First for anyone that does not know this... in LeMans series there are 4 classes running the track at the same time. It goes like this

Prototypes

LMP1

LMP2

GT cars

GT1 this would be race versions of your production super cars like C6, Aston, Saleen, large Ferraris, Lamborghini and Maserati

GT2 Porsches, small Ferraris, Panoz, BMW

Well Aston 009 won today with the #3 Corvette taking second in GT1, 007 Aston 3rd. These two teams really go at it and today was exception. The #4 Corvette that just won Lemans 24 had a good crash and went in for repairs and lost many laps but #3 was up tip and tail with both Astons all day. At one point both a Aston and C6 went around at end of main straight when Corvette stuck its nose inside going into "Big Bend" both spun around and got right back on track.

Let me tell ya, its much different watching live than on TV, seeing them jaming down that straight and packing 3 or 4 cars into that hard right with everyone trying to late brake the other is hairraising, lots of respect for these drivers. One problem with "live" is not knowing whos driving and all thats going on but the atmosphere of the sences is a rush..........at least for this old road race freak

The LMP2 yellow Penske Porsche Spyders

are insane and there is no mistaking the sound which was also the loudest. Now with this new Porsche Spyder the LMP2 cars are as fast as LMP1 cars. The Audi R8 won LMP1 as it has since 2000 and is a smooth quite car, this was its last race of one great 6 year career. From here on the new TDI (diesel) R10 that won Lemans and set records will be next Audi to beat or get stomped by (the latter).

Sounds

The Aston Martins are "The Ripper" its a radical V12 sound and quite stimulating

The Corvettes bellor like "Blue" the Ox and its a very pleasing and tuned sound

The Panoz, the other big American V8 bellors like an old Ford pickup that the exhaust has fallen off from........not pleasing and LOUD.......like shut up already......a Panoz did win GT2 at LeMans 24 hours BTW, so its not all bark

The BMW ? M5 ? GT2 car rips along with a high RPM sizzle

The Porsche GT cars have a suprisingly deeper sound more in tone with a V8 than the ripping sizzle the Aston & BMW have.

I was disappointed that there was no Saleen, nor Maserati nor Lambroghini in GT1 and the few Ferraris were in GT2 class. Last years Maserati was showing hope but I dont think they are running this year.

If you like motorsports and there is a road course anywhere near home take a day sometime and witness the insanity of hard braking, downshifting, corner packing lateral G's turned to neck snapping ear poping excelleration that we putt putters only dream about.

Cheers !

http://www.americanlemans.com/News/Article.aspx?ID=2209

Edited July 2, 200619 yr by razoredge

Sweet!

Love the pics...

The ALMS is the best road racing series here in the states IMHO. They put on an awesome show. It's too bad Speed never carries the races at a decent time, nor advertises when they will be on.

Edited July 9, 200619 yr by Brandon Lutz

The ALMS is the best road racing series here in the state IMHO. They put on an awesome show. It's too bad Speed never carries the races at a decent time, nor advertises when they will be on.

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CBS is covering ALMS this year not Speed, same with F1 race. Sunday afternoons usually. We got to record the same race we witnessed last Sat. on Sunday when CBS aired it.

Ahh, that would be why I was unable to watch it lately lol.

Sweet... I wish I had the gas money & time to get out there.