2013 WEC, IMSA&ELMS News

[Rob]

Viper returns to Le Mans 24 Hours as 2013 entry list is revealed
By Gary Watkins Friday, February 1st 2013, 16:13 GMT


The return of the Chrysler Viper to the Le Mans 24 Hours was confirmed in Paris on Friday when race organisers unveiled the entry list for this year's race.

Two GTE Pro class Viper GTS-Rs have been entered under by the Riley Technologies-run SRT Motorsports team, which is masterminding the US muscle car's return to racing.

The cars will be badged as SRTs after after Chrysler's Street & Racing Tuning brand.

Marc Goossens and Dominik Farnbacher, who were both part of SRT's partial campaign in the American Le Mans Series in 2012, have been slated as the drivers of the car.

SRT director Beth Paretta, whose remit covers motorsport, said: "Our goal in our first year was to be invited. We are so excited to be returning to Le Mans; we couldn't be more excited about being back on the world stage."

The two Vipers bolster an impressive GTE Pro class that includes two factory AstonMartin Vantage GTEs and two 991-shaped Porsche 911 GT3-RSRs, to be fielded by a Manthey-run works team.

ACO sporting director Vincent Beaumesnil said: "I don't think I have seen so many great GT cars on the grid. We have five manufacturers with two cars each, who are all are going to be battling it out at Le Mans."

There are only eight LMP1 prototypes on the entry for Le Mans, including three Audis and two Toyotas.

This follows the late withdrawal of the British JRM squad, which has opted to withdraw for financial reasons, and OAK Racing's decision to focus its P1 programme on the development of its all-new 2014 car.

2013 Le Mans 24 Hours entry list:

LMP1
1. Audi Sport Team Joest Audi Andre Lotterer
2. Audi Sport Team Joest Audi Tom Kristensen
3. Audi Sport Team Joest Audi Marc Gene
7. Toyota Racing Toyota Alex Wurz
8. Toyota Racing Toyota Anthony Davidson
12. Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota Nicolas Prost
13. Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota Neel Jani
21. Strakka Racing HPD-Honda Nick Leventis

LMP2
24. OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan Jacques Nicolet
25. Delta-ADR ORECA-Nissan John Martin
26. G-Drive Racing ORECA-Nissan Roman Rusinov
27. Sebastien Loeb Racing ORECA-Nissan Franck Montagny
28. Gulf Racing Middle East Lola-Nissan Fabien Giroix
29. Gulf Racing Middle East Lola-Nissan Frederic Fatien
30. HVM Status GP Lola-Judd Jonathan Kennard
31. Lotus Lotus Kevin Weeda
32. Lotus Lotus Thomas Holzer
33. Level 5 Motorsports HPD-Honda Scott Tucker
35. OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan Olivier Pla
36. Signatech ORECA-NIssan Franck Maillieux
38. Jota Sport Zytek-Nissan Simon Dolan
40. Boutsen Ginion Racing ORECA-Nissan Koen Wauters
41. Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan Christian Zugel
42. Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan Tom Kimber-Smith
44. Starworks Motorsport HPD-Honda Alex Popow
45. OAK Racing Morgan-Nissan David Heinemeier Hansson
46. Thiriet by TDS ORECA-Nissan Piere Thiriet
47. KCMG Morgan-Nissan Alexandre Imperatori
48. Murphy Prototypes ORECA-Nissan Brendon Hartley

GTE Pro
51. AF Corse Ferrari Gianmaria Bruni
66. JMW Motorsport Ferrari Tim Sugden
71. AF Corse Ferrari Olivier Beretta
73. Corvette Racing Corvette Antonio Garcia
74. Corvette Racing Corvette Oliver Gavin
91. Porsche AG Team Manthey Porsche Marc Lieb
92. Porsche AG Team Manthey Porsche Jorg Bergmeister
93. SRT Motorsports Viper Marco Goossens
94. SRT Motorsports Viper Dominik Farnbacher
97. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Darren Turner
99. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Stefan Mucke

GTE Am
50. Larbre Competition Corvette Patrick Bornhauser
54. AF Corse Ferrari Yannick Mallegol
55. AF Corse Ferrari Piergiuseppe Perazzini
57. Krohn Racing Ferrari Tracy Krohn
61. AF Corse Ferrari Jack Gerber
67. Imsa Performance Porsche Pascal Gibon
70. Larbre Competition Corvette Pedro Lamy
76. Imsa Performance Porsche Raymond Narac
77. Dempsey Proton Porsche Patrick Dempsey
80. Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari Scott Sharp
81. 8Star Motorsports Ferrari Enzo Potolicchio
88. Proton Competition Porsche Christian Ried
95. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Allan Simonsen
96. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Roald Goethe

Garage 56**
56. Green GT Green GT Christian Pescatori

Reserves (in order of priority)
LMP2
34. Race Performance ORECA-Judd Michel Frey
43. Morand Racing Morgan-Judd Natacha Gachnang
39. DKR Engineering Lola-Judd Olivier Porta
37. Signatech ORECA-Nissan Pierre Ragues
23. Delta-ADR ORECA-Nissan Shinji Nakano
20. HVM Status GP Lola-Judd Warren Hughes

GTE
98. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Stuart Hall (Am)
75. ProSpeed Competition Porsche Abdulaziz Al Faisal (Am)
52. Ram Racing Ferrari Johnny Mowlem (Pro)
90. TRG AMR North America Aston Martin Kevin Buckler (Am)
*Drivers named for administrative purposes only and are subject to change.
** Will run outside general classification.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105366

[Rob]

This years race is already looking a cracker. GTE field looks so so so good. Going to be 24hr sprint race, again This year im sure Toyota will be able to take the fiht to Audi again and last the whole race. Come on June!!!!!

[Rob]

Beretta, Malucelli for Risi in 2013 ALMS
Making return in familiar No. 62 Ferrari
Houston - Shortly after the announcement that North America’s most successful Ferrari GT team would be returning to competition in the 2013 American Le Mans Series, Houston-based Risi Competizione is pleased to announce its driver line up.

Ferrari Corse Clienti’s five-time ALMS GTS/GT1 champion Olivier Beretta, a name which needs no introduction to ALMS fans and audiences, will be joined for the season by former Italian GT Champion and 2008 FIA GT vice-champion, Matteo Malucelli. The 28-year-old Italian will be making his debut in the series but has considerable expertise behind the wheel of many different GT marques including Ferrari.

Monaco-born Beretta, 43, will be bringing his significant and sizeable bank of experience of the USA and Canada’s premier tracks to Risi Competizione. On top of his ALMS Drivers’ titles, Beretta has six class wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, two FIA GT Championship titles and an overall victory in the 2000 Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona to his name. The Monaco resident became a Ferrari factory driver in 2012 after eight seasons with GM’s Corvette Racing team and thus is very familiar with all the challenges and competition within the ALMS’ GT category.

Risi Competizione’s third driver for the 12 Hours of Sebring will be announced in due course.

Team Principal, Giuseppe Risi, is upbeat about the driver line up he has brought together for the season ahead: “In Olivier and Matteo we have an excellent combination of speed, youth and experience with which to launch our assault on the championship, and I have high hopes for this partnership.”

Both drivers will be present at next week’s Winter Test to drive Risi’s new Ferrari 458 Italia GT in preparation for the opening round of the season on Saturday, March 16 at Sebring International Raceway in Florida.

[Rob]

Le Mans panel picks its legendary cars
Friday, February 1st 2013, 21:55 GMT

The Bentley Speed Six, Jaguar D-type, Ford GT40 and Porsche's 917K and 956 prototypes are among the cars chosen as legends of the Le Mans to take centre stage in the celebrations of the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours.

Eleven cars were elected as legends on the basis of a public internet poll and the votes of a jury of experts to help the Automobile Club de l'Ouest mark its anniversary.

The idea was to pick a car that best embodies the spirit and legend of Le Mans from each of the 10 decades of the race. There was a tie for the car of the 1990s between the Mazda 787B and the Peugeot 905.

The ACO intends to gather examples of each of the legendary cars for a series of exhibitions in the run up to the race and a lap of the famous 8.47-mile Circuit de la Sarthe prior to the start of this year's 24 Hours on June 22/23.

The expert jury included multiple Le Mans winners Emanuele Pirro and Yannick Dalmas, famed Porsche engineer Norbert Singer and US actor and racer Patrick Dempsey. There was also representation from AUTOSPORT in the form of its long-time sportscar correspondent, Gary Watkins.

LEGEND OF LE MANS VOTE WINNERS
1920s Bentley Speed 6
1930s Alfa Romeo 8C
1940s Ferrari 166MM
1950s Jaguar D-type
1960s Ford GT40
1970s Porsche 917K
1980s Porsche 956
1990s Mazda 787B
Peugeot 905
2000s Audi R10 TDI
2010s Audi R18 e-tron quattro

AUTOSPORT SAYS
Gary Watkins, sportscar correspondent

The expert panel probably called it about right when it came to picking the legends of Le Mans. The only shame is that there had to be a winner between the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and the Ford GT40.

Emanuele Pirro, like me a few weeks back, questioned the absence of the Audi R8, a car in which he won three Le Mans. But it wasn't on the shortlist drawn up by the ACO, so it wasn't up for consideration.

The tie between the Mazda and the Peugeot for car of the 1990s is interesting, not least because I could have swung it either way.

I actually went for the BMW V12 LMR of 1999 - a classic because it beat the might of Toyota and Mercedes, not to mention Audi and Nissan, for a fraction of the money.

http://www.autosport.com/news/grapevine.php/id/105373

[Rob]

THE GOAL IS TO WIN THE AUDI LE MANS AGAIN!"

Audi will present its new game titles in 2013. In fact, the brand with the four rings is World Champion title and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And she does not intend to be intimidated by his opponent, Toyota!

Dr. Ullrich (Head of Audi Sport): "Firstly, I would like to say that I am very happy to see that Endurance has taken off and that the World Championship is born. We were there from the beginning and all those who were involved at the beginning knew there was work to do. And there is still to do but we really made ​​a step forward. I'm sure it will be a future championship and I am proud to be part of this Audi championship.

Toyota has happened in this championship in 2012 and was immediately competitive. They have always been able to win races. They also won races and we tried to defend ourselves. We had good fights and I am sure we will continue on a high level in 2013!

Benoit Treluyer (Audi driver): "I think the goal is to stay for Audi World Champion and win again the 24 Hours of Le Mans. This is the main objective of all Audi drivers. We are working hard to give everything we have. '

[Rob]

"TOUR RANKING MICHELIN"
New symbol circuit 24 Hours

MICHELIN attaches importance to endurance automobile and motorcycle. These sports, which makes the indivisible absolute performance consistency over the towers illustrate the highest level the concept of Total Performance Michelin. That is to say, the strategy is at the heart of the Research and Development of French tire maker which is to provide, simultaneously and at the highest level of performance often antagonistic, through the use of unique technologies.

A new realization of the Group's commitment is illustrated by the Endurance agree that Michelin has developed with the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), becoming the exclusive partner of the new tower erected filing the pit exit on a straight line from the 24 Hours at Le Mans. This tower of 25 meters high will continuously show the ranking during the race and will be called "Michelin Tour Ranking."

Office from 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2013, the "Tour Ranking Michelin" is intended to solve a problem permanently typical of a long race of 24 hours. Allowing the public to follow simply the evolution of the race, the "Tour Ranking Michelin" is so true progress. The first editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, several solutions have succeeded over the editions of the classic Le Mans.

In May 1923, a large panel is established by the ACO. During the night, it is lit with acetylene headlamps. In 1925, sponsors seize the opportunity to display their brand alongside the results of the race. In the thirties until the Second World War, the ACO advantage of this communication tool clearly visible (especially at night when it estilluminé) and uses the panel to echo its initiatives.

In the late forties, the panel returns to the 24 Hours circuit: it is installed behind the stands. He then went to the height at the mid-fifties, when it is mounted on a tubular structure in the garden of the building named "Welcome".

In the mid-sixties and for nearly three decades, several innovative solution have followed over time. A note on the tripod to its three faces day and night to follow the evolution of the ranking by thousands of lights and display "flying" on the airship, straining the neck of spectators.

The advent of new stalls in 1991 saw the proliferation of giant screens that broadcast at regular intervals rankings.

"Tour Ranking Michelin" renews with the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and reinterprets an elegant and modern panels and screens that have occurred over the decades.

Olivier VIALLE, marketing director MICHELIN competition, explains the decision of Clermont manufacturing: "With the construction of the" Tower of Michelin rating "on the 24 Hours circuit, we want to permanently mark a mythical place of Endurance, where Bibendum is mounted on the top step of the podium 15 times in a row since 1998. This is also the way we chose to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Finally, the emergence of this new icon colors Michelin is emblematic of the vision we share with the ACO, to promote the development of a sports car that makes sense and serves the advancement of mobility "

[Rob]

PORSCHE: A CENTENARY FOR 90 YEARS?
While his return to the premier class LM P1 prototypes is actively preparing backstage in 2014, Porsche has great ambitions in both categories GTE, with perhaps another new record to the key.

The Stuttgart manufacturer is the most successful in the history of twice around the clock Sarthe, with sixteen wins General from 1970 to 1998. But what is less known is that Porsche at Le Mans 98 combines success in all categories. In 2013, the 90th anniversary of the 24 Hours, twice in LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am could bring the total to staggering one hundred victories.

In LM GTE Pro, Porsche intends to regain crown in 2012 discontinued Ferrari, and is given the means. Team Manthey Porsche AG will count on the presence of two former winners of the 24 Hours, Romain Dumas and Timo Bernhard, who set a record for the distance in 2010 with the Audi R15 TDI Plus. In 2012, the French team Imsa Performance Matmut was still head of the LM GTE Am with a half-hour before the checkered flag, confirming the competitiveness and reliability of the 911 GT3 RSR. In addition, the surprise announcement in this category of partnership between the pilot and actor Patrick Dempsey Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche GT great specialist, will place the German mark in the heart of a media event and sports that can only benefit as to each other. But anyway, a success in LM GTE Pro and LM GTE Am (or better yet, both) would be an ideal platform waiting for the big duel Porsche-Audi waited at the top of the category prototypes in 2014.

The 90th anniversary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on 22 and 23 June ( ticket information HERE ).

[Rob]

NICOLAS LAPIERRE (TOYOTA): "WE MUST WIN!"
The native driver Thonon-les-Bains (Haute-Savoie) explains why Toyota returns to Le Mans this year with ambitions revised upwards.

In June 2012, after a great duel with Benedict Tréluyer (Audi), Nicolas Lapierre had remained on his hunger when a mechanical problem forced him to abandon his crew at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. With the approach of a hand-awaited Toyota driver does not hide his appetite ...

What are the objectives for 2013 Toyota?
Nicolas Lapierre: After a year of learning, Toyota wants to win and must win. As world number one, the manufacturer can not just play with Audi. Must be overcome!

So you consider Toyota as THE favorite of the 2013 season?
This suggests that the recent results on races 6 hours. However, at Le Mans, Toyota will be the outsider Audi.

Toyota is better prepared in 2012?
It is obvious. Last year, at the same time, the team strove again to operate the hybrid system. Today, it focuses on the details.

What details?
Overall, the car looks like last year, but in reality, it features a new body. The hull is also slightly modified, but it is less visible. Important work on the suspension has also been conducted.

How many seconds do you think the growth of the car on the Le Mans circuit?
It is always difficult to estimate the gain ... And these figures are obviously confidential. I can just say that it will be a good progression!

Concerning reliability?
The mechanical problem causing our abandonment at Le Mans was imperative solved. This is the case. A new evolution "engine" will étrennée in February on the Paul Ricard circuit. Later, the new block will undergo its first endurance test. That said, we can do sessions over 30 hours at Paul Ricard without any trouble, and break at Le Mans after 10 hours ... This is what makes the magic of this race!

Drivers side, Toyota seems to renew his crew ...
Yes. The team relies on continuity. Anthony Davidson (accident at Le Mans last year) has proven to be well presented at the last test.

Align three Audi cars at Le Mans 2 against Toyota. A distinct advantage ...
In World Endurance Championship FIA, it was important for Toyota to have two cars like Audi to score points in each event. At Le Mans, we can fight with two cars well prepared.

In conclusion, this is how the 2013 season?
Strong test program is planned before the first race (Silverstone April 14). We are ready. In June, we will discuss the 24 Hours of Le Mans with great humility, but also with much more serenity than last year.

[Rob]

AMR Headed Back to Sebring to Start 2013
Turner/Mucke/Senna to drive new Vantage GTE at ALMS opener

Aston Martin Racing will make the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida part of its 2013 GT racing program, the team has announced. Darren Turner and Stefan Mucke will team with AMR newcomer Bruno Senna in a 2013-spec Aston Martin Vantage GTE for the opening round of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

Along with Sebring, the Aston Martin factory program will compete in the full FIA World Endurance Championship – including the September round at Circuit of The Americas as part of a shared weekend with ALMS – and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

“There is a real sense of anticipation in the Aston Martin Racing team this year and a belief that it is once again our time to return to the top step of the podium at Le Mans,” said David Richards, Chairman of Aston Martin. “It would be a fitting way for Aston Martin, which has such a rich heritage in motorsport and particularly at Le Mans, to cap its centenary year.”

Aston Martin Racing last won at Sebring in 2005 as part of a fantastic battle with Corvette Racing in GT1. Aston Martin Racing finished third in the WEC’s GT class at Sebring last year as part of a combined race with the ALMS. Turner also put a factory AMR Vantage on the GT pole at the ALMS race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in May.

“Last year we proved how fast and reliable the car was,” said John Gaw, managing director and team principal at Aston Martin Racing. “Overall, around 30 percent of all components on the 2013-specification Pro cars are new, which makes for a significant improvement. We looked at specific areas where we could take weight out of the car and redistribute it to a better location. We have also revised the suspension, which has not only improved the handling but, when combined with the new fly-by wire throttle allowed under this year’s regulations, makes the car easier to drive.”

The new ALMS season goes green with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on Saturday, March 16. The race will air live starting at 10:30 a.m. ET on SPEED, and ticket information is available through ALMS.com.

[Rob]

Muscle Milk HPD Prototype Quickest Early in Sebring Test
BAR1, ESM and Alex Job fastest in their classes
11:30 a.m.
The first session is complete. The No. 6 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03c posted the best lap of the opening three-and-a-half hours with a 1:47.741 just before the three-hour mark. BAR1 Motorsports’ pair of ORECA FLM09s were quickest in Prototype Challenge with the No. 8 entry the best at 1:55.831.

Extreme Speed Motorsports set the fastest time in GT with a 2:01.656 in its No. 01 Ferrari F458 GT. In GTC, Alex Job Racing set the pace with a 2:07.051 in the No. 22 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

The next session is scheduled for 1:30 to 5 p.m. ET.

10 a.m.
We just ended the first red flag session of the day. The No. 18 Performance Tech ORECA FLM09 stopped between turns 9 and 10 with an apparent mechanical issue. The car has been towed in, and cars are back on course. Muscle Milk Pickett Racing remains quickest in the opening session with a best time of 1:48.292 on its 23rd lap of the morning. BAR1 Motorsports’ two FLM09s are second and third with the No. 8 setting a best lap of 1:55.831 just before the red flag.

8:39 a.m.
Seven cars have posted times so far although several others are doing a series of in-and-out laps to bed in the systems. Muscle Milk Picket Racing’s HPD ARX-03c is quickest at 1:50.220. Extreme Speed Motorsports’ No. 01 Ferrari F458 Italia is shown as fastest in GT at 2:02.705. Team Falken Tire reports the current temperatures as 64F ambient and 54F track.

8 a.m.
Welcome to the start of the 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón! We’re at Sebring International Raceway for the annual Sebring Winter Test with ALMS cars on-track today and Friday. There is a solid mix of prototype and GT cars on the entry list. Follow Live Timing and Scoring throughout the day.

[Rob]

TICKETS ON SALE FOR SILVERSTONE AND SPA

06/02/2013 - 15h39

After thirty two full season entries for the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship were unveiled last Friday in Paris, tickets are now available to buy online for the first two races of the year. Tickets for the 6 Hours of Silverstone and the WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps can be bought via the respective event websites, which are linked from the championship website at www.fiawec.com. The family friendly prices start at just £10 and 15€, with all children receiving free tickets at both events.

The 6 Hours of Silverstone takes place on Sunday 14 April and the three day event also features the opening round of the European Le Mans Series and races for FIA European Formula 3 Series. The winners of the 6 Hours of Silverstone will receive the Royal Automobile Club Tourist Trophy, at 108 years old it is the oldest motorsport trophy in the world that is still being contested.

A full weekend of family entertainment is also on offer with plenty to see and do around the paddock. An adult 3-day pass is just £35 and includes paddock access, access to the grandstands and admission to the pitlane during the autograph session. Children under 15 receive free passes for the day and there is free public parking, making the tickets great value for money. Pre booked day tickets start at just £10 for access on Friday, rising to £30 for race day.

The WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps takes place on Saturday 4th May and is will be an event full of track action and family entertainment on and around the world famous Spa circuit. Up until the 27 April visitors can pre book an adult event pass for just 25€ (full price 30€) and children 12 years and younger will receive free entry into the event. As with all FIA WEC events the entry price includes paddock access, access to the grandstands and entrance into the pitlane for the autograph sessions.

At all FIA WEC events there will be a dedicated fan area in the FIA WEC village where visitors can view displays on the history of endurance racing, get up close to some very exclusive and expensive road cars in the supercar display area, try to set the fastest lap on the world’s leading tracks on the race simulator and be further entertained by music, air displays and fun fair rides. A FIA WEC weekend offers something for the whole family and makes Silverstone and Spa THE places to be in April and May.

At all 2013 events visitors can also choose to upgrade and have a special day out with a Le Mans Spirit Club package. This gives each person a special VIP experience with access to the exclusive lounge above the pitlane, lunch, all day refreshments and the opportunity to take part in the Grid Walk. This is the chance to mix with the teams and drivers during the build up to the start of the race and really soak up the atmosphere of an FIA World Endurance Championship event. Further details are available at www.fiawec.com.

Gerard Neveu, CEO of the FIA WEC, said: “The tickets for the first two FIA WEC events are now on sale and offer great value so that the whole family can enjoy the Spirit of Le Mans at an FIA WEC event. As we did in 2012, we have ensured that the tickets are all inclusive of entry to the event, access to the grandstands and also to the paddock so all visitors can meet the drivers and see the cars very close. It is very important to us that the fans feel part of the event and are not pushed outside the fence line. If fans book their tickets early they will be able to see some great racing at a price that offers great value for money. With 32 full season entries the 2013 FIA WEC promises to have some great racing and we are also expecting the grids to be boosted further by some race-by-race entries from teams preparing for the big race at Le Mans in June. We are confident that with the value for money ticket pricing and the entertainment on offer, the events at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps will attract bigger crowds than they did in 2012.”

Tickets for Round 3 of the FIA World Endurance Championship are also on sale. This year the 24 Heures du Mans is celebrating the 90th anniversary of the first running of the world’s greatest motor race in 1923 and the party atmosphere will be even better in 2013. Tickets for the 2013 24 Heures du Mans are available on the new event website at www.24h-lemans.com.

For more information on the FIA World Endurance Championship visit www.fiawec.com

[Rob]

Bruno Senna leaves F1 for Aston Martin Le Mans and WEC drive
By Gary Watkins Tuesday, February 5th 2013, 19:50 GMT

Former Williams, Renault and HRT Formula 1 driver Bruno Senna will race for Aston Martin in this year's World Endurance Championship.

The 29-year-old Brazilian will race one of the British manufacturer's pair of GTE Pro class Aston Martin Vantage GTEs in the full championship, including the Le Mans 24 Hours.

The deal rules Senna out of contention for the remaining seats on the F1 grid. He had recently been linked to a Force India drive.

"I want to move forward and get back to winning races," Senna told AUTOSPORT. "The opportunities weren't there to do that in Formula 1."

Senna will share the Gulf-liveried car with fellow Aston Martin Racing newcomer Frederic Makowiecki in each of the eight races, while Rob Bell will join them as the third driver for Le Mans and the Spa 6 Hours.

Senna will race the Aston for the first time at next month's Sebring 12 Hours alongside team regulars Darren Turner and Mucke. He previously contested Le Mans with ORECA in 2009.

AMR team principal John Gaw said: "Our aim is to win at Le Mans and in the WEC, and we are particularly pleased to welcome such a professional driver line-up to Aston Martin Racing in this centenary year."

The second Pro car in AMR's four-strong WEC entry will be shared by Turner and Mucke, who took class honours in last year's series finale at Shanghai.

They will be joined by former JRM HPD and Nissan driver Peter Dumbreck at Spa and Le Mans.

AMR has also confirmed the line-ups in its two GTE Am class Vantages: Danes Allan Simonsen, Christoffer Nygard and Kristian Poulsen, who drove for AMR last year at Le Mans, will share one, while Jamie Campbell-Walter, Stuart Hall and Roald Goethe will drive the other.

AMR has a further two cars on the reserve list for the Le Mans 24 Hours, which could also run in selected WEC rounds.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105434

[Rob]

Thats really good news for Bruno, that he has got a race seat this year. And going back to Le-Mans again. Wish him all the best.

[Rob]

Panoz takes DeltaWing in-house for 2013 American Le Mans Series
By Gary Watkins Wednesday, February 6th 2013, 16:30 GMT

Don Panoz has firmed up his plans to continue racing with the revolutionary lightweight DeltaWing, starting on schedule at next month's Sebring 12 Hours.

Sources close to Panoz have confirmed to AUTOSPORT that his plans to have the first production version of the DeltaWing on the grid at Sebring are on time.

The second-generation DeltaWing will be built around a new monocoque designed at Panoz's Elan Motorsport Technologies organisation to replace the Aston Martin AMR-One tub from last year's DW LM12.

A change of engine to a Mazda-based unit also developed at Elan follows Nissan's decision not to continue with the project, for which the RML organisation developed a bespoke direct-injection powerplant.

A Nissan statement said: "The project came to a timely and satisfactory conclusion for us.

"Nissan is a forward thinking brand, always looking for innovative projects that challenge conventional thinking and that push us to develop new technologies and we are now looking ahead to the future and our next exciting project that we can bring to the fans."

The 2013 DeltaWing is an open-top car like the original design, but there are plans for a coupe for 2014.

The car will race at Sebring and a short programme of American Le Mans Series races in the LMP1 class, whereas last year its performance was capped at LMP2-levels.

It is planned that the car will continue to run on Michelin tyres, at least initially; there is enough stock left over from last year for Sebring.

The car will be fielded by an in-house Panoz squad run by veteran British team boss Dave Price.

His David Price Racing team ran the works-backed Panoz squad in Europe in 1997-98 before he moved to the US to run the factory squad in the ALMS from 1999 to 2001.

No drivers have been announced for the programme.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/105454

[Rob]

THE 24 HOURS OF LE MANS AND ROLEX RENEW THEIR PRIVILEGED PARTNERSHIP
The 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the oldest and most prestigious automobile races in the world, are pleased to announce the extension for several years the privileged partnership that binds since 2001 with Rolex.

After more than a decade of commitment based on a shared passion for performance and reliability, the leading brand of luxury watches and pioneering sports sponsorship continues its support as Official Timekeeper.

Trust and loyalty to the Le Mans 24 Hours


For Pierre Fillon, President of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), club founder and organizer of the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 1923, " the renewed support of Rolex, a brand known for its prestige and its constant search for the excellence, is an expression of confidence that we are particularly proud, especially in this year 2013 we celebrate 90 years of our race, which is the top of the World Championship FIA Endurance . "

" The loyalty of its commitment to Rolex 24 Hours of Le Mans can only encourage us to continue our development by focusing increasingly technological innovation, particularly environmental , "says Fillon.

A major partnership for Rolex


" We are very pleased to have the Le Mans 24 Hours from our major partners for over ten years , "says Gian Riccardo Marini, CEO of Rolex SA. " The 24 Hours of Le Mans is a mythical event is one of the most important appointments in the field of world endurance racing, says Marini. Qualified to impose himself, whether human or mechanical, are directly reflects the values ​​of perseverance and self-transcendence expensive Rolex. "

A longstanding commitment to motor sports


The renewal of its partnership with Rolex 24 Hours of Le Mans is part of a long history of close ties with motor sports and speed, dating back to the 1930s. Today, in the field of endurance racing, the brand is associated, in addition to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Rolex 24 At Daytona race. From 2013, it will also be the global partner of Formula 1TM.

About 24 Hours of Le Mans

Created in 1923 by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, the 24 Hours of Le Mans celebrate their 90th anniversary. Since the first edition, this race has become a major event in the racing world through sport and the values ​​upheld by the ACO: sportsmanship, commitment, performance, popularity and open technology. Adhering to this philosophy, the most important car manufacturers in the world with cars driven by the most prestigious pilot trying to overcome difficulties circuit and a distance incomparable unique as their names are engraved on a trophy the most coveted. Beyond its flagship event, the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, which in 1906 created the first Grand Prix in history, launched in 2012 World Championship Endurance FIA ​​competition vehicle which the unique values ​​of the 24 Heures du Mans on three continents, in eight innings played in many countries.

Official website: www.24h-lemans.com

About Rolex

Leading brand of the Swiss watch industry, based in Geneva, Rolex has worldwide an unrivaled reputation for quality and expertise. OYSTER watches, all certified chronometers for their precision, are symbols of excellence, performance and prestige. Pioneer wristwatch in 1905, the brand is the source of many major horological innovations, including the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch was born in 1926, and the automatic winding rotor PERPETUAL, introduced in 1931. She has filed more than 400 patents in its history. True integrated manufacturing, Rolex designs and manufactures in-house all essential components of watches, melting gold alloys for assembling the elements of movement, case, dial and bracelet, through the machining and finishing. Rolex also actively engages in supporting the arts, sports, entrepreneurship and the environment through a wide range of sponsorship activities, programs and philanthropic sponsorship.

Official website: www.rolex.com

[Nova]

What? Theres an Enzo listed? I have to see what this car looks like in endurance trim for sure...

GTE Am
50. Larbre Competition Corvette Patrick Bornhauser
54. AF Corse Ferrari Yannick Mallegol
55. AF Corse Ferrari Piergiuseppe Perazzini
57. Krohn Racing Ferrari Tracy Krohn
61. AF Corse Ferrari Jack Gerber
67. Imsa Performance Porsche Pascal Gibon
70. Larbre Competition Corvette Pedro Lamy
76. Imsa Performance Porsche Raymond Narac
77. Dempsey Proton Porsche Patrick Dempsey
80. Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari Scott Sharp
81. 8Star Motorsports Ferrari Enzo Potolicchio
88. Proton Competition Porsche Christian Ried
95. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Allan Simonsen
96. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Roald Goethe

Garage 56**

[Rob]

What? Theres an Enzo listed? I have to see what this car looks like in endurance trim for sure...

GTE Am
50. Larbre Competition Corvette Patrick Bornhauser
54. AF Corse Ferrari Yannick Mallegol
55. AF Corse Ferrari Piergiuseppe Perazzini
57. Krohn Racing Ferrari Tracy Krohn
61. AF Corse Ferrari Jack Gerber
67. Imsa Performance Porsche Pascal Gibon
70. Larbre Competition Corvette Pedro Lamy
76. Imsa Performance Porsche Raymond Narac
77. Dempsey Proton Porsche Patrick Dempsey
80. Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari Scott Sharp
81. 8Star Motorsports Ferrari Enzo Potolicchio
88. Proton Competition Porsche Christian Ried
95. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Allan Simonsen
96. Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin Roald Goethe

Garage 56**

Its the drivers first name

[Rob]

The GT field of seven had the Risi Competizione Ferrari F458 Italia of Olivier Beretta and Matteo Malucelli at the head of the class.

Risi is back!!!!

Forza Ferrari

Forza Risi.

[Nova]

Its the drivers first name

LOL,..Im a genius!!!

[Rob]

LOL,..Im a genius!!!

[Rob]

A FESTIVAL OF RACING EXPECTED AT THE 6 HOURS OF CIRCUIT OF THE AMERICAS

08/02/2013 - 14h55

One of the many exciting new features for the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship is the addition to the calendar of the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, USA. With the FIA WEC and American Le Mans Series due to visit the CoTA the same weekend, from 20-22 September, fans from both North and Central America are in for a feast of amazing sports prototype and GT racing.

Circuit of the Americas, which will host the fifth round of the FIA WEC, is the first purpose-built Grand Prix facility in the United States designed for any and all classes of racing. It is home to the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, the F1 championship’s debut at the circuit being held to huge acclaim last November, as well as MotoGP, V8 Supercars and GRAND-AM Road Racing.

The 3.427 mile (5.51km) layout was conceived by Tavo Hellmund and former motorcycle World Champion Kevin Schwantz, with the assistance of circuit designer Hermann Tilke. The well-known German architect also designed the Shanghai, Bahrain and Fuji Speedway (reprofiled rather than designed by Tilke) tracks visited by the FIA WEC.

Pierre Fillon, president of the ACO, said, “It gives us great pleasure to take the FIA World Endurance Championship to the Circuit of The Americas later this year for the North American round of the world championship. Working with our friends and colleagues at the American Le Mans Series, we want to establish this as one of the premier endurance racing events in the United States, and we are sure the people of Austin will be want to experience the Spirit of Le Mans at the 6 Hours of the Circuit of the Americas this fall. I would like to thank Circuit President Steve Sexton and his team for their hard work, and I’m confident that 2013 will see the start of a long and fruitful partnership.”

[Rob]

Good news for US racing, to have WEC going there.

[Nova]

Yea, lotta really cool cars..My friend lives in Austin, says the track and facilities are amazing.

[Rob]

2013/02/08 13:00
BumperTwenty-Nine Car Grid for 2013 ELMS!


The grid for the 2013 European Le Mans Series has been announced with twenty-nine cars across the four classes taking part in the five round series. The twenty-two teams represent nine different countries - France, Great Britain, Belgium, Ireland, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Italy, Netherlands and the United States.

The biggest part of the grid will be the LMP2 class with eleven cars, with reigning champions Thiriet by TDS Racing, with Pierre Thiriet, starting the season in Silverstone carrying the prestigious nr1 on the car. However the French team will face stiff opposition from several quarters, including compatriots Signatech and Sebastien Loeb Racing, British teams Greaves Motorsport, Jota Sport and Orex Competition, BoutsenGinion Racing from Belgium, Swiss teams Race Performance and Morand Racing and DKR Engineering from Luxembourg. Four chassis manufacturers - Oreca, Zytek, HPD and Morgan - will be powered by Nissan, Judd and Honda engines.

LMPC will see three cars run by Team ORECA Challenge meaning there will be plenty of inter team rivalry for class honours at the five races.

There is bound to be some great racing amongst the ten strong entry in the LMGTE category with no less than six Ferrari 458 Italias taking on three Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs and a single Chevrolet Corvette C6-ZR1 entered by Larbre Competition. The Ferrari teams will be RAM Racing and JMW Motorsport from Great Britain, Italian team AF Corse and Swiss team Kessel Racing. IMSA Performance MATMUT (FRA), Prospeed Competition (BEL) and Autorlando Sport (ITA) will each run a single Porsche 911 in 2013.

In the GTC category Lamborghini, Ferrari, Porsche and Audi will contest class honours. Dutch team Kox Racing will race the single Lamborghini Gallardo entry on the 2013 grid; AF Corse will have a further two Ferrari 458 Italias, running them alongside the two LMGTE class cars; Autorlando Sport will run a Porsche 911 GT3 R while American team MomoMegatron DF1 will run an Audi R8 LMS.

Pierre Fillon, President of the ACO, said: “2013 is an important year after the ACO decided to restart the European Le Mans Series and mandate Le Mans Endurance Management (LMEM) to organise and promote the most important European endurance race series. We are proud to see twenty-nine entries on the grid, which underlines the fantastic potential of the ELMS. I would like to thank the teams for their continued support as we begin the next chapter of endurance racing in Europe.”

Gerard Neveu, Director of Le Mans Endurance Management, said: “We will start the new season with a fantastic grid of twenty-nine cars. We have also received strong interest by other teams looking to race in the ELMS on a race-by-race basis, potentially boosting the grid numbers even further. 2013 is going to be a hard year and we know we will face some very exciting challenges and this is a good start. The five events alongside the FIA WEC (Silverstone), FFSA GT Tour (Imola) and World Series by Renault (Red Bull Ring, Hungaroring, Paul Ricard) will give us the best platform on which to promote the relaunched European Le Mans Series.We look forward to welcoming everyone - teams, drivers, fans, partners - at each of these prestigious and beautiful European circuits.”



2013 European Le Mans Series Calendar

1. Silverstone GBR 12-13 April

2. Imola ITA 17-18 May

3. Red Bull Ring AUT 19-20 July

4. Hungaroring HUN 13-14 September

5. Paul Ricard FRA 27-28 September


For more information on the European Le Mans Series visit www.europeanlemansseries.com



Once i get entry list through i will post.

[Rob]

CORVETTE AND VIPER: TWO AMERICAN ICONS IN SARTHE
Two of the most famous sports across the Atlantic will meet in June on the circuit of Le Mans 24 Hours, where they had already met there a little over a decade.

The Chevrolet Corvette is launched by June 30, 1953. But it is the late 60s that the silhouette of its third generation, derived from Mako Shark concept car, really comes into legend and definitely sets the "style" Corvette. Seventh Generation has been unveiled at Detroit. It will be launched in 2014, as the racing version. The history of the Viper is much more recent. It began in 1989 as a concept initiated by Bob Lutz (Chrysler executive) and Carroll Shelby (winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 1959). It is marketed from 1992 to 2010 (under the label in the United States Dodge and Chrysler Europe), before being revived in 2012 under the name of SRT (for Street & Racing Technology, Chrysler Group's sporting arm) Viper.

24 Hours of Le Mans, the Viper is one of the great GT in the late 90s, with three consecutive class wins (1998-1999-2000) under the banner of the French team Oreca. In 2001, Chrysler launched a program prototypes, Corvette, beating the previous year, took over with nine wins in different categories GT 24 Hours until 2012, seven for the team and the factory French team Larbre ( interview with its director Jack Leconte read HERE ). Corvette and Viper have good reasons for wanting to shine in Sarthe in 2013. The first intends to resume his winning streak in LM GTE Pro, interrupted last year by Ferrari. The second wants to prove its competitiveness Mans comeback.

The 90th anniversary edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will take place on 22 and 23 June ( ticket information HERE ).

[Rob]

PATRICK DEMPSEY: HIS PASSION FOR LE MANS
Expected, hoped, dreamed ... The return of star Patrick Dempsey will soon be reality. Exclusively American actor declares his love for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

On 22 June, the actor of Grey's Anatomy will start the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Eager to take his Porsche on the French circuit, the American talks about his love for the race he had discovered in 2009 aboard a Ferrari.

One can imagine your joy to be invited after 4 years of absence ...
Patrick Dempsey: My participation in 2009 remains one of the greatest experiences of my life. Since I spent my free time with my wife and my children. It makes me infinitely happy to return!

What is your fondest memory?
I can not answer this question because every moment remains etched in my memory. Tide in human weighing, testing night, the Grand Parade, the start of the race, the sounds, the smells, I love the night ... the night! It is exceptional to drive in the dark. One is overwhelmed by a feeling of loneliness. So we became fully aware of the responsibility placed on its own.

It is also said that this is a tough race ...
The dawn is the best time trying. Fatigue invaded the bruised body ... We want to cry! But we have no reason to stop because the engine runs like a clock! It must go through this difficult phase to fully appreciate the finish.

As an actor, are you inspired by Steve McQueen in the movie Le Mans?
The film follows virtually no scenario. This is the pure love of Mans expressed. This is a true testimony of what the race in the 70s.

One day, perhaps, you will play in the same setting ...
How to captivate people who are not interested in cars? How to make them love the race? This is THE challenge. The trial of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is beautiful, and you have to return this magic to the screen. Everyone should know this race! It would be nice to make another film. We'll see ...

In the meantime, you can prepare your second participation. Who are your teammates? Maybe your partner, footballer Alessandro Del Piero?
I am delighted to have this partnership with mounted my friend Alessandro. This is truly passionate about racing and is excited about this project. Eventually he could fly with me, but I do not think he feels sufficiently ready for it. The expectation of the public and the media will be very important pressure on pilots as ...

Initially, you need to come up with a prototype, but it will eventually be driving a Grand Touring car (GTE Am). Why?
Everything had started very well last year with Mazda. We worked a lot on the program that would enable me to pursue my career pilot prototype. The firm Mazda was finally removed from the project ... But its presence in endurance remains unclear as shown in the constitution of the jury of the most beautiful car in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (it refers to the presence of Yojiro Terada) . It would be nice to come back with Mazda.

With this twist, you had to move quickly to set up a new project!
It was a huge job. Today, we work with direct support from Porsche. I have a good opportunity to progress with Porsche, Porsche has much to gain by supporting me. It's a good balance. I strongly believe in this new relationship because I feel the involvement of the brand.

[Rob]

IT RUNS AT SEBRING!
In America, the small world of endurance enjoying the sunshine Florida to prepare for the season.

As is tradition, the competitors find themselves ALMS Sebring prepare for the season as part of the Winter Test (Testing Winter). Among the teams on track yesterday, some cross the Atlantic in June to face their peers in Europe and Asia in the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

This is particularly the case in ghosts Viper align two new GTE in the Sarthe. Contrary to appearances, the Detroit firm will to learn everything knowing that the previous offensive - completed in 2000 - was based on the Oreca team and not the antenna sport called Chrysler SRT (Street & Racing Technology).

Also in the GTE, Floridians prepare Extreme Speed ​​Motorsports also their debut at Le Mans. Alas, the year began badly for them since the Ferrari 458 Italia # 01 hit the wall of turn 3 this morning - a minor incident involving however the neutralization of the session.

Finally, note the best performance (1:47.414) to the credit of the LM P1 Honda Muscle Milk team will focus this year on its campaign "ALMS" despite the invitation to Le Mans it enjoyed with the title acquired in 2012.

[Rob]

Faust at home with ESM

SEBRING INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY --
Sebring's Shawn Faust has amassed quite an impressive collection of accomplishments in his motorsports career. His teams have won the Indianapolis 500, along with CART and IRL championships. Not bad for somebody who got into the business as a result of trying to find fuel for his Jet Ski.

Faust was an avid Jet Ski rider at the time. He won two expert national championships in his career and qualified for the prestigious World Jet Ski Finals in Lake Havasu, Ariz., four times, competing twice. Needing fuel for a competition, he was told to go to the race track and ask for Keith Dalton.

The two turned out to have known each other for a number of years and Dalton asked if Faust was interested in working in motorsports.

"Keith gave me a shot and I got a job at Skip Barber and kind of progressed from there," Faust said. "Skip Barber is a really good avenue for up-and-coming mechanics who want to get into professional motorsports. It used to be the main avenue for any mechanic or driver to get into pro racing."

Another friend from Sebring, Vince Bass, knew Faust wanted to get into professional racing and helped him get hooked up with an IndyCar team in St. Louis. When that team folded several years later, he moved to Indianapolis and worked the IndyCar circuit for six years. After a stint in Virginia as manager of a BMW team, Faust ended up back in Sebring.

"I actually got back with Skip Barber, and I would run their program here for six months and then move to Wisconsin and run that program for six months," Faust said. "But then the big crash came and a lot of jobs were eliminated and mine was one of them.

"I had bought a house here in Sebring, so I was kind of stuck in Sebring and didn't have a job with Skip Barber anymore. It was hard to find any job at the time, especially with my background as a technician."

One day Bass stopped by Faust's home and told him about a team that was forming in Stuart — Extreme Speed Motorsports — owned by Scott Sharp and sponsored by Patrón Spirits Company.

"They were looking for a lead mechanic for Ed Brown, who is the CEO of Patrón," Faust said. "Vince gave me a phone number and I called. I ended up driving over there and interviewing and they gave me the job. It's been great."

Faust was familiar with Sharp from their days in IndyCar and said he couldn't ask for a better situation.

"Scott's a great boss," he said. "He's very enthusiastic about everything. He's a great guy to work for and he wants to win. He'll do anything to win."

ESM is one of the busier race teams around, also competing in GRAND-AM and the Ferrari Challenge, which suits Faust just fine.

"It's great racing in everything," he said. "I want to put that car on the podium; I don't care if we're doing the Ferrari Challenge or if we're racing GRAND-AM or if we're racing in the American Le Mans Series. I want to see this team be successful."

While his racing duties have taken him to Australia, Brazil and Japan, there's one place Faust hasn't been yet — Le Mans — although that's going to change in June when Extreme Speed Motorsports makes the journey to France.

"I actually signed up for that, they were asking for volunteers," Faust said. "That's one race I haven't done and I'm stoked. I want to see what it's like."

Faust is no stranger to 24-hour races, however, having competed in three of them at Daytona. He said the race can take its toll on everybody involved, but Sharp takes care of his people.

"It's tough and grueling to do a 24-hour race, but Scott really looks out for the crew," he said. "If I asked him for a room at the Hilton halfway through the race at Daytona, he'd get me a room at the Hilton."

Pit stops take on added importance in the highly competitive GT class more than any other, as the margins of victory are often minute.

"We take a lot of pride in our pit stops," Faust said. "In a 12-hour race, nine times out of 10 you're not going to win a race in the pits, but you can sure lose it. You can definitely lose a race in the pits."

Sharp has his pit crews working with a personal trainer three times a week and Faust said that's been a tremendous help.

"Our entire pit crew is made up of a bunch of over-40 guys and we're fast," he said. "I would put the 02 pit crew in a legitimate pit stop against any crew in the American Le Mans Series paddock, and I'd put up $1,000 that we'd kick their butts."

At last year's Petit Le Mans, which was won by the 01 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari, there was a pit competition between the two ESM pit crews.

"You have to admit in racing there are egos and Scott put money out for lowest time, best out of five, and lowest average, best out of five," Faust said. "We literally mopped the floor with them, but they'll never admit it.

"I think there's more competition between the 02 car and the 01 car than any others in pit lane, but it's a healthy competition."

Last year was a breakthrough year for Extreme Speed Motorsports, with the team picking up its first two ALMS victories. Now they're shooting for more.

"We won races last year and now we want to win championships," Faust said. "We want to win the American Le Mans Series GT championship. I think that would be huge, especially being the last year of the American Le Mans Series. That's our goal."

The road to the ALMS GT championship will begin at Sebring next month.

"We did a lot of chassis development in the off-season and I think we learned a lot of good stuff," Faust said. "It's going to show this year at Sebring.

"For us to win Sebring, it would be absolutely huge for me. It would be just like winning the Indianapolis 500. If you know anything about racing, Sebring is it."

[Rob]

ESM PATRÓN SETS PACE FOR 2013 WITH SOLID TWO-DAY ALMS WINTER TEST

SEBRING, FL – Friday. February 8, 2013 – Ed Brown, co-driver of the Extreme Speed Motorsports No. 02 Tequila Patrón Ferrari 458 Italia, spent the bulk of the two-day American Le Mans Series (ALMS) presented by Tequila Patrón logging laps around the 3.74-mile, 17-turn circuit at Sebring International Raceway in preparation for the 2013 season and the 61st running of the 12 Hours of Sebring race in March.

The No. 02 was quickest of the GT cars during Friday’s opening session with a best lap time of 2:00.128 (112.080 mph). During the second session, the No. 02 machine was second quickest of the GT class with a best lap time of 2:12.705 (200.375 mph).

YOU LOGGED A LOT OF SEAT TIME DURING THE ALMS WINTER TEST THIS WEEK AT SEBRING. HOW WAS YOUR TIME IN THE FERRARI? “Physically it was pretty difficult. We haven’t been back in our Tequila Patrón Ferrari Italia 458s since Petit. But we did race our GRAND AM Ferrari at Daytona and that’s a completely different ride. Then we’re back into the ALMS Ferrari, it is a whole different animal and wears you out. I was pretty whipped and I drove most of the laps. It ended up being a great week for us and the Ferraris are really good. The ESM Patrón team made some serious progress in the off season, so I’m looking forward to this year.”

THIS MARKS THE FINAL SEASON FOR ALMS AND GRAND AM RUNNING AS INDEPENDENT SERIES. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE 2013 SEASON, HAVING RUN THE ROLEX 24 AND LOOKING AHEAD TO THE SEBRING 12 HOUR? “This is going to be an interesting and cool season. We just ran the 24 Hours of Daytona and that was the last time the Rolex is a GRAND AM solo race, and every ALMS race this season will feel like that too. I think the merger is a great thing and is fantastic for sports car racing. I’m really looking forward to this season and ahead to the changes in 2014.”

TALK ABOUT YOUR GOALS AND EXPECTATIONS FOR 2013. “I want podium finishes and a lot of them. I would definitely like to see the No. 01 Ferrari win the championship. We were probably just one race away from doing that last year. I’d really like to see Guy Cosmo and I get in there and get some podiums this year.”

WHAT SHOULD THE FANS EXPECT TO SEE FROM TEQUILA PATRÓN THIS SEASON? “I think we’ll have some surprises, we’ll do some different mock-ups on the Ferraris and lots of promotions. This is going to be fun season.”

HOW WAS YOUR OFF SEASON? “I’ve been busy. I turned 50, so we had a big celebration along with all the holidays. I traveled plenty during the off season, so I’m looking forward to race season to slow down a little bit.

“For the Super Bowl, we went down to the St. Bernard Project and built a house for a Katrina storm family. To still see that people are not in their homes after seven years after a storm, it is a little heartbreaking to see what these families have gone through. Thanks to programs like St. Bernard, this is what is going to get people back into their homes. They’ve already built 500 houses, which is impressive. Hopefully they continue to do the good work.”

YOU MENTIONED YOUR MILESTONE BIRTHDAY AND FITNESS. DO YOU AND JOHANNES HAVE AN OFF-TRACK COMPETITION WITH FITNESS THIS SEASON? “I’m always pretty fit, I just had a few bumps last year, so it hindered my fitness a little bit. I just started to get back into pretty hard cardio stuff. I always like to lift weights but the cardio is always a struggle. I’m hoping, at least by Sebring, to have 20 or 30 miles on my legs.”

[Rob]

Speeds Improve on Final Day of Sebring Winter Test

Muscle Milk, BAR 1, Risi Competizione and Flying Lizard Lead Classes
SEBRING, Fla. (Feb. 8, 2013) – The 2013 American Le Mans Series presented by Patrón Winter Test at Sebring International Raceway is now in the books, and the second day of the two-day session saw times come down in all classes.

Defending ALMS P1 co-champion Klaus Graf posted the quickest time of the test on Friday morning, turning a 1:46.368 (126.579 mph) lap in the No. 6 Muscle Milk Pickett Racing HPD ARX-03c. The time was more than a full second quicker than teammate and fellow co-champion Lucas Luhr posted to lead Thursday’s sessions.

“It was a very productive test,” Graf said. “We made a lot of changes and went through a big program. We did a lot of miles, and the car was very reliable. It was a very important test for us to go through the updated components and make sure everything works OK and is reliable.

“A lot of what we did will help us throughout the season as well as for the Sebring race. The track conditions change so much here, and that’s normal, that it’s hard to say how things will be come race week. It depends on so many factors. Overall, it was a very satisfying test and we collected plenty of data for us to look over.”

In the Prototype Challenge (PC) class, Kyle Marcelli turned in a late flyer aboard the No. 8 BAR 1 Motorsports ORECA FLM09 to take over Winter Test bragging rights from the No. 18 Performance Tech team. Marcelli’s quick lap was a 1:54.803 (117.279 mph).

“This is going to be the second year for BAR 1 Motorsports,” Marcelli said. “Last year was put together really after the test at this point. It was so last-minute, and we were just battling from behind all year.

“We were fast, we had good appearances at certain events here and there, but we really pieced together the puzzle for this year with everything it took to go after a championship. The team looks good, we’ve got good people, we’ve got a good driver lineup and I think our only focus is to go after a championship.”

As it did Thursday, the No. 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari F458 Italia once again showed the way in the GT class with a lap at 1:59.862 (112.329 mph) in the afternoon session. The morning session lead went to the No. 02 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari F458 Italia with Anthony Lazzaro at the wheel, which may have provided some consolation after Johannes van Overbeek crashed the team’s No. 01 machine earlier in the test’s only significant incident. Van Overbeek was not injured.

“As drivers and competitors, you’re always concerned about the lap time, so my last time in the car this morning, we were quite quick,” Lazzaro said. “That’s what we can leave on, so I’m happy with that. I’ve said it before, this team – when I came here for Sebring (in 2012) – made me feel welcome right away. It’s an extremely comfortable atmosphere to be in. It’s a really good group of guys that are really happy and love what they’re doing, but also quite serious. That’s what you saw as they got a couple of wins last year, most notably at Petit Le Mans. They know how to perform.”

Top honors in the GTC class went to the No. 44 Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with Spencer Pumpelly behind the wheel. Pumpelly logged a best lap at 2:06.061 (106.805 mph) late in the afternoon session.

“I’m proud of the lap time, but I think what was more important was the work we did to learn more about this car and get it ready for the race and try some things that will be helpful throughout the season,” Pumpelly said. “These guys are new to this car, but they’ve got a ton of experience. I can’t be happier to be a part of this team and this organization, and [co-drivers] Nelson [Canache] and Archie [Hamilton] also did an awesome job. It was a really good test for us and I can’t wait for the season to start.”

The new ALMS season will start with the 61st Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring Fueled by Fresh from Florida on Saturday, March 16. The race will air live starting at 10:45 a.m. ET on SPEED, and ticket information is available through ALMS.com.