Adios Houston

[porschefan]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/car/5588578.html

Houston appears to be leaving the schedule.

[Todd Benne]

Yes it does
Houston

One of the unfortunate downfalls of the merger deal. The CCWS/IRL deal will have a ripple effect for 2008 at a minimum, to other series that were slated to share the CCWS events. More dominoes to fall I am sure.

[WMUCarGuy]

Bummer! I REALLY hope Road America doesn't get the axe as well... I'm planning on going.

[HawkBat]

I wouldn't' think they get rid of Road America. Since it is Road America's Premier race weekend, and if they did I would go just nuts, and such.

I am not that sad about Houston even going bye bye, my book there are too many street tracks at the start of the year, and a mess up at those events possibly takes out a team for a good portion of the year. I feel sorry though for the fans who can only see the ALMS at the track.

Well bye bye Houston.

Come on SEBRING!!!!

[HORNDAWG]

Yes other than the loss for fans in the region I don't find it a loss. It should be replaced next year with a natural terrain road course. Hopefully Portland ! This race should also be centered between LB and SLC around the first of May rather than 1 week after LB no matter where it lands.

[Bob C.]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Yes other than the loss for fans in the region I don't find it a loss. It should be replaced next year with a natural terrain road course. Hopefully Portland ! This race should also be centered between LB and SLC around the first of May rather than 1 week after LB no matter where it lands.

Ahhhhhh...Portland.

...the "Houston" of road courses.

VIR, here I come!

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by Bob C.

Ahhhhhh...Portland.

...the "Houston" of road courses.

LOL. As a race fan living in Western Canada ("the middle of nowhere" as Murphy puts it ) I would gladly welcome the ALMS back to Portland as that is the closest track to me by far unfortunately. My first CART race was there in '96 so it is a special place to me if no one else.

[Bob C.]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

LOL. As a race fan living in Western Canada ("the middle of nowhere" as Murphy puts it ) I would gladly welcome the ALMS back to Portland as that is the closest track to me by far unfortunately. My first CART race was there in '96 so it is a special place to me if no one else.

I love the city of Portland. I DON'T love PIR. Being city-owned, it's such a substandard facility compared to nearly every other track ALMS visits.

...and it doesn't make up for it in beauty.

...the way Mosport and Lime Rock do.

[John Thawley]

I'm not a fan of Portland either.

I think the ALMS / IMSA looked at VIR a few years back and it was determined the track is too narrow and would require modifications that the promoter is not willing to make. I also think ALMS is a little too "big league" and more than VIR's owners/board wants to deal with.

I would like to see egos moved aside and have the cars run at Watkins Glen. It's a shame... the history and ALMS cars are a good fit.

[fanta]

Originally Posted by Bob C.

VIR, here I come!

Ah, wouldn't that be great. I don't know how the track would deal with parking, but that place would amazing to an ALMS event.