Debutants
The ex-Oreca Saleen S7Rs have been testing at Willow Springs with – in the words of their namesake owner – “the goal of running a number of races towards the end of the season.” A Road America debut?
Another important debut will more likely be at Laguna Seca than at Petit Le Mans. The shirts may say Ohio, but the accents will say suburban Salzburg. The pilots will be factory – only.
A to Z
It’s gone pretty quiet out there in the Aston Martin/Bell Motorsports front. That’s never good.
Zytek thinks it has a deal with Forsythe – and they could be right – but the papers haven’t yet been signed. If they intend to debut at Road America, that’s got to get done soon, even for used cars.
The new model Zyteks – the hybrid project that’s been the subject of much buzz for months – is close to a “go,” but that one doesn’t involve Forsythe.
Was that with Madonna?
With the cancellation of the Shanghai Surprise, some say scratch that pair of Ferraris expected at PLM and Laguna, but one part of the two-car entry may yet come stateside, if its British driver-investor-owner so decides. Paul Daniels’ Porsche is also a possibility for the final North American events.
P1 post Le Mans
The ex-Charouz Lola Judd debuts in the ALMS with Muscle Milk livery after Le Mans. Meanwhile, their Lola 06/10 AER becomes part of another team’s two-car entry. That’s good field news.
Will the San Diego-Phoenix-Microsoft Axis be full time after Le Mans? Murphy’s hearing conflicting reports. When they’re around, the Bear expects a six-entry P1 field – or eight if the Forsythe Zyteks join the “big” prototype fray. (It’s rumored the Indianapolis team has opted for P2, but Murphy reminds y’all that the Zyteks are notorious swingers.)
Farewell Frank, hello…?
Frankie goes softly into the night after Le Mans, leaving Ingolstadt – and Pompano Beach – with a decision. Murphy polled a few of his friends about four rings driver plans. They were equivocal enough – even some who are very close to those involved – that the Bear can’t say for sure who will be manning the No. 1 Audi R10 from Lime Rock on. R10 No. 2, in the championship battle for both class (a lock) and overall honors, will certainly be piloted to the end by Lucas and Marco. Someone probably already knows, but in the absence of hard news, here are Murphy’s odds: Allan McNish and Emanuele Pirro 5-1; Allan McNish and Dindo Capello 3-2; Dindo Capello and Emanuele Pirro 3-1; Mike Rockenfeller and Emanuelle Pirro 2-1. Get yer bet down, sports fans, the window is about to close.
Walker Proposes
Walker Racing has proposals out for a two-car ALMS program. No takers yet. Since it’s not yet clear which “2 class” in which they’ll race, it’s all pretty tenuous.
ex nihilo creatio
First the American half of a partnership was out the door, now the British part is gone on gardening leave. Next? The Japanese connection bails, and Le Mans is the last hurrah. That subtracts one prototype mentioned for PLM and Laguna.
No Lion in Summer
Two wrecks in three weeks have ended any chance of seeing a Pug on this side of the Atlantic this season.
On the dole in Huntingdon
The Bear looked askance at the everybody-and-his-dog-builds-a-prototype trend; it seemed to him that the sport would be better served by a few financially and technically strong builders. But he’s got stuffing for brains, right? On the other hand, if there are layoffs in Huntingdon, maybe Murphy isn’t so stoopid.
Farewell to Touring
A famous WTCC program will be gone in 2009, replaced with GT2. Factory drivers currently occupied in the touring car championship will be on-track in a sports car event before the end of this year.
Toyoda?
Who ran Honda’s Super GT team in 2007? The same team that’s at Le Mans manned by Toyota’s factory drivers. Toyota has said it’s developing another Le Mans contender. With a Toyota motor added, is this it?
If, as reported here, Charlie made a visit to Nippon, what was he looking at? A prototype? A GT car? Both? Murphy thinks a hybrid GT is most likely, since IMSA – not the ACO – is the lead dog on the Green Racing initiative.
Corvette Clues
GT1 may be weak, and a NASCAR lackey may have blocked its proposed P1 program, but Corvette Racing plans to be around a long time, and with Pratt & Miller, too. Will they go to GT2 (or whatever new GT arrangement we get in 2009)? They could. Look for a rules announcement at Le Mans to provide a clue.
With most of Lou’s funding having walked out with his former racing partner (Murphy kept his head down and out of the crossfire at Miller.) the lone GT2 Corvette looks to be in trouble just as it was showing signs of becoming competitive.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb or Tyrone Power?
Elsewhere in GT2 a race team named after a pirate ship (or a philosophical metaphor) still plans a Lime Rock launch – it’s near home to the Boston team.
Might the ALMS have 20 prototypes on a grid this season? Possible. A field of 40 at Petit? Possible.
Tags: Audi Sport, Black Swan, BMW, Corvette, Saleen, Walker, Zytek
Wow! I’ve never seen such optimism from the Bear! If even half this poop pans out, ALMS will be in for an amazing 2009 (and late 2008).
You’re a “glass-half-full” type, aren’t you, Cuttlefish?
ex nihilo creatio
First the American half of a partnership was out the door, now the British part is gone on gardening leave. Next? The Japanese connection bails, and Le Mans is the last hurrah. That subtracts one prototype mentioned for PLM and Laguna.
Creative writing you little furry chappie………….want to tell more?
Pretty spiffy reference to amateur epistemologists too.