Race News: Grand Am and ALMS

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Cheever Racing adds "Mad" Max Papis to driver line-up for Barber Motorsports Park round

The embattled (and occasionally controversially involved) Crown Royal sponsored Porsche-Crawford of Cheever Racing will gain a new pilot in road racing's "go-to" guy for excitement, Mad Max Papis. He will be teaming up with friend and series long Cheever driver, Christian Fittipaldi. Interestingly enough Christian and Max are relatives, as Max's wife, Tatiana Fittipaldi (daughter of World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi), is Christian's cousin.

This will not be the first time Papis has wheeled a Cheever car this season, having also driven for Cheever at the Indy 500.
 
dougiemeats
ALMS
Audi Sport to Take Over Lamborghini R-GT Program

Reiter Engineering is no longer responsible for developing and racing the Lamborghini R-GT. This may give the racing program new life since it has not been successful in America or Europe. The program is now in Audi Sport's hands and hopefully this stirs new interest in the car. I can't help but wonder, did Lamborghini's presence at Le Mans influence this decision in any way?
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interesting question. by strange coincidence, the best race it has finished in europe is ironically, Le mans.
 
Last year in the Le Mans Endurance Series, one of the JLOC Lamborghini R-GTs led the Monza race early on. The two R-GTs were really the cars to beat that day. I thought they had the win secured! Then, one JLOC entry had an engine failure. Forty-eight laps later, the class-leading Lamborghini suffered the same fate.

Just when I thought Saleen S7Rs and Lamborghini R-GTs were in the final stages of their racing lives, Team ORECA is running Saleens and Audi Sport is running Lamborghinis. Hopefully these cars won't stay in Europe.
 
dougiemeats
Last year in the Le Mans Endurance Series, one of the JLOC Lamborghini R-GTs led the Monza race early on. The two R-GTs were really the cars to beat that day. I thought they had the win secured! Then, one JLOC entry had an engine failure. Forty-eight laps later, the class-leading Lamborghini suffered the same fate.

Just when I thought Saleen S7Rs and Lamborghini R-GTs were in the final stages of their racing lives, Team ORECA is running Saleens and Audi Sport is running Lamborghinis. Hopefully these cars won't stay in Europe.
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I definately Remember the Monza race. I didn't see the entire race, but I saw the Lamborghini Leading.

Hopefully these cars won't stay in europe I hope they come here too. Oreca showed us what the Viper Really was so hopefully they'll do the same to the Saleen. and as for Lamborghini in the hands of Audi Sport, seeing as these are the same people that make the DTM dominating A4, made the all-conquering R8 and make the so far dominate R10, there's not one doubt in my mind that they could potentially be a powerful presence in GT1.
 
Do you really think that they can get the Lamborghini program going again? Under Audi Sport's management, there's no doubt that the Lamborghini's can compete with Aston Martin on the race track. But how will they compete with them in the market? Can they get teams interested again?

Also, I wonder how different GT1 racing would be today had Audi Sport embraced the Lamborghini program from the beginning. Sebring wins? Le Mans podium? FIA-GT and LMS championships?
 
I really feel that they will make the Lamborghinis better. see how after the first year the DBR9 came that car suddenly becomes the weapon of choice for GT1? this could be twice as likely with an Audi Sport Revamped Lamborghini Factory Program.
 
interesting thing I found out today. it appears Brumos racing will be Debuting a Porsche Riley. for fans of the old #58 and #59, the 58 will be a Riley while the 59 will still be a Fabcar, then at Watkins Glen the 58 will be a Fabcar but the 59 will be replaced by a Riley. at infineon the Fabcars will race together, then both #58 and 59 will race at miller Motorsports Park as Rileys. according to Bob Snodgrass(hope I spelled that right), they are racing these to take time away from the race weekends to further develop the Fabcar Chassis.

Here's the #58:
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Here's the #59:
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SigalSport has unveiled their new BMW Riley.This weekend's Porsche 250 will be the debut race for the #30 car. drivers for this car are GT regulars Matt Alhadeff and Bill Auberlen:
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ALMS

Here are some American Le Mans Series speculation:
* 11 races in 2007
* No Portland race in 2007
* No Lexus until next year?
* New series coming: GT (FIA-GT3) and Prototypes (C Sports Racers)
* Alternative fuel for Corvette Racing in 2007
* Cadillac to compete in ALMS GT2 S2 class if Speed World Challenge "implodes"
* ACEMCO Saleens are for sale

None of these reports are confirmed, just pure speculation. The one about ACEMCO is most likely true, unfortunately. :(
 
Grand American:
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Jorg Bergmeister and the No.76 Krohn Racing Ford Riley tightened their grasp on the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series resented by Crown Royal Special Reserve Daytona Prototype championship with a second-consecutive victory by Bergmeister and 17-year-old co-driver Colin Braun in Sunday's Porsche 250 by Bradly Arant at Barber Motorsports Park. Braun, who started from the pole position for the first time in his Rolex Series career, led throughout his 35-opening stint before pitting to turn the car over to Bergmeister on lap 36. With threatning clouds overhead and four full-course caution periods before the halfway point of the race, teams used a myriad of pit strategies. That being the case, Bergmeister did not cycle back into the lead until lap 78 of the 97-lap event Alex Gurney Finaly pitted to turn the No.99 GAINSCO/Blackhawk Racing Pontiac Riley to co-driver Jon Fogarty. as the day's fifth full course caution came out on lap 83, Bergmeister managed to get on and off pit road without surrendering the lead. However, on an ensuing restart, Defending Daytona Prototype co-champion Max Angelelli closed right up right behind Bergmeister for a battle to the finish. Bergmeister continued to lead through a final full-course caution from Laps 89-92, and Angelelli again pressured the German for the first few laps after the restart before Bergmeister pulled away to a win by 1.327 seconds.


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No. 65 TRG/F1 Air Pontiac GTO.R co-drivers Marc Bunting and Andy Lally extended their lead in the GT point standings with their fourth class victory of the season in the Prosche 250 presented by Bradly Arant. The duo now holds a 11-point lead advantage with two more races remaining on the schedule. Bunting started the No.65 machine third on the grid, running consistently in the top five throughout his opening stint. He handed control to Lally on lap 22--during the race's second full course caution period. Lally passed Liddell for the lead shortly after a restart, as the two batled nose-to-tail for an extended portion of the race's midpoint. Later cautions shuffled the No.72 machine further behind the No. 65 machine and Lally drove the event's final 75 laps to claim the duo's second consecutive victory.
 
ALMS:

LMP675 cars will still be eligible for competition during the 2007 season of the American Le Mans Series. Autocon Motorsports, currently racing a Lola EX257 purchased from Dyson Racing Team, plans to enter two Lola EX257s for the 2007 season.
 
dougiemeats
ALMS

Here are some American Le Mans Series speculation:
* 11 races in 2007
* No Portland race in 2007
* No Lexus until next year?
* New series coming: GT (FIA-GT3) and Prototypes (C Sports Racers)
* Alternative fuel for Corvette Racing in 2007
* Cadillac to compete in ALMS GT2 S2 class if Speed World Challenge "implodes"
* ACEMCO Saleens are for sale

None of these reports are confirmed, just pure speculation. The one about ACEMCO is most likely true, unfortunately. :(
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I would be extatic if the FIA GT3 series were to come over! Sort of a double edged sword, it would be great to see Cadillac in ALMS but sad to say bye to World Challenge (although I'm assuming GT3 would take it's place.) Good on 'Vette if they're actually planning on using alternative fuels. ACEMCO Saleens are for sale... I'll take one, $20 sound about right? Why no Portland? Not drawing spectators? It's a great track and I like the day-night transition deal, I almost wish they would have gone all out and given us a night race there. Those classic style American race tracks are great. I guess they are a fading breed. It would be great to see Canada's Mosport (one of my favorite tracks, play Sports Car GT and you'll know why) do a night race! But I digress.

m.piedgros
 
m.piedgros
Why no Portland? Not drawing spectators? It's a great track and I like the day-night transition deal, I almost wish they would have gone all out and given us a night race there.
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I noticed that there were fewer people there this year compared to last, but I'd say that last year's attendance was outstanding, and this year's attendance was still pretty good.

I'd like to see a "night" race there as well, but the sun sets so late at that time of year, the race would have to start around 8:30. If the race were in the early spring, a night race could start at 5:00 :).
 
m.piedgros
I would be extatic if the FIA GT3 series were to come over! Sort of a double edged sword, it would be great to see Cadillac in ALMS but sad to say bye to World Challenge (although I'm assuming GT3 would take it's place.) Good on 'Vette if they're actually planning on using alternative fuels. ACEMCO Saleens are for sale... I'll take one, $20 sound about right? Why no Portland? Not drawing spectators? It's a great track and I like the day-night transition deal, I almost wish they would have gone all out and given us a night race there. Those classic style American race tracks are great. I guess they are a fading breed. It would be great to see Canada's Mosport (one of my favorite tracks, play Sports Car GT and you'll know why) do a night race! But I digress.

m.piedgros
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I don't think it will necessarily be the FIA GT3 series that comes over, but rather, GT3 type cars will be racing in the new series. It will still be Le Mans-style (complete with prototype goodness), in the hope of promoting the ALMS and similar types of racing. I don't think it's meant to replace Speed GT.

As for Portland, the reason was the lack of spectators (and interest) in the event. I hope this rumor is false. This year's race was fun to watch. Although I can bet Kyle had more fun than me. :grumpy:
 
Would the C sports racers and GT3's run together, or with ALMS or what?

m.piedgros
 
They'll run together. It will be the same multi-class racing we all know and love. :) Of course they won't run with the ALMS, but they'll probably share a few race weekends with them as well as other series'. I hear there are around 20 races scheduled. But again, nothing is confirmed.
 
ALMS: New IMSA Balance of Performance Regulations

Effective September 1, 2006 (Mosport, Petit Le Mans, Laguna Seca)

* Aston Martin DBR9
  • 100 liters maximum fuel capacity
  • 1100 kilograms minimum weight
  • 31.2 millimeter air restrictor (one restrictor) or...
  • 43.6 millimeter air restrictor (two restrictors)
* Corvette C6.R
  • 100 liters maximum fuel capacity
  • 1190 kilograms minimum weight
  • 30.7 millimeter air restrictor (one restrictor) or...
  • 43.0 millimeter air restrictor (two restrictors)
* Gasoline-powered P1 cars conforming to 2006 ACO "LM" P1 technical regulations now have a maximum fuel capacity of 95 liters.
 
Grand American:
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No. 01 CompUSA Chip Ganassi Lexus Riley co-drivers Scott Pruett and Luis Diaz scored their series-leading fourth victory of the season Friday night in the Crown Royal 200 at The Glen, tightening the championship points battle with only two races remaining in the 2006 Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve. Pruett took over from Diaz doing the fourth of six full-course caution periods on Lap 32 and passed Guy Cosmo in the No. 09 AMD/Spirit of Daytona Pontiac Crawford for the lead in the first lap 43 of the 82-lap race. He withstood several challenges from Max Angelelli in the No. 10 Suntrust Pontiac Riley over the remaining laps, and crossed the stripe 0.553 seconds ahead of Angelelli to run his Rolex Series total to 11. Pruett in the winningest driver in the history of the Daytona Prototype class and is just two wins shy of James Weaver's Rolex Series record for overall wins.
 
That was a great race. My first experience of the DP's up close. I like 'em even more now. Don't worry, I'm still strongly in ALMS' camp if we have to throw down. ;)

m.piedgros
 
ALMS:
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A terrific restart with 15 minutes left sent Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela to victory for the second straight year in the Generac 500 at Road America on sunday. Biela begun the race in the No. 1 Audi R10 TDI but was forced off the surface going into turn one at the start after a tap by Dyson Racing's James Weaver. But flawless pitwork and Pirro's qick reation was good enough for a 0.4-second victory over the sister car, the closest race in the five-year history of the race.
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Timo Bernard and Sascha Maassen earned their first victory as a tandem as the No.6 Penske Racing Posche RS Spyder beat teamates Lucas Luhr and Romain Dumas to the line by just 0.15 seconds. The victory moved Maassen into the class championship lead by 2 points over Clint Field and Liz Halliday of Intersport Racing , which finished third.
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After more then a year of near misses, Ron Fellows and Johnny O'Connell finally returned to victory circle with a hard-earned victory in GT1, their first in the series at Road America. The dual finished a full lap ahead of Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta in the sister Corvette for their first series win since infineon last year. Team strategy and a timely yellow made the difference. Fellows pitted for the second time at the 1:12 mark after a steller battle with Gavin and the two Aston Martin entries. The No. 4 sister car pitted 20 minutes later, but by the time the final caution flag flew, O'Connell was a full lap up on the other Corvette.
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A year after starting its run to the GT2 championship, Petersen Motorsports/White Lightning Racing started what may be another push to a repeat. Jorg Bermiester drove the team's Porsche 911 GT3 RSR to a 4.237-second win over Joey Hand for Petersen/White Lightning's third win in four years at Road America. Bergmeister made a quick stop for fuel and tires at the 2:13 mark and appeared he would coast to win. But with 13 minutes left, Bergmeister wen off at the Carousel and fell about three seconds behind Hand in BMW Team PTG's No.21 BMW M3. it took him five minutes to get back around Hand, but not before another harrowing moment when he ran into the back of one of the Audis. That knocked a hole in the car's radiator, but the car made it to the end.
 
as many of you recall(if your were in this thread), you'll recall me posting news about Brumos Racing racing Riley MK IV chassis and that they had debuted the #58. well, this weekend is the debut of the #59. I must say the #59 looks just as awesome as the #58.

Have a look:
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^^^

Yeah, too bad the Fabcar turned out to be such a dog compared to the other chassis, but with only one team running/developing it, I guess it's no surprise.
 
The classic Brumos paint scheme does look good on the Riley, but it's still a sad day to see the Fabcars shelved. Now the series' chassis variety is down to less than a handful of Dorans, and Crawfords and Rileys in every other position.
 
Crawford and Riley have the advantage. A true factory team for each. Doran could be the class of the field if they were developed to the same extent of Crawford and Riley. They seemed to be quick in past years though this year they seem to be feeling the lack of development.

m.piedgros

EDIT: The 59 is now my background.
 
Layla's Keeper
The classic Brumos paint scheme does look good on the Riley, but it's still a sad day to see the Fabcars shelved. Now the series' chassis variety is down to less than a handful of Dorans, and Crawfords and Rileys in every other position.
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don't worry. Bob Snodgrass said that they are futher developing the Fabcar Chassis. they are practically racing a proven race machine while they are developing another. hopefully when they do come back, it'll be a repeat of 2003.
 
How about Jan Magnussen grabbing pole in the #10 and Jorg Burgmeister qualifying second! It's going to be a great race in DP.

m.piedgros
 
RUMOR MILL, she is a-churnin'.

With Brian Herta and Dario Franchiti not being signed to IRL teams next year, and their background in road racing, we may see both in an LM P2 seat next year. Dario has made it no secret he has great interest in road racing, specifically ALMS especially with his brother's involvement, but has not officially commented on the rumor. Herta, on the other hand, when talking to IRL media Friday was asked about his uncertain future in the IRL and he made this comment "I've got something in the works... I will be racing in 2007." Making no comment on whether it would be IRL, Champ Car, or the all-of-a-sudden possible ALMS P2 seat.

m.piedgros
 
very late, but here it is anyhow...

Grand American:
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No.01 CompUSA Chip Ganassi Racing Lexus Riley co-drivers Scott Pruett and Luis Diaz scored their Daytona Prototype record-tying fifth victory of the season saturday afternoon in the Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve Sanoma 250 at Infineon Raceway, Keeping thier 2006 championship hopes alive with one race remaining on the schedule. Pruett, a resident of nearby Auburn, California, took control of the No.01 machine during a lap 22 caution in 15th place and charged to the front, eventually inheriting the lead on lap 74. during a strech of green flag pit stops. The No.01 car was forced down pit road on late in the race for a splash of fuel, but the Ganassi crew made quick work of the stop, sending pruett out just ahead of Andy Wallace in the No.4 The Boss SnowPlow Pontiac Crawford. Pruett held off the Englishmen after a late race caution to score a wildly popular victory in front of his hometown crowd.
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Wolf Henzler and Robin Liddell scored their third Rolex Series GT class victory of the season in the Sanoma 250 at Infineon Raceway, and head into next week's season-finale at Miller Motorsports Park just eight points behind N0.65 TRG/F1 Air Pontiac GTO.R co-drivers Andy Lally and Marc Bunting in the standings, with nine hours of racing to decide the 2006 champions. Liddel started from the class pole and led throughout his opening stint. The scot handed control over to Henzler during a lap 22 caution, eventually climbing back into the cockpit for the finish. Liddell inherited the lead again on lap 83 when Lally had to take the No.65 machine down pit road for fuel, and held off a late charge after a full course caution period to score the thrid victory of the year for the Tafel Racing Porsche.
 
Seem to get later and later but here it goes:

Grand American:
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In a breathtaking final hour of racing in the season-ending Discont Tire Sunchaser at Miller Motorsports Park, Oswaldo Negri Jr. held off a hard-charging Micheal McDowell to score the first Grand American Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Special Reserve victory for himself and co-driver Mark Patterson, while German driver Jorg Bergmeister wrapped up his first Daytona Prototype driver championship with a sixth-place performance. Driving the No. 60 Flight Options/Net App Lexus Riley, Negri claimed the lead when he beat Micheal McDowell in the No.19 Playboy/Uniden Racing Ford Crawford off pit road following the final pitstop of the evening for both cars with just one hour remaining. Negri withstood several challenges from McDowell over the final hour of the race, but the Brazilian managed to keep McDowell at bay to win by 2.94 seconds. The victory comes in Negri's 35th Rolex Series start.
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Andy Lally and Marc Bunting clinched the 2006 Rolex Series GT championship Saturday night at Miller Motorsports Park after scoring their class-best fifth victory of the season alongside Spencer Pumpelly in the No. 65 TRG Pontiac GTO.R. Lally inherited the lead on Lap 130 when class leader Robin Liddell was forced down pit road with a brake problem on his No.72 NEC Porsche GT3, and led the rest of the way in the 174-lap event. The TRG crew completed flawless stops throughout the nine-hour season finale, and the win marks the first GT class championships for Bunting and Lally--the 2004 SGS class champions.
 
strange time to do it but here goes:

ALMS:
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Another championship performance has delivered just that. The two Audi factory drivers clinched the American Le Mans Series' LMP1 championship with a victory Sunday at the Grand Prix of Mosport, their sixth of the season. The title is the first for capello and second for Mcnish. with Sunday's 2.794-second win over Dyson Racing's Chris Dyson and Guy Smith, the Capello-Mcnish Pairing leads Dyson's James Weaver and Butch Leitzinger by 49 points, the amount available for winning the final two Series rounds. So even if Weaver and Leitzinger win at Petit Le Mans and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca-and Mcnish and Capello score none- the Audi drivers would win the tie breaker by having more victories then their rivals.

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Lucas Luhr and Romain Dumas teamed for their victory as a tandem in Penske Racing's No.7 Porsche RS Spyder. with Dumas driving the final stint, he beat fellow Penske driver Timo Berhard across the finish line by 8.887 seconds. the win moved Luhr back into a tie with Sascha Maassen, who drove to second place Sunday with berhard

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Stephane Sarrazin and Pedro Lamy won in GT1 from pole position with a one-lap victory over Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta of Corvette Racing. Teh Aston Martin Racing duo won for the second time this year, the first coming at Lime Rock Park. Sarrazin's winning pass came with abpout 20 minutes to go. he pitted from the lead at the 2:12 mark for fuel and tires and emerged from the pits trailing Gavin just by eight seconds. It took the Frenchman 10 minutes to catch the Corvette and make the pass.

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Ferrari scored an historic 1-2 victory in GT2 as Johnny Mowlem and Stephane Ortelli drove their No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari F430GT to a 13-second win over thier teammates Maurizio Mediani and Toni Vilander. It marked the third win for the No.62 entry this season and the first for Ortelli and Mowlem as a tandem. The two Ferraris were 35 seconds ahead of the class-leading Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche of Johannes Van Overbeek, the drivers championship leader, and Marc Lieb. Risi now Trails Flying Lizard by two points heading into Petit Le Mans.




Results from the Petit Le Mans will be Posted tonight.
 
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