ALMS Monterey

Originally published in the July, 2013 issue of DrivenWorld
May 15, 2013

It's hard to ignore the dynamic spirit of life on the Monterey Peninsula.

Razor sharp sunshine pierces microclimates that roll across the undulating landscape, taming cool marine air.   Rich in agriculture, California cuisine, and an appreciation for the arts, the Peninsula inspires one to embrace the good life, opportunity, and endeavor.  Monterey is also home to a rich history of competition, specifically in motor sports.

Carved around a dry lake bed on Ft. Ord’s artillery target range, Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca is a proud centerpiece of the region and one of North America's iconic motor racing circuits.  

Laguna Seca's corkscrew: renown for it's ten story drop

Fabled names through great eras of modern motor sport have attacked this challenging ribbon of tarmac.    Teams, designers, drivers, and automotive enthusiasts from all over the world have relished their moment under the Monterey sun, and this year's busy calendar will prove no exception.

May 11 marked one of the year's more significant annual events with the third round of the 2013 American Le Mans Series..   Bringing the most advanced prototypes and GT chassis from all over the world, the ALMS is the premiere North American sports car series contested by some of the world's best racing drivers.  

Laguna Seca is one of only a handful of circuits to have hosted the ALMS each year of the series' fifteen-year existence.   The circuit provides US sports car enthusiasts the opportunity to see these incredible machines driven on the limit over a highly unique terrain.    The steep rise to the famous corkscrew turn challenges drivers and creates a natural spectator proscenium as the circuit sharply drops toward the Rainey curve.

Qualifying for this year's race was highlighted by two sensational pole position laps.   Swiss pilot Neel Jani pipped the LMP1 field in his Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota, while Italian Matteo Malucelli put his Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 GT on top in the GT class.

LMP1 Pole for Neel Jani

Matteo Malucelli

Jani relates his pole lap to Heidfeld

Race day delivered a number of titanic battles through the field, with surprising results.

Germans Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf in the Muscle Milk Honda HPD prototype wrestled the race win away from Jani and his teammate, ex-F1 pilot Nick Heidfeld, in a taut wheel to wheel contest.

Early days:   Klaus Graf started for Muscle Milk

Approaching traffic on entry to the corkscrew, Jani took to the inside but out braked himself.   The Rebellion Lola missed the apex and Luhr slipped past.   Jani later regained the race lead after the two cars came together into turn 3, but fell victim to a late race puncture leaving Rebellion to settle for second place behind the Luhr/Graf Muscle Milk Team.

Winning drivers from all classes

 
IMSA's fantastic Porsche GT3 Cup and the Cooper Lites Championship both provided their usual brand of fierce competition filling out the race weekend.     Featuring two races each, these support series feature close, often dramatic racing between semi-pro and gentlemen racers.

IMSA's GT3 Cup supports the ALMS weekend with close racing

This year's race marked the final ALMS visit to Mazda Raceway following the recent merger of ALMS with the NASCAR-sanctioned Grand AM series, which will launch IMSA United Sports Car Racing  in 2014.   Although the new series offers promise, it marks the end of what has proven to be a highly regarded facet of motor sport in North America.

Rebellion's Jani and Heidfeld were quick all weekend

Morning warm-up got a bit dusty for Katherine Legge in the DeltaWing LM12

Closing stages for the Team West/AJR/Boardwalk Ferrari 458 GT

Story & Photos by
Jim Hunter

Observations, Round 2

Perhaps it's the high definition, but I previously did not realize there was quite the degree of elevation change on the very fast left right sweeper leading up to the back straight.     IMHO, Sepang is a great circuit.    It offers at least four, arguably five turns great for overtaking not to mention two long straights excellent for exploiting tow.

Pretty good race.    I could not help but notice (perhaps due to DRS) that there was so much overtaking that it all started to look a bit easy . . . a personal fear previously noted.

Great to see Heidfeld fight so hard to live up to my early praise (LOL).    Poor Petrov.    His race looked more like the Vitaly of latter 2010.    I like Petrov.    It's clear to me that he's a good guy.    Unfortunately, he appears prone to brain fade in the mold of the Monza Gorilla, Vittorio Brambilla.    I had to laugh at Brundle's bemusement when Petrov kept his foot in it returning from his off course excursion late in the race.    

Fortunately, Petrov was not injured but it reminded me of a cynical moment in the "Road Warrior" when he found himself holding a completely useless steering wheel.

Kubica.    The Lotus Renault is strong . . . and for all we know he might be leading the championship now.     Let's hope he continues to recover and returns sooner rather than later.

Not up on the details regarding the penalties handed down to Hamilton and Alonso, but off the cuff my take on this embarrassingly awful moment was that it was purely a racing incident . . . the FIA should not penalize racing.  

I've watched the on board several times and don't see any wrong doing on Hamilton's behalf.    I simply think Alonso got caught out by underestimating his closing speed on the McLaren.     On close inspection it is surprising how slow Hamilton appears in contrast to the Ferrari.  

In the end it was a great shame as Alonso put forth an otherwise noble fight to make the podium.     As my friends across the pond might say, "its early days," but I'm hoping Ferrari can pull it together sooner rather than later.  

There was great analysis on the BBC from Coulthard, who demonstrated via recorded engine note Hamilton's ability to take one of the super quick left right sweepers flat where Alonso was clearly lifting.     My impression is that Ferrari historically struggle with grip, and much as in recent years past, the optimum setup for the 150 remains elusive.

Finally, I have to feel for Mark Webber.     I hope his fortunes take a turn for the better soon.