From: bob@ncube.com (Bob Kehoe)
Subject: IMSA Info
Organization: nCUBE Computers, Beaverton, Oregon, U.S.A.
Date: Wed, 12 Aug 1992 19:20:00 GMT

Lunchtime......

As I mentioned, we had a surprise visit by Parker Johnstone
last night.  He is back home in Redmond already and had just
finished up getting all the hay into the barn, so had some
free time :-)

(I'm working from memory now...)

Elkhart Lake:
Everything was going by plan for the Comptech Acuras after the
race got underway.  The #48 (Melgratti/Taylor) and #49 (Johnstone/
Marvin) cars swapped the lead several times.  Come pit time and
they were 1-2 in GTL.  After the driver changes, #48 was the first
to go, they suspect fuel injector problems.  A few laps later, with
Marvin at the wheel, #49 experienced a cam belt failure.  The motor
stopped so quickly it probably froze up the ring and pinion in the
gearbox.  #49 spun immediately, obviously catching Dan off guard.
He went off track, became airborne over a hump that Dan had never
been aware of before, and came very close to hitting the guardrail.

Going into the last two races of the season (Phoenix & DelMar), Parker
has a somewhat comfortable driver's point lead of 43.  However, Acura
only holds a 6 point mfg. lead.  Their absolute plan for the last two
races will be:  run one car VERY conservatively and the other VERY hard.
They are going from an offensive position to a defensive.

GTP info:  According to the mechanic's heresay along pit road following
Sunday's race, the Jag's crash was due to a left-rear wheel failure.
Reportedly, the Jag team had noticed 3 cracked wheels during the course
of the weekend - however none had come completely apart.  Also, Nissan
is now regrouping and reevaluating next year's season, so will only
enter the Brabham car for the final races.  The Toyotas were SO FAST at
RA Sunday, that Parker stated while he was still in the race and getting
lapped by the P cars, that after the the 2 Toyotas passed him it was
literally 6-7 minutes before the Nissan lapped him, then several more
before the Mazdas went by.

I specifically got into the matter of heat in the cockpit and drivers
noticeably cracking open their doors, etc., coupled with cool suits and
when will they go to the NASCAR-type filtered helmet.  The heat buildup
in the closed cars is severe.  Not wearing a coolsuit, Melgratti
collapsed after running his stint.  Parker described that, as you're
preparing to pit (they look like astronauts these days), they have to
start unplugging everything.  One this is done (you're still rolling to
your pit), you realize that suddenly the temp is about 140degrees - like
looking into a blast furnace.  A few of the drivers, including Parker,
are now using the filtered helmet.  More serious than the heat for the
drivers is all the crap (carbon fiber brake dust/highly toxic fuel
fumes) they have to breathe in.  Filtering this air before it reaches
the driver is the primary reason for the helmet-style.  Without it, a
lot of the drivers are ill for many days after the race.  This new
helmet will be adopted by many more in the future.

Acura in GTP:  I hit him hard with questions about this.  Bob: "Let's
talk about the GTP program"  Parker: (laughs)  B:  "The rumors are
flying"  P: "I bet they are".
B:  You will use the Mugen-Honda V10.  Honda will not develop it's own
chassis, but is looking at Jaguar, Lola or even Allard.
P:  "Hey - good information!"

He went on to say that Honda is more than likely getting out of F1, but
is excited about utilizing the V10 in GTP.  Also, BFG is excited as well
as American Honda and Acura.  The problem is the expense.  Some reports
have Honda investing strictly on environmental issues/engine programs
for
the future.  However, in the next month Parker will be testing several
GTP cars here in the states ("2 of the 3 you mentioned") to get a feel
for things.  He promised to report back after testing.  The bottom line
surrounding Acura's GTP program is that there are no committments --
everything is simply in a "wait and see mode".

-c'ball-