Let the Green Flag Fly!
Posted 03-09-2008 at 05:13 PM by John Dagys
The start of a new racing season is always a special time. New cars, new teams, new drivers, new sponsors, new goals.. It's an opportunity to make a fresh start. The 2008 American Le Mans Series is no exception. A lot has changed since the checkered flag flew at Laguna Seca last October, but more has stayed the same.
Audi's dominance in the LM P1 class is likely to not change, although its exact ALMS program has yet to be announced. Rumors center around a one-car full-season assault. Maybe we'll find out more at Sebring or shortly after. The German diesels are once again focusing it's efforts around the 24 Hours of Le Mans - but also this year in the Le Mans Series with two cars.
Sebring will see the first North American face-off between two diesel prototypes. Peugeot has entered one of its 908 HDI FAPs as a test for their return to La Sarthe. They were quick in the Winter Test and could be a threat for the win.
A third diesel prototype team will be on the grid in the form of ECO Racing. Utilizing a Radical SR10 with a production-based V12 powerplant, the Ian Dawson-led crew are aiming to run the entire season.
Both Intersport and Autocon have been making strides during the off-season as well. Mike Lewis' team has taken delivery of a Creation CA07, according to the latest updated entry list. And the Ohio-based Intersport squad have been pounding away with testing miles. Look for bright things from two of the series independent stalwarts.
LM P2 features an "upgraded" look compared to last season, with all the major teams returning but each having minor revisions.
Pat Long joins Penske, replacing Ryan Briscoe who is off to IndyCar. Christian Fittipaldi is Bryan Herta's new full-season co-driver at Andretti Green. Scott Sharp joins Highcroft Racing, bringing sponsorship from Patron Tequila. Lowe's Fernandez Racing switches to the Acura ARX 01-b chassis. Dyson Racing adds Marino Franchitti and B-K Motorsports welcomes new tire partner Yokohama and sponsor BP. So what do all of these changes mean?
Expect the competition to fierce. Penske will probably still be the class of the field, but I predict seeing Acura challenging for wins - and probably taking two or three. Dyson should be in the mix as well, as they enter their second season with the RS Spyders.
Can the P2 cars challenge for overall wins again? I think so, especially at the tight and twisty circuits that suit the lighter and more nimble RS Spyders and ARX 01-bs.
What about GT1? Finally, Corvette Racing has competition. Bell Motorsports has entered an Aston Martin DBR9 for the full-season. But don't expect to see the green machine landing in victory lane. The Pratt & Miller boys have a stranglehold in the category and will be extremely tough to beat - unless you are a factory team.
GT2 sees an influx of new cars and teams, but Ferrari will still be the car to beat. After a disappointing 2007 season, Porsche is back with vengeance, supporting the three-car Flying Lizard attack. Farnbacher-Loles will also enter a 997 for the full-season, as will VICI Racing, with a second car coming later in the year. The question is: can any of these teams challenge Risi Competizione?
The Farnbacher Loles entry could be a threat, and we know two of the three Lizards cars will be as well. It will be a question of time if the off-season developments from Porsche can get them back into victory lane on a consistent basis.
The Ferrari attack is bolstered with Tafel Racing switching to the prancing horse, as well as a full-season program from Corsa Motorsports.
The three American auto giants - Ford, Chevy and Dodge all have cars represented in GT2. The only problem is that only one of the three is receiving factory assistance: Pratt & Miller is providing support to LG Motorsports' Corvette C6 program. Dodge Motorsports was originally slated to provide support to Joel Feinberg's Primetime Race Group Viper effort, but that fizzled out over the off-season. And Ford has never intended to support Doran-Kuttner's Ford GT project. But nonetheless, all three cars will be welcome additions to the grid.
Finally, we shouldn't forget about Drayson-Barwell's efforts, initially campaigning an Aston Martin DBRS9, then moving to the new Vantage GT2 by Long Beach. The British team, like Interssport, will be using the series' new E85 Ethanol fuel.
My predictions for Sebring? I suspect an Audi will take the overall win, but will be closely pursued by one of the Penske RS Spyders - which will finally take a Sebring win in P2. GT1 will be Corvette, while GT2 could be a great fight between Ferrari and Porsche.. And how cool would it be if it comes down to the wire like last year? Melo vs. Bergmeister.. Bring it on!
Audi's dominance in the LM P1 class is likely to not change, although its exact ALMS program has yet to be announced. Rumors center around a one-car full-season assault. Maybe we'll find out more at Sebring or shortly after. The German diesels are once again focusing it's efforts around the 24 Hours of Le Mans - but also this year in the Le Mans Series with two cars.
Sebring will see the first North American face-off between two diesel prototypes. Peugeot has entered one of its 908 HDI FAPs as a test for their return to La Sarthe. They were quick in the Winter Test and could be a threat for the win.
A third diesel prototype team will be on the grid in the form of ECO Racing. Utilizing a Radical SR10 with a production-based V12 powerplant, the Ian Dawson-led crew are aiming to run the entire season.
Both Intersport and Autocon have been making strides during the off-season as well. Mike Lewis' team has taken delivery of a Creation CA07, according to the latest updated entry list. And the Ohio-based Intersport squad have been pounding away with testing miles. Look for bright things from two of the series independent stalwarts.
LM P2 features an "upgraded" look compared to last season, with all the major teams returning but each having minor revisions.
Pat Long joins Penske, replacing Ryan Briscoe who is off to IndyCar. Christian Fittipaldi is Bryan Herta's new full-season co-driver at Andretti Green. Scott Sharp joins Highcroft Racing, bringing sponsorship from Patron Tequila. Lowe's Fernandez Racing switches to the Acura ARX 01-b chassis. Dyson Racing adds Marino Franchitti and B-K Motorsports welcomes new tire partner Yokohama and sponsor BP. So what do all of these changes mean?
Expect the competition to fierce. Penske will probably still be the class of the field, but I predict seeing Acura challenging for wins - and probably taking two or three. Dyson should be in the mix as well, as they enter their second season with the RS Spyders.
Can the P2 cars challenge for overall wins again? I think so, especially at the tight and twisty circuits that suit the lighter and more nimble RS Spyders and ARX 01-bs.
What about GT1? Finally, Corvette Racing has competition. Bell Motorsports has entered an Aston Martin DBR9 for the full-season. But don't expect to see the green machine landing in victory lane. The Pratt & Miller boys have a stranglehold in the category and will be extremely tough to beat - unless you are a factory team.
GT2 sees an influx of new cars and teams, but Ferrari will still be the car to beat. After a disappointing 2007 season, Porsche is back with vengeance, supporting the three-car Flying Lizard attack. Farnbacher-Loles will also enter a 997 for the full-season, as will VICI Racing, with a second car coming later in the year. The question is: can any of these teams challenge Risi Competizione?
The Farnbacher Loles entry could be a threat, and we know two of the three Lizards cars will be as well. It will be a question of time if the off-season developments from Porsche can get them back into victory lane on a consistent basis.
The Ferrari attack is bolstered with Tafel Racing switching to the prancing horse, as well as a full-season program from Corsa Motorsports.
The three American auto giants - Ford, Chevy and Dodge all have cars represented in GT2. The only problem is that only one of the three is receiving factory assistance: Pratt & Miller is providing support to LG Motorsports' Corvette C6 program. Dodge Motorsports was originally slated to provide support to Joel Feinberg's Primetime Race Group Viper effort, but that fizzled out over the off-season. And Ford has never intended to support Doran-Kuttner's Ford GT project. But nonetheless, all three cars will be welcome additions to the grid.
Finally, we shouldn't forget about Drayson-Barwell's efforts, initially campaigning an Aston Martin DBRS9, then moving to the new Vantage GT2 by Long Beach. The British team, like Interssport, will be using the series' new E85 Ethanol fuel.
My predictions for Sebring? I suspect an Audi will take the overall win, but will be closely pursued by one of the Penske RS Spyders - which will finally take a Sebring win in P2. GT1 will be Corvette, while GT2 could be a great fight between Ferrari and Porsche.. And how cool would it be if it comes down to the wire like last year? Melo vs. Bergmeister.. Bring it on!
Total Comments 1
Comments
 |  Nice blog, John. I'm looking forward to your insightful observations throughout the season! JT |
Posted 03-10-2008 at 11:03 AM by John Thawley  |
Recent Blog Entries by John Dagys
- Will it be a P2 Kind of Year? (03-19-2008)
- Pre-race chatter (03-14-2008)
- Let the Green Flag Fly! (03-09-2008)
- The-Paddock.net and John Dagys' Future (10-28-2007)
