GTPman - 01 October 2008 08:18 PM

ceejayT - 04 September 2008 12:01 AM

I know...they take the COT chassis, and put some even uglier bodywork on it and call it the new GrandScar...

I agree the DP's are basically COT's with the engine in the rear. Grand AM does has some great racing and top drivers in their series but the "Cars are the stars" in my book so I tend to follow ALMS instead. Just my .02

And the cars being the stars have better drivers. ALMS has world class pilots as opposed to GA's has beens - Scott Pruett and, while he was still driving, Hurley Haywood - and second rate drivers at best.

speedstew - 26 September 2008 11:49 AM

No defenders of the new ownership on this thread so far. It seems premature to predict that NASCAR will change everything around. However, IF they did, indeed, NASCARize the Rolex series (more "rovals" etc), it would be the end of the series. They would be combining the WORST parts of each series.

I enjoy watching some of the Rolex races and I think the 24 Hours is still fastinating but I would not be at all sorry to see the ALMS become the only sports car RR series.

It's been a part of NASCAR's nature to change things and usually not for the better. What is now the Nationwide series was created as a feeder series and a trainer for aspiring prime series drivers and those who were content to race in the lesser division. Now look at it. It's being dominated by Cup drivers and its use as a training series are long gone.

JagBro - 02 October 2008 07:05 AM

And the cars being the stars have better drivers. ALMS has world class pilots as opposed to GA's has beens - Scott Pruett and, while he was still driving, Hurley Haywood - and second rate drivers at best.

Yes, you're right. Alex Gurney, Dirk Werner, Ricardo Zonta, Max Angelelli, Jao Barbosa, Rafa Matos, Paul Edwards, Andy Lally, Domenic Farnbacher, Oswaldo Negri, Brian Friselle, Memo Gidley... the list of has been, hack, washout drivers in Rolex is amazing.

I wouldn't call Scott Pruett a hack by any stretch of the imagination. I am not a big fan of Grand Am but there are some very good drivers in those ugly cars. I'd like to see a "War of the Worlds" like the one that ook place in the Fifties between Champ Car and F-1 Between ALMS and Grand Am. It would be interesting to see who came out on top

westsideclay - 02 October 2008 01:23 PM

I wouldn't call Scott Pruett a hack by any stretch of the imagination. I am not a big fan of Grand Am but there are some very good drivers in those ugly cars. I'd like to see a "War of the Worlds" like the one that ook place in the Fifties between Champ Car and F-1 Between ALMS and Grand Am. It would be interesting to see who came out on top

what? who would want to show up to a race to see how many laps down a daytona prototype finished to an LMP? the two series have regs FAR too dissimilar for that...

westsideclay - 02 October 2008 01:23 PM

I wouldn't call Scott Pruett a hack by any stretch of the imagination. I am not a big fan of Grand Am but there are some very good drivers in those ugly cars. I'd like to see a "War of the Worlds" like the one that ook place in the Fifties between Champ Car and F-1 Between ALMS and Grand Am. It would be interesting to see who came out on top

I wouldn't call Scott Pruett a hack either, but how old is he and who is competing against?

So far as a comparison goes, they race at some of the same venues so compare average speeds andlap times where they do.

Because of NASCAR's popularity, I bet they believe they understand the racing fan. Side by side photo finishes, although contrived, appeal to many NASCAR type fans. But, one needs to look at the IRL and how successful THAT series was trying to imitate NASCAR style racing.

Tony George got away with it b/c he had "the" race. Grand-Am does not have a similar event as the Rolex 24 is a shell of its former self. (Indy was headed in the same direction). Grand Am needs to align itself with LeMans, but is attempting to go against it. Kinda like Champ Car trying to be successful without Indy.

NASCAR should at least open the Rolex to allow the ALMS cars to compete. Have a Grand Am class. It would give the race some credibility although it would expose the Grand Am cars for the slugs they really are. (probably the same reason the DP01 of CC is not allowed in the IRL)

Good luck making the Grand Am successful. Sports car fans have seen the ALMS and, based on fannies in the seats, have spoken. NASCAR has been rebuffed by the motorcycle factories so they should do what they do best. Bang em up oval racing. Lots of "BIG ones".

Gandretti - 07 October 2008 08:07 AM

Good luck making the Grand Am successful. Sports car fans have seen the ALMS and, based on fannies in the seats, have spoken. NASCAR has been rebuffed by the motorcycle factories so they should do what they do best. Bang em up oval racing. Lots of "BIG ones".

If you base success on the "fannies in the seat" arguement, NASCAR is whoopping up on ALMS, LMS, Grand-Am and all other sportscar series combined.

I understand that there are those who will gravitate towards ALMS because of the technological superiority and thereby speed of the cars. There are those who appreciate the close competition of Grand-Am and actually not knowing who will in all probability finish 1-2.

I've said it before and I'll say it again... I'm no fan of NASCAR, but if they can keep the competition side of Grand-Am as is and have even a fraction of the marketing success they've had with Cup then sportscar racing in North America would be much better for it.

I for one intend to enjoy and support sportscar racing in general, be it Grand-Am, ALMS, SCCA, NASA... it's all good!

Just what we need, more over managed racing.

chkrd_flag - 07 October 2008 09:34 AM

Gandretti - 07 October 2008 08:07 AM

Good luck making the Grand Am successful. Sports car fans have seen the ALMS and, based on fannies in the seats, have spoken. NASCAR has been rebuffed by the motorcycle factories so they should do what they do best. Bang em up oval racing. Lots of "BIG ones".

If you base success on the "fannies in the seat" arguement, NASCAR is whoopping up on ALMS, LMS, Grand-Am and all other sportscar series combined.

You're quite right about NASCAR. But, NASCAR thinks this philosophy works for ALL RACING. It works with slow heavy cars with bumpers for passing. O, and lots of wrecks.