Corvette uncovered

[ss_collins]

Finally have been able to print the rest of the Corvette pictures I took at Le Mans, included are the shots GM doesn't want you to see of the rear suspension arrangements and position of the third spring. Thy are in Racecar Engineering december issue.

What amazed me is how objectionable GM were at LM when we tried to aske them about it - also few people got to get a good up close look at the 'Vette and I think that really let the fans down, whereas RfH showed you all the best bits happily. Much better attitude, Champion like Corvette rather than embrace fans hired private and menacing security guards - is there a place fot this at LM?

[rdjones]

Its a shame that Champion and Corvette do things like that. This year at Le Mans, during the Friday pitlane walkabout I was invited into the RML garage and all because I was wearing an MG Baseball cap.

[Graham Goodwin]

Part of the reason is that the teams often have big problems with theft - I think it was Boris deRichebourg that had his helmet stolen during the race a couple of years ago

[ss_collins]

but its only those two teams?

[Graham Goodwin]

In fact Pescarolo had 'door control' too, as did Aston at times - Bentley were particularly unwelcoming in 02 and 03 (even to those with appointments!) and there have been others too - I guess it depends on whether or not the team find people 'popping in' to be a nuisance. Got to say that both Corvette and Champion were no problem for me this year at all.

[ss_collins]

Had problems with them two only (Pesca and Aston were great). But Graham we are not normal punters - I'm thinking more about during the fortnight where pretty much anyone can wander up the pitlane to look at the cars being fettled. But you could hardly even see the 'Vette. Hidden deep in its garage

[jhansen]

I remember an article in regards to Champion. They had some special setup with ADT (also a promo deal) for improved security.

[Nordic]

I don't see it as a big deal, I think its wrong to expect the teams to allow all and sundry into the pit garage while the team are hard at work. There is alot of pricey gear in there that would go walkabout as well.

Maybe some of the teams are a bit over protective and be a bit ott, but just because you have media card does not give you the right to wander into any pit and and take pictues of anything you see that may have cost X team $000 to develop. It is after all their place of work and I doubt many of us want our rivals to know exactly what we are up too.

Long gone are the days when all the cars where prep'ed under canvas in the paddock.
good old days?

[jhansen]

Maybe it's because this is at Le Mans. This is THE race of the year. Nothing left to chance.

At Laguna Seca, we were very close to the cars. We were right next to EVERY car there during the grid walk. And in the pit, we walked up and examined the body work from the #1 Champion car. The crew were right there, but never said one word. The Corvettes and Astons both had their work areas enclosed, but you could get reasonably close.

[billnchristy]

Every time I have been to an ALMS event the corvettes were very hard to get to. They are, however, some of the most popular cars in the series, but that tent is almost always zipped up.

Caddy is the same way in SWC, whereas you can just walk on in most peoples set up, the caddy setup is behind ropes and a good ten feet away, half the time you cant even see the cars.

['70 Mach 1]

At Infineon in 2004, the area around the Vettes was crowded (people hoping to see Dale Jr. probably), but the cars were right out front and easy to look at (behind a rope though). The SWC Caddy guys were great to us though ... let my son and I behind the ropes so we could stand right next to the car for my wife to snap a photo of us. Even Champion's pit was fairly open and JJ stood out front talking to a few people. And I must give a thumbs up to Carsport ... those guys are always friendly and let you get in there and take a look around...

[Graham Goodwin]

Got to say that at the three ALMS races I attended this year (Sebring, PLM and Laguna) the arrangements at Team Corvette were much the same, you could get reasonably close and watch what the guys were up to - I agree they were amongst the most popular cars in the paddock - the queues at the autograph sessions showed that.

[paul-collins]

Certainly I've found that their security at Mosport is only as tight as needed to keep the hordes out - and they're always surrounding the paddock.

In fact, when the crowd dissipates, I've found you can walk right in and talk to the mechanics and drivers who are there.

[NJDMONEY]

When you spend millions of dollars developing a car then you can decide who gets to see what.

[Splendid Cat]

Originally Posted by NJDMONEY

When you spend millions of dollars developing a car then you can decide who gets to see what.

Exactly. It's a business. Why should teams let people, be them "normal" or not normal punters (like our learned chum), poke their noses in.

I don't see why it is taken so personally. Always nice if you can have a look, but it's not the end of civilization if you can't get access.

[ger80]

better to look into the pits at other races like LMES/ALMS. same cars then LeMans but not so many spectators

[TheNewBob]

I'm just happy to be seeing the cars out on track! beautiful machines, great to get up close to if possible - but there's no substitute for the wonderful on-track action!

[ss_collins]

when you sped millions on your cars you get to decide who the luck few are that get to see the cars up close, then you get the F1 situation.

however we eventually get access to the C6R's without bodywork to photograph it and as far as I know the pics we got are the only ones that exist outside of GM. Graham Goodwin - however may know better, GG? (I'll send you a copy btw)

[Graham Goodwin]

I was fairly certain we had some from Sebring - Just checked and we do - front and back - Galleries 1 & 3 for dsc readers here

[Shady#30]

I understand high security at LM. If I ran a team there NOBODY would be poking around my stuff.

As for the ALMS paddock, I walk around like I own the place and nobody has ever said anything to me. If there's something you want to know or see, just ask someone who doesn't look busy. Every single person I've come across has been willing to answer a question or let me check something out.

[NJDMONEY]

Originally Posted by ss_collins

when you sped millions on your cars you get to decide who the luck few are that get to see the cars up close, then you get the F1 situation.

That's good to know. I'm sure Aston, Saleen, and Maserati will enjoy looking over those pictures in the hope of finding a Corvette secret to cash in on all of Corvette's hard work.

Good job.

[ss_collins]

tripe - these cars are all very different, and they are all also destined to be customer cars so the secret will come out eventually.

NJD if that is your opinion then next year during the pitlane walkabout how would you feel if all the garage doors were closed?


In GT1 how big could your secret be? or is only secret becuase the ACO will outlaw it once the other teams see it? like the aston aero mods.
Plus its my job to find out what technology teams employ to win.

[cmk]

Originally Posted by NJDMONEY

That's good to know. I'm sure Aston, Saleen, and Maserati will enjoy looking over those pictures in the hope of finding a Corvette secret to cash in on all of Corvette's hard work.

Good job.

He published photos he had permission to publish. What's your problem, honestly?

Really, you can just stroll down the paddock if you're from another team and want a look at the competitor's car. The paddock at Mosport is quite accessible, as p-c alluded to, and I frequently have seen team members doing this very thing.

[NJDMONEY]

Originally Posted by ss_collins

NJD if that is your opinion then next year during the pitlane walkabout how would you feel if all the garage doors were closed?

I wouldn't care one way or another. Yes, I would be appreciative if they did allow you a look around but if they didn't, it's their right to protect their interests.

I never have nor will I think the fans deserve this unfettered access to teams and drivers for information and autographs. It's unfair to the teams who are putting more effort and money into PUTTING THE SHOW ON FOR US than we ever will buying a ticket and just sitting and watching.

They're spending millions, we're spending hundreds at the most. Who's really important here?

[Splendid Cat]

Originally Posted by ss_collins

tripe - these cars are all very different, and they are all also destined to be customer cars so the secret will come out eventually.

NJD if that is your opinion then next year during the pitlane walkabout how would you feel if all the garage doors were closed?


In GT1 how big could your secret be? or is only secret becuase the ACO will outlaw it once the other teams see it? like the aston aero mods.
Plus its my job to find out what technology teams employ to win.

Exactly, that's why you have raised a trivial and meaningless issue as a matter of life and death. If you can't find out enough you have no article and you might get the sack...
Your take on this is different to most others. After all you are in the elevated position of not being a "normal" punter, referring to one your previous comments.
Perhaps you should write to the teams?