Le Mans news [Archive] - TheScuderia.net

Rob

18th December 2009, 20:05

24 Hours of Le Mans
Le Mans 24 entry criteria revealed by the ACO
By Series Update ⋅ December 15, 2009

For entrants who want to take part in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours (12th – 13th June), the time for sending in entry forms is approaching. Here are the criteria decided by the ACO, which include several innovations.

Entry forms should be sent to the ACO between Monday 21st December 2009 and Wednesday 20th January 2010.
• Teams that have already won their invitation for the Le Mans 24 Hours in the ALMS, LMS and Asian Le Mans Series, FIA GT and Michelin Green X Challenge are automatically selected, but must confirm their entry by letter before 11th January 2010. For them, category changes cancel the automatic invitation and their inclusion will be decided by the Selection Committee.

The Selection Committee will meet under the authority of Mr. Jean?Claude Plassart, the ACO President, at the end of January to draw up the list of 55 entries.
• As announced at the Nu?rburgring 1000kms teams that have competed in 2009 in full in one or more of the Le Mans Series (ALMS, LMS, Asian Le Mans Series) will be given priority. The Selection Committee will also take into account teams entered on a yearly basis in the 2010 ALMS, LMS and Asian Le Mans Series. Entries from manufacturers have priority.

Driver nominations. For its communications requirements, the ACO asks each team to nominate at least 1 driver per car who cannot be replaced (except in the case of force majeure sent to the Sports Committee). In this case, the withdrawal will lead to the driver being removed from the list of those who can be selected for the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours. The names of the other 2 drivers is still optional but recommended up to 12th May after the Spa?Francorchamps 1000kms, the date on which entrants must send in their final driver line?ups to the ACO by letter. Thus, the final list of the driver line?ups for the le Mans 24 Hours will be sent out a month before the race.

2 reserve lists: In addition to the list of the 55 cars, the ACO will draw up a selection of 10 reserve cars divided into 2 separate lists, GT and LMP. Withdrawals received after 1st February 2010 will be replaced category by category – a GT by a GT and an LMP by an LMP. Reserves must confirm their entry before 7th April 2010.

Rob

18th December 2009, 20:06

Team Oreca to race 4th Peugeot at Le Mans
By Team Update
© Peugeot Sport

After taking time to consult the various teams which expressed an interest in running a Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in 2010, Peugeot Sport has finally decided to provide Team ORECA MATMUT with a car.

The motor sport record of the Hugues de Chaunac-directed operation provides clear evidence of the team’s skill and professionalism, while the team has provided assurances of its ability to source the necessary funding to enter a 2010-specification 908 HDi FAP in the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the Le Mans Series.

“ORECA and its director Hugues De Chaunac have a proven winning record in several motor sport disciplines over the years,” says Peugeot Sport Director Olivier Quesnel. “We have consequently chosen this team which we believe is the best qualified to defend Peugeot’s colours. Team ORECA MATMUT will run a 908 HDi FAP in the 2010 Le Mans Series, as well as in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours where its support will be invaluable. I am convinced that our collaboration will be a fruitful one, and that there is every chance it can be extended in the future with the supply of Peugeot engines in 2011.”

Rob

18th December 2009, 20:09

Oreca & Peugeot Sport sign a long-term partnership
By Team Update

“I’m happy, proud and enthusiastic,” said a delighted Hugues de Chaunac at the signing of the partnership between Peugeot Sport and ORECA. “Since the launch of our challenge, our aim has been to join up with a major manufacturer with whom we can develop a long-term programme. And now, thanks to the decisive help of our four main partners, it’s done!”

2010: the fourth Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in ORECA colours!

In the final year of the current LM P1 regulations, the ORECA-Matmut team will run the 2010 version of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le Mans Series races. De Chaunac, who is very proud to have been selected from among several top teams, explains this choice: “It’s a programme that’ll provide us with a great deal of useful information at every level. From a sporting point of view, of course, as we’ll have a prototype with exceptional potential, which has already proved its speed and reliability over the past three seasons. And in the technical field, we’re going to be working hand in glove with Peugeot. It’s the perfect opportunity to develop our relationship.”

2011 perspectives…
In parallel, the ORECA design office is already working on the design of the brand-new ORECA 02 prototype, whose engine will be badged Peugeot Sport. De Chaunac confirms the above: “Our technical team’s already hard at work and is collaborating closely with Peugeot Sport, all of which is helping us to design our future LM P1 prototype in the best possible circumstances. It would be difficult to begin this new phase of our challenge in better conditions.”

Rob

18th December 2009, 20:11

Extreme Speed Motorsports reveals lineups
By Series Update

© Patrón Highcroft Racing
Extreme Speed Motorsports, the new race team created and owned by veteran race car driver Scott Sharp, revealed today its driver lineup for the American Le Mans Series’ GT class in 2010. The announcement follows a successful day of testing the team’s first new Ferrari F430 GTC on Wednesday at Sebring International Raceway – the car’s first run on American soil after arriving from the factory in Italy.

“The Ferrari F430 is beautiful and definitely one of the best handling cars I have ever driven,” Sharp said. “The team is incredibly enthusiastic about our relationship with Ferrari, and I’m very excited that we are already hitting the track, testing.”

The team will compete with two cars, one piloted by Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek, and the other with Ed Brown and Guy Cosmo behind the wheel. Tequila Patrón, a longtime supporter of motorsports racing, has signed on as a sponsor, along with Ferrari Corse Clienti and the team’s official tire technical partner Michelin.

Scott Sharp
Sharp, who last season helped Patrón Highcroft Racing bring home the American Le Mans Series’ LMP1 championship and three victories, began racing karts at the early age of 8. His celebrated career on the track has included racing in Champ Car, and the Indy Racing League (including nine IndyCar event wins and 35 top-five finishes, along with 14 Indianapolis 500 starts) before he began competing in the American Le Mans Series in 2008.

Johannes van Overbeek
Sharp’s partner Johannes van Overbeek began his racing career at age 23, purely as a hobby. He has since become one of the world’s top-ranked Porsche drivers, competing in the American Le Mans GT2 series with Flying Lizard Motorsports since 2005. He has amassed six wins in the Series and has finished in the top-five 54 times in 77 starts. He was the recipient of the 2007 Porsche Cup as the world’s top independent Porsche driver.

“I’m very excited about joining ESM and Patrón in the ALMS. Scott has been working tirelessly to ensure that we have all the tools in place to be successful,” commented van Overbeek. “Having been a part of a successful start-up team in the past, I know it won’t be easy but I look forward to contributing to ESM’s long-term success and working hard to ensure that Patrón’s investment in the team and the Series is maximized.”

Ed Brown
Ed Brown will drive the team’s other full-time Ferrari F430 GTC, with partner Guy Cosmo. Brown is formerly a Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama driver who made his debut in the American Le Mans Series in 2009 in the Challenge class with ORBIT Racing. Brown’s best finish in the GT Challenge class last season was in the runner-up spot at Lime Rock Park.

“There’s no one in racing today more passionate and committed to this sport than Scott Sharp, and I can’t think of anyone else I’d rather be racing with than the talented and professional team we’ve assembled here,” said Brown.

Guy Cosmo
Guy Cosmo, 2005 American Le Mans Series Rookie of the Year and also a former ORBIT Racing driver, competed last season in the No. 47 Porsche 911 GT3. He finished the season 3rd in the Challenge class championship qualifying on the pole three times. Cosmo has 19 starts in the American Le Mans Series, finishing in the top-five 17 times and has been on the winner’s podium twice. In addition to being an accomplished driver, Cosmo is also a highly sought-after driving instructor.

“Joining Scott Sharp’s Extreme Speed Motorsports for the 2010 American Le Mans Series GT2 championship is a great opportunity,” added Cosmo. “This program is exactly what I’ve wanted to be part of for several years now. It’s the ultimate trifecta; Patrón-sponsored, Ferrari-driven, and in the American Le Mans Series. What more could a driver ask for? I’m really looking forward to contributing to the team and making this program a success.”

Michelin is the recognized leader in developing technologies that help provide the right tires for competitive motorsports.

“Extreme Speed Motorsports is thrilled to add Michelin as a technical partner to our team,” Sharp added. “After driving on Michelins for the last two seasons, I know how important it is to run on the best tires out there, and having them on our cars will immediately bring confidence to everyone on the team.”

“This is such an incredible time!” Sharp continued. “We have been able to formulate an incredibly strong team in short order, but not only do we have the best drivers in racing, we also have unbelievable support from the league, and from our partner sponsors. What a combination – Patrón, Ferrari and Michelin – the premium brands in each of their markets.”

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway.

Rob

21st December 2009, 19:43

Ragues and Mailleux confirmed at Signature
By Marcel ten Caat ⋅ December 21, 2009

As we mentioned in the Endurance News Briefs on December 19th Signature will enter a Lola Aston Martin LMP1 in the Le Mans Series in 2010. Even though no drivers were confirmed on Saturday the expectation was that Pierre Ragues and Franck Mailleux would be retained…and that is what happened today.

Today Quadra Sports, the company that manages both Ragues and Mailleux, confirmed that the two French drivers will indeed continue in the Le Mans Series in LMP1 with Signature. As Signature will be an official partner of Aston Martin Racing in the 2010 LMP1 class the two drivers will become Official Aston Martin Racing Team Partner Drivers.

Signature plans to run the Lola Aston Martin in the full Le Mans Series season as well as in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, subject to an invitation by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest. The Courage-Oreca LC70 the team used this season will not be used in 2010 and is for sale.

For Pierre Ragues the opportunity to race the Lola Aston Martin is like a dream come true. “This is definitely the highlight of my career so far!” says Ragues. “To be able to continue working with a team as professional and motivated as Signature is fantastic, but to have the opportunity to race with a manufacturer of Aston Martin’s status is truly wonderful. I am so proud to have been offered this chance and I will do all I can to repay the faith that the team has placed in me.

“My experiences in LMP2 gave me very useful experience in preparation for my first season in LMP1 with Signature in 2009 and I think we performed well above everybody’s expectations. Next year, with Aston Martin support, I think we will be much held much higher in people’s expectations but I am sure we will rise to that challenge. Thanks must go to Phillipe and all at Signature for this excellent opportunity; I am really looking forward to getting started after the winter break.”

His team mate, Franck Mailleux, is equally happy with his chance to step up from the Courage-Oreca LC70 into the Lola-Aston Martin. “I am very excited to have the chance to drive in one of the most sought-after seats in the Le Mans Series with Signature and Aston Martin. It is a privilege for me to hold the title of Official Aston Martin Racing Team Partner Driver in 2010. It promises to be a fantastic season working with such an iconic and esteemed manufacturer like Aston Martin, who demonstrated such competitiveness and performance by winning the championship last season.

“I was very pleased with my performances in 2009, my first year in Le Mans Series, and I am optimistic that I can carry my improvements into 2010 and be in an even more competitive situation. With the support of Aston Martin and the professional teamwork from everyone at Signature, I think we will definitely be one of the teams to watch. I’d like to thank Philippe Sinault for his faith in my capabilities; I can’t wait to get started with our preparations in the New Year.”

Rob

21st December 2009, 19:44

Strakka Confirms move to HPD ARX-01 for 2010
By Team Update ⋅ December 21, 2009

© Planetlemans - Marcel ten Caat // Strakka Racing Ginetta-Zytek in 2009
Silverstone-based Strakka Racing is pleased to confirm that the team will be competing in the 2010 Le Mans Series with Honda Performance Development (HPD) and the ARX-01 LMP2 sports prototype.

The decision came at the end of a very successful first season in prototype racing for the young team. In just three years, Strakka has progressed from running sports saloons in national championships, via an Aston Martin DBR9 GT1, to competing at the highest level in sportscar racing. Challenging for outright pole in the Le Mans Series, and a highly creditable run in the Le Mans 24 Hours, were just two highlights of 2009.

“The move to HPD has been a logical step for us,” suggests Piers Phillips, Team Manager at Strakka. “We examined all the options open to us, and swiftly recognised that HPD offered us a relationship and product that would give us the best opportunity to move forward with a serious manufacturer. We also felt it was sensible for us to aim for the top in LMP2, rather than attempt another season in LMP1, where the situation looks set to become increasingly dominated by factory squads. The budget for a privateer team such as ourselves is not hugely different in LMP1 and LMP2, but the potential for good results is poles apart - probably quite literally.”

“We are very pleased to welcome Strakka Racing to the HPD family of race teams,” said Stephen Eriksen, HPD Technical Director. “Strakka Racing have a clear direction for their evolution as a team, and we are pleased to be able to support them in their desired direction. We are excited to be competing for the first time in the Le Mans Series LMP2 class and to show that our updated ARX-01c can compete on European circuits as well as it has on American circuits. Thanks to Strakka Racing for giving us that opportunity. We look forward to working with them in the coming year.”

Although not previously seen in Europe, the HPD ARX-01 comes with an excellent record. In the American Le Mans Series, the ARX-01 recorded seven pole positions and eight wins from ten starts in 2009, finishing on the podium in every race. “It’s a well-sorted package, but one that still has enormous potential for further development,” insists Piers. “Our first opportunity to experience that first-hand came at the Misano test in mid-November, and we were hugely impressed.”

Officially invited by Michelin to take part in the test, Strakka Racing arrived with an inspiring driver line-up, including David Brabham, Jonny Kane and Andrea Piccini as well as Strakka regulars Danny Watts and Nick Leventis. “David was simply superb – a pleasure to work with, and a consummate driver,” said Piers. “Jonny and Andrea are both familiar with the LMP2 Lola, and this, combined with Andrea’s local knowledge, gave us an excellent benchmark to judge against. The results confirmed our best hopes, and we all recognised the enormous “wow factor” this car generates.”

The commitment to LMP2 is for a minimum of two years. “The team structure, the personnel and the ethos within the whole outfit is now exactly right,” insists Piers. “After a full foundation year, we can move forwards with confidence, and HPD represents our best opportunity for doing so. I’ve worked with many manufacturers over the years, but I can’t quantify how impressed I have been with their operation, their approach and their technical capabilities.”

The calendar for 2010 is “exciting and diverse,” adds Piers. “It highlights the variety of the series, but it will also be enormously challenging. Anyone fortunate enough to gain an entry to Le Mans, for the 24 Hours, couldn’t have wished for a better first half to the season. Eight hours at Paul Ricard, followed by the Spa 1000 Kilometres, represent the perfect preparation opportunities ahead of the year’s toughest race.”

Strakka Racing intends to begin testing for the 2010 season early in the New Year.

Le Mans Series Calendar 2010

March 7/8 - Official test - Paul Ricard
April 11 - Paul Ricard (8 hours)
May 9 - Spa-Francorchamps (1000 kms)
June 12/13 - Le Mans 24 Hours
July 17 – Portimão, Algarve ((1000 kms, night race)
August 21 - Hungaroring ((1000 kms, night race)
September 12 - Silverstone (1000 kms)

Rob

21st December 2009, 20:10

Aston Martin set to sit out 2010 season

By Steven English Monday, December 21st 2009, 10:24 GMT

The works Aston Martin team is set to sit out the 2010 Le Mans Series to focus on its 2011 challenger, with at least one customer team running the current Lola coupe next year.

French team Signature-Plus has announced that it will run at least one of the cars in the LMP1 class of the Le Mans 24 Hours and Le Mans Series next season, driven by Pierre Ragues and Franck Mailleux.

"This is definitely the highlight of my career so far," said Ragues. "To continue with Signature is fantastic, but to have the opportunity to race with Aston Martin is truly wonderful. I am so proud to have been offered this chance and I will do all I can to repay the faith that the team has placed in me."

When Aston Martin Racing's plans for a new car in 2011 were unveiled, AUTOSPORT magazine revealed that marque boss David Richards wanted to concentrate on that project and would consider not running the current car in 2010.

Though AMR is yet to confirm either that it will sit out 2010, and could still enter just the Le Mans 24 Hours with the car.

AMR won the LMS title this year and finished fourth at Le Mans with Stefan Mucke, Tomas Enge and Jan Charouz.

Signature finished 11th at Le Mans with a Courage-ORECA Judd driven by Ragues, Mailleux and Didier Andre.

Rob

24th December 2009, 14:24

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© Planetlemans - Milo Kol // JMW Motorsport Ferrari F430 at the Nürburgring in 2009
JMW Motorsport, runners up in their debut Le Mans Series GT2 season in 2009, will be switching allegiance for 2010 and 2011 with the announcement they will be competing with the Aston Martin Vantage GT2 in the 2010 Le Mans Series and Le Mans 24 Hour, having become Aston Martin Racing’s official global GT2 Development Partner.

The Essex based team, headed by Team Principal Jim McWhirter, will become an official Aston Martin Racing partner and will work closely with the Banbury-based team on a three year programme to help develop the Vantage GT2.

JMW Motorsport are retaining their strong partnership with Dunlop who have renewed their long term commitment to the team as Development Partners in the GT2 programme. The JMW Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage GT2 will feature in Dunlop’s 2010 Le Mans Design Competition.

The core team, which took JMW Motorsport to 4th at Le Mans in 2009, remains with Tim Sugden as Team Manager and Steve ‘Doc’ Bunkhall as Technical Director, ably backed by Davey Nicholas, Duncan Ritchie and Ian Jones.

The UK’s Rob Bell, twice LMGT2 Champion, shall once again be part of a formidable driver line-up to be finalised shortly.

An intensive testing programme begins in January ahead of the opening Le Mans Series race on 9-11 April – the 8 Hours of Le Castellet, France. Participation in a number of selected high profile events may be added to the team’s calendar at a later date.

George Howard-Chappell, Aston Martin Racing team principal: “We have focussed considerable engineering resource on improving the performance of the Vantage GT2. While we offer cars in every class from LMP1 to GT4, the GT2 car is probably the most important customer car and the one where we can make the most improvements. Working with a top professional team like JMW with their resources and commitment will mean we will be able to really challenge for GT2 honours in 2010.”

Jim McWhirter, JMW Team Principal: “This is a very exciting development for our team and reflects the efforts invested over the past seasons. This may be a new car for JMW, but the same desire, commitment and perseverance is still there and we are confident we shall be in the mix from the start.

“Dunlop have been an integral part of our success and it is extremely rewarding that they are joining forces with JMW and Aston Martin Racing in this challenging new adventure.”

Jean-Felix Bazelin, General Manager Dunlop Motorsport Europe: “We have worked very successfully over the last four years with Jim McWhirter, winning the Championship twice, and being runner-up once, in the very competitive Le Mans Series GT2 category. It is therefore an obvious decision for Dunlop Motorsport to follow JMW Motorsport in their new challenge with a new car.

“Being associated with Aston Martin, the most prestigious English sports car manufacturer, is an honour and a thrilling prospect for Dunlop. It is also an opportunity for our designers to demonstrate their ability to be successful again with the same partner but another car. I am convinced that the ‘Best of British’ partnership of JMW, Aston Martin, Rob Bell and Dunlop can compete for the 2010 Le Mans Series podiums and stand out in the prestigious Le Mans 24 Hours.

“In addition to our full technical support, we will put all our enthusiasm and passion into this fantastic new project. We want to contribute toward making the JMW-Aston Martin the winning package for 2010.”

Tim Sugden, JMW Team Manager: “This is an exiting new chapter for JMW Motorsport and one which cements the team’s desire not only to be at the forefront of racing, but it’s commitment to, and enthusiasm for, development. The greatest sense of competition for JMW comes not from others, but from within and with this new partnership with Aston Martin Racing, the team has the perfect platform to showcase that amazing level of drive and determination.”

Steve ‘Doc’ Bunkhall, JMW Technical Director: “The opportunity to become the GT2 development partner with Prodrive and Aston Martin Racing was too hard to resist! It is going to be very demanding on JMW and we will have to step up, but these are the challenges we relish.”

Rob Bell, JMW Driver: “I am so excited about this new challenge, the only way I can describe it is I feel rejuvenated. As a driver, the opportunity not only to race the Aston Martin Vantage GT2 but to play such an integral part in the development of the car fires me up.

JMW Motorsport’s progress can be followed on their website at www.jmwmotorsport.com. People can also keep in touch via social networking with the JMW Motorsport Facebook group and on Twitter (www.twitter.com, @JMWmotorsport).

Rob

24th December 2009, 14:24

Rob

24th December 2009, 14:27

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© Aston Martin Racing
Aston Martin will be represented by two teams in the new FIA GT1 World Championship in 2010. Teams Hexis AMR and Young Driver AMR have applied for entry and each plan to run two Aston Martin DBR9s in the championship. Entries are subject to approval by the FIA and the confirmed entry list will be issued in January.

Hexis AMR, an existing Aston Martin Racing partner team, based at the Nimes circuit in France has successfully campaigned Aston Martin DBRS9s for the past three years, winning the FIA GT3 European Teams Championship in 2009. In addition to its existing GT3 activity, the French team is adding two GT1 DBR9s to its stable of Aston Martin race cars in preparation for the World Championship.

Young Driver AMR is a new team, formed specifically to compete in the FIA GT World Championship with Aston Martins. The team has taken delivery of its two DBR9s and is currently setting up its new race facility.

With 10 events on four continents, organisers hope that the new championship will capture the hearts and attention of motorsport fans around the globe.

The calendar for the inaugural season of the FIA GT1 World Championship as approved by the World Motor Sport Council is:

03 Apr Abu Dhabi Yas Marina
02 May UK Silverstone
23 May Czech Republic Brno
04 Jul France* Paul Ricard
01 Aug Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
29 Aug Germany Nürburgring
19 Sep Portugal Portimao
07 Nov South Africa* Durban
28 Nov Brazil Interlagos
05 Dec Argentina San Luis
*Subject to the ASN confirmation

Based on the road-going DB9, the V12 engined Aston Martin DBR9 has enjoyed great success since winning its inaugural race at Sebring in 2005. Multiple race wins around the world followed and the DBR9 went on to win its class at Le Mans in 2007 and 2008 in the hands of Aston Martin Racing.

The announcement of the new World Championship will see a change to the existing structure with GT1, GT2, and GT3 classes split into three distinct championships.

The FIA GT1 World Championship is for independent teams and professional drivers, the FIA GT2 European Championship is for independent teams and pro-am driver crews, and the FIA GT3 European Championship is for independent teams and non-professional drivers.

Further information about the Aston Martin teams and their driver line-ups will be announced in January following confirmation of the full entry list.

Rob

27th December 2009, 21:54

Rossi turns down Alesi's Le Mans offer

By Simon Strang and Michele Lostia Sunday, December 27th 2009, 15:47 GMT

Valentino Rossi has turned down an offer to race alongside Jean Alesi in a Ferrari 430 GT2 car in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The reigning Moto GP world champion, who finished third in class in the Vallelunga Six Hours GT race last month, told AUTOSPORT in the summer that he would be interested in competing in the French classic in the future.

But as he prepares to compete for his tenth world championship title, Rossi has ruled out any participation in car events that might distract him from this task - including Rally Mexico.

"I'm flattered by Jean's offer, but June is the busiest month of the championship, with as many as three races scheduled, so it's impossible to think of participating in the 24 Hours race," Rossi told Gazzetta dello Sport.

Rossi's Yamaha team manager David Brivio also emphasised Rossi's determination to concentrate on defending his crown in 2010.

"Valentino has even abandoned the idea of taking part in the Rally of Mexico, because it's too close to the start of the season, and there are the test sessions too," said Brivio. "Truth is, when the season starts, Vale wants to concentrate solely on bikes, which constitute his proper job.

"That's why he takes part in rallies and car races only once the season finishes."

Former Ferrari F1 driver Alesi, who will race an AF Corse Ferrari 430 in the Sebring 12 Hours and Le Mans, admitted he had got the idea after learning that Rossi was interested in doing the 24 Hours.

"It would be a dream for me, even though in truth I haven't spoken to Valentino yet," said the 1995 Canadian Grand Prix winner. "I got the idea after reading of his desire to race at Le Mans. So why not do that with me?"

Rob

27th December 2009, 21:59

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Kolles plans Intercontinental Cup entry

The Kolles team is to continue running its Audi LMP1 programme in 2010 and will contest the new Intercontinental Cup as well as staying in the Le Mans Series.

The squad, best known for its Formula 3 and DTM projects and for boss Colin Kolles' involvement with the Force India Formula 1 team, made its sportscar debut with two Audi R10 TDIs this year, contesting the full LMS schedule, the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Asian Le Mans Series races at Okayama.

Participating in the Intercontinental Cup next season means that next year it will also race in the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, a round of the American Le Mans Series.

Le Mans organiser the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has announced a rules break to allow the R10 to continue racing in its original form while the newer generation of diesel prototypes will need to be modified to fit the latest regulations.

The team believes that the rules situation and its growing sportscar experience will make it more competitive in 2010.

"Apart from the experience gained in the past season, surely the specification of the regulations made by the organiser Automobile Club de l'Ouest will have a hand in the competitiveness of the successful Audi LMP1," said a Kolles statement.

The team also hopes to get a Le Mans 24 Hours entry again. It has not yet announced any of its 2010 drivers.

Kolles' two cars took seventh and 10th in the LMS LMP1 standings this year, and its #14 car finished seventh at Le Mans with Charles Zwolsman Jr and Andre Lotterer. Its best result of the season was third in the first Okayama race with Oliver Jarvis and Christian Bakkerud.

Rob

1st January 2010, 10:48

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Planetlemans wishes you a happy 2010!!!

January 1, 2010

Another year has gone by and we’re now in 2010. We wish all our readers a very happy New Year! After finishing the champagne and the snacks it is time to get 2010 underway!

At Planetlemans we will continue our coverage of the world’s best endurance and GT racing series. So there is more to come from the various Le Mans Series around the world, the FIA GT1 World Championship, the FIA GT2 European Championship as well as the 78th 24 Hours of Le Mans in June…and of course we will also look at other series.

2010 will in many ways be a transition year. New regulations for LMP cars will be introduced for 2011, so teams will not come up with brand new ideas for this season at Le Mans and in the Le Mans Series.

Ratel and his organization will however do something new: a brand new World Championship for GT1 cars. And even though many of the cars raced in 2009 will be seen in 2010, the idea is good. It will be interesting to see how this championship develops.

In America the new American Le Mans Series format, without LMP1 and GT1 but with Formula Le Mans cars and GT3 cars, will be something new as well. Considering the fact that Audi will not race at Sebring for the first time in 10 years it might well be crucial for the series.

Over in Europe the Le Mans Series has changed its calendar again compared to 2009. The Nürburgring, on the calendar since the start of the series, has been dropped, while Barcelona is also off the calendar. Replacing these rounds are an 8-hour race at Paul Ricard as well as a second night race at the Hungaroring.

GT racing fans in Europe will have nothing to complain about, as lots of national and international series will be racing across the continent, giving plenty of opportunities to see the action in real life.

Only a few months before the action kicks off again…we’re ready for it!

Rob

1st January 2010, 19:11

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New ACO series not in Peugeot plans

Friday, January 1st 2010, 16:20 GMT

Peugeot is unlikely to contest the new Le Mans Intercontinental Cup despite arch-rival Audi Sport's decision to do so, preferring instead to focus its time and resource on building a new LMP1 prototype for the 2011 regulations.

The new Cup will begin with the Le Mans Series finale, the AUTOSPORT 1000km at Silverstone in September, before going on to Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta and finishing with an as yet unspecified round of the Asian Le Mans Series.

But while Peugeot will not officially confirm its plans until February, Peugeot Sport boss Olivier Quesnel told AUTOSPORT that Peugeot was unlikely to have a factory presence in 2010 after the Le Mans 24 Hours.

"The board has given me a budget with two objectives: to do our best with the current car at Le Mans and to build a new car for 2011," said Quesnel.

"The Intercontinental Cup is a good idea, but we can't do everything.

Quesnel also confirmed that Sebastien Loeb is to get two more tests in Peugeot's 908 HDi FAP before the French manufacturer decides whether to field the World Rally Champion in one its cars in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours race.

Loeb has already driven the car at Mugello and Aragorn, and while Peugeot is happy with his performance, the Frenchman still feels he needs more time in the car.

"We were happy with what he did," said Quesnel, "but Seb told me he did not feel he was up to speed."

Rob

1st January 2010, 19:17

i know it FIA GT news, but....

Gigawave to close GT1 team

Friday, January 1st 2010, 14:45 GMT

The Gigawave Motorsport team, which was set to represent Nissan in this year's new FIA GT1 World Championship, is to close down according to a report on this week's AUTOSPORT magazine, published yesterday.

Gigawave was Nissan's development partner on the V8-engined GT-R project in 2009, and was due to have coordinated sale of cars and spares for the Japanese manufacturer this year.

The company has not yet officially confirmed its decision, but AUTOSPORT understands that financial problems were behind the move.

Nissan, which is now looking for a new European agent and team to run a pair of its GT-Rs in 2010, still has two cars entered in the FIA GT1 World Championship with the Swiss Racing Team.

Rob

5th January 2010, 18:49

Mansell targets Le Mans LMP1 entry

Monday, January 4th 2010, 10:55 GMT

Nigel Mansell is targeting a drive in this year's Le Mans 24 Hours after linking up with British sportscar team Beechdean Motorsport.

The 1992 Formula 1 world champion has formed Beechdean Mansell Motorsport to run a factory-backed Ginetta-Zytek Z09R in the LMP1 class of the Le Mans Series this year, and is hoping to receive an entry for the 24 Hours.

Mansell's two sons, Leo and Greg, will share the car during the season with Nigel joining for selected races.

"I'm very happy to announce this partnership between myself and Beechdean," said Mansell. "The team comes fresh to the LMS with an impeccable pedigree and full support from Zytek.

"I'm very excited about 2010 and the prospect of racing with both by sons for the first time. I can confirm that I will be racing with Leo and Greg during the season and, if we receive an entry, we will also be racing at Le Mans."

Mansell shared a Ginetta-Zytek LMP1 with Greg in the LMS round at Silverstone last year. Greg also competed in Formula Renault 3.5, while Leo raced a Team Modena Ferrari F430 GT in the LMS and at Le Mans.

Beechdean Motorsport has raced in British GT since 2007, when it ran a Ferrari 360, and then switched to an Aston Martin Vantage N24 for 2008.

"It has been an ambition of mine to race a Le Mans prototype ever since we started racing GTs," said Beechdean boss Andrew Howard. "It's a dream come true for our young team to enter into a partnership with one of the sport's most famous names.

"Nigel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, and Leo and Greg are already established as accomplished race drivers in their own right.

"We begin testing early in the new year and 2010 promises to be an exciting and dynamic year. We can't wait to get started."

Rob

8th January 2010, 19:49

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Jean-Christophe Boullion joins REBELLION Racing
By Marcel ten Caat ⋅ January 8, 2010

REBELLION Racing has completed its line up for the 2010 Le Mans Series season by signing Jean-Christophe Boullion. The French driver will team up with Andrea Belicchi in one of the two Lola-Rebellion cars this season. Boullion will also compete for REBELLION Racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Jean-Christophe Boullion was one of the fastest drivers in the 2009 Le Mans Series, racing for Pescarolo Sport last year. With the arrival of the Le Mans Series champion of 2005 and 2006 and vice-champion in 2009 the line-up of the Swiss team promises a lot for the upcoming season.

The news also brings fresh doubts about the 2010 plans of Henri Pescarolo.

Rob

12th January 2010, 20:00

Pierre Ehret joins AutoCon Motorsports

January 12, 2010

AutoCon Motorsports announced today the signing of GT veteran Pierre Ehret to co-drive the AutoCon Lola B06/10 at the three 2010 ALMS enduro events (Sebring, Laguna, Petit). Support is provided by the Flamingo Resort Hotel and Ehret Family Winery.

Ehret is a frequent competitor in the ALMS with his last foray into the series netting him a GT2 podium finish at the Laguna in the 2009 finale.
Meanwhile in the LMS GT2 category where he runs fulltime he was a frequent visitor to the podium and finished the season ranked 4th in the drivers championship.

“Pierre is quick and consistently gets the maximum out of the car while still bringing it home” observed AutoCon Principal Michael Lewis. “This is exactly the type of driver you want at Sebring , Petit and Laguna and we are looking forward to see what he can do. He does have a bit of prototype experience but it’s been awhile and I know he’s looking forward to the challenge. We’ll give him a familiarization run out west and then it’s off to Sebring to throw him in the deep end!”

For his part Pierre is looking forward to running in the ALMS’s premier class. The car will be new to him but he is very familiar with the circuits. “It will be a real change driving out the front of the car instead of looking for prototypes in the mirror all day” noted a smiling Pierre. “I hope we can do something special with AutoCon starting at Sebring. I really enjoy the GT2 class but wanted to experience a prototype, so when this opportunity came up it was perfect”

Rob

14th January 2010, 19:15

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Lola Group releases Lola B10/60 details
By Team Update ⋅ January 13, 2010

Lola are pleased to release details of its much anticipated development upgrades to the successful LMP1 and LMP2 designs. The newly titled B10/60 LMP1 Coupe sees significant upgrades in both mechanical and aerodynamic areas. The Lola LMP cars are set to race on both sides of the Atlantic in 2010, as well as at the 78th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.

After winning both LMP1 and LMP2 Le Mans Series constructors titles in 2009, Lola has continued to invest in and further develop its capabilities to ensure that the LMP designs have a major advancement in pace for the new racing season.

As well as perpetual upgrading in CFD and Windtunnel facilities, Lola has also seen key investment in its assembly and office areas as well as taking on extra technical staff to bolster its already renowned design office.

Lola has been a clear market leader in recent sportscar history with 60 LMP designs having been sold since 1999. With flexibility in technical and commercial strategies, Lola continues its dedicated support to all its teams.

Lola Cars Managing Director Robin Brundle will be interviewed on the Autosport Main Stage at 13.30 on Thursday afternoon, along with Lord Paul Drayson from Drayson Racing and Guy Smith from Dyson Racing.

Q&A with Julian Sole, Chief Engineer, Lola Cars

Q. What are the key changes that people will see for the 2010 season?

A. “We have done a lot of work on suspension geometry, improving front and rear suspension; there was quite a big focus on that this year. When the car is released you’ll be able to see the rear of the bodywork is a lot different. Everything rearwards from the door is different. We have also incorporated on to the LMP1 the removable rear end that we had on the LMP2 car last year.

Q: When did the planning for 2010 begin? Was it straight after the last race or was it influenced by the regulation announcement?

“We really started work in the middle of last season. Then the regulation changes influenced it further which meant that we had to keep going longer (in the tunnel) which worked extremely well for us.”

Q. For 2010, what is the percentage of mechanical and aerodynamic updates that have been made to the Lola LMP? Can you give a precise or rough estimate?

A. “This year, in terms of development time spent, it is probably 50/50. We have completed a lot of mechanical work as well as the aero programme, so really there is more mechanical development for the 2010 spec car then we usually would do. This has included a lot of very concentrated vehicle dynamic work on our 7-post test rig and all the new suspension geometry.”

Q. How did the regulation changes affect your work in the tunnel?

. “The regulation changes, although they seem quite small, always affect the balance of the car and the performance of the car, so it’s just working to make the car work with the new regulations. In practice it meant we had to change a few surfaces on the car.”

Q. Obviously you know the car inside out after two full seasons of racing. How do you decipher the data from having been on track to then make a decision to change different areas of the car?

. “The focus of how much development we do each year and which areas we develop is not only an engineering decision, but also a commercial decision. We can’t do a new car every year because customers simply couldn’t afford to update to that level each year, so we tend to focus on smaller development areas of the car so teams can update their cars with kits to keep the cars moving forward in terms of pace. All the information we get back from the teams will be useful in closing the loop and continuing the development of the cars with the teams’ feedback. Drivers always give us an idea of the strengths of the car and we can focus on pushing even further forward.”

Q. What about the step-by-step process of development? How do the designers and the aerodynamicists work on it all practically?

. “Our initial steps will often be done on CFD, of which we have a very good capability at Huntingdon. Those parts will be pushed through into the wind tunnel team who will do further work on developing them just to get the last piece out of the development before we turn it into full-size CAD surfaces. Then we release them to make full size tooling, then full-size components for the car.”

Q. Are there areas on an LMP car that are given over more to aero-dynamic development? Is there a specific area where you just can’t exhaust the development, you just chip away?

“ The answer is easy. You can’t exhaust the development you do on any project. It’s an ongoing process and we wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t find consistently more improvements, so it’s just a case of carrying on and moving forward. Every new development generates a massive amount of new ideas of where we could go next. So, the parts that make it onto the car are really just a point in time where we have to release the car, otherwise we would be constantly in a development circle. Once we have released to the car, we go back to the development side of it, pushing it forward ready for the next development and we never really stop.”

Q. There is a fierce debate about CFD v Wind Tunnel – what’s your opinion on how this is helping the 2010 updates for the LMP?

“We use both and they both have a very important place in the development process. I wouldn’t really want to loose either of them. So, in terms of putting them in a priority, it’s very difficult because we rely on both. They both have strengths and weaknesses and we play them always to their strengths in order to push the development of the car forward as quickly as we can. The other areas are 7-post rig testing which is carried out once we have the full-sized car. We run simulations to validate and focus the design areas and find where we can get the maximum improvement in lap time for our development strategy.”

Q. Please talk us through the interim regulations that the ACO announced last autumn?

“With the interim regulations for 2010, the changes next year centre on the bodywork around the rear wheels where you now have to have a louver panel rather than gauze. Up until 2010 we have been able to just put wire mesh behind the rear wheels which now the ACO would like removed, really because the gauze is getting damaged by lumps of rubber (marbles) and stones flicking up from the rear wheels and pushing the meshes out and leaving meshes lying on the track which can be dangerous. So the ACO have changed the regulations to incorporate a louvre panel rather than a mesh and that is part of an interim rule because the 2011 regulations will be closing that area off totally. So, we will not be allowed any openings there at all eventually.”

Q. Any changes to the cockpit or the A/C systems or anything ergonomically within the tub itself?

“No, the ergonomics inside the tub tend to get honed quite a lot to the drivers’ requirements depending whether they are tall or small drivers or not. Various pieces get changed to suit them, so we try to allow as flexible an interior as we can, so they can move to suit their needs. The A/C has been very successful, so we haven’t really done much work on changing it. It worked very reliably through last season, so we have kept that pretty much as it was.”

Q. Looking at the season, how easy is it for us to react to adding certain development parts – do you envisage Lola having an additional kit for certain specs of racetrack?

“Not necessarily. The car that we produce is a very similar car that races in Europe at the low drag circuits and in America on high downforce circuits, so we have to design a car that has a good range of downforce that is adjustable by the team with various components around the car. So, going from high to low downforce really is a strength of the car as a standard design feature and I am glad to say we have this in abundance. As the season goes on, depending on how development work is going, we will often try to release a small update kit during the season to improve things.”

(Source: Lola Group)

Rob

14th January 2010, 19:16

NISMO announces FIA GT1 Championship teams

January 14, 2010

NISMO (Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd.) today confirmed that is has signed official partnership agreements with Swiss Racing Team and Sumo Power GT for the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship.

The Swiss and British team will run two Nissan GT-Rs each in the new World Championship, where NISMO will support both teams. Swiss Racing Team already confirmed its partnership with NISMO back in November. The team, managed by former Jetalliance Racing and KplusK Motorsport technical director Othmar Welti, is considering Karl Wendlinger as one of their drivers. No announcements were made about the drivers.

With the news that Gigawave MotorSport would not be running the Nissan GT-R in 2010 there were several rumors floating on the internet, with the names of Larbre Competition, CRS Racing and Scuderia Ecosse being on top of most shortlists. Sumo Power GT is an unknown name for most people, although it seems that British JR Motorsports is behind this project. The company ran Mitsubishi Evo Xs in the British Rally Championship and is also behind Sumo Power, “the UK’s number 1 for Japanese performance parts.”

More details about the teams including driver line-ups will be announced at the later date.

Rob

14th January 2010, 19:19

Primetime Race Group announces LMPC plans
By Team Update ⋅ January 14, 2010

Announced today, Primetime Race Group has signed 19 year old Canadian driver Kyle Marcelli to co-drive alongside team owner Joel Feinberg in the 2010 American LeMans Series in the LeMans Prototype Challenge class (LMPC).

After clinching the 2009 IMSA Prototype Lites Championship, the Florida based team has decided to build on that success and take their team to the next level of motorsports. Throughout 2009, Feinberg and Marcelli competed head to head in the ALMS feeder series each with a goal of making a future move into Le Mans Prototypes. Recognizing each other’s abilities behind the wheel as well as sharing the same aspirations as drivers, the two are excited to team up for a run at the LMPC season championship in 2010.

Throughout the off season and recent months the hard work and determination of both Joel and Kyle to make this move have finally come to fruition. Together they will co-drive the Primetime Race Group entry through the pre-season testing and in each of the nine events on the ALMS race schedule, all with one goal of following up Primetime’s 2009 championships. By winning a season championship in the LMPC class, Kyle Marcelli will make history as the youngest American Le Mans Series champion.

“This is a dream come true for me” Said Marcelli, “when I was 13, my dad and I used to go to Mosport International Raceway each year when the American LeMans Series arrived in late August. We would sit on top of turn two with thousands of others and watch the prototypes and GT cars race by, 6 years later I have found myself behind the wheel. I’m excited to team up with Joel and Primetime, he is a quick driver with a good amount of experience in the American Le Mans series and the team has shown a great track record over the years. I know we will both be pushing each other all season long”.

Primetime is no stranger to the big show, the team has campaigned their Dodge Viper GT2 program in the American Le Mans full time for the past two years as a privateer team and was recently awarded the 2009 Founders Cup Championship as the #1 non-factory supported team in the series. This recognition coupled with their championship in IMSA Lites shows an obvious progression in the team as well as defining them as true winners in their sport. A move to the LMPC class has been expected and looks to be as successful as their past endeavours.

“This move is a true testament to all of our hard work over the past few years” said Feinberg. “Our goal as a team since day one was to start at the bottom and work our way to the top. We’ve proven ourselves thus far and have established a team that can compete anywhere, against anyone. Racing at this level is a serious commitment and it takes the effort of the entire team to win races, after racing against Kyle last year and getting to know him I feel that he will be a great addition to our team and I look forward to winning lots of races with him this year”

The team is currently underway with preparations before pre-season testing begins February 22-23 at Sebring International Raceway. Drivers Joel Feinberg and Kyle Marcelli will be looking to make good use of the testing time to develop the car and be race ready for the start of the 2010 American LeMans Series season which kicks off on March 20th with the 58th annual Mobile 1 “12 Hours of Sebring

Rob

16th January 2010, 19:47

McNish, Minassian want world series

Saturday, January 16th 2010, 13:24 GMT

Le Mans stars Allan McNish and Nicolas Minassian have given their full backing to the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's plan for a new worldwide LMP1 series.

The ACO's Le Mans Intercontinental Cup will commence with this year as a three-race series encompassing the AUTOSPORT 1000kms at Silverstone, the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, and a yet to be decided event in Asia.

The organisers hope the cup can develop into a season-long championship by 2011 - and McNish and Minassian, whose Audi and Peugeot teams have not contested full series since 2008, are extremely keen to see it succeed.

"In 2011 the ACO's idea is to roll out a kind of world championship, and with the suggestion of a few other manufacturers coming on board, I can see that being a very, very good programme, with more non-manufacturer teams able to fight out the Le Mans Series championship and the American Le Mans Series championship while the manufacturers go into this global branding programme," said McNish on stage at AUTOSPORT International today.

Minassian added: "Next year I cross my fingers and would really like to have a world championship coming out of it, because we're not racing much at the minute. We want to go to circuits around the world and have great competition all year.

"We need more races, we really need this championship to happen. The cars are so good to race, they're made for these types of circuit, and it's just so much fun."

McNish admitted he would dearly love to fight for a fully-fledged world championship.

"I have won thankfully all the major races in sportscar racing, I have won three American Le Mans Series titles, but I'd love to have a crack at a world title," he said.

"As a racing driver, when you go to your retirement home, it's always nice if you've got that chance to have world champion against your name in any category. From that point of view it is a fantastic opportunity if it can develop as they hope."

Rob

17th January 2010, 14:49

IMSA Performance Matmut wins 24H Dubai
Series Update January 16, 2010

The French IMSA Performance MATMUT team has won the fifth anniversary edition of the Dunlop 24 Hours of Dubai. After 24 hours of racing at the 5.390 kilometres long Dubai Autodrome circuit, its driver pairing of Raymond Narac, Patrick Pilet and Marco Holzer had racked up a total of 608 laps with the team’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Marco Holzer drove the car across the finish line.

“My first ever outright win in a 24-hour race, a fantastic feeling”, said the German. Second place was taken by the Japanese Petronas Syntium Team with the BMW Z4 Coupé, driven by Nobuteru Taniguchi, Masataka Yanigada, Farique Hairuman, Johannes Stuck and Hiroki Yoshida. The Al Faisal Racing team with Abdulaziz Al Faisal, Claudia Hürtgen, Marko Hartung and Khaled Al Faisal took their BMW Z4 Coupé to third place overall.

The French IMSA Performance MATMUT team couldn’t have hoped for a better debut in the Dunlop 24H of Dubai. Their maiden participation in the first international motor racing event of the new year not only brought them pole position, but also a commanding outright victory with a margin of no less than three laps. Together with the BMWs, the IMSA Performance MATMUT team set the pace for most of the race, their car with starting number 66 never running outside the top three. “Of course, we had our little problems, but it is great having been able to bring victory home. I am particularly happy for Porsche and for our sponsor MATMUT”, said driver and team owner Raymond Narac. Patrick Pilet, who had qualified the car on pole position on Thursday, admitted to having had a difficult moment right after the start. “There was a driver of a smaller car who didn’t see me and hit the left rear wheel of my car. I was really worried then, but fortunately, the car turned out to be all right.”

The first eight hours saw a lot of action that involved some of the possible contenders for a podium finish. Among the early retirements were the Auto Racing Club Bratislava-Porsche (Miroslav Konopka/Oliver Morley/Sean Edwards/Richard Cvörnjek) and the Besaplast-Porsche (Franjo Kovac/Martin Tschornia/Kurt Thiim/Roland Asch/Sebastian Asch). The latter team that finished third in last year’s race was out of contention after their car caught fire on the main straight with Martin Tschornia behind the wheel, seven and a half hours into the race. The unfortunate driver escaped unscathed, but the car was damaged beyond immediate repair.

Last year’s winners, the number 1-Land Motorsport-Porsche (Gabriel Abergel/Xavier Pompidou/Carsten Tilke/Otto Klohs) was sidelined as well after Tilke had over-revved the engine. Almost at the same time, the number 148-AF Corse Ferrari (Robert Kaufmann/Michael Waltrip/Marcos Ambrose/Rui Aguas/Niki Cadei) became involved in a collision with another car. NASCAR-star Michael Waltrip, who drove his first-ever 24-hour race in Dubai, couldn’t avoid the collision when the other car started swerving in front of him. The Ferrari also incurred considerable damage and retired. Up to the time of the accident, the car had always been in the top ten, running as high as sixth at times.

In the opening half of the race, the pace was set by the two IMSA Performance Matmut-Porsches and the BMWs of the Petronas Syntium Team and Al Faisal Racing. However, the IMSA Performance Matmut-team 65’s hopes were dealt a severe blow when the clutch had to be replaced on the car in the twelfth hour of the race. Later on, the car was sidelined due to gearbox failure.

The Japanese Petronas Synthium team also raced in Dubai for the first time. They had their pair of BMW Z4s in the top five for most of the race, but the second car (Tatsuya Kataoka/Manabu Orido/Johan Adzmi/Kosuke Matsuura/Hiroki Yoshida) retired with half an hour remaining. A good performance was shown by the BMW Team Hungary with Efficient Dynamics. The BMW 120D driven by Lázlò Palik/János Vida/Csaba Walter/Gábor Weber finished eleventh overall out of the 75 participating cars, winning the D2-class for diesel-powered cars. The Hungarian Brokernet Silversting sportscar was also successful, winning the SP1 category with Kalman Bodis/Attila Barta/Istvàn Ràcz/Wolfgang Kaufmann driving for the Bovi Motorsport team. Leading the A3T-class, the SEAT Leon of the Spanish SUNRED team (Oscar Nogues/Michael Rossi/Ferran Monje/Borja Veiga) was in the top ten for a long time, but dropped back after a collision. Still, the SUNRED team scored a 1-2 in this class.

The German Black Falcon team that has won the title in the German Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nürburgring for the past two years also had a very successful debut in Dubai, winning the SP2-class with the BMW M3 (Vimal Metha/Sean Patrick Breslin/Sean Paul Breslin/Christer Jöns/Alexander Böhm) and the A4-class with the BMW Z4 Coupé (Oleg Volin/Andrii Lebed/Marc Colell/Kai Riebetz/Alexander Böhm). There was local success for the AUH Motorsport team that won the SP3-class with the Aston Martin Vantage, driven by Humaid Al Masaood/Alex Kapadia/Michael Prophet/Eric Charles. The A2-class brought victory for Team Sally Racing from Denmark, their Renault Clio driven by Anders Maigaard/Dan Brian Träger/Martin Sally Pederson/Brian Borger/Mick Reimerson. Victory in the D1 class, last but not least, went to the Marcos Racing International BMW 120D of Jim Briody/Hall Prewitt/Toto Lassally/Cor Euser.

The top three:

1. Narac/Pilet/Holzer (F/F/D), Porsche 997 GT3 RSR, 608 laps in 24.01.34.668
2. Taniguchi/Yanagida/Hairuman/Stuck/Yoshida (J/J/MAL/LIE/J), BMW Z4, 3 laps
3. Al Faisal/Hürtgen/Hartung/Al Faisal (KSA/D/D/KSA), BMW Z4, 5 laps

The class winners:

A2 # 89 Team Sally Racing Renault Clio
A3T # 74 Sunred 1 SEAT Leon Supercopa
A4 # 88 Team Black Falcon 2 BMW Z4 Coupé
A5 # 40 Petronas Synthium Team BMW Z4 Coupé
A6 # 66 IMSA Racing Performance Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
D1 # 112 Marcos Racing International 1 BMW 120D
D2 # 33 BMW Team Hungary with E.D. BMW 120D
SP1 # 168 Bovi Motorsport Brokernet Silversting
SP2 # 111 Team Black Falcon 1 BMW M3 E92
SP3 # 122 AUH Motorsports 2 Aston Martin Vantage GT4

Rob

18th January 2010, 19:24

Herbert wants Le Mans return

Sunday, January 17th 2010, 15:50 GMT

Johnny Herbert says he is open to offers to return to the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The former Formula 1 driver won Le Mans with Mazda in 1991, and contested the race several times after his F1 career ended. But he has not participated in the legendary French event since his 2007 outing with Aston Martin's GT1 team.

"I'd like to go back to Le Mans for sure," said Herbert on stage at AUTOSPORT International. "Everyone thinks I'm very expensive for some reason - I'm not, so please come and talk to me!

"I still love the challenge of Le Mans. I've always enjoyed it when I've gone back, obviously after Formula 1 with Audi, with Bentley and latterly with Aston Martin."

He regards Le Mans as one of the premier events outside the world championship, and wants to get a drive in the top LMP1 division if he returns.

"The challenge is one of the best, it's still a race that's very important in the motosport world, and I'd still love to go back," said Herbert. "If I could get an opportunity to get into a sportscar, LMP1, I'd like to.

"It would be good to get back because it's one of the big challenges still left outside Formula 1, and I'd enjoy it."

Herbert's immediate plan for this season is to remain in the British Touring Car Championship, having joined the series with Team Dynamics in the middle of 2009. He is working on 2010 options but has not completed a deal yet.

Rob

19th January 2010, 19:50

Le Mans scrutineering to start on Sunday?
By Series Update ⋅ January 19, 2010

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest confirms that at the end of 2009 it asked the Le Mans town hall if scrutineering* for the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours could begin on Sunday afternoon 6th June. This would enable many people to take advantage of this free event on what is a rest day, and would also attract a large crowd from the neighbouring departments and the Parisian region.

“The local impact and media fallout are obvious and they would help promote the image of the 24 Hours, as well as the entrants and drivers a week before the start of the race on 12th – 13th June,” said Jean-Claude Plassart, the ACO President.

“Our services work in close collaboration with the town of Le Mans to settle technical and organisational problems,” stated Ghislain Robert, the events and infrastructure manager.

The ACO will confirm the final dates of scrutineering in 2010 as soon as possible. Because of major works on the Place des Jacobins scrutineering will move for 3 years to a nearby location, the “Place du Jet d’Eau”.

(*) Scrutineering & Administrative checks

Rob

19th January 2010, 19:52

GT1 World: 6 brands, 12 teams, 24 cars
By Marcel ten Caat ⋅ January 17, 2010

The 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship will kick off with 6 brands, 12 teams and 24 cars. On Friday January 15th at midnight the FIA had received the FIA has received entry forms and proof of payment for 12 teams, representing six brands, with 24 cars.

For Stephane Ratel a part of his dream has now been fulfilled, although there is still a lot of work to do to get the World Championship underway. “With two car teams only and two teams per brand, this will be the most professionally presented grid outside of Formula One, the only one to display such clear visibility for the Media and the fans. It is a long held dream becoming reality and even if a lot remains to be developed in terms of promotion, media and television, there is no doubt that we are at the beginning of something big.”

“We are convinced of the unlimited potential of a series that brings together all the ingredients for success: an official World Championship title, a fair balance between the teams’ budget without direct manufacturer involvement, a truly global calendar visiting four and possibly five continents, a collection of great circuits, a format appealing to spectators and TV audiences, and most importantly the best, looking, best sounding and most prestigious cars around.”

While the six manufacturers and twelve teams that have now applied for an entry will be given all the focus by SRO Ratel is already looking to the future. “We have no doubts that the many brands that are looking at the series will soon decide to join in and their only way to do so will be to come through the 12 original teams who started the series. It is our objective that in 2012, all of the teams will benefit from manufacturer support; it is our aim to bring together 10 to 12 brands represented by one team of two cars each.”

The brands and teams that have confirmed their intention to race in the new championship are:

Aston Martin: Hexis AMR (2009 FIA GT3 European Teams Champion) from France and Young Drivers AMR from Germany.
Corvette: Mad Croc Racing (a collaboration between SRT and DKR) and Phoenix Racing Carsport (a collaboration between Phoenix Racing and Carsport Holland).
Ford: Matech Competition and Marc VDS Racing. Both teams already entered the Ford GT in the 2009 FIA GT Championship
Lamborghini: Münnich Motorsport (who already raced Lamborghini’s as All-Inkl.com) and Reiter Engineering.
Maserati: Vitaphone Racing Team (Five time FIA GT champion) and Triple H Team Hegersport (a new team led by former BMW, Audi, Honda and Peugeot factory driver Altfrid Heger).
Nissan: Swiss Racing Team, run by Othmar Welti, and new British team Sumo Power GT.

The applications will now be examined by the FIA, before an entry list is released by the end of the month.

With the FIA GT1 World Championship now having its planned 24 cars Ratel will now “concentrate on making the FIA GT2 European Championship a similar success”.

Rob

19th January 2010, 19:53

Porsche squad with eight works drivers
By Team Update ⋅ January 19, 2010

Eight works drivers compete for Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, this motorsport season. The professional racers, all of whom held a Porsche contract last year, will support Porsche customer teams around the world.

Like in 2009, Marc Lieb (29, Germany) and Richard Lietz (26, Austria) contest the Le Mans Series (LMS) for the Felbermayr-Proton team in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Patrick Pilet (28, France) again races for IMSA Performance Matmut in the LMS. Moreover, the Porsche works drivers will compete for other teams in selected championships and at long distance races.

Joerg Bergmeister (33, Germany) and Patrick Long (28, USA) aim to defend their title win in the 2009 American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and are back driving for Flying Lizard Motorsports with a 911 GT3 RSR. Wolf Henzler (34, Germany) will pilot a 911 GT3 RSR in the ALMS for the Porsche customer team Falken Tire. Aside from their ALMS commitments, the factory drivers will support customer teams at other races.

Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard (28, Germany) and Romain Dumas (32, France) are determined to defend their overall win at the Nürburgring 24 hour race in 2010 and are currently involved in intensive preparations and testing. Further events are planned.

“I’m proud to have eight world-class works drivers in our line-up for the 2010 season,” says Hartmut Kristen, Head of Motorsport at Porsche. “We know all of them very well and our customer teams can totally rely on their driving skills. In the development and optimisation of our race vehicles, these pilots also play an important role and our teams around the world profit from this.”

For the majority of the factory pilots, their first race of the season will be the Daytona 24 hour event, where they support customer squads in Porsche 911 GT3 Cup vehicles.

Rob

23rd January 2010, 19:03

REBELLION Racing’s Lola B10/60’s ready to go
Team Update January 21, 2010

The 2010 endurance season starts in 45 days with the official Le Mans Series test days at Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track. REBELLION Racing is eagerly awaiting taking part in that first event.

The first of REBELLION Racing’s Lola B10/60 was completed a few days ago and its Rebellion engine was run-up in the car to test the basic systems. The team’s second Lola Rebellion will be completed this week.

“Having our two new cars ready to roll out of Lola’s factory by the end of this week is a very positive achievement and a key milestone in our plan. We started working early on with our major partners, Lola on the new aerodynamics and Engine Developments on the new Rebellion engine, to develop our package for 2010. This has given us the time to complete our development programme as scheduled. Moreover, it has allowed us to focus resources on some of the finer details that, when put together, will play a significant part in the performance of our cars. In fact, we now just need to make the drivers’ seats in order to run the cars out on the track!” said REBELLION Racing team manager Bart Hayden.

After a full systems check in England in early February, the REBELLION Racing team will undertake four days of testing in southern Europe with all four of the team’s drivers, Andrea Belicchi, Jean-Christophe Boullion, Neel Jani and Nicolas Prost together for the first time this year. The team will then head off to the official Le Mans Series test days at Paul Ricard (7-8 March).

Rob

23rd January 2010, 19:05

Endurance News Briefs
By Marcel ten Caat ⋅ January 22, 2010

Preparations for the 2010 season are well underway with announcements coming from all over the world. In the last two weeks the potential FIA GT1 World Championship entries were revealed, JaguarRSR and Risi Competizione confirmed their American Le Mans Series crews, Porsche its works drivers and the ACO confirmed plans to start Le Mans scrutineering on Sunday. But there was more!

In Birmingham the Autosport International show took place between January 14-17. Several teams confirmed plans or showed their cars at the show. JMW Motorsport, which recently announced its move from Ferrari to Aston Martin brought the Aston Martin Racing test car with yellow Dunlop sponsoring to Birmingham. Beechdean Mansell Motorsport also showed its livery for the first time. Our colleagues at Dailysportscar spoke with Lotus’ Motorsports Director Claudio Berro who confirmed that Lotus is thinking about an LMP1 entry for 2011. Modena Group Racing, the rebirth of Team Modena, confirmed its plans to run a Ferrari F430 GT2 in the Le Mans Series.

Yesterday our French colleagues at Endurance-Info were able to announce that Pierre Bruneau Compétition will run the works Radical SR9 AER, with several updates, in the 2010 Le Mans Series championship. Pierre Bruneau will be sharing the car with a familiar face, Marc Rostan. A third driver is not signed yet.

From the other side of the Atlantic there are rumours about a Lola Aston Martin. While it seems pretty much a done deal, with Autosport magazine already reporting Fernandez Racing to race the car in the full American Le Mans Series, the article that pretty much confirmed the entry was removed from the Sebring International Raceway. Where there is smoke though… One would expect a British driver, with Aston Martin LMP1 experience, to be part of the crew at Sebring though.

Another potential entry for the American Le Mans Series is the former Black Swan Racing Doran Ford GT. ACS Express Racing, which competed in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship Presented by Toyo Tires, has reportedly bought the GT2 Ford GT and is planning to run it in this years American Le Mans Series.

With the season less than two months away expect a continuous stream of announcements in the coming weeks…and for those of you that are unable to go to the Sebring 12 Hours, MotorsTV will bring 13 hours of non-stop LIVE coverage of the event on Saturday 20 March.

Updated entry lists for the Le Mans Series, American Le Mans Series and FIA GT1 World Championship can be found via our entrylist page.

Rob

26th January 2010, 19:27

CRS Racing confirms Ehret/Quaife in second car
By Team Update ⋅ January 26, 2010

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CRS Racing // CRS Racing’s new livery shown at the Autosport International show
After announcing recently that Andrew Kirkaldy and Tim Mullen would contest the 2010 Le Mans Series in a CRS Ferrari 430, the team is pleased to reveal that they will have company in the shape of a second Ferrari 430 LMS entry for CRS Racing.

Pierre Ehret and Phil Quaife will join Kirkaldy and Mullen in the CRS garage for the five Le Mans Series races, starting with the 8-hour race at Paul Ricard in April. A third driver for the Ehret/Quaife car will also be announced soon.

Pierre Ehret has a great deal of experience in the Le Mans Series where last year he finished 4th in class in the overall championship. He is a very successful businessman who only began racing at the age of 40. In 2010, in addition to running in the full Le Mans Series with CRS, Pierre will race in selected American Le Mans Series races in the Autocon Lola LMP1 car.

Phil Quaife is already part of the CRS family after racing in the FIA GT3 Championship with the team in 2009. It was a difficult season but the 23 year-old British racer demonstrated incredible speed and a great maturity. His performance in the GT2 Ferrari during the Spa 24 Hours proved that he is more than ready for the challenges that lie ahead in 2010.

“We’re really pleased to be able to enter a two-car team into the full Le Mans Series,” said CRS Team Director, Andrew Kirkaldy. “I’m very happy with the line-up. Pierre is one of the quickest non-professional drivers out there. Phil did a fantastic job for us last year and really came on strong when things got tough. We have another driver to announce soon for that car. I think it will be a real advantage to have a three-driver line-up when it comes to the longer races. It’ll certainly keep Tim and I on our toes.”

Rob

26th January 2010, 19:29

Wendlinger & Nilsson join Swiss Racing Team
By Team Update ⋅ January 26, 2010

On January 27, 2010 the Swiss racing team around Othmar Welti and Erich Kolb will introduce their two NISSAN GT-R racing cars and the first pilot to the public during a media presentation at the team’s location in Inwil (CH).

Former F1 pilot Karl Wendlinger from Austria will be the first named pilot for one of the NISSAN GT-R’s. Negotiations with the second driver beside Karl Wendlinger are almost finished.

Wendlinger and Welti have already worked together successfully in FIA GT1 in the past. “With NISMO, Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd, the team can rely on a strong partner,” says Othmar Welti from Swiss Racing Team. “Our goal is definitely top rankings in the World Championship 2010. Chances are very good with the latest GT racing car, the NISSAN GT-R and the most successful FIA-GT pilots.”

The second NISSAN GT-R will be piloted by Swedish driver Max Nilsson who has been able to gain experience with the team in the German Formula 3 for many years. Max Nilsson proved during a guest stint in the FIA GT1 in Budapest in 2009 that he counts on the right team and that he will achieve great results in this series as well.
The forth and last cockpit, which is still to be assigned, is in great demand with interested parties.

“We have not made a final decision yet because we want to find an equally strong team for the second car. We get calls from pilots who want a place in the cockpit on an almost daily basis. However, we want to take our time to choose the right pilot,” says Erich Kolb.

The FIA GT1 World Championship officially starts in Abu Dhabi on April 17, 2010.

Rob

26th January 2010, 19:33

Turner to race Aston in GT1 series
Tuesday, January 26th 2010, 16:36 GMT

Darren Turner will race in the FIA's GT1 World Championship in 2010, after being announced as one of the racers of the 'Young Driver AMR' team.

The German squad, new to the championship, will race an Aston Martin DBR9, reuniting Turner with the car with which he took victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2007 and 2008.

"I'm really excited to be doing the full FIA GT1 World Championship," Turner said. "Not only because we will be visiting some fantastic circuits but also because the level of competition will make it an intense and enjoyable season.

"I'm looking forward to working with the Young Driver AMR team. After visiting the team's base in Paderborn (Germany) last week I can see that they have the infrastructure and resources to achieve great success."

Turner was the man in charge of carrying out the first shakedown of the car back in 2004.

"This is the most exciting part for me," he added. "To come all the way from the first shakedown to two Le Mans victories and now this, is very special.

"I drove the car briefly last week and even after I got home I was still buzzing from it. Just hearing the wail of the V12 again brought it all back to me. This is going to be great."

The British driver will on track with his new team next week for the first official test at Portimao, Portugal.

The season gets underway in Abu Dhabi in mid-April.

Rob

28th January 2010, 19:26

Audi changes Le Mans driver line-up

Thursday, January 28th 2010, 10:55 GMT

Audi has made three changes to its sportscar line-up this year, as it attempts to regain the Le Mans 24 Hours crown from Peugeot.

This week's AUTOSPORT magazine revealed that three-time Le Mans winner Marco Werner has been dropped and Alexandre Premat will focus on the DTM, while former American Le Mans Series champion Lucas Luhr is not expected to feature.

The trio has been replaced by Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer, who will share one of the R15s at Le Mans this year.

Fassler raced twice for Audi in the ALMS in 2008 and raced at Le Mans for Chevrolet in 2009. Lotterer won last year's Japanese Super GT title and drove a Kolles-run Audi R10 at Le Mans, while Treluyer raced a Pescarolo-run Peugeot 908 in last year's 24 Hours.

"In view of our strong competitors, we have to be perfectly positioned in terms of drivers," said Audi motorsport boss Wolfgang Ullrich. "Marcel, Andre and Benoit attracted our attention during the past two years and we are convinced they are a very good combination for Le Mans."

"For the time being plans for them are fully focused on Le Mans 2010, but all three of them are still relatively young and may become part of our sportscar project over the long term."

"For me, having the chance to be part of the Audi team this year is incredible," said Fassler. "I'm looking forward to the challenge and expect the R15 to be competing for overall victory."

Lotterer added: "I'm proud about having been selected by such a successful team, this is a major step in my career. Last year as a Le Mans rookie I learned a lot, now I've got the chance to compete for a top-class team."

Treluyer said: "I'd never have expected to immediately get a slot with a factory team for Le Mans after my return from Japan. With Andre and Marcel, we've got a car in which we can clinch overall victory."

Rob

31st January 2010, 15:24

New driver trio for the Audi R15 TDI
Team Update ⋅ January 28, 2010
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Audi Sport leaves nothing to chance in its endeavor to bring the prestigious Le Mans trophy back to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Not only the technology of the Audi R15 TDI is being subjected to further development. The drivers’ line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) has been extended as well.

For the world’s most famous endurance race, Audi has signed three new drivers, the Swiss Marcel Fässler (33), German André Lotterer (28) and Frenchman Benoît Treluyer (33), who will be sharing the cockpit of one of three Audi R15 TDI cars on June 12/13, 2010.

“In view of our strong competitors, we want to – and have to – be perfectly positioned in terms of drivers too,” explained Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Therefore, we decided to extend our driver line-up. Marcel, Andre and Benoît attracted our attention during the past two years in a particularly positive way. They are used to handling fast prototypes and know each other extremely well. The three of them, and we too, are convinced that they are a very good combination for Le Mans.”

The new Audi drivers already have experience at the wheel of diesel racing sports cars. Marcel Fässler successfully contested two races in the American Le Mans Series for Audi in 2008. André Lotterer impressed at Le Mans last year at the wheel of an Audi R10 TDI of the private Audi customer team Kolles. Benoît Treluyer competed in the 24-hour classic in a Peugeot in 2009.

Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Treluyer have already visited Audi Sport in Ingolstadt for seat-fittings and will soon be testing the Audi R15 TDI. The first racing commitment for the new Audi driver trio is planned for May 9, in the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium), which will serve as a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Audi Sport Team Joest.

“For the time being, plans for Marcel, Andre and Benoît are fully focused on Le Mans 2010,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “But all three of them are still relatively young, and therefore, may also become part of our sports car project over the long term.”

Audi has been contesting the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1999 and having made 11 starts, has won the race as many as eight times. In addition to speed, reliability and efficiency are the key factors of success in the world’s most famous endurance race.

Furthermore, the LMP1 class is unrivaled by any other motorsport category in terms of offering the opportunity to test technical innovations in racing conditions. Thanks to its technology leadership, Audi has repeatedly set milestones in this regard. The Audi R8, for instance, successfully introduced TFSI gasoline direct injection technology in 2001, while in 2006 the Audi R10 TDI was the first diesel-powered vehicle to clinch victory in the history of the race.

Quotes by the new Audi drivers

Marcel Fässler: “For me, Audi is the most successful brand at Le Mans. Having the chance to be part of the Audi team this year is incredible for me and a great opportunity I want to take advantage of at all cost. I’m tremendously looking
forward to the new challenge with Audi and expect the R15 TDI to be competing for overall victory. We’ll see which Audi team will be the most fortunate one in the end. The main thing is that victory will go to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm again.”

André Lotterer: “I’m proud about having been selected by such a successful team as Audi Sport. This is a major step in my career. I’ll give my best for Audi to recapture the Le Mans trophy. Last year, as a Le Mans rookie, I learned a lot in the R10 TDI of the Kolles team – particularly because my team-mate and I had to contest the race as a team of two. Now I’ve got the chance to compete for a top-class team. Consequently, I’ve just got a single goal: victory!”

Benoît Treluyer: “For me, a dream is coming true. I’d never have expected to immediately get a slot with a ‘factory’ team for Le Mans after my return from Japan – and, what’s more, together with my best friend André Lotterer, and with Marcel
Fässler with whom I started my career in Formula Campus. That really can’t be topped! We’ve got a car in which we can clinch overall victory. Before signing the agreement with Audi I watched the team while it was testing. The way they work
and the attitude at Audi are exactly what I was looking for.”

Rob

31st January 2010, 15:29

ARGO Racing field two Gallardos in FIA GT3
Team Update ⋅ January 30, 2010

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Lamborghini will also be represented in the fifth year of the FIA GT3 European Championship. ARGO Racing, based directly on the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit, fields two Reiter Engineering developed Gallardo LP560 GT3.

As a result, the team, supported by the Lambert family’s internationally active automotive and motorsport industry supplier ATEC, returns to the series. ARGO Racing and ATEC also started in motorsport as team with the brand from Sant’ Agata in 2007.

ARGO Racing contested the German ADAC GT Masters for three years with the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 claiming 2 wins, 16 podium finishes and 5 pole positions. During the 2009 season ARGO entered an Audi R8.

By choosing the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 GT3 for 2010 the team was allocated two grid slots as newcomers to the European Championship. The number of grid slots per brand is strictly limited in this series. Teams, which represented a brand during the previous years, have priority for these grid slots. Following the unfortunate death of brother Günter Lambert early in 2009 the team’s involvement will be managed by Herbert Lambert of ATEC and daughters Andrea and Stefanie Lambert. ARGO Racing enters two cars again for the first time since 2008.

ARGO Racing takes delivery of its first Gallardo LP560 GT3 at the beginning of February. Technical Director Werner Schröder has already planned an extensive test programme before the season opener on the first weekend at Silverstone, England. Additionally, races under real conditions in the Belcar Series are scheduled. It is also planned to contest the 24 hours at Spa.

The driver squads for the FIA GT3 Championship are still not confirmed. Negotiations are currently under way in order to sign driver duos as strong as in the previous years. The first official FIA test is held in mid February at Paul Ricard, France. Every car registered in the FIA GT3 category is classified here in order to guarantee performance parity.

“We are extremely happy to have ARGO, one of the best GT3 teams, back among the Lamborghini ranks. The new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 GT3 has even surprised Reiter Engineering as development team with its raw speed. The fact that the new LP560 is fielded from 2010 onwards by ARGO Racing makes us more than just optimistic for the forthcoming season,” says Hans Reiter.

Rob

31st January 2010, 15:31

International GT Open season taking shape
January 31, 2010

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With all the announcements coming from the Le Mans Series, the American Le Mans Series and the various SRO championships one seems to forget that Europe has another major GT2/GT3 series, the International GT Open. And that series had quite some interesting updates as well.

After changes on the provisional calendar meant that the Imola and Portimão swapped places and the proposed Donington round was replaced with a weekend at Brands Hatch GT Sport announced two pre-season collective test sessions. On March 2-3 the teams will have the opportunity to test their cars on the Barcelona circuit, with the second two-day session taking place on March 25-26 at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

GT Sport meanwhile expects enough cars to run separate Super GT (GT2) and GTS (GT3) races on Sunday at most race weekends. In recent weeks several British, French and German teams have shown their interest in competing in the International GT Open series, mostly due to the fact that little is known about the 2010 FIA GT2 European Championship.

One of the first new arrivals for the 2010 season is CRS Racing. Having announced a two-car entry for the Le Mans Series the British squad will also field two cars in GT Open. One Ferrari F430 GT2 will be entered for team owner Chris Niarchos (CAN) and Tim Mullen (GBR), while the second car will be driven by Klaas Hummel (NED) and Chris Goodwin (GBR).

2009 GTS champions, Philipp Peter (AUT) and Michal Broniszewski (POL) will move up into a Kessel Racing Ferrari F430 GT2. The Swiss team is also looking at running a second GT2 car in the championship, as well as its GT3 Ferrari 430s.

Another International GT Open regular is Villois Racing. The Italian team will return to the series to defend its GTS Team Championship with a pair of Aston Martin DBRS9 GT3 cars. Team owner Chicco Villois was unable to confirm any drivers for his cars yet, but did reveal that his team is also looking into the options of running an Aston Martin Vantage GT2. Talks with potential drivers and sponsors for all of his cars are still underway.

The most recent addition to the International GT Open field was British GT team RPM. It will enter its Ford GT for Alex Mortimer (GBR) and Peter Bamford (GBR). “I wanted to stage another full time campaign in Europe” said team owner Robin Mortimer, “and the GT Open is a perfect opportunity and I am sure we have a strong package”. With Alex Mortimer, who won the title in British GT and who won races in FIA GT3, Peter Bamford, a race winner in GT Open, and the Matech-built Ford GT he is right about having a strong package.

All the season dates:

2-3 March // Circuit de Catalunya, Montmelò (Spain) - Testing
25-26 March // Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) – Testing

16-18 April // Autódromo Internacional do Algrave, Portimão (Portugal)
30 April – 2 May // Nürburgring GP Circuit (Germany)
21-23 May // Autodromo Enzo & Dino Ferrari, Imola (Italy)
25-27 June // Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)
9-11 July // Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours (France)
3-5 September // Brands Hatch Grand Prix Circuit (England)
1-3 October // Autodromo Nazionale di Monza (Italy)
29-31 October // Circuit de Catalunya, Montmelò (Spain)

Rob

1st February 2010, 20:39

Aston Martin announces 2010 racing plans
Team Update ⋅ February 1, 2010

Aston Martin Racing will enter two Works LMP1 cars bearing the iconic blue and orange livery of Gulf Oil in the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The British team exceeded all expectations at La Sarthe in 2009 by finishing fourth overall, having been quickest of the petrol powered prototypes from start to finish in its maiden LMP1 outing.

In addition, Aston Martin Racing will compete in three races prior to the Le Mans 24 Hours with one LMP1 car. The races will provide the team with valuable on-track experience prior to Le Mans and include the first two rounds of the American Le Mans Series - the 12 hours of Sebring on 20 March and the Long Beach Grand Prix on 17 April and the opening round of the European Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard in France on 11 April.

Aston Martin Racing drivers, Chris Buncombe (GB), Stefan Mücke (DE), Harold Primat (CH) and Darren Turner (GB) return for the 2010 season and will be joined by experienced sports car driver Adrian Fernández (MX).

Fernández is new to Aston Martin but no stranger to sports car racing and the American Le Mans Series having won the LMP2 class outright in 2009.

The team will also compete in selected blue riband races around the world post Le Mans, details of the remaining race programme and sixth driver will be subject to further announcements in the coming weeks.

The LMP1 cars will be powered by the same Aston Martin V12 engine which forms the basis for the Aston Martin DBS, V12 Vantage, DB9 and forthcoming four-door Aston Martin Rapide.

“Having won the Le Mans Series Team and Driver titles in 2009 it will be a hard act to follow,” said Aston Martin Racing Team Principal, George Howard-Chappell. “However, we are looking forward to a great season of racing and we hope to have another strong showing at Le Mans. I’d like to welcome Adrian to the team, I’m sure with his experience he will be a great addition to our driver line-up.”

The 78th running of the Le Mans 24 Hours will take place 12/13 June 2010.

Rob

1st February 2010, 20:40

Ayari confirmed as Oreca 01 lead drive

Team Update ⋅ February 1, 2010

In compliance with the Automobile Club de l’Ouest regulations, Team ORECA has nominated the first driver for its ORECA 01, should its entry be accepted for the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours. The team has opted for continuity with a driver it’s known for a long time, Soheil Ayari.

The Frenchman is a regular in the Signes-designed prototypes: last June he came fifth in the Le Mans 24 Hours with Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre. Thanks to his experience he will be the lead driver in the ORECA 01.

What is new for the 2010 season is that the ORECA 01 will run on Dunlop tyres, which shod last year’s LM P2 and LM GT1 title winners. The manufacturer will be making its return to LM P1, and will equip the prototype that won the final round of the Le Mans Series, the Silverstone 1000kms.

“In the context of its endurance programme, Dunlop has decided to take the final step and enter the LM P1 category again, ”explains Hugues de Chaunac. “We had very fruitful discussions with the company and we decided to run the ORECA 01 on Dunlop rubber. Dunlop’s decision to come back to the top category is proof of the interest that the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Le Mans Series generate for tyre manufacturers, and also the attraction excercised by the ORECA 01 prototyope, which showed its potential during the 2009 season.”

Rob

1st February 2010, 20:54

Fisichella to race Ferrari in Le Mans Series
Monday 1 February at 18:31 : Feb.1 (GMM) Giancarlo Fisichella has signed up to contest the Le Mans Series in 2010.

The 37-year-old is a veteran of 231 grands prix since 1996, but he will be Ferrari's reserve driver this season.

However, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest's Le Mans Series said on Monday that Fisichella will contest "the whole season" of the endurance sports car calendar in 2010.

A full entry list will be published within days, but it emerges that he will drive a Ferrari F430 with AF Corse in the LMGT2 category.

Two Le Mans Series races clash with F1 rounds in 2010: May 9's 1000km of Spa (Spanish GP), and the 1000km of Silverstone (Italian GP) in September.

Greig

3rd February 2010, 14:26

Maranello, 3 February 2010 – Today the AF Corse team presented its motorsport programme for 2010, concentrated on its participation in the international Le Mans Series. Like over the last years the team from Piacenza will use the F430 GTC, the Berlinetta from the Prancing Horse, which has been extremely successful in the world of Granturismo competitions.

This year Amato Ferrari chose a group of very interesting drivers. Next to the successful ‘veterans’ Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander there will be two new drivers from Argentina, Luis Perez Companc and Matias Russo, and a Brazilian, who is already well known in the world of GT motorsports, Jaime Melo. But there are two more names, well known to the fans of Ferrari: Giancarlo Fisichella and Jean Alesi.

Three cars will be started into the LMS: one driven by the two Ferraristi and supported by Vilander, one by the two Argentinians and one by Melo and Bruni.

So Fisichella will not only be the third driver of the Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro, but also make an experience in the world of Granturismo racing, something he was still missing in his CV. "I’m very happy that I can participate in the AF Corse’s programme and I hope that I can give back the trust they have in me,” the Roman driver said. “Obviously I would have taken the opportunity to race in the Formula, if it had been under the right circumstances, but it didn’t happen. I’m happy to be part of the Ferrari family as a third driver. I can’t wait to test the F430 GTC to get ready for the debut at Paul Ricard on 11 April."

"Coming back to racing in a Ferrari after many years is not just a great pleasure, but especially a great honour,” Jean Alesi said. “I can’t wait to get behind the wheel of a car I already tested in Fiorano a couple of months ago. I want to thank Amato Ferrari for the opportunity and I hope I can deliver some great show to our fans.”

Testarossa6000

3rd February 2010, 19:26

Melo Bruni Alesi Fisico + F430GTC .... music to my ears and with the MC12s running as well - this is the year to get to le Mans!

Going to be an exciting season. Can't wait!

Rob

3rd February 2010, 20:13

:thumb:clap whooop it great line up of drivers, roll on June

Rob

4th February 2010, 19:42

The ACO releases the 2010 Le Mans 24 entry list
February 4, 2010

Just after 11 o’clock Automobile Club de l’Ouest president Jean-Claude Plassart told the press and representatives from several teams and manufacturers that 84 applications for an entry into the race had been received. “Despite the economic crisis it shows that the teams have full confidence in Le Mans racing”, said Plassart. “A sign of this confidence is that this year we have nine major manufacturers taking part, including three new manufacturers.”

After the presentation of the new Pescarolo Le Mans prototype for the racing school of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest it was time for the long awaited announcement of the invited teams. Fabrice Bourrigaud also confirmed that scrutineering will take place on Sunday and Monday on the central square in Le Mans and that the first free practice session will take place on Wednesday afternoon, from 16.00 - 18.00.

Vincent Beaumesnil and Fabrice Bourrigaud confirmed that 21 LMP1 cars, 9 LMP2 cars, 8 GT1 cars and 17 GT2 cars have been given an entry into the 2010 edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours. Nineteen nationalities are now confirmed, while both the LMP and GT categories have 10 makes.

Here are all the invited teams and the registered drivers. The first driver had to be registered before February 1st. Nominated first drivers can not be replaced and being withdrawn from a team in case of ‘force majeure’ means they can not be racing at another team.

LM P1

1 // Team Peugeot Total // Peugeot 908 HDi FAP // Alexander Wurz - TBA - TBA
2 // Team Peugeot Total // Peugeot 908 HDi FAP // Nicolas Minassian - TBA - TBA
3 // Peugeot Sport Total // Peugeot 908 HDi FAP // Sebastien Bourdais - TBA - TBA
4 // Team Oreca Matmut // Peugeot 908 HDi FAP // Olivier Panis - Nicolas Lapierre - TBA
5 // Beechdean Mansell Motorsport // Ginetta-Zytek Z09R // Nigel Mansell - Greg Mansell - Leo Mansell
6 // AIM Team Oreca // Oreca 01 AIM // Soheil Ayari - TBA - TBA
7 // Audi Sport Team Joest // Audi R15 TDI // Tom Kristensen - TBA - TBA
8 // Audi Sport Team Joest // Audi R15 TDI // Andre Lotterer - TBA - TBA
9 //Audi Sport North America // Audi R15 TDI // Mike Rockenfeller - TBA - TBA
10 // Dome Racing Team // Dome S102 Judd // Sébastien Philippe - TBA - TBA
11 // Drayson Racing // Lola B09/60 Judd // Paul Drayson - Jonny Cocker - TBA
12 // Rebellion Racing // Lola B10/60 Rebellion // Nicolas Prost - Neel Jani - TBA
13 // Rebellion Racing // Lola B10/60 Rebellion // Andrea Belicchi - Jean-Christophe Boullion - TBA
14 // Kolles // Audi R10 TDI // Christijan Albers - TBA - TBA
15 // Kolles // Audi R10 TDI // Christian Bakkerud - TBA - TBA
17 // Pescarolo Sport // Pescarolo 01 Judd // Ho-Pin Tung - TBA - TBA
18 // SORA Racing // Pescarolo 01 Judd // Christophe Tinseau - TBA - TBA
19 // Autocon Motorsports // Lola B06/10 AER // Michael Lewis - TBA - TBA
007 // Aston Martin Racing // Lola Aston Martin // Harold Primat - TBA - TBA
008 // Signature Plus // Lola Aston Martin // Pierre Ragues - Franck Mailleux - TBA
009 // Aston Martin Racing // Lola Aston Martin // Darren Turner - TBA - TBA

LM P2

24 // OAK Racing // Pescarolo 01 Judd // Jacques Nicolet - TBA - TBA
25 // RML // Lola B08/80 HPD // Mike Newton - Tommy Erdos - TBA
26 // Highcroft Racing // HPD Acura ARX-01C // David Brabham - Marino Franchitti - TBA
29 // Racing Box // Lola B08/80 Judd // Luca Pirri - TBA - TBA
35 // OAK Racing // Pescarolo 01 Judd // Richard Hein - TBA - TBA
37 // Gerard Welter // WR Zytek // Philippe Salini - TBA - TBA
40 // Quifel-ASM Team // Ginetta Zytek 09S Zytek // Miguel Amaral - Olivier Pla - TBA
41 // Team Bruichladdich // Ginetta Zytek 09S Zytek // Karim Ojjeh - Tim Greaves - TBA
42 // Strakka Racing // HPD Acura ARX-01C // Nick Leventis - Danny Watts - TBA

RESERVE LMP
38 // Pegasus Racing // Norma Judd // Julien Schell - TBA - TBA
23 // Tokaï University YGK Power // Courage-Oreca LC70 YGK // Shigekazu Wakisaka - Shogo Mitsuyama - TBA
39 // KSM // Lola B08/47 Judd // Jean de Pourtales - Hideki Noda - TBA
28 // José Ibanez // Lola B05/40 Judd // José Ibanez - Lionel Robert - Arnaud Santamato
22 // Kaneko Racing // Courage-Oreca LC70 Judd // Yutaka Yamagishi - TBA - TBA

LM GT1

50 // Larbre Competition // Saleen S7R // Roland Berville - Patrick Bornhauser - TBA
52 // Young Driver AMR // Aston Martin DBR9 // Christoffer Nygaard - Tomas Enge - TBA
53 // Peka Racing NV // Chevrolet Corvette C6.R // Anthony Kumpen - TBA - TBA
61 // Matech Competition // Ford GT // Natacha Gachnang - Cyndie Allemann - TBA
69 // JLOC // Lamborghini Murcielago GT1 // Yogo Atsushi - TBA - TBA
70 // Marc VDS Racing // Ford GT // Eric de Doncker - TBA - TBA
72 // Luc Alphand Aventures // Chevrolet Corvette C6.R // Luc Alphand - TBA - TBA
73 // Luc Alphand Aventures // Chevrolet Corvette C6.R // Stéphane Gregoire - TBA - TBA

LM GT2

63 // Corvette Racing // Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 // Jan Magnussen - Johnny O’Connell - Antonio Garcia
64 // Corvette Racing // Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 // Oliver Gavin - Olivier Beretta - TBA
75 // ProSpeed Competition // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Paul van Splunteren - TBA - TBA
76 // IMSA Performance Matmut // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Raymond Narac - TBA -TBA
77 // Team Felbermayr-Proton // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Horst Felbermayr - TBA - TBA
78 // BMW Motorsport // BMW E92 M3 // Jörg Müller - TBA - TBA
79 // BMW Motorsport // BMW E92 M3 // Andy Priaulx - TBA - TBA
80 // Flying Lizard Motorsports // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Seth Neiman - TBA - TBA
81 // Jaguar RSR / Jaguar XKR GT2 // Paul Gentilozzi - Scott Pruett - Marc Goossens
82 // Risi Competizione // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Tracey Krohn - Nic Jonsson - TBA
83 // Risi Competizione // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Jaime Melo - TBA - TBA
84 // Modena Group Racing // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Roman Rusinov - TBA - TBA
85 // Spyker Squadron // Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R // Tim Coronel - TBA - TBA
89 // Hankook Team Farnbacher // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Dominik Farnbacher - Allan Simonsen - TBA
92 // JMW Motorsport // Aston Martin Vantage GT2 // Rob Bell - TBA - TBA
96 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Luis Perez Companc - Matias Russo - TBA
97 // BMS Scuderia Italia // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Matteo Malucelli - TBA - TBA

RESERVE GT
88 // Team Felbermayr-Proton // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Marc Lieb - Richard Lietz - TBA
91 // Hong Kong Racing // Aston Martin Vantage GT2 // Philip Ma - Marchy Lee - Christian Jones
95 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Giancarlo Fisichella - Joe Foster - TBA
60 // Matech Competition // Ford GT // Thomas Mutsch - TBA - TBA
86 // Spyker Squadron // Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R // Tom Coronel - TBA - TBA

A full analysis of all classes will follow..

Rob

4th February 2010, 19:45

FIA GT......
Matech testing Ford GT1 at Portimão
Team Update ⋅ February 3, 2010
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As early as 2009, before the regulations of the new GT Championship came into force, Matech Concepts started developing a new Ford GT1 based on the prototype fielded in the previous season. On the way to the Portuguese circuit at Portimão, Matech Competition stopped in Spain at the Ascari circuit to perform the roll-out of the new car.

With Thomas Mutsch at the wheel, the first metres of the Ford GT1 went according to plan, just as the driver and Martin Bartek had been hoping: “The car is completely new. Not a single element, be it the engine, the transmission system, the suspension or aerodynamics are the same as those of the Ford GT1 from 2009. The roll-out was very promising, and we are confident with regard the forthcoming season.” The next step will be the “balance of performance” at Portimão on 3 and 4 February, followed by further testing at the Alcaniz circuit where a handful of previously selected drivers will take the wheel of the Ford GT1. This first stage will then be concluded by the presentation of the vehicle to the press in Paris on 1 March.

The driver pairings… To determine the final line-up for the cockpits of the two Ford GT1 cars, Matech Competition has invited seven drivers to participate in a comparative test in a “special” Ford GT3 on the Portimão circuit. In addition to the five men – Mathias Beche, Yann Zimmer, Borja Garcia, Casper Elgaard and Carlo Van Dam – the group also includes two ladies, Natacha Gachnang and Cyndie Allemann.

“Our goal, clearly, is to form two teams that are as strong as possible by giving young drivers, including women, an opportunity to compete. For these tests, they will be driving one of our Ford GT3 cars on which we have removed the ballast and the air-restrictor so that it will handle in a similar way on the track as the GT1,” explains Martin Bartek. After this initial evaluation, there will be some candidates for further tests, this time in the Ford GT1 at the Motorland circuit near Alcaniz. Jonathan Hirschi and Marc Hennerici will join this test as well.

Rob

4th February 2010, 19:46

Full season Le Mans Series entries announced
February 3, 2010

The 2010 Le Mans Series is likely to have at least 44 cars on the grid of each race. Le Mans Endurance Organisation, the organisation behind the Le Mans Series, revealed a list of full season Le Mans Series entries today on its website. 11 LMP1s, 16 LMP2s, 2 LMGT1s and 15 LMGT2s. No Formula Le Mans cars were announced yet even though they are still scheduled to take part in the Le Mans Series. Where possible the number of cars will grow, with race-by-race entries from several manufacturers already revealed.

In the top class, LMP1, the most notable name is that of Audi Sport Team Joest, the German manufacturer registering two full season entries. Dr Ullrich has already said that it does not mean Audi will compete in all five events though. Peugeot and Aston Martin will be represented by privateer teams. At Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps the privateer teams will be joined by factory entries. In LMP2 we will see the familiar teams, some with new material. As in recent years LMGT1 will have a very small grid of cars, 2 Saleen S7Rs at the moment, while LMGT2 will probably see Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, BMW and Spyker competing against each other. All in all the looking at the current list the seventh season of the Le Mans Series promises to be another cracking season.

Here is the list - updated with confirmed drivers - as it was revealed on www.lemans-series.com today.

LMP1 (11 entries)

008 // Signature Plus // Lola Aston Martin // Franck Mailleux (FRA) - Pierre Ragues (FRA)
4 // Team Oreca Matmut (FRA) // Peugeot 908 HDi FAP // Nicolas Lapierre (FRA) - Olivier Panis (FRA)
5 // Beechdean Mansell Motorsport // Ginetta-Zytek Z09R // Leo Mansell (GBR) - Greg Mansell (GBR) - Nigel Mansell (GBR)
6 // Team Oreca Matmut (FRA) // Oreca 01 AIM // Soheil Ayari (FRA) - TBA
7 // Audi Sport Team Joest // Audi R15 TDI // TBA - TBA
8 // Audi Sport Team Joest // Audi R15 TDI // TBA - TBA
12 // REBELLION Racing // Lola B10/60 REBELLION // Neel Jani (SUI) - Nicolas Prost (FRA)
13 // REBELLION Racing // Lola B10/60 REBELLION // Andrea Belicchi (ITA) - Jean-Christophe Boullion (FRA)
14 // Kolles // Audi R10 TDI // TBA - TBA - TBA
15 // Kolles // Audi R10 TDI // TBA - TBA - TBA
20 // Noël Del Bello Racing // Lola B10/60 Judd // Jean-Marc Gounon (FRA) - TBA

LMP2 (16 entries)

24 // OAK Racing // Pescarolo 01 Judd // TBA - TBA
25 // RML // Lola B08/80 HPD // Tommy Erdos (BRA) - Mike Newton (BRA)
27 // Race Performance // Radical SR9 Judd // Michel Frey (SUI) - Ralph Meichtry (SUI) - Fabien Thuner (SUI)
28 // Ibanez Racing // Lola B05/40 Judd // Frederic Da Rocha (FRA) - TBA - TBA
29 // Racing Box // Lola B08/80 Judd // Piergiuseppe Perazzini (ITA) - Marco Cioci (ITA) - TBA
30 // Racing Box // Lola B08/80 Judd // Luca Pirri (ITA) - TBA - TBA
31 // RLR msport // MG Lola EX265 AER // Barry Gates (GBR) - TBA - TBA
33 // Hache Team // Lucchini LMP2 Judd // TBA - TBA - TBA
34 // Hache Team // Ginetta-Zytek 09S Zytek // TBA - TBA - TBA
35 // OAK Racing // Pescarolo 01 Judd // TBA - TBA
37 // WR Salini // WR Zytek // Philippe Salini (FRA) - TBA
38 // Pegasus Racing // Courage-Oreca LC75 AER // Julien Schell (FRA) - TBA - TBA
39 // KSM // Lola B08/47 Judd // Hideki Noda (JPN) - Jean de Pourtales (FRA) - TBA
40 // Quifel-ASM Team // Ginetta-Zytek 09S Zytek // Miguel Amaral (POR) - Olivier Pla (FRA)
41 // Team Bruichladdich // Ginetta-Zytek 07S Zytek // Karim Ojjeh (SAU) - Tim Greaves (GBR) - Thor-Christian Ebbesvik (NOR)
42 // Strakka Racing // HPD ARX-01c // Nick Leventis (GBR) - Danny Watts (GBR) - Jonny Kane (GBR)

LMGT1 (2 entries)

50 // Larbre Competition // Saleen S7R // Gabriele Gardel (SUI) - Roland Berville (FRA)
66 // Atlas FX-Team Full Speed // Saleen S7R // Adam Lacko (CZE) - Carlo van Dam (NED)

LMGT2 (15 entries)

76 // IMSA Performance Matmut // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Raymond Narac (FRA) - Patrick Pilet (FRA)
77 // Team Felbermayr Proton // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Marc Lieb (GER) - Richard Lietz (AUT)
78 // BMW Team Schnitzer // BMW M3 GT2 // Jörg Müller (GER) - Dirk Werner (GER)
84 // Modena Group Racing // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Roman Rusinov (RUS) - TBA
85 // Spyker Squadron // Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R // Tom Coronel (NED) - TBA
88 // Team Felbermayr Proton // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Christian Ried (GER) - TBA
89 // Hankook Team Farnbacher // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Dominik Farnbacher (GER) - Allan Simonsen (DEN)
90 // CRS Racing // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Pierre Ehret (GER) - Phil Quaife (GBR)
91 // CRS Racing // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Tim Mullen (GBR) - Andrew Kirkaldy (GBR)
92 // JMW Motorsport // Aston Martin Vantage GT2 // Robert Bell (GBR) - TBA
93 // JWA Racing // Aston Martin Vantage GT2 // TBA - TBA
94 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) - Toni Vilander (FIN)
95 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Luis Perez Companc (ARG) - Mattias Russo (ARG)
96 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Jaime Melo (BRA) - Gianmaria Bruni (ITA) - Jean Alesi (FRA)
99 // JMB Racing // Ferrari F430 GT2 // TBA - TBA - TBA

Even though no Formula Le Mans cars are currently announced it is almost certain that DAMS, Boutsen Energy Racing and Hope Pole Vision will enter their cars in the upcoming season.

It is interesting to see that the Pegasus Racing Norma LMP2, Pierre Bruneau Radical SR 9, Team WFR WF01, JAS Motosport HPD ARX-01c and Luc Alphand Aventures are not on the list. It remains to be seen if these cars will join the full season entry list later on or that they will join on a race-by-race basis or perhaps not at all.

Being on the full season entry list doesn’t automatically mean these cars will be racing in the Le Mans Series though. In recent years several teams have been announced on the full season entry list, but either never raced or only competed in a few rounds.

Rob

4th February 2010, 19:47

McNish determined to win third Le Mans

Thursday, February 4th 2010, 17:16 GMT

Allan McNish is eager to regain the Le Mans 24 Hours crown from Peugeot this year, following today's announcement that he will again partner Tom Kristensen and Dindo Capello in an Audi R15.

McNish and Audi were beaten by the French manufacturer in last year's race, but the Scot is determined to return successfully in the R15's second year.

"Winning the Le Mans 24 Hours is Audi's main objective this year," said McNish, who will share with Kristensen and Capello for the fifth consecutive year. "Audi has finished on the rostrum every year since making its Le Mans debut in 1999, but having won eight times, last year's third place was an under par performance.

"Audi and I have the same desire, to go back to France this year and win. But it will be a difficult challenge against Peugeot and Aston Martin.

"We'll need to be at our top level but with Tom and Dindo in my car, plus our team-mates in the other two Audis, I know we have the best driver line-up, team personnel and car in the form of the latest specification Audi R15 to do the job."

Rob

4th February 2010, 19:49

Highcroft targets LMP2 victory on debut

Thursday, February 4th 2010, 13:43 GMT

Highcroft Racing boss Duncan Dayton says he team is eagerly anticipating its Le Mans debut this year and is targeting victory in the LMP2 class.

The reigning ALMS LMP1 champion team has entered this year's 24 Hours and will have David Brabham, who won last year's race with Peugeot, behind the wheel of its Acura ARX-01c.

"Even though we earned an LMP1 entry after winning the ALMS, given the fact that a petrol-powered car can't really compete against diesels at Le Mans, it made sense for us to take our current chassis and contest LMP2," said Dayton.

"This will be our first flyaway frace, our first time in Europe and our first time at Le Mans, so we have a lot to learn. We're not under any false pretences regarding the size of the challenge ahead.

"Tackling an LMP1 victory at Le Mans was not realistic for us this year, but we're very keen to challenge for the LMP2 win.

"We're going to have to earn it, work very hard and be a quick study, because most of the competitors have been there before."

Dayton has raced at Le Mans himself, as have Highcroft drivers Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti, but he believes it will still be a unique challenge for the team.

"While our drivers have been to Le Mans and I've raced there four times, only a handful of our crew guys have done the race, so we will be on a steep learning curve. But to go to Le Mans with the reigning winner of the 24 Hours is a remarkable opportunity. You couldn't pick a better man to lead your team at the 24 Hours for the first time.

"Getting an entry for Le Mans is extremely satisfying. It's something we've wanted to do for a long time and we are very proud of the fact we are invited to France."

Rob

5th February 2010, 19:30

Audi names its driver line-up for Le Mans
By Team Update ⋅ February 4, 2010

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Audi will start the 78th edition of the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 12/13 with a total of three diesel-powered racing sports cars. At a press conference of the organizer, the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO), in Le Mans (France), Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich announced Audi’s driver line-up for the most important sports car race of the year.

The Audi squad will be spearheaded by the Italian Dindo Capello, Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and the Scot Allan McNish, who in total, have scored twelve Le Mans victories. In 2008, they jointly clinched the eighth Le Mans triumph for Audi.

With eight wins under his belt, Tom Kristensen (42) is the most successful Le Mans driver of all time and has just been voted “sports car driver of the decade” by the British racing magazine “Autosport.” Allan McNish (40) was the runner-up in this voting. With a track record of 29 overall wins, Dindo Capello (45) leads the roll of honor in the American Le Mans Series by a wide margin.

The second Audi R15 TDI will be shared by Timo Bernhard (Germany), Romain Dumas (France) and Mike Rockenfeller (Germany). The two Porsche “factory” drivers Timo Bernhard (28) and Romain Dumas (32) made a strong showing in their first race for Audi at Le Mans last year. Audi “factory” driver Mike Rockenfeller (26) won the Le Mans Series in 2008 in the Audi R10 TDI and successfully began his 2010 season with an overall victory at the 24-hour race at Daytona (USA) at the end of January.

New signings Marcel Fässler (Switzerland), André Lotterer (Belgium) and Benoît Treluyer (France) have been selected to drive the third R15 TDI. Marcel Fässler (33) and Benoît Treluyer (33) have contested the 24-hour race at Le Mans several times before. André Lotterer (28) performed admirably last year on his Le Mans debut at the wheel of a privately fielded R10 TDI.

All three Audi R15 TDI cars are entered by Audi Sport Team Joest and designated as cars number 7, 8 and 9. The third sports-prototype will officially run as “Audi Sport North America,” the name under which it was nominated.

“We are pleased that the ACO has accepted our three nominations for the world’s most important sports car race and that we will again be able to compete with three cars,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Our stated goal is to bring back the Le Mans trophy to Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm. Three cars mean three chances – and we feel that all three R15 TDI cockpits have been filled with top-class drivers. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our colleagues from Porsche for again making two of their best drivers – Timo (Bernhard) and Romain (Dumas), with whom we were very pleased at their first Le Mans race for Audi – available to us.”

Eight victories in just eleven Le Mans races

Audi has been competing in the 24-hour race at Le Mans since 1999 and, having started just eleven of the events, has won the French endurance classic as many as eight times. By clinching its ninth win, the brand with the four rings would equal Ferrari’s ranking in the race’s roll of honor. Only Porsche has scored more victories in its long Le Mans history.

Audi has deliberately opted for a long-term commitment at Le Mans. In addition to speed, reliability and efficiency are the key factors of success in this race. Furthermore, the LMP1 class is unrivaled by any other motorsport category in terms of offering the opportunity to field production-derived technologies and to test them in racing conditions.

Audi’s victorious campaign at Le Mans has been closely tied to technological innovations from the outset. In 1999, Audi clinched a podium result at its first Le Mans race thanks to reliable technology. In 2000, the pioneering Audi R8, which dominated the sports car scene for more than six years and celebrated a total of five Le Mans victories, made its debut.

From 2001 onward, a TFSI engine was used. Audi then successfully introduced the combination of gasoline direct injection and turbo-charging into production vehicles as well. Today, this technology has become an integral element of Audi AG’s model range.

Triumph of TDI technology

In 2006, Audi made worldwide headlines by clinching the first victory of a diesel-powered racing sports car in the 80 plus year history of the Le Mans race. As with the Audi R8, Audi Sport Team Joest scored three successive Le Mans wins with the revolutionary Audi R10 TDI. This makes Audi the only automobile manufacturer in the world to “own” as many as two Le Mans trophies. Only a team that manages a hat-trick at Le Mans may keep the silverware.

In 2010, Audi again banks on TDI technology which continues to be considered the world’s most efficient technology for the French endurance classic. The Audi R15 TDI that was fielded for the first time last year, has been subjected to further development in numerous details and internally bears the project name “R15 plus.” It is the first second-generation diesel racing sports car to be powered by an Audi V10 TDI engine with a power output of over 440 kW and features numerous technological innovations such as a lithium ion battery and a higher-voltage onboard power supply system.

Racing debut at the 8-hour race at Le Castellet

The roll-out of the “R15 plus” is scheduled for the end of February. In March, an extensive testing program is on Audi Sport Team Joest’s agenda, and the first racing commitment on April 11, at the 8-hour race at Le Castellet (France). As a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Audi will contest the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) on May 9 with three cars.

After the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 12/13, Audi plans to participate in the newly incepted Le Mans Intercontinental Cup featuring races in Great Britain, the United States and Asia with two R15 TDI cars. The Cup will precede a worldwide racing series for Le Mans sports cars to be staged from the 2011 season onward.

The Audi Teams at Le Mans 2010

#7 Dindo Capello (I)/Tom Kristensen (DK)/Allan McNish (GB)
#8 Marcel Fässler (CH)/André Lotterer (D)/Benoît Treluyer (F)
#9 Timo Bernhard (D)/Romain Dumas (F)/Mike Rockenfeller (D)

Rob

6th February 2010, 13:37

The Le Mans 24 Hours list - LMP1 analysis
February 5, 2010

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It was worth waiting for the announcement of the 55 entries for this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. As the Automobile Club de l’Ouest received 84 applications this year the Selection Committee had a huge job selecting the 55 to race at the Circuit de la Sarthe in June.

After getting through all 84 applications the ACO came up with 55 cars; 21 LMP1s, 9 LMP2s, 8 GT1s and 17 GT2s. Next to those 55 cars 10 cars, 5 LMPs and 5 GTs were added to the reserve list.

Time to run down each class and see if there is quantity and quality, starting with LMP1.

In the LMP1 category it was no surprise that both Peugeot and Audi got three works entries each. Peugeot will have its fourth Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in the race as well as Oreca had both applications accepted, the Oreca 01 AIM also present. Immediately after the confirmation of the entries Audi announced that it would run Capello/Kristensen/McNish, Fässler/Lotterer/Treluyer and Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller. Peugeot is yet to confirm its drivers, although last year’s winner David Brabham will not be part of its line-up.

More diesel power from Germany as Kolles also got its two Audi R10 TDIs accepted. Interesting to see is the confirmation of Christijan Albers in the #14 car as recently the ACO announced that the Audi R10 TDI would remain eligible for this season in its 2009 spec, as long as it had no driver who had been Audi factory drivers. Albers drove for the factory team at Laguna Seca in 2008. But not being a full time works Audi driver at any moment makes it possible for him to drive the car anyways it seems.

Fighting against the diesel armada will be three Lola Aston Martins. Two works cars entered by Aston Martin Racing will be joined by the Signature Plus #008. While Primat, Buncombe, Turner, Mücke and Fernandez were recently confirmed the sixth driver is yet to be announced. Tomas Enge will not be part of that line-up, nor will Jan Charouz.

More Lola’s are entered by Rebellion Racing, which saw both cars accepted (no surprise there) as well as the Drayson Racing Lola Judd and the Autocon Motorsports Lola AER. The American team returns to Le Mans after its 2008 debut with the Creation…this time with the former Chamberlain-Synergy car that already raced at Le Mans.

Nigel Mansell and his sons will also compete at Le Mans with the Beechdean Mansell Motorsport Ginetta-Zytek. Nigel’s debut at the Le Mans 24 Hours will probably bring more joy to many British fans.

The final three cars were sort of a surprise.

Not being announced on the Le Mans series entry list on Wednesday it was a pleasant surprise to see two Pescarolo Judd’s (one for Pescarolo Sport and one for SORA Racing) among the 21 LMP1s. And to make things even better it was also confirmed that the cars will be racing at Paul Ricard during the Le Mans Series race.

Dome Racing Team makes its return to Le Mans in 2010 with the Dome S102 Judd. After the fiasco with ECOSpeed back in 2009 the Japanese manufacturer has decided to run the car themselves which resulted in the beautiful car being accepted again by the ACO.

So who are we missing…

Japanese teams Kaneko Racing and Tokaï University YGK Power are both on the reserve list, but looking at the currently confirmed cars it seems unlikely that they will actually be racing. This is strange as Japanese teams racing at Le Mans could boost the popularity of the Asian Le Mans Series.

The Noël Del Bello Racing Lola that was announced as a full season Le Mans Series entry on Wednesday did not appear on the Le Mans 24 Hours list, putting a big question mark behind the 2010 plans of this team.

Having raced at Le Mans in recent years one could say that Creation is missing, but with the team focusing on getting its American program up and running it was known that they would not enter Le Mans this year.

As a result almost every available LMP1 car that is set to race in 2010 will be racing at Le Mans. The LMP1 category will therefore be one of quality as well as quantity and we almost can’t wait for the 78th Le Mans 24 Hours to get underway.

Rob

6th February 2010, 13:40

The Le Mans 24 Hours list - GT2 analysis
February 5, 2010

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After our LMP1 category analysis it is time to take a look at the second biggest class at this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. The battle in the GT2 class is set to become a classic fight with seventeen entries from seven makes: Aston Martin, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Jaguar, Porsche and Spyker.

Starting with the winners from 2009, Risi Competizione. The American Le Mans Series team will again enter two cars in France. GT2 winner Jaime Melo will be back to defend his title, while Tracey Krohn and Nic Jonsson will be in the second Risi car and hope to improve from the third place they took in 2009.

The runner-up from 2009, BMS Scuderia Italia, will also return to Le Mans, although Matteo Malucelli will not be racing a Ferrari this year. The team will race a Porsche 997 GT3 RSR this year, likely to be the car that was raced in the 2009 FIA GT Championship by Brixia Racing, part of BMS Scuderia Italia.

JMW Motorsport, fourth at Le Mans last year with its Ferrari, will also return to La Sarthe with another car. The British squad will be running an Aston Martin Vantage, the only Aston currently in the race.

A strong performance from the Spyker Squadron team last year meant the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R took a brilliant fifth place finish. As in recent years the Dutch squad has been given one confirmed entry and one car on the reserve list. It was interesting to see that the entry list shows Tim Coronel on the #85 and Tom Coronel on the reserve car, but this ‘mix-up’ should soon be corrected.

Completing the top six in 2009 was the AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT2 driven by Perez Companc and Russo. The two Argentine drivers will be back with AF Corse this year. The second AF Corse car, with Giancarlo Fisichella named on it, is on the reserve list.

The top six of 2009 will be facing a very strong opposition in June though.

Corvette Racing will join the category at Le Mans with its Corvette GT2 and drivers Magnussen, Gavin, Beretta, O’Connell and Garcia. Considering their successful era in GT1 the American manufacturer hopes to repeat this success in GT2.

But the Corvettes aren’t the only new cars that could be serious race win contenders. BMW Motorsport will also return to Le Mans with its BMW E92 M3 and drivers like Jörg and Dirk Müller, Dirk Werner, Andy Priaulx and Augusto Farfus are expected to race for the German manufacturer.

Four other Porsches are entered. Le Mans Series winning team Team Felbermayr-Proton and American Le Mans Series winner Flying Lizard Motorsports will both enter one car. Seth Neiman has been confirmed for the American team, while Horst Felbermayr is named on the Felbermayr car. Felbermayr-Proton has its second car on the reserve list, with Marc Lieb as designated driver. Like at Spyker this could of course change as Lieb has been entered in the same team and might be able to switch to the lead entry.

IMSA Performance Matmut and ProSpeed Competition are the last two Porsches on the 2010 grid. Narac is confirmed on the IMSA Porsche. Dutch Porsche dealer and GT3.nl owner Paul van Splunteren will enter the ProSpeed Competition Porsche, second in FIA GT in 2009.

The two remaining Ferrari F430 GT2s on the list are no small teams either. Modena Group Racing, the renamed Team Modena, will enter one for Roman Rusinov and two other yet to be announced drivers while Hankook Team Farnbacher will enter a car for top drivers Dominik Farnbacher and Allan Simonsen.

A big surprise is the final confirmed entry…the RSR Jaguar XKR GT2. This car did only compete in one race…but the return of the Jaguar name to Le Mans (and of course the team’s plan for 2010) was enough to persuade the Selection Committee to give them an entry.

With seventeen confirmed GT2 cars it seems hard for the reserve cars to get into the race. All of the teams on the list already have one car in. The only exception is the Hong Kong Racing Aston Martin Vantage. This team raced at Okayama, but under normal circumstances we will likely not see this car in France.

Even with so many cars in the race or on the reserve list there were still some teams that missed out. For example CRS Racing and Robertson Racing are not invited, despite full seasons back in 2009 and confirmed plans for 2010. CRS Racing for example has confirmed two-car entries for the entire Le Mans Series as well as International GT Open and the Robertson Racing Ford GT could have given the GT2 race yet another brand. With the Robertsons doing the Asian Le Mans Series as well last year it seems strange that they are not going to race at Le Mans.

All in all the GT2 category at Le Mans is likely to become a classic and not the Ferrari vs Porsche battle it was in recent years. After Spyker went after the Ferrari’s in 2009 BMW and Corvette are now ready to fight for the class victory.

Rob

9th February 2010, 19:22

Collard joins Corvette for enduros

February 9th 2010, 16:40 GMT

Former Porsche factory driver Emmanuel Collard will join Corvette's GT2 team for the Le Mans 24 Hours, Sebring 12 Hours and Petit Le Mans this year.

The 38-year-old Frenchman replaces Audi-bound Marcel Fassler alongside Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta, who will contest the full American Le Mans Series in the car.

Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen will continue to share the other Corvette, with Antonio Garcia again joining them for endurance races.

Collard's Corvette move marks a return to the General Motors fold, as he drove for its Cadillac brand during its LMP stint in the early 2000s. He has most recently raced a Prospeed Porsche GT2 in the FIA GT Championship and for Pescarolo in the Le Mans Series, and also won LMP2 at Le Mans last year with Essex's Porsche.

"Corvette has been the most successful car make and team in GT racing for over ten years now, so I'm obviously thrilled to be a part of this team," Collard said.

"The Corvette C5-R and C6.R have been the absolute benchmarks in GT1 racing, and the new GT2 Corvette C6.R is already heading in that same successful direction. I hope my experience with GT2s from the past seasons can help Corvette secure class wins in the three endurance races."

Corvette's motorsport boss Doug Fehan added: "We are pleased to welcome Emmanuel back to the GM Racing family. He has proven his ability at all levels of racing, and he understands the demands and discipline of endurance racing. He will be a valuable addition to our international line-up of championship-winning drivers."

Rob

9th February 2010, 19:24

Atlas Group to run GT1 Saleen

Monday, February 8th 2010, 09:29 GMT

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Swiss investment company Atlas Group will run a Saleen S7R GT1 car in the 2010 Le Mans Series, having acquired the assets of FIA GT teams K plus K and Full Speed Racing.

The team will operate under the ATLAS eFX-Team Full Speed title and run a single Saleen in this year's LMS before expanding to a two-car line-up next year.

Atlas also hopes to race in the FIA GT1 World Championship next season. No Saleen teams were granted entries for the 2010 world series.

Atlas has signed former Japanese Formula 3 champion Carlo van Dam - who had a one-off FIA GT race with Full Speed last year - and former K plus K driver Adam Lacko for its LMS campaign, and will announce a third driver shortly.

"Podium finishes are obligatory for we want to have a say in the championship," said Atlas spokesman Peter Levicek.

"K plus K demonstrated this with its team in 2009. They achieved two victories and four podium finishes with the Saleen, which shows that we have a realistic target."

Rob

9th February 2010, 19:27

Pierre Kaffer completes CRS Racing line up
February 8, 2010

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Pierre Kaffer will join CRS Racing’s Pierre Ehret and Phil Quife in the first two races of the Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard and Spa-Francorchamps as well as the official Le Mans Series Test Days at Paul Ricard early next month.

The German will add more strength to the British squad on its first year in the Le Mans Series and will seize the opportunity to get more track time in a Ferrari F430 GT2 prior to Le Mans. Kaffer won the Le Mans 24 Hours GT2 class in 2009 with Risi Competizione.

Kaffer will team up with Pierre Ehret again, the two raced together for Farnbacher Racing in 2008 and he is looking forward to the first two Le Mans Series races with CRS Racing.

“I have heard lots of positive things about CRS and I have known Andrew (Kirkaldy) for a long time,” said Kaffer. “It will be good to drive with Pierre (Ehret) again as we fit well together and I know we will have a lot of fun. From the outside the package looks good. Even though the entry list is very strong in GT2 this year I am confident we can have some good results.”

“It’s great for us to have Pierre driving with us,” said CRS Team Director, Andrew Kirkaldy. “GT2 is looking very competitive this year so we are pleased to have two very strong line-ups for CRS Racing’s first season in the Le Mans Series.”

Rob

12th February 2010, 19:14

Sumo Power GT and All-Inkl.com driver updates
February 10, 2010

The official launch of the FIA GT1 World Championship is getting closer but more and more details are getting known about the drivers competing in the 2010 GT1 World Championship. Today Nissan Motorsports International Co., Ltd. (NISMO) announced its drivers while the names for the All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport Lamborghini Murcielago R-SVs were also revealed.

In a press release issued by Nissan and NISMO about their 2010 motorsport activities the Japanese manufacturer confirmed Karl Wendlinger, Henri Moser and Max Nilsson at Swiss Racing Team again, but the names of the first two drivers at Sumo Power GT were also revealed. Experienced sports car drivers Michael Krumm (Germany) and Peter Dumbreck (Scotland) will share the cockpit of the R35 model Nissan GT-R. The names for the second car have yet to be announced. Krumm and Dumbreck will work with Nigel Stepney as their chief engineer.

We have also learned that All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport is set to confirm its driver pairings for the upcoming FIA GT1 World Championship season. Sources in Germany have confirmed that one of the new Lamborghini Murcielago’s will be driven by former Super GT driver Dominik Schwager from Germany and ex-VICI Racing (ALMS) driver Nicky Pastorelli from The Netherlands

The second car would be driven by Marc Basseng, who is also set to take up the role as team manager again like he did with RS-Line Motorsport a couple of years ago. The German is likely to be joined by another Lamborghini veteran, former FIA GT Champion and Le Mans 24 Hours winner Christophe Bouchut.

Rob

12th February 2010, 19:15

Fischer Racing to race in FIA GT3
Team Update February 11, 2010
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Fischer Racing continues its program in the FIA GT3 European championship after a successful first season last year. The team from Paderborn / Germany will return with it’s two Ford GT into the European championship, which starts in the beginning of May at Silverstone (UK). One of the legendary US-Supercars of Fischer Racing will be driven by Finn Mikko Eskelinen (37) and „Young Driver“ Christoffer Nygaard (23) from Denmark. The second driver pairing will be announced at a later date.

„The FIA GT3 European championship is the perfect addition to the program of our sister-team “Young Driver AMR“, which will enter two Aston Martin in the inaugural season of the GT1-World championship. Five of the seven rounds of the European championship will be in conjunction with the World Championship, so this is a perfect fit for our team“, Fischer Racing team principal Hardy Fischer says.

Christoffer Nygaard, who is part of the „Young Driver“ program of Fischer Racing, has already one successful season with the Fischer Racing-Ford GT under his belt. Last season, the young Dane scored one victory and another two podiums in FIA GT3 and finished his first season in European competition fifth in the drivers ranking. Nygaard is also part of the „Young Driver AMR” Team and will be on double duty on five race weekends as he will drive also one Aston Martin in the GT1-World Championship.

Mikko Eskelinen joins Fischer Racing as the reigning Finnish GT-champion and successfully completed a test race with Fischer Racing and Christoffer Nygaard last autumn. In a race in South-France Nygaard/Eskelinen won the GT-class outright and layed the cornerstone for a successful driver paring in the European championship. „Christoffer (Nygaard) and Mikko (Eskelinen) will be a quick and serious driver paring in this years European championship,“ Hardy Fischer convinced

Fischer Racing and both drivers are now preparing for the first official test of the 2010 FIA GT3 European championship season, which will take place on 21./22. February in Le Castellet / France.

The FIA GT3-European championship will start into its fifth season this year. At the first round at Silverstone in May more than 40 cars of the likes of Audi, Corvette Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini and also new addition BMW are expected in this very competitive championship .

The entry of Fischer Racing in the 2010 FIA GT3 European championship is subject to final confirmation of the FIA.

(Fischer Racing GmbH)

Rob

12th February 2010, 19:17

Autorlando Sport to enter three cars in GT Open
February 11, 2010

Autorlando Sport will once again take part in the International GT Open championship. The Italian team, which won the 2009 Super GT Team championship, will return to the championship with its two Porsche 997 GT3 RSRs but has also decided to enter a brand new Porsche 997 GT3 R in the GTS class.

While the team confirmed the entry of three cars into the championship only Richard Lietz and Gianluca Roda were confirmed as drivers. The Austrian and Italian will be sharing the cockpit of the team’s lead car once more. In 2008 and 2009 Lietz and Roda took second place in the championship.

The driver line-up for the second Porsche 997 GT3 RSR as well as the Porsche 997 GT3 R will be announced at later day.

Rob

12th February 2010, 19:18

Peter Kox joins Young Driver AMR for Le Mans
February 11, 2010

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Young Driver AMR has completed its line-up for the Le Mans 24 Hours next June. The German team, which will enter the only Aston Martin DBR9 in France, today confirmed it has signed experienced Dutchman Peter Kox for its assault on the Le Mans GT1 title.

The 45-years old driver from Eindhoven, The Netherlands will share the cockpit of the DBR9 with 33-years old Tomas Enge and 23-years old Christoffer Nygaard, hardly making it a ‘Young Driver’ entry. Kox and Enge raced together in a GT1 car back in 2003, when the two drivers won the GT1 class at Le Mans in a Ferrari 550 Maranello, also developed by Prodrive.

Young Driver AMR will have full Aston Martin Racing support and Le Mans and the team is likely to join the Le Mans Series at the 1000 km of Spa-Francorchamps in May to get a better preparation for the Le Mans 24 Hours. Peter Kox will compete in the FIA GT1 World Championship for Reiter Engineering, one of Young Driver AMR’s rivals.

Rob

12th February 2010, 19:21

RML to use Honda engine in LMP2

Friday, February 12th 2010, 15:18 GMT

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RML has announced that it will switch to Honda power for its Lola LMP2 car in 2010.

The team is a former LMP2 winner in both the Le Mans Series and the Le Mans 24 Hours, and used Mazda engines in its Lola coupe last year.

It will retain the same B08/60 chassis for its 2010 campaign, but will use the Honda engine that powered Acura's LMP2 cars to American Le Mans Series successes. The deal marks the first use of the Acura/Honda LMP2 engine in a different chassis.

Drivers Mike Newton and Thomas Erdos both expect the Honda engine to bring them back to the front of the LMP2 pack.

"All the signs suggest that the HPD LM-V8 will be a highly reliable unit, and should allow us to move forward from the difficult times we've experienced during the last two seasons," Newton said.

"The team has always been capable of running near the front of the LMP2 class, and given a reliable package we know we can deliver regular podium finishes as well as championship results. The importance of reliability cannot be over-emphasised."

Erdos added: "There are still unknowns with the HPD engine, of course - how it will perform in Europe, on European circuits, over the longer distances, and with European fuel - but it's a proven, reliable and powerful unit, and it has tremendous potential for further development."

Rob

13th February 2010, 20:47

Formula Le Mans teams confirm driver line-ups
February 13, 2010

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Despite not being announced on the Le Mans Series season entry list the Formula Le Mans cars will race together with their bigger brothers and sisters this season. Hope PoleVision Racing, Boutsen Energy Racing and DAMS will compete this season and the first two teams have now confirmed their drivers.

Hope PoleVision Racing’s team manager Benoît Morand was able to confirm four Swiss drivers are part of his six-driver line-up. Natacha Gachnang, Mathias Beche, Christophe Pillon and Steve Zacchia will all be behind the wheel of one of the team’s Oreca FLM09 cars. All four drivers raced for Hope PoleVision Racing in the 2009 Formula Le Mans Cup.

“Retaining our 2009 drivers is very important to HPVR and we have continued confidence with the Swiss drivers”, said Morand. “Our objectives are to win races and continue our apprenticeship in endurance racing towards our main goal of competing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.”

Mathias Beche will be the lead driver of the #48 car, with Natacha Gachnang and Christophe Pillon joining him in the car. The other car, the #47, will have Steve Zacchia as its lead driver. The two remaining drivers for this car are to be announced soon.

Boutsen Energy Racing meanwhile confirmed that Nicolas De Crem will join the team for the upcoming season. The 19-year old Belgian driver raced in the Belgian Touring Car Series (BTCS) in recent years and will now make the step up into Formula Le Mans. His team mate will be Dominik Kraihamer. The Austrian competed in the 2009 Formula Le Mans Cup as well as the Sportscars Winter Series in which he scored several victories.

The other names at Boutsen Energy Racing and DAMS are not yet known.

Rob

15th February 2010, 19:46

The Le Mans 24 Hours list - LMP2/GT1 analysis
February 14, 2010

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Last week we took a look at the LMP1 and GT2 entries for the Le Mans 24 Hours. This time it is time for the two remaining classes: LMP2 and GT1. Even though both categories are small in size compared to the LMP1 and GT2 classes, they are nevertheless still very interesting.

In LMP2 we will see nine cars. None of the cars that dominated in 2009 will return. The Porsche RS Spyders will not be competing at Le Mans so no Team Essex or Team Goh and Speedy Racing Team Sebah, which finished in second place, has moved into LMP1. So who is there?

OAK Racing, third in 2009, will enter two Pescarolo cars again this year. This year Richard Hein and Jacques Nicolet will be in different cars, the exact line-up of the #24 and #35 cars is yet to be announced. Much will depend on the other drivers.

Honda Performance Development (HPD) will have two cars and three engines running in LMP2. After not taking part in France with the Acura ARX-01a/b and the ARX-02a the new ARX-01c will make its debut in France. American Le Mans Series champion Highcroft Racing will enter one car for David Brabham, Marino Franchitti and a yet to be announced driver. The team’s regular Patrón livery will be replaced by something new as alcohol laws prohibit Highcroft Racing from running with alcohol sponsoring.
Strakka Racing is the second team with an HPD ARX-01c in the race. The British team has moved into LMP2 and could well win the race. With Danny Watts, Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis the team has a strong line-up. The third HPD car is the RML Lola B08/80 of Mike Newton and Tommy Erdos. After a difficult 2009 season with the Mazda badged engines the British squad hopes to do better this year.

Zytek Engineering has a similar situation: two Zytek chassis and another chassis with a Zytek engine. 2009 Le Mans Series LMP2 champion Quifel-ASM Team is back at Le Mans with one target: wipe out any memory of the disastrous 2009 race, when the Zytek retired after just 46 laps. Miguel Amaral, Olivier Pla and a TBA-driver will do whatever they can to win this class. Team Bruichladdich will bring Karim Ojjeh, Tim Greaves and Thor-Christian Ebbesvik to France. Their Zytek is not a likely winner, but in the LMP2 class one never knows. The other Zytek engined car is the WR. After being denied an entry in the last two years the small French was finally given an entry this year…a decision that was really appreciated by the people in Thorigny-sur-Marne.

The final confirmed entry is the Lola B08/80 Judd of Racing Box. Luca Pirri will lead the Italian squad at Le Mans. After a season of ups and downs it remains to be seen what this team can do in June. Last year’s edition of the 24 Hours ended in a DNF.

The LMP2 reserves are Pegasus Racing Norma Judd, the brand new LMP2 car being the first reserve car and the KSM and Ibanez Lola’s.

With new regulations in place for the 2010 GT1 season there were some doubts about the future of the class at Le Mans. The ACO however insisted they would have around eight GT1 cars on the grid this year…and so it is.

2009 race winners Corvette Racing have moved into GT2, but there will still be three Corvette C6.Rs racing around the 13.629 km long circuit. Luc Alphand Aventures will enter two C6.Rs, with Luc Alphand, Stéphane Gregoire and Julien Jousse already confirmed. Luc Alphand Aventures finished second in 2009 and with the factory squad not in GT1 Alphand hopes to win on his home circuit.
The third C6.R is the Peka Racing NV car. Having finished second in FIA GT in 2009 the team was given an automatic entry for Le Mans. Anthony Kumpen is confirmed as driver and it might be his only drive in a C6.R this year as Peka will not compete in the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Larbre Competition will enter one of its Saleen S7Rs at Le Mans. The LMS runner-up was not given an automatic selection due to missing one round of the 2009 series, but in the end the ACO gave Jack Leconte’s team an entry. The team’s regular drivers Roland Berville and Patrick Bornhauser will take up the fight against the seven other GT1s.

Aston Martin Racing will support the only Aston Martin DBR9 entered by Young Driver AMR. The 2003 GTS winners, Peter Kox and Tomas Enge, will join Young Dane Christoffer Nygaard. A strong line-up and with Prodrive support this could well be a class win candidate.

The other three entries are cars that are built to the new FIA GT1 regulations. Matech Competition will enter one of their Ford GTs. Natacha Gachnang and Cyndie Allemann are confirmed for this car, which is set to have a full-female driver line-up. The team’s second car is on the reserve list. Marc VDS Racing, will also enter its Ford GT at Le Mans. Eric de Doncker is confirmed, the other drivers are yet to be announced. The team is the only team that has taken the GT1 Ford into a 24 Hour race so far, having competed at the Spa 24 Hours last year.

The final confirmed entry is that of JLOC. Its Le Mans participation in 2009 lasted no more than one lap, after an equally disappointing practice session (driveshaft failure) and qualifying (55th). Winning the GT1 class of the Asian Le Mans Series meant an invitation was sent to Japan. The team will enter a Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV.

Rob

16th February 2010, 18:33

Guy Smith joins Rebellion Racing at Le Mans
Team Update February 15, 2010

REBELLION Racing are proud to announce the full driver lineup for the #13 Lola-Rebellion LMP1 in the forthcoming 78th edition of the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours.

The 2003 Le Mans 24 Hours winner will reinforce the REBELLION Racing squad. Guy Smith will drive the #13 Lola-Rebellion alongside Andrea Belicchi and Jean-Christophe Boullion during the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours race. REBELLION Racing now has a hugely talented and highly experienced trio aboard the #13 Lola-Rebellion LMP1 car. With their new recruit the Swiss team is, once again, demonstrating its ambition for success at Le Mans.

Guy will also join Andrea Belicchi and Jean-Christophe Boullion during the 8 Hours of Paul Ricard, the opening round of the 2010 Le Mans Series from 9 to 11 April, in order to maximise the #13 squad’s competitiveness in this long distance race and to be better prepared for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Guy Smith will first drive the Lola-Rebellion during Le Mans Series test days at Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track on 7 and 8 March. Prior to this event, Guy will have a seat fitting at the REBELLION Racing workshop where he will also meet the technical team.

Guy SMITH : “I think that Rebellion Racing are one of the most exciting and ambitious teams in sportscar racing today. The team has evolved over the last few years and has firmly established itself as one of the top teams in Le Mans type racing.”

“I am familiar with the Lola coupe chassis as it is similar to the one I race in the American Le Mans Series and it really is first class and combined with the new Rebellion engine I am sure we will have a fast and reliable package that will allow us to fight at the front at Le Mans as well as the Le Mans series.”

“I’m excited to be joining two great drivers in Jean-Christophe Boullion and Andrea Belicchi. Having raced Jean-Christophe over the years I know that he is one of the world’s best sportscar drivers. I first raced Andrea when we were 16 in karts and we had some great battles, he has developed into a very fast sportscar driver too.”

Team Manager Bart Hayden welcomed Guy to the team by saying : “Guy has a wealth of sportscar experience and as a previous winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Bentley in 2003 he knows what is required to succeed in the world’s greatest race. His experience with the Lola coupe in America should ease his integration into our team. Guy will have his first outing in the car at the official Le Mans Series test at Paul Ricard HTTT and then he will partner with Andrea and Jean-Christophe for the first round of the LMS. He’ll be back with us at Le Mans where we will all be hoping for a repeat of the success he experienced in 2003.”

Rob

16th February 2010, 18:36

OAK Racing confirms Guillaume Moreau for 2010
By Team Update February 15, 2010

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Guillaume Moreau has signed with OAK Racing for the five-round Le Mans Series (LMS) season and the Le Mans 24 Hours, joining the already-confirmed Matthieu Lahaye, Richard Hein and Jacques Nicolet, all three of which will drive for the team for a third consecutive season. Moreau, LMS GT1 champion in 2008, previously did a fine job for the team driving the #35 OAK Racing LMP2 Pescarolo-Mazda in the 2009 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The team had its first shakedown of the #35 car at the Magny-Cours club circuit layout recently, giving Moreau a first chance to test the prototype equipped with a Judd engine. The shakedown went well as, despite snowy weather conditions and a cold track surface, Moreau and Lahaye lapped the track for two hours without problem. The team is also delighted to welcome Richard Divila to its ranks, the development and race engineer bringing his support and experience to help Pierre-Alain Bouhet, OAK Racing’s technical manager since 2008. Davila, who, for many years, has enjoyed success in F1, GT and endurance racing, will concentrate mainly on the #35 car.

François Sicard, Team Manager:

“We are very satisfied with our first shakedown. The drivers’ feedback was positive and they were able to feel an improved level of power and driveability from the engine and chassis. It was a small dress rehearsal ahead of the Portimao tests where we have been invited by Dunlop to test and develop tyres for the season. Jacques, Matthieu and Guillaume will share the #35 car, as Richard is absent due to work commitments and the #24 car is being assembled at Magny-Cours. The objective is to have both cars ready for the official tests at Paul Ricard.”

Guillaume Moreau, driver:

“The first shakedown at Magny-Cours was like a dream, I had a very good feeling in the car. I am delighted to be rejoining OAK Racing. I have excellent memories of the team both on the sporting and personal level. OAK Racing and I see things the same way, we have the same mind and spirit. I wanted to continue in endurance racing and to build something for the long term and OAK Racing’s plans are similar to mine. The team has put all of its efforts into developing the technical side and its structures. The Pescarolo-Judd is a weapon that will allow us to shoot for the top of the classification regularly and challenge for the title. The standard of the LMP2 entry is quite high and this is a great challenge for the team, but we know we have the means to meet our objectives. On paper all the elements are in place for us to achieve great things!”

Matthieu Lahaye, driver:

“I am delighted that the new season is starting. Things are looking good on all fronts and it was evident after the shakedown that we have a very good, proven package. It was great to be able to run for two hours without any problems and with a reliable engine, and it bodes well for the new season. The arrival of Guillaume is also positive news. We’ve known each other since 2003 and I know what he is worth to the team! This will be my third year with OAK Racing and they have become part of my family.”

Richard Hein, driver:

“When you get the chance to join an ambitious team which is competent and extremely professional in its technical approach, which has the means to achieve the best possible results and where your team-mates, be they pros or gentlemen drivers, support you non-stop and allow you to grow into an endurance-racing family, then why not continue that adventure? I am very happy to have been invited back. After an introduction year in 2008 and a learning season in 2009, Jacques Nicolet and I are ready to face all the challenges that the 2010 season is going to bring.”

Jacques Nicolet, driver and President of OAK Racing:

“I am delighted to be signing again with OAK Racing, it is a great team! I would like to thank all the drivers and the Team Manager for continuing to give me their trust, although it is true to say that the new regulations have helped me by imposing one gentleman driver on each crew!!! Now is the time that winter stops and we start to get on with the real work. I am delighted that Richard Hein and Matthieu Lahaye will continue to race with us and that Guillaume Moreau joins the team full-time this year. The four of us are going to be the ‘driver structure’ of the team. We are in accordance with the new regulations and looking good for the season.”

Rob

16th February 2010, 18:38

ProSpeed Competition Le Mans 24H lineup known
February 16, 2010
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To the surprise of many ProSpeed Competition had Dutchman Paul van Splunteren confirmed when the 55 entries for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June were confirmed. Van Splunteren, owner of Porsche Centre Eindhoven and GT3.nl, will make his debut at Le Mans in the Belgian Porsche 997 GT3 RSR.

Van Splunteren was asked by ProSpeed Competition team owner Rudi Penders and did not hesitate to say yes. Joining Van Splunteren will be joined at Le Mans by another Dutchman, Niek Hommerson, and Louis Machiels from Belgium.

According to Van Splunteren Penders asked the three drivers because of their result in the 2009 Total 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. In that race the three drivers, joined by Raymond Coronel, finished ahead of the team’s lead car with its pro-drivers. “The invitation was a direct result of our successful performance in the Belgian classic. Back then we managed to finish ahead of the team’s factory car and finished fourth in class”, says Van Splunteren. (The team was eventually excluded from the results after using engines with steel sleeves, which did not conform with the FIA homologation papers.)

While all three drivers will make their debut at the Circuit de la Sarthe their aim is clear: “To finish the race and take a top five finish in our class.”

In order to prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans ProSpeed is likely to enter a Porsche 997 GT3 RSR for Van Splunteren, Hommerson and Machiels in the Le Mans Series 1000 KM of Spa-Francorchamps in May, before setting off for France.

Rob

17th February 2010, 19:19

Gavin and Salo to race for Mad Croc Racing
February 17, 2010

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For weeks the names of Oliver Gavin and Mika Salo have been linked to a seat at Mad Croc Racing in the new FIA GT1 World Championship. And now both names can indeed be added to the team’s lineup, albeit not together in the same car.

The former Formula 1 driver and the works Corvette driver will both race in the Mad Croc Racing Corvette C6.R, sharing it with another Finn, Pertti Kuismanen. Kuismanen raced an SRT and PSI Experience Corvette C5-R in a few FIA GT Championship races in 2006 and 2007 as well as a Chrysler Viper GTS-R back in 2003.

For 2010 Kuismanen will be racing in all ten race weekends, taking part in all twenty races on the FIA GT1 World Championship calendar. Oliver Gavin, from Northamptonshire, England, will join Kuismanen in the Mad Croc Racing Corvette C6.R on eight of the ten races, according to Kuismanen. Gavin would miss the opening round of the season at Yas Marina as that race clashes with the Long Beach Grand Prix in which Gavin will race for Corvette Racing. Gavin is also set to miss the Nürburgring event, as the American Le Mans Series will be racing at Mosport that weekend.

Competing in eight out of ten races would indicate that the British driver will race at the Brno round of the GT1 World Championship, even though the American Le Mans Series is will have its six hour race at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca that same weekend. Clarification will most likely follow shortly.

As a result Mika Salo and Pertti Kuismanen will form a 100% Finnish entry for the season opener. “I wanted the best possible drivers and I am pleased that Mika is involved. He is an experienced and great driver”, said Kuismanen to the Finnish Broadcasting Corporation YLE.

“ The GT1 Championship is a very strong championship and I know that the Corvette C6.R is a really competitive car. My calendar was empty and it was such an interesting opportunity that I will really look forward to it”, said Mika Salo to YLE.

Rob

18th February 2010, 19:53

40 entries for Le Mans Series Official Test Days
February 18, 2010

After a long winter break the Le Mans Series teams will be back in action at Paul Ricard for the Official Test Days on March 7 and 8. After the entry deadline closed on February 12th a record number of 40 cars had been entered for the opening test weekend of the Le Mans Series 2010 season.

Eight LM P1s, fifteen LMP2/FLMs, six GT1s and eleven GT2s are currently on the Le Mans Series Official Test Days entry list.

LM P1:
In LM P1 eight cars will make the trip to the Southern France. Peugeot and Audi will not be testing their factory cars, but will be present with the customer teams Team Oreca Matmut and Kolles. Kolles will only bring one Audi R10 TDI. Being confirmed for the first races of the season Aston Martin Racing will bring one works car for Primat, Buncombe and Fernandez will also supporting the Signature Plus privateer entry. Beechdean Mansell Motorsport will have former F1 World Champion Nigel Mansell testing alongside his sons. Rebellion Racing will continue its pre-season testing at Paul Ricard with both cars, while Oreca will also bring its Oreca 01 AIM.

LM P1 entries
008 // Signature Plus // Lola Aston Martin // Pierre Ragues – Franck Mailleux
009 // Aston Martin Racing // Lola Aston Martin // Harold Primat – Chris Buncombe – Adrian Fernandez
4 // Team Oreca Matmut // Peugeot 908 HDi FAP // Olivier Panis – Nicolas Lapierre
5 // Beechdean Mansell Motorsport // Ginetta-Zytek 09S // Nigel Mansell – Leo Mansell – Greg Mansell
6 // Team Oreca Matmut // Oreca 01 AIM // Soheil Ayari
12 // Rebellion Racing // Lola B10/60 Rebellion // Nicolas Prost – Neel Jani
13 // Rebellion Racing // Lola B10/60 Rebellion // Andrea Belicchi – Jean-Christophe Boullion
14 // Kolles // Audi R10 TDI // TBA

LM P2
Officially being named LM P2 there will be five Formula Le Mans cars among the fifteen cars entered for the test days. OAK Racing will most likely have both cars ready for testing , with Nicolet-Hein entered in the #24 and Lahaye-Moreau in the #35. Four Lola’s are currently on the list, three of them coupés. Andy Wallace will join Erdos and Newton at RML, while Racing Box has yet to confirm the exact line-up of its two cars for the test. The fourth Lola is the KSM entry. KSM regular De Pourtales will be joined by Renault Mégane Trophy vice-champion Jonathan Hirschi and Belgian Stephane Lemeret. Quifel-ASM and Team Bruichladdich will bring their Ginetta-Zyteks and Race Performance will be getting the first chance to test against the LMS rivals. Strakka Racing’s confirmed line-up will be in place to give the HPD ARX-01c its European debut.
In the Formula Le Mans sub-class there is no sign of Boutsen Energy Racing. DAMS, Hope PoleVision Racing will both bring two cars, with Applewood Seven entering one.

LM P2 entries
24 // OAK Racing // Pescarolo 01 Judd // Jacques Nicolet – Richard Hein
25 // RML // Lola B08/80 HPD // Tommy Erdos – Mike Newton – Andy Wallace
27 // Race Performance // Radical SR9 Judd // Michel Frey – Ralph Meichtry
29 // Racing Box // Lola B09/80 Judd // TBA
30 // Racing Box // Lola B09/80 Judd // TBA
35 // OAK Racing // Pescarolo 01 Judd // Mathieu Lahaye – Guillaume Moreau
39 // KSM // Lola B08/47 Judd // Jean de Pourtales – Jonathan Hirschi – Stéphane Lemeret
40 // Quifel-ASM Team // Ginetta-Zytek 09S // Miguel Amaral – Olivier Pla
41 // Team Bruichladdich // Ginetta-Zytek 09S // Karim Ojjeh – Jacob Greaves – Thor-Christian Ebbesvik
42 // Strakka Racing // HPD ARX-01c // Nick Leventis – Danny Watts – Jonny Kane
43 // DAMS // FLM 09 // Gary Chalandon – Andrea Barlesi – Alessandro Cicognani
44 // DAMS // FLM 09 // Guillaume Bermond – Nelson Pantiatici
47 // Hope PoleVision Racing // FLM09 // Steve Zacchia
48 // Hope PoleVision Racing // FLM09 // Mathias Becche – Christophe Pillon
49 // Applewood Seven // FLM09 // Damien Toulemonde

LM GT1
Six GT1s have been entered, missing is the ATLAS eFX Team Full Speed Saleen. Larbre Competition will be there however, with Spaniard Antonio Garcia set to share the Saleen S7R with Patrice Goueslard. Four FIA GT1 World Championship cars will also be present at Paul Ricard. Young Driver AMR will enter its Aston Martin DBR9 for its Le Mans drivers Enge, Nygaard and Kox, while Matech Competition will enter one Ford GT and Marc VDS Racing two. Completing LM GT1 is the Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette C6.R, so far without a confirmed driver.

LM GT1 entries
50 // Larbre Competition // Saleen S7R // Antonio Garcia – Patrice Goueslard
52 // Young Driver AMR // Aston Martin DBR9 // Tomas Enge – Christoffer Nygaard – Peter Kox
61 // Matech Competition // Ford GT // Thomas Mutsch – Natacha Gachnang – Cindy Alleman
68 // Marc VDS Racing // Ford GT // Renaud Kuppens – Markus Palttala
70 // Marc VDS Racing // Ford GT // Bas Leinders – Maxime Martin – Eric de Doncker
72 // Luc Alphand Aventures // Corvette C6.R // TBA

LM GT2
Eleven GT2s are on the entry list. Over fifty percent of them are Ferrari F430 GT2s, six in total. AF Corse will bring all three cars to France. Christopher Brück is the only unfamiliar name in the AF Corse line-up. CRS Racing will bring its two cars with the full season LMS drivers joined by the already confirmed Pierre Kaffer as well as Nicola Larini. Hankook-Team Farnbacher is the final Ferrari team, with Farnbacher and Simonsen testing for the German team.
IMSA Performance Matmut will again bring two cars to Paul Ricard, one for Narac-Pilet and one for Balandras-Gibon-Bourret. Team Felbermayr-Proton will only have one car, for Lieb-Lietz. That makes three Porsches 997 GT3 RSR. The final two cars are the works BMW M3 for Müller and Werner and the JMW Motorsport Vantage for Rob Bell. Modena Group Racing, Spyker Squadron, JMB Racing and JWA Racing will not be taking part in the test.

LM GT2 entries
75 // IMSA Performance Matmut // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Richard Balandras – Pascal Gibon – Christophe Bourret
76 // IMSA Performance Matmut // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Raymond Narac – Patrick Pilet
77 // Team Felbermayr-Proton // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Marc Lieb – Richard Lietz
78 // BMW Team Schnitzer // BMW E92 M3 // Jörg Müller – Dirk Werner
89 // Hankook-Team Farnbacher // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Dominik Farnbacher – Allan Simonsen
90 // CRS Racing // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Pierre Ehret – Phil Quaife – Pierre Kaffer
91 // CRS Racing // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Andrew Kirkaldy – Tim Mullen – Nicola Larini
92 // JMW Motorsport // Aston Martin Vantage GT2 // Rob Bell
94 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Luis Perez Companc – Matias Russo
95 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Giancarlo Fisichella – Toni Vilander – Jean Alesi
96 // AF Corse // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Christopher Brück – Jaime Melo

On Sunday morning, March 7, 9.30 the track will go green for the first session. All cars will be able to go out for four hours. After a lunch at the panoramic restaurant and a pit walk for the VIP guests the track will re-open for the afternoon session. For teams not running the night test the day will end at 18.30, teams that will run into the darkness will have a third session starting at 19.00 and ending at mid night.

Day two of testing will start on Monday at 9.00, with another four hours of testing on the 5.791 solution 1A track. During the lunch break the annual Le Mans Series pre-season press conference will take place in the Grand Prix Hall. At 14.00 the last, three-hour long session will start…and then it’s still one month before the season kicks off with round 1 at the same circuit.

Rob

18th February 2010, 19:57

Mansells shake down new Ginetta

Thursday, February 18th 2010, 16:42 GMT
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Nigel Mansell and his sons Leo and Greg completed a successful shakedown of the Ginetta Zytek GZ09S LMP1 they will race in this season's Le Mans 24 Hours at the Autodromo do Algarve in Portugal this week.

The Mansells spent the first day shaking down the car and working with the Beechdean Mansell Motorsport engineers to find a set-up all three drivers could work with. Nigel spent the majority of the first day behind the wheel, before handing over to Leo. Greg completed the day's running in wet conditions.

Leo and Greg shared the majority of the driving duties on day two, before their 1992 Formula 1 world champion father completed a few laps of dry running in the afternoon. The majority of the test, during which Le Mans Series race-winning squad ORECA also appeared, was affected by torrential rain.

Nigel Mansell said: "It's truly brilliant when you can draw breath and say that the test has surpassed every expectation.

"The Zytek-powered car worked pretty flawlessly; I'm so proud of Leo and Greg, the times they got down to in a very short window were very competitive.

"To gel a team in just three and a half months is fantastic and while we know we have a huge challenge ahead, we are so pleased with what has been accomplished here

Rob

19th February 2010, 19:37

KSM prepares for the 2010 LMS season
By Team Update ⋅ February 19, 2010

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KSM, the LMP2 team from Siegburg, Germany, will start its 3rd Le Mans Series season, and the team is on the LMS full season entry list. 16 teams have entered LMP2 cars for the new season; the competition in this class will once again be fierce. After a rather disappointing 2009, which saw the team finishing the season early because of ongoing technical problems and discrepancies, KSM has put a new package together for 2010.

The biggest change will be the new partnership with Engine Developments Ltd: this year a 3.4 litre V8 aspirated Judd engine will be fitted in the back of the KSM Lola. The necessary modification to the chassis has already been made at the Lola factory in Huntingdon in the UK.

Another new partner is Althaus Engineering, which will support KSM in the area of material control, testing and quality assurance. Other, well proven partnerships will continue, and once again the KSM Lola will be equipped with Dunlop tyres throughout the season.

Apart from the modifications which were necessary to accommodate the new engine, other changes needed to be implemented in line with the new technical reglement. A first roll-out with a functional test will happen soon. After that the team plans to test with several drivers at the official LMS test on the 7th and 8th of March at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track in France. The goal is to start with a 3-driver squad in the new season and in accordance with the new regulations there will be at least one gentleman driver at the wheel of the KSM Lola B08/47.

On 4th February 2010 the A.C.O announced the 55 entries for the 78th edition of the 24h of Le Mans. Compared to 2009 and 2008, when 12 LMP2 cars were given entries, for 2010 the organizers reduced the LMP2 class to 9 entries only – thus leaving quite a few teams utterly disappointed, among them KSM. The team was hoping for its 3rd consecutive entry at Le Mans, but ended up in 3rd place on the prototype reserve list instead. This means that a participation in this event is still possible and Hardy Schiller and Kai Kruse have decided to keep their place on the reserve list until the very last moment.

Rob

21st February 2010, 17:44

Westbrook and Sugden join JMW Motorsport
By Team Update ⋅ February 20, 2010

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JMW Motorsport are pleased to welcome reigning FIA GT2 Champion, Richard Westbrook as their second driver in the 2010 Le Mans Series. Richard will partner fellow Brit, Rob Bell as JMW Motorsport begin their three year LMS campaign with the Aston Martin Vantage GT2.

Richard seals the team as an amazing British entity for the Le Mans Series with JMW Motorsport, Aston Martin, Dunlop and now two of Britain’s finest sportscar drivers joining forces for this most competitive of Championships.

“I am very excited about joining JMW Motorsport” said Richard, “and am looking forward to getting behind the wheel of the Aston Martin. The whole project has a very special British feel to it. It is an important project for all concerned and to work with Aston Martin and Dunlop on development is a challenge I look forward to being part of. ”

Richard was also quick to praise his new team-mate. “I am a big fan of Rob and the chance to drive alongside him certainly swayed my mind. We will be looking to make the Aston Martin as competitive as possible from the outset and I am sure we can. We will be working very hard.”

Richard will also be part of the JMW Motorsport Le Mans 24 Hour squad, when he and Rob will be joined by Tim Sugden as the team’s third driver for the prestigious race.

“Le Mans 24 Hour this year is such an exciting prospect. Tim has an amazing knowledge of the race and is such an asset to the driver line up. It is a very special event and one I look forward to being a part of. I am sure the British fans who make the journey will spur us on!”

Whilst Tim Sugden will be on driver duty in June, for the remainder of the season he is JMW Motorsport Team Manager and he is more than pleased with their new recruit.

“I have known Richard for many years and as we’ve all seen, whatever he turns his hand to he is brilliant” said Tim. “Richard is an amazing driver and a fantastic asset to the team. He and Rob will make an enviable driver pairing of that we are sure”.

The JMW Motorsport team have recently returned from a very positive Dunlop tyre test in Portugal with the test Aston Martin Vantage GT2, where they were comfortably on pace. In the coming days the team take delivery of the new racecar for preparation ahead of the official LMS test at Paul Ricard on March.

The first Le Mans Series race takes place on 11 April 2010 at Paul Ricard.

JMW Motorsport’s progress can be followed on their website at www.jmwmotorsport.com. People can also keep in touch via social networking with the JMW Motorsport Facebook group and on Twitter (www.twitter.com, @JMWmotorsport).

Rob

21st February 2010, 17:46

Marco Andretti joins REBELLION Racing for LM24
February 21, 2010

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It was a busy week for Le Mans Series team REBELLION Racing this week. On Monday it announced that Guy Smith would join the team at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June and the team went to the Iberian peninsula to test at the Portimao circuit on Wednesday and Thursday as well as the Monteblanco circuit on Saturday and Sunday. And then on Sunday the sixth driver for Le Mans was confirmed as Marco Andretti.

After having announced that the team had signed Guy Smith on Monday it was time for the first private test session for the team’s two Lola B10/60 Rebellions in its new livery on the Portuguese track. Unfortunately for REBELLION Racing the track conditions were far from good on Wednesday as there was some light rain in the morning and the team could only do a few laps. During the afternoon, on a dry track, the team was finally able to do what they had come for and started to work on the cars, the team ended its test at night time. Despite heavy rain on Thursday the team was able to work on wet-weather setups and traction control.

Team Manager Bart Hayden: “These tests were very positive despite the weather, we made good progress in the understanding of our new Lola B10/60s and we experienced no problems with new Rebellion engines. Of course, we would have liked to have had more dry running but we are satisfied with the work done on the cars and the data we have collected.”

The weather Hayden was hoping for was found at the Monteblanco Circuit near Sevilla, Spain. On Saturday and Sunday the Swiss team tested at the track that advertises wit the fact that it’s offering good weather conditions all year round.

And today Alexandre Pesci confirmed that Marco Andretti will join REBELLION Racing at the Le Mans 24 Hours as well as the official test days at Paul Ricard. Pesci announced signing the American driver during the ‘Motors’ radio show of French broadcaster RMC. After his father and grandfather took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans years ago, Marco Andretti will make his debut in France in June, just over two years after making his sportscar debut with the Andretti Green Racing Acura in the 2008 American Le Mans Series.

Rob

22nd February 2010, 19:42

Peugeot confident in upgraded 908

Monday, February 22nd 2010, 16:00 GMT

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Peugeot is expecting its battle with Audi to be closer at this year's Le Mans 24 Hours than it was in 2009, as its 908 enters its fourth and final season.

The French manufacturer took its first win with the diesel 908 last year, at the third attempt, while the race was the debut for Audi's R15 TDi.

Peugeot Sport technical director Bruno Famin says the car has been updated for 2010 and expects a close race.

"Last year we believed we might be fractionally behind our main rival in terms of performance, but in reality it was quite the opposite and the 908 was still one step ahead," he said.

"It is quite clear that our rivals have responded and made significant progress with a car that is still only two years old. In terms of raw performance it wouldn't surprise me if we were very fractionally behind - and that will set things up nicely for a 24-hour sprint race at Le Mans."

Peugeot has been forced to make alterations to its engine cover and front diffuser 908 to comply with the 2010 aero regulations. The Le Mans organiser, the ACO, has continued its efforts bring the performance of petrol and diesel cars closer together, so the air restrictor has been reduced from 38.3mm to 37.8mm and the maximum turbo pressure lowered from 2.75 bar to 2.59 bar, resulting in an expected decrease of 40bhp.

But the team has continued to develop the power unit and other areas of the car.

"Engine developments have continued and we have upgraded the engine," said Famin. "We have particularly focused on the reduction of frictional losses thanks to groundwork ont he lubricants, improved volumetric effeciency for inlet and exhaust and enhanced combustion.

"We have also worked on a serious weight reduction programme. The target was to make sure the car was no heavier this year, despite the various changes that have been made in terms of both reliability and the latest bodywork regulations.

"Reliability was an important consideration, even though we've had only one retirement since 2007 - we've completed 191 of a possible 192 racing hours [at Le Mans]. It was important to maintain this tradition, so we began with a major overhaul of all the elements that caused us problems in 2009: gearbox, clutch and transmission, brake wear, wheel assemblies and air-conditioning.

"Finally, we have worked closely with Michelin on a completely new range of tyres for dry, intermediate and wet conditions."

Rob

22nd February 2010, 19:45

Peugeot Sport confirms 2010 program
⋅ February 22, 2010

Peugeot Sport announced its long awaited plans for the 2010 season this afternoon. After winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year the mission for this season is clear: another win at Le Mans. For the final year of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP the French manufacturer has improved the car once again and a series of test sessions and races are planned to accomplish that mission.

In order to be fully ready for the 78th 24 Hours of Le Mans Peugeot has chosen eleven drivers to be part of the 2010 Peugeot Sport team that is aiming for a new victory at Le Mans.

For Le Mans the three Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs will have a brand new livery and will be wearing race numbers 1, 2 and 3 for the first time. 2009 Le Mans winners Marc Gené, Alexander Wurz will share the #1 car with Anthony Davidson. For Gené and Wurz it will be their fourth Le Mans, for Davidson it will be his third Le Mans race. The Briton, who raced for Aston Martin Racing in 2009, tested a Peugeot 908 HDi FAP however back in 2008 at Paul Ricard.

The #2 car will be 100% French. Nicolas Minassian, Franck Montagny and Stéphane Sarrazin. Car #3 will be entered for Sébastien Bourdais, Simon Pagenaud and Pedro Lamy. Christian Klien, who finished sixth with Peugeot in 2009 and third in 2008, will not be racing at Le Mans for Peugeot this year. The Austrian will be the reserve driver for Team Peugeot Total, while 2009 THP Spider Cup winner Gregory Guilvert will be taking on the role as official Peugeot test driver, after impressing in a test session.

But before heading to Le Mans Peugeot will first do two other races. Next month Peugeot will race Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs in the Sebring 12 Hours. In the United States the #07 will be driven by Anthony Davidson, Marc Gené and Alexander Wurz, while the #08 will be driven by Sébastien Bourdais, Pedro Lamy and Nicolas Minassian. The team will also be testing at Sebring the weekend before the race, as well as two days after the race.
After Sebring Peugeot will fly its cars back to Europe and three cars will be entered in the Le Mans Series 1000 KM of Spa-Francorchamps, the dress-rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Even though it was expected that Peugeot would start its work on the 2011 car after Le Mans and would not be entering any other rounds, the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP is still set to race in two more rounds. In September Peugeot will take part in the 1000 KM of Silverstone and - depending on confirmation by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest - Peugeot will also enter the Le Mans Intercontinental Cup race planned in Shanghai, China. In the meantime the engineers at the Peugeot Sport HQ will start working on the new car according to the 2011 regulations.

Rob

26th February 2010, 19:57

Fisichella content with first GT test

Friday February 26th 2010, 17:59 GMT

Giancarlo Fisichella was pleased with his first test in the Ferrari GT2 car he will race in this year's Le Mans Series, but feels he needs more time to get confident in the sportscar.

The Ferrari Formula 1 reserve driver will share the AF Corse machine with fellow ex-F1 racer Jean Alesi and Ferrari GT regular Toni Vilander. Fisichella tried the car for the first time at Vallelunga today.

"It went well, this is an honest car, easy to drive, but I need to gain more confidence to find the limit," he said.

He added that he was really looking forward to his switch to sportscar racing, and to sharing a car for the first time.

"This is a great experience and I'm honoured that I can fight together with Jean and Toni to defend the colours of Ferrari in GT2," said Fisichella.

Alesi shared Fisichella's excitement about the project.

"I'm really happy to be back in the Ferrari family, having such a great adventure ahead, sharing the car with other drivers, something I've never done," he said.

Double FIA GT2 champion Vilander said it will be an honour to help Alesi and Fisichella get up to speed in endurance racing.

"It will be nice to pass on my experience to two drivers of their level," he said. "Although we just started working I'm sure that this will be an emotional season."

Rob

1st March 2010, 19:44

Hughes joins ASM for Le Mans

Monday, March 1st 2010, 11:05 GMT

Warren Hughes will drive for Portuguese team ASM in the LMP2 class of this year's Le Mans 24 Hours.

The 41-year-old Britain has raced in the LMP2 class between 2005 and 2008, twice with ASM in 2006 and '07.

He will partner Olivier Pla and Miguel Amaral in the team's Ginetta-Zytek and will also contest the Le Mans Series opener at Paul Ricard.

"This is brilliant news for me," said Hughes. "I've wanted to return to ASM for quite a while and now the opportunity has arisen. This is one of the most sought after drives, certainly in LMP2. I'm joining them on the back of a very successful season, in a car they understand very well.

"I know the team well and I'll also be working again with Alan Mugglestone, one of the very best engineers and strategists I've worked with. Olivier, I know a little bit, but he is a big talent. Miguel, I know from '06 and '07 and he just keeps getting better. I can't wait."

Rob

2nd March 2010, 19:52

Spyker Squadron announces 2010 motorsport plans
By Team Update March 2, 2010

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The Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R in its 2009 livery
Following last year’s fifth place in the Le Mans-GT2 category, Spyker Squadron, the factory race team of Spyker Cars, has received an invitation from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans on 12 and 13 June 2010.

In addition to competing in one of the most gruelling and famous races on the international motorsports calendar, the Dutch team, with Convers Group as its principal sponsor, will also campaign in the 2010 Le Mans Series championship (LMS). The team will look to build on its most successful campaign in 2009, where it achieved second places at the Nürburgring and Silverstone rounds and finished third in the overall constructor standings.

For 2010, the five-round LMS replaces visits to Spain and Germany in favour of an 8 hour opening round at one of Europe’s most beautiful tracks, Paul Ricard in France, and a 1000 km race at the Hungaroring.

Scotsman Peter Dumbreck will drive the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R in all rounds of the Le Mans Series. At Spa, the Hungaroring and Silverstone he will be partnered by Dutchman Tom Coronel. Another Dutchman, Jeroen Bleekemolen will accompany Peter in the LMS opening round at Paul Ricard and in Portugal. The trio will share the car for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Peter van Erp, Managing Director of Spyker Squadron explains: “We have decided to race with a familiar driver line-up for both the Le Mans Series races and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After an impressive 2009 season, we anticipate extreme competition this year and inviting Tom, Jeroen and Peter to drive the Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R brings a huge advantage as they are very familiar with the Series, team and the car.

“At the same time we know exactly what our drivers are capable of as a trio of top-flight, highly-regarded racers. Peter Dumbreck is competing in the FIA GT1 world-cup schedule, Jeroen Bleekemolen in both the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) and the Porsche Super Cup, and Tom Coronel in the WTCC. We will undoubtedly benefit from them competing in other world class series.”

Peter continues: “We are planning to use the same strategy as at Le Mans last year. We are not seeking a steady pace just to finish races, as we did in our first few years of competition, but instead to give 100% in every race to achieve podium finishes. Of course we will be able to improve our pace this year, and despite BMW, Jaguar and Corvette joining us in the field of Aston Martins, Porsches and Ferraris in the GT2 class, our aim is to emulate last year’s results.”

Victor R. Muller, CEO Spyker Cars:”With the Saab acquisition under our belt we return to the race arena in 2010, both at Le Mans as well as in the LMS. For Spyker racing is a pivotal element of our strategy, which we pursuit with vigour. We will endeavour to improve on the excellent results of Peter van Erp and his team and strive for a podium place at Le Mans after our fifth in class finish last year. Also in the LMS we did well last year. This year the competition is more intense than ever before and we have to fight to improve upon last year’s performance. This we will do. I wish the team and drivers a very good race season”.

Tom Coronel said: “We performed really well in the last two Le Mans Series races of last year and I am looking forward to an even more competitive season. I know my team mates very well; they have a lot of Le Mans experience and know how the team works. Spyker could not ask for a better team to meet the increased competition in GT2.”

Peter Dumbreck said: “It is great to be part of the Spyker family again. Spyker Squadron made big steps in 2009 finishing fifth at Le Mans and twice on the podium in the Le Mans Series. This season will most certainly be the most competitive season in the history of the Le Mans Series and it will be exciting to be part of the Spyker team aiming to upset the big manufacturers.”

Jeroen Bleekemolen said: “This is my third season with Spyker Squadron and I am looking forward to driving in GT2 again this year in what will surely be an incredibly exciting season. After finishing fifth at Le Mans with the team last year I think we’re all striving to match that great result. It will be especially tough as other manufacturers such as BMW and Corvette have joined and raised the bar in the GT2 class, which looks like it will be the most competitive at Le Mans.”

Key Dates in 2010 for Spyker Squadron
April 11, LMS R1 8 hours of Le Castellet, Circuit Paul Ricard, Le Castellet, France
May 9, LMS R2 1000 km of Spa, Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium
June 12-13, Le Mans 24 Hours, Circuit de la Sarthe, Le Mans, France
July 17, LMS R3 1000 km of the Algarve, Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, Portimão, Portugal
August 21, LMS R4 1000 km of the Hungaroring, Hungaroring, Hungary
September 12, LMS R5 Autosport 1000 km of Silverstone, Silverstone, United Kingdom

Rob

2nd March 2010, 19:54

FIA GT1 World Championship officially launched
March 1, 2010
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The FIA GT1 World Championship was officially launched this afternoon at the Automobile Club de France in the Place de la Concorde. FIA President Jean Todt and SRO Motorsport Group CEO Stephane Ratel joined with numerous members of the press, the teams and other guests to unveil the new FIA World Championship.

At the press conference Jean Todt was very happy to be launching the FIA GT1 World Championship and was content with the new addition to the range of FIA World Championships. “It’s a big privilege for me to be here to share this important moment with Stephane Ratel, whose determination and patience has brought together all the different elements to form the FIA GT1 World Championship”, said Todt. “I like the way the 10 GT1 World Championship races are divided geographically. It is a good balance. The championship also features very talented drivers and six great brands. I’m sure it will be very spectacular. You can be sure that me as president and my colleagues at the FIA will do everything to ensure that it succeeds.”

In announcing the revamped FIA GT1 World Championship format, Stephane Ratel said: “We now have a clear product which has only been achieved before by Formula One. Sports car racing has always been a bit messy. Finally, after 15 years of effort, we do have 24 cars, we have two-car teams only, we have two teams per brand, two, one-hour races, and I think for the spectator it will be very easy to follow and appreciate.”

Ratel also made it clear that the FIA GT1 World Championship will do anything to reach out to the fans. “We are also want to make full use of 21st century media. We will use HD television production and we have appointed Sport 5 of the Legardere Group for the distribution of our TV rights. We have also launched GT1World.com which is aimed directly at our fans.”

“GT racing is about the iconic, prestigious brands which are filled with history. Our ambition is to regenerate GT racing and transform it from a championship which was aiming at a specialized, somewhat limited and ageing audience and bring it to a far larger and younger fan base.”

After the press conference 12 of the GT1 cars were unveiled at the Place Vendôme.

Rob

3rd March 2010, 19:32

Loïc Duval completes ORECA Peugeot line-up
By Team Update ⋅ March 2, 2010

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Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre, winners of last year’s Silverstone 1000kms, have raced together in the Team ORECA-Matmut for two years. In 2010, they will drive the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in the Le Mans Series. In the Le Mans 24 Hours they will be backed up by Loïc Duval who will also join them for the Le Castellet 8-Hour race.

Loïc knows the team like the back of his hand as he has already competed in the Le Mans 24 Hours with them. That was in 2008, and he won the Jean Rondeau Prize awarded to the best young driver. Since then the man from Chartres has made his mark in Japan in Super GT, and in Formula Nippon winning the 2009 championship. At the end of 2009, he drove for the Team ORECA-Matmut again in the Asian Le Mans Series scoring two podium finishes.

This choice was the result of a group decision as Hugues de Chaunac explains: “After drawing up a short list we put forward a name to our partners as well as Peugeot: it was Loïc’s. He’s built up a great set of results and we know him well. The engineers appreciate him and he always does a very good job – especially at Okayama, which was a test for him but he didn’t know it! He fits into a team without problems and he’s already worked with Olivier and Nicolas. That’s what tipped the scales in his favour.”

“When Hugues de Chaunac said to me that I’d be doing Le Mans, I was delighted but I though it would be in the ORECA 01,” admits Duval. “Then when he told me I’d be driving the Peugeot, I felt over the moon! You can spend your whole career waiting for an opportunity like this. I know just how important this programme is for the whole team and it’s a real sign of confidence in me. Even though there are a whole lot of special factors to cope with I can’t wait to drive the beast. I’m also looking forward to meeting up with some of my rivals from the Super GT who’ll be in the opposite camp!”

Loïc will have his first taste of the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP with Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre in the Le Mans Series official test session this weekend on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit.

Rob

4th March 2010, 19:56

Audi launches “race experience”
Team Update ⋅ March 4, 2010
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The Audi driving experience is expanding its portfolio by offering an opportunity that is unique in the world: effective immediately, Audi customers with sporting ambitions can book exclusive racing commitments with the Audi R8 LMS. Audi is making its Le Mans-winning team available for this purpose.

“For the first time, the Audi race experience offers customers the opportunity to participate in a race with a professional Audi ‘factory’ team without having to enter into a long-term commitment or to make a high financial investment,” explains Klaus Demel, who is in charge of the Audi driving experience. “I’m very happy that we’ve been able to win Audi Sport and Reinhold Joest’s team as a partners for this project.”

The Audi R8 LMS that has been specifically developed for use in customer sport and was the GT3 car to be beaten last year right in its first racing season provides the base for the new Audi race experience. In addition, as many as 120 customers had the opportunity of an active driving experience with the 386-kW mid-engine sports car at the end of October 2009 during the Audi sportscar experience.

The Audi race experience now marks the next stage. It offers customers the opportunity to contest races with the Audi R8 LMS themselves – on request even together with professional race drivers. The vehicles will be prepared and fielded by one of the world’s most successful sports car teams: the squad of Reinhold Joest that has won the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans as many as six times for Audi and that will again compete in the French endurance classic on June 12/13 with the latest-specification Audi R15 TDI.

“Actually, the idea of letting customers contest races with a high-caliber sports car like the R8 LMS could only have come from Audi,” says Ralf Jüttner, Managing Director of Joest Racing GmbH. “Although this is an unusual task for us it is, no doubt, a very interesting one as well. We’re proud to have been selected as the race team.”

The Audi race experience team Joest is planning a total of six races for the 2010 season, fielding two cars each as part of the “Langstreckenmeisterschaft” (VLN) on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, starting with the race on April 24. In addition, there are plans for events with the Audi R8 LMS on race tracks and at the Groß Dölln driver training facility at which the customers will be trained and can also obtain the required racing license.

“As far as I know, Audi is the first automobile manufacturer in the world to offer such a program,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “This shows yet again how innovative and progressive the Audi brand is. Our colleagues from the Audi driving experience and Reinhold Joest’s squad with whom we’ve been successfully working together since twelve years will provide our customers with an exclusive and unforgettable motorsport experience. And the Audi R8 LMS, which, according to our “factory” drivers, is a very forgiving GT3 car is perfectly suited for this project which we fully support on the part of Audi Sport.”

Rob

5th March 2010, 17:49

No FIA GT2 Championship For 2010
March 5, 2010

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There will be no FIA GT2 European Championship in 2010. The news, which was already expected by many teams and media, was announced on Thursday in a statement sent out by the SRO (Stéphane Ratel Organisation).

“A proposition has been made to FIA, which will be heard by the FIA World Motor Sport Council on Thursday 11 March, to postpone the introduction of the GT2 European Championship, to be relaunched once the future orientation of the GT2 class has been agreed with a minimum of four manufacturers, possibly around the introduction of Hybrid technologies in GT racing”, said Ratel.

The cancellation of the FIA GT2 European Championship does not automatically mean the end of FIA GT2 racing in Europe. For the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps the SRO has revealed its idea of running this event as the FIA GT2 European Cup. “SRO has proposed to the Royal Automobile Club of Belgium (RACB), promoters of the 24 Hours of Spa, to concentrate its GT2 effort on the blue ribbon event with a FIA GT2 European Cup to be awarded to the best placed GT2 car at the event. The similar performances of the GT2 and GT3 categories promise an epic competition between many different brands.”

It remains to be seen if the FIA GT2 European Championship will relive in 2011 but SRO is still very positive about its future in the press release. “SRO has a long and successful history of revitalising championships and we are working hard with everyone involved to relaunch GT2 as a full championship as soon as possible.”

Rob

6th March 2010, 17:14

Paul Ricard Test Days – Pre-Testing Roundup
March 5, 2010

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The traditional Paul Ricard test weekend is right around the corner, time for a quick roundup of the latest pre-season testing news.

As expected ORECA will bring its Peugeot 908 HDi FAP and the Oreca 01 AIM to Le Castellet for the Test Days. The Oreca 01 AIM will be run in a completely black livery, out of respect to Hiro Kaneda. The Japanese engineer who died in January was responsible for the V10 Judd and he was also one of the moving forces behind the AIM engine. In order to prepare the car for next month’s race Soheil Ayari will be testing.

The team’s Peugeot will be in its 2010 livery at the Paul Ricard test and will have all three drivers onboard. “These tests are the continuation of our apprenticeship phase of the 908 HDi FAP, which began last week in private testing on the HTTT circuit,” explains David Floury. “Olivier and Nicolas have to finalise their driving positions and familiarise themselves with how the car works. It’s the same thing for the mechanics. We wanted to test in all kinds of conditions and we completed our programme; we were able to run on a wet track, a drying one and finally one that was completely dry. That gave us a fair amount of information: now it’s time to move on to the next stage of our programme.”

Aston Martin Racing will enter its LMP1 coupe for Primat, Buncombe, Fernandez, Mücke and Turner. After a successful test in Sebring, despite the crash at the end, the team is now heading over to France for more pre-season preparation. Harold Primat explains: “In France, the objectives are slightly different. Sure, we’ll prepare for the eight-hour race there in April, but it’s also important to conduct some specific Le Mans set-up work which we couldn’t at Sebring. The track is certainly more suitable than in Florida which is very bumpy and not particularly quick.”

AF Corse will be present with three cars; one for Perez Companc and Russo, one for Fisichella, Alesi and Vilander and one for Bruni and Melo. Priority for the team is practice. Alesi, Fisichella will join Nigel Mansell for questions from the press on Sunday at the annual Le Mans Series press conference.

Two days before the start of the test the Applewood Seven FLM09 has been withdrawn from the entry list, reducing the number of cars taking part on Sunday and Monday to 40. The full entry list can be found here.

More to come this weekend as Planetlemans will be covering the event live from France. If you are in the area, the test days at Paul Ricard are open for spectators!

Rendez-vous on Sunday!

Rob

7th March 2010, 20:33

ORECA-Matmut unveils 908 HDi FAP livery
March 6, 2010
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On the day before the Le Mans Series Official Test, the team ORECA-Matmut has unveiled its Peugeot 908 HDi FAP’s livery on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit at Le Castellet. The team has retained its own visual identity in the spirit of the Dutch painter, Piet Mondrian, a pioneer in the field of abstract art.

While the overall concept is in keeping with the visual identity, Hugues de Chaunac’s men wanted to innovate by modernising it, and came up with a graphic evolution based around the chrome roof for this livery, which provides an interpretation of Mondrian’s work worthy of the 21st century.

In 2010, the Team ORECA-Matmut can count on its faithful partners – Matmut, Araldite, DOC and Plus - as well as its official suppliers, all of whom have been present since the launch of the Le Mans Endurance Challenge. In addition, the team has received new backers for a season full of challenges:
- In pride of place TOTAL, Peugeot’s title sponsor, which has associated itself with our challenge,
- And also the Nike Company which, through its Nike Race Programme, will accompany the Team ORECA-Matmut on the run-up to the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP will run in its new colours for the first time tomorrow at 09h30 when Olivier Panis, Nicolas Lapierre and Loïc Duval, making his debut at the wheel of the team’s new car, will relay one another for two days’ testing.

Rob

7th March 2010, 20:37

Paul Ricard Test Days - Sunday morning report
March 7, 2010
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Nearly six months after the end of the 2009 Le Mans Series season the 2010 season got underway at the Circuit Paul Ricard HTTT. From all over Europe 41 teams made their way to Southern France to find out where they are compared to rival teams. At 9.30 am the track went green and the cars went out for their first four hours of testing.

Richard Westbrook joined Marco Holzer in the ProSpeed Porsche 997 GT3 RSR this morning. The demise of the FIA GT2 European Championship meant that ProSpeed will move into the Le Mans Series, taking Westbrook with them. For JMW Motorsport it means only Sugden and Bell are testing here at Paul Ricard. Uwe Alzen joined BMW Team Schnitzer on their BMW M3 while the AIM-Team ORECA #6 car saw Soheil Ayari getting company from Andy Meyrick and Didier André.

Despite a rather chilly atmosphere, lots of wind and a light drizzle at the start of the first test session most teams opted to go out and make the best of it. One hour into the session 33 cars had set a lap time. Just before a red flag briefly halted the session.

At 11 o’clock, with the rain still coming down but clear skies and the sun visible over the mountain it was the Oreca 01 AIM of Ayari/Meyrick/André that had set the fastest lap time in 1:44.954. The Team ORECA Matmut Peugeot 908 HDi FAP (#4) was second fastest in 1:47.128, with the Beechdean Mansell Motorsport Ginetta-Zytek 09S third fastest in 1:47.970.
Quifel-ASM Team was fastest in LMP2 (1:49.042), the #61 Matech Competition Ford GT set the fastest time in GT1 (1:59.582) and in GT2 it was the #96 AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT of Bruni/Melo that was quickest.

An hour and a half and another brief red flag later the time set by the Oreca 01 AIM was still the fastest on the timing screens. By now the Rebellion Racing Lola B10/60 Rebellion had moved into second place, despite several spins in the session, just a tenth behind the Oreca. And at 12:40 the session was again interrupted for a few minutes as the flatbed transporters were sent out to pick up another car.

Soon after the track went green again the cars went out again for the final thirty minutes. Even though at the front positions did not change the times throughout the field were improving. Interesting to note is that the majority of the GT2 cars finished this session in front of the new specification GT1 cars.

One thing could be crucial for this year again…tyres. Straight out the factory, one small shakedown and on Dunlop tyres the JMW Motorsport Aston Martin Vantage was fastest in GT2, the quickest car on the track was on Dunlops and so were the fourth and fifth placed LMP1 cars. In fact the Signature Plus Aston Martin LMP1, on Dunlops, beat the works car, on Michelin tyres.

Here are all the times of the Sunday morning session:

#6 - AIM Team Oreca - Oreca 01 AIM– 1:44.954
#13 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion – 1:45.069
#4 - Team Oreca Matmut - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP – 1:45.280
#5 - Beechdean Mansell Motorsport - Ginetta-Zytek 09S – 1:45.662
#008 - Signature Plus - Lola Aston Martin – 1:46.713
#009 – Aston Martin Racing - Lola Aston Martin - 1:46.901
#42 – Strakka Racing - HPD Acura ARX01c - 1:47.378
#40 – Quifel-ASM Team - Ginetta-Zytek 09S - 1:47.984
#25 – RML - Lola B08/80 HPD - 1:48.958
#35 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd - 1:50.283
#41 – Team Bruichladdich - Ginetta-Zytek 09S - 1:51.074
#12 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion – 1:51.359
#30 – Racing Box - Lola B09/80 Judd - 1:52.526
#24 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd - 1:53.042
#29 – Racing Box - Lola B09/80 Judd – 1:54.301
#45 – Boutsen Energy Racing - FLM09 - 1:54.352
#39 – KSM - Lola B08/47 Judd - 1:55.765
#49 – Applewood Seven - FLM09 - 1:56.065
#27 – Race Performance - Radical SR9 Judd - 1:56.478
#61 – Matech Competition - Ford GT - 1:59.582
#92 – JMW Motorsport - Aston Martin V8 Vantage - 1:59.649
#70 – Marc VDS Racing Team - Ford GT - 1:59.817
#52 - Young Driver AMR - Aston Martin DBR9 - 1:59.853
#96 - AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 1:59.901
#43 – DAMS - FLM09 - 1:59.919
#89 - Hankook Team Farnbacher - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.175
#95 – AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.243
#91 – CRS Racing - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.594
#50 - Larbre Competition - Saleen S7R - 2:00.667
#76 – IMSA Performance Matmut - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR - 2:00.806
#94 – AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.884
#75 – Prospeed Competition - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR - 2:01.150
#68 – Marc VDS Racing Team - Ford GT - 2:01.376
#77 - Team Felbermayr Proton - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR - 2:01.709
#90 – CRS Racing - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:02.263
#78 – BMW Team Schnitzer - 2:02.813
#46 - JMB Racing - FLM09 - 2:03.663
#87 – IMSA Performance Matmut - 2:04.763

Rob

7th March 2010, 20:41

Paul Ricard Test Days - Sunday afternoon report
March 7, 2010
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The afternoon session of the Paul Ricard Test Days started as it had ended, light drizzle and strong winds making it a rather unpleasant place to be at. And for the first half an hour only a handful of cars lapped the track.

After one hour only fourteen cars had set a lap time yet, with the #4 Team ORECA Matmut Peugeot 908 HDi FAP on top in 1:44.309. Aston Martin Racing’s #009 Lola Aston Martin was second fastest with the Quifel-ASM Team Ginetta-Zytek 09S in third overall.

Fifteen minutes later the session was red flagged when the #27 Race Performance Radical SR9 Judd of Michel Frey and Ralph Meichtry went off and hit the barrier, knocking off the rear wing and damaging the right rear wheel and suspension. The car was brought back to the pit on a flatbed transporter.

More and more cars took to the track after the session was restarted, but it soon went to a red track state again when the BMW Team Schnitzer BMW M3 stopped. Shortly after it was recovered and the German team had started working on the GT2 car the track went green again.

Two hours into the session it was still the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in first place, ahead of the #12 Rebellion Racing Lola B10/60. The Peugeot improved its time to 1:44.292, but not much later the team’s Oreca 01 AIM set an even faster lap time, 1:43.259.

As the sun started to set positions down the field changed every now and then but at the front it the two Oreca cars were still standing strong. Rebellion Racing got its two cars into third and fourth, the #12 leading the #13 with the works Aston Martin Racing Lola Aston Martin in fifth.

Just minutes before the end of the second session the #13 took over third place, still far away from the time set by the Oreca 01 AIM.

Quifel ASM Team finished the session almost four tenths of a second clear of the Strakka Racing HPD ARX-01c. The RML Lola HPD clocked the third fastest time of the session in 1:47.555.

The Young Driver AMR Aston Martin DBR9 was quickest in GT1 in 1:57.390. A full seven tenths of a second slower was the Marc VDS Racing Team Ford GT #70 and the Marc VDS #68 entry was third fastest. Fastest in the GT2 category was the #96 AF Corse SRL Ferrari F430 GT of Gianmaria Bruni and Jaime Melo. The Italian-Brazilian duo managed to get in between the two Marc VDS Racing Team Ford GTs.
JMW Motorsport’s Tim Sugden and Rob Bell took second place in GT2, albeit over half a second away from the fast Ferrari. Team Felbermayr Proton finished the session in third place.

For most GT cars the flag meant the end of the day. Several LMP1 and LMP2 cars and a handful of GT1, GT2 and Formula Le Mans cars will continue later with the night session.

Sunday afternoon’s times.

#6 - AIM Team Oreca - Oreca 01 AIM– 43.259
#4 - Team Oreca Matmut - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP – 1:44.292
#13 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion – 1:45.171
#12 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion – 1:45.272
#009 – Aston Martin Racing - Lola Aston Martin - 1:46.177
#5 - Beechdean Mansell Motorsport - Ginetta-Zytek 09S – 1:46.700
#40 – Quifel-ASM Team - Ginetta-Zytek 09S - 1:47.072
#42 – Strakka Racing - HPD Acura ARX01c - 1:47.450
#008 - Signature Plus - Lola Aston Martin – 1:47.505
#25 – RML - Lola B08/80 HPD - 1:47.555
#35 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd - 1:49.340
#41 – Team Bruichladdich - Ginetta-Zytek 09S - 1:50.063
#30 – Racing Box - Lola B09/80 Judd - 1:50.697
#29 – Racing Box - Lola B09/80 Judd – 1:51.678
#24 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd - 1:52.182
#39 – KSM - Lola B08/47 Judd - 1:52.901
#27 – Race Performance - Radical SR9 Judd - 1:53.798
#43 – DAMS - FLM09 - 1:55.092
#45 – Boutsen Energy Racing - FLM09 - 1:55.453
#49 – Applewood Seven - FLM09 - 1:56.051
#46 - JMB Racing - FLM09 – 1:57.280
#52 - Young Driver AMR - Aston Martin DBR9 - 1:57.390
#70 – Marc VDS Racing Team - Ford GT - 1:58.132
#96 - AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 1:59.391
#68 – Marc VDS Racing Team - Ford GT – 1:59.517
#50 - Larbre Competition - Saleen S7R – 1:59.546
#61 – Matech Competition - Ford GT - 1:59.915
#92 – JMW Motorsport - Aston Martin V8 Vantage - 1:59.962
#77 - Team Felbermayr Proton - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – 2:00.215
#76 – IMSA Performance Matmut - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR - 2:00.381
#94 – AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.488
#75 – Prospeed Competition - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR - 2:00:570
#91 – CRS Racing - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.632
#95 – AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.667
#89 - Hankook Team Farnbacher - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.784
#78 – BMW Team Schnitzer - BMW M3 - 2:01.441
#90 – CRS Racing - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:01.750
#87 – IMSA Performance Matmut - 2:05.287

Rob

7th March 2010, 20:44

Paul Ricard Test Days - Sunday evening report
March 7, 2010
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Just after seven o’clock fifteen teams were allowed to get back on the track for the night test session. BMW Team Schnitzer with their BMW M3 and the Matech Competition Ford GT were the first ones out on track, and it took a while before they were joined.

One hour into the session just 10 cars had completed laps. The #4 Team ORECA Matmut Peugeot 908 HDi FAP was quickest, followed by the #008 AMR Lola and the #13 Rebellion. But just after the clock had shown 20:00:00 it was the Rebellion Racing #13 that moved up into second place and one lap later it set the fastest session time. Shortly afterwards the Lola came back into the pit.

Most cars came in and only a few cars were lapping at the same time. At 20:30 only 3 cars were out on the track, the Strakka Racing HPD ARX-01c, the #35 OAK Racing Pescarolo Judd and the BMW. Best lap by then was an 1:45.908 set by the #008 Lola Aston Martin. Gap between 1st and 2nd was only 0.061s.

At 20:45 the Young Driver AMR Aston Martin DBR9 went out, making it eleven teams that had been out on track out of fifteen that planned this session. With only a few cars on the track there was silence for the first time in hours.

Times at 21:15

#008 - Signature Plus - Lola Aston Martin – 1:45.908
#13 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion – 1:45.969
#4 - Team Oreca Matmut - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP – 1:46.113
#42 – Strakka Racing - HPD Acura ARX01c – 1:50.345
#35 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd – 1:52.363
#24 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd – 1:54.523
#45 – Boutsen Energy Racing - FLM09 – 55.986
#61 – Matech Competition - Ford GT – 00.134
#39 – KSM - Lola B08/47 Judd – 01.322
#78 – BMW Team Schnitzer - BMW M3 – 02.042
#52 - Young Driver AMR - Aston Martin DBR9 – 02.466
#12 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion - no time

*Only the #008 Signature Plus Lola Aston Martin at the back of the track right now and the #12 Rebellion Racing Lola joining the track, making it twelve from fifteen. Session continues, we’re off to the hotel. Back tomorrow!*

Rob

8th March 2010, 19:05

Paul Ricard Test Days - Monday morning report
March 8, 2010

Heavy snowfall hit the South West France but fortunately the Paul Ricard area was not affected by the bad weather and continued this morning at 9:00. Clouded skies and a cold wind greeted the teams again today as the cars went out on the track.

One hour into the session the Team Oreca Matmut Peugeot 908 HDi FAP had posted the fastest lap time, a 1:44.468. The Rebellion Racing Lola was second fastest, a second and a half behind the Peugeot. Third quickest was the Beechdean Mansell Motorsport Zytek, almost four tenths of a second behind the Swiss Lola.

Quickest in LMP2 was the Strakka Racing HPD ARX-01c, while the #43 DAMS was the fastest Formula Le Mans car. The #70 Marc VDS Racing Team Ford GT and the #95 AF Corse Ferrari were the fastest cars in the two GT classes.

In the following hour and a half the lap times kept dropping and at 11:30 the quickest time had been set by the Oreca 01 AIM. In its 50th lap it set a 1:43.310. Just under half a second behind was the second Oreca entry, the Peugeot, which set a fastest lap time of 1:43.756.

At noon the top three was still unchanged with Oreca leading, but the LMP1 cars now made up the top six with the Strakka Racing in seventh place overall being the best LMP2 car. The second fastest LMP2 car was another Honda Performance Development powered car, the RML Lola. Quifel-ASM Team completed the top three in LMP2, with DAMS setting the fastest FLM lap time.
In GT2 the battle kept going between the #95 AF Corse and #89 Hankook Team Farnbacher. Two tenths of a second separated the two Ferrari F430 GTs, with the #94 AF Corse Ferrari in third another tenth of a second behind.

At 13:00 the session came to an end and nothing had changed at the front - further down the list the Ferrari’s were beaten in the end by the ProSpeed Porsche, setting the fastest GT2 lap time of the weekend so far.

The BMW Team Schnitzer BMW M3 that was supposed to run today as well did not take part in the session. Engine related problems that appeared yesterday were deemed to serious and the German team decided to call it a day and return to Germany to check out and fix the problem.

Monday morning results

6 – 1:43.310
4 – 1:43.756
5 – 1:44.633
008 – 1:44.998
13 – 1:45.247
12 – 1:45.307
42 – 1:46.174
009 – 1:46.469
25 – 1:47.808
40 – 1:48.790
35 – 1:49.061
24 – 1:49.715
30 – 1:50.345
29 – 1:50.858
41 – 1:51.706
39 – 1:53.094
44 – 1:54.432
49 – 1:56.009
48 – 1:56.030
47 – 1:56.931
43 – 1:57.011
70 – 1:57.711
61 – 1:58.111
68 - 1:58.597
52 – 1:59.132
75 – 1:59.213
95 – 1:59.651
89 – 1:59.865
94 – 1:59.898
92 - 1:59.922
96 – 2:00.089
46 – 2:00.250
77 – 2:00.530
76 – 2:00.553
91 – 2:00.589
90 – 2:00.825
87 – 2:02.176

Rob

8th March 2010, 19:07

Darren Turner joins JMW Motorsport in LMS
By Team Update ⋅ March 8, 2010
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Darren Turner is all set for a busy year after it was announced today that he has joined JMW Motorsport for a full-season assault on the Le Mans Series. The British driver teams up with Rob Bell to race the No.92 Aston Martin Vantage for Jim McWhirter’s championship-winning team.

The Le Mans Series season fits in neatly around Darren’s drive in the FIA GT1 World Championship for the Young Driver AMR Team and, of course, the Le Mans 24 Hours, which will see him back behind the wheel of the Aston Martin LMP1 car.

“We are delighted to announce that, with the support of Aston Martin Racing, we have secured the services of Darren Turner for the full five-race LMS championship,” said McWhirter. “This underlines our commitment to this championship and adds yet another strength to our very motivated team ethos. Darren brings a wealth of experience to the team as well as a working knowledge of the Vantage V8 GT2.”

“I’m very happy to be joining JMW Motorsport for 2010,” said Turner. “The team has already won the LMS GT2 title twice, outlining their winning capabilities. It’s good to be teaming up with Rob again as we have won together before. I’m also looking forward to working with Dunlop who have a very competitive tyre in GT2 and have already achieved great success with JMW.”

The first race in the 2010 Le Mans Series takes place at Paul Ricard on 11 April.

(Darren Turner press release)

Rob

8th March 2010, 19:09

Marc VDS Racing Team confirms Le Mans drivers
By Team Update ⋅ March 8, 2010
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Bas Leinders, Eric De Doncker and Markus Palttala have been confirmed as the three drivers that will contest this year’s 24 Heures du Mans, at the wheel of the Marc VDS Racing Team’s Ford GT40.

One of only eight GT1 cars to secure an entry for this prestigious event, the appearance of the distinctive silver and bordeaux GT40 on the grid at Le Mans will mark not just the debut of the Marc VDS Racing Team in this world famous race, but also of all three drivers, none of whom have contested the 24 Heures du Mans previously.

In preparation for the endurance races at Le Mans and Spa Francorchamps, the Marc VDS Racing Team successfully completed today the Le Mans Series official test at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track in Southern France.

The two-day test provided a perfect opportunity to improve the set-up of the team’s two GT40 machines, to better suit the characteristics of the Michelin endurance specification tyres that the team will run at both the 24 Heures du Mans and the 1000km of Spa.

The Marc VDS Racing Team head back to base tonight, to prepare equipment to be shipped out to the Middle East this week, ready for the opening round of the GT1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi, which takes place on 17th April 2010.

The official launch of the Marc VDS Racing Team, which this year will contest the FIA GT3 European Championship, Rally Raid and the FIM Moto2 World Championship in addition to the FIA GT1 World Championship, will take place on 18th March at the team’s base in Gosselies, Belgium.

Bas Leinders: Driver/Sporting Manager
“For all three drivers this will be our first experience of the 24 Heures du Mans, but it is a challenge we’re all looking forward to, especially after a successful two-day test here at Paul Ricard. The focus during the test has been on refining the set-up of the car to better suit the Michelin endurance specification tyres that we will use at both the 1000km of Spa and 24 Heures du Mans. The weather hasn’t been ideal but we’ve made significant progress, finding a good balance on the car and also an overall set-up that minimises tyre wear, which will be critical in these endurance races. We’ve confirmed the set-up with some long runs on track and our lap times with all five drivers have been consistent throughout the test. We’re in a strong position compared to the other GT1 teams and I’m confident we’ll be on the pace from the start when we arrive at Le Mans in June for the big race.”

Marc van der Straten: President - Marc VDS Racing Team
“It is an honour to have been chosen by ACO as one of the eight GT1 teams that will contest this year’s 24 Heures du Mans, one of the greatest motorsport events in the world. The whole team has worked extremely hard to ensure we are ready to face this new challenge, with the result that we’ve been one of the strongest GT1 teams at this Paul Ricard test. None of our three drivers have ever contested the 24 Heures du Mans before, but all are experienced 24 hour racers and I’m confident, especially after the solid performance we’ve witnessed during the past two days, that they are more than capable of securing a strong result for the Marc VDS Racing Team. Now we must focus on the opening three rounds of the GT1 World Championship, before turning our attention once more to Le Mans.”

Rob

8th March 2010, 19:12

Paul Ricard Test Days - Monday afternoon report
March 8, 2010
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At 14:00 the final session of the Le Mans Series Official Test Days at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track got underway. One of the first cars out on the track was the #008 Signature Plus Lola Aston Martin, setting its fastest time on the first lap.

45 minutes into the session the Lola Aston Martin LMP1s were first and second, but the works car still unable to beat the customer car, chassis B09/60 HU03S (DBR1 – 2/3) for the sportscar purists. The Peugeot 908 HDi FAP had not been out on the track yet at that point.

After a brief red flag period (at 15:20) the track went green again and the Melo/Bruni AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT and Oreca 01 AIM of Ayari/Meyrick/André were the first cars to go out, almost as soon as the light went green again.

In the following minutes the fastest lap time was improved twice. First by the #13 Rebellion Racing Lola, improving it to 1:44.264 and almost instantly by the #6 Oreca 01 AIM again to 1:44.171.

While the cars were still out on the track news broke that Darren Turner had signed with JMW Motorsport for the full Le Mans Series season. Out on the track times were slowly improving, but mainly in the GT category.

At the front the Oreca 01 AIM kept lapping until 16:25 when the red flag came out again after the Matech Competition Ford GT came to a halt on the track; its undertray separated from the car. A few minutes later the stranded car was pulled onto a flatbed transporter and moved to safety.

As the track reopened lots of cars went out again, including the Oreca Peugeot. On one of its first flying laps the 908 HDi FAP already moved into fifth place, but after 10 laps it Nicolas Lapierre stopped the car. It was towed back to the paddock after the session.

The other Oreca car set the fastest lap time of the weekend on its 66th lap of the session. A 1:42.963 was enough to secure the top position of the test weekend.

Just after 17:00 the session ended…and all teams started to pack. Next stop: Paul Ricard again in one month for the opening round of the series.

(Special thanks to Jeff Carter for bringing Beechdean Farmhouse Dairy Ice Cream into the media centre towards the end of the session. Despite the chilly temperatures outside it was a welcome snack in the media centre)

#6 - AIM Team Oreca - Oreca 01 AIM– 1:42.963
#12 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion – 1:44.025
#13 - Rebellion Racing - Lola B10/60 Rebellion – 1:44.264
#008 - Signature Plus - Lola Aston Martin – 1:44.502
#4 - Team Oreca Matmut - Peugeot 908 HDi FAP – 1:44.594
#009 – Aston Martin Racing - Lola Aston Martin - 1:45.342
#40 – Quifel-ASM Team - Ginetta-Zytek 09S - 1:46.584
#42 – Strakka Racing - HPD Acura ARX01c - 1:47.239
#25 – RML - Lola B08/80 HPD - 1:47.313
#30 – Racing Box - Lola B09/80 Judd - 1:49.063
#29 – Racing Box - Lola B09/80 Judd – 1:49.335
#35 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd - 1:49.769
#24 – OAK Racing - Pescarolo 01 Judd - 1:50.233
#41 – Team Bruichladdich - Ginetta-Zytek 09S - 1:50.403
#5 - Beechdean Mansell Motorsport - Ginetta-Zytek 09S – 1:51.431
#39 – KSM - Lola B08/47 Judd - 1:52.198
#48 – Hope Polevision Racing – FLM09 – 1:54.253
#44 – DAMS - FLM09 - 1:55.085
#49 – Applewood Seven - FLM09 - 1:55.643
#41 – Team Bruichladdich – Ginetta-Zytek – 1:56.075
#46 - JMB Racing - FLM09 – 1:56.578
#47 – Hope Polevision Racing – FLM09 – 1:57.243
#61 – Matech Competition - Ford GT - 1:58.243
#52 - Young Driver AMR - Aston Martin DBR9 - 1:58.819
#91 – CRS Racing - Ferrari F430 GT – 1:59.272
#96 - AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 1:59.754
#68 – Marc VDS Racing Team - Ford GT – 1:59.842
#94 – AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT – 1:59.907
#77 - Team Felbermayr Proton - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – 1:59.976
#75 – Prospeed Competition - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR - 2:00:247
#92 – JMW Motorsport - Aston Martin V8 Vantage – 2:00.525
#95 – AF Corse - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:00.862
#76 – IMSA Performance Matmut - Porsche 997 GT3 RSR - 2:01.509
#90 – CRS Racing - Ferrari F430 GT - 2:02.209

Rob

17th March 2010, 19:57

Bouchut, Tucker and Rodrigues join Kolles
March 17, 2010
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Christophe Bouchut will be the lead driver on the #15 Kolles Audi R10 TDI at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The French driver confirmed his plans and also confirmed that he will be joined by fellow Frenchman Manu Rodrigues and Bouchut’s American Le Mans Series team mate Scott Tucker.

Bouchut and Tucker will compete in the LMP Challenge class of the American Le Mans Series this season, and the opportunity to race for Kolles in the legendary French race was too good to pass.

“On paper, the choice of the Audi may seem a little crazy given the limited experience of Scott and Manu in sports prototypes”, said Christophe Bouchut. “My philosophy is not to ask them for pure performance. The important thing for them is to get used to the car.

Tucker, Bouchut and Rodrigues will not be racing the Audi R10 TDI in the Le Mans Series races at Paul Ricard or Spa-Francorchamps. “Our respective programs will not allow us to participate in a race preparation, but we will implement a testing program with Team Kolles to be ready for Le Mans”, said Bouchut.

Bouchut is happy to return to Le Mans with the Audi R10 TDI, even though he knows that the R10 will be no match for the Audi R15 and Peugeot 908. “It is a super car, myself I can not wait to get behind the wheel. I think a top 10 is within our reach, if we don’t make any mistakes on the track. ”

Scott Tucker: “Christophe has done a fantastic job and I am delighted that this project can be realized. I am also very happy to make my debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans at his side, in continuation of our joint commitment to compete in the United States. ”

Manu Rodrigues: “I had a great experience in 2009 by participating in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Christopher, and am honored that he asked me to ride with him again this year. This is a big challenge for me, but I adapted to the traffic with a GT2, I think still be able to avoid the pitfalls through the advice of Christopher. ”

The line-up of the #14 Kolles Audi R10 TDI is yet to be announced, but it is still possible that Bakkerud will move there as - per ACO regulations - a team can swap drivers within a team.

Rob

22nd March 2010, 20:31

Sumo Power GT driver update
By Team Update ⋅ March 22, 2010
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The Sumo Power GT team has this week appointed a second pair of drivers for its 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship campaign: Warren Hughes and Jamie Campbell-Walter. They will join Michael Krumm and Peter Dumbreck, who were confirmed in February, in the second of the team’s two Nissan GT-Rs – car number 22.

Warren Hughes has spent the past nine seasons in either GT or Touring cars and has contested the legendary Le Mans 24-hours six times, winning the LMP2 Class and breaking the lap record in the process. He is therefore delighted to be joining Sumo Power GT for a full World Championship campaign:

“When I first heard about the FIA GT1 World Championship and the venues it visits I immediately wanted to be involved”, said Hughes. “Once I had been invited to test with the Sumo Power GT team I was really hoping that I would be offered a seat, so to finally secure a drive is a fantastic opportunity.”

Jamie Campbell-Walter is another driver to have raced at Le Mans, his five visits to the French classic backed-up with campaigns in the Le Mans, FIA and British GT Championships over the past 13 years. On hearing the news that he was confirmed as one of the team’s four drivers he said:

“I’m over the moon to be get the drive with Sumo Power GT this season and it’s great to be involved with a new championship and a new team right from the start. I’m looking forward to being back in a GT Championship, especially one which visits so many good circuits in so many different countries.”

Both Hughes and Campbell-Walter drove one of the team’s Nissan GTRs in a test at Snetterton this week and were impressed, each driver reporting on the excellent delivery of power from the engine and agreeing that the car has great potential.

Commenting on this latest appointment of drivers, Team Manager Allen Orchard said: “We have been making such good progress with the performance of the cars we felt we needed to have a strong pairing of drivers in our second GT-R. We therefore opted for Warren and Jamie, instead of two drivers who are there because of the budget they bring with them. I’m delighted that we now have one of the best driver line-ups on the grid.”

The team is scheduled to test its two Nissans next week at Silverstone. It will then begin preparations for the cars’ departure to Abu Dhabi for the first race of the season, which takes place on 17th April.

Rob

24th March 2010, 22:48

Latest LMS 8 Heures Du Castellet entry list updates:
•March 24 - Provisional 8 Heures Du Castellet entry list added
The LMS 8 Heures Du Castellet entries:
LM P1
team and car drivers tires
008 . Signature Plus
Lola Aston Martin . Pierre Ragues .
. Frank Mailleux
. To be announced
009 . Aston Martin Racing
Lola Aston Martin . Harold Primat .
. Adrian Fernandez
. To be announced
4 . Team ORECA Matmut
Peugeot 908 HDi FAP . Nicolas Lapierre .
. Olivier Panis
. Loïc Duval
5 . Beechdean Mansell Motorsport
Ginetta-Zytek Z09R . Greg Mansell .
. Leo Mansell
. Nigel Mansell
6 . AIM Team Oreca
Oreca 01 AIM . Soheil Ayari .
. To be announced
. To be announced
7 . Audi Sport Team Joest
Audi R15 TDI . Dindo Capello .
. Tom Kristensen
. Allan McNish
12 . REBELLION Racing
Lola B10/60 REBELLION . Neel Jani .
. Nicolas Prost
13 . REBELLION Racing
Lola B10/60 REBELLION . Andrea Belicchi .
. Jean-Christophe Boullion
. Guy Smith
LM P2
team and car drivers tires
24 . OAK Racing
Pescarolo Judd . Jacques Nicolet .
. Mathieu Lahaye
25 . RML
Lola B08/80 HPD . Thomas Erdos .
. Mike Newton
. Andy Wallace
27 . Race Performance
Radical SR9 Judd . Michel Frey .
. Ralph Meichtry
. Tyler Dueck
29 . Racing Box
Lola B08/80 Judd . Piergiuseppe Perazzini .
. Marco Cioci
. Luca Pirri
30 . Racing Box
Lola B08/80 Judd . Ferdinando Geri .
. Andrea Piccini
. Giacomo Piccini
35 . OAK Racing
Pescarolo Judd . Richard Hein .
. Guillaume Moreau
36 . Pegasus Racing
Courage-Oreca LC75 AER . Julien Schell .
. Jean-Christophe Metz
. Frederic Da Rocha
37 . WR / Salini
WR Zytek . Philippe Salini .
. Stéphane Salini
. Tristan Gommendy
39 . KSM
Lola B08/47 Judd . Jean de Pourtales .
. Hideki Noda
. To be announced
40 . Quifel - ASM Team
Ginetta-Zytek 09S Zytek . Miguel Amaral .
. Olivier Pla
. Warren Hughes
41 . Team Bruichladdich
Zytek 07S Zytek . Karim Ojjeh .
. Tim Greaves
. Thor-Christian Ebbesvik
42 . Strakka Racing
HPD ARX-01c . Danny Watts .
. Nick Leventis
. Jonny Kane
43 . DAMS
ORECA FLM 09 . Alessandro Cicognani .
. Andrea Barlesi
. Gary Chalandon
44 . DAMS
ORECA FLM 09 . Guillaume Bermond .
. Nelson Pantiatici
. To be announced
45 . Boutsen Energy Racing
ORECA FLM 09 . Dominik Kraihamer .
. Nicolas de Crem
. Bernard Delhez
46 . JMB Racing
ORECA FLM 09 . Peter Kutemann .
. Maurice Basso
. To be announced
47 . Hope PoleVision Racing
ORECA FLM 09 . Steve Zacchia .
. To be announced
. To be announced
48 . Hope PoleVision Racing
ORECA FLM 09 . Mathias Beche .
. Christophe Pillon
. To be announced
49 . Applewood Seven
ORECA FLM 09 . Damien Toulemonde .
. David Zollinger
. Ross Zampatti
LM GT1
team and car drivers tires
50 . Larbre Competition
Saleen S7R . Gabriele Gardel .
. Patrice Goueslard
. Julien Canal
66 . Atlas eFX Team Full Speed
Saleen S7R . Carlo van Dam .
. To be announced
. To be announced
LM GT2
team and car drivers tires
75 . ProSpeed Competition
Porsche 997 GT3 RSR . Marco Holzer .
. Richard Westbrook
76 . IMSA Performance Matmut
Porsche 997 GT3 RSR . Raymond Narac .
. Patrick Pilet
77 . Team Felbermayr Proton
Porsche 997 GT3 RSR . Marc Lieb .
. Richard Lietz
78 . BMW Team Schnitzer
BMW M3 E92 . Jörg Müller .
. Dirk Werner
84 . Modena Group Racing
Ferrari F430 GT2 . Roman Rusinov .
. Stéphane Daoudi
85 . Spyker Squadron
Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R . Peter Dumbreck .
. Jeroen Bleekemolen
88 . Team Felbermayr Proton
Porsche 997 GT3 RSR . Martin Ragginger .
. Christian Ried
. Patrick Long
89 . Hankook Team Farnbacher
Ferrari 430 GT2 . Doninik Farnbacher .
. Allan Simonsen
90 . CRS Racing
Ferrari 430 GT2 . Phil Quaife .
. Pierre Ehret
. Pierre Kaffer
91 . CRS Racing
Ferrari 430 GT2 . Andrew Kirkaldy .
. Tim Mullen
92 . JMW Motorsport
Aston Martin Vantage GT2 . Rob Bell .
. Darren Turner
94 . AF Corse
Ferrari 430 GT2 . Luís Pérez Companc .
. Matías Russo
95 . AF Corse
Ferrari 430 GT2 . Giancarlo Fisichella .
. Toni Vilander
. Jean Alesi
96 . AF Corse
Ferrari 430 GT2 . Jaime Melo .
. Gianmaria Bruni

Rob

24th March 2010, 22:50

43 entries for LMS 8 Heures du Castellet
March 24, 2010
The entrylist for the 8 Heures Du Castellet on April 11 was released today. 43 cars are set to race in the opening race of the 2010 Le Mans Series season. Eight LMP1, nineteen LMP2, two GT1 and fourteen GT2 cars are currently on the list.

In LMP1 all the teams that took part in the Official Test will be racing at Paul Ricard again, joined by one Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R15 TDI for Kristensen, Capello and McNish.

With nineteen cars, twelve full spec LMP2 cars and seven Formula Le Mans, entered the LMP2 category will be the biggest class at Paul Ricard. Pegasus Racing and WR/Salini are joining the seventeen cars that already tested in Le Castellet earlier this month.

Only two GT1 cars are entered for the 8 Heures Du Castellet, the Larbre Competition and Atlas eFX Team Full Speed Saleens will be fighting for the win.

Spyker Squadron and Modena Group Racing are set to join the GT2 teams that already tested at Paul Ricard. Factory teams, top drivers and a large variety of cars will make the GT2 class perhaps the most interesting category in the 2010 Le Mans Series season.

Rob

26th March 2010, 20:13

Highcroft Racing signs Marco Werner for Le Mans
By Team Update ⋅ March 25, 2010
Highcroft Racing has finalized its driver line-up for its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with three-time race winner Marco Werner joining Marino Franchitti and last year’s victor David Brabham.

The reigning American Le Mans Series LMP1 champions will campaign the Honda Performance Development factory-backed ARX-01c chassis for its Le Mans debut in the LMP2 class.

With three Le Mans victories in a row in 2005, 06 and 07, three Sebring wins, a 24 Hour of Daytona title and an American Le Mans Series LMP1 driver’s title to his credit, selecting Werner to fill the available third-driver role was an easy decision for Highcroft boss, Duncan Dayton.

Following Highcroft’s second place in LMP2 in Saturday’s Twelve Hours of Sebring, the Danbury, CT-based squad stayed on at the historic Florida venue for two days of testing on Monday and Tuesday - taking advantage of the opportunity to provide Werner with some valuable seat-time alongside his new teammates.

“Compared to the Audi, this is going to be a completely different world for me so I am really looking forward to driving the car at Le Mans,” Werner said.

“I know the car in Sebring as an LMP2 was very competitive and it is much lighter than the Audi. I’m looking forward to having a much more agile car to drive.

“It will be very different at Le Mans. We know that LMP2 and LMP1 are in a different world, but at circuits like Sebring there isn’t that much difference.”

Highcroft Racing will be the sole American team contesting the LMP2 class at this year’s French endurance classic. While team-owner Dayton has contested the race as a driver in the past, this year’s Le Mans will not only be the team’s 24 Hour debut, but also its first overseas race.

“I’m very proud to be joining the team for Le Mans as I think we have a great chance to win the LMP2 class,” Werner said.

“Highcroft is a real high-level team and we have a great driver line-up with David and Marino

“You obviously need a complete package for Le Mans and you need a little bit of luck but I think we will be the team to beat.

“The diesel is a very heavy car and it is sometimes difficult to drive over the bumps . This car is very nimble and brings back some memories - the car almost has a Formula 3 feel to it. You can brake so much later into the corners than what you could in the Audi. It’s a very different driving style which takes a bit of getting used to.

“Coming to Highcroft will be a new environment for me. I’m enjoying working with the guys and having competed against them before, I know they are very tough opponents.

“At Le Mans it is imperative to have every aspect of your package at the highest level. I think we have everything in place - from the Michelin tires, the crew, the chassis, the engine, the drivers - I don’t see on the list any other team where they have everything in place.”

With Highcroft Racing’s resident Frenchman Simon Pagenaud competing for the Peugeot factory team in LMP1 at Le Mans this year, Highcroft sought additional endurance experience for its Le Mans debut.

Not only do they now have four overall race wins in the history books, the Highcroft driver line-up also has a pair of GT1 victories in Brabham’s name. In fact, the Australian ace will be aiming for his fourth consecutive class win after winning GT1 for Aston Martin in 2007 and 2008 and the LMP1 division and overall title for Peugeot last year.

“It has been fun to see that hot pink helmet of Marco’s in a green car. With our team going to Le Mans for the first time this year we have quite a bit to learn,” Highcroft Racing, President, Duncan Dayton said.

“Obviously we will rely a lot on David’s expertise and experience but when it came to completing our driver line-up it was important for us to find somebody who had great experience and knew how to win there.

“Marco knows the rhythm of the race and the weekend and clearly when he became available, there was certainly nobody else we could grab to help us quickly learn how to win there.

“Now that he is in an LMP2 car, he’s probably never gone so slow down the straight but so fast through the corners over the past ten years . It is a totally different driving style that he has to get used to in this car but he did a great job in the test.

“He is an consummate professional and has been very consistent with his times. Driving this car does give your neck a bit of a beating but by the time we get to France he will be ready to go.

“I’m very excited about our entire line-up of David, Marino and Marco and I believe we have a very strong package for our debut at Le Mans.”

Rob

6th April 2010, 15:58

CRS Racing: Ferrari time!
By Team Update ⋅ April 5, 2010
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The Formula Renaults made a good start to CRS’ racing season last weekend. Now it is time for the Ferrari 430s to race as the first round of the 2010 Le Mans Series (LMS) is this weekend at the stunning Paul Ricard track in the south of France.

This is the first LMS race for CRS and the team knows that the competition is incredibly strong in the GT2 category. CRS is prepared though with two strong driver line-ups, a well-drilled pit crew and two fully updated Ferrari 430s, which will be out in their new 2010 livery.

The 430s will use the wider Michelin tyres this year so the bodywork has been upgraded to accommodate the new rubber. The changes also incorporate the new higher weight category and engine restrictor size and add up to an improved race car, as all the CRS drivers will be out to demonstrate.

Pierre Ehret, Phil Quaife and Pierre Kaffer will race Ferrari No.90. Kaffer has already tasted success this year with GT2 victory at the Sebring 12 Hours so he and his team-mates will be fired up for a good showing at Ricard.

“I think us three drivers gelled well together at the Ricard test,” said Kaffer. “We are now a team within a team and it is good that we work together so well. I already feel at home at CRS; it is a good environment to work in. I like driving at Ricard, especially on the long circuit. It’s not an easy track by any means but I am confident that we will have a good race. The new car is definitely better than the old one, with more grip overall. It is a lot of fun to drive!”

Andrew Kirkaldy and Tim Mullen make up a formidable pairing in CRS Ferrari No.91. Both drivers have raced the 430 for many years and have worked together for just as long.

“I think the car is looking promising now,” said Kirkaldy. “The Ricard test went well for us and we were quick there. We worked through a big test programme and came away pretty happy with the results. It’s good to be racing with Tim. We have always been quick but we were always in separate cars so it’s nice to join forces at last. Hopefully we’ll get some decent weather too as everywhere we’ve been lately has been freezing cold and wet!”

CRS’ Managing Director Mark Busfield commented: “The winter break is now over and the team has been very busy over the last few months getting everything ready for this first race. We have updated the race cars and have spent a lot of time getting the drivers and team ready with numerous tests over the last few months. It will be good to get the season started.”

The eight-hour Le Mans Series race gets underway this Sunday at 1100 CET (1000 BST). In the UK there is live coverage of much of the race on Eurosport. Please check listings for details.

Rob

6th April 2010, 16:03

Progressive design for the Audi R15 TDI
By Team Update ⋅ April 5, 2010
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Audi wants to surprise the spectators at this year’s 24-hour race at Le Mans (France) with a progressive design: the Audi Design Team created a fresh outfit for the innovative diesel race sports car that bears all the hallmarks of “pleasure in efficiency.”

Whereas silver was the dominant color of the Audi R15 TDI last year, the 2010 model boasts a radical new design that features more red. In addition, large areas of the Le Mans race sports car that is internally designated as “R15 plus” will be kept in a purist black carbon-fiber look.

“We’re happy that we were allowed to give the car such a progressive look,” say Markus Auerbach and Tobias Drews from the Audi Design Team. “We wanted to add a dash of surprise when the Audi leaves the pits at Le Mans. We practically opened up the bodywork and are exposing the light-weight construction and its uncompromising technical development – and with a little rock ’n’ roll for good measure.”

The Audi R15 TDI sporting its new design will make its debut at the Le Castellet 8 Hours on April 11. Audi Sport Team Joest will contest the 2010 season opener of the Le Mans Series in preparation for the Le Mans (France) 24 Hours on June 12/13. Another test race is planned at the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium).

“The race at Le Castellet comes at a very early point in time for us and is nothing but a test in racing conditions,” stresses Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director of Audi Sport Team Joest. “Even though it’s a difficult logistical undertaking, we wanted to gather experiences with the R15 plus at a race as early as possible. Le Castellet offers the opportunity to do this.”

The 2010 version of the Audi R15 TDI completed a roll-out at the Audi test track in Neustadt at the beginning of March. The prototype was subsequently flown to the USA for initial tests which primarily featured aerodynamics trials. A five-day endurance test followed at Sebring (Florida) at which about 5 500 kilometers were reeled off without any technical problems worth mentioning.

In Europe, the final set-up work with a view toward Le Mans is on the agenda. Further track tests will now be followed by the first run in a race at which the result will be of secondary importance for Audi though. “Le Castellet will strictly be about gathering additional experience with the R15 plus,” emphasizes Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “Racing conditions simply can’t be simulated in normal track tests; that’s why we’re contesting a race at such an early stage.”

It is planned to field the R15 plus with chassis number 202. Audi Sport Team Joest has nominated Dindo Capello (Italy), Tom Kristensen (Denmark) and Allan McNish (Scotland) as drivers. “However, we will only decide whether all three drivers will actually race at short notice,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich.

Since Audi has performed several endurance tests for the Le Mans 24 Hours at Le Castellet in recent years, the team and drivers are intimately familiar with the circuit in southern France.

Audi, by the way, has very good memories of its most recent racing commitment at Le Castellet: in 1995, Frank Biela won the Touring Car World Cup there in the Audi A4 quattro against strong rivals.

Rob

6th April 2010, 16:20

Sarrazin joins ORECA for Paul Ricard

By Pablo Elizalde Tuesday, April 6th 2010, 11:23 GMT www.autosport.com

Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin will join team ORECA for the first round of the Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard this weekend.

Sarrazin has been a works Peugeot driver since 2007, but will join ORECA at the Le Castellet eight hours to help the squad, which will run a Peugeot 908 HDi FAP in a race for the first time.

The French driver, who already drove for ORECA in 2001 and 2002, joins Olivier Panis and Nicolas Lapierre for the Paul Ricard event.

"I'm delighted to be back with the team that I know so well," said Sarrazin. "I'm used to working with David Floury, who was my engineer in 2003 and I already got to know Olivier Panis in F1.

"I know that Nicolas Lapierre is very quick and a nice guy into the bargain, so I think we're going to make a great trio.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for me to prepare for my season. Of course, our aim is to win, and that would be a great result in the face of the challenge from the new Audi, but my first priority is to put myself at the disposal of the team and its drivers.

"I'm going to try and bring my knowledge of the car and to share a few insights with them that could help the team at Le Castellet, and for the rest of the season."

Rob

7th April 2010, 18:15

Zytek: Champions return for first round of the LMS
By Team Update ⋅ April 6, 2010
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Zytek Motorsport, the supplier for the 2009 Le Mans Series LMP2 team and drivers champions, starts the defence of its titles, as well as challenges for new ones, this weekend at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit. Three of the rapid Ginetta-Zytek 09SBs are entered including one to be driven by former Formula One World Champion, Nigel Mansell, while a fourth car will also make use of Zytek’s Le Mans LMP2 class winning ZG348 engine.

Improvements have been made to all the Ginetta-Zytek chassis that will enhance their competitiveness and bring them into line with the latest ACO regulations. Zytek is notably one of only three main constructors not to have applied for a waver for the ACO for the 2010 rear bodywork regulations. The emphasis on the aerodynamic changes for the 09SB has been a low drag package. A new tail section sees the fender behind the rear wheel closed in line with the new regulations. Also new is the upper side pod, which has an increased side bleed featuring up and over exit filled with scoops. In addition, a new rear wing with up and over mounting system has been installed. The result of these changes will be a reduction in the drag coupled with minimum loss of downforce and a sizeable increase in straight-line speed.

The opening round of the 2010 LMS, will be the first in the series to be held over an eight-hour period. It takes place at the Le Castellet track that was once the regular location of the French Grand Prix. The length of the race means that all four Zytek-engined teams will feature three-driver line-ups. This will be particularly significant in the LMP1 class in that it will enable Nigel Mansell to team up with his sons Leo and Greg in the Ginetta-Zytek 09SB of the newly formed Beechdean Mansell operation.

The LMS LMP2 drivers and team champions, Olivier Pla, Miguel Amaral and Quifel-ASM, return for a second year in the LMP2 category with their Ginetta-Zytek 09SB. For the longer races of the season they will, this year, be joined by the experienced Warren Hughes, who has previously benefited from Zytek power with the Embassy team. The second LMP2 Ginetta-Zytek 09SB will be the familiar one driven for the last couple of seasons by Karim Ojjeh and this year entered under the Team Bruichladdich banner. Joining Karim for 2010 will be Tim Greaves and Thor-Christian Ebbesvik.

The fourth car on the grid with a Zytek engine will be the WR-Zytek entered by WR/Salini and driven again by Tristan Gommendy and the Salini brothers, Phillippe and Stéphane.

Rob

7th April 2010, 18:17

Spyker Squadron ready for 8H of Le Castellet
April 7, 2010
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Spyker Squadron will be back in the Le Mans Series for the sixth year in succession. The Dutch team will carry a brand new livery for the 2010 season, replacing the yellow and blue from recent years. Spyker will again compete in all five rounds of the Le Mans Series championship and in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June.

In the Le Mans Series and at Le Mans Spyker Squadron will run in the black and red colors of new team partner Convers Group. Dutch watchmaker TW Steel and Arai Helmets have also joined Spyker Squadron as team suppliers for the 2010 season.

At the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit the number 85 Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R will run in its new configuration for the first time. Conform with technical regulations the engine capacity has been increased to 4.0 litres and the weight of the car is now 1245 kg. The car will also race on 2” wider rear wheels and in combination with the weight a larger air restrictor has been placed.

In France Tom Coronel will join Peter Dumbreck and Jeroen Bleekemolen. The cancellation of the FIA WTCC race in Mexico makes it possible for Spyker Squadron to run all three drivers in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The length of the race makes it an ideal rehearsal for the classic event in June.

Peter van Erp, Managing Director Spyker Squadron: “We will use the Friday sessions to get to grips with the new configuration of the car. We worked on the updates during the winter and that is why we did not take part in the official test session in March. I am happy to have all three drivers at Paul Ricard. This race gives us the opportunity to run them together before going to Le Mans and fine-tune the cooperation between them.”

Jeroen Bleekemolen: “I am looking forward to the weekend. It is not easy to say where we stand at the moment because we didn’t test, but the car really did well at the end of last season. The competition is extremely strong in GT2, so it won’t be easy. I think we have a strong team though; drivers and the people working in the team. We will need a consistent performance and hopefully this will get us a good result in this long race.”

Tom Coronel: “The competition has grown stronger, but we’ve never been afraid of competition. We have three strong drivers this year. Of course there are other teams with strong line-ups as well, but I think Spyker has one of the best line-ups in Europe at the moment. We will be the underdog again this year. Between the Feraris, Porsches and all the factory drivers our small Spyker brand is something exclusive and special. Let’s make it a special season again!”

The first practice session of the Le Mans Series 8 Heures Du Castellet weekend is scheduled for Friday afternoon. The eight hour long race will start at 11:00 on Sunday morning. Eurosport will have live coverage of parts of the race in Europe.

Rob

7th April 2010, 18:19

17th BMW Art Car lines up at the 24H Le Mans
By Team Update ⋅ April 6, 2010
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Team BMW Motorsport will compete at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a work of art on four wheels: the no. 79 BMW M3 GT2 has been designed as a “rolling sculpture” by Jeff Koons. The American artist – one of the best-known and renowned artists of his time – presented his first preliminary design concept at a press conference in New York on Tuesday, which was attended by prominent guests including BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen, and BMW works driver Andy Priaulx (GB).

The 17th BMW Art Car sees BMW continue a long tradition, which dates back to 1975 and celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. Auctioneer and racing driver Hervé Poulain (FR) came up with the idea of allowing famous artists to design BMW racing cars. Alexander Calder (US) got the ball rolling with the BMW 3.0 CSL. By 1979 Frank Stella (US), Roy Lichtenstein (US) and Andy Warhol (US) had all followed in his footsteps. All these cars lined up at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The greatest sporting success came with the BMW M1 designed by Warhol, which crossed the finish line in sixth. Koons is the latest artist to join the illustrious group of BMW Art Car creators.

Frank-Peter Arndt, who as a member of the Board of Management at BMW is also responsible for the BMW Group’s cultural commitments, said: “It is a fascinating and inspiring exercise to witness an artist present his or her vision through one of our cars. To see Jeff Koons take his unique sensibility and bring it to a BMW racing car as he works with our team to translate his art into a race-ready car is to truly watch a challenging connection be made between technical and artistic intelligence.”

BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen added: “The race in Le Mans is one of the most important events in international motorsport. This makes it the perfect stage to revive the tradition of the BMW Art Car. Jeff Koons’ work of art will leave a lasting impression with all those who see it, even long after the BMW M3 GT2’s race appearance. BMW Art Cars have often also been able to impress with their sporting achievements. I am optimistic that this will be the case again this year.”

“These race cars are like life, they are powerful and there is a lot of energy,” said Jeff Koons. “You can participate with it, add to it and let yourself transcend with its energy. There is a lot of power under that hood and I want to let my ideas transcend with the car – it’s really to connect with that power.”

The BMW M3 GT2 Art Car will make its world debut at Paris’s “Centre Pompidou” on 1st June 2010 – just two weeks before the race on 12th and 13th June. Koons himself will unveil and sign his car, just as Roy Lichtenstein did with the BMW 320i Group 5 Racing Version in 1977. The number to be carried by the BMW M3 GT2 at this year’s race in Le Mans, “79”, pays tribute to the 1979 Andy Warhol car.

Priaulx, one of the three drivers of the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car, said “For us drivers it’s a huge honour to drive the latest Art Car at Le Mans. I find our BMW racing cars aesthetically pleasing anyway. But the result of Jeff Koons’ work on the BMW M3 GT2 Art Car is just incredible. We will do our best to make it a successful return of the Art Cars to Le Mans from a sporting angle as well.”

Team BMW Motorsport will enter two BMW M3 GT2 cars at the 24-hour race at the “Circuit de la Sarthe”. Priaulx will be joined at the wheel of the Art Car by Dirk Müller (DE) and Dirk Werner (DE), while Jörg Müller (DE), Augusto Farfus (BR) and Uwe Alzen (DE) will alternate behind the wheel of the second BMW M3 GT2.

Testarossa6000

8th April 2010, 09:12

Another series kicks off this weekend and if you want to watch, you can catch it on Eurosport on Sunday 11/4 from 10.15 - 12.00 and then again at 13.00 - 13.25.

For more info on Le Castellet 8 hrs go here (http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s52_circuits/s52p01_presentation.php?circuit=19) including the entry list. The year only GT2 interests me where the F430s will be fighting off the 997s, a solitary BMW, the crazy Spyker and Rob Bell and Darren Turner at the wheel of the Vantage.

Our boys are:

90 CRS Racing United Kingdom Ferrari F430 GT Pierre Ehret Phil Quaife Pierre Kaffer
91 CRS Racing United Kingdom Ferrari F430 GT Andrew Kirkaldy Tim Mullen
94 AF Corse Italy Ferrari F430 GT Luis Perez Companc Matias Russo
95 AF Corse Italy Ferrari F430 GT Giancarlo Fisichella Toni Vilander Jean Alesi
96 AF Corse Italy Ferrari F430 GT Gianmaria Bruni Jaime Melo

Some absolutely brilliant drivers - every single one of them has an excellent history of racing - and our own tester Fisico out playing with Alesi WOW! Defo worth planning a trip to Silverstone in September to watch.

FORZA FERRARI!

Rob

8th April 2010, 19:41

Go be watching it for sure.Been waiting for this to kick off, number 96 all the way!!

Rob

8th April 2010, 19:44

AIM Team ORECA: Getting ready for Le Mans!
By Team Update ⋅ April 7, 2010
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The ORECA 01 is attacking the 2010 Le Mans Series with a new driver line-up, Soheil Ayari, Didier André and Loïc Duval, and a new tyre supplier, Dunlop. The Le Castellet 8 Hours will provide the team with an ideal opportunity to carry out a complete test in race conditions in view of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

David Floury, the technical director lays out the aim for the first event of the season: “We want to prepare for the Le Mans 24 Hours in the most thorough fashion possible. This means a putting on a good performance in qualifying, and above all, having a good race. Being there at the finish is our no.1 priority.”

The ORECA 01, winner of the 2009 Silverstone 1000kms and first petrol-engined prototype in the Petit Le Mans in the USA, set the fastest time in the official test session a month ago on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit. But for the car’s return to the track in the Var, the essentials are not quite the same for Floury: “The team’s two cars filled the first two places and obviously we’d like to finish the Le Castellet 8 Hours in these positions,” he smiles. “This being said, what we learned in the test may not be of much use. The conditions will be different and our rivals will have had time to fine-tune their cars. Where we’re concerned, there are a few unknown factors. We’re going into this preparatory race with a fair amount of caution to familiarize ourselves with all the innovations. We’ve had sessions with Dunlop and we were very satisfied. But it’s our first race with this tyre manufacturer, and it’ll help us evaluate the potential and the life of the tyres.”

The ORECA 01 will also have a few new mechanical innovations. “Small tweaks, nothing you can see,” says David. “We’ll keep the most spectacular ones for private testing!” At the Le Castellet 8 Hours, the AIM Team ORECA Matmut ORECA 01 will be entrusted to Soheil Ayari, who scored a good fifth place for the team in last year’s Le Mans 24 Hours. He will be backed up by another couple of Frenchmen, Didier André, and Loïc Duval, recent winner of the Super GT race at Okayama. He will be back in the ORECA 01 he drove in last year’s Asian Le Mans Series, and he will then move over to the Peugeot 908 HDI FAP driver line-up for the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms.

“We’ve got an unusual driver line-up but they all have endurance experience. Soheil and Loïc know the ORECA 01 well, while Didier has already driven for us at Le Mans. They’re a well-balanced trio, which should help us to be among the front-runners,” sums up Floury. The first practice session for the Le Castellet 8 Hours will take place on Friday 7th April followed by qualifying the next day.

Rob

8th April 2010, 21:16

Withdrawal of Dome Racing Team in favor of Pegasus Racing
By Series Update ⋅ April 8, 2010 The ASA ACO Le Mans 24 Hours has been officially notified of the withdrawal of the Dome Racing Team, who were aiming to bring the LM P1 Dome S102 prototype back to Le Mans after its 2008 performance had thrilled the crowd.

In compliance with the supplementary regulations of the Le Mans 24 Hours in the case of the withdrawal of a prototype, the Selection Committee has replaced the Dome S102 with the entrant at the top of the list of reserves in the same category (LM P).

Thus, French team Pegasus Racing, has been invited to join the list of entrants selected for the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours subject to confirmation of its entry with the ACO. Pegasus Racing has a new LM P2 car, the Norma, with a Judd engine and the first member of the driver line-up to be announced was Frenchman, Julien Schell.

Rob

8th April 2010, 21:18

Team Bruichladdich hits the race track for new challenges
By Team Update ⋅ April 8, 2010 ⋅
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Team Bruichladdich is coming to the 2010 Le Mans Series opener with a new car and driving squad. The Le Mans Series season kicks off in France with an 8-hour event, and 2010 also is the year of all changes for team owner Tim Greaves. After making their reputation with the Radical chassis in the LM P2 category, Team Bruichladdich is competing with a Zytek 09S.

The car was entered by G.A.C. Racing Team in the 2009 Le Mans Series, with Karim Ojjeh at the wheel. A renowned LM P2 driver with four wins in his endurance racing record, he will be driving the car owned by his mother Renate once again this year, forming Team Bruichladdich’s new line-up with Tim Greaves and Thor-Christian Ebbesvik. This young talented driver from Norway with several Formula 3 wins also competed twice in Formula Le Mans last year.

Team Bruichladdich’s 2010 shakedown took place last March at Le Mans Series Test Days at the Le Castellet circuit. Thor-Christian Ebbesvik immediately proved comfortable with the Zytek, and feels a great potential for his team mates and the car’s competitiveness in the LM P2 class this year. The green flag is ready to be waved for Team Bruichladdich at the 8 Hours of Le Castellet!

Rob

9th April 2010, 16:19

ORECA Peugeot fastest in first practice www.autosport.com

By Steven English Friday, April 9th 2010, 14:00 GMT

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The ORECA Peugeot 908 set the fastest time of the opening free practice session for this weekend's Le Mans Series opener at Paul Ricard.

The customer diesel car of Olivier Panis, Nicolas Lapierre and on-loan factory Peugeot pilot Stephane Sarrazin set a benchmark time quarter of a second quicker than the best set by the works Audi R15 of Dindo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish.

ORECA's own car was third quickest in the hands of Soheil Ayari, Didier Andre and Loic Duval, just half a second slower than the Peugeot. The leading Rebellion Racing Lola was just another tenth further back, with Nicolas Prost and Neel Jani sharing driving duties.

The rest of the LMP1 class, including the customer-run Signature Aston Martin and Beechdean Mansell Ginetta were more than a second off the leading pace.

Strakka Racing has stepped down to the LMP2 class this year and topped the first session with its HPD (formerly Acura), driven by Danny Watts, Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis. They were nearly a second faster than the second in class Quifel Ginetta or Miguel Amaral, Olivier Pla and Warren Hughes.

The Larbre Competition Saleen is the only GT1 car racing at Paul Ricard this weekend, and was only half a tenth quicker than the fastest GT2 car, which was the CRS Ferrari 430 of Andrew Kirkaldy and Tim Mullen.

A full second slower than them in second place was the AF Corse Ferrari of Gianmaria Bruni and Jaime Melo. Richard Westbrook and Marco Holzer were a further half a second back, and third in class, in the first of the Porsches.

Former grand prix drivers Giancarlo Fisichella and Jean Alesi finished their first LMS session seventh in class, in the AF Corse Ferrari they share with Toni Vilander.

The Schnitzer-run BMW was slowest of the GT2 cars in its first European session, with Jorg Muller and Dirk Werner driving, while the Oak Racing Pescarolo of Mathieu Lahaye and Jacques Nicolet failed to set a time.

Pos Drivers Class/Team/Car Time Gap Laps
1. Panis/Lapierre/Sarrazin P1 ORECA Peugeot 1m44.154s 28
2. Capello/Kristensen/McNish P1 Audi 1m44.397s +0.243 19
3. Ayari/Andre/Duval P1 ORECA 1m44.660s +0.506 21
4. Prost/Jani P1 Rebellion Lola 1m44.800s +0.646 25
5. Belicchi/Boullion/Smith P1 Rebellion Lola 1m45.568s +1.414 22
6. Fernandez/Primat/Mucke P1 Aston Martin 1m46.009s +1.855 22
7. Ragues/Mailleux/Ickx P1 Signature Aston 1m47.107s +2.953 27
8. Leventis/Watts/Kane P2 Strakka HPD 1m48.160s +4.006 24
9. Mansell/Mansell/Mansell P1 Beechdean Ginetta 1m48.272s +4.118 11
10. Amaral/Pla/Hughes P2 Quifel Ginetta 1m49.065s +4.911 20
11. Erdos/Newton/Wallace P2 RML Lola 1m49.551s +5.397 21
12. Geri/Piccini/Piccini P2 Racing Box Lola 1m50.221s +6.067 21
13. Hein/Moreau P2 Oak Pescarolo 1m50.924s +6.770 21
14. Ojjeh/Greaves/Ebbesvik P2 Bruich. Ginetta 1m50.943s +6.789 23
15. Salini/Salini/Gommendy P2 WR-Zytek 1m53.047s +8.893 24
16. Cioci/Perazzini/Ardizzone P2 Racing Box Lola 1m53.514s +9.360 23
17. Toulemonde/Zollinger/Zampatti LC Formula Le Mans 1m56.150s +11.996 25
18. Zacchia/Moro/Kaufmann LC Formula Le Mans 1m56.514s +12.360 27
19. Beche/Pillon/Capillaire LC Formula Le Mans 1m56.579s +12.425 25
20. Frey/Meichtry/Dueck P2 Race Perf. Radical 1m56.617s +12.463 21
21. Kraihamer/de Crem/Delhez LC Formula Le Mans 1m56.854s +12.700 23
22. Pourtales/Noda/Kennard P2 KSM Lola 1m56.938s +12.784 10
23. Stirling/Hines/Piscopo LC Formula Le Mans 1m58.539s +14.385 27
24. Schell/Metz/da Rocha P2 Pegasus Courage 1m58.671s +14.517 14
25. Gardel/Goueslard/Canal GT1 Larbre Saleen 1m58.955s +14.801 17
26. Kirkaldy/Mullen GT2 CRS Ferrari 1m58.979s +14.825 20
27. Barlesi/Cicognani/Chalandon LC Formula Le Mans 1m59.639s +15.485 25
28. Bruni/Melo GT2 AF Cornse Ferrari 1m59.971s +15.817 20
29. Kutemann/Basso/Hartshorne LC Formula Le Mans 2m00.095s +15.941 22
30. Holzer/Westbrook GT2 Prospeed Porsche 2m00.401s +16.247 16
31. Bell/Turner GT2 JMW Aston Martin 2m00.437s +16.283 23
32. Lieb/Lietz GT2 Felbermayr Porsche 2m00.468s +16.314 20
33. Farnbacher/Simonsen GT2 Farnbacher Ferrari 2m00.713s +16.559 26
34. Fisichella/Vilander/Alesi GT2 AF Corse Ferrari 2m00.757s +16.603 23
35. Ehret/Quaife/Kaffer GT2 CRS Ferrari 2m00.958s +16.804 21
36. Companc/Russo GT2 AF Corse Ferrari 2m01.159s +17.005 26
37. Narac/Pilet GT2 IMSA Porsche 2m01.422s +17.268 24
38. Dumbreck/Coronel/Bleekemolen GT2 Spyker 2m01.846s +17.692 23
39. Ragginger/Ried/Long GT2 Felbermayr Porsche 2m02.616s +18.462 21
40. Muller/Werner GT2 BMW 2m02.923s +18.769 29
41. Lahaye/Nicolet P2 Oak Pescarolo no time

Rob

9th April 2010, 16:20

go be good. Great to see Fisi and Alesi drive in same car. And of cos Bruni and Melo.

Testarossa6000

10th April 2010, 09:37

Rob

10th April 2010, 19:26

.. and don't forget the CRS boys - they are leading the F430 pack. Can't wait till sunday morning to see these all these on track. We have got ourselves some great drivers, Jaime & Jimmy our familiar friends from ALMS and Fisi & Alesi :love a great pair - just love it. Soooo excited.

10.15 tomorrow on Eurosport 1. Yea, I know will have to sky+ the bikes. How great is this - so much motorsport to watch - the season is on us.

Forza Ferrari!

Im there got it on record planner already as go BBQ but family said i can have it on, is go be Eurosport HD? yep just checked whooooop!!!

Jaime & Jimmie= WOW that is going to be full on. Fisi im really excited to see race 430 especially with Alesi on board. Just hope we do factory back attack on LMP class at Le Mans in couple years . Jenza i have the lucky t shirt on already, and be wearing it all tomorrow aswell mate ;-):thumb:clap

Rob

10th April 2010, 21:31

8 Heures Du Castellet – Free Practice 2

www.planetlemans.com

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Rob

10th April 2010, 21:34

ORECA Peugeot beats Audi to pole www.autosport.com

By Gary Watkins Saturday, April 10th 2010, 13:08 GMT
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The ORECA Peugeot team beat the factory Audi to pole position for tomorrow's Paul Ricard 8 Hours.

Nicolas Lapierre set a best time of 1m41.195s in the factory-assisted Peugeot 908 HDi, which was just under half a second quicker than Dindo Capello aboard the new Audi R15 plus.

Third fastest was Stefan Mucke in the Aston Martin Racing coupe, on a 1m42.354s.

Lapierre said: "It was a bit tricky because I had a bit of traffic on my first lap, but the second lap was good enough. It's a good start, but the main job is tomorrow."

Briton Danny Watts easily claimed LMP2 pole on the European debut of the Acura/HPD. The Strakka driver's lap of 1m44.989s was more than two seconds faster than the Olivier Pla in the ASM Zytek.

"We know how good this car is from what it has achieved in America, but to be honest it's still a little bit too good for us at the moment," said Watts. "We still need to get a bit more comfortable in the car."

AF Corse Ferrari driver Gianmaria Bruni came out on top in the ultra-competitive GT2 class. The Italian ended up nearly four tenths of a second ahead of Richard Lietz in the Felbermayr Porsche.

Gabriele Gardel set the time in the only GT1 car on the grid, the Larbre Competition Saleen S7R. Eduardo Piscopo ended up fastest of the seven Formula Le Mans one-make ORECA prototypes.

Pos Driver Class/Team/Car Time
1. Panis/Lapierre/Sarrazin P1 ORECA Peugeot 1m41.195s
2. Capello/McNish P1 Audi 1m41.632s
3. Fernandez/Primat/Mucke P1 Aston Martin 1m42.354s
4. Ayari/Andre/Duval P1 ORECA 1m42.685s
5. Belicchi/Boullion/Smith P1 Rebellion Lola 1m43.435s
6. Prost/Jani P1 Rebellion Lola 1m44.032s
7. Mansell/Mansell/Mansell P1 Beechdean Ginetta 1m44.475s
8. Ragues/Mailleux/Ickx P1 Signature Aston 1m44.914s
9. Leventis/Watts/Kane P2 Strakka HPD 1m44.989s
10. Amaral/Pla/Hughes P2 ASM Ginetta 1m47.112s
11. Lahaye/Nicolet P2 Oak Pescarolo 1m47.474s
12. Erdos/Newton/Wallace P2 RML Lola 1m47.491s
13. Ojjeh/Greaves/Ebbesvik P2 Bruich. Ginetta 1m48.439s
14. Geri/Piccini/Piccini P2 Racing Box Lola 1m48.635s
15. Salini/Salini/Gommendy P2 WR-Zytek 1m49.567s
16. Cioci/Perazzini/Pirri P2 Racing Box Lola 1m49.931s
17. Pourtales/Noda/Kennard P2 KSM Lola 1m50.913s
18. Frey/Meichtry/Dueck P2 Race Perf. Radical 1m52.612s
19. Stirling/Hines/Piscopo LC Formula Le Mans 1m52.936s
20. Beche/Pillon/Capillaire LC Formula Le Mans 1m53.090s
21. Schell/Metz/da Rocha P2 Pegasus Courage 1m53.418s
22. Toulemonde/Zollinger/Zampatti LC Formula Le Mans 1m53.447s
23. Kraihamer/de Crem/Delhez LC Formula Le Mans 1m53.850s
24. Barlesi/Cicognani/Chalandon LC Formula Le Mans 1m54.187s
25. Zacchia/Moro/Kaufmann LC Formula Le Mans 1m54.305s
26. Gardel/Goueslard/Canal GT1 Larbre Saleen 1m57.085s
27. Bruni/Melo GT2 AF Cornse Ferrari 1m57.850s
28. Lieb/Lietz GT2 Felbermayr Porsche 1m58.216s
29. Kirkaldy/Mullen GT2 CRS Ferrari 1m58.475s
30. Fisichella/Vilander/Alesi GT2 AF Corse Ferrari 1m58.545s
31. Bell/Turner GT2 JMW Aston Martin 1m58.549s
32. Companc/Russo GT2 AF Corse Ferrari 1m58.707s
33. Ehret/Quaife/Kaffer GT2 CRS Ferrari 1m59.021s
34. Narac/Pilet GT2 IMSA Porsche 1m59.035s
35. Dumbreck/Coronel/Bleekemolen GT2 Spyker 1m59.177s
36. Ragginger/Ried/Long GT2 Felbermayr Porsche 1m59.447s
37. Farnbacher/Simonsen GT2 Farnbacher Ferrari 1m59.480s
38. Holzer/Westbrook GT2 Prospeed Porsche 1m59.539s
39. Muller/Werner GT2 BMW 1m59.593s
40. Kutemann/Basso/Hartshorne LC Formula Le Mans 2m00.775s
41. Hein/Moreau P2 Oak Pescarolo no time

Rob

10th April 2010, 21:37

Bruni/melo on GT2 pole!! get in, and 3rd to Kirkaldy/mullen. Fisi/Alesi 4th in GT2 grid. That is great start. Well looks as if all Ferrari's are going to be strong, lets hope no accidents and reliable race to beat the Porsches. Forza Ferrari

Rob

10th April 2010, 21:46

10/04/2010 www.afcorse.it
Paul Ricard qualifying
First race and first pole position
A very good job for AF Corse. Gianmaria Bruni gained his first season pole position and scored the first point for the team. Also Toni Vilander drove very well with the fourth time. Luis Perez Companc and Matias Russo are very closed.

Rob

11th April 2010, 20:20

New Audi scores debut Paul Ricard win www.autosport.com

By Gary Watkins Sunday, April 11th 2010, 17:13 GMT
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The new Audi R15 plus claimed a dominant victory on its debut in the Paul Ricard 8 Hours.

Audi drivers Allan McNish and Rinaldo Capello led all but two and half laps of the opening round of the Le Mans Series on the way to a five-lap victory over the Aston Martin Racing Lola driven by Stefan Mucke, Adrian Fernandez and Harold Primat.

The ORECA Peugeot 908, the only car capable of challenging the Audi on pace, finished fourth after losing nine laps early in the race with a problem with the rear airjack system.

"It is nice to chock up another victory for the Audi marque and a first victory for a new car is always something special," said McNish.

Ralf Juttner, technical director of Audi Sport Team Joest, added that vital lessons had been learned for the Le Mans 24 Hours in June, which was the primary reason for Audi contesting this race with a solo R15 plus.

"This was the idea of coming here, to see how the changes between the R15 and the R15 plus have worked," he said. "We are taking a long list of things to work on away with us, but the fundamentals seem good."

The Strakka Racing HPD/Acura staged a remarkable comeback to claim LMP2 honours after the car driven by Danny Watts, Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis lost four laps to bodywork repairs. Watts, who had qualified the car on pole position by 2.2 seconds, led the fightback and retook the lead in the penultimate hour.

The Briton fell behind the best of the OAK Racing Pescarolos when he stopped with just over an hour to go, but moved back to the front when Richard Hein brought the Judd-powered OAK Pescarolo he shared with Guillaume Moreau into the pits with half an hour to go.

"Spending 12 minutes in the pits early on wasn't the plan, but the team showed fantastic spirit to fight back," said Watts.

The GT2 class was won by the Felbermayr Proton Porsche driven by Richard Lietz and Marc Lieb. The two Porsche factory drivers battled with the Imsa Performance Porsche shared by Patrick Pilet and Raymond Narac early in the race and then fought off a challenge from the AF Corse Ferrari driven by Toni Vilander, Giancarolo Fisichella and Jean Alesi later on. The latter ultimately dropped back to third behind the second Felbermayr entry.

Pos Driver Class/Team/Car Laps
1. Capello/McNish P1 Audi 266
2. Fernandez/Primat/Mucke P1 Aston Martin 261
3. Belicchi/Boullion/Smith P1 Rebellion Lola 261
4. Panis/Lapierre/Sarrazin P1 ORECA Peugeot 258
5. Ayari/Andre/Duval P1 ORECA 258
6. Ragues/Mailleux/Ickx P1 Signature Aston 256
7. Leventis/Watts/Kane P2 Strakka HPD 250
8. Hein/Moreau P2 Oak Pescarolo 250
9. Erdos/Newton/Wallace P2 RML Lola 249
10. Lahaye/Nicolet P2 Oak Pescarolo 249
11. Prost/Jani P1 Rebellion Lola 248
12. Ojjeh/Greaves/Ebbesvik P2 Bruich. Ginetta 248
13. Geri/Piccini/Piccini P2 Racing Box Lola 246
14. Mansell/Mansell/Mansell P1 Beechdean Ginetta 243
15. Toulemonde/Zollinger/Zampatti LC Formula Le Mans 237
16. Beche/Pillon/Capillaire LC Formula Le Mans 237
17. Barlesi/Cicognani/Chalandon LC Formula Le Mans 235
18. Lieb/Lietz GT2 Felbermayr Porsche 233
19. Zacchia/Moro/Kaufmann LC Formula Le Mans 231
20. Ragginger/Ried/Long GT2 Felbermayr Porsche 231
21. Fisichella/Vilander/Alesi GT2 AF Corse Ferrari 231
22. Ehret/Quaife/Kaffer GT2 CRS Ferrari 231
23. Companc/Russo GT2 AF Corse Ferrari 231
24. Gardel/Goueslard/Canal GT1 Larbre Saleen 229
25. Muller/Werner GT2 BMW 225
26. Schell/Metz/da Rocha P2 Pegasus Courage 219
27. Narac/Pilet GT2 IMSA Porsche 219
28. Dumbreck/Coronel/Bleekemolen GT2 Spyker 215
29. Pourtales/Noda/Kennard P2 KSM Lola 188

Not classified

39. Farnbacher/Simonsen GT2 Farnbacher Ferrari 204
21. Stirling/Hines/Piscopo LC Formula Le Mans 203
41. Kutemann/Basso/Hartshorne LC Formula Le Mans 203
12. Amaral/Pla/Hughes P2 Quifel Ginetta 200
22. Kraihamer/de Crem/Delhez LC Formula Le Mans 195
17. Salini/Salini/Gommendy P2 WR-Zytek 168
33. Bruni/Melo GT2 AF Cornse Ferrari 152
30. Kirkaldy/Mullen GT2 CRS Ferrari 123
16. Cioci/Perazzini/Pirri P2 Racing Box Lola 116
19. Frey/Meichtry/Dueck P2 Race Perf. Radical 66
34. Bell/Turner GT2 JMW Aston Martin 65
35. Holzer/Westbrook GT2 Prospeed Porsche 54

Rob

11th April 2010, 20:27

In GT2, the local hero and former F1 driver Jean Alesi, in association with Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander, is on the podium as his first race in Le Mans Series. Im not sure what happened to Bruni/melo kirkaldy/mullen. I missed most of it, but got it recorded. I will watch tonight and tomorrow. Im gutted they didnt finish, sure if they would of kept runningthey would of won GT2. Alan Mcnish is the best prototype drivers around right now.

Rob

12th April 2010, 13:59

Le Mans Series – Ferrari on the podium www.ferrari.com
http://i41.tinypic.com/qqerrn.jpg
Maranello, 11 April – The Ferrari of Jean Alesi, Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander made it to the third step of the podium in the GT2 class at the end of the curtain raiser for this season’s Le Mans Series, held at the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit at Le Castellet. With six laps remaining in the eight hour marathon, the AF Corse F430 suffered a puncture after coming together with a prototype car and had to make its way down pit lane for a wheel change, thus dropping from second to third spot. The race ended with a Porsche 997 one-two for Marc Lieb-Richard Lietz and Martin Ragginger-Christian Ried-Patrick Long, but after the flag, Fisichella felt it had gone well. “It’s a shame about Jean’s accident just ten minutes from the end as we were running second and had a good pace,” said the Ferrari man, who now heads off to Shanghai to fulfil the role of reserve driver for Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro in the Chinese Grand Prix. “We were the highest qualified Ferrari in our category and as a debut race, I am more than pleased, especially as I think I have learned a lot and can therefore improve.” In fourth place was the CRS Racing Ferrari, crewed by Pierre Ehret-Phil Quaife-Pierre Kaffer, with AF Corse’s second F430 finishing fifth in the hands of Luis Perez Comanc-Matias Russo.

The next round of this series takes place on 9 May, at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

Rob

12th April 2010, 14:02

Paul Ricard 2010: the race www.afcorse.it

A difficult race for AF Corse today. Gianmaria Bruni and Jaime Melo, starting from the pole position, have been really unlucky. During the second hour of the race they have been stopped by a puncture: this event has compromised the starting phase of the race forcing the car into an additional pit stop just a few minutes from the driver change. The race of the two drivers has then become a battle trying to make up the gap with the rival teams. A catching up well constructed both by Bruni and Melo that after four hours were in the podium zone again. Then another stroke of bad luck came: a little breakdown has forced them to retire, but they showed a really good pace in this first race of the season. A really great result has been reached, instead, by Vilander, Alesi and Fisichella who have always driven at the highest level while paying attention to the race strategy too. In the last four hours of the race all the three drivers have registered excellent times. Till 15 minutes from the final flag Alesi was in second position. Then a puncture came for his car too forcing him into a pit stop. This unexpected stop has caused one loss of position and the car ended the race in third position. As much good the race of the Argentinian drivers who left the grid from the sixth place and immediately gained positions fighting for the podium. Fast and confident, they have well managed the second half of the race ending the race in fifth position.

Rob

12th April 2010, 20:37

8 Heures Du Castellet – Race Report
www.planetlemans.com
http://i42.tinypic.com/16ivbrl.jpg

Rob

24th April 2010, 21:17

Martin Brundle qualifies for Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo

www.planetlemans.com
http://i43.tinypic.com/4r3qqw.jpg

Rob

7th May 2010, 20:04

Fisichella to make Le Mans debut

By Gary Watkins Friday, May 7th 2010, 16:43 GMT
www.autosport.com

Three-time grand prix winner and Ferrari Formula 1 reserve driver Giancarlo Fisichella will make his Le Mans 24 Hours debut next month.

Fisichella will race an AF Corse Ferrari with Jean Alesi and Toni Vilander, his team-mates in the Le Mans Series this season.

Their AF Ferrari 430 GT has moved up from the reserve entry list following the withdrawal of PK Racing Chevrolet Corvette due to be run by Phoenix Racing.

Fisichella said: "This will be my first 24 Hours and I'm looking forward to what will be a new challenge."

Alesi will be returning to Le Mans after an absence of 21 years. The Frenchman drove a Schuppan-entered Porsche 962C in the 1989 event.

The two Pescarolo Sport LMP1 entries, one posted under the banner of parent company Sora, have been withdrawn, as expected. This means the German KSM team gains an entry for its Judd-engined Lola LMP2 .

With no other prototypes on the reserve list, a second Matech Ford GT has also gets an entry in the GT1 class.

Rob

7th May 2010, 20:06

SPA Le Mans Series 2010 www.afcorse.it

The second event of Le Mans series championship will take place on the Spa Circuit (Belgium), with a 1000 km long race. The team AF Corse is already operational at full speed.
The three Ferrari F430 GTC are going to be conveyed on the Belgian circuit. A charming circuit which alternates fast bends to slower parts, which need a perfect car set up and great racing skill. Michelin tyres are undoubtedly an extra benefit for such a demanding track, which likes the drivers very much. Drivers are confident: Giancarlo Fisichella, Jean Alesi, and Toni Vilander, after the podium gained during the last race, are aware they can do even better, while Gianmaria Bruni and Jaime Melo want to take a revenge against the misfortune they had in Paul Ricard. The same determination distinguish Luis Perez Companc and Matias Russo, who since the first race had a great performance, gaining also some precious points. The race will be partially broadcasted live on Eurosport International.

TIMETABLE
Friday 7 May
12.05 - 13.05 Free practice
16.25 - 17.25 Free practice
Saturday 8 May
09.45 - 10.45 Free practice
13.50 - 14.10 Qualifying
14.20 - 14.40 Qualifying
Sunday 9 May
09.00 - 09.20 Warm Up
11.30 - 17.30 Race (143 laps)

Rob

7th May 2010, 20:08

Peugeot drivers reckon Audi is closer

By Simon Strang and Matt Beer Friday, May 7th 2010, 17:54 GMT
http://i39.tinypic.com/s5jndg.jpg

Peugeot drivers Alex Wurz and Stephane Sarrazin are convinced that Audi's new R15 Plus will bring the German manufacturer right back into contention in the two LMP1 giants' ongoing battle.

Last year Peugeot beat Audi at both Le Mans and Petit Le Mans, ending a long run of victories for the latter in sportscar racing's major events and championships.

Audi responded with a new version of its R15 chassis. Having won on its racing debut in the Le Mans Series opener at Paul Ricard last month, the R15 Plus takes on the works Peugeot 908s for the first time in round two at Spa this weekend, as both teams use the race as final Le Mans 24 Hours preparations.

Wurz said Audi's pace at Ricard made it clear that the R15 Plus was going to be a serious rival to the Peugeot 908 - but insisted he welcomed the increased competition.

"They're really close," the Austrian said of Audi. "I don't know what they did in the first session [at Spa], but from the Ricard test, we know they're very fast.

"Competition is good, you have to bring the best of yourself to succeed."

With rain having affected practice at Spa today, Sarrazin said the weekend would reveal where Audi and Peugeot stood relative to each other.

"It's too early to say," he told AUTOSPORT. "I think we'll see tomorrow. I don't want it to be too close... But they've built a new car so they cannot stay behind.

"I didn't follow them, but some drivers in the team did and said it was quick in a straight line. Maybe they have lower downforce, I don't know."

The Frenchman said Peugeot was ready to meet Audi's challenge, having made plenty of improvements to the 908.

"We've changed quite a lot of things, aerodynamic, mechanical and on the engine," Sarrazin said. "It's a better car than we had last year for handling. The front of the car is better."

He added that he was delighted to be getting an early showdown with Audi at Spa, where both teams are entering their full three-car works line-up, with ORECA running a fourth Peugeot 908.

"I'm very happy, and we feel the pressure for Le Mans coming. I like that," Sarrazin said. "It's amazing: four Peugeots, three Audis, all with top drivers, it's like a dream. For the team winning Le Mans it will be even better.

"The target is to try to improve ourselves a bit during the race, particularly in the pitstops, the engineering during the race, and to get used to the stress of the race - because we don't do a lot of races."

Rob

7th May 2010, 20:10

1000KM Spa – Free Practice 2 Report
By Marcel ten Caat ⋅ May 7, 2010 www.planetlemans.com

In the second free practice session this afternoon Peugeot was again quickest around the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. This time the works cars secured the top three positions, with the number 3 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP setting the fastest time.

The session started on a dry track this time, but it was still very cold in the Ardennes region. As a result the lap times set by the fastest cars were 1.2 seconds quicker than the quickest times set last year.

Two red flags interrupted the second free practice session. The first was for the Larbre Competition Saleen S7R of Gabriele Gardel. The Swiss driver parked his car on the on the outside of the lefthander just after the Rivage corner. After the session the car was brought back to the pit lane with what appeared to be a left rear wheel failure.

Just minutes before the end of the session there was another red flag when Luca Moro went into the barrier at the top of Eau Rouge, causing considerable damage to the right front of the car.

The front-runners had no such problems though. The three works Peugeots topped the time sheets, with the first of the Audi Sport Team Joest, the number 8 Audi R15 TDI, in fourth place, 3 seconds clear of the leader. Oreca’s Peugeot was fifth, with the two other R15 TDI’s completing the top 6.

Quickest in the LMP2 class was the RML Lola HPD, almost a second and a half quicker than the Ginetta-Zytek 09S of Quifel Team ASM and the number 35 OAK Racing Pescarolo.

Tomas Enge, Christoffer Nygaard and Stefan Mücke were quickest of the GT1 cars in their Aston Martin DBR9. The car, which raced at Silverstone last weekend as well, lapped the track in 2:20.044. Second quickest in GT1 was the Matech Competition Ford GT at 0.8 seconds, with the Marc VDS Racing Team Ford GT another eight tenths of a second further down.

JMW’s Aston Martin Vantage was a quarter of a second quicker than the Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche in GT2 and the number 94 AF Corse Ferrari F430 GT2 in third place.

Rob

8th May 2010, 20:21

2010/05/08 15:53

Peugeot has the advantage thanks to Sebastien Bourdais

After all the anticipation of the opening round of the Le Mans Series in Le Castellet one month ago, this weekend's second round is as eagerly awaited with many factory teams on the entry list.

Unlike the first two practice sessions, the qualifying session for the 1000Km of Spa was dry, and Team Peugeot Total's Sébastien Bourdais made the most of the conditions to take a well-deserved pole position.

The #3 908 HDi FAP put in a stunning performance at Spa being the quickest car in the second practice session yesterday and qualifying on pole position today from a field of 50 cars for tomorrow's second round of the Le Mans Series.

Sébastien Bourdais and Danny Watts bring the house down

Rain and cold in Friday's two practice sessions, allied to the usual set-up compromises required at Spa left many teams with mixed thoughts doing into qualifying. The drivers have been hampered by very difficult weather conditions in their quest of the best set-up, but fortunately, the last practice session stayed dry till the end this morning.

Will Audi continue their triumphal progress at Spa, or will Peugeot put an end to it? We now have a better idea of the answer as Sébastien Bourdais posted the best lap today, and the best time ever for a LMP1 car. The French driver was satisfied with the balance of the car: “I am very happy for Peugeot. I had a clear lap and the car was well-balanced. The qualifying session has been difficult because we didn't have the opportunity to prepare the session as we didn't have too many laps in the car before the qualifying. I cross the fingers for tomorrow and hopefully this is a taste of what the race will be tomorrow.”

All the drivers stressed that a markedly cool and/or rainy weather could have a significant result on the outcome, as Timo Bernhard said: “We didn't have a lot of time to adapt to the car because of yesterday's weather. I am quite happy with my lap time and front row is very positive for the Audi R15 Plus. But the weather will be a key player tomorrow.”

During qualifying Strakka Racing's advantage continued unabated in the LMP2 class, with Danny Watts pulling a stellar lap out of the bag to steal pole from RML's Tommy Erdos and OAK Racing's Mathieu Lahaye and give the British team their second pole start of the season with an amazing 2.5 second gap. The British driver explained: “In my first lap I was hit by Tom Kristensen at La Source corner, but my second lap was clear. The Michelin tires marry the car perfectly and the set-up was very good. The other cars will probably come back tomorrow so we have so stay focused. One point can make the difference at the end of the season.”

In the Formula Le Mans class, Nico Verdonck was delighted to chalk up the best time for Team Hope Pole Vision. The reigning champion is on pole for his home race: “One month ago I even didn't know that I would be here, so I am very happy. The car is fantastic and the qualifying session was great.”

Matech and AF Corse set the world alight

Following yesterday's good news of their second invitation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Bas Leinders and Thomas Mutsch wrapped up the front row of the grid for the first time for Team Matech in the GT1 class. This result confirmed that the Ford GTs Matech are on top form and that the Luc Alphand Aventures Corvette will be a strong contender.

If you were to look at the times from the qualifying session, you might form the view that virtually everyone in the GT2 class has a chance, with eight cars in less than one second. So who will scoop the jackpot at Spa tomorrow? Will Ferrari be better than Porsche in Belgium, or vice versa? As things stand after the eight-hour race at Paul Ricard circuit, Porsche starts the favorite in Spa from Ferrari, but today, AF Corse's Jaime Melo was the quickest in the Hautes Fagnes region to his biggest surprise: “It is great to be ahead of Porsche because they are very strong on this track. We are only two drivers, and with Gimmi (Bruni), our driving styles are getting closer and closer so we can have the same set-up.”

The warm-up is scheduled to start at 9:00 a.m. tomorrow, and the race will start at 11.30

Rob

8th May 2010, 20:22

Rob

8th May 2010, 20:24

Jean Alesi and Giancarlo Fisichella: their feelings after the free sessions (from yesterday sorry)
Sportscars racing is a new challenge for ex-Formula One drivers Jean Alesi and Giancarlo Fisichella as the Italian driver explained: “It is not easy to share the cars with two other drivers. We only ran ten laps each in both practice sessions so it is not easy to find the limits of the car.”

Last year the driver from Rome was on pole for the Belgian Formula One Grand Prix, but this year, “it is not really important to be on pole – it is more important to finish the race,” Giancarlo said. “The race will be tough because the weather is always unpredictable here at Spa. Of course, it would be better for everyone that the track stays dry, but this morning I was the quickest on a wet track so rain would not be a problem.”

Both drivers are delighted to be on the 24 Hours of Le Mans entry list. Jean Alesi: “I drove at Le Mans in 1989, but I didn't finish the race because of a mechanical issue. I was very impressed before my first stint because the track is very fast and at that time, there was no chicane in the Hunaudières straight. Last year I drove one lap with Luca di Montezemolo and I could notice that the track safety is now much better and more fun, which is very important for a 24-hour race.”

Testarossa6000

9th May 2010, 08:06

:clap 08/05/2010 www.afcorse.it :-D:clap
Spa 2010 Qualifying
Jaime Melo and Gianmaria Bruni are in pole position with the time of 2.20.336. They made a very good job. Luis Perez Companc and Matias Russo got a very good time (2.20940). Alesi, Fisichella e Vilander are thirtheenth. They have some problem

Our boys are back on form :-bounce Should be good race. Shame about the Alesi Fisico Vilander team, but the race is long, so fingers crossed. It's showing on Eurosport on and off throughout the day (as is Superbikes) Can't see me moving from the telly today.

Forza Ferrari!

Testarossa6000

10th May 2010, 13:30

Ah well, the pugs beat the Audis - hopefully this will be reversed at Le Mans. And GT2 - details from Ferrari (http://www.ferrari.com/English/News/Corse-Clienti/Pages/100509_ccl_LMS_two_ferraris_podium.aspx)

LMS – Two Ferraris on the podium

Maranello (Modena), 9 May – Two F430 GT2 cars finished the Spa 1000 Km, the second round of the Le Mans Series, which has only just ended on the historic Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium on the podium. The race win went to the Porsche 997 of Marc Lieb-Richard Lietz, while two of the three F430s entered by the Piacenza based AF Corse team came second and third. First of the Ferraris was the one driven by Gimmi Bruni and Jaime Melo, while second went to the crew of Giancarlo Fisichella, Jean Alesi and Toni Vilander. “We are really happy with this result, which was totally unexpected after an unlucky qualifying which meant we had to start from the thirteenth row,” said Fisichella after the race. “I got a good start and immediately picked up some places. Me and my team-mates were able to manage that advantage, before getting past the BMW M3 of Priaulx-Muller-Farfus in the final stint to end up again on the podium. It was a great race.”

The next round of this prestigious series takes place over the weekend of 17 July at the Portimao track in Portugal.

Rob

10th May 2010, 20:21

09/05/2010 www.afcorse.it
Spa 2010: the race
Jaimne Melo and Gianmaria Bruni gained the second place. Fisichella, Alesi and Vilander are third.

http://i39.tinypic.com/24wyclw.jpg

Rob

26th May 2010, 14:27

Jarvis joins Kolles Audi for Le Mans

By Matt Beer Wednesday, May 26th 2010, 09:25 GMT www.autosport.com

DTM frontrunner Oliver Jarvis is to make his Le Mans 24 Hours debut in one of the Kolles team's customer Audis.

The factory Audi driver had his first LMP outing with the same squad in the Asian Le Mans Series races at Okayama last autumn, where he took third and fifth places. He is testing with Kolles at Paul Ricard this week, and will line up with Christian Bakkerud and Christophe Bouchut in the team's #15 R10.

"It will be a huge honour to compete at Le Mans driving an Audi," said Jarvis.

"I raced the Audi R10 TDI for the first and only time in two Asian Le Mans Series races at Okayama last year, finishing third and fifth in the three-hour races, but racing at Le Mans will be a massive challenge for me. It will be a completely new experience because the races in Japan were staged on a short, twisting track which is completely different to the ultra-fast, flowing Le Mans circuit."

He admitted his expectations for the race were moderate, as he believes the Kolles package is unlikely to be a frontrunner.

"My aim for Le Mans will be to finish the race," said Jarvis. "The factory Audi and Peugeot cars have taken a real step forward so it will impossible to fight with them while the petrol engined cars of Aston Martin, ORECA, Acura [Honda] and Rebellion will all be very quick so to make the top 10 will be a very tough challenge although the Kolles Audi cars achieved seventh and ninth positions last year."

Jarvis added that he is interested in a long-term future as part of Audi's hugely successful sportscar programme, and hopes the Kolles Le Mans seat is a step in that direction.

"I'm fully focused on the DTM but in the future the sportscar category, and in particular Le Mans, is what I would like to be involved in so this opportunity, although coming very late in terms of this year's event, will be a valuable experience for the future," he said.

"A number of Audi drivers have done both [DTM and sportscars] including of course Le Mans record race winner, Tom Kristensen, in recent years. I love racing so the more races I can take part in the better.

"Coming through the junior single-seater categories, I didn't follow Le Mans closely but after joining Audi, I soon realised its importance. I went to last year's race as a spectator and that in itself was a great experience but to be racing there this year will be an absolute thrill."