Indy cars and LeMans prototypes from the American LeMans series share the temporary street course that winds around the Al Lang Field parking lot and the Albert Whitted Airport. The visuals are at least as striking as Long Beach...a radio talk show host here in St. Pete called Monaco (in a display of sycophantry unrivaled any where) the "St. Petersburg of Europe". Enough of the butt kissing already!
The 3.5 liter Honda Indy V8 (powered by 100% fuel grade ethanol) makes a lot of torque (pulling power), which can give crews some head-scratching moments during set up.
So too, the Audi R10 LMP diesel (yes, diesel like the 18 wheelers). Could this mean that the LMP2 Acura from Andretti-Green Racing, driven by their former IndyCar pilot, Bryan Herta, and Dario Franchitti's brother, Marino, could win overall honors?
Technology has made our lives safer and easier, and in the long run, helped us to do more with fewer resources. So I can't get worked up about a "Car of Tomorrow" which (with the exception of the brakes) is essentially the best 1974 technology 2007 money can buy.
We'll post some photos from this weekend's festivities later.
Paul Kaminski
3/30/2007
