List traffic is down this weekend MH99 observations.

[Wolff <quattro200@earthlink.net>]

I wonder where everyone is. :-)

I watched Bobby Unser get fitted for the S1 today. He was sitting in the
car while some Germanic technicians were adjusting and instructing. At
one point he asked in a southern drawl "What kinda tires does this have
on it?"    He laughed when the tech replied that racing slicks had been
fitted. I guess he didn't want to do Laguna on rally rubber. 
   Later I asked him if there was any truth to a story that Hurley
Haywood had related about the car needing to be painted with a red white
and blue flag motif before Bobby would drive it for the hillclimb. He
said it was true and echoed Hurley's sentiment that Joe Hoppen was a
wonderful guy to drive for, but that he had a way of dissapearing
sometimes. Those that heard Hurley speak at dinner will understand.
    I _had_ to stay and watch each of the cars outside the Audi tent get
started and warmed up. Actually, I think they skipped one S1, but they
started "Bobby's" car. Suweeet! Loud, but good. Every car they started
had to have the hood lifted or bonnet removed. They checked coolant
temps while they were running them. 
    Next car to warm up was the '88 trans am #44. Ear candy. This ain't
yer momma's 5000/200. Actually, it might have been. I have an '88
5kcstq, who knows, it might have been right on the production line with
the race car. The race car was a unibody car. I could clearly see where
the front of the car had been chopped off ahead of the strut towers.
They actually retained the strut front suspension. Unbelievable! They
raced this tin can against purpose built tube frame cars and won.
    The IMSA 90q #4 on the other hand was a whole different animal. This
was Hurley's actual car, and he was to take it on the demonstration
laps. Very high tech compared to the type 44. Stunning technology under
the hood. Coffee can sized plumbing everywhere. Truck sized intercooler.
Truck sized exhaust too for that matter. Doesn't look anything like a
"normal" 20v motor. Again, the auditory stimulation when they fired it
up was beyond compare.
    They started the wankel and it didn't seem to combust internally, I
think it more crackled partially externally. Reminded me of a top fuel
dragster trying to idle, with the sharp pops, but smoother rpms. Loud.
     The front drive 2.0 liter A4 sounded pretty good, but it's still
only a four any way you slice it.
    Next, the TDM V-8 was brought to life. Much quieter than any of the
others, but still healthy. 
    The R8r's were at the end. They started only one of them. It was
enough. Let's just say that it's not a good idea to stand a foot from
the exhaust without ear protection. It was practically blowing my
trowsers off. Problem is that you want to hear it since it sounds so
good, but it's so loud you know you should be covering your ears. The
cannopied area filled with exhaust smell and smoke. Quite a memorable
scene watching the techs through the haze checking stuff while the head
pounding din was rattling my teeth. I hope I got some good video and
photos.
    At the end of the row in an uncoverd area were a c type and a d
typre silver arrow along with an ancient NSU race car. The NSU was
started up with a handheld external starter. Frighteningly loud. I was
standing in front of it with the flimsiest of fences in between. I had
visions of some ancient transmission linkage failing, causing a new
round of UI. They reved it higher and higher. I thought sure it would
blow up, then they shut it off, business as usual.
    They made like they would start the 16 cylinder, but it was taking
seeminqly forever. They had a bad ignition switch. They ended up
wheeling the car back to the shop. I decided to leave the pit area and
get a good spot to watch the demonstration laps from. 
   Watching and hearing the cars standing still was great, but seeing
them on the track was even better. I hope they do it again Sunday.
Wolff