11. What new LMP2 was announced at the 2003 Petit Le Mans?

The Shaw Chassis Engineering SCT 100. An entertaining event that gave the Bear and  others many laughs at Road Atlanta and later at other events where Shaw was a no-show. From the report of the news conference Murphy’s friend wrote for dailysportscar at the time: “Shaw Chassis Engineering, of Mazon, Illinois today announced a “chassis program” based on new technology that will allow competitive ALMS-rule-compliant prototype race cars for as little as $180,000, complete with a 3.4 liter V8 of Shaw Chassis’ own design. Manufacturing of thirty-six chassis is underway, allowing such attractive pricing. Corey Shaw said, “We have several contracts in hand, some from teams, or drivers currently competing in ALMS, for cars to be delivered to be raced at Sebring in 2005. The thirty-six chassis include “some” that are being built for SCCA’s A Sports Racer class (ASR).” In retrospect, the number of lies told by Mr. Shaw is astounding – or perhaps it’s not, considering Al Solaroli, Greg Loles, the Soup Kitchen Guy, and Henri Zogaib.

12. What factory team made its only ALMS start at Sebring in 2004?

Morgan.

13. Name the 6 diesels that have raced at Le Mans.

Delettrez, 1949; MAP, 1950 (also first mid-engine entry); Taurus/Caterpillar, 2004; Audi R10, 2006-2008; Peugeot 908, 2007-2010; Audi R15 2009-2010.

14. How many wins and series championships did James Weaver win for Dyson Racing?

33 race wins, 3 championships. Some of you came up with other numbers; Murphy’s using the Dyson Racing website as his authority.

15. What was the first racing event attended by Murphy H. Bear?

Laguna Seca, 2004. Murphy H. Bear was adopted at the Inn At Sonoma a few days before Audi Sports Car Championships at Laguna Seca in October 2004.  He took his name from Murphy’s Irish Pub,  in an alley just off the Sonoma plaza. This photo appeared in dailysportscar’s coverage of the event.

16. Harry and Oscar played a peripheral role in the 2006 American Le Mans P2 championship. Identify them.

Harry and Oscar were Liz Halliday’s Eventing Horses; a native Californian, Liz lives in England, where she pursues her dream of Olympic Gold. Eventing is an equestrian event which comprises dressage, cross-country and show jumping. Her racing and eventing schedules didn’t directly conflict, but they certainly required a great deal of planning and air travel.

17. Seven new LMP projects were announced during 2005. What were they?

Zytek 06S, Lola B06/10, Panhard, Riley Mk.XII/XIV, Titan, Porsche RS Spyder, Radical SR9 were the ones Murphy had in mind, but it turns out some others were also announced that year, including the Lavaggi LS1, Peugeot 908 (how could the Bear miss that one?), Zulltec CZ-01 and Project Raven/VIP. The Courage LC70 ran in 2006, so the Bear assumes it was announced in 2005 along with the LC75, though he can’t find an announcement for either; the same applies to the Creation 06/H. Though the Courage C65 was launched in 2003,a chassis modified to take the Mazda rotary for the ALMS was introduced in 2005, so Murphy will accept that answer if it specifies the Mazda version. The Pescarolo version of the Courage C60 went into production in 2004, but the “hybrid” version debuted for the 2005 season, so Murphy will count that one, too.

18. What notable sports car partnership was launched in Asheville, North Carolina, October 30, 2005?

Andy Wallace and Catherine Crawford were wed – became partners – at the world-famous Bilmore Estate of George Vanderbilt. They subsequently also collaborated as driver and race engineer in Grand Am events.

19. What was the modern era racing debut for Spyker Cars?

12 Hours of Sebring, 2002

20. What brand was the American Le Mans Series “Official Audio and Electronics” partner?

MB Quart

Back on July 7th, Murphy told  you about talks between NASCAR, the FIA, and the folks who run DTM. The Bear’s comments reflected  what was said at a little get-together in Daytona Beach that week. Soon thereafter, Grand Am published its “GT3 Memo,” reported in detail by Murphy’s friends over at Last Turn Clubhouse.

Now ITR – the promoter of DTM – announces that they are working on a joint schedule with NASCAR and Grand Am that would bring 12 races to North America in 2013. Some question the story, one critic writing it’s “BS,” trumped up solely by Hans Werner Aufrech of ITR. If that were so, would Grand Am President Tom Bledsoe (said to be very close to Jim France) have released a statement confirming the general outlines of the on-going discussions?  Murphy suggests you shouldn’t ignore that these talks were announced at that same reception for Grand Am and other NASCAR team owners in Daytona in July.

What’s being described publically by both  sides is the introduction of a separate DTM series of races in North America, that will share weekends with NASCAR-owned series. A few in the paddock speculate that by the time we get to 2013, the DTM cars – some variant – will replace the highly unpopular Daytona Prototypes and thus be “integrated” into the Grand Am show. While it’s not certain that an agreement will finally be signed, everything Murphy hears indicates that the discussions are quite real, and the sides close to an agreement.

Murphy is only a purveyor of Scurrilous Stuff; he certainly can’t compete with the Unvarnished Truth, can he?

At Petit 2010

Thursday evening after night practice, the Bear was at the annual party in the woods above Turn 10; old friends and new stopped by. It was the usual good time, with barley pop and other beverages in abundance. The Bear and friends have spent most of the last decade in that very spot on that very night solving the problems of the sports car racing world.  Now…if someone would only listen…

When Good News Maybe Isn’t

Don’t get too carried away about that prototype HVM says it will field in the ALMS next season. So, HVM is going to do a Lola ALMS prototype program? Are y’all forgetting this is the team that didn’t have the scratch to run a whole Indy Car season? (Edit: The Bear has been corrected. HVM actually made the last race at Homestead after being locked out of its own shop. Apologies for the misinformation. That this is a team “shopping for funding” is still true.) Murphy told you about that last month. This is one of those “we’ve got everything but the funding” deals.

Zytek

Lawrence Tomlinson’s public statement (published widely) would seem to indicate Zytek’s or Ginetta’s involvement in the prototype business will be pretty much “on ice” for the foreseeable future. To Murphy this looks oddly reminiscent of the Creation Autosportif mess, and will likely similarly end badly.

Porsche on the Prowl

Hints of change in the sports car racing world keep trickling out. Grand Am’s approval of single nut wheels and other changes will be applied to Porsche, bringing the Stuttgart company closer to its objective of one race car it can sell in multiple series around the globe. Brumos will race Porsche GT’s in the coming season, and all indications are that the team will get significant factory support.

The Great GTC Scam

The Two Scotts have spent nearly two years telling us the Porsche-only-GTC class was just a matter of convenience. When launched, it was claimed to be the only practical solution for a quick fix of the series’ inability to attract enough entries.

So, of course you thought you’d get something beyond a Porsche club race in 2010. No such luck. When the 2010 season rolled around, it was still too hard to do, Porsches again…but y’all could be excited because some of those Porsches could be different, from different series (though you wouldn’t be able to tell by looking at them).

It had to be a sure thing that you’d get more cars in 2011, right? Then you learned that only one car was being considered, Audi’s R8, already a fixture (and a successful one) on the world GT3 scene. That wasn’t good news, but many seized on it as fait accompli.
Will it happen? Nope, too hard, can’t balance performance, yadda, yadda, yadda…but all bull turds according to Murphy’s sources. Was there a tactical error in Braselburg? Have you seen the GTC entry at the ACO’s Zhuhai Le Mans Intercontinental Cup? Four entries: Audi R8, Audi R8, Audi R8, and Aston Martin DBRS9. What was it the Scotts said? Couldn’t make it work?  Sure.

Count the legs, divide by two, multiply by the event days…

“More than 300,000 fans attend GRAND-AM races in person each year, and millions more watch on television,” said Kevin Hindson, Grand Am’s VP of Marketing and Communications. Interesting stuff. You don’t say “more than 300,000” if you had “more than 400,000,” or even something like 350,000. The Bear’s no math whiz, but 300K at 12 events is an average of 25,000. According to figures Murphy’s seen, the ALMS claims “over 700,000” for nine events, an average of 78,000. That includes two “signature” events (Sebring and Petit) for the Braselburgers, and one for NASCAR’s series. ALMS has one shared weekend (Long Beach) at which accounting for attendance is problematical, as it is for events Grand Am shares with its NASCAR big brothers (July at Daytona, August at the Glen, and Montreal). At best educated guess, television for both series has been stuck around 200K.

Kurt’s

Friday night was Murphy’s second annual Friday Dinner at Petit. One of the local elves suggested Kurt’s in Duluth. The Bear was very, very impressed. Kurt’s and Vreny’s is a self described “European Bistro,” but it’s German enough (as is Kurt) to have been recognizes as one of the top ten German restaurants in America. Wonderful food, excellent service…then Kurt took us on a tour of the most phenomenal collection of motorsport memorabilia Murphy (or his friends) have seen anywhere on the planet.

The Great LMPC Scam

The “Rookie of the Year” is?

Schedule Follies – Part 2

They had to get it out quick. No idea why, but there it is. Then, the TBD date was defeated in Oklahoma City. Other dates move around, or are moved. Even now Road America plans a Saturday race and Braselburg a Sunday date in Wisconsin. Murphy hopes they get together. While they’re at it, why not figure out how long the race will be. The Bear would like six hours. Very much.

Meanwhile, the lack of title sponsors for either of the Baltimore headliners puts that event behind a financial 8-ball. One item about which  fans seem now to be obsessing but Murphy doesn’t share the worry is concern that the returned-to-fall race at Laguna Seca will be shortened from its 2010 6 hour duration. It won’t be.

Anybody know what the television coverage will be in 2011? Neither does the Bear, who’s happy he doesn’t have to raise sponsor money for an ALMS team.

Sincerely dead. Now what?

With key parts now unavailable, the Porsche RS Spyder is – in the immortal words of the Munchkin Coroner – not only merely dead…really most sincerely dead. So, what to race for a team the ALMS sorely needs to return? So far, the only reasonable option is HPD – and do they want to be in line behind Duncan? Other possibilities have drawback that make them unattractive. Contacts with Audi were referred to Audi NA where they dead-ended. A call to Peugeot is likely, but pro forma,  not offering much hope for a program of reasonable cost.

And Dyson? Will Mazda offer enough to make another season like the last two acceptable? Is there hope for any better without an enginectomy? Can the Roush-Yates deal for Grand Am be leveraged into something for ALMS?

Murphy’s Stop-a-Clock Ugly

With the unveiling of the Abruzzi, the talk at Petit Le Mans naturally turned to the ugliest automobiles of all time. There was much conflict but a fair amount of agreement, too. Others mentioned included the Ford Expedition (doesn’t fit in a garage), the Excalibur Phaeton (cheesy copy category), Mercedes Benz Maybach (conspicuous consumption category). Pontiac’s Aztek was on everyone’s list, and somehow dropped off between the Turn 10 woods at PLM and this column. Let’s give it the “Shooting Fish in a Barrel” award, as “too easy,” and allow one more to make the Bear’s final list.  Here are the Bear’s picks:

10.    AMC Gremlin– Took cheap boxy designs to the pinnacle of putrid. Runner’s up here are Chebby’s Vega and Ford’s Pinto. Add Datsun’s B210, Yugo, and Fiat 124 to the Bear’s “catchall and runner-up last spot. Cheap cars that looked the part. 9.    1975 Triumph TR7 – Who knew you could make a sports car look really, really stupid?

8.    1961 Ferrari 250 GT ‘Breadvan’– It turns out a Ferrari got there over a decade before Triumph with ‘La Camionette,’ though it wasn’t Enzo’s doing.

7.    1958 Edsel – No one bought the Edsel because no one wanted to be seen in one.

6.    Tucker Torpedo – Whatever the movie’s script, the Tucker was dead on arrival.

5.    1951 Studebaker Commander – At Studebaker they like the Torpedo so much they decided to build their own.

4.    1958 Oldsmobile 98 – The car that took chrome so far it happily killed the whole idea.

3.    Citroen 2CV Charleston – The 2CV was bad enough, then they gave it this two-tone in a swirl.

2.    1980 Cadillac Seville (Full Cabriolet Roof) – Baroque bad taste taken to a whole new level.

1.    2010 Panoz Abruzzi – The unholy offspring of hippopotamus and a Dyson vacuum cleaner. And the doors don’t fit.

 Numbers

Murphy wrote his first Paddock Poop in July 2005; that’s 64 months ago. With 176 and a few ”specials,” that’s a about three a month, so the Bear hasn’t been as derelect as some of his readers think.

The night of October 3, Murphy and Last Turn Clubhouse passed 2,000,000 visits. That was just 15 months after the two sites logged their first million. Thank you all.

Follow the Bear on Twitter at  http://twitter.com/Murphythebear

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.”

All About Watches

Watches have to be the most reliable cash cow for motorsports of all kinds. Rolex sponsors every concours and historic race it can lay its hands on, and keeps the 24 Hours of Daytona more or less on the map. Interestingly, its famous “Daytona” model predates its sponsorship of that race by over two decades. The “Daytona Paul Newman” is thought by some to be the most valuable of the many collector Rolexes.

Sebring has a new watch sponsor, Alpina Genéve. At Bahrain we heard that Dutch watchmaker TW Steel is sponsoring Renault F1, has signed Emerson Fittipaldi and will produce a special TW Steel Emerson Fittipaldi watch. Hublot, part of the Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessey group, is the new Official Watchmaker of Formula 1. Hublot’s first F1 watch will retail at $23,000.

Tag Heuer funded Porsche’s Formula 1 motor, its “Tag Turbo” name displacing Porsche entirely. The most iconic Tag Heuer, by far, however, is the “Monaco” worn by Michael Delaney in “Le Mans.”

Breitling bankrolled Bentley. LP Italy sponsored Risi Competizione, and launched its Stratosphere Competizione model in 2006.

Girard Perregaux’s is one of Switzerland’s “Cadillac” watchmakers; its “Chebby” Jean Richard subsidiary was fittingly an ALMS (since then Autocon) sponsor. Tissot is the official watch of NASCAR (which has an “Official Pain Reliever” – no, not Goody’s Headache Powders – amongst its 50 “official” partners). Then there’s the tasteless Debaufre… 

Murphy’s trying to decide whether he’ll get a Rolex Daytona Paul Newman, or a Tag Heuer Monaco Steve McQueen. The Bear needs your advice.

Where’s the Rocket Part?

According to an unnamed alms official after Wednesday’s test, Rocketsports would sit this one out if it couldn’t get the Cat around Sebring in a reasonably competitive time – something it hadn’t yet done, struggling to a 2:29.5 in just two laps. Murphy expects the Cat has now “qualified,” managing a sub-2:05 today, running 22 laps over the course of 2 sessions, the best showing to date.

Late note: The Cat missed night practice. Will they get a free pass? The drivers haven’t all previously night-driven at Sebring, the basis for previous waivers.

In Murphy’s Mail

My name is Albert Wong, am a Singaporean citizen and a seasoned Banker in (Berhad office), A deceased client of mine died. He lost all the members of his family in the incident. He secured a contract of (10,000,000.00 million dollars) left behind in the bank. I contacted you in distributing the amount before it is confiscated by then bank. Please get back immediately to proceed.

If the Bear wants to go racing, he should call Albert, right?

Dead Horse Department (added)

The Bear’s heard that Zoran Stefanovic is headed to a meeting tonight with Hurley, Anderson, Windsor, et. al, and expects to walk out with a purchase agreement for USF1 that will put him on the grid at Melbourne with USF1′s entry.  But Todt says, “no, the entry is forfeited, and be ready to pay a fine for missing the first races.” He can’t really have it both ways, if you don’t have an entry, you really can’t be fined. The FIA (Jean Todt) says you have to attend all races, while the Concorde (Bernie) says you can miss; so we still don’t know who is in control here, and probably don’t until it all ends up in a French court – which is exactly where Zoran intends to take it. Getting the smoking hulk left by Ken Anderson at USF1 is the first step toward that.

There seems to be some belief (Anderson, the Bear supposes) that USF1 would then build its own cars for 2011 after running whatever Toyota had left over for this season. Murphy thinks that’s dilusional, and in any case is about 5 steps removed from where this thing is now.

Lost

Andy W. apologized for being “quiet” in a Feb 27 “Hi Folks…” then went on about getting “things finalized for the ALMS,” and the C10 “rocketship.” Probably got lost somewhere in South Carolina. It’s good the Bear doesn’t easily get excited.

The Stars

Michael Schumacher returned; the German average audience during the Bahrain F1 race was 10.5 million. Last season it was 5.4 million. Fernando Alonso drew 5 million in Spain. Sports car racing claims drivers aren’t important. “The cars are the stars.” Right.

The Racing Disease

Murphy’s crack staff has connected Scott Tucker to electronic funds processing services at a buck a pop, 600K pops a day. It seems he went for the Challenge LMPs to bolster a Le Mans dream, but then found he could just buy his way in – not just as a driver (perhaps $300K), but footing the whole enchilada for an Audi, more like $2 million.

Driving Mister Fehan

With Emmanuel Collard and Antonio Garcia on board at Sebring you might think future Chebby pilots are ‘set.” Yes, the Bear’s heard there will be significant change in the team for 2011, but it’s not quite that simple. Corvette Racing will stick around Sebring after the 12 Hours to test possible future drivers. Butch Leitzinger, Paul Edwards and Graham Rahal are testing.

Lotus

Lotus will launch a sports car program with Kevin Kalkhoven’s KV Racing Technology and Cosworth, another Kalkhoven company. We’ve been here before, haven’t we? Murphy says, “slim and none.”

The Perloined Part

There’s been a little mistake. A differential for a reptilian Porsche ended up with a raptor Porsche. The latter immediately jumped up the performance chart. They like the part a lot better than the one they had and have so far refused to return it.

Murphy’s Sebring Punter’s Guide

Murphy’s Le Mans Punter’s Guide is again a “simulpub” with Last Turn Clubhouse, here. Honestly, that site’s software handles tables much better than the Bear’s little blog.

Sebring and Petit Le Mans will  be different, not just in degree, but in kind, from the other races on the American Le Mans Series schedule in that they will run ACO classes to ACO class rules. That means that LMP-1 and 2, and GT-1 and 2 entrants will be required to adhere to the French club’s weight, restrictor, and aerodynamic rools for Le Mans, the Le Mans Series, and the Intercontinental Cup. The principle impact is to keep the prototype classes – such as they are – separated.

The new IMSA spec classes – LMP-C, and GT-C – will be allowed to compete alongside the “official” ACO-recognized racers (a version of LMP-C will also be allowed by the LMS this season).

Murphy has been given the best thinking, speculation, and inside knowledge of all his elves. That still leaves more than one ‘gap,’ but for now, here is the consensus of the Bear’s forest creature friends (aka elves).

LMP-P (Peugeot Class) – Barring a change of heart because of a lack of competition, Peugeot is in. Given they are the cause of no competition, having vetoed an ACO-accepted “interim” Audi, the Bear expects the Frogs to show. This is worse than Audi’s diesel domination, occurring years after the diesel advantage should have been resolved, and in a race in which competition (Audi) was possible, but rejected due to Peugeot’s narrow self-interest and the lack of balls in Georgia. The Frogs will score a meaningless – perhaps Pyrrhic – victory. One of the Bear’s elves took exception to that, writing “There are no meaningless wins at Sebring.” Murphy sees his point, and agrees given Sebring’s historic place in racing, so he’ll put it this way: If the political leverage of an entrant could render Sebring less than it should be, this is it. If the current care-takers of this race – ALMS/IMSA – had a sense of its importance (much greater than their own) they’d at least strongly protest. Audi could seize the moral high ground here, of course, by “facilitating” a Kolles entry (or two) of the R10 – a driver or two, a bit of engineering, etc., etc. – things they did with Champion.

LMP-1 – With the French diesels in their own race, LMP-1 is mostly left to privateers, three of which are confirmed or certain (Intersport, Drayson, and Autocon) one “maybe” (Corsa), and two “when hell freezes over”: Creation and an unidentified, but rumored, Lola Aston Martin (the latter having gone to a collector, according to the Bear’s best sources). Murphy leans toward expecting only the three currently “confirmed” privateer entries to make the Sebring grid. The Bear’s heard that Oreca may return to North America with a Sebring entry of its AIM-powered 01. What? Not the Peugeot 908 they have agreed to race in the LMS and alongside the factory entries at Le Mans? Not according to Murphy’s source, leaving the Bear scratching his furry head. He’ll rate this one just “possible.” That still leaves his likely LMP-1 (exclusive of diesels) entry at three.

LMP-2 – These will be the best of then non-diesel entries (again proving that absent artificially slowing these guys down, the prototype world is upside down). Highcroft, Dyson, and Cytosport will enter an Acura, Lola-Mazda, and Porsche Spyder each. Any or all of the three could enter a second car; Murphy’s odds on that are Highcroft 4-1 against, Dyson 2-1 (an elf rates this probable), and Cytosport 3-2, the latter’s better odds based on rumor of a direct interest by Porsche in adding a Spyder to a race they could well win overall (if the Peugeots find trouble along the way). A rumored OAK Racing Pescarolo falls into the Bear’s infamous “when hell freezes over,” category. On balance then, Murphy thinks we might end up with (figuring, in his usual optimistic way, that one of the “big three” will be able to field a second car) four total LMP-2 entries.

Total “legitimate” prototypes on the grid will be nine.

GT-1 – Won’t be any.

GT-2 – (Except for Sebring and Petit, just “GT”) Corvette will be there, as will BMW, Porsche and Ferrari, each represented by a sort-of-quasi-more-or-less-factory team, Pratt & Miller for Corvette, Rahal Letterman Racing for BMW, Flying Lizards for Porsche, and Risi Competizione for Ferrari. Of those the “less” in terms of factory participation/support Ferrari, and the “more” is Corvette. Those “premier” teams account for 7 entries, and are “confirmed.” Also certain-to-be on hand are three more Ferraris (2 Sharp’s Extreme team, and 1 AF Corse), a Falken Porsche, and a Robertson Ford. Some of the elves count Rocket Sport’s Cat as a sure thing, but the Bear isn’t entirely convinced. There have been rumors of significant (and expensive) homologation problems. He’ll call it “probable.” The Black Swan Porsche is a “maybe” – Murphy thinks there’s an even chance they’ll land in GT Challenge instead. There’s rumor of an unidentified Porsche floating around, too ephemeral to get above “doubtful” in the Bear’s pantheon. Twelve, then, one probable, two less likely. Taken together, perhaps 13 starters?

So, before we get to the spec/club racer specials, the Sebring field totals just 22.

The field filler doesn’t add much – aesthetically or numerically. In LMP Challenge, four are “possible,” but only one (Intersport) is “confirmed” thus far, and even in that case the Bear’s waiting for the Ohio team to name a second driver-with-a-budget. (Murphy’s heard Richard Berry has finally sold his Lola and assorted parts to the Fields, however.) None of the others (Comprent, Genoa, and Gunnar) can be considered to be firm entries; two of three would seem likely. Three on the grid, then.

GT Challenge? That’s an interesting question. Remember this class is made up of racers that originally set out to do a few short sprints in a one-driver, one-make series. Sebring’s 12 hours is a huge jump. Murphy’s been told to expect something closer to the low side of an entry rumored to be between 5 and 9. Other imput – from an “insider” – says the self imposed limit of 10 will be fully subscribed. Professional prevaricator he is, the Bear will go with 7.

So there you have it. Twenty-two cars based on last year’s classes – the structure we’ve had for about a decade. Add the “new stuff,” (field filler of little interest, at least to Bears) and you’ve got 32; just one more than the Bear predicted about this time in 2009. Only 26 actually started that 2009 race – Murphy told you he’s the eternal optimist. Whether the “filler” keeps the 58th Annual 12 Hours of Sebring from being a disaster is an individual judgment. The Bear knows what he thinks.

Around the Paddock

With a lousy ALMS entry anticipated, the potential for a strong LMS entry is striking. What gives? Is the economy worse here than in Europe? (Not really.) Is the ALMS’ “green” initiative hurting rather than helping (Their European cousins are still promoting great racing, so probably.) Does the North American sports car endurance “split” continue to hurt? (Undoubtedly, according to European Car’s motorsport editor in its January issue, “Something’s gotta give, as the saying goes. As CART and the IRL have shown, nothing lasts forever. Both GA and the ALMS have seen their grid numbers fall considerably… Insiders expect both series to chug along but eventually the bottom line will force the issue.”)

The Bear hears rumblings of infighting amongst the Braselburgers, undoubtedly symptomatic of declining fields and finances, particularly in critical television-related revenues (including “wrap-around” contracts with manufacturers).

The new guy in charge of IMSA rools side of things is riling teams and others over what’s to be done with/to prototypes in 2010. Not just disagreement with content, but failure to consider teams’ input, and now delay in getting the rools settled.

There’s growing disaffection amongst Sebring fans with the stewardship of Sebring in recent years. The ACO marginalized its importance in regard to Le Mans by selecting its field before the Florida classic’s green flag. With its preoccupation with being green, logos, and cute lights in the sides of cars, the ALMS has presided over a steady decline in Sebring fields. That will be just one of the things that bites its butt in this and coming seasons.

Follow Murphy on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/Murphythebear

Murphy, A.C., and Katrina Flood brought you right into the action at the Daytona 24, as AC calls it, “the World’s Greatest Race.” This time it almost was, with the Bear (a “Daytona Denier”) on the edge of his seat (with the rest of you – admit it), over the final hour and last laps.

A.C. gave ya’ll ten rools in “How to Enjoy the Rolex 24”

As he did for the previous year, Murphy listed the five entries most likely to win and contend for the win. In 2008, first, second, and third were from his top five. This year he had 1 and 2, and all five of his picks were in the first seven.

There was an interesting exchange with wrestlerrob in Paddock Poop 109 after the race. Wrestler wondered if the Bear would stick to his “Riley only” rool for his 2010 picks. Murphy answered he didn’t see any change, writing that, “Seriously, there’s no challenge in sight to Riley’s dominance. Certainly not Lola, in a partnership of which they are not enamored…or so the Bear hears.” There was your first clue that Lola and Krohn weren’t getting along, nearly a year ago. That “relationship” has now landed in court; if Krohn runs those cars (he’s entered them) it won’t be with any help from Lola.

Murphy mentioned another prototype – of much greater interest – on January 15, “There are multiple hints that there is a Porsche LMP1 in the wings that could debut as early as 2010 – if Herr Dr. Wiedeking will allow it.” Now that Wiedeking is gone his successor is talking openly of the prospect, though a 2011 debut seems most likely.

A.C. proudly declared, “I am A.C. Guillermo, and I’m a Grand-Am Writer.” In his race review, “The Grassy Knoll 24” A.C. ridiculed the conspiracy buffs, with his usual insightful expert analysis, observing, “I was watching the TV coverage of the race today and I saw no evidence of any cheating, aside from all those male enhancement product commercials (that stuff doesn’t work, trust me).”

On January 21, in Paddock Poop 108. “Murphy on Sebring’s Likely Starters,” the Bear wrote, “When the flag flies at Sebring on March 21, 30 entries will thunder into the old airbase’s Turn 1. It’s a different mix, but nearly the same number (31) Murphy gave you on December 10. If Sebring starts the Bear’s 30, it will have done well, indeed, in tough times for racing, losing only 10% from last year’s 33.”

The next day the Bear revised that, summarizing in Paddock Poop 109, “For now, those changes will cut his likely P1 starters to seven. Murphy’s going to keep his expected GT starters at 17, making Sebring’s total grid 29.” Contrary to his reputation in some quarters, in the event, the Bear would prove to be far too optimistic.

February

On February 3rd , the Bear reported that negotiations to bring back “Radio Le Mans,” seemed stalled; that the coverage could end in the new season. “Your favorite internet audio coverage will be gone in the 2009 season unless funding from Braselton is replaced from some other source. Perhaps Murphy’s will have to send what he’d budgeted for a forum hat to England to help out. Time to register your displeasure?  It’s said that the at-track-PA coverage by Mr. H. will be back – if the offer is accepted.”

The content of that was never questioned, though there eventually was an agreement, and much ado about the stuffed animal having written “Radio Le Mans,” rather than “ALMS Radio Web.” He said he was very, very sorry. Roll this story a year forward, and that’s exactly what has happened: It’s been announced ALMS Radio Web will not be funded by the American Le Mans Series. The good news is that Hindy and company at Radio Show Limited seem optimistic the needed sponsorship will be forthcoming.

The other item in Paddock Poop 110 was this:

“The Bear’s  been told that as of yesterday an enterprise in a small Northeastern Georgia town will have across-the-board pay cuts.”
That one leaked so fast that phone calls from Braselton to Murphy’s acquaintances quickly followed, trying to ferret (cute little things, aren’t they?) out the Bear’s source. The Great Georgia Mole Hunt was on! Later in the year, when this or that Braselburger head would roll, it would be rumored that the mole had been excised. But Murphy continues to report what goes on in the Broadway Avenue puzzle palace, doesn’t he?

Murphy’s optimism about the Sebring entry (if 30 can be characterized that way) faded quickly. On Valentine’s Day he wrote, “In mid February, there are 25 Sebring entries (P1 = 7, P2 = 3, GT1 = 2, GT2 = 13). Though more – as many as 35 – are possible, Murphy thinks the grid will grow by only two net (P1 = 7, P2 = 3, GT1 = 2, GT2 = 15) to 27.” The entry dated February 19 totaled exactly that, in a bit different class mix. There finally were 26 on the grid in March (P1 = 8, P2 = 3, GT1 = 2, GT2 = 13).

Not on that grid was VICI Racing. On the 24th of February, the Bear wrote, “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.”

VICI stories continue to this day, with the Pollyannas convinced that the telephone sponsorship on the car last year would actually be funded in 2010. As if corporate budgeting worked that way. Might happen, likely won’t.

March

An Audi R8 was rumored early in the month. That came to nothing, of course. Now it’s rumored for GT Challenge – a “future maybe.” It would be a pretty expensive way to go, about twice the cost of the 911’s that likely would beat it like a redheaded stepchild.
The Riley-Lou-Pratt & Miller-Corvette Racing-GM soap opera continued with a Riley, left standing at the alter, filing lawsuit charging GM with “breach of promise.”

Murphy’s Prototype Punter’s Guide made the two Audi R15s the co-favorites, with the two Peugeots right behind. Big deal,  you say? OK, it wasn’t hard, given the rest of the field was pretty much helpless against the diesels. Those four were all in the top five, with Fernandez’ Acura P2 sneaking into fourth ahead of a broken-down Peugeot. It was a field worth traveling to Florida for. 2010? No Audi, no Acura P1, just two Peugeots to crush a sorry lot of non-contenders. Murphy knows (it’s that mole again) Braselton takes Sebring for granted, believing the rubes will show up no matter what junk is on the grid. Are they right?

In his GT Punter’s Guide, Flying Lizard’s Bergmeister and Long (lang und kurz – having nothing to do with their names) were the Bear’s 3-2 favorites, followed by Risi Competizione’s Melo and Kaffer (3-1). The Ferrari won it, the Lizards falling to 4th . He still had VICI as a “player,” since they were claiming factory pilots, a load of bull droppings, as usual.

At Sebring, the Bear tipped a few with friends away from the track.
And at.
Cruised the paddock for stories – and found a few.
Under the heading of “Fantasyland,” he wrote, “Saleens, ECO Racing, Creations, Zyteks, Jaguars…well that last one might be possible, but the silence is ominous.” The Cat finally came straggling in – remindful of a tabby that’s fallen into the cattle watering trough – at Laguna Seca. That bull crap (the bull is a friend of the Bear’s) at Petit Le Mans was an embarrassment.

Murphy closed out the month with a rare single-topic Poop: “Acura Rumor Review – Smoke or Fire?”

The Bear opined that “…there is usually some fire under such a large volume of smoke.” In retrospect we were hearing the first rumblings of the complete shutdown of the Honda/Acura racing program.

April

Off we went to St. Pete. Well, everyone but Murphy, who gets to burned out partying at Sebring to go up the road 90 minutes for a pale imitation of road racing. We’re all spared that monumental waste of time this year, aren’t we? The Bear feels sorry for his pal Huge, but hey, how many “home events” do you need? Seventeen cars started on Tampa Bay, twelve in three classes were running at the finish. Even a stuffed animal knows how to spell J-O-K-E. Who wants to pay real money for that?

A.C. returned from a well-earned vacation at Dollywood to a full mailbag, which he dutifully dug into, treating the rest of us to the best snippets.

VICI was floating bull crap again, this time about a Long Beach entry. A couple of guys were promising a second Aston Martin GT entry. Never happened, just more hot air.

The grid was marginally better at Long Beach – 21, of which 18 were running at the end. Murphy was there. Shockingly, the ALMS drew very well compared to the IRL. That’s more an  indictment of the latter than anything particularly good about the former.

May

Tim Mayer left IMSA/ALMS. Murphy published a “quick” Poop the day before the announcement. The Bear always thought Mayer was the best of the bunch. That may sound like “faint praise” in some quarters, but Tim stood out as a good guy and a competent manager.

The Honda rumors continued, the Bear reporting that “Honda’s is taking financial steps to facilitate a Yankee team’s move to IRL next season. It’s widely believed that Acura will only return if there is major manufacturer competition, and that it currently assumes that will not be the case.” The first part of that wasn’t the case (rather than helping anyone, Honda’s thrown them all under the bus), but the second part was sadly quite true. Been nice knowin’ ya.

Endurance-info got into the “Creation promotion business” with DSC, printing what some of the cool aid drinkers called a “confirmation” that Creation will be on the ALMS grid soon. “We plan to return to the ALMS Series, when we are ready,” said Andy Woolgar. Murphy wrote, “‘when we are ready’ will not likely be sooner than 2010.” At least dailysportscar gets its bad information from the chief rather than a North Carolina-based minion. The Bear’s pretty sure pigs will fly before a Creation chassis graces an ALMS grid. What has Creation accomplished lately other than the periodic trashing of Bicks and the Bear? (In a theater near y0u soon?)

A.C. was back with a column about Grand Am at Thunderbolt in New Jersey. He reported that Scott Pruett invented the internet without Al Gore’s help. Now he working on some investigative journalism stuff about global warming.

There was a race somewhere in Utah. No one went. Corsa was there not running its hybrid gear. Good place for such shenanigans.

Murphy’s elf inside F1 was keeping him (and you) abreast of those sordid happenings. Murphy reported that de Ferran was negotiating to acquire the cars, engines, tools, transporters, and pit equipment of a part time IRL team.

When Robin Miller was roasted for reporting that TG would be out at the brickyard, tossed by his mother and sisters, Murphy was one of just a few that knew he was right, and said so. So much for blood…  The Bear wrote at the time, “What the Tony kerfuffle is really about is creating separation between the finances of IMS (which Tony’s sisters and mother care about) and the IRL (which they do not)…” Having created that separation, the IRL is truly in dire straights according to Murphy’s best inside sources. There are more than just a few that wonder whether it can survive the 2010 season.

In Braselton, the layoffs and a fire sale were underway. Haas was looking the place over, and though a sale wasn’t closed then, some agreement leading to a joint venture in the coming year was put in place.

June

The Bear led the month off with his Le Mans Prototype Punter’s Guide, published jointly with Last Turn Clubhouse. If there are any punters out there that pay any attention to a stuffed animal, they deserve to be broke – and probably are. Murphy gave the nod to Audi again. Ah, well…

Later he thought D.R. should “give it a rest,” a rather common sentiment in the sport, and told “A Medieval Bear’s Fable.” 

The “Grand Am buying ALMS” rumor was floated by that same IRL scribe (Murphy doesn’t have to tell you who, does he?). Murphy reviewed the evidence and wrote, “Some might sum all that and come up with an imminent sale. Murphy doesn’t.” It was roundly denied, and nothing came of it, other than SA walking around with a button at Lime Rock that read “We are not for sale.” Funny.

The Boss was dealing with important things like planting trees in public parks (can someone send those guys to Miller Motorsports Park?) and organic T shirts. Then he (SA) told us we should, “Look for an announcement of a major new licensing deal in the third quarter that will greatly enhance our product position and global exposure.” Murphy thinks he missed that announcement. Was it the LMP Challenge? Naw, that doesn’t do any of that stuff.

A.C. closed out the first half of the 2009 season with his usual insightful ruminations about NASCAR and Grand Am.

Next: Murphy’s Year in Review, Part 2

Although he’s been busy with some other things lately, it’s not the only reason Murphy’s been mostly absent in October. The fact is that there’s little going on in the sports car world, which, the Bear has to point out, is news in itself (though not of the kind to put words on the page).

Eerily quiet, is  how one friend described it – that coming after another insider predicted this winter would be among the most challenging for racing in decades. Murphy didn’t say “competitive,” he said “challenging.” There’s a big difference.

Max’s Traveling Circus

Like, for instance, over in the pinnacle of the sport (no, the Bear doesn’t mean you guys down in Daytona). The teams’ “win” against Max has turned out to be Pyrrhic for those teams owned by or otherwise associated with manufacturers, anyway. Honda and BMW took a hike, followed by Toyota – the latter of which Murphy predicted long before the fact – then Mercedes dumped long-time-partner McLaren (and they even own a bit of the Brit team founded by the New Zealand racing icon). Brawn sold out to Mercedes. Look for Renault’s departure, too, as soon as they get over the idea that – as signatory to the new concord (English spelling) – It will cost them a pile of Euros.

Erosion

That’s not to say that the stockers are doing much better. The Bear tuned flicked through the channel carrying its recent Texas stop. Must have been something else going on in the Lone Star State, given the vast expanses of empty seats in Fort Worth.

Mixed News

Over in sports car racing, the little bit of news we got was decidedly mixed. Highcroft confirmed its 2010 plans, one HPD ARX-01c (you’ll notice Murphy didn’t say “Acura”), while hoping for funding (who isn’t?) for another. On the “not-so-happy” side, that’s as clear an “announcement” as  you’re going to get that de Ferran will not return. The Bear is joining the Pollyannas buying into the Peugeot rumors, not yet, anyway. He might take all that a bit more seriously once it’s clear Gil has funding in place for the IRL team that’s his first priority. Besides, the most credible rumor Murphy’s heard is for a Mexican Pesca connection.  (Not to be confused with La Pesca, Tamaulipas, Mexico.) If de Ferran shows up with a Peugeot any time during 2010, well, Murphy will just have to eat crow.

Family Laundry

A family racing conglomerate is doing everything it can to keep documents and arguments in a North Carolina divorce fight sealed. Lawyers for the famous principal in the case say publicizing certain information would turn the case into a “public spectacle” and “would cause huge adverse effects” for their client.  Murphy’s heard more, but he’s going to leave you to your own devices on this one. Google at your own risk.

Since we’re on the topic of La Familia, Murphy spent some time at Seaside’s Embassy Suites bar with the racing-driver-linebacker-weight-lifter-brawler and his lovely companion a while back, so he was a bit puzzled to read Hurley’s co-driver was rooming with a not-quite relative (son of his father’s first wife – no, that doesn’t make him a “half-brother”). What happened to the lovely thing? Perhaps just put-them-off-the-scent eye candy, like Megan?

Advertising

Murphy wrote earlier that Comprent (the Athens, Jaw Jaw, operator of IMSA Lites) might field a pair of LMPC’s – perhaps even had a purchase in the works. That was premature, since this week they ran an ad for funding disguised as a press release. The Bear translate for you: “We’d like to buy one if we had the money. Can anyone help? You can drive.” A page borrowed from Creation. So that’s not good news. A friend of the Bear’s says there will be four Challenge LMPs on the grid in 2010, but now Murphy’s not so sure. Intersport is in, though a second driver who would complete the necessary funding hasn’t been named; it’s been speculated that no money has yet changed hands there. Kevin in Florida is said to be another “for sure.” (Murphy’s a fan of Kevin and Kevin’s kid, who’s been doing too much skiing and too little driving lately.) With Comprent not yet “in” that’s just two. The Bear wonders what the lead time to build one of those things is?

Holiday Shopping

Hinting that not all is as it should be for a well-known Grand Am team, a very important driver is shopping for a ride. That shouldn’t be problem since he’s that most valuable rarity – a really good driver with a completely adequate budget.

McDreamy

Team Seattle and Hyper Sport / Dempsey Racing will continue the alliance forged around its 2009 Le Mans entry, with two cars for Daytona and the remainder of the Grand Am season. “Beginning in the American Le Mans Series in a factory-backed Panoz GTLM, Hyper Sport has advanced into Grand Am sanctioned road racing…” That reads like former Panoz driving school instructor Joe Foster has joined the growing ranks of disaffected former PMG employees? Who remembers Joe’s pinch-hit drive for an injured Bill Auberlen at Mosport? It took real talent to make BMW’s M3 GT-R look slow.

Ferrari Debut

Murphy’s been saying you could expect a Ferrari F430 on Daytona’s grid. It will be later than that. Since Daytona can be 1/3 of an annual Grand Am budget, it’s more cost effective to test in a new program, then debut at a sprint.

Not Happening

Another item in the “behind the lines” category (with the Highcroft and Comprent pressers). We heard this week that Braselton’s Boss Hog would be headlining a green confab at Clemson (Go Tigers). How does that put cars on the grid? Build excitement? Find a title sponsor? Short answer: It doesn’t. Maybe he’s angling for a bail-out?

In the meantime, for those of you keeping score at home, subtract at least $3 – $5 million from television and partner income from the Series’ bottom line for the continuing attrition of manufacturer participation in 2010. That’s what the Bear hears, anyway.

Murphy will be back with his First Annual Great Christmas Quiz next.

It appears that all the P2 Acuras except one of Duncan’s will campaign in Europe in 2010. If Duncan doesn’t run his, the Bear hasn’t heard that anyone else will, either. There are multiple rumors around Mr. Dayton’s plans, and they certainly weren’t all settled by a recent DSC interview. The Danbury, Connecticutt, team’s been rumored to be running an Acura LMP1, an LMP2, and a Peugeot. All that might depend on what the time frame is for Duncan’s Le Mans dream – in which he wins. If he plans to use that auto entry, it has to be in the same class; that lets out P2, right? If the ARX-01b doesn’t have particularly good high end aero (it doesn’t), the ARX-02a is nothing short of hopeless – say nothing of trying to win overall with a naturally aspirated 4 liter engine. Absent a really good Wirth Le Mans aero package (one was rumored) and a whole boatload of testing, if Duncan goes to Le Mans with Acura, it won’t be to win. On the other hand, if he does a deal with Peugeot…

If you take winning Le Mans out of the picture, the Peugeot rumor fades into oblivion, and you take Dayton at face value that another Acura season is in the cards – completely independent of Acura. We get that HPD is going to lease engines – but what about chassis and body spares?

The Bear would put an Acura engine in a Lola and be done with it.

The Reign in Spain?

Murphy hears Penske is testing something from Aichi in Spain.

Brumos

Regardless of previous rumors (and the arrest of a driver/principal source of cash), it seems Brumos is intent on continuing its Grand Am DP adventures. The team recently held a “gong show” at VIR for three different car combinations. The first, a Coyote with a V-8 Porsche motor, had a part failure and crash. A Riley with a V-8 Porsche was also crashed by driver David Donohue, and another Riley blew up it’s flat six motor. ‘Inconclusive” was the conclusion (The Bear prefers “disastrous.”) “I guess it gives the Brumos guys something to do over the winter. Unfortunately all the contestants got the gong.” chuckled the Bear’s source.

Ferrari

Scott Tucker was out testing Dinan-built Ferrari motors options, the largest of which is a 4.3 liter V8. All will be on the short end of the torque curve against the bigger American V8s in the series. Regardless, a Ferrari-powered DP will be on the Daytona grid. It will be joined at Daytona by an F430, with an expectation of more GT entries later in the season – five cars will be built.

Murphy was reminded that “it’s private property” when he saw a lavender Lambo being wheeled around an iconic Florida track by someone whose body type is more suited to NFL linebacker than race car driver. (Then again, football isn’t the family business, is it?) In an on-site boutique of Ferrari stuff, our linebacker wiped out about half the inventory. No wonder Porsche’s cooled a bit on the World Center’s-very-own-sports-car-racing-series. It also makes the point that there’s no “iconic” like “Ferrari iconic,” and that you might waste a lot of cachet by taking the motor out of the piece of sculpture it came in. Which would be the argument not to do what Scott Tucker is working on.

F1 Follies (a semi-regular Poop feature)

Look for Renault to make it nearly unanimous by leaving F1; then we’ll be back to the “traditional two” – Ferrari and Mercedes. Remember when (September 30) the Bear told you the Germans would dump McLaren in favor of Brawn? Now it’s happened, with the three-pointed star “doing a Bimmer” and buying out the independent team inherited from Honda’s pull-out a year ago. A little “bear math” says Ross Brawn made £29,999,000 on the deal – how’s that for a one year return on £1?

New FIA boss Jean Todt is looking for a place for an old friend, but first he wants to get some administrative experience for him. All of which is related to the Bear’s upcoming field trip.

Too quiet? What about 2010?

Spec LMP’s are in the ACO’s plans for the LMS. Murphy’s heard concerns about shrinking fields – that the ACO’s convinced there will be no – minimal – manufacturer participation next season.

The bear isn’t yet ready to speculate on the 2010 ALMS field. Thus far, the rumor mill has been way too quiet, as if nothing is going on. For instance, following rumors of three or four likely sales, only Intersport confirmed an LMPC purchase and named one of two drivers.

Creation advertised (via another of those “interviews” in which nothing new is revealed) for a funded driver (déjà vu). Peugeot said they’ll be at Sebring. It’s Mazola times two – again – for Dyson. No indication whether the Muscle Milk king will expand his schedule – just the assumption he’ll be back in some capacity. Aston Martin? There was a Charouz interview in which the big news was “I can’t say anything about Sebring or Petit Le Mans.” (You just did, Antonin, but good try taking a page from Janko.)

We know about a pair of Patrón-Sharp GT2 Ferraris, and a likely Risi reprise (with no North American place to race it, they’ve canned any idea of an MC12). One more Flying Lizard season seems likely; if Pat Long has the inside story, there might be two teams running four BMW’s – Schnitzer being the punter’s favorite for the second. The Ford-help-for-Robertson story had no legs. Nothing new from Audi – technicians say they’ve been working on a Sebring entry, while management is mum.

There are Toyota and Nissan rumors – as always. Murphy’s not sayin’ they’re without substance, but, jus’ sayin’… The best informed pundits believe that Toyota will take at least a single season without making any new racing move. Nissan might be interested in something in North America based on its FIA GT1 car, but the 2010 budget has no line item. Maybe 2011?

Coming up

Murphy’s off on a road trip later in the week; all about that in his next Poop.

Look for the Bear’s Christmas quiz. Details (including a very special Grand Prize) in this space soon.

That frees up a couple of Porsche factory pilots. For the coming season anyway, look for them to return to an ALMS GT2. Chalk it up to loyalty, or better yet, to the on-going general upgrade of that class, with another “serious” Porsche joining Corvette and BMW. Unfortunately, that “upgrade” could easily be stopped in its tracks by the addition of a new faster and cheaper class. Faster and cheaper is a hell of a combination for anyone nutty enough to go racing without any hope of covering the costs.

Meanwhile Pratt & Miller will build a pair of Grand Am GT BMW V8-powered M6 look-alikes financed by a partner in a multi-series race team.  The other partner returns to the Prancing Horse in Europe.

The Bear does not believe that Martin and Melanie will move to GT2.

The exit of Porsche Motorsport from an “active” Grand Am GT participation – they’ll go out with a championship, anyway – will open opportunities for other marques in that series.

Murphy believes (without being told – so this is speculation, not rumor) there will be no Ferrari on an ALMS grid in 2010 until the new 458 is ready. Old, uncompetitive cars won’t be seen as a good idea, even while “marking time” for the new car.

There will be a new Florida-based team that will add to the Porsche presence in ALMS, supporting both GT Challenge Porsches and GT2. It could also field one of the new Prototype Challenge cars.

Cost savings and slumping ratings drive major television changes likely to be announced today – all Speed, all the time.

The Bear told you the R15 is likely on its way to Georgia a while back. It’s close to one of those “take to the bank” deals. Don’t look for the silver at Laguna Seca, though.

St. Petersburg will be missing from the 2010 schedule, but (surprising even to the Bear) it’s rumored that Infineon will be back. It was said at Road America that Mid-Ohio is “a question mark.” The Road America crowd looked surprisingly good to the Bear as long as he was in the camping areas. Elsewhere, parking space was pretty easy to find. The morning’s threat of rain likely discouraged a few prospective Milwaukee/Chicago day-trippers.

Murphy hears that Creation’s done for 2009. That’s no big deal to the Bear – he’s been saying that’s likely the case all-along, but to others, it might be “news.”

The Bear hopes you like the Patrón livery; you’ll likely see a lot more of it next season.

What “major new LMP effort” is to be announced on Midweek Motorsport in just a few hours? Toyota? BMW? Porsche P1? They did write “major,” right?  Solo Al? The Soup Nazi?

Murphy’s money is on the the Lord – a Drayson Lola. Hardly a “world exclusive,” then, is it? Well, technically, since MWM is the first place for the “official” announcment. For the “news,” Some mangy old brown bear already broke that story – eight days ago, here.

As a “stand alone” race, Japan won’t fly, so look for (another) complete cancellation of the Asian Le Mans Series for 2009.

Follow Murphy at http://twitter.com/Murphythebear

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.