I'm Baaaaack...

Saturday, April 19 at the Long Beach Gran Prix. Let's start with Atlantic Series practice:

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(Interesting how the tree eats every one of these cars... )

Please note that all of these photos have been reduced in size approximately 99% so that they can fit into these messages.

Champ Car Final Qualifying:

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More Champ Car Qualifying:

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The McDonalds car was fastest in qualifying Friday which earned it an automatic starting place on the first row. On Saturday, the McDonalds car won the Pole position.

A little bit of drifting... (kind of like watching a bad autocross driver):

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The pomp and circumstance of the ALMS pre-race festivities:

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More pomp and circumstance:

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Brazillian dancers

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Ferrari Team

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All of the teams lined up on the course by their cars. Take a look at the balconies of the round Condo tower and you can see some pretty cool parties...

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To my left: P-Cars

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To my right: GT-Cars

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The cars take off behind the Pace car. Pretty good crowds today.

And, They're Off!!!

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Taking the green flag!

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The dreaded Audi Turbo Diesel

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Rs Spyders to the rescue

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More racing pics (from Ocean Boulevard):

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Last pics from the ALMS race:

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Hairpin turn that leads to the long straight-away on Ocean Blvd.

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So how did this all turn out? (Stop reading here if you have TIVO'd the race to watch tomorrow):

Not so good for Porsche...Beat in the overall by Audi (those damn Turbo Diesels!) and Flying Lizard got out-manuvered by Tafel when Tafel didn't take tires on the pit stop (Damn those Tafel Ferrari F430 guys!)

However.. It was a really exciting race, right down to the finish.

That was a good race. It looks like the Spyders lost to one of the Acuras as well.

That's right an Acura won the LMP2 class. As much as I like Porsche's my job is to beat them. We finally got them again (Sebring 2007 Acura's 1st win and 1st race). Those Penske Porsche's are tough to beat.

I was there yesterday as well, sitting at the hairpin and the beginning of the front straight. That was the place to be to watch the drifting guys. Not racing, but pretty fun to watch. Quite a bit of fender bending at that corner during the celebrity race. Jamie Little broadsided Mike Skinner trying to take him on the inside, but they both kept going. Here's some non racing pics.
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Are you associated with Acura or one of the teams? I was at Sebring last year and it was phenomenal to see Acura do so well out of the gate and I like seeing a lot of variety in the manufactures (but like you, still really like Porsches).

Any insight to the rest of the year? It looks like the Acuras are strong in the corners, but not as much straight line speed. I am curious how that will play out at Road America or Petit. Plus, as good as the Spyders are, the oil burners looked great on such a tight track.

Regardless, the competition has gotten very good, and it is difficult to determine who is going to win. That is a noce change from 2003-2005 when you could assume an R8 for P1, Vette in GT1, and a Porsche in GT2.

Great pics from both of ya. Thanks alot! The P cars just kinda came unfocused...
Those Acura teams are gettting stronger all the time.

Acura...? Acura...? Do you mean Honda?

Yes eric,
Technically I work for Honda, but I think everyone knows that Honda and Acura are the same thing. The ALMS is branded as Acura and our engine development is actually done in the states.
We are working very hard to beat the Penske's, we can usually get the Dyson Porsche, but the Penske is another animal.
You are correct that the Porsche is faster in the straights at Long beach. Hofefully we can get a package together for some of the bigger tracks.
It is going to be an exciting season. Keep watching.
I work for Acura/Honda, but am assigned to the Lowes Fernandez #15 car for the season, so if any of you guys come to a race find me and maybe I can show you the car a little closer.

In case you are looking for me, here is a picture after the race, Family was there, so they are picture happy of course. Trying out some facial hair, we will see how long it lasts.

You guys really look good. Sebring was a tough break. Click to view attachment

I am looking forward to Detroit, Elkhart Lake and Mid-OH!

See you there!

Mark

914Chris;

That is awesome you are working with the Lowes car . And I'm really glad you didn't say you were with one of the drifting teams...

Are you going to be with #15 all season? If so, I might see you in Monterey come October.

I had a great week over at the Long Beach races. Great weather, strong crouds and some damn fine racing. Please tell your team thanks for such a memorable race week!

Eric