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| Bits & Pieces From VIR |
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Andrew S. Hartwell
We've collected a few quotes, comments and observations from the VIR 400 Grand-Am Rolex Series race. To begin, lets do something 'bright' and talk about the weather.
The sun has held the top spot (way up, actually) all day at VIR with warming rays complimented by an oh-so-welcome brisk breeze making for absolutely ideal conditions for almost any sort of outdoor activity. Sorry snowboarders, you don't win on a day like today. But everyone in short sleeves and even shorter pants certainly have won.
There is a sizeable crowd here today. The autograph session was well attended and wearing a smile seemed to be the order of the day. Fans of every size, shape and automotive persuasion got in line to collect the prized signatures of the racers who plan to put on a great show. The Playboy bunnies were here too and it wasn't long before the lines - as the men got closer to their table - started to move slower than a Porsche with a flat tire. Or maybe that's a Yugo with a broken axle?
Anyway, we collected some thoughts from various sources and list them here for your enjoyment. However, if you had come to VIR yourself this weekend, instead of sitting there in front of your pc watching your tan lines slowly fade, you might have enjoyed yourself no end.
Unless you were on line behind the suddenly lethargic men at the Playboy table, that is.
Team Sahlens Will Nonnamaker
This is the fourth race of the year but it is only the first chance we have really had to work on the new Corvettes. We got the cars two days before Daytona and then between Daytona and Mexico we only had two weeks to rebuild them. Between Mexico and Homestead we had just one week. So basically we have had no real time to do anything to the cars except making sure they have four wheels and can turn.
We're pretty excited that we have had about four weeks now since Homestead and we think we are going to turn the tables today.
The Porsche and the Corvette are totally different cars. The Corvettes were made for us by HRP World and the biggest difference is the motor is in the rear of the Porsche and it is a whole different way to drive the car. Driving the Corvette is actually a lot like driving the front wheel drive car I used to drive. You can drive it in and then put the power back on where as the Porsche was never like that. It would go from oversteer to understeer and back again at the snap of a finger.
But, we are really glad to be here and we think the GT race will be something the fans will really enjoy!
Celebration Of Bob Snodgrass' Life Scheduled For Next Week
Hurley Haywood gave us the details of the event to be held to honor the memory of Bob Snodgrass. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The celebration of Bob's life is going to be held on Wednesday, May 2nd, at the Touchstone Club in the Jacksonville Memorial Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Bob didn't want to have a funeral or memorial service. This is just a bunch of people getting together to tell funny stories about Bob Snodgrass. If you need further information you can get ahold of Kathy, who was Bob's secretary at Brumos. That number is 904-724-1080.
Max Angelelli On Last Years Finish At VIR
I have an open bill and I really want to close it. I want to get that win that I thought we had here last year. I guess in America you call it unfinished business'. That finish has never left my mind since last year, actually. It was very surprising. Mike Rockenfeller definitely surprised me at that third to last corner. I couldn't believe it. I was defending my position from Scott Pruett and he took advantage of that. He put the move on me on the inside when I wasn't even thinking he could do it.
Slowing for the GT car was the beginning of everything and I have never recovered from that. Rockenfeller was able to put his nose inside my car and it was too late to close the door. The rest is history. That will b
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