LMS/ILMC 2011

[Rob]

really cannt wait for the Sebring 12hrs to kick off. Hope the Audis can win and get 1 up on Pugs before the Le Mans 24hr.

[Rob]

ILMC

The ILMC heads for the Americas!
BY SERIES UPDATE ⋅ MARCH 9, 2011

D-10. The kick-off of the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup will be given in ten days in the Sebring 12 Hours. The European entrants are currently heading for the United States.

The teams are all involved in intensive preparations for the opening skirmish on the mythic Florida circuit. In 2010, Peugeot became the first French manufacturer to win the American classic with Wurz-Gené-Davidson. The Sochaux squad is already on the spot setting up the installations for its two new cars.

Yesterday, 8th March, a Boeing 747 cargo plane chartered by the ILMC logistics team took off from Luxembourg, destination Atlanta. On board were nine cars that took advantage of this special transport facility organized in partnership with the Cars Company, the series’ official transporter. They consisted of the three OAK- Racing Pescarolos, the Ferrari 458 Italia and the F430 GT of Luxury Racing and AF Corse, the Oreca Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, the Rebellion Team’s Lola B10/60-Toyota, the Gulf AMR Middle East Aston Martin Vantage and the Signatech Oreca 03-Nissan. After their arrival at Atlanta these cars will be brought to the Sebring International Raceway by transporter.

Peugeot, Audi and Proton Competition made their own arrangements to send their cars either by boat or plane. Other teams (BMW, CRS Racing, and American squads, Level 5 Motorsports and Krohn Racing) are already on the spot.

Larbre Competition sent its Corvette C6-ZR1 in one of the four 40-foot containers loaded onto a cargo ship, which sailed from Rotterdam three weeks ago for the United States. They also contain all the organization’s technical equipment.

Missing from this list, unfortunately, is the Aston Martin AMR-ONE. Although the brand-new prototype was unveiled last week, the English car is not yet ready to tackle the daunting challenge that the Sebring 12-Hours event represents. It will have its maiden outing in a race in the second ILMC round, the Spa 1000 kms, on 7th May, in which two of the AMR-ONEs will be entered.

[Rob]

ILMC

REBELLION Racing ready to start busy 2011 season
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ MARCH 9, 2011

The REBELLION Racing team members and drivers are looking forward to a busy start to the 2011 season with the Le Mans Series Test Days at Paul Ricard HTTT at the end of this week and the Sebring 12 Hour race, the first round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, next week.

REBELLION Racing is ready for the challenge! The Lola-Toyota that will race for the first time next week at Sebring has already left the workshop for the USA and the two other sister cars were loaded into the team’s trucks yesterday, en route for the South of France.

During the Le Mans Series Test Days, REBELLION Racing will present to the media their new Lola-Toyota LMP1 cars and 2011 driver line-ups.
For the first time, the media will be able to see the team’s red, white and gold liveried Lolas powered by the 3.4 litre RV8KLM Toyota engine actually in action.

All six REBELLION Racing drivers will be present at Paul Ricard. In car #12, regular drivers Neel Jani and Nico Prost will be joined by Jeroen Bleekemolen and in car #13 Guy Smith will rejoin Andrea Belicchi and Jean-Christophe Boullion at the track where they achieved a podium finish in the Le Mans Series opening race of 2010.

As soon as the two day test in the South of France has ended, the drivers and crew will fly to the USA for the Sebring 12 Hour week where they will join up with an advance party of team members who travelled ahead to oversee the unloading and set up of the third Lola-Toyota and equipment.

Bart Hayden, REBELLION Racing Team Manager : «The team have worked unbelievably hard during the Winter. The mechanics are the unsung heros of the moment, they have put so much into getting these cars ready. We have built a strong package and we have high expectations for the forthcoming season. Our relationship with the Toyota Motorsport engineers and management is very good and productive, we have strengthened our own technical team and we can count on fast and experienced drivers. The three cars are now on their way to the tracks and we can’t wait to see them in action ! »

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/03/...y-2011-season/

[Rob]

2011/03/12 19:44 Rebellion Racing sets the fastest times

After the first test session yesterday under grey skies in the Var, the weather did not improve today. The ambient temperature did not exceed 10°C, and violent gusts of wind plus intermittent rain did not make things easy for the Le Mans Series drivers and teams. However, they all continued to fettle in their cars during the eight-hour official test session...

Rebellion Racing continues to dominate

In view of the weather conditions, the teams sent their cars out early in the morning. The Quifel-ASM Team quickly went to the top of the time sheets in LM P1 with a lap in 1m 48.433s. Then it started to rain and once the track dried out the no. 12 Lola-Toyota entered by Rebellion Racing set the fastest time in the morning in 1m 47.928s. In the afternoon, Quifel-ASM Team ended up quickest in the 4-hour session with a lap in 1m 49.189s before it started to rain again. So the best time on Saturday was that of the no. 12 Lola-Toyota, which did not beat Friday's quickest set by Jean-Christophe Boullion in the no.13 Lola-Toyota in 1m 46.573s.



The Orecas in front

In LM P2, the teams that opted for the Oreca 03 chassis were happy with their choice. TDS Racing was again fastest in 1m 51.133s in front of the Race Performance Oreca-Judd. Pecom Racing, a new team in LM P2 linked to AF Corse, set the third-best time. After the midday break, Race Performance got back in front with a time of 1m 52.282s., and continued to rack up the laps despite the rain covering a total of 48.


Hope Racing spends the most time on the track

Neil Garner Motorsport continued to set the pace in Formula Le Mans. The British team posted the fastest time in 1m 56.506s, while Hope Racing spent the most time on the track covering 74, the highest number of any of the 26 cars car in the field. In the afternoon, the Swiss team was quickest in 1m 57.184s before the rain began to fall.

Pro-Am duel in LM GTE

Hankook Team Farnbacher carried on where it left off yesterday in LM GTE Pro, and the no. 89 Ferrari again dialed in the fastest time in the morning session in 2m 00.492s. Kessel Racing (LM GTE Am) caused an upset by putting its Ferrari F460 GT in second place under three-tenths of a second behind with a lap in 2m 00.771s beating the cars in GTE Pro. In uncertain weather in the afternoon, the no. 76 IMSA Performance Matmut Porsche 997 RSR was fastest in GTE Pro in 2m 00.987s. It finished the session in front of the Hankook Farnbacher Ferrari and the no. 67 IMSA Performance entered in LM GTE Am.

Reactions

Guy Smith (LM P1, Rebellion Racing, no. 13 Lola-Toyota) : “I'm delighted to be taking part in this test! Everybody was impatient to get back on the track after the long winter. It was our first real test with the Toyota engine and it's working really well. The potential's there but we've still got a lot of work to do. With the new regulations it's difficult to know where we stand in relation to the others. But the competition's there, no doubt about that.”

Matias Russo (LM P2, Pecom Racing, Lola B11/40-Judd) : “I've a lot of experience in GT but I find this Lola's really quick. It's a new challenge for me and for the whole team. It's a lovely racing car. Like me, all the drivers want to win. I think it'll be possible but for sure it won't be easy.”

Wolf Henzler (LM GTE Pro, IMSA Performance Matmut, no. 76 Porsche 997 RSR) : “It wasn't easy out there today as the rain and the wind changed the track conditions a lot. Because of the wind the car's balance varied in the corners, and that was tricky to cope with. But we're still determined to win the championship. I'm new and I've already seen how well the team works. Patrick Pilet is a really good team-mate.”

[Rob]

UDI R15 TDI BIDS FAREWELL AT SEBRING

2011-03-11

• ILMC season opener in Florida (USA)
• Final race for Audi R15 TDI
• Alpinestars and Castrol new partners in sports car program

Audi starts the 2011 sports car season in the 12 Hours of Sebring on March 19. Making its final appearance is the Audi R15 TDI, which had to be modified to comply with the new regulations and which carries the project name "R15 plus plus" internally. Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas/Mike Rockenfeller (D/F/D), last year’s Le Mans winners, as well as Dindo Capello/Allan McNish/Tom Kristensen (I/GB/DK), Le-Mans winners from 2008, drive the two diesel race sports cars.

A long sports car season starts for Audi Sport Team Joest in March: On the agenda up to November are seven races, the Le Mans test weekend and numerous tests with the Audi R15 TDI and the new Audi R18, which does not, however, race at Sebring. So as not to interrupt preparations for the 24 Hours of Le Mans on June 11/12 the test and development program with the R18 continues to run in parallel to the opening round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup 2011 (ILMC) season.

As a result one car in particular bids farewell at the 12 Hours of Sebring, a car that made its debut here two years ago: the Audi R15 TDI. It celebrated its 2009 premiere with a victory - the ninth for Audi in this traditional event in US state of Florida since 2000.

For the second appearance at Sebring the diesel racing sports car competes under completely new conditions. New technical regulations from the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) are valid in 2011, for which Audi has developed the "closed cockpit" R18. Older models like the R15 TDI may only compete in heavily modified form with greatly restricted engine power. Just how these cars will fare against the new models remains to be seen.

Drastic cuts in technology
The new LMP1 prototype regulations limit engine displacement for new models such as the Audi R18, which will contest its first race in May, to 3.7 liters. Older cars like the Audi R15 TDI will be slowed down accordingly. To this end, the 5.5 liter V10 engine in the Audi R15 TDI must now draw air through two intake-air restrictors of 33.5 millimeter diameter - this is four millimeters less than before. At the same time the boost pressure is reduced by 23 percent to 2,000 millibar - 2,590 millibar was allowed before. The fuel tank may only hold 65 instead of the previous 81 liters of diesel, the fuel flow restrictor in the autonomous refueling tank was also reduced by five to 28 millimeters. "The drivers felt the engine restrictions very clearly during the test in Florida. They miss several dozen horsepower," explains Ralf Jüttner, Technical Director of Audi Sport Team Joest. "The reduction in tank volume sounds drastic at first, but the engine obviously also consumes less. The slower flow rate from the external tank means that pit stops will certainly not be any shorter despite the smaller fuel tank volume."

Proven drivers, new partners
The Audi R15 TDI makes its farewell appearance in Florida in the hands of two successful driver line ups. Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas, who won at Sebring in 2008, share the car with start number "1" with Mike Rockenfeller. Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish, the Sebring winners in 2009, drive the "2" numbered Audi.

Two new partners are also part of the team for the first time at Sebring: Lining up alongside Bosch, Mahle, Michelin and TAG Heuer to partner the Audi sports car program from 2011 are Alpinestars, specialists for motorsport and extreme sports clothing as well as street wear, and lubricant manufacturer Castrol. With Castrol a familiar face returns to the side of Audi Sport; the two companies were already very successful together in competition as partners in the DTM, super touring cars and in rallying.

Topical points of interest at the weekend
• How fast is the R15 TDI, which should actually be called "R15 plus minus" after being modified to comply with the new regulations?
• Can Audi exploit the reliability of the established R15 TDI around the tough Sebring track with its experienced drivers on board?
• How will the balance differ between the modified 2010 cars, the Audi R15 TDI and new LMP1 models?

Quotes by the officials
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): "Sebring is the circuit on which up to now practically all of our new sport prototypes have made their race debuts - and in doing so have always won. For the R18 project it would have been a monumental logistical task to compete at this early stage at Sebring. This is why we now bid farewell to the R15 TDI. With the R15 TDI having been modified again we know that we do not have the same base as each opponent competing at Sebring with a new LMP1. Having said this we still want to score as many points as possible for the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. During the 12 Hours of Sebring there are many other factors in addition to the cars that dictate how things look at the checkered flag: the normally hot weather, the heavy traffic, specific race situations with the typical full-course yellows, the performance of the team and obviously also our experienced driver squads. This is why anything is also possible at this race with an ‘old’ car."

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): "I’m delighted that we are taking part again. It really was a strange feeling in 2010 to test at Sebring but not to participate in the race. Now our sports car season begins in Florida, where we want to give the final evolution of the Audi R15 TDI a resounding send off. The car has been modified to suit the new regulations and competes against other modified ones, but also against new cars. When we tested this evolution of the R15 TDI together with the R18 we had a good impression of both cars. In addition to the pace at Sebring it is also a question of consistency and well developed technology. And not forgetting that five of our six drivers at Sebring have won the race once in the last three years."

Facts and comments from the Audi drivers
Timo Bernhard (30/D), Audi R15 TDI #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Celebrated overall victory at Sebring in 2008
• Races together again with his Le Mans winning team mates
"My goal to contest the ILMC came true. This is the result of excellent cooperation between Audi and Porsche, for which I am very grateful. The 12 Hours of Sebring marks the opening event of this program. With 59 cars - including many slower GT cars - on a track only five kilometers long, it’s important to have good all round visibility. Many corners are quite unique and also difficult to read on entry. To this end I am quite grateful to be racing in the open Audi R15 TDI. I still have good memories of Sebring 2008 when Romain Dumas, another team mate and I celebrated overall victory."

Romain Dumas (33/F), Audi R15 TDI #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Returns to the scene of his 12-hour victory in 2008
• Views Sebring as one of the most important sports car races
"Sebring is always something very special. The 12 Hour race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans are the two most important sports car races in the world for me. Traditionally there are many safety car periods in Florida due to the high number of competitors. Consequently the race is usually completely open until the very end. Bad for those in the lead that repeatedly lose their advantage, good for those chasing behind! I expect high temperatures. Also, the bumpy track is very hard on the material and us drivers. It’s also a question of reliability, and in this respect the Audi R15 TDI certainly has nothing to be ashamed of."

Mike Rockenfeller (27/D), Audi R15 TDI #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Starts for the first time since his Le Mans victory in an Audi R15 TDI
• His season with 16 races kicks off in the USA
"To start the season at Sebring is something very special. We can expect an enormous field of starters. The key to a good result will be getting through the traffic without problems for 12 hours. We’d certainly like to present the Audi R15 TDI with exactly this in its final outing. For Timo (Bernhard), Romain (Dumas) and me it is also an important part of our preparation to compete once again as a trio of drivers. After all we’ll also face the competition in this formation at Le Mans."

Dindo Capello (46/I), Audi R15 TDI #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Has already recorded four victories in the 12 hours Sebring
• Won the endurance classic for the first time 10 years ago
"I have a lot of fond memories of Sebring. I contested my first race with an LMP sports car with Audi at this track. Michele Alboreto, Stefan Johansson and I claimed a podium finish with the Audi R8R - a great debut. Exactly ten years ago I celebrated my first victory, together with Laurent Aiello and Michele. It was his final victory in his last race for Audi. I will fondly remember a photograph I have of us on the podium forever. Now we race for the last time with the R15 TDI which started its winning ways at Sebring in 2009. The competition comes with completely new cars. I’m intrigued to see just how good we are at the end."

Tom Kristensen (43/DK), Audi R15 TDI #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Is the most successful driver ever at Sebring with five victories
• On the debut of new Audi race cars in 2000, 2006 and 2009 steered the winning car on each occasion at Sebring
"I still love to race in the USA, and especially at Sebring where the atmosphere is incredible. The actual number of Sebring victories is of little interest to me in my active career. Our new season starts here and certainly a long, long way away from the European winter. The race is always difficult. The circuit is an incredible challenge - according to old tradition and very hard. Different types of tarmac and other surfaces, lots of bumps and corner apexes that you can’t see - the perfect recipe to test the reliability, performance and durability and stamina of car, team and drivers. We have already won here in the past with new designs, for example in 2000 with the Audi R8, in 2006 with the Audi R10 TDI and in 2009 with the Audi R15 TDI."

Allan McNish (41/GB), Audi R15 TDI #2 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Celebrated the R15 TDI’s debut victory two years ago at Sebring
• Has achieved a remarkable podium ratio in the 12 Hour race
"Tom (Kristensen), Dindo (Capello) and I scored a debut victory for the R15 TDI at Sebring in 2009, the R15 TDI recorded a fantastic Le Mans one-two-three finish last year while Tom and I narrowly missed taking another win in China last November. So we know what the R15 TDI is capable of and what defines its performance. I think we can challenge the opposition. Sebring is one of the toughest races held where both temperatures and humidity are high. I drove for the first time at Sebring in 1997. I have won the 12 Hour race three times and mounted the podium six times in total from seven starts. It has been a successful place for me to date. I aim to continue this trend in 2011."

The Audi drivers at Sebring
Timo Bernhard (D): * 24.02.1981 in Homburg (D); domicile: Dittweiler (D); married to Katharina; height: 1.73 m; weight: 61 kg; Audi driver since 2009; Sebring wins: 1.

Dindo Capello (I): * 17.06.1964 in Asti (I); domicile: Canelli (I); married to Elisabetta, one son (Giacomo); height: 1.72 m; weight: 66 kg; Audi driver since 1994; Sebring wins: 4.

Romain Dumas (F): * 14.12.1977 in Alès (F); domicile: Basel (CH); single; height: 1.74 m; weight: 60 kg; Sebring wins: 1.

Tom Kristensen (DK): * 07.07.1967 in Hobro (DK); domicile: Monaco (MC); single (partner: Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald) and one daughter (Carla Marlou); height: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Sebring wins: 5.

Allan McNish (GB): * 29.12.1969 in Dumfries (GB); domicile: Monaco (MC); married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte Amelie); height: 1.65 m; weight: 58 kg; Sebring wins: 3.

Mike Rockenfeller (D): * 31.10.1983 in Neuwied (D); domicile: Altnau (CH); single (partner: Susanne); height: 1.75 m; weight: 67 kg; Sebring wins: 0.

Every winner of the 12 hours of Sebring (since 2000)
2000 Frank Biela/Tom Kristensen/Emanuele Pirro (Audi)
2001 Dindo Capello/Laurent Aiello/Michele Alboreto (Audi)
2002 Dindo Capello/Johnny Herbert/Christian Pescatori (Audi)
2003 Frank Biela/Philipp Peter/Marco Werner (Audi)
2004 Frank Biela/Pierre Kaffer/Allan McNish (Audi)
2005 Tom Kristensen/JJ Lehto/Marco Werner (Audi)
2006 Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (Audi)
2007 Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro/Marco Werner (Audi)
2008 Timo Bernhard/Romain Dumas/Emmanuel Collard (Porsche)
2009 Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen/Allan McNish (Audi)
2010 Anthony Davidson/Marc Gené/Alexander Wurz (Peugeot)

Circuit information
Circuit length: 5.954 km
Race duration: 12 hours
Pole position 2010: Marc Gené, Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, 1m 45.214s = 203.736 km/h (19.03.2010)
Fastest lap 2010: Sébastien Bourdais, Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, 1m 44.972s = 204.206 km/h (20.03.2010)

Allan McNish about Sebring: "The circuit is fast, demanding and bumpy. It requires 100 percent concentration. I like the facility because it’s an old style track. The track has hardly changed since Stirling Moss raced here for the first time in the 1950s. The track surface is bumpy and has several evil curbs. We are familiar with none of this in Europe, especially on the tracks where Formula 1 races are held. But it is for exactly this reason that Sebring has so much character. Also, the enormous number of fans ensures the atmosphere is electric."

[Rob]

PEUGEOT BACK OUT FRONT IN SEBRING TESTING

2011-03-14

Peugeot picked up Monday where it left off last year with the fastest time in Monday’s opening test session for the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. One of the two new factory Peugeot 908s – driven by Franck Montagny, Stephane Sarrazin and Pedro Lamy – turned a best lap of 1:47.678 during the four-hour session in the lead-up to the opening round of the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón.

The 2011-spec 908s are making their racing debut this week, and Peugeot enters as the defending Sebring race-winner. Things were incredibly close though with the top six cars within 0.629 seconds. The first of Audi Sport Team Joest’s Audi R15 prototypes sat second at 1:48.025; that was the car of reigning Le Mans 24 Hours champions Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller.

Next up was defending ALMS prototype champion Highcroft Racing and its new HPD ARX-01e of David Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti. It was the only non-diesel among the top five cars.

The GT battle was just as close with the first four cars within 0.519 seconds. The first of BMW Motorsport’s BMW M3 GT of Bill Auberlen, Augusto Farfus and Dirk Werner set a lap of 2:01.911 for a 0.152-second gap over the first of Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs; the lead one is driven by Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long and Marc Lieb.

Next up was the first of Corvette Racing’s two Corvette C6.Rs, a 2:01.909 for the car of Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner and Antonio Garcia. It was just 0.172 seconds better than the second BMW entry.

Krohn Racing’s Ferrari F430 GT was the quickest of the GTE Am entries. Nic Jonsson, driving with Tracy Krohn and Michele Rugolo, set a lap of 2:03.217. The Krohn entry was 1.021 seconds clear of Larbre Competition’s Corvette C6.R of Julien Canal, Gabrielle Gardel and Patrick Bornhauser.

In LMP2, Signatech Nissan’s ORECA-Nissan of Franck Mailleux and Lucas Ordonez was quickest in class at 1:56.590. The car, making its first start, was 3.848 seconds ahead of Level 5 Motorsports’ new Lola-Honda coupe. Scott Tucker, Christophe Bouchut and Joao Barbosa are splitting duties.

CORE autosport’s two ORECA FLM09s were quickest in LMP Challenge in the team’s first weekend of ALMS competition. The first car of Ryan Dalziel, Jon Bennett and Frankie Montecalvo set the fastest time at 1:55.060, good enough for a 0.323-second cushion over the sister car of Gunnar Jeannette, Ricardo Gonzalez and Rudy Junco.

PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports’ entry of Ken Dobson, Ryan Lewis and Henri Richard was third in class at 1:56.195.

TRG held the top two spots in GT Challenge, led by the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup entry of Duncan Ende, Spencer Pumpelly and Alain Li. The second entry of Dion von Moltke was second, just 0.479 seconds back. Magus Racing’s Porsche of Matthew Marsh, John Potter and Craig Stanton was third at 2:06.366.

Monday afternoon’s session runs from 1 to 5 p.m. ET.

[Rob]

The 2011 season of AF Corse begins on the 11th- 12th March with the official test of the Le Mans Series at Paul Ricard circuit (Le Castellet, France). The team is the only representing Italy in the prestigiuos international championship and lines up, for the upcoming test, three Ferrari.The first one is the newborn F458 Italia GT2 driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, third Scuderia Ferrari F1 driver, and by Gianmaria Bruni, world champion Fia GT2 in 2008. The 458 in GT2 version debuts on track and the Fisichella-Bruni car will compete in the GTE Pro category.The other two cars lined up for the Le Mans Series, both in the Pro AM category, are the Ferrari F430 with the crew Giuseppe Perazzini-Marco Cioci-Stephane Lemeret and Robert Kauffman-Michael Waltrip-Rui Aguas.However, the team who Af Corse lined up for the official test is not yet the definitive of the season.

Before the first race, an another F458 Italia will join the ferrari fleet; the second GT2 of the Italian team, always engaged in the GTE Pro category, will be driven by Toni Vilander and Jaime Melo. But the "appointment" on the track do not stop here for the Amato Ferrari team. In the schedule, among the other things still to be revealed, there are also the 12 Hours of Sebring and the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans.

[Rob]

Team RLR ready for 2011 Le Mans Series campaign
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ MARCH 14, 2011


Having concluded an extensive pre-season testing programme at Circuit Paul Ricard at the weekend, Team RLR is now prepared to establish itself as a regular contender in the LMP2 class of the Le Mans Series in 2011.

A successful trip to the south of France for the Le Mans Series Official Test once again demonstrated the MG Lola EX265’s reliability, and improved pace, plus provided all three drivers with valuable seat time ahead of the championship opener at the same venue on April 1-3.

It will be the Lancashire-based squad’s first full season in the prestigious endurance racing championship. The final two rounds of 2010 were contested as a toe-in-the-water exercise to gain experience, however now armed with a new Judd engine and having clocked up thousands of test kilometres at all the major circuits on this year’s calendar, Team RLR is hoping to prove a real thorn in the side of some of the more established competitors in the field.

Barry Gates, Rob Garofall and Simon Phillips will take the wheel of the MG Lola EX265 at all five rounds of the Le Mans Series in 2011 – including Le Castellet (France), Spa Francorchamps (Belgium), Imola (Italy), Silverstone (Great Britain) and Estoril (Portugal).

With Team Principal Nick Reynolds and his pit crew having meticulously prepared the car for action over the winter the squad is aiming to deliver consistent results and regularly challenge for honours in the LMP2 class.

At the same time Team RLR is building towards its long-term future in endurance racing by running a driver development scheme to provide a ladder of opportunity for up-and-coming sports car drivers – that could lead all the way to the Le Mans 24 Hour Race.

The team has entered two Ligier JS49 Sports Prototypes in the 2011 SPEED Euroseries, which will act as a support series on the LMS calendar, visiting all five locations – Paul Ricard, Spa, Imola, Silverstone and Estoril – in addition to a stand-alone race weekend at Donington.

Bolton-based RLR Msport – who run the Team RLR MG Lola EX265 – will use the SPEED Series to enable drivers who show sufficient potential to earn an opportunity to test their LMP2 car at the end of the season.

It is an ambitious but targeted plan to develop the team towards the ultimate goal of a successful entry at the world famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in future seasons.

Nick Reynolds, Team RLR team principal, said:
“We’re in good shape. Despite being slightly frustrated by the weather during some of our testing we’ve moved on considerably as an overall package since last year. Our setup development has gone well. The car is more driveable, and the drivers are more confident in both it and themselves with the experience they have built up. I don’t think this circuit will suit the car as much as the others on the calendar, so it may not be until the following rounds we can show our true pace. However, we are looking forward to the season starting for sure and I’m confident we will perform well.”

Barry Gates, Team RLR driver, said:
“I think everyone has done a good job this weekend and over the close season. We have moved forward with the setup of the car and the whole team has come on leaps and bounds compared to last year. The two events we did last year were always intended to be a learning curve for us, and since then we have tried to make steady progress in everything we’ve been working on. Now we are ready to go out and be competitive. I can’t wait for the season to start.”

Rob Garofall, Team RLR driver, said:
“I’m very much looking forward to competing in the full Le Mans Series campaign this year. We’ve done a lot of testing in the close season and the car has been very reliable. It was really good to top that off by doing a lot of laps at Paul Ricard and getting comfortable in the car ahead of the first race here in a few weeks. We also now know where are against our competitors, so it’s been very useful. I can’t wait to take what we’ve learned into the first race now and to see what we can achieve.”

Simon Phillips, Team RLR driver, said:
“I think we are in a good place ahead of the new season beginning. The purpose of the weekend for me was to get back in the car following the winter break and acclimatise myself with it and the track, and I hit my target in terms of where my pace should be relative to others with more experience. Having been together as a squad since the end of last season we work very well as a unit now. We’re all aiming towards a common goal and that really helps tremendously in terms of motivation and the atmosphere in the garage. We have put in a lot of effort to be as prepared as we can be, and I’m excited about driving in all of the races in the championship this year.”

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/03/...ries-campaign/

[Rob]

ALMS: 12 Hours of Sebring LIVE this weekend

You needn’t miss a moment of the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend thanks to Motors TV’s LIVE coverage from Florida on Saturday.

After last season’s defeat to Audi, Peugeot has shipped a pair of its diesel-powered 908 HDIs to America for the opening round of the ALMS season. Aston Martin should offer stiff opposition in LMP1 alongside Lola squad Drayson Racing, with Highcroft’s Acura leading the LMP2 charge.

The GT2 category, meanwhile, should provide the closest contest of all thanks to entries from Corvette, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Ford and Jaguar.

Motors TV’s coverage kicks off at 2pm (GMT) on Saturday afternoon with the commentary of Radio Le Mans’ John Hindhaugh your constant companion for all 12 hours.

Catch all the action one Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545.

bring it on!!! be getting beers and snacks in this friday. Be able see 458GT in anger too

[Rob]

LE MANS SERIES

James Walker to race JMW Ferrari 458 in Le Mans Series
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ MARCH 14, 2011 ⋅

James Walker has been signed up to race Ferrari’s brand new GT car, the Ferrari 458, in the 2011 Le Mans Series. He will line-up with double Le Mans Series GT2 Champion, Rob Bell, in the JMW Motorsport Ferrari when the season kicks off at Paul Ricard in France on 3rd April.

The Le Mans Series is a season of five 1000km sportscar races. The competition is fierce and there is a lot at stake as the top finishers receive an automatic entry into the following year’s Le Mans 24 Hours.

“I can’t wait for the 2011 season to start now,” said James. “The switch to sportscars has come at a great time for me. I had a taste of it at Daytona and I know it’s the direction I want my career to take. This switch opens up a whole new world of racing that ultimately will include big events like the Le Mans 24 Hours and I’m hugely excited about it all.”

James will be racing in the LM GTE Pro class. This is the top GT class where Ferraris go head to head with Porsches and Aston Martins and big name drivers, including ex-F1 driver Giancarlo Fisichella. JMW Motorsport is already a championship-winning team so James is in the best place for Le Mans Series success.

“I’ve followed JMW Motorsport’s progress over the last few years and I am very impressed,” said James. “It will be an honour to drive for them this year and also great to team up with Rob Bell. I got to know him a bit better at Daytona this year and I can already see that we will have a great working partnership.”

“The new Ferrari 458 will be a fantastic car to drive and I can’t wait until I get to drive it for the first time,” he continued. “This is going to be a very important year for me, as I know we will have the package at JMW Motorsport, along with Ferrari and Dunlop, to challenge for the Le Mans Series championship.”

The first race of the 2011 Le Mans Series takes place at Paul Ricard on 3 April. This is followed by races at Spa in May, Imola in July, a UK round at Silverstone in September and then the season finale at Estoril later that month.

[Rob]

AUDI TAKES TOP SPOT IN TUESDAY MORNING SEBRING TEST

Slower times across the board for all classes
2011-03-15


Audi opened the second day of testing at the top of the time sheets for the 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh From Florida, Audi Sport Team Joest's R15 prototype driven by Timo Bernard, Romain Dumas and Mike Rockenfeller posted a 1:48.450 (122.822 mph) lap, 0.533 seconds off Audi's quickest time from Monday's test for the opening round of the 2011 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón and Intercontinental Le Mans Cup.

Peugeot was also unable to improve on Monday's time and instead entered a 1:49.615 (121.516 mph) at the hands of Franck Montagny, Pedro Lamy and Stephane Sarrazin, 1.165 seconds behind the No. 1 Audi R15 Plus. The second Audi R15 of Allan McNish, Dindo Capello and Tom Kristensen completed the top three in LMP1 with a lap of 1:50.080 (121.003 mph).

The GT category remained incredibly tight with the top six cars separated by less than half a second. Corvette Racing's Corvette C6.R of Jan Magnussen, Oliver Gavin and Richard Westbrook led the way with a 2:02.043 (109.142 mph), followed by BMW Motorsport's Augusto Farfus, Dirk Werner and Bill Auberlen. Their BMW M3 turned a 2:02.065 (109.122 mph), but was quicker on Monday when the car topped the day with a 2:01.562 (109.574 mph). Jaime Melo, Mika Salo and Toni Vilander were third in the Risi Competizione Ferrari F458 GTC, turning a 2:02.151 (109.045 mph).

The Signatech Nissan-powered ORECA 03 continued to lead the LMP2 times as Franck Mailleux, Lucas Ordonez and Soheil Ayari entered a 1:55.627 (115.198 mph). It was followed by the Oak Racing Pescarolo-Judd of Andrea Barlesi, Patrice Lagargue and Frederic DaRocha, with a 1:59.883 (111.108 mph). Level 5's Scott Tucker, Christophe Bouchut and Joao Barbosa were third in their Lola-Honda coupe, turning a 2:01.510 (109.621 mph).

CORE autosport held down the top spots in LMPC as Jon Bennett, Frankie Montecalvo and Ryan Dalziel turned a 1:55.852 (114.974 mph), followed closely by the sister ORECA FLM09 of Gunnar Jeannette, Ricardo Gonzalez and Rudy Junco with a 1:56.364 (114.468 mph). Not far behind was PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports' entry of Ken Dobson, Ryan Lewis and Henri Richard, which turned in a 1:56.545 (114.291 mph).

Patrick Bornhauser, Julien Canal and Michele Rugolo were the GTE-AM leaders with a 2:04.631 (106.875 mph) in the Larbre Competition Chevrolet Corvette C6.R followed by Pierre Ehert, Shaun Lynn and Roger Willis at a 2:07.561(104.421 mph) in the CRS Racing Ferrari F430.

Bill Sweedler, Leh Keen and Brian Wong were the early GTC leaders on Tuesday after turning a 2:06.645 (105.176 mph) in their Porsche 911 GT3 Cup entry. GMG Racing's Bret Curtis, Jan Seyffarth and James Sofronas were second quickest with a 2:07.374 (104.574 mph). TRG's Porsche of Dion von Moltke, Peter Ludwig and Jim Norman completed the top three with a 2:07.698 (104.309 mph).

The second and final test session for America's great sports car race is set for 3:50 p.m. ET today. Live timing and scoring is available at www.americanlemans.com.

The 59th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida is set for 10:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 19. The race will be shown live and in its entirety on ESPN3.com and americanlemans.com starting at 10:15 a.m. ET. ABC will provide coverage from 12:30 to 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, March 20. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for information on tickets and area accommodations.

http://www.americanlemans.com/primar...cat=news|15577

[epiclyaddicted]

ALMS: 12 Hours of Sebring LIVE this weekend

You needn’t miss a moment of the 12 Hours of Sebring this weekend thanks to Motors TV’s LIVE coverage from Florida on Saturday.

After last season’s defeat to Audi, Peugeot has shipped a pair of its diesel-powered 908 HDIs to America for the opening round of the ALMS season. Aston Martin should offer stiff opposition in LMP1 alongside Lola squad Drayson Racing, with Highcroft’s Acura leading the LMP2 charge.

The GT2 category, meanwhile, should provide the closest contest of all thanks to entries from Corvette, BMW, Porsche, Ferrari, Ford and Jaguar.

Motors TV’s coverage kicks off at 2pm (GMT) on Saturday afternoon with the commentary of Radio Le Mans’ John Hindhaugh your constant companion for all 12 hours.

Catch all the action one Sky Channel 413, Virgin Media 545.

bring it on!!! be getting beers and snacks in this friday. Be able see 458GT in anger too

That's my weekend sorted then!

[Rob]

yep. Think this year is going to be a cracker. Last year was ok, but the Pugs weren't really challenged. But this year Audi is back. Maybe an evolution of the R15 PLUS, but if they got it sweet, then Nishy will be in full on attack mode, as usual

[Rob]

Saturday, March 19th marks the start of the new campaign for BMW Team Rahal Letterman Lanigan (RLL). BMW Team RLL will field two newly constructed BMW M3 GT cars in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) this season.

The 12 Hours of Sebring (US) at "Sebring International Raceway" traditionally provides the stage for the curtain-raiser to this popular endurance championship. The Bobby Rahal (US) led team is focused on continuing last season's success. In 2010, BMW Team RLL won both the Team and Manufacturer titles in the GT class with BMW M3 GT2 cars.

At the same time, Sebring will also see the first points awarded in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC), in which BMW Motorsport will once again be competing this year. BMW Team Schnitzer will be responsible for the fielding two BMW M3 GT cars at the European rounds of the ILMC, which include the legendary Le Mans 24 Hours (FR), as well as the season finale in China.

In Sebring, the no. 55 BMW M3 GT will be driven by Dirk Werner (DE), Bill Auberlen (US) and Augusto Farfus (BR). Dirk Müller (DE), Joey Hand (US) and Andy Priaulx (GB) will alternate behind the wheel of the no. 56 car. Last year, BMW Team RLL started the season in style, finishing second and third in Florida.

Dirk Werner: "I'm very happy to drive a full championship season with BMW Team RLL and Bill Auberlen. With the practice starting on Monday there will be enough time to get rid of the winter-rust during the week. The field in the GTE class is impressive and the race is very demanding. To win everything has to be 100%."

Bill Auberlen: "Last year at Sebring we were on the second and third step of the podium. This year the plan is to be on the first and second step. I'm looking forward to co-driving with Dirk Werner and Augusto Farfus as I know the BMW M3 GT will always be in perfect hands."

Augusto Farfus: "It's great to be back at the wheel of the BMW M3 GT. My season started well with victory in the Dubai 24 Hours. Now it's time to get the ball rolling in ALMS and ILMC. We have a great team, great drivers and a great car - so I hope we can score a strong result in Sebring. I'm looking forward to driving in America. Sebring has a long tradition and the fans are enthusiastic."

Dirk Müller: "I am extremely excited about the 2011 season. BMW did a superb job over the winter and gave as an updated BMW M3 GT to race. We are all looking forward to fight for a Sebring 12-Hour victory. Everyone on the team is working very hard to continue BMW's positive momentum in the US."

Joey Hand: "This is our third ALMS season together and I can feel the potential energy. Pre-season testing has shown we have longevity, strength, speed and reliability. We have worked hard and definitely raised the level of our game. I am excited to add Andy Priaulx onboard with Dirk Müller in my car for the 12 Hours."

[epiclyaddicted]

Hey Rob, I can't see anything for the Sebring 12hrs anywhere on the tv guide! You sure Motors TV are showing it?

[Rob]

Hey Rob, I can't see anything for the Sebring 12hrs anywhere on the tv guide! You sure Motors TV are showing it?

yeah same here, hasnt been on listings.b Check at time, as they sometimes do that. Im hoping it will be. They have always had it on live

[Tommy_F]

Live stream here:

http://www.americanlemans.com/primary1.php?cat=live

[Rob]

really gutted that race isnt live on motors!!! really gutted, first time in 5 years i think hasnt been shown!!

[Rob]

24 HOURS OF LE MANS

56 entries for Le Mans Test, Norma invited for race
APRIL 12, 2011 ⋅

The Automobile Club de l’Ouest today announced updated entry lists for the Le Mans Test Day and the Le Mans 24 Hours. Fifty-six cars are set to test on the Circuit de la Sarthe in a week and a half time, most of them also planning to take part in the 79th edition of the Le Mans 24 Hours on June 11-12.

April 6 was the date all teams had to pay the entry fee for the Le Mans 24 Hours and most teams did. The second Signatech Nissan Oreca 03 was withdrawn, which means the Extrême Limite AM Paris team has now been invited to take part in the Le Mans 24 Hours. As a result Kronos Racing has now moved up into first reserve for the LMP category. The Belgian squad will be taking part at the Le Mans Test Day with the Lola-Aston Martin that was run by Signature Plus last year. This year the car will be entered by Kronos Racing in cooperation with Marc VDS Racing Team, which results in Vanina Ickx being joined by Maxime Martin and Bas Leinders at the test.
Rangoni Motorsport and Pegasus Racing’s reserve entries have gone from the list.

Compared to the initial Le Mans Test Day entry list the number of GTE entries has increased with one other AF Corse Ferrari in the LM GTE Am category. For the Le Mans 24 Hours the number of reserves for the GTE category has been reduced from five to just two cars, the second Robertson Racing Ford GT and the Young Driver AMR Aston Martin Vantage. ProSpeed Competition’s second car, Tolimit Arabia and BMS Scuderia Italia have been withdrawn from the list.

The Le Mans Test Day should see the brand new Lotus Evora GT2 and Oreca Swiss HyTech Hybrid cars testing with other Intercontinental Le Mans Cup entrants. The Hope Racing hybrid will most likely be joined by MIK Corse’s Zytek 09H Hybrid, although Planetlemans was informed at the 6 Hours of Le Castellet that the car was still under construction. The third hybrid, the Peugeot 908, will not be ready in time.

Spectators that want to watch the cars at the Test Day will be able to visit the track on April 24. For those that already have a General Admission ticket for the race this ticket can be used to gain access to the circuit. For those that do not have a ticket yet tickets are for sale at the circuit on the day. Those tickets will give a 10 euro discount on race week general admission tickets.

[Rob]

ILMC

60 cars on provisional Spa 1000 KM entry list
APRIL 14, 2011

After the opening rounds at Sebring and Le Castellet a stunning 60 cars are on the provisional entry list for the 1000 KM of Spa-Francorchamps. 18 LMP1, 12 LMP2, 14 LM GTE Pro, 11 LM GTE Am and 5 FLM cars are set to race in round two of the Le Mans Series and the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup on Saturday May 7th.

With the 1000 KM of Spa-Francorchamps being the final test before the 24 Hours of Le Mans both Audi and Peugeot will bring three works cars. The six works entries will be joined by two Aston Martin AMR-One’s, the Sebring winning Oreca Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, two Rebellion Racing Lola’s and two OAK Racing Pescarolo’s as well as the Pescarolo Team Pescarolo Judd, the Quifel-ASM Team Zytek, the Hope Racing Oreca SwissHyTech Hybrid, the MIK Corse Zytek 09 Hybrid and the Guess Racing Europe Lola B09/80 Coupé.

Not (currently) on the list are the Kronos Racing Lola-Aston Martin and the Highcroft Racing HPD ARX-01e.

LM P1

007 – ILMC – Aston Martin Racing – Aston Martin AMR-One – Stefan Mücke-Darren Turner-Christian Klien
009 – LMS – Aston Martin Racing – Aston Martin AMR-One – Andy Meyrick-Harold Primat-Adrian Fernandez
1 – ILMC – Audi Sport Team Joest – Audi R18 TDI – Timo Bernhard-Romain Dumas-Mike Rockenfeller
2 – ILMC – Audi Sport Team Joest – Audi R18 TDI – Dindo Capello-Tom Kristensen-Allan McNish
3 – LMS – Audi Sport North America – Audi R18 TDI – Marcel Fässler-Andre Lotterer-Benoit Tréluyer
5 – ILMC – Hope Racing – Oreca-SwissHyTech Hybrid – Steve Zacchia-Nicolas Marroc-TBA
7 – ILMC – Peugeot Sport Total – Peugeot 908 – Alexander Wurz-Marc Gené-Anthony Davidson
8 – ILMC – Peugeot Sport Total – Peugeot 908 – Franck Montagny-Stéphane Sarrazin-Nicolas Minassian
9 – LMS – Peugeot Sport Total – Peugeot 908 – Sébastien Bourdais-Simon Pagenaud-Pedro Lamy
10 – ILMC – Team Oreca Matmut – Peugeot 908 HDi FAP – Nicolas Lapierre-Loïc Duval-TBA
12 – ILMC/LMS – Rebellion Racing – Lola B10/60 Coupé-Toyota – Nicolas Prost-Neel Jani
13 – LMS – Rebellion Racing – Lola B10/60 Coupé-Toyota – Andrea Belicchi-Jean Christophe Boullion
15 – ILMC – OAK Racing – OAK Pescarolo Judd – Matthieu Lahaye-Guillaume Moreau-Pierre Ragues
16 – LMS – Pescarolo Team – Pescarolo Judd – Emmanuel Collard-Christophe Tinseau-Julien Jousse
18 – LMS – Guess Racing Europ – Lola B09/80 Coupé Judd – Philippe Hazebrouck-Wolfgang Kaufmann-TBA
20 – LMS – Quifel-ASM Team – Zytek 09SC – Miguel Amaral-Olivier Pla
23 – LMS – MIK Corse – Zytek 09 Hybrid – Maximo Cortes-Ferdinando Geri-Giacomo Piccini
24 – ILMC – OAK Racing – OAK Pescarolo Judd – Jacques Nicolet-Richard Hein

In LMP2 there will be eleven entries, three from the ILMC and eight from LMS. Signatech Nissan, Level 5 Motorsports and OAK Racing will run in ILMC, while RML, Pecom Racing, Race Performance, Greaves Motorsport, Strakka Racing, RLR msport, Extreme Limite AM Paris, Boutsen Energy Racing and TDS Racing will race for the Le Mans Series points.

26 – ILMC – Signatech Nissan – Oreca 03 Nissan – Franck Mailleux-Lucas Ordonez-Soheil Ayari
33 – ILMC – Level 5 Motorsports – Lola Coupé HPD – Scott Tucker-Christophe Bouchut-Joao Barbosa
35 – ILMC – OAK Racing – OAK Pescarolo Judd – Andrea Barlesi-Frederic Da Rocha-Patrice Lafargue
36 – LMS – RML – HPD ARX-01d – Mike Newton-Tommy Erdos-Ben Collins
39 – LMS – Pecom Racing – Lola B11/40 Judd – Luis Perez Companc-Matias Russo-Pierre Kaffer
40 – LMS – Race Performance – Oreca 03 Judd – Michel Frey-Ralph Meichtry-Thor-Christian Ebbesvik
41 – LMS – Greaves Motorsport – Zytek Z11SN Nissan – Karim Ojjeh-Gary Chalandon-Tom Kimber-Smith
42 – LMS – Strakka Racing – HPD ARX-01d – Nick Leventis-Danny Watts-Jonny Kane
43 – LMS – RLR msport – MG Lola EX265 Judd – Barry Gates-Rob Garofall-Simon Philipps
44 – LMS – Extreme Limite AM Paris – Norma M200P Judd – Fabien Rosier-Jean-Marc Luco-Maurice Basso
45 – LMS – Boutsen Energy Racing – Oreca 03 Nissan – Dominik Kraihamer-Nicolas de Crem
46 – LMS – TDS Racing – Oreca 03 Nissan – Mathias Beche-Pierre Thiriet-Jody Firth

In LM GTE Pro a nice mixed field of 14 GTE cars. Six Ferrari F458 Italia are on the list. Two of them entered by AF Corse, one each for JMW Motorsport and Hankook Team Farnbacher, while Luxury Racing will enter two cars for the first time. BMW Motorsport will race its two BMW M3, with Lotus Jetalliance set to give its two Lotus Evora GT2 their race debut. ProSpeed Competition, IMSA Performance Matmut and Team Felbermayr-Proton will all run a Porsche 997 GT3 RSR and Jota will bring the sole Aston Martin Vantage.

LM GTE Pro

51 – ILMC/LMS – AF Corse – Ferrari F458 Italia – Giancarlo Fisichella-Gianmaria Bruni
55 – ILMC – BMW Motorsport – BMW M3 – Augusto Farfus-Jörg Müller
56 – ILMC – BMW Motorsport – BMW M3 – Andy Priaulx-Uwe Alzen
58 – ILMC – Luxury Racing – Ferrari F458 Italia – François Jakubowski-Anthony Beltoise-TBA
59 – ILMC – Luxury Racing – Ferrari F458 Italia – Stéphane Ortelli-Frédéric Makowiecki-Jean-Denis Deletraz
64 – ILMC – Lotus Jetalliance – Lotus Evora – Oskar Slingerland-Martin Rich-TBA
65 – ILMC – Lotus Jetalliance – Lotus Evora – Jonathan Hirschi-James Rossiter-Johnny Mowlem
66 – LMS – JMW Motorsport – Ferrari F458 Italia – Rob Bell-James Walker
71 – LMS – AF Corse – Ferrari F458 Italia – Jaime Melo-Toni Vilander
75 – LMS – ProSpeed Competition – Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – Marc Goossens-Marco Holzer
76 – LMS – IMSA Performance Matmut – Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – Patrick Pilet-Wolf Henzler
77 – LMS – Team Felbermayr-Proton – Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – Marc Lieb-Richard Lietz
79 – LMS – Jota – Aston Martin Vantage – Sam Hancock-Simon Dolan
89 – LMS – Hankook Team Farnbacher – Ferrari F458 Italia – Dominik Farnbacher-Allan Simonsen

A further eleven cars will take part in the LM GTE Am category. Larbre Competition will bring its Corvette, while Krohn Racing (Ferrari), Gulf AMR Middle East (Aston Martin), AF Corse (Ferrari), CRS Racing (Ferrari) and Proton Competition (Porsche) complete the ILMC field. IMSA Performance Matmut, Kessel Racing, AF Corse, CRS Racing and Team Felbermayr-Proton complete the field with their Le Mans Series entries.

LM GTE Am

50 – ILMC – Larbre Competition – Corvette C6-ZR1 – Patrick Bornhauser-Julien Canal-Gabriel Gardel
57 – ILMC – Krohn Racing – Ferrari F430 – Tracy Krohn-Niclas Jönsson-Michele Rugolo
60 – ILMC – Gulf AMR Middle East – Aston Martin Vantage – Fabien Giroix-Roald Goethe-Michael Wainwright
61 – ILMC/LMS – AF Corse – Ferrari F430 – Piergiuseppe Perazzini-Marco Cioci-Stéphane Lémeret
62 – ILMC – CRS Racing – Ferrari F430 – Pierre Ehret – Shaun Lynn-Roger Wills
63 – ILMC – Proton Competition – Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – Christian Ried-TBA
67 – LMS – IMSA Performance Matmut – Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – Raymond Narac-Nicolas Armindo
70 – LMS – Kessel Racing – Ferrari F430 – Michael Broniszweski-Philipp Peter
72 – LMS – AF Corse – Ferrari F430 – Robert Kauffman-Rui Aguas-TBA
82 – LMS – CRS Racing – Ferrar F430 – Klaas Hummel-Adam Christodoulou-Phil Quaife
88 – LMS – Team Felbermayr-Proton – Porsche 997 GT3 RSR – Horst Felbermayr Sr-Horst Felbermayr Jr-Bryce Miller

In Formula Le Mans the five Le Mans Series teams will once again compete against each other. All five teams that raced at Le Castellet will return, with mostly unchanged line-ups (as of now).

FLM

91 – LMS – Hope Racing – FLM Oreca 09 – Luca Moro-Zhang Shan Qi-TBA
92 – LMS – Neil Garner Motorsport – FLM Oreca 09 – John Hartshorne-Steave Keating-Phil Keen
93 – Genoa Racing – FLM Oreca 09 – Jens Petersen-Elton Julian-Christian Zugel
95 – Pegasus Racing – FLM Oreca 09 – Mirco Schultis-Patrick Simon-TBA
99 – JMB Racing – FLM Oreca 09 – Manuel Rodrigues-Jean-Marc Menahem-TBA

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/04/...km-entry-list/

[Rob]

Audi relying on ultra lightweight technology for Le Mans
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ APRIL 21, 2011

Lightweight design expertise expressed visually: This is the principle under which Audi enters the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans this year. The three Audi R18 TDI cars, which join the grid for the French endurance classic on June 11/12 and which make their first public appearance over the Easter weekend at the Le Mans test day, perfectly embodies – also visually – Audi’s core expertise in lightweight technology.

The livery of the three Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 TDI cars is dominated by puristic carbon fiber. The car of last year’s Le Mans winners carrying start number “1″ even runs in the characteristic black of the extremely light and, at the same time, high-strength material, which also plays an increasingly important role in the development of new production cars.

“Carbon fiber is ideally suited for lightweight design and construction,” explains Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. “We have deliberately made this material and the ultra lightweight technology visual for Le Mans. Lightweight design has occupied us for many years in motorsport. Everything that we have learnt over the years and especially about lightweight design and construction during development of the R18 TDI will also be available for our customers in the future – either in the form of greater performance or in the shape of low fuel consumption and lower emissions.

The R18 TDI is a particularly authentic ambassador for the company’s lightweight technology which will be bundled by the term ‘ultra’ in the future. “Lightweight design is a very important factor at Le Mans because a light car is also always a more efficient car,” says Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich. This year, it is of even greater significance since the regulations stipulate smaller engines producing less power – for the Audi R18 TDI this means over 540 hp (397 kW).

Although there is a minimum weight of 900 kilograms for LMP1 cars at Le Mans, the target is to produce a car weighing significantly less than this limit in order to optimize the weight distribution with the help of ballast and to lower the center of gravity as much as possible.

“With the R18 TDI every component was optimized logically with regard to weight,” stresses Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at Audi Sport. “The same applied to the chassis and the bodywork, the gearbox and the engine. We scoured the car for every superfluous gram.”

The carbon monocoque produced in a single-piece, for which a highly complex manufacturing process was developed and which is an impressive proof of the company’s lightweight design expertise, is not only revolutionary for a Le Mans sports car. The same applies for the bodywork which was lightened by 40 kilograms between the first and second version. “Such a consequent lightweight design is a high technical challenge,” says Christopher Reinke, Technical Project Leader at Audi Sport.

The V6 TDI engine in the R18 TDI is about 25 percent lighter than the V10 TDI engine in its predecessor. “On one hand through downsizing, but also to a certain extent because we explored completely new directions and chose an unusual engine concept,” explains Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Development at Audi Sport.


The new six-speed gearbox, which has a high amount of carbon-fiber composite material, and the complete LED headlights also help to save weight. It was also possible to omit the electric cooling of the light-emitting diodes in the headlights commonly found in production cars. Because the gearshift is no longer activated pneumatically but rather electrically, the R18 TDI requires no more pneumatic system. Optimized airflow through the cockpit should make air-conditioning redundant.

“The Audi R18 TDI is equipped with many innovative solutions,” says Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich proudly. “It was built for regulations specifically targeting future technologies – and with the background enabling these technologies to be introduced into road going cars in the future. This is what makes sport prototypes so interesting for Audi. That we will now see the first impact of Audi ultra lightweight technology at Le Mans demonstrates just how motorsport and production line development go hand in hand at Audi. I’m convinced that ultra will be mentioned in one breath with terms like quattro or TDI in a few years.”

http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/04/...y-for-le-mans/

[Rob]

that R18 looks awesome!!! Only couple weeks before it races for the first time. Spa 100KM 7th May.

[Rob]

24 HOURS OF LE MANS

The test day – how it works!

The great strength of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2011 begins coming Sunday. 54 cars will participate in this unique testing day, scheduled a month and a half before the 11th and 12th June. Here’s everything you need to know about this Test Day.

What is the aim of the test day?
The aim of this test day is to enable entrants to come and test their cars on the big Le Mans 24-Hours circuit. As many of them that will race on 11-12 June are new following the introduction of the new technical regulations, it was necessary to organize this very special day again, sufficiently early before the race so that the teams can modify their cars afterwards if necessary.

Why so early before the 24 Hours?
The Le Mans test day was not held in 2009 and 2010 for economic reasons. This year it will take place on 24th April. From 2005 to 2008, it was organized shortly before the race week. Not since 2004 has it been held in April. When it was at the end of May, it gave the teams the opportunity to fine-tune the setups shortly before the race itself. Organized in April, it will be very useful for validating the final technical choices.

Who takes part?
The test day is not obligatory except for drivers, teams and cars that have never raced in the Le Mans 24 Hours in the past, or in the case of drivers, those who haven’t taken part in the event for three years. This test session is also open to cars other than those selected for the Le Mans 24 Hours provided they comply with the regulations governing the event, as well as the Formula Le Mans cars, a monotype formula aimed at promoting endurance. Fifty-five cars will take part in the test day including 24 of the 26 entries in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup. Some of the American entries will not be present on 24th April, as they took part in a round of the American Le Mans Series at Long Beach in California a week before the test day. Please note that the driver line-ups for the test day do not have to be the ones for the Le Mans 24 Hours. Teams must send in the names of the drivers selected to the ACO by 12th May 2011 at the latest.

Which circuit?
The session will be held on the 13,629-km layout. The roads open to normal traffic will be closed at 03 h 30 on Sunday 24th April, and opened immediately after the end of the session. This circuit is not only unique in the world, but it is also difficult for teams to simulate its very special characteristics on other tracks or on computers. Hence, the importance of getting to grips with it before June’s race.

When?
Scrutineering and admin checks will take place on Friday 22nd (09h30-18h00) and Saturday 23rd April (09h00-13h45) inside the Le Mans circuit. On Sunday 24th April, the free session will be split up into two parts: 09h00-13h00 and 14h00-18h00.

Who will be the stars?
As the new regulations have spawned a number of new machines, the manufacturers will run cars at Le Mans, which, if they have been tested elsewhere, have never crossed swords on the track. These include the Audi R18, the Peugeot 908 and the Aston Martin AMR-ONE in the prototype category, as well as the eagerly-awaited Lotus Evora GTE in LM GTE Pro. Peugeot has finally decided against running its 908 Hybrid4, but there will be two hybrid prototypes tackling the Le Mans track on 24th April: the Oreca Swiss HY Tech-Hybrid entered for the 24 Hours, as well as in the ILMC, and the Zytech 09H Hybrid of the Italian team, Mik Corse.

How to see it?
The test day is open to the public.
Price: 10 euros for the test day, free for youth born after April 24th 1995.

Promotion:
Spectators who have a general enclosure ticket for the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours, have free access to the circuit on the test day.

Spectators purchasing a 10-euro ticket for the test day (at the circuit only) can buy a general enclosure ticket between 25-29 April on www.lemans.org for the 2011 Le Mans week for the price of 57 euros instead of 67 euros.

Please note that access to the circuit is possible from Friday April 22. The ticket purchased on Friday and Saturday is valid on Sunday.

[Rob]

REBELLION Racing will introduce this weekend, during Le Mans Test Day on Sunday 24th of April, an new upgraded aerodynamic package on both of the team’s Lola-Toyota cars.
The front of the car is based on a brand new concept, with new front lights and bodywork changes that will allow the team’s Lola-Toyota cars to use the larger front tyres available from Michelin. The rear of the team’s Lola-Toyota cars will adopt 'swan neck’ rear wing supports as the main visible change.

Both the #12 and #13 cars will run next Sunday at Le Mans 24 Hours circuit with the new aero kit.

Lola cars has designed and produced this new aero kit for REBELLION Racing. The work started at the end of last year based on REBELLION Racing’s requirements and desire to improve the overall package of their cars.

Bart Hayden, REBELLION Racing Team Manager : « Next Sunday’s Le Mans Test Day is a rare occasion to test the cars on the Le Mans 24 Hours track, so it is very important for us to have both cars fitted with the new aero kit, as scheduled. We have a detailed programme of work for each of the two cars to gain as much information as possible on the new aerodynamics and compare the on-track performance to the simulations. The drivers will also have a lot of work to get through with the addition of the wider front tyres from Michelin.
Once again, the guys at the workshop are the unsung heros of the moment, they have again put so much into getting both cars ready for next weekend. I would like also to thank our partners at Lola Cars who have produced all the parts, suspension and bodywork to schedule. »

Compared 2011 & 2010 aero kits :

[Rob]

Audi fastest in morning test session

Sunday, April 24th 2011, 12:33 GMT

The new Audi R18 TDI topped the times in the first session of the Le Mans Test Day.

Romain Dumas ended the first four-hour period on a 3m27.900s lap, which was just over half a second quicker than team-mate Benoit Treluyer. The three Audis blocked out the top three positions, with the first Peugeot 908 HDi on a 3m30.516s in the hands of Anthony Davidson.

The best petrol-powered LMP1 was the Pescarolo Team entry. Christophe Tinseau's time of 3m37.640s put him just over a second ahead of Neel Jani in the best of the Rebellion Racing Lola-Toyota coupes.

The two new Aston Martin AMR-Ones both ran into problems. Darren Turner set the best time for the British manufacturer on a 3m51.568s.

The British Greaves team's Zytek was fastest in LMP2 with Tom Kimber-Smith driving. Allan Simonsen was quickest in GTE aboard the Farnbacher Ferrari 458 Italia.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90932

[Rob]

Peugeot expects ultra-close Le Mans

By Matt Beer Monday, April 25th 2011, 11:14 GMT

Peugeot motorsport boss Olivier Quesnel believes the Le Mans test day proved there will be very little to choose between his squad and arch-rival Audi in this year's race.

Although Audi's new R18 TDI set the top two times yesterday, lead Peugeot runner Stephane Sarrazin was only just over 0.2 seconds off Tom Kristensen's 3m27.687s benchmark in third place.

"We showed both endurance and performance today," said Quesnel. "We have all the data required to make sure we come back to Le Mans with optimised race cars. Spa-Francorchamps will give us another opportunity to prepare for Le Mans.

"We have seen today that this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans really is going to be very hotly contested."

Technical director Bruno Famin said that the day's only problem had been a precautionary engine change on the #9 car.

"We pretty much completed our full work programme," he said. "The #7 car completed the endurance programme started at Aragon. We have significantly exceeded the race distance for the 24 Hours of Le Mans with this car.

"We have worked well on the set-up for the two other cars, in spite of an engine alert on the #9. Until we know more, we preferred to change it.

"Overall, it was a highly productive day of work, the three cars are intact and the drivers stuck perfectly to the scheduled programme."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90939

[Rob]

Audi R18 TDI quickest in Le Mans Test Day
APRIL 24, 2011

Audi Sport North America’s Rinaldo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish were the quickest trio in the Le Mans Test Day today. The number 3 Audi R18 TDI’s fastest lap time was just enough to keep the two Audi Sport Team Joest Audi’s and Peugeot Sport Total Peugeot 908 behind.

The afternoon session at Le Mans saw more Audi domination – although Stéphane Sarrazin managed to come very close at the very end of the day.

Aston Martin Racing’s only remaining car, the #007, was withdrawn early in the session after suffering..an engine problem. Nothing like that for their German rivals in LMP1 though.

After staying in for a while and allowing the Peugeots to lap the Circuit de la Sarthe. Soon after Peugeot had set two fastest times the #1 Audi was sent out and it was Mike Rockenfeller who improved Dumas’ time from the morning session and went quickest.
After one hour Audi was back in first and second with Oreca following in third.

With some cars on fast laps and others just going out to test new set-ups the Safety Car came out for a simulation. Several teams were unhappy with the decision and questions were asked by teams and drivers.

After the Safety Car had returned to the pit the Audi’s and Peugeots started improving again, only to be stopped when the red flag came out – when Dominik Kraihamer spun and hit the wall at Arnage. The session was restarted not much later.

After the restart and with just an hour and a half left the question was not if the 3:27.815 of Mike Rockenfeller would be improved, but when it would be. Tom Kristensen answered that question by posting a 3:27.687 in the #3 Audi R18 TDI.

In the remaining time the Peugeots and Audi’s kept setting fast sector times before returning to the pit. Lotterer made it an Audi 1-2-3 again with some 20 minutes left – but that was before Sarrazin found a clear track. Three fast sector times later – including the fastest overall in sector 1 – the Peugeot driver ended the day just 0.189 seconds behind Tom Kristensen. Unfortunately for him that 0.189 seconds still meant he was in third place, Lotterer just 0.002 seconds behind.

Pescarolo Sport finished the day as the best petrol-powered car in eighth overall. REBELLION Racing had a horrible second session. Andrea Belicchi suffered a right rear failure coming onto the straight – fortunately the Lola was kept out of the wall. After a quick repair it returned, but later on in the session the left front suspension seemed to fail, with Guy Smith coming to a halt in the gravel trap at the Playstation Chicane. Lots of things to investigate for the Swiss/British team.

Kronos Racing suffered yet another fuel cell problem and was forced to withdraw its Lola-Aston Martin earlier than expected. Not really the best preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans – should there be another drop-out.

In LMP2 the Signatech Nissan Oreca of Franck Mailleux was the fastest of the afternoon, just 0.063 seconds ahead of the Team Oreca Matmut Oreca 03 Nissan and 2.5 seconds ahead of the Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan.

Hankook-Team Farnbacher’s Allan Simonsen was the only GTE driver to go into the 3:59s, the Dane setting a 3:59.966 – before leaving the track and flying to the UK for the British GT on Monday. AF Corse’s Ferrari 458 Italia #51 was second quickest and BMW Motorsport was third, one second behind the Ferrari.

Larbre Competition took first and second in LM GTE Am. The Corvette was fastest in 4:40.222, with the proper Am car of Bourret,Gibon and Belloc at 1.063 seconds. JMB Racing’s Ferrari – the AF Corse chassis that set the 2011 Sebring 12 Hours GTE pole – was third quickest.

[Rob]

think we are going to be in for an almighty race this year Cannt wait for it.

[Rob]

Audi drivers thrilled with new car

By Matt Beer Monday, April 25th 2011, 11:22 GMT

Audi's drivers hailed the performance and driving ease of the new R18 TDI at Le Mans after it emerged quickest from yesterday's pre-race test day.

Tom Kristensen and Mike Rockenfeller gave Audi a one-two in the test, although Stephane Sarrazin was within 0.2 seconds in the best of the Peugeots.

Although Audi has completed extensive testing elsewhere with its new closed-top car, this was its first run at the home of the race it has been primarily designed for.

"The efficiency and the work of Audi have really impressed me," said Kristensen. "You can really feel the aerodynamics and the car is very comfortable. Already now we have gathered valuable information."

Andre Lotterer said the car's driver-friendly nature was proving to be one of its biggest assets.

"Since December, we've tested a lot with the R18 TDI. Now it had to show its mettle for the first time in the Le Mans pre-test," he said. "We were all eagerly anticipating this day.

"For me, the car is very pleasant to drive. It is comfortable which is a big advantage at Le Mans. You can easily adapt and drive very soon very fast without having to care."

Benoit Treluyer added: "The car felt very pleasant: It's easy to drive and you quickly gain confidence. Hence you're quick out of the box even when conditions are tricky. Especially in fast corners, this is important. Bearing in mind those were our first kilometres with the R18 TDI at Le Mans, it is a very good basis."

Allan McNish was also extremely satisfied, but warned that the testing picture could have been deceptive.

"It was very important here for us with the new R18 TDI to try to understand how the car would react on this type of track," he said. "We have found a good base set-up. Admittedly the circuit will change between now and June. But we have found a good base and a good confidence level.

"The chassis has been pretty consistent, the tyres have been very good. We are on target but until we get to the race in June we are not going to see what everybody has got."

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/90940

[Nova]

Look at that Audi..its no wonder its fastest..it looks ahead of the game...its amazing..

GO 458's!!