Sportscar rumors

[TheShadow]

All these rumors have been heard by 2 sources in the sport.

The "Beaver" to leave sportscars to start T/A team?
(Figure out who the "Beaver" is for a bonus prize)

Chevy to can GTS for T/A ????
Fellows and Kneifel up for seats?

T/A races to all be live on TV in 2001. Four of them on ABC or CBS.

Audi to do only LM 24 next year??????



The Shadow

[BobN]

Okay, I'll buy the T/A tv package. I'll even go along with GM dropping ACTIVE participation in ALMS in favor of T/A (like GM will ever commit to anything long term). I don't really care if June and Wally Cleaver join with the Beaver in T/A. But after Ullrich's Petite Le Mans statement will you really stand by the "Audi at Le Mans only" statement? Remember some fans pay attention to what is said and credibility is measured by being accurate.

Bob

[TheShadow]

Dear Bob,
The Audi situation is the interesting one.

There seem to be two schools of thought at Audi. One says that there is no point in doing the LMS and the other says that cars have been built and it will not cost much to compete there.

The Audi NA guy wants to race in ALMS. There are those in the Fatherland who want Audi to do other things.

They should defend at LM either way.

Their plans will be announced any day now.

Shadow
PS-it looks like I will have to go to the IRL race in Texas this weekend. However, while there I will be seeing not one but two potential road racing sponsors.
I hope you and Chris have fun at Laguna.

[Heeltoe6]

It mkaes no sense for the t/a races to be on CBS/ABC, especially if they are(as most of them will be) support ALMS races which of course are shown on NBC(or speedvision). The one case I could see it would be maybe the Houston trans-am race since it is a support for cart that weekend and maybe if ABC could squeeze it in, they got the camera down there. Still, I would think it's nbc

[BobN]

If Audi (home base) do just LM, it still seems likey that Audis will race a full ALMS schedule with at least a privateer effort. Champion and/or Johannson appear to be in line for that. I would imagine that Audi NA has the clout to make at least that much happen.

Joest has been much more outspoken about wanting to run in ALMS again next year than Charley Lamm ever was about continuing the BMW program. Audi has put a lot in their program by way of advertising and if it has been successfull I'd expect them to continue with ALMS until they are geared up for whatever they do next.

I hope you have a successful trip to Texas. Bring home some new sponsors to sportscars!!

Bob

[TheShadow]

The scenario you talk about for Audi is one that I could believe. Give the existing cars to Steve Johnson as well as a budget from Audi NA.

I'll e-mail you with the results from my Texas trip.

Heel and Toe- your rational makes sense to me. All I know is that two pro T/A drivers have told me the same story.
In addition, some guy said the same thing at Road America.
I don't know if he was right, but he seemed pretty sure.
His name was Panchez or something. Anyway, we shall see.

[BobN]

Shadow,

As I suspected it appears the "new" FIA sportscar world championship is just a renaming of the SWRC. What's interesting is the comment about using all the might of FIA to counter ELMS.

http://www.supersportscarworld.com/world/srwc019.htm

That first salvo of allowing GT cars in seems to be followed by an even bigger shot accross the bow.

Bob

No Warsteiner for us at Laguna so we'll have to rough it with Sierra Nevada Pale Ale. Sure beats the Lone Star they'll have for you in Texas.

[KC]

No Lone Star down there, It has to Pearl. Whew! Both are some of the nastiest beers ever made. Go for the Shiner Bock in a frozen mug, no the best but very good with Mexican food.