New Prototypes Take Center Stage at Winter Test

[gahjeen]

NEW PROTOTYPES TAKE CENTER STAGE AT WINTER TEST

Leading up to this year's American Le Mans Series Winter Test, the prototype talk revolves around six high-tech sports that will turn their first laps in the public eye. The three-day session, starting Monday at Sebring International Raceway, will serve as a springboard to the 2007season.

The most prominent new entries into the Series are three Acura-powered LMP2s that comprise the first factory motorsports program for the American Honda Motor Company's luxury brand in its 20-year history. Andretti Green Racing and Highcroft Racing each will field Courage LC75s and Lowe's Fernandez Racing will enter a Lola B05/40, all of which are full-season entries with the new Acura powerplant.

All three teams have conducted private testing leading up to the 2007 American Le Mans Series, which starts with the 55th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 17. The driver roster for each team is ripe with household names. Bryan Herta, Dario Franchitti and Danica Patrick have been entered for Andretti Green Racing, as have Adrian Fernandez and Luis Diaz for Lowe's Fernandez Racing. The Highcroft Courage will see David Brabham, Stefan Johansson and team owner Duncan Dayton taking turns behind the wheel.

Not to be outdone, Porsche will have three of its second-generation Porsche RS Spyders at Sebring for the Winter Test. Two will belong to Penske Motorsports, which swept the P2 class championships in 2006. The other will be running under the banner of Dyson Racing. The Poughkeepsie, NY-based team moved to P2 and Porsche in December to renew a relationship that stretches back to 1985. Dyson is the first customer team to take delivery of the RS Spyder with the team awaiting delivery of its second Porsche.

Chris Dyson and Guy Smith, who will team in the No. 20 entry for the full season, have been entered for the Test. In the Penske camp, last year's class co-champion and Porsche factory driver Sascha Maassen is slated to drive with Australian Ryan Briscoe. In the team's other entry, German Timo Bernhard and Frenchman Romain Dumas (both factory drivers) will reunite.

Dublin, OH-based Intersport Racing took the fight to Porsche and Penske throughout the 2006 season, and the 2005 class champion is eager to do the same again this year. Jon Field, Clint Field and Richard Berry will pilot the team's AER-powered Lola B05/40 at the Winter Test. In last season's Sebring 12 Hours, Intersport won in LMP2 and finished second overall to make it the highest-finishing P2 entry in the race's history.

Intersport also has a new tire partner entering the 2007 season as it will run on KUMHO rubber for entire schedule. In previous testing, Intersport has reported significant performance gains on the KUMHO tires.

In LMP1, Autocon Motorsports is back for a second season with its AER-powered Lola EX257. The California-based team returns with team owner Mike Lewis, Chris McMurry and Bryan Willman. The 2007 season will mark the first with the Lola sporting JeanRichard colors as the Swiss timepiece continues as the team's primary sponsor.

The third annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is January 22-24 at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, FL. Continuous updates, timing reports, photos and podcasts will be available at americanlemans.com.

 

[92 white 0650]

Hey Larry, when you get a chance, keep us abreast of the the little guys, like IMSA Lites. Especially any inside gossip about shops like Stohr and West. And any video links you come across like this one would be very cool.

Have I asked enough for this week?

Thanks.

PS: Oh wait, we want to hear the real dirt about the new Panoz Champ Car too. Heard they discovered some 1/2 shaft issues already before even turning a wheel.

OK, now I'm done.

 

[gahjeen]

Ted,

I was at the Winter Test for couple of days. I didn't see or hear anything adverse about the DP01 (Champ Car) tests. Looks like they all had a good run at Sebring. If anything as you know, Sebring's race circuit is one of the toughest and most unforgiving race circuit in the world. If it will break, it'll do so at Sebring.

The DP02 (IMSA Lites 2.0L Ford powered) and DP04 (IMSA Lites 1000cc powered) also had a good test at Sebring.

I'll post updates on IMSA Lites Series as they become available.

Larry

 

[gahjeen]

Audi's Kettler opinions on recent ALMS Winter Test

AUDI'S KETTLER: WE WILL HAVE OUR HANDS FULL

Audi Sport North America technical director Brad Kettler was a very interested observer in the Sebring pitlane and paddock this weekend at the American Le Mans Series Winter Test. In an exclusive interview with americanlemans.com, Kettler touched on a number of subjects leading up to the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring.

The influx of new prototypes:
"We will have our hands full. Acura and Porsche have both done very well to bring the level of the Series up. There are a lot of good-looking teams and good-looking cars. There's a lot of buzz and we're excited about it because it will be good competition."

Pre-Sebring testing with the R10 TDI:
"There are no new components to try at this moment. There are some things that are being finished that will be tried prior to the race. Audi never really stops. It's not as if they take a distinct idea to push a little harder in testing or not. Their development goes ahead at the same pace all the time."

The crew's ongoing pit practice:
"We're going between seven and 10 hours a week practicing the guys. We videotaped all the positions and looked at who was most suited to what. Basically we started with a clean sheet of paper and picked the best men for the best positions. Our pit work is going to get even better and stronger. We will continue to practice the guys continuously through the start of the racing season."

The 2007 driver lineup:
"The philosophy (from Audi) of who is going to drive the cars has been very consistent, about having people of experience. We're delighted with all the drivers going forward. We have worked with them all before and we know them well."

 

[92 white 0650]

Re: Who's replacing Ford?

(Champ Car) tests. Looks like they all had a good run at Sebring

So Larry, what is the scuttlebutt in your circles about Ford leaving Champ Car? Sure Ford's lost a ton of money lately, but were they asked to leave? And who's waiting in the wings? Mazda? I hear Robert Clarke has been seen around CC. Might Honda be back in CC? Or does he front for Acura as well and was just down for the ALMS tests? Wouldn't it be hot to see Acura stepping up? :tongue:

OMG I can't believe I said that. How'd I get this far into la-la land !! :redface: Hope springs eternal.