A New Era Dawns

[Fax]

Suffice to say today's ALMS round at Mid-Ohio was one of the most exciting races I've seen in a good many years.  The fight between the Vettes & Aston's was ferocious, as was the battle between Porsche, Ferrari and Panoz in GT2.  The Porsche RS Spyder's were untouchable all weekend, but the fight between one of the Porsche's, the Audi and James & Butch's Dyson Lola for much of the race was thrilling.  The Porsche has re-defined the LMP2 class, its lovely to watch and hear, and the Penske squad as usual, proved why they are one of the very finest in the world.  Chop, HP, Warlock, I looked for you guys Sat at lunch and left a message at your campsite.  Sunday I was showing a Mid-Ohio and ALMS newbie around all day, and have him sold hook, line, & sinker.  Must go to bed now, exhausted.
Fax

[termietermite]

Pity the guys on Motors TV appeared to have no access to the IMSA live timing and didn't know what was going on half the time.  But you're right, great race.  AND GO YOU LIZARDS!

[Fax]

One of the Lizard Porsche's and a Panoz had a epic scrap in the early-mid part of the race until the Lizard spun at the end of the back straight.  The Porsche had the Panoz in the twisty bits but the roles were reversed heading down the long straight and the Porker just couldn't get close enough to get him on the anchors.
Saw Enge's flight on Saturday morning, was spectating up in esses and looking downtrack when the guy next to me yelled "Oh sh**t!"  looked back and Thomas was about six feet in the air.  They said the car covered 143 feet from take off to first skip in the gravel.  Tough car too because that was a huge hit into the tires and it looked a pretty decent shape when they returned it to the paddock.  Looked very stable in flight
Fax

[Fax]

A nice pic from Porsche's website.
Wohoo!
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[Fax]

Ooops!  Meant Lamy, not Enge.
Fax

[chop456]

Sorry we missed you, Fax.  I don't know if you spoke to someone or left a written message, but I never got either.  It was also nice of me to give you my cell number, then leave my phone at my friend's house 100 miles away, too. 

It was an excellent race, indeed.  When the Dyson died at the 10-minute mark, we were right where he pulled off, just past the Honda bridge.  Maybe it's a good thing they're staying away from Le Mans.   

A great weekend, despite the downpours Sunday morning, the mud, my designated driver status and the chopper almost crashing into my tent (or so it seemed).

The R8 seems to have been handicapped out of existence.

[johnevans3]

I watched the Aston flight last night and it was something to behold.  I can't believe the car didn't flip over.  It looked to me that he was very lucky to come out of that with virtually no damage.  One tough car that "guppy" or "catfish" as some call it.  I wonder how many more pounds the 'vette will have to carry above the 175lbs.  penalty they have now to dumb it down to parity?
Pesky's looked great and I expected such if they didn't have the Houston bumps to contend with.  Put them on a smooth track and they can hold their own.  Too bad these two Spyders aren't going to Le Mans.  
Poor Dyson.  I had hope for better from them and I'm about to not feel sorry for them anymore.  They have got to find some realiability before being a serious contender.
Without any real serious contenders except maybe a privateer R8, I'm thinking it will be an easy time for diesel power to take the checkered at Le Mans.

[Fax]

Morning Guys,
Hi Chop, found your campsite during lunch break lunch Saturday afternoon (took me a few minutes to find your site over by the woods) but none of you guys were around so I borrowed a silver Sharpie from one of you neighbors and scribbled a note on a piece of cardboard and left it on your table weighed down with my empty Labatts bottle.  It may have gotten blown away, damn it was windy all weekend.  I had mentioned on my note that I had a white & blue Rothmans jacket on and that if you see me to yell or throw something at me   Like I said, Sunday was showing Shane around all day so didn't get a chance to find you guys, Jesus the weather was shitty early Sunday morning when we got there, quite a mid morning tranformation.  John, as you said that was quite a flight.  Pedro's fortunate that they extended that gravel trap not long ago or he would have landed in the debris fencing.  Going to be exciting days ahead with Porsche becoming a customer car next year and Honda/Acura joining the show.  The new surface looked great too.
Fax