Why 550?

[T-Bird]

Why are they still using Ferrari 550's in 24hr Lemans when some teams switched to the 575's?

[T-Bird]

also is there seriously a Jet engine in a Lemans car?

[SFDMALEX]

Its not as easy switcing your boxers you know.

Race cars take years to develop to run properly. Going to 575s is like starting from the beginning. They cant ditch the 550s into which they put years of work.

[levensnevel]

Just check out

http://www.lemans.org/univers_sport/24hauto/live/pages/chronos_24h_course.html

and you'll understand why.
Currently (05:30 CET) the #66 ProDrive Ferrari is in !!!!! 7th !!!!! position overall with a tally of 196 laps. 20 laps ahead of her sistercar the #65 with a certain Colin M. Which in her turn is just leading the first TVR Tuscan with #89.

[SFDMALEX]

McRae should stick to driving fords. Stupid bastard blew a clutch early on as well.

[gucom]

The 575's are still having alot of problems, and since they dont have Ferrari taking care of everything, they have to sort out alot of stuff themselves. Ferrari has now made a special racing version of the 575, i think that'll be in 2005 Le Mans. Also i just heard on Radio Le Mans that a new Lambo team is coming up for next races :D

[FoxFour]

And Aston Martin in 2005!

[SPAD]

The 575 that ferrari made is being used this year.I am guessing pro drive will swich to it next year.Thay will most likly have most of the bugs worked out by then.

you dont have to be so hard on collin. It is verry easy to burn a cluch in a gts car because they are verry light.Also that was the only real mistake he mad the whole race.I think that is pretty respectible concidering it was his first race.

[biff19_a]

Prodrive does a better job of preparing their cars which are 550s which is why they are still king.. 575 by Danny Sullivans team where no where near the rest of the field.. cant wait to see what the lambo will do again these cars...


As for McCrea... clap clap way to go buddy.. even the team manager was telling Speedtv what happened and you knew he wasnt too impressed... something about these cars are designed to be endurance cars not doing burn outs...lol

[T-Bird]

he is used to cars that can take one hell of a beating though I think he did fine and he's cool for using his rally halmet with the open face instead of the usual closed face helmet.

[goose93]

The Prodrive Ferrari program is not related to Ferrari. They started that program as a private venture and even now get little official support from ferrari. Both of those cars started as privately owned showroom purchased cars. It was only after their success that Ferrari decided to help with a sportcar program other than the 360.

Danny Sullivan's team is the group with the new Ferrari factory backed 575 cars, and they are still only getting limited support from Ferrari.

Prodrive's current development project is with a couple of Aston DB9's. They will continue to run the 550's as long as they are competitive and can make money. they are no longer running them in the ALMS that they were developed for. Prodrives next ALMS program will be based on the Aston project.