Listen LIVE at http://www.autosport.com/radiolemans/


Follow the race online at http://www.lemans.org

Watch LIVE on SPEED: June 15, 9:30 am - 4:30pm (EDT) 7hrs June 16, 12:30 am - 4:00 am (EDT) 3.5hrs June 16, 7:00 am - 10:30 am (EDT) 3.5hrs

Johnny O's Pre-Le Mans Notes:

A couple of years ago…I met a fellow at Sebring who has to be one of the biggest fans of sports car racing. He always hangs out at turn ten at Sebring, with a ton of other sports car fans like Lee Self the artist, eating turkey and drinking beer and they have this blender for making mixed drinks that is powered by a 2 cycle engine. Totally a fun group to watch races with. Anyway, his name is Norm Koury and over the years he has become a close friend to me and my family. He suggested that I do a comparison between the Corvette and Nissan that I drove there in 94. So because it is the “Year of the Norm”, I’m happy to do it.

There is of course differences between the two cars…and the biggest of these is the engine. The Nissan used a turbo, while the Corvette is a big ole V-8. The nice thing about the turbo was the torque that the engine had….incredible. The nice thing about the Corvette is throttle response. Now it has to be pointed out that over the years the regulations have changed a lot, so in a way comparing them is like comparing apples to oranges. That said, the Nissan engine probably had a bit more “giddy up” to it. It really accelerated well. Of course, we are now going faster in the Corvette then we did with the Nissan, which is most likely due to better handling and aerodynamics. The Vette still has incredible engine numbers, but it seems each year the ACO does what they can to keep the cars slow. My guess is the Corvette run to 94 engine specs…would have been just as strong as the Nissan.

As far as braking goes, the Corvette for sure wins as we are using carbon fiber, while the Nissan had steel rotors. With the Corvette, you are definitely using later braking points than in the Nissan….and aerodynamics are probably playing a role in this as well.

Overall handling, I would also go with the Corvette, as it is very well balanced. But this would be a close call as that Nissan really went through the corners well. I remember the first time going through Indianapolis corner being amazed at how much grip we had. I still get amazed…every year, at how fast you can go there. You drive through it in a street car, and think…no bloody way !!! But once you strap in….well you can just fly through it.

Without a doubt, both cars were/are great to drive on that circuit. The Corvette does get around it a bit faster, which when you take into effect the changes in engine rules….is pretty impressive. But then again, since ’94, tires have gotten better as have brakes and aerodynamics.

So, Norm… both cars are great on that circuit. But it is a funny thing. You tend to love driving any car that you have had success in, and with both the Nissan and the Corvette, I have been lucky enough to win at Le Mans. Perhaps after this year, should we get another win, I’ll be able to pick a favorite….my guess is it will be colored yellow.

Johnny O

MORE RACE NEWS & REPORTS...