LMS/ILMC 2011

[Rob]

Both Extreme Speed Motorsports entries suffered from Mosport misfortune July 24 in the Mobil 1 presents the Grand Prix of Mosport, with Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek leading the team with a ninth-place finish in the GT class.

Ed Brown and Guy Cosmo teamed up to finish 13 in GT in the second ESM car at Mosport International Raceway.

Bad luck struck van Overbeek first in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón event. He started a season-best fourth in the No. 01 Tequila Patrón Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari F458 Italia but was hit by the LMP1 Lola of Tony Burgess just 35 minutes into the two-hour, 45-minute race. Van Overbeek's Ferrari restarted after being stuck in the gravel trap.

Sharp took over for van Overbeek, and his climb up the order was blunted when the car was called into the pits with less than 45 minutes remaining to serve a stop-and-go penalty for a refueling violation.

The No. 01 car finished four laps behind the GT-winning Chevrolet Corvette of Oliver Gavin and Jan Magnussen.

Trouble arrived later for Brown and Cosmo, who started 12 in the No. 02 Tequila Patrón Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari F458 Italia. Brown and Porsche GT rival Jorg Bergmeister collided one hour, seven minutes into the race. Cosmo took over the wheel shortly thereafter, but he suffered a cut tire that required an unscheduled pit stop with about one hour remaining.

The No. 02 continued and finished nine laps behind the GT-winning car of Gavin and Magnussen.

The next ALMS presented by Tequila Patrón race is the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Challenge on Aug. 5-6 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.

[Rob]

BOWMANVILLE, CANADA (July 24, 2011) - Muscle Milk Aston Martin Racing collected its second victory in the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón on Sunday at Mosport International Raceway with drivers Lucas Luhr and Klaus Graf. Behind them, an intense series of events ended BMW Team RLL's GT win streak, as Jan Magnussen and Oliver Gavin scored Corvette Racing's first win since the 2010 season finale.

Throw in a last-lap win for TRG's Spencer Pumpelly and Duncan Ende in GT Challenge, and you had a manic day at Mosport.

Starting the E85-powered Muscle Milk Lola-Aston Martin coupe from the pole, Luhr appeared uncatchable early in the race, stretching out a sizeable lead on Chris Dyson in Dyson Racing's Lola-Mazda. However, a miscue during the race's first and only full-course caution caused Luhr to miss his first opportunity to take pit lane, putting Dyson into the LMP1 lead.

"After that we said, 'OK, we have the speed; just do your job,' and that's what we did," Luhr said. "If you have a 50-second lead and you're only 25 seconds down, it's a big deal. Things go wrong so easily. You have to make it up at the right spot. It takes a lot to get back to the front."

Luhr quickly tracked down the Mazda and retook the lead with a Turn 1 pass following the 1:20 mark. It was clear sailing for Luhr and Graf from there, as the duo scored its second straight Mosport victory by 28.420 seconds over Dyson and Smith. The sister Lola-Mazda of Humaid Al Masaood and Steven Kane was third.

"We certainly found a good setup and have good memories from last year," said Graf, who drove a Porsche RS Spyder in 2010 with Romain Dumas. "We did some testing with the Aston Martin this year to find good aero balance and get the car to where it is now. It showed today. We certainly didn't make it easy. Lucas did a good job at the beginning and then he pushed once we lost the lead. At the end of the day it comes down to experience from both drivers and our team. We've both won here and we like the track. The team performed excellent. It was a bit of a roller coaster this weekend, even during the race. It's nice to finish with a win."

Muscle Milk scored its third straight MICHELIN® GREEN® X Challenge (MGXC) win by having the lowest total of the Clean, Fast, and Efficient scores in the Prototype category. The key to victory was Muscle Milk's conversion to E85 fuel for this race and its 18 percent better energy efficiency. Part of this energy efficiency advantage is that the Aston Martin weighs 50 kg more than the Dyson Lola Mazd, but had greater race speed.

[Rob]

will post up some pictures when get home from work later.

[epiclyaddicted]

Don't think it's part of this series, but isn't the 24 hours of Spa this weekend?

Anyone know if it's on telly?

[Rob]

Don't think it's part of this series, but isn't the 24 hours of Spa this weekend?

Anyone know if it's on telly?

yeah it is this weekend. And Motors are showing from 14.30, dont think it non stop coverage.

[epiclyaddicted]

yeah it is this weekend. And Motors are showing from 14.30, dont think it non stop coverage.

Ok cool. I love Spa so hope I get to watch some of it, although I have quite a packed weekend ahead...

[scuderiafan]

lol McLarens toothbrush debut hasnt went down well.

[epiclyaddicted]

What was the final result of the Spa 24 hours?

[Rob]

Audi Sport Team WRT wins the Total 24 Hours of Spa

Audi Sport Team WRT has won the Total 24 Hours of Spa with their Audi R8 LMS and drivers Mattias Ekström, Greg Franchi and Timo Scheider. The team secured what can be described as a truly deserved Audi victory in the Belgian Ardennes.

Despite having a Marc VDS Racing Team BMW Z4 GT3 and a ProSpeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 R on the front row, a Ferrari 458 Italia leading after one hour and a Lamborghini Gallardo leaving after two hours the Audi’s rolled into the lead during the third hour. From that moment on until the finish on Sunday at 4 pm there was always an Audi R8 LMS in the lead. The #33 was one of the few cars not having any (major) problems and eventually finished the race two laps ahead of the Need for Speed Team Schubert BMW Z4 GT3 and ten laps ahead of the Black Falcon Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3.

[Rob]

Gulf Racing Purchases McLaren MP4-12C GT3
BY TEAM UPDATE ⋅ AUGUST 17, 2011

Gulf Racing is delighted to announce it has been selected by McLaren GT as one of the teams to champion its McLaren MP4-12C GT3 in its first full year of competition. The UAE-based team has secured two of the exciting new-generation GT3 cars to race in 2012.

The tight-knit, David Price-run unit – operated on behalf of team owners Frédéric Fatien, Roald Goethe, Jean-Pierre Valentini and Mike Wainwright – has been competing in the 2011 Intercontinental Le Mans Cup in the GTE-Am category. Using the official entry of ‘Gulf AMR Middle East’, it will continue to use its Aston Martin Vantage for the remainder of the season.

Team co-Owner Mike Wainwright explains the decision to campaign the McLaren marque for 2012. “One only has to look at the heritage of the McLaren MP4-12C to see what a superb racing car it promises to be. Our Team Manager, David Price, worked with McLaren in the era of the F1 GTR and knows first-hand what the company is capable of in terms of production, support and technology. We are convinced this is the right path for us to take to allow us to fully enjoy our racing – which, don’t forget, we do for leisure and pleasure and not as a profession. McLaren GT assures its teams of a race car that will be high quality, reliable and drivable and that sounded perfect for us.”

One of Mike Wainwright’s fellow team owners, Roald Goethe, believes the addition of the McLaren MP4-12C cars to its growing stable of GT machinery, beckons the dawning of a new age for Gulf Racing. “We haven’t yet finalised our plans for 2012 but, looking at what’s available in GT3 , such as the FIA GT3 Championship and the Blancpain Endurance Series, as well as stand-alone events such as the Dubai 24 Hours, there is plenty of choice for a team such as ours. There is no reason Gulf Racing wouldn’t run the McLarens in one series and, say, the Aston Martin Vantage we are using this year, in another. There is still much to be discussed and finalised.”

Gulf Racing’s next on-track appearance will be at the Silverstone 6 Hours in the UK on 11th September.

[Rob]

Battle lines drawn in GT at Road America – Risi start 3rd

Toni Vilander’s qualifying time of 2:05.687, set in Risi Competizione’s Ferrari 458 Italia in this afternoon’s 15-minute session, broke the existing GT qualifying lap record by six tenths of a second. However, the Finn had to settle for third place on the intensely competitive GT grid for tomorrow’s four-hour Time Warner Cable Road Race Showcase at Road America in Wisconsin.

Pole position, and a new qualifying lap record, was taken by Dirk Muller in the No. 56 BMW with a time of 2:05.447, just one hundredth of a second ahead of Jan Magnussen’s No. 4 Corvette.

The hard work put in over recent weeks by the Houston-based Risi team’s engineers, drivers and mechanics is showing itself in a positive light and the Ferrari’s performance and handling has improved exponentially since the start of its competitive life in March. Quickest in yesterday’s test session, the Risi Ferrari was comfortably in the top three in each of today’s two practices – all closely contested – despite suffering from a lack of track time this afternoon due to a holed radiator. Loose stones and gravel around the track, possibly as a result of the numerous red flag stoppages during practice for cars off track, was the cause of the radiator problem which was quickly and efficiently replaced by the team.

Team Principal Giuseppe Risi commented: “We are quite happy with that performance. We have made an improvement on the car and worked on some areas which have paid off today. We have split the BMWs and the Corvettes so I think we are in a very good position for a four-hour race as long as we have a good clean race.”

Toni Vilander, whose turn it was to qualify the No. 62 car was happy with his performance, despite being thwarted in his last-lap-bid for pole position by a slower car. Vilander completed six laps and set his fastest time on the fourth of them: “We had a small issue near the start of the previous practice session before qualifying, and maybe a mock qualifying would have helped us a little bit set up wise. I was hoping for the pole, but it didn’t come up; I definitely put the effort in so from that side I’m happy and we have a good race car for tomorrow. Risi has a good record in the longer endurance races but it’s going to be tough over a stint on tires.”

[Rob]

just checked Motors TV schedule and start showing the race live at 20.45 till 22.35 then go back to the race at 23.30

[Rob]

American Le Mans Series

Dunlop Tires Roll to 5 ALMS Championships at Laguna Seca

There may be one race left in the American Le Mans Series’ (ALMS) 2011 season, but Dunlop tires have already helped clinch five championship titles.

The achievement came after a strong performance by Dunlop-equipped cars during Saturday’s running at the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.

In the Le Mans Prototype (LMP1) class, the No. 16 Dyson Lola-Mazda of Guy Smith and Chris Dyson took second place, securing enough points to take home the driver and team championships. The win also gave Dunlop the lead needed to take home the LMP1 tire manufacturer championship.

“Dunlop tires have performed strong for us all year,” said Smith. “Some would say it was a gamble two years ago to go with them, but they have proven this year to be the tire of choice.”

In the competitive GT class, BMW Team RLL secured its second consecutive team championship on Dunlop tires, with a second place finish by Dirk Müller and Joey Hand in the No. 56 BMW M3 GT. The podium finish also earned Müller and Hand the GT driver championship.

“We knew it would take a strong commitment from everyone to win a second consecutive team championship in the ALMS GT class – and it was evident from the first test of the year that Dunlop was going to make every effort to help us accomplish that goal,” said Bobby Rahal, team principal for BMW Team RLL. “They worked every single day to give our BMW M3 GT the chance to win, and we are very proud to have Dunlop tires on our car and as part of our organization.”

Dunlop has been BMW Team RLL’s tire provider since the launch of the M3 GT program in 2009, and the racing tires have been credited for helping the team mature and develop into a consistent performer and winner.

“Winning any championship takes a team effort, so we’re very proud of the relationships Dunlop has built with BMW Team RLL and Dyson Racing this season,” said Jonathan Lee, Dunlop brand general manager. “These championships are a true testimony to the knowledge, craftsmanship and technology that goes into every Dunlop tire.

Because most ALMS races are lengthy in laps and overall racing time, the teams switch drivers throughout the competition during pit stops. The tires, especially, must be consistent for long runs, and this season Dunlop has provided traction for the series’ top teams in both the LMP1 and GT classes.

The final round of the American Le Mans series, Petit Le Mans, takes place at Road Atlanta on October 1. There, BMW Team RLL will have the opportunity to add the GT class tire manufacturer championship to Dunlop’s list of ALMS victories.


http://www.planetlemans.com/2011/09/...t-laguna-seca/

[Nova]

Thanks for the update Rob..mabey F1 should look at those Dunlaps.. Hopefully the 458 will be a bit more developed
for next season...

[Rob]

The Risi 458, was quick. But, early in season had few electrical problems. The BMW is ruddy fast, but when 458 having good race she is just as quick as the BMW. So next year be there.

[Rob]

Thanks for the update Rob..mabey F1 should look at those Dunlaps.. Hopefully the 458 will be a bit more developed
for next season...

F1, needs bring back refuelling and another tyre company.

[Nova]

Oh I agree, get back 2 testing, get rid of some of these silly rules...I love F1, but really, its not as exciting as it used to be.
Especially the silly tire stuff, have to use both compounds..silly. People say that since the Ferrari doesnt like the hard compound, its their problem, they have to fix it..Ferrari designed a pretty good car this year, why cant the teams simply choose to use what tires suit their car? If a car passes another car because of the tires, and not because of a superior design, its artificial. Just as some of the racing has been, I think since 09.

[Tifoso]

Oh I agree, get back 2 testing, get rid of some of these silly rules...I love F1, but really, its not as exciting as it used to be.
Especially the silly tire stuff, have to use both compounds..silly. People say that since the Ferrari doesnt like the hard compound, its their problem, they have to fix it..Ferrari designed a pretty good car this year, why cant the teams simply choose to use what tires suit their car? If a car passes another car because of the tires, and not because of a superior design, its artificial. Just as some of the racing has been, I think since 09.

Makes sense to me

[Rob]

Oh I agree, get back 2 testing, get rid of some of these silly rules...I love F1, but really, its not as exciting as it used to be.
Especially the silly tire stuff, have to use both compounds..silly. People say that since the Ferrari doesnt like the hard compound, its their problem, they have to fix it..Ferrari designed a pretty good car this year, why cant the teams simply choose to use what tires suit their car? If a car passes another car because of the tires, and not because of a superior design, its artificial. Just as some of the racing has been, I think since 09.

could not agree with you anymore mate. KERS DRS and Pirellis, have made overtaking really artifical. Real shame. Thats why im loving Sports cars right now, as lot of differing strategys, tyres and no push button to pass.

Next weekend is Petit Le-Mans, the ALMS season finale. Where has this year gone?

[Nova]

I may be able to watch that one..I really hate missing all of the FIA GT stuff, always loved that.

[Tifoso]

Can someone please post up a SPEED schedule?

Grazie!

[Rob]

Can someone please post up a SPEED schedule?

Grazie!

yeah i check it out and post Lou amico mio. So far, its been on ESPN3.com. But, as finale, they may have on Speed, i it look up

[Tifoso]

yeah i check it out and post Lou amico mio. So far, its been on ESPN3.com. But, as finale, they may have on Speed, i it look up

I get ESPN3!!!

Do they carry any of the non-mixed up ( spec-wise ) series that Ferrari competes in?

[Rob]

I get ESPN3!!!

Do they carry any of the non-mixed up ( spec-wise ) series that Ferrari competes in?

dont know. I look that up Lou.

[Tifoso]

Thanks mate. Man I sure hope so.If you give me the name of the series, I can look it up myself mate.

To be clear, I am looking for an "all one spec" racing series....with Ferrari racing against other manufacturers, but not LeMans type (with more than 1 car spec)....if that makes sense.

[Rob]

Found these amico mio...

Series Schedule

All races apply to the F430 and 458 Challenges unless otherwise noted. VIP registration closes the Thursday before the start of each event at 12:00pm EST. To check on the availability for late registration, please contact the Ferrari Concierge at 1-866-551-2828. Please click on the race name below to view details.

April 28 - May 1
Infineon Raceway

May 20 - 22
Raceway Laguna Raceway

June 10 - 12
Canadian Grand Prix

July 8 - 10
Indy Toronto

July 29 - 30
Lime Rock Park

September 23 - 25
Homestead Miami Speedway

TBD
International Ferrari Challenge Finals

Oh no, missed season. No date on finals, dont know if helps. Cannt find the TV listings for it.

[Tifoso]

Thanks!

Are there any series with several manufacturers (oncluding Ferrari)? It can be races over there, obviously...

[Rob]

Main 1 is in States ALMS, which will be ending in couple weeks. The LMS here is this weekend Estoril.

link to live timing...http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s54_...classement.php

go check on tv, see if it on. If not, i will hunt down the live stream for you.

[Rob]

Thanks!

Are there any series with several manufacturers (oncluding Ferrari)? It can be races over there, obviously...

didnt realise, it the Ferrari Challenge final this weekend. Forgot it the 23rd today d'oh!!!!

[Tifoso]

Main 1 is in States ALMS, which will be ending in couple weeks. The LMS here is this weekend Estoril.

link to live timing...http://www.lemans-series.com/en/s54_...classement.php

go check on tv, see if it on. If not, i will hunt down the live stream for you.

Thanks mate will do.