Sebring After Race Thread

[rdjones]

Well the Sebring 12 Hours is now over for another year and the final postioned looked like this:-

1. (2) Allan McNish, Scotland; Pierre Kaffer, Germany; Frank Biela, Germany; Audi R8 (LMP1), 350.
2. (1) JJ Lehto, Finland; Emanuele Pirro, Italy; Marco Werner, Germany; Audi R8 (LMP1), 345.
3. (4) Johnny Herbert, England; Jamie Davies, England; Guy Smith, England; Audi R8 (LMP1), 338.
4. (10) Ron Fellows, Canada; Johnny O'Connell, Flowery Branch, GA; Max Papis, Italy; Chevrolet Corvette C5-R (GTS), 329.
5. (6) Joao Barbosa, Portugal; Rob Barff, England; Martin Short, England; Dallara-Judd LMP1), 326.
6. (3) James Weaver, England; Butch Leitzinger, State College, PA; Andy Wallace, England; Lola-EX257-AER/MG (LMP1), 323.
7. (9) Tomy Drissi, Hollywood, CA; Vic Rice, San Rafael, CA; Michael Lewis, San Diego, CA; Riley & Scott MkIIIC-Elan LMP1), 321.
8. (20) Timo Bernhard, Germany; Sascha Maassen, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 317.
9. (11) Christophe Bouchut, France; Jean-Luc Blanchemain, France; Roland Berville, France; Panoz GTR1-Elan (LMP1), 317.
10. (44) Romain Dumas, France; Lucas Luhr, Germany; Marc Lieb, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 317.
11. (24) David Murry, Cumming, GA; Craig Stanton, Long Beach, CA; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 311.
12. (22) Johannes van Overbeek, San Francisco, CA; Darren Law, Canada; Jon Fogarty, Palo Alto, CA; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 311.
13. (43) Mike Rockenfeller, Germany; Leo Hindery, New York, NY; Peter Baron, Deerfield Beach, FL; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 309.
14. (28) Justin Jackson, Buford, GA; Tim Sudgen, England; Brian Cunningham, Danville, KY; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 307.
15. (17) Danny Sullivan, Louisville, KY; Thomas Biagi, Italy; John Bosch, The Netherlands; Ferrari 575 GTC (GTS), 307.
16. (23) Ralf Kelleners, Germany; Anthony Lazzaro, Acworth, GA; Matteo Bobbi, Italy; Ferrari 360 Modena (GT), 304.
17. (5) Jon Field, Dublin, OH; Duncan Dayton, North Salem, NY; Larry Connor, Centerville, OH; Lola B160-Judd (LMP1), 302, Engine.
18. (21) Patrick Long, Oak Park, CA; Cort Wagner, Pacific Palisades, CA; Kelly Collins, Corona Del Mar, CA; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 302.
19. (31) Piers Masarati, England; Ian Donaldson, Scotland; Gregor Fisken, Scotland; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 299.
20. (33) Neil Cunningham, New Zealand; Keith Ahlers, England; Adam Sharpe, England; Morgan Aero 8 (GT), 281.
21. (26) Romeo Kapudija, Lincolnwood, IL; Nic Jonsson, Sweden; Dorsey Porter, Jr, Cincinnatti, OH; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 275.
22. (15) Justin Wilson, England; Milka Duno, Venezuela; Phil Andrews, England; Lola B2K/10-Judd (LMP1), 270, Driveline.
23. (16) Ian James, England; Mike Borkowski, Phoenix, AZ; John Macaluso, Winter Haven, FL; Lola B2K/40-Nissan (LMP2), 264.
24. (32) Christopher Stockton, England; Gareth Evans, England; Amanda Stretton, England; TVR 400R (GT), 262.
25. (41) Terry Borcheller, Gainesville, GA; Johnny Mowlem, England; David Brabham, Australia; Saleen S7R (GTS), 257.
26. (18) Mike Fitzgerald, Fountain Hills, AZ; James Gue, Athens, GA; Bill Rand, Dallas, TX; Lola B2K/40-Nissan (LMP2), 248.
27. (13) Clint Field, Dublin, OH; William Binnie, Portsmouth, NH; Rick Sutherland, Los Gatos, CA; Lola B2K/40-Judd (LMP2), 232.
28. (35) Rob Wilson, England; Frank Mountain, England; Robert Brooks, England; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 215, accident.
29. (37) Alex Caffi, Italy; David Warnock, England; Tracy Kohn, Metairie, LA; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 214.
30. (42) Jeff Bucknum, Lake Havasu City, AZ; Chris McMurry, Phoenix, AZ; Bryan Willman, Kirkland, WA; Pilbeam MP91/Nissan (LMP2), 181.
31. (27) Robin Liddell, Scotland; Peter Boss, Naragansett, RI; Hugh Plumb, Chadds Ford, PA; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 167, Drive shaft.
32. (40) Jean-Philippe Belloc, France; Kevin Allen, Atlanta, GA; Tom Weickardt, Whitefish Bay, WI; Dodge Viper GTS-R (GTS), 121, Accident.
33. (29) Michael Caine, England; Lee Caroline, England; Bob Berridge, England; TVR 400R (GT), 120, Electrical.
34. (19) Jason Workman, Gainesville, GA; Bobby Sak, West Bloomfield, MI; Scott Bradley, San Jose, CA; Lola B2K/40-Nissan (LMP2), 108, Gearbox.
35. (7) Chris Dyson, Pleasant Valley, NY; Didier de Radigues, Belgium; Jan Lammers, The Netherlands; Lola EX257-AER/MG (LMP1), 106, Driveline.
36. (14) Mike Hezemans, The Netherlands; Ange Barde, France; Jean-Denis Deletraz, Switzerland; Ferrari 575 GTC (GTS), 101, Front Suspension.
37. (25) Lonnie Pechnik, Pacific Grove, CA; Seth Neiman, Burlingame, CA; Peter Cunningham, West Bend, WI; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT), 100, CV Joint.
38. (38) Marc Bunting, Monkton, MD; Pierre Ehret, Santa Rosa, CA; Jim Matthews, Boca Raton, FL; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 94, Accident.
39. (39) Oliver Gavin, England; Olivier Beretta, Monaco; Jan Magnussen, Denmark; Chevrolet Corvette C5-R (GTS), 83, Clutch.
40. (8) Michael Durand, Wayland, MA; Chad Block, York, PA; Georges Forgeois, New York, NY; Riley & Scott MKIIIC-Elan (LMP1), 62, Drive Shaft.
41. (36) Tony Burgess, Canada; Philip Collin, Park Ridge, IL; Grady Willingham, Birmingham, AL; Porsche 911 GT3 RS (GT), 47, Engine.
42. (12) Marino Franchitti, Scotland; Derek Hill, Santa Monica, CA; Andy Lally, New York, NY; Lola B2K/40-Nissan (LMP2), 12, Transmission.
43. (30) Jay Cochran, New York,NY; Ed Zabinski, Miami, FL; Damien Faulkner, Ireland; Lotus Elise (LMP1), 7, Transmission.
44. (34) Gunnar Van der Steur, Chesapeake City, MD; Eric Van der Steur, Spartanburg, SC; Lola B2K/40-Nissan LMP2), 2, CV Joint.

[rdjones]

Thoughts from Audi UK

Britain's Allan McNish helped earn the British Audi Sport UK Team Veloqx motor racing team a magnificent début victory in the Sebring 12 Hour endurance sportscar motor race on Saturday (20 Mar).

The Audi R8 of McNish plus German duo Frank Biela and Pierre Kaffer and the “sister” Audi of British trio Guy Smith, Jamie Davies and Johnny Herbert started the annual American race from second and fourth places respectively on the 44-car grid.

The McNish/Biela/Kaffer Audi enjoyed a trouble-free run from start to finish and led the final six hours to earn the German prestige cat manufacturer its fifth consecutive Sebring victory.

McNish commented: “Coming back to Audi and scoring this victory is amazing. It’s like a great ‘home coming’ - they are truly fantastic people. I really enjoyed this win, made especially sweet after narrowly missing out here four years ago. This gives the team confidence for Le Mans.”

The “sister” Veloqx Audi R8 of Davies/Herbert/Smith recovered to claim third. The British trio slipped from second to fifth approaching seven hours after a 37-minute pit-stop to replace a driveshaft seal.

Johnny remarked: “I thought I’d got a puncture at first because I could see smoke from what I thought was a tyre problem. It’s a shame, everything was looking good, we were comfortably in second place less than half a minute behind our team-mates but to recover on to the rostrum is pleasing.”

[rdjones]

Post Race Thoughts For Corvette:-

Corvette Takes Third Consecutive GTS Victory at Sebring

Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell and Max Papis win legendary 12-hour race

SEBRING, Fla. – The General Motors Chevrolet Corvette Racing team took an impressive flag-to-flag GTS victory at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday. Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell and Max Papis claimed the class victory in the #3 Corvette C5-R.

“This is an historic race and it is great for us to win here three times in a row,” said Doug Duchardt, director of GM Racing. “Sebring was our nemesis in the beginning of our program and we’ve really put a lot of effort into developing the Corvette for this track. I believe we showed this weekend that we had the fastest car. This is a great win for the team and we are really looking forward to going to Le Mans and being competitive at La Sarthe.”

The #3 Compuware Corvette C5-R of Ron Fellows, Johnny O’Connell and Max Papis started Saturday’s race from the GTS pole position, 10th overall, after qualifying at a record-setting 1:57.052. The trio briefly surrendered the lead to the partner #4 Corvette C5-R, but again took over the lead on lap 30 and held on for the remaining 299 laps.

“The quality, determination and work ethic of this team never ceases to amaze me,” said Doug Fehan, GM’s program manager for Corvette Racing. “All winter this crew absolutely dedicated themselves to improving what we do and today was the culmination of that. It was just an amazing performance for Chevrolet and Corvette.”

Ron Fellows and Johnny O’Connell notched their third straight win together at Sebring; new teammate Max Papis recorded his first win in his first ever drive in the Corvette C5-R.

“My teammates and I have had such good fortune here not only to win but to race the Corvette,” said O’Connell. “History will record the Corvette C5-R as one of the most important race cars of all time. The car was running strong from start to finish and we did not have any problems whatsoever. My hat goes off to our crew for their hard work this weekend.”

With Saturday’s victory, O’Connell becomes the first driver in the 52-year history of Sebring International Raceway to capture six class wins, with one of them overall in 1994.

The #4 Corvette C5-R started off from the back of the grid when officials withdrew Oliver Gavin’s qualifying time after the car’s rear wing endplates were found to be out of specification. Gavin marched through the pack and took over the lead but eventually surrendered position after a stop-and-go penalty for driving over an air hose during a pit stop at lap 27. On lap 84, Gavin took over from Jan Magnussen and complained of a soft clutch pedal; the Briton was only able to go halfway around the 3.7-mile circuit before pulling off course, unable to keep the car engaged in gear. The Corvette Racing team withdrew the car as it was unable to come back to the pits under its own power.

“The #4 team did not have a successful day but as a team we have a car on the top step of the podium and that is most important,” said Olivier Beretta, driver of the #4 Corvette C5-R. “I have always wanted to race for this team so today I am very proud to be a part of Corvette Racing. Next we go to Le Mans and we are all very excited.”

[rdjones]

and BAM!

top five

BAM! survived an eventful second half of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring to finish fifth in GT. The demanding 3.7-mile Sebring (Fla.) International Raceway road course and large international field exacted their toll on many in the 44-car field, including the No. 43 YES Network Porsche 911 GT3 RS driven by Leo Hindery, Jr., Peter Baron and Mike Rockenfeller.

Hindery was in the wrong place at the wrong time, as he encountered a prototype car stalled on track at 6h12. As he swerved to avoid the stopped car, he clipped the right rear of the YES Network Porsche and lost part of the rear wing. Replacement of the wing cost the team four laps, dropping them to sixth in class. Baron started his second stint at 6h14 and pitted for a wing adjustment at 6h54, which cost another lap. Rockenfeller, who took the wheel at 8h32, moved up to fifth, then had a long pitstop at 9h27 to replace the rear wing with a 2003 wing (required on the 2003 chassis) borrowed from the PK Sport team. He regained his position and finished fifth, eight laps behind the GT leader. Rockenfeller drove the final three hours 28 minutes of the 12-hour race for a total driving time of 6:56.

Peter Baron

"It's truly a special fifth place when you look at all the adversity. This wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for the crew and all the work they've put forth. Even when you look at the two incidents we had to take care of, the crew was absolutely flawless in repairing the car. Had it not been for their organization and skills, we wouldn't have had this fifth place. We learned tons from this one; we'll take it to the next race in [Le Mans,] France."

Leo Hindery, Jr.

"Sebring is a very special place. To just race at Sebring is an honor and a privilege; to do well is really special. This is BAM!'s first race, it's Mike Rockenfeller's second in the ALMS and, but for a little gremlin here and there, we'd have had a podium. We started 43rd and finished 13th overall. We picked up more spots overall than everyone but the class winner. GT is by far the hardest class in this series - it's the biggest and the most competitive, and fifth in class out of 19 is a real compliment to [team owners] Tim Munday and Peter Baron and to the crew. Start to finish, it was a team effort, and it was fun."

Mike Rockenfeller

"First of all, thanks to Leo and Peter, who gave me the chance to do my first 12 Hours of Sebring. And thanks to the guys, they did a great job the whole week. We had two little incidents during the race and they fixed the car really, really fast. Without the two little incidents, we could have finished on the podium. We started from the back of the grid and we finished fifth, so I'm really, really happy with my first race here. We finished the race! Even this is great - 12 hours here in Sebring is very hard, so overall I'm pretty happy."

[rdjones]

and some thoughts from Alex Job Racing

Alex Job Racing Finishes 1st and 2nd at Sebring

Sebring, Florida -- Alex Job Racing over came driver illness, a last place starting position and the rigors of the airport circuit to finish first and second in today's Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

As a result of a 1 millimeter front splitter infraction the number 24 McKenna/mail2web/Alex Job Racing/Porsche 911 GT3 RSR was sent to the back of the field to start 44th. Despite this set back, Lucas Luhr was able to catch his teammate, Timo Bernhard, on the 28th lap where they ran together in second and third.

On lap 28 Romain Dumas took over from Luhr and was able to put the number 24 car into the lead five laps later. Between laps 92 and 211 the AJR drivers swapped the lead of the ALMS GT class three times among themselves. On lap 211 a yellow flag was brought out and the leader of the race ended up between Luhr and Bernhard, allowing Bernhard to get a wave-bye giving the number 23 AJR Porsche a one lap gift over the companion car. The pair finished the race separated by one-lap, six laps ahead of the third place GT class finisher.

For the AJR crew, the race was as somewhat routine. The pit stops were excellent coming into fuel, change drivers and put on a fresh set of Michelin tires was all that was needed all day. The only stumble of the team's once around the clock event was when Saascha Massen ran with the wrong engine map allowing him to be passed for the lead, but the German duo were able to make-up for the mistake.

Jorg Bergmeister and Marc Lieb have been suffering from the flu most of the week. Lieb was able to get into the car at nightfall to take advantage of the cool air temperature and complete the requisite 25-laps for a share of the points. Bergmeister was not cleared by the Porsche Doctor to drive and did not turn a lap in the race.

This win gives Alex Job Racing their sixth Sebring 12-hour victory, adding to those in 1995, 1999, 2001, 2002 and 2003. Timo Bernhard was awarded the Century Mortgage Fast Lap award.

Timo Bernhard, #23 McKenna/mail2web/Alex Job Racing/Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: "Too bad for Jorg, I wish he could have been well enough to join us today. We had very good team strategy today and a little luck with the pace car was the difference. The biggest competition came from our teammates so you have to race hard on the track as well as in the pits. The cars ran great, we didn't need anything except gas and tires all day."

Saascha Massen, #23 McKenna/mail2web/Alex Job Racing/Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: "I am sorry for Jorg, but this is a nice win for me and Timo. I made a mistake with the engine map and almost gave it away, but combined with excellent pit work, some luck with the pace car and Timo pushing, we were able to win. The AJR team prepared excellent cars and the Porsche engineers should be very proud of their work as well."

Romain Dumas, #24 McKenna/mail2web/Alex Job Racing/Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: "I had a good race with our teammates, we were able to lead a number of laps and were able to score points toward the championship. The cars were great, we were really close to them, but then we were just unlucky with the yellow flag. We never had a problem all race, Lucas and I had to do a lot of work, but I am looking forward to running the rest of the season with Marc."

Marc Lieb, #24 McKenna/mail2web/Alex Job Racing/Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: "I am feeling worse than I did this morning. Thanks to Lucas and Romain, they really worked hard today; I am glad I was able to get my laps in as we look to the championship. I really wanted to race, especially the way the cars and the team was performing, I don't if I was sick of illness or just that I could not be on the track."

Lucas Luhr, #24 McKenna/mail2web/Alex Job Racing/Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: "Saascha and Timo ran a good race. It is a shame to lose it the way we did with the pace car and some pit lane issues, but second is a good finish. I think we were as strong as they were, but in the end we were just unlucky. I was hit by the TVR, but the Porsche was barley scratched, it really didn't figure into our race."

Alex Job, team owner: "This place has been good to us. We had a bunch of new guys on the team and the pit stops went really well. We had a full day playing the strategy game, but that is what really separated us from the field today. The drivers didn't put a wheel wrong all day. We had to call on Lucas and Saascha to help carry the load with Marc and Jorg sick, but they were equal to the task. This positions us nicely for the rest of the season."

[rdjones]

and final from Petersen/ White Lightning

Petersen/ White Lightning Takes Sebring Podium After Exciting Battle

SEBRING, Fla., March 20, 2004 - Petersen Motorsports/ White Lightning Racing, who qualified the No. 31 Westward Ho Casino/ MMPIE/ PAWS/ Justice Brothers Porsche 911 GT3 RS fifth in GT class, finished third in class in today's 52nd Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The Las Vegas-based race team owned by Michael Petersen, fought a last hour battle with fellow Porsche team, Flying Lizard, to take its first podium finish of 2004. The team, headed by Dale White and Kent Moore, also won the first IMSA Cup award of 2004 as the highest finishing privateer team having taken the third step of the podium behind Alex Job Racing who has its drivers supplied by Porsche and therefore is categorized as a factory effort. David Murry, of Cumming, Ga., was able to hold his position in the closing laps despite running low on fuel and fighting fading brakes after taking the final driving stint from co-driver Craig Stanton, of Long Beach, Calif. Making the feat even more amazing is that, late last night, a short in the wiring harness of the team's Porsche 911 GT3 RS forced a complete replacement of the harness- which is every electric wire inside the car- as well as finish the planned engine change and gearbox rebuild. The team arrived at the track on Friday morning at 7 am and has not slept or left the Sebring International Raceway since. Murry and Stanton were the only driving team to compete with only two drivers and the highest finishing Porsche RS chassis in the field.

Mike Petersen, owner: "That was the hardest finishing third place we've ever had in our career. Towards the end we had some trouble with the brakes and had to conserve fuel. The end was definitely some of the most nerve-wracking two hours of any race we have ever done. I think it was the right decision to go with two drivers. It wasn't an advantage and it wasn't a disadvantage. The team did an awesome job and Craig and David are a great asset to this race team."

Dale White, team manager: "The plan worked-out. It took twelve hours but it worked out. I just wish it had come together about an hour earlier so it wouldn't have been such a nail-bitter but it came together. We went conservative on our setup, on our brakes and on our motor and it worked. The whole team really came together on this one and I am so proud of how well everyone performed."

David Murry, driver: "I'm very appreciative of Mike and Dale for having me as a part of their team. I'm appreciative of the crew that stayed-up all night working on this car for Craig and me to drive today. That's what's on your mind when you're driving because you know that's what the crew guys did. I'm looking forward to lots of great success with the Petersen/ White Lightning team."

Craig Stanton, driver: "It was a great day. This is all about the team. The guys all had to pull together with all the adversity this weekend and it really shows the strength of this Petersen/ White Lightning team. The Porsche worked flawless all day. We asked a lot out of the car and the Michelin tires today and they all came through. Mike and Dale put together a top-notch team and we're going to carry a lot of momentum on through the end of the season."

[Duffacus]

That was great, congratulations to all the winners and thanks to the guys who made the radio web possible - it also gave me chance to do my Media Coursework based on "Sport on the Radio"!

[Fab]

I originaly posted this comments in the "race thread", but they fit more with Rob's new topic...

Wow, we completed 33 pages in 12 hours ! And European members were not the lasts to post during the night, even at the far end of the race to the checkered flag : thank you again for having shared on Ten-Tenths your experience and passion, making the forum more and more a "palce to be" when dice are rolling somewhere for sportscars/GT. Radio ALMS mentionned us last night ! Sign of the times ?

We had another "Audi tour", but it was not an "Audi balade", if I may say so... seeing the images, the three Audis took a lot of risks, fighting hard the sister cars, and the most impressive pic is this "sandwich of Porsche" by Nishie and Letho, ooo my Goodness ! It was close shaved !

The challengers did their job, especially RollCentre, even if they failed to beat a real UFO-Vette... the drivers of the Dallara surprised me, I have to admit, and were in the top three overall late in the race, but unfortunately some problems (throttle cable) didn't let them get their reward... I hope ACO will notice, and that they'll have a good place on the grid in June.

Taurus did a good job too, but was even more unfortunate : they didn't finish a race were they did really well... ACO, please, have mercy !

We have an ex-MG/Lola in 6th overall, and that's a good result : but they're not claiming a class victory now, they're here for the "big one", and they don't seem able to have it on long races... the MGs gave a good show, but still have to improve their reliability...

R&S : one on two at the checkered flag, the lincoln one... regular and 7th overall, nothing to complain about... but the car was quite discreet on the track (except the sound I mean !).

Congrats to the Larbre Team : the "old lady" gave us the last rockets of a nice firework, claiming the 9th overall in the last lap... and 50' behind the 8th !

The major failure is for the Lotus : 25 minutes on the track, it will be difficult for LM...

LMP2 : no comments ; one car at the checkered flag, after a long stop waiting the bell to complete a last lap... Courage C65, DBA, we need you ! The Pilbeam did a good job, though, but the team was unfortunate : hope we'll meet them again at LM, with the blue "checkered" painting "A la RFH" !

GTS... Vette Vette Vette !!! Too bad we lost Mags so early, the #4 could have been the only one to fight the #3 ; and the first laps by Oliver Gavin were something we won't forget... for the others... er...

Great - Alex - job again by the best Porkers, great show, for the most homogeneous class. Ferrari has still something to do in GT, Kelleners was 3rd in class long enough to convince me of the possibility to show more on long runs... but Sebring was already 12 hours : what about 24 hours ? Notice that the Morgan is not the last at the flag !

The field for LM will be known in the days to come... some teams did a convincing job at Sebring. Mr ACO, don't forget them ! For me, at least, RollCentre, Taurus, Dyson, Larbre (for those who haven't a reserved place)... but I assume you've seen more (but there's few places)...

Cheers !

Fab

PS : don't know for the other members - even if I have an idea - but I had a terrific time during the race. Sorry for those who missed it !

[jj2728]

great race and always fun to keep folks (who don't get the tv coverage) updated with the latest goings-on track...i had family obligations or i probably could have kept at it the entire evening....
cheers to all.....

[PRF]

Afternoon guys. Shattered after some 10 hours of listening to the race.

Some real knowledgeable peeps on this forum. Why has it taken me so long to find it? Can't get enough of it now! Great company.

The race. Well dejected about the Tauraus retirement. Hope they get an entry for Le Mans following the departure from Sebring.

Highlight was the Rollcentre Dallara-Judd. What an effort by all concerned. Drivers, pit crew and I'm sure most of us lastnight for their support and rooting for the team.

Thanks for a great race to the competitors.

Next year I would like to personally attend this race. Time and money permitting.

PRF

[vandijk]

Can someone remember what they said about the Panoz? Will it run in GTS?

Is there someone on the forum who visited the race yesterday? On TV it looked like there were not ´that´ many specators watching the race. And it looked like there was only a very limted area where you were allowed to watch.

[rdjones]

From what they where saying on the Radio Web, they thought it was a record crowd. Hopefully I will be there to see the race in person next year.

[dretceterini]

I was bored most of the time. The total domination of Audi is getting to me. Apparently it's also getting to some others, as there are nowhere near as many posts on Sebring (or anything else, for that matter) on the IMSA forum

[JAG]

Not been on the IMSA board for a good 6 months+ now.

I think European fans are now concentrating on the LMES and improving FIA GT series. We no longer need to look enviously to the ALMS.

I actually think the strongest competition for the Audis were not at Sebring, the Zyteks. They should fly in the LMES.

Also hoping to see some good performances from the Lister and Dallara.

As for the attendance, I believe it was a new record.

[JAG]

Originally posted by vandijk
Can someone remember what they said about the Panoz? Will it run in GTS?

Is there someone on the forum who visited the race yesterday? On TV it looked like there were not ´that´ many specators watching the race. And it looked like there was only a very limted area where you were allowed to watch.

They are looking to homologate it in GTS.

[BobN]

The car Don Panoz referred to on the broadcast when responding to a question of seeing Panoz with a factory effort is the Esparante GT-LM. There is a new one built (Hypersport ran a low key effort last year) and it is going through extensive testing. The car will debut at Mid-Ohio and run in GT. The car is scheduled to run out of Hypersport again. Perhaps a separate factory effort will appear, but I don't think we will see the type of effort from Panoz as in the past until 2005 at the earliest. He made no mention of a GTS effort on yesterday's broadcast.

[LouisTheShark]

They announced a "record crowd" but the 150K is the lowest spectator number they have announced in the last three years. Go figure.

Sebring had been running adverts on the radio in local major Florida cities spending 5 seconds on the race and the remainder of the advert explaining what a great Spring Break party it is. They even gave away free tickets to college girls with student ID. I don't remember them ever giving away tickets for free without some sponsor tie-in.

From the helicopter cam it looked like some areas had very few specators but in all fairness, those are the support race paddock areas which are usually empty on Saturday.

As for the race, some interesting battles in the first few hours and then it turned to a snooze fest. I was looking forward to the Barrett Jackson 10 minute breaks from the race as there was more action on the bidding than in the race. Even the commentators from Speed Channel came back with lines like "you missed nothing" or "nothing has changed since we left you".

Consider this, if there were no Audi supported teams, a GTS car would have won this year. I think this speaks volumes about the fragility of the mortal privateer team and constructor. How long will the ALMS and the ACO hang on to the illusion that there is nothing wrong with the rules in their top class?

[sportscarsRULE]

Yeah doc, I'm a little tired of Audi domination myself. Could the A.C.O. not mandate a privateer car for every two factory cars ala FIA GT?

[The Badger]

Well , the star of the race for me has got to be "Rollcenter" , and on Shorty's birthday too . They made that car sing !!! I would be very surprised not to see the second Dallara out of the garage soon after this class performance .

To be honest it was a delight to see someone take the fight to Audi , and I wonder how a RfH Dome might have done .

GTS was a little on the sad side , but give that time and we will have some new cars to play around with .

GT was a scrap all the way and was probably the most continously exciting class of the lot .

Great start to the new season .....

[PascaLM]

Originally posted by sportscarsRULE
Yeah doc, I'm a little tired of Audi domination myself. Could the A.C.O. not mandate a privateer car for every two factory cars ala FIA GT?

Others competitors should reach the Audi's level. The 12 Hours of Sebring showed that Audi met some problems and they are not invincible.

[Cadete]

Even thought I could only follow the first three hours of the race live, I really enjoyed my first "major" race, even if only with the radio, the timing and this forum

I was really thrilled to see the RollCentre Dallara run so well, especially with Barbosa in. And since it's the first time of the team with a proto, I'm sure they can still improve a lot, roll on the LMES!

I only wished that the Risi Ferrari would challenge the Porsches more...

[The Badger]

Originally posted by PascaLM
Others competitors should reach the Audi's level. The 12 Hours of Sebring showed that Audi met some problems and they are not invincible.

I reckon its a little unfair to say that other teams should raise their game PascalM . Not a lot of people have 50 plus million euros (and the rest) to throw at sportscar racing .

The rules should be changed to make sure that nobody can "AUDI" the rest of the field again . Its not Audis fault , they have just got more money and more resources than the rest of the field put together .

Don Panoz was disgusted when he learned how much AUDI has spent on sportscar racing !!

[The Badger]

Originally posted by Cadete
Even thought I could only follow the first three hours of the race live, I really enjoyed my first "major" race, even if only with the radio, the timing and this forum

I was really thrilled to see the RollCentre Dallara run so well, especially with Barbosa in. And since it's the first time of the team with a proto, I'm sure they can still improve a lot, roll on the LMES!

I only wished that the Risi Ferrari would challenge the Porsches more...

That Joe Barbosa is one hell of a driver , they all did a great job . First time in a Prototype and first time at Sebring too and first race for this car with a new team . They threw a cat amongst the pigeons ..... Cant wait to see it over here !!!

[Duffacus]

Audi took a step forward in Technology with the whole rear end change, and even if they did spend a big amount of money, they had a revolutionary design and now that has been put down the drain in favour of punishing them for it with a new rule, I don't want to see Audi dominate but other teams could of thought of the design, but Audi got there first. The new rule change is a shame because the whole rear end change was a great idea.

My point is Pascal is right and other teams need to reach new heights if they want to be successful. Not punish a team for a great idea.

[The Badger]

I see your point , but how can anybody raise their game to Audi . The Japanese have stayed away for years cuz its way too expensive . I dont agree with punishing Audi for doing a better job , but look at the consequences , who has beaten them except for a Panoz fluke and the odd Dyson car .

Reynard tried to develope a "cassette" type gearbox but that didnt work out very well then . How much does it cost to be able to adjust your ride hight in a car by 20 to 30 thousands of an inch , a lot !!!

The rules were wrong in my opinion . Quick change gearbox , is that really in the spirit of "endurance" racing ? So , why not have a quick change engine ?

I think Audi has done a teriffic job , but the rules need to be changed . Its way too expensive for people like Courage to get this technology in their car , and even more difficult to sell a car when you cant compette against the nite of a full blown factory team with all the mod cons . Group C had rules that worked for everyone and I bet it didnt work out as expensive as it does now . If Don Panoz had poured buckets of money into "FSI" technology like Audi did he probably would have had an Audi Challanger if not a regular beater and if that same technology was in a Dallara (Dallara built the Audi and the 333SP) in sure it could also be an Audi beater .

You see the likes of Pescarolo Sport not knowing their future cuz engines are so expensive , what choice has he ?