TBK-Light.com

Your fanboy glasses make that sound a bit rosier... Peugeot did LMS 2007-2008, Audi only latter year. After that they both only did Spa and the combined LMS-ILMC events. What comes to ALMS, recession wasn't their fault and even less ALMS' incompetent management, but I'd say the pullout from ALMS was at least as bad as Peugeot's surprise 1½ years ago (and at that point ILMC was already done and fully replaced by WEC), as Acura was just moving to P1... then it has been only downfall for prototype-ALMS.


But shouldn't be over-glorified. Also depends how this decade ends - been a while since there were three big manufacturers (well, at least 2½ - Toyota, hehe). If WEC still exists in 10 years from now, these years from early 2000s until Peugeot's arrival are going to look pretty pale in comparison. I'm actually tired of hearing how many hundred times Tom K has won LM, because I don't rate those no-competition years very highly. Same for Porsche's records really, to me meaningless stats, but at least they achieved them in multiple eras.

Audi ran works supported R8s in 2005 and 2006 in LMS as well. They didn't run official ones as Joest were running in DTM, until the R10 was ready. The ALMS pull out was no where near as bad as Peugeots. Peugeot specifically asked the ACO and FIA to create a world championship. They did, and then Peugeot fucked off. Meanwhile Audi didn't ask IMSA for anything, but had their car restricted to the point where it struggled to challenge cars of a lower class, eventually they had enough and left. Acura was just moving to P1, but who cares - Audi had been in P1 forever and just had the car muted. They spent money developing a car and then had it brought down to P2 privateer speed. Audi had every right to be annoyed and leave ALMS, especially after the support they had shown it. They stepped up their game, and were brought down to privateer speeds. Audi should not be criticised for turning their back on ALMS.

Whilst it shouldn't be over glorified, lets not pretend that Audi have had it easy for all of it. They have had a slower car for years against Peugeot, and being a superior team got them the victories. Only 2007 of the Peugeot years should be counted as no-competition. But you certainly cannot claim that 2008, 2010 and 2011 were not fought properly. 2004 and 2005 they were private entries with restricted cars. 2005 was particularly impressive given the car was outdragged on straights by GT1 cars, and still won. Yeah some of Audis years were a walk in the park - but every manufacturer has had relatively easy years. Then you look at this year, and whilst it was easy, it was easier than it should've been purely because Audi stepped up to the mark again, and others didn't.

Whilst Toyota managed to step up and run another car to help out WEC, it wasn't without persuasion. Technically HPD would needed to have become a Manufacturer to classify that as a championship, but these sort of rules, can, and have been ignored in the past due to exceptional circumstances. So if Toyota want my praise and respect (not that it means much, I'm just a dude on the internet) they need to stop arsing around and start doing this properly. Even at Le Mans they only had one 2013 chassis, and a modified 2012 chassis. That isn't going to cut it - Audi ran a more advanced program than that at Spa in preparation for Le Mans, and they can't even turn up at Le Mans with 2 up to date cars. It is a completely half arsed effort, which will win them absolutely nothing, which will result in a board pull out. Had they committed properly, they seriously could've won Le Mans both years, and looked better for it.

SMP Racing, they're in the Blancpain Series with a gazillion of 458 GT3's backed by ex Minardi-ace Sergey Zlobin

2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year is racing a Super Trofeo Gallardo this weekend at Lime Rock.

Pirelli World Challenge GT/GTS race 1 is starting now:

http://world-challengetv.com/

First SC is out for an "injured driver" not sure who, but it appears to be at the final turn. They have not showed the wreck yet, but say the driver is communicating.


Edit: It was one of the Acura's, everything appears to bea ok. Good racing now.

Watching the GT cars get air was pretty neat.

Race about to start.

The direct links for the int. stream still work: viewtopic.php?p=672880#p672880

Huge thanks! These are SO much better than that crappy flash player on the site. You can also substitute 2200 for other bitrates (600, 1400 etc.).

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RaceDay.watch — Your Guide to Watching Motorsports

"There's a P1 car that's slower than ALL the P2s and most of the PCs? Are some muppets running some old fucked car? Oh it's the DW. LOL"

I didn't know they were going to start scoring it as a P1.

We have a lead battle but, hey, let's have a look at some stacked tires...meh.

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"IT'S CHAOS! ABSOLUTE CHAOS!"

Green! 4 mins to go...

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"IT'S CHAOS! ABSOLUTE CHAOS!"

Hate seeing Level 5 win... or actually I just hate seeing Level 5.

Tucker sucks. The Level 5 car which wins depends on which can he spends less time in any given race.

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theRacingLine.net
SportsCarArchives.com

the DW is awesome

“We’re delighted to finish third in P1,” echoed Dr. Don Panoz

Except that they didn't officially finish the race, unless ALMS has suddenly dropped the 70% rule. Also, third sounds nice until the second you realize it's same as the last place.

Everything that's wrong with the DW right there. So much bullshit.

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theRacingLine.net
SportsCarArchives.com

lmao

I had no idea the hottest place on earth was in Connecticut. Great track, awesome viewing spots and lovely people but the total lack of shade (the shady spots under the handful of trees on the hillside were claimed by loads of seats that were empty for most of the day which was irritating) or anywhere to escape the burning heat really gave those of us who aren't used to blazing heat problems. Having now seen the DeltaWang in person I can now be fully convinced in my previous opinion that it's the most stupid car to ever grace a racetrack. It's slow, invisible to the GTC Porsches who were constantly almost turning into it and it appears to handle like a clowncar - it "jinks" into the corners like someone trying to play a racing sim with a keyboard. And it broke down again of course.

Was incredible to watch the Muscle Milk/Dyson fight early on - they were constantly going 3-wide with other cars from about lap 4 onwards when they started lapping. The Lambo Super Trofeo was one of the most boring things I've ever seen on track. The cars are incredible to look at but 50 minute parades aren't exciting. World Challenge was as awesome as ever.

Strangest moment was my wife overhearing a conversation between 3 Pirelli gridgirls in one of the ladies restrooms involving cocaine and the various activities they were expected to perform with regards to VIPs...

There are a lot of filthy people in motorsport

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"An idea whose time has come cannot be stopped by any army or any government"


3x TBKL rFactor Hillclimb champion