Maserati at Sebring....or is it??

[p490kvp]

Days after IMSA announced that special dispensation had been given to allow the Maserati to run in the ALMS - first round Sebring 12hr - all be it without scoring points, the ACO have issued a stern statement saying that as the MC12 does not conform to ACO regulations it can not run in any event labelled "LE MANS".

My tenner says it will not run!!

[ettore]

Damn right too - much as I like it, why don`t they spend their money on a proper prototype?

['stanger]

If it doesnt run at le Mans, it will be a shame. I would love to have seen it run against the Audi. ACO should consider that its regulations push out rather than pull in new teams. Aside from Bentleys PR run and the flying Mercs, Audi has had no real competition for some time now. They (ACO) managed to lose Porsche and I think Toyota due to their idea of regulation...At this moment, it looks as though the 2 Champion R8s will struggle to lose.

That said the GT classes should be blinding

[ettore]

..but the Maserati wouldn`t be running against the Audi`s but rather against the Corvettes, Astons, 550`s etc.

They`ve spent a lot of money bending the rules, perhaps they should have spent it building a proper car!

['stanger]

You're right, apologies. I assumed wrongly the MC12 would race in LMPx, it is after all a prototype...just desparately seeking competition for the Audis :-)

[ettore]

Rumours of a works Porsche LMP1 effort in 2006 look promising!

['stanger]

Where do the rumours come from? It would be fantastic if true. It wouldnt surprise me now the Carrera GT is finished. I think I am right in saying this (CGT)would have replaced the 98(?) LM GT1 car - if the ACO hadnt changed the regs preventing it running - hence devloping a road model and pulling the Le Mans project.

[GrahamG]

Nothing to do with the ACO changing regs - simply that the Porsche board decided to put the available finance into developing an ugly jacked up van