Questions... Questions... Questions

[dysonfan]

I was thinking about somethings today and was wondering if anyone had some insight.

When/If Acura moves up to P1 next year, what happens to the P2 teams? Do they all move up, or is there going to be a new team or two for P1?

If Audi is canning the R10, what are the odds of another team picking them up and running them as a privateer?

Intersport and Autocon have trouble keeping up with the P2 cars even though they are P1. Is this due to the equipment not being up to snuff, old, or is it the teams?

And does anyone else think that Ferrari will be in P1 or P2 soon? maybe not '09, but '10 I could see.

Just some food for though.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by dysonfan

I was thinking about somethings today and was wondering if anyone had some insight.

When/If Acura moves up to P1 next year, what happens to the P2 teams? Do they all move up, or is there going to be a new team or two for P1?

If Audi is canning the R10, what are the odds of another team picking them up and running them as a privateer?

Intersport and Autocon have trouble keeping up with the P2 cars even though they are P1. Is this due to the equipment not being up to snuff, old, or is it the teams?

And does anyone else think that Ferrari will be in P1 or P2 soon? maybe not '09, but '10 I could see.

Just some food for though.

The first one IMO is the monster of the group!

All three current teams have shown the ability to run at the sharp end so any of them could run a P-1 IMO. The teams own the cars but do they own the engines or is it a lease program? Meaning will the cars be allowed to compete by Acura, if not I am sure it was/is in the contracts and everyone was aware at the beginning. That being said, all (4) of the teams have big time sponsorship that probably want to run in P-1 so the desire is probably there. Will Acura want/need 4 teams in P-1? Maybe one of the teams takes on a second car while 3 teams move to P-1 and 2 P-2's are for sale? So many possibilities!

The new Audi prototype, if there is one, will surely be based on the TDI diesel engine so therefore I doubt that Audi will let anyone run them.

The Intersport and Autocon situation is due to both of the reasons suggested to a degree IMO.

I do not nor have not seen any indication from Ferrari that they wish to go Prototype racing. Heck they do not even race in GT with a "works" car. So that IMO would be a no.

[Nick Koske]

I'll Play

Originally Posted by dysonfan

When/If Acura moves up to P1 next year, what happens to the P2 teams? Do they all move up, or is there going to be a new team or two for P1?

Well if Acura takes all four teams to run 1 car each to P1 that would pretty much go against everything we've seen in the P1 category in the recent history. It probably depends if they decide to run the P1 car as a true factory program or not.

I worry more if they'll actually make the step up next year. It's been their intentions from the start, but we haven't heard much of a plan as of yet...and if they're serious about it they should be testing a car by late summer, maybe early fall.

Originally Posted by dysonfan

If Audi is canning the R10, what are the odds of another team picking them up and running them as a privateer?

Audi doesn't seem interested in selling their cars. I'm sure they could have sold at least one if they wanted to. Being a true marketing program they probably don't want anyone make the four rings look bad.

Originally Posted by dysonfan

Intersport and Autocon have trouble keeping up with the P2 cars even though they are P1. Is this due to the equipment not being up to snuff, old, or is it the teams?

I'd go in this order from the biggest reason they're not quick to the smallest:
1. Drivers
2. Teams/Preparation
3. Equipment

Of course, IMO.

Originally Posted by dysonfan

And does anyone else think that Ferrari will be in P1 or P2 soon? maybe not '09, but '10 I could see.

I really haven't heard much about Ferrari entering the prototype ranks...so i really don't have any comments here.

[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

I'll Play


I'd go in this order from the biggest reason they're not quick to the smallest:
1. Drivers
2. Teams/Preparation
3. Equipment

Of course, IMO.

Fair argument aside from Jon Field. Honestly, in equal equipment, I think he could definitely hold is own. And... in that scenario, I wouldn't want my name to be Sascha... LOL!

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by John Thawley

Fair argument aside from Jon Field. Honestly, in equal equipment, I think he could definitely hold is own. And... in that scenario, I wouldn't want my name to be Sascha... LOL!

Until he tries to out brakes a bunch of cars going in T1 and can't make the corner, ala Long Beach. Do have to give it to him though because he did a good job not taking anyone with him.

John is quick for a gentleman and he can keep cars from passing him in a car with good acceleration (ie...P1 vs. P2), but put him in a Spyder or an Acura and I think he'd have a harder time keeping the top P2s behind him.

I'd say John and Chris Dyson would duke it out for the best gentleman driver in the ALMS.

[Hallen]

Originally Posted by Nick Koske

Until he tries to out brakes a bunch of cars going in T1 and can't make the corner, ala Long Beach. Do have to give it to him though because he did a good job not taking anyone with him.

John is quick for a gentleman and he can keep cars from passing him in a car with good acceleration (ie...P1 vs. P2), but put him in a Spyder or an Acura and I think he'd have a harder time keeping the top P2s behind him.

I'd say John and Chris Dyson would duke it out for the best gentleman driver in the ALMS.

I have to say that all of that is the real difference between a "gentleman" driver and a real pro, isn't it? Consistency and judgement, neither of which John Field seems to show. I am not trying to be mean; I would be much worse than John, I am sure, but facts are facts.

I just wish these rich guys would fund the ALMS teams and participate that way and save their driving efforts for SCCA or NASA. I guess I can't have my cake and eat it too though.

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by Hallen

I have to say that all of that is the real difference between a "gentleman" driver and a real pro, isn't it? Consistency and judgement, neither of which John Field seems to show. I am not trying to be mean; I would be much worse than John, I am sure, but facts are facts.

Yup...this is where Chris Dyson has Jon...Chris seems pretty consistent, IMO.

[dysonfan]

anyone else pondering things like this, or am I the only one that needs a life? haha

[John Thawley]

Originally Posted by dysonfan

anyone else pondering things like this, or am I the only one that needs a life? haha

Hey... I'm just scratching my head trying to figure out where the hell I was when Chris Dyson suddenly became consistent.

[Nick Koske]

Originally Posted by John Thawley

Hey... I'm just scratching my head trying to figure out where the hell I was when Chris Dyson suddenly became consistent.

Well compared to Jon...its all relative right?