sebring update

[Clem Z.]

the 2 corvettes crashed into each other in the pits. no win this year for the corvettes. i bet someone will catch hell about that screw up.

[Steven B.]

Re: sebring update

the 2 corvettes crashed into each other in the pits. no win this year for the corvettes. i bet someone will catch hell about that screw up.

Clem, I could not believe it and just when they were putting the heat on the Ferrari and Porsches. They sure gained weight and lost power from GT1. 'maybe next month.

Steve

[Richard M.]

Re: sebring update

http://www.thecheckeredflag.co.uk/2010/03/12-hours-of-sebring-half-time-report/

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Both cars returned to race, though down on their positions in the top three before the accident.

[Stuart F.]

Re: sebring update

Clem;

How about that old timer's NASCAR race late yesterday? Larry Pearson spun out coming out of turn #4 (Bristol, TN. that is) and Charlie Glotzbach T boned him at about 120 mph. Both drivers were knocked unconcious and were sent to the local hospital. Have not heard the latest on this, but I bet the organizers get some heat. First; these were privately owned retired pre "COT" cars and second; they were letting these drivers use old style safety equipment - to say nothing of Dave Marcus wearing Wing Tip shoes!!! They were turning lap times in the high 15 second range - equal or better than the Nationwide Series cars in the race that preceded their race. Not too good.

p.s. They blew up a couple engines too.

Stu Fox

[Jerry G.]

Re: sebring update

It looked like the Corvettes could turn competitive lap times but not leader lap times. This is going to be some tough close racing this year for GT2. I thought the team work for the Corvette drivers on the track was going great , right up to the point where they had in pit incident. Oh well, at least the cars didn't blow up or have major mechanical failure. The car seems good, getting team logistics working is easier to fix than a redesign of the car. Nice to see Corvettes competing on the world stage. It's a world class car.

[Duke W.]

Re: sebring update

I agree, the Corvettes seemed to be a second or so slower that the Risi Ferrari, the Flying Lizard Porsches, and the Rahal BMWs. They might be able to get some relief with larger induction restrictors or less weight for Long Beach next month. I'll be there!

I was LMAO when the Ford GT hit the billboard and pushed it around the track.

I felt sorry for Jaguar - a pretty inauspicious debut.

I think this year's GT class is going to see some of the best racing since Trans-Am in the late sixties. If only the TV morons would provide more coverage. Prototypes..., who cares.

There's a poll on the ALMS site where you can vote for your favorite class. After you vote you see the current results - over 67 percent voted GT!.

Duke

[Pierre J.]

Re: sebring update

Both Corvetrtes are not running as quick as they were last year. New regulations were imposed on the cars, engine size was reduced from 6L to 5.5 L and 25KG of weight was added. Not sure if the competition was subjected to the same performance reductions, but it sure didn't help the Corvettes.
ALMS has been known in previous years to limit Corvette performance to make other cars in the same class more competive, certainly removes the incentive to improve the cars .

Pierre

[Duke W.]

Re: sebring update

This year's 5.5L engine has a stroke of only 3.185" - less than a 327, and is rated at 485 BHP at a measly 5800 revs, which means it must be considerably choked down, however, last year's 6.0L engine was rated at 470 HP at only 4800 - 300 revs past the 535 lb-ft torque rating at 4500. Peak torque for this year's engine is not specified.

Even with the slightly greater rated power this year, the 5.5s average power through the gears is probably less than last year, which means poorer acceleration.

www.corvetteracing.com

Duke

[Clem Z.]

Re: sebring update

This year's 5.5L engine has a stroke of only 3.185" - less than a 327, and is rated at 485 BHP at a measly 5800 revs, which means it must be considerably choked down, however, last year's 6.0L engine was rated at 470 HP at only 4800 - 300 revs past the 535 lb-ft torque rating at 4500. Peak torque for this year's engine is not specified.

Even with the slightly greater rated power this year, the 5.5s average power through the gears is probably less than last year, which means poorer acceleration.

www.corvetteracing.com

Duke

they have restrictors in the intake air system

[Steven B.]

Re: sebring update

they have restrictors in the intake air system

IIRC they choked the restrictors 2 mm. More breathing may help that 336.