IMSA Reunites as Atlantic Championship Sanctioning Body

[!!WALDO!!]

Question I have is who is paying the bills. O'Connor and Mayer I do believe get paid by Gerry Forsythe, the owner of the Formula Atlantic Series.

It is interesting that IMSA which is owned by Dr. Don Panoz took so long to sanction this deal. I bet there was an attempt to get someone else to pay the bills and Don is already in contact with J.C. France about working something out that will cause the money flying out of Don's wallet to stop.

Good news but for how long. Atlantic is almost dead and may need to be reborn.

[pits4me]

Mayer is the COO of ALMS and IMSA. Also very tight with ACCUS and FIA. His father Teddy established McLaren F1 with Bruce McLaren. He worked for Penske and was Emo's business manager. He was also the founder of G3 Communications behind CART TV and the Rio race. Not sure why you would speculate he is also on Forsythe's payroll.

As for the innuendo about Panoz and France, I don't think there's too big a hole burning in Dr. Don's pockets these days. ALMS continues to build strength and credibility. Can't say the same for the Rolex DP's and increasing budgets problems within NASCAR.

Back to topic. History and series legacy would not allow Atlantics to play 2nd fiddle to the IPS/Indy Lights. Your "Atlantics is almost dead" comment reminds me of all the rhetoric from split shills when Toyota bailed and Yokohama left.

Many fans were surprised by how quickly Vicki responded with Mazda and Cooper Tire.

[!!WALDO!!]

Mayer is the COO of ALMS and IMSA. Also very tight with ACCUS and FIA. His father Teddy established McLaren F1 with Bruce McLaren. He worked for Penske and was Emo's business manager. He was also the founder of G3 Communications behind CART TV and the Rio race. Not sure why you would speculate he is also on Forsythe's payroll.

As for the innuendo about Panoz and France, I don't think there's too big a hole burning in Dr. Don's pockets these days. ALMS continues to build strength and credibility. Can't say the same for the Rolex DP's and increasing budgets problems within NASCAR.

I tried to correct it but my time limit ran out.

My point is that somebody must pay for the Atlantics and Don Panoz will not.

The ALMS series is not making money and what budget problems does NASCAR have? J.C. France's share of NASCAR revenue is $20,000,000 at a minimum. That is 40 Grand-Am races unsponsored a year.

Don Panoz has one show that makes money, Sebring and one that breaks even, Atlanta.
Strength? 26 cars. Credibility? Yes, problem is neither pay the bills, money does and it is Don's.

[pits4me]

That Patron sponsorship move away from IndyCar has certainly left ALMS in your crosshairs. I moved this part of the topic to the ALMS forum for thematic discussion. As for Atlantics, Vicki has always managed to maintain economic balance, even in the days of her Pro-Motion Agency. Atlantics has had a lot of Philanthropy support over the years.

[!!WALDO!!]

That Patron sponsorship move away from IndyCar has certainly left ALMS in your crosshairs.

Really so they must have left 5 years ago then

3 GP1, 7 GP2, 2 GT1 and 9 GT2 that is my concern. If you worry about competition there is the series.

I moved this part of the topic to the ALMS forum for thematic discussion. As for Atlantics, Vicki has always managed to maintain economic balance, even in the days of her Pro-Motion Agency. Atlantics has had a lot of Philanthropy support over the years.

Really? Like KK and GF's wallet? This deal for 10 races will cost someone $2,000,000 at least. I would like to know where the printing press is for the cash.
My point was those two more than likely were looking to dump it but found no takers. Who else will sanction their events? SCCA Pro Division is all but dead and not one promoter is going to take on another $200,000 per date in expenses. Not when at most of the remaining races 25,000 will be a huge crowd.

Yes Vicki does do a good job but it maybe time to pull the pull and reorginize.

[weeflyonthewall]

Question I have is who is paying the bills.

Why is that your concern? As long as the series is still alive and bringing us drivers like Matos, Hinchcliffe, Wirth, Sciuto, Lacroix and Swiss Miss Simona De Silvestro, does it really matter who is underwriting the business?

Good news but for how long. Atlantic is almost dead and may need to be reborn.

Try looking at the positive side of things for a change. We trying to stimulate discussion here, not drive people away.

[!!WALDO!!]

Why is that your concern? As long as the series is still alive and bringing us drivers like Matos, Hinchcliffe, Wirth, Sciuto, Lacroix and Swiss Miss Simona De Silvestro, does it really matter who is underwriting the business?

It is called survival. Notice what happened to that other series when the same two decided not to pay the bills any more.

Try looking at the positive side of things for a change. We trying to stimulate discussion here, not drive people away.

Stimulate discussion? How are you doing that? I would like to know.

[weeflyonthewall]

It is called survival. Notice what happened to that other series when the same two decided not to pay the bills any more.

KK was the one that decided to work a back room deal with TG, not Forsythe. There is a huge difference between the demise of Champ Car and your prediction that Atlantic's is dying because YOU can't substantiate how it will establish financial stability. At least with unification Indycar can boast grids similar is in size to what Atlantics has enjoyed for over 35 years. But now that TG has put away his OW war chest Atlantic is on the road to recovery.

[!!WALDO!!]

KK was the one that decided to work a back room deal with TG, not Forsythe.

He signed the paperwork and a no compete clause. So where is Champ Car then? Invisiable series? Racing in the minds of those that are in denial?

There is a huge difference between the demise of Champ Car and your prediction that Atlantic's is dying because YOU can't substantiate how it will establish financial stability.

Kalkhoven and Forsythe are the financial stability as they were for the CCWS. They are mentioned in the article and are the suppliers of the engines. You maybe in denial of some sort. Look at the history.

At least with unification Indycar can boast grids similar is in size to what Atlantics has enjoyed for over 35 years.

You mean like a few years ago when it was 16?

But now that TG has put away his OW war chest Atlantic is on the road to recovery.

How is it on the road to recovery? No exposure and two guys paying the bills. Sounds like 2007 too me.

[Jag_Warrior]

GP2 is also a feeder series for the IRL. Does that mean we should be discussing GP2 races here?

Atlantics have nothing to do with IRL races and such should have nothing to do with the IRL forums. There are many other forums in around in which to discuss Atlantic racing, just not here.

Lighten up, Francis. :