by A.C. Guillermo
The Bear got this note from A.C. tonight. The famous motorsports writer was inspired by the big upgrade to Speedtv’s Le Mans commentary, and expresses some doubts about Murphy’s recent rumor record. Always a practitioner of careful journalistic research, A.C. even gives us a statistical analysis of the Bear’s scurrilous stuff.-Murphy-
I watched some of the garbage known as Le Mans, only because “The Most Interesting Man in the World” was doing some commentating. Thank goodness he was there, reminding the viewers 236 times about his Rolex collection. I was especially impressed how Scott had such an in depth knowledge of Le Mans, even though he personally could care less about prototypes that are fast, technologically advanced and not made by Riley. And I have to laugh a little at the Audi R15. The design of this car was obviously based on the Riley. Look at them side-by-side. Can you tell a difference?
Corvette had a rough go of it at Le Mans after a fine start. Perhaps they could learn a few things watching the fine performance of Corvettes in the Rolex series.
I am really excited about the smaller fields that Grand-Am has introduced this season. The Rolex series has always been geared to simpletons who like NASCAR, so fewer cars and classes are the way to go. I bring that up because my understanding is that Grand-Am may be restructuring in 2011, going from two classes, to no classes. Not sure how that will work, but Mark tells me one of the benefits is that Timing & Scoring will no longer be needed. More details to follow.
The thing I hate most about sports car racing, other than the Nicotine Patch, is all the rumors. That little furry bear seems to always have a rumor about something, and less than 90% of the time, 10% of it is half true and the other 80% is not even close to the majority of the
20% he says might happen if it doesn’t.
On that note, let me dispel the rumor there is growing dissension among the NASCAR Nationwide and Truck Series about the money wasted on Grand-Am. I can report to you this is absolutely, positively, probably not true. I have been personally assured by the Grand-Am management that everyone in NASCAR is in full support of subsidizing the road racing department, and that the France family has allocated one trillion bazillion dollars to insure it will exist well into the 2011 season, if not longer. As a shareholder in International Speedway Corp., I can tell you that I am in full support of the company’s involvement in road racing. And so is Godwin. As long as we can keep using those loaner Pontiacs.
Another rumor floating around is that the above mentioned company is buying Sebring and Road Atlanta. I have been told that is not true. However, there is interest in buying the ACO and the Le Mans circuit. I know NASCAR has been very keen on building an 8.5-mile tri-oval in France, and this would be an ideal site.
I got a lot of nasty emails after my last column about J.C. France. It seems many of you think J.C. got those charges dropped because he was a member of the France family. That is simply not true. J.C. has EARNED everything he has, including all 14 of his exotic cars.
Finally, let me issue an apology to the Continental Tire competitors. I have no idea this series exists. Can you prove it?
Until next time,
A.C.
Tags: Audi R15, Continental Tire, Corvette, Grand Am, J.C. France, Le Mans, Mark Raffauf, NASCAR, Pontiac, Riley Technology, Road Atlanta, Rolex, Scott Pruett, Sebring
It is truly refreshing to read a blog/column that provides such insight. GO A.C.!
I started to watch the 24 Hours of Lee Mans. Was he not a famous stock car driver? My wife kept vacuuming the carpet in front of the television and the sound reminded me of that No. 66 Car at Mosport a long time ago. I think see wanted me to take the Christmas tree lights down.
My “Macau Royal Ace” Special edition Rolex watch was never mentioned by the announcer, so am I thinking it is really rare Rolex and am glad I bought it off the internet.
I was cheering for my favorite Daytona Prototype, thinking it would get camera coverage sooner or later. After 8 hours of watching it never came around. -Must have had a flat tire or something….
The crowds look big and they should cut some of those trees down so folks could see all the race from the stands.
Grand Yam going from two to no classes? I always thought GA had no class to begin with! This is not a good idea! What would the several dozen fans say? Before I finish my comment, I’d like to say hi to my family at home.
Good stuff. I suspect I’m preaching to the choir here, but for my take on GA at Watkins Glen:
http://age.posterous.com/grand-sham-at-watkins-glen