[FIA GT Race] FIA GT Rnd 4: Imola 2005

[Tom V]

Just read at FIA GT site that Matteo Bobbi will partner Lecher at Imola!

And the Mosler(s) will get some opposition from the Vertigo in G2 class. Leinders and Cuppens will race the Vertigo to prepare it for Spa 24H.


ps I have changed my nick, a bit silly to have two people with "Saleen" nick on the forum.

[19dodge]

yea, we are in for a great race. Bobbi will be quick in the Saleen, as long as they have fully solved their engine problems.

I still think the Mosler will be a little quicker than the Vertigo. but at least there is variety.

[Tom V]

On pure pace the Mosler will certainly be quicker than the Vertigo, but it's nice to have some variety in that class.

[tblincoe]

the MC12s are loaded with ballast too so i'm really confident in seeing a C5-R victory this time out, if not a C5-R then maybe another win for Larbre in their 550?

[cmk]

Originally Posted by tblincoe

the MC12s are loaded with ballast too so i'm really confident in seeing a C5-R victory this time out, if not a C5-R then maybe another win for Larbre in their 550?

So is it to be Bobbi in the Saleen, or Gollin? I've read something about each of them. Maybe both?

[SALEEN S7R]

This weekend is looking like being a great race, the Maserati's are heavily ballasted for this weekend and the 550's and C5R's have a real chance of doing something good. Will be interesting to see how the #5 Konrad Saleen goes this weekend, 2 fast drivers and a bigger rear wing should hopefully push them into the top 6, maybe even the podium, all depending on how Bobbi adapats to the S7R though, new car, new team.

[19dodge]

it will be Bobbi in the Nr 5. DSC made a mistake i believe.

[Bramzel]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

all depending on how Bobbi adapats to the S7R though, new car, new team.

Don't forget he drove the GNM S7R at Spa LMES already with Ruberti, so he does have some laps covered in the Saleen already.

[19dodge]

he came very close to victory in that Saleen at Spa. until they had fuel pump problems...

[mirkob]

FIA GT Championship - Round 4 - Imola
Free Practice

POS NO NAME BEST LAP GAP SPEED LAPS LAST LAP

1 16 JMB RACING 1:47.247 165.58 33 1:52.133
2 7 GRAHAM NASH 1:47.947 0.700 164.51 31 1:50.474
3 10 VITAPHONE 1:48.208 0.961 164.11 18 1:55.320
4 9 VITAPHONE 1:48.290 1.043 163.99 28 1:50.574
5 15 JMB RACING 1:48.334 1.087 163.92 32 1:50.304
6 11 LARBRE COMPETIT 1:48.473 1.226 163.71 29 1:48.994
7 17 RUSSIAN AGE 1:48.517 1.270 163.65 11 4:11.449
8 6 GLPK-CARSPORT 1:48.521 1.274 163.64 36 1:51.076
9 2 GPC SPORT 1:48.613 1.366 163.50 34 1:49.585
10 5 KONRAD MOTORSPO 1:49.774 2.527 161.77 24 2:08.551
11 3 GPC SPORT 1:49.858 2.611 161.65 17 6:54.597
12 14 LISTER RACING 1:52.234 4.987 158.23 31 1:52.473
13 66 GRUPPEM RACING 1:52.852 5.605 157.36 29 2:00.088
14 88 GRUPPEM RACING 1:52.864 5.617 157.34 27 2:02.513
15 4 KONRAD MOTORSPO 1:53.657 6.410 156.24 31 1:53.689
16 20 RAM RACING 1:54.732 7.485 154.78 19 1:55.324
17 74 EBIMOTORS 1:55.132 7.885 154.24 22 2:11.274
18 101 SHAUN BALFE 1:55.372 8.125 153.92 30 1:57.609
19 8 GRAHAM NASH 1:55.726 8.479 153.45 29 2:10.246
20 87 LUCA MORO 2:00.935 13.688 146.84 16 2:08.004
21 105 BELGIAN RACING 2:00.969 13.722 146.80 13 2:09.258
22 69 PROTON COMPETIT 2:01.822 14.575 145.77 11 2:01.822
23 85 CIRTEK MOTORSPO 2:02.137 14.890 145.40 11 2:46.673
24 57 AUTORACING CLUB 2:02.212 14.965 145.31 20 2:03.587
25 56 CZECH NATIONAL 2:04.980 17.733 142.09 30 2:08.458

Session Status - Finished
Comment Line -
Track Conditions - Dry Weather Conditions - Sun
Session Started - 10:30 Session Length - 90

[19dodge]

yep, and who said that the Saleen's wont pick up pace? hmm..

well, Konrad is still a little behind, but in the 2nd session thats going on right now, they are much faster. (they are carrying 40kg ballast, because of missing the last round)

[Bramzel]

Bit early to conclude that imho, 4 of the 5 are still back in the grid and only one session is finished. I'm hoping the same as you, but I won't pull conclusions before the end of the weekend.

[SALEEN S7R]

Yes first free practise results are very good for the Saleen, but not so good in the 2nd session, only 8th quickest and 2.4 seconds off the overall pace of the lead GPLK C5R.

[Spiteful]

Originally Posted by SALEEN S7R

Yes first free practise results are very good for the Saleen, but not so good in the 2nd session, only 8th quickest and 2.4 seconds off the overall pace of the lead GPLK C5R.

Yes but their time from the first session would still be good for third in the second.
I doubt they will still rank that high by the end of the weekend, but I expect significant improvement over last race

[SALEEN S7R]

Ah yes, I didnt compare the first session times with the second session after I saw the top times in the second session were faster, when you do look at the times overall though perhaps things arent looking so bad for the Saleen, would be nice to see them somewhere near the front.

[tblincoe]

i'm going to wait until the next round to be fully convinced of the saleen wing debacle because of Konrad's 40kg ballast penalty...

[Fab]

I can't resist to post this beauty (C° DPPI for FIA-GT ; thanks Infocourse and Turbomagazine) :

which sat the best lap time during the second practive session...

[TheNewBob]

Great pic, such an awesome car... Was so glad to see it at Silverstone before the C6's take over... the noise is absolutely incredible...

[Fab]

The times of the second pratice session are here

[SALEEN S7R]

Will be interesting to see if the cars do go faster than last years time's this weekend. Only 9 tenths of a second off the pace of 2004 at the moment. I woudnt bet against one of the cars there going quicker than last years 2004 pole time. I just hope its the GPLK C5R.

[rdjones]

First Qualifying has taken place and the Corvette was quickest.full time here

[Dani Filth]

this event is a good chance for GPLK to win their first race ..

[FIRE]

Originally Posted by Fab

I can't resist to post this beauty (C° DPPI for FIA-GT ; thanks Infocourse and Turbomagazine) :
[pic]
which sat the best lap time during the second practive session...

I don't like the road version of the Corvette, but it's racing version is is beautiful (and fast).

[Tom V]

Originally Posted by Dani Filth

this event is a good chance for GPLK to win their first race ..

I hope so, would be nice to have a fourth different winner in as many races...

About the Saleens: you can already notice the difference, 6th in first qualifying much better.

It's a shame though Bartels-Alzen no longer share a Saleen, would be interesting to see what they could with that car against the rest. Then we would really know how fast the Saleen still is.

[JAG]

As I've said previously, I firmly believe the ACEMCO Saleen would be in the top 3 in FIA GT, even with the smaller wing.

The car is competing against the works C6's week in week out and, IMO, is much quicker than the FIA cars.

The C5-R is a potential race winner in FIA GT but 1-2 seconds of the pace in the ALMS.

Lets face it, this weekend is the Saleens best chance of success, with the ballasted MC12's etc., yet apart from the #7 GNM S7-R (with very quick drivers) the others are not really on the pace, again.

Finally, if I was the FIA GT organisors I'd be pulling may hair out at the size of the grid. GT2 is a non-event and you have to wonder for how much longer Porsche will support a works entry in that class, especially with the LMP2 on the way. It may be a blessing in disguise if the class is left to true privateers.

GT1 still looks pretty strong but you have to wonder whether the 575s, 550s and Saleens will be sticking around. I'm sure we'll see a number of Astons arrive (I suppose we'll not see anymore MC12s) but enough to make up the shortfall?

We could be looking at grids of fewer than 20 next season if GT2 is not boosted significantly.