Renesis_8

Man I love the new coupe, especially the side view.

I don't believe they'll gain the speed needed to compete for class podium, hopefully they can keep that nice piece of machinery out of any troubles this weekend. It is an endurance race, if we're reliable we might have a chance.

Let's hope Mazda will have a competitive car next year.

I also liked what Mr. John Doonan said in the SpeedTV interview. The LMP2 program is Mazda's top racing program right now, they simply don't want to look bad. Thus the huge resources poured into the program seen in the last 2 years.

They also asked him about another coupe for next year. I think his facial expression gave it away,, it was almost like he intended to. Thats good news, but the not so good news is that, it should be an identical car with the turbo-4 in it.. not rotary.
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Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

Later on in the interview he did clear up that there is indeed 2 cars possibly more... But I believe the distinction was if there were 2 parent teams or one parent team and one privateer team...
It was a damn sexy car though,,,,
It really seems that ALMS is pushing furhter ahead of F1 when it comes to relavent technology now, with the Green Challenge and everything.... Yeah F1 has KERS coming next year but it seems there is a braoder depth of tech within ALMS....

SilverEIGHT

I've already posted this in another thread but had a request to post it here also.

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Here's a great Speed TV interview with Mazda from Road Atlanta at the Petit Le Mans. You get 4 or 5 laps at the end with commentation and some without. Turn the volume up and watch him pass the Porsche Spider!

4 cylinder, Turbo, 500HP... air-conditioned!

http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?t...nnel=340485641

Couple laps:
160-170 approaching T1
140+ in turn T1
160 before T5
160+ around T12

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

That sucks that BP Mazda wont be in the race,,, would have loved to see some live footage of it on Road Atlanta, well at least they showed a competitive pace....

SilverEIGHT

My photos from Thrsday evening practice:
https://www.rx8club.com/se-rx-8-forum-30/petit-le-mans-2008-pics-157795/

SilverEIGHT

I'm watching the race on SpeedTV and it looks like the sun is beaming down in the afternoon with very distinct shadows but I look outside and its freaking dark here at 7:32 PM. I'm only 15 miles from the track! Video technology is simply amazing!

Falken

Hah, I'm watching too, same channel.

Renesis_8

Omg.. they crashed in practice.........
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alfy28

great race today

SilverEIGHT

Yep! They have a really tough time in the ALMS. I'm of the opinion they need to take 2 or 3 cars, step up their ALMS program and look at the Acura approach. Acura shares all their info with other teams and privateers. It's a combined effort to move up. Mazda seems to be destined to loose in this series because they always have only one car and no room for error. Come on Mazda!

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

Wow that was a huge collision.....

alfy28

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO AUDI any how i was hoping peugeot win the P1 class but very glad that penske won P2.

Renesis_8

Its very possible that they'll field two cars next year.

Not only theres no room for error with one car, they seem to crash a lot and not start the races. Looking at all of Mazda's program as a whole, I would prefer if they ditch BK and run the ALMS program themselves. Grand-AM should be used to promote their customer programs, which is already working great with so many privateers fielding the Speedsource RX-8s.

I don't think Mazda has a real top tier racing program, the program stops at Star Mazda Series. They rely too heavily on others (Speedsource, BK) to get it done. All they've done is back them financially without being involved at "track level". Its unfortunate we'll need Mazda Japan to step in to get this done right.

I enjoyed this race, especially the battle at the end between the Peugeot and Audi. I just wish we Mazda fans could have something to root for that has a chance for podiums.

It is a good thing the Lola coupe laid down some competitive times during qualifying. They'll need to push for Michelins to further reduce the gap. With all that said, I will still watch the Laguna race and root for them.
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SilverEIGHT

I turned the recorder on last night with about and hour to go. I turned back on this morning to watch the finish and the first thing I see is that huge crash approaching turn 12. If you have never driven on this track, let me tell you that there could not be a more blind spot on the track and one that is more intimidating. I can't imagine coming under the bridge and being confronted with that. Scary stuff.

McNish's move out of turn 10B looked questionable. Wonder what the rule is on jumping the green flag or did he have a green flag at turn 11 flag stand?

Great race Audi!

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

Once the pace car leaves the track surface, the leader sets the pace. I don't know when you are referring to, there were a lot of full course yellow events, but I have to assume NcNish was leading.
Turn 11 on the old configuration, now that was scary. I worked corners at RA (79, 80 & 81) when the SCCA had the Runoffs there.

SilverEIGHT

Yea he was leading, can't remember how many laps to go but around 20 or 30. He nailed it around turn 10B and that was the end of the story till the race was over. The distance he made up on that jump was unrecoverable from the Peugeot.

apc_monk

I was so mad when I heard Mazda lost it in warmups! I too hope Mazda will be more competitive. Not sure with the new rules coming out what Mazda will be going for. Right now it seems like the current P2 engines will become the new P1 engines.

Here is a link for a summary of the proposed 2009 and 2011 rules.
http://www.planetlemans.com/2008/09/...ss-conference/

These are just proposals and the ALMS can always be a little different too.


Rules for 2011
- A significant reduction of engine capacity for LMP1. LMP1 will in fact use today’s LMP2 engines (and A.C.O. will stimulate their use/development as of 2009)
-LMP2 will be encouraged to use GT2 engines with the same restrictors as of today, this will be the rule in 2011.

Maybe Mazda can get a car into GT2 to really complete the ladder system. Most prototype drivers really benefit from driving in the GT classes.

DailyDriver2k5

Damn,I had to DVR it, was car shopping all weekend. Have to watch some of it tonight and finish the rest of it tomorrow.

So Audi won the P1 class? They were determined to win it they said.....
Was there any major wrecks? Also who won the GT2 battle?

You guys can tell me the juicy stuff, I am still going to watch it!

Rotr8

iTrader: (2)

A huge collision during the last hour or so, then Peupgot was able to get behind the Audi, and on the restart McNish tore away from it....

SilverEIGHT

Yep, that was when McNish nailed it in turn 10B to get the jump. The view from the blimp when the prototypes would come off of turn 12 and up turn 1 was a display of amazing speed.

Renesis_8

They can't... ACO requires the manufacturer to have copies of the race car on the street. Unless they come out with a new 400hp RX-7 or make 25 road legal Furais to sell it, I don't see GT2 as a possibility.

If the rules do change, I think they'll stay in LMP2 with the current setup.
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SilverEIGHT

Interesting post, Renesis_8. Thanks for the insight.

apc_monk

Yea I think they will stay in P2 also but not sure what level of manufacturer support they will be giving. Lets hope for the best though!

Renesis_8

B-K qualified last in LMP2 for Laguna Seca.

http://www.americanlemans.com/Compet...eca-Qualifying
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alfy28

LMAO, looks like they are moving into the right direction.