RE: le mans

["Dave Eaton" <Dave.Eaton@clear.net.nz>]

remember that all the le mans "big boys" have built unique engines for this
race.  audi sport were asked to use a 5-valve v8 tt, but ended up building a
unique made-for-racing motor using 4v v8 tt.  the m-b boys have got v8tt and
v8 n/a and v12 n/a motors to choose from.  bmw-williams will be using a
derivative of the n/a 6l v12.  so, unless "northstar" is a marketing concept
(which is pretty likely), then i'd be very surprised if gm can get away with
a production motor.  highly unlikely.

remember too, that hp is governed by the use of air restrictor plates based
around a weight-related scale, depending upon the class of the car.  hence
gt prototype use a different restrictor and have 90l fuel tanks, while gt1
(coupe) use an 80l tank and different restrictor.

you should bear in mind also that the r&s chassis has not been tested
against the euro big boys yet.  roll on sebring i guess.  will anyone be
going so we can get "live" coverage.

dave
'95 rs2
'90 ur-q

> -----Original Message-----
> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 1999 17:10:06 -0500 (EST)
> From: "Graydon D. Stuckey" <graydon@apollo.kettering.edu>
> Subject: Re: More Racing News
>
> On Tue, 9 Mar 1999 MSV96@aol.com wrote:
>
> > << Cadillac's entry in LeMans' prototype category will be
> an open-air sports
> > car developed by Riley & Scott of Indianapolis and powered
> by a twin-
> > turbocharged Northstar engine. >>
> >
> > Not sure how closely you follow sports car racing...but the
> R&S chassis is
> > pretty much the class of the field. This potentially could
> be a seriously
> > formidable combination...
>
> Agreed.  R&S also were the designers of the Chevy Intrepid
> GTP car a few
> years ago, which was fast right out of the box.  That car was
> built by
> Pratt-Miller engineering near Detroit.  I noticed recently
> that P-M and
> R&S were the two companies that built the Corvette C5Rs for Daytona.
> Those cars also are showing some promise.
>
> Furthermore, we know that the Northstar engine runs well as a race
> engine, from its experience in IRL, so there's no reason not
> to assume
> the Caddy Lemans car would have prodigious HP levels.  I'd say its a
> serious threat.  Now I hafta figure out how to get a transfer...  :-)