F-C

SEBRING results:

1. Auberlen- BMW 325i
2. Pobst- Mazda 6
3. Kleinubing- Acura TSX
4. Altenburg- Mazda 6
5. Cunningham- Acura TSX


Auberlen was pretty much untouchable. On to the next race at St. Pete.

Edward'TLS

The penalty weight is really hurting the performance of the Acura's.

F-C

Are penalty weights given to the cars for the first race? I thought they are adjusted after a race. This being the first race of the year, I don't know if any penalty weights were given.

ilitig8

Back to zero at the start of the year, nobody had a number on the windshield. This year the R.E.W.A.R.D.S. weight has a reduced maximum. Auberlen may also not drive the full season. The Bimmerworld racing car looked strong at the beginning (jumping to 2nd) but put a wheel off in the 2nd lap. Pobst looked strong as he always does.

Edward'TLS

Sorry, I must be trying to find excuses why the Acura's were behind the 325i and the 6 in the opening race.

dom

I could be wrong but I believe the TSX's, 325's and 6's all weighed 2700lbs.

Auberlen is one hell of a driver.

F-C

Which isn't to say that the TSX hasn't been penalized someway for 2007 beside weight penalties. Perhaps SCCA felt that the TSX was too quick in 2006 and has given the car some limitations. Conspiracy theories?

But yeah, Auberlen is quick, and he consistently wins at Sebring.

ilitig8

Why would that be a conspiracy, it is after all a drivers series, the whole idea being keeping all the cars regardless of make very similar in performance. It is the reason the same drivers are near the top year after year even when they change cars. If the TSX had any advantage then it should and would be penalized, just like if they started in the series last year dead slow they would have been awarded some advantage.

CGTSX2004

iTrader: (1)

No doubt about that. He does consistently win at Sebring too, which is better suited to his driving style.

Edward'TLS

Maybe that's the Realtime team strategy - trying to hide its advantage by delibrately driving slow in the first couple of races. Just like BAR-Honda in the beginning F1 race last season sending its two cars back into the pit on the final lap so that they could have new engines installed for the next race.

vwong

Dang...is 2006 already over? We are in 2007 now?

moda_way

The BMWs are fast when it comes to flat out speed b/c they have the torque, but the TSX has them on courses where there are less flat out runs. Auberlen only drives when he knows he can win in that BMW which is like 3 races out of the year. The BMW is also carrying 50lbs extra weight and is 50/50 weight distribution vs the TSX and 6 at 58/42.

As for the 6, well Probst and Altenburg are out for blood this year. It will be tough to beat them.

vwong

Well, I guess SCCA saw how dominated the BMW was at Sebring (or Auberlen just screwed it up for the rest of the BMW teams by running so damn quick in the opening round). BMW gets some adjustments starting round 2 at St. Pete. Their base weight will be 2800 lbs. (up 100 lbs.), rev will drop to 8100 rpm (from 8500 rpm), and it will be 52/48 weight distribution rather than 50/50.

http://www.world-challenge.com/news/story.php?ID=280