Vasser and Sato join Monterey festivities
Just received the following Press Release in the No Fenders mailbox, as apparently Jimmy & Taku are Hangin out this weekend?
VASSER, SATO, MOWLEM PUT EVORA CUP GT4 PROTOTYPE
THROUGH PACES AT LAGUNA SECA RACEWAY
MONTEREY, CA AUGUST 11, 2010 Jimmy Vasser and Takuma Sato took the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the new Lotus Evora Cup GT4 prototype at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California.
Sato and Vasser joined Johnny Mowlem to support Lotus various activities in the days leading up to the Pebble Beach Concurs d Elegance. Mowlem, the official factory test driver for the Evora Cup GT4 program, provided Sato and Vasser some insight into the performance capabilities of the car prior to them taking to the track. .
Developed from the highly acclaimed Lotus Evora sports car, the Lotus Evora Gup GT4 race car has been engineered to give drivers a competitive racing package straight out of the box. Lotus Motorsport has developed the Evora Cup GT4 in conjunction with a number of prestigious technical partner using the Evoras world class chassis as its base. Further development of the vehicles steering, brakes and suspension system delivers exceptional grip and handling capabilities on track. Cosworth are supplying a naturally-aspirated V6 race engine and full Electronics Systems which delivers 445Nm of torque at 5500 rpm powering the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox, with a paddle shift option. With FIA designed and approved safety features, the Evora Cup GT4 is accepted in over 12 of the worlds leading GT series and can be easily modified for the demand of endurance events.
Vasser, one of the most respected names in United States open-wheel racing, is the 1996 IndyCar Champion and co-owner of KV Racing Technology. After driving several laps in the Evora Cup GT4, he said, First of all it is a beautiful car. It looks aggressive and you can drive it with confidence. I think Lotus has done a fantastic job kitting it out. Its got all the modern amenities you would expect, and it is a lot of fun to drive.
Sato, who spent seven seasons in Formula One and currently competes in the IndyCar Series behind the wheel of the #5 Lotus KV Racing Technology entry, was ecstatic about his first laps ever in a GT car saying, Driving the Lotus Evora Cup GT4 was absolutely amazing. I really enjoyed it. I have never driven a GT car before so this was just outstanding. The car sounds great, the power pulled really nicely, the handling was good. It has great braking stability so you can really dive into the corners. It is a car that gives the driver confidence he can go really deep into the corner before braking. This is a car you can learn and attack the lap time with. It is a driver friendly car.
Lotus Motorsport is targeting the Nurburgring (Germany)round of the European GT4 championship, the weekend of August 28-29, for the debut of the Lotus Evora Cup GT4. The driver line-up will be announced when the entry is confirmed…
Vintage Corvettes Le Mans reunion
While Im occasionally reminded about the Indy Racing Leagues Dentist-Racer Dr. Jack Miller, Ive forgotten that there once was a driver nicknamed The Flying Dentist, a.k.a. Dr. Dick Thompson from our Nations Capitol, nee Washington, DC.
As Mr. Thompson was reunited with his 1960 No. 2 Corvette he raced at Le Mans half a century ago during the American Le Mans Series outing at Laguna Seca this past May, where three vintage Corvette Le Mans racecars were displayed.
As part of this years Pre-race 24 Heurs du Mans festivities, a gaggle of 50 Vettes will participate in Parade lap duty, with the American Sports car armada being led by 92yr old John Fitch, behind the wheel of his 1960 No. 3 class winning Vette! As two of the three car Briggs Cunningham entry that he took to France as baggage aboard a luxury liner still survive today 50yrs later…
A Reunion of Le Mans Corvettes as New Version Heads to France
And speakin of Corvettes at LeMans… Shouldnt you be watchin the Race right now?
LE MANS: Wall to Wall Coverage…
LE MANS: Wall to Wall Coverage ‘N More…
In case Yall werent aware… Can it really already be that time again? As this weekend SPEED will be hosting its annual Round-the-Clock coverage of the 24 Heurs du Mans, which LIVE TV Coverage begins at 5:30AM PACIFIC Saturday morning.
SPEED & SPEED.com Offer 25 Hours Of Live Coverage From Le Mans
And this year shapes up to potentially be another classic duel between the reigning French Lions, nee Peugeots 908 HDi FAPs vs. Audis potent R15s, as these blindingly quick Turbo Diesels look set once again to rule the roost!
2010 Lemans Provisional Spotter Guide
Theres three Works Peugeots vs. Audis apiece, with one Privateer Peugeot 908 HDi FAP vs. two Audi R10s, the latter being campaigned by Dr. Colin Colles, the Team Principal of the Hispania Racing F1 Team…
Other racing cars of interest include the RED No. 5 LMP1 Ginetta Zytek driven by Nigel Mansell and his two sons Greg and Leo. No. 12 LMP1 Rebellion Racing with Neil Jani, Nicolas Prost and Marco Andretti at the controls; The No. 81 LMGT2 Jaguar XKR has Marc Goossens, Ryan Dalziel and Team Owner Paul Gentilozzi piloting the Cat, whilst Jaguar celebrates its 75th Anniversary. And there are six Ferrari F430GTs entered this year, with the No. 95 (Risi Competizione) AFS Corse featuring Giancarlo Fisichella, Jean Alesi and Toni Vilander.
Also ex-Indy Lights female Cyndie Allemann is behind the wheel of one of the Big LMGT1 Heavyweights, Matech Competitions No. 61 Ford GT; while six time Le Mans winner Jacky Ickxs daughter Vanina Ickx will contest the event at the keyboard of the No. 008 LMP1 Signature Lola-Aston Martin, while Adrian Fernandez will be racing aboard the No. 007 Lola Aston Martin V-12 LMP1 sister car…
BIMMER Art Car
While Meeshs favourite ALMS Team Owner Booby Ray-Xs (Bobby Rahal) Factory-backed BMW GT2 entity isnt involved with racing round Circuit de la Sarthe, nevertheless BMW makes its return to the French classic for the first time since winning overall in 1999… Where the Bavarian make will contest the crowded GT2 field with two of its latest M3 racecars, with one being the latest of the famous Art Cars, the No. 79 created by Artist Jeff Koons.
Highcroft Challenge
Interestingly during the Turkish GP, SPEEDs Bob Varsha noted that Highcroft Racing, wholl be attacking the Circuit de la Sarthe this weekend, has undertaken a massive effort in order to compete in France, as the ACO Rules required a completely new Aero-package design, involving a total of 133 brand new bodywork pieces! And the Team is shipping 4-tons of equipment along with 32 Personnel which you can read about in detail in: LM24: The Trek.
This years Driving trio sees Darios Brother Marino Franchitti partnering David Brabham, with the Highcroft duo being joined by three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner; as Simon Pagenaud.will be behind the wheel of a Works Peugeot 908 HDi FAP instead, hoping to claim Overall Honours with The Hamburgular, nee Sebastian Bourdais and Pedro Lamy.
Also of interest is the fact that France apparently has severely strict advertising laws disallowing the promoting of Spirits, as Highcrofts traditional sponsor Tequila Patron will be replaced by the Teams charity cause Malaria No More.
And this past Sunday night on Wind Tunnel, Duncan Dayton, the owner of Highcroft Racing was the shows Last Call, providing an interesting look into the Teams inaugural attack of the legendary French circuit. Duncan noted that the 133-piece Low Downforce Aero body-kit package had been designed by Nick Wirths UK Wirth Research company and has been tested by their sister HPD Team in the LMS series, the Strakka Racing Team.
Ferrari EVO
Interestingly, during this years season opening American Le Mans Series round at Sebring, I learned that the Ferrari F430 GT2 runners have an expensive proposition facing them, with the chassis having been upgraded to GTE-spec this season, before needing to be replaced next year with the advent of the brand new Ferrari 458 Italia coming online.
This years F430GTE has seen the revision of four key elements: Aero, weight, Air restrictors and tyres, as the latter was the key driver in the cars bodywork revisions, as the new larger rubber required bigger fenders in order to fit their increased girth.
And although the new chassis has gained 100kg of weight, now tipping the scales at 1245kg, the change of bodywork, tyres and new larger engine Air restrictor, gives the 430s an approximate power increase of 9% which sees an increase in top speed and should enable the Prancing Horses to Hang with its competition on the longer straightaway courses, i.e.; Le Mans…
Yet with the 458s impending arrival for 2011, Teams will be forced to purchase brand new racecars, along with all of the necessary spares needed. So its a good thing that Scotty Sharp has gone racing with Tequila Patrons CEO as partner of his Extreme Speed Motorsports operation, eh?
An iconically named leader?
Whale Im really surprised that NOBODY has latched onto the fact that the man tabbed to oversee the Indy Cars ICONIC Board slated to select the leagues new 2012 chassis is some retired General Named Looney… As in LOONEY TUNES! Or is that just me? Hmm? Perhaps everybody is afraid of having to drop N do twenty push-ups, eh?
And the rest of the selection committee, after General William R. Looney III and Gil De Ferran had been named are a most interesting bunch, especially the ex-Ford/Jaguar connection… As Brian Braveheart, a.k.a. THE I.H.J. nee Brian Barnhart was added, along with Tony Purnell, Neil Ressler, Tony Cotman, Eddie The Goose Gossage and Rick Long. To read more about each of these participants, click here.
Meanwhile I suppose Id better drop N give Ol Gen. Looney III 20 push-ups on the double, eh?
More Lotus fodder
Just finished watching last nights Shanghai Formula 1 Practice 2 TV coverage where SPEEDs Bob Varsha decided to bust out the trivial info of having seen it somewhere… (On le internets?) That this weekends Long Beach Grand Prix Indy Car action just happens to coincide with the 33rd Anniversary of some Cat named Mario Andretti winning the Formula Ones 77 USGP West held at Long Beach, CA aboard his Lotus 78-Ford.
David Hobbs noted how a Juan Mr. Rufus Parnelli Jones will be the man O honour this year in some sorta celebratory occasion of which Dan Gurney was the honoree last year and that others such as Brian Redman and Bobby Rahal amongst others should be on hand participating.
Actually the date was April 3, 1977 when Mario took the chequered flag ahead of that years title winner Niki Lauda, as Andrettis victory would be the first of his four that year: Long Beach, Spain, France and Monza, Italy, while his lesser known teammate, the late Swede Gunnar Nilsson scored his lone F1 victory at the rain soaked Belgian GP at Zolder…
Where Art Thou George?
Hence, I thought of Ol George Harrison a few dayzes earlier this week and thought it a perfect metaphor to scribble bout… As after all in his later life Messer Harrison was known to frequent the Formula 1 Paddock and even Chum about with his new found pal EJ, Yall know that plucky Irishman named Eddie Jordan… Who will always have a place in my Memorex for being a very colourful character in F1, a la Flavour Flav… Except NOT in the same BAD way as his Royal Highness FB, nee Flavio Briatore… Even if their fates were somewhat intertwined over the career path of a one Mr. Michael Schumacher, eh?
Yet, perhaps Ol EJ will dust off his Drum Kit N play a rousing rendition of Georges Taxman Song amongst other Dities the Boyz used to jam to while Harrisons GeeTar continues weeping…
INDYCAR: Picking a Good Barber
So I spent last weekend listening to the Indy Lights N IndyCarz via le internets, albeit a most ANNOYING Indycar.com internets stream… Both Saturday & Sunday, ’cause I was interested in the Indy Lights race as a Barometer of what the Big Boyz race would be like…
And without going into a long winded tirade bout Comcast N Digg-it-Tull TV Boxes… I wanted to tape the MOTO GP LOONS from Qatar in favour of the Indy Car Series as I can only choose ‘Juan at a time; But Hey! 324kph (201mph) on a Scooter, CRIKEYS!
So call me cynical, eh? But I began to wunder if the attendance claims being made were true? Especially since it was coming from the IMS Radio Network for two days straight, as Mike Yippy-kai-Eh! N Mark James were just a few to say; “It’s Great!” And then Ye Windbag Dave Despain ‘N Robin Miller chimed-in on SPEEDs Wind Tunnel and The Speed Report (TSR) claiming that theyd had great attendance.
Miller noted on TSR that approximately 45-50,000 attended Barber Motorsport Park’s inaugural Indy Car race, but I remained skeptical a little while longer since the Gran Am boyz were there this weekend too, until multiple sources seem to confirm that there was indeed a nice crowd on-hand with approx. 85,000 total for the 3-Day event at the Barbers… Yuhs seez, I was skeptical since this event was taking place in the Heart O RASSCARLAND and thought it might just be some sorta backhand swipe at the 800lb Gorilla? But it sounds like a weekend at Portland in its heydays, albeit a little lower crowd number, but same type of flavour, so Im glad for Indy Car!
Especially since I heard Terry Wheres the Beef? Angus, Err Ang-Stat proclaim it was the highest ever Attendance for an Indy Car event in Birmingham, AL; Oh Never Mind! Clever, eh?
And it struck me that both the FIL ‘N ICS races had the same outcome; with each having a Driver trying to jump ahead for position for overall lead penalized on their respective race starts, which potentially cost both AFS-AAs Charlie Kimball N TCGRs Scott Dixon victory. Although Dixie seemed to be much hotter under the collar then Kimball…
So I wont bother tryin to recap the race… As I dont want Yuhs to think Ive got sour grapes over HULIOs RALLY-RALLY-RALLY-BIG Win; SHEISA!
As other then Marco Andrettis excellante pass upon the Dancin FOOL… There didnt seem to be an overabundance of passing Persei, eh?
And was it just me as that Ol Sesame Street song which Juan of these DONT look like the others came to mind… With Mike Conway running in P2 during the early stages of the event, while Will Power ended up 4th due to pitting early whilst HULIO ran a fuel strategy race… Hmm? Penskes 1st-4th-6th, Ganassis Boyz 2-3 with Marco – Wheres the FREAKIN Yellow? Andretti in P5, with the highest NON-BIG 3 being Justin BIG UNIT Wilson in P7, who got around his teammate… As Conway finished 9th, while the resta my Top 5ish; TAG came home 10th, while the Grahaminator, nee Graham Rahal finished 17th, Swiss Miss Simona De Silvestro was scored in P21 and Taku-san was last in P25…
Yet the Box score doesnt reflect the latter twos real race as Simona ran a very impressive 5th place for the majority of the race before causing the late race Yellow flag Marco was looking for 4-laps after hed pitted from the lead, while Takuma Sato suffered from an apparent throttle linkage break.
Yet Bertrand Baguette seemed to run a pretty quiet Debutant Indy Car race by keeping his nose clean and running home in P20, nipping at DannaCarz heels… Funny, how nobodys talking bout her lately, eh? While I didnt get to hear Robin exclaim bout the Lucky Milka! As that sounded like a wild pass when TK (Tony Kanaan) N ??? split the Wanderin Milka… Sorta like a Waltzing Matilda?
Next up is this weeks outing at Long Beach, CA, where Will Power could return to the front of the Queue, eh? Although Id enjoy seeing the elder Wilson give Team England, Err D & R its first win in a Decade; Hmm? 3-Penskes, 2-TCGRs & 2-AAs in Barbers Top 10, with only Team England N FAZZT breaking up the party…
So, should I drop into Versus this weekend to hear the great pontificating of the Hippy Dippy Weatherman, eh?
RO-RO! Another Fenderlandz rant
Yeah, and I AINT even guzzlin Nyquil… But, Im still fighting this FREAKIN Cold, although Im going on Holiday next week NO matter what; Yuhs hears FRILLIN Cold…
So todays rant includes just a very fast look at a few Tin top developments of note, even if Ive never been exactly enamoured by Ol DC who I used to call SquareJaw. Amongst other not so PG rated thingys… As I suppose its silly to need to have villains in motor racing, eh?
Coulthard to DTM
In case you havent heard, Scottish ex-Formula 1 Piloto David Coulthard has agreed to compete in this years Deutch Touren Meisters (DTM) series as a Mercedes Benz competitor. Ol DC will begin his Tin Top adventure at the upcoming Hockenheimring event behind the wheel of a 2008 Spec Merc along with keeping his day job as an F1 Commentator for the BBC as his racing wont interfere with this.
Grand Am to Hookup with DTM?
Interestingly during the Last Lap segment of the Speed Report, (TSR) it noted that reportedly the Grand Am Officials had flown Across-the-Pond to discuss a possible rules sharing package with the DTM? Which Im guessing would be sorta like how the American le Mans Series runs off of the ACOs rules for the 24 Heurs du Mans. As wouldnt that be entertaining to see those silhouette Merc Door Bangers bouncing around Day-Toner…
Thunder Down Under
Marc of Full Throttle has been covering the Mega SuperStarz gala entry list for the upcoming SuperCarnivul race at Surfers Paradise later this year, as the V8 Supercars take over the abruptly dropped Indy Car event which is a real fan favourite… (Not to mention how much the Sheilas like it, eh?) Thus in order to spice up the show, Organizers have made it into a SuperStarz showdown with the likes of Chip Ganassis IndyCar Boyz, Team Penskes Aussie Twins, etc. Check it out here; SuperCarnivul update
A long day at the Barber’s
So I just finished watching a somewhat entertaining Grand Am race from this weekends featured venue, the Barber Motorsports Park down dar in Sweet Home Alabama.
And whats the Dealio with Indycar.com? As this morning in the DARK, It took an excruciating 14mins to get a FREAKIN internets connection… Cmon, youve gotta be joking! Especially at six FRILLIN A.M. in the morning; CRIKEYS!
So it was 6:27AM when I finally got the melodic rhapsody O Mark James Baritone voice to finally come on Duh Blower, having missed approx. the first 18min of Firestone Indy Lights action, as it seemed somewhat ironic that Don Kays Autosport Radio guest J.K. Vernay N James Hinch Town Hinchcliffe were fighting it out for the Pole Position, with Hinge dropping from P2 to P5 on the final lap, while Vernay, whos ironically driving Hinchcliffes No. 7 Sam Schmidt mount of last season snatched his very first FIL Pole… Also it was entertaining to learn that Hinges (Indiana?) Roommate is none other then Phillip Major Tom, the Kuh-Nuck who took him outta round 1 at St. Pete with his first lap Bonsai move!
Then as Aunty Harriet likes to call Dem, the Big Boyz were next up, as it was time for Fast Six Indy Car Qualifying… As youll never guess who was untouchable once again on another Twisty circuit… Yep, thats correct; it was Will Power putting on a show, as the guy is simply blindingly quick! Yet it was his front row companion who was the surprise of the show, as it was a Dryer & Reinbold car, but not Justin BIG UNIT Wilson… Instead it was Mike Conway who broke up the Team Penske party, with HULIO knocked back to P3 with Marco Andretti alongside. Rounding out the top six was Scott Dixon with Takuma Sato in his Team Lotus livery Dallara Honda.
And the biggest issue for the Grand Am racers seemed to be the massive accumulation of Klag, a.k.a. marbles or rubber build-up from the tyre wear making it very difficult to go offline to attempt passing anybody on what has been called a difficult circuit to pass on…
And it was pretty funny that Scott Pruett won again for Chip Ganassi, with Ryan Dalziel third, Memo Gidley fourth and Buddy Rice sixth, since all of these Boyz are ex-Open Wheeler IndyCar Starz. Now what to due, eh? As the Indy Car race is on Versus tomorrow at the same time as the Qatar MOTO GP race on SPEED…
F1 Tech: New fuel tanks, trick wheels ‘N wings and tilted lumps
As Im sure Yall are painfully aware of by now, this years Formula 1 Challengers have become BRAWNIER, Err longer N bulkier due to the new in-race refueling ban and hence the fuel tanks have effectively doubled in size. Although I cannot find any pertinent info on exact regulations, it appears that the fuel tanks have stretched from a maximum of 90 liters to approx. 250 liters. Thus, IM assuming that THE Teams were free to play with the exact shape of said tanks which therefore can become either longer, wider or a combination of both.
The SPEED lads have noted that the increased fuel capacity now weighs about an extra 300lbs on a chassis whos minimum weight has been increased to 620kg, (1,367lbs) from 605kg, (1,334lbs) having been done so for the usage of KERS vs. taller/larger Drivers being penalized for their additional mass…
Meanwhile there are several developments occurring constantly in Formula 1 as after all F1 NEVER SLEEPS! With some of these being:
The Mercedes MGP W01 is claimed to be utilizing a triangular shaped Airbox with some sort of splitter inside it vs. the traditional round/oval roll hoop structures for some sort of increased airflow/downforce.
The McLaren MP4-25 is running some sort of side body air snorkel contraption to reportedly dump air onto the rear wing to make it stall predictably to increase the cars straight-line speed.
The Ferrari F10 and Red Bull RB6 have reportedly tilted the angle of their engines installation in order to allow for increasing the size/room of the all important rear diffuser, with claims that Ferraris 056 V8 lump is angled at 3.5 degrees, while Red Bull has altered the angle of the Gearbox, which also alters the rear suspension while McLaren is said to be utilizing a long/thin Gearbox to aid in its Aero-treatment.
Ferrari has come up with a new wheel molding that casts an Aerodynamic effect into it, along with auto locking wheel nut catches.
And with all of the conjecture over the RB6s rear bodyworks exhaust location, one has to ponder if this caused any trouble with Sebastian Vetttels car while he was leading in Bahrain? (As NO! It was a Spark Plug, yeah thats the ticket…) As Mark Webber was previously sidelined with some sort of cooling/exhaust issues during practice.
For a better explanation of some of these developments, you may wish to check out James Allens new Tech Talk posts…
James Allen: Bahrain Tech Talk
James Allen: Melbourne Tech Talk
James Allen: Sepang Tech Talk
