I wonder if this is a brilliant idea to do in the LMS, ALMS needs it LMS doesn’t

I believe you’re right. The grid is pretty filled up, and will have plenty to see and enough competition already. These will only be moving chicanes for the P2 and P1 cars. And depending on who’s driving maybe even for the GT1 class

But I think the ALMS has been the main innovator between the two series and the LMS doesn’t want to be left behind if this happens to turn into a stroke of genius.

ALMS “innovator”? They have to do this to survive. Don’t ever let Americans think that they’re in charge. Btw, who invented Formula Le Mans? Richt, Europeans !!!!!!!!!

Innovation arises from the need for survival and necessity. This is innovation. The LMS is a much younger league than the ALMS. So they have to pay close attention because whatever the ALMS goes through they might come across it.

The ALMS made the ACO realise that the old P2 regs can actually give an advantage to P2 cars, the alternative fuels/energy efficiency goals, attracting manufacturers…etc.

Had there been no ALMS audi might have exited sportscar racing like other manufacturers, and porsche might have not focused on lemans racing as well. But with those two involved its helping bring in others as well now.

But you really have to not be paying attention to notice that the ALMS is the leader between the two series.

But Oreca did come up with formula lemans, and european firms build nearly all lemans prototypes and engines, so I’m not saying the american league is doing it all, but it’s the most advanced of the two.

Nope. What you ‘re telling about Audi ( concerning racing ALMS instead of LMS ) has only to do with marketing. They only wanted to race in the US because, for them, it was an emerging market. Now, numbers in ALMS have been declined, they don’t want to do all the races anymore, just Sebring and Petit Le Mans. In fact, Audi doesn’t agree that there is only one P1/P2 category in the US anymore… ALMS 27 cars ( including GT3 Porsches ), LMS 45 cars… Which is the leader??????? And Porsche races in every catagory which promotes their products…

Don’t go by the number of entries. It’s misleading. It takes the whole European union to field all those 45 entries. If one country can field nearly half of the entries of a whole continent…That says a lot. And that’s with barely any prize money being given out.

The LMS doesnt have a race that automatically qualifies a team for the 24h race. Petit lemans does. There’s simply a lot more manufacturer involvement in the ALMS because it’s a lot more progressive, has better TV coverage, bigger markets, more showcasing opportunities, and with the fact that it’s a single country, the advertising works the same everywhere.

The average team in the LMS will not be competitive in the ALMS because of the costs and development involved to stay competitive. For example last year P1 and P2 only had 2-3 serious contenders, but if you put those same cars in the LMS they would only place in the top 5 or better in class.

Bamba, right, you’re obvious American. ONE country with 50 states !!!! 310 million + 35 million Canadians = 345 million inhabitans in two (???) countries. European Union 490 million inhabitants ( 27 states ). Bigger Markets ??Price money in LMS?? Keep on dreaming… More manufacturer involvement is positive? Yeah right, look what’s happening in Formula 1… This was my last comment, i’m closing this discussion.

Good, so we agree the ALMS is the leading series, with stronger teams. Had a nice chat, take care.

@ Bamba

The ALMS is not the leading series… it was 3/4 years ago but not any more. North America market is as big as the European, the problem is that they have a very closed and restrict market and it´s obvious that an European manufacturer that already is established in europe, africa, south-america or asia, also want to establish themselves in north-america.

Why do you think that an manufacturer like Chevrolet as a works team in the WTCC? No to selling cars in america that’s for sure.

The question of who is or isn’t a strong team is very questionable… Pescarolo, Oreca, Rebellion are as strong as professional as a Higcroft or a Dyson. IMSA Matmut, Felbermayr, AF Corse aren’t less strong than a Flying Lizard or a Risi. The have a works GT2 Team, Corvette, but we also have now BMW Team Schintzer, who has decades of endurance experience. RML, OAK, ASM, are better teams that Cytosport, Autocon, Intersport or Corsa.

The best things in ALMS is the TV Coverage, but in america an average motorsport fan loves a lot of different motor racing, in europe, an average fan only cares about Formula 1. The other good thing is the ALMS is the showcasing opportunities but that as more to do with the good organization and the fact that they don’t fight directly with Le Mans (the ALMS is totally indifferent to Le Mans), the LMS does…

And, finally, there is the cultural side. America was and is very closed. They alway have their own sports… and in europe, we leave from the ‘World’ series, sanctioned by FIA, ACO or others…

They ain’t a simple ‘who as the biggest stick’ question…

@ Bamba, no, i don’t agree.
@ HR, your analysis is 95 % correct, BUT the LMS doesn’t fight with the ACO ( Le Mans ). Scruteneering in LMS is done by the ACO. Organisation is in hands of ACO with Philippe Peter, friend of Stephane Ratel, and so on, and so on…

@HD

That is precisely why i say that LMS has to compete with Le Mans. LMEO should be completely independent from ACO.