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A fine time was had by all in the CT Racing camp at Lime Rock today. Good to meet some more of you in person! This was my first ALMS race. The cars are just awesome. Fun to see them first hand after seeing them on tv and in magazines all these years.
Some impressions:
The Audi R10 is just amazing. At idle it sounds just a little like a semi, just enough that you can tell it's a diesel :) But it purrs at revs like no other. It's dramatically quieter than anything else on track- when they lift throttle it's practically silent. I bet even Lakeville CT would let a track full of those race on Sundays :)
The Compuware Vettes, on the other hand, are very loud and leave no doubt that they're big V8s. Big bass exhaust note, what a glorious sound. Francesco and I were in the paddock next to one when they started it, sounded like a gunshot, I jumped a foot in the air! They sounded awesome travelling down no-name straight, the sound echoing on the banking.
Formula BMWs really do skate around quite a bit like they do in rFactor, we could definitely see them slithering around. The field was small but stayed pretty bunched up, fun to watch.
The GT drivers really have their hands full all day, they have to constantly watch their mirrors. The closing speeds sometimes were pretty dramatic. Only one class incident today that I know of, but wouldn't you know it took out one of the Audis.
The IMSA Lites had a real hard time with the esses today. A couple of them left some parts behind:
It took a while to clean all that up. This Formula BMW had it even worse, making it to the tire wall. The driver was unhurt.
Paging Mike Miller... Mr. Miller?
As much as I loved this GT40, it was about the slowest car in the field.
The ALMS series was very friendly and open. We wandered around and got some autographs during the lunchtime session. Here's Francesco and Bob with Gil De Ferran.
Future CT Racing driver Aidan Fay having a good ol' time with Mom & Dad:
Is there anything left holding this thing on?
A busy day indeed.
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Not mine Mike. Mine was in weeds up to the air intake in the below the bumper. I was lucky not to rip off the splitter. Yes. It was a great day at LRP. I got to walk the track and check out the new surface, see the lines the pro's use in the new uphill and west bend chicanes, talk face to face with fellow CT Racing buddies, and generally take in the sights, sounds and smells of race cars. Fantastic day. I wish I could have arrived earlier so I could have spent more time with you guys. Next year. | ||
>Not mine Mike. Hehe, I know. But it was for sale, just in case you need a spare :) | ||
Awsome pics very nice | ||
Yup, you can really get that close:
Move 'em out! The field files past for warmup:
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Those cars are beautiful.
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great pics,man that aston looks the dog's,glad you all had a good day. | ||
We had a ball! The only 1 of CT that was a no-show that said they were coming was Gregg Mulgrew. Great to finally meet the men behind the voices in my ear over TS. Also great to meet drivers like Gil De Farren, Simon Paganeud, Jamie Melo, Mika Salo, Adrian Fernandez, Jan Magnussen (the walk I took with my son we bumped into Adrian and Jan) We could only get close enough to Marco Andretti to just take his photo. He ws pretty mobbed by fans as you could imagine. And you just can't go to Lime Rock and have a bad day, it just doesnt happen. I've been there in the pouring rain, and still had a great time. Although, Francesco and Mika Salo I thought were going to battle! Nice way to get the guy fired up and into his head Francesco!! | ||
Storming up no-name straight:
Sounded like firecrackers going off when they lifted here:
Diving into the new uphill chicane. Watch what the Vette has to deal with here:
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Just to add. It was nice having CT Racing's fans flock to us for our autographs! I was happy to oblige De Farren. | ||
Great pics Mike! Yeah those vettes were so impressive sounging. I've been to a nascar race before(Junk), and those vettes even blew away those engines. They were the loudest race cars i think i've ever heard. Simply fantastic sound. My first ALMS event also. and must say, i think i'll be back again next year without a doubt. It was super hot out, but the non stop action in every corner was just great. Also all you guys who used to love the old Lime Rock course on sims, what a treat the new course is!! Wait till they model this baby. In my opinion the second half of the track was all re configured. I think it's 100% Better. There are 2 new chicanes, with optional runoffs. Saved alot of cars yesterday. They way those cars were taking those turns made it look oh so simple. But it is a bit more challenging now. Still quite quick, but a lil bit more technical. |
