Bill Oursler on Messages…. Mixed and otherwise Stop “dissing” the American Le Mans Series? It appears these days that “constructive” criticism is somehow viewed not as being part of a dialogue, but rather as a means of “undermining” the objectives of those being criticized. As this political season progresses more and more we’re told the danger about “mixed messages.” To hell with messages. If you want to send a message, then, as the man says, use Western Union – if they’re still around. The truth is often not pretty. And, while everyone, including this columnist, can only express his opinion of the truth, in some cases that opinion can be dead on the mark. On this website I have questioned the status and the future of the American Le Mans Series. I have also praised those running the ALMS for their achievements. My expression of my opinions; my perception of the truth as it were, has garnered me a considerable amount of negative response. Wing attack Plan R…. Having been in this business of motorsport journalism for longer than I care to remember, I fully accept the flak that goes with the territory. Even so, there are some absolutes when it comes to the truth. Praise for trying to do the right thing should be heaped on those struggling to achieve difficult goals. Yet, trying is not necessarily succeeding, which is the case with the American Le Mans Series. Recently, ALMS boss Scott Atherton gave his annual “state” of the state evaluation of the ALMS in which he noted that there has be documented the progress in increasing the size of the championship’s television audience and at track attendance. He also pointed to competitor and sponsorship loyalty as further positive signs. Likewise he noted with rightful pride that the ALMS has gotten Le Mans officials to give the series needed latitude in meeting its business objects by allowing the ALMS to continue to use the 2003 prototype regulations for its headlining sports racers, as well as allowing the introduction of a new four-door GT class in 2005, the latter move permitting GM’s Cadillac division to return to the tour. The Longest Day Atherton also confirmed the Sarthe’s agreement to move the mandatory 24-Hour test weekend from the first part of May to the first part of June, allowing the ALMS to rationalize its schedule by running two races between Sebring and Le Mans, while at the same time saving ALMS competitors making the journey to France somewhere between $500,000 and $750,000. These are all good things. Yet, Atherton also acknowledged the presence of the Grand Am and its continued growth, noting that the Grand Am through its links to the France family have far more resources than did the ALMS. So why then has not the ALMS fully utilized what it does have which is a legacy that stretches back to the earliest days of racing, well over a hundred years ago. Take for example television. Next season the ALMS will have just three non-cable network shows, all on CBS, with two of these coming in the spring? Given Atherton’s statement about television, and given that on the broadcast networks the ALMS consistently draws a larger viewing audience than does the IRL, Champ Car and Formula One, why has the series not expanded its time on the major networks? Further, why has not G-Force, a race car builder of note owned by Don Panoz, the same man who owns the ALMS, not gotten involved in producing its own prototype design to flesh out the aging and thinly populated sports racing grids at the front of the championship’s fields? Going the distance, going for speed…. The Grand Am has built itself a title chase dedicated to its competitors/ The ALMS is supposedly in business to produce entertainment for its audience, and in doing so increase the size of its audience. There are many that do not have the SEED channel in their homes. Is it good business to build for the future based on the relatively small numbers of those who do get SPEED? Additionally, how long can the ALMS keep its audience based on one or two Audis and one or two fragile MG Lolas with the occasional prototype via the British Isles And, as if that weren’t enough, how long can the Corvettes hold up the GTS production division on their own? All these are issues that will affect the ultimate success of the series. Atherton was clear in his statement about “the purgatory” the series finds itself in when it comes to the size and variety of its fields. Yet, waiting for the problem to be solved elsewhere could mean disaster for the ALMS. Sure, there are indications of “new blood” arriving. But how much of that is truly significant? Are the major manufacturers going to provide new prototype designs, or are we going to be focusing on the lesser classes? Say what you will about the Grand Am and its rather ugly, low performing Daytona Prototypes, their numbers keep increasing, a fact which permits the Grand Am to control and shape its own destiny. All this columnist wants is the ALMS to be able to do the same. Is that so wrong? |
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