The French have an expression for it, fin de siecle, sounds much more profound than end of an era, mind you the French have an expression for most things and they all sound profound. However it is hard not to accept the feeling that we have seen a high water mark in motorsport this year and that the tide is definitely ebbing strongly right now. I would venture a guess that this applies most to the entity that flew the highest and furthest in 2008, the American Le Mans Series. For most of the year it has, like Icarus, ascended higher and higher towards the Sun but recently it has been badly burned by the financial catastrophy that engulfs us all and now is headed for much more modest times but at least it looks as if survival is not in doubt.

For the folks at ALMS HQ down in Braselton 2008 had started so well………..a few tweaks to the ACO's rule book meant that there were three manufacturers in the hunt for top spot on the podium at most races, with Acura challenging the German establishment of Audi and Porsche. LMP1, LMP2 it didn't matter, the rules, the cars and the abilities of the teams involved meant that classic racing was the only possible outcome. OK GT1 had long since ceased to be a contest but this was more than made up for by the GT2 battle where the best teams and drivers that Porsche and Ferrari could find went hammer and tongs at each other. Finally Sportscar Racing was back on the top table.

Back at the the beginning of the year the rush to be seen to green was paramount in PR terms for motorsport. NASCAR had just managed to get into the unleaded fuel era, Formula One was hearding towards the KERS system but both were outflanked by the ALMS. 

Scott Atherton, president and CEO of the American Le Mans Series was able to announce at the pre season press conference. “The American Le Mans Series was recently recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as the only motorsports entity to meet the criteria for ‘green racing.’ Introducing cellulosic E85 racing ethanol to our series with one of our most noted championship teams does nothing but reinforce our commitment to be the global leader in green racing.” 

So what could go wrong?

Well as the cars lined up at Sebring, nothing. As if to add icing on the cake Peugeot brought a diesel powered 908 HDI coupe over the Atlantic to see how the car and the team measured up against the best in the business on arguably the toughest track. Four major manufacturers squaring up against each other in the 12 Hour Classic, Happy days are here again…….

 

As ever the real victor at Sebring was the old airbase itself, it shook the lightning fast Peugeot to bits and caused leaks in hydraulics and wheel bearing failure. Audi tripped themselves up and an outfit as good as Penske needs no second invitation, so an overall win for the Porsche Spyder in the Floridian Classic. Roger in Excelsis.

And at that point Champion Racing and Audi took a hard look at themselves, dug in and clawed their way back to the top step of the podium like the true champions they are. Lucas Luhr and Marco Werner celebrate in St Petes.

 They followed this up with victory on the streets of Long Beach in the Audi R10.

Then before the mid season break to enable the teams to head to France for Le Mans, the circus would wind up the first act in Utah. Like Sebring, the Penske Porsche of Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard came out on top.

After a solid start in 2007 the Acura campaign really took off in 2008. Leading the charge was the Highcroft Racing entry with Scott Sharpe and David Brabham behind the wheel.

Lime Rock Park way up north in Connecticut was the venue for the next round and for the first outright ALMS victory for Acura. David Brabham, like a vintage Aussie wine, gets better with the passage of time. His breathtaking pass at the end of the race on Timo Bernhard had even the TV commentators shouting in amazement. Here he celebrates with co-driver Sharp and team boss Duncan Dayton.  And perhaps a splash of the sponsor's produce.

 Mid Ohio saw the Audi pair re-establish themselves at the head of the pack.

This was followed up with another win, this time at the majestic Road America circuit, Elkhart Lake. Wisconsin's finest.

Hat trick time a few weeks later across the border at Canada's Mosport Motorsports Raceway.

Back over the border to Belle Isle, Detroit and a new winner. Andretti Green Racing's Acura ARX-01B guided by Franck Montagny and James Rossiter.

The red earth of Georgia must mean that it is Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. The 2008 edition will go down in history as Allan McNish, Emanuele Pirro and Dindo Capello gave a stellar field, including a Peugeot, a two lap lead at the start and still managed to come through and steal a win. The gift to their rivals came as a result of Allan clouting the wall on his out lap; a brilliant performance, first from the Champion crew, then from the drivers ended in triumph. Afterwards I mentioned to Allan that he was getting very generous in his old age………his reply was short and of the Anglo-Saxon variety………..and not for publication.

 

The final act was West Coast, on the Monterey Peninsula and Laguna Seca. Fittingly it was the Audi of Luhr and Werner that took the chequered flag to end the 2008 season.

So now we know the results what were the stories behind the headlines and the champagne? What are the prospects for the future?

Well better wait for Part 2.

John Brooks

Photos provided courtesy of Richard Dole and John Thawley (Road America and Mosport)

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