Corvette Stuff
You know the big stuff. Corvette, as AutoWeek and Murphy wrote before Mosport, will return in 2009, in GT1 before Le Mans and in GT2 after. Then it’s on to a GT2 program in 2010. There was one item not included in the Corvette’s Tuesday press release teleconference transcript.
What about a Corvette engine based on the current GT1 powerplant in an LMP? Murphy said recently that GT plans for the GM “mainstream” road racing program don’t necessarily end all that. It seems that’s still true. Paraphrasing comments on Tuesday, “We continue to evaluate (a Corvette prototype engine), we’ve had inquiries, and there has been no decision.”
Penske Porsche Promethean?
Another place there has been no decision (until perhaps earlier this week) is in Stuttgart. The paddock has been lively with rumors of the demise of Penske’s program, with Porsche to shut down its factory program, end production of the RS Spyder, and simply support the few privateers left (about three world-wide, according to the rumors). The Bear’s been told all that may have been premature, and the Porsche management board had continuation of the Penske Porsche program on its agenda this week. That’s Promethean, isn’t it? There’s a whole other version of this story over in the Grand Am paddock. That would have Penske’s departure from ALMS and a Spyder program a ‘fait accompli’ and the Stuttgartian meeting all about a Grand Am entry of two Porsche Dallaras.
“What am I going to do with this?”
It’s been said recently that a Florida Spyder is one of the three now racing in Europe. It is not. It’s still in Florida, and, may even be beyond the legal reach – at least for now – of both its putative owner and Porsche AG.
The entry list for Petit Le Mans will be out soon, perhaps even later today. If not, then next week for sure. But the Bear hopes that there’s no one out there waiting to see it before deciding to attend. What we know already should be enough.
Petit P1
What’s happening with the Petit prototypes? It’s said Autocon will be there with the ex-Berridge Lola AER. Sorry Bryan, Mrs. Berridge would dress up the joint a lot more than does Shrek, but the Bear is still happy you have a new car. Intersport will show up with one Lola AER and the ex-Charouz Lola Judd – that’s what the paddock is saying anyway. Add the ex-Arena Zytek 07S (not the Corsa car) to what’s already been anounced. A while back, Murphy was told to expect Cytosport, and repeated that – but does Greg still have a car? Similarly, ECO will pass on Silverstone (what’s new), but say they’ll be at Petit. Some in Braselton still hope. Maybe, maybe not. There’s really no reason to believe it, but if they say so, well…we’ll see. So LMP1 is 11 entries, (including the two French diesels and two from Creation AIM) twelve if you count the salad oil burner.
In related news, the Luhr incident at Detroit cracked the R10’s tub. The Bear is certain it will be replaced, of course.
P2 LMS Champs?
In P2 there’ll be the “usual suspects, with B-K in a fancy new car (Murphy really likes that change). Add to that a topless Mazda from the LMS to make it a Mazda party. Barazi Epsilon will be there. And Team Sebah may be on hand to add to the coupe brigade – though that’s not certain. The last likely entry is another Spyder. Some say Penske, but you can’t run three car teams – the entry would have to be at least technically a different team (Flying Lizards have two teams in GT2, not one, for instance). One of Murphy’s correspondents asked (rhetorically) “Do you think the reigning P2 champions in LMS will want to prove themselves over here?” If they did, might they enlist some help? Count 13 LMP2 entries.
GT1 Languishes
There’s no help in sight for GT1 – Corvette, Corvette, Aston Martin, three entries.
One more GT2 Ferrari
In GT2 there will be no James Watt, but count on the Ben Aucott JMB Ferrari being on hand to help out Maranello. Make it 17 GT2 entries, though there’s been a hint of one more that Murphy couldn’t track down further.
That’s 44, and perhaps 46 for Petit Le Mans. Get your room, your tent, or your motorhome – and your ticket. This will be one you don’t want to miss.
Tags: Corvette, Creation, Ferrari, Kruse-Shiller, LMS, Penske, Zytek
Surely the idea that Penske would leave the ALMS LMP2 class to race in Grand Am isn’t correct. Probably just a fantasy made up by some G/A fan.
Glad that kind of thing never happens here.
Someone tell me why Penske would want to go from the now thriving ALMS to the Grand Am when that series, having been bought by NASCAR, is about to close up shop ?
Besides,doesn’t Penske know that most ALMS fans think that LMP2 cars are better looking than DP cars?
CU at Petit. I’ll plan to being there for practice on Friday.
-CU at Petit. I’ll plan to BE there for practice on Friday.
You have made PLM sound so exciting,Mr.Bear.
Since I have to be in Atlanta that Wed and Thurs. anyway I’ll come up and do some bear hunting.
Several teams at NJ Motorsports Park were openly talking about the rumor of Penske joining Grand-Am. A man from TRD whom I talked to said that Penske was still deciding on a chassis.
“Several teams at NJ Motorsports Park were openly talking about the rumor of Penske joining Grand-Am. A man from TRD whom I talked to said that Penske was still deciding on a chassis.”
Well, if it’s true I’ll quit smoking Marlboro’s,drinking MGD… and shipping with DHL.
That’ll show him.
I would hate to see Penske leave ALMS, but there is no evidence that Grand Am is ‘about to close up shop’, and it’s a cheap series. A logical place for Penske to go IF he loses Porsche funding and wants to keep his guys employed. Fernandez did the same thing until they found Acura support. Penske is a business man and he’ll go where he can make money. I don’t think Porsche will pay Penske to run GA, but he may end up there by default.
We planned to attend Petit about .0001 seconds after the close of last year’s Petit (or was it .0001 seconds before we arrived at last year’s Petit on Wednesday). Woohoo!!! Can’t wait.
I think Penske leaving ALMS for Rolex is about as likely as the FIA punishing Ferrari for a rules infraction.
Mr. Miller says it’s a Riley-Porsche from his latest @ Speed-TV.com.
I don’t think Penske will leave ALMS. Nor will Porsche support a tube frame GT seris that they are moving to. Honset to Gawd, I’m surprise that they have hung with them this long. Lug nuts on a GT cars. How so Daytona of them.
^^^Sorry for the miss spelled words. Friday night, too many adult beverages.
Penske will race where ever he gets paid to race! If his sponsor wants him to race in GA, then he will.
Penske leaving the ALMS is predicated on what Porsche does.
L.P.
One french oil burner has been dropped from the original entry list date 9/15.
Penske to three cars and they are testing this week at R/ATL.
It’s like a race weekend at Road Atlanta. AGR, deFerran, Highcroft, Penske, the Lizards and a black 430. Penske’s third entry is not Penske Racing but entered under Penske Motorsports Inc.
Who is the black 430?