Fueled by innovation
By Fueled by innovation
BRASELTON, Ga. -- NASCAR and the American Le Mans Series are similar in that
they're both motorsports sanctioning bodies, but their philosophies are miles
apart. As both battle a difficult economic environment, the decision about
which circuit is on the right track ultimately will be made in the boardrooms
of the auto manufacturers that support racing.
In NASCAR, the emphasis is on the star drivers, many of whom have become
household names, such as Earnhardt, Gordon, Kenseth and Stewart.
They drive cars that are basically alike. The rules for NASCAR's Car of
Tomorrow, the exclusive vehicle of the elite Sprint Cup Series, require that
all cars, regardless of manufacturer, fit the same templates and run under the
same rules. The main differences in Fords, Chevys, Dodges and Toyotas are in
the decals that identify the brand and in the engines, which basically are
built to a standard set of rules. Teams and mechanics that try innovations to
increase speeds of the cars often find themselves in violation of the rules.
But in the American Le Mans Series, which races this weekend at Road Atlanta,
the cars get top billing. And innovation is encouraged, especially when it
comes to reducing the use of fossil fuels.
The Green Challenge, a race within the race, makes its debut in Saturday's
Petit Le Mans.
"It looks like we were brilliant thinkers, but it just happens to be great
coincidence," said Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the ALMS. "Now you
can't pick up a newspaper or watch TV without seeing stories about urgent need
for new automotive technology."
Atherton also makes the case that in tough times for automakers, his series is
a better venue than either NASCAR or the Indy Racing League, which like NASCAR
has rules that standardize technical aspects of the cars.
"The manufacturers are scrutinizing budgets and resources like never before,"
he said. "The auto industry on a global scale is going through a shakeout and
paradigm shift of unprecedented proportions.
"When have a racing program [like NASCAR] that has literally no connection
whatsoever to your road car, it doesn't have any technology in it, does not
have any physical appearances that look anything like the cars available in the
showroom, it's very difficult to justify the hundreds of millions involved.
"Where the ALMS has set itself apart is that all the technology being developed
in the series has a direct link back to the road car, back to the production
line. And in the GT class, it's the actual car."
He said that's why 10 manufacturers already participate in the series with more
set to join soon.
That ongoing search for speed and new technology is a large part of what led
former IndyCar Series star Gil de Ferran to form his own Acura team this year.
"It's a part of the sport that I really enjoy," he said. "I like the technical
challenge of motorsports. I've always been that way. Maybe that makes me a bit
of a dinosaur, but it's the type of environment I grew up in.
"I get excited when we sit here with all the Acura engineers, discussing the
next development, whether it's in the cars or in the engines."
He said it takes only one look at the exotic sports cars such as his Acura
prototype to appreciate the work that goes into one.
"The proof of that is you look at the cars and they're cool as can be," he
said. "They're interesting cars, have interesting features and are changing all
the time. You've got to keep on top of it. I enjoy that."
Rick Minter writes for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. E-mail: rminter AT
ajc.com
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