Maserati to challenge Corvette in ALMS

UPDATE #5 This rumor is now 'fact.' See story on Hot News page. 02/18/05 This rumor is downgraded back to 'strong' today. ALMS President Scott Atherton told AutoRacing1.com, "No, it is technically still not approved but it is something I am working everyday on. If we are able to approve that car it will generate some real excitement in this series." More comments on this in an upcoming interview with the ALMS President. 02/16/05 This rumor is upgraded to 'fact' today. This week's Autosport Magazine reports, The Maserati MC12 will be allowed to race in this year’s American Le Mans Series – but it will be ineligible for points. A deal was hammered out late last week between series officials and the Le Mans organizers to allow the V12-engined supercar to race even though it doesn’t conform to the rules. The ALMS managed to overturn opposition from Le Mans by agreeing that the car should race outside the championship. No comment was available from the ALMS or its sanctioning body, IMSA, at the time of press. The move means there will be a solo MC12 on the grid for the series opener at Sebring on March 19. The car will be entered under the banner of the Risi Competizione team and run in conjunction with Maserati’s factory squad. Plans for a second MC12 to join the series later in the year appear to have been abandoned. Maserati tester Andrea Bertolini looks certain to head the driver line-up, while ex-grand prix racer Mika Salo appears likely to join him. Fabio Babini, who is contracted to Maserati tire supplier Pirelli, should join them for Sebring. 02/09/05 AutoRacing1.com contacted the ALMS on the Maserati MC12 controversy and received this statement from a spokesperson – "We are continuing to work with the ACO to find an acceptable position to all parties. There are a lot of moving parts as you can imagine and a lot of parties that have to be comfortable with the arrangement we strike for the MC12. We think the Maserati will be an exciting addition for the ALMS fans, and we are working very conscientiously with the ACO to do something that's in the best interest of sports car racing here in the U.S. while still maintaining our integrity and relationship with the ACO." 02/09/05 As reported a few days ago…the Maserati MC12 will debut at Sebring barring any last minute politics…however today there were strong words from the ACO and clearly they are not happy with ALMS's decision to allow the MC12…The ACO warns the ALMS and Maserati. With the ACO one does not appreciate the project of American LeMans Series to accept Maserati, at the 12 Hours of Sebring and in the other races of the ALMS. "For the moment we were satisfied with one call to order at the ALMS and with Maserati, says Daniel Poissenot, director of the sporting services of the ACO. We ask them to pay great attention. Not only the ALMS is likely to cut (piss off) several other manufacturers who would not appreciate this unfair competition but that it in the event of accident would occur. I do not dare to imagine it." 02/05/05 The ALMS is close to a compromise deal that will see the new Maserati MC12 car that is not qualified to race at LeMans, compete in the ALMS against the Corvette and Aston Martin teams. The MC12, pictured below, will also race in the FIA-GT GT1 category, but is not allowed by the ACO at LeMans because it does not meet their requirements. Maserati is said to be working on a revised version that will meet the ACO requirements, and hence race at LeMans. The MC12 is based on the Enzo Ferrari platform. The fact that it has a long tail is enough to give it an unfair advantage and that tail will have to go if it is to race in the ALMS and at LeMans. The car is also dimensionally a bit too small. If approved, it will make the ALMS GTS division battle between Corvette, Aston Martin and Maserati quite interesting.