Thanks to the generosity of Paccar Inc. (Peterbilt and Kenworth Trucks) and Mark Hurley of Truck-Lite Company Inc. I had access to the Penske hospitality suite at the St. Pete Grand Prix on Saturday and Sunday. I had the privlege to meet Roger Penske, head of Penske racing and have lunch at the table next to his on Sunday. Roger was very gracious and personable. I was given a personalized tour of the Penske paddock by their paddock director Tom Hurdz to view and ask questions of the Penske crew on Sunday morning a couple of hours before the IRL race. Tom explained in exquizite detail some of the preparation that goes on prior to the race. I was amazed that they still have the cars apart and are making final adjustments to spring rates, alignments, and even gear ratios, only hours before the race. I got to hold the $35,000 steering wheel of their car that later that afternoon piloted by Ryan Briscoe would win the race. Man there are a lot of buttons and ***** on that steering wheel and paddle shifters as well. Very Xbox like. Their other driver, Wil Power (yes that's his real name) was in the paddock and I got to meet him and take a picture with him (I'll try and post some pictures after I get them downloaded). Wil finished sixth. It was a very enjoyable and close race, made all the more so by the generosity and friendliness of the Penske crew. Thanks again to Mark for getting me access to the guts behind some great racing.

I was able to get some good looks at the American Lemans paddocks the day after the American Lemans race as well. Acura had pretty much packed up but I got a close look at the LMP2 Acura of Lowe's Fernandez Racing, pretty awesome, and the guys from the LMP1 Acura Patron Highcroft Racing who won were still working on their car which was all apart.

I got a close look at the LMP2 Mazda which came in third on Saturday. It runs on a 2 liter turbocharged piston engine and with the front fender and engine removed looked a lot like a gokart with a bubble on top of it. I'll load pictures later. I was looking at the transaxle and noticed what looked like a pump that is driven by a belt coming off of the rear axle. The Mazda mechanic was right there so I asked him what it was. I was flabbergasted to hear that it was the air-conditioning compressor. When I looked again it was obvious that is what it was. I guess it gets really hot in the cockpit during a 12 hour ALMS race so a couple of hp get wasted on driver comfort. Who knew. Here are some pics from my phone, sorry about the low quality, left my camera at home.

 

Because the broadcast was on ABC network, I missed it. Long Beach is on ABC also.

 

Lucky you to meet Roger penske, he really knows hwo to get things done! i wish he woudl take care of his NASCAR team like he does for IRL and ALMS. Man if only i couldbe realated to him.