18:00:21 [Brolzy] Okay, it’s time to officially start. Welcome to the latest edition of STEAK NIGHT, with our guest Mark Raffauf! It’s a pleasure to have you here!
18:00:36 [Brolzy] Now remember, there’s a bunch of us asking questions of one guy, so be patient if he doesn’t get to your question right away. We don’t want to wear out his fingers too much!
18:00:48 [Brolzy] Also, remember Mark was gracious enough to come here and answer questions, so please keep it respectable. I know you guys will…every Steak Night has rocked so far.
18:00:59 [mraffauf] thanks for the opportunity
18:01:02 [Brolzy] GREEN FLAG!!
18:01:26 [mraffauf] no passing before the line!
18:01:32 [Brolzy] Who has the first official question?
18:01:44 [Skippy] Is the famous fuel injection injection system Schick "EL" gruber from the old sports car days making a come back?
18:01:48 [blnchrsty] when are you guys coming back to Lime Rock?
18:02:11 [mraffauf] no, no longer applicable, ha, ha
18:02:34 [mraffauf] Lime rock...can't say at this time
18:02:38 [pridanc] Mark. After another great race I have an observation that might make the racing better. How about giving the first lapped racer a free pass a la NASCAR?
18:02:44 [rodamerica] Mark, I have been following sports cars for a long time and have listened to your commanding voice. Could you give a bit of history about your motorsports background?
18:02:46 [Skippy] Too bad, I hear great things about it
18:03:56 [mraffauf] Started with IMSA in '74 and stayed there thru 96-97 (arrival of Evens) and then Ga since the start in '99 Did about everything at least once at IMSA
18:04:21 [mraffauf] Lots of races !
18:04:53 [rodamerica] So you were not involved in the USRRC (2nd version)?
18:04:53 [Brolzy] Lots of cool cars too, I'm sure. What is/was your favorite?
18:05:16 [PatB] And what do you drive to work...
18:05:31 [blnchrsty] Is a new engine submission as easy as building one and sending it to your test facility? Have any other manufacturers shown interest?
18:05:49 Homer enters this room
18:05:58 [mraffauf] Not in the USRRC,,,drive a Taurus and have an RSX
18:06:41 [mraffauf] Favorites include the BMW CSL, Greenwood Corvettes, Decon Monzas, 962 and 333sp
18:06:44 [richmini99] Mark, What has been your biggest suprise so far this season?
18:07:23 [mraffauf] can't speak thast they will but an Infinigi V8, Maserati V8 and Chrysler V8 seem logicaL
18:07:45 [mraffauf] HOW CLOSE ALL OF THE RACING HAS BEEN, NOT JUST IN dp.
18:08:03 racerbill enters this room
18:08:08 [Sput] mark - how much do you read the GA forums? Do you read about our threads, such as the recent one about the headlights?
18:08:15 [Brolzy] cool...a MOPAR.
18:08:54 [mraffauf] engine submission takes a few days and requires disassembly as well..not "easy" but a bit of work after doing the engine
18:09:02 [Homer] Who has been your favorite drivers to work with over your years?
18:09:25 [mraffauf] I try and read some threads but I do not do it regularly...always pretty busy
18:10:04 [Danske] Just for the record, what is it you do?
18:10:46 [Danske] (ack, how'd I get that color) repeat: just for the record, what is it you do?
18:10:48 [mraffauf] Holbert, Bell, Moretti, Weaver there are so many really great drivers that I have been lucky to be able to work with
18:11:38 [racerbill] Mark - is the speed differential between the DP's & SGS cars a concern? The incident with the 91 SGS and others seem to be a result of this.
18:11:49 [mraffauf] I am Grand American's Director of competition…responsible for the technical and procedural aspects of the events. I'm the guy in the tower during the races...
18:12:33 [Marathon] Not too long ago, LACK of speed diff was the big concern!
18:12:55 [Brolzy] From what I've seen, some people don't get the new GT rules for 2005. Will the current GT Porsche's and Ferrari's still be legal? If so, for how long?
18:13:09 [blnchrsty] Do the new GT rules allow for/encourage manufacturer participation and do you see the class taking off like the dps?
18:13:13 [mraffauf] no. I do not think so. When you get the kind of competition we see happening there will be these incidents that should not reflect on either driver...should he have tried to pass there? did he see the other car? These things happen more so in road racing then other forms of the sport...
18:13:38 [Sput] and Maserati ....
18:14:55 [mraffauf] yes to both. Some like the 360 and Porsche, Maserati, BMW will be very similar to now with less power...new cars will include tube/semi-tube GTOs, Corvettes, Mustangs etc along with 350Z's and perhaps an SRT6 or something interesting like that
18:14:56 [Homer] Is it true the Maserati is slow on the straightaways and if so why?
18:15:28 [mraffauf] it has less power because it runs a more or less 2005 spec motor
18:15:43 [richmini99] Mark-Have you heard anything about a title sponsor for the GA Cup?
18:16:12 [mraffauf] I think GT is on the verge of a big revival with all sorts of new makes and models being able to compete with the traditional ones
18:16:18 [Homer] So a motor can have this kind of effect on straightaway speed?
18:16:57 [mraffauf] Always looking for new sponsors. Rolex is a great sponsor and we plan on keeping them. They have been great partners with us.
18:17:18 [Brolzy] Here's a possible rumor killer...will the engine rules be tweaked to allow a Mazda Rotary?
18:17:40 [mraffauf] yes, power, weight, frontal area, etc all come into play. The Maserati sure sounds good
18:17:55 [racerbill] Mark - How many 2005 spec GT cars do you foresee. Do you think DP & GT's will have to run separately at some tracks?
18:18:06 [PatB] At what point(DP car count) will GA run seperate DP & GT races.
18:18:12 [mraffauf] yes there will be RX8s in GT next year.
18:18:34 [blnchrsty] along with those, will you adopt a sort of bump day qualification that will allow a certain number of cars in leui of that?
18:18:45 [Brolzy] any work on a Mazda powered DP?
18:18:54 [Brolzy] work=word...
18:19:14 [mraffauf] yes we would like to run some separate races at some events in the future. At most places under 2.5 or so miles 25-30 cars works well
18:19:23 [Homer] How many new DP's are in Grand American's future?
18:19:31 [mraffauf] No Mazda DP
18:20:11 [mraffauf] hard to say but I expect to see more growth towards the summer fall for 2005.
18:20:41 [Sput] Do you get out to visit the DP manufacturers' facilities?
18:20:43 [Homer] daring enough to give a number?
18:20:50 [mraffauf] did I catch up?
18:21:02 [Homer] not yet
18:21:09 [PatB] Is there a reason you don't want a Mazda DP? to hard to control development?
18:21:17 [Homer] yellow flag?
18:21:27 [mraffauf] yes been to most of them and at least two of our tech/engineering staff have visited them all a few times in the past year
18:21:57 [richmini99] Is any truth to the Italian DP rumor?
18:22:18 [mraffauf] No DP is a piston engine catagory, a more specified formula...GT can reflect a little more of what the manufacturers offer..
18:23:01 [Marathon] When do we expect the Chase back in action?
18:23:04 [mraffauf] Can't add to the rumor…I've heard the same but do not know more then what some would like to do
18:23:10 [racerbill] can we expect some devlopments with the Ford Multimatic DP? Will it be allowed some design changes?
18:23:20 [blnchrsty] will evolutions of current models be allowed
18:24:05 [blnchrsty] (DP that is)
18:24:40 [mraffauf] It's improving every race. The Essex team has done well. The Pruskowskis have been regularly in the top 10 and if not for a few mistakes would have done better still. I think the whole package is underrated...
18:25:16 [Brolzy] Mark...you're doing great so far...do your fingers hurt yet? lol
18:25:45 [mraffauf] not much evolution for a while. Car changes will cost $$$. We will stabilize things for a few years and concentrate on maintaining close competition as opposed to anything new in hardware
18:26:16 [mraffauf] no but my spelling stinks at speed (or what I call speed!)
18:26:35 [blnchrsty] are strictly cosmetic changes prohibited?
18:26:44 [richmini99] Mark-Is Grand Am still trying to but a deal together to run in Mexico in 2005?
18:26:46 [Brolzy] mine stinks at regular speed...ask Danske...LOL
18:26:51 pridanc exits from this room
18:27:08 [mraffauf] cosmetic, what is your definition of that (before I answer)
18:27:46 [mraffauf] Roger Edmondson is really the person to ask that, he handles the schedule side of things...
18:27:54 [blnchrsty] thats a tough one really, lets just say no series aero effect added or taken away?
18:29:23 [mraffauf] all of them are now allowed adjustment/changes in the areas below and in front of the front axle centerline and within the rear projection of the rear tire behind the wheel within the allowable length width, etc dimensions. this allows a little adjustment from track to track
18:29:31 [Homer] What one change would you like to make for the 2005 season to help better the series?
18:29:36 [racerbill] Mark - is the loose wheel problem being investigated?
18:31:08 [mraffauf] loose wheels are being investigated again. did it after Daytona as well and we seem to have had a different set of conditions at MT so we are looking into those specifically. AS far as changes ,I wouldn't want any other then refining the engine formula a little more as we gain more information..
18:31:43 [richmini99] Lap times have come down quit a bit since last year in DP, where do you think most of the gains been made?
18:31:46 [blnchrsty] would a simple cotter pin solve the problem of the wheels? it might take more time, but if everyone had to do it...
18:31:58 [Homer] What is your favorite race track in NA and the rest of the world?
18:32:11 [Brolzy] cross flags...half way!!!
18:33:06 [mraffauf] times go down as experiance in runnig the cars increases. Same happened in WSC and GTP. Familiarity is probably the biggest thing...working springs shocks and aero...
18:34:28 [mraffauf] pins may help but the hubs already have locking pins in them. Nonwe of those systems are design to hold the wheel on if a)they are not installed right and b) for ever under load...they warn the driver sometrhing is wrong but they won't work forever
18:34:30 skippy enters this room
18:34:38 [PatB] What lap times (at Daytona) would you like the top DP' to be running? Are they as fast now as you expected?
18:35:29 [mraffauf] THey are exactly what we thought they would be at Daytona in year 2! 1:45's to 1:46's or so is fine no more is needed
18:35:46 [Sput] There appears to be a lack of local cautions as opposed to full course cautions. Is that true, or just my perception?
18:35:54 [Brolzy] Will we ever see a Ford powerplant in anything but a multimatic chassis?
18:37:05 [richmini99] Mark-Do you think the Ford engine will get a little help rules-wise in he coming months?
18:37:21 [Brolzy] BTW, great questions so far guys....
18:37:46 [blnchrsty] will the new gt's be a cross between SGS and current GT specs...a somewhat hotter version than stock?
18:37:46 [mraffauf] there are always locals however the infamous gravel trap and heightened concern for a drivers after an impact has resulted in more full course cautions then in the past. Also, I like to get cars and bring them back to see if they can get fixed and back into the race...often they do and get points
18:38:34 [mraffauf] Sure, I hink you will see new 2005 Mustangs with a derivative of the Multimatic engine.
18:39:21 [richmini99] any in a DP?
18:39:27 [Homer] do you have a favorite track?
18:39:37 [mraffauf] yes a "cross of current GT and SGS on a common tire is a simple way to put it but should be thought of in terms of performance rather then how a specific make and model is built.
18:39:49 [Brolzy] How about a different DP chassis?
18:39:56 [Brolzy] for the Ford...
18:40:02 [PatB] Flames score!!!!!
18:40:20 [Brolzy] Pat, what is the score?
18:40:23 [Homer] sorry
18:40:34 [mraffauf] Daytona ids still the biggest and greatest to race at. Mt. Tremblant is up there in the permanent category along with bot versions of the Glen
18:40:40 [PatB] 2-0 Flames...
18:40:48 [mraffauf] Go Lightning!!!
18:41:11 [Homer] thanks for the answer
18:41:13 [richmini99] I'm pulling for 'em. got to love the small market teams
18:41:14 [Brolzy] yeah...they beat my Flyers!!
18:41:19 [PatB] Not likley... lol
18:41:32 [mraffauf] jeez I can't spell writing this fast
18:41:40 [Homer] Guys its a motorsport forum!
18:41:58 [Brolzy] oh yeah...thanks homer.
18:42:01 [Brolzy]
18:42:04 [mraffauf] I think in time the Ford is viable in any chassis. Nobody has tried it yet
18:42:10 [Homer] NFP
18:42:21 [racerbill] the headlight rule gets a lot of criticism. Any thought of changing it?
18:42:31 [Danske] Could any of the DPs come in underweight? (Yes or no is fine).
18:43:23 [mraffauf] no, everybody doing this likes that it differentiates them a little more when the same chassis has different motors. The Dorans look different
18:43:42 [mraffauf] yes
18:43:53 [PatB] What are your feelings on allowing tech items like paddle shift and carbon brakes?
18:44:09 [PatB] When those items come down in price...
18:44:23 [Homer] Thanks for your time Mark but my wife is nagging me to get off the computer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
18:44:29 [Brolzy] Mark, if you were going DP racing, what chassis/motor combo would you use?
18:44:33 [Homer] Sorry got to run
18:44:34 [mraffauf] no, we want drivers to something
18:44:46 Homer exits from this room
18:44:49 [mraffauf] to do something, sorry
18:45:29 [blnchrsty] Do the drivers/teams provide input for improvements and are they heard?
18:45:32 [mraffauf] can't say, there are some good options out there that have not been tried yet
18:45:52 homer enters this room
18:46:06 [homer] 3-0 Flames!
18:46:12 [mraffauf] yes the cars were developed with the constructors...we always listen
18:46:22 [homer] sorry had to come back for that
18:46:33 [PatB] LOL
18:46:51 [homer] Bye again
18:47:00 [blnchrsty] will the DP class ever be opened for constructors? similarly, will the GT class be closed?
18:47:06 [mraffauf] some of the input has been very valuable for everyone's benefit
18:47:13 rodamerica enters this room
18:47:14 [Sput] Any plans to clarify the headlights / taillights rule?
18:47:21 homer exits from this room
18:47:38 skipy enters this room
18:47:42 [Brolzy] Mark, have you heard much about the SpeedSource/Mears chassis switch? I know Mears if going Riley, but is the #70 going Riley, too?
18:47:50 [mraffauf] GT is not closed. For now DP will remain closed. I can't really say when it will open to others...
18:47:52 skipy exits from this room
18:48:37 graphix enters this room
18:48:47 [mraffauf] light rule has been clarified and new lights/decal light combos will start appearing at WGI. Took a while for everyone to figure out what they wanted to be and how...
18:48:57 [racerbill] is Speedsource going to run the Multimatic separately from Mears?
18:49:15 [PatB] For races where the DP's will race separate from the GT's. Would you ever consider haveing single car qualifying similar to the way F1 has gone...
18:49:31 [mraffauf] Not sure exactly what their plans are other then the Riley rumor is apparently true
18:49:34 [richmini99] What was the deal with the rubber pick up problem many of the DPs at MT? It hasn't seemed to be a big issue at the other tracks this season or last.
18:50:24 [mraffauf] No single car qualifying (which we did in the Camel GT) has a place at some venues in certain conditions. Overall though it takes a lot of time...
18:50:38 [blnchrsty] will the new GT cars be economical? Is there a general price range for a prep 2? (just a guess will suffice)
18:51:34 [graphix] Geof says hello.
18:51:42 [mraffauf] MT has a good grip surface and it was still green from the winter and rain so a little more rubber got left there then usual
18:52:04 [mraffauf] Tell Geof Hello back. How's things in St. Pete?
18:52:53 [mraffauf] full course yellow?
18:53:40 [blnchrsty] probably an edmondson question...but, will GA consider street races in the future
18:53:41 [graphix] He is hanging out with me and Skippy
18:53:57 [mraffauf] Graphix, you on east coast or west?
18:54:08 [mraffauf] never say never
18:54:09 [graphix] east
18:54:20 [Danske] So, what about identifying the team championship leaders with uniquely colored numbers on the cars?
18:54:34 [rodamerica] Mark, this group may be small but we're growing. We've been under attack since the DP concept was announced. What say you to the naysers?
18:54:38 [graphix] we are using skippy's wife's mother
18:54:40 [graphix] d
18:54:43 [graphix] mother
18:54:54 [graphix] mother's day gift right now
18:55:11 [mraffauf] what? and mess up their paint jobs...
18:55:30 [richmini99] LOL
18:55:38 [racerbill] Brolzy - this is good. Do it regularly!
18:55:44 [Sput] Besides lights, any other tech changes for WGI?
18:56:06 [mraffauf] well, we did what we said we would and this year has been the most competitive sports car racing I have ever seen. period. If you want to race the Rolex series is the place
18:56:17 [Brolzy] thanks racerbill
18:56:31 [PatB] Say Mark how would you feel about organizing some sort of joint endurance race with the ALMS. Alow ALMS GTS cars at Daytona if the DP's can run Sebring... Or am I Nuts
18:56:44 [mraffauf] nothing wrong with the other concepts out there but this stuff is just a blast to watch
18:56:58 [blnchrsty] or separate races on the same weekend!!
18:57:09 [mraffauf] your probably nuts (just kidding)
18:57:10 [blnchrsty] (same place)
18:57:14 [rodamerica] Thanks for making time for this chat, Mark. I appreciate it...a bunch! Good luck to you and Grand American in the future!
18:57:18 [richmini99] Have your heard anything about more of a hands-on approach from Porsche in the DP class?
18:57:26 [PatB] That's what I've been told...
18:57:36 [PatB]
18:58:02 [mraffauf] the programs are now very different and would not really play well together at the same time.
18:58:08 [blnchrsty] what are the relative top speeds of the DPs, how bout some in car telemetry shown on tv?
18:58:40 [mraffauf] Thanks for the chance. had fun...would be glad to do it again
18:58:50 [PatB] In car telemetry would be nice.
18:58:54 [graphix] white flag?
18:59:03 [richmini99] thanks for chatting
18:59:19 [Brolzy] yup...white flag....
18:59:20 [Sput] I believe Grand-AM is doing a lot of things right, and it has been a pleasure to meet you and the GA staff, someday we can al talk about "I knew him when"! I hope to meet you at WGI.
18:59:24 [Danske] Ultimo Giro (Italian for last lap)
18:59:24 [blnchrsty] indeed, great chat...you guys put on a great show at a great price!!
18:59:44 [mraffauf] speeds depending on track gearing and aero can be 185 -190 but usually at the expense of handling elsewhere on the track. Telemetry on TV is a good idea
19:00:03 [racerbill] thanks Mark
19:00:12 [mraffauf] Thanks again. If any of you see me at the track be sure to say hello
19:00:16 [rodamerica] OK, Danske. What is it in Danish?
19:00:30 [richmini99] can't wait until the Glen
19:00:35 [mraffauf] Can't wait for WGI
19:00:37 [blnchrsty] hopefully we can meet at the glen!
19:00:42 [PatB] Thanks Mark.
19:00:46 [Brolzy] Well, it's 10pm, and the hour is up....this is the official end to Steak Night. You guys can stay around as long as you want...
19:01:02 [Danske] Sorry, grandfather skeedaddled out of there before WWII.
19:01:14 [Brolzy] Thanks again Mark for being here....and maybe later in the year we can hook up and do this again.
19:01:17 [mraffauf] you are very welcome and see you at the races
19:01:27 [blnchrsty] indeed
19:01:36 [Sput] Jacob & I are going to visit Crawford on Thursday morning
19:01:39 [richmini99] wish I could hang around; I told my wife I'd put the dishes away
19:01:41 [racerbill] G2G watch the Flames burn the Bolts!
19:01:41 [richmini99] lol
19:02:02 [mraffauf] you will love it, they have a great place
19:02:03 [Brolzy] sweet...I might visit Fabcar on Saturday if they are around.
19:02:20 [blnchrsty] i for one hope to see heritage back in the game in 05!
19:02:22 [Sput] Where is the Fabcar shop?
19:02:37 [blnchrsty] fl
19:02:41 [Brolzy] I gotta go guys, but it's been great. Thanks for coming...and look for some more cool stuff coming on garra-fans.com!
19:02:43 [mraffauf] Same here... gotta go...Fabcar is in Indy as is Riley
19:02:46 [Brolzy] sput...indy
19:02:54 [richmini99] I second that Bill
19:02:56 [Brolzy] bye guys....
