Sebring 2005

[Gilles]

Well as a declared Corvette Fan. The following from a news clip about Aston Martin
"David Brabham along with Tomas Enge and Darren Turner were behind the wheel of the DBR9 during last week's tests."  
Ron has seen off Tomas Enge in a Ferrai before so he is no big threat Anyone know who Darren Turner is
David Brabham...a formidable endurance driver.
Canada Phil

a part of the answer...

http://www.ascar-racers.co.uk/dturner/dturner.htm

[Fax]

Andy,
To be honest it looks even more hideously dangerous in person.
Many of the tracks are now using what they've called "Soft" walls,
this consisting of a steel barrier placed in front of the concrete wall with some energy absorbing material in between.  Doesn't sound very soft to me.  At the sustained high speeds they race at week after week its not unusal for three or four drivers to leave a race weekend with fractures and concussions.  At those speeds there are no small shunts.  The multiple concussions are what drove Gil De Ferran into retirement.
John

[Canada Phil]

Hi Andy & Fax,
                      Ofcourse I am glad Aston Martin have entered the fray. It's not a race without others to race against. It is an opportune time as the C6 is a  new car and the rules are new so it will depend on which team gets it right first. Attending Sebring shows AM have the right attitude already.
Will make it worth the trip Andy  
Canada Phil

[Chris24]

Don't know who Darren Turner is ? Shame on you !
He's a very fast and talented driver, that like most drivers just missed out on the big time in Formula 1. He's also very fan friendly and approachable.

[Canada Phil]

HI Chris,
             Unproven in endurance racing then  ???
We will have to keep a close eye on him at Sebring, perhaps over a few beers at the safety pin
Canada Phil

[Chris24]

Unproven !
Seemed to do ok in the Prodrive Ferrari at LM the last two years. Was leading in 2003  (from the mighty Corvettes) by a long way until mechanical failure put them out. And last year was teamed with Rydell and McRae and finished third in class behind the Corvettes after car trouble etc.

I do think however that assessing his talent at the hairpin over a few beers is a jolly good idea though !
See you in March.

[vwgtifan]

Hey all,

Should be able to drive through the night from a job in S.C. to make it Saturday morning. Never been, any info (other than what the site has), would be appreciated!

Matt

[Matt Harper]

Hi Matt - got your PM on this.
Although a bit of a slog from the Carolinas, it is well worth it. Sebring is a great indicator on what to expect at Le Mans - and is probably THE American classic enduro.
The party atmosphere (now billed as a Spring Break destination, so lots of flange) is great and the weather is usually very agreeable.
Fax, Dave H and I usually meet in Orlando on the Friday and drive down to the circuit early on saturday morning. For the past couple of years, we have met up with Smokie, Chris, Canada Phil and Pigeon, for breakfast beers and a bit of a gossip.
I'd recommend it and look forward to seeing you there, if you can make it - By all means join us in O'town on the Friday, if you'd care to - we tend to get a few practice beers in, to steel ourselves for the day ahead.  

[Felix]

Does Sebring have a food outlet area?

I could fit the chip van with pontoons and tow it over with my old stern trawler.

I'm sure all you ex-pat Brits would fancy some good old dog fish and chunky chips.

Mushy peas anyone?

[Steve Pyro]

Well, I've been quietly musing about going to Sebring for the past month or so.
My resolve was further strenghthened at the London Beer session last week when talking to JPC and Andy Z.

Any road up, I casually mentioned going to Sebring to my nearest and dearest and she said "Okay".

So, stand by Florida, Sebring here I come.

[smokie]

Whay Hay...

I think a Sebring planning meeting is called for don't you? Sometime in early dark dank February...

[Andy Zarse]

Whay Hay...

I think a Sebring planning meeting is called for don't you? Sometime in early dark dank February...

Great time of the year to plan a little excersion out of the foul end of winter weather in the UK. Hopefully the Argyll Arms, or wherever, will be a bit quieter as ruddy Xmas will be over by then, thank god.  

[Chris24]

My oh my, that six man tent is going to be cosy ! I guess we won't be cold ! Just when I thought Smokies farts were bad enough !

Welcome aboard guys !

[Andy Zarse]

Chris,

My mate Chris Z is a state registered Nutritionologist. He did a masters degree in the digestion processes of the human body. Recently he's been devising a cunning secret cocktail of booze and food, in order to maximise the volume, density and repugnance of farts. We've nearly perfected it now, he's just fine tuning the exact amount of Swiss cheese against volume of Guinness, but with any luck the receipe (which will be a closly-guarded family secret like CocaCola) should all be ready for blast off by March.

Question: Do you think we should invest in another tent?

[Steve Pyro]

Question: Do you think we should invest in another tent?

Would make a bit of sense as (subject to Leffe consumption) I tend to lift the safety valve once in a while.