American LeMans Series 2005
The latest on ALMS for those that care:
Dyson has switched to Michelin tires. That should make a huge difference for them. Most people dont' realize this, but the Dyson is faster than the Audi R8. The difference was that the R8's tires would be up to temp in less than a lap whereas it took a couple laps for the Dyson to warm up. Since ALMS rules say you can't change tires while refueling, they can save time there. The R8's didn't need to change tires and the Dyson did!
The ACEMCO Saleens have also switched from Pirelli's to Michelin. This should make them far more competitive with the Corvette C6R's.
Here is a very tentative entry list. Take it for what it's worth, it can and most likely will change.
LMP1
2x Champion Racing Audi R8
2x Dyson Racing Team Inc. Lola B01/60 AER
LMP2
2x Miracle Motorsports Courage AER- the Courage C65 rules
1x Intersport Racing Lola B05/40 Judd
1x Intersport Racing Lola B2K/50 Judd
1x Van der Steur Racing Inc. Lola B2K/40 AER
1x Marshall Cooke Racing Lola B2K/40 Millington
GT1
2x Corvette Racing Corvette C6.R
2x Yager Corvette C5-R- (yup, the C5R's are a private team now, should be interesting)
1x ACEMCO Motorsports Saleen S7-R
?x Labre Ferrari 550 (Will run Sebring, more info below)
GT2
2x Alex Job Racing Porsche 911 GT3-RSR
2x Flying Lizard Motorsports 911 GT3-RSR
2x J-3 Racing 911 GT3-RSR
2x Panoz Motor Sports Panoz Esperante eGT-LM
1x Risi Competizione Ferrari 360 GTC
1x BAM! 911 GT3-RSR
1x White Lightning Racing 911 GT3-RSR
1x PK Sport 911 GT3-RSR
Some other possible entries:
LMP1
2X Panoz/Courage C70 (More info below)
1x Impressed Creation DBA Zytek (will race Petite, Sebring and Leguna, maybe more)
1x Rollcenter Dallara (possibly 2 cars at Sebring)
1x Lister LMP (If it does race, it'll probably be Sebring only)
LMP2
1x Tracsport Courage C65 AER (Sebring definately)
1x Intersport Racing Lola B05/40 Judd
1x Intersport Racing Lola B2K/50 Judd
1x Van der Steur Racing Inc. Lola B2K/40 AER
2x Marhall Cooke Racing Lola B2K/40 Millionton
GT1
2x AF Corse Maserati MC12 (see below)
?x Reiter Engineering Lamborghini R-GT
2x Aston Martin DBR9's (read below)
GT2
lots of possible entries, lots of Porsches
The Aston will most likely only run Sebring. If they run any other races, it'll probably be at Petit and Leguna. I wouldn't count on a full season untill 2006.
Who knows whats going on with the Maserati MC12. Whoever ran one in FIA GT supposedly won't enter next year since it's not legal anymore. If they want to run in ALMS, the body has to be shorter and thinner to meet the rules. If they want to run one at LeMans, they have to run at Sebring. So, I wouldn't count on seeing one in ALMS or at LeMans.
Courage is building an all new P1 car, the L70, who knows when we'll see it though. If the C65 is any indication, it should be a good car. The supposed Panoz/Courage entry is a complete rumor. Yves Courage doesn't confim it. The L70 P1 hybrid still hasn't been built and they would have to enter it in LMES first. I am excited to see how it performs, but I do not think we'll see one in ALMS this year.
No one knows what Carsport is doing. They said that 2004 would be the last year for the Viper apprently. They weren't confident that they would recieve the funding for a new car either. Guess we'll never see that Zonda then huh? LOL
Labre will run at Sebring. No one knows how many cars, but 2 cars would probably be the max.
At one time, Rahal was said to enter a Ferrari 550, but it seems thats been crossed off the list. No one seems to know if Rahal will have anything to do with ALMS this year.
I'll try to keep this list updated, but Sebring makes it confusing since so many of the teams will race there and no where else. LOL
In other news:
BMW has homologated the 6 series for GT1 racing.
Don't expect to see them anytime soon, 2007 at the earliest. I'm pretty excited and I really hope to see one in the ALMS in the future. Hopefully that new V10 can give the Vettes a run for their money. Thats assuming it'll be run in the ALMS by someone. LOL
BMW is seeking rule breaks so they can run competitively against Ferrari 550's and Aston DBR9's, etc. The car is not only heavy, but i's a 4 seater coupe. I wish them the best of luck, just don't let it become a repeat of the M3GTR.
All in all, Sebring seems like it's going to be one hell of an event. I wish I could make it down there. I suppose there is a chance, but I'm not counting on it! The ALMS overall is looking pretty good next season. I'm definately looking forward to it.
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