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Le Mans / ALMS
ALMS: 2012 Field Starting To Take Shape
SPEED.com's John Dagys takes a team-by-team look at the confirmed, likely and rumored efforts for the 2012 American Le Mans Series...
The American Le Mans Series is set to see a significant growth in the prototype categories, namely LMP2 and LMPC. (Photo: LAT)
With the New Year quickly approaching, plans are falling into place for teams and drivers competing in next year’s American Le Mans Series.
Building off of the 2011 season, which saw competitive fields averaging more than 35 cars, the series looks set to retain the majority of teams, while adding some much-needed new blood to the prototype categories.
READ: 2012 ALMS Schedule
Following last month’s in-depth look at the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship field, SPEED.com breaks down the confirmed, likely and rumored teams that are shaping up to compete in the American Le Mans Series next year.
LMP1
DYSON RACING — The defending LMP1 champions will return with at least two Lola-Mazdas, as confirmed by Chris Dyson last month to SPEED.com. The Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based squad is expected to soon announce an upgrade of machinery, with new Lola B12/60’s to replace and supplement its pair of Lola B09/86s.
Chances of a third Lola-Mazda, which Dyson gave a 50/50 chance of happening last month, is still possible, although Chris Dyson says that Oryx Racing is still searching for sufficient funding to return Dyson next year. Oryx team principal Humaid al Masaood is expected to shortly announce a GRAND-AM program with an Audi R8, targeted around the Rolex 24.
While Chris Dyson, Guy Smith and occasional driver Jay Cochran have been confirmed for the team’s No. 16 car, the identity of the drivers for the other car remains unknown. However, SPEED.com understands the team is still positioned to field two LMP1 cars full-time, despite the possible Oryx exit.
MUSCLE MILK PICKETT RACING — After a mixed season with the fast, but fragile Lola-Aston Martin, Muscle Milk Pickett Racing moves onto an all-new LMP1 contender for 2012. While the car’s identity has not yet been revealed, the Benecia, Calif.-based team is expected to go with the HPD ARX-03a, the same prototype that Strakka Racing will enter in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
On the driver front, Klaus Graf is certain to return to the wheel, likely joined again by fellow German Lucas Luhr, who was a star in team’s Lola-Aston Martin last year. Team owner Greg Pickett could also be part of the mix, but likely only as a third driver for the endurance races, or perhaps even in their new LMPC ride.
AUTOCON MOTORSPORTS — With team owner Mike Lewis retiring and handing the reigns over to Tony Burgess and Chris McMurry, it’s unclear if the AutoCon Motorsports team name will be retained. That aside, Burgess and McMurry have both expressed interest in returning to the ALMS, but with a new weapon of choice.
Rumors have pointed towards the purchase or lease of a Lola-Aston Martin, the same car which Muscle Milk used in 2011. While unconfirmed, the move would seem logical, given it would be the only place for the 2010-spec LMP1 car to race next year, with the WEC not allowing grandfathered cars and the ELMS doing away with LMP1s altogether.
Confirmed Entries: 3
Likely: 1
TOTAL: 4-5
LMP2
LEVEL 5 MOTORSPORTS — After running the 2011 season uncontested, Level 5 Motorsports appears to have gotten its wish of seeing increased competition in the LMP2 category.
The Scott Tucker-owned organization has yet to officially confirm its program but a move from HPD ARX-01g’s to the new HPD ARX-03b is planned, as well as accepting its entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Two cars are likely for the ALMS, with Tucker splitting driving duties between both. Longtime co-driver Christophe Bouchut is expected to also return, with the third full-season seat a question mark between the likes of Luis Diaz, Joao Barbosa and Marino Franchitti, all of whom were part of the team’s lineup in 2011. Given Diaz’s stellar performance at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and class pole at Petit Le Mans, the Mexican driving ace would be a good fit for Level 5’s championship-seeking effort.
BLACK SWAN RACING — Revealed by SPEED.com this week as the first official confirmed entry for LMP2, Black Swan Racing will compete with either a Lola or Oak-Pescarolo chassis and are currently exploring various engine options, including the Roush-Yates Ford Ecoboost V6, which has yet to be raced.
Team owner Tim Pappas said he and Porsche Supercup veteran, and former Le Mans LMP2 class winner Jeroen Bleekemolen will serve as primary drivers, with the team currently searching for a third pilot for the endurance races. A final decision on chassis/engine package will likely come by the end of the month.
CONQUEST RACING — Following a test with OAK Racing at Sebring last week, it appears Conquest Racing is likely to be the next team to finalize LMP2 plans for 2012. The IndyCar squad, led by Eric Bachelart, could confirm its sportscar program later this week, rumored to be with an Oak-Pescarolo Nissan.
While the package is unknown, as LMP2 Oak-Pescarolos had exclusively used BMW-based Judd power in 2011, it appears the Nissan could be the powerplant of choice for the French-built chassis next year. No word has been given on any possible drivers for Conquest’s forthcoming effort.
NEWMAN/HAAS RACING — The fourth, and possibly least known potential program, IndyCar refugees Newman/Haas Racing are believed to be also evaluating a sportscar effort for 2012, likely for the ALMS LMP2 ranks.
Given the team’s close connections with Lola (Haas is the North American distributor) and past success with Honda in the open-wheel ranks, a Lola-Honda combo would make the most sense. Like Conquest, no drivers have been mentioned as possibilities thus far.
DEMPSEY RACING — Talk continues about a possible Dempsey Racing LMP2 effort, although time is running out. With no decision having been made, the chances of even a partial season effort for Hollywood actor/racer Patrick Dempsey and longtime co-driver Joe Foster are quickly evaporating for 2012.
If this program gets the green light, it would most certainly be with a Lola coupe, as Dempsey’s insurance policy prohibits him from racing open-top cars. Mazda, meanwhile, continues to evaluate its P2 customer engine program.
Confirmed Entries: 1
Likely: 3-4
TOTAL: 4-5
Building off of the 2011 season, which saw competitive fields averaging more than 35 cars, the series looks set to retain the majority of teams, while adding some much-needed new blood to the prototype categories.
READ: 2012 ALMS Schedule
Following last month’s in-depth look at the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship field, SPEED.com breaks down the confirmed, likely and rumored teams that are shaping up to compete in the American Le Mans Series next year.
LMP1
DYSON RACING — The defending LMP1 champions will return with at least two Lola-Mazdas, as confirmed by Chris Dyson last month to SPEED.com. The Poughkeepsie, N.Y.-based squad is expected to soon announce an upgrade of machinery, with new Lola B12/60’s to replace and supplement its pair of Lola B09/86s.
Chances of a third Lola-Mazda, which Dyson gave a 50/50 chance of happening last month, is still possible, although Chris Dyson says that Oryx Racing is still searching for sufficient funding to return Dyson next year. Oryx team principal Humaid al Masaood is expected to shortly announce a GRAND-AM program with an Audi R8, targeted around the Rolex 24.
While Chris Dyson, Guy Smith and occasional driver Jay Cochran have been confirmed for the team’s No. 16 car, the identity of the drivers for the other car remains unknown. However, SPEED.com understands the team is still positioned to field two LMP1 cars full-time, despite the possible Oryx exit.
MUSCLE MILK PICKETT RACING — After a mixed season with the fast, but fragile Lola-Aston Martin, Muscle Milk Pickett Racing moves onto an all-new LMP1 contender for 2012. While the car’s identity has not yet been revealed, the Benecia, Calif.-based team is expected to go with the HPD ARX-03a, the same prototype that Strakka Racing will enter in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
On the driver front, Klaus Graf is certain to return to the wheel, likely joined again by fellow German Lucas Luhr, who was a star in team’s Lola-Aston Martin last year. Team owner Greg Pickett could also be part of the mix, but likely only as a third driver for the endurance races, or perhaps even in their new LMPC ride.
AUTOCON MOTORSPORTS — With team owner Mike Lewis retiring and handing the reigns over to Tony Burgess and Chris McMurry, it’s unclear if the AutoCon Motorsports team name will be retained. That aside, Burgess and McMurry have both expressed interest in returning to the ALMS, but with a new weapon of choice.
Rumors have pointed towards the purchase or lease of a Lola-Aston Martin, the same car which Muscle Milk used in 2011. While unconfirmed, the move would seem logical, given it would be the only place for the 2010-spec LMP1 car to race next year, with the WEC not allowing grandfathered cars and the ELMS doing away with LMP1s altogether.
Confirmed Entries: 3
Likely: 1
TOTAL: 4-5
LMP2
LEVEL 5 MOTORSPORTS — After running the 2011 season uncontested, Level 5 Motorsports appears to have gotten its wish of seeing increased competition in the LMP2 category.
The Scott Tucker-owned organization has yet to officially confirm its program but a move from HPD ARX-01g’s to the new HPD ARX-03b is planned, as well as accepting its entry for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Two cars are likely for the ALMS, with Tucker splitting driving duties between both. Longtime co-driver Christophe Bouchut is expected to also return, with the third full-season seat a question mark between the likes of Luis Diaz, Joao Barbosa and Marino Franchitti, all of whom were part of the team’s lineup in 2011. Given Diaz’s stellar performance at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and class pole at Petit Le Mans, the Mexican driving ace would be a good fit for Level 5’s championship-seeking effort.
BLACK SWAN RACING — Revealed by SPEED.com this week as the first official confirmed entry for LMP2, Black Swan Racing will compete with either a Lola or Oak-Pescarolo chassis and are currently exploring various engine options, including the Roush-Yates Ford Ecoboost V6, which has yet to be raced.
Team owner Tim Pappas said he and Porsche Supercup veteran, and former Le Mans LMP2 class winner Jeroen Bleekemolen will serve as primary drivers, with the team currently searching for a third pilot for the endurance races. A final decision on chassis/engine package will likely come by the end of the month.
CONQUEST RACING — Following a test with OAK Racing at Sebring last week, it appears Conquest Racing is likely to be the next team to finalize LMP2 plans for 2012. The IndyCar squad, led by Eric Bachelart, could confirm its sportscar program later this week, rumored to be with an Oak-Pescarolo Nissan.
While the package is unknown, as LMP2 Oak-Pescarolos had exclusively used BMW-based Judd power in 2011, it appears the Nissan could be the powerplant of choice for the French-built chassis next year. No word has been given on any possible drivers for Conquest’s forthcoming effort.
NEWMAN/HAAS RACING — The fourth, and possibly least known potential program, IndyCar refugees Newman/Haas Racing are believed to be also evaluating a sportscar effort for 2012, likely for the ALMS LMP2 ranks.
Given the team’s close connections with Lola (Haas is the North American distributor) and past success with Honda in the open-wheel ranks, a Lola-Honda combo would make the most sense. Like Conquest, no drivers have been mentioned as possibilities thus far.
DEMPSEY RACING — Talk continues about a possible Dempsey Racing LMP2 effort, although time is running out. With no decision having been made, the chances of even a partial season effort for Hollywood actor/racer Patrick Dempsey and longtime co-driver Joe Foster are quickly evaporating for 2012.
If this program gets the green light, it would most certainly be with a Lola coupe, as Dempsey’s insurance policy prohibits him from racing open-top cars. Mazda, meanwhile, continues to evaluate its P2 customer engine program.
Confirmed Entries: 1
Likely: 3-4
TOTAL: 4-5
ALMS Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca
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