LMP2 Mazda Update?
Rotary wannabe :(
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
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From: Dallas, TX
It's actually been far worse for Intersport, according to dsc. (still free!) They said that during Long Beach the outer two inches of Intersport's tires weren't even showing wear! Even in Houston I think they were still running a wide version of last year's P2 tire... hopefully they'll have some decent shoes for Miller...
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Merchant Of Pace
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Clovis, California
Originally Posted by Race Shooter
I think it was a really positive weekend. They were very close in times and finished the race well.
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Merchant Of Pace
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Clovis, California
Originally Posted by AggieLuke
That sucks. I was hoping for some shots of Katherine Legge.
Originally Posted by AggieLuke
After the race Mr. Back himself started to come up to me on his way back to the pits, but quickly determined I had a big bag of nothing and continued on his way.
Edit: How did you happen to land a BK shirt anyway??
Last edited by Senna; Apr 25, 2007 at 01:59 AM.
Rotary wannabe :(
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
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From: Dallas, TX
First, I'd like to apologize for spelling Bach incorrectly in my original post. I'd edit it but Senna has locked the mistake in so what's the point? :D
I got the shirt by emailing the contact point listed on the ALMS website asking how I could *buy* a shirt or hat or anything Mazda/BK from last year (wanted something rotary related) figuring they wouldn't need the stuff anymore with the engine change.
Oddly enough, my address was requested and the shirt arrived free not a week later. Very class organization, that Mazdaspeed Motorsports!
And yes, I have been successfully purchased and now will blindly support any decisions made by the Mazdaspeed Motorsports organization. :D
I got the shirt by emailing the contact point listed on the ALMS website asking how I could *buy* a shirt or hat or anything Mazda/BK from last year (wanted something rotary related) figuring they wouldn't need the stuff anymore with the engine change.
Oddly enough, my address was requested and the shirt arrived free not a week later. Very class organization, that Mazdaspeed Motorsports!
And yes, I have been successfully purchased and now will blindly support any decisions made by the Mazdaspeed Motorsports organization. :D
Registered
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,525
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From: Santiago, Dominican Republic
Originally Posted by AggieLuke
First, I'd like to apologize for spelling Bach incorrectly in my original post. I'd edit it but Senna has locked the mistake in so what's the point? :D
I got the shirt by emailing the contact point listed on the ALMS website asking how I could *buy* a shirt or hat or anything Mazda/BK from last year (wanted something rotary related) figuring they wouldn't need the stuff anymore with the engine change.
Oddly enough, my address was requested and the shirt arrived free not a week later. Very class organization, that Mazdaspeed Motorsports!
And yes, I have been successfully purchased and now will blindly support any decisions made by the Mazdaspeed Motorsports organization. :D
I got the shirt by emailing the contact point listed on the ALMS website asking how I could *buy* a shirt or hat or anything Mazda/BK from last year (wanted something rotary related) figuring they wouldn't need the stuff anymore with the engine change.
Oddly enough, my address was requested and the shirt arrived free not a week later. Very class organization, that Mazdaspeed Motorsports!
And yes, I have been successfully purchased and now will blindly support any decisions made by the Mazdaspeed Motorsports organization. :D
Resident Monkey
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 470
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From: New Orleans, LA
Some good pics of the BK car here:
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/behind-scenes-grand-prix-houston-2007-a-115026/
https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-multimedia-photo-gallery-6/behind-scenes-grand-prix-houston-2007-a-115026/
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Joined: Jul 2002
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From: So-Cali
MID-OHIO TIRE TESTING ON TAP FOR KUMHO-SHOD TEAMS
http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=3135
-Bern
http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=3135
-Bern
Thread Starter
Merchant Of Pace
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 651
Likes: 0
From: Clovis, California
Originally Posted by AggieLuke
First, I'd like to apologize for spelling Bach incorrectly in my original post. I'd edit it but Senna has locked the mistake in so what's the point? :D
I got the shirt by emailing the contact point listed on the ALMS website asking how I could *buy* a shirt or hat or anything Mazda/BK from last year (wanted something rotary related) figuring they wouldn't need the stuff anymore with the engine change.
Oddly enough, my address was requested and the shirt arrived free not a week later. Very class organization, that Mazdaspeed Motorsports!
And yes, I have been successfully purchased and now will blindly support any decisions made by the Mazdaspeed Motorsports organization. :D
I got the shirt by emailing the contact point listed on the ALMS website asking how I could *buy* a shirt or hat or anything Mazda/BK from last year (wanted something rotary related) figuring they wouldn't need the stuff anymore with the engine change.
Oddly enough, my address was requested and the shirt arrived free not a week later. Very class organization, that Mazdaspeed Motorsports!
And yes, I have been successfully purchased and now will blindly support any decisions made by the Mazdaspeed Motorsports organization. :D
Thread Starter
Merchant Of Pace
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 651
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From: Clovis, California
Originally Posted by MazdaMonkey
Some good pics of the BK car here:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=115026
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=115026
You had to throw in the pic of the boot car thingy didn't ya...
Rotary wannabe :(
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
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From: Dallas, TX
No lie! Here I was feeling all cool for having a free shirt and then you have to go and post pit-access stuff...
And that's very interesting about Marcus. I haven't been to the ALMS or 10tenths forums to see if anything's there yet. He came from Champion/Audi, right? Maybe he wasn't used to working with less than 20 fulltime engineers...
*Edit* Just found this thread on the ALMS http://community.americanlemans.com/...ead/13030.aspx
On page three they reference a couple sources that say Marcus left BK to work for the new CET/Solaroli Porchse RS Spyder team that will field TWO more spyders for the second half of the season. And that the drivers for one will be JJ Lehto (formerly of Audi and F1, a damned quick driver) and Johnny Herbert (another speedy pilot) with Pat Long (only US Porsche factory driver) probably driving the other Spyder.
Good grief! New car, new engine, now missing a new technical director, 6 Spyders and 3 Acuras... is there any doubt as to why Intersport jumped to P1 this year? Can we throw some ballast (maybe a second engine?) into the Mazola and move up as well?
And that's very interesting about Marcus. I haven't been to the ALMS or 10tenths forums to see if anything's there yet. He came from Champion/Audi, right? Maybe he wasn't used to working with less than 20 fulltime engineers...
*Edit* Just found this thread on the ALMS http://community.americanlemans.com/...ead/13030.aspx
On page three they reference a couple sources that say Marcus left BK to work for the new CET/Solaroli Porchse RS Spyder team that will field TWO more spyders for the second half of the season. And that the drivers for one will be JJ Lehto (formerly of Audi and F1, a damned quick driver) and Johnny Herbert (another speedy pilot) with Pat Long (only US Porsche factory driver) probably driving the other Spyder.
Good grief! New car, new engine, now missing a new technical director, 6 Spyders and 3 Acuras... is there any doubt as to why Intersport jumped to P1 this year? Can we throw some ballast (maybe a second engine?) into the Mazola and move up as well?
Last edited by AggieLuke; Apr 26, 2007 at 01:37 PM.
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From: Toronto, Canada
wow those are some big names!!! Johnny Herbert drove the winning 787B too =) maybe he'll be the only rotary connection, haha. I might be rooting for that team.
________
VelvetSkye
________
VelvetSkye
Last edited by Renesis_8; Sep 11, 2011 at 01:03 PM.
Thread Starter
Merchant Of Pace
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 651
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From: Clovis, California
^^ that's depressing stuff!! It'll be the little Mazda that could scenario and I don't know that direct injection will bridge the gap. I hope the #8 doesn't start looking like road debris as the others battle it out.
Clearly there's been an explosion in the P2 and GT2 classes and if you want to play the game without humiliating yourself you better bring your A game--Mazda...are you listening??
As for Marcus...I have my suspicions and I can't say that I blame him.
Clearly there's been an explosion in the P2 and GT2 classes and if you want to play the game without humiliating yourself you better bring your A game--Mazda...are you listening??
As for Marcus...I have my suspicions and I can't say that I blame him.
Rotary wannabe :(
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
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From: Dallas, TX
Dammit! I *knew* there was another reason Mr. Herbert stuck out in my mind...
As previously stated, I'm 100% bought and paid for Mazda, but I think we're now well past David vs Goliath. If it were just Penske, then perhaps. But we've got serious teams with serious money with very experienced (some might say serious) drivers. Not just one team, but six!
With that being said, we know the car has pace in there somewhere, and the boys have shown they can run with the big dogs without fear. Catch a couple breaks and run clean to the end and who knows? If they can just keep the car running during the longer enduros and wait for the Porches to breakdown and a podium becomes a very real possibility!
How's that for drinking the kool-aid? :D
As previously stated, I'm 100% bought and paid for Mazda, but I think we're now well past David vs Goliath. If it were just Penske, then perhaps. But we've got serious teams with serious money with very experienced (some might say serious) drivers. Not just one team, but six!
With that being said, we know the car has pace in there somewhere, and the boys have shown they can run with the big dogs without fear. Catch a couple breaks and run clean to the end and who knows? If they can just keep the car running during the longer enduros and wait for the Porches to breakdown and a podium becomes a very real possibility!
How's that for drinking the kool-aid? :D
Rotary wannabe :(
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
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From: Dallas, TX
Just to add a bit more here, the driver lineup + Marcus Haselgrove all to CET is still slightly rumorish. I would love to see it happen though!
And also the latest tidbit is that Mr. Haselgrove didn't "leave" BK, per say... which brings us back to the level of commitment Mazda has with this team. It seems he was the only person on the squad with any serious skins/sportscar experience.
Granted this is from someone that has no real idea what's going on and is speculating irresponsibly. But isn't that what forums are for?
And also the latest tidbit is that Mr. Haselgrove didn't "leave" BK, per say... which brings us back to the level of commitment Mazda has with this team. It seems he was the only person on the squad with any serious skins/sportscar experience.
Granted this is from someone that has no real idea what's going on and is speculating irresponsibly. But isn't that what forums are for?
Rotary wannabe :(
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 117
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From: Dallas, TX
They've completed 100% of the races that I've attended in the last two years. I think it's time somebody put me on the payroll...
Or at least fly my out there to provide my good vibes during the race.
I'm especially available for PLM. :D
Or at least fly my out there to provide my good vibes during the race.
I'm especially available for PLM. :D
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From: So-Cali
UPDATE on the happenings.. this weekend
-Bern
In LMP2, the B-K Motorsports Mazda retired two-thirds of the way into the race with turbo problems, but not after putting on a good show at the start of the race.
Driver Ben Devlin qualified 8th in class and 9th overall, right behind the Audi of Emanuele Pirro. When the green flag flew, Pirro drove up the right side of the track to the front of the pack, and Devlin followed right behind him. The B-K Mazda emerged from the first corner third in class, where it remained for several laps while Devlin fended off a chain of LMP2 cars and another LMP1 Audi.
Devlin handed the car over to co-driver Jamie Bach about 40 laps into the race, but a turbo problem forced the team's retirement on lap 44.
After the race, Devlin was pleased with the team's progress-in spite of the DNF. "We had an awesome start and we just tried to hold them off as much as we could. We knew we were going to be strong at the beginning. The guys up front sort of got off the power and we took advantage of that and got a good run on them."
Devlin said that the initial laps of the race reminded him of Laguna Seca last year, where he held off the Penske Porsches for several laps in the van der Steur Radical. "It was only a couple of cars then, but this time every time I looked there was like six cars breathing down on me," said Devlin. "I thought, 'Are they ever going to give me a break?' They didn't! I knew it was going to be hard, but it was good. I enjoyed it."
NOTES: While Devlin was talking with a Kumho crewmember after the race, Dyson Porsche driver Butch Leitzinger approached Devlin and said, "I just wanted to come over and say great job at the start." "I tried to keep out of the way," replied Devlin. "You were perfect," said Leitzinger..Kumho's teams have several tests planned before the next race at Lime Rock on July 7. B-K Motorsports will test at Putnam Park at the end of May
Driver Ben Devlin qualified 8th in class and 9th overall, right behind the Audi of Emanuele Pirro. When the green flag flew, Pirro drove up the right side of the track to the front of the pack, and Devlin followed right behind him. The B-K Mazda emerged from the first corner third in class, where it remained for several laps while Devlin fended off a chain of LMP2 cars and another LMP1 Audi.
Devlin handed the car over to co-driver Jamie Bach about 40 laps into the race, but a turbo problem forced the team's retirement on lap 44.
After the race, Devlin was pleased with the team's progress-in spite of the DNF. "We had an awesome start and we just tried to hold them off as much as we could. We knew we were going to be strong at the beginning. The guys up front sort of got off the power and we took advantage of that and got a good run on them."
Devlin said that the initial laps of the race reminded him of Laguna Seca last year, where he held off the Penske Porsches for several laps in the van der Steur Radical. "It was only a couple of cars then, but this time every time I looked there was like six cars breathing down on me," said Devlin. "I thought, 'Are they ever going to give me a break?' They didn't! I knew it was going to be hard, but it was good. I enjoyed it."
NOTES: While Devlin was talking with a Kumho crewmember after the race, Dyson Porsche driver Butch Leitzinger approached Devlin and said, "I just wanted to come over and say great job at the start." "I tried to keep out of the way," replied Devlin. "You were perfect," said Leitzinger..Kumho's teams have several tests planned before the next race at Lime Rock on July 7. B-K Motorsports will test at Putnam Park at the end of May
-Bern
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From: Santiago, Dominican Republic
I was really happy at the begining of the race, very exited, but I dont like the way things are going, the team is fast but the way I think a succesfull team works is get relyable firts then fast, afther all how many points did they get in this race?
when are they going to be relyable? next season? By that time all the other teams are going to be faster and have new cars and the BK car will be old
you firts have to finish races if you want to win
when are they going to be relyable? next season? By that time all the other teams are going to be faster and have new cars and the BK car will be old
you firts have to finish races if you want to win
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Merchant Of Pace
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 651
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From: Clovis, California
The start was great but the lack of pace was plainly obvious. The fact that Devs held position for as long as he did was more a credit to his driving than the car itself.
Still quite a ways to go in terms of speed and reliability IMO.
Still quite a ways to go in terms of speed and reliability IMO.