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<body> <Table Width="550" border="0" style="border-collapse: collapse" cellpadding="0"><TR><TD Width="35"><IMG SRC="//www.totalmotorsport.com/images/spacer.gif" WIDTH="35" HEIGHT="1"></td><td> <CENTER><Table border="0" width="100%"> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="5">AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">05/10/2000</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="4">2001</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><B><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="3">prospects</FONT></B></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="center"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="1">  </FONT></TD></TR> <TR><TD width="100%" align="left"><FONT FACE="Tahoma" SIZE="2">This year is far from over, but already there's a considerable buzz regarding 2001. <BR> <BR> BMW's withdrawal of the V12 LMRs was no surprise, but there was a positive slant on the news with the suggestion that further support will be provided for the PTG M3s, with Le Mans far from ruled out as part of that programme. Entries were submitted this year but not taken up. Laguna Seca is expected to suit the M3s (handling, tight corners) in ways that Le Mans may not, so it remains to be seen whether the E46s will be considered competitive in France. <BR> <BR> Porsche are upping the ante with the GT3R though, with a winter development programme aimed at improving the car's suspension, aerodynamics and engine. Kits will be offered to existing owners after the Rolex 24. The aim is clearly to stay ahead of the M3s, but more development logicaly translates into increased costs. Can everyone keep up? <BR> <BR> <BR> Oreca's Vipers are expected to enter a headline event only (Spa 24 Hours), but the Corvettes will have to face up to a season long challenge from the Saleen S7s in GTS. A two car entry will commence at Daytona, followed by the full ALMS plus Le Mans. Saleen's UK partner, Ray Mallock Ltd., are casting an eye over the ELMS and Le Mans, and with the likelihood of six cars being built altogether, there's the possibility of customers running them too. <BR> <BR> Chamberlain will be entering two Vipers at Sebring, while the Patriot Vipers could be regular ALMS entrants. This class has made a rapid recovery from the mid-season low this year (when it was a matter of which Oreca Viper would win).<BR> <BR> So both the GT and GTS classes look stronger for 2001. What about the LMPs? <BR> <BR> Audi have all but confirmed a re-run of 2000 with updated R8s in the ALMS, with an expressed desire to see other R8s running in the ELMS. A European company needs to showcase its products on its own continent. There's also the intriguing prospect of other privateer R8s being run in the ALMS, with Johansson-Matthews mentioned as possibles. They may not be the only extra team to run a car.<BR> <BR> The new Panoz Roadster should debut at Adelaide (first test at the end of October), followed by a two car factory effort up to and including Le Mans, but with the likely addition of customer cars after June. The new car will release five existing Roadsters onto the market, but there is no indication yet whether any will find new homes. They ought to be at least as competitive as any customer chassis from the regular manufacturers. But it's the Panoz factory drive that seems to be a highly desired position right now, and after seeing the quarter scale model (and the success of the PLM), it's no surprise that it's attracting the attention of drivers from another series. <BR> <BR> There's no sign yet of any confirmed plans from potential / existing Lola or Reynard entrants, although Jon Field may enter his Lola (and a Riley & Scott MK lll C) in some ALMS races. Rafanelli have had a potentially fruitful, but ultimately disappointing, 2000. ROC are probables at Sebring and then Le Mans.<BR> <BR> That leaves Cadillac and Chrysler, both of whom have had frustrating 2000 seasons, but both have a platform to launch better efforts in 2001. Cadillac may have a longer term goal of 2002 though. Best guess currently is that an updated Northstar will race at Le Mans next year, to be followed by a completely new car constructed in the UK. With a new engine to follow? Chrysler had that finish at Le Mans this year, but a completely revised Mopar engine in a Dallara chassis should see a markedly different approach to Le Mans next time. A debut at Sebring? There have been no indications of plans after Le Mans, but if the Dallara chassis is a good one.... <BR> <BR> Continued mentions of Aston Martin add nothing to the clarity of the current picture, but an announcement at Las Vegas should see fresh (Eastern) interest in the LMP 675 class. <BR> <BR> The Petit Le Mans only added to the momentum behind the ALMS. 60,000 fans was a very positive statement. More growth in 2001?</FONT></TD></TR> </TABLE><BR> </CENTER> <BR><CENTER><font size="1" color="#808080" face="Tahoma">Copyright ©2000-©2023 TotalMotorSport</font></CENTER> </td> </tr> </table> </body>