Noted Designer Bob Riley take the Chequered Flag

As how many race car Designers also worked on the Apollo Moon project?

 

Cannot help of thinking about Dario Franchitti’s comments about Halloween’s a Shit time of the year due to His friend Greg Moore dying that day in California. Or how Geo. Phillips of Oilpressure fame noted how October saw Dan Wheldon perish in Las Vegas, Tony Renna at Indianapolis and recently noted designer bob Riley.

 

Almost decided against scribblin’ anything about this. Since as typical, I’m late to thee party…

 

Thus I still really don’t know much about the man, other than the late bob Riley was a noted racecar designer. And at the very least, associated with four famous racing cars!

 

Beginning with working upon the shelby American Ford GT40 Mk IV, which won the 1967 24 Heurs du Mans with Dan Gurney and A.J. foyt.

As

 Foyt would go onto hire Riley to design His stable of coyote IndyCar chassis. Most notably the very Coyote that ‘Ol superTex’ drove to his fourth Indianapolis 500 win. But that’s not the Coyote chassis that inspired me to write something upon No Fenders.

 

Nope, it was the final 1981 coyote, bob Riley’s first ground effects Open wheel Racing chassis. And I simply love the bit about how the racecar created so much downforce, they couldn’t find any springs strong enough for it! And had to cut holes in the chassis to relieve pressure…

 

Another racecar Riley and son bill designed was the Intrepid RM-1, also known as the Intrepid GTP or Chevrolet GTP of the early 19990’s, which featured rear wheel covers and a shovel nose. Being known for its predigious amounts of downforce and amazing cornering speeds. But my mind immediately goes to the other TK’, aka Tommy Kendall’s massive accident in this carwhich raced between 1991-93.

 

Another Bob Riley design I wasn’t aware of was the Ford GTP Mustang for IMSA competition, which was a front engine design. And like the Intrepid won just a single race.

 

I was also not aware that it was another Riley design that Kendall utilized to dominate SCCA Pro Racing’s Trans Am series in the 1990’s. When Kendall and Roush Racing blitzed the field with those dominating Ford Mustang “Body Quencher” TA Steeds!

 

Yet when I think of Bob Riley, who passed away on October 24th at the age of 93. I immediately think of the domineering Riley & Scott Mk III Prototypes that ruled the roost in the World Sports Car )WSC) category of IMSA GT and the rival USRRC. Also racing at Le Mans and later in the American Le Mans Series.

 

Riley & Scott was formed in 1990 by Bob Riley and Mark Scott, beginning with Trans Am racecars before focusing upon a World Sports Car design for the upcoming IMSA GT Championship.

 

Following their stillborn Mk II Sports Car design, they were hired to improve Rob Dyson’s Spice Ferrari chassis. With the lessons learned aiding in the design of the Mk III.

 

Dyson Racing debuted the Riley & Scott Mk III at the 1995 24 Hours of Daytona, running two cars and winning a total of five races that season.

 

Part of the Riley & Scott Mk III’s popularity was its accepting multiple normally aspirated engines. Including the likes of ford, Oldsmobile, Chevrolet, BMW and the Judd V-10. As the Prototype won its first Rolex 24 in 1996 with Doyle Racing and Oldsmobile. With Wayne Taylor, Scott Sharp and Jim Pace at its keyboard…

 

The following year was when Dyson Racing used a village ‘O drivers to score victory with its Mk III Ford chassis. As I can still vaguely recall the No. 20 entry driving into victory lane with its seven drivers piled aboard it!

 

As Rob Dyson, Elliot forbes-Robinson and John “Not Bo” Schneider were joined by the team’s No. 16 entry of Butch Leitzinger, Andy Wallace, James Weaver and John Paul Jr. after their entry retired on lap 227.

 

Momo Corse and its Ferrari 333 SP, the Riley & Scott Mk III’s main competizione won the ’98 Rolex 24, before Dyson won in 1999, again with its trusty Mk III Ford entry.

 

For 1998, the second iteration of the Mk III was built, which followed with the Mk III C variant racing until 2005. Although Riley and co. deferred work on the MK III while contracted to create the Cadillac North Star factory effort. As the Riley & Scott Mk III would amass nearly 50 victories overall in 130-plus starts!

 

Riley & Scott was acquired by Reynard Cars in 1999. Yet Reynard’s expansion was too quick and they filed for Bankruptcy in 2001. Which not only saw the dissolution of Reynard Cars, but also Riley & Scott.

 

Undaunted by this turn of events, Bob Riley and son Bill continued their success upon forming Riley Technologies in 2001. With subsequent Riley Prototype chassis now designed for the Daytona Prototype (DPi) era winning a further seven Rolex 24 races.

 

The company also “dabbled” in Saloons’, having designed the Speedsource Mazda RX8 that won the 2008 GT Class at the Rolex 24. Along with that year’s BMW M6 and ALMS GT2 category Corvette vs. those dominating Prat & Miller Vettes’.

 

While I last kept track of Riley’s exploits in earnest when running the Werks’ Dodge Viper program between 2012-14. Which culminated with the team winning the Team’s and Drivers championships in the American Le mans Series in 2014. (ALMS) Before Chrysler pulled the plug upon the SRT Viper racing program.

 

As the list goes on and on. For which you’d have to say that Bob Riley definitely left His mark upon motorsports… 

LE MANS: Triple Crown Winners, Part 5

Betcha Y’all are saying Hallelujah! We’ve finally crossed the Finish line on this lumbering endurance story multiple 24 Hours round Ye clock later!

 

Yeah, if you’re still reading this five part No Fenders story? Which I definitely appreciate Y’all doing so! Especially since if Yuhs cannot tell, I’m runnin’ outta Steam.

 

Thus it seems overly Apropos that we’ve begun with a German and we end with another two Germans. As Germany and the United States ties with three drivers apiece. Followed by two Bloody Brit’s and Uno Italian’s…

 

Marco Werner

Birthplace: Dortmund, Germany

DOB: April 27, 1966, Age: 57

Wins: Daytona1995; Sebring, (3) 2003, 2005, 2007 and Le Mans, (3) 2005-07

 

Marco Werner is another Sports Car driver I tend to remember nothing about, albeit His name sounded vaguely familiar and I should have remembered Him for racing in the American Le Mans Series for the All conquering Audi’s.

 

Reportedly Werner finished runner-up in the Opel Euroseries and German Formula 3 Championships behind somebody named tom Kristensen…

 

Unable to graduate to thee Pinnacle ‘O Motorsports, ergo Formula 1, Werner focused upon Sports Car racing instead.

 

After toiling in Porsche Supercup, Marco scored His first major endurance race event upon winning the 1995 Rolex 24 driving a Kremer Porsche 962.

 

Werner then won the first of His eventual three 12 Hours of Sebring victories in ’03. Dovetailing His latter two Sebring W’s while completing a rare Hat trick at Circuit de la Sarthe. Winning the prestigious 24 Heurs du Mans between 2005-07 for Audi. With Sebring being part of the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) which ran a similar rules package to the ACO, governing body of Le Mans.

 

As Werner’s first victory at Le Mans alongside JJ Letho, claiming His second and final Le Mans win. Presumably were overshadowed by co-driver Tom Kristensen claiming His sixth consecutive 24 Hours of Le Mans victory and seventh overall, surpassing Jacky Ickx’s previous record…

 

With Audi primarily racing in ALMS and Le Mans, albeit Audi’s dominant R8 LMP1 chassis did contest the Le Mans Endurance Series. Werner’s winning Daytona was rare for drivers of this era, since the 24 Hours of Daytona was under the auspices of first the United States Road Racing Championship. (USRRC) And then the rival Grand American Road Racing Championship, later becoming the Rolex Sports Car Series sanctioning bodies. Better know  simply as Grand Am between 1998-2013.

 

Timo Bernhart

Birthplace: Homburg, West Germany

DOB: February 24, 1981, Age: 42

Wins: Daytona 2003; Sebring 2008 and Le Mans, (2) 2010, 2017

 

What stands out to me about Timo Bernhard, our youngest and most current Triple Crown winner is His Porsche RS Spyder links.

 

As I fondly recall Him being part of El Capitano’, nee Roger Penske’s Werks’ AMLS LMP2 Porsche RS Spyder team between 2006-08. As this was one of the tteams I rooted for, since I quickly tired of Audi winning everything!

 

Having seen the winning Porsche RS Spyder multiple times at the Penske Racing Museum in Scottsdale, AZ. Although I don’t recall it being on display during my most recent visit to The Valley of the Sun.

 

http://www.nofenders.net/2023/03/another-enjoyable-visit-to-my-favourite.html

 

As Bernard won the ’08 12 Hours of Sebring as alongside fellow  Factory Porsche drivers Romain Dumas and Emmanuel Collard, but I’m getting ahead of myself.

 

Like most current day racing drivers, Timo cut His teeth in Go Karts, before making His single seater debut in 1998 in Formula Ford. The following year He finished third overall in the German Formula ford Championship before moving onto Sports Cars.

 

Bernhard raced in Porsche Supercup and made His ALMS debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2001, finishing second in the GT Clas for alex Job Racing.

 

In 2002 He claimed His first GT Class victory at Le Mans driving for Kevin Buckler’s The Racer’s Group in a Porsche 911 GT3-RS.

 

The following year, Buckler and Company surprised the racing world by winning the 24 Hours of Daytona outright in the aforementioned Porsche 911 GT3-RS racecar. As this was the debut season for the Grand Am’s Daytona Prototypes (DP) class, leaving the door open for the ultra reliable Porsche 911 to claim victory.

 

Paired with Jorg Bergmeister, timo and Jorg won their class at the season ending Petit Le Mans. And then the duo romped to six wins in nine races to win the 2004 ALMS GT Class, which included victories at Sebring and Petit Le mans.

 

After His three year stint at Penske ended, when the team’s contract expired and Penske wound down it’s ALMS programme. Bernard and Dumas joined the Joest racing team, better known as Audi Sport Team Joest. With Bernhard, Dumas and Mike Rocky’ Rockenfeller winning the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans aboard an Audi R15 TDI Plus.

 

Arse-sumedly Timo became part of Porsche’s return to top flight LMP1 prototype racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship between 2015-2017. Driving one of the Porsche 919 Hybrid’s to it’s third and final victory at Le Mans, in what became a survival of the fittest in the 919 Hybrid’s final outing at Circuit de la Sarthe.

 

Coming from behind, at the 20 Hours mark, Bernard’s No. 2 Porsche was fifth overall, before first Bernard unlapped the entry back onto the lead lap and then took the lead with one hour remaining! As Bernard and co-drivers Earl Bamber and Brendon Hartley won the 2017 24 Heurs du Mans, giving Porsche it’s 19th and most current overall victory at Le Mans. 

LE MANS: Triple Crown Winners, Part 4

As Hang On to your Hollyhocks Folks! We’re two thirds of the way done…

 

Positions 6-7 on the “Depth Chart” of the informal Triple crown of Sports Car endurance racing includes our second and final Bloody Brit’. Along with the lone Italian to have accomplished this feat.

 

Andy Wallace

Birthplace: Oxford, England

DOB: February 19, 1961, Age: 62

Wins: Le Mans 1988; Daytona, (3) 1990, 1997, 1999 and Sebring 1992-93

 

When I began to scribble ‘bout Messer Wallace, our sixth driver to win the Triple Crown. I immediately remembered having posted something here upon No Fenders about enjoying Racer’s Richard S. James article upon Hall of Famer Andy Wallace Taming the Bumps at Sebring.

 

As Bad Arse’ Sports Car Ace Andy Wallace was inducted into last year’s Sebring Hall of Fame. With the stellar class of inductees including ‘lil Stevie Johnson, aka Stefan Johansson, the original Mr. Le Mans, nee Jacky Ickx, ‘Ol Hobbo’, nee HobbsCapp’, ergo David Hobbs and Oh Yeah, that Walter Cronkite! For which I never knew that Cronkite actually contested the 12 Hours of Sebring in a bloody Lancia!

 

And for those of Y’all who still Don’t think Racing Drivers are Athletes! I especially loved the part about Wallace not telling His Boss, the late Dan Gurney about his two broken Ribs for fear of being replaced prior to winning that year’s Sebring 12 Hours race aboard the All conquering All American Racers (AAR) Toyota Eagle MkIII!

 

As here’s James article that triggered thoust memory about Wallace…

 

https://racer.com/2022/03/25/sebring-hall-of-famer-wallace-reflects-on-a-career-spent-taming-the-bumps/

 

Very little seems to be known about Wallace’srise thru the ranks of motor racing. Other than He began His racing career by taking part in the Jim Russell Racing Drivers School in 1976. Meaning I’ve got zero clue if Andy raced single seaters or not afterwards? Or if He progressed thru the ranks of Saloons before reaching top flight prototypes?

 

Amazingly Wallace won the prestigious 24 Heurs du Mans on His debut at Circuit de la Sarthe driving for Tom Walkinshaw Racing’s eponymous Silk cut Jaguar’s. Behind the keyboard of an XJR-9.

 

What I like about Wallace’s winning of these most iconic endurance races is that He did so driving threetotally different racecars. From the closed top mighty Jag’s with it’s V-12 normally aspirated lump’. To the high revving 2.1-litre “four-banger” turbocharged Toyota eagle. And then later winning aboard Dyson Racing’s riley & Scott Mk III normally aspirated Ford V8 open top “Spyder”prototype.  

 

As it was certainly Foggy Bottoms for Mwah, as the more I Hunt ‘N Pecked at my keyboard, the more I slowly recalled about Messer Wallace from ye Wayback’ machine.

 

Like remembering that Andy had gotten married to Catherine Crawford, daughter of then Andy’s Boss Max Crawford of Crawford Composites while driving for Howard-Boss Motorsports. Where one of His regular season teammates was thee Wanderin’ Milka, aka Milka Duno.

And then I also remembered that Wallace had driven with “Smoke”, aka tony Stewart at the Rolex 24, the year being 2004 Me Thinks? When I think Stewart must have Hit the Wall when leading? Since I vaguely recall Stewart trying to limp to the finish on Sunday morning when a two by four had been inserted to try fixing the damaged suspension…

 

Yes, it was the ’04 Rolex 24 where the Crawford’s DP’s rear tyre inexplicably came off with some 17 minutes remaining in the race. Where Stewart spun but apparently didn’t Hit anything!

 

Hence the reason for the temporary fix for the car that had reportedly been leading the past 17 Hours. For which the stricken car failed to finish. (DNF) But apparently Wallace, Stewart and some other driver named ‘lil E’, aka Dale Earnhardt Jr’s lead was so big that they still finished fifth overall in their Crawford DP03 Chevrolet V-8 Daytona Prototype.

 

As I love the typical sardonic, British understatement in Wallace’s Bio’. Simply noting that He’s won over 25 major international Endurance races during His career…

 

Meanwhile, Wallace was the man behind the wheel of the Bugatti Chiron Super Sport  as Bugatti’s Test Driver who officially cracked the 300mph mark, with an astounding record of 304.77mph in 2019

 

As that’s His second official Speed record, since Andy also set the record prior in March, 1998. Driving a McLaren five year old F1 prototype at VW’s Ehra-Lexxien test track in Germany to a speed of 240.1mph! With said recordstanding for eleven years, but still retains the record for fastest normally aspirated production road car.

 

Mauro Baldi

Birthplace: Reggio Emilia, Italy

DOB: January 31, 1954, Age: 69

Wins: Le Mans, 1994; Daytona, (2) 1998, 2002 and Sebring 1998

 

Funny how much you forget over the years. Like my having forgotten that Mauro Baldi is a former Formula 1 driver, the third on this list of Triple Crown winners.

 

Mauro began as a Rally driver in 1972 before switching to pavement racing in ’75. By 1980 He was a top notch Formula 3 driver, winning the 1981 F3 Monaco Grand Prix and European F3 Championship.

 

For ’82 Mauro drove for Jacky Oliver’s Arrows Grand Prix team, before stints with Alfa Romeo and Spirit between 1982-85, making 36 starts.

 

Baldi then switched to Sports Cars, first winning at Le Mans in ’94 with Yannick Dalmas and Hurley Haywood in that modified Dauer 962 Le Mans “Street Car”.

 

Ah, it’s Ah-comin’ back to me now, with Baldi’s name being synonomous with Giampiero Moretti’s Momo Corse racing team. Specifically behind the wheel of one of my favourite Ferrari’s, the evocative 333 SP.

 

Baldi swept the ’98 Florida endurance races for Doran Moretti Racing with the likes of Gentleman racer Moretti, Arie Luyendyk and Didier Theys. And then won again at Daytona four years later aboard Kevin Doran’s Dallara Judd V-10.

 

As Doran was the late Al Holbert’s Chief Mechanic before going onto form His own successful race team. 

RETRO: Eight Racers who Broke NASCAR’s Color Barrier

Which is four times more than the Pathetic amount who’ve raced in the Indianapolis 500!

 

Although Wendell Scott’s no longer the winningest African American driver in NASCAR’s top tier Monster Energy Cup series. With that Honour going to Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr, whose won twice as many NASCAR Cup races. Nor is Wendell the first African American to Start a NASCAR race. Although He may have been the first to receive the necessary license to compete? Reportedly in 1953.

 

Nonetheless, Scott is definitely the most prolific, with a massive 495 Starts made over twelve years, between 1961-73. Scoring 147 Top 10 Finishes, nearly one third of All entries!

 

As Scott, who never had top flight equipment or any major sponsors, had a best finish of sixth Overall in 1966. During a streak of four consecutive years of finishing in the Top 10 Overall! Before a Horrific accident at Talladega ended His racing career.

 

Yet how well do you know the other seven African American’s to have contested a top tier NASCAR race? Be that Grand National, Winston Cup, Nextel Cup Sprint Cup or today’s Monster Energy cup racing series.

 

On July 31, 1955, Elias Bowie entered the NASCAR Bay Meadows Racetrack’s Grand National race in San Mateo, California. Where this Thoroughbred Horse Racing facility hosted NASCAR between 1954-56.

 

As Bowie became the first ever African American to contest a Grand National event and claimed a prize of $90.00 for finishing 28th in His 1953 Cadillac. As this would be Bowie’s one and only Grand National start.

 

“Watching,” Err listening to Greased Lightning. Before the movie began, the TCM Studio Pundit Ben Mankiewickz briefly mentioned the name Charlie Scott, having competed in a Grand National race before Wendell Scott.

 

As Charlie, not Wendall, who’ve got zero relationship. Made His lone Grand National start in the 1956 Daytona Beach race. Qualifying His Chrysler 300 14^th out of a massive 76 Car field! And finished a very respectable 19th.

 

 

Another of the unknown African American Stock Car Drivers to Mwah was George Wiltshire. Not to be Cornfuzed with the Actor named George Wiltshire who Died in 1976. As the Wiltshire racing driver apparently made a Baker’s Dozen starts. Mostly in the USAC Stock Car series between 1971 and 1982, driving for His own team.

 

Yet Wiltshire became the fourth African American to race in NASCAR’s top tier Winston Cup series upon starting in the 1971 Islit 250, in Islit, New Yor, on July 15th.

 

As the Islit Speedway just so happens to hold the Honour of being NASCAR’s Shortest ever racetrack competed on, at a miniscule distance of 0200 mile! With the ’71 event being it’s last event du to NASCAR cancelling All races shorter than 250 miles. (400K)

 

Interestingly, there’s two Black Racecar Drivers listed as having competed in this race, which “The King,” Richard Petty thoroughly dominated. Leading Flag-to-Flag from Pole position, albeit only 230 laps were completed during to a scoring error.

 

The No. 34 of Wendell Scott started 17th in His 1969 ford. While George Wiltshire in His No. 89 1970 Plymouth lined-up P29. Scott is credited with finishing a respectable 11th, whilst Wiltshire failed to finish the race, and was classified P28.

 

Wiltshire’s second and final Winston Cup start came four years later at the 1975 Purolator 500 at Pocono Raceway, where His dodge Charger Done Blown Up after only 15 laps!

 

The fourth and final driver’s name of these eight Bold Men I’d never heard of before was the seemingly obscure Randy Bethea who Hails from Johnson city, Tennessee. As Bethea made a solitary Winston Cup start at the World 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, 1975. Yet like his contemporary Wiltshire above. Bethea’s motor went Kuh-Blamoe! As Bethea retired on lap 251 of 400 and was classified 33^rd.

 

Arguably the third best known or most notable on this list has to be Willy T. Ribbs. Who for Mwah, I was more aware of His Open Wheel Racing and Sports Cars accomplishments. As Ribbs was the first African American to compete in the Indianapolis 500 in 1991. For which as of 2023 still has only two African Americans to have ever done so…

 

Ribbs antics of dancing atop the roof of His racecar after winning is legendous’, as I believe He was doing His Mohammed Ali shuffle tribute? With Ribbs driving for both thee “Cat in the Hat” Jack Roush and Dan Gurney in SCCA Trans Am and IMSA GTO competition. With Ribbs winning a total of 17 Trans Am and 10 IMSA GTO races during His career.

 

Willy T is also the first African American to ever test a formula 1 car, doing so for the eponymous Uncle Bernaughty’, aka Bernie Ecclestone. When Ecclestone was then the F1 Team Owner of Brabham at Estoril in 1986.

 

Humpy Wheeler Hired Ribbs to race in the 1978 World 600, but Ribbs elected to forgo the event after allegedly receiving Death Threats, and His ride was given to somebody named Dale Earnhardt instead…

 

Willy T then made the first of His three NASCAR Winston Cup starts at North Wilkesboro Speedway in 1986, where He scored His best Cup result of P22. As Ribbs would contest a total of three races that year for DiGard Motorsports.

 

As I’d say that the recent Documentary titled Uppity describes Ribbs personality perfectly! Since I always forget that this Brash, Outspoken retired racer once was suspended for a month by IMSA following a 1987 race at Portland International Raceway for punching Scott Pruett!

 

Two Decades later, Bill Lester made His only two starts in the Nextel Cup Series at Atlanta and Michigan Speedways, with a best finish of 32nd.

 

Lester who earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1984, predominantly spent His Roundy round career in the Craftsman Trucks series, where He made a total of 143 starts. Making His Trucks Debut at Portland International Raceway in 2000.

 

Lester also raced for several years in Sports Cars. Mostly in Grand Am competition, where He became the first African American Driver to win a Sports Car race in May of 2011 at Virginia International Raceway. Winning the GT Class aboard an Autohaus Racing Camaro with Co-Driver Jordan Taylor.

 

Then I’d say it came full circle, when Darrell “Bubba” Wallace Jr. almost did the unthinkable in only His fifth career NASCAR Cup start at Daytona! Which is when I first became aware of Wallace, our eighth African American Cup driver, who audaciously finished a close Runner-up to Austin Dillon in the 2018 Day-Toner’ 500 driving for Richard Petty Motorsports! (RPM) Aboard it’s iconic No. 43.

 

I say Full circle since it was that very same Richard Petty, a la “The King” who Wendell Scott had passed for His lone Cup victory 55 years earlier! Although the scoring Error wasn’t rectified until two hours later after everybody had left the racetrack…

 

As Wallace drove for RPM thru the 2020 season before getting to compete in First-rate equipment at the newly formed 23XI Racing Team co-owned by Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin.

 

As even better yet, Wallace’s maiden Cup victory came in the Deep South at Talladega in 2021. And then He claimed His second Monster Energy Cup victory last year at Kansas in the team’s second entry, the No. 45 entry which began the year with Kurth Busch as it’s driver. As Wallace and substitute driver ty Gibbs swaped racecars since the #45 was still eligible for the Owners Championship… 

Sports Cars returning to IMS for Battle of The Bricks

Where apparently Thar’ll bee More Racin’s Rubbin going on, Righto?

 

By now Y’all have Heard the News about IMSA’s WeatherTech SportsCar Championship series returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway next year. As the Sports Cars will race at Mother Speedway on September 17, 2023 in their normal “Sprint” race duration of Two Hours and 40 minutes, before Years 2-3 will become longer Endurance events.

 

Arse-sumably in order to allow the various IndyCar Teams who’ll be running new IMSA GTP Sports Car operations, i.e.; Ganassi, Meyer Shank, Penske and Rahal Letterman Lanigan the opportunity to sprinkle some of Thar IndyCar Drivers into the

Mix.

 

As Sports Cars raced three times previously between 2012-2014 under then the Gran Am Series before becoming the United Sports Car series. As here’s what I’ve gleamed from what miniscule information’s available…

 

Brickyard Grand Prix

July 27, 2012: Grand Am, Round 9 of 13; 3hrs

July 26, 2013: Grand Am, Round 10 of 13; 3hrs

July 25, 2014: United Sports Cars, round 9 of 13; 2hr 45mins

 

2012 Brickyard Grand Prix

The inaugural Grand Am series Brickyard Grand Prix was won by somebody known here upon No Fenders as le Hamburgular’, aka Sealmeister B’, nee SeaBass’ or just plain ‘Ol Sebastien Bourdais and Alex Popow, driving the No. 2 Starworks Motorsports Riley/Ford Daytona Prototype. (DP) As the race featured nine Cautions and was run in Heavy Rain!

 

As ‘Ol Scooter’, nee Scott Pruett and Co-Driver Memo Rojas limped Thar Damaged Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) Riley/BMW home second. With Wayne Taylor Racing’s Ricky Taylor and Max “the Ax” Angelelli finishing third aboard their #10 Corvette DP.

 

Reportedly that Montoyer’ Feller was involved in multiple incidents when liberally applying the Chrome Horn treatment to fellow competitors! As Juan Pablo Montoya, Jamie McMurray and Scott Dixon finished fourth in the #02 CGR entry.

 

Andy “The Enforcer” Lally and John Potter were victorious in the GT Class in Thar Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT3, finishig fifth Overall.

 

And Speaking ‘O Chrome Horns, Good ‘Ol Sugar Ray Tracy’, nee PT’, or just plain Paul Tracy. Hmm, is Thar something as a “Plain” Paul Tracy, Eh? Saw Pt’ and Co-Driver Jim Lowe finishing P17 Overall and sixth in the DP Class aboard their No. 77 Dallara/ford Daytona Prototype.

 

Presumably completely overlooked was bill Lester driving aboard the #88 Autohaus Motorsports Camaro with Jordan Taylor in the GT Class. As the pair finished 14^th Overall and 10^th in class.

 

2013 Brickyard Grand Prix

The 2013 Brickyard Grand Pris was the final iteration under the Grand Am Sanctioning series and was won for a second year in-a-row by the Starworks Motorsports team. Alex Popow won for a second consecutive year, this time paired with Ryan Razzle Dazle’ Dalziel in the No. 2 Riley/Ford Daytona Prototype.

 

Chip Ganassi Racing once again fielded it’s two cars with the #01 Riley/BMW chauffeur by Scott Pruett and Memo Rojas, who finished Runner-up for a second consecutive outing at Mother Speedway. While the #02 was driven by Joey Hand and TK’ Follow your Schnoz! Kanaan, who finished ninth.

 

Finishing third Overall was the Gainsco/Bob Stallings Racing’s Johnny CCR’ Fogarty and Alex Gurney aboard Thar No. 99 “Red Dragon” corvette DP, Remember them Y’all? As this Duo Dominated Gran AM for awhile before vanishing from the scene…

 

Drivers of note included ‘Ol rubino’, aka Rubens Barrichello in the #77 Doran Racing Dallara/Ford (DP) finishing fifth Overall with co-Driver Doug Peterson. And Defending Race winner Sebastien Bourdais now in the No. 4 8Star Motorsports Corvette DP finishing P11.

 

The Tintops’ Gran Torismo (GT) category was won by Mad Mas Papis and Jeffry, Not Steven’ Seagal aboard the No. 61 AIM Motorsports Ferrari 458 Italia.

 

2014 Brickyard Grand Prix

The final Brickyard GP was run under the auspices of the newly formed tudor United Sports Car series moniker, the mergified Grand Am and American Le Mans Series having combined for 2014. And once again Scott Pruett must have been wondering if Thar was a curse upon Him at Mother Speedway? Since Pruett and co-Hort, Err Co-Driver Sage Karam once again finished Runner-up in the #01 CGR Riley/Ford Eco boost, Pruett’s third Runner-up finish at the Brickyard.

 

As the race was won by Joao Barbosa and Christian Fittipaldi driving the #5 Action Express Racing corvette DP entry, with Barbosa crossing the Yard ‘O Bricks just 49 seconds ahead of Pruett! While Richard “Westie” Westbrook and Michael Valiante came home third in the #90 Spirit of Daytona Racing Corvette DP.

 

Former A.J. Foyt Enterprises IndyCar driver “Union” Jack Hawksworth along with Chris Cumming won the PC class. While Jonathan Bomarito who just announced His retirement, won the GT LM (Le Mans) category with Kumo Wittner in a Factory SRT Dodge viper GTS/R and Alessandro Balzan and Jeff Westphal won the GT Daytona (GTD) category aboard their #63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 458 Italia. 

ROLEX 24: Chasing A few More Wabbits’ and Checking the Time

As once again, your Humble Scribe Tomaso’s Stumbled Down another Wabbit Hole and got Stuck Below! As what’s that ‘Ol Beatles song ‘bout Fixin A Hole? Whilst I’m busy keeping Dry whilst Spacklin’ Cracks in the No Fenders Posting rotation!

 

Yeah, I know this No Fenders story is now completely Outta’ Date since I forgot to wind it’s Second’s Hand, but I’m gonna run with it anyways, even if Ye Nofendersville Sun Dial is now completely obscured by the Murky Gray Rain Clouds here on thoust Oregon Coast!

 

As Sports Car racing will completely shift to thoust Rear-view Mirror following this weekend’s delayed Petit Le Mans 10 Hours Season Finale on November 13^th. The very last time Y’all can watch Sports Cars or Any Motor Racing on NBC Sports, (NBCSN) which ridiculously Comcast is Killing Off at year’s end, Bastardoes!

 

Thus Petit  Le Mans also marks the Swan Song of not only the little Daytona Prototype that Could! When Mazda ends it’s RT24P programme, but IMSA curtails it’s GT Le Mans (GT LM) Category, which has whimpered along this season with a paltry tree cars, i.e.; the two Factory Corvette C8.R’s and a lone Privateer Porsche 911RSR-19.

 

As not only is it the final race for the GT Le Mans class, but both the BMW M8 GTE and it’s Kissing Cousin the GT Daytona M6 GT3 Coupes. AS next year will see the debut of BMW’s GTD M6 replacement with it’s brand new M4 GT3 “Saloon.”

 

Memory lane…

Meanwhile, and Nah, NO Late Show Quarantine-while’ Jokes here, Hya! I suppose it was totally Apropos that John Hindhaugh would briefly chat with ‘Ol Ronnie Fellows during the Rolex 24 broadcast, since after all Fellows was celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of winning the Rolex 24 Outright behind the wheel of a Nasty Corvette C5.R!

 

As Fellows, who’s now 60 years old was calling from Up North Eh! And mentioned how his eyesight wasn’t exactly what it was back then. Whilst calling out GM’s Jim Campbell for his promised seat time behind the wheel of a current day C8.R Vette’ racecar, since Ron would like to compare it with his ‘Ol Muscle Memory of those Nasty GT-1 Spec’ GTS Corvette racecars.

 

As Fellows won the 39^th 24 Hours of Daytona Overall with team-mates Johnny ‘O,” (O’Connell) Chris Kneivel and Frank Freon aboard the No. 2 Corvette.

 

And I suppose it was even more Apropos or Symbiotic that NBC Sports had ‘lil E’, nee “JR.” or simply Dale Earnhardt, Jr. as part of this year’s 24 Hours of Daytona Announce Crew, which probably brought back a Flood ‘O Memories for Junior, since he and his father “The Intimidator,” ‘Ol Ironhead’, aka Dale Earnhardt Sr. garnered Mucho Media Attenzione by racing the team’s second Corvette C5.R racecar with team-mates Kelly Collins and Andy Pilgram sporting the legendous’ number 3 on it’s flanks that year! (Two Decades ago)

 

As I know I watched that race, since I can still fondly recall those Narly front engine 7.0 liter pushrod V-8 C5.R Vettes’ in Thar iconic Banana Yellow paint, with that number 3 in bold , slanted black script beneath the side windows.

 

As the Earnhardt’s Seester’ #3 Corvette would finish fourth Overall and second in class, in what would be Senior’s penultimate race before perishing in the Daytona 500 just weeks later, arguably one of NASCAR’s Darkest Days.

 

https://www.netcarshow.com/chevrolet/2001-corvette_c5-r/

 

Ironically, the Daytona Beach News Journal reprinted assorted articles from twenty years ago this past January, primarily round it being the 20^th Anniversary of Earnhardt, Sr’s Death. Along with publishing a few stories regarding that year’s Rolex 24 race outing.

 

As Godwin Kelly wrote that Junior’ thought he’d broken the car’s transmission in the Dead ‘O Night, and after the crew spent 21mins diagnosing the transmission, they discovered it was actually a broken halfshaft which took another 18mins to replace!

 

This dropped the No. 3 down to 6^th Overall before they moved up the order, and presumably is the reason they didn’t win the race that year.

 

Godwin also noted how Earnhardt, Jr. didn’t get to drive as much as he wanted to, due to the abundance ‘O Wet stuff, nee precipitation during the race. As Junior’ noted when you’ve got accomplished (Sports Car) drivers like (Kelly) Collins and (Andy) Pilgram on hand, you Don’t want to mess up the car and simply let them drive in the Wet instead! But was looking forward to returning to another Rolex 24.

 

Even more ironically, symbiotic or is it Synchronnicity? Godwin Kelly, who served as the Daytona Beach News Journal longtime NASCAR Scribe, retired at the end of last season after 40 years and was known as NASCAR Royalty! As I find this ironic since it’s the same year that the ledgdnous’ D-Squared’, aka Donald Davidson also retired, coInky-dense?

 

And now unfortunately we’ve lost both Bob Jenkins and Robin Miller, along with Uncle Bobby, aka Bobby Unser, who I’m sure would have something unflattering to say about Namby Pamby Sports Car Drivers, who back in the 1950’s were referred to as the Wine and Cheese Club Me Thinks? Or definitely as the Stringback Glove Boys!

 

And thus, it seems almost too perfect for IMSA to be putting a lid upon these Nasty GT Le Mans Bad Boyz’ twenty years later, most prolifically the Narly Corvette’s which will hopefully return next year as part of IMSA’s newly mandated GTD )Daytona) Pro Class… 

LE MANS: 2021 Supporting classes Once Again represent Majority of the Grid

But it’s a good thing we’ve got ‘em, Otherwise we’d be watching only 13 Cars taking Ye Tricolour…

 

With  the Bulk of this weekend’s 89^th Edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans being comprised of it’s “lower tier” brethren,

i.e.; 25 LMP2 entries and 23 LM GTE Am entrants, which I believe Adds up to 48? Uhm, Too Bad that Jimmie Johnson Guy Ain’t here, Hya! Uhm, actually He’s got the weekend off after last week’s outing at Mother Speedway, with the IMS Road Course being his first repeat racetrack this year, with his best finish of the season coming Thar. (P19)

 

Thus with 48 outta 61 race entries, I’m simply not even gonna try chronicling ‘em All! But instead will just Highlight some of those who caught my eye when perusing this year’s “Entry list.” With No Disrespect intended towards the Garage 56 entry, which includes two Disabled Drivers on it’s three man #84 LMP2 roster. One a former GP500 Rider and the other an ex-Motorcross rider.

 

Le Mans Prototypes 2 (LMP2)

As Don’t Quote Me but, it appears that the entire LMP2 field is comprised of the Oreca 07 chassis mated to the mandatory Gibson 4.2-litre Normally Aspirated V-8 lump’ this year, albeit I didn’t initially check All 25 entries thoroughly. Since it appears the lone Ligier JS217/Gibson #74 Racing Team India EurAsia entry is the solitary interloper.

 

As they say, Ladies First! As the No. 1 Richard Mille Racing’s entry sports an All le femme lineup once again, with Tatiana Calderon, Sophia Florsch and Beitske Visser behind the steering wheel for a second year in-a-row. As it would be Fantastic if they won their Class this year.

 

But they’ll have to get past defending LMP2 winners United Autosport’s #22 entry with former Formula 1 Driver and current Sky Sports F1 Pundit Paul di Resta alongside Co-Drivers Phil Hansen and Filipe Albuquerque, the latter two who also won last year’s European Le Mans Series (ELMS) championship aboard United Autosport’s #22 ELMS entry. Di Resta has moved over to the team’s No. 23 entry and is replaced by Fabio Scherer this year in the lead #22.

 

As the team Co-owned by McLaren CEO Zak Brown with Richard Dean's once again enters three cars this year with it’s #22 defending Le Mans LMP2 Class champion entry alongside the #23 and it’s Seester’ #32.

 

As the #32 sports an interesting lineup consisting of former Indy Lights driver Nico Jammin, Jonathan Aberdein and Manuel Maldonado, the younger cousin   of former Williams F1 Grands Prix winner Pastor Maldonado, better known as “Crashtor,” Youch!

 

DragonSpeed’s No. 21 features Ben Hanley, Henrik “Max Headroom” Hedman and some guy named Juan Pablo Montoya as it’s drivers, once again begging thoust Questione. If Montoya wins the class, does that mean he claims Fredrico Suave’s Mythical Triple Crown before the Smarmy Spaniard does? Comprising of Monaco, Indy 500 and Le Mans victories? Or presumably does this only apply to outright wins in those three disciplines?

 

The second High Class Racing #49 entry features a well known Father-son duo, with MAGS’, aka Jan Magnussen joined by his son Kevin Bacon’ Magnussen and Anders Fjordbach at it’s Keyboard. As I’ve just learned that High Class Racing is based in Denmark, so it makes sense for the Magnussen pairing, Righto?

 

Bad Arse Patrick Kelly Headlines PR1/Mathiasen  Motorsports #24 entry, with Gabriel Aubry and Simon Trummer alongside, as one of the few IMSA Weathertech SportsCar championship entrants being invited to Circuit de la Sarthe this year. With another unlikely one being the No. 82 Risi Competizione, who used to run Ferrari 488 GTE Evo’s in the LM GTE Pro Class being the only two IMSA LMP2 entrants.

 

And you can never count out Messer di Resta’s Sky Sports F1 Pundit ANT’, aka Anthony Davidson, who’s piloting the #38 JOTA  entry alongside team-mates Antonio Felix da Costa and Roberto Gonzalez.

 

Whilst it would be nice to see Tristan Gommendy rebound from last year’s Monstrous Crash, who’ll be sharing France’s No. 30 Duqueine Team’s ELMS  entry with Rene Binder and Memo Rojas.

 

As Gommendy and Gonzalez are former Chump Carz’ (Champ Car World Series) competitors, who both ironically drove for PKV Racing, Gonzalez in 2004 and Gommendy in ’07. While Rojas won multiple Grand Am Championships with Scotty Scooter’ Pruett…

 

Not to mention IMSA Competitors Ricky Taylor and Renger Van der Zande, who’s “Day Jobs” are piloting IMSA Daytona Prototypes spending seat time in the Nos. 20 and 34 respectively. As the #20 is also a High Class Racing entry.

 

Interestingly, Chip Ganassi Racing IMSA DPi team-mates Kevin Magnussen and Van der Zande will be racing against each other for LMP2 Class Honours, with Renger part of the #34 Inter Europol Competition entry.

 

As Van der Zande’s “Turbo Bakers” co-Drivers are Alex Brundle, son of former Formula 1 driver and Sky Sports F1 TV Pundit Martin billybob’ brundle and Jakub Smiechowski. As reputedly the Turbo Bakers nickname is in deference to the team’s main sponsor.

 

Whilst the No. 28 JOTA  entry’s  my Dark Horse pick due to it’s Uber Stout Driver Trio of Tom “the Bomb” Blomquist, Sean Gelael and Stoffel Vandoorne, whose Seester’ team car is the #38 JOTA Sport’s entry.

 

Le Mans GTE Am (LM GTE Amateur )

And like above, it’s Ladies First in the “Amateur” Saloons’ ranks also, with the return of Iron Links #85 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo sporting Rahel Frey and Michelle Gatting returning for a second year in-a-row, while Belgian Sarah Boby replaces Manuela Gostner.  . As Boby joined the team at Monza, where she made her FIA World Endurance Championship debut.

 

As this is just one of the Mega Stallion of Prancing Horses “Galloping” about Circuit de la Sarthe with a total of 11 Ferrari 488 GTE Evo’s competing, with the Iron Links Squadra having three entries alone, i.e.; No.s 60, 80 and 85.

 

Although I didn’t spot any IMSA Teams in the LM GTE Am category, I did notice that IMSA GT Daytona Bad Arse Robby Foley’s part of the #66 JMW Motorsport  Ferrari team.

 

NOTE

Robby Foley’s ride at JMW Motorsport fell thru prior to the IMSA Road America Sports Car round where the 25yr old New Jersey Native was contacted by Project 1 Motorsport for an Open Seat in the team’s #46 Porsche 911 RSR-19, for whom Foley made his 24 Heurs du Mans debut for instead…

And whilst I did correctly acknowledge Aston Martin’s withdrawal from the Top tier LM GTE Pro category, I mistakenly said they were also leaving the LM GTE Am ranks which was incorrect! Since Thars actually Quattro Aston Martin Vantage AMR’s contesting this year’s race led by the defending Class Champion TF Sport No. 95 and it’s Seester’ #33. Along with a lone Werks’ #98 entry and the Privateer “Triple Seven” (#777) entry.

 

Yet last year’s winner was the #90 TF Sport entry, as this year’s No. 95 sports an All New Driver lineup. As I recognize ross gunn’s name, who’s a Factory Aston Martin driver who’s competing for my Home team’s Heart of Racing’s No. 23 IMSA GTD Customer Aston Martin entry, having last spotted Gunn’s name when perusing this year’s Rolex 24 competitors. With gunn being joined by Ollie Hancock and John Hartshorne.

 

The second largest contingent of LM GTE Am participants are the eight Porsche 911 RSR-19 Panzerwagons, as Yuhs can Never count Porsche out at Le Mans! As that guy known Stateside as Dr. McDreamy, aka Patrick Dempsey’s Dempsey Proton Racing enters a Brace of Ye ubiquitous Porsches, the Nos. 77 and 88.

 

But I’ve got Zero clue who’s the favoured Contendahs’ or whom I think will win this class? So like Mwah, you’ll just have to stay tuned this weekend… 

Encouraging Signs for Global Sports Cars Future

But we've been down this road before, so what will really happen? Especially now that the Dreaded COVID 19 Pandemic has totally Upset Ye Applecart!

Once again, Here's another story that's been stuck in Ye Driftwood upon thou Isle 'O Nofendersville, Ah-waitin' it's turn to be Dried-off 'N Placed upon the No Fenders story Rotisserie Yuck-Yuck-Yuck!

Ah, thou power of the Well Timed Press Release, Eh? As I found myself more excited about the prospects of a single, truly Unified Global Sports Cars Prototypes category over this year's Paltry season opening 24 Hours of Daytona weekend's entrants, Wayback at the end of January, remember that Y'all? Like Seriously, only eight top flight DPi entries, Huh?

PRUETT: Time for reckoning for Global Prototypes

As I Don't think Yuhs can correlate anything out of these numbers, (below) for which I was momentarily drawn to the year Y2k, nee 2000 like a Moth to a Flame, Ouch! Regarding another languishing No Fenders tome regarding the long forgotten mighty BMW V-12 Prototypes.

Primarily due to a Cheeky comment Sky Sports F1 Commentator; Err

Pundit Johnny Herbert made last year during a Friday's Formula 1 Free Practice session somewheres 'bout how the V-12's were never very reliable still sticks in My Craw. Like I Dunno, did 'Ol Johnny forget 'bout Thee McLaren MP4/6 of 1991? Yuhs know the car Ayrton Senna won his third and final F1 World Championship with...

 Thus for Humour, I've previously looked up the 2000 24 Hours of Daytona race results Wayback on January 24th, thou Eve of this year's Rolex 24. Before All Hell with my Gory winDOUGHS 10 Arse-symulation attempts began! Which I won't bother Y'all 'bout again. Other than may be One Bloody Day in the Future I'll actually be able to use the Gory Machine! But I Digress...

And perhaps it's just Mwah, but I actually see a silver lining from the Corona Viruses COVID 19 Pandemic's major interuption of Motor Racing, specifically for Sports Car racing. As it serves as a catalyst to see Sports Cars re-invent itself, as the Sport is in need of major change Globally.

PRUETT: Converging towards some Home Truths

Focusing primarily upon North American Sports Car racing, which see's the IMSA Weathertech SportsCar Championship under new leadership, with former Mazda Motorsports Boss John Doonan at the Helm as newly anointed IMSA President. How will the sport transition to a rosier future?

LMDH to replace DPi in new IMSA ACO Convergence

Alas, Thanks solely to Herbert's Cheeky comment, my cursory examination of that year's 38th running of Thee 24 Hours of Daytona under the auspices of Grand Am, as the New series Inaugural event, when Sports Cars began their own rendition of The Split with the rival American Le Mans Series. (ALMS)

Hence, the 2000 Rolex 24 at Daytona's race results revealed a Monstrous field 'O 78 racing cars taking thou Green Flag; Aye Karumba! As Thar were a total of 21 Prototypes entered in the SRSR Class, whatever Thee Hell that was?

Which appears to be from the very Sketchy info I can discern on Ye Intrawoods', the Grand American Road Racing Championship was initially comprised of five classes, including Sports Racing I & Sports Racing II for its premiere Prototypes categories. Which Arse-sumedly is what SR stood for before thou introduction of the de Riggour Daytona Prototypes (DP) designation. While the other three classes were for the various GT Tintop Saloons' categories.

This two-tier Prototypes category which I've now discovered was based off the long defunct FIA Sportscar Championship Rules, for which SRI Open Top Prototype Chassis were allowed a maximum displacement of 6,000cc Naturally Aspirated or 4,000cc "Blown," aka Turbocharged lumps', (engines) a la what raced at Le Mans. Whereas the SRII chassis were limited to six cylinder engines and 3,000cc and contested "lower" events.

Hence, we can see the worrying trend currently affecting Sports Cars Globally, when these 78 Starters made up more than Double the amount of this year's 58th Rolex 24's field of 38 entries!

Although to be Fair to Sports Car racing, All Motor Racing series have seen marked Declines in Thar numbers of entrants. Like Gory Hell, RASSCAR' only allows 40 entrants vs. it's long traditional number of 43...

As it's Prototypes ranks Included three of those gorgeous la Scuderia normally aspirated V-12 Ferrari 333 SP's, with Doran Racing & Risi Competizione running 333 SP 98 models.

not to mention those wondrous Whittington Brothers were in the race, with Thar lead driver being some Field Chap, presumably Ted Field of past Interscope Racing fame; El Correctomundo? Albeit the car classified DNF, 67th Overall was a Lola B98/10 Ford entered by Intersport Racing instead, which retired from engine maladies.

Alas, I've since learned that lead Driver was actually John Field, owner of Intersport Racing, which primarily competed in the rival American Le Mans Series (ALMS) instead. Although it appears the team had two entries at Daytona, both retiring, P66-67 Overall respectively. 

As I was somewhat Cornfuzed, knowing that the two Whittington Brothers who won the 1979 24 Heurs du Mans had both been sent to the Gray Bar Motel for being involved in Drug Smuggling during IMSA's "Checkered" past...

As the #37 Intersport racing Prototype was actually driven by John Field, Dale & Don Whittington. As Don was released from Jail after serving an 18-month prison sentence. While Dale is the youngest of the three Whittington Brothers, who Died at the relatively young age of 43, just three years after this Rolex 24 outing.

Yet the 38th running of the Rolex 24 was won by the Dodge Viper GTS/R of Team Oreca Racing, piloted by Olivier Beretta, Karl Wendlinger and Dominique Dupuy.

With the Corvette Racing's C5.R with Ronnie Fellows, Justin Bell and Chris Kneifel  at its controls as the crème filling of a French Dodge Viper Sandwich!

Or should that be le Oreca ménage à trois Wee-Wee! Which included a Bloke by the name of David Donohue at the keyboard of the third place Viper.

On a side note, if the name Kneifel sounds familiar to Yuhs? It's because he went on to serve as CART's (IndyCar) Chief Steward between 2001-04. And scored his best career result in '01, winning the 24 Hours of Daytona with Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell and Frank Freon for Corvette Racing...

As the Overall Podium was a Clean Sweep by "Second Rung" Grand Touring Over (GTO) Class competitors with the first Prototype, the Dyson Racing Riley & Scott Mk III/Lincoln finishing fourth overall.

Yeah, that's right, Lincoln Mercury briefly ran in motor racing under the Auspices 'of its parent company FoMoCo, i.e.; Ford Motor Company.

Although perhaps this No Fenders tome is gonna Drive Y'all to Drinkin' when Singing 'bout that 'Ol Hot Rod Lincoln; Hya!

VIDEO: Commander Cody's Hot Rod Lincoln Song

For the second half of this Zany No Fenders Double Header story, see; RETRO: Reliving Another forgotten Golden Age of Sports Car racing...