Should the Astons race at Sebring!!!!

Zagato · 14 Mar 2005, 09:32 (Ref:1251352)

Reported on LMSR.net!!

Some red faced Brits...at tech today at Sebring the Maserati was in first followed by the Aston Martin cars...the Maserati sailed through and then the DBR9's took their turn in the IMSA tent. After measurements on the DBR9, IMSA was in the awkward position of telling them, "we are embarrased to inform you that your car is 3mm too wide." Although technically illegal we don't expect Maserati to file a formal protest against the Aston Martin cars

Quite a few laughs in the paddock!

JAG · 14 Mar 2005, 09:37 (Ref:1251356)

'the Maserati sailed through'

To be fair, what did it actually have to pass, the fact that it has four wheels!

Silk Cut Jaguar · 14 Mar 2005, 10:25 (Ref:1251399)

Oh dear. It's all a bit of a mess really, ain't it? Still, I'm sure we'll see the green machines take the starting flag.

Audi R8R · 14 Mar 2005, 10:51 (Ref:1251438)

Hmmm, but 3mm is a little more than a panel gap compared to the chunk of bodywork you'd need to remove to make the Maserati legal.

tblincoe · 14 Mar 2005, 10:55 (Ref:1251444)

of course AM should and will race at Sebring...

**Adam43** · 14 Mar 2005, 11:04 (Ref:1251462)

I'm sure it'll race, although the embarrassed faces are probably deserved. Quite amusing really!

How long before we find out?

The Badger · 14 Mar 2005, 14:55 (Ref:1251633)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audi R8R

Hmmm, but 3mm is a little more than a panel gap compared to the chunk of bodywork you'd need to remove to make the Maserati legal.

3 mm or 1/8 inch is a lot in engineering terms ..... and rules are rules but , i feel its an honest screwup unlike the Maserati .

And thats what big hammers are for !!!

vollpower · 14 Mar 2005, 15:22 (Ref:1251653)

Thats what happens when you test in - 0°C. Temp. all the time. When you
hit the Sun you expand by 3mm.

SALEEN S7R · 14 Mar 2005, 16:26 (Ref:1251708)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

'the Maserati sailed through'

To be fair, what did it actually have to pass, the fact that it has four wheels!

JAG - ur surley not condoning the fact that Prodrive has built their cars too wide for the regulations are u? One rule for one, one rule for another?

Yes, sure the Maserati is outside the regulations, for now, but thats a arguement for another thread, what I find sickening is the fact only a few days ago Richards was threatening legal action against Maserati, and whilst at the same time has a illegall car himself! Dosent matter if its 3mm to wide or 3 inches, rules are rules, ur either illegall or illegall.

The Badger · 14 Mar 2005, 16:49 (Ref:1251735)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

! Dosent matter if its 3mm to wide or 3 inches, rules are rules, ur either illegall or illegall.

Can we have an emoticon

with a hammer and an Aston Martin please ?

kdr · 14 Mar 2005, 16:53 (Ref:1251738)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

JAG - ur surley not condoning the fact that Prodrive has built their cars too wide for the regulations are u? One rule for one, one rule for another?

Yes, sure the Maserati is outside the regulations, for now, but thats a arguement for another thread, what I find sickening is the fact only a few days ago Richards was threatening legal action against Maserati, and whilst at the same time has a illegall car himself! Dosent matter if its 3mm to wide or 3 inches, rules are rules, ur either illegall or illegall.

thats right....rules are rules, chuck them both out...and run a fine tooth over those new 'vettes as well.

is it too late to vote for the carsport viper to come out on top in gt1?!

JAG · 14 Mar 2005, 17:45 (Ref:1251794)

Interesting gallery on DSC showing the GT1 cars at one particular corner.

They are all leaning heavily, some even raising the inside wheel, while the Maserati is as flat as a pancake, glued to the track!

**Bentley03** · 14 Mar 2005, 17:47 (Ref:1251796)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

Interesting gallery on DSC showing the GT1 cars at one particular corner.

They are all leaning heavily, some even raising the inside wheel, while the Maserati is as flat as a pancake, glued to the track!

So 3mm wasn't quite enough.

Nordic · 14 Mar 2005, 17:52 (Ref:1251801)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

JAG - ur surley not condoning the fact that Prodrive has built their cars too wide for the regulations are u? One rule for one, one rule for another?

Yes, sure the Maserati is outside the regulations, for now, but thats a arguement for another thread, what I find sickening is the fact only a few days ago Richards was threatening legal action against Maserati, and whilst at the same time has a illegall car himself! Dosent matter if its 3mm to wide or 3 inches, rules are rules, ur either illegall or illegall.

Too right, rules is rules, if prodrive file 3mm off the Aston to make it fit the box, will Mazza do the same

?

The pictures do seem to show the MC12 is in a different league stability wise, but assuming the MC12's don't sandbag the lap times will tell a fuller story.

**FIRE** · 14 Mar 2005, 17:54 (Ref:1251804)

Quote:

Originally Posted by vollpower

Thats what happens when you test in - 0°C. Temp. all the time. When you
hit the Sun you expand by 3mm.

I was thinking the same.

tblincoe · 14 Mar 2005, 17:56 (Ref:1251805)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

Interesting gallery on DSC showing the GT1 cars at one particular corner.

They are all leaning heavily, some even raising the inside wheel, while the Maserati is as flat as a pancake, glued to the track!

great shots, but i would also be interested to see how the 550, Vettes, and Saleens are performing through 17... i would bet they look more like the MC12

SALEEN S7R · 14 Mar 2005, 20:12 (Ref:1251923)

Interesting photographs. What the photos on DSC dont show however is any shots of the ACEMCO Saleen and Corvette C6R's. Just a Aston and a old Viper, Im willing to bet that the C6R and S7R produce quite a bit more downforce than the DB9.

krt917 · 15 Mar 2005, 13:11 (Ref:1252364)

Quote:

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Interesting photographs. What the photos on DSC dont show however is any shots of the ACEMCO Saleen and Corvette C6R's. Just a Aston and a old Viper, Im willing to bet that the C6R and S7R produce quite a bit more downforce than the DB9.

What makes you say that?

As for the width thing, it is pretty amusing after all the arguments over the Maserati. The difference, of course, is that the Aston's width is an error and I'm sure they'll change it as soon as possible, whereas Maserati have worked round the clock to.....get an illegal car accepted.

I hope everything gets sorted out, including the Maser!

Truckosaurus · 15 Mar 2005, 16:25 (Ref:1252573)

It appears IMSA have released a statement saying that no-one has yet 'failed' inspection and disassociating themselves with any quotes attributed to them on t'internet.

paul-collins · 15 Mar 2005, 16:34 (Ref:1252578)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JAG

Interesting gallery on DSC showing the GT1 cars at one particular corner.

They are all leaning heavily, some even raising the inside wheel, while the Maserati is as flat as a pancake, glued to the track!

If I recall correctly, turn 17 is pretty bumpy. You could easily just attribute the difference to better shocks, or to Robin Thompson not quite capturing the Maser in air.

I don't believe for a second the cars go through a significant portion of the turn with that wheel in the air.

jhansen · 15 Mar 2005, 16:38 (Ref:1252582)

Yes, I have a great pic of the Champion Audi R8 going through a turn on the Miami street circuit (very bumpy) in 2003. It has two tires airborn. I suppose the Audi R8 lacks downforce as well.

JAG · 15 Mar 2005, 16:54 (Ref:1252592)

You don't have to be an engineer to realise that the MC12 has fundamental advantages over its competition.

Its no coincidence the car has turned out the way it has, given its clean sheet design.

Mika Salo said at Spa last season that he could put in consistent race laps, lap after lap, at the qualifying pace of the 575GTC.

The MC12's advantage may not be its ultimate pace, but how easy it is to put in the laptimes, ala the Audi R8.

jhansen · 15 Mar 2005, 16:59 (Ref:1252598)

Those dirty rats went a designed a quality race car. Drat! Curse all who dare to bring a race winning car to the track.

Do you honestly believe tweaking this car into ACO spec will demolish its performance potential? Once Maserati finish the revised car we will find that it has the same quality of engineering and performance in my opinion.

JAG · 15 Mar 2005, 17:07 (Ref:1252607)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhansen

Those dirty rats went a designed a quality race car. Drat! Curse all who dare to bring a race winning car to the track.

Do you honestly believe tweaking this car into ACO spec will demolish its performance potential? Once Maserati finish the revised car we will find that it has the same quality of engineering and performance in my opinion.

No doubt it will, and thats my whole problem with the car, its an homologation special that will always have technical advantages over traditional road car based cars.

Its a different debate, but GT racing is meant to be for manufactuers road cars, not specials like the MC12.

Nordic · 15 Mar 2005, 17:11 (Ref:1252619)

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhansen

Those dirty rats went a designed a quality race car. Drat! Curse all who dare to bring a race winning car to the track.

Which sums up the MC12 very nicely, the Aston, Corvette, 550 etc, are all road cars first.

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