FIA GT 24 Hours of Spa Results

GT1: Exciting racing here! For the last five hours, less than 10 seconds lay between the Vitaphone Maserati and the Phoenix Aston Martin. However, in the final pit stop the Maserati MC12 got out just ahead of the Aston Martin DBR9 after both pitted on the same lap. The Maserati took the win again. The GLBK Corvette C6R that had trouble with oil was kept in the race and took third after hour 21, when the Saleen hit some suspension problems, requiring a front left wishbone change that took longer than ten minutes, forcing them to finish 8th overall, 6th in class. Fourth went to the BMS Aston Martin, while sixth was taken by the #34 Corvette.


GT2: Ferrari 1, 2, and 3. Ferrari swept the podium in style after the Spyker (below) needed a pit stop in hour 19 for brake and engine work. It was only the second 24 hour race for Spyker Squadron and their first FIA GT race, so they are happy with their 4th place finish. AF Corse took one and two (above), while Scuderia Ecosse took third. Fifth went to a Porsche 996 GT3 RSR, while the other Scuderia Ecosse Ferrari came in sixth.


G2: Lucas Luhr, Sacha Maasen, and M. Tiemann took the win. Luhr and Maasen are currently racing the Porsche RS Spyder in the American Le Mans Series. They won in the #197 Porsche 997 GT2. Time Bernhard, also racing the Porsche RS Spyder in ALMS, Pedro Lamy, who races for Aston Martin in ALMS, and M. Lieb took second in another Porsche 997 GT2. Third went to the #179 Ferrari 360 Modena.

G3: The #116 Dodge Viper took the win, followed by a Porsche and another Viper. Nice to see Vipers take first and third here.

FIA GT - 24 Hours of Spa Update

Update at 19:26

GT1: The Zakspeed Saleen (above) just took third place from the Corvette. Unfortunately the Vette has been having some engine troubles, requiring 8L of oil every stop. It is currently unknown whether they will continue or not as they are losing ground fast. The Zakspeed is pushing now, with only 5:30 left, lapping consistently below 2:22 - in the 2:18-2:19 range, while the two lead cars are lapping a second or two slowed than the Saleen. The two leading cars, still the Phoenix Aston Martin and the Vitaphone Maserati (below) are together on the track, with the Maserati trying to get onto the lead lap. As I type this is has just done it and has a five or fifteen second gap - about two minute down, but on the same lap.


GT2: A Spyker (below) broke into the top three, splitting pairs of Ferrari 430s. So the top five is Ferrari, Ferrari, Spyker, Ferrari, and Ferrari. This team just dropped out of the ALMS season to contest the FIA GT's last few races, and a third place finish would be wonderful for them.

FIA GT 24 Hours of Spa

At Hour 6

GT1: The normal cars are up front: Aston Martin, Maserati, Corvette, and Saleen. The Phoenix Racing Aston is currently battling with the GLPK Carsport Corvette to put it a lap down, but the Vette may be gaining on it, while the Maserati is lapping about 30seconds to a minute back, on the lead lap. The Zakspeed Saleen (pictured above), my favorite team in FIA GT, is three laps back and lapping about .4 seconds off pace, getting chased by three Astons.

GT2: Three Ferrari 430s and a Porsche 997 are battling at the lead of this field. The top two AF Corse Ferraris are seperated by .361 seconds - exciting racing here! Unfortunately, Team LNT Panoz is not on the list for this race.

G2: The Manthey Racing Porsche #197 is still leading.

G3: The First Motorsport Porsche is still leading.

Live timing available here.

ALMS Round 6 - Results

Overall: So close for so many different teams. On a track that has only one place to relax, the front stretch, and in temperatures that rivaled and surpassed Utah, the drivers and the teams proved the difference here. Audi won. Audi took second. Dyson took a hard-fought third and fourth.

LMP1: Dyson took the front row in style. After a couple of strong outings ruined by bad luck, it is about time the team gets a win over the Audis. Unfortunately, on the restart from the yellow Audi snuck past on the inside, hit the #16, and won the race. This field was exciting this race, sweeping the top four ahead of Intersport, Highcroft, and Corvette. Autocon finished 8th overall after a tough race.

LMP2: I predicted a Porsche related incident and got two. First, the #7 spun the Highcroft in the festival curves, then was hit by the Highcroft as it spun, taking a big chunk out of the Porsche's side. This brought out a full course yellow. Both cars had flats and were leaking fluids. The Highcroft came away largely unscathed and continued to a strong 8th finish while the #7 took to the pits every half an hour to tape parts back on. That put Intersport in second. Then the second Porsche had a comprehensive engine failure with 15 minutes left while 5 laps ahead of the Lola. So Intersport proudly took the win.

GT1: The #4 Corvette took the win, followed by the 007 Aston. The #3 Vette took third and the 009 took fourth. This was good racing all through, as always.

GT2: Peterson/White Lightning took off at the start, building a twelve second lead. The Risi took a hit at the start, falling to last place overall. However, lapping two seconds a lap quicker than any other GT2 car, the Risi Ferrari took the win in the final five laps. It was wonderful. They are the first team this year to win twice. BMW took third, while Flying Lizard's two cars rounded out the top five. Panoz still can't seem to understand this track, but took a sixth. Alex Job did very well, but another hit of their continuing bad luck put them seventh.

Analysis: The teams won this race. With four races in five weeks for teams competing at Le Mans, and three of four for those not in the ACO, the cars are getting haggard and the teams are getting worn out. A month until the next race. Hopefully Dyson and Alex Job will be able to work out their bad luck.

ALMS Round 6 - Predictions

Overall:
I say Dyson. I know. It's crazy. Okay, Audi. God I wish they could be beat.

LMP1: Audi then Dyson then Audi then Highcroft. This is as close as Kirkland, Washington resident Bryan Willman will get to a home race: he will be racing for more than points this weekend.

LMP2: Porsche, Intersport, Porsche. Weird call? Probably, but I know this track and the Porsche drivers will be fast, but they have been getting over-aggressive lately and I think they are due for a incident.

GT1: The incredible 9 race winning streak of the #4 included Sebring and Le Mans, but began here as I cheered them on last year. I'm for the four! I don't think this class will be a 1-2 win though, I think the Astons and the Vettes will be staggered. Too bad Saleen has nobody racing ALMS this round.

GT2: Porsche has always showed extremely well here, and last year Panoz sucked, so I am calling Alex Job Racing or the #45 Flying Lizard. I think a Risi will be on podium, but unless Panoz has improved drastically, they'll be sweeping the bottom. I think BMW could do well too, but I don't expect a podium from them.


Analysis: These are my final calls. I may change my mind based on qualification, but I will be at the race and unable to update this site until after I return. Cheers!

ALMS Round 5 - Results

Overall: This was almost the most memorable race of the last ten years. Despite Porsche's consitent claims of only being in ALMS for the LMP2 championship, the last fifteen laps saw a furious charge by the Porsches to get within .318 seconds crossing the finish line. .318 seconds in a 2hr 45min sprint race is absolutely nothing when it comes to the Le Mans 24hour next year.


LMP1: So, Audi won again. The good news is Dyson appeared to have defeated their bad luck and took second in class, third overall, ahead of the second Audi. The Audi R10 has a 100% win record still.


LMP2: Porsche shook up an all LMP1 top five and got themselves a second overall, first in LMP2. Intersport took second in class but finished 9th, behind the Aston Martins. The other Porsche finished 16th overall.


GT1: Aston Martin took their second straight victory with their first ALMS 1-2 finish. The Corvettes came in third and fourth.


GT2: This is the story of the race. Risi took pole, then started dead last because they changed tyres between qualifying and the race start. So, from dead last, on a brand new track, it took them 42 minutes to get into the lead. 2:03 later Risi took their first win of the season. Well deserved as they have consistently lost due to bad luck. Second was Peterson/White Lightning. A late caution helped Flying Lizard finish third to retain their class lead. Fourth went to Panoz. BMW took fifth. Alex Job racing, after leading then staying in second behind Risi, went off at the restart from yellow, continuing their bad luck.

ALMS Round 5 - My Predictions

Overall: Audi. In its first two races it took pole and the victory. In its third race it is an all Audi front row. The big boys are back.

LMP1: Audi, Audi, Dyson. Expect Autocon to score some more points too. Dyson is starting third and qualified less than a second down from the Audis.

LMP2: Porsche, Porsche, Intersport. The Porsches are starting fourth and fifth, but with the faster accelerating second Dyson right behind and beside them, and Intersport sitting on the tailpipe of the second Porsche, the start could be a big shakeup in this class.



GT1: I am going to call Aston 007 if their tyre troubles don't continue. I think the Corvette #4 could take second followed by the 009. But if Aston losses grip again, I call the #3 for victory.


GT2: The start is crucial. Risi took pole, but accelerates slower than the Porsches. Petersen/White Lightning put their Porsche next to the Ferrari, while Flying Lizard starts right behind it and Panoz starts next to the Lizard. Surrounded by cars quicker to get up than it, the Risi will be on the defensive from the begining. I say they will get their first victory here, followed by Flying Lizard and Panoz.

This Weekend

July 14th-16th will feature two good races this year: ALMS Round 5 and FIA GT 24 Hours of Spa. I will be following ALMS closely as thit is the more important race.


The American Le Mans Series Round 5, held at Miller Motorsports Park (MMP) (under construction above) in Tooele, Utah, will be the second race on US soil for the Audi R10. Following up on last week's amazing Audi R8 victory, the R10 hopes to continue its winning streak in only its third race ever. It will be up against some stiff competition though: MMP is a new track for Champion Racing and most of the ALMS field while the Lola's will be trying desperately to overcome their string of bad luck, but most important is the race between the Porsche RS Spyders and the Audi R10.


Porsche has repeatedly stated that they are only in ALMS for the LMP2 championship, they will not push for an overall win. However, after finishing 1-2 Overall in Round 3, Porsche proudly proclaimed their intention to sell their cars to customers next year and allow competition in Le Mans. The Porsche's early troubles in the 12 Hours of Sebring took them out of contention for both overall and LMP2 victories, but now that they seem to have overcome most reliability issues this next race will be the first real Porsche RS Spyder vs. Audi R10 battle - perhaps a preview of the next few Le Mans'. These two cars are clearly top of their respective fields and it will be interesting to see how they compare in competition.


But in GT1 the battle will be hotter than the Overall chase. With both Aston and Corvette coming to MMP for the first time, and the points-battle being so close between the two teams, this new circuit may prove a break for Aston and net them a second victory. Aston will be up against stiff competition with the Corvette team though. Corvette is one of the best and most versatile teams across the ranks and their car works so well in so many track conditions that Aston will have to really step it up a notch. I think they may be able to do it, they have already earner Corvette's respect. If Aston wins it will provide a boost of confidence for other manufacturers contemplating getting into the ALMS GT1 fray and more diversity means more excitement and more fans.


In GT2 the battle is heating up. Flying Lizard, Risi, Multimatic Panoz, Peterson/White Lightning, Alex Job, BMW Team PTG, and Spyker are all looking for a win in the packed and exciting GT2 field. BMW has improved in the last two races after a dissapointing start to the season while Alex Job Racing and Spyker are both battling bad luck. The other four teams are consistently fast and should put on another great show.

Lime Rock Park - ALMS Round 4

This does not happen. Ever. With a bumper sticker reading My Other Car is a Diesel, five and a half years of anti-Audi rules against it, the chassis already used for over two years, and a car introduced in 2000 and retired today in its final race, the Audi R8 pulled it off one more time. Impossible. Absolutely impossible.


Overall: Audi. Strong over the bumpy course, an error free race led the R8 to its final victory. Allan McNish is king of the R8. Nobody drives that well. Simply amazing.

LMP1: Dyson's horrible luck continued with one car starting from pit-lane and the other's clutch exploding on the grid, but some very fast times from the Lolas hint at what could have been. Autocon led a lap then had some serious problems. Audi won (again).

LMP2: Penske had a shot at the win, even led for most the race, but an error under yellow at minute 44 necessitated a second driver change, and they settled with an LMP2 class 1-2. Intersport came third after some problems. Mazda wrecked.

GT1: After the 2 hour 45 minute sprint race, it did not come down to the final turn, rather, the final straight away. The charging #3 Corvette was up alongside the Aston as the Aston crossed just ahead. The #4’s streak was snapped in a muddy off with a Dyson that brought out a full-course caution. Aston finished 1 and 3.

GT2: The second story of the race is here. After totaling their car when Jorg Bergmeister put it in a tyre-wall hard at Le Mans, Petersen/White Lightning got a new car Monday. A series of all-nighters to get it into ALMS trim paid off when Jorg Bergmeister took it home first today. Flying Lizard had one side of the rear-wing 4mm too high after qualifying pole and started from the back to finish second. Risi put their brand new Ferrari into the wall at turn 8, opening the way for BMW to put an M3 third and fourth, a great finish for that team.

The bullring proved exciting. I was late for work because of the globecast. Congratulations to all the teams involved – racing this soon after Le Mans on a different continent is tough at best.

The Audi R8: Goodby to a Legend

Simply put, the R8 is the most successful race car ever. Starting life in two forms, the R8R and the R8C, the team showed horribly in 1999 before focusing their design work on the open topped R8R and coming up with the 2000 R8.

The car has a turbo-charged V8 3600 cc engine placed just behind the driver. The power goes out through the rear 14.5" x 18" Michelin Radial tyres. Its weight is around 900kg which gives an extremely good weight to power ratio of 1.5:1.

Since 2000 it has never dropped out of a race for mechanical reasons (record), it has won five Le Mans' (record), and was only beaten at Le Mans by the Bentley Speed 8 which was based off of the R8C. To say this car is a living legend is an understatement. Pescarolo, Dyson, Cadillac, Dome, Lola, Courage, and Dallara haven't been able to take down the mighty R8 at Le Mans, and all are very good cars.

Audi's last R8 was built in 2004. But the R8 still won Le Mans in 2005 despite being in its second year as a chassis. The R10 replaces the R8 this year. The R10 took Sebring in March, but only one finished - the other dropped out with mechanical problems. Audi decided to save their two R10s for Le Mans and run an R8 in the ALMS series against the brand new Dyson Lolas. At Houston, two years after it was supposed to have been uncompetitive, the R8 outlasted everybody and took the win with better reliability over less than favorable track conditions. The next race of 2006, Mid-Ohio, was a third for Audi behind the historic Porsche LMP2's 1-2 finish, but the R8 still won its class.

There is now one race left for the R8 in professional competition. A 2hr 45minute victory lap at Lime Rock Park. Today’s Round 4 of the American Le Mans Series will say goodbye to the historic Audi R8. The final livery will be based off of Team Joest’s, but include the names of all the drivers who have driven it and a list of the R8’s wins. The final race starts at 3:00 PM Eastern Time today, July 1st.