THE LINE

December 15, 2010

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Enjoy our year-end issue, and we'll see you back here on January 5, 2011!

(Image © 2010 - John Thawley)
Editor-in-Chief's Note:  Each year we've been pleased and privileged to bring the scintillating images by photographer extraordinaire John Thawley to the pages of AE. I always say out loud at some point during the racing season that John couldn't possibly top himself, but then he inevitably does. Here, then, are the best of John's images from 2010. I hope you enjoy them as much as we do. - PMD

(Images courtesy of Audi AG)
Audi unveiled its all-new - and menacingly beautiful - R18 LMP1 sports car at the Audi Sportpark in Ingolstadt on Friday, December 10, 2010. For the first time since 1999, Audi will contest Le Mans with a closed coupe again. "In the future, aerodynamic efficiency will be even more important at Le Mans than it was in the past,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. "A closed car has clear advantages in this respect. Our computer simulations have been confirmed in the wind tunnel and during initial track tests.” Le Mans rules makers are going to a smaller engine formula in the top prototype class in an effort to reduce power in 2011, so the R18 will be powered by a new 3.7-liter V6 TDI engine, thus retaining the diesel power concept that delivered Audi the first victory at Le Mans for a diesel-powered racer back in 2006. "From our point of view, the TDI continues to be the most efficient technology,” says Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport. "There are good reasons why the share of TDI units among Audi’s production models is as high as it is.” Big believers in using racing to improve the engineering in their production cars, Audi is developing the new competition V6 diesel in hopes of improving its production diesel technologies.

Another new technological development in the R18 is the six-speed transmission, which has been specifically modified for use with the smaller engine. Other interesting details? The carbon fiber monocoque of the R18 does not consist of two halves but features a single-component design for lighter weight and increased stiffness. The biggest news, however - other than the coupe configuration, of course - might be the fact that the R18 uses identically sized front and rear wheels for more balanced weight distribution, a concept pioneered by Honda/Acura in their ALMS prototypes.

The R18’s headlights are a technical highlight, totally consisting of LEDs. The new generation of headlights was developed in close cooperation between Audi Sport and the Technical Development (TE) division of AUDI AG and will pioneer the use of the technology in future Audi production vehicles. Audi’s light designers had the chance to make their mark on the development as well: The LEDs of the daytime light form the shape of a "1” which is intended to inspire associations with Audi’s historic brand logo.

The development of the new Audi R18 started in mid 2009. The V6 TDI engine has been running on the dynamometers since the summer of 2010. The R18, with Allan McNish at the wheel, completed its first test on a racetrack at the end of November. The racing debut of the Audi R18 is planned for the Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 6 Hours on May 8. Prior to the event, the new prototype will be able to do its first laps on the race track at Le Mans during the official test day on April 24 and gather important data for the race on June 11 and 12. Audi is aiming for its tenth 24 Hours of Le Mans victory in 2011.

Audi is planning to field three Audi R18 cars at Le Mans, which will be entered by Audi Sport Team Joest, the most successful Le Mans team of all time. In addition, Audi Sport Team Joest will contest the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), consisting of a total of seven endurance races on three continents (including the Le Mans 24 Hours) with two cars. The Bad news for U.S. sports car racing fans? Audi will use two "R15 plus plus” cars for the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 19. "Sending the R18 into a race at such an early point in time would be difficult in terms of logistics and interfere with our development program,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

(Cadillac)
In a poorly-kept secret, Cadillac announced its return to racing with a race-prepared version of its CTS-V Coupe competing in the 2011 Sports Car Club of America World Challenge, North America’s top production-based racing series. Cadillac first competed in the World Challenge from 2004 to 2007 in the GT Class with the CTS-V Sport Sedan. Cadillac captured the Manufacturer’s Championship in 2005 and 2007 and the Driver’s Championship in 2005. Cadillac will field two Pratt & Miller-prepared machines in the upcoming SCCA World Challenge GT Class with a race car based on the CTS-V Coupe, with Johnny O’Connell - a three-time GT1 champion driving a factory Corvette in the America Le Mans Series - and Andy Pilgrim, who won the 2005 SCCA World Challenge GT class in a Cadillac. “The SCCA World Challenge lends itself well to a natural transfer of knowledge,” said Jim Campbell, GM vice president for Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The series will become a key test-bed for Cadillac. We anticipate using what we learn on the racetrack to ensure the V-Series stays on the cutting-edge of performance.” The first event in the SCCA World Challenge is March 25-27 in St. Petersburg, Fla. 

(GMPP)
GM Performance Parts (GMPP) has announced an all-new LSX454R drag racing crate engine (part number 19257880) with 720-horsepower, making it the most powerful small-block V-8 engine ever engineered by General Motors. In addition to that huge horsepower number, the LSX454R delivers 720 lb.-ft. of torque and is designed for the unique, high-rpm demands of drag racing. It is a high-compression, solid-roller combination that uses new LSX DR cylinder heads (part number 19166979). The 11-degree, six-bolt aluminum heads feature raised ports that provide tremendous airflow. They are matched on the engine with an exclusive, all-new high-rise open-plenum intake manifold and a Holley 1,150-cfm Dominator carburetor. (The LSX DR heads and matching intake manifold are available separately.) “The LSX454R uses the latest LSX parts and factory-engineered technology to take LS performance to the next level,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, product integration manager for GM Performance Parts. “This is a great engine to use when building a cutting-edge drag car with one of our new Camaro bodies in white.” Or to stuff in the back seat of your Cruze.

(Gooding & Company)
Gooding & Company  will be returning to Northeast Florida for its 2011 Amelia Island Auction on Friday, March 11. The auction house announced three early consignments representing Britain’s significant pre- and post-war automotive achievements including the first 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy imported to America (above), a 1933 Rolls-Royce Phantom II Continental Sedanca Drop Head Coupe by Gurney Nutting and a 1962 Lotus 23B vintage racer formerly owned by Brian Redman. The 1949 Jaguar XK120 Alloy being offered in March is one of the oldest surviving examples and the first XK120 ever imported to the U.S. It is the only example finished in Blue Sheen paint and was initially delivered to influential New York foreign car dealer and racing enthusiast Max Hoffman. The car was used as a promotional model at early sports car races including the 1949 Watkins Glen Grand Prix, where Hoffman drove it in the parade preceding the main event. The current owner has completed an exhaustive, multiple-award winning restoration and the auction house's estimate for the car is is $375,000 - $550,000. The auction will be held at the award-winning Omni Amelia Island Plantation, commencing at 5 p.m.

(MAZDA)
ModSpace, in conjunction with Construct Corps, will join MAZDASPEED Motorsports in the 2011 season with the No. 16 Dyson Racing Lola-Mazda in ALMS, a Mazda RX-8 in the Grand-Am GT championship, and a MAZDASPEED3 in the Continental Tire ST Championship.  Mazda unveiled the American Le Mans Series car at the 2010 Performance Racing Industry trade show in Orlando, Florida last week. Modular Space Corporation (ModSpace), based in Berwyn, Pa., is a leading provider of modular buildings, portable storage and services for temporary or permanent space needs. Construct Corps is a leading provider of temporary skilled workers for construction, disaster response, environmental and manufacturing companies throughout the U.S. Through its exclusive Construct Buddy recruiting system, Construct Corps provides more workers in more locations with one point of contact than any other company.

(Dan Boyd/West Racing)
The West Racing-Yokohama Lamborghini LP 560 GT arrived at the team's shop this week. Team manager Brian Ma confirmed that West, owned by Eduardo Espindola, will test at Sebring in late January and plans to participate in the annual ALMS Winter Test, also at Sebring, February 9-10. West also expects to announce its driver lineup by the end of the year.

(Flying Lizard Motorsports)
Flying Lizard Motorsports will continue with its current driver lineup for the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón season. Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) will return in the No. 45 Flying Lizard Porsche 911 GT3 RSR and Seth Neiman (USA) and Darren Law (USA) will team up again in the No. 44. Bergmeister and Long have won the ALMS GT drivers’ championship the last two years.  Bergmeister is a five-time ALMS GT drivers’ champion (2005-2006 and 2008-2010), with three of those titles driving with Flying Lizard (2008 through 2010). Long has won the ALMS GT drivers’ title three times, all with Bergmeister: 2005, and 2009-2010. “The continuity of three years in a row with the same team in the same series is something I really value," Patrick Long said. "The team chemistry is so important: we’ve been able to grow as a group over the last few years and I’m honored to be able to be back with the Lizards. GT is going to be very intense this year. During the off-season, we’ll be working hard to develop the car as far as we can to make sure we bring our ‘A’ game to Sebring.” The Lizards have finished in the top three of the ALMS team and drivers’ championships every year since 2004, their first season in the ALMS.  The Lizards won the team championship in 2008 and 2009.

(Ron McQueeney/IMS)
The 100th Anniversary Indianapolis 500 will be honored on a United States Postal Service commemorative "Forever" stamp that will go on sale in May, 2011. Award-winning illustrator John Mattos created the stylized, art deco illustration of Ray Harroun driving the Marmon "Wasp," winner of the inaugural Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Text along the bottom of the stamp reads "Indianapolis 500," with small type along the bottom of the stamp opposite the year 2011 reads "100 YEARS OF RACING." The USPS receives thousands of suggestions annually to honor various subjects on postage stamps, with the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee recommending 20 to 25 subjects for final approval by the Postmaster General. Stamp subjects must stand the test of time, reflect the cultural diversity of the United States and have broad national appeal. This is the second time the Marmon "Wasp" has been featured on a U.S. postage stamp. The car also was highlighted as a 17.5-cent stamp in the Transportation series in 1987. "It's a great honor for the Indianapolis 500 to be featured on a United States Postal Service stamp," said Jeff Belskus, Indianapolis Motor Speedway Corporation president and chief executive officer. "The stamp recognizes the "500" as a vital part of American culture and is a wonderful addition to our celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the race in 2011." The 2011 Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 29, 2011 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Read Gordon Kirby's excellent year-end piece about America's historical impact on international racing in its heyday, and why it will likely never happen again. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: If you really must keep up on all of the latest F1 developments and the potential U.S. GP in Austin, Texas, go here. - PMD

Editor-in-Chief's Note: Check out Michelin's racing website - "Michelin Alley" - and get in on all of the behind-the-scenes buzz. Go here. - PMD

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