Day 1: As promised by ALMS boss Scott Atherton, in Toronto at the January Canadian Motorsport Expo, the car count for ALMS started the day in the mid 30s. The weather at Sebring was ideal for racing and laying down some rubber after last Fridays torrential rain and tornado.
The morning session was mostly a 'feel out the track and car' thing, but in the afternoon session it was time to put the pedal down. Near the end of the final session, Jon Field of Dublin, Ohio lost control of his Lola B06 10 heading into turn 10 and had a horrific accident.
He was taken from the track to a local hospital and was released last night. The car is destroyed and they have no backup in Florida, but there is a new tub in Ohio so their ability to make the race is still questionable.
In the GT2 class Andrea Robertson crashed in her Ford GT 40 and the crew is working to see if the car can be repaired in time. Robertson was uninjured in the crash.
At a noon hour press conference, Gunnar Jeannette unveiled his Green Earth Technologies. Sponsored by G-OIL and biodegradable engine oil the car should become a fan favorite. Painted bright green with a garden of Eden motif the car glows in the dark and for this 12 hour night race will create quite a impression.
An event of this size cannot operate without a lot of volunteers and Mosport Marshaling Service has 17 Canadian track marshals for race day. There are so many that corners 3,4,and 5 will be worked only by MMS. At the SCCA campground there is even a private washroom just for the Canadian Marshals.
Words and photos by Ed Moody
0 comments:
Post a Comment