Stoney

Official info is <a href="http://www.imsaracing.net/menu/imsaindex.cfm?page=/2002/20Questions/fromthedrivers.htm">here</a>.

Noon, Wednesday 9/18/02 at Caesar Chavez Park, San Jose. Come early, or wait to the end, for autographs. Bring your Audi manual if not your "Audi Years at Le Mans" book.

This was great last year, very noisy and fun, with cars racing around the oval park at high speeds, just feet from normal traffic. Great photo op.

Last year, Tom Kristensen and Jan Magnussen (Panoz), two of the best race car drivers in the world, were there (with family, in Tom's case). This year, Johnny Herbert will be there with a Champion R8, along with other unnamed drivers.

My thumbnail pictures of last year are <A HREF="http://www.netwiz.net/~jds/pics/sanjose_alms_010905/index.html">here</A>.

98

sweet! Thanks for the heads up!

Chris JB

I'm so bummed!!! It's the one day this week I can't make it ;-(

98

<img src="http://www.elbogrease.com/bs/s-a.jpg">

<img src="http://www.elbogrease.com/bs/s-p.jpg">

<img src="http://www.elbogrease.com/bs/s-v.jpg">

yosh1044

of the short-haired blonde in red... didnt miss that one, didja? =P

98

But I couldn't do it. I kind of figured someone else would.

velo

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17977/dsc01419.jpg"></center><p>got to take it when she is looking at the cars, make it not to obvious. Not that good of a shot anyways...but it is of the R8, not the girl...heh heh

P. Bauer

that short haired blonde chick was pretty damn HOT!!

velo

yea she was, but she was also sporting a "ring"

Stoney

I had a couple of longish chats with Johnny Herbert. Quite an open and friendly Brit.

I'll paraphrase...

Audi in ALMS: probably this is the last year. There will be customer teams including Bentley and Champion.

Audi in Formula 1: Not likely. Tougher competition, much more chance to show poorly there than in ALMS. Audi are already selling all the cars they can build, so what would be in it for them, after such a successful streak in Le Mans and ALMS?

Laguna Seca: I nice track, nice setting, nice flow. Not as thrilled about it as other drivers. The corkscrew is too slow to really drive aggressively. Good weather, dry, not like the recent DC race, which was so hot it "burned my feet. I'm not sure I'll do that one again." The open cockpit helps a lot.

Officiating: ALMS has many less-experienced drivers who take unpredictable tracks. Often they will not see you coming in their mirrors, and cut in front, causing contact, but you get penalized. The penalties such as for passing on yellow (Dindo) were valid, though.

Points: Not doing too well. Punctures were a big problem recently. Also the randomness introduced by the slower classes.

Today: Has no idea how people were selected to come. No Panoz, no works cars or drivers.

Budget: Would be surprised if they spend more than 5 million $ per year. (Stoney: I remember reading large numbers for Audi, was it 30 or 60 million?)

Wristwatch: wore a Rolex Daytona. Says they are getting a bit too popular among the drivers.

--

Johnny changed into his jumpsuit right there in public, under a tree by the back of the car. He's got that change down to a 90-second procedure. Most photographers (myself included) avoided snapping pics of him without any pants.

You may see me in the background if Fox news plays an interview with him, or in other pics of the event (some of you were there!). I have a white "Team Joest" T-shirt on, holding a camera. Wife is wearing Tom Kristensen's white T-shirt, and a tan Audi Sport cap with signatures from Tom, Bell, and Galati on the visor.

Driving around the park was much slower this year than last. Tom and Jan were feigning passing attempts and building up quite a bit of speed last year.

(note: files are still uploading as of 4pm PDT Wednesday, so check back later if needed.)<ul><li><a href="http://www.netwiz.net/~jds/pics/sanjose_alms_020918">Pictures and Movies</a></li></ul>