Comments on: A chink in the armour http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/sports-cars/a-chink-in-the-armour/ The original motor racing magazine Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:05:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: rick http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/sports-cars/a-chink-in-the-armour/comment-page-1/#comment-31363 rick Sat, 28 Mar 2009 04:05:21 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2008/03/19/a-chink-in-the-armour/#comment-31363 The Jaguar XJ uses its own advanced aluminum chassis. The new XK also uses its chassis. Apex Motorsport has worked with Jaguar to build the new XKR GT3 race car for the FIA GT3 Championship. Jaguar's new 5.0 liter V-8 isn't too bad. The Jaguar XJ uses its own advanced aluminum chassis. The new XK also uses its chassis. Apex Motorsport has worked with Jaguar to build the new XKR GT3 race car for the FIA GT3 Championship. Jaguar’s new 5.0 liter V-8 isn’t too bad.

]]> By: R.Widdows http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/sports-cars/a-chink-in-the-armour/comment-page-1/#comment-198 R.Widdows Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:45:29 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2008/03/19/a-chink-in-the-armour/#comment-198 Dear Martin Yes,you're right, it's the first time they've been pushed,and it showed. Derek Bell said to me, "If it doesn't break at Sebring, it's not going to break," which is another way of saying, "If it's going to fail, it will fail at Sebring." It is such a demanding track and, starngely, the Audis had never had brake or suspension problems in the past. You're right, Le Mans has the makings of a great battle, if Peugeot can find reliability as well as speed.The car is very quick but it's still fragile. I can't get excited about Aston or Jaguar, sadly. I think Jaguar is a classic case of a lost opportunity - it's such a great brand but it's been diluted over the years by unimaginative management. Aston could still excite me if David Richards gets his way and turns it back into a real racing car again. I somehow feel that Audi and Peugeot have it right, they recognise the "green" pressures on the sport and they are constantly looking forward, not back. We may not like whispering turbo-diesels but they are the future. My Editor has asked me to be more controversial with my blogs - so let's forget re-badging and bring on real British racing cars with real 21st century British engines, and all painted up in British Racing Green. We have the heritage, let's use it, and improve it with new, young engineers.............! RW Dear Martin
Yes,you’re right, it’s the first time they’ve been pushed,and it showed. Derek Bell said to me, “If it doesn’t break at Sebring, it’s not going to break,” which is another way of saying, “If it’s going to fail, it will fail at Sebring.” It is such a demanding track and, starngely, the Audis had never had brake or suspension problems in the past.
You’re right, Le Mans has the makings of a great battle, if Peugeot can find reliability as well as speed.The car is very quick but it’s still fragile.
I can’t get excited about Aston or Jaguar, sadly. I think Jaguar is a classic case of a lost opportunity – it’s such a great brand but it’s been diluted over the years by unimaginative management. Aston could still excite me if David Richards gets his way and turns it back into a real racing car again. I somehow feel that Audi and Peugeot have it right, they recognise the “green” pressures on the sport and they are constantly looking forward, not back. We may not like whispering turbo-diesels but they are the future.
My Editor has asked me to be more controversial with my blogs – so let’s forget re-badging and bring on real British racing cars with real 21st century British engines, and all painted up in British Racing Green. We have the heritage, let’s use it, and improve it with new, young engineers………….!
RW

]]> By: Martin Cooper http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/sports-cars/a-chink-in-the-armour/comment-page-1/#comment-194 Martin Cooper Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:53:47 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2008/03/19/a-chink-in-the-armour/#comment-194 Isn't this the first time Audi have been pushed? That's when things start breaking. I hope it's sign that the competition is increasing and Le Mans will be a very good race, even if it is a bit quiet. Maybe Audi and Peugeot will push each other so hard that they all break and the Aston Lola wins, dreaming probably but it's a nice idea. A better idea would be for Jaguar's new owners to get hold of the Peugeot race engine and rebadge it, that's what they do with XJ road cars. A Jaguar Le Mans return, even a diesel Jaguar Le Mans return, would be about as good as it gets. Isn’t this the first time Audi have been pushed? That’s when things start breaking. I hope it’s sign that the competition is increasing and Le Mans will be a very good race, even if it is a bit quiet. Maybe Audi and Peugeot will push each other so hard that they all break and the Aston Lola wins, dreaming probably but it’s a nice idea. A better idea would be for Jaguar’s new owners to get hold of the Peugeot race engine and rebadge it, that’s what they do with XJ road cars. A Jaguar Le Mans return, even a diesel Jaguar Le Mans return, would be about as good as it gets.

]]> By: Rich Ambroson http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/sports-cars/a-chink-in-the-armour/comment-page-1/#comment-192 Rich Ambroson Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:36:12 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2008/03/19/a-chink-in-the-armour/#comment-192 No worries, Rob, I totally got the humor of the comment. I have some great friends that aren't necessarily fond of the French, as well as my best friend actually being French, so I know both sides. I could picture the cats you were talking to, the ZZ-Top beard description was classic! Really enjoy your work both online here and in the actual (Long Live Print!) magazine. Cheers, Rich No worries, Rob, I totally got the humor of the comment. I have some great friends that aren’t necessarily fond of the French, as well as my best friend actually being French, so I know both sides. I could picture the cats you were talking to, the ZZ-Top beard description was classic!

Really enjoy your work both online here and in the actual (Long Live Print!) magazine.

Cheers,
Rich

]]> By: R.Widdows http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/sports-cars/a-chink-in-the-armour/comment-page-1/#comment-180 R.Widdows Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:51:43 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2008/03/19/a-chink-in-the-armour/#comment-180 Dear Rich I hope I did not give the impression that Americans hate the French. It simply struck me as a funny comment to make! It was a terrific event and so much more fun and exciting than Le Mans. I'd love to go back. I miss the V12 Ferrari too, though you can hear it at the Goodwood Revival! There is something wonderful and mysterious about the sound of the diesels however. Anyway, thanks for your response. RW Dear Rich

I hope I did not give the impression that Americans hate the French. It simply struck me as a funny comment to make!
It was a terrific event and so much more fun and exciting than Le Mans. I’d love to go back.
I miss the V12 Ferrari too, though you can hear it at the Goodwood Revival! There is something wonderful and mysterious about the sound of the diesels however.
Anyway, thanks for your response.
RW

]]> By: Rich Ambroson http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/race/sports-cars/a-chink-in-the-armour/comment-page-1/#comment-179 Rich Ambroson Wed, 19 Mar 2008 16:32:47 +0000 http://www.motorsportmagazine.co.uk/2008/03/19/a-chink-in-the-armour/#comment-179 I thoroughly enjoyed this year's Sebring 12 Hours. I'm one of the folks who DOES like the diesels, even though they don't sound as lovely as a Ferrari 3.0 litre V12 from "back in the day". It would have been fantastic if the Peugeot had been able to remain a bit more reliable and battled the Audis some more, but they look great. I can't wait for the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Looking forward to more great writeups on the site here, and the usual fantastic articles in the best automotive magazine, Motor Sport. Oh, and we don't ALL hate the French here in the U.S. ... Cheers, Rich Ambroson I thoroughly enjoyed this year’s Sebring 12 Hours. I’m one of the folks who DOES like the diesels, even though they don’t sound as lovely as a Ferrari 3.0 litre V12 from “back in the day”. It would have been fantastic if the Peugeot had been able to remain a bit more reliable and battled the Audis some more, but they look great.

I can’t wait for the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Looking forward to more great writeups on the site here, and the usual fantastic articles in the best automotive magazine, Motor Sport.

Oh, and we don’t ALL hate the French here in the U.S. …

Cheers,
Rich Ambroson

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