[ELMS] ELMS (was LMS) 2012 discussion

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by kyoung

Seriously though, it always comes full circle, classes for Pro and Am. Why don’t they just have support races for the Am drivers, a kind of minor league with opportunity to move to the big league if they are eventually good enough? The Am guys can use the hand me down cars from the previous seasons and the Pro guys won’t have to dodge the bottom scrappers when they make bone headed moves. Hell, do away with the idiotic drivers rating system and have a sub Am series support race for the true rookies and beginners. No Pro/Am classes, separate Pro/Am races; Pro>Am>Rookie.

Less cars in the main series / everyone complains
More cars in the support series / nobody cares

Old 900\P1, 675\P2, GTS\GT1 and GT\GT2 was the best, every class was running different machinery with less restrictions and no annoying driver categorisations, even in P2 you could have run full pro teams if you really wanted

[kyoung]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Less cars in the main series / everyone complains
More cars in the support series / nobody cares

Old 900\P1, 675\P2, GTS\GT1 and GT\GT2 was the best, every class was running different machinery with less restrictions and no annoying driver categorisations, even in P2 you could have run full pro teams if you really wanted

I guess the problem I have with the whole Pro/Am thing is how anyone can be classified as an amateur at this level of racing. I guess the next step is to performance balance drivers with wrist-ankle weights and eye patches.

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by kober

Yeah, lets called them LMP1, GTE-Pro and LMP2, GTE-Am respectively

Oh wait, let's balance the performance between GTs and Prototypes too! That way, a Corvette GT can take the overall win at Le Mans!

[Rodger Davies]

rest of the series officially cancelled according to the reliable Mr Dagys. Hope there's some solution that will allow the P2 grid to travel to Road Atlanta.

EDIT: and will receive travel allowance to get to PLM. Might be worth looking for flights to Road Atlanta in case it's the last good one for a while...

[I Rosputnik]

Here you go.

[MagVanisher]

It's a sad day for ELMS... But at least they can race at Road America.

[kurski]

ELMS needs to break new ground to build the series.

[FordCosworthPanoz]

Don't worry, I'm sure the new Asian Le Mans Series will save everything!

[tux]

Originally Posted by FordCosworthPanoz

Don't worry, I'm sure the new Asian Le Mans Series will save everything!

YES!!! in JLOC we trust!!!!

[pablocomics]

One of the main problems of the ELMS is the low consistence/short life of their teams. The ACO must fix that big problem.

[TF110]

AsLMS is suppose to be supported with GT300 teams from SuperGT. Is that bad?

[Coach Ep]

[moved to the Petit entry list topic]

[MagVanisher]

Originally Posted by kurski

ELMS needs to break new ground to build the series.

That's right, create a premier race for ELMS to attract P2 teams, as well as GT teams!

Originally Posted by TF110

AsLMS is suppose to be supported with GT300 teams from SuperGT. Is that bad?

Unless the GT300 class is flooded with GT3 cars, I think it's gonna be a problem for the AsLMS as well as Super GT. Still, I'm hopeful that the JAF can promote their proposed GT300 "mother chassis" to existing teams with GT3 cars.

[DeathOrGlory]

ATLANTIC Le Mans Series! European + NA rounds.

Sebring (+WEC)
Road America 500
Laguna 500
CoTA
Mosport

Paul Ricard 6hrs
Donington 6hrs
Spa (+WEC)
Algarve 6 hrs

PLM grand finale!

P1+P2 merge, GTE-Pro, GTE-Am. PC will be allowed, but next year they join full LMP. No more GTC. Or we can switch GTE-Am or PC for CN Protos with slightly more power and call it LMP3/Jr.

I was also thinking Lime Rock, but that's just trolling.

[Victor_RO]

Originally Posted by DeathOrGlory

I was also thinking Lime Rock, but that's just trolling.

ALMS + WEC at Lime Rock? That would mean cars running around CONSTANTLY. And the most often-heard words from any commentator would be "What an enormous shunt!"

[DeathOrGlory]

Originally Posted by Victor_RO

"What an enormous shunt!"

Say that using Hindaugh's voice for maximum effect.

[The Badger]

What happens now , if the championship is finished , then the currant standings are the class winners and should get their invites .

they cant continue the points championship in PLM , as thay cant expect people to go to the states , as that wasnt ever part of the championship .

So , the currant points leaders should be the series winners .

P2 ..... Oak Racing-Morgan .
GT/P ..... JMW-Ferrari .
GT/A ..... IMSA-Porsche .
LMPC ..... Boutsen-Oreca .

Ive been chatting with a P2 team owner , and they probably wont be going to PLM as it doesnt fit in with sponsor marketing strategies . So , how can the ACO award points for a championship that continues on a continent that wasnt in the original plan ?

[Deleted]

Cancelling 60% of the original calendar wasn't part of the brochure either, so PLM is a compromise. Things change, replacements are always possible. I don't think it says anywhere on the regulations that it is forbidden for organizers to hold replacement round outside Europe

Financial aid is offered for teams travelling to Georgia, that is a good start

[Speed-King]

they cant continue the points championship in PLM , as thay cant expect people to go to the states , as that wasnt ever part of the championship .

Oh, they can - and thanks to the double points even a team that didn't race in ELMS so far can still win it.

If I was Conquest, I'd check the ALMS championship standings and if I saw that I don't have a lot of chances to win it against Level5 anymore, I'd consider entering PLM as an ELMS entry - might be a greater chance of winning an autobid. Same for GT - might make even more sense with how thin the ELMS GT grid has been.

[The Badger]

Some drivers carry sponsorship , aimed at the European markets . They could possibily be looking for a refund from their teams , and then again , possibily the team may have already used the funds ?

Yes , travel arrangements are a start , but not enough .

I dont think in the ELMS contract , it says that the European Le Mans Series can finish up in America , or be transfered to America ..... that would be too loose of a contract .

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by Speed-King

Oh, they can - and thanks to the double points even a team that didn't race in ELMS so far can still win it.

If I was Conquest, I'd check the ALMS championship standings and if I saw that I don't have a lot of chances to win it against Level5 anymore, I'd consider entering PLM as an ELMS entry - might be a greater chance of winning an autobid. Same for GT - might make even more sense with how thin the ELMS GT grid has been.

Conquest can't just change what series they want to run in. Only teams that were actually in the ELMS can receive points towards the ELMS championship.

[Deleted]

ALMS visited Europe numerous times in the first few years of the championship so it shouldn't be a problem

PLM is still an amazing offer for ELMS teams:

financial aid
double points
LM entry if you win your class
LM entry if you finish first or second in champ (which isn't that hard particularly in GTE-PRO or GTE-AM)
winning PLM actually means something as it's prestigious

Also if the ELMS GTC class is retained, you could enter a GT3 Cup Porsche in GTC and win your class championship easily

[Salamus]

Originally Posted by The Badger

Some drivers carry sponsorship , aimed at the European markets . They could possibily be looking for a refund from their teams , and then again , possibily the team may have already used the funds ?

Yes , travel arrangements are a start , but not enough .

I dont think in the ELMS contract , it says that the European Le Mans Series can finish up in America , or be transfered to America ..... that would be too loose of a contract .

Your right, it will be difficult for many of the ELMS cars to get to PLM. I wonder why they didn't ask the WEC if they could join at Silverstone and reward double-points.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by Salamus

I wonder why they didn't ask the WEC if they could join at Silverstone and reward double-points.

Probably because of FIA...

These are the same idiots who rejected entries from Spa 6 hours because they refused to use the second pit lane

[joeb]

Originally Posted by Chiana

Also if the ELMS GTC class is retained, you could enter a GT3 Cup Porsche in GTC and win your class championship easily

I might be imagining things but didn't elms open gtc to gt3 cars as well? Or was that just for Donnington? Because if all gt3's are welcome then there are a few Audi R8's in the US that could be interested. Of course then the class structure will get even crazier with two gtc classes with different rules....