corvette leads aston

[Ron Jeremy]

i found this, make the most of it, as they only lead due to pits stops

 

[johnevans3]

What you don't see is the other Corvette in front this one pictured as they cross the finish line on June 19, 2005 at 4PM local time.  Excellent tight race, the best one ever for the fans.

[Barry]

With all the anticipation of the Aston/Corvette battle, everyone seems to have forgotten that there are 5 very fast Ferrari's in GT1. If one of these has a trouble free run, (unlikely I know, there's been a Ferrari on fire every year for the last 3 years), and the Astons and Corvettes have a problem or two, we could be in for a surprise.

With apologies To Rudyard Kipling

Ferrari, Ferrari burning bright
On the Mulsanne in the night

[Matt Harper]

Most noteable aspect of the pic is the fact that it's an ex works C5 not the current C6, which Aston Martin beat fair and square at Sebring.
I suspect that GM/Pratt & Miller will have addressed the problems they faced here in FL and will take the race to the Prodrive guys.
The fact that the DBR9's held together so well at Sebring bodes very well for them and both Prodrive and GM have extensive Le Mans credentials in GTS/1.
GT1 will be the race to watch (again) at Le Mans next month and it will be great for the sport - and a monumental achievment if Aston Martin can keep the Vette's behind them.
Respectfully, Barry, I don't think the 575LM is in the running anymore. Fast and fabulous, but fragile - and not even fast enough anymore.
 

[johnevans3]

Excellent point about the Ferrari's.  It's going to be great fun to watch this class as it was great fun at Sebring.  ....and there at Sebring was the added bonus of Maserati.   I don't care if they were an inch or two here and there off the specs.  They weren't competing for points or a win and  I just liked seeing that beautiful car running.  The Saleen's as well, just tough luck for them at the end though.  
        Did Rick Cutler tell you that WE went to Sebring?

[Barry]

       Did Rick Cutler tell you that WE went to Sebring?

I think he mentioned it in passing

[Barry]

Respectfully, Barry, I don't think the 575LM is in the running anymore. Fast and fabulous, but fragile - and not even fast enough anymore.
 

Fair comment Matt, but last year both Corvettes and both Prodrives Ferrari's had their problems. The 4 x 550's and the 1 x 575 have the potential to spring a surpise if they don't run into problems. But that is the beauty of Le Mans
I am so looking forward to GT1

[Matt Harper]

The 4 x 550's and the 1 x 575 have the potential to spring a surpise if they don't run into problems. But that is the beauty of Le Mans
I am so looking forward to GT1

Hit the nail on the head - anything's possible - and Prodrive pulled it off with a Maranello before, so who's to say? I just think the technology has moved forward a bit - if you look at Ferrari's GT history it's very cyclical in this way.
Couldn't agree more with John - variety in the grid is the only thing that keeps the unique character of sportscar racing. Arguably the Maserari is stretching the rules a little - but no more so than the Porsche 911 GT1. The S7 Saleen is a glorious looking and sounding car, but again, too fragile to race balls-out for 24 hours (or 12 for that matter). I'll ask again, why no Mosler, Jag XKR, Enzo, McLaren Benzo etc.
If Spyker can do it, you'da thought the likes of Brabus and Koenig could make a do of it. Maybe it's not worth the investment - but look at the crowds and sponsorship DTM attracted when it's grids consisted of more than Astras and 3 Series BM's.......

[Fax]

Regarding the Maserati and Saleen. The Saleen and Menards C-5R were the only cars in GT1 that were able to keep the thundering yellow train in sight at Mid-Ohio Sunday.  But as Matt said, three hours seems to be about the limit of the Saleens reliablilty, after that the wheels seem to fall off (sometimes literally).  The Maserati was a bit closer to the Vettes, partly because I think IMSA relaxed the ballast it has to carry.  I think with a pair of real top drivers it could hassle the Vettes and Astons a bit.  I really regret that Lambo pulled the plug on their project with Barbour racing, with a bit of development it was another entry that could easily have scooped some podium hardware.
Fax

[Kpy]

With apologies To Rudyard Kipling

Ferrari, Ferrari burning bright
On the Mulsanne in the night

Perhaps you should say sorry to Willam Blake, who wrote:

Tyger Tyger. burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

Or did Kipling write something in the same vein?