Club Arnage

This is from the ACO site regarding the MC12......

The ‘AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE L’OUEST’ has noted the decision taken by the AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES to put the MASERATI MC 12 on the list of entries for the coming SEBRING 12 HOURS.

The ‘AUTOMOBILE CLUB DE L’OUEST’ reminds the parties concerned that the MC 12 does not comply with the Technical Regulations and is not homologated. Thus, this car is not allowed to take part in events run under the ‘LE MANS’ label.

On no occasion did the A.C.O officials have any contact with either the F.IA. or I.M.S.A concerning the control of the performance of this car.


Daniel POISSENOT
Assistant General Manager

Hot on the heels comes the rumour that Aston may pull out from Sebring if the MC12 races, and Corvette are none to happy either.

What a f**k*ng shambles.

I'm not surprised!! It would be a pretty unfair testing opportunity for the Maserati boys, and prize or no prize, it would take the gloss off a win by Aston or Corvette if the Maser was umpteen laps ahead.

I'd be surprised if Johnny the Herbert gets involved, I don't think he'd like the idea of racing a car that can't win. He'd be better off seasoning his member.

GGRRRRRRR!

The Enzo, oops, Mazza is not really in the spirit of GT1. What are these fools playing at? Do they not understand their contract with the ACO to brand the ALMs as "Le Mans"? I'm sure the contract has got lots of big words, hereunto's, inter alia's and signed underhand this day's, but I think what the ACO is saying is really pretty fair. The Mazza is an FIA GT homologated car and if Fiat want to race in ALMS, then frankly they should have thought about that first.

If this f*cks up my trip to Sebring I'll go mad. And probably end up playing golf the whole weekend. What a waste.

Maybe we need to actually take our clubs too Andy. Hiring them each day could be expensive!!

We could even take in some rollercoasters? Just don't expect me to go and see the mouse!!!

I'm looking forward to stroking a killerwhale on the blowhole too. And those manatee's are so cute ain't they?

I'm off to the Don Garlit's Museum of Drag Racing in Ocala then.

http://www.garlits.com/ (http://www.garlits.com/)

I suspect this is much ado about nothing.  I can't see either Chevy or Aston Martin bailing out this close.  The ALMS will probably back off on allowing the Maserati/Ferrari/Fiat in.  Besides, if Sebring was a 12 hours race for lawn tractors it would still be a great time.  The year it was cancelled due to the fuel shortage they still had a big crowd turn up and party their faces off.
Fax

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa!
Slight over-reaction chaps - if I may be so bold.
Have any of you, in all honesty, sh*t-canned Le Mans because it was shaping up to be a crap/meaningless/totally one-sided race?
It's true that the Maserrari is not eligible to race in either ALMS or Les 24 Heures. If Aston Martin and GM take their ball home it will be their loss. the MC12 cannot win at Sebring (and in truth, will not even finish, I'd venture - it's just too tough a debut for a car like this)
If anything it will add to the spectacle and be a bit of a novelty.
Either way, the race will be run and the party will happen - the sun will shine and the weekend will be a blast.

However, if you are adamant that you will not darken the Sebring doorstep - try the Mac Tools Gatornats at Gainesville. It has always pissed me off that these two gigs clash.

Never Fear Senor Harper, come the day I will be in the comfy chair at Turn Wherever sipping a chilled beverage and eating some fresh road kill.

See you there.

(http://jkillustrator.com/Artwork/Storyboards/images/Comfy%20Chair.jpg)

I totally agree with Matt, the chances of the Maserati making it to the sixth hour mark would be remote at best.  Me thinks it would be more likely to resemble a Saleen by about the fourth hour, dragging bits of bodywork, wheels pointed in all directions, and trying to turn into a rolling bonfire at any second.
Fax

And here is IMSA's response.....

Braselton, GA - The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) confirms that it has invited the Maserati MC12 to compete in the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and each of the events of the 2005 American Le Mans Series, as a guest of IMSA, and not as part of the Le Mans branded series. Maserati has accepted and will run at Sebring. As previously announced, the MC12 will be a full competitor in the GT1 category and will be classified by IMSA based on its finishing position, but will not be eligible for series points. This is the arrangement with IMSA confirmed today by the ACO in its statement.

IMSA also confirmed that both FIA and ACO officials were contacted and consulted through the process of finalizing the car specifications and protocol that will be utilized to control the performance. However, as the ACO made clear in its statement, IMSA, as the entity with the sporting authority for these competitions, bears final responsibility for the specifications, the protocol used to control performance and the administration of that protocol, and the ACO will not be involved or responsible for any aspect of that.

Tim Mayer
COO
IMSA

I think the MC12 may suprise you with its ability to keep all 4 wheels pointing the same way.
It did quite well in the FIA GT races last year. A 3rd behind the 2 Audis is possible on pace assuming both dyson cars expire.

however I sincerley hope both Aston & Corvette kick the cheating swine into touch.

Panick Ye Not!!!!

I wouldn't miss Sebring even if the Aston's don't run. Admittedly it was the catalyst to pushing me past the Should/Shouldn't I Go this year, but the idea of some early racing (June still seems too far away) in the sun with a few (old and new) CA buddies and several cold ones is something I've been looking forward to since we booked the flights!!

On the point of whethere or not the Massa should be allowed to race, surely the GT1 category is an ALMS category, not a 12 hours of Sebring one. So allowing them to be a full competitor in this category is surely breaking the rules. Although it won't be aloowed to take GT1 points, surely keeping the true GT1 competitors off the podium on race day would be farcicle. (if indeed it does finish of course, could be highly ammusing to see it disintegrate piece by piece around the very testing track that is Hendricks Field!!)

Anyone wishing to pull out because of this can throw their tickets in my direction! i wouldn't care if it was 2 milk floats racing, I would be there. :D

As for you Mr JPC! If i find out that you played golf as well i'm gonna kick your arse all around MB come June!!!!!

Whatever happens gentlemen. have fun and be safe!!

Gazza

Hope the Ciatica has cured itself by then then Gazza!!  ::)