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4 Nov 2005, 10:48 (Ref:1451974) | #1 | ||
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Corvette uncovered
Finally have been able to print the rest of the Corvette pictures I took at Le Mans, included are the shots GM doesn't want you to see of the rear suspension arrangements and position of the third spring. Thy are in Racecar Engineering december issue.
What amazed me is how objectionable GM were at LM when we tried to aske them about it - also few people got to get a good up close look at the 'Vette and I think that really let the fans down, whereas RfH showed you all the best bits happily. Much better attitude, Champion like Corvette rather than embrace fans hired private and menacing security guards - is there a place fot this at LM? |
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4 Nov 2005, 11:01 (Ref:1451981) | #2 | ||
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Its a shame that Champion and Corvette do things like that. This year at Le Mans, during the Friday pitlane walkabout I was invited into the RML garage and all because I was wearing an MG Baseball cap.
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4 Nov 2005, 11:15 (Ref:1451993) | #3 | ||
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Part of the reason is that the teams often have big problems with theft - I think it was Boris deRichebourg that had his helmet stolen during the race a couple of years ago
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4 Nov 2005, 12:15 (Ref:1452043) | #4 | ||
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but its only those two teams?
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4 Nov 2005, 13:39 (Ref:1452083) | #5 | ||
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In fact Pescarolo had 'door control' too, as did Aston at times - Bentley were particularly unwelcoming in 02 and 03 (even to those with appointments!) and there have been others too - I guess it depends on whether or not the team find people 'popping in' to be a nuisance. Got to say that both Corvette and Champion were no problem for me this year at all.
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4 Nov 2005, 15:03 (Ref:1452113) | #6 | ||
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Had problems with them two only (Pesca and Aston were great). But Graham we are not normal punters - I'm thinking more about during the fortnight where pretty much anyone can wander up the pitlane to look at the cars being fettled. But you could hardly even see the 'Vette. Hidden deep in its garage
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4 Nov 2005, 15:59 (Ref:1452144) | #7 | ||
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I remember an article in regards to Champion. They had some special setup with ADT (also a promo deal) for improved security.
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4 Nov 2005, 16:55 (Ref:1452189) | #8 | ||
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I don't see it as a big deal, I think its wrong to expect the teams to allow all and sundry into the pit garage while the team are hard at work. There is alot of pricey gear in there that would go walkabout as well.
Maybe some of the teams are a bit over protective and be a bit ott, but just because you have media card does not give you the right to wander into any pit and and take pictues of anything you see that may have cost X team $000 to develop. It is after all their place of work and I doubt many of us want our rivals to know exactly what we are up too. Long gone are the days when all the cars where prep'ed under canvas in the paddock. good old days? |
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4 Nov 2005, 17:22 (Ref:1452213) | #9 | ||
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Maybe it's because this is at Le Mans. This is THE race of the year. Nothing left to chance.
At Laguna Seca, we were very close to the cars. We were right next to EVERY car there during the grid walk. And in the pit, we walked up and examined the body work from the #1 Champion car. The crew were right there, but never said one word. The Corvettes and Astons both had their work areas enclosed, but you could get reasonably close. |
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4 Nov 2005, 18:12 (Ref:1452255) | #10 | ||
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Every time I have been to an ALMS event the corvettes were very hard to get to. They are, however, some of the most popular cars in the series, but that tent is almost always zipped up.
Caddy is the same way in SWC, whereas you can just walk on in most peoples set up, the caddy setup is behind ropes and a good ten feet away, half the time you cant even see the cars. |
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4 Nov 2005, 19:47 (Ref:1452307) | #11 | ||
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At Infineon in 2004, the area around the Vettes was crowded (people hoping to see Dale Jr. probably), but the cars were right out front and easy to look at (behind a rope though). The SWC Caddy guys were great to us though ... let my son and I behind the ropes so we could stand right next to the car for my wife to snap a photo of us. Even Champion's pit was fairly open and JJ stood out front talking to a few people. And I must give a thumbs up to Carsport ... those guys are always friendly and let you get in there and take a look around...
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4 Nov 2005, 20:09 (Ref:1452340) | #12 | ||
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Got to say that at the three ALMS races I attended this year (Sebring, PLM and Laguna) the arrangements at Team Corvette were much the same, you could get reasonably close and watch what the guys were up to - I agree they were amongst the most popular cars in the paddock - the queues at the autograph sessions showed that.
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4 Nov 2005, 21:30 (Ref:1452394) | #13 | ||
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Certainly I've found that their security at Mosport is only as tight as needed to keep the hordes out - and they're always surrounding the paddock.
In fact, when the crowd dissipates, I've found you can walk right in and talk to the mechanics and drivers who are there. |
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5 Nov 2005, 04:55 (Ref:1452589) | #14 | |
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When you spend millions of dollars developing a car then you can decide who gets to see what.
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5 Nov 2005, 08:29 (Ref:1452635) | #15 | |||
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Exactly. It's a business. Why should teams let people, be them "normal" or not normal punters (like our learned chum), poke their noses in. I don't see why it is taken so personally. Always nice if you can have a look, but it's not the end of civilization if you can't get access. |
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5 Nov 2005, 08:39 (Ref:1452640) | #16 | ||
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better to look into the pits at other races like LMES/ALMS. same cars then LeMans but not so many spectators
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5 Nov 2005, 14:38 (Ref:1452801) | #17 | ||
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I'm just happy to be seeing the cars out on track! beautiful machines, great to get up close to if possible - but there's no substitute for the wonderful on-track action!
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5 Nov 2005, 14:52 (Ref:1452808) | #18 | ||
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when you sped millions on your cars you get to decide who the luck few are that get to see the cars up close, then you get the F1 situation.
however we eventually get access to the C6R's without bodywork to photograph it and as far as I know the pics we got are the only ones that exist outside of GM. Graham Goodwin - however may know better, GG? (I'll send you a copy btw) |
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5 Nov 2005, 15:26 (Ref:1452827) | #19 | ||
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I was fairly certain we had some from Sebring - Just checked and we do - front and back - Galleries 1 & 3 for dsc readers here
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5 Nov 2005, 17:42 (Ref:1452906) | #20 | ||
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I understand high security at LM. If I ran a team there NOBODY would be poking around my stuff.
As for the ALMS paddock, I walk around like I own the place and nobody has ever said anything to me. If there's something you want to know or see, just ask someone who doesn't look busy. Every single person I've come across has been willing to answer a question or let me check something out. |
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5 Nov 2005, 18:04 (Ref:1452915) | #21 | ||
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Good job. |
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5 Nov 2005, 21:44 (Ref:1453029) | #22 | ||
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tripe - these cars are all very different, and they are all also destined to be customer cars so the secret will come out eventually.
NJD if that is your opinion then next year during the pitlane walkabout how would you feel if all the garage doors were closed? In GT1 how big could your secret be? or is only secret becuase the ACO will outlaw it once the other teams see it? like the aston aero mods. Plus its my job to find out what technology teams employ to win. |
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6 Nov 2005, 06:40 (Ref:1453216) | #23 | |||
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Really, you can just stroll down the paddock if you're from another team and want a look at the competitor's car. The paddock at Mosport is quite accessible, as p-c alluded to, and I frequently have seen team members doing this very thing. |
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6 Nov 2005, 07:05 (Ref:1453222) | #24 | ||
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I never have nor will I think the fans deserve this unfettered access to teams and drivers for information and autographs. It's unfair to the teams who are putting more effort and money into PUTTING THE SHOW ON FOR US than we ever will buying a ticket and just sitting and watching. They're spending millions, we're spending hundreds at the most. Who's really important here? |
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6 Nov 2005, 07:13 (Ref:1453224) | #25 | |||
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Your take on this is different to most others. After all you are in the elevated position of not being a "normal" punter, referring to one your previous comments. Perhaps you should write to the teams? |
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