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

Phillips

The disappearance from the ALMS website of the veteran journalist’s latest column has caused a bit of a disturbance in the force. What the heck is that all about? Murphy read the supposedly-offending piece and found it a largely positive, but realistic view of the “state of the series” as it nears the long “Le Mans break.” As the Bear reports above, Phillips isn’t the only one who gets the impression that there will have to be some competition for Acura to start the 2010 season. Murphy is sure there are bigger worries for Braselton than the nuances of a motorsport commentary.

Adjustments

The rumblings around the paddock about the race-to-race GT2 adjustments are about as well received as the(in)famous AM-Corvette thing, and the on-going petrol-diesel thing. “Pandering” and “politics,” are overheard. Panoz gets an 8% larger restrictor than the same motor in a Doran Ford GT. The Viper is reigned in at the last minute; perhaps they were going to fast for their own safety? In LMP2, will a one-race extension of the boost pressure and restrictor given Mazda’s in the first three races avoid an advantage the turbo might have had at Utah’s altitude?

Revolution de l’Sarthe

Le Mans is secure in its place as the world’s premier endurance race. The Le Mans Series is apparently weathering this recession better than other motorsports leagues. The American Le Mans Series has brought a decade of the French classic to hundreds of thousands of American fans. So it was surprising this past week when it was rumored that a palace coup had ousted ACO general manager Daniel Perdrix, and technical director Daniel Poissenot. So far, this remains unconfirmed rumor, but it’s gotten the sport buzzing, and other sources that can’t confirm the departures of the Daniels still say that “changes are underway in the organization.”

Even more fascinating were rumors that linked such changes to a recent bulletin that may give the French promoter of the 24 Heures du Mans a window within which to roll back some aero innovations introduced by Audi’s R15 diesel.

In a sidebar to this story, Murphy can’t tell you how disappointed he was to read (in sportscarpros.com) that the ACO’s two Daniels’ idea of fine dining was the Outback Steakhouse in Sebring. Perhaps the Frogs at home got word of that transgression? If so, the Bear can understand the dismissal; nothing is more damning for a Frenchman than a lack of culinary taste. On the other hand, having tried what passes for “steak” in “La Ville-Lumière” perhaps Murphy should be a bit more forgiving.

Green Racing: An Official Personal Lubricant?

The Michelin Green Challenge may be a great way to sneak a racing program past your board of directors, but racing fans – the ones that have heard of it – don’t really care. If you can’t see it, it’s not a sport. Period. How many spectators are there for a math competition? Murphy rests his case. Besides, it’s all quite counter-intuitive, isn’t it? Naturally aspirated engines beat turbos, V8s beat four cylinder motors, and gasoline engines beat diesels. The Bear hasn’t forgotten this is the result of collaboration with da gubment.

Since the Bear’s on the subject of green, there’s that new (not approved for cars and trucks but announced at Sebring) “official lubricant of the American Le Mans Series” announced at Sebring. You haven’t heard of it? Ah! Just as the bear thought. Well, here’s what Murphy got out of the press conference: It’s called “G-Oil,” and it’s a lubricant. Heidi’s getting a little hot. The Bear wonders what Mobil thinks of all this.

First trucks, then sedans, and now…

Patrick Long raced twice with the ASA Southeast Asphalt Tour – at Mobile (28th), and at Pensacola (7th). From Late Model Digest’s Quotable: Assorted sound bites from the Late Model world:  “Rally’s pretty wild. I’m just gonna keep it at a mellow pace.” – Patrick Long, a sports car racing star who made his oval debut in the ASA Southeast races at Mobile and Pensacola. Several of Long’s sports car teammates race rough-and-tumble rally cars all over the world in their off-weeks.

Speed Report said Pat got in a paddock fight on the weekend. Don’t know with whom –  is Johanna Long in Pat’s weight class? Some wondered how stock car pay compares to Porsche factory driver pay. Murphy’s here to tell you they’re not even on the same planet – and he shouldn’t have to tell you which is more.

With Porsche nixing any support for the Spyder entry at Le Mans (consequently withdrawn), and Roger being sent to run a mid-engine taxicab in Grand Am, perhaps Porsche has decided to “go mainstream?” (As if getting into the truck and sedan biz isn’t enough of a clue.) Anyway, Murphy thinks Porsche needs to give its permission for such extracurricular activities by its drivers, and since only Chevy, Ford, and Toyota will soon be left in NASCAR Sprint Cup…  Well, the Bear heard some Panamera style stick-on headlights were on the drawing board at Porsche Design. As you can see, the depleted ALMS grids have left Murphy with entirely too much time on his hands.

Zytek in Utah

As Murphy said last week, Corsa will be at Utah, probably with a Zytek 07S-LMP1 – not a Q10 (the hybrid) – at least according to the just-released entry. If the car turns out to be the hybrid, it won’t  be the first time the entry’s gotten the detail wrong, will it? The team owner admits the car will “barely make it – test for the first time in bare carbon fiber in a race-weekend ALMS Practice.” The Bear hopes that Corsa makes the race. Eighteen “real” entries is pretty weak – about what Murphy’s been suggesting,though – and the three “Challenge” cars are short of Braselton’s expectations. (Note that one lacks drivers, and another is contributed by the Mexican Joy Juice sponsor.) Some say it’s nice to see Melanie and Martin again, but they’ve been there in Challenge all along, haven’t they?

McDreamy

Better get used to it – Patrick Dempsey seems to have replaced Jerry Lewis as the Frog Hero. Was it his starring role in Meatballs III, in which his love life gets some help from a dead porn star? The Bear isn’t sure, but that seems a good bet. In a recent interview, the actor said some “nice,” but largely non-committal, things about the ALMS. That got the good-news-starved-fans so excited they were wet and warm down the leg. What they forgot is that their hero has skipped racing in the ALMS entirely for Grand Am, including the 24 Hours of Daytona, and that’s seemingly a perfectly fine thing for the Frogs at Le Sarthe. Not ready for the ALMS when you driver at Daytona? That’s disingenuous at best. Reports had the actor ten seconds off the pace on the Bugatti circuit. If true, what does that translate to in June on the big track? Well, if Adrian Newey got a free pass into the big race, why not McDreamy?

Motorsport turbulence

Outside of sports cars, but could easily have impact. First, Murphy’s heard that A1GP had a near-death experience over unpaid bills this week, until either a payment magically appeared yesterday, creditors decided to carry until after the Brands Hatch round this weekend. If it’s the latter, the reckoning was only temporarily delayed, and in any case there’ll likely be rocks in the road getting to Australia’s Gold Coast in October.

F1

Meanwhile, F1 is a big mess. Sure, it’s nice to see the little guys winning races, but the idea of a spec. engine has BMW and Ferrari in a quandary – engine development is a big part of their excuse (to their management committees) to be in the big buck series to start with. Now there’s the “voluntary cap” thing, and Ferrari is flirting with the ACO.
Who’s on the list to participate under the £40 million cap, if it happens?  Prodrive, of course. Super Nova Racing. Wirth Engineering, too, and therein is a whole can of worms – er, load of rumors – having to do with Acura’s sports car plans and Nick Wirth’s shared interests with his friend Max Mosley.

Ferrari probably won’t leave the F1 fold, but nothing of the sort is certain in regard to BMW, which could very easily leave, and would likely increase its participation in other motorsport. What about Porsche? Could it be attracted by that cost cap? Insiders say no, but other things are possible.

IRL

It’s pretty much an article of faith around the IRL paddock that de Ferran and Fernandez will be back in the fold next season (the only thing that might change that is the announcement of real LMP1 competition that Murphy mentioned above), and that Honda will get the IRL engine competition it wants when the “small turbo,” rules come into being. Don’t forget that Honda and others got very good at that engine technology in F1’s turbo era. There’s been rumor of Audi engines, but Murphy thinks that’s the wrong company.

Whoops, change of plans

Murphy had reason to believe that Grand Am’s viability was being questioned on Speedway Boulevard last year. He’s got even more reason to think that doubt is now gone. VIR drew a good crowd last weekend, but that’s just “gravy”; there are other reasons for the change of heart. Grand Am now sees an opportunity to take control of endurance road racing in the USA, and they’ve got a plan to do it. Stay tuned.

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.

As soon as the Bear posted his expectations for the Sebring grid, a chorus of “wait-a-minutes” came in.
As a result, he’s going to downgrade the Salt Lake City prototype from “probable” to “possible,” and upgrade the “No Name Team” Ferrari from “possible” to “possible plus.” (Ok, that’s a new rating – live with it.)
Regardless of his reduced confidence, he hopes that the Zytek makes it to the grid, since he’ll win a Jameson (and his assistant will treated to some fine Dutch brew) at Chicanes if it does. 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.

Murphy’s Rolex Punting Rools

Last year, the Bear picked five favorites for the Daytona win, and went 1-2-3. Suddenly all the punters are clamoring to know how Murphy does it. Well here’s the Poop, five rules for picking the Rolex (the other two are Bear secrets):

1. Riley only. Are you kidding? The first non-Riley was 15th, eight in class. Domination, baby.
2. Teams you’ve heard of, even if you’ve been in a cave. Ganassi (that’s three in a row), Penske, GAINSCO, Brumos. They have guys who know how to screw down lug nuts.
3. No oil billionaire drivers, no scrawny girls. No drivers with the same name as the team.

Rolex Favorites

Here are Murphy’s by-the-rools five favorites for the 2009 Rolex. Look familiar?
01 Ganassi  Dixon, Montoya, Pruett, Rojas – Lexus / Riley
02 Ganassi  Dixon, Franchitti, Lloyd, Pruett – Lexus / Riley
16 Penske Racing Bernhard,Brisco, Dumas – Porsche / Riley
58 Brumos Racing Donohue, Garcia, Law, Rice – Porsche / Riley
99 GAINSCO   Fogarty, Gurney, Johnson, Vasser – Pontiac / Riley

Murphy’s Predictions

The Bear enjoyed AC’s and Katrina’s so much he made some of his own.

Baring unfixable practice disasters (or rubber checks) four classes will take the green flag: Riley Class – 13; ODP Class – 6; TF Class – 13; Porsche GT3 Cup Class – 17. (ODP = Other Daytona Prototypes; TF = Tube Frame)

With great fanfare, the infield will be closed on race morning after the 5,000 fans and 500 cars for which there is still room have been waved through the tunnel.

The NASCAR-driver storylines will disappear with the near-disappearance of NASCAR drivers. No longer singing “NASCAR über alles,” Grand Am will tout the “international flavor” of the driver field.

No entry with a “gentleman driver” will win overall.

Matt Connolly will win a close contest for the “Most Annoying Team Owner Award.”

The hot paddock rumor will be about JCF’s missing $12 million.

The only mentions of ALMS will be in Boris Said interviews.

The Bear hasn’t been very positive about VICI Racing in the 2009 season; after all, they didn’t do a full season in 2008, and rarely fielded the hoped-for two cars. But they are reported to have entered two cars at Sebring, and are expected in some quarters to contest the remainder of the season.

The report of a Falken-sponsored Porsche 911 GT3 has been ‘confirmed’ by a second source, so we’ll now put that one in the ‘probable’ column.

Murphy’s been told the Sebring likely entry is 31. Really, amongst all the gloom and doom, Sebring looks pretty good, especially if Peugeot confirms its entry of 2 908s. With our only likely glimpse of Audi’s new R15 and four Acuras (yes four, at least two of which are LMP1s) the “top class” is likely to be stunningly good potentially as good as Petit Le Mans last season. That sounded pretty good, the Bear was very happy; then in rolled a report that Acura might cut back its support – big time. It’s hard to know what to believe.

Salt Lake City, Like a Virgin, memories of Majorca, and the Green Racing Initiative will all be connected in the coming season, and it’s all good.

Porsches at Sebring? At least five, perhaps eight, one of those eight being a new sale to an unknown team.

Meanwhile, the news is mixed from Porsche’s Maranello nemesis. There’s a possibility for one more entry than Murphy recently thought likely. On the downside, a top driver’s broken a leg. Typically, Gus the Gator thought likely chasing “something fine” on the beach at Ipanema, The contrarian (more boring) opinion is karting. 

Braselton is expecting an “average of 30 entries” for 2009 races. Murphy can’t figure out how. If the Sebring entry doesn’t grow beyond that 31, the announced subtraction of Audi and Peugeot immediately drops the count to 27, meaning the rest are in it for the season. That would be a first. Since the Bear has been very “bearish,” so he’s happy to get a view from the bulls.

Murphy wonders how racing schools – most of the tracks we depend on for sports car racing have them, and they are important revenue sources – are doing. Talk about discretionary spending!

Sebring will have two Zyteks and no Viper, according to a source. So, Murphy thought maybe the Florida team had found the funds to move up. Don’t know, said his source. Not so, said another. Yet a third emailed the Bear this morning with the news that “PrimeTime is still in.” Unclear with what. Murphy jus’ reports ‘em.

Other sources, DSC among them, are reporting that Aston Martin will announce its 2009 Le Mans program soon, perhaps in a class other than GT1. That released Murphy from his vow of silence. He’s heard that Gaydon has decided to stay the course for a 50th anniversary Le Mans assault – for the whole enchilada in Gulf colors. Murphy hopes they are serious enough (or smart enough) to contest Sebring in preparation. That’s more a hope than a prognostication, however.

Corvette can’t be happy if that puts in doubt the rematch that it hoped for – a spectacular battle in the swan song appearance for its GT1 program. In Murphy’s mail this morning was a confirmation that Corvette Racing continues on its announced 2009 program.

The Bear hears a very definite, “No cats for Sebring.”

Murphy is bemused (he’s decided that’s a very useful word these days). First “official statements” (or statements from officials) to settle down some jumpy amigos as a series went under. Now a bulletin about testing in Florida, and silliest of all, a few days ago the idea that a stuffed animal might be responsible for the financial difficulties of a constructor. Kind of like blaming Road & Track for difficulties at GM.

Murphy and others have jumped up and down about costly aero rule changes on which the ACO is seemingly hell-bent. The Bear thinks this is a really lousy time for such stuff, and he’s been waiting for a bulletin on the subject from Braselton. Now he’s got some good news. True to form, the Georgia gnomes aren’t just going off on their own, and that’s a good thing. Considering the twin (and too-often-conflicting) imperatives to serve the interests of teams that have been “regulars” without severing a mutually beneficial relationship with the French racing country club, they are working hard to find a “balanced” approach. (Double entendre most definitely intended.)

Might Audi’s departure from the pinnacle of prototype racing be for multiple years. There’s the  idea that “they’ve proven all they need to.” Meanwhile, heard at a banquet in Germany, “The rules (for LMP1) do seem to be tailor-made for us (Porsche), but we’ll wait for them to be finalized.” Is a Porsche P1 in the cards for 2011, with an Audi return circa 2014? There are some who think so.

When the 2011 rules were first floated, Murphy said a smaller prototype displacement limit would not necessarily lead to a mandate for V8 engines. Others in the paddock agreed with him. No one would be so arrogant – and stupid – that it would write a rule that eliminates a core element of its unique attraction – the varied songs of many very different engine designs. He was wrong. What was it Shakespeare said, “A plague o’ both your houses,” (Romeo and Juliet)? No, better yet, “A pox o’ your throat, you bawling, blasphemous, incharitable dog!” (The Tempest). Murphy likes that one.

You know the big stuff. Corvette, as AutoWeek and Murphy wrote before Mosport, will return in 2009, in GT1 before Le Mans and in GT2 after. Then it’s on to a GT2 program in 2010. There was one item not included in the Corvette’s Tuesday press release teleconference transcript.

What about a Corvette engine based on the current GT1 powerplant in an LMP? Murphy said recently that GT plans for the GM “mainstream” road racing program don’t necessarily end all that. It seems that’s still true. Paraphrasing comments on Tuesday, “We continue to evaluate (a Corvette prototype engine), we’ve had inquiries, and there has been no decision.”

Penske Porsche Promethean?

Another place there has been no decision (until perhaps earlier this week) is in Stuttgart. The paddock has been lively with rumors of the demise of Penske’s program, with Porsche to shut down its factory program, end production of the RS Spyder, and simply support the few privateers left (about three world-wide, according to the rumors). The Bear’s been told all that may have been premature, and the Porsche management board had continuation of the Penske Porsche program on its agenda this week. That’s Promethean, isn’t it? There’s a whole other version of this story over in the Grand Am paddock. That would have Penske’s departure from ALMS and a Spyder program a ‘fait accompli’ and the Stuttgartian meeting all about a Grand Am entry of two Porsche Dallaras.

“What am I going to do with this?”

It’s been said recently that a Florida Spyder is one of the three now racing in Europe. It is not. It’s still in Florida, and, may even be beyond the legal reach – at least for now – of both its putative owner and Porsche AG.

The entry list for Petit Le Mans will be out soon, perhaps even later today. If not, then next week for sure. But the Bear hopes that there’s no one out there waiting to see it before deciding to attend. What we know already should be enough.

Petit P1

What’s happening with the Petit prototypes? It’s said Autocon will be there with the ex-Berridge Lola AER. Sorry Bryan, Mrs. Berridge would dress up the joint a lot more than does Shrek, but the Bear is still happy you have a new car. Intersport will show up with one Lola AER and the ex-Charouz Lola Judd – that’s what the paddock is saying anyway. Add the ex-Arena Zytek 07S (not the Corsa car) to what’s already been anounced. A while back, Murphy was told to expect Cytosport, and repeated that – but does Greg still have a car? Similarly, ECO will pass on Silverstone (what’s new), but say they’ll be at Petit. Some in Braselton still hope. Maybe, maybe not. There’s really no reason to believe it, but if they say so, well…we’ll see. So LMP1 is 11 entries, (including the two French diesels and two from Creation AIM) twelve if you count the salad oil burner.

In related news, the Luhr incident at Detroit cracked the R10’s tub. The Bear is certain it will be replaced, of course.

P2 LMS Champs?

In P2 there’ll be the “usual suspects, with B-K in a fancy new car (Murphy really likes that change). Add to that a topless Mazda from the LMS to make it a Mazda party. Barazi Epsilon will be there. And Team Sebah may be on hand to add to the coupe brigade – though that’s not certain. The last likely entry is another Spyder. Some say Penske, but you can’t run three car teams – the entry would have to be at least technically a different team (Flying Lizards have two teams in GT2, not one, for instance). One of Murphy’s correspondents asked (rhetorically) “Do you think the reigning P2 champions in LMS will want to prove themselves over here?” If they did, might they enlist some help? Count 13 LMP2 entries.

GT1 Languishes

There’s no help in sight for GT1 – Corvette, Corvette, Aston Martin, three entries.

One more GT2 Ferrari

In GT2 there will be no James Watt, but count on the Ben Aucott JMB Ferrari being on hand to help out Maranello. Make it 17 GT2 entries, though there’s been a hint of one more that Murphy couldn’t track down further.

That’s 44, and perhaps 46 for Petit Le Mans. Get your room, your tent, or your motorhome – and your ticket. This will be one you don’t want to miss.

We all know that through the past few years, the ALMS has been a bit “GT heavy,” or should the Bear say “prototype light.” We’ve had – still have actually, looking at the Lime Rock entry – as few as three regulars in LMP-1. And that sorry count was preceded by years in which the LM-P2 count was just as bad. (If you counted at the end of races, rather than at the beginning, that LM-P2 count was worse than awful – certainly not awesome, eh?)

Then along came Porsche, and it all started to change. The prototype count at Lime Rock will be 12, at Mid-Ohio, about 14. GT at Lime Rock, 16, and perhaps 18 at Mid-Ohio. Then it gets interesting.

Cytosport returns, and Intersport fields two cars, increasing the LM-P1 entry at Road America, and it’s now possible that a Zytek makes the grid there – certainly soon thereafter. Who? Not the usual suspects. The team will be near a great North American lake, and the drivers on hand have relevant (useful, even) American Le Mans Series prototype experience.

In fact, there are other possible new prototypes as we go through the remainder of the season, but increases to the GT grid are improbable. Put Road America down for 17 prototypes and 18 GT entries. All the trends are for the “tipping point” (when prototype entries equal GT entries, and thereafter exceed them) soon after that, certainly at Petit Le Mans (and not just temporarily because of a European invasion). In GT, we’ve lost a Ferrari – that’s likely to stay that way.

The Bear is still hearing that Road America will remain off the IRL schedule in 2009. With only minor league racing on Sunday, can North America’s best race track build on the success of last season’s shared event? Murphy certainly hopes so. (He’s planning his time at Siebken’s Stop-Inn Tavern, Neenah’s Commercial Break, Appleton’s Outback, and other favorite bear haunts. Say hi.) The Bear’s still looking for a drop-in kind of pub near Lime Rock – a place where friends can gather after a thirsty day at the track.

Houston won’t be back – for anyone. Sebring and Long Beach are “fixed” on the calendar – that’s a good thing. Will there be a 12th race? If there is, Murphy thinks it should be before Le Mans. Where? A friend of the Bear’s was at Millville this past week, and there was still talk at the members-only event of an ALMS visit in 2009. On the other hand, this place has strong ties to Grand Am through one of its investor-owners, and already has a Guppie race on the 2008 calendar. Would it work before Le Mans? Yup. (Murphy checked his Almanac and New Jersey’s just as warm as Utah in May.)

Is the Lime Rock entry good enough to make it a show? On a 1.5 mile track? Are you kidding? 28 entries (or 26, given that PrimeTime has hinted its “under the gun to make it,” and Black Swan isn’t all that certain either) (Murphy adds, “I just heard that PrimeTime is certain for Lime Rock, car is set, and barring some complete disaster, count on them for the remainder of the season…that makes the Bear very happy.) will keep the field and the fans occupied on the short and narrow course. Hope that the racing takes place “for position” and not just for the hell of it. Drivers challenging cars laps ahead has ruined races before.

Another important debut will more likely be at Laguna Seca than at Petit Le Mans. The shirts may say Ohio, but the accents will say suburban Salzburg. The pilots will be factory – only.

A to Z

It’s gone pretty quiet out there in the Aston Martin/Bell Motorsports front. That’s never good.

Zytek thinks it has a deal with Forsythe – and they could be right – but the papers haven’t yet been signed. If they intend to debut at Road America, that’s got to get done soon, even for used cars.

The new model Zyteks – the hybrid project that’s been the subject of much buzz for months – is close to a “go,” but that one doesn’t involve Forsythe.

Was that with Madonna?

With the cancellation of the Shanghai Surprise, some say scratch that pair of Ferraris expected at PLM and Laguna, but one part of the two-car entry may yet come stateside, if its British driver-investor-owner so decides. Paul Daniels’ Porsche is also a possibility for the final North American events.

P1 post Le Mans

The ex-Charouz Lola Judd debuts in the ALMS with Muscle Milk livery after Le Mans. Meanwhile, their Lola 06/10 AER becomes part of another team’s two-car entry. That’s good field news.

Will the San Diego-Phoenix-Microsoft Axis be full time after Le Mans? Murphy’s hearing conflicting reports. When they’re around, the Bear expects a six-entry P1 field – or eight if the Forsythe Zyteks join the “big” prototype fray. (It’s rumored the Indianapolis team has opted for P2, but Murphy reminds y’all that the Zyteks are notorious swingers.)

Farewell Frank, hello…?

Frankie goes softly into the night after Le Mans, leaving Ingolstadt – and Pompano Beach – with a decision. Murphy polled a few of his friends about four rings driver plans. They were equivocal enough – even some who are very close to those involved – that the Bear can’t say for sure who will be manning the No. 1 Audi R10 from Lime Rock on. R10 No. 2, in the championship battle for both class (a lock) and overall honors, will certainly be piloted to the end by Lucas and Marco. Someone probably already knows, but in the absence of hard news, here are Murphy’s odds: Allan McNish and Emanuele Pirro 5-1; Allan McNish and Dindo Capello 3-2; Dindo Capello and Emanuele Pirro 3-1; Mike Rockenfeller and Emanuelle Pirro 2-1. Get yer bet down, sports fans, the window is about to close.

Walker Proposes 

Walker Racing has proposals out for a two-car ALMS program. No takers yet. Since it’s not yet clear which “2 class” in which they’ll race, it’s all pretty tenuous.

ex nihilo creatio

First the American half of a partnership was out the door, now the British part is gone on gardening leave. Next? The Japanese connection bails, and Le Mans is the last hurrah. That subtracts one prototype mentioned for PLM and Laguna.

No Lion in Summer

Two wrecks in three weeks have ended any chance of seeing a Pug on this side of the Atlantic this season.

On the dole in Huntingdon

The Bear looked askance at the everybody-and-his-dog-builds-a-prototype trend; it seemed to him that the sport would be better served by a few financially and technically strong builders. But he’s got stuffing for brains, right? On the other hand, if there are layoffs in Huntingdon, maybe Murphy isn’t so stoopid.

Farewell to Touring

A famous WTCC program will be gone in 2009, replaced with GT2. Factory drivers currently occupied in the touring car championship will be on-track in a sports car event before the end of this year.

Toyoda?

Who ran Honda’s Super GT team in 2007? The same team that’s at Le Mans manned by Toyota’s factory drivers. Toyota has said it’s developing another Le Mans contender. With a Toyota motor added, is this it?

If, as reported here, Charlie made a visit to Nippon, what was he looking at? A prototype? A GT car? Both? Murphy thinks a hybrid GT is most likely, since IMSA – not the ACO – is the lead dog on the Green Racing initiative.

Corvette Clues

GT1 may be weak, and a NASCAR lackey may have blocked its proposed P1 program, but Corvette Racing plans to be around a long time, and with Pratt & Miller, too. Will they go to GT2 (or whatever new GT arrangement we get in 2009)? They could. Look for a rules announcement at Le Mans to provide a clue.

With most of Lou’s funding having walked out with his former racing partner (Murphy kept his head down and out of the crossfire at Miller.) the lone GT2 Corvette looks to be in trouble just as it was showing signs of becoming competitive.

Nassim Nicholas Taleb or Tyrone Power?

Elsewhere in GT2 a race team named after a pirate ship (or a philosophical metaphor) still plans a Lime Rock launch – it’s near home to the Boston team.

Might the ALMS have 20 prototypes on a grid this season? Possible. A field of 40 at Petit? Possible.

It’s those details Herr Ulrich referred to when he professed confusion at what Audi should build for 2009. But the manufacturers have been party to rules discussions with the ACO all along. Someone who should  know said the report that the ‘EVO’ is dead “is news to me,” meaning the part of the rule that defines what you can race (as apposed to what you cannot). The adaptation of the Aston Martin GT1 motor to the Lola coupe is a demonstration of that, as is Zytek’s continued work on chassis that will accommodate some kind of hybrid powerplant.

A new LM P1 has already been extensively wind tunnel tested, and a corporate “go ahead” for the project is “just weeks away.” Clearly, someone thinks they know what the rule will permit, and that it includes prototypes with strong visual links to a manufacturer’s other automobiles. So there’s an American prototype on the way once again. Now that’s awesome.

Speaking of awesome, the word was used to describe a performance with a faux Ford. Murphy thought that was a stretch, so he asked his friends what they thought was awesome. Here’s a selection of their responses:

Tiger Woods sticking a three iron two feet from the pin to take the lead on the 17th hole on a Sunday. (An appropriate thought on Master’s weekend, though it didn’t happen.)

Yosemite Falls in late April.

The birth of a child, particularly one’s own.

One of Murphy’s close friends gave it some serious thought: ”At 8, I thought going to the Indy 500 was awesome. At 19, I thought seeing Pink Floyd in Atlanta Fulton County Stadium was awesome. At 30, I thought the birth of my son was awesome. As one ages, it takes a lot more to hit the “awesome” category.”  Murphy was really impressed. Then his friend added, “Personally, I think bedding down Jennifer Garner would qualify as awesome.” Geez.

A space shuttle launch; better yet, a night launch.

Sleep in peace, comrades dear,
God is near. (link)

Murphy really paused over this one: At 3 am, flying 300 miles offshore to a sailboat sinking in 40 foot waves, and hoisting 6 people to safety in 80 knot hurricane winds. Semper Paratus. (link)

No one mentioned a DNF 186 laps behind the winner at Sebring.

There could be a Gil De Ferran announcement at Long Beach.

Note to…well, you know who you are. Since Murphy writes parody and other scurrilous stuff, he might of course pen something using a nom de plume. However, A.C. Guillermo is not one of those cases. The Bear in fact did receive an unsolicited contribution (well, now two, actually). Of course he knows who the author is – but it’s not the Bear and he’s not telling.

Peter over at autoextremist.com isn’t a recent convert to the idea that the General’s multiple divisions are a legacy of another time. Finally, though, after years of including Pontiac (which was a fondly remembered part of his childhood) in a streamlined GM, he figured out that every automotive segment is best represented by either Chevrolet or Cadillac. This may finally be the economic storm that forces the long-overdue reorganization.

Furia? Murphy thinks it’s homely and a monumental waste of money when you’re still four and half seconds off the pace in your fourth year. Just what Murphy thinks – and he hears it around the paddock, too.

The Bear was told that the second car for an Anglo-American-under-the-skin team “may be sooner than you think.” That’s good, but it appears there will be no car at all on the grid at Long Beach. A German team might yet find itself in the same boat. There is a cost to these street circuits, it seems.