Murphy thought he better get a little poop out there before heading off to Lime Rock Park.
We all know that through the past few years, the ALMS has been a bit “GT heavy,” or should the Bear say “prototype light.” We’ve had – still have actually, looking at the Lime Rock entry – as few as three regulars in LMP-1. And that sorry count was preceded by years in which the LM-P2 count was just as bad. (If you counted at the end of races, rather than at the beginning, that LM-P2 count was worse than awful – certainly not awesome, eh?)
Then along came Porsche, and it all started to change. The prototype count at Lime Rock will be 12, at Mid-Ohio, about 14. GT at Lime Rock, 16, and perhaps 18 at Mid-Ohio. Then it gets interesting.
Cytosport returns, and Intersport fields two cars, increasing the LM-P1 entry at Road America, and it’s now possible that a Zytek makes the grid there – certainly soon thereafter. Who? Not the usual suspects. The team will be near a great North American lake, and the drivers on hand have relevant (useful, even) American Le Mans Series prototype experience.
In fact, there are other possible new prototypes as we go through the remainder of the season, but increases to the GT grid are improbable. Put Road America down for 17 prototypes and 18 GT entries. All the trends are for the “tipping point” (when prototype entries equal GT entries, and thereafter exceed them) soon after that, certainly at Petit Le Mans (and not just temporarily because of a European invasion). In GT, we’ve lost a Ferrari – that’s likely to stay that way.
The Bear is still hearing that Road America will remain off the IRL schedule in 2009. With only minor league racing on Sunday, can North America’s best race track build on the success of last season’s shared event? Murphy certainly hopes so. (He’s planning his time at Siebken’s Stop-Inn Tavern, Neenah’s Commercial Break, Appleton’s Outback, and other favorite bear haunts. Say hi.) The Bear’s still looking for a drop-in kind of pub near Lime Rock – a place where friends can gather after a thirsty day at the track.
Houston won’t be back – for anyone. Sebring and Long Beach are “fixed” on the calendar – that’s a good thing. Will there be a 12th race? If there is, Murphy thinks it should be before Le Mans. Where? A friend of the Bear’s was at Millville this past week, and there was still talk at the members-only event of an ALMS visit in 2009. On the other hand, this place has strong ties to Grand Am through one of its investor-owners, and already has a Guppie race on the 2008 calendar. Would it work before Le Mans? Yup. (Murphy checked his Almanac and New Jersey’s just as warm as Utah in May.)
Is the Lime Rock entry good enough to make it a show? On a 1.5 mile track? Are you kidding? 28 entries (or 26, given that PrimeTime has hinted its “under the gun to make it,” and Black Swan isn’t all that certain either) (Murphy adds, “I just heard that PrimeTime is certain for Lime Rock, car is set, and barring some complete disaster, count on them for the remainder of the season…that makes the Bear very happy.) will keep the field and the fans occupied on the short and narrow course. Hope that the racing takes place “for position” and not just for the hell of it. Drivers challenging cars laps ahead has ruined races before.
Tags: Ferrari, Houston, Lime Rock, Mid-Ohio, Road America, Zytek
Elkhart Lake will be fine without those cigar-shaped cars. Last year’s crowd on Saturday was impressive. This badger has to drive back and forth from where Bucky lives, so a slow Sunday at RA is no hardship.
well, I told the bear a few posts ago about the Woodlands… take CT 112 west from the track, hang a right at the stop sign and heads toward lakeville. It’s about a half mile on the right. Be warned, it’s well hidden so the bear should keep his speed in check.