ALMS race Pics - you have got to go to one of these!

twobone · twobone's Garage

I was at the Mosport ALMS GrandPrix on the weekend. What an amazing event. Where else can you get right up next to the cars, talk to the drivers and see the top world class machines in action.

I was at corner 5 when the Ferrari 430 punted the GT3RSR and stole position....Ha!....then lost it with a penalty. You have a look in picture 5, was he racing a bit close?....I think so

For more pics go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brakem/

vintage guy · 08-27-2008, 05:49 PM

Very nice pictures. Saw the race on Speed and it was sensational even though Porsche did not win P2 or GT2. The prototype cars are unbelievable and were absolutely flying. Make sure you take an ALMS race in.

BK911 · BK911's Garage

Wow, nice pictures. Well done!

I've been to a few of these races and agree, they are awesome.

Oh Haha · 08-27-2008, 06:15 PM

Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle this weekend. ALMS race is Saturday.

I won;t be attending this year but I highly recommend seeing these cars in person.

kneedragger302 · 08-28-2008, 05:06 AM

The ALMS has really a great blend racing action from Prototype cars to "Production" cars. The sounds they make...and don't make are sensational. Anyone who had the chance to hear a Audi R10 TDI knows what I am talking about. That is by far the quietest car anyone will hear, you hear gear box noise, turbo, and brakes...that all. It sounds like a big electric radio controll car.

Paulporsche · 08-28-2008, 06:08 AM

I won free tickets and hospitality to the first ALMS event @ Mosport, and have been back 4 or 5 times since. Those cars just keep getting faster. I remember how everyone marveled @ how the BMW prototypes "raised the bar"!

BZ911SC · 08-28-2008, 06:25 AM

Below is a link to some images I took at last weekends race. I did have full photo credentials to shoot but I was not sure where the best spots were on the track and since Mosport is quite long I didn't waste much time exploring, so most of the shots are from between corners 5B and 5C. This was my first attempt at shooting motorsports, my genre is in the music industry shooting concerts so please take that into consideration as I found it difficult capturing these guys. It was great fun though and I look forward to doing it again.

You can look at these individually by clicking on each photo or there is a "Slideshow" button in the top right corner that will cycle through all the images. Enjoy...

http://sansmeat.zenfolio.com/p753794246

911 in SC · 08-28-2008, 06:28 AM

Nice pics! I watched the whole race on Speed this past weekend. I was afraid something like Sebring was going to happen again (and it did - Ferrari 430/GT3RSR).

I've been going to Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta since '01. I'll be there again this year (bar any emergencies, of course). The sights, sounds, etc. can't be matched. The R10 at full throttle down the back stretch beteween turn 9 and 10a/10b cannot be described! Can't wait!

SCOTITUDE · 08-28-2008, 06:40 AM

Ok, ALMS fans. I went to the race at Lime Rock and had a fantastic time. I have one question. What is this flashing box I saw drivers right after the west bend chicane before the downhill? It flashed all different patterns.

tharbert · tharbert's Garage

Close Encounters?

Paulporsche · 08-28-2008, 07:51 AM

Takes the place of flags?

Paulporsche · 08-28-2008, 07:58 AM

This year's race seemed too long. I think I saw an official timing of 2 hr 54 min for a 2hr 45 min race. Time seemed to run out before the Audi finished what should have been its last lap, but was then given the 1 more to go signal. W/ a lap time of about 1 min 10 sec, where did an extra 9 minutes come from? Do they count the time until all have finished? Certainly would have affected the outcome in LMP2.

SCOTITUDE · 08-28-2008, 09:22 AM

I thought it was a pit open/closed signal but the pattern didnt change much throught the race.

twobone · twobone's Garage

I bet the box does the following:

I bet it sends signals to the cars to change the "position" lighting system that exists on all ALMS cars:

http://www.orionsportsmarketing.com/americanlemans_leaderlights.html

kneedragger302 · 08-28-2008, 12:42 PM

The Position lights are done by the ALMS Transponder/Data system. These drivers and teams have enough to worry about much less keeping track of what position they are running.

SCOTITUDE · 08-28-2008, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twobone

I bet the box does the following:

I bet it sends signals to the cars to change the "position" lighting system that exists on all ALMS cars:

Thought about that but wouldn't it be positioned just after S/F? this was just before the last turn onto the front straight. I would think the position lights are changed as they pass S/F.

christopher@cam · 08-28-2008, 08:35 PM

outstanding photo's....thank you for sharing

Buckterrier · 08-29-2008, 02:41 AM

Have been to the last 2 ALMS races at Lime Rock. Great racing, great cars, and a great time. And yes the noises they make, don't make. When they shift gears, the 'pop'. That is the best sound you'll ever hear from a race car. Then again the annoying exhaust from the Corvettes, a bit much. And yes the Audis prove you don't have to make big noise to make big horsepower. What other series has 7 mfg. in one class soon to be 8, (Bimmer coming on board). Enough with all the spec race car series.

kneedragger302 · 08-29-2008, 04:49 AM

I talked to a friend of mine who is active in ALMS and this is actually just what it looks like. Its a warning box that tied to all the boxes through out the race course. When the ALMS and IMSA runs a race that runs in to the night, it is hard for the drivers to see flags so they use these boxes to illiuminate the caution. It will also show them which part of the track the caution is on...either the left side, right side of the racing line. This is all done with the ALMS data/ and car transponder.