THE LINE

March 14, 2012

 Detroit's Epic Fail. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Our AE inbox is overflowing with comments about the DeltaWing racing car (See "Fumes" - Ed.) to the point that we can't even keep up with it all let alone post them all. The unanimous opinion? The Detroit Two blew it (separately) by not choosing to get involved with the DeltaWing racing program, since both Ford and GM have 4-cylinder racing engines that could have easily plugged in to the car. I would say that most people we've heard from are incensed and bitterly disappointed at the fact that probably the most innovative racing machine to come along in, oh, 50 years will not have an American-sourced engine in it. And that the American car companies continue to pour money down the NASCAR well while steadfastly refusing to embrace future technology and innovation. There is a lot more to this story, some of which I can reveal and some of which I won't, but needless to say by choosing to sit the DeltaWing racing program out, the Detroit Two blew a golden opportunity to send an unequivocal message that they were visionary in thought and deed. What a revolting development. - PMD

        Nissan. Editor-in-Chief's Note: Conversely, Nissan has hitched its fortunes to a shooting star by aligning itself with the DeltaWing racing program. I have no doubt whatsoever that the DeltaWing will generate stupendous coverage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and that it will be the most talked about development in racing this year by far. By supporting the DeltaWing racing program Nissan is sending a message that they are indeed a forward thinking, visionary car company and they will be doing it on the world's biggest stage for sports car racing and the world's most prestigious endurance event - the 24 Hours of Le Mans. I can also assure everyone that for what little Nissan is putting into this project they will reap $100 million+ in media coverage and brand recognition by participating in the DeltaWing program. This is a real coup for Nissan on every level. - PMD

(Michael Levitt - LAT)
Target Chip Ganassi Racing dominated the final sessions as the IZOD IndyCar Series completed its four-day Open Test at Sebring International Raceway late last week. Scott Dixon (No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Racing Honda, above) was quickest (on his final lap of the afternoon session) at 51.7938 seconds over the 1.67-mile, 11-turn short course. He was the only driver to post a sub-52-second lap during the Open Test, which was divided into two groups (10 cars in the first group and 15 in the second).

(Michael Levitt - LAT)

Dixon's Target Chip Ganassi teammate Dario Franchitti (No. 10) was 0.2219 of a second back of Dixon. "The team always does a good job, they're very, very good," Franchitti commented afterward. "We're trying to learn these new cars. We're trying to learn the new car, what might break on them, where the weak spots are, how to make them go fast. Honda is learning very quickly too so we're just trying to get through all of this stuff just now. I'm very happy with the two days we've had, obviously the first two days for me right from break-in, we had a lot of questions coming in to this test and we got answers to most of them, so hopefully we can put the pieces together for St. Pete and onwards."
(Michael Levitt - LAT)
Rubens Barrichello (No. 8 KV Racing Technology Chevrolet) had a best lap of 52.2242 seconds (0.4305 of a second behind Dixon). "We were able to run a good amount of laps again today and look at some different setups," Barrichello said. "We also practiced pit stops which will serve me well. I was able to see how the car reacts coming in on warm tires and leaving on cold tires and seeing where to position the car, all things that are very different to what I am used to. Overall though we have had a very good two days of testing." A total of 688 laps were recorded on the day, and 4,107 laps for both groups without incident. Among both groups of drivers, Barrichello ranked fourth on the time sheet -- Helio Castroneves' lap of 52.1413 seconds on March 6 only two-tenths of a second better.

(ALMS)
Picking up where they left off after Monday's test session, Audi Sport Team Joest turned in the top three times in testing on Tuesday at Sebring International Raceway for America’s greatest sports car race. The Audi R18 of Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish set the best time of the day at 1:48.138 (124.508 mph) as all of the German factory prototypes were under the 1:49 mark in the final test for the 60th Anniversary Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida, the opening round for the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The R18 of Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Loic Duval – a winner last year in Team ORECA Matmut’s Peugeot – was second at 1:48.410 (124.195 mph). The trio of Marcel Faessler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer sat third, 0.701 seconds off the pace of the lead Audi. Ferrari lead the way in GT with AF Corse’s F458 Italia of Gimmi Bruni, Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander turning a 2:01.097 (111.184 mph), just 0.043 seconds ahead of Luxury Racing’s entry. Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Jörg Bergmesiter, Patrick Long and Marco Holzer ended the session third at 2:01.341 (110.960 mph) which was just 0.074 seconds ahead of BMW Team RLL’s leading BMW M3 GT of Jörg Müller, Bill Auberlen and Uwe Alzen. The top eight cars in GT were within 0.879 seconds.

(Images courtesy of Jaguar)
Jaguar announces its return to competitive racing, only this time they're participating in vintage racing and historic motorsport with the launch of Jaguar Heritage Racing. For the first time since 1956, works-supported C- and D-types will race again at venues including Goodwood and the Nurburgring, while the season-long program will also see Jaguar Heritage Racing support numerous additional events on the historic motoring calendar.

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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