FIA GT Grand-Am Round 2: Gainsco Grand Prix of Miami

mattcat · 27 Mar 2008, 16:51 (Ref:2163182)

I wanted to get a consensus on what everyone thought about the Grand-Am Rolex Series race this weekend. It looks like the #99 is still the DP team to beat, though the Ganassi #01 is always a threat. AJR looks good too with Auberlen and Hand in the car.

Speed-King · 27 Mar 2008, 17:38 (Ref:2163222)

There's quite a number of cars that might have a shot for the victory.
I guess based on the performances at the Rolex24 and previous seasons any of the following teams could come out on top on Saturday: Ganassi, both Michael Shank cars, Sun Trust (depending on the Dallaras performance of course), AJR, AIM, Doran (again depending on the Dallara), Brumos #58, maybe the #75 Krohn car, Matthews-Riley and Gainsco.

Danske · 27 Mar 2008, 17:56 (Ref:2163237)

Well...Stallings has been complaining about the Pontiac engines falling behind in the off-season, and certainly MSR has been quick (and quickest at the test at Homestead) with their new Ford engines and support. The Stallings guys have also not had the best results at Miami previously and have been struggling with brake-lockup so far this year. If Negri were teamed with another pro driver I might have to give MSR the nod for the win. The Brumos cars were also running well at the Rolex 24 (breaking the suspension whilst leading the race for the #59) and have been quick without getting the results, so I wouldn't be surprised if they were up near the front.

If it weren't the race debut for the Lola and Dallara we might expect a good challenge from them, but instead I'd say new-car problems are more likely. The Lola is reportedly too high-downforce/drag to do well at a track like Homestead anyway. One of the Dallaras might surprise, however.

So I'd say Stallings isn't nearly the favorite going into this race as they were for most of last year. First practice coming up right about now...

**FIRE** · 27 Mar 2008, 17:57 (Ref:2163238)

Krohn using the Lola?

dxk1 · 27 Mar 2008, 18:31 (Ref:2163258)

How about the Rum Bum car? Will they be at this race and strut out these bums?

http://theracesite.com/index.cfm?tem...rm_photo_num=7

mattcat · 27 Mar 2008, 18:49 (Ref:2163270)

You're right, Speed-King, I forgot how good the Brumos cars looked at the Rolex 24. The good thing about the series is that there are so many teams that can contend for a victory on any given day. Experience tells me though that the Riley-Matthews 99, barring any unforseen problems, should be very quick indeed. They looked so strong all of last year. I can't wait to get down to the track tomorrow and see for myself! For the record, I'm pulling for AJR. I've always been a fan and they've always had great drivers, which certainly is the case this year.

Danske · 27 Mar 2008, 18:57 (Ref:2163275)

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE

Krohn using the Lola?

Yup. Quite a bit on it in the team's preview PR (and interesting reading): http://www.motorsport.com/news/artic...217&FS=GRANDAM

ThePenguin · 27 Mar 2008, 19:47 (Ref:2163311)

I think that the Michael Shank Racing cars have a really good shot at winning the race, they took the pole at Daytona, but their reliability problems kept them from winning the race.

Danske · 27 Mar 2008, 20:38 (Ref:2163354)

At the end of the first practice:
1 #01 CGR
2 #58 Brumos
3 #60 MSR
4 #99 BS/RM
5 #91 BS/RM
6 #6 MSR

So I was right-on with my non-GAINSCO/non-Ganassi picks so far.

cmk · 27 Mar 2008, 22:19 (Ref:2163420)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePenguin

I think that the Michael Shank Racing cars have a really good shot at winning the race, they took the pole at Daytona, but their reliability problems kept them from winning the race.

The fact that the MSR cars are both pro/am combos will work against them for wins in the sprint races. They tend to be strong at Daytona because they usually get top-flight pros for 3 of the seats, and they did win the Sunchaser with #60, but there needs to be time for James and Negri to get the job done.

Speed-King · 27 Mar 2008, 22:29 (Ref:2163428)

Last years HMS race at 6 FCY periods and in the end Auberlen and Aldaheff won it. It's a small track with a lot of cars on it. The yellows might help the Pro/Am teams. If they can hand over the cars on the lead lap/within the top10 both MSR cars might have a chance.

Danske · 28 Mar 2008, 00:21 (Ref:2163490)

One note: SunTrust did turn laps with their new Dallara, but reportedly had "transponder issues" so no times were recorded.

Danske · 28 Mar 2008, 16:36 (Ref:2163981)

Second practice and last before qualifying:

1 01 CGR Lexus Riley 1:12.757
2 60 MSR Ford Riley 1:12.772
3 58 Brumos Porsche Riley 1:12.991
4 2 SAMAX BMW Riley 1:12.992
5 6 MSR Ford Riley 1:13.018
6 61 AIM Ford Riley 1:13.225
7 77 Doran Ford Dallara 1:13.239
8 99 BS/RM Pontiac Riley 1:13.453

SAMAX being up there isn't really a surprise since Dalziel has been quick before, but it's a little unexpected since they did just switch engines.

Danske · 28 Mar 2008, 20:06 (Ref:2164101)

And top five of qualifying:

1 58 1:13.022 David Donohue, Brumos, Porsche Riley
2 10 1:13.305 Michael Valiante, SunTrust, Pontiac Dallara
3 01 1:13.399 Memo Rojas, CGR, Lexus Riley
4 61 1:13.614 Mark Wilkins, AIM, Ford Riley
5 99 1:13.625 Jon Fogarty, BS/RM, Pontiac Riley

So right now it's looking like the Evil Red Car may have its work cut out for it this season.

**FIRE** · 28 Mar 2008, 20:19 (Ref:2164107)

Dallara has a better debut as Lola had at the Daytona tests.

Danske · 28 Mar 2008, 20:52 (Ref:2164123)

Yup, right now it's looking as though the gamble Wayne Taylor took in switching to the Dallara will if not pay-off at least not be a mis-step.

Danske · 29 Mar 2008, 20:13 (Ref:2164677)

At the end of the first hour the order is:

1. SunTrust / Valiante
2. Bob Stallings / Fogarty
3. AIM / Wilkins
4. Brumos / Donohue
5. AJR / Auberlen

although there's been a lot of FCY as drivers haven't been keeping the cars on the track or from hitting other cars.

Edit: whoops, and just a lap later Donohue's up to 3rd, Pruett to 5th, and Auberlen down to 6th.

Dead-Eye · 29 Mar 2008, 20:34 (Ref:2164687)

And now Donohue is dug out of the gravel and Valiante is down to 40.

Danske · 29 Mar 2008, 20:37 (Ref:2164691)

Triple whoops: Fogarty took the lead, then Donohue lost it and took out both himself and Valiante.

Order on the restart after stops:
1. CGR / Pruett
2. Krohn / Jonsson
3. MSR / Negri
4. SoD / Cosmo (V8 Porsche Fabcar)
5. Southard / Lewis
.
.
.
15. Stallings / Gurney

Danske · 29 Mar 2008, 21:15 (Ref:2164718)

Going in to the final 45min:

1. AJR / Hand
2. Cheever / Garcia
3. MSR / Negri
4. CGR / Pruett
5. Stallings / Gurney

Looks like Zonta in the Krohn Lola is out.

**FIRE** · 29 Mar 2008, 21:17 (Ref:2164722)

Live stream:
http://www.transmisionenlinea.prodigy.com.mx/

dxk1 · 29 Mar 2008, 21:37 (Ref:2164736)

So far this race has run for 2 hours and 25 minutes and only 1 hour and 5 minutes has been under green!!

Seems sort of a waste of time!

DK

Purist · 29 Mar 2008, 21:40 (Ref:2164739)

This is the same Garcia that drove in GT1 at Sebring, correct?

I guess the real question is, how many interest pieces will SPEED be able to fit in during its coverage with all that time under caution.

dxk1 · 29 Mar 2008, 21:45 (Ref:2164741)

Holy cow! Another caution!! We've had more of this:

Then we've

had of this:

Which makes us all feel sort of like this:

DK

Danske · 29 Mar 2008, 21:59 (Ref:2164751)

I'm suspending any more commentary on the end of the race until it airs on US TV, so as to not spoil anyone only watching that.

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