Article copied from local newspaper: "Bowmanville -- Canada's biggest sports car racing event of the year, The Grand Prix of Mosport, will move to a new date for the 2007 season. Mosport International Raceway will host the American Le Mans Series on Aug. 24-26, one week earlier than the Labour Day weekend slot it held in 2005 and 2006. Once again Mosport is the only Canadian round in the Series. The expanded 12-race lineup opens March 17 at Sebring, Fla. and wraps up in Monterey, Calif. on Oct. 20. There are three new venues on the schedule, with stops at Long Beach, Detroit and St. Petersburg. The top Series teams and drivers will also compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June. "We're really excited about this new date and continuing our eight year association with the American Le Mans Series to bring world-class sports car racing to the Toronto area and Canadian motorsports fans in 2007," said Mosport's President and General Manager, Myles Brandt. "The Grand Prix of Mosport's rise in popularity mirrors the Growth of the Series. The addition of new markets like Detroit and Long Beach, along with new manufacterers like Acura, shows the popularity of this brand of racing. With talented hometown racers like Ron Fellows and Scott Maxwell competing at the top level of sports car racing, it's great that the Toronto area is on the schedule and a part of this fast-growing form of motorsports. Mosport's proud to be the host." Established in 1999 (the same year as the American Le Mans Series), the Grand Prix of Mosport will be the ninth race of the 2007 season and will be broadcast live across North America on the SPEED network. Tickets will go on sale Dec. 1.
The '07 sked came out at Petit Le Mans - disappointed with the date change for Mosport giving the Labor Day weekend race to Belle Isle in Detroit. Portland went away in '07 for a street course in FL. Street courses can't even begin to compare to real race circuits. I was just glad Mosport didn't get the axe too. Carol
Detroit/Belle Isle with the IRL Long Beach with Champ Car Mid-Ohio with IRL July 21-22 2 new races without deleting any road courses. ALMS is growing. I thought it interesting that the press release for Mid-Ohio today said CBS would cover the ALMS race on Saturday, but no announcement of TV for the Sunday IRL race available.
Hi Michael! Yes Portland went away in '07. March 12 - Sebring March 31 - St. Petersburg April 14 - Long Beach April 21 - Houston May 19 - Salt Lake City July 7 - Lime Rock July 21 - Mid-Ohio August 11 - Road America August 26 - Mosport September 1 - Detroit October 6 - Road Atlanta October 20 - Laguna Seca Hope to see you at one of them again in '07. Carol
Although the pit lane access to the cars is better at Mid-Ohio I love Road Atlanta. The elevation changes, the setting. It's on my list for 2007. I also recognize the history that is Mosport. This is turning into what's up next year in AMLS. Porsches to supply the Spider as customer cars. Acuras in LMP2 with at least 2 teams. AMLS backing off the weight penalties, maybe. I'm sure I'll see you somewhere in 2007.
Carol, the Detroit race is really not a city street race. It is being held on Belle Isle which is a beautiful place to watch a race. Please give it a chance. We need all the help we can get here in the Motor City and Penske is doing a great job trying to support the area. George
Bobby Rahal announced yesterday that Rahal-Letterman racing would field one entry in ALMS GT2 class for 2007. Who would drive, or what kind of car was not revealed. Hmmm, what kind of car would Bobby have a deal with to run against the 430s, Astons, and Porsches? An M6?
I was thinking maybe something sponsored by one of the makes from his car dealerships. That leads to BMW, Aston, Jag. The others are Lexus, Honda, Acura, Volvo, M-Benz, of which I see no model that fits. If you see him at Laguna, look for logo's.
OK Carol and Yzee. Lets have the Ferrari scoop for next year . I know you guys are holding out on us. Two full factory backed 430's maybe? Haha. Penske Sunoco dark blue 430's, something with Scuderia Filipinetti or a sweet pair of 430's or 599's with a touch of baby-blue on the nose, from Maranello Concessionaires. Oh come on a guy can dream, can't he? Ah back to reality. Any chance of more 430 teams or somebody running a 599. I hope they are developing the 599 right now instead of messing around till 08. I hate to say it but the technology on the 599 will be old news by then. If Ferrari were really serious about road-racing they would have Michelotto or whoever start developing the race model as soon as development on the street model was done at the factory level. If I remember correctly it was a while after 430's and 360's were available that the full-race (not challenge)version was available.
Hi Bob - I can tell you that earlier today at Laguna Seca I passed a guy wearing a white shirt with something like the following embroidered: Rahal Letterman Porsche Racing. What has my curosity peaked is WHY the FXX program? Not street legal, only certain number built, they choose the "owners", car stay in Maranello, full factory support to run the car, not enough for homologation for street . . .what's the purpose?? I had this wild idea that the FXX might be the one but nah . . . the ones to watch are Scuderia Ecosse as they seem to be amongst the front runners for the 430 - next to Guiseppe, could they be the ones for the 599 in GT1 (I assume that's where it belongs). No better yet Bob and Michael - I have the solution - the three of us will be the next generation Ferrari LMP effort. Well, you must admit it sounds good but highly improbable. A gal can dream can't she??? I'm hoping for some answers to my questions next weekend when I'm at Monza for the Finali Mondali - the FXX's are on the schedule for Saturday and Sunday. There's suppose to be a big F1 tribute to Michael too. We've kinda taken a path away from the original title but guess that's normal with most of these threads. Back to the original thread - I'm not totally enamoured with the date change because of the Texas mandate for the start of school for the '07-'08 year as Mosport falls the first weekend after school starts. Never say never, I'll figure out a way to be there!!! Enjoy the race tomorrow at Laguna Seca 'cuz you guys are going to see way more than us!!! Carol PS - Michelloti (sp) was behind the 430 for Scuderia Ecosse
