LM24 mid-race update: Risi #82 retires with gear selection issues
June 12, 2010
LM24 2010 has been tough on a couple of favorites, and the latest major player to fall out of the race is the #82 Risi Competitzione Ferrari. The Risi squad was aiming for their third GT2 win, and looked to again have the right car to do it. The retirement of the #82 car means that the incredible battle between it and the #64 Corvette is over. It was fun while it lasted.
Here’s the presser from Risi Comp:
The No. 82 Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GTC will have no opportunity in 2010 to challenge for a third consecutive GT2 victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans; the car has been retired in the 10th hour of the race due to gear selection problems.
The retirement is a bitter blow for the team after an intense and exciting battle with the two factory Corvettes in the first quarter of the race. Nose-to-tail racing between all three cars provided heightened interest in the GT2 category, with Pierre Kaffer and Jaime Melo both having hard, but fair, battles on track with Emmanuel Collard and Oliver Gavin.
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Le Mans news alert: Peugeot #3 retires, Bourdais out
June 12, 2010
You didn’t even have to see his face. With a shrug in his shoulders and helmet sagging into his chest, you knew the dejection Sebastian Bourdais was feeling as he found out that his mighty #3 Peugeot LMP1 machine had just dropped out due to a mechanical failure and resulting chassis damage.
Bourdais, who grew up near Le Mans, had put this car on pole, and seemed poised to lead his three-driver team that included Pedro LAMY and Simon PAGENAUD to another 24 Hour victory. It wasn’t to be.
This is sure to give the Audi LMP1 camp a morale boost, because they’ve not been able to keep up the pace. But can they win the endurance battle? There’s 21 more hours left before we find out.
Live Timing and Scoring: http://www.lemans.org/en/courses/24h-chrono-en-direct-2010.html
24 Hours of Le Mans Hour 1 Tweetcast
June 12, 2010
Hour 1 of the 2010 24 Hours of Le Mans has been pretty exciting and eventful despite the Peugeots early drubbing of the LMP1 class. The big story of the first hour was a fairly large shunt by Nigel Mansell in the Beechdean LMP1 Ginetta-Zytek that brought out the safety cars for a long full course yellow period. Mansell was transported to a hospital via ambulance, but SPEED TV reported that Mansell is ok.
The safety car “situation” created by the early crash really screwed the Audi P1 effort. Track officials don’t use one safety car, they use four, all seemingly spaced out evenly on the race track. The Audi’s get caught by a different safety car than the leading Peugeot cars, and were put 3 or 4 minutes down due to the ridiculous safety car rules.
The cast of characters on Twitter have been doing a heck of a job keeping the world updated on this years “#LM24″. Here’s some of the best for Hour One’s “Tweetcast”.
TWEETCAST - HOUR 1 - 2010 24 HOURS OF LEMANS
sniffpetrol: Cars on parade lap. For some reason the ACO is pumping out EuroToss music on the pit straight about 1 hour ago via Twitterrific
TheAardvrk: Here we go!! About to start the #24Hours of Le Mans. LIVE on #SPEED. The coolest race you’ll see all year! Good luck to the #ALMS teams!!
MidwkMotorsport: So bloody excited with #LM24 on the flat screen @radiolemans reverberating around the house! Just magic! Come on Nishy & @Audi!
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Risi holds on to GT2 pole for the 24 hours of Le Mans
June 11, 2010
UPDATE: Risi disqualified during technical inspection, Corvette assumes pole.
Risi Competizione ruled GT2 qualifying in Le Mans today, taking the class pole, and making ALMS fans here in North America proud. The Ferrari F430 piloted by Gianmaria Bruni put up the fast time on Thursday in the provisional qualifying session. Risi was followed by the ALMS GT2 Corvette driven by Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta and Emmanuel Collard.
The GT classes will again be the race to watch unless Peugeot has some mechanical issues. The Sebastian Bourdais piloted Peugeot is smoking the Audio R15’s by about two seconds per lap. It could turn into yet another massacre by the diesels.
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ALMS announces new class structure for 2010
August 19, 2009
AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES ANNOUNCES REVISED CLASS STRUCTURE
Elkhart Lake, WI (August 16, 2009) - In a progressive step designed to keep ahead of the rest of the industry, the American Le Mans Series today announced plans to overhaul its four-class structure beginning with the 2010 season. The four classes will be Le Mans Prototype (LMP), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT) and Grand Touring Challenge (GTC).
“In today’s changing environment, choosing the status quo over evolution is a potentially serious mistake,” proclaimed American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton. “Our sport has always been about evolution, and our plans for 2010 and beyond reflect it.
Peugeot sheds the monkey, Risi wins again for the little guy
June 15, 2009
The monkey is finally off the back of the Peugeot team. The tough-luck team finally was able to dethrone Audi for the first time since 1999 to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The #9 Peugeot driven by Marc Gene, Alexander Wurz, and David Brabham took the over all win. Peugeot also took second place with another 908 had a shot at the win but suffered mechanical issues. Audi managed to put one car on the podium, but their reign at Le Mans has come to an end.
The NY Times has a chronology of Peugeot’s return to glory:
NYT: 24 Hours of Racing
http://formulaone.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/14/24-hours-of-racing/?ref=global-home
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Risi Competizione - the little team that could
It’s easy to like the Risi team. This little team from Texas really has their act together, and they put together a fantastic race to win The Big One.
The Epoch Times tells of Risi’s Le Man’s glory, how the mighty Audis have fallen, and has the story on the P2 and GT1 winners.
Peugeot storms back to 24 Hours pole
June 12, 2009
Alan McNish and Audi had their provision pole snatched away by Stephane Sarrazin and the Peugeot team tonight in night qualifying for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The French super-team again showed that their machine is the quickest on the grid. They’ve got the speed thing figured out. The looming question is in regards to their ability to put together a 24 hour race.
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McNish fastest in Le Mans round 1 qualifier
June 11, 2009
Reigning 24 Hours champ Allan McNish put up the best time in the first round of qualifying for the 2009 24 Hours of Le Mans on Thursday. While McNish is happy about the result, he doesn’t think his numbers will hold up against the Peugeot later in night qualifying.
More at auotsport.com –> McNish expects his time to be beaten
QUALIFYING TIMES-OPENING ROUND
Pos # Class Time Drivers Car 1 1 LM P1 03:23.7 D.Capello, T.Kristensen, A.McNish Audi R15 TDI 2 8 LM P1 03:24.9 S.Bourdais, F.Montagny, S.Sarrazin Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 3 17 LM P1 03:25.1 J.C.Boullion, S.Pagenaud, B.Treluyer Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 4 2 LM P1 03:26.4 L.Luhr, M.Rockenfeller, M.Werner Audi R15 TDI 5 7 LM P1 03:27.0 C.Klien, P.Lamy, N.Minassian Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 6 9 LM P1 03:27.0 D.Brabham, M.Gene, A.Wurz Peugeot 908 HDi FAP 7 3 LM P1 03:27.1 T.Bernhard, R.Dumas, A.Premat Audi R15 TDI 8 8 LM P1 03:29.5 A.Davidson, D.Turner, J.Verstappen Lola B09/60-Aston Martin 9 23 LM P1 03:29.8 P.Hardman, N.Leventis, D.Watt Ginetta Zytek 09S 10 16 LM P1 03:30.5 C.Tinseau, J.Barbosa, B.Jouanny Pescarolo 01-Judd 11 13 LM P1 03:30.6 A.Belicchi, N.Jani, N.Prost Lola B08/60-Aston Martin 12 15 LM P1 03:31.2 C.Albers, C.Bakkerud, G.Mondini Audi R10 TDI 13 7 LM P1 03:32.5 J.Charouz, T.Enge, S.Mucke Lola B09/60-Aston Martin 14 10 LM P1 03:33.7 B.Senna, T.Ortelli, T.Monteiro ORECA 01-AIM 15 9 LM P1 03:34.2 S.Hall, P.Kox, H.Primat Lola B09/60-Aston Martin 16 14 LM P1 03:34.4 N.Karthikeyan, A.Lotterer, C.Zwolsman Audi R10 TDI 17 11 LM P1 03:34.7 O.Panis, N.Lapierre, S.Ayari ORECA 01-AIM 18 31 LM P2 03:38.1 C.Elgaard, K.Poulsen, E.Collard Porsche RS Spyder 19 4 LM P1 03:39.2 J.Campbell-Walter, V.Ickx, R.Ianetta Creation Judd 20 12 LM P1 03:39.3 P.Ragues, F.Mailleux, D.Andre Courage LC70-Judd 21 5 LM P2 03:40.4 S.Ara, K.Kunimoto, S.Maassen Porsche RS Spyder 22 6 LM P1 03:40.9 L.Tomlinson, R.Dean, N.Moore Ginetta Zytek 09S 23 33 LM P2 03:43.7 J.Kane, B.Leuenberger, X.Pompidou Lola B09/80-Judd 24 40 LM P2 03:44.3 M.Amaral, O.Pla, G.Smith Ginetta Zytek 09S 25 25 LM P2 03:44.4 T.Erdos, M.Newton, C.Dyson Lola B09/86-Mazda 26 35 LM P2 03:46.2 M.Lahaye, K.Ajlani, G.Moreau Pescarolo 01-Mazda 27 41 LM P2 03:46.4 K.Ojjeh, C.Y.Gosselin, P.Peter Zytek 07S 28 30 LM P2 03:46.5 T.Biagi, M.Bobbi, A.Piccini Lola B09/80-Judd 29 32 LM P2 03:53.0 J.Barazi, S.Moseley, P.Bennett Zytek 07S 30 39 LM P2 03:54.2 H.Noda, J.de Pourtales, M.Marsch Lola B07/46-Mazda 31 63 LM GT1 03:54.2 J.Magnussen, J.O'Connell, A.Garcia Corvette C6.R 32 64 LM GT1 03:54.7 O.Gavin, O.Beretta, M.Fassler Corvette C6.R 33 26 LM P2 03:55.3 P.Bruneau, T.Greaves, M.RostaN Radical-AER 34 66 LM GT1 03:56.1 L.Lichtner-Hoyer, A.Muller, T.Gruber Aston Martin DBR9 35 72 LM GT1 03:57.2 L.Alphand, P.Goueslard, S.Gregoire Corvette C6.R 36 24 LM P2 03:59.4 J.Nicolet, R.Hein, J.F.Yvon Pescarolo 01-Mazda 37 73 LM GT1 04:01.2 Y.Clairay, X.Maasen, J.Jousse Corvette C6.R 38 80 LM GT2 04:03.2 S.Neiman, D.Law, J.Bergmeister Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 39 77 LM GT2 04:03.2 M.Lieb, R.Lietz, W.Henzler Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 40 97 LM GT2 04:04.3 F.Babini, M.Malucelli, P.Ruberti Ferrari F430 GT 41 76 LM GT2 04:05.4 P.Long, P.Pilet, R.Narac Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 42 78 LM GT2 04:05.4 G.Bruni, L.Perez Companc, M.Russo Ferrari F430 GT 43 99 LM GT2 04:05.9 C.Bouchut, Y.Lebon, M.Rodrigues Ferrari F430 GT 44 89 LM GT2 04:06.6 A.Simonsen, D.Farnbacher, C.Montanari Ferrari F430 GT 45 82 LM GT2 04:07.0 J.Melo, M.Salo, P.Kaffer Ferrari F430 GT 46 92 LM GT2 04:08.4 R.Bell, A.Kirkaldy, T.Sugden Ferrari F430 GT 47 83 LM GT2 04:08.8 T.Krohn, N.Jonsson, E.van de Poele Ferrari F430 GT 48 70 LM GT2 04:10.0 Felbermayr Jr,Felbermayr Sr, Lecourt Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 49 87 LM GT2 04:10.0 J.Cocker, P.Drayson, M.Franchitti Aston Martin Vantage 50 85 LM GT2 04:10.5 T.Coronel, J.Janis, J.Bleekemolen Spyker C8 Laviolette 51 84 LM GT2 04:11.2 P.Ehret, L.Mansell, R.Rusinov Ferrari F430 GT 52 75 LM GT2 04:11.7 D.O'Young, P.Hesnault, P.Kralev Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 53 81 LM GT2 04:13.9 P.Dempsey, J.Foster, D.Kitch Jr Ferrari F430 GT 54 96 LM GT2 04:14.1 M.McInerney, S.McInerney, M.Vergers Ferrari F430 GT 55 68 LM GT1 04:22.2 M.Apicella, A.Yogo, Y.Yamagishi Lamborghini Murcielago
VIR Bosch Engineering 250 Draws Record Crowd
April 28, 2009
For Immediate Release
Rolex Series Attracts VIR Record Crowd for Saturday’s Bosch Engineering 250
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (April 28, 2009) - Saturday’s Bosch Engineering 250, Round 2 of the 2009 Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series presented by Crown Royal Cask No. 16, drew a record race weekend crowd at Virginia International Raceway.
“The Bosch Engineering 250 Weekend set a new record for attendance for automobile racing at VIR since it reopened in 2000,” said Josh Lief, General Manager at Virginia International Raceway. “Advance tickets sales were up 40 percent over 2008. Preliminary reporting shows that overall ticket sales for the event weekend were up at least fifteen percent. We are very proud of our effort at VIR, and for the great work of our partners and friends at Bosch, Grand-Am, Volkswagen and many others who all helped make this event the great success that it was.”
In addition, ratings for SPEED’s live television broadcast were up 10 percent for the event, which is on top of an 11 percent increase in 2008, giving the event significant increases over two consecutive years.
“SPEED’s production of Grand-Am Road Racing improves year after year,” said Grand-Am President Roger Edmondson. “Our on-track excitement and fan-friendly activities continue to draw fans to our races, along with viewers to our race broadcasts.”
The race was preceded by an autograph session, featuring all of the Rolex Series drivers, and a 30-minute Fan Walk where the pre-race grid was open, free of charge, to all spectators.
“When I rolled in the gate Saturday morning, I was astonished at the crowd - the entire facility was packed with car, tents, RVs and fans,” said Andy Lally, driver of the TRG Porsche who also drove fan laps to benefit Camp Boggy Creek. “It was an exciting weekend.”
Alex Gurney held off Michael Valiante and David Donohue in an exciting finish to win in the No. 99 GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing Pontiac Riley started by Jon Fogarty. Robin Liddell survived a late-race charge by Paul Edwards to give the No. 57 Stevenson Motorsports Bryan Mark Pontiac GXP.R the GT class victory in a one-two finish for Pontiacs.
“It was definitely a great crowd,” Gurney said. “It was a beautiful day and a fantastic turnout. We can tell that people are identifying more with our series and the great on-track action. It was very exciting from the driver’s seat, and we showed the people we can put on a great show.”
The Rolex Series returns to action this weekend at Thunderbolt Raceway in Millville, N.J.’s New Jersey Motorsports Park. Practice begins Friday at 8:40 a.m., with qualifying Saturday at 1:45 p.m. and the two-hour, 45-minute race taking the green flag at 1 p.m. Sunday. The race will be televised live on SPEED. The weekend also includes a two-hour, 30-minute KONI Sports Car Challenge race on Saturday at 3 p.m.
For additional information, contact Grand-Am:
Tammy Davis, Director of Communications, tdavis@grand-am.com, 386-681-6131
Grand-Am | 1801 W. Int’l Speedway Blvd. | Daytona Beach | FL | 32114
Grand-Am Tickets Good For Trans-Am at VIR This Weekend
April 18, 2009
| For Immediate Release
Grand-Am Tickets Good For Trans-Am at VIR This Weekend
Contact: Josh Lief, General Manager, 434-822-7700 x. 102, jlief@virclub.com Danville, VA (April 18, 2009) - Spectators who purchase three-day tickets for the April 24-26 Bosch Engineering 250 can attend this weekend’s SCCA Oak Tree Double National and Muscle Milk Trans-Am at VIRginia International Raceway by showing their tickets at the gate. “The double admission program is one of the ways VIR is making our events more affordable for fans,” said track general manager Josh Lief. “A lot of sports car fans might have to pick which weekend to attend but this lets them have a double-header on consecutive weekends for the price of one race admission.” Tickets for VIR’s spectator events are available on-line at www.virclub.com, just click on “Buy Tickets” at the track’s home page. In Friday afternoon’s practice session for the Muscle Milk Trans-Am Series, German driver Klaus Graf topped the charts in his Jaguar XKR with a blistering time of 1:46.617 or 110.414 mph. Maiden, NC’s Tony Ave was next, followed by Jorge Diaz and second generation racing star Simon Gregg. Another practice session will be held Saturday afternoon, with final qualifying at 8:50 Sunday morning. The race takes the green flag at 3:10 Sunday afternoon. VIRginia International Raceway is a multi-purpose road racing facility, located on the Dan River between Danville and South Boston, Virginia. VIR hosts a wide range of professional and amateur auto and motorcycle racing and track events, and is well established as “America’s Motorsport Resort. For further information, call 434-822-7700 or visit our web site at www.virclub.com. ####
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