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Adelaide

ALMS

31/12/2000

Preview

The Race Of A Thousand Years

There’s been a longer build-up to this one than perhaps any other race in recent times. The two month gap since Las Vegas – and the fact that the planning has been going on all year – suggests that this is going to be one highly organised race, although a team or two seem to have spent the two month period adjusting and readjusting their entries and drivers. All will be finally revealed once the track opens on December 29.

At the head of the field, the story is McNish and Capello (plus Alboreto) claiming Audi’s ALMS crowns. The crocodile livery will go down as one of the most outrageous and entertaining ever; all praise to Audi for getting into the swing of this end-of-millennium event. No one would dress their cars up as any other species from down under would they?

‘The two kangaroos are heading out onto Rundle Road, first time onto the Brabham Straight – drama on lap one, McNish’s crocodile has eaten both the kanagaroos…..’ Sorry, a little millennium madness creeping in.

There isn’t really a scenario where the Scot can’t be the ALMS Drivers Champion. He leads Capello by 11 points, and only his non participation in the event could see him fail. He’s 31 years old on December 29, he’s been a key part of Audi’s record of nine 2001 wins (including Le Mans) with the latest R8 from 10 starts – everything points to Audi wrapping up the Drivers Title in style. They have already secured the ALMS Manufacturers' title, with eight wins. McNish’s 2000 record reads five wins, nine podiums, four poles, six fastest laps and five lap records. Will F1 claim him forever? Can we have him back one day, please?

David Brabham might have something to say about the results sheet in Adelaide. He’s partnering Jason Bright and Greg Murphy, but look for the senior man to play a dominant role in the last factory outing for the Roadster ‘S’. The new LMP07 might be just too new to do more than accumulate some race miles. How quickly though?

The Olive Garden Lola is overdue a fine result, and should be suited to the track. Schiattarella, de Radigues and Simon are as strong a combination as any, and ought to outpace the Konrad Lola comfortably. The Cadillacs are more likely to finish than shine in the last appearance for this model, while the Roy Baker Pilbeam adds welcome variety.

GTS is down to four, with the #08 Roock car ‘replaced’ by the same chassis (the ’99 Daytona winner) but running as #37. Oreca are odds on to win the class, in the final appearance of a Viper in their colours. Chamberlain have a mixed driving squad, with Stephen Watson taking the lead role. No Corvettes, alas, as they focus on Daytona.

The GT class has been Porsche dominated since the first appearance of the GT3R in ’99. Will that change soon? Dirk Muller is being courted by Schnitzer for their V8 M3s. Does he know something? The GT3RS appears for the first time next month, and the relentless quest for more speed and new cars continues apace. Only two Skea cars will be present, and driver line-ups are not yet confirmed. Randy Pobst finds a drive in the White Lightning Porsche, so this entry plus Barbour and PTG should sort out the lead positions between them by the end.

ALMS in 2001 will be different in ways that can’t yet be predicted. There was a huge swing after Las Vegas ’99, and 2001 will surely be different again. Let’s enjoy the last one of the old millennium. 1000 Ks around a street track will provide fantastic entertainment for the sportscar-starved Aussies.