Posts Tagged ‘Porsche’

192. Porsche and Audi. Abruzzi (again). ALMS “change,” but what is it?

Monday, July 18th, 2011

Porsche and Audi Racing

Porsche announced a prototype to race at Le Mans in 2014. That took even the Bear by surprise. Oh, there had been rumblings, but Murphy – and just about everyone else – filed them away for future reference; what debt-burdened Porsche does with a few hundred million Euros is not (regardless of protestations) independent of Volkswagen Group in general and – if in racing – of Audi in particular. Nor is it this time. (more…)

190. Sports Car Racing in North America: Mid-season 2011

Thursday, May 19th, 2011

There’s not much action out there, racing or otherwise, but there’s still much being decided behind the scenes. Here’s Murphy’s synthesis of rumor, fact, and speculation about North America’s two principal sports car road racing series. (more…)

Murphy’s 2nd Annual Christmas Quiz – Questions 11-20.

Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

Here are the answers to the second half of Murphy’s Christmas Quiz. The scoring is underway.

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. (more…)

180. reCreation? Highcroft to P2? Milner to Corvette. Christmas Quiz Imminent.

Monday, December 20th, 2010

Those of you who believe – like one reader in a forum – that Murphy’s blogs have become ”a vacuum” (does he mean “less frequent?”) need to sign up for his tweets. The Bear may be a bit technology challenged (“disinterested” is closer) but when something is useful – as is Twitter, with its immediacy – Murphy uses it. When there’s more than can be done in 143 characters, the Bear will publish a Poop – like this 180th.  In the meantime, join the hundreds getting the Bear’s tweets here.

Creation or just more Wind (tunnel)?

Murphy was rather dismissive about a story that Atlas eFX would run a Panoz Abruzi in the LMS – or maybe the ILMC – and a Creation in LMP1 of the same series(s). But Kieron Salter was in Charlotte NC recently spending about $5,000 an hour testing an unidentified LMP in the WindShear wind tunnel. While in town he saw  Andrew Woolgar, recently Creation’s “man in North America.” So something is afoot. As far as Atlas is concerned it’s hard to take that team seriously, given its 2010 record of way more talk than action. (more…)

179. Speculating and Adding Detail (Riley Revised)

Saturday, December 4th, 2010

In an off-season that’s been frighteningly quiet, the Bear’s been able to keep up with most of the rumors with an occasional Tweet. Here’s some rehash and a bit of new perspective on the stories Murphy’s heard. (more…)