American Le Mans Series

Planetlemans analyzes the Generac 500 at Road America

© American Le Mans Series

Another Audi 1-2, one more Acura victory in LMP2 and a first time win for Farnbacher Loles in Porsche GT2 day. While these are the bottom line elements of the 4-hour Generac 500 at Road America, there were many more relevant events in a race abundant in full course cautions (a total of seven to be precise) and on-track battles.

First and foremost the new rules plus the Audi evolution have made evident that the Ingolstadt diesels do have an edge now over the LMP2s. Even in an incident-packed race like this Generac 500, as the flags went green the Audis were faster than anyone else and were able to establish a lead that could not be challenged by the LMP2 class cars. The Intersport Lola had nevertheless another moment of glory (Utah revisited) when in a great combination of tactics and driving skill Jon Field managed to get on the overall lead and challenge the top guns for quite a while.

In LMP2 however the Acura progress is pretty evident. Except for the early incidents that put the De Ferran car out of contention for the podium or win the Japanese-powered prototypes were more dominating than ever even if the Porsches were clearly in contention and also had a clear shot at the top position. The performance by Díaz and Fernández (unlucky as the rear suspension gave up) was probably their strongest ever but Patrón Highcroft’s win was also not exempt from excellent driving, fast times and flawless teamwork. The Brabham-Sharp duo has been the one bringing home the victories this year for Acura with solid performances and lasting the distance, a lot of merit for .

© American Le Mans Series

The other Acura team was clearly heading for a first win with Montagny and Rossiter running a very good race but all the skill and sense of opportunity shown by the quick Frenchman overtaking Brabham translated to dismay when a collision with the GT2 Aston put them out of the race. Was it a racing incident or was Montagny too greedy to get past the slower car? In my opinion both had the chance of avoiding the incident, Montagny was timely blinking with his lights but he was maybe too committed already when the Aston turned right and closed the door. Drayson on his side had the chance to go wider but probably did not have too many options as other traffic was also approaching from behind. It is as usual the endless discussion in Endurance racing about the simultaneous race classes and how faster and slower cars should behave on the track. Anyway, lots of justified disappointment at Andretti Green but also the realization that with these drivers they are a potential LMP2 winner.

For the RS Spyders it was not the best of results with their brand new engine. A very long period between pit stops did not do enough to counter what seems to be a leap forward by their direct competitors in class. Knowing Penske and Porsche they will work hard to avoid a gap to be created, especially when longer races like Petit Le Mans and Laguna Seca are approaching.

In GT1 the positive news was that Oliver Gavin did not suffer any consequences from his accident at the kink. Once more the Vette vs Vette battle had negative consequences for the team and it should be a touch of attention, this could have been much uglier….

© American Le Mans Series

The smallest class provided the fans again with an outstanding, unpredictable race until the very end. Constant battling, leader changes and extremely close racing have made this yet again a very attractive class to watch in 2008. The race seemed to be in Ferrari’s hands with Salo on the 62 Risi car leading the Farnbacher Loles Porsche of Dirk Werner. On another battle, more championship related, the 71 Tafel car was fending off the 45 Lizard Porsche..all of this with less than 15 minutes to go. A block by Brix (on the other Risi car, with a broken radio) to Salo had the Finn lose momentum and the Farnbacher Loles car overtake him on a very opportunistic manoeuvre in the dying moments of the race. Salo counterattacked immediately but was too greedy and spun in front of the white Porsche which deservedly took a fantastic first win of the season. Just behind the Lizards overtook the Tafel car to make it an all-Porsche race with a strong 1-2, Risi managing just 5th after Salo’s late spin.

The next ALMS round is August 24th at Mosport, we can only hope this fantastic racing continues as the series visit the pretty Canadian circuit, a real North American classic.