Mario Andretti to Run LMP2 with Acura?

[Adam43]

The analogy of the CART engine supply is interesting and perhaps a good boost for LMP2. This class could be big, it has yet to happen, but it looks promising.

Small point, Mario came second in 1995 with Wollek and Helary. He shared with Michael and Jeff in 1988 and came sixth in a works Porsche.

[The Badger]

Be nice to see Franchitti-Franchitti in one of those cars . Those boys are quick .

[Fogelhund]

Originally Posted by dj4monie

Who's left out in the cold is Intersport. If they want to be seriously considered for a championship next year, they should be looking at becoming more competitive THIS season. As much as I like Liz to stay in the car and Clint as well, it might be time for Clint to relagate himself to running the team's day to day operations as he has done before and drive occasionally in longer events or just run the team and let Liz drive in longer events, where she'll match up better to most team's 3rd drivers.

I could see John Field and a paid driver in the car for the shorter events, maybe starting soon as this season, if not at Sebring next year. The AER powered Lola is quick enough when driven by drivers that can push it, as seen by the RML car at Le Mans and in the LMS several times last season.

This lacks a fundamental understanding of Intersport operations. How and why would they even wish to do such a thing? Where does the funding for the "paid" driver come from?

[Tim Northcutt]

Based on what Bryan Herta sais in the Indianapolis Star's story on Sunday, I expect him to be one of the Acura drivers in the AGR stable.

[gwyllion]

The rumors have been confirmed:

Andretti Green and Highcroft will each field Acura-Courage LC75 entries next season, with Highcroft designated as the team that will work closest with HPD in chassis development. The Fernandez organization will run an Acura-powered Lola B05/40 and will be the team most focused on ongoing engine development.

All three teams will utilize Michelin competition tires. XM Satellite Radio will be the primary sponsor of the Andretti Green Racing Acura Courage. Lowe's will serve as title sponsor of the Acura Lola run by the Fernandez organization. Complete driver and sponsors lineups for all three teams will be announced in the near future with testing to begin in August.

source: http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=2323

[SALEEN S7R]

Good news, another big team in the ALMS in the form of Andretti Green. Also good to have another 4 cars in the series which as we all know is lacking in terms of entry numbers, if not in terms of quality.

[skycafe]

Real surprise that Highcroft would have a Courage.

[jhansen]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Good news, another big team in the ALMS in the form of Andretti Green. Also good to have another 4 cars in the series which as we all know is lacking in terms of entry numbers, if not in terms of quality.

Chris, the implication I get from the release is one car per team, or three cars. I suppose that one of the teams could get two cars, but the wording does not seem to suggest that.

[Tim Northcutt]

Media at the news conference asked how many cars...1 for each team....

[rblanshard]

I'm excited about this. I read about it in my new AutoWeek. I can't wait to see the Andretti family back in sportscar racing. Maybe they'll be able to get Marco behind the wheel and get some new blood into the series. Great to have the Andretti name associated with the ALMS.

[cmk]

The original 2 Lolas for Fernandez, 2 Courage for AGR, 1 Courage for Highcroft report was much nicer for the entry numbers, but regardless: excellent to see some high-profile teams coming to the ALMS and boosting numbers, including a GARRA DP defector.

With the hope that Penske/Porsche will step up to P1 (where they're practically competing already on the track) and some good customer teams running the P2 RS Spyder instead, P2 may finally become a good battleground.

[FIRE]

Former Simtek F1 team owner, Benetton chief designer and FIA consultant Nick Wirth is to be a major player in the forthcoming bid for Honda to win the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Wirth, who has been involved in Honda's IRL programme in recent years, is expected to be the man leading the design team for the Acura-branded chassis which will be seen racing in the ALMS in 2008 and at Le Mans in 2009. The final decision is yet to be taken as Honda might choose to partner Lola or Courage if it seems a better option.

At the moment Wirth's company Wirth Research is developing a Courage chassis for Honda. The Courage chassis will be used next year by the Andretti-Green Racing and Highcroft Racing while the Fernandez team will run a Lola B05/40.

Source: www.grandprix.com

[Adam43]

That was in Autosport too. His name disapearred of the radar a little, what has he being doing since Simtek?

EDIT: A quick wiki reveals that he founded RoboScience, creators of the RS-01 RoboDog (!) and worked on the CDG wing for the FIA.

[TWK]

Originally Posted by rblanshard

I'm excited about this. I read about it in my new AutoWeek. I can't wait to see the Andretti family back in sportscar racing. Maybe they'll be able to get Marco behind the wheel and get some new blood into the series. Great to have the Andretti name associated with the ALMS.

I hope your excitement is for the cars and the team, too, because there is no indication - at least for now - of "Andretti's behind the wheel."

Andretti-Green will field Dario Franchitti and Bryan Herta, an American Le Mans Series prototype veteran with Panoz. Murphy has reason to think the third seat at Sebring might go to Dario’s brother Marino, but Marco Andretti is another possibility. A three generation Andretti entry is possible, of course, but only if the team gets its hands on a Courage “T car” (as it used to be called in the early IMSA days), and that. unfortunately, is unlikely.

from http://murphythebear.com/blog/ (Paddock Poop 17, July 24, 2006)

[cptkablamo]

I have heard Brian Herta might get a position:

http://feedmesportscars.com/node/880

Makes sense as the IRL is looking less likely for him next year and this would make a good switch, both for him and the team I think

[Tim Northcutt]

Herta already has told AGR that he wants to be part of the ALMS program next year....

[TWK]

nt