Well, Murphy’s back from Long Beach, and has to admit he was impressed. There were lots of fans around, sometimes even making it tough for a small bear to get around. Nor did the crowd have any problem finding the ALMS paddock. The SoCal fans were all there at the end of the race, too, even if the Long Beach boss doubted their attention span. This is just before the checkered flag.
The bear knows they weren’t there just for the sports cars, but Murphy hopes they weren’t dopey enough to be there for that lame “celebrity” race, either. That little trash-sport-of-a-sponsor’s promotion has long since outlived its usefulness, obvious by the “below B list” entrants. It’s nice to know that Eric Dickerson is still alive, of course.
The four ring’s North American motorsports chief is history as of April 30, unless they keep him on a consulting contract – which they certainly should. The move to Virginia is starting to look as goofy as Nissan’s to, well, wherever they went.
The coupe-with-the-Cosworth story isn’t new, but it does seem to have legs this time. More than one inside wrench confirms. Earliest possible is New England, but later is much more likely. Another oldie but goodie rumor still alive is the big time tire company. Last time Murphy heard anything, it was “late 2008,” but one team reportedly switching will still be involved in championships contests, so the Bear thinks that means Sebring 2009 is the earliest debut – with a big-time team, anyway.
The Bear expects to see a jump in P1 programs in 2009, with further progress in that direction the following year, and he won’t be surprised when IMSA lets the two prototype classes drift apart. P1 will once again be the place where the big dogs play.
Was the Bear speaking of tires? Then he’ll “put this one to bed.” The Ferrari that didn’t start at Sebring is on Dunlops, with which they will likely stay for the remainder of the season. The other tires are not “suspended,” not “up in the air.” Permanently gone. Divorce, not particularly amicable. That company was at Long Beach shopping for another team.
Murphy saw Kumho girls JC and Aspen in civilian clothes. They’re in the newly published yearbook in uniform. Look good either way, don’t they?
There was some talk of another GT1 competitor, but Murphy also heard this one’s been “on again, off again,” for a long time, so he’s not going to get too cranked up, at least for now.
On the other hand, the new manufacturer entrant that’s expected before the end of the year is getting pretty obvious, isn’t it? It looks like a GT1 program to Murphy, who now hears it will come the long way around in route to the ALMS this summer.
In the meantime, Bell aught to be back at Miller, another GT2 Ferrari, and now Gil. ECO said they would, but that seems to have slipped – gone from two cars, to one, to none. They raced once, though, so they’re ahead of Cytosport, 1-0. Will we finally get over thirty entrants for a regular old race?
Champ Car had a nice farewell at Long Beach (Since it was a points-awarding IRL event, was it really a Champ Car race at all?) Danica won at Motegi, and then showed up at Long Beach all the way from Japan. In St. Pete, Graham won. Helio leads the championship. The whole country knows who he is. It doesn’t hurt that he drives one of Roger Penske’s familiar red and white cars.
So North American open wheel racing is “on a roll.” Next, a very popular – mercurial – driver will sign with a top team. It will be a huge – some might say even monster – deal, and a homecoming of sorts for our driver.
Murphy’s got friends who like the “Outback.” Well, so does the bear. Here’s his favorite Outback restaurant, on his way home from La La land.
Tags: ALMS, Aspen, Audi, Champ Car, Cosworth, Danica, Dunlop, Grand Prix, JC, Long Beach, Outback, Saleen