Waiting for Wings

No, not at the Wing House, where Murphy hopes to visit on his Sebring trip. Unhappily for Autocon, Lola had not yet delivered a new-rules wing for the P1 car as recently as late last week, say nothing of the ACO’s last-minute-mandated skid block change. (In the opinion of at least one Bear correspondent, a change this late is a bit of foolishness if ever there was one.) It’s no wonder that neither of the possible Lola P1 teams bothered with Wheels Down Winter Test at Sebring, is it?

Intersport is in

The other Lola team is Intersport. Though the long-time participant still working to pull together its 2009 campaign, Murphy’s been told that Sebring is a “go.” The Dublin team might doing Sebring on its own nickel because it’s smart not to disappear while you’re trying to attract funding. That would be the smart thing to do, wouldn’t it? Especially if you’ve got two drivers, the car, a team and a hauler in hand?  That brings the P1 entry to eight, Peugeot, Audi, Acura, and Lola, two-by-two. A nice symmetry.

Will there be any more? Probably not. Others have been mentioned, but Murphy continues to believe they won’t make the grid.

Dyson already up and running with one Mazola, livery and all, with another in route. Nice to be able to count on something, isn’t it?

VICI +2…or…

In GT2, VICI has added two Porsches to the entry, oddly with drivers TBA. Murphy says “oddly” because it seemed clear that the VICI program was very much dependent on drivers with budgets, so if the entries are firm, the drivers should already be “on board.” Other opinion from the paddock (shared with the Bear yesterday) remained doubtful about at least the second of the two entries, and dismissed any possibility of a third.

Bimmer by Two – or Not

That brought the entry to 27. The gang in Georgia expects to be able to add a second Ford GT and another Ferrari soon, so could 30 be in reach? The Bear heard tonight (Tuesday) that the much-hoped-for Unnamed Ferrari will not make Sebring. but “will keep working (to get on the grid) right until October if need be.” That’s a real set-back.

Is there a chance that we’ll see the second Rahal BMW? Murphy thought so right up until Monday afternoon. Now he’d not so sure. But hey, if you’re in Sebring today (Tuesday), perhaps you can ask them; they’re testing the M3. Murphy was told this evening that testing today wasn’t good; the BMW was no quicker than at the Winter Test, and that’s s-l-o-w. There’s real pressure for a bigger restrictor – and just as much “push back” on that from other GT2 entrants. Is the whole thing in doubt? It might be, one paddock resident says, “I don’t think they’re playing games.”

If we don’t get that second car, the Bear’s going to guess that Dirk Mueller will Join Bill Auberlen and Joey Hand for Sebring. It was previously suggested to Murphy that the single entry was a gambit by BMW in the continuing game with ACO rule-makers, and the Munich munchkins would ultimately enter two – or none.  Now he expects what’s on the entry.

Thirty or Bust

So for that magic 30, the possibilities quickly get pretty thin.  We may or may not keep both VICI Porsches. We may or may not get a Swan (black or otherwise), or a Ferrari (with a name or not). After those three – or zero – we’ll have an entry of 29 – or 26 – and we’re left with these from which to find one – or four – more: Corsa, another Zytek, a Creation, a European Porsche or two, a Salad Oil Burner (or two). Here’s some more late “news.” Corsa is possible, but not before Salt Lake at the earliest. The beat goes on.

Murphy isn’t sure there’s even one entry on that list. Readers are invited to set him straight in “Comments,” below.
What about St. Pete? There is a forum thread, but the bear will pass for now. There will be plenty of time to wring his paws over that one. Maybe that will be a pleasant surprise. It will be Autocon’s single planned miss this season, and Corvette’s is also a pass; on the other hand, Murphy’s heard that van der Steur is considering the city next to Tampa Bay.

Speaking of van der Steur, Connor observed that the Radical appeared to have great promise when it first raced, but quickly faded away. Too many constructors for the market?

Murphy’s Sebring

At this time of the year, the Bear’s memories of good times at Sebring return and the anticipation rises.
Plans are still incomplete, but some things seem certain. Murphy will visit a Wing House, accept an invitation to the BMW Corral, stop by Turn 13, celebrate at Chicanes, and probably stop by to nosh with his friend Bully at the Watering Hole. A walking a lap of the track is always on tap. He might help a friend collect autographs.
In the meantime check back here for the Bear’s famous (or infamous) Punter’s Guides, one each for prototypes and GTs.

Dome, Pesca?

Over in a Euro-based forum, Canada ALMS fan, asks, “Can your furry friend add anything to the stories of the Pescarolo or the Dome showing up in the ALMS?”

It’s remote that they’ll land on a 2009 ALMS grid. Think money. Murphy’s, well…obviously he’s a bear, isn’t he?. Funding will not get any easier as the season continues; it may get worse. His European correspondents generally tell him that as good as the LMS and Le Mans look, there’s a lot of “spec” entries in there, meaning, “enter it and they (funded drivers and sponsors) will come.” Time will tell.

A Public Service Announcement for Bayerische Moteren Werke

With BMW joining the fray, Murphy has a public service announcement. According to a circa 1980 issue of Roundel, a Beemer (or Beamer) is a BMW motorcycle. A Bayerische Moteren Werke automobile is a Bimmer.

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.

Below is a Spitfire – Wisconsin style.

The Break makes Seibken’s Stop-Inn Tavern, where Murphy Stopped-Inn Friday and Saturday, seem real upscale, though. It was a “say-hey” to rickybaker on Friday. Pictured are two close friends of Murphy’s on Siebken’s patio.

Saturday, he chatted with Wolf and Jörg after the race, and made some new friends, too.

As always, he stopped by to see friends and visit Brian Redman’s cat in the Carousel, too.

2009 Schedule

Braselton thinks that 14 would be a nice schedule, long-term, and doesn’t want to add more than one new race in a season. But there’s a “whoops” to that second part that goes like this: “Unless a good opportunity comes along,” in which case they might “have to” add two. So, waddayaknow, there seems to be a “good opportunity” in the upcoming season.

Murphy’s heard seven venues mentioned in the paddock and around the water cooler. The Rose City is entirely out of the running for the IRL, so that puts the Northwest in play again for the ALMS. Will the third time be the charm? Or has the track finally settled into the minor leagues for good, now listing drifting, bicycle races, and the Cascade Sports Car Club on its “major event” schedule?

NASCAR declared victory (“mission accomplished, we’ve raised motorsports profile here, our work is done,” or some such nonsensical statement that you’d have to be into the Kool Aid to believe) and will take its Nationwide series out of Mexico City. Murphy doesn’t think Grand Am will stay there on its own. Like Portland, Mexico City gets no mention with the open wheel guys, so does the American Le Mans Series step into a void there? That’s the rub, of course, so many think of the Mexican capitol as a big, scary void. Some not particularly eager to race in Ciudad de México are key to making the sports car schedule. On the other hand, there is another former big-league racing venue south of the Texas boarder. Murphy’s heard it could be one of two new venues to make the grade in 2008.

The Bear told you about the NAS and Lukoil, but there’s another option nearby – east, not north, of Philly – that seems more likely now. The track that shares a name with the famous “Jug” that flew in the middle of the last century may be that second 2008 “opportunity.”

Cleveland and Houston have gotten mentions, especially since the promoter has met with the IMSA guys, but inclusion in some future IRL season seems more likely than landing on the ALMS schedule.

Another Cannuckistani race? The Bear hears (as his lion friend once famously said), “not nohow.”

New Porker Lumps for Dyson

Dyson Racing will get its first DI motor at Mosport and the second at Detroit. (That’s the Weissachian promise, anyway.) Seeking to change his luck, this guy rubbed the Bear before starting his Spyder at Road America. It worked.

What will we see at Petit Le Mans? Lots of cars, it seems. Pugs for sure; Connor says they’ll announce this week. (Independent of web broadcasts, Murphy got a “not our announcement to make…”). You can read that anyway you like, but the Bear thinks just two questions remain: One or two? (that’s cars and races) The Lola with the gasoline V12 might be on its way. In fact there may be a plethora of Astons, beyond the two in the ALMS now.

Forget Cytosport, it seems their announcements of their post-Le Mans ALMS program were as bogus as the ones about the pre-Le Mans program – both LMS and ALMS. On the other hand, we’re going to be much happier with the Corsa Zytek, anyway. And maybe Embassy. Don’t forget the AIM Creations.

Y’all know Mazda’s stepped up to the plate and will field a new Lola coupe in place of the B0something/something spyder (sometimes it seems an extra dive plane will get a new model designation). Murphy’s not sure it will put B-K on race pace, but he’s pretty sure it will get more useful notice than another walk-over bridge with “MAZDA” painted on it.

Will Eco make it to Petit? Silverstone will tell us; good if it shows up, bad if it still won’t run or is damaged. So in the meantime the Bear will ignore everything that’s announced, said, printed, or rumored. You should, too.

Murphy thinks the Mansells are telling the truth about wanting to share a Lola, but also are truthful that someone else will have to pay the bill. So, if “Our Nige” is such a hot commodity under St. George’s Cross, will someone step up? The Bear’s waiting for a note from his correspondent in the Empire.

For 2009, the Bear hears that optimism over funding for a Florida team is at an all-time high.

Murphy spent race day morning with some friends down at the “pit-out” end of the paddock, talking with U.B. about the good old days of shade tree (or garage) mechanics, about Kugelfischer FI, and about engine braking on diesels (now the Bear knows why there isn’t any to speak of). The Herr Doktor was there and in good form with a broad smile, as was Murphy’s new favorite Audi driver, (apologies to the wee Scot) who gave him a big hug. Is there another Audi in the DTM driver’s future? Murphy couldn’t get any denials.

There was a printed copy of Peter de Lorenzo’s “Fumes” from last week on various paddock tables. It’s interesting that what Detroit described it wanted from Daytona Beach was a pretty good description of what GM is already getting from Corvette Racing, albeit on a smaller scale. Does that mean the General understands what Corvette in the ALMS does for it? We can hope, can’t we? Doug said “I’ve given it my best shot.”

The Bear’s heard that planning is underway for a very special event for forum fans at Mosport. Look for information soon. (Actually, while finishing this Poop, Murphy’s just now seen the news posted in the ALMS forum’s Mosport thread.) The Bear is planning a “Paddock Poop Special Edition” to be available only at the gathering.

Well, it’s not all bad if a poop brings the denizens of the paddock out of the wordwork, is it?

Murphy said that there was an “if” associated with each of the prototypes that had indicated they’d be at Road America.

The Three “ifs”

First was “due diligence.” Corsa Motorsports said it was “evaluating an opportunity,” that it “would miss the next two races (Lime Rock and Mid-Ohio), but would participate “in the remainder of the season.” That “remainder” would have started at Road America. With this one, there’s good news and bad news. The bad? There will be no Corsa prototype at Road America, and a Ferrari is similarly unlikely. The good, is that Corsa has completed its “due diligence” and a new car will be delivered “in a month.” So, perhaps Petit?

Next, Murphy wrote that the participation of one team would be related to “the cost of salad oil.” The “semi-official” word – just communicated to Braselton today – is that a test of the Eco Racing Radical led the team to conclude that “running a four hour race” at Road America was beyond its capabilities. So they’re going to race at Silverstone (1,000 K), then at Petit Le Mans (1,000 miles). Huh?

Third, at team would have to change its “modus operandi,” which, in a word is “announce, but don’t show up.” (They drove them all a bit nuts in Europe with that one, didn’t they?) Anybody see Cytosport listed on the Road America entry? Murphy was going to say “case closed,” but then he heard that a team-related source said “Cytosport will be at Road America.” We’ll see, won’t we?

Fourteen Races? 

Murphy’s heard that the maximum number of races in a season that is considered acceptable is fourteen. With eleven now, that means the ALMS could add three. They’d like to be orderly about it, the Bear hears, and add no more than one each season. But if an opportunity presents itself….

Cold Water on one Airbase

Related to all that, there’s the quiz, based on a fantastically detailed rumor. (Do people actually make that stuff up? It seems so.) Willow Grove, Paul Newman, the Russian oil company, and corn weren’t exactly ruled out, but a well placed friend of the Bear’s offered the opinion that Thunderbolt still seems more likely for something near Philly – which is an area the series would love to be. Perhaps some of those details apply to an event at the New Jersey track?

Airports seem to be in Vogue

So, that’s why some think that two races could be added in 2009. Perhaps one might be that near-Philly thing? The other is said to be on an airport near a lake, and just might be a combined weekend, The IRL team partner promoter was at Mid-Ohio to meet with ALMS cheeses; was it about the lake place or their other one?

Whatever, it seems that the addition of a pre-Le Mans event is particularly attractive.

Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives

Another visitor at Mid-Ohio was the one-time team manager of Automobiles Gonfaronnaises Sportives. What that’s about is anybody’s guess.

Resurfacing

A much-mentioned team is finally near an agreement that will deliver the funding needed to field a prototype in 2009. What will it be? Not Porsche, not Lola, not Zytek. Something else. Play with that one.

OK, the Bear is caught up. He needs a nap now.