ALMS and CART link up in Mimai

[rdjones]

This just in from Autosport.com

The USA's top single-seater and sportscar championships are joining forces to race at an all-new event on the streets of Miami later this year.

The CART Championship Series and the American Le Mans Series will share the bill for the Grand Prix of the Americas, which will be run on the weekend of October 4-6. The ALMS race will be held on the Saturday, with the CART round on the Sunday.

The ALMS had been due to race on the new track on April 5-7, but the round has been postponed until October to allow for the tie-up. The CART event boosts the number of rounds this year to 20.

CART boss Chris Pook explained that a one-off race around Miami's streets back in 1995 had influenced his desire to return to the Florida city. Also the loss of Miami's Homestead oval from last year's calendar had been felt too. "The '95 event was promoted fabulously and the fans came out in droves," he said. "CART has a tremendous fan-base in Miami, and these fans have been asking us to come back to South Florida constantly since we last raced there two years ago.

"We are also extremely grateful to our friends at ALMS for moving their race date and allowing us to become part of the race weekend in October."

The event will mark the first time that the USA's top single-seater and sportscar series have joined forces on the same weekend.

There is a stumbling block to be negotiated before the event goes ahead, however. A judge has ruled that the contract to run the meeting does not stand because the city did not ask for competitive bids. The Homestead oval and the International Speedway Corporation may now challenge Raceworks' bid to run the event.

Along with the one-off street race in '95 and the Homestead oval events between '96 and 2000, Miami also hosted Champ Car races at the Tamiami Park track between '85 and '88. The city's sportscar roots go back to the days when it was one of the mainstays of the IMSA series in the '80s.

A round of the Trans-Am series will also be held over the weekend. Other support races could also join the bill.

Why do I have to live in the UK ! ! !

[Speedworx]

Its an excellent idea. I hope they match up for more races. Maybe they could have Road Atlanta and Sebring.

[pgtr]

Out of curiosity how do the top LM prototypes compare to open wheel racers such as CART or F1 (pesuming drivers are equal).

Not trying to start the old F1 vs CART thread - just curious about these cars and their specs/capabilities/top speed/grip/power etc...

[paul-collins]

Johnny Herbert made a comparison of the R8 to an F3000 car. I don't think it was meant to be a negative comment...

[pgtr]

Indeed not. I was wondering if the overall characteristics are like a chassis of an open wheel car but with a bull body attached. E.g. similar but w/ fenders covering the wheels. These cars strike me as pretty much up there.

Do the top prototype cars ever run on the same course as either F1 or CART? Folks on the F1 board were chatting about the upcoming CART race at Montreal on the same course and curious about what the # comparisons will be.

[Mal]

CART and ALMS both run at Laguna Seca - but I dont know the relative lap times. Also the European LM series ran at Silverstone, as does F1 of course

[PhilD]

Hi RDJONES, MIAMI has an Airport. Airfare may be cheap at that time of year. It's only 8 hours in the Boeing. Check with your travel agent. followed by Petite at Road Atlanta wow what a trip.
Phil

[Speedworx]

Laguna Seca (2001):

sportscars: Capello/Kistensen Audi R8 1:15.238
CART: Gil de Ferran Penske 1:08.596
difference: 6.742

Silverstone (2000+2002):

sportscars: Schiattarella/Radigues Lola B2K/10 1:37.030
F1: Juan Pablo Montoya Williams-BMW 1:18.998
difference: 19.032

Had to take 2002 pole time in F1, as 2000 was damp if i remember correctly.