Article request?

GRM,

I have a request for an article. Now that professional road racing is making a comeback, and you are sponsoring at least one of them, can you do an article on them? I just realized that I have no idea what all the different series, sanctioning bodies, and cars even are. I know there's a production-based one, and a class that looks the same but with tube frames, and I don't know which is which.

Also, where did each of these series and classes come from? I remember the Koni Challenge, but now it's Continental right? What was it before Koni? Can you include a chart?

It would just be nice to have kind of a "Field Guide" to modern professional road racing, especially if it included the TV schedule, how to watch online (ESPN3, Hulu, etc), and the race dates. Maybe make it a yearly feature?

A chart like this for each series would be really helpful (and I'm sure mine is wrong):

American LeMans Series (ALMS): Classes:

• P1 (begat from IMSA Prototype, identical to International P1 at LeMans)
• P2 (begat from IMSA GTO, identical to International P2 at LeMans)
• GT1 (tube frame production cars, similar to SCCA GT1/Trans Am, begat from IMSA GTU)
• GT2 (production cars on original chassis)

Does that make sense?

I'm wondering if the IMSA, TransAM history has significance here? Any way we have 3(?) sanctioning bodies for professional sports car racing. Grand AM (nascar), ACO (fia), and SCCA.

SCCA has the World Challenge, that is about all I know there.

ACO has the ALMS with classes mostly following LMS so P1, P2, PC, GT1(with no cars), GT2, GTC

Grand AM has Rolex Series with DP and GT. and Continental Tire Series with G? and ST classes

And do any of those cross-pollinate? For example, SCCA Trans Am now has 3 classes, TA1 (GT1), TA2 (???), and TA3 (???). The SCCA GT1 and ALMS GT1 don't match though.

Rolex is 24H of Daytona, and ALMS is 12H of Sebring, right? Any teams run both? Which classes are the "same"?

The IMSA / T/A significance is where in the heck did these classes all come from. I know IMSA used to be huge in the US and we had GTO and GTU classes, plus a Challenge series (did that become Koni Challenge?). When we talk about cool old race cars like the GT6 that GRM restored, or a Porsche 962, it would be nice to know what the "modern" version is.

http://www.racersimc.com/pages/sanctioning-bodies

Looks like it might be a year or two out of date - still showing grand-am with the koni challenge instead of continental tires...

imirk wrote: I'm wondering if the IMSA, TransAM history has significance here? Any way we have 3(?) sanctioning bodies for professional sports car racing. Grand AM (nascar), ACO (fia), and SCCA. SCCA has the World Challenge, that is about all I know there. ACO has the ALMS with classes mostly following LMS so P1, P2, PC, GT1(with no cars), GT2, GTC Grand AM has Rolex Series with DP and GT. and Continental Tire Series with G? and ST classes

Is NASA already included in that? American Iron, Spec Miata/E30/944. Or are you just talking about televised racing?

Yes! Please include NASA and SCCA's semi-pro stuff! PCA/POC as well, and any other small santioning body that can be considered at least semi-professional.

I agree, I think this is a great yearly article idea.

Or make it online feature, filled with links to sacntioning body/team/driver/race track web sites, etc.

Interestingly I saw a 93-95 RX7 running in Trans Am at Sebring.

SCCA Pro Racing:
World Challenge
Trans Am
MX-5 Pro Cup
Dodge Viper Cup

NASA Pro Racing:
944 Spec
986 Boxster
American Iron
Camaro/Mustang Challenge™
Factory Five Challenge
German Touring Series
Honda Challenge
Performance Touring
Showroom Spec Miata
Spec 3
Spec E30
Spec Miata
Super Touring/Super Unlimited

IMSA:
ALMS (premier races include the 12 hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans)
1. LMP1 Fast prototypes top cars are diesels, but gas cars are quickly resurging.
2. LMP2 Failure of a class, previously dominated by Penske Porsche RS Spyders
3. LMPC very cheap way of racing prototypes. Spec chassis powered by spec LS engines
4. GTE Pro and GTE Am Grand Touring Cars (Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, BMW M3, Ferrari 458, Corvette C6.R, etc.)
5. GTC Spec class that is currently limited to Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars (similar to the specification that Grand Am uses for Porsche)
GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama

ACO (Automobile Club de l'Ouest) 24 Hours of Le Mans
24 Hours of Le Mans Moto
Le Mans Classic
French motorcycle Grand Prix
1000km of Le Mans
American Le Mans Series
European Le Mans Series
Le Mans Series (formerly Le Mans Endurance Series)
Japan Le Mans Challenge
Asian Le Mans Series
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup
Incorporates the 12 hours of Sebring, the 1000K of Spa, the 24 hours of Le Mans, the 6 hours of Imola, the 6 hours of Silverstone, Petit Le Mans, and the 6 hours of China.)

Formula Le Mans

Grand AM (premier race is the season opener 24 hours of Daytona)
Rolex Sports Car Series (started in 99 as competition to the IMSA's ALMS. This series uses a fairly restrictive specification and performance balancing as a way of maintaining competition. Dominated over the last few years by Chip Ganassi's team.)

1. Daytona Prototypes. Slow as Prototypes go, they are similar to the NASCAR of road racing. Spec wings and greenhouses, however they are allowed 4 different chassis manufacturers and can be powered by a BMW V8, a Chevy V8, a Ford V8, a Porsche V8 (though not endorsed by the factory), or a Porsche flat 6.

2. Grand Touring. Slow as GT's go. Similar to FIA GT3 specifications, but certain GT3 cars are not allowed to compete, lately taken over by Porsche and Mazda, though the Porsches are monocoque cars while the Mazdas are tube framed.

Grand Am Continental Tire Challenge 1. Grand Sport. Primarily for Front Engined rear drive powerhouses, but Porsches are also allowed here. Dominated in recent history by Mustangs and M3s.

1. Street Touring. Primarily for Front Engined Front Drive cars, won the last two years by Compass 360 Civic Sis.

Ferrari Challenge Series (spec ferraris for rich dudes.)

Indycar IZOD Indycar (premier event is the Indy 500. Similar to the NASCAR of open wheel series. Spec wings, spec engines, spec chassis, spec tire...No blocking allowed as per the rules...lame) Firestone Indy Lights (Lame Light!)

FIA
Formula 1 (the pinnacle of motorsport!)
WRC (1.6 liter turbocharged all wheel drive rally cars dominated by a french dude in a Citroen)
World Touring Car Championship (nobody in America knows or cares about this)
Formula 2 (not nearly as cool as the good old days, but...it is racing)
FIA GT1 championships (Mostly outdated LMGT1 cars that are no longer eligible for Le Mans...Maserati, Chevy GT1 Corvettes, as well as Nissan GT-Rs compete here)

FIA GT3 (This is where the excitement is...if you can ever catch it, maybe on a torrent somewhere. Eligible cars include McLaren MP4-12C, Porsche 911, Ferrari 430 Scuderia, BMW Alpina, Ford GT, Aston Martin Rapide GT3, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ford Mustang, Lamborghini LP560-4, BMW Z4, Lamborghini Gallardo, Corvette Z06)

Various other FIA Karting, Endurance, Formula, Rally and Hillclimb championships.

NASCAR NASCAR Sprint Cup - 43 douchebags driving in circles in Spec "cars of tomorrow"
NASCAR Nationwide Series - Younger and less experienced group of douchebags driving in circles in Spec "Pony Cars"
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series - Older and worn out group of douchebags driving in circles in Spec "Trucks"

ARCA The fuel injected version of NASCAR.

What else do you have questions on? If there is one thing I know, it is international road racing!

And I was going to say, "Just ask Maroon92"

I can probably name 90 percent of the teams and drivers in each series also.

If you want to get into vintage or retired series like IMSA GT, or Can Am, or Trans Am (face it, the current trans am is not the same series), or any of those, I could talk for hours.

SpeedTV / Fox- F1, Grand Am, 24 hours of Le Mans, NASCAR.

Versus - IRL and World Challenge

ABC / ESPN3 / X Bawks 360 - ALMS (hopefully ILMC as well)

Discovery HD Theater - WRC (delayed about 2 weeks from live)

WRC is 1.6L Turbo engines this year. And while I don't care about WTCC, I LOVE BTCC.

z31maniac wrote: WRC is 1.6L Turbo engines this year. And while I don't care about WTCC, I LOVE BTCC.

You are right...My bad.

I can probably name 90 percent of the teams and drivers in each series also.

I can make you forget your own name in about a half hour. See you at the Mitty.

poopshovel wrote:

I can probably name 90 percent of the teams and drivers in each series also.

I can make you forget your own name in about a half hour. See you at the Mitty.

Minderasers FTMFW!

Maroon92 wrote: I can probably name 90 percent of the teams and drivers in each series also. If you want to get into vintage or retired series like IMSA GT, or Can Am, or Trans Am (face it, the current trans am is not the same series), or any of those, I could talk for hours.

GRM is hiring...Im just sayin

In reply to Maroon92:

Dude write the article and submit it. For that fact you could probably make it a series.

Toyman01 wrote: In reply to Maroon92: Dude write the article and submit it. For that fact you could probably make it a series.

THIS^^^...

SRSLY

4cylndrfury wrote:

Toyman01 wrote: In reply to Maroon92: Dude write the article and submit it. For that fact you could probably make it a series.

THIS^^^... SRSLY

Agreed!!!

4cylndrfury wrote:

Maroon92 wrote: I can probably name 90 percent of the teams and drivers in each series also. If you want to get into vintage or retired series like IMSA GT, or Can Am, or Trans Am (face it, the current trans am is not the same series), or any of those, I could talk for hours.

GRM is hiring...Im just sayin

Don't worry, my application is going to be sent in right before the deadline. I fully believe that recency is a stronger mental process than primacy. Besides, work always expands to the time allotted for it.

So, does the GRM forum want to be one of my professional references? LOL!