Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen 2017

News:  You can now purchase my photos or electronic images at paulziegler.smugmug.com 

Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen June 30 - Jul 2, 2017 was another action  filled weekend at picturesque Watkins Glen, New York.  If you have not been there it is worth a trip that offers beautiful scenery, cool mornings and if luck is with you, beautiful blue skies over a park like setting on the top of the 'hill' with vistas that include farm fields complete with cows grazing above Seneca Lake miles in the background.   God's country, punctuated by the blatt blatt of  four, six and eight cylinder motors reverberating off maple and pine trees.


The following two pictures taken Labor Day weekend 2016 at the Indycar races show the rural, farm setting described above.

       This picture gives you a view from the grandstand at the '90' looking East towards Seneca Lake

With Seneca Lake in the background 5 miles away from 'the hill'.

The gathering included such greats as Scott Pruett, Joey Hand, Ricky and Jordan Taylor, Bill Auberlen and Alex Sims, Patrick Pilet and Dirk Werner, Andy Lally and Joao Barbosa to name just a few.  Of note, Scott Pruett was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America a few days before the race.  But along with the veterans, there were new faces as well and we welcome the likes of Sage Karam to the Glen who drove for Lexus along with Scott Pruitt.

And we welcome back to the States 25 drivers who competed at Le Mans less than 2 weeks ago representing the likes of Corvette Racing, Ford Chip Ganassi Racing, Porsche GT Team, Risi Competizone and Scuderia Corsa.

The big news of the weekend was that the #10 Konica Minolta Cadillac driven by Ricky and Jordon Taylor did not win the Prototype class; instead the class was taken by Jao Barbosa, Christian Fitipaldi and Filipe Albuquerque for Mustang Sampling Racing.  See video and story here:

Must see video- sights and sounds of Watkins Glen!

Mustang Sampling Wins At The Glen

And in other news, BMW's new M6 got its first win at the Glen.  See story here:

BMW M6 Wins For BMW Team RLL

As usual there were great performances by Corvette, Porsche, Ferrari , Ford and the newest manufacturers racing in IMSA -Lexus and Acura.  IMSA racing just keeps getting bigger and better.

This is not all, there was plenty of action in the build up to Sunday's 6 hour race shown in the Prototype Challenge,  Continential Tire 120 , Lamborghini Trofeo, and Porsche GT3 Cup races on Friday and Saturday.  So here's a photo gallery of the action:

From Saturday's Porcshe's GT Cup Race

The Corvette Train

New- Scott Pruett & Sage Karam in the Lexus

BMW Team RLL- winner in GTLM Class

Downhill into the'Boot'

                           Beautiful livery on this GT3 Cup Porsche including rain!
                                   

Yac Attack in PC Challenge

Ferrari 488 GTE

                                                                 Visit Florida Racing
                                      

Sage Karam and Lexus

                                     On Saturday Sage spun on oil coming out of turn 9.
                                               

Sage's Teammate Scott Pruett

The Winner- Prototype Class- Mustang Sampling

#5 Driver Joao Barbosa

At the toe of the 'boot'.

The Taylor Brothers

Konica Minolta Racing- a 1st lap shunt affected their race.

Series sponsor- the WeatherTech #50 Mercedes going through the 'Bus Stop'

Team RLL Racing BMW M6- view through the trees.

And on the grid before the race

And up the hill out of turn 9

A BMW brother from another mother- Turner Motorsport GT Daytona Class

            Charging up the hill out of the 'boot'- The winner, Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R.
   

GT Daytona class Porsche 911 GT3 R  Park Place Motorsports

Saturday rains dampened Saturday's PC Challenge Class race

Tight competition going downhill into the 'boot'.

A beautiful machine- the Ford GT of Chip Ganassi Racing driven by Joey Hand and Dirk Muller

GT Daytona entry by Core Autosport  Porsche GT3 R

Factory Entry in GTLM, the Porsche 911 RSR

This is only a sample of the pictures I have available for a modest charge.  If you'd like more, contact me at ppziegler@yahoo.com.  Hope you enjoyed the gallery from Paul Ziegler, www.carcamerastory.com.

Watkins Glen Photo Teaser

I'm late getting my stories and pictures of Sahlen's Six Hours of the Glen posted due to an assortment of issues back home- like AC not working and a pool pump timer that decided to go on vacation while I was at the races. So after driving 21 hours south to Florida, I spent the last 3 days fixing things.

But before I turn in for the night I have to give you these photos of a great race weekend at the Glen.  The on and off showers Friday and Saturday did not dampen the spirits of the record number of fans on hand to see some of the best racing anywhere.

So here you go -  I'll follow up with an in depth report from the garages to the starting grid to the toe of the 'boot' coming soon.

There's more to come - Stories and Captions Too!

Paul Ziegler, Publisher 

CarCameraStory.com LLC

Next Time Helio

The Indy 500 is one of the most recognized races and sporting events in the world. To be a four time winner of the race puts you in one of the most exclusive clubs in the world- there's only three members: A.J. Foyt, Al Unser Sr. and Rick Mears. Helio Castroneves has an open invitation to join with his three wins.

Helio is one of my favorite drivers. He's earned that spot for me as he has such a positive attitude and he's so down to earth.

That impression is confirmed by additional observations when interacting with other fans. I've captured a few shots of him at the 2016 and 2017 Indycar race at St. Petersburg Florida shown below exhibiting his captivating smile along with the ability to have fun. ( See candid picture of him spoofing the team mechanics at the 2016 race in St. Pete.)  Lastly, I'll finish this post with a story about a conversation I had with him at the autograph session in St. Petersburg back in March that adds to my appreciation for this truly humble driver.

                                              Can He Make Four Indy 500 Wins?

This guy has an ability to keep cool under pressure, even when things don't result in a win.  He always comes away with a good outlook on life.  Take this year's Indy 500 for example. He's won this three times.  Only three people on the planet have won it four times. He's trying to join the Four Timers club and he ends up second. Most people would lose it, have a break down or be really really upset. Helio's response "I did everything I could, trust me. Unfortunately second place is the best for us today."   Wow- he kept it together in the face of disappointment.    At age 42, Helio is in great shape and the experts say he's not too old to win again. ( Al Unser Sr. won in 1987 when he was 47)
I hope he does.  He's a class act!

So here's my little story.  I got in the long line for driver autographs at the 2017 St. Pete Indycar race and had a bunch of 8x10 pictures from the year before of various drivers but I didn't have one of Helio.  What can I have him autograph, other than the standard photo card everybody gets?  I happened to be wearing a hat that says 'Shift Happens' with a four speed gearshift pattern showing on the front. That's what I'll have him sign. So I get up to his spot under the tent and we exchange the usual quick hello and I hand him my hat.  He stops, looks at it and breaks out laughing. Then he pulls out his cell phone and says 'I have to take a picture of this and send it to Will Power'  ( Will Power had crashed in practice the day before and had his car in for repair)   He proceeds to take the picture, signs the hat and hands it back and says thank you 'that's cool'.    NO  I say THAT was cool what just happened!   It shows how down to earth he is and how he likes to have fun.

So here's a few photos of the guy that almost made it four wins at Indy:

                                              A couple of shots of Helio in action

Will Power's Crash

Signing My Hat

Talking To Reporters

Just Having Fun

And My Autographed Hat

Hope You Enjoyed The Story About Helio

See You in Two Weeks At Watkins Glen For The 6 Hour IMSA Race

Paul Ziegler/ Editor and Publisher

Think Muscle Cars Were Fast?

Late 1960's to early 1970's, the golden years for hot American cars.  I grew up with them.  My first new car was in June 1968 when I was still 17.  A green 1968 Plymouth Road Runner with red line Goodyear tires.  This was a bad ass machine by any measure.  A 383 cubic inch V8 with a four speed Hurst shifter on the floor and a mean dual exhaust rumble at idle that became a loud bark when you floored it!

Here's a picture of something close to what my Plymouth Road Runner looked like. It is the exact same green color, but this is the GTX version of that Plymouth only this one had a 440 cubic inch engine.

I thought I died and went to heaven when dad said OK to me putting every penny I had down (about $500.00)  with him being my bank for the balance of the $2,800. purchase.  I was sure I died and went to heaven when I first had a chance to drive this beast with the tires smoking and that engine barking.  It was fast!   But how fast?

Now, as then one of the primary performance measures is a car's quarter mile time. Well, lets take a look at a number of the hottest muscle cars from that era.

Fast Cars of the Past:

Car Model             Horsepower       Standing start 1/4 Mile Time         Speed      

Plymouth GTX        375 HP                       14.96 Seconds                   96.98 MPH
Pontiac GTO            360   "                        15.13      "                          99.49     "
Chevy SS 396           375   "                        15.28      "                         92.00     "
Dodge R/T                375   "                        15.33       "                        92.68     "
Olds   442                 360    "                        15.48      "                         91.37     "
Ford GTA                 335    "                        15.94      "                         91.46     "
Buick GS                  340    "                         15.58      "                        90.36     "

(Source - Motor Trend Road Test Issue June 1967)

Admittedly, these cars were much heavier than the average sporty sedan of today and horsepower figures back then were not as reliable as we would like for a comparison test, but overall this is as close as we will get when comparing these to cars of today.  Also note the observed miles per gallon average for all the above as a group- 11.3 miles per gallon.  


FIFTY YEARS LATER:

So here we go with some of the sporty sedans on the market today. When looking at the numbers, the good old days were not as good when it came to fast cars.  You will be surprised to learn that what we have available today in the category of fast is really fast when looking back at these ' Muscle' cars!  Next, let's take a look at a new generation of fast sedan sized cars.

I thought I died and went to heaven when I test drove an Alfa Romeo Giulia- and now I own one:

The New Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti  with Sport Package

Fast Cars of Today:  (Note- all are 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder models)

Car Model   (2017)                 Horsepower        Standing Start 1/4 Mile            Speed

Alfa Romeo Giulia              280 HP                  13.6 Seconds                          103.7 MPH
Audi A4 2.0T                      252 HP                  13.7      "                                 100.4   "
Cadillac ATS 2.0T              272 HP                  14.2      "                                   98.3   "
Jaguar XE 25t                     240 HP                  15.0      "                                    94.0   "
Lexis 200t F Sport              241 HP                   15.4      "                                   89.9   "
Mercedes-Benz C300         241 HP                   14.5      "                                   96.1   "

(Source Motor Trend  2017)


So based on the above, we are seeing a new golden age of performance vehicles! For the majority of us who operate in the $50,000. and under market, these are the new Muscle Cars! In addition the observed miles per gallon for this group is 23/32/26.  Taking the city driving average for a fair comparison since these were speed runs the new breed bettered the old by 10 miles per gallon which is astounding considering they are faster.


It is on to Watkins Glen for the IMSA 6 Hours at the Glen June 30- July 2.  Can't wait to get some great pictures for all of you!     Paul Ziegler, Editor/ Publisher

The Lady With Her Lincoln

Before I relay my encounter with the Lady with the Lincoln:

To all readers, I'm back but only for two days after traveling on Norwegian Cruise lines to St. Thomas, Tortola and Nassau. The ride aboard the 'Escape' was enjoyable but I'm not used to moving at 22 nautical miles per hour.   For A Week!

All I know is the 6 pounds I gained will be worked off soon as my wife (and me) have serious home chores to do with two properties. The one in Florida is manageable but our New York home is almost 2 acres and it is vegetable planting time and lawn mowing time so good-by extra pounds.

  I head out for NY at 4:00AM. This trip will be done about 80 MPH up RT 95 with my Chevy Impala, leaving my lovely Giulia home.

I will fly back at 500 MPH via Southwest, so each form of transportation is progressively faster.  Giulia, until I get back, take care of the place and there's no form of transportation that beats you for the overall experience!

                                                Will Miss You Giulia-  Will Be Back Soon


Lincoln Lady-

I stopped for gas last night at my usual place- the Rally Mart to get my  93 octane Shell gas. ( I swear by it for all my cars)   As I'm filling up, an older model Lincoln pulls in behind me and a lady gets out; nothing unusual.  After less than a minute, the lady walks over and says, 'What kind of car is that?'   I told her an Alfa Romeo Giulia and she replies- Oh that's the car my husband and I see on the evening news commercials.   It's really beautiful.   Ma'am I think it is too- I'm enjoying it.      Then she adds, we just ordered a new Lincoln but this car is something else.  Can I see the interior?  So I show her the Rosso leather interior and  she said, my that is gorgeous. It looks sporty.   Glad you like it Ma'am.  Back she went to finish fueling the Lincoln.  I said enjoy your new car when it arrives.

I'm sensing she wished she ordered a new Giulia!   I'm glad she got to see an Alfa Romeo.

In all the years I drove a Porsche Boxster and a Cayman, I never had an experience close to that- admirers yes but this lady was taken in by the Giulia.    Alfa Romeo, I believe you have the beginnings of a movement with this car.  

Alfa, all you need is to get the folks to drive one and they will want to buy one.

I'm happy to share my experience with you all. 

And , as I finish packing, I'll leave you with a nice photo I took at 5:00Am last Saturday as we pulled into the port of Miami.   My name for this picture is 'Moon Over Miami'.    I'm sure that city will see a lot of Alfa's roaming the streets very soon.  

         Will be back soon-  camera is with me hunting for some great car photos to bring you!

Paul Ziegler, Publisher/ Photographer    Carcamerastory.com

What Is An Alfa Romeo?

For many of you those are the first words you say when I mention I bought an Alfa Romeo. So in  the interest of a quick education on the subject I put together this post for you.  To those in the know, you can enjoy the pictures I've attached that I took at Watkins Glen in September 2016 during the vintage races. And I think all will like the video presentation by Alfa Romeo CEO, Reid Bigland.

Here's a nice overview on the company and its racing heritage so one can develop an appreciation for this exciting brand. It is very good news to the ears of  Alfa lovers having them back in the US as the article below points out.  Be sure to play the video embedded in the article as well:

Please click here:
Getting To Know Alfa Romeo

 Here's a picture of a 2017 Giulia Ti with the sport package- my newest addition to the garage. See the previous post for a full driving impression report.

                                                             Italian Style Can't Be Beat

       The next section is a selection of Alfa Romeo race cars from the past and the story behind
       the cloverleaf design on their race cars:

       Where the cloverleaf came from:

The story behind the cloverleaf.


You will not want to miss this Video!
Alfa Romeo History Lesson By Reid Bigland, CEO
                                             

So now you have a little background - here's a sample of some of their race cars.  Beauty and grace in motion!  Enjoy the gallery of photos.

And here's a street version spotted at Festivals of speed in St. Petersburg

I wish I had more to show you - these are beautiful cars!  More to come in future posts as my camera finds them.

Paul Ziegler, CarCameraStory.com