Le-Mans 24hr 2011 news

[Rob]

Its that time of year again. The most famous 24hr enduro is this weekend. Live coverage all weekend on Eurosport1,2&HD

Will use this thread for all the weeks news in the build up to the race Saturday, and qualie with the first session Wednesday evening at 21.00.

After many minor niggles affected all 3 Audi's at Spa, Allan McNish is confident that they are on the pace with Peugeot.

Allan McNish commented:"At the test day and at Spa it appeared that the Peugeots may be a little bit more economical with their fuel but we have done further develoment and are confident this is not the case, the fuel load for the diesels has come down significantly from 2010 - from 81 litres to 65 litres - and we are still learning from this, also we believe top speed between us and the Peugeots is much the same here. The team is very motivated to score another victory for Audi"

4 times winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Corvette Racing, Jan Magnussen is looking forward to the start of the race on Saturday.

“Le Mans is the biggest event of the year for Corvette Racing. As soon as the race is over, we start to get ready for the next one. The American Le Mans Series is important as well for Corvette, but everything we do is towards performing well at Le Mans. When I first came to Le Mans, I didn’t like the race much, mostly because I was not driving a winning car, but also because 24 hours is very long. Now, I really enjoy the whole week and to me, this is the best event of the year. There are many, many Danish fans, who are very supportive. The race will be tough but I expect to win!”

he nine drivers of the Peugeot team did not arrive at the "pesage" in the conventional way, but on their bikes! Simon Pagenaud speaks of the experience.

Simon Pagenaud: "We started this morning at Chartres, accompanied by a convoy to ensure our safety. Everything went well, we travelled 130 km at 30 km/h average, which is not bad. It was the best way to start this crucial week for us. This strengthens the team that is already close. Stéphane Sarrazin won the sprint to the "Le Mans" city sign. "

[Rob]

After many years running Porsches in endurance racing, Larbre Competition opens a new chapter running a Chevrolet Corvette C6 ZR1 as their official team in GTE AM.

Jack Leconte, owner and team manager of Larbre Competition says:" I am very proud that a manufacturer has trust in us, the best recognition of our know how, after many years in French GT's Patrick Bornhauser joined us on the international scene, along with Gabriele Gardel who has been a pillar of the team for many years alongside Julien Canal - Gardel and Canal of course winning LM P1 in 2010 with the Larbre Saleen for us"

He went on to say: "We have many sponsors - Michelin, McDonalds, BSI, Charmant Z, Demeco who have joined with us in this ambitious project. We started at the ILMC at Sebring, but we had an electrical problem and had to retire early in the race, but we had a better result at Spa where we finished 3rd in class, we are still running a Porsche 911 RSR #70 this year alongside the Corvette, so we will be very busy!"

ML have a very experienced driver line-up for Le Mans 2011. For Ben Collins it is his second 24 hours (first in 2002) for Mike Newton it is his 9th participation, and for Tommy Erdos 13th. A strength in depth for this British LM P2 team running the HPD ARX01D #36.

Last year's Le Mans Series LM P2 champions are confident and looking forward to a great race. With the weather uncertain, Mike Newton commented that the potential of a wet race was both advantage and disadvantage.

Mike Newton driver of RML HPD #32: "In the wet it is not always about pace. We are running a low downforce configuration and it could be a handfull." but he is confident in the car and the Honda engine. "The car is teriffic, no problems."

[Rob]

[Tifoso]

Watched the Steve McQueen movie last night.

[Tommy_F]

The l'endurance guide to this year's Le Mans 24 hours is out now, featuring drawings by @andyblackmore . - http://bit.ly/jKJfmd

http://twitter.com/#!/lendurancelive...88031738544128

[Rob]

We will have to wait one more day to see the cars on the track, but this afternoon there is still plenty to interest the spectators to the circuit ...
All Day: Enjoy the calm - before the storm - to learn the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans you can visit the Museum (located at the main entrance of the circuit) to admire some of the most famous cars that have started the race. In addition, a temporary exhibit honors the men and the cars that built the legend that is "Porsche. "

17h00: The drivers will be in front of their pit boxes to autograph cards and posters. More than just an autograph session, this meeting is an opportunity to exchange a few words with the heroes of the 79th Le Mans 24 Hours! Access will be free to all ticket general enclosure ticket holders (or practice day tickets).

17.00: Living legend from across the Channel, Ben Collins will sign his autobiography at the Museum of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Before joining the team RML (#36 Honda), for eight years he was the mysterious 'Stig' from the show "Top Gear" broadcast on the BBC.

22:00: The film "Le Mans" with Steve McQueen will projected on a giant screen placed in the pit straight of the circuit. The film where much of the racing footage was filmed at the 1970 race, was released on June 1 on DVD and Blu-Ray. Access is free to all ticket holders' general enclosure "(or practice day tickets), provided you have a voucher from the Museum of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

[Rob]

Watched the Steve McQueen movie last night.

great film, classic Lou, im going to have to buy that. Lost my copy few years ago

[Tifoso]

Is there someplace online to watch this?

[Tifoso]

How can this not be on SPEED?

[Rob]

Ten years ago, Audi entered the paddock at Le Mans in sadness. A few weeks earlier, Michele Alboreto had been killed on the track.

During the Test Day 2011 on 24th April, the rear wing of the Audi R18 carried the yellow and purple helmet colours of Michele Alboreto, in tribute to the brilliant Italian driver who came to Audi after a career in Formula 1 . During a test session at Lausitzring (Germany) in 2001, he was killed aboard his Audi R8. It was a blow for Audi and Tom Kristensen, the man with 8 wins who wrote the first line of his record at Mans alongside Alboreto. "I have nothing but good to say about Michael, I owe him so much. I met him first at Le Mans in 1997, on the Monday before the 24 Hours. This was my first participation, and we won together. It gave me confidence and I started the 24 hours of Le Mans with his support. He had so much experience ... He was intelligent, funny, and had a lot of heart. "

For Allan McNish, it was primarily the red suit of Scuderia Ferrari he saw regularly on the podium in F1: "A few days ago, I saw the documentary on Ayrton Senna. We see many pictures of Michele on the podium in Formula 1 because he was a Ferrari driver at the time. With Dindo we won the Petit Le Mans in 2000.” But the Scottish driver, keeps in mind the most painful weeks that followed his demise, as he was greatly involved at Audi. "He was a very easy, very fast, and had a lot of heart. His demise has been a real disaster.”

Dindo Capello, who shared with Alboreto (and McNish) the last podium of the Italian, the feeling is still immense and intense: "Michele, was my friend and my team-mate. The last great memory I have of him was the victory we shared together at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a month before his death. ", Capello looked at the Le Mans track and mentioned a recent tribute. "On April 25, ten years later, his family and driver friends were reunited. The adventure of Audi in endurance owes so much to his experience, gleaned both in Formula 1 and sports cars. " No doubt the crew of the Audi R18 TDI #3, will think of Alboreto on Saturday at 3pm at the start of the race.

[Rob]

Following the tragedies that hit Japan this year, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has decided to mobilize support for Japan at the 79th edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Twenty years ago a Mazda won on the Le Mans circuit. A historic achievement that was both a first in the history of the event and remains a feat unrepeated since then. Despite many attempts by the largest Japanese automakers, the trophy 24 Hours of Le Mans has never returned to the Land of the Rising Sun.

To commemorate this success but also and especially to be with all the Japanese friends of the 24 hours; fans, drivers, technicians, builders ... struck by the terrible tragedy of last March, in a country where the race of La Sarthe is legendary, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest is mobilizing special support.

Firstly, on track on Thursday, 9th June at 18 h 40, will be the legendary Mazda 787 B, victorious in 1991 and restored for this purpose, will take the circuit of its great success, in the hands of American actor Patrick Dempsey. The special demonstration drive will be repeated on Saturday, June 11 at 12h30 with Johnny Herbert at the wheel.

To participate in the exhibition "Le Mans to the Future", Nissan have sent an especially outstanding machine to La Sarthe: the Leaf RC NISMO. This model is the competition version of the Leaf, Electric Vehicle elected European Car of the Year 2011. The Nissan will participate in two driving sessions on the circuit 24 Hours (June 9 to 21h15-21h35 and June 11 to 12h10-12h30).

Another special event will be the gift and the auction of the starting flag of the 79th Le Mans 24 Hours, signed by all drivers in the race. This is the tricolor flag that Jean Todt, President of the FIA, will start the race with on Saturday, June 11 at 15:00 hours. This very special flag will be handed to the Japanese Automobile Federation to be sold to the highest bidder, the profit from the sale to be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.

This flag bearing the autographs of all the participants in the race will also be showcased at the traditional photo of all the drivers gathered for the occasion, at 13h45 on Saturday morning, along with representatives of Mazda, Toyota and Nissan.

At 14h15, in a break from the traditional order of anthems played before the start, the ACO has decided that the Japanese anthem would be played just before the Marseillaise, then they will ask the public massed around the track to join in a vibrant minute of applause in memory of victims of earthquake and tsunami of last March.

Finally, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest will present the Spirit of Le Mans trophy on Thursday, June 9 at 10h00 to Professor Yoshimasa Hayashi from Tokai University. This award is presented by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest to a personality who has best served the spirit of Le Mans ".


Franck Montagny expects a pole of 3:25.5
What is your schedule for testing tomorrow?

Franck Montagny:"It's been established for about 15 days, Stephane Sarrazin will go out first, then Nicolas Minassian and finally myself."

What in your opinion, will be the pole time this year?

"This will depend on the weather. If it's pretty cool, but the track is dirty. I could see a pole in 3'25 "5."

Audi or Peugeot?
"I hope for the Peugeot 908 # 8!"

Who will qualify your car?
"Stéphane (Sarrazin). I will start as usual."

Do you like this time?
"It's difficult. Tension mounts on Saturday from 8 am. Even if you do not want to think about the thousands of spectators massed in the galleries you still remember where you are. To relieve pressure, I isolate myself and I listen to a song over and over."

Which one would listen to you this year?
"It will be "Evening Shadows" by Hubert-Felix Thiéfaine."

What is likely to happen at the start?
"The first lap is very difficult to manage. We have nothing to gain but when you are faced with very aggressive guys like Allan McNish, you must maintain your place. In addition, behind, there are "privateers" who want to take this opportunity to get noticed."

Benoit Treluyer (Audi No. 2) thinks the engine is the highlight of the Peugeot 908. Is this your opinion too?
"It was the strength of the old car and hopefully the new one too."

And their weakness?
"Maybe their drivers perhaps!"

Finally, what is the strength of the Audi R18?
"Its engine!"

[Rob]

How can this not be on SPEED?

let me check mate....

its on Speed Lou, 08.30am-11.30am ET Speed tv and 11.30am-15.30 ET Speed.com then 15.30-20.00 ET Speed tv, 20.00-23.00 ET Speed.com and then finally for the finish 23.00-09.30 Speed tv. Hope this helps Lou http://www.speedtv.com/programs/24-hours-of-le-mans/

[Rob]

[epiclyaddicted]

Rob, is the full coverage on Eurosport, including Quali? Eurosport's scheduling is anything but reliable!

[Rob]

Rob, is the full coverage on Eurosport, including Quali? Eurosport's scheduling is anything but reliable!

i know. They can be abit hit and miss sometimes. But yeah it is , got practice tomorrow evening at 21.00 and then qualie Thursday night at 21.00

every night this week aswell, is Le-Mans 24 minutes, just half hour show with news and chat with drivers. Eurosport HD and 1 or 2 at 18.30. Tonight they had Fisi in there, nice interview and chat.

[Nova]

That 458 is the most beautiful Ferrari....I hope she runs well.

[Tifoso]

let me check mate....

its on Speed Lou, 08.30am-11.30am ET Speed tv and 11.30am-15.30 ET Speed.com then 15.30-20.00 ET Speed tv, 20.00-23.00 ET Speed.com and then finally for the finish 23.00-09.30 Speed tv. Hope this helps Lou http://www.speedtv.com/programs/24-hours-of-le-mans/

Grazie mate!

[Rob]

Rockenfeller puts Audi top in practice

By Stuart Codling Wednesday, June 8th 2011, 18:19 GMT

Audi waited until the final half hour of first practice to show its hand as 2010 Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller topped the timesheets with a lap of 3m27.986s.

The four-hour session ended with a flurry as Audi and Peugeot traded fastest times.

Andre Lotterer was first to break through Peugeot's dominance with a 3m28.296 and even qualifying king Sebastien Bourdais could not quite match it with a final fresh-tyre run in the closing minutes. Then Rockenfeller chipped in to displace his team-mate with just a minute and a half to go.

Bourdais was the fastest Peugeot driver on 3m28.536s, third overall and less than a tenth of a second quicker than team-mate Alex Wurz in the #7 car.

The recent change in ballast regulations had a marked effect as the year-old ORECA-run Peugeot 908 HDi, which has been allowed to run 15kg less ballast, topped the timesheets for much of the session's opening two hours. The car, shared by Olivier Panis, Nicolas Lapierre and Loic Duval, posted a 3m30.096s lap which was not bettered until Simon Pagenaud sliced under the 3m30s barrier in his factory Peugeot 20 minutes shy of the half-way mark.

By the end, though, the pace of the factory entries told and the ORECA car finished the session seventh quickest, having not improved on its earlier time.

The session was red-flagged after an hour when Raymond Narac's #76 IMSA Performance Porsche 911 crashed heavily in the first section of the Porsche Curves. The car dislodged the end of the tyre wall and came to rest on the edge of the gravel trap, bringing on an 18-minute delay.

Lola chassis initially had the advantage among the petrol-powered LMP1 entries. The two Toyota-engined Rebellion coupes were quickest for much of the session, challenged mainly by the #15 and #16 Pescarolo-Judds. Their next quickest rival, the #20 Zytek, was five seconds adrift. At the end of the session Julien Jousse set a 3m34.271s in the #16 works Pescarolo, undercutting the #13 Rebellion Lola's best time, set by Jean-Christophe Bouillion, by just over a second.

Aston Martin's brace of AMR-Ones encountered mixed fortunes. Darren Turner reported that adjustments to the #007 car he shares with Christian Klien and Stefan Mucke improved its stability, closing the session with a quickest time of 3m46.299s. The #009 car covered just 11 laps before pitting for an extended stay in the garage while an oil leak was traced.

In spite of carrying additional ballast, Strakka Racing topped the LMP2 entries with its HPD ARX.01. Danny Watts, Jonny Kane and Nick Leventis set a quickest time of 3m42.863s, edging out the #48 ORECA Nissan shared by Alexandre Premat, David Hallyday and Dominick Kraihamer. A brake fire hindered the other pre-race favourite, the Newton/Erdos/Collins RML HPD ARX.01.

BMW set the pace in the GTE Pro class. Jorg Muller was first to break the four-minute barrier with a 3m59.028s in the #55 M3 GT he shares with Augusto Farfus and Dirk Werner, followed quickly by Andy Priaulx with a 3m59.763s in the #56 car.

There was a minor scare for Corvette Racing when the Gavin/Magnussen/Westbrook car started smoking on its out-lap after the restart. The problem was traced to a dislodged power steering hose and the car went back out to record the third fastest time in the session, 4m00.467s.

The new Lotus Evoras propped up the GTE Pro class, the fastest time of 4m09.576 coming at the hands of Johnny Mowlem. The Jetalliance team is pinning its hopes on an economy run. "We're going to try to squeeze 15 laps out of a tank and get triple stints out of the Michelin tyres," said Mowlem. "We've got three consistent drivers so we're hoping for a good result."

The #71 AF Corse Ferrari shared by NASCAR racer Michael Waltrip, Robert Kauffman and Rui Aguas suffered a left rear puncture while Kauffman was at the wheel and limped back to the pits during the stoppage.

Fabien Giroix, Michael Wainwright and Roald Goethe dominated GTE Am in their Gulf AMR Aston Martin, setting a quickest time of 4m04.702s, comfortably quicker than the 4m06.266s posted by Darren Law in the #81 Flying Lizard Porsche 911.

Roger Wills had a gyration at the exit of Porsche Curves in the #62 CRS Racing Ferrari just before the half-way point of the session and hit the wall, damaging the car.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92076

[Rob]

British aces promise 'flat-out' scrap

By Gary Watkins Wednesday, June 8th 2011, 18:26 GMT

British sportscar stars Allan McNish and Anthony Davidson are predicting that the hordes of fans flocking to this weekend's Le Mans 24 Hours are in for a treat.

The pair, who go head to head for Audi and Peugeot respectively, are certain that it will be a close race between the two heavyweight manufacturers. Both used the term 'flat-out sprint' in their predictions for the big race that starts at 3pm local time on Saturday.

McNish, who is teamed with his 2008 Le Mans co-winners Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello in the #3 Audi R18 TDI, said: "Everything points to it being really close. I see all six factory cars having the speed to be fighting with each other right through the race.

"I think we are in for a hard weekend and that means the fans are in for a good weekend."

Davidson, who shares his Peugeot 908 with Alex Wurz and Marc Gene, said: "I want a good race and I think it will be a good race. The fans are in for a treat. This year's Le Mans has all the makings of a classic.

"Last year, our car was leading and we were controlling our advantage. That is a luxury we won't have this year. We had our electronic problem after eight hours, which was when the fight-back started. I am sure we are going to have to drive that way all race long this time.

"The same goes for the Audi drivers. When you drive at 100 percent, mistakes are made. That's what is going to make it so interesting."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/92077

[Rob]

Grazie mate!

il vostro benvenuto

this years race is going to be cracker. Audis and Pugs going at it for full 24hrs, wow. Just hope that Audi has bit more of an answer to them then in Spa. But, this id the 1 Audi gears up for, so

The GTE class is yet again going to be so so close. The mighty Vettes are strong as always, BMWs, looking faster this year, and Porsches are good of the race distance. 458s seem to be better on fuel consumption and have got the pace. My eyes are not going to off this battle. Dont want say they will win, as it looong race, i do so want them too.

[Tifoso]

il vostro benvenuto

this years race is going to be cracker. Audis and Pugs going at it for full 24hrs, wow. Just hope that Audi has bit more of an answer to them then in Spa. But, this id the 1 Audi gears up for, so

The GTE class is yet again going to be so so close. The mighty Vettes are strong as always, BMWs, looking faster this year, and Porsches are good of the race distance. 458s seem to be better on fuel consumption and have got the pace. My eyes are not going to off this battle. Dont want say they will win, as it looong race, i do so want them too.

Wait---no Ferrari's (I've never watched a real race for more than a minute or two)?

[Tommy_F]

Wait---no Ferrari's (I've never watched a real race for more than a minute or two)?

The 458s are Ferraris! Ferrari 458 Italia (GT or GT2? GTC?)


Here's the Spotter Guide(huge pic with every car so you can recognize/SPOT them during the race) with every car competing this year:

http://www.spotterguides.com/le-mans-2011-guide

[Tifoso]

I know, but Rob didn't mention them...I figured they didn't race it.

Thanks for the pics!

[Tifoso]

Why doesn't Ferrari run an entry in the "F1-looking" cars?

Be nice, I'm new

[Nova]

Qualy practice....In our class..BMW/458/BMW Going to be tight...

Pos Cl Drivers Team/Car Time
1. LMP1 Montagny/Sarrazin/Minassian Peugeot 908 3m27.033s
2. LMP1 Fassler/Lotterer/Treluyer Audi R18 TDI 3m27.939s
3. LMP1 Bernhard/Dumas/Rockenfeller Audi R18 TDI 3m27.949s
4. LMP1 Capello/Kristensen/McNish Audi R18 TDI 3m28.301s
5. LMP1 Gene/Wurz/Davidson Peugeot 908 3m28.796s
6. LMP1 Lamy/Bourdais/Pagenaud Peugeot 908 3m29.466s
7. LMP1 Lapierre/Duval/Panis ORECA Peugeot 908 Hdi-FAP 3m30.084s
8. LMP1 Collard/Tinseau/Jousse Pescarolo-Judd 3m35.456s
9. LMP1 Jani/Prost/Bleekemolen Rebellion Lola-Toyota 3m37.404s
10. LMP1 Belicchi/Boullion/Smith Rebellion Lola-Toyota 3m38.351s
11. LMP1 Monteiro/Moreau/Ragues Oak Pescarolo-Judd 3m39.672s
12. LMP1 Amaral/Pla/Hughes Quifel-ASM Zytek 3m41.019s
13. LMP2 Leventis/Watts/Kane Strakka HPD ARX-01d 3m42.615s
14. LMP2 Mailleux/Ordonez/Ayari Signatech ORECA-Nissan 3m43.124s
15. LMP2 Premat/Hallyday/Kraihamer Oreca-Nissan 3m43.654s
16. LMP2 Ojjeh/Kimber-Smith/Lombard Greaves Zytek-Nissan 3m43.814s
17. LMP2 Frey/Meichtry/Rostan Race Performance ORECA-Judd 3m44.294s
18. LMP1 Ickx/Martin/Leinders Kronos Aston Martin 3m44.415s
19. LMP2 Perez Companc/Russo/Kaffer Pecom Lola-Judd 3m45.997s
20. LMP2 Erdos/Newton/Collins RML HPD ARX-01d 3m47.308s
21. LMP1 Zacchia/Lammers/Elgaard Hope ORECA 3m47.691s
22. LMP2 Nakano/De Crem/Charouz Oak Racing Pescarolo-BMW 3m48.211s
23. LMP1 Hein/Nicolet/Yvon Oak Pescarolo-Judd 3m48.852s
24. LMP2 Tucker/Bouchut/Barbosa Level 5 Lola-Honda 3m51.149s
25. LMP2 Rosier/Haezbrouck/Fournoux Extreme Limite Norma-Judd 3m51.438s
26. LMP1 Primat/Fernandez/Meyrick Aston Martin AMR-One 3m56.637s
27. LMP1 Mucke/Turner/Klien Aston Martin AMR-One 3m56.847s
28. LMP2 Barlesi/Da Rocha/Lafargue Oak Pescarolo-Judd 3m57.453s
29. GTE P Priaulx/Muller/Hand BMW M3 3m58.426s
30. GTE P Fisichella/Bruni/Vilander AF Corse Ferrari 3m58.989s
31. GTE P Farfus/Muller/Werner BMW M3 3m59.321s
32. GTE P Gavin/Magnussen/Westbrook Corvette C6 ZR1 3m59.519s
33. GTE P Beretta/Milner/Garcia Corvette C6 ZR1 3m59.633s
34. GTE P Ortelli/Makowiecki/Melo Luxury Racing Ferrari 3m59.901s
35. GTE P Goossens/Holzer/Van Lagen Prospeed Porsche 3m59.962s
36. GTE P Lieb/Lietz/Henzler Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 3m59.998s
37. GTE P Farnbacher/Simonsen/Keen Farnbacher Ferrari 4m00.260s
38. GTE P Dolan/Hancock/Buncombe Jota Aston Martin 4m00.747s
39. GTE P Bergmeister/Long/Luhr Flying Lizard 4m01.480s
40. GTE P Beltoise/Jakubowski/Thiret Luxury Racing Ferrari 4m02.017s
41. GTE P Al Faisal/Tandy/Miller Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 4m02.049s
42. GTE A Bourret/Gibon/Belloc Larbre Porsche 4m03.918s
43. GTE A Niemen/Law/Pumpelly Flying Lizard Porsche 4m04.747s
44. GTE A Giroix/Goethe/Wainwright Gulf Aston Martin 4m04.825s
45. GTE A Felbermayr/Felbermayr/Ried Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 4m05.154s
46. GTE A Krohn/Jonsson/Rugulo Krohn Ferrari 4m05.856s
47. GTE A Bornhauser/Canal/Gardel Larbre Porsche 4m05.955s
48. GTE P Bell/Sugden/Maasen JMW Ferrari 4m06.884s
49. GTE P Hirschi/Rossiter/Mowlem Jetalliance Lotus Evora 4m07.465s
50. GTE P Kauffman/Waltrip/Aguas AF Corse Ferrari 4m08.213s
51. GTE A Perazzini/Cioci/Breslin AF Corse Ferrari 4m10.316s
52. GTE A Rodrigues/Menahem/Marroc JMB ORECA 4m10.335s
53. GTE P Rich/Slingerland/Hartshorne Jetalliance Lotus Evora 4m17.379s
54. GTE A Ehret/Lynn/Wills CRS Ferrari 4m26.249s
55. GTE A Robertson/Robertson/Murry Robertson Racing Ford-Doran no time
56. GTE P Pilet/Narac/Armindo IMSA Performance Porsche no time

[Rob]

Second best time for Ferrari F458 driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander during the first session qualifying of the 24H of Le Mans. The crew is far only few tenths from the first of GTE Pro category.

Positive laps also for the second Ferrari F458 lined up by the Italian team at the French endurance race. Robert Kauffman, Micheal Waltrip and Rui Aguas are getting acquainted with they new car (GTE Pro category).

The crew composed by Piergiuseppe Perazzini, Marco Cioci and Sean Paul Breslin will race the 24 Hour with Ferrari F430 GTE Am category. They were very fast but a mechanical problem has forced a long pit stop.

[Rob]

Four times winner Henri Pescarolo is also an inspired team owner. All young French pilots, who have passed through his hands, have then excelled in endurance. Three of them testify.
Jean-Christophe Boullion has enjoyed some of his finest moments with Pescarolo Sport: "My best memory with Henri, are the Le Mans Series titles and our two podiums at Le Mans in 2005 and 2006". Today he drives for the Pescarolo teams main competitor Rebellion Team Racing. Jean-Christophe Boullion remains close to the great Henri: "I may not have been the first to congratulate him on his victory in Le Castellet in 6 Hours April, but I certainly was not the last! "

Simon Pagenaud's involvement with Pescarolo Sport was brief, but memorable: "You feel dwarfed by a legend like Henri Pescarolo when you meet him for the first time! but he took me under his wing like a son". Today Simon Pagenaud desribes the degree of passion for the four-time winner: "I feel he is thinking constantly about the race. Henri is also a gladiator: he has had his fair share of challenges, but has always made it"

Benoît Tréluyer, driver of the #2 Audi R18 added with a smile: "Overall, older Pescarolo Sport drivers haven't made bad endurance career either. Moreover, if I were a manufacturer, I would not hesitate a second to give him a car, because the team does so much with little means!" The adventure with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP Pescarolo Sport in 2009 was unfortunately cut short after an accident in the night, while Benoît Tréluyer was driving.

Tréluyer: "The telemetry data confirmed that I was not at fault. Henri also knows the difference between a technical problem and a driving error. He has regularly been in contact with me, and urged me to sign for Audi. But if the opportunity presents itself, I'd drive for him again with pleasure! "

[Rob]

the GTE class is going to all out srpint race. Really close. again this year. This is why love this type of racing. Tonight i think will see the times drop abit, as teams go for qualie trim. But, pole in this race doesnt really matter. Well it does as nice to get pole. but there 24hrs ahead.

Got my beer and food ready to sit down and watch it.

[Tifoso]

Why doesn't Ferrari run an entry in the "F1-looking" cars?

Be nice, I'm new

[Rob]

the LMP class??

well, they would love too, LcDM said couple years back that he like Ferrari to go to Le-Mans with a full factory backed LMP (prototype). But, the resources to do so, wouldnt be there. As F1 team is main project and focus. It would be amazing if we did go there and go for overall win with a Ferrari LMP1 car be heaven, better than any F1 WCC, imo.

There 458 GTs, do get alot of backing from the factory aswell, lets hope they can go for the GT class win this year, that class is really tough. Real racing, 24hr sprint race really