What’s in a name? That which we call a rose…er, GT2
BMW’s M3 will compete as a “full GT2” in the ALMS, but has been given GT2S-like dispensations from the rule book. Murphy’s sources are saying that there are three specific “allowances” given the Bavarians: the wing can be higher, the rear suspension mounts can be relocated from stock, and the V8 can be moved rearward.
Has the Bear crawled under the M3? Of course not. But that is what they are talking about in “the paddock.”
Still, the team was not entirely happy with its results at the Sebring Winter test, lamenting that the required GT2 (not 2S) restrictor put them down on power and off the pace. None-the-less, at least two builders of competing cars aren’t at all amused by the rule “give-aways,” one having gone so far as to put its Sebring participation “under review.”
Meanwhile there are other concerns in the Bimmer program. Sponsorship, as in, “not enough.” Two sponsors have been mentioned for the second car, but last week were not fully “on board.” If there isn’t an acceptable agreement soon, there could be two drivers looking for a new home for the 2009 season. So far, RLR has entered only a single E92 M3.
Prototype Dream
With Peugeot confirmed it’s a Sebring dream field…now if we could get that RS Spyder. Someone who should know (a Georgia-based racing executive) said – as Murphy reported – back in December that a Spyder had been acquired and would be raced. It was thought at the time – erroneously – to have been an ex-Dyson car. When there was no further information, the Bear concluded it to be an unlikely entry. But, what if? And what if the Lola LMP2s could get into the mix?
For those expecting to see the salad oil burner with the other LMPs, there’s no entry yet.
Stories from the un-Irish Dublin
The Ohio team that’s been ALMS’ most reliable entry was reported to have tested at Sebring. The Bear is told that it did not, but has heard elsewhere they have submitted a Sebring entry. In January, when he rated Intersport’s entry as ‘questionable’ Murphy wrote that the principal had told others they’d “be there.” The entry – if a fact – shows “intent,” doesn’t it? Someone said to him the other day, “Jon always seems to find a way, doesn’t he?” Upgrade Intersport to “very nearly probable.”
Weaver and Sparky
A great paint scheme is certainly a great attribute for a race car. Overheating batteries and 100 kilos overweight are not. That will even leave a one of the greats of the sport (Weaver) off the grid. That’s not the point, though is it? Panoz can rightfully claim to have been many years ahead of its time. It’s the concept – and the guts to go ahead with a car – that deserve whatever shout-out it gets. There has been too little said about Sparky. That’s a commentary on our national attention span for the whole energy issue more than anything else, isn’t it?
So, how about the modern incarnation of Sparky, Zytek, and the Salt Lake City team that would like to field it? Murphy has been less-than-hopeful that the combination can make it to the grid. Now it seems that – as with Intersport – the intent is there, since the search for funding continues. In this economy, is that really a surprise, especially for commercial real estate developers? The Bear’s heard that the agencies involved with the Green Racing Initiative have been asked to put their money where their mouth is. Do they have discretionary funds? Why didn’t this one make the stimulus bill? Perhaps Is Steve Pruitt a known Republican?
Corsa hasn’t made the entry yet, but neither has Autocon, and the Bear still expects the latter to be there. Murphy hears that the San Diego prototype is painted and just about ready to go for a full ALMS season – except St. Pete.
Aston Martin after Le Mans
Aston Martin would like to do PLM and Laguna Seca with its new LMP. “Like to” is a long, long way from “plan” and even further from actually making it to the grid. However, if Murphy’s sources are correct and any significant amount of the financing of this hardware is from one or more collectors, a Petit entry becomes more possible, particularly if the Aston does not win at Le Mans. Why? The value of such cars is largely determined by their record in historic races, Le Mans being the “big Kahuna.” A car that wins at Le Mans is has established its value and further racing won’t much increase it. However, a car that participates at Le Mans but does not win can become substantially more valuable with a win at banner event like Petit Le Mans. Still, it’s all pretty remote, isn’t it? Might that also bring Audi and Peugeot out of hiding? Only if the stars are otherwise aligned.
Amongst the GT Field
There’s a Ferrari entered by a Ferrari, and with a real dyn-o-mite driver roster – the FIA GT champion included. Among entries about which Murphy has had some doubt, Falken has paid the fee, as has Lou, and the oil baron. So far there’s a Viper, but only one Ford GT. Richard Lietz joins Dirk and Wolf at Farnbacher Loles – the Bear can’t remember whether he’d heard that before. The announced Aston is in GT2, but the Corvettes are lonely in GT1. As of now, there are 13 Sebring GT entries, 25 total. Will they make 30? Murphy thinks one or two of these might be lost, so it will take about seven additions to get there.
ALMS Radio
Murphy was told that “hopefully, there will be good news on this (ALMS Radio) next (this) week…” Series’ minions were out monitoring various forums (not only their own) immediately after the bear revealed that ALMS Radio was not yet signed for 2009, and might not be. Though it’s now getting late in the week, perhaps your “cards and letters” have had a positive impact.
In the light of recent comments posted on certain websites, MTB is happy to post this statement received from Murphy H Bear, Esq.
The Bear is proud of his work. As it says at the top of his site, “Murphy H. Bear is an occasional commentator on the American Le Mans Series, and acts as a clearinghouse for information that wants to be free…gathering and disseminating any and all rumors and speculation circulating within the American Le Mans Series paddock…”
For those of you who read and write English –the Queen’s or some other – that means he writes about what is being talked about in “the paddock,” mostly sports car racing and specifically the American Le Mans Series.
One of the things “talked about” over an entire week before Murphy wrote about it was “the ALMS would not fund ‘Radio Le Mans’ in 2009.” No one called it “ALMS Radio,” which John Hindhaugh points out is the proper terminology. Who knew? Even forum posts after Murphy issued the requested clarification continued to refer to all programming (including ALMS coverage) of Radio Services, Ltd., as “Radio Le Mans.”
It was feared that readers would conclude that the entire “RLM” (another common usage) was going to “go away,” not just that part supported by “Braselton” (the way the Bear refers to the American Le Mans Series executive suites). Murphy doubts that very many at all leapt to that conclusion. It seems he contributed to the confusion of a few by using a commonly accepted term. So be it. He apologized and he meant it, but he’s happy you responded to his request, “Time to register your displeasure?”
Those in power have the right to try to keep their secrets. Murphy has the right – even the obligation – to ferret (that’s a mammal joke) them out. That’s the point, isn’t it? Unless, of course, you’re in the PR business. (Which Murphy is not.)
Not everything in the paddock happens, but it is what is being discussed. If you don’t like it, don’t read it. And for those out there in the PR business, they taught you in “101,” that “the secret” will never stay that way for long…so get out in front of it. Tell the executives that.
Tags: ALMS Radio, Aston Martin, Autocon, BMW, Corsa, Farnbacher Loles, Ferrari, Intersport, Krohn