2013 GrandAM Championship

nickyf1 wrote:They said they'd like to enter the top class, if they could race with relevant technology, which DP racing does not endorse.

If anything, all this is is Audi hinting at the new series, or the signs of manufacturers negotiating rules with the series.

Eh, I see your point, but I don't think that's quite what he meant.

I think he was saying that he wants Audi TDi engines, not necessarily that he must have a carbon-fibre monocoque, which I swear is less-safe than the tube-frame cages that the world has used for the last hundred years. NASCAR has perfected it, and Grand-Am is just an extension of it. It's not space-age technology, but it's not going to get the driver killed, either.

You guys might actually want to welcome Audi into the DP class, as they're known to get rules bent their way. If this is the case, they might Europeanize the rulebook in a way that makes it more appealing to you.

No, read the article Nicky. Audi being apart of the American sportcar series has boosted their sales in america, and he wants to continue that with the new series as running in the top tier.

Looking forward to seeing the DP and GT cars in action at COTA March 1-2.

IRT Gillard wrote:a dying competitive formula at the moment which is what the new 2014 regs are going to change!

Even though I'm in the Uk i watch Grand-Am and ALMS. Personally I think that the merger between the series will be great for American Motorsport and also sportscar racing as a whole

from speedtv.com:

^ Nice pics.

nickyf1 wrote:

Hailfire97x wrote:Why? Because instead of blowing approximately way-too-much-money into a dying LMP1 class or doing the same with an LMP2 chassis/engine, they've decided to take the sensible route of DP?

I'd love for you to present a convincing case that LMP1 is a dying formula. Please, enlighten us.

When major automakers cannot continue to justify the expense of continuing with a successful racing operation, the class is doomed due to economic reasons. This has happened in just about every world class sports car series. It's a rather cyclical phenomenom, GT1 of the 1990s, Group C before that, CanAm in the 1970s...

The dominant force outspends the opposition into submission, the class get replaced by a new more-affordable/cost-effective formula, the new class grows, technology advances, the dominant force outspends the opposition into submission, and the class gets replaced by...

Since the invention of the wheel, until the end of time, the cycle will repeat itself.

COTA Grand-Am here we come. The Rolex race will have 16 DPs, 16 GTs, and 3 GX class cars. TV March 2, 5:30PM ET, on SPEED.
The Continental Tire race will have 31 GS and 34 ST cars. TV March 9, 4:00PM ET, on SPEED.

Just got done watching the race on tape. Nice track for these cars, can't wait to see the V8s there.

Saw some great racing and sights at the track. Have about 350 pictures to go over of both cars on and off the track. TV really did a good job catching most of the action.
If you do go to COTA be prepared for lots of walking including hills and bridges and sky high prices for food, t-shirts, etc. They have a list on their website of what you can and can't bring in.

completely forgot about this
would the broadcast be available anywhere?

Replay on SpeedTV Monday noon ET.

setting DVR now. thanks mike

for those who want to watch the COTA race can find it here: http://www.grand-am.com/GRANDAMTV.aspx#!/view/video/2a65b34b-2732-43ea-9005-6e1e17e6497f/GRAND-AM-of-The-Americas-Rolex-Series-Race-Broadcast

Posted some pics from COTA. Not that many places to shoot over the fence.

http://www.flickr.com//photos/ecadman87/sets/72157632924243955/show/