Most liked posts in thread: ALMS - Grand Am to Merge in 2014

I've been thinking a lot about this merger/take-over and I realize I've really liked the idea, in principle, since I first heard it proposed. But the cynic in me says if it can be done wrong the egos involved will make that happen.

As Tommy Milner writes (This racer is pumped for the ALMS/Grand-Am merger), "...this has massive positive potential for our sport." The important word there IMHO is potential.

 

Here is just one sample of the issues I expect to cause trouble.

Let's say you have no bias for either Grand-Am Rolex or ALMS. You're asked look into the sticky issue of how to merge the various classes, and you decide to start with the prototypes. So, you look at how they compare on the track, using qualifying times by class on a track used by both series' in 2012.

I just took a look at the schedules and they both ran at Mid-Ohio. Here are the times for the leading car in each class:

ALMS P1: 1:11.019
ALMS P2: 1:13.230
ALMS PC: 1:15.107
Rolex DP: 1:18.079

And, just for reference:
ALMS GT: 1:19.298
Rolex GT: 1:25.083

3 prototype classes in ALMS is about 1 too many already. So, how to pare 4 classes down to 2 or 3? Maybe start by combining P1 and P2...or maybe not, depending on level of interest in working with the ACO, Le Mans participation, etc.

Then, given the PC class was added to bolster the prototype field by providing a relatively cheap way for teams to get into prototypes (sounds a lot like DP to me), it seems to me PC and DP make a great combo. Easier said than done, obviously, even without considering the egos and politics.

I can't imagine the Grand-Am bigs buying into a scheme that puts DP into a non-leading group.

 

Bingo. The ALMS P1 numbers dropped when the big manufacturers pulled out a few years ago. There are only 2 (or 3?) teams in P1...I think I've seen 3 P1s in some races. Those teams seem content to run though even without much competition, so it seems like keeping P1 around would hurt no one, even if the field is small. That is, no one other than DP teams and fans...

I'll say it again, PC is a formula-based class, designed to make it easier and cheaper to enter the series. These are the same kind of words used to describe DP. You'd need to speed the DPs up to make the two competitive but I think it would be more interesting that way with more than 1 car type in the class. Problem is, that relegates Rolex's premier class to a lower category.

While I think the P1 class could be easily retained, another option is to drop P1 altogether and try to bump the DPs up to P2 equivalent without a cost bump that's enough to drive half the teams elsewhere. As above, let the DPs and P2s run together, seems like that would be entertaining.

Another option I've seen proposed is to simply drop P1 and PC and keep P2 and DP as they are, as the 2 separate prototype classes for the new series. Very little would change and it would be easy on the P2 and DP teams. The expensive P1 category would go away but so would the cost-effective PC. I'm not fond of this option, plus it still leaves the DPs as the non-leading class.

I haven't mentioned slowing the P1, P2 and/or PC cars to match the DPs and of course this is because I'm one of those who like the idea of maintaining the class connections with the WEC. I like the idea that European teams might decide to bring their cars to the Sebring 12H or Petit Le Mans or maybe even the Daytona 24H. And I like the idea that teams in the new series might be able to qualify to run in other endurance series races...yes, like Le Mans. I can't personally imagine a way that would possibly continue if all the ALMS prototypes (P1, P2 and PC) disappear, as suggested by some, in order to keep DP at the top without significant changes to the DP formula.

It should be no surprise that I wouldn't mind if the DPs end up as something other than the premier class. I'm sure this means the France family wouldn't like to hire me to help work out this merger.

 

Both Grand-AM and ALMS have set up fan feedback pages, asking for ideas. I think ALMS fans are the most vocal so far and I'd guess that's because they're more worried. Lots of good ideas on both.

ALMS site:
Your Ideas for 2014: Let’s Hear ‘Em

Grand-Am site:
Fan Take: What Would You Like To See From GRAND-AM/ALMS Merger?

 

I'm jealous. Here's a bit of inspiration for ya:

Homecoming at VIR​

 

Discussions are still being kept secret re how all the Grand-Am and ALMS classes will line up after the merger. However, unless it's just wishful thinking on the part of Don Panoz, there may be a hint in a recent interview that the intent is to equalize ALMS P2 and Grand-Am DP...somehow. In a pre-Petit Le Mans interview Panoz was asked about the likelihood of seeing more Deltawings in races next year.

 

ALMS Announces 2013 Schedule (ALMS.com)

 

ISCAR = International Sports Car Auto Racing

Though that's supposedly just a placeholder name, it's not a good start, IMHO.

2014 Class Structure Being Finalized (speedtv.com)

And so begins the BOP dumbing down of ALMS ...