Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: gofaster on March 20, 2006, 02:50:53 PM
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I just got back from the 12 hours of Sebring yesterday and I gotta take my hat off to Audi for completely DOMINATING all of the other entrants. They went out and set a new course record - one which they had set themselves a few years earlier - by 2 seconds, took the pole, and were lapping cars within a handful of times past the flag stand. From then on, it was a race for 3rd until one of the Audi LMP1s dropped out with mechanical issues and opened the door for 2 podium spots.
The real race was in GT1 between Corvette and Aston Martin. Corvette won the 52nd race, Aston Martin won the 53rd, and this year the two factory teams were really pushing each other hard from start to finish. With the last few hours ticking down, the #4 Corvette had 1st place sealed up (barring mechanical problems which is always possible at Sebring), an Aston was in 2nd, and the #3 'vette was swapping positions with the other Aston Martin. Aston made a fantastic pit stop and took the lead from the 'vette, but the Corvette hung right on his tail up to the final lap. Going down the Ulmann straight, the 'vette was hanging on the Aston's bumper when the 3rd-place Aston swung wide on setting up the final turn under the bridge, then shut the door on the chasing 'vette by cracking the wheel hard to the inside. Brilliant piece of driving.
The first thing I did when I got back (after showering to make myself presentable in a civilized society) was take our SUV down to the car wash to have the dirt and dust cleaned out. In the sports section there was a poll: "which are you more likely to follow this weeked - the Nextel Cup race in Atlanta or the 12 hours of Sebring?" The poll result was nearly 93% would follow NASCAR. Yet, the unofficial attendance for Sebring was something like 160,000 people.
To be honest, the NASCAR road races I've seen (not the ovals, the road courses) are almost painful to watch. Those NASCAR cars are just too big and too heavy for most road tracks. Its like watching aircraft carriers trying to navigate a canal. But, NASCAR has the money, the sponsors, and the fat tv contracts so when people think of racing, they think NASCAR. That's a shame. ALMS is great racing. If you're even just a casual race fan, you gotta get to Sebring for the 12-hour event and plan on camping for all 4 days. Even if you hate cars, you'll enjoy the beer drinking.
My hats off to:
1) Audi, for pushing the performance envelope and racing diesel engines. I was expecting the usual dit-dit-dit-dit lumbering diesel sound. Those things were whisper smooth, quiet, and shot the cars out of the turns like greased lightning. I have seen the future of motorsports.
2) Spyker, for their repair work. On Wednesday a Porsche cracked up in Turn 15, coming to rest on top of a concrete barricade, shattering the barricade. It would require a $35,000 tub from the Porsche factory to get the car race ready. On Thursday, a Spyker spun and crashed and ended up on top of the concrete barricade, too. The Spyker team had their car repaired and running by Saturday morning's practice.
3) Pilgrim and Angellelli of Cadillac Racing, for their success in the SPEED World Challenge GT race against the lighter Vipers and Corvettes. Even though they didn't win, they managed a respectable finish.
4) Panoz, for finally breaking Porsche's streak of wins in GT2. While I'm at it, Ferrari deserves a salute just for showing up.
I won't be flying for awhile. I'll be turning laps at Sebring in my NR2003 mod. :)
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Are they still running the Audi R8s? That has to be one of the greatest racecars ever built. Consistent wins, extreme speeds, extreme cornering, and a system so reliable it goes 3 endurance races with just an oil change. :huh
Got to fondle one in Vegas a few years ago :D
(http://i31.photobucket.com/albums/c372/indyallen/R-8.jpg)
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That one was on display in the Audi tent, right near the front gate. Its an older machine but could probably compete and do ok.
Audi ran the diesel R10s and they were very, very impressive machines. I wouldn't be surprised if the engine technology transferred over to other racing circuits.
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Originally posted by gofaster
3) Pilgrim and Angellelli of Cadillac Racing, for their success in the SPEED World Challenge GT race against the lighter Vipers and Corvettes. Even though they didn't win, they managed a respectable finish.
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I love Team Cadillac! Been following the since they started in the GT challenge. Those CTS-VR's run with so much weight balist and still keep kicking butt. It was shame to see that had to start the new season with the same balist from last year. Down side they get more weight added for next race. :(
Pilgrim and Angellelli are great drivers too boot.
But you for got # 5
Star Mazda!!
A buddie I autocross with Gerardo Bonilla won the Star Mazda race friday.
I had tickets for friday I was so sick I couldn't go. :(
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I saw a Star Mazda race a couple of years ago and it was kinda boring.
HOWEVER...
This year's race was balls-to-the-wall the entire time. A couple of cars got together in the hairpin and the cars behind them didn't even blink; just a touch of brake, a flick of the wheel, and they were gone. Those things were faster this year than I remember them being before, and the drivers were much more aggressive. I'd say they were probably the ideal car for Sebring (other than maybe the SPEED Touring cars). You should've made the drive and puked out the window. Why watch F1 in Bahrain when I can see screaming open wheel racing at Sebring. :)
I spent some time this morning checking AutoTrader for used Miatas, then I realized my wife would probably kill me if I brought one home. :D
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Get one there fun as hell..
I've autocross for about 3 years now. I got a 1994 Miata last Dec for 2000 bucks. I think I've got 5K in parts on this one. Got all the handling issues out of it last year. This year I've won all 3 events in my class.
Next upgrade is the roll bar so I run out at Sebring :aok
You can run with Chin Motor Sports for about $300.00 which isn't too bad..
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There's a 1995 for $4k that caught my eye.
(http://images.autotrader.com/images/2006/3/18/198/708/196328914.198708749.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg)
if only I had a bigger driveway and more disposable income...
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Originally posted by gofaster
That one was on display in the Audi tent, right near the front gate. Its an older machine but could probably compete and do ok.
Audi ran the diesel R10s and they were very, very impressive machines. I wouldn't be surprised if the engine technology transferred over to other racing circuits.
Nice. I wouldn't be suprised at all. The R8 was perfect for it's time, and of course technology is only going to make it better :) Audi was claiming 15 minutes to replace the entire rear end, and the techs claiming they were doing it faster than that :O
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I like the old closed cockpits of the IMSA GT series races. They need to televise more of the roadcourse stuff.
As far as NASCAR goes.....Its been an institution in my family since before I was born, but since NASCAR is letting Toyota run with the cup cars in 2997 is kinda making me an unNASCAR fan. It was bad enough they let the japs run in the supertruck series, but I aint about to let it slide for the cup cars.
NACAR was always about the "Big 3".
Toyota needs to go make their own race organization and stay the hell outta NASCAR.
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Numbers 30 through 33 (http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Le_Mans-1998-06-07-photo.html)
(http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1998/Le_Mans-1998-06-07-030.jpg)
(http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1998/Le_Mans-1998-06-07-031.jpg)
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I have always held the belief that NASCAR should use cars right off the showroom floor. I'd like to see those cars go 500 miles round and round. ;)
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I'd love to have one of these....
(http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/1998/Le_Mans-1998-06-07-044.jpg)
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Originally posted by texace
I have always held the belief that NASCAR should use cars right off the showroom floor. I'd like to see those cars go 500 miles round and round. ;)
You need to get your blue-jeaned bee-hind down to a SPEED World Challenge Touring and SPEED World Challenge GT race! Closest thing to production-car racing there is, and loads of fun to watch. There's a good blend of 'vettes, Vipers, BMWs, Mercedes, Audi's, and my fav, Cadillacs. Their next race is the Honda Grand Prix of St. Pete, with the IRL cars as the marquee event. Its right in my backyard but I'll be out of town on business. :cry
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Originally posted by OOZ662
Numbers 30 through 33 (http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Le_Mans-1998-06-07-photo.html)
I remember when those cars raced. They were so dominant that the crewchiefs pulled them into the pits on the white flag lap so that they could clean them up for the cameras when they crossed the finish line. Its a shame Nissan got out of ALMS-style racing.
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Originally posted by texace
I have always held the belief that NASCAR should use cars right off the showroom floor. I'd like to see those cars go 500 miles round and round. ;)
me too, i want to see real cars race, not fake "stock" cars.
nascar has become a made for TV sport like roller derby and wrestling.
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Still love NASCAR....GO 88!!!!!!
As far as Toyota entering the Cup competition.....I say let them...they surely havent ruined the Truck series at all.
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I think its funny that NASCAR rules only permit domestic-build cars, so Toyota entered their car as a Camry.
Right, like that has anything even remotely similar to a Camry. Then again, the same goes for the Taurus, Charger, and Monte Carlo.
NASCAR should just call them what they are: protoypes. But I guess they can't since the engines still use outdated carburetor technology.
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Endurance racing is the best. One day I hope to go camping at Le Mans for the race there.
Tent, beer and wrooom wrooooooom!
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Originally posted by Nilsen
Tent, beer and wrooom wrooooooom!
Not to mention... (http://www.imca-slotracing.com/Hawaiian-Tropic-Girls.htm)
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Originally posted by OOZ662
Not to mention... (http://www.imca-slotracing.com/images/Yukos32.jpg)
thats what i said.... wrooom wrooooom :p
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Gofaster....
You run NC2003? Me to...Would be fun to run with you sometime.
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I love any type of racing, NASCAR, F1, Rolex, BTCC, SCCA.
I do enjoy cars that look like production car the most, like TCC. LMP, Nascar, Open wheels appeal less to me because they are 100% race cars, and nothing in comon with their street counterparts.:)
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Originally posted by OOZ662
Not to mention... (http://www.imca-slotracing.com/Hawaiian-Tropic-Girls.htm)
They were there, too, along with the Pirelli girls and the models from Makes&Models magazine. The Pirelli girls stuck to the paddock area, the M&M girls stuck to the bikini contest before vanishing completely, and the Hawaiian Tropic girls played 1 game of volleyball against some drivers, handed out some samples, and then vanished, too. Probably a good thing for them, as they were dangerously close to Green Park and may have been clubbed and carried across the pedestrian bridge for nefarious reasons.
The only ones that seemd to hang around for more than an hour were the Pirelli girls, who were somewhat protected in the paddock.
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Originally posted by RedTop
Gofaster....
You run NC2003? Me to...Would be fun to run with you sometime.
I only run 3 tracks for the most part: Daytona speedway, Watkins Glenn, and Sebring. I have yet to last for more than 45 minutes before crashing or retiring for accumulated damage.
I wish Papyrus still made that sim. It's the best on the market.
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I've still got a copy of NASCAR Racing (The 1996 Playstation game). :O
You race bricks with eraser-shaped bricks stacked ontop for the cockpit. :D