ALMS Round 2: The Grand Prix of Long Beach

**joeb** · 12 Apr 2011, 17:22 (Ref:2862501)

Well the race is only 4 days away so I thought I would start a race thread. Race will be live streamed, and (nearly) replayed on ESPN2 the next day.

The entries in the LMP ranks are a bit thin, but the walls of Long Beach usually create some good action.

Schedule

Entry List

Timing & Scoring

Live Video ALMS

Live Video ESPN3

Deleted · 12 Apr 2011, 17:47 (Ref:2862516)

Gotta love the scheduling again, 7AM start for practice - "clean up the streets for Indy boys!"

Despite the somewhat lacking entry list, Long Beach has always been one of the season's highlights for me. Being the only real sprint race in the ACO family makes it a bit special as well - even though the schedule (and calendar) seems to claim that the race distance has been extended from 1h40min to 2 hours.

Now, I SERIOUSLY hope mr. Atherton has stopped his PR-march and listened the fans for a second - the quality of international stream must improve. I don't think I can stand another night of freeze & scream!!

Should probably check if the old proxy for ESPN3 still works.

Danny_GT2 · 12 Apr 2011, 18:07 (Ref:2862527)

How come the 2 LMP classes have been separated again?? Would be better to have a unified LMP class especially with only 4 LMP's in total, 2 in each class!

**joeb** · 12 Apr 2011, 18:50 (Ref:2862548)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danny_GT2

How come the 2 LMP classes have been separated again?? Would be better to have a unified LMP class especially with only 4 LMP's in total, 2 in each class!

The ALMS decided to follow the ACO regs more closely for this season. Don't squander too much time trying to figure out management decisions made by IMSA/ALMS, it will give you headaches!

Danny_GT2 · 12 Apr 2011, 19:00 (Ref:2862557)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

The ALMS decided to follow the ACO regs more closely for this season. Don't squander too much time trying to figure out management decisions made by IMSA/ALMS, it will give you headaches!

Too late now I need some asprin

!

courageous · 12 Apr 2011, 22:47 (Ref:2862669)

In real terms they haven't been split - 2010 LMP2 spec cars run in LMP1 (see Dyson), but 2011 spec LMP2 cars are a different beast & in the same performance bracket as Prototype challenge.

You could argue that P2 & challenge should be merged, but as there is only 1 team in P2 then it doesn't really matter.

Acid09 · 13 Apr 2011, 00:34 (Ref:2862701)

"Somehwat lacking entry list" .... that's a very nice way of putting it. Having not enough cars for a proper podium in the two lead classes is nothing short of shameful.. if it wasn't for the GT class we could already stick a fork into the ALMS...

rich07 · 13 Apr 2011, 01:40 (Ref:2862713)

LMP is pathetic, without LMPC is would be even worse. Such a shame though, as much as I love the GT war at the moment, we really need some healthy numbers in LMP1 and LMP2 to even things out.

vancecooley · 13 Apr 2011, 14:20 (Ref:2862902)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rich07

LMP is pathetic, without LMPC is would be even worse. Such a shame though, as much as I love the GT war at the moment, we really need some healthy numbers in LMP1 and LMP2 to even things out.

Agreed. Again, I don't understand why they went with ACO regs this year instead of combining the classes like last year. That Aston Martin/HPD duel was pretty remarkable last year. The AM would drive away down that long front straight but would have the Highcroft guys on it's tail before the lap was halfway done. Great balancing and it makes no sense not to put the two classes together again. I expect an AM rout this weekend.

Deleted · 13 Apr 2011, 14:33 (Ref:2862906)

If nothing else, at least we can enjoy the scream of V12 Lola Aston on the echoing streets again. One of the last opportunities for that I'm afraid.

andy_b · 13 Apr 2011, 18:57 (Ref:2862995)

The ALMS Spotter Guide for Long Beach is now available to download at www.spotterguides. In addition to the number changes across the board, I have added lots of new helmets (thanks to ALMS) and also new liveries for Dyson and Magnus Racing.

With a smaller field than Long Beach and one that does not work so well in the grid, we have some space this round to expand information to include circuit diagram, fastest lap and ALMS timetable.

Thanks for everyone who downloaded the Sebring Spotter Guide, well into five figures. Thanks!

You can download the guide at www.spotterguides.com

lolaaston · 13 Apr 2011, 23:49 (Ref:2863092)

At least we still get to hear the sound of the cytosport Lola Aston!!!!!!

**joeb** · 14 Apr 2011, 13:39 (Ref:2863276)

This is a condensed weekend with the only practice session before qualifying starting in a little over 24 hours. And on that note I would like to remind everybody that there is still time to enter the Fantasy Racing Challenge for this round

WolfsburgRS · 14 Apr 2011, 15:32 (Ref:2863324)

Quote:

Originally Posted by joeb

This is a condensed weekend with the only practice session before qualifying starting in a little over 24 hours. And on that note I would like to remind everybody that there is still time to enter the Fantasy Racing Challenge for this round

Thanks for the reminder, just submitted

Purist · 14 Apr 2011, 14:54 (Ref:2863308)

Unfortunately, I'm getting a "Server Not Found" message whenever I click on that first link, and the second link goes to the GT1 Spotter's Guide.

**joeb** · 14 Apr 2011, 15:18 (Ref:2863314)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Purist

Unfortunately, I'm getting a "Server Not Found" message whenever I click on that first link, and the second link goes to the GT1 Spotter's Guide.

If you go to www.spotterguides.com and scroll down you can see the ALMS guide for Long Beach.

Purist · 14 Apr 2011, 17:47 (Ref:2863378)

Thanks, Joeb.

BTW, do we have anything firm on the race duration, given that it's been 100min in the past, but is listed as 2hrs on the ALMS site?

Deleted · 14 Apr 2011, 18:06 (Ref:2863381)

Yes, the duration has been extended to two hours.

2011: 4:30 - 6:30 p.m. TEQUILA PATRÓN AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES RACE (120 minutes)
2010: 4:40 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. TEQUILA PATRÓN AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES RACE (100 minutes)

**joeb** · 14 Apr 2011, 18:27 (Ref:2863389)

I do find it somewhat sad that the series finally gets a longer race time, and a dismal field for the show

Porsche917K · 14 Apr 2011, 19:06 (Ref:2863400)

This is the only race within my reach to actually go see, and the field has definitely made me rethink missing work to go. Last year was great fun and that Aston is almost worth going to see on it's sound alone. Stupid grid.

pdxracefan · 14 Apr 2011, 19:39 (Ref:2863421)

For us unfortunate souls whose ISP does not support ESPN3, anyone know of an alternative proxy?

HJJ · 14 Apr 2011, 19:50 (Ref:2863425)

^^^
Check your PM's.

fieldodreams79 · 14 Apr 2011, 21:47 (Ref:2863478)

Regardless of the lack luster LMP classes, I am looking forward to seeing the race and the GT battle on the streets of LB. What a venue!

Any changes to the circuit or business as usual?

Truckosaurus · 15 Apr 2011, 08:18 (Ref:2863605)

Have I got my sums right and the race starts at 00:15 in the UK?

(ALMS website says 7.15pm EDT)

Simmi · 15 Apr 2011, 09:23 (Ref:2863631)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truckosaurus

Have I got my sums right and the race starts at 00:15 in the UK?

(ALMS website says 7.15pm EDT)

Damn I'd clearly got my sums wrong. Can't say I'll be staying up for it with work on Sunday. Shame the Motors TV deal didn't come through in time as I could have just sky+d it.

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