Thanks Hiroshi. 'Paddles' remove any type of experience that a Driver would otherwise enjoy. You might as well get in a Taxi, because you have no direct input, other than directional changes.
Is that the team run by Callaway?
No. This is a GM Racing sponsored team, named "Team Cheverolet." Doug Fehan is the Program Manager and, in my opinion, an inept fool. Let me explain:
Last year Pratt-Miller were still heading the design stages. Pratt-Miller, in co-operation with Katech Engineering had solved numerous issues and overcome the multitude of restrictions that had been placed on the Corvette since their [Corvette] dominance of two years ago. At the MOSPORT venue: enter Team Cheverolet, headed by Doug Fehan. In Doug's infinite wisdom, he decides to switch the primary Drivers of each car and also change their placement - cars #3 and #4 respectively. What happens? They lose, miserably. Why? Because Jan Magnessun and John O'Connell were intended to be the primary Drivers, by switching the primary Drivers, the car(s) were set-up for Beretta and Gavin who drive very, very differently than Mag'gy and O'Connell.
Now .. now, Mr. Fehan thinks that he is smarter and more clever than a Team that has Won practically evey Event that they took part in, Pratt-Miller and Katech Engineering. Team Cheverolet is attempting to re-design the 5.5L, V8R. How are they progressing? Poorly. Katech was able to deliver 680bHP with a restrictor-plate of 1/8". Team Cheverolet..? - 485bHP, citing "We've made it more efficient." Maybe so but you're down 195bHP! This flys in the face of Katech's vast improvements. So they just swept all the years of R&D under the rug because Doug'gy thinks he's the greatest thing since sliced-bread. An absolute Wonder. Did they learn from MOSPORT? No. Mag'gy has still not been returned to their primary Driver position - even O'Connell left, he was approached to drive for Cadillac in next years SCCA Series .. I don't blame him. He was replaced with Tommy Millner?!
I fear bad things for the Corvette team if Mr. Fehan is allowed to continue along his insane perspective. An under-powered car, even with paddle-shifters won't be enough to Win a Championship. Heck even the Ford GT is pushing 500bHP!
Uggh! I'm so shocked and disappointed.
EDIT: Look at this years starting Grid for Sebring - Pos. #3: Gavin, Pos. #9: Beretta. What does that tell'ya?
12hrs of Sebring? More like, 12hrs of
Sobbing ..