Pre-race chatter

Here's some quick pre-race chatter on the eve of the start of the 2008 American Le Mans Series season:

Corsa Motorsports has withdrawn due to tire problems with new supplier, Hankook. I talked with Gunnar Jeannette today, before the official announcement was released. He said the team has a three-year partnership with the tire manufacturer, pretty much prohibiting them from running another tire brand for this race. Let's hope the team makes it back out for St. Pete...

The B-K Motorsports Mazda has been successfully rebuilt and has passed inspection this evening. Dean Case from Mazdaspeed provided us with the good news. The team worked around the clock building up the car on a new tub. The car is apparently even decaled up too. Impressive... as the words of JT: "a Herculean effort"

Risi Competizione revealed it's driver lineup for the No. 61 Ferrari for the remainder of the season. Former Rolex Series driver Harrison Brix will partner Patrick Friesacher..

Another new lineup that will start at round two is Audi's second R10 TDI. Emanuele Pirro and Frank Biela will drive the second car, alongside Marco Werner and Lucas Luhr. That's right, two full-time Audis for the season.

I spent most of the day wandering around to various hospitality tents for media opportunities. Peugeot's turned out to be very informative. Peugeot Sport Director Michel Barge was very pleased with progress made at Sebring, but stressed it is still a "test". But, if they are in the position to win, they will go for it. He also hinted a bit towards the future and Peugeot's planned "hybrid" program, which is supposed to be in a "testing" phase this year. It was very hard to get any confirmed information out of him on this. Nonetheless, it seems like a very exciting new program. Serge Saulnier, team manger, explained that their single car entry may not work as well on terms of strategy. Audi would be able to do split strategy, where the Pug won't have that luxury.

I've been most impressed by the Peugeot effort. Quietly confident.. I wouldn't be surprised to see them on the top step of the podium 24 hours from now... OR perhaps even a P2 car. It may be a stretch, but both Audi and Peugeot drivers think the P2 cars may have a shot at the overall win. Apparently, the P2s can do three less pit stops due to its efficiency. Now wouldn't that be something? Allan McNish predicts a four-way fight.

Weather is going to be a key factor in tomorrow's race. The forecast is calling for sunny and 87 F. It will surely be the hottest day of the week and could through up some challenges. The Peugeot is not air conditioned, although the cockpit is regulated to stay within 10 C of the ambient temperature. Don't ask me what happens if it goes above that..



Anyways, long day tomorrow. Going to try and get some rest now.