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Rob
4th January 2018, 13:33
2017 done, gone. WOW, that went quick.

Speaking to Luca Masse, who was #51 race engineer, he has left to join Manthey Racing, which will be running the Porsche GTEs, and he will be working with Gimmi again. Its earl shame, but he needs to done best for his future. Have not heard who will take over his role.

Rob
4th January 2018, 13:46
http://i64.tinypic.com/rblhqd.jpg

RISI COMPETIZIONE TO ENTER 2018 IMSA ROLEX 24 AT DAYTONA RACE
WITH TWO CAR TEAM

Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM No. 62: Toni Vilander (FIN)
James Calado (GBR)
Alessandro Pier Guidi (ITA)

Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTD No. 82: Santiago Creel (MEX)
Martin Fuentes (MEX)
Miguel Molina (ESP)
Ricardo Perez de Lara (MEX)
http://i64.tinypic.com/65cxeq.jpg
The 2017 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM at Daytona International Speedway

Daytona Beach, Florida (January 3, 2018)...Risi Competizione will enter the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship season with a two-car team for the upcoming Rolex 24 At Daytona, January 25-28.

The Daytona entries consist of the No. 62 Ferrari 488 GTLM (Grand Touring Le Mans class) with Toni Vilander of Finland, Brit James Calado and Italian Alessandro Pier Guidi. For the upcoming Roar Before the 24 Test Days, January 5-7, Pier Guidi will be the only driver on hand to do the testing chores for the GTLM team entry.

The No. 82 Ferrari 488 GT3-spec GTD (Grand Touring Daytona class) entry encompasses four drivers for the race: Spaniard Miguel Molina and a trio of Mexican drivers, including Martin Fuentes, Santiago Creel and Ricardo Perez de Lara, all run under the Risi Competizione flagship, based out of Houston, Texas.

http://i66.tinypic.com/vjo8j.jpg
Podium from Petit Le Mans finale in 2017 with Risi Competizione drivers
(L-R) Giancarlo Fisichella, Toni Vilander and Alessandro Pier Guidi

Last season was an interesting one for the fan favorite Risi Competizione team, who captured five podiums in seven IMSA races last season, including a third-place finish at the 24-hours of Daytona race in the No. 62 GTLM Prancing Horse.

2018 marks the start of the third year of competition for the beautiful Ferrari 488, which made its debut just prior to the 2016 running of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The team finished sixth at Daytona and closed the season with a victory at Petit Le Mans that year.

The GTLM Risi entry of Ferrari factory drivers comes with impressive statistics behind the three pilots. Vilander has driven full-time with Risi Competizione for the past two seasons, paired with Giancarlo Fisichella, with good results (one victory, two podium, six Top Five finishes in IMSA, in the incredibly competitive class, as well as a second-place finish in the 24 Hours of Le Mans). Additionally, Vilander, who is a two-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner, won the 2017 running of the Bathurst 12 Hour race in a Ferrari 488 GT3.

http://i68.tinypic.com/51wr42.jpg
The Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTLM

Both Calado and Pier Guidi secured the World Endurance Championship (WEC) GT drivers' world championship as Ferrari teammates at the end of the season last year. They are both making their second drive for Giuseppe Risi with Calado having previously driven to victory at Petit Le Mans 2016 and Pier Guidi driven to third-place at last year's Petit finale and both with Vilander and Fisichella.

Spanish driver Miguel Molina, who became a Ferrari factory GT driver in March 2017, will be part of the Risi Competizione GTD class entry, along with three other Spanish-speaking drivers from Mexico, Martin Fuentes, Santiago Creel and Ricardo Perez de Lara.

This will be Molina's inaugural Rolex 24 but he's quite comfortable with endurance racing, having competed a full season in WEC last year, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and winning the Gulf 12 Hours race in mid-December.

Martin Fuentes has achieved success in the Ferrari 488 with Scuderia Corse in the Trofeo Pirelli North American series, finishing in the Top Four in 2017 and winning the Pirelli World Challenge series GTA class driver's championship in 2016. He started his racing career in go karting in 2005 before advancing to race cars.

Ricardo Perez de Lara joins the Risi GTD team after several years of competition with Ferrari of Houston's Ferrari Challenge team, including winning the championship in 2014. His racing start commenced in single seaters in the late 1990s, where he won F2 and F3 championships. He's had a diverse racing background that also include NASCAR Mexico, Clio Cup, Super Copa Telcel, Porsche GT3 Cup USA and even Freightliner truck racing. He previously competed at the Rolex 24 in 2016 in an Aston Martin.

Santiago Creel is making his first appearance in the Ferrari 488 GTD, although he's competed in the previous two Rolex 24 races at Daytona. He's spent the previous seven years in the Porsche GT3 Cup, first in Mexico and then the U.S. and advanced to the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup the past two season.

jgonzalesm6
4th January 2018, 20:33
Ooops...what the freak was I thinking starting that thread.....my bad!! :furious

jgonzalesm6
4th January 2018, 20:52
weather for the next 3 days

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSimGqFW4AEAYSV.jpg


Spirit of Daytona take delivery of a Cadillac DPi-V.R

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSfArHYVQAIBd11.jpg


teams unloading....

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSud7B1XcAEby3Q.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSud6_sX4AAmMGG.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSud7AoXcAEVbGC.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSud7CzXUAA3oj-.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSuhpv1XkAADmaW.jpg

Rob
5th January 2018, 13:12
Ooops...what the freak was I thinking starting that thread.....my bad!! :furious

:rotfl

Sorry, but easier if all Daytona news is in same thread, or have loads of little threads opened.

This years race going be good one. Risi running 2 cars, and have WEC GTE World champions in racing for Risi.

Will you be watching it?

jgonzalesm6
5th January 2018, 14:20
This years race going be good one. Risi running 2 cars, and have WEC GTE World champions in racing for Risi.

Will you be watching it?


I feel the same way--->looks to be a good one.

Yes, I will be watching it when I can....sleep for 3 to 4 hrs then back to watching it.

Schedule for today

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSyOdf5W4AE2UbC.jpg

jgonzalesm6
5th January 2018, 22:15
Sun sets after day 1 of both practice sessions

Highlights of the day

Session 1 Results

•Cadillac wasted no time parking themselves at the top. 1-2-3-4
•Spirit of Daytona jumped straight into the Caddy pack, third behind #5 AXR and #10 WTR.
•Best of the rest was CORE Autosport, 8 tenths off the lead Cadillac.
•The new Mazda RT24-P did not run in session 1.
•The updated BAR1 Riley also did not run.
•It was Noah’s ark in GTLM as the cars went 2 by 2.
•Ford led the single Risi entry, then Porsche and Corvette behind. All of the cars were within 9 tenths of each other
•BMW appeared to have some teething problems, both cars not posting competitive times
•In GTD, Blancpain champions GRT Grasser led the class with the Huracan GT3.
•The Manthey Porsche was second, with the other GRT Lambo third.



Session 2 Results

•Cadillacs jumped to the top early in the session, but the CORE Autosports Oreca kept them from a clean sweep at the top.
•The Cadillacs racked up the laps, completing more than any other car. Over 50 laps for the #5 AXR.
•The #90 SoD Caddy caused a red flag when Eddie Cheever III nosed the wall.
•Jackie Chan DC Racing made significant steps forward in session 2, posting times in the top 10.
•Acura didn’t look particularly fast, but they did complete plenty of laps. Sandbagging, or working through a program?
•The 99 Red Dragon missed the first hour, but was fast once it took to the track.
•Mazda Team Joest had the #55 out early in the session, although currently 1.6 seconds off the pace.
•The sister #77 did not make it to the track for any extended running. Installation laps only.
•The #2 ESM Car had a full rear end change between the sessions. The ESM crew managed the change in under 2 hours.
•Nick Tandy suffered a puncture during the session and had to return to the pits slowly.
•Bruno Senna caused a red flag when he spun his United Autosports Ligier and stalling on track.
•Performance Tech had to test the Oreca 07 – including the fuel tank size. The team ran the car out of fuel, causing it to stop on track. It was recovered by a flatbed truck and returned to the session.
•The #51 Ferrari spun and caused a red flag. Maybe the AF Corse run Spirit of Daytona car was upset at having so many Aston Martin drivers behind the wheel.
•Johannes van Overbeek had an amusing incident – pressed the drinks button and got the windscreen wipers!
•Mixed running for most of the field, except for BMW. The new M8 is still not with the rest of the GTLM Pack
•GRT Grass Lamborghini topped GTD again.

http://theracingline.net/2018/imsa/wtscc/imsa-roar-24-day-1-notes/


Weathertech Scuderia Corsa pics

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSzziV1X0AAPq7f.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSzzlkMWAAAr5eJ.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSzzlnFXkAAXD3U.jpg


GTD results

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DSz-p1wXkAEIDcE.jpg

Rob
6th January 2018, 09:39
Night Driving, Traffic Biggest Unknowns for Alonso on Rolex 24 Debut

Fernando Alonso feels that driving at night and dealing with traffic will be his two greatest challenges on his debut appearance in the Rolex 24 at Daytona with United Autosports.

Two-time Formula 1 world champion will enter his first sports car race at Daytona International Speedway later this month, with his first laps of the circuit coming on Friday at the start of the Roar Before the 24 test.

Alonso has been strongly linked with an entry to the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this year with Toyota, and said he will use his debut event at Daytona to gauge his enjoyment of sports car racing.

“This race is some kind of first step in endurance, how these races are and how much I enjoy these races. Hopefully it’s a positive answer, because I never did it,” Alonso said.

“After the 24 hours at Daytona, I will have a better understanding of these championships. Le Mans 24 hour and the ‘triple crown’ is another target.

“So if I can fit the Le Mans 24 hour this year as I’m not doing the Indy 500, that would be great, and hopefully the following year the Indy 500 can be in the plan again.”

As well as being his first sports car event, the Rolex 24 will also mark Alonso’s first multi-class race and his first proper night race without artificial lighting up the entirety of the circuit, as seen at the F1 grands prix in Singapore and Bahrain.

“It’s still a question mark,” Alonso said when asked about night driving.

“I don’t have big concerns because I think the track is quite well illuminated here. You have quite a lot of light. It is not that you will rely only on the car.

“I think the traffic and the GTs at night, and how to understand each other, I will try to overtake on the right side, and hopefully they understand that – these kind of things will be the main challenge for me.

“But I know that it will be nearly 12 hours of night driving, so we will try to figure it out.”

Despite only completing three laps behind the wheel of the No. 23 Ligier JS P217 Gibson in opening practice, Alonso said he was able to get a feel for the Daytona circuit.

“I did unfortunately a short time, only three laps this morning, but enough to have a feeling in the car and on the speedway as well,” Alonso said.

“Obviously the moments with the high banking were special. You feel the compression there in the body, you feel the visibility change.

“When you are in the normal part of the circuit, you have a view from the car that is a little bit longer ahead, while when you are in the corning on the banking, you see the next 200 metres of the track, only that. I was trying to look where was the track going.

“It was good fun, the best feeling. Unfortunately I was missing a little bit more track time. I’ll try to recover it now in the second session, but so far so good.”


http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/night-driving-traffic-biggest-unknowns-for-alonso-on-rolex-24-debut/

jgonzalesm6
6th January 2018, 11:19
yesterdays press conference.....5:00 min. mark is quite funny

RACER: Fernando Alonso at Daytona (9min 10sec)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0NV3GUtq60


Practice Sessions for today Jan. 6, 2018

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS2zGoYVoAAuNq1.jpg

jgonzalesm6
6th January 2018, 16:39
Ending practice session 3 results

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS38nqLXcAAuwFk.jpg (prototypes)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS38orvXkAYZ--i.jpg (GTLM)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS38p4xX0AYK_oT.jpg (GTD)

jgonzalesm6
6th January 2018, 20:35
ending practice sesson 4 results. Now comes the night practice.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS4yl92W0AAouFv.jpg(prototypes)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS4ynd9XUAUqNfm.jpg (GTLM)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS4youBX0AE8ivo.jpg (GTD)

jgonzalesm6
7th January 2018, 00:23
Night practice results....

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS5njrcW4AAQHBE.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS5njrkXkAEh0xj.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS5njreW4AEOZ--.jpg

jgonzalesm6
7th January 2018, 15:59
for pit boxes and garage locations.....quali Sunday results GTD class

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS89MGUX4Ac08RR.jpg


GTLM is next

jgonzalesm6
7th January 2018, 16:57
qualifying for pit boxes and garage locations.....Sunday results Prototype

.@FelipeNasr has dropped the mark to a never-before-seen 1:35.806 to demolish the track record and return the No. 31.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS9JVbrXcAYFc2W.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS9IYogXkAIEqBj.jpg (results)


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DS9Lbp3X0AAi_OJ.jpg ( results for GTLM class)

Rob
9th January 2018, 18:46
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq5nl7HThzU

jgonzalesm6
10th January 2018, 09:51
Ferrari's world champions will return for the 2018/19 @FIAWEC superseason as part of an unchanged driver line-up according to Autosport.

Rob
10th January 2018, 16:49
Ferrari's world champions will return for the 2018/19 @FIAWEC superseason as part of an unchanged driver line-up according to Autosport.

Lets face it, it is a no brainer to keep the drivers we have. All of them good friends, super quick and consistent.

ForzaJay
13th January 2018, 12:16
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq5nl7HThzU

Hi Rob, as the man with his finger on the pulse so to speak ;-), what updates have the 488s been given this season? I'm taking across all GT competitions - WEC, Blancpain GT, ELMS, IMSA

Rob
13th January 2018, 15:50
Hi Rob, as the man with his finger on the pulse so to speak ;-), what updates have the 488s been given this season? I'm taking across all GT competitions - WEC, Blancpain GT, ELMS, IMSA

For the GTE, as far as i know, will be all new front end, splitter. And rear end work with difusser and rear wing. Not sure what else, i know they were working on engine drivetrain, make her more reliable and more efficient.

Im waiting here from a friend as i have asked. As soon as i hear, i will post.

ForzaJay
13th January 2018, 20:46
For the GTE, as far as i know, will be all new front end, splitter. And rear end work with difusser and rear wing. Not sure what else, i know they were working on engine drivetrain, make her more reliable and more efficient.

Im waiting here from a friend as i have asked. As soon as i hear, i will post.

Cool, please do. I closely follow the Blancpain series and find it frustrating that we are not as competitive as we should be. Hoping to go Silverstone this year, went for the 70th celebration and was a bit disappointed that there were no classic old Ferrari's on display.

Rob
17th January 2018, 20:59
:clap

Matt Griffin Added To Risi GTD Ferrari For Daytona

Irish ace joins Molina, de Lara, Fuentes and Creel in new 488 GT3

Matt Griffin is the latest star name to be added to the 2018 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona entry, the rapid Irishman is added to the #82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GT3 in a packed and high quality GTD class.

Griffin then joins his 2017 FIA WEC GTE AM rival Miguel Molina in the car alongside Mexican trio Ricardo Perez de Lara, Martin Fuentes and Santiago Creel for the opening race of the IMSA season.



The addition of Griffin, one of the most experienced Pro Ferrari GT3 drivers to create a five driver entry reflects the expectation that the race is set to be fast and closely fought. Molina and Griffin will both be forces to be reckoned with if, as is usually the case it seems, the GTD battle comes down to a late race dog fight.

It will be Matt’s third Rolex 24 Hours (he raced in both 2014 and 2015, finishing fourth three years ago and setting the fastest lap of the race in class.

“I’m delighted to be involved,” Matt told DSC earlier today. “Every Professional driver wants to be involved with the big races, and the big teams. This will be my first run with Risi Competizione and again that’s a source of pride. I first met Guiseppe Risi back in 2008, almost at the beginning of my time with AF Corse and Ferrari (this will be Matt’s 11th season with the team), and it is an honour to now be driving for his team, real fan favourites and for good reason. The cars are always stunningly turned out and always run well.”

Track action for the 2018 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona gets underway next week with full live coverage on IMSA Radio.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/01/17/matt-griffin-added-to-82-risi-competizione-gtd-ferrari-for-daytona.html

Rob
21st January 2018, 15:20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=39&v=fGGg3H2OVMQ

jgonzalesm6
25th January 2018, 20:57
GTLM pole goes to @janmagnussen & @CorvetteRacing for the #Rolex24

jgonzalesm6
25th January 2018, 20:58
Prototypes next.

jgonzalesm6
25th January 2018, 21:46
GTLM pole goes to @janmagnussen & @CorvetteRacing for the #Rolex24


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUax05eXUAEQLMJ.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUax053XUAE08hg.jpg



Ladies and gentlemen, your #Rolex24 pole winner!! @Rengervdz @KonicaMinoltaUS @Cadillac

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUa0-KtW0AE2JAG.jpg

Heartbreak as @h3lio just misses the #Rolex24 pole by .007 seconds. He will start 2nd. @danecameron19 quailes 10th.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUaz7X8VwAES90X.jpg


quali results (P)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUazwvDX0AYT3_3.jpg




WATCH:
��: http://IMSA.tv
��: IMSA app
��: @IMSARadio

jgonzalesm6
25th January 2018, 22:59
Night time practice (01-25-18)

Scoring info @ https://scoring.imsa.com/


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUbH-LHXUAEj_Jj.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUbIKM7WAAEQf5Z.jpg

jgonzalesm6
26th January 2018, 09:05
Risi Competizione steps back to GTE Am for 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours


Three-time Le Mans 24 Hours class winner Risi Competizione will drop down to the GTE Am class for its entry in the World Endurance Championship centrepiece this year.

Risi has confirmed it has no plans to field a Ferrari in GTE Pro in 2018 and will instead link up with US driver/entrant Ben Keating to run a 488 GTE under the Keating Motorsports banner.

Keating has decided to team up with Risi after landing one of the two automatic Le Mans invitations awarded at the discretion of the organisers of the IMSA SportsCar Championship.

The American, who competes in IMSA with a Mercedes-AMG GT3 run by Riley Motorsports said: "I'm a car dealer from Texas, working mostly out of Houston, and it just so happens that Giuseppe Risi is a car dealer from Houston.

"I race a Mercedes in IMSA, which is not an option for GTE, so it is a good match up to partner with Risi."

Jeroen Bleekemolen, a race winner in IMSA's GT Daytona class last season, will be the platinum driver in the Risi-run Keating Ferrari at Le Mans.

The third driver alongside Keating and Bleekemolen, who have raced together at Le Mans for the past three years, will be announced at a later date.

Risi technical boss Rick Mayer explained that the team, which finished a close second in GTE Pro at Le Mans in 2016, would not be returning in the premier GT class for "financial reasons".

He said it was undecided whether the Le Mans entry would be made using the Ferrari with which Risi is contesting a limited IMSA programme this year or one of its other chassis.

Risi has worked with privateers at Le Mans in the past: it ran US privateer Tracy Krohn's entries in 2007-10 (pictured above), notching a pair of podium finishes in GT2.

The second of the automatic Le Mans entries that can be awarded by IMSA has gone to the JDC-Miller Motorsports prototype class team, which claimed a pair of mid-season IMSA podiums last year with its ORECA-Gibson 07.

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/134055/risi-steps-back-to-gte-am-for-2018-le-mans

jgonzalesm6
27th January 2018, 11:33
2018 Rolex 24 At Daytona Qualifying (1hr 19min 30sec)......broadcasting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpaUJFVvh0I

Rob
27th January 2018, 15:28
http://i64.tinypic.com/675hsj.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2hxrd4x.jpg

Rob
27th January 2018, 15:35
http://i67.tinypic.com/33wbq4n.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/2ibc86q.jpg

Rob
27th January 2018, 15:39
http://i64.tinypic.com/2llbxvn.jpg
http://i65.tinypic.com/34j9eyv.jpg

Rob
27th January 2018, 15:45
http://i65.tinypic.com/350mpub.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/2h8a4up.jpg

Rob
27th January 2018, 18:51
Miquel in the #82 is off to a flyer, leading GTD from #51 Spirit of Race

jgonzalesm6
27th January 2018, 20:34
Miquel in the #82 is off to a flyer, leading GTD from #51 Spirit of Race

Yeah, unfortunate it caught fire.

jgonzalesm6
27th January 2018, 21:03
2 hours in and here are the results

P
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUlBnLLWsAIRfqb.jpg

GTLM
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUlBnLPW0AA53Xl.jpg

GTD
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUlBnLQXkAAfWK_.jpg

DIEK
27th January 2018, 21:07
https://i.imgur.com/tnUafwc.jpg

Rob
27th January 2018, 21:22
https://i.imgur.com/tnUafwc.jpg

Fernando is doing well, he had a cracking opening stint, really enjoying it.

jgonzalesm6
27th January 2018, 21:29
Fernando is doing well, he had a cracking opening stint, really enjoying it.

yep, he's having fun. That #82 car is back on the track; its gonna have to make up for lost time.

jgonzalesm6
27th January 2018, 22:09
GTLM 62 Risi Ferrari has a flat. That car 2 laps down after the door problems

Rob
27th January 2018, 22:31
GTLM 62 Risi Ferrari has a flat. That car 2 laps down after the door problems

no, its not. Still on the GTLM lead lap.

jgonzalesm6
27th January 2018, 22:38
no, its not. Still on the GTLM lead lap.

my bad. What is up with all these punctures. Either they are failing or being "forced" to fail with tyre pressure min.

jgonzalesm6
27th January 2018, 22:46
4 hours down....GTLM results

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUlcnjyXUAAfEV4.jpg

Rob
27th January 2018, 23:17
my bad. What is up with all these punctures. Either they are failing or being "forced" to fail with tyre pressure min.

maybe just lower pressures than been advised to run.

jgonzalesm6
28th January 2018, 00:03
rain and most still on slicks....losing time.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUlsgBoXUAYLNmS.jpg


Lando Norris is doing brilliant in the rain.

jgonzalesm6
28th January 2018, 00:20
Stroll not doing bad either in the rain.

jgonzalesm6
28th January 2018, 01:17
Into the night shift we go, hitting the 6 hour mark of the 24 Hours at #daytona! @BalzanAle has taken over the wheel of the #63 and @sambirdracing pushing the #64 in top 10.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUl54KeUQAAvJIc.jpg

jgonzalesm6
28th January 2018, 12:54
18 hours in and here are the results.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUodDp4X0AEvyIm.jpg (P)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUodDp9XUAAVouB.jpg (GTLM)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUodDp7WsAA7ma0.jpg (GTD)

jgonzalesm6
28th January 2018, 13:13
ugh....heavy impact on the #51 Ferrari car (Paul Dalla Lana) against the wall. In the garage.



https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUoiXOGXkAA3_ZC.jpg


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUoiXQSWkAIVGjc.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUoij-jWAAA6F1U.jpg

wisepie
28th January 2018, 16:38
Not what we wanted to see so far, is it lack of pace? I don't like seeing Ford, Chevy and Porsche ahead of us, still a few hours to go yet.....:Hmm

jgonzalesm6
28th January 2018, 18:59
Well, an Italian won the GTD race. First ever in history for Lamborghini to win a 24 hour race. Congrats to Grasser Racing.

800+ plus laps broken by the Prototypes and GTLM's; both break the old record distance of 2970.9 miles back in 1982 by a Porsche 935.

jgonzalesm6
30th January 2018, 11:06
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing WEC‏ @Toyota_Hybrid

Breaking news: Our 2018-19 @FIAWEC driver line-up is confirmed and we welcome @Alo_oficial into our #8 crew.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUyRbiXW4AYHALz.jpg

DIEK
30th January 2018, 18:49
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DUyYUWrWsAAfsVa.jpg

Rob
30th January 2018, 22:19
http://i63.tinypic.com/72d3eh.gif
TOYOTA GAZOO RACING CONFIRMS DRIVER LINE-UP: FERNANDO ALONSO JOINS
Tuesday 30 January 2018

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing can confirm its drivers for the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season, with Fernando Alonso joining the line-up.

The team has officially submitted its entry to the Automobile Club de l’Ouest and will participate in all eight rounds of the 2018-19 season with two hybrid-powered race cars as it targets victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours and the WEC World Championships.

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will again utilise its 1,000hp TS050 HYBRID car, which won five of nine races in 2017. Development of hybrid technology remains an integral element of TOYOTA’s participation in endurance racing as part of the company’s commitment to making ever-better road cars.

The driver line-ups for the two TS050 HYBRIDs are now confirmed, with the #7 car competing with an unchanged line-up of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López.

The #8 TS050 HYBRID features a revised driver line-up, with Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima joined by two-time Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso.

Fernando, 36, will make his LMP1 race debut at Spa-Francorchamps in May and will compete in all rounds of the 2018-19 season which do not conflict with his existing Formula 1 obligations.

Anthony Davidson, who won five races in 2017 alongside Sébastien and Kazuki, will remain an important member of the team, bringing his World Championship-winning experience to a new role as Reserve and Development Driver.

Two-time Le Mans winner Alex Wurz will continue as Team Advisor and Ambassador having made a significant contribution since taking the position in 2016.

Akio Toyoda, President, TOYOTA Motor Corporation: “I am looking forward to seeing how much TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will grow when our drivers and all team members take what they have learned thus far in endurance racing and add to it what they will gain from Fernando’s experience. The entire team is excited about this opportunity for growth. Through the challenge of WEC endurance races and, among those, on the grueling roads of the Le Mans 24 Hours, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will do its best, together with Fernando, to outdrive the competition.”

Hisatake Murata, Team President: “This WEC season is unique because it features two editions of the Le Mans 24 Hours so we are all looking forward to it. I believe we have an extremely strong driver line-up with real strength in depth. Fernando is a rookie in WEC but he brings speed and experience gained from many years at the top of his sport. We are all excited to work with him but endurance racing is a team effort and we know all of our drivers are performing to a very high level. I would like to thank Anthony for his professional approach in difficult circumstances; he remains a strong part of our driving line-up and he will be busy this season.”

Fernando Alonso: “I am very excited to participate in the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time. It is a race which I have followed closely for a long time and it has always been an ambition of mine to participate. Endurance racing is a different discipline compared to single-seaters and it will be an interesting challenge. I am looking forward to working together with, and learning from, Sébastien and Kazuki, who are both very experienced endurance drivers. It will be a learning curve for me but I am ready for this challenge and I can’t wait to get started.”


Full text of Akio Toyoda statement:

I want to drive an LMP1 car…”
“To Fernando Alonso, I say thank you so much for choosing Toyota as a partner for making your Le Mans dream come true.

I am extremely thrilled that Fernando, who has battled it out in numerous races and seen things that nobody on our team has ever experienced, will be driving for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing.

I believe that having Fernando get behind the wheel for our team will only make our cars better.

I am looking forward to seeing how much TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will grow when our drivers and all team members take what they have learned thus far in endurance racing and add to it what they will gain from Fernando’s experience. The entire team is excited about this opportunity for growth.

Through the challenge of WEC endurance races and, among those, on the grueling roads of the Le Mans 24 Hours, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will do its best, together with Fernando, to outdrive the competition.

And, toward our ultimate aim of providing our customers with ever-better cars, I hope we will be able to race with shared aspirations at heart.

We welcome Fernando and, together with Sebastien, Kazuki, Mike, Kamui and José for a total of six drivers, TOYOTA GAZOO Racing will go all out toward achieving all of our goals.

I look forward to everyone’s support of TOYOTA GAZOO Racing this season as well.

Thank you.

Rob
30th January 2018, 22:22
Looking forward to meeting Fernando this year in Silverstone paddock for WEC. This has been rumbling on for a while now. But to finally have it confirmed, great news, and also for WEC to have Fernando do the whole season, well apart from Fuji.

jgonzalesm6
7th February 2018, 14:57
Ex-F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella returns to the #WEC full-time for the 2018/19 superseason with a Ferrari GTE Am drive.

Fisichella gets full-time 2018/19 WEC drive with GTE Am Ferrari squad

Ex-Formula 1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella will remain a Ferrari driver and return to the World Endurance Championship for the 2018/19 superseason.

Fisichella, a three-time grand prix winner, will race a Ferrari 488 GTE for the AF Corse-run Spirit of Race operation in the GTE Am class.

The 45-year-old Italian will share the car with team regulars Francesco Castellacci and Thomas Flohr, who scored a GTE Am victory at Fuji last season, in place of Miguel Molina.

Fisichella is returning full-time to the WEC after an absence of four seasons during which time he raced with the Risi Competizione Ferrari team in the North American IMSA SportsCar Championship.

He also contested the Le Mans 24 Hours with the team in 2016 and '17 (above), after six years in the event with AF Corse.

His contract to remain on Ferrari's GT roster had yet to be agreed earlier this year and he was not available to Risi for its Daytona 24 Hours assault.

Fisichella said: "I am really excited to be joining Thomas, Francesco and the whole Spirit of Race family.

"The WEC is one of the most thrilling and competitive series in the world, and I'm very much looking forward to a successful season in this strong team."

Castellacci described partnering Fisichella as a "real privilege", calling him an "icon of world motorsport".

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/134264/fisichella-gets-fulltime-ferrari-wec-drive

wisepie
8th February 2018, 07:29
Good to have Fisi back in the squad, albeit in GTEAm rather than Pro, hope he will continue to deliver for Ferrari and Spirit of Race.:thumb

jgonzalesm6
8th February 2018, 09:58
Good to have Fisi back in the squad, albeit in GTEAm rather than Pro, hope he will continue to deliver for Ferrari and Spirit of Race.:thumb

+1

jgonzalesm6
9th February 2018, 16:54
Press conference today at WEC. Pictures of the cars outside....yes it is snowing.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVlvgrSX0AAwbXR.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVlvgraXUAEiyYj.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVlvgrTXUAENOGU.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVl8SCMWkAAoAeS.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVliWsqW0AE_cxQ.jpg


also

WEC moves Fuji race date for Alonso, but creates controversial IMSA clash per Autosport.

and

WEC reveals 10-car LMP1 field for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours as well as 2018/19 superseason per Autosport.

Rob
9th February 2018, 22:09
http://i63.tinypic.com/212d3jb.jpg
Biggest grid ever promises spectacular WEC Super Season
http://i65.tinypic.com/x2o4ma.jpg
36 full season entries for 8-round season to include two editions of 24H Le Mans

Toyota Gazoo Racing aiming for top honours in 10-strong LMP1 field

Exceptional driver line up led by two-time F1 World Champion Fernando Alonso

Multiple constructors go head-to-head in LMP2 in hands of teams old and new

BMW strengthens powerful GT World Championship to 10 challengers

Multi-marque LMGTE Am class boosted to 9 for Super Season

A capacity and high profile full-season entry list for the 2018-2019 FIA World Endurance Championship Super Season has been revealed during an online press conference
broadcast from Paris, France.

The grid will be made up of 36 cars from 12 different nations, the highest number entered for a season since the Championship began in 2012 demonstrating that the discipline of endurance racing, and the World Endurance Championship in particular, is in extremely good health.

This Super Season will be exceptional not just for the quality and diversity of its entrants, but also because there will only be one ‘Super Season’. It brings together the best and most historic venues across the world on which to race, no fewer than six of the world’s leading automotive manufacturers who will be fighting it out for World Championship glory, and world-class competition from private teams in LMP1, LMP2 and GTE which is guaranteed to thrill fans everywhere.
Jean Todt, President of the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile : “I am very pleased to see the strong entry list that has been unveiled today for the FIA World Endurance Championship ‘Super Season’. The FIA World Endurance Championship, through the partnership between the FIA and the ACO, continues to deliver a strong and stable platform for world class competition. I am very much looking forward to following the development of the WEC in the future.”

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l’Ouest: “Endurance racing is in excellent health, as we can see from this capacity entry list to the WEC, and by the continued high level of interest in the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is very rewarding to see so many competitors moving from the ELMS to the WEC, or from LMP2 to LMP1, which demonstrates how well our pyramid of endurance works. We are confident this transition year will lead us towards an even brighter and stronger future.”

Richard Mille, President of the FIA Endurance Commission: “The 2018/19 season is one of change for the FIA WEC and it is fantastic to see an entry list for the coming ‘Super Season’ that features world leading manufacturers, great teams and star drivers. It is going to be a super season in more ways than one!”

Gérard Neveu, CEO of the World Endurance Championship: “Last September we announced new regulations in LMP1, changes to the calendar and new destinations for the Super Season, two visits to Le Mans a return to Sebring. Six months later it’s time to see how many cars are on the grid, and it’s very satisfying to have 36 competitors including 6 major manufacturers and a good balance between prototypes and GTEs. This is just the start! Now the show goes on and we are confident the figures will continue to increase as they have done for the last 6 years. Welcome to the Super Season!”

WEC 2018 entry list....

http://bo.fiawec.com/assets/ressources/Pdf/2018/FIAWEC2018-2019_Super_season_season_entry_list_080218.pdf

Rob
9th February 2018, 22:09
Three AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTEs at Le Mans

“The decision to have a third car at Le Mans was taken recently” said AF Corse’s director Amato Ferrari. “It was only a month ago when the factory asked us to support a third 488 GTE”, he added. “This third car will attend the Le Mans race only. It is a massive effort for our team. We have an awful lot of work ahead of us.” he added.

Rob
9th February 2018, 22:12
Press conference today at WEC. Pictures of the cars outside....yes it is snowing.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVlvgrSX0AAwbXR.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVlvgraXUAEiyYj.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVlvgrTXUAENOGU.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVl8SCMWkAAoAeS.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DVliWsqW0AE_cxQ.jpg


also

WEC moves Fuji race date for Alonso, but creates controversial IMSA clash per Autosport.

and

WEC reveals 10-car LMP1 field for this year's Le Mans 24 Hours as well as 2018/19 superseason per Autosport.

Toyota wanted Fuji moved as wanted Fernando to race their home race. IMSA, may move Petit race date. If not, think the drivers who are contracted to drives in IMSA, will have a long weekend.

The Architect
16th February 2018, 08:01
10 LMP1s and not a diesel in sight. I can't wait; even the whiff of Alonso won't put me off. I just hope that Toyota haven't taken things too lightly over the winter and the non hybrid LMP1s don't get too much of a concession. I hate BoP and hope it does not become the scourge of LMP1 as it has elsewhere.

Rob
16th February 2018, 08:30
10 LMP1s and not a diesel in sight. I can't wait; even the whiff of Alonso won't put me off. I just hope that Toyota haven't taken things too lightly over the winter and the non hybrid LMP1s don't get too much of a concession. I hate BoP and hope it does not become the scourge of LMP1 as it has elsewhere.

Toyota, lets face t have one hand on the WEC Titles this year. Le-Mans, as they have found out is altogether different beast. The BoP, only thing to "level" LMP1s is fuel. All LMP1s have same fuel and flow rate. But, what the others have over Toyota is, bodywork. Toyota can only use 1 bodywork for all season, while the others can swap at much as they like. Toyota know they have out right pace over the "privateers" i have sen them doing testing and practicing EVERY scenario that could go wrong at Le-Mans.

Fernando, knows he could be on the verge of a very rare thing, double FIA World championships.

WHo sais WEC was dead after Audi and Porsche left. This is what sportscars. endurance is about, not the big manufacturers, but small independent privateers. But, hats off to Toyota for their loyalty over the past few years.

The Architect
21st February 2018, 21:23
As much as I respect the privateers, buying a chassis/engine off the shelf and operating a team around it doesn't capture my imagination. If LMP2 became the new LMP1, I would probably stop watching. Development and pushing the limits is why I've always been interested in the prototype category and one of the main reasons I follow F1.

Anyway, Toyota always manage to balls up something so I'm going to remain cautiously optimistic as ever. I hope they haven't made any sort of arrangement to favour the Alonso car at Le Mans. I would like to see Kobayashi/Conway/Lopez win, but whatever happens, I hope Alonso doesn't stink the place up and leave under a cloud as he always seems to do.

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 10:04
2018 Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts Qualifying (Mar. 16, 2018 1hr 15min)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-CRK7-sxnOo

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 12:39
2:30pm UK time is the start of Sebring 12 Hours for any that doesn’t know its free to watch also via : IMSA App on all platforms http://IMSA.tv

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 12:47
channel coverage schedule Sebring

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYfbOFNXcAArCs4.jpg

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 13:16
weather is beautiful for the race

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYfc0DYVoAI09a8.jpg


in celsius

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYfc0DXVQAUEXmQ.jpg

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 15:19
The #64 (Montecalvo) is on its roof....ouch!!!!...but he is okay

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYf8lGCX4AEzExY.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYf8rV2WAAAO6c_.jpg

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 15:29
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship 2018 Sebring Montecalvo Flips

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=71QdKxwgg6Q

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 15:46
Hour 1 update.

Prototype- No. 7 @Team_Penske Acura DPi of @RickyTaylorRace

GTLM- No. 24 @RLLracing @BMWUSARacing M8 GTE of @Jessekrohn

GTD- No. 15 @3GT_Racing Lexus RC F GT3 of @jackhawkrace

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 16:55
Twelve minutes into Hour 3, the No. 62 @risicomp Ferrari 488 GTE leads GTLM.

wisepie
17th March 2018, 17:50
2:30pm UK time is the start of Sebring 12 Hours for any that doesn’t know its free to watch also via : IMSA App on all platforms http://IMSA.tv

Thanks for that info, jgonzales, keeping an eye on Sebring and Punta del Este FE, just a week to go before it gets really serious!;-)

jgonzalesm6
17th March 2018, 19:36
Thanks for that info, jgonzales, keeping an eye on Sebring and Punta del Este FE, just a week to go before it gets really serious!;-)

also, MotoGP going on today too. At the moment, FE can take a back seat in my house.:-)

jgonzalesm6
18th March 2018, 09:15
final results of Sebring....

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYjgcHjWkAEUgCN.jpg (P)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYjgcHoWAAI68IC.jpg (GTLM)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYjgcHsXkAA2dbZ.jpg (GTD)

wisepie
18th March 2018, 11:20
final results of Sebring....

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYjgcHjWkAEUgCN.jpg (P)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYjgcHoWAAI68IC.jpg (GTLM)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DYjgcHsXkAA2dbZ.jpg (GTD)

Not the result we were hoping for in GTLM or GTD, one upside-down 488 was pretty bad too but thankfully no injuries. Had nearly forgotten Qatar MotoGP, thanks for the reminder! FE was actually a good close race for the win, but that whining noise is enough to drive me to the bottle.;-)

Rob
21st March 2018, 22:51
Pastor Maldonado joins DragonSpeed for Super Season

Former F1 driver Pastor Maldonado will join DragonSpeed for the FIA WEC Super Season to drive the team’s No.31 ORECA 07-Gibson is LMP2.

The Venezuelan, winner of the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix with Williams, will drive DragonSpeed's LMP2 ORECA-Gibson 07 alongside previously announced Mexican, Roberto Gonzalez.

Maldonado, 33, is moving into endurance racing for the first time after two years on the side lines following his final F1 stint with Lotus.
DragonSpeed's Gibson-powered BR Engineering BR1 will be raced in the WEC by Renger van der Zande, Ben Hanley and Henrik Hedman. Pietro Fittipaldi, 2017 World Series Formula V8 3.5 Series Champion, will contest the two WEC rounds for which van der Zande is unavailable

Rob
21st March 2018, 23:01
http://i66.tinypic.com/vcqlhh.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/kbr9jm.jpg

Rob
21st March 2018, 23:09
http://i68.tinypic.com/14xjrrm.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/25k3ns4.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/2qxcfpv.jpg
http://i63.tinypic.com/6p9tvl.jpg

wisepie
22nd March 2018, 08:22
Great images, Rob, grazie, pity the results weren't more promising, especially in GTLM after a great start, but a podium in GTD was nice.

Rob
22nd March 2018, 19:57
http://i63.tinypic.com/2z84843.jpg
FIA WEC to return to São Paulo in 2019-20 season
http://i65.tinypic.com/ju7mvo.jpg
The FIA World Endurance Championship is delighted to announce it will make a welcome return to the spiritual home of Brazilian endurance racing, Autódromo José Carlos Pace (Interlagos) in São Paulo, from the 2019-2020 season.

Announced today (22 March 2018) at a packed and enthusiastically received press conference in the Brazilian city, the 6-hour race will form part of a calendar which is due to be revealed this summer. A date for the 6 Hours of São Paulo will be communicated in due course, and it will mark a return for the WEC to the popular South American venue for the first time since 2014.

The announcement regarding the multi-year deal to stage the 6 Hours of São Paulo was made by WEC CEO Gérard Neveu and the new local promotion agency, N Duduch Motorsports, led by CEO Nicholas Duduch.

It was also announced that 2017 LMP2 Champion Bruno Senna, present at the press conference, will become an ambassador for the event. His deep involvement, together with the WEC race participation of other South American champions such as José María López from Toyota Gazoo Racing and Augusto Farfus of BMW Team MTEK, will help to ensure a successful and well-attended race weekend.

Photo caption below: Seated either side of Gerard Neveu of the WEC (centre) are Nicholas Duduch and Bruno Senna, also present are Mr Dadai, President of the CBA (Brazilian Motorsport Federation) and Joao Amaral representing the São Paulo Tourism department.

Rob
25th March 2018, 14:02
this years #51 #71 GTEs wil be unveiled this week.

Rob
28th March 2018, 08:57
Montoya Signs With United Autosports For 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours

His 'Triple Crown' run begins
28 March 2018, 8:58 AM

With the required paperwork now signed it can now be confirmed that current Acura Team Penske star Juan Pablo Montoya will join United Autosports for the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours in the team’s LMP2 class #32 Ligier JS P217 Gibson LMP2 with Will Owen and Hugo de Sadeleer.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity to experience Le Mans and I’m looking forward to joining United Autosports after they had such a strong finish at Le Mans last year,” Montoya said. “I’ve always watched the race so I’m very happy to finally be part of it. Hopefully we can have a shot at a win.”

Auto Hebdo in France were the first to reveal that talks were underway between the 42 year old double Indy 500 and Monaco Grand Prix winning driver and the UK-based, US flagged team co-owned by Zak Brown and Richard Dean but the final agreement was a little longer in coming.

And there’s little doubt that the Colombian superstar has his eyes set on a potential future programme to challenge for an overall win to complete the elusive ‘Triple Crown’. He told RACER’s Marshall Pruett last week that “If I were to do it, it would be more towards the future to learn the track.”

In the past, Montoya tested with the now defunct Porsche LMP1 team at the post WEC season test at Bahrain in 2015 but no race deal emerged before the programme was ceased at the end of the 2017 season.

Montoya has an unusually diverse racing CV in the modern era: After taking the F3000 Championship he became the youngest ever winner in the Champcar Series the following year before a one off at Indianapolis in 2000 with Chiop Ganassi Racing yielded his first Indy 500 win. 

Six seasons in Formula One with Williams and McLaren yielded seven Grand Prix wins and 13 pole positions before Montoya shifted his focus back to the United States.

There was a pair of NASCAR Sprint Cup wins in a seven season spell with Ganassi in Stock cars, but that period also yielded three wins at the Rolex 24 Hours in 2007/8 and 2013, with a pair of second place finishes in 209 and 2011.

Indycar beckoned next as Montoya switched to Team Penske with three full time seasons seeing him take four race wins, second in the Championship in 2015 in a season that also yielded his second Indy 500 victory

“I watched Juan Pablo race against us at Daytona this year and was so impressed by him through the traffic, he definitely hasn’t lost any of his speed or determination,” concluded United team owner Richard Dean.

“He’s a great character so I have no doubt that he will fit into the team well at Le Mans. Although it will be his first Le Mans venture, he has a vast amount of racing experience, including wins at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Indy 500, meaning this Le Mans venture could be a chance for him to win the triple crown of motorsport.

“Either way, I’m looking forward to welcoming Juan Pablo to the team.”

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/03/28/montoya-signs-for-united-autosport-for-2018-le-mans-24-hours.html

Rob
29th March 2018, 21:02
Team Project 1 takes off its covers!

http://i68.tinypic.com/2eqdg7l.jpg
A welcome addition to the LMGTE Am class is the Porsche-associated organisation, Team Project 1, which has today revealed its colours for the No.56 911 RSR at the ultra-modern Porsche factory in Leipzig.

The German team, which is based just over 80 km from Bremen in North West Germany, is this year celebrating its 25th anniversary (#project25) and – with its entry to the FIA WEC Super Season – it’s biggest programme ever.

Team Project 1 enjoys a close collaboration with Porsche and one of its three drivers is long-time factory pilot Jörg Bergmeister (DEU) who brings his many years of experience to the line up alongside Patrick Lindsey (USA) and Egidio Perfetti (NOR).

The car’s livery represents the team’s 25 years in motorsport, and also shows its motto “Be cool, be fast, be first”. If the team lives by that saying, it should help it to reach its milestone aim of winning in LMGTE Am at the 24 Hours of Le Mans!

Rob
30th March 2018, 19:23
FIORANO DEBUT FOR THE 488 GTE 2018
ferrari-media
http://i65.tinypic.com/s4c1gn.jpg
Maranello, 30 March 2018 – Ferrari 488 GTEs no. 51 and 71 had their shakedown test on the Fiorano track ahead of the start of the 2018-19 Superseason of the World Endurance Championship (WEC). World champions James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi in no. 51, and Sam Bird and Davide Rigon in no. 71, will be competing in the six-hour races. The third drivers who will join the crews in the Superseason’s first of the two editions of the Le Mans 24 Hours are not yet confirmed.

Colours. The 2018 version of the 488 GTE for the WEC will appear in a new shade of metallic red. The windshield displays the colours of the world title won by Ferrari amongst both drivers and manufacturers in the GTE class’s debut season as a proper world championship. The cars will take part in the prologue at the Paul Ricard on April 6-7, a sort of general test ahead of their debut in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps on Saturday 5 May. Now in its third year in the WEC, the Ferrari 488 GTE has so far won two world championship titles and eleven races.

Rob
30th March 2018, 19:38
http://i63.tinypic.com/a1s6jq.jpg
http://i64.tinypic.com/2ahe6c6.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/dfgeva.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/2n9kyt1.jpg
http://i66.tinypic.com/2ezsf9h.jpg
http://i68.tinypic.com/km7gp.jpg

Rob
4th April 2018, 21:58
THE LMGTE-PRO CLASS CREWS
ferrari--media
Maranello, 4 April 2018 – Ferrari announces the crews of the three Ferrari 488 GTE cars of AF Corse due to compete in the LMGTE-Pro class at the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Car no. 51. Daniel Serra will join world champions James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi, behind the wheel of the 488 GTE no. 51. The Brazilian took pole position in the GTD class at the recent 24 Hours of Daytona and 12 Hours of Sebring in the 488 GT3 of Spirit of Race.

Car no. 52. The 488 GTE no. 52 will be crewed by official drivers Toni Vilander, twice winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours, and Antonio Giovinazzi. Brazil’s Luis Felipe Derani, fresh from victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring 2018, will share the car with them.

Car no. 71. Sam Bird, Davide Rigon and Miguel Molina will compete in the GTE 488 no. 71, in a repeat of last year.

Cars number 51 and 71 will take part in the entire Superseason of the FIA WEC with Calado-Pier Guidi and Bird-Rigon. Car no. 52 will only race the French endurance marathon.

wisepie
5th April 2018, 11:43
Car looks sensational and drivers are a known quantity, so here's hoping they can do us proud.;-):thumb

jgonzalesm6
2nd May 2018, 15:55
WEC 6hr Spa May 5th 2018

Rebellion (P)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcLo0G3XUAA6xa3.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcLo0OrWkAAu-r_.jpg

http://sportscar365.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DSCF4486-2-1024x683.jpg


Ginetta (P)

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcC2yPBW4AAz3wK.jpg


AF Corse

http://johndagys.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/DSCF4482-2.jpg


Spirit of Race

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcL0r6yXkAA-jSU.jpg


Clearwater Racing

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcMzN8eWsAAac8u.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcMzQBKXkAAgcQK.jpg

CHIP Ganassi

http://johndagys.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/JD173062-1.jpg


Alonso at Spa

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcMVfhtW0AARF5U.jpg


All classes and drivers

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcGP_Q2XkAAEsvb.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcGP_O_WsAETh9f.jpg

fratelliferrari
2nd May 2018, 17:44
Hi fellow AF Corse fans, not to make anyone of you jealous but I will be @Spa this Saturday to support the #51 and #71 boys!:ferrarifl
Hoping for a good result! Forza AF Corse!

wisepie
2nd May 2018, 18:02
Hi fellow AF Corse fans, not to make anyone of you jealous but I will be @Spa this Saturday to support the #51 and #71 boys!:ferrarifl
Hoping for a good result! Forza AF Corse!

Lucky you, hope you can get in the AF Corse pits and help them win! Buon viaggio.;-)

jgonzalesm6
3rd May 2018, 15:05
WEC 6H Spa May 5 2018

FP1 results.


https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcRdffpW0AEtB9A.jpg

jgonzalesm6
3rd May 2018, 17:11
WEC 6H Spa May 5 2018

FP2 results

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcSPO_AX0AAIFNZ.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcSPeCCX4AEQ_YY.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DcSPllzWkAAacoM.jpg

jgonzalesm6
4th May 2018, 16:30
This happened today during quali. Reports are coming out that he has 2 broken legs with the right having multilple fractures.

Let's hope for a speedy recovery

Video is in English.

Pietro Fittipaldi sofre grave acidente na classificação do WEC em Spa-Francorchamps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnkuHfNlvmI

DIEK
5th May 2018, 17:35
https://ultimahora.es/sfAttachPlugin/getCachedContent/id/31027

jgonzalesm6
5th May 2018, 17:46
Final Spa 6hr

LMP1: @Toyota_Hybrid #8
LMP2: @GDrive_Racing
GTE Pro: @FordPerformance #66
GTE Am: @AMR_Official #98


full results

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TW0AAFb7E.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TWAAEQp6y.jpg

wisepie
6th May 2018, 16:17
Final Spa 6hr

LMP1: @Toyota_Hybrid #8
LMP2: @GDrive_Racing
GTE Pro: @FordPerformance #66
GTE Am: @AMR_Official #98


full results

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TW0AAFb7E.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dcc056TWAAEQp6y.jpg

Disappointing result overall for the 488GTEs in Pro and Am classes, but both managed a podium, so maybe we should be pleased! Damn those Fords, Porsches and Astons!:roll

Rob
10th May 2018, 07:49
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ONE-TWO VICTORY AT SPA FOR TOYOTA GAZOO RACING

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing started the 2018-19 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) season with a one-two victory in the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

Sébastien Buemi and Kazuki Nakajima won the race for the second successive year in the #8 TS050 HYBRID they share with newcomer Fernando Alonso, who enjoyed victory at Spa for the first time since an International Formula 3000 triumph 18 years ago.

The #7 TS050 HYBRID of Mike Conway, Kamui Kobayashi and José María López completed a remarkable comeback by finishing second, just 1.444secs behind, despite starting one lap behind from the pit lane due to a qualifying penalty.

That result was TOYOTA’s 17th win from 49 WEC races, its fourth consecutive victory and its third at Spa. TOYOTA therefore leads both the teams’ and drivers’ World Championships going into the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16-17 June.

The race began under blue skies and Sébastien made a clean getaway from pole position in the #8, gradually extending his advantage over the chasing Rebellions while Mike took the #7 car to sixth by the time of the first pit stops. By then Sébastien had extended his lead to over 30 seconds but that evaporated shortly after the hour mark due to a safety car.

During the 30-minute delay, Kamui replaced Mike in the #7 while Fernando took over the #8 for his first WEC race laps. His first task when the race resumed was to defend the lead from Rebellion #1, which he did via a spectacular passing move on several GT cars on the Kemmel Straight.

Fernando’s stint was interrupted by a full course yellow but when the track was green he took advantage and built a substantial lead before handing over to Kazuki just before half distance. The #8 made an immediate return to pit lane to adjust Kazuki’s seat belts and lost more time soon after with a harmless spin at turn one.

Meanwhile, the #7 was continuing its impressive progress through the field and started the second half of the race in second position, around a minute behind the leading #8 when José María took over from Kamui at the next pit stop.

The two TS050 HYBRIDs tightened their grip on the race as the last hour approached, with Fernando preparing to take the #8 to the chequered flag with a lead of around one minute over the #7, with Mike at the wheel. But another safety car closed the gap to just six seconds with 50 minutes remaining.

Fernando and Mike stayed at the wheel through a final fuel stop with 25 minutes to go, after which the team chose to hold positions and avoid any unnecessary risks after over 1,100km of flat-out racing.

Hisatake Murata, Team President: “I am very pleased with our performance this week; to get a one-two after the problem yesterday required a big team effort. I am proud of everyone for their good work. The atmosphere here has been fantastic all weekend so I would like to thank the many fans who visited Spa, including a lot of colleagues from our home in Cologne. I hope they enjoyed the first race of the season. It’s a great result to start the season but this is only a small step towards our big target; the Le Mans 24 Hours. We have identified areas to improve, and I’m sure our rivals have too, so we will be working flat-out in the next weeks to be ready for a close fight at Le Mans.”

TS050 HYBRID #7
Race: 2nd, 163 laps, 8 pit stops. Started from pit lane. Fastest lap: 1min 57.442secs

Mike Conway (TS050 HYBRID #7): “It was weird starting from the pit lane but we knew what we had to do. We had some help from the safety car periods and the full course yellows, which went our way and helped us to get into the fight with the other LMP1 ones. Kamui and José did a great job again today. It’s disappointing not to win but a one-two is the perfect result for the team.”

Kamui Kobayashi (TS050 HYBRID #7): “Our car worked really hard to get back into the fight; I think we all drove really well to recover from the problem in qualifying. The car was quick today which is a good sign for Le Mans. Obviously I was hoping to win this race so second place isn’t the result I wanted but for the team it’s a positive start and we will all work hard now to be ready for Le Mans.”

José María López (TS050 HYBRID #7): “I am very happy with this result for the team. Starting from the back was very hard and didn’t give us the best opportunity bit in the end we fought back and we showed the potential of car #7. I enjoyed the fight today. Finally to be back racing, particularly at this amazing circuit, was something special.”

TS050 HYBRID #8
Race: 1st, 163 laps, 9 pit stops. Grid: 1st. Fastest lap: 1min 57.805secs

Sébastien Buemi (TS050 HYBRID #8): “We are all happy to begin the season like that. It is the first time for Kazuki and I to race together with Fernando so it was important to start it well. I don’t remember the last time we had so many safety cars in a six-hour race and that meant we lost our advantage a few times. But it all went well in the end so a big thanks to all the team for their hard work. This was just a warm up for Le Mans so we still keep in mind that the next race is the important one.”

Kazuki Nakajima (TS050 HYBRID #8): “I am very happy to win the first race of the season. It’s particularly nice because my stint started badly; a lot happened and it cost us some time. There was a mistake from my side as well but from then I got back into the rhythm. The triple stint was tricky but I am happy with the job we did. It’s a great start and we will be working hard to make sure we continue like this.”

Fernando Alonso (TS050 HYBRID #8): “I am delighted to get this result. The whole weekend has been amazing in terms of team performance. There have been a lot of preparations with the winter testing and all the work back at the factory but we have to come to the race and deliver the result. We executed the race in the best way we could and I am extremely happy to win my first endurance race. Sébastien and Kazuki made my life a little bit easier so thanks to them.”

Rob
10th May 2018, 08:03
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Rob
10th May 2018, 08:04
RIGON AND BIRD THIRD AT SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS
ferrari-media

Francorchamps, 5 May 2018 – As expected the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the first round of the Super Season of the World Endurance Championship (WEC), was a difficult and frustrating race for the Ferrari, which had to chase their rivals right from qualifying. In the race, the Maranello brand crews had to focus almost exclusively on holding what they had, unable to attack because of the of the BOP configuration set for the 488 GTE in 2018. In the end, the difficulties of Porsche no. 91 allowed Bird and Rigon to snatch a well-deserved podium. It was a day to forget for car no. 51, involved in a pitlane accident. It was also an uphill struggle for the cars in the GTE-Am class. Here too, some satisfaction could be drawn from the podium secured by the 488 GTE of Clearwater Racing.

GTE-Pro. In GTE-Pro class, Alessandro Pier Guidi in car no. 51 and Davide Rigon in no. 71 managed to keep their starting position, holding off the other cars in the straight despite the low top speed set by the BoP. Pier Guidi closed in on Antonio Felix Da Costa’s BMW but had to wait for his tyres to degrade to pass him after about 40 minutes. The race was then neutralised following the accident at Eau Rouge involving Ford no. 67. At the restart its sister car, the no. 66, and the two Porsches took advantage, while Pier Guidi managed to keep fourth place. However, Rigon was impeded by a lapped car and ended up being overtaken by Felix Da Costa and one of the Aston Martins. The Ferraris once again managed, at the end of the stint, to overtake the rivals. Toward the end of third stint, at the third hour of the race, the Ferrari cars were able to catch and pass Porsche no. 92 driven by Kevin Estre and Michael Christiensen. However, with new tyres, the Porsche quickly regained third place. Estre was also penalised with a stop&go for spinning the wheels at the pitstop but once again the German car fought back easily to overtake the Ferrari after four hours and 10 minutes of racing. Shortly after, an accident in the pit lane with the car of Team Project 1 irreversibly compromised the race for Pier Guidi and Calado who lost several laps for repairs and could only finish ninth. At the end of the race there was another neutralisation that brought car no. 71 back into the fight for the podium, with Davide Rigon overtaking the Porsche 91 of Bruni-Lietz, which was clearly suffering a tyre crisis. Davide sealed his podium by the skin of his teeth with a great pass on the final benda t the penultimate lap. The Ford of Pla-Johnson-Mücke won the race. The overall victory went to the Toyota of Alonso-Nakajima-Buemi.

GTE-Am. The GTE-Am class saw the Ferrari cars stage a great comeback. Having started right at the back of the pack, all the 488 GTEs managed to gain ground. Matt Griffin, Weng Sun Mok and Keita Sawa stood out for Clearwater Racing as they fought back to third behind the Aston Martins driven by Dalla Lana-Lamy-Lauda and Yoluc-Alers-Hankey-Eastwood. The rookies of MR Racing secured a good fifth place, with Motoaki Ishikawa, Eddie Cheever III and Olivier Beretta. The Spirit of Race team also did well but paid a high price with a stop&go for speeding in the pitlane. Thomas Flohr, Giancarlo Fisichella and Francesco Castellacci finished eighth. The next round is the Le Mans 24 Hours on 16 and 17 June.

Rob
10th May 2018, 08:16
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wisepie
10th May 2018, 16:34
Thanks Rob, but can you please explain why the BOP always seems to affect our teams so badly, it's as if we are being penalised before we even start!

Rob
16th May 2018, 07:39
http://i68.tinypic.com/343t8w5.jpg

#52 AF Corse testing at Monza.

Rob
7th June 2018, 06:56
24H LE MANSGiovinazzi: F1 to GTE-Pro “A Big Jump”

Antonio Giovinazzi drawing on teammates’ experience for Le Mans, GT racing debut…


Ferrari Formula 1 reserve Antonio Giovinazzi says that the transition from single-seater to GT machinery for the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been “a big jump”.

The Italian is preparing for his debut at the French enduro, co-driving the No. 52 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE Evo with Toni Vilander and Pipo Derani.

Giovinazzi is one of seven drivers with F1 race experience contesting Le Mans for the first time this month, along with Fernando Alonso, Jenson Button, Felipe Nasr, Paul Di Resta, Juan Pablo Montoya and Pastor Maldonado.

“I did not have many laps with the car, but I really enjoyed my first time here at Le Mans,” Giovinazzi told Sportscar365 at last weekend’s Test Day.

“It is different from F1 – a lot of traffic and not a lot of grip because the track was still really dirty, and it was really hot inside the car. But they were good first laps. I’m looking forward to the race.

“The speed is less but it’s still a big challenge. From F1 to GT is a big jump and I need to adapt to this car, but I want to get a good result for Le Mans. It’s a different car, but it’s a racing car, so I still enjoy it.”

Giovinazzi, who set the car’s fastest lap at the Test Day, has been preparing thoroughly for his debut, which he has identified as one of the highlights of his career so far.

The 24-year-old’s only previous sports car outings have come behind the wheel of LMP2 machinery, in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Asian Le Mans, and European Le Mans Series, but he has yet to compete in a 24-hour event.

His preparations have been aided by the presence of factory stalwart Vilander, who is gearing up for his tenth Le Mans appearance.

“I did a few runs in the simulator at Ferrari and I’ve also been watching some onboards from previous years,” said Giovinazzi.

“Now, it’s all about my preparation. I will check back my data this week and see where I can improve for the race.

“It’s a big challenge for me, but I will work with Toni and will see if he has some tricks to make my life easier. I try to take a lot of feedback on data from him, and also Pipo as well – it’s his fourth time here.

“We have an experienced team – it’s just me coming in for the first time – but with these two teammates I think I can do a really good job. With them, I will be able to learn as much as I can, and be really fast.

F1 Remains the Target

Giovinazzi says he is still aiming to race in F1 full-time, despite missing out on a seat for the 2018 season, but has not ruled out further GT activities with Ferrari in the future.

The 2016 GP2 (now Formula 2) runner-up was in line for a permanent role at Sauber, having filled in at the team for two grands prix last year, but lost out to fellow Ferrari junior Charles Leclerc.

However, his continued association with the Scuderia means he is still committed to the single-seater trail and has not established any immediate plans to turn his Le Mans drive into a long-term sports car arrangement.

“My focus is still on F1, trying to go there,” Giovinazzi confirmed.

“But in the future, you never know. You see that many of the drivers who finish in F1 go here [WEC] or to IndyCar.

“It’s one category that I can watch in the future. But I’m still young, so, for now, I am concentrating on F1.

“I saw a lot of Le Mans on TV when I was a child, with my dad, and to be with Ferrari and AF Corse is really great for me. I just want to focus on this race, and then in the future, we will see.”

jgonzalesm6
12th June 2018, 15:54
Getting ready for this weekend comes with photo opps. This was yesterday.

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Dfg6vaDXcAAT2I1.jpg (Brahbam BT62)

458 Italia
14th June 2018, 19:14
It just seems wrong to see Bruni in a Porsche.

The Architect
15th June 2018, 08:58
So, how are Ferrari looking in GTE-Pro after qualifying? Do they stand a chance in the race given the BoP situation?

wisepie
15th June 2018, 16:54
It just seems wrong to see Bruni in a Porsche.

I'm sure Rob would agree with you on that one, as do I, and I really hope that Antonio Giovinazzi can have a good race for AF Corse, along with the usual guys, but there is very stiff competition form the Porsche RSRs, Ford GTs and Astons, hopefully we'll have the staying power as we're not the quickest.

458 Italia
29th July 2018, 11:03
Been watching large chunks of the Blancpain Spa 24 hours. BoP really seems to hurt Ferrari alot.

wisepie
30th July 2018, 16:35
Been watching large chunks of the Blancpain Spa 24 hours. BoP really seems to hurt Ferrari alot.

Nothing new there, I still don't see why it affects the 488 teams more than anyone else. Rob probably has the answer, for some reason I just don't get it!:Hmm

Rob
31st July 2018, 20:14
was speaking with good friend Francesco Castellacci, he has got me 2 passes for WEC Silverstone couple weeks:clap

wisepie
1st August 2018, 17:01
was speaking with good friend Francesco Castellacci, he has got me 2 passes for WEC Silverstone couple weeks:clap

You lucky boy, Rob, make the most of it!;-)

Rob
3rd August 2018, 13:22
You lucky boy, Rob, make the most of it!;-)

:oops

:thumb sure will enjoy. Cannt wait. On the Friday Gemma, Keira and Jacob will be coming. Keiras second year.

Also, got message from James, once we there, message him and meet up for coffee. :thumb

wisepie
4th August 2018, 17:05
:oops

:thumb sure will enjoy. Cannt wait. On the Friday Gemma, Keira and Jacob will be coming. Keiras second year.

Also, got message from James, once we there, message him and meet up for coffee. :thumb

Nice to have friends in high places, Rob, have a great weekend all of you and Forza AF Corse....buon divertimento!:thumb;-)

Rob
18th August 2018, 12:03
amazing day yesterday. Will post pictures maybe Sunday when home from race or Monday.

458 Italia
18th August 2018, 13:44
Enjoy your weekend Rob! I'm glad you've got the sun at Silverstone.

Rob
18th August 2018, 15:00
Enjoy your weekend Rob! I'm glad you've got the sun at Silverstone.

not there today, family wedding this evening.

Anyway, when spoke to Sebastien, James, Francesco, and Davide Marchi (Ferrari PR man) all fed up with the BoP state at the moment, how its hurt us and especially Aston but favoured Ford and Porsche so badly its hurting the GTE and the state of the whole WEC GTE category. Meeting Francesco and James for coffee in the morning.

458 Italia
18th August 2018, 15:38
not there today, family wedding this evening.

Anyway, when spoke to Sebastien, James, Francesco, and Davide Marchi (Ferrari PR man) all fed up with the BoP state at the moment, how its hurt us and especially Aston but favoured Ford and Porsche so badly its hurting the GTE and the state of the whole WEC GTE category. Meeting Francesco and James for coffee in the morning.

My sister got married last weekend, look what she arrived in :-D

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l45/adzzzbatch/WP_20180811_13_41_03_Raw_LI.jpg (http://s93.photobucket.com/user/adzzzbatch/media/WP_20180811_13_41_03_Raw_LI.jpg.html)

http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l45/adzzzbatch/WP_20180811_15_13_55_Raw_LI.jpg (http://s93.photobucket.com/user/adzzzbatch/media/WP_20180811_15_13_55_Raw_LI.jpg.html)

458 Italia
19th August 2018, 13:45
Ferrari running well, but 71 has had terrible luck and has now just ripped the whole of the right rear apart after a puncture.

458 Italia
19th August 2018, 17:02
GET IN!!! 51 WINS!!

wisepie
20th August 2018, 12:01
GET IN!!! 51 WINS!!

Brilliant result and strategy to finally deliver a victory in GTE Pro, pity car 71 had so many problems, but a win is a win. Not so great in GTE Am, though, but great effort all the same.:thumb

Rob
21st August 2018, 19:43
Brilliant result and strategy to finally deliver a victory in GTE Pro, pity car 71 had so many problems, but a win is a win. Not so great in GTE Am, though, but great effort all the same.:thumb

Was an awesome win especially since we were NOWHERE near the front running pace. Juts got so lucky with the SC and VSCs and strategy. Downside was #54 car being damaged at the start. Speaking Fransesco during the race, they could only repair the front of the car, if they wanted change the rear end, would of cost so much time, it would been better to retire the car. ANd after that, the car had bad vibrations massive oversteer.

But main talking point was BoP, Weng and Arj from Clearwater chatted with me, and all was about how couldnt manage to run the Astons and Porsches pace, and the same was in PRO. But hey, long season, we should get break soon.

Plus, we had an amazing weekend. I will post pictures soon, so many to upload.

Rob
24th August 2018, 08:44
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AKIO TOYODA COMMENT ON THE WEC 6 HOURS OF SILVERSTONE RACE

All our drivers drove our cars with their full power and the fight for victory was truly exciting for the fans so I truly feel disappointed to lose the result.

I would like to apologize to the six drivers that we could not make a car with which they can win even though they drove all out.

On the other hand, I would also like to thank our drivers for their trust in our cars and for pushing to the limit, as this meant we could learn about improvements which can be made.

We will make our cars even stronger for the next race so that the drivers can drive all out again at Fuji Speedway and fight for another one-two victory to strengthen our challenge for the World Championship.

For the fans, thank you very much for your continued support. I hope you are looking forward to see an exciting race in October.

Akio Toyoda
President
Toyota Motor Corporation

Rob
24th August 2018, 08:46
PIER GUIDI AND CALADO WIN AT SILVERSTONE
ferrari-media

Silverstone, 19 August 2018 – As they say in the world of distance running, “your head can go where your legs can’t”. The 6 Hours of Silverstone, third round of the Super Season of the 2018-19 World Endurance Championship boiled down to this for Ferrari no. 51 of AF Corse. After a stark performance gap in qualifying mainly due to the BoP that still separates the 488 GTE Evos from the GTE-Pro class leaders, the race saw an unexpected win thanks to the Italian team’s magnificent strategy and the skills of world champions Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado. It was the first victory for the car equipped with the Evo kit. However, the race only turned out well for car no. 51, with no. 71 hampered by an accident and the GTE-Am class cars quite off the pace for the entire race.

GTE-Pro. The prototypes plunged into chaos at the start, which also involved the GT cars in the second half of the group. The two Ferrari 488 GTE Evos were hit by other competitors but just suffered a few dents. Both Sam Bird and Alessandro Pier Guidi managed to move up a position. Bird, who put in an excellent stint, was in second before the pit stop. The first twist came after two hours and 20 minutes. A Full Course Yellow rewarded the fuel saving strategy of car no. 51, which was able to make its pit stop during the neutralisation period. This allowed James Calado to return to the track in second place, behind the Ford no. 66. Shortly after, the US car suffered a problem that gifted the lead to no. 51. However, the joy of seeing the 488 GTE Evo in front for the first time only lasted a few laps until the undercut tactic of Porsche no. 92 gave the advantage to Kevin Estre and Michael Christensen. Meanwhile bad luck dogged no. 71, which was hit by a prototype while in fourth with Davide Rigon at the wheel. The Italian had to drive a full lap on three wheels, which worsened the state of the car. The 488 GTE Evo came back on track after 34 minutes and finished in eighth place. Less than two hours from the end another Full Course Yellow was called and the masterful work by the AF Corse mechanics saw the Ferrari go back on track in front of the two Porsches. Again, the three top drivers made their pit stops during the neutralisation period, which the Ford no. 67 failed to do. This put it out of the running despite being the fastest car on track. Alessandro Pier Guidi’s perfect management in the last 90 minutes finished the job to give Ferrari one of the most beautiful and deserved victories in its WEC history. Second place went to the Porsche of Bruni-Lietz, and third to the Ford of Priaulx-Tincknell.

GTE-Am. The Ferraris were in difficulty in the GTE-Am class. The 488 GTEs had already struggled in practice and things didn’t improve during the race. The best-placed Ferrari on the grid, car no. 54 Spirit of Race, crewed by Giancarlo Fisichella, Thomas Flohr and Francesco Castellacci, was involved in an accident at the start, losing three laps for repairs to the front end. Both car no. 61 of Clearwater Racing (Mok-Sawa-Griffin) and no. 70 of MR Racing (Ishikawa-Beretta-Cheever III) attempted a comeback but were frustrated by two drive-through penalties for speeding in the pitlane. In the end, the car of Clearwater Racing was the best-placed Ferrari, in fifth. MR Racing finished seventh, the no. 54 Spirit of Race ninth. The overall win went to Alonsso-Buemi-Nakajima on Toyota. The next round is on 14 October 14 at Fuji, Japan.

Rob
26th August 2018, 11:55
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Rob
26th August 2018, 13:05
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Rob
26th August 2018, 13:22
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Rob
26th August 2018, 13:35
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sorry some reason my portrait pictures gone like this since uploading. This is me and Jacob with Very good friend Vale. (gave me some team gear on race day)

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me with another good friend Seb.

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With very good friend Francesco, he sorted the passes for the race day. Such top guy and good friend. Shame his and #54 race was ruined at the start

Rob
26th August 2018, 13:46
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With Joackin, mechanic on #54, really top bloke, good friends.

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Rob
26th August 2018, 14:04
just sorting out few more. But now busy, cooking roast and tryng to watch F1 lol

wisepie
26th August 2018, 16:52
Great images Rob, grazie, and sorry if I mis-behaved and you had to edit one of my posts on the Spa quali thread, I was fuming!!:roll

458 Italia
26th August 2018, 17:20
Amazing pics Rob, looks like you had a wonderful time! :clap :-)

Rob
26th August 2018, 19:38
Jacob and Sam, he was brilliant. We had great chat and made Jacob laugh too.

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brother from another mother :rotfl Keira and Jacob were over the moon for finally meeting Gimmi. He still a good friend. As we walked past the Porsche Hospitality, we looked in and Gimmi saw us, pointed as to say hold on. He jogged out to see us. Was so nice to catch up again.

Rob
26th August 2018, 19:54
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Me and Chris, he is #51 refueller. Top bloke, down to earth great to have a laugh with. Wicked sense of humour, and tells you how it is. Were talking about how often the TV cameras go on him during races, and he said hate being on camera and having pictures done. So, i just had to do this :rotfl few swear words and told me where to go :rotfl

Rob
26th August 2018, 20:01
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my view of the autograph session

Rob
26th August 2018, 20:06
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10 minutes before Ale got in the car to take her to the grid, stopped chatted. Such a top bloke and driver, he James super due. James is awesome aswell to talk too, he stops and chats.

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we watched the start of the race from the pits.

Rob
26th August 2018, 20:28
just got few more, i have had to pick a few. Got so many.

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Vale in #51, going over engine maps, and gear changes. While the laptop was plugged in and they looking over everything.

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Rob
26th August 2018, 20:32
Had breakfast with Fisi and Francesco
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then went in half hour after race start and had lunch, so nice, i mean really really nice. And yes, we went up twice.
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Rob
26th August 2018, 20:46
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jgonzalesm6
26th August 2018, 22:41
Cool pics Rob of the cars with the kiddos. Hopefully, they become petrol heads like the rest of us......no???

Im sure they enjoyed it and will never forget it. There world will be quite different from the world we grew up with from an automotive perspective.

458 Italia
27th August 2018, 10:55
Bloody amazing pics mate! :thumb :thumb :thumb You really saved the best to post 'till last. I'm very Jealous!!

Rob
27th August 2018, 17:21
Great images Rob, grazie, and sorry if I mis-behaved and you had to edit one of my posts on the Spa quali thread, I was fuming!!:roll

Thats ok Andy, never seen that form you :rotfl

Thankyou, was amazing WEC. Keira and Jacob loved it. Especially as they finally met Gimmi, and Keira got to meet her new "crush" Francesco. Jacob loved the Clearwater car, as got the dragon. He was over the moon, Lum, who is mechanic on the #61 picked him up and sat him in the car. We did, me and Tom my brother inlaw, make it on the TV, friend at work said he saw us. Louise Beckett came in to interview James in last hour or so, we were standing right behind him. :thumb

We sat with Francesco and Fisi mid race, chilling on a air sofa. With espresso too. Amazing times, amazing memories with good friends. Topped it off with an unexpected win.

Rob
27th August 2018, 17:22
Cool pics Rob of the cars with the kiddos. Hopefully, they become petrol heads like the rest of us......no???

Im sure they enjoyed it and will never forget it. There world will be quite different from the world we grew up with from an automotive perspective.

Keira and Jacob loved it, they love Ferrari too, not so much F1, will watch it. But as they met the drivers and sat in the cars, they prefer GTEs :clap

Rob
27th August 2018, 17:24
Bloody amazing pics mate! :thumb :thumb :thumb You really saved the best to post 'till last. I'm very Jealous!!

:oops

;-)

got so so many more, of us under podium and in the pitlane.

wisepie
28th August 2018, 17:02
Thats ok Andy, never seen that form you :rotfl

Thankyou, was amazing WEC. Keira and Jacob loved it. Especially as they finally met Gimmi, and Keira got to meet her new "crush" Francesco. Jacob loved the Clearwater car, as got the dragon. He was over the moon, Lum, who is mechanic on the #61 picked him up and sat him in the car. We did, me and Tom my brother inlaw, make it on the TV, friend at work said he saw us. Louise Beckett came in to interview James in last hour or so, we were standing right behind him. :thumb

We sat with Francesco and Fisi mid race, chilling on a air sofa. With espresso too. Amazing times, amazing memories with good friends. Topped it off with an unexpected win.

Apologies for my outburst, Rob, but I get these moments when I'm really annoyed and I couldn't help myself but thought it would be OK with the *****s, obviously not! Those pics are amazing and you are so lucky to get up close to the drivers and team personnel, I know they are personal friends too and the kids must have been in their element. I would have been too!!:thumb;-)

Rob
29th August 2018, 09:18
4 Hours of Silverstone: Post-race reactions (LMP2 & LMGTE)

Miguel Molina – JMW Motorsport – n°66 Ferrari F488– LMGTE winner

“A lot of drama happened in the last hour of the race with the penalties, the traffic… But first of all I think my teammates did fantastic stints and I think we really moved forward since the last races and that’s really important. We are growing as a team that is really good with us, there a really good atmosphere and it’s really important to succeed. Concerning my last stint, I had this 10s penalty at the beginning, so my aim was first of all to catch and overtake Matt (Griffin), I knew he was 20s ahead. I could manage it; the car was great, and it was a good fight. After that I pushed my maximum as I did in Le Castellet. When you have confidence in the car, in the team and when you feel well, everything is easier. Today was an amazing race, I gave everything and I’m really happy.”

Pierre Ragues – Duqueine Engineering – Oreca 07 n°29 – 7e LMP2

“I have to admit that this race has a bitter sweet taste. First of all, we showed that we were competitive but unfortunately without any results. We were sure to have the pace for a podium, even a win, but the incident in the first lap annihilated all our hopes. This is racing but losing time in the pits is really frustrating, especially when this is not your fault. The team did an amazing job and the car was perfect, which allowed us to be come back into the top 10 and close to the top 5. It was a complicated race but with a lot of positive points on our performance. So we want to come back stronger in Spa next month.”

Will Owen – United Autosports – Ligier JSP217 n°32 – 10e LMP2

“I would say that for me this weekend has been enjoyable. I’ve learnt a lot and have been involved in working on the car. On Friday I thought we were in good shape, the car was a little loose but great to drive. I’ve got lots of questions and no answers. I’ve never pushed so hard in my life, and I don’t understand where the difference is to the other cars. They were still driving round me, so I have work to do, I need to understand that. Everyone worked so hard, so I have to thank the United guys. It’s been fun, but frustrating.”

See you on the 22nd and 23rd of September in Spa-Francorchamps for the 5th round of the 2018 European Le Mans Series.

Rob
10th September 2018, 21:14
DERANI, VAN OVERBEEK COME FROM BEHIND TO WIN AMERICA’S TIRE 250 IN NO. 22 TEQUILA PATRÓN NISSAN

In a wild two-hour and 40-minute penultimate round of the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, No. 22 Tequila Patrón ESM Nissan DPi co-drivers Pipo Derani and Johannes van Overbeek rebounded from early setbacks to score their second victory of the season in the America’s Tire 250.

Van Overbeek started the car from the rear of the Prototype grid as he missed Saturday’s qualifying session due to illness, and he managed to avoid an opening-lap incident that removed the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Cadillac DPi-V.R driven by Joao Barbosa before the starting line and damaged several other cars.

Van Overbeek pitted to turn the car over to Derani just 22 minutes into the race. After a restart following the race’s third full-course caution just 46 minutes into the race, Derani spun in Turn 2, but his Nissan DPi avoided serious damage. The Brazilian methodically worked his way forward following the spin, moving into the top five for the first time an hour and eight minutes into the race and staying there for most of the remainder of the race.

He was running second with 35 minutes remaining when race leader Harry Tincknell spun the No. 55 Mazda DPi while attempting to pass the lapped car of Gustavo Yacaman. Derani inherited the lead as a result and never was challenged for the rest of the race en route to victory. He won by 10.9 seconds over Colin Braun in the No. 54 CORE autosport ORECA LMP2 machine.

“My team is amazing,” Derani said. “If it wasn’t for them, we wouldn’t have finished where we finished today. We had a tough race with contact and spin. They kept pushing me over the radio. Save fuel, save tires, but kept pushing me all the time.

“It was an amazing day. I had an overtake on the Corkscrew, which is nice. This team, no matter what happens they keep fighting and fighting. We’ve had a tough season, but here we are with two wins. We’ve had a lot of DNFs, but a nice race today, and an amazing finish here.”

It was the first win for Derani and van Overbeek since March’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Presented by Advance Auto Parts. For van Overbeek, it was his 15th IMSA win (six WeatherTech Championship, 8 American Le Mans Series, 1 GRAND-AM), and it was Derani’s fifth IMSA win, all coming in WeatherTech Championship competition.

“Hats off to the Patron guys today,” said van Overbeek, who also won at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in 2014. “They did a fantastic job. There was a lot of attrition and an uncharacteristic number of yellows today. But we fought through and Pipo did an amazing job as usual.

“The stops were spot on, the car was great, he Continental tires were great and the Nissan motor made good power. I couldn’t be happier.”

Braun and co-driver Jon Bennett made huge gains in the Prototype championship chase with their runner-up result, their fourth consecutive top-two performance. With only the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on Oct. 13 remaining on the schedule, Braun and Bennett now trail leaders Eric Curran and Felipe Nasr by four points, 254-250. Curran and Nasr finished fifth in Sunday’s race in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R.

Juan Pablo Montoya and Dane Cameron finished third in the No. 6 Acura Team Penske ARX-05 DPi car for their fourth podium result of the season. Tincknell battled back to finish fourth following the spin to finish fourth in the No. 55 Mazda DPi with co-driver Jonathan Bomarito.

After coming into the race just seven points out of the Prototype points lead, Barbosa’s co-driver, Filipe Albuquerque, is now a near insurmountable 33 points behind his points-leading teammates from Action Express Racing. As the No. 5 Cadillac did not cross the start-finish line on the opening-lap incident, the car and its drivers did not earn any points.

Next up for the WeatherTech Championship is the 10-hour Motul Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta on Saturday, Oct. 13. Live television coverage begins on FS1 at 10:30 a.m. ET. IMSA Radio also will provide live, flag-to-flag coverage on IMSA.com, RadioLeMans.com and SiriusXM Radio (Sirius 119/XM 202/App 972).

Rob
19th September 2018, 08:35
Forty Car Grid for Spa As Race for ELMS Titles Hots Up


Round 5 of the 2018 European Le Mans Series will take place on the awesome 7km Spa-Francorchamps circuit with 40 entries that could see at least two of the six titles decided on Sunday 23 September.
The 31 teams and 108 drivers will be representing 25 different nations from Europe, North and South America, Asia and Australasia.

The LMP2 grid will feature 16 cars with the no26 G-Drive Racing Oreca-Gibson leading the championship by 34 points. Roman Rusinov and Andrea Pizzitola are also leading the drivers’ championship, with their teammate Jean-Eric Vergne twelve points behind, after he missed the opening race of the season at Le Castellet.

G-Drive Racing have won the last three ELMS races and won the LMP2 category at the opening round of the FIA World Endurance Championship in May, the Total 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps.

Round 1 winners Norman Nato, Paul Petit and Olivier Pla are currently second in the no24 Racing Engineering Oreca-Gibson on 53 points and the all French driver line up need to win in Belgium and hope the no26 crew fail to score many points. G-Drive just need to be at least 27 points ahead of their nearest rivals after the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps to be declared 2018 champions, so a win or second place for the Russian team will be good enough no matter what their rivals do.



The 18 car LMP3 grid is providing so much drama and action in 2018 with at least seven cars still in with a chance of lifting the coveted ELMS crown at the end of the season.

Double race winners Rob Garofall, John Farano and Job Van Uitert are currently leading the LMP3 class by 12 points in the no15 RLR MSport Ligier-Nissan, the Anglo-Canadian-Dutch crew are on 58.5 points, with the no11 EuroInternational and no3 United Autosports Ligiers tied on 46.5 points and the no6 360 Racing Ligier-Nissan just half a point behind on 46 points.

The no11 car features the second Dutch driver in contention for the title, Kay Van Berlo, who is joined by the Italians Giorgio Mondini and Mattia Drudi. Van Uitert and Van Berlo will count Spa as their home track this weekend and are sure to attract a lot of attention as the LMP3 title chase hots up.



The six LMGTE car have provided some epic last lap dramas this season, including last time out at Silverstone in August. Father and son duo Gianluca and Giorgio Roda are currently 9 points ahead of the rest of the LMGTE contenders in the no88 Proton Competition Porsche 911 and are joined for the fourth time in 2018 by fellow Italian Matteo Cairoli.

Double race winners Alex MacDowall, Liam Griffin and Miguel Molina, who are currently on 63 points, will be hoping for another win in the no66 JMW Motorsport Ferrari 488 after Molina’s dramatic victory at Silverstone last month. Aaron Scott, Duncan Cameron and Matt Griffin won round 2 at Monza and are on 58 points, just 14 behind the leading Porsche crew.

The 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will take place on Sunday 23 September, with track action starting on Friday 21 September and qualifying on Saturday 22nd.

Rob
28th September 2018, 08:18
Zak Brown and the ELMS

Zak Brown, Team owner of United Autosports and McLaren Technology Group CEO, was in Spa-Francorchamps last week to support his team for the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. We had the opportunity to get his thoughts about the United Autosports season in European Le Mans Series and the future project of the teams.
The interview was conducted before the 4 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps which was won overall by the no22 United Autosports Ligier-Gibson of Phil Hanson and Filipe Albuquerque, with the no2 United Autosports Ligier-Nissan of John Falb and Scott Andrews winning in LMP3.

The 2018 season so far?

“Disappointed with the season for sure. The drivers have done well, we had a combination of bad luck and not enough speed. Le Mans looks to be the highlight of the season, maybe we will finish third maybe we will finish fourth (according to the decision made concerning G-Drive Racing appeal). We need a little bit more pace, maybe we need some more development on the Ligier. I don’t think it’s the fastest car. We have changed the tyres from Dunlop to Michelin and we did a good qualifying. It’s obviously disappointing from being vice champions and win half the races to not having won one yet.”

Switching from Dunlop To Michelin

“It was Richard’s (Dean) decision, we are looking to maximise the performance and we did some tests before we made the decision. They are both great tyres, I don’t think there is much differences between the two but there is enough for us to make the change. In qualifying at Spa, we were the most competitive we’ve been until now. “

The 2019 projects

“LMP3 will definitely stay a part of our project. We would like to continue racing in ELMS as we already did, and now in the FIA World Endurance Championship, the 2019/2020 season will be our goal. Ideally we would like to have two cars racing in WEC but realistically it will be one car.”

The team will now head to Portimão, the home race of Filipe Albuquerque for the final race of the 2018 European Le Mans Series.

Rob
8th October 2018, 07:30
WEC makes first auto-BoP changes for Fuji

The first round of automatic changes to the GTE Pro Balance of Performance in the FIA World Endurance Championship have been made on schedule for next weekend's Fuji round.
It had appeared that the initial adjustments might be delayed until November's Shanghai race after the Aston Martin Vantage GTE and the Ferrari 488 GTE Evo were given performance breaks for Silverstone in August outside of the auto system under the so-called 'black-ball rule'.

But the other cars in the class, the BMW M8 GTE, the Ford GT and the Porsche 911 RSR, have been given a revised BoP for the Japanese WEC round on October 14.

The MTEK-run BMW is the big beneficiary for Fuji, as the two M8 GTEs have been given a 20kg weight break and more power courtesy of increased boost through the rev range.


Ford's pair of Ganasi GTs will run 18kg heavier than at Silverstone and with slightly less boost, while Porsche will be 2kg heavier and has had the diameter of its engine air-restrictors reduced by 0.3mm.

Aston Martin and Ferrari have unchanged BoPs for Fuji.

The auto BoP system works on a two-race rolling average calculated on the six-hour WEC races, and the changes for the BMW, Ford and Porsche are based on data accrued at the Spa WEC opener in May and Silverstone.

The absence of any adjustments for the Aston and Ferrari suggests that the first auto adjustments for those cars has been delayed until Shanghai, which means they will be based only on data gathered after the black-ball changes.

Rob
8th October 2018, 07:33
Toyota agrees to take performance hit for Fuji

Toyota has agreed to take a performance hit for the first time this season in next weekend's Fuji round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.
The two Toyota TS050 Hybrids will run at an increased minimum weight and will no longer have an advantage on stint length over the privateer LMP1 opposition at the Japanese marque's home race on October 14.

FIA's endurance committee issued a bulletin outlining the moves states that "these changes were only possible thanks to the agreement of the LMP1H [hybrid] competitor".

The weight of the Toyotas has been raised by 26kg to 904kg under the Equivalence of Technology regulations, the mechanism under which the WEC rule makers are attempting to balance hybrid and non-hybrid P1 cars.


That means that the TS050s will be nearly 100kg heavier than the lightest privateer cars.

The two-lap refuelling advantage for Toyota originally enshrined in the agreements governing the EoT for the 2018/19 WEC superseason has also been removed.

The target stint length for the privateers has now been brought up to that of the Toyotas.

The changes follow Toyota's domination of the Silverstone WEC round in August prior to the exclusion of the TS050s for a technical infringement.

They finished four laps up on the best of the privateer P1s after six hours of racing, despite changes to the EoT, again agreed by Toyota, following the Le Mans 24 Hours in June.

WEC and series promoter the Automobile Club de l'Ouest made a promise of laptime parity to the privateers in the wake of Porsche's announcement last summer that it was leaving LMP1.

However, it was originally intended that the hybrid Toyotas would retain an advantage on stint length.

Rob
8th November 2018, 20:55
LMP1 Privateers Given Fuel Break For Shanghai

Lap stints equalised - and lift and coast necessity removed?
8 November 2018, 6:57 PM

The FIA WEC LMP1 Privateer pack have been dealt a revised Equivalence of Technology for the 6 Hours of Shanghai in 10 days time.

The changes are designed to address sharp criticism levelled by the Privateer teams at Fuji that their cars were still having to lift and coast on each racing lap to meet the required fuel numbers per lap, and per stint despite two changes in EoT, one before, and one during track action in Japan

Both values have been increased for the race in China alongside the regular minor changes that are made for each circuit, the latter measure also seeing adjustments for the Toyotas, the base values linked to the lap length at each track.

Fuel per stint has been adjusted to ensure that the Privateers are able to match the lap stints of the Toyotas.

Minor changes have been made too to the refuelling rig fuel flow restrictors to equalise fueling times across the Hybrid Toyotas, and the turbocharged and normally aspirated non-Hybrid privateers.

The latest EoT Bulletin can be viewed below

http://www.dailysportscar.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/18-D0042-LMP1-EOT-SHANGHAI-07112018.pdf

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/11/08/lmp1-privateers-given-fuel-break-for-shanghai.html

Rob
8th November 2018, 21:00
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Rob
8th November 2018, 21:04
LMGTE Pro Drivers on the race ahead in Shanghai

With the biggest LMGTE Pro field (outside the 24 Hours of Le Mans) ever in an FIA WEC race, the focus in the 6 Hours of Shanghai will well and truly be on the manufacturer entries and their world-class drivers.


The GTE Pro field will be joined by Corvette Racing in Shanghai

Who will be successful? It’s too close to call, but here’s what some of the drivers have to say ahead of the race.

James Calado, AF Corse - No.51 Ferrari 488 GTE: “It’s good to have Corvette Racing there for an extra element of competition. We know their racing reputation, something they’ve shown many times at Le Mans, and it will be exciting to have them in Shanghai. It’s a good track, but not been a great one for Ferrari in previous years in terms of results…up until now. We’re optimistic to get a good outcome, will stay positive and see where we can finish.”

Oliver Gavin, Corvette Racing - No. 64 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R: “It’s fantastic to go to Shanghai and compete in the World Endurance Championship. The last time we saw most of those competitors was at Le Mans. We know it’s tight, it’s tough and very competitive so we’re looking forward to it; it’ll be great to see the challenge of the race in China. Whenever Corvette Racing goes anywhere, it’s to win. A victory would be very, very sweet.”


Harry Tincknell

Harry Tincknell, Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK - No.67 Ford GT: “We have many good memories from Shanghai as we’re undefeated there. Last year was the toughest win of my career. It was a topsy-turvy race with lots of different tyre strategies going on; Andy had to make some great passes when he had the new tyres and I had to defend for my life, lap after lap, when I had the old tyres. I remember just taking it corner by corner, holding off the Porsche, counting down the laps until I could get on some fresh rubber. It was absolutely exhausting being attacked from all sides but that made it even sweeter when we took the win. We’re going for the threepeat this year!”

Nicky Catsburg, BMW Team MTEK - No.81 BMW M8 GTE: “I think it is great that Corvette is joining us in Shanghai - it will make an already ultra-competitive class even more competitive. They just won the IMSA championship in the US and, from what I remember from racing them in the States, it will not be easy to beat them in the WEC. But, we are very much up to the challenge, so bring it on!”


Gianmaria Bruni.

Gianmaria Bruni, Porsche GT Team - No.91 Porsche 911 RSR: "This is the last race of the 2018 year before the WEC Super Season continues next March in Sebring, USA. I always like going racing in Shanghai. The circuit is one of the best in the whole world. I'm looking forward to tackling the race with Richard in the Porsche 911 RSR at this special venue. I've always had a lot of positive experiences in China so I'm heading there feeling great."

Marco Sørensen, Aston Martin Racing - No.95 Aston Martin Vantage: “I think Shanghai is going to be our turn now and it has to be. We are going to push like crazy to be where we need to be. And with Corvette, Aston Martin’s close rivals for so many years, joining the whole race it’s going to be amazing. The GTE class is definitely going to be the class to watch.”

Rob
15th November 2018, 08:37
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Dates announced for WEC Prologue and Rookie Test.
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The first full cross-year FIA WEC season will begin in September 2019 and the dates for two important occasions have today been announced to complement the already-published 2019-2020 calendar.

The WEC Prologue will be held at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona on Wednesday 24th and Thursday 25th July 2019, this being the first opportunity for all entrants to test new cars, drivers or components in a competitive setting.

The first race of the season will be the 4 Hours of Silverstone on 1st September, some five weeks later.

Also announced is the 2018-2019 season Rookie test (art 9.1 of the FIA WEC Sporting Regulations) will held at Bahrain International Circuit on Sunday 15th December 2019, the day after the 8 Hours of Bahrain, round 4 of the WEC’s 8th season.

WEC-nominated “Rookie” drivers will be awarded a minimum of 30 laps during the test day, and the five hours of track time is also available to other WEC competitors should they wish to profit from the opportunity to evaluate potential drivers.

Rob
5th December 2018, 19:13
JDC-MILLER MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES DRIVER LINE-UP AND NEW NUMBERS FOR 2019

JDC-Miller MotorSports returns to the IMSA WeatherTech Championship in 2019, once again fielding a two-car prototype effort with the No. 84 and No. 85 Cadillac DPi-V.Rs.

2018 IMSA standouts Stephen Simpson and Simon Trummer will co-drive the No. 84, with 2018 IMSA race winner Chris Miller returning for all endurance races in 2019. Indy Lights standout Juan Piedrahita will complete the line-up for the 2019 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona.

Tristan Vautier returns to JDC-Miller MotorSports full time in 2019 to race alongside 2018 Sahlen’s Six Hour winner, Misha Goikhberg in the No. 85 Cadillac DPi-V.R. Formula One legend Rubens Barrichello will join Vautier and Goikhberg at Daytona and GP3 young gun Devlin DeFrancesco returns to JDC after two strong performances with the team in 2018 to round out the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona entry for the No. 85. Juan Piedrahita will join the No. 85 car for the remaining endurance races at Sebring, Watkins Glen and Petit LeMans.

“We are very excited about our driver roster for the Rolex 24 and the whole season,” said JDC-Miller MotorSports team owner, John Church. We announced our purchase of the Cadillacs in September. We’ve been working steadily all fall to put together a stealth group of drivers to compete for race wins in 2019. Chris, Misha, Stephen and Simon were very competitive last year. Devlin had two great runs with us in 2018, and Juan and Tristan have raced with us in the past as they developed their driving careers. It’s great to welcome all of them back. Last, but certainly not least, we’re thrilled to welcome Rubens to the team. It’s an honor for us, it’s a great opportunity for our team and we look forward to providing him with a very competitive effort.”

Barrichello will make his fifth start at the iconic 24-hour race. He last competed at the Rolex 24 At Daytona in 2016 driving the Corvette DP for Wayne Taylor Racing. “I can’t wait! I love this race and I am very happy to return. I know the team had a good event last year with a sixth-place finish. I am excited to work hard for a great finish and have an enjoyable weekend and give the fans a great race.”

The International cast of drivers at JDC-Miller includes natives of eight countries: Brazil (Barichello), Canada (DeFrancesco), Columbia (Piedrahita), France (Vautier), South Africa (Simpson), Switzerland (Trummer), Russia (Goikhberg) and the U.S.A. (Miller). The stout line-up brings experience and race wins from the worlds top levels of motorsports including Formula One, IndyCar, IMSA, Stock Car and World Endurance Challenge. “I want to credit John Church for putting such a strong driver line up together across both the #84 and #85 cars, said JDC-Miller veteran Stephen Simpson. He continued, “John runs a fantastic operation which is continuing to go from strength to strength with the goal of becoming Championship winning material.”

The team took delivery of their first Cadillac DPi-V.R just one month ago and is set to complete their first test next week at Sebring. Misha Goikhberg commented: “I am looking forward to taking what we learned competing alongside the DPi’s the past two seasons and actually applying it in our own Cadillac DPi-V.R. I think this year the DPi field will be even more competitive than before, and I cherish that level of competition.”

The Minnesota based JDC-Miller MotorSports has left a large footprint on the IMSA record books in short amount of time. Stephen Simpson, Misha Goikhberg and Chris Miller won the 2016 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona competing in the IMSA PC class with JDC-Miller. They quickly transitioned to the top ranks of Sports Car racing in 2017, joining the prototype category and scored two second place finishes and finished fourth in the series championship in their rookie season. Their success and growth continued in 2018, when they introduced a two-car effort and scored a victory at the Sahlen’s Six Hour with Goikhberg, Simpson and Miller and a pole at Road America with Simon Trummer and Robert Alon. Once again, JDC-Miller MotorSports, finished fourth in the series championship, but this time against an even larger and more competitive IMSA WeatherTech Championship field. For more information, please visit: www.jdcmotorsports.com.

DRIVER QUOTES, Car No. 84:

Stephen Simpson: On new teammates Simon Trummer and Juan Piedrahita: “I am very excited to have Simon as my team mate for the new season. Simon had some very strong performances in his debut season in IMSA and showed his potential. We get along very well, we have good chemistry and I am looking forward to getting to work. It will be great to have Juan join us for the Rolex 24 in the #84. I have known Juan for a handful of years and was previously his coach when he raced in Indy Lights. I know he is going to be a strong addition. Additionally, I am very happy to be continuing to share the car with Chris for the long races. Chris is quick and a great team mate. This will be our 6th season driving together in the long races, we will both miss Misha but are excited for the whole team and driver pairings.”

On the transition to the Cadillac and Michelin Tires: “Racing the Cadillac DPi is something I am very proud of. I am very much looking forward to being part of the GM family and hopefully adding to their win tally. Michelin make fantastic tires, I have no doubt lap records will be broken during the season as the tire is quicker than what we have previously used. The tire also feels different and certain setup changes that worked on the other tire might not necessarily work on the Michelin’s, so it will be a good challenge figuring them out and making the most of them.”



Simon Trummer: “After a great first year in IMSA and the US racing for me, I’m super excited to continue here in the United States of America again with JDC-Miller MotorSports. I love the dedication to the sport they have. Both, John Church, and John Miller are true racers, and so am I. With Stephen as my Teammate, I believe we have a very strong line up. Already during this past season, we matched very well, and could improve together our 07’s every race weekend. I would like to say thank you to John Church, John Miller, my Family and my sponsors, who believe in me and supporting me in my passion and dreams.”

On his experience with Dallara: “To be on the grid with a Cadillac dpi is such a privilege, I know the people from Dallara since a long time, as I raced Formula 2 back in the days, so all this makes me very confident that we have a competitive package together and can fight for something big.”



Chris Miller: On the evolution and growth of the team going into 2019: "With the Cadillac DPi-V. R we know we have a car capable of competing for wins nearly everywhere we go this season. For the team to take the next step forward, everyone felt it was important to put together driver line-ups for both cars that could win races. I don't think we could be much happier about the group we ended up with. Continuity within the team has always been a big asset for us, so it’s great to have five of the drivers continue from last year and to also welcome back Juan and Tristan to JDC. The addition of Rubens for Daytona is also exciting and speaks to the growth and strength of the team."



Juan Piedrahita: On his transition to Sports Cars: "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to drive the Cadillac DPi-V. R this season, it looks like an amazing car and from what I hear the feel of the car is very close to an open wheel car, so I can’t wait to go on track.”

On his return to JDC-Miller MotorSports: “When we decided to investigate the endurance races JDC-Miller was our first choice, I’ve known all the JDC guys for more than 10 years now and we shared a great time in the Road to Indy together where we were very competitive both in USF2000 and Pro Mazda. I'm very looking forward to the Daytona 24 race, the team has great line up in both cars and I'm pretty sure we can be very competitive, for me personally I look forward to learn from my team mates and help the team be in the podium."



DRIVER QUOTES, Car No. 85:

Misha Goikhberg: On his new teammate, Tristan Vautier and 2019 season: “I welcome Tristan, his talents and experiences with the Cadillac to our #85 entry, which would hopefully result in us being able to fight for wins. I am also excited to work with Rubens and Devlin, one is already an absolute legend in our sport while the other is a proven F3 driver with a bright future in racing. It's fun to have these different perspectives during big events like the Daytona 24, as it gives us all an opportunity to learn from each other. I'd also like to thank Stephen (Simpson) and Chris (Miller) for being the best teammates over the past 4 seasons, I will miss driving alongside them, but at the same time, I know we will work together to bring JDC-Miller package forward, albeit in different cars. Thankfully the first test is soon, which means our 2019 season has already started.”



Tristan Vautier: On his return to JDC-Miller MotorSports and the team’s evolution since they last worked together in 2011: "We won the Star Mazda Championship together in 2011, which was a turning point in my career, so being re-united with the Team feels pretty special. It is funny because for the last four years, every time we would cross paths in the paddock, the two Johns (John Church and John Miller), Matthias and I would always joke about when would we be able to race together again, and now here we are. I am impressed with how many steps forward the team has been able to make since their Sports Car debut in LMPC, and really optimistic about our chances to do well.”

On bringing his experience with the Cadillac DPi-V.R to JDC-Miller MotorSports: “I raced the Cadillac last season, it's an amazing car to drive, and I hope that my experience with it will help us get up to speed as fast as we can. I'm grateful to the Team and Misha for the trust they are putting in me, now let's go get the job done!"



Rubens Barrichello: I am super excited to compete in the Rolex 24 again, I love this race. In fact, I love the series and I almost won the Rolex 24 once with the Taylor brothers. I know JDC-Miller had a good event last year with sixth place, so I hope we can really enjoy our weekend and give our best for the best possible position. I am really excited, and I can’t wait for it!”



Devlin DeFrancesco: “I am so looking forward to Daytona. I am really looking forward to being back with everyone at JDC-Miller. I really enjoyed the two races last year (Rolex 24 and Petit LeMans), it’s a great team, great engineers and it almost feels more like a family team, so it’s great to be back. We had a decent result with decent pace even with the balance of performance in the P2 at Road Atlanta, so I am really looking forward to coming back in the DPi. I am excited to see what we can do and possibly going to get a Rolex.”

madonnajess
13th October 2021, 13:22
:clap

Matt Griffin Added To Risi GTD Ferrari For Daytona

Irish ace joins Molina, de Lara, Fuentes and Creel in new 488 GT3

Matt Griffin is the latest star name to be added to the 2018 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona entry, the rapid Irishman is added to the #82 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GT3 in a packed and high quality GTD class.

Griffin then joins his 2017 FIA WEC GTE AM rival Miguel Molina in the car alongside Mexican trio Ricardo Perez de Lara, Martin Fuentes and Santiago Creel for the opening race of the IMSA season.



The addition of Griffin, one of the most experienced Pro Ferrari GT3 drivers to create a five driver entry reflects the expectation that the race is set to be fast and closely fought. Molina and Griffin will both be forces to be reckoned with if, as is usually the case it seems, the GTD battle comes down to a late race dog fight.

It will be Matt’s third Rolex 24 Hours (he raced in both 2014 and 2015, finishing fourth three years ago and setting the fastest lap of the race in class.

“I’m delighted to be involved,” Matt told DSC earlier today. “Every Professional driver wants to be involved with the big races, and the big teams. This will be my first run with Risi Competizione and again that’s a source of pride. I first met Guiseppe Risi back in 2008, almost at the beginning of my time with AF Corse and Ferrari (this will be Matt’s 11th season with the team), and it is an honour to now be driving for his team, real fan favourites and for good reason. The cars are always stunningly turned out and always run well.”

Track action for the 2018 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona gets underway next week with full live coverage on IMSA Radio.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2018/01/17/matt-griffin-added-to-82-risi-competizione-gtd-ferrari-for-daytona.html

Thanks for the suggestions. It really helped me

wisepie
30th January 2022, 16:50
Presume Rob, 458 Italia and Red Five are keeping an eye on the Daytona 24hrs, been dipping in and out and hoping the Risi car62 can get a podium in GTDPro, currently in P3. The other AF Corse car21 and Cetilar car47 488GTDs both still running but not in great positions.