Le Mans news

[Rob]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Audi changes Le Mans driver line-up

Thursday, January 28th 2010, 10:55 GMT


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

New driver trio for the Audi R15 TDI
Team Update ⋅ January 28, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Quotes by the new Audi drivers

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

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

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

[Rob]

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

International GT Open season taking shape
January 31, 2010


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

All the season dates:

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

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

[Rob]

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Ayari confirmed as Oreca 01 lead drive

Team Update ⋅ February 1, 2010

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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

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

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

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

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

[Greig]

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

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

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

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

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

[Testarossa6000]

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

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

[Rob]

whooop it great line up of drivers, roll on June

[Rob]

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

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

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

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

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

LM P1

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

LM P2

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

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

LM GT1

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

LM GT2

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

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

A full analysis of all classes will follow..

[Rob]

FIA GT......
Matech testing Ford GT1 at Portimão
Team Update ⋅ February 3, 2010


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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Full season Le Mans Series entries announced
February 3, 2010

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

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

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

LMP1 (11 entries)

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

LMP2 (16 entries)

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

LMGT1 (2 entries)

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

LMGT2 (15 entries)

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

McNish determined to win third Le Mans

Thursday, February 4th 2010, 17:16 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Highcroft targets LMP2 victory on debut

Thursday, February 4th 2010, 13:43 GMT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Eight victories in just eleven Le Mans races

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

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

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

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

Triumph of TDI technology

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

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

Racing debut at the 8-hour race at Le Castellet

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

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

The Audi Teams at Le Mans 2010

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

[Rob]

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The final three cars were sort of a surprise.

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

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

So who are we missing…

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Collard joins Corvette for enduros

February 9th 2010, 16:40 GMT


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Atlas Group to run GT1 Saleen

Monday, February 8th 2010, 09:29 GMT


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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Pierre Kaffer completes CRS Racing line up
February 8, 2010


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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

Fischer Racing to race in FIA GT3
Team Update February 11, 2010

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Fischer Racing GmbH)

[Rob]

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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


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

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

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

[Rob]

RML to use Honda engine in LMP2

Friday, February 12th 2010, 15:18 GMT


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

[Rob]

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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