GM say no to caddy u-turn

[pink69]

Unfortunately GM have all but said no to a possible U-turn on the Northstar project. Senior management had been trying to get an ALMS only project for the Northstar but instead the cars will be parked after the Petit Le Mans. Sorry to see them go, i thought they'd have a real chance at the ALMS title next year.

[SL]

Are there U turns and U U turns ?

"All but said no" means there is a chance, OK a chance in 1000 but a chance.....

Maybe they will sell them to people who know what to do with them

SL

[Brian W Keske]

Originally posted by SL
Maybe they will sell them to people who know what to do with them

I hope so. I think the car would make a great 'privateer' for someone in the ALMS next year. Lets hope they don't sit and 'rust' somewhere.

[Sebring2000]

I am keping my fingers crossed. With the new car and JJ driving, I was looking forward to some good racing. Can't wait for Miami in October!

[rdjones]

Shame a real shame I think they are making a big mistake........

[Aysedasi]

Agreed.

[pink69]

2003 would be there best chance at a LM win. Why pull out now? This is the biggest mistake GM will make!

[Maxmil]

Originally posted by pink69
2003 would be there best chance at a LM win. Why pull out now? This is the biggest mistake GM will make!

I was astounded when the news of the Cadillac entry first came out. It was the first time that I can remember that a GM Division had come to participate directly in motor racing outside of NASCAR. So far as I know, all of the Corvettes over the years have been privateers. The other thing that was surprising, was that the Division chosen was Cadillac which over the years has aimed at the conservative, wealthy, older folks' market share. At the time I wondered why Chevrolet or Pontiac was not mounting the effort. The withdrawal now is perhaps not so surprising. GM is under profit pressure, and I would guess that the effort to reshape the Cadillac market into a younger, sportier age group is having rough going. Still, it's a shame to see the good work go for nothing.

Anyone got any "inside" knowledge to share?

[cybersdorf]

Originally posted by SL
Are there U turns and U U turns ?

That would be W-turns then

No inside knowledge but yes, the idea was to pep up Caddy's image, interestingly enough the whole campaign is said to have been aimed at the European market. With the exception of Le Mans and the occasional ALMS round, they didn't do any racing over here (in fact, they quickly got rid of the European arm of their operations, the super-professional DAMS team that could have done some valuable development as well). The way it was handled by Caddy, the whole thing was destined to fail. If they really think they have a "sporty image" now they need to think again. They certainly don't have any road cars to back up their feeble racing "heritage". (Cien??)

GM Europe is doing plenty of motor racing, btw, in the shape of Opel. They are said to be cutting down their program as well, though, because of serious financial difficulties. Otherwise I would have said, put the Opel "flash" badge on the car, give the whole project to Opel, and add guys like Manuel Reuter or Smoking Jo Winkelhock (an Opel DTM driver these days) to the driving strength. They'll be out of the DTM next year, they'll have time on their hands... - With all due respect to the other branches of GM, few people have the competitive spirit of Opel racing boss Volker Strycek. He is an ex-racer (still does some occasional driving), he WANTS to go out there and compete.

Not like Cadillac.

[JAG]

Could Opel be developing a Diesal engine for Le Mans.

The ACO are talking with interested manufactuers about the new diesl rules and there is supposed to be some serious interest.

Opel have just started producing hi-tech diesal engines and are promoting them heavily.

Take a look at the VX220 Coupe fitted with a 1.3 diesal.

[cybersdorf]

Originally posted by JAG
Could Opel be developing a Diesal engine for Le Mans.

With the financial trouble they are in, I honestly doubt it. But if they are, I hope Nigel Stroud and the 3GR chassis guys will be called upon.

Take a look at the VX220 Coupe fitted with a 1.3 diesal.

The Eco Speedster, I have seen it, great looking car. I hope they will actually build something that looks like this (though obviously not with all this technology in it; but maybe even with a turbo Diesel, the new TDIs are actually very sporty to drive and unmatched when it comes to torque).

[JAG]

I was thinking more along the lines of an engine only package. This could be used in both LMP900 and especially LMP675.

The VW turbo engine was developed with very little help/finance and have been very competitive and reliable.

The ACO says that a number of diesal manufactuers are interested. In my opinion they could be Peugeot, Ford(running a diesal Focaus in the BTCC), BMW or Opel. They are all big producers of diseals and will want to prove the performance of the new generation engines as they are being promoted as sporty alterantives now.

[cybersdorf]

Originally posted by JAG
I was thinking more along the lines of an engine only package. This could be used in both LMP900 and especially LMP675.

Well, they have other problems at the moment so, I don't think so. But, all the companies you mention are definitely capable of building Diesel competition engines that can make the petrol engines look really stupid.