanlemans.com/files/events/2012/1/Sebring-Entry.pdf

And we all KNOW that AMR Vantage GTE will be running in the WEC, but, "In order to give the team more competitive experience of the Vantage GTE ahead of Le Mans, Aston Martin Racing will also contest the Long Beach and Laguna Seca rounds of the American Le Mans Series on April 14th and May 12th respectively."
http://www.americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=news|16507

by narboza22 Mon 27 Feb 2012 - 22:48

I cannot for the life of me figure out why Risi isn't being supported by Ferrari itself. They are easily one of the top 2 Ferrari GT teams. The US is the biggest market Ferrari has for its road cars if I'm not mistaken, so it makes marketing sense. Risi knows how to win at Le Mans, so it makes sense to send them there. Its like Ferrari is just giving up and letting the ALMS go to the competition.

I may have to make my way down to Laguna Seca this year to see Corvette beat Aston Martin again.

by **CQR Rogue** Mon 27 Feb 2012 - 23:19

AF corsa only "offical" Ferrari team, shame but they will be back

by Duke of Bruno Mon 27 Feb 2012 - 23:52

I am starting to wonder what happened with the GT Jaguar. I am not entirely surprised that the XKR GT is not on the list. However, seeing Bruno Junqueira (one of the XKR drivers last year) in the #9 Oreca LMPC has made me a little suspicious. And, with a quick search, I cannot seem to find any new news on the team.

by Stonewall458 Mon 27 Feb 2012 - 23:57

They probably quit because the car was so far off the pace.

by EZT Challenger Tue 28 Feb 2012 - 1:34

Conner wrote:They probably quit because the car was so far off the pace.

I agree, but what the hell did they expect, it was a GT3 spec Lambo... Laughing

On an unrelated note the 2012 ALMS field is looking pretty good...a few loses (i.e. Risi Sad

)

BUT...Alex Job running a Lotus (potentially 2 late in the year), Audi R8's (yeah, plural) for Petit, Aston Vantage @ Sebring, Long Beach, Laguna...and maybe a great deal more...
LMP2 seeing a dramatic increase: Black Swan, ?Libra Ford?, Conquest, ?Starworks?, ?Dempsey?, ?Autocon?
LMPC seeing new blood: RSR, Dempsey, Muscle Milk, ?BAR1?

By the post Le Mans stretch, Lime Rock onward, we could easily see 36-40 entries Shocked

by Stonewall458 Tue 28 Feb 2012 - 2:43

Risi hasn't dropped out of the ALMS, they just can't do Sebring, at least according to that Autosport article.

by theboomeranga Tue 28 Feb 2012 - 5:06

What, no Ferrari :s

by HCR generaltso Tue 28 Feb 2012 - 6:15

sad about no more lambo Sad

by Stonewall458 Fri 23 Mar 2012 - 19:59

by narboza22 Sat 14 Apr 2012 - 1:45

Are you kidding me IMSA? After all the crap sports car fans gave NASCAR about not running in the rain, you go and cancel qualifying because of rain? Seriously? I wanted that GTC car on the overall pole dammit!