It’s widely believed there are three sales “in the books” of the ALMS’ new Challenge LMP. Will a pair go to the Athens, Jaw Jaw, operator of Lites? Will the skier return in the third? Three more may be “close.” (You know, that 95% deal, all except the money.) Among those ‘kicking the tires’ have been Florida and California teams that could contract to operate a car. What does Jim-Bob really dislike about the Challenge LMP’s? The “low-ball” operating costs published by the Panoz Motorsports Group.
The Bear Returns
Murphy arrived on the Peninsula on Thursday tired from the drive, but still determined to stop in The Sardine Factory for a drink, tapas at the bar, and the piano of David Connelly – who always plays the Bear’s favorite, “The Shadow of your Smile.” It brings a tear to his eye every time.
Then it was off to Carmel to Clint’s Mission Ranch and pianist Gannady Loktianov. Clint must not have heard the Bear was in town, because he didn’t stop in. Prancer, having made the trip many times before, was able to get Murphy and his friends safely back to Salinas.
Mucky Duck
The Bear dropped in the Mucky Duck after the race. Being a smart Bear, he got there early, came in the back (where the band was), and migrated to the front bar. A bit later, there was a long line of hopeful partiers outside hoping – without much luck – to get in. The Poughkeepsie team was on hand as was a Brit engine bunch. All were quick to point out it took a while for the Lola AER to “come good” last time, but it went on to regularly challenge and sometimes beat the mighty Audi R8. Panoz in the early years can claim that, but no one else can. Some friends of the New York team are looking for Mazda to “step up.” Murphy agrees. It’s one thing to brand an engine and get an entry (or a bridge) with your name on it. It’s quite another to get a winner.
Enzo
Murphy attended the small forum party above Turn 9 for the second year in a row. He got a Dancing Zebra mug.
He really likes these guys – all named Chris, he thinks – and will certainly return in May. Last year he got a copy of Garth Stein’s, “The Art of Racing in the Rain.” (A video promo is here.) It’s become his favorite book, and Enzo the dog his racing hero. (The Bear’s review is here. ) On Friday night he learned that McDreamy has gotten the rights and Paramount will produce/distribute. McDreamy plays racing driver Denny Swift. That’s good enough, but Murphy wants to know who plays Enzo, the terrier-shepherd mix who’s the real star. Meanwhile, in June, Enzo’s story hit No. 7 on the New York Times best seller list for paperback fiction – it’s stayed in the top ten since, too.
Algae
It was mentioned elsewhere that the Don just happens to have some dough in a Lake Okeechobee plant that skims algae for biobutanol. However, Dyson Racing sources have been clear that the impetus for the recent fuel demonstration entries came from BP. That seems logical, since DuPont and BP plan to make biobutanol the first product of a joint effort to develop, produce, and market next-generation biofuels. So, if it were up to the Bear, one way or another, the entries at PLM and Laguna Seca would have gotten a ton of visibility. Murphy would have mentioned a hybrid was on the grid, too. But what the hell does a stuffed animal know, compared to the combined genius for promotion of the Braselton Brain Trust?
The Ferrari(s)
USA-based constructor/race team Aten Motorsports has its Ferrari program, in which it will race and build cars for others in Rolex GT well underway. The project, nine months in the making, took delivery of the first F430 on Tuesday. Here’s the first one being stripped down to be built back up as a proper race car.
Miscellany
de Ferran seems a cinch for IRL in 2010, but reading between the lines (and putting a furry ear to the ground) Murphy doubts there will be an ALMS team.
A US-German Porsche racing partnership is about to go out with a very spectacular bang.
Danny Watts could be driving an Acura ARX-01b next season – without straying too far from home.
Chris McMurry’s traded in his friend Shrek for a better deal – family.
Will Robertsons (finally) get some help from Henry’s company? There have been ‘stories,’ one of which mentions a second car. Both seem rather unlikely.
Brumos and Grand Am
A few friends of the Bear’s who thought – hoped – that NASCAR might dump Grand Am if it failed to improve its fields or attendance are probably going to be disappointed. The boss (no, not Rober the junior employee) is “in it for the long haul,” according to a very good Bear source.
Does the “loss” of “funded” driver J.C. France mean that Brumos won’t return? Murphy said in this space that they were toast even before J.C. indulged in the “tradition” of racing across the Daytona Beach lift bridge (Raul Boessel and Little Al are previous offenders, the Bear was told). In this case, of course, the white powder (probably not confectioner’s sugar)is a bigger deal than the racing. Anyway, Brumos said this past week they’d be bumpin’ an rubbin’ agin in 2010. We’ll see. Murphy’s not holding his breath.
The Party
Moving on from the Middle-aged and Angry to the Bold and the Beautiful (or the Young and the Restless) the big bachelor party is in November. Will the Bear be able to smuggle in a mole? Not likely.
The Mole
Speaking of moles, the Braselton Brain Trust believes there’s one in their midst, and they’re “closing in.” It hasn’t occurred to them, of course, that if you lay someone off or cut their pay in a small Georgia town, it will take about, ah, maybe five minutes for the word to get out? Murphy can play that game, too. Who amongst “the big five,” (Tim being gone) would have “loose lips (that) sink ships?” (Borrowing a phrase from history.)
Reprobates
Tags: Aten Motorsports, biobutanol, BP, Brumos Racing, Challenge LMP, Chris McMurry, Danny Watts, de Ferran Motorsports, Dyson Racing, Enzo, Ferrari, Grand Am, JC, Jim-Bob, Little Al, McDreamy, Paramount Pictures, Raul Boessell, Robertson Racing, Sardine Factory, Shrek, The Art of Racing in the Rain, The Mucky Duck
Who is the guy in orange on the right. Think he wore an orange hat in the pits and ruined some of my image backgrounds.
Level 5 Motorsports ran a Crawford built Ferrari 430 in 2008. I presume that was a tube frame car. Havent heard anything more about THAT Ferrari project. Considering how the GA works to “equalize” the class, a Ferrari seems like a mighty expensive starting point for a race car that will be handicapped to run against tube framed Mazdas and Camaros.
I doubt these were new cars. There are used F430′s on the market.
I wish GA would go away but JC like most of his “type” like to waste money just because they have it to waste, vote for “Birthers” and are apart of the 20% that’s not just out of touch, but anti-woman, anti-diversity and lack common sense ( see speeding and somebody saying “Don’t you know who I am?”)
They are bad for the country in more ways than just an opposing series…
While I’m on my rant The Lord has dirty hands as well.The Whittington Brothers and The Paul’s were a bad reflection on Sportscar Racing as NASCAR and IRL maintained their squeaky clean image.
Not only is Sportscar Racing the home of the Jet Set, “Tea and Crumpets” and Homby Hill crowd. Its also the home of tax cheats, drug criminals and Wall Streeters.
Wow, Anthony! That’s the damn dumbest post Murphy’s ever read. (The Bear can say anything he wants because it’s his site.)
Birthers? What the hell does sports car racing have to do with that. Here’s an example of stupidity (yours): the car pictured is not a used anything; it’s a brand new F430 delivered from Maranello, Italy this past Tuesday.
As usual, the Bear’s wisdom is undeniable! Anthony’s post is an irrational rant and another reminder why universal suffrage is not a good idea.
That is not the only Ferrari deal for level 5, next year be ready for an Italian powered DP on the grid. Hey murph you know much more about this??????
All the Bear knows is that Jim Bob did not believe at Homestead a Ferrari powered DP was likely.