>>Word out of B-K Motorsports is that they have recently met with the ACO and IMSA about the possibility of running a larger diameter restrictor and increasing the car's fuel capacity in order to make up for the performance deficit they have been experiencing.  The results of that meeting are that they were given the ok to use a 53.5 mm restrictor from the 49.1 mm they had been using.  Speed Source was removed as the team's engine builder prior to Sears Point and from here on out Dennis Spencer's group will be taking over the responsibilities of race engine development as well as providing technical resources to the effort.  After Portland the C65 will be brought to Team Spencer's shop near Atlanta for retrofitting, which will include a proper race engine with improved inlet efficiency, matched coolers (to cope with increased power from the large 53.5 mm restrictor), optimized headers, and many detail items just to make life easier.  Dennis also informs us that the B-K Motorsports Courage C65 was built up using the rear end from a Courage C60 as there was a lack of proper C65 parts considering how quickly the project came together (car was built in 10 days!).  As a result the team's C65 chassis #15 has been running near 100 lbs. over weight and will continue to do so as there really isn't an amiable solution at the moment. 

Certainly this is a step in the right direction by the ACO and IMSA.  Dennis indicates that running the 53.5 mm restrictor, "Is as close to unrestricted as you can get.  I'm not sure why they still call it a restrictor if it doesn't restrict things!"  He adds, "There is an expectation on the part of many that I will provide the resources to get this program on track."  Here's to wishing them good luck and certainly stop by and say hello the next time you see them at the track.

>>Mick Hyde of Radical Cars informs us that Rollcentre Racing has purchased 2 of the new Radical SR9 LMP2 chassis to compete with next season.  According to Mick he has, "Only one £148K chassis left. After that they will cost £180K.  We certainly would look favourably on a 2 car US team who wants to take the fight to Porsche".  Sound like the gauntlet has been dropped!  At £148,000 or even £180,000, it is quite a bargain for an Peter Elleray designed, carbon-tubbed, Ricardo gearbox, AER-engined turn-key (£65,000 option) LMP2.

Mick adds that the chassis pattern will be complete in two weeks and he expects a monocoque in 6 weeks.  The bodywork patterns are underway with the rear expected to be completed again in two weeks, the rest 6 weeks after that.

>>While no formal announcement has been made, Cosworth has entered the customer sportscar engine ranks.  Cosworth's website confirms the engine to be twin turbo charged and of 3.6 liters in displacement.  Perhaps the most interesting bit is that the new engine utilizes direct fuel injection much like the Audi R8 engine and has already completed a dyno-based 24-hour endurance test.