PLAYING WITH FIRE; Performance balancing could come back to bite the ALMS.(Motorsports)(American Le Mans Series )

Byline: GARY WATKINS

When the definitive history of sports car racing is written, the 2006 American Le Mans Series will be remembered as the season that witnessed the arrival of the revolutionary turbodiesel Audi R10 and a final, belated disappearance of its all-conquering predecessor, the R8. Right now, this year is recalled for politicking that followed the organizer's cynical efforts to manipulate the results.

Attempts at "performance balancing'' by the ALMS and sanctioning body IMSA were aimed at preventing domination by any one marque. That meant Audi in the LMP1 division and the Chevrolet Corvette C6.Rs in GT1.

Indeed, this rule tinkering had the desired effect of spicing up the racing and keeping things open. The fans that flocked to the tracks and turned on their TVs in ever greater numbers were no doubt grateful for that, but the political fallout from the first attempts at performance balancing could have far-reaching consequences for the series. Right now, neither Audi nor Chevy, two of the championship's most ardent supporters, have yet to confirm their return in 2007.

If Audi does not return to Sebring in March to bid for an eighth straight win, it will be entirely the ALMS' fault. Win No. 7 came in the R10's world debut, yet by the time the car returned to the U.S. in July after a Le Mans win, IMSA had started to look for ways to peg back the car's advantage-believed to be somewhere between 50 and 100 hp.

First there were changes to the rate at which the diesel Audis could refuel, then a reduction in their fuel capacity and a series of weight adjustments. By the end of the season, the R10s would go to the grid 65 kilograms (143 pounds) heavier than the AER-engined Lolas run by Dyson Racing and the works Zytek that turned up for the final two races.

Dyson had its moments, as did Zytek at Petit Le ...