Posted by greyhound
on August 4, 2012, 4:47 pm, in reply to "ot - learnin sumptin new every day........."
68.61.208.248
live from Mid-Ohio on ABC. The cars you don't recognize are called proto-types. I think the ALMS runs three different proto-type classes, and the cars you recognize, Vipers, Corvettes, Mustangs, Ferraris, Porsches, Aston Martins, etc., are called the GT cars. I believe the ALMS runs two or three different GT classes, so in other words you have five or six classes of cars on the track at once. The ALMS has taking criticism for this over the years with the critics saying it's too hard to follow. The other sports car series, Rolex Grand Am Sports Car Series, which is owned by the France faily (NASCAR) cut their series back to two classes, Daytona Proto-type and GT, and it seemed to be working, but now they just announced they were adding a new third class for 2013, ther GTS class.
The Vipers haven't raced in the ALMS for years, but with FIAT/Chrysler/Dodge releasing the new Viper for 2013 this was their first race back. They will run a few races in 2012 to get ready to run for the championship in 2013.
What you were watching this afternoon, the ALMS, will be at Road America in two weeks. I don't believe the tickets are too expensive. They usually run on Saturday, and the INDY Car Series runs on Sunday, but since the INDY Cars aren't going to Road America this year I think the ALMS is the main event.
As far as the proro-type cars Audi and Peugeot dominates this class, but the only problem is they no longer race in the U.S. in the ALMS. They race in Europe in the sports car series in Europe. I think they may run one or two races a year in the ALMS like the "12 hours of Sebring", and maybe the "Petit Le Mans".
ALMS at Road America
Responses