Chevrolet pull out of Le Mans

[Christopher]

Chevrolet pull out of Le Mans is being rpeoted on Autosport......

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/72530


If you cannot use the link this is what it says.........


Chevrolet will not return to the Le Mans 24 Hours next season, according to this week's Autosport magazine.

The American manufacturer's Corvettes have won at La Sarthe four times since 2000 but has been told to reduce its racing budget next year.

The GT1 programme has been scrapped so Chevrolet can concentrate on the new GT2 Corvette, which will be introduced in the second half of the 2009 season.

But Steve Wesoloski, road racing boss of Chevrolet's parent company General Motors, denied that a decision had been made.

"We are still going ahead with our plans for a reduced programme of Sebring, Long Beach and Le Mans," he said. "No one has told me otherwise. We are, of course, prepared for all eventualities. It all hinges on what happens in Washington."

[hgb]

Doug Fehan's comment on www.DailySportsCar.com: “Whoever may have reported that may have overlooked checking with me first... small oversight, I am sure. I can assure you, we will be racing the GT1 Corvette at Sebring, Long Beach and make its final appearance at Le Mans as announced.” 

[Werner]

I hope you are right Hansgerd - it would be a shame to loose the best sounding car at Le Mans. However, I think it will all depend on the next couple of weeks. If GM has to take the chapter-11-road I doubt we will see ANY factory effort from them - no matter where and in which class

[alibongo]

That would be a real shame and they would be greatly missed by me 

[Lorry]

I hear that the US government is going to bankroll GM after all, so there's still hope for the Corvettes

[Boorish Grobian]

The government bailout isn't necessarily good news for GM, Ford, and Chrysler racing programs.  Where the auto makers distribute the money is going to very, very closely watched, and racing budgets are probably going to be cut to the bone.  My guess is this is the end of the GT1 program, and they won't be going to the Sarthe.

[Canada Phil]

The government bailout isn't necessarily good news for GM, Ford, and Chrysler racing programs.  Where the auto makers distribute the money is going to very, very closely watched, and racing budgets are probably going to be cut to the bone.  My guess is this is the end of the GT1 program, and they won't be going to the Sarthe.

I know I was drinking but did they not announce the END of GT1 at the Petit /Road Atlanta. Pratt & Miller were already testing parts for the GT2 program for 2009
 Phil

[Lorry]

If they start looking at these things, there's a risk that the Corvette program will be sacrificed to save Nascar (I'm assuming that they still do Nascar)

Then ford will complain because its competition is subsidised, and thats not competition

[nickliv]

Shamelessly nicked from Sniff.

[nickliv]

Even with the downturn, companies are going to have to put their products out there, as it were, in order to register on the buyers consciousness. I'd be surprised if GT1 and 2 manufacturer backed programmes disappeared from LM, after all, the old adage says 'Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday'

Just like continuing to advertise, and to carry out R and D, FI think that the racing programmes, although costly, will continue in some form or other. They may have to be made more accountable, but they aren't just an extra cost that can be dropped without impacting on the sales, a successful racing programe is worth its weight in Gold. Look at Jag in the late 80's, early 90's.

[Snoring Rhino]

Yes Nick but I think if they make any cuts, its likely to the the European program, keeping their budgets for "Homeland" races and promotions. Shame because we could loose the one of the last bastions of LM - the sound of the Vettes poping and banging downthe pit lane it the middle of the night. Perhaps the ACO should do something to ensure the teams turn up, drastic times need drastic measures, with the Euro the way it is and the potetial lack of grid and thunder, it could be a very quiert Le Mans this year.

[Steve Pyro]

If he can afford to, Luc Alphand may still run his 'Vettes at LM.

[Boorish Grobian]

Agreed Ian,  I suspect the Corvette GT2 will continue, but its going to be tough to justify the extra expense of the LM trip when racing budgets by the US automakers and their satellite factory teams are being cut heavily.  One of the elite, most heavily funded North American racing teams, Hendrick Motorsports just layed off 83 employees.

[krieklambic]

I know it's in french, but reading this...

http://www.endurance-info.com/article.php?sid=6919&thold=0

In short they say that Corvette Racing will be at Sebring,Long Beach and Le Mans with C6.R in 2009...