[Robert Evans]

While I don't have the exact lap times right in front of me, I do remember seeing them and hearing the discussion that took place about lap times between Dan Gerber and Bill Murray last year at Road America rught after practice.

Road America is definitely a BB track, one that rewards top end HP because of the very, very long straights. During practice, I remember Dan Gerber was posting lap times in the 2:32-.34 range every lap...very consistent times each and every lap. Gerber was driving a 289 Comp. Cobra which had been a static display at the Shelby museum, so it's not a modern, all out race-every-weekend type of car. Gerber also hadn't sat behind the wheel of a racecar for over 20+ years.

Bill Murray was driving a 427 Comp. Cobra from the museum, and was pitted with Gerber. Murray races several times a year, and has driven this particular car many times. At first, Murray was way off the pace with some bump-steer problems, so his times were much slower. By the end of the day, Murray was running competitively with times right up there with Gerber. I believe that Murray turned one lap about 1 second faster than Gerber at about 2:31+. However, his lap times were all over the state. Some of his times varied by as much as 4-5 seconds...this during the exact same session as Gerber.

What this tells me is what I've believed all along and consistent with everything I've read. The ultimate Cobra is really no better than the Cobra it replaces. It is fast, but not faster. All of Murray's speed came from running faster on the straights, not nearly as quick thru the corners, where Gerber really shined. Going thru the carousel turn, Gerber was driving with one hand on the wheel and even took the time to wave "Thanks" to a driver who allowed him to pass in the middle of this fast corner, while Murray was fighting the car between understeer and oversteer. I know, I have that practice session on video tape and have watched it many times.

So, a 35 year old 289 with a driver who hasn't raced since the early 1970's did just as well on a BB track as a seasoned vintage racer in a 427 Cobra...the lap times for all intents and purposes were identical, but Gerber was much more consistent.

Now, the Porsche's were a different story.....they blew every one away. That was the ultimate small block that day.