Minus one 430 in ALMS (for now anyway) | FerrariChat

Minus one 430 in ALMS (for now anyway)

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by jknight, Jan 18, 2008.

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  1. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    Lots of talk lately about PWL and ALMS. It's official now that the two prinicpal parties are going separate ways and no racing for now in ALMS. They were reported to focus on Dakar 2008 but then the cancellation, now reported headed to SA but encountering problems there.

    Here's what was reported on Autosport:

    Two-time American Le Mans Series GT2 champions Petersen/White Lightning have been forced to withdraw from the series after the two parties split.

    Petersen Motorsports and White Lightning Racing joined forces in 1998 to contest sportscars, following a prolonged stint in off-road racing.

    However, despite achieving title-winning success in 2005 and 2006, Petersen Motorsports have opted to return to rallying in 2008, and with White Lightning unable to secure a new partner before the start of the season, the team will take a year out.

    Team owner Michael Petersen, who returned to rallying in the 2007 Dakar Rally, said: "This was a difficult decision. We have had such a great run of success in the ALMS and at Le Mans, but it was time to make the decision and I am really enjoying my time in off-road racing again.

    "The ALMS is a great series but I feel like this is absolutely the right decision for Petersen Motorsports at this time."

    PWL, who have also scored two Le Mans 24 Hours class victories, have been one of the most successful GT2 teams in ALMS. Team manager Eric Dale will now target a return to action in 2009.

    He said: "Unfortunately, this ends a long tradition with Mike and I want to thank him for his support. We have had a lot of success together in sports car racing.

    "White Lightning Racing is eager to continue in the ALMS and we are actively working to get our programme back in place as soon as possible."

    PWL switched from Porsche to Ferrari in 2007, winning once on the way to second in the overall standings.

    * * * *

    Carol
     
  2. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,406
    That's a bummer. It's too bad that the Dakar got canceled and also unfortunate that they'll be no PWL Ferraris racing in the mix with the other cars. However, Tafel and Risi will take up some of the slack. Maybe we'll even see Krohn at some races.
     
  3. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    I think the Ferrari competition will be between Risi and Corsa - I think Tafel will have quite a bit of learning with the 430 whereas Corsa has Johnny Mowlem driving for them and the owner as I recall is/was a Ferrari Challenge driver. I hope whoever drives the second Risi will fair better than Krohn. I'd like to see them with Remo and Ferrari of Ontario again with drivers from FIA-GT Ferraris. Wishful thinking! (I really like the PWL tape scheme on their 430).

    Carol
     
  4. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,406
    Oh, I forgot about Corsa. Maybe a Stefane Ortelli/Gimmi Bruni pairing??

    Hoping for another successful season.
     
  5. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    I think the only Tafel 430 that will be competitive will be #71 with Farnbacher and Dirk Muller (Muller drove FIA GT with Mika in one race and Toni Vilander the remainder of races for AF Corse.)

    Ortelli is driving in LMS in LMP1 with Team ORECA-Matmut. I thought I saw somewhere that Bruni was listed driving a P2 car this year.

    You're absolutely correct - hoping for another successful season. But . . .with the way IMSA is "playing" with the ACO rules for Le Mans cars in ALMS, I wouldn't blame Audi if they did an Aston Martin. To me, it seems that playing with the rules will help you be a winner in your backyard, but prevents you from having to play with the big boys.

    Carol
     
  6. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,406
    We're just going to have to wait until Sebring and see how this season plays out. I just would like to see to great competitive races across all the series'. Tough to do with all the different rules and frequency of "rule adjustments". For now, I'll watch the the Daytona 24 hr to keep me content.
     
  7. stever

    stever F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 18, 2006
    4,649
    West. Wisconsin
    Full Name:
    Steve R
    An IMSA guy at Road America 2007 said that they change the rules once during the season. So, along with changes prior to the start there are 2 changes per year...is that your understanding?

    While 2 changes/year may be 2 too many, I had previously thought there were far more.
     
  8. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    Here's a link to one of the new '08 Competitor Bulletins: http://www.imsaracing.net/2008/alms/bulletins/bulletin%20alms%2008-01.pdf

    I think there were far more changes when AMR was in GT1 beating the Corvettes.

    Papa G - Bruni is driving in LMS for Virgo Motorsports in a 430.

    Carol
     
  9. Adrift

    Adrift Formula Junior

    Aug 30, 2004
    749
    Dallas area
    They probably didn't like the preferential treatment Risi got in the ALMS last year. I wouldn't have.
     
  10. bmiller411

    bmiller411 Formula Junior

    May 6, 2004
    405
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bruce B Miller
    So you would like for a company to give cart blanch to a team that just starts with you over a team that only ran you? I don't think so...

    Risi is a dealer and has only ran Ferraries since the company was racing. PWL just moved over to Ferrari because one they received a special deal from another team on the car and two the Posrsche was not competative anymore. There is a great differents in operations.
     
  11. Adrift

    Adrift Formula Junior

    Aug 30, 2004
    749
    Dallas area
    Let me get this straight. Despite the fact ALMS is a SPORT and everyone is supposed to have equal chances to win...favoritism by the hosting organization is acceptable?

    Wow, remind me not to play you in any sports. Corruption R Us.
     
  12. bmiller411

    bmiller411 Formula Junior

    May 6, 2004
    405
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bruce B Miller
    I was talking about Ferrari not ALMS. As I see it, all rules by ALMS had been met. If they had been broken, proper penalties where delt out.
    But when it comes to rules and views we all have our own views.
     
  13. Adrift

    Adrift Formula Junior

    Aug 30, 2004
    749
    Dallas area
    I realized later you must have been talking about Ferrari (instead of the ALMS organization), which you rightly point out has the right to "favor" anyone they wish, of course at the risk of alienating potential racing customers.

    I was referring to what many perceive as PWL and Enge getting the shaft compared to what happened to Risi/Salo after intentionally ramming a car, and then admitting it on a TV interview. There is no way such conduct did not deserve some sort of severe penalty (multi-race suspension, driver expulsion), and absolutely NOTHING happened. Zippo (except for the short in-race stop-n-go). That ain't right.

    The whole GT2 category/competition lost much of its credibility at that point.
     
  14. jknight

    jknight F1 Veteran

    Oct 30, 2004
    7,821
    Central Texas
    PWL 430 is listed for sale on DSC.

    Carol
     

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