Corvette Racing to Skip Le Mans?
12-21-2008, 09:52 PM
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Corvette Racing to Skip Le Mans?
GM's situation could affect the half of the ALMS schedule for the C6.Rs this season, but according to the article, GM claims nothing is changing. I thought the last sentence was pretty interesting, but I would think GM gets a lot of information from the C6.R, and hardly any from NASCAR.
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20081218/FREE/812189981
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20081218/FREE/812189981
Corvette Racing to skip Le Mans?
General Motors says it is sticking to its plan to race its two GT1-class C6.Rs in the first half of next year.
Despite adamant denials from General Motors road-racing boss Steve Wesoloski, anonymous sources insist that Corvette Racing will skip the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans as the operation looks to cut costs by focusing solely on its move to the GT2 class in the second half of next season.
Corvette Racing's original plan for 2009 calls for the team to race its two GT1-class C6.Rs at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring to open the American Le Mans Series season, followed by appearances at Long Beach and Le Mans. The team would then contest select races in GT2 to finish the year, before a full-season GT2 effort in 2010. However, sources say that word came down recently to reduce the racing budget, and that cancellation of next year's GT1 outings is the solution.
But Wesoloski answered a call from AutoWeek on Thursday by saying, "It's not true" in response to the rumor, which was published first this week in the British racing magazine Autosport.
"We are still going ahead with our plans for a reduced program of Sebring, Long Beach and Le Mans," he said. "No one has come knocking to tell me otherwise.
"We are, of course, prepared for all eventualities. It all hinges on what happens in Washington [with financial bailout talks]."
At first glance, eliminating Le Mans from Corvette Racing's schedule seems unlikely. The team's budget is in place for next year, and contracts with sponsors and partner Pratt & Miller are in effect through 2010.
Wesoloski did not completely dismiss the possibility of pulling the plug on Le Mans--if indeed he is ordered to slash costs.
"[The 2009 GT1 operation] would be the place to start," he said. "[But] the difficulty is our sponsorship commitments. Due to the international exposure of Le Mans, it might end up costing us more not to do it."
Speaking at a GM press event in Detroit on Thursday, a high-ranking GM official said the company would quit NASCAR before it quit Le Mans.
General Motors says it is sticking to its plan to race its two GT1-class C6.Rs in the first half of next year.
Despite adamant denials from General Motors road-racing boss Steve Wesoloski, anonymous sources insist that Corvette Racing will skip the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans as the operation looks to cut costs by focusing solely on its move to the GT2 class in the second half of next season.
Corvette Racing's original plan for 2009 calls for the team to race its two GT1-class C6.Rs at the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring to open the American Le Mans Series season, followed by appearances at Long Beach and Le Mans. The team would then contest select races in GT2 to finish the year, before a full-season GT2 effort in 2010. However, sources say that word came down recently to reduce the racing budget, and that cancellation of next year's GT1 outings is the solution.
But Wesoloski answered a call from AutoWeek on Thursday by saying, "It's not true" in response to the rumor, which was published first this week in the British racing magazine Autosport.
"We are still going ahead with our plans for a reduced program of Sebring, Long Beach and Le Mans," he said. "No one has come knocking to tell me otherwise.
"We are, of course, prepared for all eventualities. It all hinges on what happens in Washington [with financial bailout talks]."
At first glance, eliminating Le Mans from Corvette Racing's schedule seems unlikely. The team's budget is in place for next year, and contracts with sponsors and partner Pratt & Miller are in effect through 2010.
Wesoloski did not completely dismiss the possibility of pulling the plug on Le Mans--if indeed he is ordered to slash costs.
"[The 2009 GT1 operation] would be the place to start," he said. "[But] the difficulty is our sponsorship commitments. Due to the international exposure of Le Mans, it might end up costing us more not to do it."
Speaking at a GM press event in Detroit on Thursday, a high-ranking GM official said the company would quit NASCAR before it quit Le Mans.
12-22-2008, 06:56 AM
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I don't know about Ford, but I would say if Chevrolet was to get out of NASCAR, Dodge would too since those two are in the worst shape. I don't know if Chevrolet would completely get out of NASCAR, or just scale back the number of teams it supports, or maybe just try to hold on to big name teams like Hendrick and RCR and Stewart Haas since Stewart and Chevy have a really good relationship.
12-24-2008, 07:03 AM
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12-24-2008, 03:32 PM
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While I really hate NASCAR (I prefer open wheel, esp. IRL) I think that would really hurt them since they have some of THE most popular teams and drivers. Although when you have to get a government loan, I understand that things will have to go, and I wouldn't be surprised to see at least a major cutback in sponsorship if not a complete withdrawal. Hooray for the Toyota and Ford (for now) show! 
12-24-2008, 09:58 PM
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sucks because a few years ago I used to watch it, but never do now. I agree.
I would hate to see them pull out of ALMS. its just a much better form of racing IMO. I finally had a chance to go to the Petit LeMans this year, and I am looking forward to going back next year. But with DHL porsche out of P2 and audi pulling out of P1 after sebring, it wont be the same if the C6R's aren't there.
the sound that they make is amazing...so much louder over the other cars.
I would hate to see them pull out of ALMS. its just a much better form of racing IMO. I finally had a chance to go to the Petit LeMans this year, and I am looking forward to going back next year. But with DHL porsche out of P2 and audi pulling out of P1 after sebring, it wont be the same if the C6R's aren't there.
the sound that they make is amazing...so much louder over the other cars.
12-24-2008, 11:00 PM
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sucks because a few years ago I used to watch it, but never do now. I agree.
I would hate to see them pull out of ALMS. its just a much better form of racing IMO. I finally had a chance to go to the Petit LeMans this year, and I am looking forward to going back next year. But with DHL porsche out of P2 and audi pulling out of P1 after sebring, it wont be the same if the C6R's aren't there.
the sound that they make is amazing...so much louder over the other cars.
I would hate to see them pull out of ALMS. its just a much better form of racing IMO. I finally had a chance to go to the Petit LeMans this year, and I am looking forward to going back next year. But with DHL porsche out of P2 and audi pulling out of P1 after sebring, it wont be the same if the C6R's aren't there.
the sound that they make is amazing...so much louder over the other cars.
12-24-2008, 11:36 PM
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Nascar is 4 hours of weekly "Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy Chevy" Plus the shows related to each weeks activities.
It's bargain advertising whether you like NASCAR or not.
But ask an average person on the street what an ALMS is? hehehe
It's bargain advertising whether you like NASCAR or not.
But ask an average person on the street what an ALMS is? hehehe
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