The Bear’s been told the Münchenbergers will be in DTM by 2012. Motorsport chief Mario Theissen will be gone by the end of the year.

Up the road at the Stud Garden, the prototype project has been canned. Something about refinancing €14 billion, and more billions of liability from allegations of market manipulation by boss Wiedeking and finance chief Härter.

Closer to home, Brumos has let go some well-known sports car racing names in a significant downsize.

The View from Belgium

 Not surprisingly, the American Le Mans Series was thought by many to be in dire straits. That’s become pretty routine, whether one is in on the Atlantic in Florida, or across the Atlantic in Europe. Does the fact that so many seem to believe it mean it’s close to the truth? Or perhaps, like the negative views of the stock market, it’s an indicator things are about to get better?

The series has cut costs, changed its television package and, as a result of that, it’s exposure, added to its fields with the Challenge classes, and seems to be moving toward two new street race venues. Are those the right moves? Are they enough? Should be expect more changes before the end of 2010?

Intercontinental Bust?

Others at Spa were bemoaning the status of the new Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, some even saying it’s near to being a non-starter. We heard a lot of that about the Asian Le Mans races last year, but at least some of that schedule finally happened. The clearest indicator we’ll have of at least short term viability, if not long term potential will be the number of teams that contest Petit Le Mans because it’s a required ILMC  round. Among possible GT entries, Team Felbermayr Proton and BMS Scuderia Italia, one the Le Mans winner, and the other the victor at Spa, are getting mention.

Yet another sage sports car racing observer wonders, “if the ACO is between a rock and hard place with the new InterContinental Challenge.” Whose rules will they use? What fuel at Sebring and PLM? What will happen to the local junior classes if the entry is over subscribed? “(Daniel) Poissenot could or would not give me an answer on these questions,” he tells the Bear.

The FIA, GT 1 through 4, and Grand Am

There’s widespread belief that GT1 won’t go into another year, but Le Rat is still clinging to the concept despite its precarious financial position. There are rumbles that Freddie Dor is going to build another car and an Alpina B6 is on the way, it seems. But all the teams are strapped. One observer reckoned, “It feels like the first season of A1 GP and we all know where that went.”

The North America division of an auto manufacturer believes FIA GT3 cars in Grand Am (reported recently by http://lastturnclub.com ) is close to a done deal. Murphy hears two about Grand Am’s FIA quasi-alliance: (1) putting butts in the seats, and (2) managing its competitive balance in GT.

A GT2, GT3, and GT4-based  series could do well with Spa 24 as the centerpiece, according to analysts. That’s important with the FIA’s push to create national series at least roughly compliant with those rules in North America and Asia. And as some one said, “It gives Le Rat a path to retreat to if the Gt1 thing goes tits.” Consider this, said our source, “GT3 makes a lot of sense (for Grand Am) as the cars can run at Spa and Nurburgring 24 Hours.  It will give GA a shot at the wine and cheese crowd without bringing in Peugeot and Audi LMP’s.”

Black Hole

Will the American Le Mans Series disappear into the same television black hole that has captured the IRL? Murphy tweeted on Friday that IMSA was considering a no-pit-stops-under-caution rule for Mid-Ohio. That obviously didn’t happen. Speculation at the time was the idea was triggered by concerns over pit congestion due to the larger-than-normal IndyCar entry and the smaller-than-normal pit lane; the headline series (that would be IndyCar, fans) leaves its equipment along the pits throughout the weekend, contributing to the problem. One rumor now says that wasn’t the reason – not the real one, anyway. It’s all connected to a plan that will end SpeedTV coverage of the American Le Mans Series next year, and move all its races to Versus, presented in the same truncated 1 hour programs by the same company that’s doing a trial run with CBS events this season. The editing of those packages gets a whole lot easier if pit stops are all under green, doesn’t it?

Announcements have been written but not released while the last details of an agreement are completed. However, Murphy is pretty sure Dyson Racing (but not its current two drivers) to be on hand at Montreal, and yes, the Bear knows full well that’s on the same weekend as Mosport. Dyson Racing will wrap up the 2010 season involved in both ALMS and Grand Am, as they have before.

Dyson’s been struggling this season – hell, the past three or four haven’t been anything to write home about. So perhaps a little change of scenery is in order. Plus, maybe you’ve noticed, prototype racing, after a pretty cool 2007 and 2008, well, the only way to put it is…it sucks. Big time. So, why not take on something different? The ALMS thing is sure no fun. (According to sources who have talked to both, Chris is circumspect about all this, Dad less so.)

Anyway, along comes John and Karen McCutchen’s Godstone Ranch Racing, participants in this past Rolex 24 with Davy Jones in Leighton Reese’s new Corvette. John’s been driving in Continental since. The Bear thinks McCutchen will drive the prototype and Davy Jones will join him.

Dyson Racing will participate as the team of record and with team staff and infrastructure and such. Lola will deliver a car, and Rousch-Yates will do the Ford engine. The effort – as at Daytona – will carry Godstone’s imprimatur and benefit Texas Heart Institute. According to Murphy’s sources will be Lola factory-supported. (You didn’t really expect Lola to carry on with Krohn after the names they called each other in Delaware’s Chancery Court, did you? I mean, they wanted Krohn to sell cars and win races, and he’s done neither.)

All the participants are contributing some amount of support to this party…no one is carrying the whole burden, and it seems no one is “just getting a check.” For Montreal and Utah this year, anyway, it looks like this one is pretty much set.

No one will say for sure that there is – or isn’t, for that matter – a 2011 plan. But Murphy thinks this is a bit of that “team building”; if the kids all get along, and they can work out some numbers (from Dyson’s standpoint, with Mazda and BP not coming through as expected this season, almost anything will be an improvement) they’ll continue with a full season in 2011.

Back to Mexico in a Huff

Murphy thought, along with others, that the Gonzalez boys were mad at IMSA for the ride height penalty, got mad and left. Now Murphy’s been told that wasn’t the deal at all. Seems Gonzalez got it in his head that instead of just buying a ride (or renting a team), he was buying a team, or at least part of one. Then Alex (or was it Holly?) sat down and had a little heart-to-heart. No, Alex Job Racing was still – and would remain – Alex Job’s team, lock, stock, and barrel. They must do business differently in Mexico, because ol’ Mission tortilla chips up and left, went back the Monterrey (anyone with any sense is going the other direction from that drug gang cesspool). That’s what the Bear heard at Lime Rock, anyway . And Murphy likes Tostitos better, anyway.

Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course

Murphy was told just this morning that a sale of Mid-Ohio is imminent. He’s written more than once that it was on the block, most recently this June 10 entry:

“The American Le Mans Series could lose its Mid-Ohio round next season. Murphy previously heard the sale of the track is possible – there have been discussions, and a  price has been named…” (Paddock Poop 168.)

Now he’s heard the sale is just about wrapped, up and will be announced soon. Ominously, this source says, “New owners not big ALMS fans.”

2011

If there are enough teams, where will they race? Uncle Scott still prattles on about 11 events, but the Bear can’t find many in the paddock who believe that. Rumors are flying about the addition of Baltimore (that seems pretty certain) and Oklahoma City (less so), but what about the 9 on this year’s calendar? Who will be back, and who won’t. Murphy doesn’t know, of course, but there are lots of rumors about, and a little speculation, so here is your 2011 season:

Sebring, Mosport, Road Atlanta. They are the “house brands,” so they’ll be along for the ride no matter what…except of course, when the Don can get “residential real estate value” for the 700 acres of Road Atlanta. Mercifully, with today’s real estate market, that won’t likely be any time soon. Mosport will stay a sprint race as long as the Tundra Monkeys keep turning up in profitable numbers for a sprint. The party goes on at Sebring (and the land isn’t worth much, anyway).

Long Beach. ALMS is still in the midst of a contract that – according to rumor – hugely benefits the promoters. The series is obligated to (1) pay and (2) show up. Long Beach isn’t going to let this fish off the hook.

Monterey. A fairly successful event, colder than hell the past two years, especially where wind-exposed. Attendance has dropped both of the past two years, more this year, after the date was changed. Changing an event date, not just from one week to the next, but from fall to spring, is never good, but Laguna Seca will be back in 2011.

Utah. Nobody – and Murphy means literally nobody – shows up for this one. Rumors have been rampant it would be gone in 2011, but there are just as many rumors that it will become the next 6-hour enduro. Teams don’t like it, fans don’t like it. What the hell are you going to do with yourself in this sun-baked wasteland for six hours?

Sonoma. The rumors have gone quiet. Best guess is it’s off.

Lime Rock. Attendance is mediocre, and few are happy with the butchering that was done to this track under the guise of an upgrade. No real rumors that it’s gone, though, perhaps since it’s the series only foothold in the Northeast.

Mid-Ohio. The date has to move to make way for Baltimore, but It’s not clear where there’s room. Could it go before the Le Mans break? There are recurring rumors that Mid-Ohio will be off the schedule. A sale if continuing rumors are correct, will almost certainly remove the track from the 2011 schedule.

Baltimore. A good source says Baltimore is a slam-dunk for the ALMS. The promoters want the series, and the series wants to be there. The same source says the contract was in the hands of the series, and the promoters were anxious to see it signed and announced.

Oklahoma City. Murphy hears it’s on, Murphy hears it’s off. That reflects the reality. 50-50.

Road America. Gone. The Bear’s sources on the ground say the Nationwide race drew the largest crowd seen Wisconsin’s Kettle Moraine country in years, perhaps in decades. That’s enough, with ISC’s AMA Super Bike, for the track to get rid of the money-losing sports cars. George won’t care, he’s happy with his new NASCAR friends. Though he would jump at a good open wheel weekend if one came along, he’ll accept a Grand Am date to keep Nationwide and the Super Bikes.

New Jersey. Often rumored, but just wishful thinking. In the ISC pocket, no chance for the ALMS.

Houston. Promoters want to re-launch this one. If they do, it will be with IRL, and  likely without the American Le Mans Series.

Go Git Em, Johnny

Others have done so (Montagny) but the Bear was warmed all over that Johnny O’Connell treated the fans like adults and told them what they already know: Lime Rock does not suit the American Le Mans Series. That’s particularly true after the butchering of the recent “upgrade.” Another place where they are lying to you when they say love being there: Miller Motorsports Park.

Murphy’s “Quote of the Week”

This gem comes from the PR release of one of the ALMS teams after Saturday’s qualifying at Lime Rock.

“As usual at Lime Rock, the rain came earlier than expected.”

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Grand Am had a team owner’s meeting and cocktail reception on the 8th floor of the new ISC/NASCAR digs on International Speedway Boulevard last Thursday afternoonand evening. It’s probably where A.C. saw FIA chief Jean Todt accompanied by fiancé Bond Girl (Wai Lin, Tomorrow Never Dies) Michelle Yeow (right, at Cannes, credit Georges Baird). Todt is heading an FIA delegation, including American Nick Craw, on a “good will” tour – shoring up support amongst racing series and motoring club after AAA’s recent resignation.

With Bernie’s payments for F1 rights about to end with 89 years of exclusivity left (what dumbo wrote that contract?) the Frogs are facing a big ($35 million) hole in the budget. If others follow AAA out the door, things will be dire indeed.

As if to illustrate how dire, Grand Am told the assembled dignitaries they are in negotiations with DTM for a tie-up that will bring DTM to the USA. Some think a NASCAR-DTM alliance could get along quite well without the FIA.

Will the tube-frame silhouettes replace the ungainly DP’s at the top Grand Am, just be added to the field, or run in joint weekends? We are getting to the end of the DP’s  “10 year guarantee,” aren’t we?

The good will tour is expected to continue to Georgia (or perhaps Miller) and Indianapolis, among other stops.

Peugeot’s Relief

Peugeot Sport took apart its three failed diesels and were relieved to find they had not been shot by an Audi ray gun, as was suggested by a regular contributor on americanlemansfans.com. The best news for the rest of us (including Murphy, who has his plane ticket) is that the French announced they’d contest the remaining races of the Intercontinental Le Mans Challenge, including a two-car entry at Petit Le Mans.

Ingolstadt on Hold 

After Herr Doktor Ulrich told a respected radio personality earlier in the spring that a GT program in the American Le Mans Series is “probably the way to go,” Ingolstadt won at Le Mans and continued to talk about the R18 as if there were such a thing. Though a few parts and pieces and some engine development can go forward on whatever “slush funds” Ulrich can tap, major advancement of the program depends on funding approval by Volkswagen’s Management Committee. Dr. Ulrich can’t even ask the board until he has a rule set to build to. The ACO hasn’t yet provided one, and that’s the problem, of course, just as it was in 2008 and 2009. 

Murphy hears the ACO’s in some disarray over the 2011 rules, with raging internal conflicts over details and the potential impact on the 2011 Le Mans entry. They’ve told teams one thing, then released drafts that did something quite different, and, ironically the on-going confusion is doing just what the Frogs fear – impacting the 2011 field. At least one project has been stopped dead in its tracks by the release of the most recent draft.

The GT comment was a bit offhand, a general kind of comment that didn’t necessarily represent a “program in being.” However, continuing rules prevarication from the ACO has caused a GT program to become a much more attractive option to Audi. One source says that the R18 – if it does go ahead – is now a “Le Mans only” car; not LMS, not ALMS, not LMIC – Le Mans ONLY.

Against that background, Murphy heard (and tweeted), “A familiar team is said to be currently setting up shop in Braselton from which it will soon begin preparing an Audi R8 for GT2 in 2011.” The rumor said the ‘familiar team” was Champion Racing, but the Bear decided to dig a little deeper, and discovered the ex-Farnbacher Loles shop is now occupied by Eric Barrett, formerly of Miller –Barrett Racing, and for now it’s all quiet in those digs. Barrett is in Europe; it’s believed he’s trying to lay his hands on one of Zak Brown’s GT3 Audi R8’s. What will he do with it is anyone’s guess. Mild it back to GTC? (Edit: A friend of the Bear’s passed on this note from Eric Barrett:”Please tell Murphy I was on vacation (not on an Audi R8 quest). I retired four months ago.” Consider it done, Eric. The same friend clarifies that Barrett is the owner of the building in which Farnbacher Loles was once a tenant. Murphy hopes that business relationship worked out better for Eric than many deals did for others.

No one in the business who Murphy talks to thinks Volkswagen will eagerly field a competitor in the middle of Porsche’s very profitable 911 GT3 Cup business at a time when Porsche is working to expand those sales. Especially one so expensive as to have to be subsidized by its Audi brand.

If Audi decides on an ALMS GT campaign, it won’t be with an “independent” design. Not that they need to, but Audi sees the Jaguar disaster (and the Chrysler disaster before it) just  as clearly as stuffed animals do.

Murphy doubts Zak Brown will ever end up in the ALMS, anyway. Ol’ Zak’s a NASCAR and Grand Am guy through and through. If you don’t believe him, just ask; John Dagys, of Speedtv.com did. In an interview, Brown said (about racing in FIA GT), that he enjoys being with “the big boys.” In racing, an admitted sycophant will always kiss up to a France and ignore a Panoz, and Zak pretty much laid it out that way. If he races GT cars in the US, it will be in Grand Am, “where there are commercial advantages.” Period.

Zak  would get along just fine with Kevin Buckler, who sidled over the table at which execs for Cort Wagner’s sponsor New Century Mortgage were sitting during the 2004 ALMS Banquet. “You want to play on the big tracks with the big boys next year?” he asked, pitching a Grand Am program with Wagner. They took him up on it. That was just two and a half years before the sub-prime mortgage mill, the subject of numerous Cease and Desist orders from states Attorneys General and a US Justice Department criminal investigation, went broke and was liquidated. The Bear remembers the ALMS New Century “FastQual Awards.” “Fast Qualifying” is pretty easy on liar loans, of course.

Kinetic Motorsports

Murphy was told the Russell Smith and Nic Jonsson racing shop laid off five employees last week. The Kinetic Kia Koup deal apparently isn’t enough to keep everyone gainfully employed

Speaking of Koups

The Bear hears it’s decided. The new Audi R18 will be a closed cockpit.

Nissan iie

Though it’s been quietly considered, no North American Nissan GT racing program for 2011.

Riley the Cat?

There was some sniffing around RSR’s shop by parties interested in fielding a Jag-powered DP, odd to say the least, since the direct injection motor will require significant modification to be Grand Am legal. It’s understood any Cat motor has come from Paul Gentilossi’s shop, so the Indians haven’t thrown Rocket Sports under the bus yet. No interest yet from anyone who would run it in ALMS. Folks following that series has probably seen enough.

The Jag’s electrical problems at Le Mans are being blamed by the team on the Zytek-built (edit: not Zytek, “Stack,” apologies) box the ACO installs on each entry as an engine monitor. According the rumor around Indianapolis, the Jag’s Motec system and the Zytek box couldn’t be made to work together.

The New Indy Car

The IRL’s ICONIC  committee responsible for recommending the new Indy Car have been more secret than an Elk’s Lodge, but Murphy’s heard there will be more than one chassis maker chosen, or perhaps a common tub/undertray chassis that other builders will be able to construct their cars onto. 

The Bear heard Robin Miller knows what has been decided but is keeping his mouth shut. (Since when has that ever happened?) Allegedly, one of the seven ICONIC members told him. Cottman? Long?

X Games

Murphy supposes it was just a matter of time with drifting and all, but Rallycross will be part of the Summer X Games in LA, with Subaru a participant.

Hoosiers Suck

No, not the UI (edit: ”IU” not UI, thanks to Privateer Motorsports) football team (on second thought…), or the whole state, but the tire soon to be rebranded Continental and become the Grand Am spec shoe.

Weekend tests after Daytona at Homestead for the Grand Am teams were a disaster. One prominent team went home early and very dissatisfied. A pro driver did a couple of laps and pronounced the rubber “a good way to kill myself.” Best times were 5 seconds off the March pole. In a long run test, a prominent Mazda pilot ran 1:22/1:23 for 16 laps – about a half stint – before the tires fell off by seven seconds and he finally spun.

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The Bear decided to delay Paddock Poop 170 for this important and extremely timely A. C. column.-Murphy-

Bad luck? Hardly. According to the Bear’s sources, the Keystone Kops routine was on display all week, from an embarrassing rented transporter that ultimately had to be covered up, to an empty hospitality suite for Jaguar executives and their guests  – no furniture, not even a cup of coffee.

Even the mainstream press had serious doubts about the program continuing once they saw it at Le Mans. The Daily Telegraph, UK’s largest circulation broadsheet newspaper, noted Jaguar’s “approval (of RSR’s official support) became rather strained” at Le Mans. Twenty years after the Tony Dowe-managed XJR-12 win, the Gentilozzi Jag went just 18 minutes 30 seconds into the 24-hour race before expiring. Murphy hears now that Jaguar will likely end its support for the RSR program before the American Le Mans Series gets to Miller. Will Jaguar continue with some other arrangement? Perhaps, but not immediately. Meanwhile, some suggest that since it’s been largely a privateer effort anyway, Gentilozzi may try to continue.

Bavarians aren’t thrilled, either

Jaguar wasn’t the only famous make that had a troubled Le Mans. insiders admit Schnitzer was an embarrassment to BMW, too. The betting is that the Bavarians will – or have – express their unhappiness, but won’t “changing horses.” For now Schnitzer will continue as BMW’s most important racing partner.

Porsche wins Le Mans GT2 – maybe

Le Mans GT2 winners – or not? What could possibly be in doubt about the winning Porsche’s motor that would take until “early next month” to sort out. Some wag wondered if the timing was dependent on “the check clearing.” Meanwhile, any marketing value in having won Le Mans is frittering away – except, of course, Porsche has been happy to claim its 98th class win anyway. Since the runner up Ferrari is also under review, perhaps Porsche feels secure because the third place car is another Porker?

A Dane Sprints – and Likes it

Jan Magnussen had his Sprint Cup series debut and loved it. He called it “fantastic; unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.”
“They go two wide and three wide. That’ll never happen in ALMS…here (in NASCAR), they allow you to race and to be two and three wide. Fantastic.”  Yuppers, Jan, the ALMS will pull you into the pits for “avoidable contact.”

Kevin to “Start and Park”

Given the instruction by cash-strapped Kevin Buckler’s TRG to “start and park,” 2000 Cup champion Bobby Labonte decided to walk. Andy Lally will get the opportunity to try to make the field, then park for the cash. That’s good for Andy, who gets a chance to show his skills to the Cup paddock.

Murphy told you about Buckler’s plans for new digs at New Jersey – and his sponsorship troubles – last August. Any chance Buckler’s fancy new shop will progress beyond this photo appears to be fading fast.

Mid-Ohio still “on” for IRL

Murphy’s been sorting through the comments on the 2011 schedule by IndyCar VP Terry Angstadt. Of most import to ALMS fans is his confirmation that Mid-Ohio will remain on the IRL schedule, albeit on a different date, the current one having now been committed to the new-in-2011 Baltimore street race.

With Baltimore and Loudon added, two current events will necessarily be dumped to achieve the series’ preferred 17 events. There could be more, but two seem certain according to Angstadt’s latest comments. Also implied in his remarks to the Elmira (NY) Star Gazette is that any “drops” will be within the events that occur before August on this year’s schedule. Since Long Beach is sacrosanct, it seems certain the only impact on the American Le Mans Series is the changed date for Mid-Ohio. Still to be answered, of course, is whether the ALMS will “follow” the IRL to the new date.

Prototypes Prospects

Expect Highcroft to return as Honda’s “Semi-Official Foot-in-the-Door” entry in Le Mans-style sports car racing. Although there have been statements of interest in an LMP1 engine under the new rules (since that would be a 3.4 liter NA designed-for-racing V8 they actually already have one, don’t they?) what they do will be determined by analysis of the final 2011 IMSA rules (if it and the ACO ever actually get around to publishing those). There’s no way there will be enough prototype entries for the series to restore its LMP1/LMP2 structure, so that class distinction is irrelevant and whichever engine appears to have the best chance to win will be the way this goes.

Murphy similarly thinks you can count on Dyson Racing to return, even though both Mazda money (cut this season) and BP petrodollars (other obligations to worry about) are “problematic” at best. Will Dyson stick to the so-called “little four-banger?” Yes, if the redesigned-for-2010 engine proves to be good over the remainder of this season, and the feeling on the team is it’s off to a pretty good start. As with HPD and Highcroft, the idea of a Dyson “class change” is moot as long as IMSA stays with a single LMP class – which it will do if it isn’t planning seppuku (though it does seem to be working on that).

Autocon’s LMP1 entry depends on Bryan Willman’s largess. He loves to race, but sooner or later will “hit the wall” (see Tom Weickardt). How does the Le Mans disappointment figure in that? Will the team be able to replace Shrek if it needs to? The Bear will score a 2011 return as “probably not.”

Intersport likewise needs one or more Sugar Daddies. Futility got old for Richard Berry, and the new Beverly Hills mark (er, driver) has hardly turned a wheel with a third of the season already gone. It’s a crap shoot to predict a top-class LMP entry for this team the rest of this year, say nothing of next, though the Bear expects continuation of its LMPC and IMSA Lites programs.

There’s some speculation that rule changes could end Cytosport’s Porsche run. Some of that appears to be rooted in an idea that a Porsche LMP1 (not just a modification of the RS Spyder) is imminent. Murphy doesn’t believe it is. So, will Cytosport continue? The team is not (like Highcroft or Dyson) an  ALMS competitor of many years. Greg Pickett is “getting on in years” (his lap times show it). Porsche doesn’t seem eager to support the Spyder (though they will continue to do so if adequately paid). Murphy thinks there’s no more than an “even chance” Pickett and his team will return.

Will Audi return? Yes and no. The “no” first. The R18 is about as substantial as any other video game, meaning it hasn’t made it off the hard drive of the design computer, and won’t until Audi’s board says “jawohl.” 

If it does, Murphy expects to see the new prototype in the Intercontinental Cup events and nowhere else. Herr Doktor Ulrich told a respected radio personality earlier in the spring  that a GT program in the American Le Mans Series is probably the way to go. Murphy would be disappointed if an Audi GT effort was wasted on a GTC entry, but it’s not clear which of those directions (GTC or GT), if any, Audi will finally take.

Everything the Bear hears about Corsa/ARES screams “dead on arrival.” Even the most recent team Facebook update couldn’t find anything more positive to say than “we are in a bit of a holding pattern,” and though they “want to race this year,” the “main concern” is 2011. Murphy puts the odds of even that happening about equal to those he gives to full seasons from Creation and ECO Racing. Both of those are slim and none, hoping in vain for one (or more) of those “sugar daddies,” so much in short supply. It’s a measure of the dearth of interest in racing in the American Le Mans Series that beyond ARES and ECO, Murphy can’t even find a good rumor about 2011 prototype entrants.

Drayson Racing is the one entrant for whom prospects for next season (and this one) have actually improved, due to Labour’s UK election loss. That left Lord Drayson “unemployed,” but now free to take on partners and sponsors. His current Judd V10 will be obsolete by the rules in 2011, and his enthusiasm for losing will be tested at some point (See Bryan Willman), but for now the Bear expect’s the Lord to return.

Unless there’s something out there completely under the radar, the American Le Mans Series top class will include no more than the six entries on this year’s grids with “bumps” in the two Intercontinental Cup races at Sebring and Road Atlanta.

LMP2 Kit Car

Kit car builder Bailey Edwards Cars claims it has six people working on a new-rules LMP2 to be built entirely in South Africa. Nearly two years into the project, there’s nothing to show but Greg Bailey’s chatter about testing in October and some artists drawings. To the Bear it looks like a small-scale US F1. Speaking of whom, they auctioned off US F1’s assets the other day, getting about a million dollars for tools, desks, parts and pieces, the largest of which, one tub, brought a mere $8,000. The You Tube guy, who’s turned out to be more big mouth than big money, seems perfectly happy to let his employees get stiffed on the pay due them. Class.

Peugeot’s Plan

Peugeot’s plan to participate in Petit – or in any of the remaining Intercontinental Cup and Le Mans Series races remains in some doubt. At the start of the season, it was Sebring oui, and PLM non. Then they said PLM ( and China) ouah! (Murphy dutifully booked his trip.) Following the Le Mans debacle, though, reports spread that it was now ah non Petit! (At least.) “Directly from the boss,” wrote one of the Bear’s trusted sources. Whatever. Girls and Frogs reserve the right to change their minds – often. As long as Paddy’s is open, Murphy will be happy.

Where’s T-Mobile?

 An article appearing in “Wall Street 24/7” lists the “10 Brands Most Likely to Disappear” T-Mobile, Kia, BP, Blockbuster, RadioShack, Moody’s, Merrill Lynch. Murphy had to laugh when he saw T-Mobile on that list. The chuckleheads ripping the poor Bear lately are the same ones who were touting VICI Racing’s Porsche T-Mobile sponsorship as “all set for 2010.” Murphy’s still looking for it…maybe later? Hey, corporate budget cycles don’t work like that – approving 2010 money in early 2009. What you saw in 2009 was all that was committed. 2010 was just hope – or hooey. The Bear told you as much.

Abruzzi

Le Mans was something short of a complete success for Don, Danny and the rest of the Braselburg gang. The Abruzzi made it across the Atlantic, but worries it might not make it around cancelled its scheduled demo laps. After a run up and down a nearby airport runway revealed a little problem or two (including wrong-length pushrods – “hey, we were in a hurry”), the Italian-inspired automotive sculpture became a static display at Le Mans, and remains in Europe. Parts packages are headed to Winchester, Virginia, so it’s now up to Tom Milner to see if he can build a racer. According to an observer, “It’s 75-1 on making PLM…against.”

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.

Will Mid-Ohio be history?

The American Le Mans Series could lose its Mid-Ohio round next season. Murphy previously heard the sale of the track is possible – there have been discussions, and a  price has been named – and recently when directly asked, the IRL’s boss was non-committal about a return. That might mean the Honda company picnic is headed for the dustbin. If so, will a Mid-Ohio management that’s paying close attention to its balance sheet and P&L risk the rather large ALMS sanction fee absent the open wheel guys and the built-in Honda crowd?

Grand Am goes to Indy

Meanwhile, it seems certain that Grand Am is going to Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2011. So was the chatter around the Lime Rock paddock, anyway.

Corvette to get some love

In keeping with its “rolling rule revisions” policy (greasing the latest squeaky wheel), expect a bulletin giving a little love to the Corvettes as early as tomorrow (June 10). So far, the machinations of the Grand Am rule mill have left America’s sports car right where it started the season, while Porsche’s gotten major breaks, including a whole new motor. (That hasn’t brought the Porkers back, though, has it?) Mazda’s “support has been appreciated.”

Are the gnomes pissed off, or what?

The gnomes who inhabit the overstuffed chairs at de l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest seem to like Bavarians not better more than they did Count von Bismarck and Erich Ludendorff, and for sure Dietrich von Choltitz is a comparative favorite, especially in Paris. When the Bimmers showed up, the frogs hit them with a restrictor reduction. That seems to have put the designated German fall-guys 6 seconds off the GT2 pole (so far) instead of just 4. Our frog friends never have gotten over being jilted in 2001, have they? Besides, if you’re “appreciative of the support” of  the other two Deutsche builders, national pride requires you beat up on  ‘the other Boche”.

This morning the Bear woke up

To the end of GT1 (finally, it’s been “dead man walking” for years). Then there’s the much awaited ”other” GT class. The ACO has added a Used Car Class. Same as GT2, with one year old (and older) cars, and old drivers – well, amateur drivers who tend to be old, anyway, having made a pile of cash (too often in various ponze schemes, and in the the agricultural importing business). Great, another class that adds no new cars (without building a GT first, and waiting a year, a make can’t have a GT-amateur entry), and that’s entirely head-scratching for spectators (who cares about them anyway). Is IMSA going to follow this nonsense? Meanwhile, the market for GT1 cars is now exactly four.

How about an Excalibur? (Abruzzi II)

Well, now you’ve seen the Abruzzi. Murphy gave you the dirty little secret in Paddock Poop 167 – that it’s the ultimate (well, not really that good) kit car, built on an old Esperante GTLM chassis developed in Toronto, not Georgia. Throw on new body panels (bang on them ‘til they fit), and presto. The problem is, there’s nothing about this car that can be certified by US DOT, so make it “exclusive,” and maybe some sand box sheikdom with more oil money than good sense will buy a few. Well, at least Tom Milner (if he gets the race work) will recognize the chassis, won’t he? A prominent race engineer asked the Bear, “Can you imagine a wing on that thing?” Murphy would much rather have an Excalibur SS if he has to have a kit car – or maybe a faux 550 Spyder on a VW.

Farewell to the oil burners

There’s a good chance this is not just the end of the line for the 908 and the R15, but for diesel prototypes, and any prototypes from Peugeot or Audi. That rumble is so load it’s a roar.

Prognostications

A snake says anyone could do Murphy’s predictions in the ALMS. Probably true, but that’s a pretty sad commentary on the state of that series, isn’t it? Of course his point is that that LMPC and GT Challenge aren’t so predictable. That’s true, too…but neither is Nord Stern’s “Last Fling” at Brainerd. That doesn’t turn the Bear’s crank, either.

Here’s what Murphy thinks will happen at the little track in Le Sarthe:

A diesel will win LMP1.

Something with an HPD motor will win LMP2.

Murphy doesn’t care what wins GT1.

A Ferrari will win GT2.

Yearbook Awards, Class of 2010

Most likely to succeed: Peugeot, of course.

Most likely to be “first out”: Tie, JLOC Lambo and RSR Jag. (Dis)honorable Mention: Spyker Squadron

Fast Driver, LMP: Simon Pagenaud

Fast Driver, GT2: Jaime Melo

Slow Driver, LMP: Someone in a Norma (Shrek, you’re off the hook.)

Slow Driver, GT2: Way too many candidates, including at least one in a Ferrari, and a few in Porsches, a Spyker pilot. (This is a real contest!)

Worst Team Name (non-descriptive category): Young Driver AMR

The Bear was told this is a “15 minutes of fame” deal. Cash paid to Bernie (a kind of application fee to FOA), but unlikely to get much beyond that. The number to get the “purpose-built” facility entirely prepared (garages, spectator amenities, track, etc.)? Murphy was quoted “a quarter billion dollars.”

Though three “possible sites” have been mentioned, The contemplated site is said to be a 7/8ths oval south of Austin, which makes sense to the Bear, since it will already have been “permitted” for racing activities…Thunderhill, baby! From NASCAR West to F1 in one big leap.

The deal has been floated by Full Throttle Productions, LP, whose managing partner is apparently 39-year-old Tavo (C.T.) Hellmund, most recently a part-time (14 starts) driver in NASCAR West’s K&N Pro Series (before that Formula Ford in Britain, and a few other nondescript racing adventures). Can a promoter for which a “big event” was drawing 9,000 to the Allstate Thunderhill 150 really build a $250 million facility and promote an international event that will have to draw 150,000 spectators to succeed? Can a promoter whose racing career was characterized by “under-funded efforts,” raise a quarter billion dollars for a facility, plus at least another $10 million for promotion and other operating costs? Can all that get done in 24 months?

“C.T.” is the son of the Tavo Hellmund, who promoted CART in Mexico City in the early 1980’s, now an Austin Ford dealer.
Murphy thinks the Austin Formula 1 race will have more in common with the F1 events in Moscow, Mexico, and India, than it will with Bahrain, Brazil, and Belgium. Time will tell, won’t it?

About Abruzzi (Cliff’s Notes version)

The Abruzzi chassis originated with Multimatic in Toronto about the time the Esperante lost its DOT certification in 2006. The Canadian company, which built the Esperante tube frame chassis for the Esperante race car and shipped them to Panoz Auto Development (PAD) in Georgia, did a second generation design in 2006, this one with a carbon fiber floor pan, firewall, and rear panels.

The Multimatic tooling went to PAD after 2006, where a few race cars, but no road cars, have been built since then; Esperante road car sales have been made out of existing inventory (permitted after of the certification of the Mustang on which it piggybacked ended).

Enter the Don, who decided to use that second generation chassis along with a Corvette drive train for his Abruzzi. Danny hired designers, Comprent built the patterns, and  Elan built the body panels. Except…they didn’t fit! Danny and Don had a little family tiff over that, and a few of the “old guys” were brought back to Elan, but it was all such a mess they were gone after a few days.

So there it is, a huge scramble to get the car ready to leave for France June 1, where it will (maybe) do a demonstration lap ahead of the pace car at Le Mans.  Will it make it?

Laguna Seca

The cold put just a small crimp in Friday’s forum get-together. Huge and Brian were happy to see each other, and atlantafalconsfan met the Bear. The next day, even the house Canuckistani was dressed for winter, apparently guarding the Port-a-Potties.

Murphy froze his little tush just about off. It was so cold even fur didn’t help much. If they say the crowd was up, or even, or close to it, they’re spinning. Fifty feet of empty fence above Turn 2 at the start doesn’t qualify even as “the new up.”

The Corkscrew (inside the track) looked pretty good, but sports car types being among the smarter racing fans, they likely quickly figured out it’s one of the few spots sheltered from the bitter winds.

Notes

Murphy can imagine the conversation Laguna Seca had with its big sponsor. “You know that new media center we promised? Well, how about a nice new scoring pole instead?”

A dispute over who was supposed to pay for what has ended the Marcelli-Feinberg partnership before the season’s third event.  It’s likely we won’t have Joel to kick around anymore.

The engine and head in Dyson Racing’s Lola were redesigned over the winter. Will that make a difference? They believe so. Is the oil filter the next candidate for re-engineering? A Fram, perhaps?

Whether ALMS/IMSA is or is not for sale, it’s widely believed in the paddock that the series will change hands if there’s acceptable offer. Since to date the seller’s definition of “acceptable offer” seems to be damn near double that of the interested parties’ definition, a change any time soon would appear to be unlikely.

Cats (Not the musical)

Though what we saw on the track at Laguna Seca was still more Grizabella than Mr. Mistoffelees. Yes, there was the Jaguar on the last lap, but there were also the 46 laps the cat didn’t make over the course of 6 hours, and even that makes no reference to pace. The best run to date, but not one that instills confidence for Le Mans.

Audi: R15+ Last of the Line?

There have been hints that Audi has decided “the way forward” in sports car racing is in GT, not prototype. If so, that continues a world-wide trend amongst manufacturers. Murphy suspects this recent “golden age of prototypes” may soon be behind us, replaced (he can hope) by a “golden age of GT.”

Whilst (hwlst, wlst)  While. Conjunction, chiefly British; Middle English, whilest, alteration of  whiles.

Off to the Continent?

A US race team is rumored to be planning a two-car LMS campaign in 2011. Sources say $10 million has been mentioned. The Bear is particularly puzzled by this one, since its principal was believed by some to be one of those nosing around IMSA with a buyout in mind. But it isn’t settled yet, since the LMS plan is promoted internally by a driver and friend of the boss with deep Euro roots, whilst the team manager is “less than committed” to the idea – or so Murphy has heard, anyway.

Bear tracks

Laguna Seca is next, and of course Murphy will be on hand in his favorite place in the world, one now teeming with bittersweet memories. On Thursday he’ll head down to Canary Row to see Big Mike, Ken, and David, then drive to Carmel to drop in on Clint and Gennady. Whilst he drinks the Lockwood he’ll sing his little lungs out in the best damn piano bar on the planet. (Though he has to admit he likes David’s musical stylings on Canary Row – particularly his rendition of “The Shadow of your Smile.”)

He’ll spend Friday night with Otisdog, GTP Chris, and Stark Naked below the Corkscrew, and after the race Saturday he’s off to downtown Monterey and his favorite party pub.

Unintended consequences

The Bear would have been campaigning for the Tories if he’d known. Drayson Racing announced the Lord’s racing team would get his full “focus,” (full being half, of course) now that Labour is out and the Tories are in. An unemployed Lord Drayson will now turn the racing team into something of a business, prohibited whilst (love the word, but did Emanuele really use it?) he worked for the gubment.

Yudson’s Hybrid – or not

Murphy heard from Phil, the MD at Motorsport Technology. That’s the mother country’s title for a guy in charge, “managing director,” not “medical doctor.” Anyway, the motorcycle mechanic wouldn’t confirm any work on a hybrid race car (“early stages”), but he did tell the Bear that they’re working with “some exciting motorcycle technologies that we will be releasing via press release soon,” leaving Murphy positively trembling. The Bear hasn’t been this enthusiastic since Corey Shaw announced his SCT-100!

Along with those teasers, Mr. Harris asked the Bear “to…remove all of the info on Mr. Gondobintoro as none of it is true.” Whilst the motorcycle mechanic did confirm that Mr. G. is the company president of Motorsport Technologies, and that MT is “funded by private investors in South East asia,” he provided no specifics contrary to Murphy’s April 15 Poop, so the Bear (with documents behind that story) is left to sit on his little paws.

Next?

Remember when Murphy told you RSR’s boss was hawking a Cat engine around the paddock for prototype use (Paddock Poop 164, April 26)? Though that seemed a remote possibility at the time, it now appears to be more likely.  A delegation, headed by managing director Mike O’Driscoll, and including chief designer Ian Callum, is headed to Huntingdon to inspect the installation of a Cat motor. Ya spose O’Driscoll meant it when he said, “We are remaking Jaguar into the sporting company that it always was?”

Murphy doesn’t know who’s paid the freight for the LMP1 install, or who – if anyone – is on the hook to race it, or where it might race, for that matter. Considering recent trends, the Bear would say the LMS is likely, even whilst the power plants will be sourced – by contract – through RSR. Stay tuned.

It has been a while since you’ve heard from A.C. My temp job with the Census Department has really tied me up, and I haven’t been able to attend any Grand Am races since Daytona.

There has been a lot of news about the Rolex Series recently, and its all been good. Probably the best thing is J.C. France has been fully exonerated of those bogus charges against him.  J.C. is a good citizen and an asset to the Daytona Beach community and the Rolex Grand Am Series. It almost brought a tear to my eyes when I saw all those “Free J.C.” Banners at the Rolex 24. 

It was obvious from the start J.C. was targeted by law enforcement. This is called RWGP (“Rich White Guy Profiling”) and has become a serious problem in our country.  The fact he has 30 traffic stops on his record proves the police are unfairly targeting him. From what I understand, the ACLU was going to defend J.C. because of the nature of this RWGP case.  Fortunately, all charges have been dropped.

I wasn’t surprised to hear the good news that Scott Pruett was just named the “Most Interesting Man in the World,” replacing that bearded Dos Equis guy (“Stay Thirsty my Friends”). The announcement was made by the NASCAR Road Racing PR Department after a poll of Grand-Am fans (Andy F., I know you stuffed the ballot box, but I won’t tell anyone).  As I’m sure all you Grand-Am fans know- Scott is simply the greatest race car driver ever.  By the way, Memo Rojas is a great guy too, but not that interesting.

I received an email from a reader suggesting I comment on the dwindling car count in Grand Am. First of all, 12 DP’s is an excellent number, because it’s quality, not quantity that matters.  More important, it’s kind of cool that there is usually one car per spectator at Grand Am races, which creates a very intimate feeling.  NASCAR does not overlook anything!

I really like the new ballast drawing instituted for the GT class. If you are not familiar with it, it is quite simple: When a Mazda team arrives at the track, they draw a number [between 74 and 76] out of a hat, and that is the amount of extra pounds they carry in the race. Non-Mazda teams are exempt.

Don’t know if any of you have had a chance to see the massive new NASCAR offices on International Speedway Boulevard, but they are awesome.  The lobby features a tribute to the France family and the importance of NASCAR to our society. Its like a little museum; there’s a special display by Winston, showing the number of NASCAR fans who got lung cancer during their sponsorship. Another display shows the technology advances of NASCAR (for some reason the timeline ends with the 1970s).  A neat item on display is the actual urine sample Jeremy Mayfield submitted for his drug test.  Probably the coolest thing is the “Wall of Contrived Controversies” the NASCAR PR department has dreamed up to create fan interest.  They were just adding the Jeff Gordon vs. Jimmie Johnson feud when I was there the other day.  Anyway, the Grand Am office is on the first floor in the back corner, next to the restrooms and the “Office of Loyalty.” Inside the Grand-Am office there are 159 different photos of Hurley Haywood on the wall, arranged in a pattern that spells “DAYTONA.”  Really cool.  If you ever have a chance to visit the new offices, I recommend it.

The “silly season” is upon us already!  Lots of juicy rumors.  I’ve heard Jim France is the stroke of a pen away from buying the three Panoz tracks.  If he steps up to the plate, and I think he will, expect the Rolex schedule to expand by three races next year!

I’ve also heard the next generation of DPs will be announced later this year!  The rules will send shockwaves throughout the road racing community (and especially in Braselton).  I am sworn to secrecy, but I will give you these hints: Jim Hurtubise, Zima, and The Village People.

A.C.