2005 Spa 24 Hours - Page 11

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jul 2005, 19:51 (Ref:1364970)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom V

Intersting. So Vosse is a "capable" driver but yet you rank Bertolini as a "World Class" driver? And based on what if I may ask? Just like Vosse he has won a FIA GT race so I don't see any difference there?

Bertolini is a factory Maserati driver, Vosse is not a factory driver for any manufacturer and IMO it is doubtful he ever will be. IMO being a factory driver for a major sportscar marque such as Maserati is no mean feat. FYI Bertolini has won 2 FIA GT races overall, not 1. Check out the 2 profiles below, personally I beleive Bertolini's is better. Although the CV of Vosse does not note his LMP 2 sucess with Paul Belmondo.

Andrea Bertolini
Vincent Vosse

Anyway, take Bertolini off the list if you will and compare him to say Bourdais or Enge or Kristensen or Lammers, is he still as good as those guys? They IMO are some of the best drivers in the world at the moment outside F1.

lj79 · 27 Jul 2005, 20:02 (Ref:1364980)

So you're not inviting VV to ur BBQ then...

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

**FIRE** · 27 Jul 2005, 20:21 (Ref:1365001)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Anyway, take Bertolini off the list if you will and compare him to say Bourdais or Enge or Kristensen or Lammers, is he still as good as those guys? They IMO are some of the best drivers in the world at the moment outside F1.

Only Kristensen is a factory driver...

SALEEN S7R · 27 Jul 2005, 20:48 (Ref:1365033)

I wasnt comparing drivers Merit's on whether or not they have been factory drivers or not. Its simply a added bonus which I think worthy of mentioning. BTW dont Aston Martin racing count as a factory team? They do in my book and Enge drives for them, so thats 2 drivers of the very small list I gave above that are factory drivers. Not 1.

The Badger · 28 Jul 2005, 05:35 (Ref:1365248)

The Aston Martin project is a private venture between Prodrive and Fredric D'Or !!!

gwyllion · 28 Jul 2005, 08:34 (Ref:1365333)

The first training session will start any minute now: live timing

Francesco · 28 Jul 2005, 08:34 (Ref:1365335)

Aston Martin a private project? And Ulrich Bez at Le Mans was just a fan? hahaha

BTW Bertolini IS a good (not world class for sure) driver (personally i don't like him that much) and IS a factory Ferrari-Maserati driver, IMHO Biagi, Babini and Ruberti are better than him...

The Badger · 28 Jul 2005, 08:43 (Ref:1365338)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Francesco

Aston Martin a private project? And Ulrich Bez at Le Mans was just a fan? hahaha

Is Aston Martin involved with Prodrive then ? When did they get involved ? I thought the Aston Martin DBR9 was a Prodrive project along with Freddy D'or , just like the Prodrive 550 was a Prodrive project and nothing to do with Ferrari , hence the 575 GTC !!!

And whose Ulrich Bez when he's at home ?

Francesco · 28 Jul 2005, 09:24 (Ref:1365363)

Bez is CEO of Aston Martin, D'or is involved in the project, as Prodrive-Richards (which builds the cars) but the biggest part of the money came from Aston

the 550 was a completely different project, started by D'or and never backed by Ferrari (and probably that's why it's a winning car)

jase · 28 Jul 2005, 09:43 (Ref:1365370)

I always thought the Aston's were a Prodrive project supported by Aston Martin

Francesco · 28 Jul 2005, 09:49 (Ref:1365371)

exactly my friend...

The Badger · 28 Jul 2005, 10:00 (Ref:1365380)

Is it a works team then ?

courageous · 28 Jul 2005, 10:29 (Ref:1365402)

Any english language audio streaming that anybody knows of? Can get video from the offical site, but I'm guessing any commentry on that will be french/flemmish.
Don't get me wrong, eurosport are covering lots of the race - but anything less than the full 24 hours ain't enough for me.

Francesco · 28 Jul 2005, 10:33 (Ref:1365406)

is it is a "works" team and that's why Astons don't get points in FIA-GT this year... just like Maserati last year

SALEEN S7R · 28 Jul 2005, 11:11 (Ref:1365441)

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Badger

Is it a works team then ?

As I said, Aston Martin is a works team.

This isnt anything like the Ferrari 550 programme, this time Prodrive have a manufacturer on board.

jase · 28 Jul 2005, 11:52 (Ref:1365488)

Aston provide the basic chassis to Prodrive. They had to purchase the road going 550 and reverse engineer. A lot of the solutions to problems found in the development of the 550 have been included in the Aston (if you're to belive Hindy and co on the Europsort coverage)

From the Prodrive website:

Quote:

Aston Martin Racing is a partnership between Aston Martin and Prodrive that will see the British marque return to international motor racing in 2005 with the DBR9.

The car’s race debut is scheduled for the 12 hours of Sebring, Florida, in March, where two cars will compete before moving back across to Europe to prepare for the Le Mans 24 hours in June.

The DBR9 GT racing car is based on the latest Aston Martin production sports car – the DB9 – but is significantly modified for competition use. The DB9’s bonded-aluminium body architecture is shared with the DBRR9 and provides both with a lightweight rigid chassis. ......

Aston Martin Racing will build 12 Works cars, which will be run by three Works teams in the major international GT series. A limited run of only 20 racing cars, prepared to the specification, will also be built and made available to selected customers to race or keep in private collections.

The Badger · 28 Jul 2005, 14:13 (Ref:1365634)

I didnt realise the DBR9 was a semi works outfit . Thanks

SALEEN S7R · 28 Jul 2005, 14:16 (Ref:1365635)

It isnt, its a works team. Just like Schnitzer was with the BMW M3 GTR's.

19dodge · 28 Jul 2005, 15:03 (Ref:1365668)

vitaphone fastest in the two sessions so far

free practice one results

free practice two results

Spiteful · 28 Jul 2005, 17:01 (Ref:1365744)

One last thing about Vosse: no one seems to take in account that he has loads of experience at Spa... (in fact he is from Verviers)

Fab · 29 Jul 2005, 05:50 (Ref:1366299)

And some pics by Eric Fabre/V'images on Infoscourse

19dodge · 29 Jul 2005, 18:37 (Ref:1366784)

Some more photos from Thursday's Sessions

here

rdjones · 29 Jul 2005, 18:43 (Ref:1366789)

The grid of the 24 Hours can be found at:- http://www.msttiming.com/combqual.as...nd=round07.gif

Fab · 30 Jul 2005, 09:26 (Ref:1367132)

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19dodge

Some more photos from Thursday's Sessions

here

I love this Vette :

... I hope the best for them, fingers crossed !

**chunterer** · 30 Jul 2005, 09:47 (Ref:1367147)

Thanks for the link RD!

Interesting reading i feel? Thought the Aston was bit off in practice but it's clearly got speed they need to compete against the Mazza i would say?

I'm sorry if i've missed it elsewhere on the thread but i thought there was going to be a third DBR9 run bu Russian Age? and how come the 2ns Red Bull MC12 has got, pardon the term, 3 'gentleman' drivers and no pro's in it? It's so far off the pace it's untrue!

Particularly like the line up in no.11 550!! Very good team indeed!!

Can't wait foir the start - slightly disappointed thyat Eurosport only showing 15-30 min slots though? Sure it was better than that last couple of years and i want to see te Aston's as much as possible

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