Grand-Am in Peril?

Is this once impressive series loosing interest with its fans? Some seem to think so. Between the phasing out of the two fastest classes and the new prototypes that lack the performance of their predecessors, the Grand-Am Series indeed seems to be heading straight for a downfall. Not to mention that the declining entry lists are also lowering the viewer interest. Some obstacles will clearly decide the series outcome, but what seems to be the problem and what are some possible solutions?

The first problem that seemed to face the series had to do with money. With less and less sponsors supporting the drivers, it was getting too expensive for the teams to compete in the events. The solution that seemed to present itself was simple. Lower the costs of running a racecar. To do this, Grand-Am came up with the concept of replacing the SRP and SRPII classes with the less expensive and newly designed Daytona Prototypes. The two SRP classes would be able to run through 2003, but were expected to be uncompetitive due to new restrictions. This solution would later prove to add to the problems facing the series.

With the SRP classes out of contention, the leading class was to be the Daytona Prototypes. Unfortunately, the lower costs also meant less performance. The cars supposed to be replacing the top two classes in Grand-Am were now being passed by the Grand Touring (GT) class ? the lowest class in the series. Add to that the new restrictions to both the SRP and SRPII classes and all that is left are several uncompetitive prototypes. This lack of performance makes the GTS and GT classes the only cars in contention for the overall win. That in itself has lowered some of the series interest for the viewers.

Another part of the original plan was the idea that a low cost racecar would attract more teams to the series. The thought had been that because the new Daytona Prototypes would be cheaper for race teams than the previous SRP class cars, new teams would develop. The theory seemed to be a good one until it was later put into practice. Upon arriving in Homestead in early 2003, it was becoming quite clear that the theory was flawed. Only sixteen entries made it to the race in Miami, Florida. Not sixteen prototypes, but rather sixteen was the total number of entries for the combined classes. The declining entry lists make for less competition during the race, which in turn is not very impressive for the fans. As a result, a lowered viewership can also be expected. Most fans just aren?t interested in watching only sixteen cars compete.

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