EJ25RUN
12-15-2008, 05:01 PM
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/porscheleavingalms.jpg
Autoblog....
The American Le Mans Series took another blow this past weekend with announcement that Porsche is pulling out of the P2 category, although it will continue to support the 911 GT3 RSR in GT2. This follows Audi's announcement that they will not compete in the series after the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. The possibility of private entries for both Audi and Porsche still remains, although it now looks as though Acura will be the favorite in the prototype categories with both P1 and P2 entries. Mazda has also stepped up its efforts for 2009, joining forces with Dyson Racing for a two-car P2 program. More on Porsche's announcement and the status of the ALMS series following the jump.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/suzuki_wrc.jpg
Autoblog....
Another one bites the dust. Today was the deadline for manufacturers to announce their intentions to race in the FIA World Rally Championship for 2009, and Suzuki saw fit to let its entry expire after just a single year of competition. The Japanese automaker calls the move a countermeasure to "the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil." In other words, fewer car sales mean less excess money for racing. Worse, Suzuki says it expects things to stay bad for the foreseeable future, so riding out the storm wasn't a possibility.
Suzuki was just beginning to see some success in WRC, finishing in the top five for the last two races of the season with its SX4 WRC racer. The manufacturer's Swift Cup will remain active in 2009. This move follows rival automaker Honda's announcement that it would be suspending Formula 1 and AMA Roadracing competition, also a result of the global economic downturn.
Autoblog....
The American Le Mans Series took another blow this past weekend with announcement that Porsche is pulling out of the P2 category, although it will continue to support the 911 GT3 RSR in GT2. This follows Audi's announcement that they will not compete in the series after the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. The possibility of private entries for both Audi and Porsche still remains, although it now looks as though Acura will be the favorite in the prototype categories with both P1 and P2 entries. Mazda has also stepped up its efforts for 2009, joining forces with Dyson Racing for a two-car P2 program. More on Porsche's announcement and the status of the ALMS series following the jump.
http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/12/suzuki_wrc.jpg
Autoblog....
Another one bites the dust. Today was the deadline for manufacturers to announce their intentions to race in the FIA World Rally Championship for 2009, and Suzuki saw fit to let its entry expire after just a single year of competition. The Japanese automaker calls the move a countermeasure to "the contraction of the automotive sales caused by recent global economic turmoil." In other words, fewer car sales mean less excess money for racing. Worse, Suzuki says it expects things to stay bad for the foreseeable future, so riding out the storm wasn't a possibility.
Suzuki was just beginning to see some success in WRC, finishing in the top five for the last two races of the season with its SX4 WRC racer. The manufacturer's Swift Cup will remain active in 2009. This move follows rival automaker Honda's announcement that it would be suspending Formula 1 and AMA Roadracing competition, also a result of the global economic downturn.