Sebring 12 Hour Qualifying/Race **spoiler**

The Frogs look strong.

 

Bimmers vs Risi #62 in GT2. Hopefully the Fezzas won't take each other out a la Corvette although it has already been damn close............

No interest in the Spec series cars at all.

 

I think we have to wait to see if the Audi LMP1 cars will be competitive with the Pugs until the European series opener. The Astons look outclassed.

I'm a little surprised the Porsche is competotive with the Acura in LMP2.

GT2 looks really good, as the BMWs are finally competitive.

LMPC and GTC are beyond boring...

 

Gotta love Marc Gené's comment on TV saying that he has spoke to Ferrari about the atmosphere at Sebring is like no other in F1 and that Ferrari should really considered getting a LMP1 car on the grid.

At least someone is paying attention to the fans

 

It would be great, but I don't think anyone could afford to run a competitve LMP1 or LMP2 team AND run in F1 in today's economy...

 

Yes! Risi WINS!

 

WINNER!!!

 

What he said...again.

 

Way to go RISI!!!!

on the other hand...I just caught the replay of the Patron Ferrari looking pretty crispy, what happened? Did they miss a recall? (oh sorry that's my 355 with the spontaneous combustion recall notice )

 

During the interview afterwards, he mentioned one of his thoughts was to the effect "oh, this will be expensive"...spoken like a true owner/racer.

 

Dorsey was hinting to an oil leak that caught fire.

Great job Risi!!

 

Yes, Risi wins again. But it seems the competition will be fierce this year. The BMWs were right there and had the lead until the safety car brought them all together. Did anyone note the Risi collective pit time was over 1 minute longer?

And the Corvettes took themselves out w/ their pit collision. Not sure what happened there.

Another great race for Risi, but I think the BMWs might be even tougher at LeMans.

 

Yes, it seems Gene is the only one paying attention.

The ALMS did some serious arm twisting to get Peugeot
to come to Sebring after it became obvious Audi would
not be taking part and a more uninspired victory has
ever been witnessed.

With no one to push Peugeot in qualifying, the session
looked more like a 20 minute shakedown run instead
of a balls out run for pole.

In the race, other than Pirro's heroic run in the early
stages to harrass the Peugeots the 908s ran a virtual
12 hour real time test session, often times 5'-6' off the
line through the tight turns, the GT2 BMWs and Ferraris
were carving the Hairpin far more aggressively than the
overall winners whom seemed content to cruise around
in 6/10ths mode, under clear orders to avoid any mistakes
in traffic with the only exception of the surprise move
down the inside of the Drayson at the Hairpin where they
were usually opting to back off.

Unfortunate Audi were not there as it appears this week's
test may prove to be more exciting than the 12 Hours.

Jacques Carton and Lilliane Sar of exotic Winter Garden,
Florida USA were once again in attendance with their lovely
grand daughter assisting, now that's ooh-la-la!

RM

 

Cool! Here's the first one - From Carols email: "Vintage cars at Sebring from Audi suite 7 thru glass windows above corvette/BMW/risi pits"

More to come soon,
cheers,
Ian
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Carol & John,

thanks for inviting me up to the Audi Suite. Nice way to watch the race.

I got some really great shots on pitlane. As I always say, this is not so much a question of how great a photographer one is, but rather of having the priviledged access. I got lucky but eventually was happy to take my triple layer Nomex Eddie Irvine suit off again.

I'll post some pics later on.

 

I did make it around and encountered that zoo of people where I really wonder whether they were there for the race or just to have BBQ cookout and an excuse to get drunk.

I read in the official program that according to Nielsen Statistics the average ALMS TV watcher earns $ 120,000 and that 25% of the viewers are at least millionaires.

I was stunned by those numbers (I think that beats F1 viewers hands down), but have a very hard time believing them having seen the crowd at Sebring. There were some rich people, no doubt, but most of them looked like trailer trash. A sentiment my friend Dave shared when he visited the same race a few years ago.

Comments?

 

Buehler? Buehler? Anybody?

 

Congratulations Rissi Racing! Well done.

Almost feel sorry for the BMWs and Porsches.

 

"There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics."

- Disraeli, via Twain

 

Thanks.

I normally trust Nielsen ratings, but this one seems outrageously twisted or misinterpreted.

 

Does anybody know who this is? The camera guys were all over him, so I took a pic just to be on the safe side. No idea who it is.
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