Quote:
Originally Posted by Nick Koske  Not quite sure...there hasn't been any info in months. Here's what was posted by The-Paddock in March: A new team to road racing, Conzus Motorsports, has announced intentions to compete in the American Le Mans Series with a Porsche RS Spyder. Based in the Homestead-Miami area, the effort led by former MCR Racing engineer Gordon Friend hopes to run in the ultra-competitive LMP2 class with driver Ralf Kelleners. Kelleners has already signed with Rahal Letterman Racing to drive its Porsche 997 RSR in the full ALMS season. Therefore, it seems as though Conzus will not hit to the track until the 2008 season.
More information can be found on the teams website: http://www.conzusmotorsports.com
As for CET it would be nice if they made it to the grid. I don't think they've done themselves any favors by annoucing they'd be on the grid earlier this year and then went incommunicato. Sure they don't owe anyone anything, but it just doesn't look good. Hindsight is 20/20, maybe they shouldn't have been so hasty talking about getting to the grid.
I'm sure Porsche is not entirely happy that car didn't make it on the grid. I'd bet there was at least one team in Europe that would have liked the car to run it in the LMS this year, but I'm sure Porsche Motorsports/Car of NA said, "we paid for the developement of the car, we want to see in in NA." But that is entirely my speculation. |
Actually, the Porsche deal is quite interesting... more like adoption than purchasing a car.
First you get a thorough "vetting" by Porsche. Then you basically agree to buy the car (1.5 million US), agree to purchase the parts package... (1.6 million US), you can not race the car until you test 3 times. Testing is attended by Porsche and Porsche engineers.. and of course, you need your Michelin deal in place too. The Michelin deal has testing and engineer supervision attached to it as well. It should also be noted that Porsche will not allow the car (Spyder) to run on any other tires... since all the development as been based on Michelin tires. Oh... the starter "black box?"... comes with the parts kit... not the car.
JT