The ALMS: A fan’s eulogy “for the series.”
 

Tomorrow's Petit Le Mans marks the end of the ALMS, one of the best and most storied endurance racing series to ever grace the shores of North America. For the true fans of this series, tomorrow's Petit marks the final nail in the coffin of a once great racing series established under the creed and motto “for the fans.”

For the past few years, it seems to me that the ALMS has lost its way from its original purpose. Changing rules combined with questionable TV packages and prohibitive costs have driven some of the competition as well as fans away to other racing series. The class fields of today are a shallow pittance of yesterday's glory. One by one manufacturers and teams have left the fold. What once were only support race cars and racers have joined, and now make up most of the field. Gone from the ranks of P1 and P2 are the fan favorite prototypes of Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Porsche, replaced with Chevy powered Spec racers and a few Acura, Nissan and Mazda powered P1 and P2 cars.

What does the future hold? If the recent history of unified racing is any form of harbinger for the future, the ALMS will be assimilated into the USCR series and all vestiges of the ALMS will eventually be rooted out. When the Champ Car Series “reunified” with Indy Car, the rules, teams and cars shortly became “assimilated” into the “Borg” that is Indy Car. I fear the same will happen to the ALMS. Slowly but surely the North American connection to Le Mans will be lost. Slowly but surely I feel the new USCR Series will become a watered down NASCAR type series. Adjust the rules slightly so this manufacturer we like will have an advantage over that one. Who will be the hero and the villain this week? Scripted racing for a reality-show crowd. In other words “Wrastling” for the masses.

So, if you have Fox Sports 2 (I don't) watch the race tomorrow or watch the truncated highlight coverage this Sunday on Fox Sports 1. Once again, it seems an exceptional TV coverage package designed more for the benefit of the broadcaster and less “for the fans.”

R.I.P. and thank you ALMS. I held strong and have attended many races throughout these glory years. It was a great ride and you will be sorrowfully missed. Spill a little beer on the carpet tomorrow in remembrance of a great series for me.

Great commentary Aragron. Unfortunately I agree with all you say. First Tony George trying to be a little Hitler with Indy car. In turns out he was just a little man with a huge ego. Imagine your family firing you? Then the Francis' strong arm, (actually the Francis' have been doing that for decades as we all know), tactics to everything racing. From tracks to teams to series'. The Borg analogy is perfect. They even screwed Lime Rock Park here in Ct. I went to the last Grand Am race. I spoke with a gentlemen that said the new series wanted LRP to make various improvements to the track grounds which Skip Barber was willing to do. He just wanted a guarantee the series would come to the track. They would not. So no major race at LRP next year. The track was fine for ALMS & Grand Am separately as is but not good enough for the combined series? Oh CRASHCAR owns Watkins Glen which they will be racing, you all can do the math.

I'm not sure I'll be giving the Francis' any more $ for for their vaults. I hope they put on a great 'show'.

RIP ALMS

I agree completely. Spec racing is boring.

Have always enjoyed ALMS.

I'll be there tomorrow celebrating all the ALMS has given me in racing memories.

Sad.

Truly.

Any hope for real racing in the U.S. died with the death of Champ Car. RIP.





FTG.

Lots of great memories from the Petit ... planning on watching as Fox Sports 1 has coverage later this evening.

Going to miss ALMS !

It would be a sad story if not for the FIA-WEC here:

FIA World Endurance Championship − Official Website

The start in Fuji is 10 hours from now.

Audi vs. Toyota

I prefer the live coverage over AMLS also.

There are usually several internet sites with live coverage.

Usually no TV coverage in U.S.

No intent to hi-jack. Just lifting some spirits.

+1
It's nice seeing a Porsche and knowing it's a Porsche, an Aston, Corvette, Ferrari, Viper etc etc. It's kinda like every kid getting a trophy.