bmw's plans for 2001

[Motor Sport Visions Photography]

Some clarifications and additions...

Also, go to http://fastdetails.com/ for some exceptional photography by
Tim Crete and stories on new and exiting things in the world of sports
car racing.

Yes, BMW is pulling out of prototypes. They really already started to in
that this season's ALMS effort is not a factory one, rather the
Schnitzer team running last year's cars. (I hope they can get two put
together in time for the Laguna Seca round...last two races they pretty
much wrote off two cars.)

The BMW M3 effort really only means even more factory support for the
PTG team that already runs the latest version M3 in GT class (and still
can't beat the Porsche GT3 even with the likes of Hans Stuck and Boris
Said driving more often than not).

The latest rumors for Caddilac include Dallara (Ferrari 333SP
constructor) and TWR (nuf said but the Arrows sure ain't what them TWR
Jaguars used to be...hmm, maybe it's cuz Audi has their old designer?).
GM can pretty much forget it for 2001...too late now to change horses in
the middle of the stream.

VW seems intent to continue development of a car for the 675 class
(think IMSA GTP "lights" in the US). Bugatti may make a showing. Judd is
starting to sell a lot of engines and they sound sweet. Lola is making a
bigger presence with a Newman Haas racing transporter at PLM offering
parts and technical support to the Lola runners (not a bad chassis
really).

Panoz. The new car looks *gorgeous* and the engine is an all new 4.0L
all aluminum design built in-house. The car will still have the engine
in front of the driver but more towards the middle of the car and very
low. I believe this car is set to debut at the season finale in
Australia (close to you Dave!).

Audi. Who knows? Apparently Audi only commits to motorsport budgets on a
year-by-year basis and next year's budget/plans are not yet announced.
It appears that Audi is in ALMS and LeMans for the long haul. Look for
Kristensen to replace McNish as lead driver in one car (McNish will be
busy full-time testing Toyota's new F1 engine it appears). I have no
worries about the 2000 R8 remaining competitive. It is the most
technologically advanced sports car in motorsports history and should
easily have two seasons worth of staying power.

Porsche. Check out the shot in the above site. That thing will run in
the GTS (FIA GT) category with Vipers, 'Vettes, and the Saleen S7.

Saleen S7. Is not a prototype. This is a GTS class legal car that is set
to make it's competition debut in just under two weeks at Laguna Seca.
(Tommy Kendel is listed as one of the drivers too!)

There is much more going on in the world of sports car racing but this
post is getting long. Some of my favorite sites for more info:

http://www.supersportscarworld.com
http://professionalsportscar.com (find me at the forum there)
http://theracesite.com (where I am proud to provide photographs)
and of course Tim Crete's excellent Fast Details site referenced above.

The big question is will Audi step up and start selling customer cars???
They certainly seem committed to seeing ALMS/ELMS (two seperate series
starting next year) succeed.

I can't wait for Laguna Seca!

Mike Veglia
Motor Sport Visions Photography
http://www.motorsportvisions.com