Friday, March 15, 2019

RETRO: Time for Another Tortuous Twelve Hours on Sebring's Notoriously Brutal Tarmac




This Porsche 935/77A was entered for the 1978 24 Hours of Le Mans by Dick Barbour Racing. The car in bright red Hawaiian Tropic livery was driven by Brian Redman, John Paul and Dick Barbour. It  also appeared at the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it finished runner-up with some iconic Hollywood Actor's name PL Newman on its flanks. (Image source: motorsportretro.com)
As Y'all know the Drill here on thoust Isle 'O Nofendersville... Apparently not having scribbled anythingy of Substance last year, Eh?


Although right now I've got my Mind Ah-wonderin' over the recent News of a former Kremer K3 Panzerwagon', albeit the 1979 24 Heurs du Mans Porsche 935 that's currently on display at the Peterson Automotive Museum, which is another story for another day...


With the All Conquering Porsche 935 Panzerwagons (variants) being virtually unbeatable that year, I've failed to mention previously that four decades ago, it was some Cool Cat known as Thee Flyin' Hawaiian and his Boss Ted Field, along with some bloke with the last name of Haywood. A one Mr. Hurley Haywood winning aboard Thar brand spankin' new #0 Interscope Racing Porsche 935/79 in that year's 24 Hours of Daytona race.


Although apparently Sebring's notoriously rough 'N tumble Concrete tarmac got the better of the Interscope Racing's "Double Zero Buckshot" (#00) Porsche 935/77A, which finished 35th overall, suffering suspension failure on Lap-120.

Whilst 40 years ago, it was Dick Barber Racing (DBR) scoring its second consecutive Sebring W', in what would ultimately be an Ultra Rare Hat-trick of victories between 1978-80. The first two scored with its then de Riggour Porsche 935 customer chassis, before upgrading to a Kremer K3 variant in 1980.

With the victory going to Bob akin, a future Porsche Team Owner who'd later triumph at Sebring for a second time with his own Porsche 962. (1986) And the relatively unknown tandem of Rob McFarlin and Roy Woods.

Although Dick Barber Racing had three Porsche 935's entered, naturally with the BOSS', nee Dick Barber in Thar newest 935/77A mount. finishing P4 Overall with some Dude fondly known as Rocket Rick' Mears as one of his Co-Drivers.

Whilst another legendary Cat nicknamed Bondo', aka Bob Bondurant Spearheaded DBR's other Porsche 935, which finished one position ahead, third Overall.

As Porsche's Stranglehold upon Sports Car racing as a whole, came to a close with the arrival of Electramotive Engineering's Nissan GTP ZX Turbo thirty years ago. Which saw Geoff Brabham, thee Flying Dutchman, nee Arie Luyendyk and Chip Robinson victorious at Sebring.

As Porsche wouldn't return to Overall victory at Sebring until 2008, when El Capitano', nee Roger Penske was running a Brace 'O Factory Porsche RS Spyder's, with Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Emmanuel Collard winning.

This year's 12 Hours of Sebring features a total of five current IndyCar Drivers split between two classes, i.e.; Thee B-I-G BOYZ', nee Daytona Prototype International's (DPi) and Grand Tourismo' Le Mans Coupes. (GT LM)

With Alexander Rossi and Simon Pagenaud running the Endurance events for Acura Team Penske's DPi's, i.e.; Daytona, Sebring and Petit Le Mans for certain, along with possibly the Watkins Glen 6hrs Enduro?

Whilst IndyCar Rookie and NBC Sports (NBCSN) Booth Boyz' Darling Colton Herta will be behind the Keyboard of the #25 BMW M8 GTE Tintop, going for a Florida Sweep, having won the season opening Rolex 24 GT LM Class victory.

Yet IndyCar Bad Arse reigning Five Times Champ Scotty "Iceman 2.0" Dixon, and 4X Champ Car Champion le Hamburgular', now referred to as Sealmeister B' here in Nofendersville. Hmm? What's Dat Marshall Pruett "Hamburger & French Fries" Skit All 'bout, Eh?

Will see these two IndyCar Veterans aboard Thar respective CGR Ford GT mounts gunning for another GT Le Mans Class W' vs. teenager Herta.

Along with said current IndyCar Drivers is a trio of Celebs', with past Penske IndyCar Drivers HULIO' and JPM, aka Helio Castroneves and Juan Pablo Montoya with five Borg Warner trophies total Spearheading the two Acura DPi entries .

Whilst Talkin' Head (Townsend) T-Bell's co-driving the No. 12 Aim Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 racecar in the ultra competitive GTD (Daytona) class.

And Unlike the Access Denied "404 Error" Pay Wall NBC Gold Pass, which Really? You need to Pay to watch Indy Cars Qualie' and Practices Chock O'block with Commercials, WTF!

Instead, I'll enjoy listening to my Numero Uno Announcer Der Heindenmeier', aka John Hindhaugh on IMSA Radio. Which not only is FREE! But Also Doesn't Barrage Yuhs with Commercials during said Broadcast!

So Stick that in Your Pipe IndyCar Blogger McSmarty Pantz' and Smoke That! Whilst you gush over how Paying to watch Indy Cars on Pay-2-Play' television broadcasting is a NO Brainer... As who's the Sucker, Eh?

And although Y'all can indeed catch the race on Linear TV, it'll be another Discombobulated television broadcast. Needing to tune-in to CNBC, NBCSN and FRICK! That El Stupidio' NBC Sports App thingy', Bugger!

With the action beginning Saturday morning, March 16th on CNBC at 7:30AM Pacific. Which will make for a really long day 'O motor racing, with the Australian Grand Prix from Down Under in Bloody Melbourne later that evening Stateside, Mates...