Discusss 12 Hours of Sebring Results HERE! | FerrariChat

Discusss 12 Hours of Sebring Results HERE!

Discussion in 'Other Racing' started by Brian C. Stradale, Mar 21, 2004.

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  1. Brian C. Stradale

    Brian C. Stradale F1 Rookie
    Lifetime Rossa

    Mar 17, 2002
    3,612
    Dallas, TX, USA
    Again, trying to avoid spoilers in titles by pre-emptively starting the thread...


    The top GTS 550 finished well... 2nd in class... though 16 laps down.
    The top GT 360 finished 4th in GT... 9 laps down.

    How did the cars look? Was it the 360 GTC running? Or last years' GT?

    (I didn't get to see it... out of town watching my kids compete in Taekwondo. Its hard to get SPEED network on the road. :( )
     
  2. Tennlee

    Tennlee Formula Junior

    Feb 10, 2002
    645
    Great Smoky Mountains
    I didn't see ProDrive. Too bad. I think they aren't running ALMS.
     
  3. Gatorrari

    Gatorrari F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 27, 2004
    15,924
    Georgia
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    Jim Pernikoff
    The 575 (which is what it was advertised as) looked good but this team obviously doesn't have the resources of ProDrive; I think they'll be happy with 2nd. (Co-driver Danny Sullivan seemed pleased enough.)

    The 360 never contended for the class lead but might have made the podium except for what appeared to be electrical gremlins that popped up after dark. So the Porsche "cockroaches" dominated the class as they usually do.

    Still wish for a Ferrari prototype effort. I guess the upcoming Maserati effort will have to suffice for now.
     
  4. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,406
    I thought the both cars represented well considering:

    a) Danny Sullivans 575 GTC's had U.S. Customs trouble with the spare parts coming into the U.S. They basically started the car and ran the race. Also, word is they had to go to some store (not sure of name) just to buy tools so they can work on the car.

    b) Risi Competizione 360 sure looke like last years GT, but it could of been a 360 GTC with last years rear wing. They were running as high as 3rd up until they had the starter problem.

    All in all, not bad for the first race of the season going against some of the factory heavy weights. (Re: Corvette - GTS, and Porsche - 8:1 ratio +factory drivers).

    Papa G
     
  5. JOEV

    JOEV F1 Rookie
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    Aug 6, 2003
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    Yes, that was a bit strange. The announcer mentioned that the owner Frederick Doers (spelling?) didn't want to participate in ALMS this season. I think he owns Care Racing, which partners with Prodrive for those 550s.

    I don't see why he wouldn't campaign such proven cars. Maybe they just couldn't make Sebring for some reason.

    The announcer also mentioned Raffinelli returning with a 550, which is weird because last year they said they wouldn't (after Olive Garden pulled out).

    Anyone know the details?

    Joe
     
  6. Papa G

    Papa G Formula 3

    Dec 29, 2003
    1,406
    I heard Freddy Dor's Prodrive 550's will be in the FIA GT (Europe) series only.

    Don't know about Raffinelli - maybe lack of funding??

    Papa G
     
  7. WCH

    WCH F1 Veteran
    Owner

    Mar 16, 2003
    5,180
    I have some digital pics of the Ferraris, but won't be able to post them until Weds or Thurs. I thought they were beautiful - but I'm biased.

    The Saleen guys also seemed to be scrambling to build their car Wednesday morning.
     
  8. WJHMH

    WJHMH Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Sep 5, 2001
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    WJHMH
    Geez, I always wanted to go to this event, maybe next year.... Here's some pics I found.

    ENJOY:D
     
  9. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
    17,673
    Tauranga, NZ
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    Pete
    Is this real racing or just rich kids playing around?

    Pete
     
  10. scuderia47

    scuderia47 Karting

    Nov 5, 2003
    223
    Mainland
    Full Name:
    Bill
    hey everyone, sorry for the blatent lack of research, but does anyone know if the ALMS series is going to be coming to any tracks in the northeast US. say between virgina to indy and north?

    thanks a lot
     
  11. Brian C. Stradale

    Brian C. Stradale F1 Rookie
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    Mar 17, 2002
    3,612
    Dallas, TX, USA
    Mid-Ohio in June and Lime Rock in July?

    In August, you have Northern tracks: Mosport and Road America?
     
  12. PSk

    PSk F1 World Champ

    Nov 20, 2002
    17,673
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    Pete

    Okay I'll ask the same question a bit differently. In your opinion is this series raced by competent professional drivers or occasional amatures?

    Pete
     
  13. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Psk, your first statement is correct! :)

    This looks to be the new 360GTC. Compare rear view with last years cars. Exhaust has been moved to side rockers, missing LED brake lights.
    Thanks for the pics, Will!

    Don't know the spoilers too well, but it DOES look like the small version they are running for some reason. At least Risi had TOOLS.

    I'll give it Danny Sullivan, though. What a gentleman! During the race when the other teams might have complained about the way the prep shook down, he was talking about the magic of Maranello, of picking up the car, the feeling of history at the factory, etc.!

    Maybe they are in for a second car!

    Best of luck to Risi Competiton in the future!
     
  14. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Those former F1 drivers were driving the hel_ out of these cars, IMO.

    And mention was made of the young guys from Europe fighting it out in GT.

    And God bless Max Papis! That's the happiest I've seen him since the 333SP days, to be part of the Corvette effort! A pro driver in every sense of the word.

    And 100,000 people! If they can keep interest levels that high it'll be great.
    Like other divisions in US racing though, having two series to race similar cars just may kill it.
     
  15. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Dec 6, 2002
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    Thanks also to Speed Channel for the continuous coverage.

    THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD BE DONE, GANG!
    My friends were amazed. "They are STILL racing?!" LOL!

    Although the breaks to the auction were cool too, I guess we should have kept that old iron in the backyard, eh?
     
  16. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
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    Ooops, my bad! That's the rear of the 550!

    I'm going back to work, now, ......Bye!
     
  17. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
    Staff Member Admin Miami 2018 Owner

    Dec 1, 2000
    59,403
    Southlake, TX
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    Rob Lay
    No, ALMS is the real deal for 90% of the field. The Risi team for example is Ferrari of Houston/Dallas and supported nicely by Italy. All his drivers are paid pros. Now there are some teams like Racers Group that have some funded drivers.

    I would say Grand Am is only about 70% pro drivers.

    I would say World Challenge is less than 50% pro drivers.

    ALMS is as pro as Le Mans 24 hour is.
     
  18. Bart

    Bart Formula 3

    Nov 1, 2003
    1,522
    Orange County, Calif
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    Bart
    My brand did not do well at Seabring. Danny Sullivan drove a 575 and came in SECOND.

    Better luck and speed at the next race.
     
  19. ATBNM3

    ATBNM3 Formula 3

    Nov 17, 2003
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    Sunny Isles
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    Don Jackson II
    Risi's 360 is last years GT.
     
  20. rob lay

    rob lay Administrator
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    Dec 1, 2000
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    I heard they had new 360 GTC's. Are they just not racing them yet?
     
  21. Old Guy

    Old Guy Formula Junior
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    Dec 1, 2003
    438
    No longer here
    The Risi 360 at Sebring was a new 360 GTC, chassis 2056. The smaller rear wing endplates meet ACO rules.
     
  22. tifosi12

    tifosi12 Four Time F1 World Champ
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    Oct 3, 2002
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    Andreas
    For some more pictures of the event, check out www.focmidwest.com and go to the Reports section. Our very own FChatter Dave Bendl went to Sebring and took some great pictures. He has even promised a brief write up.
     

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