2013 WEC, IMSA&ELMS News

[Nova]

Long Beach...Harsh penalty for Risi..go figure...racing in America has always been tough
for Ferrari.

[Rob]

I know mate, its an uphill race. Just be nice for 458s to get a break this year to win the GT class.

[Rob]

- Podium in first street race for REBELLION Racing
- REBELLION Racing wins LMP Michelin Green X Challenge
- REBELLION Racing retains lead in the American Le Mans Series Championship
- Neel Jani and Nick Heidfeld defend Driver Championship lead

The #12 REBELLION Racing Lola-Toyota, driven by Neel Jani and Nick Heidfeld, crossed the start-finish line to take second place in the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach.
The team is pleased with their podium finish which keeps them in the championship lead going into the third round of the American Le Mans Series.

The Swiss squad had a promising start which saw Neel Jani retain first place in front of the #16 Dyson. The Swiss driver worked hard to pull away from the field only to be reeled back in time and time again by three different safety car periods in the first half of the race.

The #12 REBELLION Racing car held on to first place until it came in for its one and only pit stop to change drivers and add fuel during the third safety car period on lap 33. The second placed #6 Muscle Milk, who had already changed drivers during the first safety car, followed suit and was able to leapfrog into first place.

The remainder of the grand prix ran green until the chequered flag. Nick Heidfeld, who drove a consistent and strong second half of the race, was cheated out of any real fight with the new race leaders due to heavy traffic.

The Swiss squad also collected first place in the Michelin Green X Challenge, a reward for the cleanest, fastest and most efficient LMP car on track.

REBELLION Racing returns to the ALMS in three weeks’ time for the American Le Mans Montery.

Neel Jani : "It was an interesting start. I was able to defend first place at the start which was important because from there I could create a gap. Everything was going to plan until the loads of yellow phases. The Muscle Milk made the decision to change their driver very early during the first yellow. Because there were so many yellow phases, their strategy turned out to be better than ours. But I guess that’s the experience they have in racing at Long Beach which we don’t. I think that’s what made the difference today. It certainly keeps the championship interesting and we will for sure be there to fight again in Laguna. "

Nick Heidfeld : "We took second today which is good for the championship, but we are not completely satisfied. As Neel said, the Muscle Milk took a bit of a gamble on strategy which obviously paid off perfectly for them, because of all of the safety cars and pass arounds that kept them just behind Neel. From then their strategy was just to follow us because they were sure to have a shorter pit stop and be able to pass us. The car was a bit damaged which also didn’t help. We are looking forward to Laguna Seca now. I think our car should be better suited for that circuit. And we’re still ahead in the championship which is good. Congratulations to the Muscle Milk. We’re looking forward to fighting them again in a few weeks. "

Bart Hayden - REBELLION Racing Team manager : "After taking the pole position in qualifying, we were hoping to convert that into the race win. We lost out today because of a little bit of bad luck with the safety cars, but that is part of the scene here in the American races and next time maybe they will work in our favour. The whole team did a great job to put ourselves in a position to challenge for the victory, so that is encouraging. We’ll be back on a regular road course at Laguna (the next event) and we’ll be looking to take the win there."

[Rob]

AUDI TO CONDUCT 2014 TYRE RESEARCH AT LE MANS TEST DAY

Audi has announced that it will field four Audi R18 e-tron quattro cars at the official test day on 9th June for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In addition to cars No.1, 2 and 3, which are officially entered for the race, a fourth hybrid sports car will be testing for eight hours at La Sarthe to gather valuable findings for the future. Specifically, Audi will be working closely with tyre partner Michelin to prepare for a new generation of rubber for 2014.

From next year onwards, a new set of regulations will apply to sports prototypes which includes a reduced tyre size. The smaller dimension corresponds to the current tyre dimension for LMP2 cars (14 instead of 16 inches overall width, 28 instead of 28.5 inches outer diameter).

Other technical aspects of future LMP1 race cars will significantly differ from this year’s models. For the first time, the amount of energy available when the car runs in a race will become a crucial factor of the hybrid concept. To gather valuable data, the No.4 Audi will be equipped with measuring technology available exclusively for tyre testing on the test day.

“Our objective is to generate a database for handling the future tyres that is as versatile and reliable as possible,” emphasizes Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “The tyres are an absolutely safety-relevant topic. The impending technological change is fundamental. Therefore, we are providing all the data being gathered to our long-standing partner Michelin as well. Ultimately, all Michelin partner teams will benefit from this. We thank the ACO and the FIA and WEC officials who paved the way for us to nominate a fourth car. This marks a commitment to high safety in racing.”

[Rob]

Porsche says F1's lack of road relevance pushed it to LMP1 instead
By Jim Holder Tuesday, April 23rd 2013, 08:00 GMT

Porsche chose a return to top-flight sportscar racing over Formula 1 because it has more relevance to road cars, according to its head of R&D Wolfgang Hatz.

The firm will enter the top LMP1 sportscar racing category in 2014 with hybrid power.

Porsche has already said that there has been a technology transfer both ways between the race car and its Porsche 918 Spyder road car that will go on sale later this year as a rival to the Ferrari La Ferrari and McLaren P1.

Speaking to AUTOSPORT's sister title Autocar at the Shanghai motor show, Hatz said: "We are a sportscar company.

"Porsche has always lived for the transfer of racing to production cars. For that reason it was clear two or three years ago that we had to be back in high-level motorsport, and it was a choice between top-flight sportscars or Formula 1.

"But the final decision was the only logical one. F1 was an alternative, but the road relevance is not there.

"Also, there is a lot of publicity around politics and tyres, but not so much about the engines and chassis.

"The aero, too, is incredible, but so extreme that it cannot result in any development in our road car understanding."

Mark Webber has been linked to joining Porsche's sportscar programme in 2014, but last weekend in Bahrain he denied making any decisions about his future.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107007

[Rob]

ALLAN MCNISH: POINT BEFORE SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS AND LE MANS 24 HOURS

After 6 Hours of Silverstone, the first round of the World Endurance FIA ​​Allan McNish added the Tourist Trophy to his impressive record. It already plans to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, he won for the first time just last fifteen years.

In 1998, together with Stéphane Ortelli and Laurent Aiello, the Scot had signed what remains to this day the last victory of Porsche (the sixteenth) in Sarthe. Second last year, it remains one of the favorites of the 90th anniversary edition and also Endurance Championship FIA World, as demonstrated in his Silverstone chase victory in front of the other Audi R18 e-your quattro Benoit Treluyer.

After seven years (and a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans Audi R10 TDI in 2008) shared with Dindo Capello, Allan McNish at Silverstone welcomed a new partner in the person of French Loic Duval. A new collaboration begins with a victory. Allan McNish: Loïc quickly adapted and it is very fast. Before Le Mans, our work will certainly be to be more careful. We can not expect the same understanding in two weeks after seven years. A win is still the best way to start a new partnership.

In his two victories at Le Mans, four 12 Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans as Allan McNish just add the Tourist Trophy, one of the oldest motor sport trophy on a Silverstone circuit that knows by heart almost. Allan McNish: Silverstone has always been a good hunting ground, I just had to win for the fourth time in sports-prototypes. My family and friends were there and I know the marshals since my first race at this track in 1987. The Tourist Trophy is one of the most important trophies of British motorsport, which has over one hundred years of existence. And Arrol-Johnston, the first victory of the competition in 1905 car was built just a few miles from my parents' house!

For Allan McNish like many other competitors, the next appointment for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC (May 4) will be the big rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In 2012, Allan McNish had signed it the first pole position of a hybrid prototype at the wheel of the Audi R18 e-tron quattro, but had to give the victory to the R18 ultra Marc Gené, Loïc Duval and Romain Dumas. No doubt he will again this year at the forefront of the fight to preserve the ranking of drivers provisiire World Championship before the big event Sarthe, where points count double ...

[Rob]

Audi unveils experimental long-tail R18 e-tron quattro car
By Pablo Elizalde Thursday, April 25th 2013, 11:22 GMT


Audi has unveiled an experimental long-tail version of its R18 e-tron quattro hybrid sports car that could race at the Le Mans 24 Hours this year.

The car will be raced at Spa during the second round of the World Endurance Championship next month.

Marc Gene, Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Jarvis will drive the long-tail R18, while the other two crews will continue to race the standard-spec car that competed at the opening round of the WEC at Silverstone.

The long-tail R18 has been optimised for the high speeds of the Le Mans straights. The German manufacturer will use the Spa race as a test to compare the performance between the two cars.

"The comparison, however, is not focused on absolute lap times. Instead, the team will analyse the time differences to be expected between both models on individual track sectors," said Audi in a statement.

Audi motorsport chief Wolfgang Ullrich said: "We thoroughly reviewed the first race of the season and accomplished our tasks in order to be well prepared for the second round of the WEC.

"Fielding the Le Mans aero variant on the third vehicle that hasn't been optimised for the lap times at Spa is an important element of the preparation for the 24-hour race."

Audi won the opening round of the WEC with Loic Duval, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. The final car will again be driven at Spa by WEC champions Marcel Fassler, Andre Lotterer and Benoit Treluyer.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107048

[Rob]

Love this long tail version. Bit of nice detailing aswell, the rear wing lower. Look forward seeing it at Spa and then in anger at Le-Mans.

[Rob]

On to Mazda Raceway and Four Hours of ALMS Racing
35 cars including all of last year’s winning teams

BRASELTON, Ga. - A group of North America’s top sports car talent heads to one of North America’s premier road courses for the next round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The four-hour American Le Mans Monterey features 35 ALMS prototype and GT cars racing into twilight at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and through the iconic Corkscrew turn.

All five teams that won in class last year race are among the entrants for next month’s race: Muscle Milk Pickett Racing (P1), Level 5 Motorsports (P2), Corvette Racing (GT), CORE autosport (PC) and TRG (GTC). Of those, three have the same driver pairings as a year ago – Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr for Muscle Milk Pickett Racing, Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner for Corvette Racing, and CORE autosport’s Jon Bennett and Colin Braun.

A look at the class battles, with P1, P2 and GT featuring ties in their respective team standings:

• P1: Graf and Luhr will have their hands full trying to repeat. Dyson Racing – with a Lola-Mazda coupe – sat on the race’s overall pole position in 2010 and 2011, and wrapped up the 2011 ALMS P1 title at Mazda Raceway. Another Lola will be on the grid from Rebellion Racing, which uses Toyota power. The DeltaWing also returns to ALMS competition with former Champ Car and DTM pilot Katherine Legge making her first start in the series.
• P2: Level 5 Motorsports and Extreme Speed Motorsports have split the first two races of the season. Level 5 has won at Monterey the last two seasons, and Extreme Speed won last weekend at Long Beach in just its second race in the class. Both teams have Honda Performance Development prototypes.
• GT: Five auto manufacturers make up the world’s most competitive class with each marque represented by two teams. Corvette Racing and BMW Team RLL have won the season’s two previous rounds while Risi Competizione and SRT Motorsports each have one pole position each.



• PC: This marks the third race for the Prototype Challenge presented by Continental Tire. The reviews so far for the Continentals have been overwhelmingly positive. PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports and CORE autosport each have a victory to their credit.
• GTC: TRG goes for its third straight class win at Monterey, just a couple hours down the road from its race shop in Sonoma. It has two cars on this year’s entry as does Flying Lizard Motorsports, a past race-winner in Monterey in the GT class. Alex Job Racing opened the year with a win at Sebring, and NGT Motorsport won at Long Beach.

The next round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón is the American Le Mans Monterey from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, May 11. It’s the third round of the 10-race ALMS championship. ESPN2’s coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 12 with live coverage is available on ESPN3 starting at 6:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 11.

Viewers outside the U.S. can watch races live on ALMS.com. The series’ website offers additional content such as live in-car cameras, timing and scoring, and car-to-pit radio for all users around the world.

[Rob]

ASTON MARTIN CONFIRMS FIFTH CAR FOR SPA AND ANNOUNCES LE MANS DRIVER LINE-UP

Gaydon, 26 April 2013 - Aston Martin Racing has confirmed it will run a fifth car at the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), the Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, with Richie Stanaway (NZ) completing the 15-strong driver line-up while Rob Bell (GB) and Peter Dumbreck (GB) make their season debuts for the team.

The team will travel to Spa, Belgium, fresh from its double victory at the opening round of the championship at Silverstone a fortnight ago (14 April). The four Gulf-liveried Vantage GTEs – two GTE Pro and two GTE Am cars – will be joined by a third GT Pro car (#99), which will be driven by Stanaway, Pedro Lamy (PT) and Paul Dalla Lana (CN).

In preparation for the third round of the WEC at the 24 Hours of Le Mans the remaining Vantage GTEs – which share the same bonded aluminium structure and basic engine and suspension architecture with Aston Martin’s sportiest road-going model, the V8 Vantage – will run with the driver line-ups planned for June’s 24-hour race.

As announced earlier this year, Dumbreck will join Darren Turner (GB) and Stefan Mücke (D) in the #97 and Bell (GB) will join Bruno Senna (BR) and Frédéric Makowiecki (FR) in the #98 GTE Pro cars. The two GTE Am cars will remain the same as Silverstone; Christoffer Nygaard (DN), Kristian Poulsen (DN) and Allan Simonsen (DN) in car #95 and Jamie Campbell-Walter (GB), Roald Goethe (D) and Stuart Hall (GB) in car #96.

The driver line-up for Le Mans will remain the same as at Spa except for Stanaway who will be replaced in France by American Le Mans Series racer, Bill Auberlen, who celebrated victory at Long Beach last week.

Stanaway, who tested with the team at Road Atlanta and Sebring earlier this year, comments: “I’m really looking forward to going back to Spa. It’s the last place I raced last year and it’s somewhere I’ve got a lot of experience. Testing with the team earlier this year gave me the opportunity to race here but it also gave me a lot more. Working alongside Darren Turner, Stefan Mücke and Bruno Senna was a really good experience for me. They are so professional and knowledgeable and, really quick.”

Turner adds: “Winning at Silverstone was a great way to start to the 2013 season and now, three weeks later, we head into one of the best circuits in the world; it’s in my top three, anyway. The circuit is actually very similar to Silverstone in that it has medium to high-speed corners, it’s really just the change in elevation that makes it different. This means that we can carry our race-winning set-up over from Silverstone and we should be competitive. The main goal is to get more points in the bag and to keep the cars in one piece ahead of Le Mans.”

Aston Martin Racing’s Team Principal John Gaw comments: “It will be a big task running five cars at Spa but it’s good preparation for Le Mans and we need to ensure that our extremely high standards we set ourselves are maintained. We showed at Silverstone that we have not only managed to build, develop and prepare four cars, but we have done so to such a standard that we had no issues to speak of with any of the cars throughout the six-hour race. This is thanks to our hard-working team, which has worked tirelessly to get us off to such a solid start to the season.

“To be leading both the GT classes and to have scored points with all of our cars going into Spa is a good place to be. We hope to add to our points tally next weekend.”

The FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of Spa-Francorchamps begins with qualifying on Friday, May 3, with the race due to start at 1430hrs (CET) on Saturday, May 4. Follow the team’s progress at www.astonmartin.com/racing, on Facebook www.facebook.com/astonmartinracing or on Twitter using @AMR_Official.



Driver line up for Spa:

#95 Nygaard/Poulsen/Simonsen
#96 Campbell-Walter/Goethe/Hall
#97 Dumbreck/Mücke/Turner
#98 Bell/Makoweicki/Senna
#99 Dalla Lana/Lamy/Stanaway


- ENDS -

[Rob]

what a gift..

A PROTOTYPE FOR AUDI DINDO CAPELLO
Triple winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and recently retired from endurance, Dindo Capello Audi has received a gift like no other a few days ago.

Partner of the mark on the rings in three concessions in his native region of Piedmont, the Italian rider took delivery on April 25 of Audi R18 TDI prototype. This is the chassis (No. 102) at the wheel which he won the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2012, together with Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. For its sixtieth anniversary, the great American event also saw the launch of the new World Endurance Championship by the FIA.

With this permanent loan, Audi wanted to greet the golf Dindo Capello. Official Driver of the German manufacturer from 1994 to 2012, it has become three-time Le Mans 24 Hours (2003 Bentley, 2004 and 2008 Audi) in fourteen entries, and four times at the 12 Hours of Sebring (2001, 2006 , 2009 and 2012). He also holds the record for victories at Petit Le Mans, with five wins (2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008). After retiring from the endurance at the end of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2012, it is still running today in Italian GT at Audi Sport Italia, driving an R8 LMS ultra.

[Rob]

VIDEO: FIA WEC SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS IN 2012, A FINAL VICTORY
In 2012, the first edition of the new Endurance Championship FIA World, Audi won the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC.

Located near Francorchamps in Belgium, the Spa is one of the landmarks in the history of motorsport, from Formula 1 to the endurance through the DTM. Its special layout is much appreciated experienced that sometimes dreaded young drivers drivers. The "slide of the Bulge," as we like to call him, has evolved considerably since its inception in 1921. The original fourteen kilometers, it is now in more than seven but the speeds are still spectacular, sometimes reaching 320 km / h. In 2012, the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps hosted the second round of the Endurance World FIA. Although not involved in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC, Toyota unveiled its latest prototype, the TS030 Hybrid, thereafter commenced the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the remaining rounds of the World Championship. Side of Ingolstadt, Audi launched two new track: R18 and R18 ultra e-tron quattro hybrid. In the absence of Toyota, nothing could shake the established working order of the German team in the Belgian Ardennes. After a difficult race because of weather always unpredictable at Spa, the brand with the rings monopolized the top four places on arrival. The brand new e-tron end to the second and fourth behind the R18 ultra victorious Romain Dumas, Loïv Duval and Marc Gené. The British team ADR-Delta won the category LM P2 prototypes, while the Felbermayr-Proton team imposes its Porsche 911 in LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am. For the second meeting of the 2013 season, Audi will find this time Toyota track: align the Japanese automaker for the first time the 2013 version of its TS030 Hybrid. The duel announced a new exciting time. After winning the opening round at Silverstone (Great Britain), the German giant will he repeat the operation at Spa-Francorchamps? To find out, go to the Belgian Ardennes. Find out in this video the qualifying sessions for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC in 2012, which saw Allan McNish clinch first pole position of a hybrid prototype with the Audi R18 TDI e-tron quattro.[/video]
Located near Francorchamps in Belgium, the Spa is one of the landmarks in the history of motorsport, from Formula 1 to the endurance through the DTM. Its special layout is much appreciated experienced that sometimes dreaded young drivers drivers. The "slide of the Bulge," as we like to call him, has evolved considerably since its inception in 1921. The original fourteen kilometers, it is now in more than seven but the speeds are still spectacular, sometimes reaching 320 km / h.

In 2012, the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps hosted the second round of the Endurance World FIA. Although not involved in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC, Toyota unveiled its latest prototype, the TS030 Hybrid, thereafter commenced the 24 Hours of Le Mans and in the remaining rounds of the World Championship. Side of Ingolstadt, Audi launched two new track: R18 and R18 ultra e-tron quattro hybrid. In the absence of Toyota, nothing could shake the established working order of the German team in the Belgian Ardennes. After a difficult race because of weather always unpredictable at Spa, the brand with the rings monopolized the top four places on arrival. The brand new e-tron end to the second and fourth behind the R18 ultra victorious Romain Dumas, Loïv Duval and Marc Gené. The British team ADR-Delta won the category LM P2 prototypes, while the Felbermayr-Proton team imposes its Porsche 911 in LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am.

For the second meeting of the 2013 season, Audi will find this time Toyota track: align the Japanese automaker for the first time the 2013 version of its TS030 Hybrid. The duel announced a new exciting time. After winning the opening round at Silverstone (Great Britain), the German giant will he repeat the operation at Spa-Francorchamps? To find out, go to the Belgian Ardennes.

Find out in this video the qualifying sessions for the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC in 2012, which saw Allan McNish clinch first pole position of a hybrid prototype with the Audi R18 TDI e-tron quattro.

[Rob]

In less than a week the thirty-five cars entered in Championship endurance FIA ​​World will compete in the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps, the second round of the World Endurance FIA. Fifteen days between the two tests were used to analyze and dissect the first recorded in Britain results and implement new strategies. It was also an opportunity for some manufacturers to continue development work on other circuits. Toyota and ended up on the Portuguese circuit of Portimao, while Audi has chosen the Italian circuit of Monza.

For drivers, the pleasure of finding the "slide of the Bulge" is a real pleasure as confirmed Marc Gene (driver of the Audi No. 3, winner of the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC last year): " It there is no other place where you can feel the centrifugal forces in your body as well as in the Eau Rouge. Spa-Francorchamps is the second longest circuit after Le Mans. You have good overtaking opportunities at The Source, opposite Combes example. The track is exceptional grip is perfect and slick can be a good solution. " For Tom Kristensen (Audi driver # 2, victorious at Silverstone two weeks ago), this is the last rehearsal before the 24 Hours of Le Mans: " Spa-Francorchamps is the last preparation before the race conditions biggest competition of the year. All team members have worked hard for it, we have a real challenge. " For the World Champion team last year, things are clear: to win, as confirmed by Benoit Treluyer (Audi driver # 1): " my teammate André Lotterer, Spa is a "home circuit" but it is certain that we would be on the podium next weekend. "

But Audi has a surprise: a version R18 e-tron quattro long version. Since endurance is, work on aerodynamics has always been at the heart of the concerns of manufacturers. Following the example of Porsche or Matra in 1970 or more recently in the 1990 McLaren, Audi opted to turn for this release. If the goals are ambitious, make the rings look foremost solutions to compete in the next 24 Hours of Le Mans, which will be held on 22 and 23 June Thus the firm will incur Ingolstadt three cars in the Belgian Ardennes, but only one of them present the new aerodynamic configuration called "long-tail" (long tail in English). This will be the # 3 Audi, entrusted to the Spaniard Marc Gene, the British Oliver Jarvis and Brazilian Lucas di Grassi

For Dr. Wolfgang Ullirch Head of Audi Motorsport, things are easy to approach the 24 Hours of Le Mans: "As always, Audi will use this race as a dress rehearsal for Le Mans. Spa-Francorchamps is a completely different circuit Silverstone. The long tail version used here allow us to define all options for our appointment Sarthe. " A lot of development work expects the three drivers that R18 e-tron quattro like no other.

The battle will take place between Audi and Toyota opponent at Spa-Francorchamps on May 4 promises to be exciting again. Until that great appointment, find in this video highlights the 6 Hours of Silverstone, the opening round of the World Endurance Championship by the FIA ​​in 2013, which saw the victory of Audi, driving with Allan McNish, Loïc Duval and Tom Kristensen


(Audi Motorsport)

[Nova]

GT Open..Round 2..France..A win for the 458..Aston 2nd..Porsche 3rd.
Im not that familiar w/this series, but I was able to watch the whole race online.
Round 1 won by the Aston. The 458's, Mclarens n Porches look to be equal, but the Aston
running a V12 looks to be in a different class, so much faster than all the other cars. Im going to
have to check the classes. Never the less, its a win for a Ferrari. Was fun to watch the GT cars in action.

[Rob]

TOYOTA TO INTRODUCE NEW TS030 AT SPA

29/04/2013 - 11h45

Totoya Racing will debut their 2013 specification TS030 Hybrid LMP1 car this coming weekend at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps WEC, the second round of the FIA World Endurance Championship. Just one updated car will be in Belgium, and it will be the No.7 of Alex Wurz, Nicolas Lapierre and Kazuki Nakajima.

The Japanese driver returns to Toyota Racing for the first time in 2013 after missing Silverstone due to Super Formula commitments. The Austrian-French-Japanese trio will be looking to improve on their fourth place finish in the opening round of the season.

Following their podium at Silverstone, the No.8 line-up of Anthony Davidson, Stéphane Sarrazin and Sébastien Buemi will again participate with the same specification car seen in Britain.

The updated TS030 HYBRID features modifications to chassis and powertrain, with increased performance, reliability and serviceability the priorities. A revised aerodynamic package, including an updated monocoque, delivers improved performance whilst minimising the impact of updated regulations in 2013 which increase the minimum weight for manufacturer LMP1 cars by 15kg.

The Toyota HYBRID System - Racing powertrain again uses a unique super capacitor to deliver 300hp of boost automatically, on top of the 530hp generated by a 3.4litre, normally-aspirated V8 petrol engine.

Ahead of a completely new development for 2014 due to regulation changes, Toyota's Motor Sport Division in Higashifuji has fine-tuned the powertrain to improve power, efficiency, management of component usage and reliability.

Yoshiaki Kinoshita, Team President: “Spa is one of two home races for our team, along with Fuji Speedway, as it’s just 120km away from TOYOTA Motorsport GmbH (TMG). So it is the perfect place to debut our 2013-specification car which we expect will show a performance improvement. Audi demonstrated in Silverstone that we need to make a step to regain the race-winning form we showed last year and I am confident our updated car will deliver. Nevertheless, our 2012-specification car remains competitive and it will be interesting to see how the race plays out. With many TMG staff members attending this race to cheer on the team, we have extra motivation to succeed so we are aiming to give them a result to celebrate.”

[Rob]

WORLDWIDE TV COVERAGE INCREASES FOR WEC

29/04/2013 - 11h44
More fans of endurance racing around the world will be able to watch the FIA World Endurance Championship with another significant increase in the TV coverage. Agreements have been reached with Sport TV 3 in Brazil, part of the TV Globo group, with the first and last hour of the race in Belgium live,live coverage on Al Jazerra in the Middle Eastand also on Canal + Desportes & Sportmania in Spain. In addition RTBF in Belgium will be showing the first and last hours of the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps live, plus live streaming of the entire race via their YouTube channel.

With the additional coverage provided by these and the other broadcasters around the globe, over 340million homes have the opportunity to watch the second round of the FIA WEC in Belgium.

Gerard Neveu, CEO of the FIA WEC, said: “The agreements in Brazil, Middle East and Spain are good news for championship and endurance racing. As we explained at the start of the season 2013 was going to be a lot of hard work to secure the agreements we need in the different countries and regions we need visibility. These new agreements, in addition to the one announced previously with Eurosport, are a good step forward, with 36 million potential viewers in South America, 2.5 million in the Middle East and 2 million in Spain. Negotiations continue in other areas and we will have more announcements in the near future.”

The production and support operation for the television coverage includes 20 static cameras around the circuit, a “Super Loupe” high speed camera for recording slow motion action, 2 HF Cameras, a helicopter for overhead images,8onboard cameras all managed by a crew of 60 people led by Olivier Denis and controlled from one of the most sophisticated Visual outside broadcast vehicles in Europe.

The WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps takes place at the famous Belgian circuit in the Ardennes on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 May and features a 35 car grid for the traditional final rehearsal before the 24 Heures du Mans on the 22/23 June. Tickets for the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps are available to buy in advance online at www.spafiawec.com with adult weekend tickets for just 25€ and children under 15 free.

[Rob]

AN ART CAR OAK RACING FOR THE 90TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS

To celebrate the 90th anniversary of Le Mans 24 Hours, OAK Racing has paid tribute to the Sarthe race. The Le Mans team, in collaboration with Speed ​​Art, has initiated the creation of an Art Car featuring both the system itself and the security track and on the road. The Automobile Club de l'Ouest has conferred the prestigious "Art For the 90 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans" label.

The name of the artist will be revealed soon and the Art Car itself. It will be officially presented on May 31 at the event organized by the Automobile Club
of the West at the National Center of Art and Culture Georges Pompidou in Paris, on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Art Car is a multiple: artwork, racing machine and machine dreams. The Art Car OAK Racing will be no exception to the rule, but will be unique. First LM P2 History Art Cars, a Morgan team so will start 24 hours, dressed in a livery very special, but not only ...

Jacques Nicolet, President of OAK Racing : "This is a meeting with an artist about passion, motor racing, endurance and especially the 24 Hours of Le Mans was the source of the idea an Art Car. A crazy idea to bring back art and competition from a new angle. Thanks to the famous line initiated by Hervé Poulain, the Art Cars are inextricably linked to the history of the Sarthe event and we are honored that the Automobile Club de l'Ouest has decided to make this Art Car emblem the eighty-tenth anniversary of the 24 Hours. "

Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest : "We were immediately impressed by the project that we presented Jacques Nicolet. Quality, originality and symbolism of the artist's work exemplify the values ​​of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest and the history of our race. It therefore seemed logical to make this work of art a symbol of 90 years of 24 hours. Artistic expression has always been a strong element of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with either film, painters, photographers and art tradition of expensive cars Hervé Poulain. "

Press release OAK Racing.

[Rob]

OAK Racing LMP2 Morgan three countries in the Ardennes

Second round of the FIA ​​World Endurance 6 Hours of Spa will be held Saturday, May 4 in Belgium. The three Morgan LM P2 incurred by OAK Racing's No. 24, 35 and 45, are designed by the manufacturer department Onroak Automotive, powered by the Nissan VK45 engine and road tires Dunlop.
The Sarthe team intend to redo a combined attack by improving its preliminary results for the 6 Hours of Silverstone. To do this, she can rely on both the chassis and its crew.
On No. 24, the French driver Olivier Pla, Briton Alex Brundle and Danes David Heinemeier Hansson, with their second place in the first round , will defend the colors of the No. 24. On No. 35, the Belgian driver Bertrand Baguette is associated with Columbia Martin Plowman and Mexican Ricardo Gonzalez. Bertrand, a true son of the country, practice the route of the Bulge forever. One representative of Belgium engaged on all WEC events, it will make a point of honor to get his teammates experience, also a valuable experience for the crew of gentlemen drivers of the No. 45, Jean-Marc Merlin and Jacques Nicolet.
Sébastien Philippe, OAK Racing Team Principal: "We got the 6 Hours of Silverstone still a little frustrated in terms of performance and results, despite a second and a fourth. The team is equally determined that the crews to demonstrate its true potential at Spa. The plot, with its large curves and long straights, should suit the Morgan-Nissan LM P2 high performance speed. I hope the weather will be more lenient than Silverstone and Spa will allow us to express ourselves fully. "
David Heinemeier Hansson, driver of the Morgan-Nissan # 24: "We made ​​a nice start to the season at Silverstone and we are determined to do even better in Spa. I've rolled in 2012 on the Morgan-Nissan Spa and it was very successful. So I think we will be well positioned to fight to the end and win the important points for the championship. "
Bertrand Baguette, driver of the Morgan-Nissan LMP2 # 35: "Spa is my visit very special and important because it is short with me, with my fans. We have at heart the 35 podium to forget small mechanical misadventures of Silverstone. I know the track and I'll make sure to provide a maximum of advice and Ricardo Martin so that the crew is as competitive as possible. Spa is also the last meeting before the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the last time we will be illustrated in the race before the "justice" of the season. Suffice to say that we are extremely motivated to make us slide on the Ardennes and we will do everything to get the best possible result. "
Jacques Nicolet, driver of the Morgan-Nissan LMP2 # 45 and President of OAK Racing: "The 6 Hours of Silverstone for a start of the season were not a lot ideal for us games with delicate conditions. However, we managed not to make a mistake and we expect to continue our Spa rise and gain experience in preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. "
Note that the sporting event takes place over two days, the race takes place on a Saturday, May 4 and starts at 14:30. Another novelty after 6 Hours of Silverstone, given the length of the circuit of Spa, the qualifying last thirty minutes or ten extra minutes to each of the two drivers per car can carry two timed laps required.

[Rob]

Strakka Racing is determined to reignite its FIA World Endurance Championship campaign by aiming for LMP1 Privateers’ victory at the 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (3-4 May).

The Silverstone-based team endured a difficult opening race at Silverstone, and despite showing incredible pace with its Honda Performance Development ARX-03c early on in the dry, the car’s WEC debut was cut short after two hours following an incident with a GT car.

Taking the positives of that courageous charge up from 30th on the starting grid to 7th position in just six laps, the team’s all-British driver line-up of Nick Leventis (London), Danny Watts (Buckingham) and Jonny Kane (Thame) head to one of their favourite tracks, the challenging 4.352 mile (7.004km) Spa-Francorchamps circuit, set in the picturesque Ardennes countryside, with sights set on the top step of the podium.

This year’s 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps will be the most intense WEC meeting ever, with the normal three days of track action condensed into two. A pair of 2-hour free practice sessions (starting at 09.00 and 14.30) and the two-driver/four lap aggregate qualifying session (19.30), which has been extended to 30 minutes owing to the length of the circuit, all take place on Friday 3 May. Race day (Saturday 4 May) begins with warm-up at 09.00, before the rolling start at 14.30.

And as a precursor to the Le Mans 24 Hours (22/23 June), Spa is a doubly important race.

[Rob]

Cannt wait for this race, great great track and race.

[Rob]

LE MANS AND SPA-FRANCORCHAMPS CIRCUIT TWO GIANTS
The spring of endurance gives us an appointment at Spa-Francorchamps (May 4) and Le Mans (June 22-23). Two circuits, beyond their privileged status in the racing legend, have much in common ...

When in 1921 designed the circuit of Spa-Francorchamps 24 Hours of Le Mans does not yet exist. The Belgian circuit will measure a little over fourteen kilometers a development he held until 1978. From 1923, the first edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans takes place on a plot of 17 and 16 kilometers, before being shortened in 1932 on the 13 km that we still know today. The two plots partially borrow opened to traffic outside shopping roads. Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans have also long been common long straights: the dizzying descent Masta Belgium, and impressive in Sarthe Mulsanne. The first disappeared when the route was reduced to the current version of 7 km, and the second saw the emergence of two humps in 1990. Besides endurance, Spa-Francorchamps is one of the highlights of the Formula 1. They are not likely to have registered their names in the legend endurance and car in Sarthe and the Ardennes


-American Phil Hill and Dan Gurney won a week apart 24 Hours of Le Mans and Grand Prix of Belgium, in 1961 and 1967.
-Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1968, Mexico's Pedro Rodriguez is imposed on BRM in 1970 in the latest edition of the Belgian Grand Prix held on the 14 km route, before winning the following year with the British Jackie Oliver editing the fastest 1000 km of Spa run on the same track with the Porsche 917 to 249 km / h average.
-The New Zealand Bruce McLaren also recorded his name in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1966, then at the big circuit at Spa-Francorchamps Grand Prix Belgium in 1968.

The two fastest laps of these two paths merge even a few hundredths: 3min 13sec 6 Jackie Oliver on the 13 km circuit of Le Mans 24 Hours in 1971 (Porsche 917) and 3min 13sec 4 Henri Pescarolo on 14 km of Spa-Francorchamps in 1973 (Matra MS 670B)!

The motorsport enthusiasts and movie buffs can now rediscover DVD these two superstars: 14 km of Spa-Francorchamps has been immortalized in the John Frankenheimer film "Grand Prix" (with images of Belgian Grand Prix 1966 ), while Steve McQueen turn came "Le Mans" for 24 hours in 1970.

[Rob]

[Rob]

James Walker to keep Delta-ADR WEC drive for all races bar Le Mans
By Gary Watkins Tuesday, April 30th 2013, 14:16 GMT

Briton James Walker will remain with the G-Drive/Delta-ADR LMP2 squad for the remaining six-hour races on the World Endurance Championship schedule, starting this weekend at Spa.

Walker, 29, has secured a deal to continue with the team for all the races bar the Le Mans 24 Hours after taking a class victory on his prototype debut at the Silverstone WEC opener earlier this month.

The arrangement means G-Drive/Delta-ADR heads into Spa with the same line-up of Walker, team regular Tor Graves and ex-Formula 1 driver Antonio Pizzonia that claimed victory aboard one of its pair of ORECA-Nissan 03s at Silverstone.

Walker, who notched up a Formula Renault 3.5 win at Spa in 2009, said: "After Silverstone, we've been working hard to get a long-term deal.

"Having had my first taste of prototypes there, I know they suit me perfectly. Hopefully this is the first year of a long career in prototypes."

Delta-ADR team boss Simon Dowson said: "James impressed us greatly at Silverstone.

"He didn't have any proper running beforehand, he had limited running in the dry in practice and qualifying and was then put out in a pressure situation in the race, but he showed both pace and maturity."

Pizzonia is again racing at Spa on a one-off basis, but the G-Drive team is hoping to extend the Brazilian's deal to cover Le Mans and further races.

Dowson added: "We are working with Antonio for the remainder of the season, but we do have other options for individual races after Le Mans."

Ex-F1 and CART driver Shinji Nakano will return to the team at Le Mans in June.

The Japanese will also drive for the team at his home race at Fuji in October, having helped Delta-ADR to a class victory at the circuit last year.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107113

[Rob]

Got this email from OAK Racing last night..

Hi
First thank you for your interest to OAK Racing.
You are now on our mailing list
BR
Stephanie



Many thanks Stephanie

[Rob]

Fia World Endurance Championship: “6 Hours of Spa”
AF Corse will line up two Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 in the GTE Pro category, and another
two 458 Italia GT2 in the GTE Am category in the “Six Hours of Spa”, second
round of the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC). In addition technical
management of the 8Star Motorsport Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 will be handled by AF
Corse, the only Italian team engaged in the WEC and the reigning champions of the
GTE Pro; while Ferrari also hold the GT Constructors’ title.
GTE Pro – The duo that dominated the GTE Pro of the WEC 2012, Giancarlo Fisichella
and Gianmaria Bruni, are ready to come back and fight for the top positions
in the Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 No. 51; in the opening race at Silverstone, in the middle
of last April, some unlucky incidents affected their race and they finished in 5th
place. On the other hand, on the same track the Ferrari 458 Italia No.71 opened its
championship in great style: Kamui Kobayashi and Toni Vilander made their debut
as teammates and took second place in the GTE Pro category. Kobayashi raced
for the first time in his career an endurance race in a GT, after having arrived in the
WEC directly from F1.
GTE Am – Following the order of the entry list, in the Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 No. 54
are Howard Blank, Yannick Mallegol and Jean Marc Bachelier. For the trio, the FIA
Wec represents a new challenge after gaining a lot of experience in the main European
GT competitions. At the wheel of the Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 No.61 are Jack
Gerber, Marco Cioci and Matt Griffin: the three drivers capable of reaching the top
positions. The Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 No.81 will fly the colors of the 8 Star Motorsport
team with the drivers Enzo Potolicchio, Rui Aguas and Matteo Malucelli. The trio,
at Silverstone, finished in third place; a positive result that could have been better
were it not for another car hitting them in the second last lap. What they have already
demonstrated puts them amongst the most likely candidates for first place in
the category.
Timetable
Free practice 1 Fri 3th May - 9.00 am
Free practice 2 Fri 3th May - 2.30 pm
Qualifications Fri 3th May - 7.00 pm
Warm-Up Sat 4th May - 9.00 am
Race - Sat 4th May - 2.30 am

AF Corse Press Office - Riccardo Delfanti

[Rob]

Pecom Racing, “6 Hours of Spa” preview
Following the opening race at Silverstone (April 14th), the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) moves
to SPA for its six hour race, planned Saturday, May 4th. Pecom Racing will line up the close-knit trio composed
of Luis Perez Companc, Pierre Kaffer and Nicolas Minassian at the wheel of the Oreca 03 Nissan No.49,
LMP2 category.
The Argentinian team celebrated his seasonal debut race with a podium finish after a great recovery. The
result is positivism and the team is ready to fight also in the second 2013 FIA WEC event.
The race starts Saturday, May 4th, at 2.30 pm.
Timetable
Free practice 1 Fri 3th May - 9.00 am
Free practice 2 Fri 3th May - 2.30 pm
Qualifications Fri 3th May - 7.00 pm
Warm-Up Sat 4th May - 9.00 am
Race - Sat 4th May - 2.30 pm

Riccardo Delfanti - AF Corse Press Office

[Rob]

THE SRT TEAM CONTINUES ITS PREPARATION FOR THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS
4th place Larbre 2003 marks the last appearance of a Viper in the Sarthe. Chrysler, which instructed the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) team to conduct the official Le Mans effort, hoping to return with a bang!

The team from North Carolina, who signed a respectable 5 th place at the 12 Hours of Sebring and the pole and 3 e place on the podium at the 2 th stage of the ALMS at Long Beach, plans to use the stage Laguna Seca as a dress rehearsal for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Instructions to drivers is clear: to reach the finish without major incident. Indeed, the timing is pretty tight with only two weeks between the race in California and sending cars in France. Bill Riley, in charge of the team, said: "I do not tell drivers - please, avoid accidents, I tell them, please do not let the other cars you get into it! We must be clear on this. We're having a little discussion to be sure not to put our cars in danger because we have a very busy month after Laguna. I think they will understand, they usually listen to the instructions carefully. We're all on the same team, we all have the same goal. "

After passing the checkered flag on May 11 in Monterrey, the race against time begins. Cars must be moved from California to North Carolina for the final preparation for the 24 Hours, a transit of more than 4 350 km by truck. Then, they will be flown to France on May 23. Tools, equipment stand, spare parts and all that is not essential to the operation of the team at Laguna Seca has already been shipped by boat in a container more than 13 meters long. Bill Riley said: "There is no way to drop a business card in the container, so it is filled! In Laguna, we will have to spend some wheels, the floor to stand and all the little things that make our lives easier. But the cost of transport by boat is much cheaper than the plane ... "

After having received all the equipment, there will be a few days the team to prepare for the test day on June 9

Logistics is not the only challenge, SRT should also work on the development of the Viper for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. After driving about two very bumpy circuits, Bill Riley is quite pleased with the progress: "We worked a lot on the dampers and the handling of the car. The circuit Laguna is rather smooth, so between free practice and qualifying, we will try to do a lot of changes to store a lot of data. "

[Rob]

ALMS Title Talk Headed to Monterey

Championships already coming into focus
BRASELTON, Ga. – It’s never too early to look at the championship picture in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. Through two rounds, all five classes have points battles that feature close margins – razor-thin in most cases.

Next week’s American Le Mans Monterey at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca will go a long way toward further determining this year’s championship contenders. Because of the extended duration of the race on Saturday, May 11 – four hours – the contest features two additional championship points per position. Here’s a quick glance at the battles so far…

P1: Opening the season at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, the No. 12 Rebellion Timepieces/Lemo Connectors/Speedy Garage Lola-Toyota of Rebellion Racing was the highest-finishing ALMS regular. The No. 6 Muscle Milk Honda Performance Development ARX-03a pairing of Klaus Graf and Lucas Luhr won the Tequila Patrón ALMS at Long Beach while Rebellion’s Nick Heidfeld and Neel Jani came in second. That leaves ties in four of the class’s title races – drivers, teams, chassis manufacturer (HPD vs. Lola) and engine manufacturer (HPD vs. Toyota).

GT: With two races down, BMW and Chevrolet are in the proverbial driver’s seat in the ALMS’ deepest and most competitive class. Defending champions Oliver Gavin and Tommy Milner from Corvette Racing started the season with a win at Sebring in the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6 ZR1. BMW Team RLL’s Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin moved into a tie with a victory at Long Beach in the only the second race in their new No. 55 BMW North America, LLC/Crowne Plaza BMW Z4 GTE. The two squads share the lead in the team championship.

P2: Level 5 Motorsports and Extreme Speed Motorsports are tied in the team standings with one victory each in their HPD prototypes; Level 5 drivers Scott Tucker, Ryan Briscoe and Marino Franchitti won at Sebring in the No. 551 Siemens/Alpina Watches/Ohiya Casino Resort HPD ARX-03b for the third straight year in class, and ESM triumphed in just its second P2 race when it won at Long Beach with co-drivers Scott Sharp and Guy Cosmo in the No. 01 Tequila Patrón HPD prototype. Only four points separate seven competitors in the drivers’ race, including two-time and defending class champion Tucker.

PC: Thanks to a class win at Sebring and runner-up finish at Long Beach, PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports has an early lead over defending class champion CORE autosport. The top three teams – PR1/Mathiasen, CORE and BAR1 Motorsports – are within 10 points of each other. With his victory alongside David Cheng and David Ostella at Sebring in the No. 52 Molecule ORECA FLM09, PR1’s Michael Guasch leads in the driver championship by eight points over CORE’s Colin Braun, who co-drove the No. 05 Composite Resources ORECA with Jon Bennett to the PC victory at Long Beach.

GTC: Aside from P1, this is the most topsy-turvy points battle so far. Only four points separate seven drivers – including defending class champion Cooper MacNeil and Long Beach winners Sean Edwards and Henrique Cisneros. MacNeil won at Sebring in the No. 22 WeatherTech Porsche 911 GT3 Cup alongside co-drivers Jeroen Bleekemolen and Dion von Moltke, while Edwards and Cisneros took the No. 30 MOMO Porsche 911 GT3 Cup to victory Long Beach. The team standings are just as close with NGT Motorsport, Flying Lizard Motorsports and Alex Job Racing all within three points.

The American Le Mans Monterey from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Saturday, May 11 is the third round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. ESPN2’s coverage begins at 4 p.m. ET on Sunday, May 12 with live coverage is available on ESPN3 starting at 6:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, May 11.

Viewers outside the U.S. can watch races live on ALMS.com. The series’ website offers additional content such as live in-car cameras, timing and scoring, and car-to-pit radio for all users around the world.

[Rob]

[Rob]

WEC qualifying system tweaked with immediate effect
By Gary Watkins Friday, May 3rd 2013, 10:08 GMT

The controversial aggregate qualifying system introduced for this year's World Endurance Championship has been tweaked with immediate effect.

The principles of the system, by which the grid is determined by the average time of four laps set by two drivers in each car, remain intact, but the length of the sessions has been increased.

The length of the two sessions, one for the LMP1 and LMP2 and one for GTE Pro and Am, has been increased by five minutes. That means the sessions will now be 25 rather than 20 minutes and, on the four-mile Spa circuit this weekend, 30 rather than 25 minutes.

Qualifying doesn't need gimmicks

Vincent Beaumesnil, sporting manager of the WEC promoter the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, said: "We saw what happened at Silverstone [the first round of the series] and decided that five minutes more is better on safety grounds because it puts less pressure on the teams."

Further changes to the system, which received widespread criticism from teams and drivers at Silverstone, have been ruled out for the remainder of the season.

WEC series boss Gerard Neveu said: "We need to see the system working through the whole season and then make any changes."

Neveu and Beamesnil promised that the computer problems that resulted in the results of qualifying at Silverstone being published an hour after the sessions have been fixed for Spa.

The system will not be used at the Le Mans 24 Hours round of the WEC next month because there are three qualifying sessions each of two hours on the Wednesday and Thursday of race week.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/107163