F1 Manufacturers To ALMS?

[RacerX]

Things are looking bleak in the F1 world right now as the rumors of a possible pullout by Ferrari and the other manufacturers has turned to a reality, unless Max backs down on the budget cap.

I have no proof or even hints that these teams will come to ALMS, but my feeling is that they will have to race somewhere and ALMS seems to be the most obvious venue for these guys to showcase there wares.

So what are the real chances of seeing Ferrari and the others making there way over to ALMS?

[Maelochs]

Renault, Ferrari? Nah .. they don't sell enough in North America. They would enter LMS P1 or P2, not ALMS.

Toyota could come over and go head-to-head with Acura. Toyota surely would gain good advertising return ... If they won.

[RacerX]

North America is Ferrari's #1 market. Same for BMW and Mercedes.

Probably Toyotas to....

[cptkablamo]

If Ferrari come over to LM style racing, they will probably have a good customer car and a lot of customes...much like they did with the 333...would be good to entice Rafanelli back...but it could also be labled an Alfa or Lancia as Fiat re-enters the North American market

Toyota have unfinished business in this style of racing and it still kills them that Mazda are the only Japanese manufacturer to have won at Le Mans...plus - the Acura/Toyota battles would be fun

Renault may enter in Europe, but it is a long shot - they have not had a LM deal since the late 70s...

Merc and BMW - well if Audi & Porsche came back, it would make for a good little Germanic battle, wouldn't it...

[MSulka]

I agree ALMS is not currently a good place. It would be Le Mans Series instead.

Too many major losses here. Audi, Porsche, Corvette.

Actually had heard a rumor an Italian brand was considering Grand Am... Never thought Ferrari, figured it was some else I hadn't thought of...

Maybe though.

[Maelochs]

Well, if Fiat buys Chrysler ... someone needs to replace Pontiac in Grnad Am.

What a crime it would be to put a Ferrari badge on a Grand Am DP.

[Danske]

Dinan and Level Five are currently getting a Ferrari engine approved for DP and did have a Crawford with a Ferrari banner on the windshield on display, but to my knowledge Ferrari isn't involved in the effort.

[Insighter]

I can't imagine Ferrari would want to be associated with that effort

[cptkablamo]

Badge it Alfa or Lancia or Fiat - issue solved

Surely Level5 have an ongoing relationship with Ferrari - a dealer or something, they have been racing them for years...

[Insighter]

Originally Posted by MSulka

I agree ALMS is not currently a good place. It would be Le Mans Series instead.

I disagree that ALMS is not a good place; Audi found it a great place for many years with less competition than current (and forged a solid reputation on it).

I do think that European manufacturers will look to LMS first, but if they do a LMS program I suspect they'll strongly consider ALMS too, as the North American market is a very important one. Once you have the car built it's not a huge leap to go ALMS racing. Look at Peugoet, they ran a partial schedule and they don't sell a single car in the US.

[MSulka]

I agree that Le Mans 24 manufacturers should choose Sebring, and Petit.

But without Audi anchoring LMP1, or Porsche in LMP2, or a strong Corvette presence... It would take some convincing before I'd invest in the full season. Interest in the series follows those brands.

[cptkablamo]

Originally Posted by MSulka

I agree that Le Mans 24 manufacturers should choose Sebring, and Petit.

But without Audi anchoring LMP1, or Porsche in LMP2, or a strong Corvette presence... It would take some convincing before I'd invest in the full season. Interest in the series follows those brands.

Funny thing is that this is the time that rich privateers should invest in the series...greater chance of winning and getting a Le Mans pass...

The major races will always be big...if the ALMS cease to exist the ACO, I imagine would take Petit and Sebring.

One has to wonder what the form that ALMS should take - should they have an IMSA class - like in the past??? and allow an IMSA class at Le Mans? Maybe a 2 class structure (cars would then have to be split for Le Mans)

Maybe just wait for Nascar to die??? (Please)