Starworks had really good year, very impressed by them.
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Starworks had really good year, very impressed by them.
CAVALLINO RAMPANTE PER SEMPRE
Full Member
Yes, n the car looks way cool too.
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AF CORSE: FERRARI, IL CAVALLINO SUPER-RAMPANTE
26/11/2012 - 10h49
The two scarlet AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italias were a dominant force in the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship’s LMGTE Pro class, despite fierce competition. The No.51 of Gianmaria Bruni and Giancarlo Fisichella scored the most points for Amato Ferrari’s all-conquering team, and is the focus of today’s season retrospective.
The Roman drivers won four of the eight races including the jewel in endurance racing’s crown – the 24 Hours of Le Mans – alongside Finn Toni Vilander, who also substituted admirably for Bruni at Bahrain. The result in France kicked off a run of four victories, achieved as the result of hard work by Michelotto, the team and its drivers, not forgetting superior fuel economy due to Ferrari’s fuel injection system.
Gianmaria Bruni acknowledges that, while the win at Interlagos was very satisfying because of the neck-and-neck battle with the Aston Martin, the 24 Hours of Le Mans was undoubtedly the highlight of the year. “Le Mans was a fantastic weekend, especially after the three very bad days before that because of the crash we had. The boys (mechanics) worked so hard to get the car completely re-built and prepared for the race and, from the moment it was back in the garage and ready for warm up, we had a good feeling. It was fantastic for everyone.”
Bruni and Fisichella finished off the podium only once this season and these results culminated in Ferrari securing the inaugural LMGTE Manufacturers' World Cup and AF Corse picking up the LMGTE Pro Teams' title. There was huge frustration at missing out on a class victory in Spa by just 0.6 seconds, and some frustrations following clutch issues at Sebring, but it was otherwise a perfect season.
Now in his third season of GT racing, Scuderia Ferrari driver Giancarlo Fisichella stresses how important the titles were to all concerned. “Winning is very important for Ferrari, that’s what we’re here for and the FIA WEC is a very important championship for them. They’ve invested a lot and done a fantastic job with Michelotto and AF Corse. Personally the only thing I wasn’t happy about was that a drivers’ championship title wasn’t possible in GT but that’s coming for next year which is good. I’ve really enjoyed the championship and the atmosphere, and we’ve been to some great tracks which I already knew so I’m happy about that!”
Both drivers hope for increased competition in terms of numbers in the LMGTE Pro category in 2013, and Bruni comments: “I hope that next year’s FIA World Cup for GTE drivers will encourage people to come because it would be great for the WEC, the teams, the sponsors, and the drivers. It would be more challenging for us but that makes the racing even better.”
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TRG, Aston Martin Racing Launch New Race Program
Multi-faceted, factory-supported effort in North American championships
ORLANDO, Fla. – The Racer’s Group (TRG) and Aston Martin Racing announced today the formation of a partnership to bring a factory-supported, multi-faceted Aston Martin Racing program to North America starting in 2013. The move encompasses the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series, the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and the GRAND-AM Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge as well as plans to launch a single-make support series featuring Aston Martin Vantage GT4 race cars.
The new, multi-level partnership – TRG-Aston Martin Racing North America, LLC – commenced with TRG-AMR North America’s acquisition of 10 brand new race cars to compete in varying North American sports car series. The Aston Martin Vantage GTE will be unveiled at the American Le Mans Series’ annual Winter Test on Feb. 7-8 in preparation for the March 16 running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh From Florida. In the GRAND-AM Rolex Series and Pirelli World Challenge, the highly competitive Vantage GT3 is in its final homologation stages and will be ready to race for new customers after the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The new Vantage GT4, running in the Continental Tire Challenge, will debut at the January test days and will be ready to race in support of and alongside the highly successful Multimatic team already running in the championship.
“Aston Martin Racing, as a factory- supported entity, has truly arrived in North America,” said Kevin Buckler, who will head the new organization as its CEO. “This program is massive and far-reaching. What we have crafted with Aston Martin Racing is the ability for TRG-AMR North America to compete in all the major race series with multiple teams, and to manage and support all customer programs, marketing, merchandising, transport, maintenance, a new Aston Martin GT4 race series, and even an Aston Martin-specific “Arrive and Drive” program for corporate clients and customers. I am honored to have my Aston Martin friends and co-drivers Kenneth Greenberg and Robert Nimkoff as partners with us on this new endeavor, and we are all excited to get the programs rolling immediately.”
Julian Jenkins, Vice President of Aston Martin the Americas added: “There has long been a strong appetite from owners, enthusiasts and race fans alike to see Aston Martin in regular motorsport competition in North America, so this partnership with TRG is an excellent opportunity to further realize that ambition as we approach our centenary year.”
Leaders of GRAND-AM and the American Le Mans Series welcomed the news.
“We’ve believed from the beginning that the merger of GRAND-AM and ALMS would be a game-changer on the North American motorsport landscape,” said GRAND-AM President and CEO Ed Bennett. “This announcement by TRG-Aston Martin Racing North America is concrete evidence that our belief is bearing fruit – and quickly.”
American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton added: “We enthusiastically welcome the return of Aston Martin and the expansion of effort by TRG-Aston Martin Racing North America. Over many seasons, TRG has been a benchmark competitor in both ALMS and GRAND-AM, scoring many victories and championships. Today, we’re marking a point in North American motorsport that speaks to the confidence of the world’s premier automotive brands in our unified vision. This announcement underscores the fact that our sport is now in an unprecedented position to grow and provide value for manufacturers, for teams like TRG-Aston Martin, for our sponsors and most importantly for fans and TV audiences.”
Buckler said that much of the immediate emphasis will be on securing customer teams to compete in all the North American racing series as well.
“We will be responsible for race car sales, race parts, at-track engineering and technical support, rebuilds and repairs and will be there with the full support and backing of TRG-Aston Martin Racing North America for any of our customer teams,” he said. “We want to welcome and assist these teams at the highest level of support and professionalism in any of the sports car series in North America.”
John Gaw, Managing Director of Aston Martin Racing said: “We are delighted to form this innovative new partnership with TRG which presents great potential across a variety of racing competitions. In TRG we have a proven race partner who clearly knows how to be competitive and win races, helping us achieve new levels of success in North American motorsport for Aston Martin.”
In addition to managing its own race program and customer programs, TRG-AMR North America also has started the development of a one-make series with the Aston Martin GT4 Vantage. This series will race identically prepared Aston Martin GT4s against one another in a sprint race format at select venues throughout North America beginning as early as the fall of 2013.
An integral part of the new company and relationship with Aston Martin is its North American dealership network that will work together with the new TRG-AMR North American group to explore partnership and marketing opportunities together. There are 35 Aston Martin dealerships in the US with five additional in Canada.
The new company will also create opportunities for corporate partners to participate in sponsorship and marketing programs with Aston Martin’s new North American entity. In addition to creating unique corporate partnership packages, including business-to-business opportunities, internal and external promotional campaigns, branding awareness and unique at-track experiences with guest hospitality reflective of the Aston Martin brand, TRG-AMR North America, LLC will create a specific “Arrive and Drive” program as well. The “Arrive and Drive” element will feature Aston Martin race cars at tracks throughout North America where corporate clients, team sponsors and customers can become fully immersed in a track event, with data and instruction from the team and drivers. It will be a full-service, roving driving school throughout North America centered on an amazing driving and lifestyle experience.
California-based The Racers Group (TRG) has a legacy of motorsport success that dates back to the 1990s with extraordinary wins and championships that include the Rolex 24 At Daytona (four times, once overall), the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Petit Le Mans, four championships and more than 50 major racing victories.
Equally, Aston Martin Racing is rich in heritage. It began racing in 1949 and by 1951 the DB2 had swept the podium in class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The DB3S debuted in 1952 and won class at Le Mans from 1955-57. In 1959, the DBR1 finished one-two overall at the Circuit de la Sarthe as legendary driver Sir Stirling Moss joined the race team.
Aston Martin returned to GT racing as a factory team in 2005 with the DBR9 GT1, which went on to record back-to-back victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2007 and 2008, as well as winning the 2011 FIA GT1 World Championship.
Most recently the formidable new race cars achieved a string of successes, capturing three of the last four pole positions in the FIA World Endurance Championship, a win at the final round in Shanghai, China and finishing second in the World Championship with the GTE machine. The new GT3 had an incredible run in its debut year with 11 major victories, and the GT4 is the car of choice in multiple series worldwide.
In 2013, Aston Martin Racing continues its tradition with the advent of TRG-Aston Martin Racing North America, proudly taking the reins of its North American operation.
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PORSCHE TO ENTER TWO CARS IN 2013 CHAMPIONSHIP
Porsche AG in Stuttgart announced today the great news that they will be entering two 'works' LMGTE-Pro cars in the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship which, of course, includes the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The two new GT racecars will be based on the newest generation of the Porsche 911 and it will be the first time since its overall victory in 1998 that a factory team from Porsche will tackle the famed endurance classic in France.
The two new Porsche 911 RSRs will be run by Porsche AG Team Manthey. The role of team manager goes to the experienced endurance specialist Olaf Manthey, who has celebrated five overall wins with Porsche at the Nürburgring 24 hour race and recently fielded a 911 GT3 RSR in the International GT Open.
“The new 911 RSR is currently being developed by our engineers and tested by our works drivers,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “What better time could there be to introduce the new car than the Porsche 911’s 50th anniversary.
(Porsche AG press release)
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This video clip is last few minutes of Mosport, i was on edge of my seat. So close and brilliant last lap...
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few classic videos of Le-mans..
This clipi dont like to say it, but imgaine crashing along the Mulsanne straight
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BMW announces new GTE version of the BMW Z4 GT3 in 2013
A busy evening for BMW in Germany. Under the slogan “Magic Moments" they celebrated the 2012 season while announcing plans for 2013. ALMS will see the new Z4 GT3 on the track for their final season prior to the merger.
BMW Motorsport celebrated the sensationally successful 2012 season with a glittering party in the hangar of the BMW Driving Academy in Maisach, during which it also presented its plans for the coming year.
BMW will again compete in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) next year. However, they will no longer be using the BMW M3 GT. Instead, BMW Motorsport and BMW of North America will turn to the new GTE version of the BMW Z4 GT3. The BMW Z4 GT3 proved to be a successful model last season.
“This change in model shows that we are focussing fully on the BMW Z4 as an all-encompassing GT car,” said Jens Marquardt. “The BMW Z4 GT3 has been very successful on the GT3 scene in recent years, and has proven its ability to win races. I am confident this car will also play a major role as a GTE car in the ALMS.”
The BMW M3 GT has been in action in the ALMS since 2009. It was with this car that BMW and BMW Team RLL won the team and manufacturer titles in the GT class in 2010, and then completed the hat-trick – driver, team and manufacturer titles – in 2011. In total, the car won seven races in four seasons.
The BMW driver line-up for the ALMS challenge will be announced at a later date.
“There are no better ambassadors for the BMW brand than all the racing drivers who do battle for victories at the wheel of a whole host of BMW cars in a wide range of series."
BMW Motorsport
http://www.motorsport.com/alms/news/...4-gt3-in-2013/
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Cavallino Rampante
Nice video Rob. That 458 of Giancarlo is soo beautiful!
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Originally Posted by fratelliferrari
la vostra accoglienza.
Been yet another great year for #51 AF Corse of Bruni and Fisi. Despite FIA changing rules near the end of the year to cut our fuel tanks back by 5 litres. Cannt wait till next years season now, going to Sliverstone for the WEC opener.
Cavallino Rampante
Wow that would be very cool I think to go to Silverstone. I live in the Netherlands so maybe I should go to Spa for the WEC I guess?
Full Member
Much better series with the 458's in it by far.
I was also wondering, did the fia impose some sort of restrictions on the
WEC Ferrari's running the FIA-GT?
Not sure if they still do that sort of thing..
Full Member
65 Lemans..man..great vid Rob!!!!!!
V I L L A G E R
Forgive me for asking, is there a thread somewhere in the forum that explains a bit of the FIAWEC?
I've always followed it here and there but never seriously...and would like to understand how it all works.
Die Perd se naam is pegasus abdel kader schrikt der woestijnen van bagdad tot dakar, seun van benedictus ernius quintus magnus van nassay en irma vor schimmelpernning von appeldoorn van tahiti in die heilige eg verbind kragtens die ewige edik uitgevaardig deur keiser tertius tillius theorodus en biskop merkenzein de mont saint allegonde van die vatikan.
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what would you like to know?Forgive me for asking, is there a thread somewhere in the forum that explains a bit of the FIAWEC?
I've always followed it here and there but never seriously...and would like to understand how it all works.
V I L L A G E R
The Le Mans 24hr endurance race is part of the World Endurance Series rignt?
I know about the 4 catagories involved - LMP1, LMP2, GT-Pro and GT-Am?
Obviously the most intriguing one is the GT-Pro one due to Ferrari's involvement.
Ferrari has is own factory backed team. This is the same team where Fisi is also
racing. Am I right thus far?
Then, is there also customer Ferrari teams?
Why don't we also race with 599?
Die Perd se naam is pegasus abdel kader schrikt der woestijnen van bagdad tot dakar, seun van benedictus ernius quintus magnus van nassay en irma vor schimmelpernning von appeldoorn van tahiti in die heilige eg verbind kragtens die ewige edik uitgevaardig deur keiser tertius tillius theorodus en biskop merkenzein de mont saint allegonde van die vatikan.
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Le-Mans is the main event in the WEC, double points awarded. Thats part reason #1 Audi had the edge over #2 car rest of the season.
LMP1 LMP1 GTE -Pro GTE- AM.
The rules in GTE-Am are simple, with teams running year-old cars, or in some cases brand new cars built to 2011 specifications, in order to save costs, while the driver line-ups for each car can only contain a maximum of one professional driver.
Fisi races for AF Corse #51 car, with Gianmaria Bruni (the best GT racer) and AF Corse is factory backed. There are other Ferrari teams, JMW Motorsport, that is British team, with help from Ferrari, not as much as AF Corse, (JMW didnt race in the WEC aswell as Luxury Racing) Next year at Le-Mans will be ESM Racing from the ALMS, run by Scott Sharpe. They are very good racing team, may not be able to challenge AF Corse over 24hrs but be close.
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2013 6 HOURS OF SAO PAULO DATE CHANGE
Today (5 December 2012) in Istanbul the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved a slight change to the provisional FIA WEC calendar and the 2013 6 Hours of Sao Paulo will now take place on Sunday 1 September rather than Saturday 31 August as previously published.
The change of date was made at the request of the local promoter, Emerson Fittipaldi, after consulting with the sponsors and partners of the event. It was felt that a Sunday race was better for the local fans, which is traditionally a day of sport in Brazil.
Emerson Fittipaldi said: “Following the successful first running of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo in September we had a discussion with our partners regarding which day would be best to run the race in 2013. It was decided to request that the race be run on Sunday rather than Saturday as this is a much better day for the people of Sao Paulo to come to Interlagos to see these fantastic cars in action. I’m pleased that the ACO and the FIA support this idea and I’m sure that we will have an even bigger crowd at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo next year.”
Gerard Neveu said: “When we received this request from Emerson Fittipaldi it made sense to us to follow his advice. Following a recommendation from the ACO, the Endurance Commission proposed the change of date to the World Motor Sport Council, which met in Istanbul today. Emerson knows how to promote an event in Brazil and if he thinks that by having the race on Sunday it will bring a bigger crowd to Interlagos then that is good for everybody. We had a great race this year and we’re sure the 2013 event will be even bigger.”
2013 Provisional FIA World Endurance Championship Calendar - UPDATED
14 April Round 1 6 Hours of Silverstone GBR
04 May Round 2 WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps BEL
22/23 June Round 3 24 Heures du Mans FRA
01 September Round 4 6 Hours of Sao Paulo BRA
22 September Round 5 6 Hours of Austin * USA
20 October Round 6 6 Hours of Fuji JPN
10 November Round 7 6 Hours of Shanghai * CHN
30 November Round 8 6 Hours of Bahrain BAH
*To be confirmed
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Aggregate time to decide WEC grid positions in 2013
Wednesday, December 5th 2012, 15:22 GMT
Grid positions in next year's FIA World Endurance Championship will be determined by an aggregate time of two drivers in each car.
The qualifying order will be based on the two fastest laps of the two drivers, it was decided that this weekend's FIA World Council. That means the grid time will be decided on the basis of four timed laps.
The move, according to the FIA, is designed to make qualifying "more attractive for spectators and media".
The race-day warm-up has been cancelled in the interests of cost reduction unless specifically required. This means the Le Mans 24 Hours will retain its Saturday morning warm-up.
The FIA, which writes the prototype rules together with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest at Le Mans, has also reaffirmed its intention to further increase the length of time between engine rebuilds.
Last year's rules stated that it intended to increase the life of the engines for 2013 from 30 to 50 hours.
Limits on tyres used will placed on the LMP2 and GTE Am classes from next year.
The FIA also stated its commitment to enforcing a strict equivalence between diesel and petrol-powered cars in LMP1 when the new 2014 rulebook comes into force.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104739
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Quali is exciting as it was. If it isnt broke dont fix it.
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STATUS GP AND HVM RACING JOIN FORCES FOR FIA WORLD ENDURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP
04/12/2012 - 18h09
Status Grand Prix has forged an alliance with IndyCar Series team HVM Racing to field a joint entry in next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship.
Following on from a successful two-day test of Status GP’s Lola-Judd B12/80 Coupe in Spain last week, HVM and Status GP will combine their technical and commercial resources and strong road-racing pedigrees to run a Lola Coupe in the LMP2 class of the eight-round WEC, which comprises the Le Mans 24 Hours and six-hour races in Europe, Asia, North and South America and the Middle East.
Status GP this year ran the Lola at Le Mans and selected races in the FIA WEC and European Le Mans Series, in which it scored a podium finish on its debut. HVM Racing, a six-time race winner in the Champ Car Series from 2000-2007, arrives in sportscar racing after running for five successful years in the IndyCar Series from its headquarters in Indianapolis, USA.
The team will operate from both HVM’s base in Indianapolis and Status GP’s UK headquarters in Silverstone. The alliance is built on a relationship going four decades, as Status GP co-founder Mark Gallagher and Wiggins first worked on projects together 25 years ago. Together, Status and HVM will continue to develop the Lola LMP2 design, which scored pole position at the final FIA WEC race of the year at Shanghai.
Status GP team principal Teddy Yip said: “We are delighted to create this partnership between Status and HVM. For the step up to a full-time FIA WEC programme our combined strengths create a very strong platform for technical personnel, resources and contacts with drivers and sponsors in both Europe and the USA. It’s an exciting development for each company to establish a presence on both sides of the Atlantic, and we look forward a long-term collaboration.”
HVM Racing CEO Keith Wiggins said: “We made a decision to expand our interests into sportscars for next year and once we looked at the WEC program it was obvious we needed a European base, which is familiar ground for me. Then we started a dialogue with my old friends now together at Status and it quickly became a partnership both parties wanted and embraced. We cover two continents with facilities, staff and equipment and we’ll hit the ground running, able to compete in both the US and Europe, so it makes perfect business sense. Also both groups have a strong history and relationship with the Lola marquee and its future plans.”
The final details of the HVM Status GP package are being finalized over the next few weeks, with further announcements to come in the New Year on technical partners, sponsors and drivers.
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I know end of season now, and what year it has been for GTs and Sportscars. Just going to post the news as it comes and some old videos of Le-Mans and ALMS, WEC races.
Heres 1 from 1999, where the Merc flipped on the way down to Indy corner at Le-Mans. Mark Webber had the same crash in morning warm up of the race...
Naughty Word Mod
I know end of season now, and what year it has been for GTs and Sportscars. Just going to post the news as it comes and some old videos of Le-Mans and ALMS, WEC races.
Heres 1 from 1999, where the Merc flipped on the way down to Indy corner at Le-Mans. Mark Webber had the same crash in morning warm up of the race...
Naughty Word Mod
PORSCHE LMP1 PROTOTYPE ROLL MID-2013.
2012-12-08 7:05:00 p.m.
It was not until mid-2013 to see the first laps of the Porsche LMP1. This was announced Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development at the end of season party, organized by the German brand: "The first run will take place in mid-2013. The car will be on track with our own factory team based on our Weissach. " Until we know more about the 2014 LMP1, Porsche AG Team Manthey Porsche 991 GT3 align two-RSR in the World Endurance Championship next season in the GTE-Pro. As for the prototype program, it will be hatched by the new department headed by Franz Enzinger.
During his speech, Wolfgang Hatz said to be a supporter of GT two categories in the future, one for teams supported directly by the factory and the other for private teams. It is expected that the 911 GT3-R receives several changes for the upcoming season. Note that the nine drivers under contract with Porsche are renewed. For six of them, the season will begin with the 24 Hours of Daytona. Jörg Bergmeister will drive a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup TRG's Kevin Buckler, Marco Holzer at Alex Job Racing, Brumos Racing at Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz at Magnus Racing, Patrick Long Motorsports at Park Place and Patrick Pilet in NGT.
We send a big congratulations to Jean-Karl Vernay who was selected by Porsche to go ride in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. The 2012 champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Matmut will therefore run in the opening Grand Prix Formula 1 next season.
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Porsche will run its new Le Mans LMP1 programme from Weissach base
By Gary Watkins Sunday, December 9th 2012, 10:30 GMT
Porsche will revive its in-house factory team for its return to the prototype ranks in 2014.
The German manufacturer's forthcoming LMP1 hybrid will be run by a full works team based at its Weissach research and development headquarters.
This facility near Stuttgart is where Porsche's first outright contender for Le Mans 24 Hours honours since 1998 is being designed, developed and built.
Porsche R&D boss Wolfgang Hatz made the announcement at Porsche's Night of Champions awards ceremony on Saturday evening.
"The car will be run by our own works team based here at Weissach," he said. "The first rollout of our new LMP1 car is planned for mid-2013."
Porsche has upgraded its motorsport facility since its last major programme with the RS Spyder LMP2, which was run by the works Penske team in the US and by customer teams in Europe.
It is understood that approximately 200 people are working on the P1 project.
The only other news on the project was the confirmation of a restructuring of Porsche Motorsport, with former BMW man Fritz Enzinger taking control of the P1 project and head of motorsport Hartmut Kristen retaining control of the manufacturer's 911-based programmes.
The majority of Porsche's 16 Le Mans wins have come with teams run direct from the factory. That number includes its final victory with the 911 GT1-98 more than 14 years ago.
Porsche will run a factory team for the first time since 1998 in next year's FIA World Endurance Championship as it develops its new 991-shape 911 RSR GTE contender. The car will be run in conjunction with Manthey Racing under the Porsche AG Team Manthey banner.
http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104769
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ADR-DELTA'S STEEP 2012 LEARNING CURVE
When the small British team first appeared in the FIA WEC at the 12 Hours of Sebring, one could be forgiven for thinking they looked a little shell shocked. But that wouldn’t be taking into account the fact that the deal between Alan Docking Racing and Delta Motorsport was only finalised at the 11th hour, and the No.25 Oreca 03-Nissan was delivered to them just hours before it was due to be flown to the USA.
With virtually no time to prepare, Alan Docking and his crew faced a steep learning curve to reach the high standard demonstrated by competitors such as Starworks Motorsports in the LMP2 class. So, after such a start, to end as vice-champions in the category and record four LMP2 victories through the season is hugely creditable to the newcomers.
The tenacious Docking, a long-time team owner and entrant in single-seaters, and Delta’s Simon Dowson worked hard to beat the opposition, so the final outcome was bitter-sweet. “We were the new guys on the block in endurance racing,” said New Zealander Docking. “Starworks have a good operation and LMP2 is very competitive; you can’t drop any time anywhere. Le Mans was our biggest problem as we had tyre vibration issues and bodywork problems and spent too long in the pits getting it right. It really took until Silverstone for us to feel comfortable in the championship and start to represent our potential, but ultimately we were disappointed we didn’t win the title.”
Australian John Martin formed a strong pairing with Thailand’s Tor Graves, a relatively inexperienced driver who more than held his own amongst his more practiced peers. However, the complete line up lacked consistency due to commercial pressures and Robbie Kerr’s contribution to the team’s WEC class win at Spa came to nought. Jan Charouz, Shinji Nakano and Mathias Beche all contributed further to the overall points tally, with wins at Silverstone, Fuji and Shanghai.
Suspension failure and a failed wheel nut knocked the team’s championship challenge further at Bahrain, but the end of the year demonstrated that ADR-Delta had gathered itself up and were on the right track. Simon Dowson prefers to look forward rather than back. “We didn’t underestimate our opposition, and were comfortable we could take it to them if it hadn’t been for those couple of races. In the end it was a bit of a disappointment to be so close to winning the title, but that’s more incentive to come back and have another go in 2013. We’ve only one place to go now – to win it – and we’re working hard to make sure we’ve got strongest possible team to do that.”
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ALMS Has a Rebellion on Its Hands
Petit Le Mans winner taking full-time plunge in 2013
BRASELTON, Ga - Was an overall victory at Road Atlanta the first of many to come for Rebellion Racing in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón? We may soon find out.
The Swiss squad will compete as a full-time entry in the 2013 ALMS championship with one of its Toyota-powered Lola coupes. Sports car racing in North America is getting a proven winner as evidenced by a three-lap victory in the ALMS’s 2012 finale at Petit Le Mans powered by Mazda. Andrea Belicchi, Nico Prost and Neel Jani drove the car at Road Atlanta. Jani earned pole position for the race and also set the fastest lap in the 1,000-mile enduro.
“This is great news and we welcome everyone at Rebellion Racing back to the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón with open arms,” said Scott Atherton, ALMS President and CEO. “The team's presence as a full-season entry will provide ALMS fans with not just another world-class competitor but a fascinating championship fight in our premier P1 class. This news - with more to follow – only adds to the anticipation for a great 2013 season.”
In addition to its full-season entry, Rebellion plans to run a second car at the season-opening 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida in March. The team also is targeting a return to the FIA World Endurance Championship where it won the LMP1 Trophy for Privateer Teams.
As a result, the fight for next season’s ALMS P1 championship is much tougher. Defending champion Muscle Milk Pickett Racing expects to return in 2013 as does 2011 champion Dyson Racing. Last season saw the two teams race to the end at Road Atlanta before Muscle Milk clinched its first ALMS title.
"We want to build upon those results in 2013 and aim to add to our tally of overall race wins,” said team manager Bart Hayden. “The visibility generated by overall wins is more in line with what our partners require and desire. The WEC is a World Championship and we would like to find a way to continue racing there too. Over the coming weeks, we will be striving to put together a program to complement our presence in the ALMS. We are a team that has grown up with the Le Mans spirit since our involvement in the GT class in the early 2000s and we want to continue racing in championships that mix the very best professional prototype and GT teams. I will be particularly pleased if we can succeed in finding a way to run cars in both the ALMS and the FIA WEC in 2013.”
The new ALMS season goes green with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 16. The race will air live on SPEED, and ticket information is available at sebringraceway.com.
The annual ALMS Winter Test at Sebring is set for Feb. 7-8.
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