ALMS Dieing?

[SFDMALEX]

Is ALMS dieing? Im watching the live race now and there are barely any cars in the race?

I noticed this lately. No body wants to run in it and I never see any spectators at the races :cry: Prodrive left leaving the Vettes with no competition. There is less and less cars every race.


What is going on?

[goose93]

Exactly, The class winners are pretty much pre-determined and nobody wants to run. I know there are some new teams in the series but I don't believe they are in every event. The ALMS is also having issues with way to many cars being punted out of races by the indescretions of the more expensive teams.

There is also a large number of teams who are running in the european series. With the new endurance series and an expansion of the GT series, there seems to be a little more competition there.

Personally I am a little more frustrated with the ALMS support series. The world challenge races have gooten a little out of control with concern to team financial backing and level of cars being entered. It is no longer posible for a talented amature to truely compete.

[666fast]

Well, it was Portland. Noise restrictions and all. From what I know, every time they have run there, there was a small entry field.

I don't think it's dieing, but it is in a bit of trouble. The GTS class has too small entry numbers. The LMP class (P1,P2) field is way to slim IMO. When GTS Class Vettes are taking 4th and 5th overall on a regular basis, there is something wrong. There needs to be more Prototypes entered. Particularly in the P1 class. With Mazda supposedly coming back to racing, I'm hoping for a P1 class car. Someone has to take down the pesky R8's.

The ALMS is also having issues with way to many cars being punted out of races by the indescretions of the more expensive teams.

The Lambo team definately needs to watch what it's doing though. At Sonoma, they were all over the track. Put one Vette into the wall and held up some GT cars a couple times.

Right now, the best racing of the series is in the GT class. Team Flying Lizard simply came out of nowhere and have been doing damn good. Alex Job has his work cut out for him this year. Which is a good thing.
They are currently considering whether or not they should allow 4 door cars in to the GT class. I think they should do it.

The world challenge races have gooten a little out of control with concern to team financial backing and level of cars being entered. It is no longer posible for a talented amature to truely compete.

Funny how it's a problem with Cadillac, but SWC did nothing when Audi was dominating the entire series. Afterall, why would you want to piss off one of the biggest sponsers of the series.

All in all, I don't think it's dieing off. It had definately slown down a bit though. The ALMS is more than able to make the right choices to get them back on track. Allowing 4 door cars to enter is the first step. Bigger money prizes wouldn't hurt either. It'll attract more teams.
It's too bad Eanhardt crashed in practice at Sonoma. He could have garnered a lot of attention for the ALMS. A spot on the podium would have been incredible.

Here is some good reading: http://www.autoextremist.com/page3.shtml#fumes
Go ahead and bookmark that page, updates once a week on Wed. Always somethign good to read on there as well.

[biff19_a]

yah the series is not getting like it was a few years ago... but then not much else is.. it seems that you either go sports car racing or F1..but not both.. and as F1 gets bigger and more expensive you will see less and less in sports car.
The LMP1 cars or Audi as i should call it came along at the right time.. everyone else pulled out so they have the market...nice touch.

I hope it survives and i love to watch the GTS class races as watching a corvette vs lambo vs ferrari is great.. cant wait for the aston martin to join next year as well as the 350z that has been seen here and there

[RobertMcDonald]

Originally Posted by SFDMALEX Is ALMS dieing?

God, I hope not. ALMS is the best sportscar racing in the US, IMO.

Originally Posted by SFDMALEX Prodrive left leaving the Vettes with no competition. There is less and less cars every race.

FWIW, I think Prodrive had to leave the ALMS this season for financial reasons (couldn't find enough sponsors, as I recall). Still, I miss the battles in GTS class. Some of the best racing I've seen.

Well, at least GT class has gotten more competitive since the GT3RSR debuted and Alex Job Racing got less "preferential treatment" from Porsche. One of my favorite teams, Risi Competizione, actually won one this year!

Anyway, I, too, hope that the grid will be fuller next season. They could always dump the P2 class—I know I wouldn't complain.