Peugeot in ALMS, Charouz with a 908 on LMS ???

[Tom206wrc]

Hi,


Interesting rumour in Autosprint(italian motorsport magazine) and Auto-Hebdo(french motorsport magazine) !!!!


Peugeot would be currently rethinking its 2008 Endurance season, and if Audi, the main contender is still running in USA only(ALMS)next year, the french team could live 2008 LMS as official factory team !!!!

The idea for them would be to engage two factory 908s HDI in ALMS and one private 908 in LMS(to keep minimum presence in Europe) !!!

In this case the private team which would run the third 908 in Europe would be Czech Charouz team(with Jan Charouz and Steffan Mücke)...


Only rumour I insist, but interesting though

[harvick#1]

Peugeot is already believed to be only going to the major events next year, Sebring, Petit, and maybe Laguna Seca. never heard of anything for a full season, but would be great if true

[Sleeper]

They are currently rethinking their commitment to the LMS for next year, they only want to return if Audi show up (Audi will anounce its motorsport program at the Essen Motor Show).

One option is a pick-and-mix of the best events from both sides of the Atlantic, but they definitely want to go head to head with Audi before Le Mans, apparently the R10's race pace really caught out Peugeot and want to be better prepared this time.

[Hoss Ghoul]

Why would they race a full season in the U.S.? They don't sell cars here, and I doubt the ALMS following in Europe is worth noting. Only Sebring and Petit make any sense, Sebring for its scheduling/roughness, a great early test, and Petit for its outright speed. Laguna Seca, which would be awesome, would do very little for Puegot from either a development or competition standpoint, IMO.

[BrentJackson]

I think that if Audi does come back to another full year then Peugeot will follow. Let's be honest, where is the factory squads and the competition that goes with them, LMS or ALMS? Peugeot wants to win Le Mans, they need to beat Audi to do it. Places like Miller Park and Road America are ultra-fast as Le Mans is, and Peugeot will want to chase Audi and then beat them, won't they?

[Sleeper]

^Thats the point I was making, Peugeot admited that the race pace of the Audi caught them out last year, it was much better than theirs. As Peugeot had only raced against the petrol cars, of which they are considerably faster, they had no idea of whether they were doing enough or not beore Le Mans. Thats why they could do ALMS races, competition improves the breed.

[Jag_Warrior]

And to add to the other points, LMS seems to be quite a mess right now. Champ Car fans can rejoice in knowing that there is (at least) one series out there which is even more confused & convoluted than CCWS.

I really hope this happens. This would be fantastic for P1 and ALMS.

[Sleeper]

And to add to the other points, LMS seems to be quite a mess right now. Champ Car fans can rejoice in knowing that there is (at least) one series out there which is even more confused & convoluted than CCWS.

I really hope this happens. This would be fantastic for P1 and ALMS.

In what way is the LMS a mess? You do realise that they are likely to recieve 65-70 entries for next year, of which they will have to turn down about 20-30.

I bet the ALMS wishes it could get 14 LMP1 cars.

[harvick#1]

well Peugeot really did make the LMS look pitiful, when they are 3 seconds a lap faster on every track, the other teams would feel like they've been cheated.

but in ALMS, Acura and Porsche should have to go to P1, that way, P2 can go back to the privateers running for class wins like BK Motorsports, Intersport, Autocon, Cytosport. that way Porsche, Acura, Dyson, and Audi can run for overall wins in P1.

GT1, well thats a lost cause in both series, while GT2 seems to be the big place to run.

[Jag_Warrior]

In what way is the LMS a mess? You do realise that they are likely to recieve 65-70 entries for next year, of which they will have to turn down about 20-30.

I bet the ALMS wishes it could get 14 LMP1 cars.

Don't get me wrong: I enjoy LMS as much as ALMS (from what little coverage Speed gives it). But that's the impression I got from recent articles I've read, including the following:
http://sportscaranalytics.com/?p=290

Other articles pointed to the short schedule and lack of spectator and TV audience support. But I still enjoy CCWS too... and I don't deny that it's pretty screwed up as well.