Will it be a P2 Kind of Year?
Posted 03-19-2008 at 07:28 AM by John Dagys
After 12 grinding hours at Sebring, I couldn't help but notice Romain Dumas' comment following the race:
"It will be very difficult to win so many races overall, I'm quite sure about that. Today was something special."
Was Sebring "something special" or was it a sign of things to come?
"Computer simulations show that the lighter LM P2 sports cars have an advantage over the "bigger" LM P1 class on seven of the eleven circuits visited by the American Le Mans Series, Audi nevertheless faces this challenge," Audi said in a statement last Friday, committing to the 2008 ALMS season.
Now make it eight. They lost to the gaggle of P2s in the race they had swept for the past eight years. Yes, came down to reliability, Audi did have the speed over the P2s. But still, a win is a win.
We next head to the tight and twisty tracks on the calender - the street courses. St. Petersburg, Long Beach. Then it's the unknowns of the revised layout at Miller Motorsports Park. The P2 cars will be very tough to beat at these venues.
The big question raised is: will Audi fight back? Their 2008 car seems to be improved but lacked reliability at Sebring. With the focus on Le Mans, has most of the organization's resources gone to Europe to support the LMS effort?
Nonetheless, I think we are in for one hell of a season - with a three-way battle for the overall win. Acura has come back much improved - and they should be fighting for overall wins this year as well. And Audi will still be there - they won't give up that easy.
But, I have this sneaking suspicion we will see those bright yellow cars taking more overall victories than the silver diesel bullets. - Just like last year. A more permanent changing of the guards?
"It will be very difficult to win so many races overall, I'm quite sure about that. Today was something special."
Was Sebring "something special" or was it a sign of things to come?
"Computer simulations show that the lighter LM P2 sports cars have an advantage over the "bigger" LM P1 class on seven of the eleven circuits visited by the American Le Mans Series, Audi nevertheless faces this challenge," Audi said in a statement last Friday, committing to the 2008 ALMS season.
Now make it eight. They lost to the gaggle of P2s in the race they had swept for the past eight years. Yes, came down to reliability, Audi did have the speed over the P2s. But still, a win is a win.
We next head to the tight and twisty tracks on the calender - the street courses. St. Petersburg, Long Beach. Then it's the unknowns of the revised layout at Miller Motorsports Park. The P2 cars will be very tough to beat at these venues.
The big question raised is: will Audi fight back? Their 2008 car seems to be improved but lacked reliability at Sebring. With the focus on Le Mans, has most of the organization's resources gone to Europe to support the LMS effort?
Nonetheless, I think we are in for one hell of a season - with a three-way battle for the overall win. Acura has come back much improved - and they should be fighting for overall wins this year as well. And Audi will still be there - they won't give up that easy.
But, I have this sneaking suspicion we will see those bright yellow cars taking more overall victories than the silver diesel bullets. - Just like last year. A more permanent changing of the guards?
Total Comments 1
Comments
 |  You raise some good points, John. Though, I'm not so sure I'd concede anything at Miller yet. Regardless of course revisions, it's still a very gentle winding course... doesn't appear to require a lot of hard braking and I'm sure the front stretch will still see the R10 stretching its legs. The reliability issue at Sebring was a bit of a stunner. Not only in the Audi camp, but also with Puegeot. I really thought both teams would be on their game and we'd be watching a prelude to Le Mans. I'm also not so quick to hand over the P2 domination to Porsche.. well, maybe.. but, I think Acura is going to be on pretty good footings when we get to Miller, Mid-Ohio, Mosport, Road America and Petit. I do think the rough and tighter circuits give them a few more issues to deal with.. Limerock and the street courses.. I did think GT2 was a bit of a let down. I don't know if everyone was over-amped or what... it just wasn't the chariot race I was expecting. That's a division I'd hope to see 6-8 cars capable fo challenging for the podium wire-to-wire. And, oh how a long for a Saleen or two... and a couple of Astons... an MC12... etc. How did we go from that incredible battle of Laguna in 06 to the GT1 parade we have now? I love the Corvettes.. the team.. and all they do for ALMS. I mean, what a commitment to the series. But, I really don't see GT1 coming back anytime soon. Oh... and how can I fail to mention "Sea Biscuit."  |
Posted 03-19-2008 at 08:49 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)
