The 24 Hours of LeMans

I was disappointed that Audi lost the 24 Hours of LeMans but I will congratulate Peugeot on their win. This year, they undoubtedly performed better than Audi. They not only had a better car this year, they also improved their performance in the pits and their decision making on the pit box. I think a lack of race time also accounts for Audi's performance this year. Peugeot ran the 908 at Sebring and during one of the LMS races this season whereas Audi only ran the R15 at Sebring. Given that the 908 is in it's third year and is a proven, developed machine the lack of race time on the first year R15 prevented Audi from finding and fixing flaws such as the intercooler overheating. You can test all you want, but some problems just aren't going to show up until you go through the stress of racing.

On the other hand, it was wonderful to see Corvette win their last GT1 race. If you don't think a win or class win in this race means something, witness Dan Binks as the 63 Corvette crossed the finish line. This is a man who had his hands in 15 sports car championships, yet he was in tears as he finally got his first LeMans win. Through all of Corvette's LeMans wins, he had never been on the team that won. Hearing our national anthem played as the Corvette team stood atop the GT1 podium was inspiring. Here's hoping that Corvette's GT2 program (if it continues given GM's financial problems) is just as successful.

Mac McCormick III
kf4lmt@comcast.net

Chevrotlet Out of the 24 Hours of LeMans?

Autosport magazine reports that Chevrolet is pulling out of LeMans for 2009. Chevrolet was to compete with it's GT-1 Corvettes for Sebring and Long Beach in the ALMS series to prepare for the 24 Hours of LeMans as the final race for the GT-1s then begin racing the new GT-2 Corvettes in the second half of the ALMS season. Chevrolet is denying that report at this time.

If this report turns out to be true, it will be the first major project to fall due to the American automobile manufacturer crisis. Unfortunately, I think programs like Corvette will be the first to fall rather than NASCAR programs. This is unfortunate, as the Corvette program is more germane to road cars than NASCAR is. Technology from the programs like the Corvettes can be applied to road cars because the race cars are road car based.

Let's hope that Autosport's report is false.

Mac McCormick
kf4lmt@comcast.net