Flying Lizard failed post race test
 

Flying Lizard Motorsports: performance sportscar racing
What in the world is "engine stall test"? What's the purpose of engine stall?

The stall test is simple, block off intake and try to start engine, a properly sealed intake (no extra openings or bypass) will not start. If it does start tech will fail the car because there is an opening somewhere allowing in additional air. The 45 car also failed the appeal, not good.

I was hopeful the GT3 in ALMS still had some fight in 2012 despite the slow start and bad luck early in the season. This would have been two wins in a row.

This is a really cool test. I'm sure eventually, teams will figure out a way around it, just like they figured out ways around the restrictor plates to begin with. They probably had something that they expected to pass, but over the race, it wore out, and let in too much air, enough to start.

I lost my respect for the Lizards after a driver interview posted in panarama. Bergstrum either has a terrible memory, or was outright lying. I heard his radio communications live after Sebring, the year with the tangle with the Ferrari. He described it in the article as "good racing", yeah, he was on the radio saying the team should protest it for rough driving. Then he stated that the wreck with the 'Vette at 'Seca the 'Vette "lost control". Hmm, maybe leaning on it hard would do that?

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Bergstrum??? You mean Bergmeister? His battles with Jan Magnussen have been epic. You forgot the part in California where Jan tried to punt Jorg off the track...again.

Lost respect for the Lizards.....puuhhleeaze.

If there is anyone TOO respect in the paddock, its Bergmeister and Long. And some of those Vette guys are pretty good too. Can't say the same for most of the Ferrari drivers and Hand or Auberlin. The GT racing in ALMS is much more clean than the euro versions. And of course he is going to say something politically correct in a magazine article 3 months after the fact. But 30 seconds after, with all of the emotions of a last lap battle, come on.

Anyway.....

Some people here might remember that I was the lead mechanic on the XM Radio / Andretti Green Acura LMP2 car. Our second time going through tech the officials asked us to keep our hands out of our pockets. Turns out two of the larger factory teams had programmed street car key fobs to turn the race engines off when the unlock button was depressed. So when the ALMS official covered the inlet, Hans or Kevin would just press a button and the engine would start to lean out and eventually die. It was only after a most of a season an official noticed the same member of the team would approach the car just before the test, hands in pockets, and would leave while the engine was starting to stumble. Also, one of the manufactures engine would ramp down the same speed every time. Very electronic like. The Acura would die at different rates due to atmospheric conditions, but not this manufacture. Off like a light switch every time. If you don't believe me, walk up to the tech tent and ask one of the older guys.

Fernandez Acura failed Sebring post race in '08 due to a cracked air box. Just wanted to put that out there before anyone tried to call me out.

Quite a story with the key fobs. Here's an update from the Lizards that points to an ill fitting air cleaner.

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