murphythebear.com

The Bear’s stayed away from the swirl of Acura rumors while others have been diving into this cesspool with apparent glee. This week, the forums went all abuzz once again, and a SpeedTV.com columnist contributed to the frenzy with yet another theory about what’s going on – or not – inside HPD and the two Acura P1 teams. Murphy doesn’t pretend to know what of all this is correct; but it’s time someone just summarized what’s out there and let y’all figure out what it means – if anything. (more…)

Murphy dropped into Chicanes on Wednesday for dinner with friends. The signature wall is gone. Later a key Series participant commented on the business model, “The only circus where the clowns pay to perform.” We’ll remember that one as we watch teams struggle to stay afloat through very difficult times. (more…)

Every sport worth a damn is bet on. Punters are the wretches who can’t resist laying a quid or two on a favorite pilot or marque.  A lot of the Bear’s Sebring friends aren’t likely to be conscious to collect if they win. Whatever, we ain’t about to be taken seriously as a sport unless there’s some serious money laid. So take Murphy’s guide, and make a little book amongst yourselves. Odds are for the class wins in GT2. (more…)

The line is for the overall win – even though it’s no longer (by de facto rule) one big class, it’s a small enough field to give three P2 entries at least a long shot. Murphy still likes Audi. (more…)

R8 Rumbles

Is the Road & Track R8-for-ALMS real? Given all the public pronouncements have been of a FIA GT3 customer program, it seems doubtful, doesn’t it? But it may be real. A normally well-informed friend of Murphy’s says a GT2 (or “near GT2,” as lately seems to be a popular class) Audi R8 may reach an ALMS grid in the second half of the season – or earlier. If Audi is sneaking around behind the curtain in this one, who’s the puppet team to run the car? Murphy would have a favorite, but he’s heard there’s no team there anymore. Others say “no way that VAG introduces a competitor for its Porsche.” So if there’s any fire under this smoke, it’s likely a project independent of Audi Sport, isn’t it? (more…)