Le Mans Series '09'

[HORNDAWG]

Well with the LMS drawing to a close, and the Finale to be run this weekend, I thought I would kick off next years thread.


Fredy Lienhard (Lista) not participating in 09', so Horag is looking for funded drivers to field the Porsche Spyder. link

[Canada ALMS fan]

I just assumed Fredy owned the RS Spyder? Evidently not. He owned the MC12 that ran Road America & Petit last year. At Sebring he said how frustrated he was waiting for Ferrari to get it repaired from the PLM damage.

[John Dagys]

Originally Posted by Canada ALMS fan

I just assumed Fredy owned the RS Spyder? Evidently not. He owned the MC12 that ran Road America & Petit last year. At Sebring he said how frustrated he was waiting for Ferrari to get it repaired from the PLM damage.

He does own the RS Spyders. He has two. (one spare). I don't know what's going on to be honest, I'll have to email my contact. According to the ad, it sounds like Lienhard is indeed giving up the driving duties, but may be still involved one way or another.

Oh and the MC12 has been repaired by now. But there are no plans for it to go racing. They want to use it as a museum piece now.

[John Dagys]

Oh and also note the ad stating Six LMS races for 2009.

I think this is the first we've heard about that, no?

I wonder what the schedule will look like. There were rumors of Brno or Porto getting added, so maybe one of those would be the additions?

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by John Dagys

Oh and also note the ad stating Six LMS races for 2009.

I think this is the first we've heard about that, no?

I wonder what the schedule will look like. There were rumors of Brno or Porto getting added, so maybe one of those would be the additions?

Possibly Shanghai, as they are trying to get the Asian series started. ??

[Canada ALMS fan]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Possibly Shanghai, as they are trying to get the Asian series started. ??

That's my first guess as well. Thanks John for the info. I always cheer for Didier & Fredy and was there unfortunately to see the MC12 hit the wall. That is an amazing machine.

[John Dagys]

Originally Posted by HORNDAWG

Possibly Shanghai, as they are trying to get the Asian series started. ??

No. Shanghai and Fuji are confirmed as rounds of the 2009 Asian Le Mans Series. It will run separate of the LMS, and will be hoping LMS (and American Le Mans Series teams) join in for the 2-race championship. The races will be run on back to back weekends in the fall next year, with the incentive of an auto entry to Le Mans for each class champion.

[HORNDAWG]

Originally Posted by John Dagys

He does own the RS Spyders. He has two. (one spare). I don't know what's going on to be honest, I'll have to email my contact. According to the ad, it sounds like Lienhard is indeed giving up the driving duties, but may be still involved one way or another.

Oh and the MC12 has been repaired by now. But there are no plans for it to go racing. They want to use it as a museum piece now.

Yes Fredy is retiring after Silverstone, Lienhard and Markus Hotz (Horag) go back forever, Fredy is letting Markus use the Spyder(s) in 09' and will then be retired (both? I doubt) to a racing museum in Romanshorn, Switzerland that Lienhard is building. That is probably where the MC12 will end up also.

[HORNDAWG]

Well from Cotton we get

"Toyota, which has yet to confirm or announce its programme, though the rumour mill at Silverstone suggested that the hybrid had already tested."

So maybe another hybrid on the scene in '09' running/testing for 2010 in the LMS or ALMS?

[HORNDAWG]

Embassy Racing Closes Its Doors

Embassy Racing has announced today that the doors to its two car Le Mans Series racing efforts have been closed to business. full release @ DSC free

These teams are dropping like flys! First Van Merksteijn, then Essex, apparently Rollcentre too, and now Embassy! Things are not looking too good in the European prototype world. At the rate it's going, the ALMS may outnumber LMS in entries next year!!!

Some of the teams are indeed closing down due to economic downturn.

The Van Merksteijn car is for sale, but I doubt this has anything to do with the current economical problems. Peter van Merksteijn wanted to win Le Mans and did it.

For next year the team is aiming to run in all European rounds of the WRC with a pair of Ford Focus WRCs. No decision made on status, could be semi-works M2 team or privateer Priority 2.

Wondering if this effects Radio Le Mans coverage of the lms for next year