Originally posted by john9001
gofaster , sorry , but what is ALMS?
I know the question has already been answered, but its a great segueway into the reason why I like American LeMans Series over NASCAR.
First off, I like NASCAR. I'm in a fantasy racing league for it right now and I know most of the drivers names and follow the results (I can't believe Jimmy Spencer hasn't been thrown out). I watch the races on Sundays if (a) its too hot to be outside and (b) the race isn't rained out. I went to the Pepsi 400 once a couple of years ago when Dale Jr. won it. Had a fun time watching an exciting race, but Daytona Int'l Speedway really needs to revamp its bleacher seating. When you exit and enter the stands, you pass under the bleachers and have to endure a waterfall of spilled beer and cigarette butts, then hope none of it lands on your pretzels as you carry them up into the stands. And of course everyone smokes around you, so if you're a non-smoker its a bit unpleasant. But the racing is good entertainment and fits on a tv screen well.
But I prefer Sebring's ALMS races. Its a much more open area and attracts a different kind of crowd - a much more, shall we say, classier race fan. Yes there's beer and rebel yells at 2 am, but once the sun comes up things calm down a bit. Don't like your viewing spot? Go find another one. There's plenty of trackside viewing locations (my favorite is Turn 3 and then the hairpin turn near the Chateau Elan) I also think its a much more challenging form of racing. Four different classes of cars, all racing at the same time, for 12 straight hours (full course yellows and reds excepted). There's also more of a festival atmosphere - plenty to see and do in between the various support races and practice sessions. The real stars of those races are the cars, not the drivers, and the scheduled autograph sessions are great for asking drivers questions about race strategies (not that they'll give away any secrets, of course). The cars look the way a race car should - sleek with aero fins and wings, carbonfibre body shells, aluminum chassis, rain tires, the whole shebang. Tickets are cheaper than NASCAR events and there's a lot more to see and do - wall climbing, mechanical bulls, Hawaiian Tropic girls playing beach volleyball, auto racing museums, and showcar displays to name a few things. Last year the Collings Foundation B-17 was flying overhead as part of the track's 50th anniversary celebration. I didn't go this year because I spent my race trip money on the inaugural St. Petersburg Grand Prix CART races (in my opinion, Dover Motorsports should extend the Trans Am race to 2 hours - it was more exciting than the CART open wheelers).
If you've never been to an ALMS race, I suggest you make a weekend of it. Its pretty cool.
