LMS/ILMC 2011

[Rob]

Toyota Motorsport GmbH to participate in 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours
14/10/201110h05 24 Heures du Mans 2012



COLOGNE, Germany – Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) is delighted to confirm that it will take part in several races of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship, including the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The entry will be based upon an LMP1 prototype chassis from TMG, and a petrol hybrid powertrain produced by Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan.

The exact scope of this participation and its official name will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

TMG’s high-performance technical centre in Cologne, Germany, where the LMP1 chassis has been designed, developed and produced, will be the base for the team.

The car is planned to take part in a roll-out around the turn of the year prior to an extensive test schedule in early 2012. Further details will be confirmed in due course.

Tadashi Yamashina, Toyota Motor Corporation Senior Managing Officer and TMG Chairman, said: “Toyota Motor Corporation has entered Le Mans before but by using our hybrid technology this time will be a completely new challenge. We want to write a new page in the history of the Le Mans 24 Hours, as well as in the FIA World Endurance Championship, through our use of hybrid technology. In addition, we aim to learn from the experience of competing in such a challenging motorsport environment to enhance our production car technology. Le Mans is a legendary race and I would like to thank the ACO and the FIA for their constructive and positive cooperation over the last few months.”

TMG’s award-winning engineering services, including all current motorsport projects, will continue unaffected by this announcement, which it is hoped will provide further impetus to its successful business development activities.

About Toyota Motorsport GmbH:
Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) is an engineering services supplier based in Cologne, Germany since 1979 with extensive experience of World Rally, sportscar racing and Formula 1. With two state-of-the-art wind tunnels, unique R&D testing facilities and extensive production departments as well as impressive design and simulation capabilities, TMG is at the forefront of engineering services supply to the motorsport and automotive industries. In 2011, TMG was part of a Le Mans Series Manufacturers’ championship with Rebellion Racing and Lola, while it also set a new lap record for electric vehicles at the Nürburgring Nordschleife using a road-legal car with TMG electric powertrain. For more information, please visit www.toyota-motorsport.com.

[epiclyaddicted]

That's really good news. I just hope that their petrol hybrid can really challenge the diesels!

[Rob]

that is good. But, the diesels have sooo much more torque than petrol powered cars, i dont think they will. Hope im proved wrong. I really would like too see the petrol teams, Pescarolo, Rebellion, Aston really take the fight to Audi and Pug on a level playing field. But unless you have diesel power, no teams can get there and fight with them at the front. Shame really.

[epiclyaddicted]

that is good. But, the diesels have sooo much more torque than petrol powered cars, i dont think they will. Hope im proved wrong. I really would like too see the petrol teams, Pescarolo, Rebellion, Aston really take the fight to Audi and Pug on a level playing field. But unless you have diesel power, no teams can get there and fight with them at the front. Shame really.

Yeah, torque and fuel efficiency is where the diesels gain the most, the petrols have to pit so many more times for fuel.

But I think I was reading the other day the ACO and the FIA are going to restrict the diesels further next year, in terms of the size of air intakes, fuel tank capacity, etc., while letting the petrols gain a bit through weight loss and stuff?

[Rob]

The performance of the diesel engines will be pegged back by around 7% by decreasing the size of the air restrictors and the supercharger pressure. The diameter of the restrictors will be reduced from 47.4 mm to 45.8 mm for engines that have a single restrictor, and from 33.5 mm to 32.4 mm for those engines that have two. In addition, the supercharger pressure of the turbos will be reduced from 3 000 to 2 800 milibars.

The fuel tank capacity of diesel-engined LM P1 cars will be reduced by 5 litres (65 to 60 litres).

[epiclyaddicted]

Yeah, that's the one. Cheers Rob.

[Rob]

Yeah, that's the one. Cheers Rob.

[Rob]

Peugeot 908 HYbrid4 takes to the track

By Team Update ⋅ October 18, 2011

Following its unveiling at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March, the Peugeot 908 HYbrid 4 underwent its first track test at Estoril on October 11.

A positive maiden test

One month after its convincing shakedown run at a private PSA Peugeot Citroën venue on September 16, the 908 HYbrid4 underwent its first genuine track test at Estoril, Portugal, in October. The car completed a little more than 300km in the hands of Nicolas Minassian, Stéphane Sarrazin and Alexander Wurz. ”Our aim wasn’t to put a lot of kilometres on the clock, but to verify that all the chief functions performed,” reports Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director Bruno Famin. ”It was important to analyse the data of each run to be sure we understood the results before moving on to the next step. The system functioned well and responded as predicted, which was very satisfying. At the same time, we started to make a few adjustments to the car’s basic set-up. It worked well, so that’s very positive.”

What the drivers said…

Nicolas Minassian: “I had the good fortune to drive the original demonstration hybrid car in 2008 and I am proud to have been the first person to drive the 908 HYbrid4. It’s extremely interesting to work on a project of this scale which no doubt paves the way for the future of motor racing. As a driver, it’s very rewarding to be in a position where you can learn and play a part in the development of new technologies.”

Stéphane Sarrazin: “We were able to work through the complete test programme, so that was fantastic. It was interesting to work with the
engineers to identify the ideal compromises and, of course, get acquainted with the system, since the project is only in its early days. You can feel the extra power and it will be up to us to harness or adapt it in the most competitive way possible. We will need to strike the right balance. We’re looking at a lot of things and exploring several avenues.”

The origins

It was at Silverstone in 2008 that Peugeot Sport took the wraps off its hybrid demonstration car based on the 908 HDi FAP. The intention of that initial project was to get a grasp of the different challenges associated with this new technology in order to carry it over to the new car which would make its debut in 2011 within the framework of the technical regulations announced at the end of 2009.

“We spent 2010 designing the system ahead an initial bench-test at the beginning of 2011,” explains Bruno Famin. ”At Peugeot Sport, we have a dyno that allows us to test the complete engine, gearbox and transmission assembly. This is particularly practical since it functions just as it does when fitted to the car. The hybrid system forms an integral part of the powertrain. This test work continued through
2011 up to the car’s first shakedown run in September and its first real track test a few days ago.”

Test programme launched

This track debut was more than encouraging and the 908 HYbrid4’s test programme is poised to continue with a second run soon at another circuit, as well as further bench testing. ”It will be interesting to see how the system performs at a different track,” notes Bruno Famin. ”A new
phase will also begin when we start to fine tune not only the system but also the handling of the car. We have no intention of rushing things, however. We are still on a learning curve and the endurance testing will come later.”

Close collaboration between PSA Peugeot Citroën and Peugeot Sport

After the introduction of diesel hybrid power on the 3008 HYbrid4, Peugeot profited from the recent Frankfurt Show to take the wraps off the 508 RXH which combines radical styling and environmental excellence. At the same time, Peugeot Sport has been working closely with engineers from the Group on the design and development of a hybrid system that can be carried over to motorsport.
The 3008 HYbrid4, 508 RXH and 908HYbrid4 are all illustrations of the determined, pioneering approach Peugeot has been taking with regard to diesel/electric hybrids. In the same way as it collaborated actively with the Group’s engineering specialists when choosing
and developing the diesel engine for the team’s endurance racing programme, Peugeot Sport benefited from the Group’s research and development expertise to identify the most effective technologies, the best suppliers and the pitfalls to avoid in the area of hybrids. ”We received advice and guidance in a high number of areas. As far as the electric motor is concerned, we have also learned a great deal ourselves, and that has led to a genuine two-way exchange. We are consequently making mutual progress thanks to our respective experience of what is similar technology,” concludes Bruno Famin.

[Rob]

Zhuhaï 6 Hours: Mika Häkkinen at the start of the final round of the ILMC!
20/10/201114h18- Auto News- 6 Heures de Zhuhai

For the second year running, the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup season will finish in China on 13th November in the Zhuhaï 6 Hours, in which the two-time F1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen will compete! From a sporting point of view, beyond a much sought-after victory on a prime market, the main centre of attention will be the attribution of the manufacturers’ title in LM GTE.
Many people’s eyes will be focused on the no. 96 AMG Mercedes-Benz SLS GT3 on the grid for the Zhuhaï 6 Hours. Not only because it will be the first outing of a car bearing the famous 3-pointed star in an ILMC race (in GTC accepted in China as in 2010), but also because it will be driven by Mika Häkkinen, the F1 World Champion in 1998-1999. The Finn, who won his two titles with the McLaren-Mercedes squad, has maintained strong links with the German make, which has entered this car under the AMG China team banner. Mika will be backed up by German Lance David Arnold and Cong Fu Cheng, the first Chinese driver to have raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2008. Four GTCs (three Audi R8 LMSs and the Mercedes-Benz) plus a Formula Le Mans complete the field of 29 entries for the final round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.

The main sporting challenge in the race is in the LM GTE category. Ferrari will start the Zhuhaï event hoping to win the ILMC manufacturers’ title in this category. So far the Italian cars have had a great season with four wins in six races including three for the Fisichella-Bruni pairing not enough, though, to clinch outright victory in the title chase before the final round in Zhuhaï. Ferrari needs only one point to be crowned and beat BMW, while in the teams’ classification AF Corse has only 14 points in hand over BMW Motorsport.

Mathematically speaking, Peugeot is already assured of winning the championship title in the LM P1 manufacturers’ category (subject to the ACO confirming the results after the Zhuhaï event), and the Lion from Sochaux is determined to continue its winning streak. In fact, the French make has emerged victorious in all the ILMC rounds of the season so far with the notable exception of the Le Mans 24 Hours. For Peugeot as well as for Audi a win in China is of capital importance given what’s at stake in the world’s no. 1 motor car market. The outsiders in the duel between the diesel-engined prototypes will be Aston Martin Racing (3rd in the Petit Le Mans on 1st October), OAK Racing (3rd Silverstone, 11th September) with two LM P1s and Rebellion Racing with its Lola-Toyota not forgetting the Japanese entry of a Courage LC70 by Tokai University.

The economic stakes are equally as high for the manufacturers entered in LM GTE. Ferrari, BMW, Lotus, Corvette, Aston Martin and Porsche also have a solid foothold on the Chinese market: recently, the country became the leading importer of Porsches ahead of the United States! That gives an idea, above and beyond the final titles that will be awarded, of the intensity of the battle between the ILMC entrants.

In LM GTE Am, the Larbre Competition Corvette will be under no pressure as it already won the 2011 teams’ title in LM GTE Am at the Petit Le Mans. Obviously, it will be after a prestige victory in China. The same applies to Signatech-Nissan also victorious in the American event, whose sole rival will be the OAK Racing entry following the withdrawal of Level 5 Motorsports.

Increased television coverage!

This year, the Zhuhaï 6 Hours will benefit from increased television coverage in relation to 2010, proof of the growing interest in motor sport in China. Three channels will show the event: Guangdong Sport Channel, a powerful regional network covering the provinces of Guangdong and Chongqing (135 million inhabitants), will provide over 6 hours’ coverage on 13th November including five dedicated to the race. The major national TV channel, CCTV 5, will also cover the event in its programmes with information flashes and short programmes starting on 12th November. Finally, the national satellite network, Guangxi Satellite Channel will broadcast an 80-minute summary the day after the race. ESPN Star, a Pan-Asian broadcaster, will beam 3 hours live into South-Eastern Asian homes!

Obviously, Eurosport, the ILMC’s partner will finish the season with a flourish.

The final 1h 30m of the race will be shown live on Sunday 13th November from 08h30 to 10h00 (French time) in Europe (including France). Eurosport Asia-Pacific, another Pan-Asian network, will show the whole race live plus several summaries in the days that follow. Other agreements with several international broadcasters are in the process of being finalized.

Internet will also provide coverage. The ILMC official site will continue its Web TV broadcasts and lemans.org will enable fans to follow the Zhuhaï 6 Hours in live streaming, in other words, the whole of the race live!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
2nd Zhuhaï 6 Hours
13th November 2011
Seventh and last round of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.

Circuit: Zhuhaï Circuit (Guangdong, China), length 4,03 km.

Free practice: Friday 11th November from 10 h 30 to 12 h 00, then 15 h 00 to 16 h 00, Saturday 12th November from 10 h 15 to 11 h 15.

Qualifying: Saturday 12th November from 14 h 15 to 15 h 10 (LM GTE Am, LM GTE Pro and GTC, 14 h 15 to 14 h 35, LM Prototypes and FLM 14 h 50 to 15 h 10).

Warm-Up: Sunday 13th November from 8 h 00 to 8 h 20.

Race: Start of the Zhuhaï 6 Hours, Sunday 13th November at 11 h 00.

Entries: 29 cars including 23 ILMCs.

ILMC field: 23 cars: 8 LM P1s, 2 LM P2s, 7 GTE Pros, 6 GTE Ams.

The times given are local, six hours ahead of France.

ILMC Classifications
(before the Zhuhaï 6 Hours)

Manufacturers

LM P1: 1. Peugeot, 182 pts - 2. Audi, 108. Peugeot 2011 ILMC Champion*.

LM GTE: 1. Ferrari, 151 pts - 2. BMW, 123 - 3. Porsche, 105 etc.

Teams

LM P1: 1. Peugeot Sport Total, 97 pts - 2. Audi Sport Team Joest, 74 - 3. Team Oreca Matmut, 47 etc. Peugeot Sport Total 2011 ILMC Champion*.

LM P2: 1. Signatech Nissan, 79 pts - 2. Level 5 Motorsports, 57 - 3. OAK Racing, 50. Signatech Nissan 2011 ILMC champion*.

LM GTE Pro: 1. AF Corse, 99 pts - 2. BMW Motorsport, 85 - 3. Luxury Racing, 26 etc.

LM GTE Am: 1. Larbre Compétition, 79 pts - 2. Krohn Racing, 50 - AF Corse, 47 etc. Larbre Compétition 2011 ILMC Champion*.

*Subject the confirmation of the results by the Automobile Club de l’Ouest.

[Rob]

Green flag for Sébastien Loeb Racing !

By Team Update ⋅ October 29, 2011

Green flag for Sébastien Loeb Racing !

Sébastien Loeb, the 7-time World Rally champion, and his friend Dominique Heintz are partnering to create the circuit racing team Sébastien Loeb Racing. On the schedule, the Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup in 2012 with Endurance in their sights…

The story of Sébastien Loeb and Dominique Heintz started in 1997, in rallying. Nearly fifteen years later, the adventure continues with the launch of Sébastien Loeb Racing, a team born out of friendship and a mutual passion for racing will make it’s debut in 2012. As first steps, the team will run in the Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup, with two Porsche 911 GT3 Cups entered in the premiere single-make cup series. In parallel, Sébastien Loeb Racing is looking to enter a Formula Le Mans (ORECA-FLM09) in the Le Mans Series with the goal of one day racing in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

With seven World Rally championships in WRC under his belt, and fighting for an eighth crown in the Rally of Great Britain in a few days (November 10-13), Sébastien Loeb is ready to take on the new challenge. « With Dominique, we’ve often spoken about this desire to start a team together, » recalls the Alsacian driver. « A true friendship links us. The story began fifteen years ago : he’s the one who began the idea. We promised to each other that we would do it one day, and that day has come ! » In 1997, Dominique Heintz had begun « Ambition Sport Auto », who was running a Volant 106 for Sébastien Loeb. That year, he was named « Best newcomer Echappement of the year».

« It’s the logical continuation of the adventure,» adds Dominique Heintz, co-found of Sébastien Loeb Racing.
« Sébastien felt ready : he has clarified his future as a driver. It’s the right time : after these next two years in Rally (2012 and 2013), he’ll have the opportunity to get even more involved in the team which will have already gone through its growing pains. It’s not an idea that we came up with yesterday. We’ve been talking about it for a while now : we just had to let time do its thing.»

The Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup to start…

After shining on the Rally circuit for so many years, Sébastien Loeb has opted for a different kind of circuit. He explains his reasons for the choice : « I’ve had a few experiences on circuits, in different disciplines, and I liked those experiences as well as the atmosphere around them. Rallying represents a large part of my life and it’s something I still enjoy, which is why I’m continuing in the sport. But in the coming years, when I’ll have more time available, I want to discover a new universe. »

Sébastien Loeb Racing will be making its first foray into racing in the Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup. « I’ve driven in this series, and I was seduced, » confides Sébastien Loeb. « Each competitor has the same car, so it’s the driver who makes the difference. The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup can be entered in several championships : it’s an element that counted for us, as well as its reasonable price. We will be running two cars in France, but it’s also accepted in Porsche Supercup and even in the Le Mans Series, in the GTC class. Therefore, another program could come online as a compliment : this choice is the fruit of a lot of forethought. It’s a solid base. » In addition, the Porsche Matmut Carrera Cup corresponds perfectly to the philosophy of the team : the combination of young driving talent eager to prove themselves and gentleman drivers.

Sébastien Loeb and Dominique Heintz are also looking into possibly entering Sébastien Loeb Racing into the Peugeot RCZ Cup, a new single-make cup series with appeal : « It’s a driver evolution tool with an interesting concept. The series is aimed at all types of drivers, from young movers and shakers to gentlemen drivers who want to satisfy their passion, with a very good cost to performance ratio. This fits into our expectations so logically we are looking into this avenue. »

… the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the medium-term goal !

Alongside his Rally engagements, Sébastien Loeb has twice driven in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, including a podium finish (2nd in 2006). Sébastien Loeb Racing has made this form of racing an objective, as Dominique Heintz confirms : « Our desire is to acquire the necessary experience to participate in the 24 Hours of Le Mans around 2014 in LMP2. Formula Le Mans is a good solution to start in prototype racing. This is why we are working to get the necessary budget. »

« Endurance racing is an attractive discipline, » adds Sébastien Loeb. « The World Endurance Championship will be launched in 2012, with three officially entered constructors. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a legendary race and we hope to one day be on the grid as a racing team. To accomplish this, we must put together a cohesive project and take it step by step.

With such an ambition, Sébastien Loeb Racing’s presence on circuits will be taking place over several years.
« This isn’t a one-shot deal » underscore the driver, now team boss. « We want to build a serious and professional team, which will be there for the long haul. It’s a real challenge : we can’t underestimate the size of it. But that’s also what’s good about it ! I’m going to discover new aspects, aspects that will represent my future, and which will allow me to stay in racing and therefore keep living my passion. »

Sébastien Loeb and Dominique Heintz will now take up the task of deciding on potential drivers for the coming season. The two friends could aim for youth. « It’s one of our hopes, » notes Dominique Heintz. « We must not forget that this was the base of our friendship : Sébastien climbed his way to the top thanks to ladder series. Today, we’d like to help young talent work their way up the hierarchy with the same principle. We’ll use Sébastien’s path as inspiration to reproduce a great career, it’s a formidable challenge ! That said, sharing his experience with a gentleman driver would be a unique adventure as well … »

Details of Sébastien Loeb Racing and of the definitive plans will be announced during an official presentation before the end of the year

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/10/...n-loeb-racing/

[Rob]

Gulf Racing to run two Lola LMP2 Coupes in WEC
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ NOVEMBER 2, 2011

Gulf Racing has today announced its participation in the FIA World Endurance Championship 2012 with a pair of Lola LMP2 coupés.

Fabien Giroix will enter two the Lola LMP2 thanks to his partners Jean-Pierre Valentini and Frederic Fatien. The latter will also be one of the team drivers.

Recently installed at Dubai Autodrome, Gulf Racing now has a major technical base and is involved in a number of different race programs. This team represents the main base of motor racing in the UAE. For the WEC program, it will also use its existing base in Magny Cours, France.

For the World Championship, the entry will be run under the UAE flag and will benefit from the strong support of the main businesses and personalities in the Emirates.

Frederic Fatien, current leader of the UAE GT Championship with Fabien comments:
” I am happy to continue this adventure that started three years ago to take gentlemen drivers to the highest level of motor racing competition in the World Endurance Championship. This extraordinary experience is above all based on friendship and a strong team spirit.”

Fabien Giroix: “We are strengthening our current team thanks to our partners but also thanks to the growing support from the Emirates, to help us take Emirati drivers to the highest level of motorsport, especially in Endurance. This year, with the quality of the new LMP2 Lola coupé and the driver pairings we will have, we are aiming to win the World Championship and to obtain victory in the 24H of Le Mans in the LMP2 category. We are also proud to once again represent the Gulf brand in Endurance. In continuation with the work we have done over the last two years with ACO members and the entry of a Lamborghini GT2 last year and an Aston Martin this year, we are happy to continue in this great championship. Moreover the LMP2 category has a great future ahead of it and allows us to run some fantastic, attractive racing cars.”

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/11/...coupes-in-wec/

Look pretty nice cars. Always thought that the RML and Drayson Lolas look nice.

[epiclyaddicted]

Do you know if the Zhuhai race next weekend is on telly Rob? I know Audi Sport is streaming the whole race live on their website, but just wondering if it's on telly.

[Rob]

Do you know if the Zhuhai race next weekend is on telly Rob? I know Audi Sport is streaming the whole race live on their website, but just wondering if it's on telly.

honestly, i dont know. I will look it up and see. Audi streaming it, cool. If not tv that may have to do.

[Rob]

also be on lemans.org

oh, it is going to be on Eurosport Sunday 13th at 07.30-09.00 and it says wil show the end live, so by looks of it no full coverage :(

[epiclyaddicted]

Ok, so just have to catch it online then I suppose.

Don't know anything about that track, so hope it's a good one!

Really hope Audi can round off the season with a win.

[Rob]

On Saturday 16th June 2012 a prestigious event will be held as curtain-raiser to the 80th Le Mans 24 Hours. One field will only consist of Aston Martin GT3 and GT4s. An open race for Group C will complete the festivities of the weekend.

After Porsche in 2010 and Ferrari in 2011, it will be the turn of Aston Martin, another emblematic make of the Le Mans 24 Hours, to come and race on the big circuit. The event in which the magnificent cars from the Abington factory will take part, will see GT3S and GT4s going head-to-head – Vantage GT4s and N24s, and the new Vantage GT3s, which will be homologated in 2012.

Free practice will be held on Wednesday and qualifying on Thursday; a 45- minute race on the Le Mans circuit on Saturday 16th June will provide a mouth-watering programme for the crowd.

Entries open this week and it will be a case of first come, first served! Participants in the British Aston Martin GT4 Challenge are assured of a place provided they enter before 9th December.

Furthermore to this event, Group C will be back for the opening of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A race restricted to thirty of these cars that made the glory of the great endurance classic in the 80s will be scheduled on Saturday, June 16th in the morning.
The detailed programme will be announced later.

[Rob]

Ok, so just have to catch it online then I suppose.

Don't know anything about that track, so hope it's a good one!

Really hope Audi can round off the season with a win.

here you go mate check this link out..
http://www.lemans.org/en/races/inter...uide_5535.html

hoping for Audi win. Like see Nishy win.

[epiclyaddicted]

here you go mate check this link out..
http://www.lemans.org/en/races/inter...uide_5535.html

hoping for Audi win. Like see Nishy win.

Thanks mate. Yeah would love to see McNish get a win.

[Rob]

Audi R18 TDI to compete in record market China
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ NOVEMBER 4, 2011

Audi R18 TDI to compete in record market China

Finale of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) at Zhuhai
Record result for Audi in the world’s largest single market
Grand appearance also for the Audi R8 LMS

Ingolstadt, November 4, 2011 – On November 13, at the close of a successful motorsport season, highlighted by the tenth triumph at the Le Mans 24 Hours and the title win in the DTM, Audi is contesting the 6-hour race at Zhuhai, China, the country that has meanwhile evolved into AUDI AG’s largest sales market.

As early as in the first week of October the brand with the four rings equaled the Chinese sales record from the entire year of 2010. In 2011, Audi expects sales to reach the level of more than 300,000 vehicles there for the first time. For Audi, the finale of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) at Zhuhai is thus a fitting occasion to celebrate the Chinese record.

The brand’s success in China is also rooted in motorsport. In 1985 and 1986, the legendary Audi quattro won the Hong Kong-Beijing Rally two consecutive times. Audi competed with the A4 DTM at Shanghai twice. And on the debut of the sports prototypes at Zhuhai last year the spectators were thrilled by the Audi R15 TDI.

Now the Chinese fans can look forward to the Audi R18 TDI, the vehicle that is arguably the world’s most fascinating race car in terms of technology. It embodies the company’s ultra-lightweight design technology and demonstrates downsizing at the highest level. Although the engine’s cubic capacity was reduced from last year’s 5.5 to 3.7 liters the R18 TDI is hardly slower than its predecessor. And it impressively proved that it is possible to win the Le Mans 24 Hours even with an ultra-compact diesel engine. In 2006, Audi was the first automobile manufacturer to win the Le Mans 24 Hours with a diesel-powered vehicle. Since June 2010 Audi has been the first brand to have entered its name on the winners’ list of the world’s most important endurance race with a V6 TDI engine. And the preparations for the 2012 season have long been in full swing at Audi Sport in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm.

But before the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup becomes the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, which upgrades the sports prototypes even further, Audi is making every effort to close its successful motorsport season at Zhuhai with a victory. There is no doubt about the Audi R18 TDI having the potential to do so. Most recently, though, it had been lacking a tiny bit of the necessary racing luck.

Yet the fans at Zhuhai will not only have the opportunity to experience the two LMP1 sports cars that will again be driven by Timo Bernhard (D)/Marcel Fässler (CH) and Tom Kristensen (DK)/Allan McNish (GB). The Audi R8 LMS, which has meanwhile become one of the world’s most successful GT3 sports cars with a track record of over 100 victories, will make a grand appearance at the ILMC finale as well. A total of three R8 LMS, fielded by Asian Audi customer teams, will be on the grid. Audi Sport customer racing China is relying on Edoardo Mortara (I)/Darryl O’Young (HK)/Alexandre Imperatori (CH). Audi race experience China is competing with Jeffrey Lee (CN)/Florian Gruber (D). Driving duties of the R8 LMS from Hitotsuyama Racing are shared by Akihiro Tsuzuki (J)/Michael Kim (USA)/Carlo van Dam (NL). Their rival in the GTC class is the former Formula One World Champion Mika Häkkinen, among others.

Audi fans around the world will be able to watch the ILMC finale live on the internet on Audi.tv. The broadcast from Zhuhai will start at 11 a.m. local time (4 a.m. CET) on November 13 and can be accessed at http://microsites.audi.com/lemans/. Eurosport will broadcast the final stages of the race live from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. (CET).

Topics of the weekend

- Will Audi Sport Team Joest manage to repeat their Le Mans victory?
- Will Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish be able to end their string of misfortune?
- Will the Audi R8 LMS be able to repeat its 2010 victory in the GTC class?

Quotes by the officials

Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “The 6-hour race at Zhuhai marks the close of a long, tough, but very successful season for Audi Sport. We won the most important race of the year – the Le Mans 24 Hours – with the Audi R18 TDI, the Spa 24 Hours with the R8 LMS and the DTM with the A4. We still have some unfinished business in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. That’s why I’m wishing for a race with a fair sporting competition at the end of the season and a bit more fortune than we last had at Silverstone and Road Atlanta. It would be nice if we could close the year with a success in what has meanwhile become the world’s largest single market for Audi.”

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “When we arrived at Zhuhai in 2010 everything was new to us. With the knowledge we gained last year many things will be easier. We know what to expect. And we’re aiming to win the season finale after not having had any chance at Road Atlanta due to too much misfortune, aggravating situations and accidents. We were quick enough there and are hoping to be able to convert that into victory in China. Twelve months ago the Audi R15 TDI was fast at Zhuhai as well, even though it had not been designed for slow corners. The current R18 TDI is even better in tight corners than the R15 TDI. So good lap times should be possible. I’m expecting similarly close gaps as at all the races this year. If, on top of that, we’ve got that necessary bit of racing luck and fair play prevailing in the field, then I think we’ll have good chances.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers

Timo Bernhard (30/D), Audi R18 TDI #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
- Most recently, at Road Atlanta, started from the front row together with Marcel Fässler
“I’ve never driven at Zhuhai before and have never been to China in my career before either. That’s why I prepared for the track with onboard camera footage. On location, you walk the track before you drive it the first time. As a professional, you’re able to quickly implement the things you’ve learned in the cockpit. The many tight turns after the long straights will be rough on the brakes. But that also makes nice passes under braking possible. The fact that only 29 cars will be on the grid will help us after almost twice as many were in the field most recently. The risk of accidents thus clearly drops. Our lap times were absolutely competitive at the past two races but we often found ourselves in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m hoping for better racing luck in China. It’s nice that we’re arriving as a strong squad. At Audi, we never give up and always support each other a lot.”

Marcel Fässler (35/CH), Audi R18 TDI #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
- Took the lead after eight laps at Road Atlanta
- Is aiming for his second victory of the season in the R18 TDI after the Le Mans 24 Hours
“I’m already very much looking forward to competing at Zhuhai again. When the circuit was inaugurated in the nineteen-nineties we drove in the Formula Campus there. Rolled sod alongside the track that would get caught in the radiator and workmen with bamboo poles – that was definitely adventurous back in those days. Meanwhile the track has established itself on the international calendar. The last race I drove in China was in 2004, in the DTM, at Shanghai. It would be nice if we could be as competitive with the Audi R18 TDI at the ILMC finale as we were at Silverstone and Road Atlanta. At Silverstone we saw that the R18 TDI is very competitive even in slow corners. Zhuhai has several very slow corners. We are expecting strong competitors and I’m hoping for a fair and nice sporting decision at the end of the season.”

Tom Kristensen (44/DK), Audi R18 TDI #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
- The eight-time Le Mans winner just barely missed victory last year
“I’m already looking forward to the last ILMC race in history. Next year the series will become a world championship. Last year I drove at Zhuhai for the first time. The track is narrow and has quick, longer straights and many very slow corners. The brakes have to work hard and good traction is important. The crowd was incredibly enthusiastic. I’m looking forward to seeing the fans again. As their interest in our sport keeps growing, so do their knowledge and enthusiasm. And China has meanwhile become the number one market for Audi in terms of deliveries. It’ll definitely be a very exciting race for us.”

Allan McNish (41/GB), Audi R18 TDI #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
- Finished the race at Zhuhai as the runner-up last year
“While our rivals have decided the title among themselves I’ve got one goal left: to win the last race of the year. After Audi was the winner of the Le Mans 24 Hours I’d like to end what personally has been a rather frustrating year on a strong, positive note. The Audi R18 TDI has been updated since Le Mans and at Silverstone and Atlanta we saw that our pace was really good. We’ve always battled for victories but they were thwarted by incidents. In China I’m again expecting a thrilling battle between Peugeot and us, like last year. In 2010, a safety car cost us a lot of time and our rival also made a few doubtful moves to slow us. Zhuhai has some narrow corners whereas the R18 TDI tends to be designed more for fast turns like those at Le Mans. But maybe the weather will also be playing a crucial role.”

The Audi drivers at Zhuhai

Timo Bernhard (D): *Feb 24, 1981 in Homburg (D); residence: Dittweiler (D); married to Katharina; height 1.73 m; weight: 61 kg; Audi driver since 2009; ILMC races: 8; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 1; fastest laps: 0; best result at Zhuhai: -; victories at Zhuhai: -

Marcel Fässler (CH): *May 27,1976 in Einsiedeln (CH); residence: Gross (CH); married to Isabel, four daughters (Shana, Elin, Yael, Delia); height 1.78 m; weight 78 kg; Audi driver since 2008; ILMC races: 6; ILMC victories: 1; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at Zhuhai: -; victories at Zhuhai: -

Tom Kristensen (DK): *Jul 07, 1967 in Hobro (DK); residence: Monaco (MC); single (partner Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald) and one daughter (Carla Marlou); height: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2000; ILMC races: 9; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at Zhuhai: 2; victories at Zhuhai: -

Allan McNish (GB): *Dec 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB); residence: Monaco (MC); married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte Amelie); height: 1.65 m; weight: 58 kg; Audi driver since 2000; ILMC races: 9; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 1; fastest laps: 0; best result at Zhuhai: 2; victories at Zhuhai: -

All winners of the ILMC race at Zhuhai (since 2010)

2010 Franck Montagny/Stéphane Sarrazin (Peugeot)

Track info

Track length: 4.319 km
Race duration: 6 hours
Pole position 2010: Stéphane Sarrazin (Peugeot), 1m 21.868s = 189.920 km/h (November 06, 2010)
Fastest lap 2010: Franck Montagny (Peugeot), 1m 22.296s = 188,933 km/h (November 07, 2010)

Tom Kristensen about Zhuhai: “Zhuhai is a friendly city, and it is much larger than you think. You travel there by ship via Hong Kong. The temperatures in November are perfect with a little humidity. The track is very tight and the circuit layout not exactly fluid. This is due to the slow corners at the end of the long straights. It’s also very hard on the brakes. You can take the fast corners 2 and 6 flat out. I like corners 10 and 14 the most. The turn 5 chicane is very aggressive and gives good feedback to the cockpit. The pit lane entry is the quickest one on the whole calendar. At Zhuhai it’s about having very high-quality and durable brakes combined with good traction and acceleration. In a nutshell: I’m convinced that the Audi R18 TDI is the best solution …”

ILMC LMP1 manufacturers standings after 6 of 7 rounds:
1 Peugeot, 182 points; 2 Audi, 108

ILMC LMP1 team standings after 6 of 7 rounds:
1 Peugeot Sport Total, 97 points; 2 Audi Sport Team Joest, 74; 3 Team Oreca Matmut, 47; 4 Rebellion Racing, 41; 5 Oak Racing, 25; 6 Aston Martin Racing, 15

Schedule (local times)

Friday, November 11
10:30-12:00 Free practice 1
15:00-16:00 Free practice 2

Saturday, November 12
10:15-11:15 Free practice 3
14:15-14:35 Qualifying (GT vehicles)
14:50-15:10 Qualifying (prototypes)

Sunday, November 13
08:00-08:20 Warm-up
11:00-17:00 Race

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/11/...-market-china/

[Rob]

Audi R8 LMS ultra to be launched in 2012
BY TEAM UPDATE

In 2012, the Audi R8 LMS ultra will succeed the successful R8 LMS GT3 sports car with which R8 LMS customers have won 115 races and 12 national and international titles in the space of just three years.

Improving a totally successful vehicle yet again: This was the challenging task specified for the engineers of quattro GmbH. Audi’s wholly owned subsidiary that has been responsible for the customer sport program as of this season pursued a clear aim for this project. “Our customer teams provided us with valuable suggestions and stated their wishes for the various fields in which the car is used,” says Werner Frowein, Managing Director of quattro GmbH. “We have close ties to our customers and analyzed their suggestions and wishes worldwide, and subjected the R8 LMS to further development in many details. In the R8 LMS ultra we consistently implemented all the performance measures which ensure that we’ll be able to continue to offer an intercontinentally competitive and attractive race car in the future.”

Romolo Liebchen, Head of Customer Sport at quattro GmbH, and his development team focused on several central areas. New doors made of CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic) in combination with high-energy absorbing new crash foams not only help reduce the race car’s weight even further but also result in another increase in passive safety. The new PS1 safety seat developed by Audi, which is now part of the standard equipment, serves this purpose as well. It offers perfect protection and clearly surpasses the mandatory minimum requirements under extreme loads.

An updated transmission provides additional reserves on long-distance runs. In the past season, the Audi R8 LMS had already made its mark as an excellent long-distance expert and achieved overall victories at the Bathurst (Australia) 12 Hours, the Spa and Zolder 24 Hours and GT3 class victory plus third place overall at the Nürburgring 24 Hours.

A new exhaust system equipped with race catalytic converters helps improve the engine’s characteristics. The V10 mid-engine can draw on even higher torque at lower engine speeds. The 5.2-liter unit delivers a power output of up to 419 kW (570 HP), depending on restrictor regulations. It is still based on the production engine produced at Audi’s plant in Györ, Hungary. Mileages of up to 20,000 kilometers were certainly typical in customer operations before and continue to be easily achieved.

The optimized cooling system of the race car successfully combines several objectives. In addition to a larger engine oil cooler and transmission fluid cooler, an oil cooler for the steering hydraulics that used to be installed at the front is now located in the vehicle’s mid-section. The characteristic side blades of the Audi R8 enable enlarged air vents for the cooling system in the new R8 LMS ultra for improved thermal management. At the same time, air supply to the radiator at the front of the vehicle has been improved, as has the interior ventilation.

The chassis of the Audi R8 LMS ultra was updated in several steps. At the front 12-inch, instead of 11-inch, wheels are now used. As of the next season, development partner Michelin will be offering wider – 30-65/18 – tires, which allow more consistent lap times to be achieved. Optimized brake cooling at the front wheels improves the durability of the braking system. Instead of the previous silent rubber mounts the transverse control arm mounts now feature uniball joints. Weight-reduced compression and rebound-adjustable gas dampers with optimized characteristics from partner Bilstein complete the chassis package and represent the latest state of development.

Aerodynamic improvements complement the changes for 2012. The wider front hood has been optionally provided with louvers, subject to permission by the homologation rules for the various racing series. The new rear wing has been widened and now features larger end plates. Work in the Audi wind tunnel has led to a yet more efficient position of the wing for maximum downforce and minimized aerodynamic drag. The improved air flow and larger effective area increase downforce on the rear axle. A new front plate with optimized diffusion under the front end guarantees perfect aerodynamic balance.

As of 2012, all new vehicles will be equipped with the evolution stage described above. For the existing vehicles, quattro GmbH offers conversions to the 2012 evolution stage.

In addition, Audi is pursuing a subsequent homologation for individual aerodynamic improvements to include the 2011-generation vehicles. This ensures that the current model continues to be competitive with slight modifications.

“We’re convinced that the Audi R8 LMS ultra will continue the successes of its predecessor,” stresses Romolo Liebchen. “With over 40 customer sport vehicles delivered, the first generation of the R8 LMS was already a sporting and commercial success.”

The selling price of the Audi R8 LMS ultra is EUR 329,900.00 plus VAT. Deliveries will commence in March 2012.
http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/11/...nched-in-2012/

[Rob]

looks really nice. Not as good as the 458GT

[Rob]

The 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours invitations
BY SERIES UPDATE ⋅ NOVEMBER 24, 2011

Taking into account the results of the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours as well as the Le Mans Series and American Le Mans Series Championships, seventeen teams have been given automatic invitations to take part in qualifying for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours.

As laid down in the Automobile Club de l’Ouest’s sporting regulations, entrants can obtain an invitation for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours due to their results in the events and series agreed by the ACO in keeping with the automatic selection process. Seventeen teams have benefitted from this system, which represents the possible entry of 23 cars maximum out of the 55 places available at the start of the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours.

The following teams have won these much sought-after invitations.

One invitation
Audi Sport Team Joest: victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in the LM P1 category. LM P1 category invitation.
Larbre Compétition: victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in the LM GTE AM category. LM GTE Am category invitation.
Rebellion Racing: victory in the Le Mans Series LM P1 category. Invitation in the LM P1 category.
Strakka Racing: second Le Mans Series LM P2. Invitation in the LM P2 category.
JMW Motorsport: second Le Mans Series LM GTE Pro. Invitation in the LM GTE Pro category.
IMSA Performance Matmut: victory in the Le Mans Series LM GTE Am. Invitation in the LM GTE Am category.
Pegasus Racing: victory in the Le Mans Series in FLM. Invitation in the LM P2 category.
Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing: second American Le Mans Series LM P1. Invitation in the LM P1 category.
Peugeot Sport Total: victory in Petit Le Mans LM P1 category. LM P1 category invitation.
Level 5 Motorsports: victory in Petit Le Mans LM P2 category. LM P2 category invitation.
Krohn Racing: victory in Petit Le Mans LM GTE Am category. LM GTE Am category invitation.

Two invitations
Greaves Motorsport: victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours and victory in the Le Mans Series LM P2. Two invitations in the LM P2 category.
Pescarolo Team: second in the Le Mans Series LM P1 and victory in the Le Mans Series Michelin Green X Challenge LM P*. Two invitations in the LM P1 category.
Corvette Racing: victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours in the LM GTE Pro category and second place in the American Le Mans Series LM GTE Pro category. Two invitations in the LM GTE Pro category.
Dyson Racing: victory in the American Le Mans Series LM P1 and victory in the American Le Mans Series LM P Michelin Green X Challenge. Two invitations in the LM P1 category.
BMW Team RLL: victory in the American Le Mans Series LM GTE Pro and victory in the American Le Mans Series LM GTE Michelin Green X Challenge. Two invitations in the LM GTE Pro category.

Four invitations
AF Corse: victory in the Le Mans Series LM GTE Pro, in Petit Le Mans LM GTE Pro category, second Le Mans Series LM GTE Am and victory in the Le Mans Series LM GT Michelin Green X Challenge. Three invitations in the LM GTE Pro category, one in the LM GTE Am category.
Please note that an entrant cannot have more than two entries so AF Corse will have to choose between the four awarded thanks to its results in 2011.

To validate these invitations the teams in question must enter for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours, and also enter for at least one of the following championships in 2012: Le Mans Series and the American Le Mans Series.

Please note that all teams entered in the FIA World Endurance Championship are automatically qualified for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Entries open and publication of the supplementary regulations on 19th December 2011.
Entries close on 18th January 2012.

The full list of entries for the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours and the FIA World Endurance Championship will be published on 2nd February 2012.

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/11/...s-invitations/

[Rob]

Martin Brundle joins son for 24 Hours of Le Mans drive
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ NOVEMBER 23, 2011 ⋅

Martin and Alex to drive Nissan-powered Greaves Motorsport Zytek

Ex-Formula One driver, Martin Brundle, will join his son Alex at the wheel of the Nissan-powered Greaves Motorsport LMP2 prototype at next year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans (June 16-17).

The deal sees Brundle senior reunited with Nissan, after the Englishman spearheaded its official works effort at the world’s oldest and most celebrated endurance race in 1997 with the R390 GT1.

For 2012, the father and son combination will pilot the race-winning Greaves Motorsport Zytek Z11SN-Nissan sports prototype. Not only did the car take the LMP2 class win at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans on its way to finishing eighth overall, but victories at Le Castellet, Imola and Silverstone also saw the Nissan-engined LMP2 car capture both the 2011 Le Mans Series drivers’ and team titles.

After enjoying a successful Formula One career that spanned 13 years (1984-96), Martin Brundle has remained in the sport as a highly-regarded and multi award-winning commentator on British television.

Joining him in the driver’s line-up for the 80th running of the race will be his 21-year old son Alex.

As the leading British driver in this year’s Formula Two Championship, he will join Greaves Motorsport in 2012 to race the Nissan-powered prototype as the team defends its Le Mans Series crown.

The Brundles will follow in the footsteps of a small number of father-son combinations to have competed at the illustrious race together, including Mario Andretti, with son Michael, and Nigel Mansell with sons Leo and Greg.

Martin Brundle, 52, said: “I’m very much looking forward to returning to the Le Mans 24 Hour race with Nissan and the Greaves Motorsport LMP2 team. This is an unexpected pleasure, heightened by the fact I will be team-mates with my son. I’m eagerly anticipating a very special feeling when handing the car over to Alex during one of the world’s greatest motor races. Class victory in front of the fanatical Le Mans spectators is the goal.”

Alex Brundle, 21, added: “I loved driving the Le Mans circuit at this year’s official test day and a chance to compete in the full Le Mans Series, as well as the Le Mans 24 Hours, along with my single-seater activities in 2012 is brilliant for my career. At Le Mans, my father has been on pole position, led many times and been part of the winning team; this can fast-track my learning process. My thanks go to Nissan and Greaves Motorsport for creating this important opportunity, which I will seize and maximise.”

Simon Sproule, Corporate Vice President, Global Marketing Communications, Nissan, said: “I’m delighted that Nissan will once again be part of one of motorsport’s most famous races, this time with a fascinating father-son pairing. We will again seek to provide a reliable and powerful engine for Martin and Alex and for Greaves Motorsport to follow up on the success we’ve enjoyed in 2011. Martin has won at every level of endurance racing, while Alex’s strong testing performances at Paul Ricard and Le Mans reflect his natural talent and the experience he already holds at 21.”

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/11/...le-mans-drive/

[epiclyaddicted]

Just hope the Brundles have better luck next year than the Mansells did this year!

[Rob]

BMW to defend ALMS GT titles with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
By Jamie O'Leary Saturday, November 26th 2011, 22:49 GMT

BMW will defend its American Le Mans Series GT titles in 2012 after announcing that Rahal Leterman Lanigan Racing will continue to field a works team in the championship.

RLL ran BMW's factory assault in the series this year, winning the teams' and manufacturers' titles, while Joey Hand and Dirk Muller took the drivers' championship in one of its M3 GTs.

No drivers have been announced for the programme. Alongside champions Hand and Muller, Dirk Werner and Bill Auberlen drove the second car this year and finished third in the drivers' standings.

BMW motorsport director Jens Marquardt said: "It goes without saying that we will not be sending a successful car like the BMW M3 GT off to the museum after a season like the one we enjoyed in 2011.

"BMW Team RLL will be back with this model to defend its GT titles next year."

Marquardt also confirmed that BMW's European customer racing programme would centre around the Z4 GT3, which is now eligible for the GT World Championship following a series of rule changes, and will receive a series of development upgrades over the winter.

"We believe that the GT3 class has a successful future ahead of it. You only need to look at how many manufacturers are racing in this class with competitive GT3 versions of their production cars," he added.

"The strength of the field is incredibly high - which is why we will be doing everything in our power to ensure that the BMW Z4 GT3 continues to guarantee victories for our privateer drivers and teams."

BMW's World Touring Car, the 320 TC, will not receive any upgrades ahead of the new season.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/96514

[Rob]

good news for RLL and BMW, they very strong package. Sure they will be right there again next year.

[Rob]

For its 9th season, European Le Mans Series will propose a 6 event calendar, with five races held on circuits chosen for their very selective layouts that will highlight the competitors' driving skills.

The season will begin on the 9th and 10th of March with the official testing session on the Paul Ricard HTTT (High Tech Test Track) circuit. All categories will be able to attend: LMP2, FLM (Formula Le Mans), LM GTE Pro, LM GTE Am and GTC (the new category launched in order to offer to new teams and new drivers the opportunity to access the GT Endurance world at a European level for a limited budget).

The 6 hour races format will remain, still with the aim to optimize exposure and TV broadcast of the series, provided through a live production.

The first event of the 2012 season will be held on the 30th - 31st of March and 1st of April. As tradition has it, the first round, the 6 Hours of the Castellet, will take place on the Paul Ricard circuit (in the 5,8km specification) and will establish the first ranking of the season.

After this first round in Provence, direction Belgium and the Zolder circuit (located between Brussels and Liege) that will welcome a European Le Mans Series event for the first time from the 18th to the 20th of May. The 3,977 km long track offers alternately long straight lines and tight turns that drivers will have to take carefully in order to avoid crashes.

Mid-July, the middle of the season will be reached for the competitors by attending the 6 Hours of Donington, in the heart of the UK, from 13th to 15th of July. Witness of historical fights of the Formula 1 World Championship and Moto GP, the 4,023 km long track is famous for being very fast and very selective. The 2006 European Le Mans Series competitors keep great memories of it. The younger drivers will discover the long series of very quick curves.

After the summer break, the 4th round of the season will be held on 7, 8 and 9 September on the Brno circuit in Czech Republic. The track will host European Le Mans Series for the first time. Located 200km from Prague in the southeast, Brno is the country's second biggest town. Drivers will discover one of the most sinuous tracks of the season (13 corners) in which precise driving and setups will be the keys of success.

The season will end on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th of November, on the Algarve circuit, in the South of Portugal: a 4,692km long track, very sinuous, where the series has already been in 2009 and 2010 for night races. At this date, Organisation has not yet decided if the experience will be repeated in 2012.

At the end of the season, 6 invitations to the 2013 24H of Le Mans will be offered to the winners of the categories.

[Sianellen]

Peugeot exits Le Mans racing, citing finances

PARIS | Wed Jan 18, 2012 10:04am EST

Jan 18 (Reuters) - French automaker PSA Peugeot Citroen said it would withdraw from Le Mans 24-Hour endurance racing before the 2012 season, citing financial reasons.

"This decision has been taken in the context of a difficult economic environment in Europe," the Peugeot brand said in a statement on Wednesday. "Peugeot has chosen to concentrate resources on its sales performance in 2012."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/...EA853020120118

[Sianellen]

Peugeot ends Le Mans programme with immediate effect

By Matt Beer Wednesday, January 18th 2012, 15:26 GMT

Sebastien Bourdais Peugeot ILMC Zhuhai 2011Peugeot has announced that it will end its endurance racing programme with immediate effect.

The French manufacturer had been Audi's main rival in sportscar racing, running the variants of its diesel 908 prototype in the Le Mans 24 Hours and associated series since 2007.

"This decision has been taken in the context of a difficult economic environment in Europe," Peugeot said in a statement on Wednesday. "Peugeot has chosen to concentrate resources on its sales performance in 2012."

Le Mans victory in 2009 was Peugeot's greatest success, while last year it won the inaugural Intercontinental Le Mans Cup title ahead of the series' transformation into the World Endurance Championship this year.

The decision to can the programme comes amid declining car sales for the Peugeot group, and will be a major blow to the formative WEC - which had been expected to see a season-long battle between Audi and Peugeot.

Toyota is embarking on a new LMP1 programme but will not contest a full campaign this year, while Porsche's new car will not hit the track until 2014.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/97080

[Nova]

Too bad about Peugeot, now who will challenge Audi at Lemans??