Cheaper by the dozen
Although I love the exotic equipment of the ALMS, I've always been one to say that the actual racing is more important than the equipment. It is always about the drivers. (What'd you expect, I was one once)
In this light I struggle with so few cars on their grids that can actually race each other. Here I feel that Grand-Am has the upper hand (again, I'm setting aside the tech part of the equation so no flames!) by having fewer classes and full of cars that are relatively easy to get and run.
So I am elated to see that ALMS have chosen to permit a new spec-racer prototype division--to be called the LMP Challenge that will join their grid this coming year in an effort to boost car counts and competition amongst the drivers and teams.
I've learned from their own postings that the LMP Challenge was introduced earlier this year as part of the Le Mans Series in Europe and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It is there that the ORECA Courage-built FLM09 that comprises the class with a minimum weight of 900 kg (1985 pounds to us colonials, or 142 Stone to our English friends) which is similar to its LMP 1&2 classmates. However this thing will have a good old American pushrod Chevy 6.2 liter Vee-Eight loping along at 6000 revs (450 hp, 460 lb ft torque). (this is a bit less powerful than the LMP1 and LMP2 cars, which range from 500 hp to 700 hp but are much higher strung)
In this light I struggle with so few cars on their grids that can actually race each other. Here I feel that Grand-Am has the upper hand (again, I'm setting aside the tech part of the equation so no flames!) by having fewer classes and full of cars that are relatively easy to get and run.
So I am elated to see that ALMS have chosen to permit a new spec-racer prototype division--to be called the LMP Challenge that will join their grid this coming year in an effort to boost car counts and competition amongst the drivers and teams.
I've learned from their own postings that the LMP Challenge was introduced earlier this year as part of the Le Mans Series in Europe and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It is there that the ORECA Courage-built FLM09 that comprises the class with a minimum weight of 900 kg (1985 pounds to us colonials, or 142 Stone to our English friends) which is similar to its LMP 1&2 classmates. However this thing will have a good old American pushrod Chevy 6.2 liter Vee-Eight loping along at 6000 revs (450 hp, 460 lb ft torque). (this is a bit less powerful than the LMP1 and LMP2 cars, which range from 500 hp to 700 hp but are much higher strung)
Based on my own personal behaviour with these engines this bad boy ought to live for a good 150,000 miles! Now that is a deal!
The LMP Challenge car is positioned as an affordable entry to prototype racing. The whole enchilada with engine will cost $385,000, according to the ALMS. To be called the FLM09, it comes with a full carbon-fiber chassis, carbon brakes and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. This new class car will race on a spec tire, brand to be determined.
With luck this new Franco-American hot-rod based class will grow and become a sustainable high-count class where we will see a lot of multi-car action which has been missing for a while.
The LMP Challenge car is positioned as an affordable entry to prototype racing. The whole enchilada with engine will cost $385,000, according to the ALMS. To be called the FLM09, it comes with a full carbon-fiber chassis, carbon brakes and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. This new class car will race on a spec tire, brand to be determined.
With luck this new Franco-American hot-rod based class will grow and become a sustainable high-count class where we will see a lot of multi-car action which has been missing for a while.
My fingers are crossed.
Later, PC
Later, PC
posted by Price Cobb at 9:43 AM
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