|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
2 Mar 2008, 12:25 (Ref:2142153) | #26 | ||
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,739
|
Quote:
|
||
|
2 Mar 2008, 12:27 (Ref:2142156) | #27 | ||
Racer
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 435
|
I thought the 2nd chassis was already built? Though I asume thats the one destined for Autocon?
|
||
|
2 Mar 2008, 12:29 (Ref:2142160) | #28 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,437
|
Quote:
|
|||
__________________
Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via |
2 Mar 2008, 14:21 (Ref:2142253) | #29 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,418
|
Quote:
Khumos were great tires in SCCA T1, as they lasted and lasted. But that particular compound was slower then Hoosiers A and Hoosier R compounds. I got the impression, that Khumo is spending more time with and working with teams to find out what works or does not work and make rubber compund changes. Khumo wants to be very competitive and win. Good for them. |
|||
__________________
"When the fear of death out weighs the thrill of speed, brake." LG |
2 Mar 2008, 15:17 (Ref:2142281) | #30 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 555
|
I know that in SCCA and NASA racing programs that the smaller tire companies are the ones of choice for the competitors. Hoosier, Kumho, Toyo, Nitto and even Falken and BF Goodrich are the tires of choice. These tire companies are smaller and very focused on competition. Many offer contingency programs and will have technicians at various events across the country helping out the competitors and listening to them. They know how to make a competitive tire. I think Kumho will do good in GT2. They might not have it licked at Sebring. But they'll get it. Sebring will be tough for the LG Corvette in general as the car will have only been completed for two weeks at that time.
|
|
|
2 Mar 2008, 15:23 (Ref:2142285) | #31 | |
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 18,739
|
BF Goodrich = Michelin
|
|
|
2 Mar 2008, 15:32 (Ref:2142291) | #32 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 555
|
Yes they are owned by Michelin. I'm sure they get to tap into that huge resource when they want to.
|
|
|
2 Mar 2008, 15:36 (Ref:2142292) | #33 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,144
|
IIRC Kumho were also entering the VLN, looking to produce more GT-oriented rubber. With dedication and willing to stem the effort, they might become a viable alternative in GT racing.
Doubts whether at this point in time they might be more of a hindrance than a boost to exploiting a car's potential are quite justified though. But, let's hope for the best. |
|
|
2 Mar 2008, 16:30 (Ref:2142331) | #34 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,306
|
Quote:
Jon can get on the pace of Audi, Penske, Dyson and the Acuras - that accounts for nine entries; add de Ferran and you get ten ahead of Intersport. Clint can keep pace with or beat the other LMP1 and LMP2 entries, but not those ten. |
||
|
2 Mar 2008, 23:14 (Ref:2142793) | #35 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,954
|
Quote:
Sportscar racing is largely based on amateur teams and privateers racing occasional factory entries, and being a few tenths down. He knows he can't beat the Audis out right without a huge slice of luck, and I respect him and his team for being out there and trying his utmost to get what he can. The world doesn't have enough teams like Intersport, and it might because they get too much criticism from ignorant intolerants. |
|||
__________________
Fred Mackowiecki- the one man I'd love to swap surnames (and talent) with. |
2 Mar 2008, 23:52 (Ref:2142819) | #36 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 573
|
Without the "silver spooners" and "rich people" there would be no B-K, Dyson, Intersport, Autocon, Flying Lizard, etc. It's very easy to criticize them, but infinitely more difficult to even come close to their level.
|
||
|
3 Mar 2008, 01:45 (Ref:2142889) | #37 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,306
|
Gotta agree with the last two posts, sportscar racing has always been the arena for the rich to play with their toys and we get enjoy their willingness to risk life, limb and personal fortune (although less now than in the past) and some of us are lucky enough to actually get to share the car with them. I can't ever fault those who are fast enough to not be a danger to the other cars, and the Fields DEFINITELY are not a rolling roadblock.
|
|
|
3 Mar 2008, 02:41 (Ref:2142919) | #38 | |
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 555
|
It all started as a "gentleman's sport".
I think Intersport does quite well for a privateer. I know I'm being redundant but privateers truly are the life blood of sports cars. The factories while spectacular come and go as beneficial to them. The privateers are always there. Regardless. |
|
|
3 Mar 2008, 05:21 (Ref:2142955) | #39 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,790
|
Quote:
Aw man, are you serious? The bar was MUCH lower in 2005 let's be honest The bar has always been low for LMP2 as it was which car didn't totally breakdown before the end, less me not remain you that many a car spend 4-5 hours in the pits just SITTING because their lead was so large that they could afford to back their way into a victory. Other people BLAME tires, I blame driver, crew chiefs and car owners! Also didn't Ian Brickerton say this blurb(s) - "Twelfth position doesn’t sound very good but we are seven tenths of a second quicker than we were this time last year..." The competition is well stiff out here at the moment and we need to up our game to match theirs And Umm if Clint was sooo GOOD, he would be driving other series or cutting his teeth in Atlantics, something I know Chris Dyson had a one-off in and never returned. I am not taking anything away from The Fields or Intesports in general, they have been ardent supported of the ALMS but they seem to be struggling with the competition and their personal fans are going on the defensive and blaming everybody but Intersports for their lack of pace. Just how many times did John Field cause an accident last season? Without reviewing all 12 races last year, I count 2 - Mosport and Road America They made the switch from Creation to Lola and fortunes improved, good for them. I felt they shouldn't have switched from Lola or LMP2 anyway, jumping into the deep end didn't make any sense. Yes LMP2 is crowded but given Acura's problems last season, you had just as much of a chance at podium finishes as anybody else did. Plus they understood the Lola chassis already, there is something to be said for being comfortable with your equipment. They could have moved from strength to strength and picked up Mazda for 2008 to offset more investment from Mr Berry. I consider them a stronger team than B-K and that is suppose to be the outfit with the professional drivers, isn't it??? |
|||
|
3 Mar 2008, 11:50 (Ref:2143175) | #40 | |||||||||
Veteran
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,437
|
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
In LMP1 they had better privateer competition with Autocon and Cytosport, and would be able to have a better chance against LMP2s, helping them stay at the top of the overall results, even if they were never in contention for class. It's not like Intersport hasn't run LMP900/LMP1 before... Quote:
I just don't get that your original claim was that the Fields were crap, and that no blame laid on the tires or their chassis. They're good, amateur drivers who are probably the best amateur prototype drivers in the ALMS, and they struggled with various problems last year. |
|||||||||
__________________
Nulla Tenaci Invia Est Via |
3 Mar 2008, 14:26 (Ref:2143297) | #41 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,418
|
Quote:
Teams or cars that do not meet minimal speeds are asked to withdrawl. But you wont see this on any results forms. It is "DNF - Mechanical" |
|||
__________________
"When the fear of death out weighs the thrill of speed, brake." LG |
3 Mar 2008, 14:28 (Ref:2143300) | #42 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,418
|
and rember, those drivers are there in the RACE for several reasons while we are here on the puter boards.
Cheer them on, who ever they are. |
||
__________________
"When the fear of death out weighs the thrill of speed, brake." LG |
3 Mar 2008, 15:09 (Ref:2143326) | #43 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,704
|
If I had the money I'd be in a LMP2 tugging around at the back. So would all of you if you had the chance. Sportscar racing has always had a lot of wealthy fellows doing it for fun. So don't lay into them for not being as good as Dumas or McNish...
As hard to pronounce name above says - Cheer them on - whoever they are. |
||
__________________
Chase the horizon |
3 Mar 2008, 16:33 (Ref:2143377) | #44 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 6,699
|
This is the Sebring RACE thread is it not?
Take the gentleman driver discussion somewhere else. |
||
__________________
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." Albert Einstein |
3 Mar 2008, 16:48 (Ref:2143390) | #45 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,144
|
Quote:
And as for LMP2: That's probably my favourite class at the moment. I've been thinking about starting yet another "Which class would you race in" thread after watching some ALMS '07 recordings, and I would choose LMP2. It just has this adventure vibe. And I think I would take one of those lovely Acuras. So, during the Sebring race I will keep an especially close eye on the LMP2 category. Go Acura, go! |
||
|
3 Mar 2008, 17:25 (Ref:2143430) | #46 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 4,418
|
Quote:
AU = Chemical symble for GOLD N EGL = Eagle Gold N Eagle AKA Tom Back to racing. Vroom Vroom |
|||
__________________
"When the fear of death out weighs the thrill of speed, brake." LG |
3 Mar 2008, 17:35 (Ref:2143437) | #47 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 6,704
|
cool!
|
||
__________________
Chase the horizon |
4 Mar 2008, 15:17 (Ref:2144198) | #48 | ||
Veteran
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 13,763
|
Audi have just released their driver line up for Sebring
McNish-Capello-Kristensen & Werner-Rockenfeller-Luhr . Strange that Pirro-Biela are not on their crew , or are they kinda semi retireing ? |
||
|
4 Mar 2008, 15:26 (Ref:2144204) | #49 | |
Race Official
Veteran
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 6,045
|
The Audi press release can be found on Endurance-Info.com.
Dr.Ullrich refers to Sebring as a test in preparation for Le Mans, but no mention of any further outings in the ALMS (although there's no mention of their already announced participation in the Le Mans Series either). Also interesting is his reference to the Peugeot; "With Peugeot a second automobile manufacturer competes for the first time at Sebring with a diesel sportscar, and which is a year younger than the Audi R10 TDI. Audi relies on the reliability of its TDI Technology in this head-to-head duel." Sounds to me like Audi have conceded that the Peugeot is the quicker car before they've even locked horns! |
|
|
4 Mar 2008, 15:35 (Ref:2144210) | #50 | |||
Veteran
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 12,056
|
Quote:
could be...could be. |
|||
__________________
"Knowing that it's in you and you never let it out Is worse than blowing any engine or any wreck you'll ever have." -Mike Cooley |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Sebring 2008 | graham-ne | Marshals Forum | 6 | 1 Mar 2008 15:36 |
Sebring 2008 | graham-ne | Marshals Forum | 3 | 6 Oct 2007 19:39 |
Sebring 12 Hours - 19 March 2005 | bigal | Trackside | 5 | 10 Mar 2005 03:50 |
ALMS Rnd 1: 12 hours of Sebring 13-15 Mar 2003 | Fab | North American Racing | 52 | 26 Feb 2003 21:57 |
15/16 March Silverstone | monster | Racers Forum | 25 | 10 Feb 2003 13:55 |