Volvo to enter Speed GT!

[MattR]

That's right, Volvo is entereing the Speed Gt series next year with a pair of S60-R's. This is great for the Speed series, with the entry of new teams like Cadillac in TC and Volvo in GT, very good for the series..

linky (http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/roadracing/9371/?from=[HOME)


http://www.speedtv.com/_assets/library/img/medium/17332_1819_1.jpg

[ArthurS]

Bad Friggin Ass!!!!!!!!!!! Go Volvo!

[Nick Koan]

Its pretty cool to see this series taking off. I saw it for the first time at ALMS at Laguna Seca this year, and I thought it was probably one of the more interesting races that day.

[sperry]

Its pretty cool to see this series taking off. I saw it for the first time at ALMS at Laguna Seca this year, and I thought it was probably one of the more interesting races that day.

I really love Speed World Challenge and ALMS... right now if I had to pick a series to race in, (like in some fantasy world where an evil scientist was forcing me to participate in a race series) I'd pick sports car racing!

[tysonK]

that car is meaty

[Kevin M]

If that car is competitive at ALL, it's going to be because of the driver, not the equipment. The head of that team (and I assume lead driver) is Paul Gerrard, whom I have had the pleasure of meeting a couple times. In the original "SuperTuner" Car and Driver challenge, he was the driver of the Autothority Porsche that spanked. He's won ALMS races among other series. He is also BMW North America's lead driving instructor. To top it off, he's a really nice guy, very humble. Anyways, I got to listen to him talk about what was a then-potential USTCC ride that wasn't really up to the task, but had good factory backing, and the rest of the field would be pulled back to its level. :p

[AtomicLabMonkey]

http://corner-carvers.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=14080

Info on some of the BS going on in WC.

[dknv]

Well it seems if the team has enough money and factory backing they could have a better chance of being competitive, but I'm inclined to agree that the driver can be the driving force to win. I think that's what happened with Paul Mumford (may he RIP) when he won at Laguna Seca last year he only had 1 crew person, not a whole factory following him around. Everyone at the time acknowledged he was a damn good driver.

[Kevin M]

Actually, Gerrard's team has GREAT factory backing... it's just that the Volvo motor sucks donkey ass. The block is nearly at the breaking point in FACTORY S60-R trim... no room for more for TC. Chassis is pretty good though.

A side note on Paul Mumford... I had the eerie experience of shipping him a Vishnu Stage I package for the Evo he had bought... the day he died. His friend called us (the one who was his crew, I believe) and told us after they arrived... it was really really weird getting that box back and putting his stuff back in stock... :(