2011 Baltimore Grand Prix

Baltimore Grand Prix, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Sept 2 - Sept 4, 2011


ESPN3 Qualifying Stream 2:40 - 3:55 PM EDT Sept 2nd
ESPN3 Race Stream 4:15 - 6:45 PM EDT Sept 3rd
ABC TV Broadcast 4:00 - 6:00 PM EDT Sept 4th

Event Schedule:

http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/events ... e%20and%20Supp%20Regs.pdf



Facility Map

http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/events ... baltimore%20track_map.pdf


Circuit Map

http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/events ... imore%20GP%2006-24-11.dwg



Entry List:

http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/events ... timore%20Entry%20List.pdf


Corvette Corral:

http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/car%20corrals/Baltimore,%20MD/Corvette%20Corral%20-%20Baltimore.pdf


Tickets:

http://baltimoregrandprix.com/tickets/


2011 SPOTTERS GUIDE:
http://www.spotterguides.com/


10 day Weather:
http://www.weather.com/weather/tenday/USMD0018


Radio Frequencies:
http://lastturnclub.com/index.php?opt ... sk=view&id=735&Itemid=111

Baltimore's inner harbor is a real nice visit

Be sure to check out the ships when your down there.

I'm psyched! Only problem is this damn hurricane. If it comes in strong it will surely flood the Baltimore downtown area again as in previous big hurricanes and it could cause some major clean-up before the event. I hope this storm moves further off shore.

I'll be in the Corvette Corral if anyone else is coming!!!

Be nice to see the Corvette run in Baltimore.

Corvette Racing at Baltimore Grand Prix: The Science of Street Racing



Software, Simulations, and Experience Prepare Corvette Racing for Inaugural Baltimore Race



BALTIMORE, Aug. 31, 2011 – Before the first practice session at the inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix begins, Corvette Racing's twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars will already have made dozens of laps on the downtown street circuit – thanks to sophisticated computer simulations.



The first race on the 2.1-mile, 12-turn temporary street circuit is a journey into the unknown for American Le Mans Series teams. With limited practice time before Saturday's two-hour race, every second on the track is precious. In order to maximize the Corvettes' performance, the engineering team has analyzed the layout and developed chassis setups on a virtual track.



"Beginning with drawings provided by the organizers, we developed a projected racing line based on the geometry of the track," said Corvette Racing engineering director Doug Louth. "Then the engineering team ran simulated laps to optimize gear ratios and chassis setups. We've prepared maps for the drivers that show projected shift points, maximum and minimum speeds, and potential passing zones."



This proprietary simulation program is used in a variety of GM motorsports programs, from ALMS and Grand-Am road racing to NASCAR. It's also used by engineers in the production Corvette group and other technology partners.



"The big variable on street circuits is the pavement," Louth noted. "While we have data about elevation changes and the crown in the road, we won't know how smooth or rough the asphalt is until we're on site. There could be bumps that require adjustments in the racing line, or the organizers might make last-minute changes in the barriers and cones that define the track perimeter. We have to be prepared for these possibilities.



"Corvette Racing's years of experience on street circuits is definitely an asset," he added. "We've raced on smooth tracks and on rough ones, so we have the background to handle whatever we find in Baltimore. We have a list of high-priority items to work through in the limited track time that's available. All of the ALMS teams are in a similar situation, so hopefully we can do a better job than our competitors. It's exciting to go to a new venue in a major metropolitan area, and this event is another step forward for the American Le Mans Series."



Corvette Racing's drivers know how to win on street courses. Olivier Beretta (No. 3 Corvette C6.R) and Oliver Gavin (No.4 Corvette C6.R) are the most successful ALMS drivers on temporary circuits with seven wins each. In the Series' last visit to the mid-Atlantic area at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., in 2002, Jan Magnussen (No. 4 Corvette C6.R) scored an overall win in a Panoz LMP1 prototype.



But all eyes in Baltimore will be on the youngest driver on the Corvette Racing squad, Tommy Milner. Milner was born in the District of Columbia and grew up in nearby Virginia. Last Sunday, he opened the Baltimore GP festivities by throwing the first pitch at a Baltimore Orioles/New York Yankees baseball game at Camden Yards, which is located inside the street circuit.



"The last time the Series raced in the mid-Atlantic area, the event got great reviews," Milner said. "I'm optimistic that the Baltimore Grand Prix will be a success. Many of my friends have never seen me race except on television, and they're excited about going to this race. I'll have lots of support in the grandstands.



"This race is going to be a real test," he noted. "With most circuits, a driver can learn the layout on a simulator or a video game, but we don't have that option for the Baltimore race. Street tracks are always tough because there is not a lot of grip initially, and the surface changes quite a bit from the first practice to the race.



"A good baseline setup makes it easier to get acclimated to a new track, and I'm confident that the Corvette Racing crew will give us one," Milner explained. "I'm comfortable with the Corvette C6.R on a street circuit after coming from the back of the pack in Long Beach. I consider Baltimore to be my home race, and I want to do as good a job as possible. Every driver is on equal footing, and it's all brand new. I feel confident that we'll be on pace right away."



Corvette Racing’s next event is the two-hour Baltimore Grand Prix on Saturday, September 3, starting at 4:30 p.m. ET. Live video coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in the US and americanlemans.com for international users. ABC will televise the Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday, September 4, at 4 p.m. ET.

2011 Baltimore Grand Prix

Baltimore Grand Prix, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Sept 2 - Sept 4, 2011


ESPN3.com Qualifying Stream 1:40 - 2:55 PM CDT Friday, Sept 2nd


ESPN3.com Race Stream 3:15 - 5:45 PM CDT Saturday, Sept 3rd


ABC TV Broadcast 3:00 - 5:00 PM CDT Sunday, Sept 4th



Canadian or non-US? Then watch it on ALMS.com:

http://americanlemans.com/index.php

US citizens that can't get ESPN3
http://www.justin.tv/rampageturke2


LIVE TIMING:
http://www.imsaracing.net/2003/lt/ltc.html

http://americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=racehub#scoring


Live Timing for mobile device:
http://mobile.imsaracing.net/wap2.cfm

http://scoring.americanlemans.com/m


PIT NOTES:
http://twitter.com/almsnotes


RADIO ALMS
http://www.americanlemans.com/radio/almsradio2.php


Entry List
http://www.imsaracing.net/2011/events ... timore%20Entry%20List.pdf


Spotters Guide:
http://www.andyblackmoredesign.com/

ALMS SCHEDULE UPDATE: BALTIMORE GP
First practice now set for 1:20 p.m. today
(Baltimore is having trouble getting the circuit ready due to rains and heavy traffic. Some part of the track is still undergoing paving. So, times for practice and qualifying have been changed)


Today’s schedule for the Baltimore Grand Prix has shifted as track construction concludes. Here is the current schedule.

12:00-12:30: USF2000
12:35-1:05 Star Mazda
1:20-2:35 ALMS
2:50-3:35 Indy Lights
3:50-4:50 IndyCar
5:05-5:50 ALMS (Qualifying)
6:05-7:00 IndyCar

The qualifying session will be GT/GTC combined and LMP1/LMPC combined.

They're still paving the track????

Corvettes Qualify Second and Fourth for Inaugural Baltimore Grand Prix



Corvettes Quick on Downtown Street Circuit After Abbreviated Practice Sessions



BALTIMORE, Sept. 2, 2011 – A late start and a scant 75 minutes of practice meant that the learning curve for the American Le Mans Series Baltimore Grand Prix was a steep one. Jan Magnussen and Tommy Milner proved to be fast learners when they qualified Corvette Racing's twin Compuware C6.Rs second and fourth respectively for Saturday's two-hour street race through downtown Baltimore.



Magnussen was quickest in the abbreviated final practice session, and then turned his fastest lap at 1:31.950 (79.869 mph) in the No. 4 Corvette C6.R on his fifth qualifying lap on the 2.04-mile, 12-turn temporary street circuit. Milner turned a time of 1:32.224 (79.632 mph) on his fourth lap, the fifth quickest in GT. The No. 45 Porsche of Patrick Long, which was third on the provisional qualifying list, was subsequently excluded for "unjustifiable risk," moving the No. 3 Corvette up to fourth on the GT grid. The No. 55 BMW M3 GT of Dirk Werner was the fastest qualifier in the category at 1:31.362 (80.384 mph).



"We didn't have a lot of time to make changes or to find a good rhythm, so I'm very pleased with the work that the Corvette Racing engineers did," Magnussen said. "All in all, I'm happy with the car. Now we have to work with the extra bit of data we have, and I think there is more speed to come. The walls get closer and closer the harder you push – that's all part of it.



"There are some massive bumps out there, and the cars are taking a beating worse than Sebring," Magnussen added. "It's still good fun to drive this circuit, and you're really feel that you're racing in the heart of the city with the tall buildings all around. It's cool, and I enjoy it."



Milner agreed: "I'm really happy with the car here, no complaints. With so little track time, I'm sure we can make the car a little better here and there, but it's good just to get some laps in and get comfortable with the track.



"I had a qualifying lap that would have been quicker, but I got into Turn 10 a little wide in the dirty part of the track and had a big, big moment. I was basically drifting through the turn!



"The track's fun to drive and it will race well, too," Milner predicted. "There are two good passing spots. It's going to be tough to pass in GT because everyone is so close, but everything is slow enough that you can rub some fenders and make things happen. I'm looking forward to the race tomorrow."



The two-hour Baltimore Grand Prix will start at 4:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, September 3. Live video coverage will be available on ESPN3.com in the U.S. and americanlemans.com for international users. ABC will televise the Baltimore Grand Prix on Sunday, September 4, at 4 p.m. ET.



Baltimore Grand Prix GT Qualifying (Top 10):

Pos./Car No./Drivers/Car/Time

1. 55 Auberlen/Werner, BMW M3 GT, 1:31.362

2. 4 Gavin/Magnussen, Corvette C6.R, 1:31.950

3. 56 Mueller/Hand, BMW M3 GT, 1:32.010

4. 3 Beretta/Milner, Corvette C6.R, 1:32.224

5. 17 Henzler/Sellers, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:32.772

6. 01 Sharp/van Overbeek, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:34.151

7. 99 Junqueira/Wilden, Jaguar XKR, 1:34.360

8. 48 Miller/Maasen, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:34.609

9. 98 Jones/Moran, Jaguar XKR, 1:35.911

10. 02 Brown/Cosmo, Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:38.674

Well, that could have gone better..


good race though, looks like this one will stick.

(unlike the DC GrandPrix)

Yeah... I was disappointed when our Corvettes hit run over each other leaving pit row to start the race. That hurt them right of the start. This track was too tight to make up a lot of mistakes easily.

I did not take any photos as I didn't want to carry my camera all over the place. It was pretty hot and muggy. I now wish I had taken some photos.

I did get the video of me doing the parade laps but I need to edit a few expletives out of it. LOL

The Corvette drivers are driving like idiots.

Not the first time this year either.

If anyone want to watch this mess again, here is the link.

http://www.americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=video