The Furthering Education of Lucas Luhr
This has been an interesting season in many ways, some exciting, some
spectacularly stupid along with some breathtaking and memorable moments.
The most noteworthy item that I witnessed hardly made news but the ripple
effect has proven that it was no fluke. For many drivers there comes a time
that defines their on track character in ways that have nothing to do with their
PR, their contracts, or the team they are driving on behalf. Years ago, there
was a number of on track altercations between Ricardo Zonta and Allan
McNish. Both were factory drivers in the FIA GT series, Nishy in the Porsche
GT1 and Zonta aboard the Mercedes CLK. It got to a point where McNish
would no longer accept Zonta’s apologies. There were not any issues
between the two after that.
A number of people, both on and off the record have questioned the Penske
operation this season in terms of the on track etiquette and the bias shown
the yellow letter carriers with regards to the lack of driver penalties given out
for what can only be described as the immaturity of former GT2 drivers that
were by no means ready for prime time. Anyone who heard Timo Bernhard’s
outrageous after race statement at Lime Rock that David Brabham basically
cut or chopped him can only come to one honest conclusion. Grow up.
No amount of being protected goods as a Penske driver could mask that
Brab’s simply was the more patient, smarter and all around tactician, bluntly
he took Timo to school. A driver of Brab’s caliber would have been gracious
and taken the lesson instead of offering up excuses. All of the current Penske
drivers are fast. They have proven themselves by coming up through the
ranks. What none of them have mastered is the jump from production based
GT racecars to LMP prototypes. Being fast is one thing, smart, polished
while maintaining and being able to control aggression is quite another. A
considerable amount of penalties have been given out to other competitors for
the same on track situations that Penske’s young un’s have gotten away
with. Anyone who doubts this I suggest they have a conversation with some
of the Dyson crew. Or Audi, or any number of GT2 teams that have fallen
victim to their bad manners. Time will tell soon enough if the situation will
improve, Patrick Long in particular has the skills and smarts but may have
been rushed in to quickly. Porsche isn’t alone in this, Mike Rockenfeller,
while having a good season for Audi in the LMS, hasn’t completely come to
terms with the prototype class either.
The one graduate, the one who has not only made the transition, but is
looking like he could join the ranks of the great ones is Lucas Luhr. It may
have come down to a simple moment at Long Beach that has defined his
season so far. The Audi R10 as it is well known, is not a car for a short
course and the tight streets of Long Beach are among the worst. Luhr didn’t
have a good or bad qualifying session, the R10 was just anchored midfield
and there wasn’t much that could be done, it would come down to how the
race played out. Luhr admitted just as much during a somewhat grumpy
press conference. Race day proved to be another matter altogether as Luhr
got the R10 together and made a bold charge without any unnecessary risks
within reason to the front. Coming down Shoreline, he encountered a weaving
Porsche RS Spyder driven by Timo Bernhard. Rules clearly state what is
considered a defensive move and what constitutes blocking. Again, the
obvious was overlooked when a penalty should have been given to the Penske
Spyder. Luhr was able to eventually get around and along with Marco Werner,
capture a brilliant and unexpected overall victory for the Audi squad.
Interestingly, after the press conference he looked back at the blocking of his
ex Porsche teammate and commented that had he not been in the R10, the
outcome could have turned out quite different and both cars could have come
back to pits on hooks.
Luhr has been able to channel his talents and grow in to a front line prototype
driver. He doesn’t have a problem learning from the more experienced Audi
drivers as shown by the support given to the other winning trio at Le Mans
this year. Luhr knows his time will come. There are times for learning and
times for making a statement. The record setting lap that Luhr recently set at
Road America shows the reason he graduated at the head of his class. And
don’t think this has not been noticed by his other Audi teammates, witness
Dindo’s response by his record lap for pole at Mosport. Nothing like having
the spirit of competition so prevalent.
Kerry Morse
Laguna Seca
August 2008
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