Come to think of it, McL F1 overall victory in Le Mans happend that way. So, there is still hope for Jim’s incredible effort. I wish them a GOOD RACE with a GREAT FINISH!

Ask Máté to diplomatically ask Jim. Since he is very close to Pininfarina, he’ll know, most certainly. But I doubt his answer could be revealed here. Perhaps you ought to write Jim next week and ask him privately and asure him his answer be FOR YOUR EYES ONLY.

... so the reassembly could take place. Watched Team Joest do just that at Mosport some years ago, when Dindo slid on a miniature river running across the race track right at the esses before the start and finish straigh. It’s a BIG job but it can be done, if 1. you have a spare tub with you and 2. the rules allow…

“The problem is that the tub was damaged right where the suspension joints are, and while it could be fixed even in such a short time, the car wouldn’t be safe enough anymore.”

... and/or Dr. Ullrich, for that matter...

Must have trully been an accident, for no serious driver would do this, in a practice at that. Or a team manager would allow an unnecessary exposure, especially NOT __BEFORE__ such a long race. For what really counts is to stay away from other people mistakes, drive as steady as possible, have perfect pit stops…

Must have been just a brush, not a serious hit, IMHO.

True, but only for 30 minute sprint races. So much happens in 12-Hour ones let alone 24 ones, unless you did one or the other, it’s hard to understand...

The problem is their in-house styling department just is NOT being on par with Pininfarina.

David have you heard of NOBLE M600? Albeit no V10 but it has 650 V8 twin-turbo Yamaha engine with manual gearbox and no assist on anything save the switchable traction control. It is light, it’s nimble and a hell of a fun to drive. It’s also faster than most super cars! See any M600 videos to appreciate it. Nicely…

It’s OK. Yours is still a fine car. Remember, “Those who know, know. Those who do not, does not matter anyway!”

As long as those fine Craftsman tools are METRIC, of course.

Don’t be so harsh. The original Noble is a fine driver. If it was not, McLaren would not have used it as a test bed for their fabulous McL F1 power train development. The next version got a bit more love in the Design Department, quite obviously. The latest, the M600, is perhaps the VERY BEST analog car you can still…

As much as the new interpretation of the Miura pull my heart strings, I’ll have to go with the the new interpretation of the M1. Just too many good memories... It was red as well.

Just realized I misspelled Gian Paulo’s name. The correct spelling is DALLARA. Furthermore, if you are US based, Dallara opened US production facilities for IndyCar tubs near Indianapolis Speedway, in the town of Speedway, Indiana. I believe they conduct tours there as well.

If you are willing to travel, Dalara in Italy, for example, has pretty fabulous CF facilities, doing tubs for customers. Nice, friendly people too.

Heard of John Hartley and his incredible V8 Hayabusa? Pretty spectacular engine. See and hear it at

PS: cutting the pre-preg carbon fibre mat, that is. There were number, perhaps as many as 6 different weaves and depending upon strength needed up to 8 layers in critically important places on the McL F1 chassis. The mat came from Hexel in Utah.

Those paterns were done in hard but thin fiber board and cut by hand with a special knife. Rest was cut by seamstress-type shears. Though a computerized water jet cutting machine would be employed. Perhaps later...

Actually, engines do not last reving them in to or at high RPM with no load. Especially not when they are not at their normal operating temperature. The best way is to drive to your favorite road and then STAND ON IT as long as you can...