Sunday, September 9, 2007

Chip Ganassi Racing to the ALMS?

One thing that has been bothering our fair little penguin is the possibility of Chip Ganassi leaving Grand-Am for the ALMS. Contrary to many others beliefs on this topic, Waddle believes that this will happen. The big question is will it be a venture with Toyota, probably with the Lexus nameplate, or with some other manufacturer. The program would probably take place in either 2008 or 2009 with the later more likely. If it was 2008 it would probably be a LMP2 prototype. This way Toyota can compete with Acura and Porsche. Acura is a big rival to Lexus, and with their supposed high performance cars that they will be coming out with soon Lexus hopes to be considered a rival of Porsche. If it is 2009 it will probably be a GT2 car, the car will probably be based on the IS-F coupe that is supposed to compete with the BMW M3 which is going to return to GT2 that year. This is probably what will happen if they do decide to go with Toyota. An indicator of Ganassi's relationship with Toyota is whether or not he will sign with Toyota when his current contract with Dodge is up in NASCAR. If he does not go with Toyota, I think that he will race a Radical SR-9 in 2008, although the engine manufacture might be a new one that he gets a contract with. This is all that the Penguin knows knows now, but he will keep you updated on what he knows on this very potent situation.

If you have any thoughts, concerns, or the hebetebejebies on this topic please feel free to leave a coment.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

^^ Stupid blogspammer.

Anyhow, to get to the point of the main post, only time will tell where they go. If Ganassi wanted to stay with Dodge, they could enter a Viper in GT2.

"This way Toyota can compete with Acura and Porsche."

And lose, too :D.

Waddle said...

Waddle had not thought about the possibility of a Viper. Murphy the Bear had said that there could be up to 4 full time Vipers in the ALMS GT2 class.