RE: Corvettes in the ALMS: Time For Tea?
Thursday 16th January 2014
A big week for Corvette then. The C7 Z06 has been launched alongside the C7.R racer and, most importantly, Mr Dan Trent Esq. is driving a Stingray in Britain. That's all before we speak with Oliver Gavin, Corvette racer and four-time American Le Mans Series (ALMS) champion.
Corvettes in the ALMS: Time For Tea?
Not seen much ALMS before? You'll want to after this
So to get us all in the mood, here's a quick vid of Mr Gavin in his Corvette C6.R from last year. Unsurprisingly, the noise dominates this onboard clip; when the combustion engine has disappeared and uneducated souls need to know what a V8 sounds like, this will be on repeat. It's a loud, angry, raw sound, enhanced by the vicious interruption of every upshift. It's mega.
Then it becomes apparent these GT3 and prototype racers appear to be at maximum attack down a bumpy high street. The Baltimore track is hardly a legendary street circuit but it looks terrifying. The cambers and ruts deflect all the cars which the kerbs exacerbate(see the Z4 grab some air a couple of minutes in) and the barriers never seem more than a few centimetres away.
The ALMS finished in 2013, to be replaced by the Tudor United Sportscar Championship. If it's anything like this, they're in for a real treat in America. And more from Oliver Gavin soon!
Watch (and listen!) here
Discussion
Racing on a street circuit in something that size takes great skill and courage: there is absolutely no room for any error. The disparity in speed seems to be more evident between the Corvette and the Porsches than with the LMP cars. Ollie, keep up the good work and hopefully you've got a few more championships in you.
j90gta said:
Racing on a street circuit in something that size takes great skill and courage: there is absolutely no room for any error. The disparity in speed seems to be more evident between the Corvette and the Porsches than with the LMP cars. Ollie, keep up the good work and hopefully you've got a few more championships in you.
Some of the LMP cars will be LMPC, others LMP2, probably only two LMP1s there, maybe a third. Some of the Porsches will be same class as the Corvette, so similar speed, but others are cup class cars so quite a lot slower. You may well already know this, but just making it clearer for anyone else who doesn't!j90gta said:
Racing on a street circuit in something that size takes great skill and courage: there is absolutely no room for any error. The disparity in speed seems to be more evident between the Corvette and the Porsches than with the LMP cars. Ollie, keep up the good work and hopefully you've got a few more championships in you.
Makes F1 look tame...street racing is mega!
zebedee said:
The Baltimore race has also been canned from the time being I think, it was just too extreme - there were some really nasty incidents this year and the race became a farce.
Actually, the '14 event was canceled for several reasons. First, a major college football (American) contest is scheduled for the same weekend as the Baltimore Grand Prix. The race organizers could not negotiate another date with the city and sanctioning body. Secondly, there are some issues concerning the contract. The organizers, city and sanctioning body are also working out the details. Baltimore is expected to be added to the schedule for '15.
Finally, there have been issues regarding track layout and conditions. Street circuits are fraught with challenges (i.e. curbs, trolley tracks, manholes, painted lines). Plus, race organizers had to add a chicane to the front stretch to reduce speeds. The Indy Cars were hitting 180+ on the home stretch on a street course.
evile said:
Actually, the '14 event was canceled for several reasons. First, a major college football (American) contest is scheduled for the same weekend as the Baltimore Grand Prix. The race organizers could not negotiate another date with the city and sanctioning body.
Secondly, there are some issues concerning the contract. The organizers, city and sanctioning body are also working out the details. Baltimore is expected to be added to the schedule for '15.
Finally, there have been issues regarding track layout and conditions. Street circuits are fraught with challenges (i.e. curbs, trolley tracks, manholes, painted lines). Plus, race organizers had to add a chicane to the front stretch to reduce speeds. The Indy Cars were hitting 180+ on the home stretch on a street course.
Thanks for the info, I had put two and two together, I would have thought most of the GTE contingent would be delighted not to go back after having their cars all but written off by a bizarre incident, and Scott Tucker I think it was probably relieved not to have I think it was TKS Porsche launch up his front. The 'race' was a real let down as I recall and I remember thinking enough was enough when I watched it.Secondly, there are some issues concerning the contract. The organizers, city and sanctioning body are also working out the details. Baltimore is expected to be added to the schedule for '15.
Finally, there have been issues regarding track layout and conditions. Street circuits are fraught with challenges (i.e. curbs, trolley tracks, manholes, painted lines). Plus, race organizers had to add a chicane to the front stretch to reduce speeds. The Indy Cars were hitting 180+ on the home stretch on a street course.
ayseven said:
Americans drive me crazy. They make junk year after year after year, then they make the Corvette. It is the ONLY car they have ever made worth having. The steal of the history of the world for cost/performance. I would like to race one, one day.
Says the man from Canada.ayseven said:
Americans drive me crazy. They make junk year after year after year, then they make the Corvette. It is the ONLY car they have ever made worth having. The steal of the history of the world for cost/performance. I would like to race one, one day.
I'd add the Viper; certainly one of the most fun cars I've ever driven and in ACR guise quicker than anything europe can throw at it.zebedee said:
Thanks for the info, I had put two and two together, I would have thought most of the GTE contingent would be delighted not to go back after having their cars all but written off by a bizarre incident, and Scott Tucker I think it was probably relieved not to have I think it was TKS Porsche launch up his front. The 'race' was a real let down as I recall and I remember thinking enough was enough when I watched it.
I'm sure that incident didn't help. I was standing about 50 meters away when it happened. Several cars were destroyed. A combination of the chicane, trolley tracks and impatient drives caused that crash. I'm sure dramatic changes will have to be made before the sanction returns to Baltimore.For those who haven't seen it, here's the crash:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMoI_5vjtSI
Edited by evile on Thursday 16th January 23:53
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