ALMS news

[Rob]

CORVETTE RACING SET FOR LE MANS GT2 DEBUT IN 2010
Confirms Full-Season ALMS Schedule, Revises Endurance Racing Driver Lineup
Corvette Racing will take on its most formidable challenge to date when it competes in the GT2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France, on June 12-13. The twin Compuware Corvette C6.R race cars are among the 17 entries in the GT2 class invited by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), organizers of the classic endurance race.

Corvette Racing has scored six wins in the GTS/GT1 class at Le Mans since 2001, including a victory in last year's race. The GT2 version of the Corvette C6.R, which is based on the production Corvette ZR1, made its competition debut in August 2009, competing in five American Le Mans Series events and scoring the team's first GT2 win at Mosport International Raceway. The list of invitees in the GT2 class for Le Mans includes two Corvettes C6.Rs, five Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs, two BMW M3s, a Jaguar XKRS, five Ferrari 430 GTs, an Aston Martin Vantage, and a Spyker C8.

"We are pleased and honored that the new GT2 Corvette C6.R has been invited by the Automobile Club de l'Ouest to compete in the world's most prestigious sports car race," said GM Racing manager Mark Kent. "Our objective is to carry forward Corvette's legacy of success as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Corvette's first participation at Le Mans. This year's race will certainly be a challenge because of the depth and quality of the competition in the GT2 division. The entries represent the world's most storied sports car brands and underscore the relevance and value of racing production-based cars."

Corvette Racing will also compete with two cars in the full nine-race ALMS schedule in 2010, starting with the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring on March 20.

"While Corvette is truly a global brand, our most important market is North America," said Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan. "Our participation in the American Le Mans Series is both a proving ground for our technology and a showcase to demonstrate Corvette's capabilities for our customers and fans."

Corvette Racing's driver lineup has been revised with the addition of Emmanuel Collard alongside Oliver Gavin and Olivier Beretta for three long-distance races (Sebring, Le Mans, and Petit Le Mans). Antonio Garcia will return as the third driver with Johnny O'Connell and Jan Magnussen in endurance events. Canadian Ron Fellows, a charter member of Corvette Racing, will continue with the team in an ambassadorial role.

Collard, 38, of Champs sur Marne, France, has scored multiple victories in the Sebring 12-hour, Daytona 24-hour, Le Mans 24-hour, and Spa 24-hour races. He is a two-time Le Mans Series champion, and drove for the Cadillac LMP team in 2000-02.

"We are pleased to welcome Emmanuel back to the GM Racing family," said Fehan. "He has proven his ability at all levels of racing, and he understands the demands and discipline of endurance racing. He will be a valuable addition to our international lineup of championship-winning drivers."

"I'm very happy to join Corvette Racing for the 2010 endurance classics," said Collard. "Corvette has been the most successful car make and team in GT racing for over ten years now, so I'm obviously thrilled to be a part of this team. The Corvette C5-R and C6.R have been the absolute benchmarks in GT1 racing, and the new GT2 Corvette C6.R is already heading in that same successful direction. I hope my experience with GT2s from the past seasons can help Corvette secure class wins in the three endurance races."

Corvette Racing also is continuing its longstanding relationships with its sponsors and technical partners in the new season. Compuware is the team's primary sponsor for the eighth consecutive season, and Michelin, Mobil 1, XM Satellite Radio, UAW-GM, Genuine Corvette Accessories, Bose, Motorola, PRS Guitars, and BBS are continuing their support for America's premier production sports car team.

"Compuware software and experts ensure that our customers' most demanding business applications perform at their best," said Compuware Chairman and CEO Peter Karmanos, Jr. "Partnering with General Motors, Chevy and the Corvette Racing team gives Compuware another dynamic opportunity to deliver peak performance and winning results. Like the Corvette Racing team, Compuware stands for uninterrupted, optimal performance – whatever the environment – and we look forward to producing another great year on the track."

Corvette Racing’s next event is the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla., on March 20, 2010. The 12-hour endurance race will be televised live on SPEED.

[Rob]

Twenty-seven entries for Sebring Winter Test
February 10, 2010

A healthy grid of 27 cars will be in action in two weeks time at the official American Le Mans Series Sebring Winter Test at the Sebring International Raceway. Two LMP1s, three LMP2s, eleven GT2s, five LMPCs and six GTCs will test at the Florida race track before kicking off its season at the same track one month later.

In LMP1 Jon and Clint Field will field the Lenco Mobile sponsored Intersport Racing Lola B06/10 AER and the Aston Martin Racing Lola Aston of Chris Buncombe, Harold Primat, Adrian Fernandez and Stefan Mücke will join them for the two days of testing. Peugeot nor Audi will be present during the official test days.

Patrón Highcroft Racing will enter its ‘new’ HPD ARX-01c for its three drivers: David Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti. Greg Pickett and Klaus Graf are back in action with the Muscle Milk Team Cytosport Porsche RS Spyder, the only Porsche RS Spyder in competition this year, while Chris Dyson and Guy Smith will run the Lola B09/86 Mazda for Dyson Racing Team.

In the GT2 class there are several unconfirmed drivers on the entry list. Flying Lizard Motorsports will run both the #44 and #45 Porsche 997 GT3 RSR, but no drivers are named yet. And also at BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team we still have TBAs on the both cars.

Next to the two Lizard Porsches there will be two other Porsches in action during the test days. Bryan Sellers and Wolf Henzler will race the brand new Team Falken Tire car, while Tim Pappas and newly-signed Jeroen Bleekemolen will make their first laps around Sebring in the Black Swan Racing car.
Three Ferrari F430 GT2s will also join in. Jaime Melo is the only confirmed driver on the Risi Competizione entry, while Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Ed Brown and Guy Cosmo will be behind the wheel of the Extreme Speed Motorsports cars.

Jaguar RSR will bring one car to Florida for the Winter Test, but four drivers will be taking part. Tomy Drissi will join the already confirmed Paul Gentilozzi, Marc Goossens and Scott Pruett. Robertson Racing is also expected to be at Sebring with its regular line up of David and Andrea Robertson as well as David Murry. Corvette Motorsports will not join the test days.

The new LMPC and GTC classes will see five and six cars. Primetime Race Group, Genoa Racing, Level 5 Motorsports, Intersport Racing and Green Earth Team Gunnar will all enter their Oreca FLM09 cars, while in GTC P7 Racing will enter 1 car, GMG Racing will enter two cars and Kelly-Moss Racing will run three Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars.

LMP1
37 // Intersport Racing // Lola B06/10 AER // Field - Field
009 // Aston Martin Racing // Lola Aston Martin // Buncombe – Primat - Fernandez-Mücke

LMP2
1 // Patrón Highcroft Racing // HPD ARX-01c // Brabham – Pagenaud - Franchitti
6 // Team Cytosport // Porsche RS Spyder // Pickett - Graf
16 // Dyson Racing Team // Lola B09/86 Mazda // Dyson – Smith

GT2
17 // Team Falken Tire // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Sellers – Henzler
33 // Jaguar RSR // Jaguar XKRS // Gentilozzi – Goossens – Pruett – Drissi
40 // Robertson Racing // Doran Ford GT // Robertson – Robertson – Murry
44 // Flying Lizard Motorsports // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // TBA – TBA
45 // Flying Lizard Motorsports // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // TBA - TBA
54 // Black Swan Racing // Porsche 997 GT3 RSR // Pappas – Bleekemolen
62 // Risi Competizione // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Melo – TBA
90 // BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team // BMW E92 M3 // TBA – TBA
92 // BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team // BMW E92 M3 // TBA - TBA
01 // Extreme Speed Motorsports // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Sharp – van Overbeek
02 // Extreme Speed Motorsports // Ferrari F430 GT2 // Brown – Cosmo

LMPC
11 // Primetime Race Group // Oreca FLM09 // Feinberg – Marcelli
36 // Genoa Racing // Oreca FLM09 // Connor – TBA
55 // Level 5 Motorsports // Oreca FLM09 // Tucker – Bouchut
89 // Intersport Racing // Oreca FLM09 // Pagerey – Wong
99 // Green Earth Team Gunnar // Oreca FLM09 // Zugel – Jeannette – Julian

GTC
32 // GMG Racing // Porsche 997 GT3 Cup // Curtis – Sofronas
33x // Kelly-Moss Racing // Porsche 997 GT3 Cup // LeSaffre – TBA
44x // GMG Racing // Porsche 997 GT3 Cup // Holden
65 // Kelly–Moss Racing // Porsche 997 GT3 Cup // Walton
69 // P7 Racing // Porsche 997 GT3 Cup // Rodriquez – Bieker
92x // Kelly-Moss Racing // Porsche 997 GT3 Cup // Carlisle - TBA

[Rob]

LEVEL 5 TO TAKE UP LMPC ‘CHALLENGE’ IN 2010
Tucker, Bouchut to pilot FLM09 for full-season effort


Level 5's Scott Tucker already has gotten a taste of competition in ORECA's FLM09 during the Le Mans Winter Racing Series at Paul Ricard.

Level 5 Motorsports is the latest championship-winning team to confirm its entry into the American Le Mans Series’ Le Mans Prototype Challenge class for 2010. Based in Madison, Wis., Level 5 will compete in the full nine-round championship with ORECA’s FLM09 prototype.

Team owner Scott Tucker and former Le Mans 24 Hours winner Christophe Bouchut will compete for the full season. The pairing also is entered for the Series’ annual Winter Test on February 22-23 at Sebring International Raceway. Level 5 expects to take delivery of its FLM09 today and is the sixth team to purchase an ORECA-built racer.


Scott Tucker: "“The car is an impressive proven racing package. ... We are looking forward to the strong competition at Sebring and throughout the year.”

“We are excited to be racing at Sebring this year in the new Le Mans Prototype Challenge class,” said team manager David Stone, who has an extensive history of competing in the International Motor Sports Association, which sanctions the American Le Mans Series. “The new LMPC class has certainly been intriguing since it was announced last year. The number of cars continues to increase each week, which should make for some great competition.”

New for 2010, the FLM09 has a minimum weight of 900 kilograms and produces approximately 430 hp. The FLM09 features a full carbon fiber chassis, carbon brakes, and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. All LMPC cars will race on single-supply Michelin tires.

Already, Tucker has spent considerable time behind the wheel of an FLM09. He posted two second-place finishes at Paul Ricard in the Le Mans Winter Racing Series despite never having set foot inside the car.

“The car is an impressive proven racing package,” Tucker said. “Carbon brakes, paddle shift Xtrac gearboxes … all the boxes are checked. Everyone on the team has been pleasantly surprised at the growing field of car and the job the American Le Mans Series’ management has done. We are looking forward to the strong competition at Sebring and throughout the year.”

Level 5 brings an impressive pedigree of motorsports championships on a number of levels. Most recently, the team placed third overall at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Its Wisconsin headquarters houses a 60,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art racing, engineering and fabrication facility with a full time dedicated staff of over 20 professionals. In short, it is well-equipped to handle the start of its LMPC program.


Former Le Mans 24 Hours winner Christophe Bouchut will join Tucker for Level 5's full-season LMPC campaign.

“The aims of this season are to be as competitive as we can,” Bouchut said. “With Scott, we make a very homogenous and solid team, which will be a vital factor.”

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accomodation information.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

SIX LMPC PROTOTYPES FIND A HOME IN THE AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES
Set to debut with the American Le Mans Series on some of the most demanding road courses and street circuits in North America, the ORECA-Courage FLM09 arrives ready for the 2010 season.

The FLM09 was introduced in 2009 as part of the Le Mans Series in Europe through the collaborative effort of the ACO and ORECA/DPPI. In August, IMSA, the sanctioning body for the American Le Mans Series, announced the LMPC class and the FLM09 would be part of the full nine-race schedule.

The prototype is a highly sophisticated race car with a full carbon fiber chassis, carbon brakes and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. It has a minimum weight of 900 kilograms and a horsepower of 450 hp, and will run on single-supply Michelin tires.

The six entries scheduled to debut on the American Le Mans Series grid at the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida include:

•Intersport Racing, which was one of the first teams to commit to the class, will compete with Mitch Pagery, a former 2009 Velox Racing GTC contender, and 2009 Patrón GT3 Challenge by Yokohama standout Brian Wong in the cockpit.
•Genoa Racing, with a recent history in Indy Lights and Atlantics, will feature Larry Connor in the No. 36 entry.
•Green Earth Team Gunnar, in its first year as an organization, will be led by Series veteran Gunnar Jeannette, alongside Christian Zugel and Jay Cochran.
•Primetime Race Group, the 2009 championship entry in IMSA Lites and GT2 competitor, enters its new No. 11 LMPC car with team owner/driver Joel Feinnberg and Kyle Marcelli.
•Level 5 Motorsports, recently claiming the third place at the 24 Hours of Daytona, will compete with driving duo Scott Tucker and Christophe Bouchut.
•PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports, formed from two former Formula Atlantic Championship top-tier competitors, will run all nine races with its driver lineup soon to be announced.
For more information about these new entries, visit:

•Intersport Racing – www.intersportracing.com
•Green Earth Team Gunnar – www.getitracing.com
•Primetime Race Group – www.primetimeracegroup.com
•Level 5 Motorsports – www.level5motorsports.com
The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accomodation information.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

Posted 02.12.10

IN HIS OWN WORDS: GIANMARIA BRUNI
Welcoming one of Ferrari’s best for a full-season run with Risi


Gimmi Bruni: "I was really attracted by the championship when I experienced it before. One or two races in a season weren’t enough!" Photo: Regis Lefebure


Gianmaria “Gimmi” Bruni is one of the world’s best GT pilots, and he will compete full-time in the American Le Mans Series for the first time in 2010. Teaming with fellow Ferrari standout and former GT2 champion Jaime Melo, the duo is eager to bring the American Le Mans Series GT championship back to Risi and Ferrari. Oh, there’s also the matter of a third straight class title at Le Mans for the team.

Question: How much easier will it be rejoining Risi Competizione full-time having competed with the team in 2007 and 2008?

Answer: The first race I did with the Risi team, I immediately felt at home. This is the reason why, for the last two years, I strongly yearned to have one full season in the American Le Mans Series. Therefore it’s about the most important thing I can do now. Moreover, I was really attracted by the championship when I experienced it before. One or two races in a season weren’t enough!

Q: Is there a stronger Ferrari pairing in the world than yourself and Jaime?

A: I think Jaime and I could be the hardest pairing for our competitors to be up against. Jaime is one of the best GT drivers we’ve ever seen and I’m sure that together we can achieve great results. We already know each other well, and will also be racing together in Europe so our partnership in the car will be very strong.

Q: Having competed mostly in FIA GT and LMS, what is the international perception of the competition within the American Le Mans Series’ GT2 class?

A: I think most people in Europe don’t know how hard it is to race in the American Le Mans Series. It is definitely one of the harder championships for endurance races, very competitive, with lots of different manufacturers and top drivers. I am glad to be one of those in 2010.

Q: With the career of the F430 GT winding down, how will it be remembered by those who drove it?

A: I have a very good feeling with the F430GT and with the Ferrari family. It has brought me and Jaime some fantastic victories and Championships. I am sure we will try to put this fast and fantastic car as high as possible in the championship for its last big season, and this way all our other competitors will remember all about it!


Bruni won in GT2 at Le Mans in 2008 with Risi in the Ferrari F430 GT. Photo: Regis Lefebure

Q: Does having a background in a sprint format such as FIA GT make the transition to standard-length American Le Mans Series races easier?

A: I feel profoundly easy with this GT2 car so I can face any format with it.

Q: Outside of Sebring, what event on the calendar are you looking forward to most in North America?

A: Most of the other events are a big challenge to me as I will face them for the first time, although I am looking forward to going back to Mid-Ohio, Road America and Mosport. I will need to be very professional and concentrate hard to be as ready by race time as my competitors.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Tommy_F]

Q: With the career of the F430 GT winding down, how will it be remembered by those who drove it?

A: I have a very good feeling with the F430GT and with the Ferrari family. It has brought me and Jaime some fantastic victories and Championships. I am sure we will try to put this fast and fantastic car as high as possible in the championship for its last big season, and this way all our other competitors will remember all about it!


Bruni won in GT2 at Le Mans in 2008 with Risi in the Ferrari F430 GT. Photo: Regis Lefebure

This means the 458 Italia race version will be ready for the 2011 season? Can't wait to see it!!

[Rob]

havent heard anything about it,yet, will keep eyes n ears out, and post any news.

[Rob]

Posted 02.15.10

ASTON MARTIN PROTOTYPE POWER BACK AT SEBRING AFTER 27 YEARS
Will AMR beat Nimrod’s fifth place finish in 1983?
Aston Martin Racing’s entry to the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida is significant for a number of reasons. One of the more interesting aspects is the length of time since an Aston Martin-powered prototype last competed in America’s greatest sports car race.

The 1983 running of the 12 Hours saw a fifth-place overall finish for the fabled Nimrod-Aston Martin C2 prototype that was third in the GTP class. Reggie Smith Jr., Lynn St. James and Drake Olson drove the car (an interesting note…Olson also drove the sister Nimrod GTP, which retired after 86 laps). A year later, the car competed for the final time in the US at the Daytona 24 Hours which also was the last time an Aston Martin-powered prototype has competed on the professional level in North America.

Today, the American Le Mans Series is asking its fans for their predictions. How will AMR’s Aston Martin-powered Lola coupe match up to its predecessor from 27 years ago: Better, worse or the same? Adrian Fernandez, Stefan Mücke, Harold Primat and Chris Buncombe are slated to drive the car in next week’s annual Sebring Winter Test.





Aston Martin Racing's Lola-Aston Martin (above) will race at Sebring for the first time, 27 years after the Nimrod-Aston Martin finished fifth overall in the 1983 event.

American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. ET on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

Posted 02.15.10

TEAM CYTOSPORT MUSCLE MILK SQUAD RETURNS FOR FULL-SEASON LMP2 EFFORT
Pickett/Graf behind wheel of Porsche RS Spyder from Sebring onward
The Team CytoSport Muscle Milk squad is set to return to the American Le Mans Series in 2010 - this time for a full season championship assault. The No. 6 Muscle Milk Porsche RS Spyder will contest the new combined LMP class with owner/driver Greg Pickett and German star Klaus Graf behind the wheel.

Team CytoSport is moving up to a full season of competition following a very successful partial season in 2009. The Benicia, Calif.,-based team claimed four consecutive LMP2 podium finishes in its four races in 2009. After competing in the LMP2 class last season, the Muscle Milk team will be joining the new combined LMP class for the 2010 championship. The major endurance events at Sebring and Petit Le Mans will continue to be run to the full ACO LMP1 and LMP2 rules.

“We're really excited to be taking on our first full season of American Le Mans Series competition,” said team owner Pickett. “I’m so proud of what we've accomplished with our team so far and it's very encouraging for us heading into 2010. We know that it will be a new challenge for us in the combined LMP class but it’s one we can't wait to face.

“I look forward to having Klaus (Graf) drive for us again,” Pickett added. “He had such amazing performances last season. It’s an honor to have him on the team and as part of the CytoSport family.

“Obviously this wouldn't be possible without the support from the people at Porsche who were so great to work with last season as well as everyone at Michelin who have given us superb tires at every race. We’re thrilled to be working with them again this upcoming season.”

Having originally driven together in the American Le Mans Series in 2007, Pickett and Graf are eagerly awaiting the chance to contest the complete season. The German impressed many last year with his outstanding performances aboard the Porsche RS Spyder, notably by setting an LMP2 race lap record at Road Atlanta as well as making his way through the field and to an in-class podium finish at the historic Petit Le Mans.

“I’m really looking forward to the 2010 season to compete with the Porsche RS Spyder and Team Cytosport,” said Graf, a former Series winner in GT2 competition in a Porsche. “After our successful start in 2009 with four podium finishes in four races you would think this would be a natural progression to compete again in 2010. But I know that a program like ours requires a big commitment from all parties involved.

“I’d like to thank Greg Pickett and everyone involved at Team CytoSport and Muscle Milk who made this happen. To go into our first full season of competition with our Porsche RS Spyder is a tremendous achievement for our team and we look forward to that challenge. I can’t wait for our first race of the year, the famous 12 Hours of Sebring.

“Finally, coming from Germany it personally makes me proud to be involved in such a prestigious partnership with Porsche Motorsport. We built a great relationship with our partners Porsche and Michelin in 2009 and we hope we can transform that into great race results this season.”

Once again this season the Team CytoSport Muscle Milk squad will benefit from the support and expertise of the professionals at Porsche Motorsport.

"We are very excited that Team CytoSport will be back for a full season in 2010 in the Porsche RS Spyder LMP car,” said Paul Ritchie, president of Porsche Motorsport North America. “Last year, Greg Pickett and his crew surprised most of the LMP2 competitors with their success right out of the box, and Pickett and co-driver Klaus Graf were comfortable in the Porsche prototype from the first test. Porsche Motorsport is extremely happy to have such a great squad as Team CytoSport representing the Porsche brand in a Prototype next season.”

Prior to the start of the season, the Muscle Milk squad will be on track next week at Sebring to take part in the annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test scheduled for February 22-23. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

INTERSPORT EXTENDS OPERATIONS TO UK
Impressive expansion for Series' longest-running entrant
Intersport Racing, the longest running privateer team in the American Le Mans Series, has retained the services of Martin Dixon. Dixon will serve as Sporting Director for Intersport Racing for the upcoming 2010 American Le Mans Series season. As one of the original and founding members of Intersport Racing, Dixon is no stranger to the team or the American Le Mans Series.

In conjunction with his responsibilities at Intersport, Dixon will partner with former A1 GP Technical Director, John Travis, to coordinate and operate Intersport Racing UK. Intersport Racing UK intends to run 2 cars in the single seater series “Super League.” The Super League Series is supported by major soccer teams in the UK and Europe.

"I’m very excited to be returning to Intersport Racing with Jon and Clint Field, and the American Le Mans Series." Martin said. "Intersport Racing has seen fantastic growth as a team and have truly become a force to be reckoned with. Jon and Clint have become very close friends of mine. I have always admired both of them for what they have achieved and I'm confident that with their support the formulation of Intersport Racing UK with will benefit both programs."

"With John Travis in charge of the engineering and technical issues for Intersport Racing UK," expressed Dixon, "it will create an opportunity for the Intersport Racing brand to provide services to drivers on either side of the Atlantic. This has been a dream of ours for quite some time."

Travis is a highly experienced race car designer and race engineer. He has worked with notable teams such as Penske, Lola Cars and Epsilon. His role with Penske was that of Chief designer and race engineer. With both Martin and John at the helm, Intersport UK, will prove to be a formidable team.

Martin brings with him a wealth of knowledge and over 30 years of racing experience. After many years as part of the Intersport family, Martin was recruited by AER to run their Nissan World series engine program. More recently Dixon was Project Manager for A1 Grand Prix in charge of production for the new A1 Grand Prix car used in the 2009 season.

Through out his career in motorsports, Martin Dixon has headed up numerous race teams including; Onyx Race Engineering’s Formula One Team, Bettenhausen Motorsport and A1 GP Teams Lebanon and Canada.

One of the founding teams of the American Le Mans Series, Intersport Racing has established itself as a premier independent team in sports car racing. The Dublin, Ohio-based team has taken on mightiest of factory prototype teams in recent seasons and posted noteworthy class victories in that span including an LMP1 triumph at Detroit in 2008 and 2006 at Sebring.

Team owner Clint Field won 2005 P2 class championship, three years after father Jon accomplished the same feat. Clint also reigns as the youngest prototype champion in Series and IMSA history.

In 2008, became first prototype team in Series history to campaign on cellulosic E85, a pioneering effort in the Series’ Green Racing initiative and the first privateer team to start in 100 American Le Mans races.

The team campaigned the full-season in 2009 with a Lola B06/10-AER with the father-son combination serving as the primary drivers.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway.

[Rob]

Posted 02.18.10

AMERICAN LE MANS SERIES SUPPORTING GLOBAL ReLEAF
A Greener Footprint for the Global Leader of Green Racing


In an effort to support environmental efforts globally, the American Le Mans Series will join forces with American Forests to support its “dollar-a-tree” Global ReLeaf campaign.

Throughout the 2010 season, Series’ teams, manufacturers, corporate partners and fans will have multiple ways to learn about the Series’ green racing initiatives and to contribute to the program. In support of American Forests’ goal to plant 100 million trees by 2020, the Series pledges to plant more than 5,000 trees in 2010 to restore ecosystems that have been damaged by fire, disease, other natural disasters and overdevelopment.

This global outreach initiative acts in conjunction with the Series’ progressive “green” leadership on-track – namely through its affiliation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy and SAE International, and the MICHELIN® GREEN X® Challenge, a season-long competition that measures each race car’s efficiency and greenhouse gas emission levels during competition.


Scott Atherton: "Our involvement with American Forests enables us to contribute to similar solutions away from the race track and is another way the American Le Mans Series can advocate for a greener tomorrow."

“Since its inception, the American Le Mans Series has been at the forefront of developing green initiatives and solutions in motorsports,” said American Le Mans Series President and CEO Scott Atherton. “We are very proud of our efforts with the Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy as they relate to our on-track efforts. Our involvement with American Forests enables us to contribute to similar solutions away from the race track and is another way the American Le Mans Series can advocate for a greener tomorrow.”

With the implementation of the Global ReLeaf campaign, the Series will begin every race weekend by displaying a tree in the paddock. The native tree - donated by the Series and its teams through American Forests’ Historic Tree program – will encourage fans to do their part for the planet in a number of ways:

• Purchase the Series’ “To a Greener Tomorrow. Faster” organic t-shirt and its 2010 Spotters Guide Poster, where all proceeds go to Global ReLeaf
• Donate and win a hot lap around the track at select races
• Donate at-track and online at americanlemans.com

For every three trees planted, one ton of carbon will be sequestered allowing for more than 1,600 tons of CO2 to be taken out of the atmosphere, and for every acre planted (approx. 340-490 trees), about 26,000 miles-worth of CO2 produced by driving will be offset (which is about twice the amount the average person drives per year).

“American Forests is pleased to partner with the American Le Mans Series to underscore the positive steps it is making in the development of green initiatives,” said Gerry Gray, acting executive director of American Forests. “Through its contribution goal of 5,000 trees and display of the Historic Survivor Tree – an important symbol of human resilience and a tribute to renewal and rebirth – the Series is helping to create a cleaner environment for future generations.”

American Forests is the nation’s oldest nonprofit conservation group, dedicated to growing a healthier world with trees. Its work encompasses planting trees for ecosystem restoration through our Global ReLeaf program, calculating the value of urban forests, fostering environmental education, and improving public policy for trees. American Forests also maintains the official listing of the largest-known trees of their species in the United States. Its goal is to plant 100 million trees to restore damaged ecosystems in the U.S. and around the world by 2020.

American Forests’ Historic Tree program brings history alive by propagating and selling the offspring of trees connected to significant historical people, places and events, offering a unique way for people to connect to the past while being part of a sustainable future. The Historic Tree program helps people understand how trees benefit us all – environmentally, socially and economically.

The American Le Mans Series, based on the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, is the only motorsports body in the world that features multiple street-legal alternative energy sources - clean diesel, E10 and E85 cellulosic ethanols, and new hybrid technologies. The American Le Mans Series has taken the leadership role in motorsports for the furthering of alternative fuel technology and use. It also illustrates deeper the Series’ relevance to its list of prestigious manufacturers and affluent consumer base.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

Posted 02.18.10

EXTREME SPEED MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES DRIVERS FOR SEBRING AND PETIT LE MANS
Farnbacher, Barbosa join new ESM team for endurance rounds


Scott Sharp: Dominik Farnbacher and Joao Barbosa "are experienced and fast drivers, and know what it takes to navigate the track and get to the end of a major endurance race."

Extreme Speed Motorsports, the new race team created and owned by veteran race car driver Scott Sharp, announced today that Joao Barbosa and Dominik Farnbacher will join the team for next month’s 58th running of the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, and Road Atlanta’s Petit Le Mans later this year.

Barbosa, who won the 24 Hours of Daytona title last month, will compete with Extreme Speed Motorsports drivers Ed Brown and Guy Cosmo in one of the team’s Ferrari F430 GTCs, in the American Le Mans Series’ GT2 class. Farnbacher, a four-time winner in the Series driving an F430 GT, will join Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek in the team’s other entry.

“I’m thrilled to welcome Joao and Dominik to the Extreme Speed Motorsports team,” said Sharp, last year’s LMP1 Series co-champion. “Both of them are experienced and fast drivers, and know what it takes to navigate the track and get to the end of a major endurance race.”

Added Barbosa, “I’m very excited to be a part of the Extreme Speed Motorsports team. They welcomed me with open arms and are as ecstatic as I am for this new challenge. I’m looking forward to driving at Sebring again – I love this race and the level of competition is very high in GT2. It will definitely be a great race!”

Those sentiments were also echoed by Farnbacher who commented, “I’m very glad to be back for two American Le Mans Series races this year, in Sebring and Road Atlanta. It’s particularly exciting to be back behind the wheel of my favorite car – the Ferrari F430 – and partner with Scott and Johannes, two of the most experienced and fastest drivers in this world-class racing series.”

Extreme Speed Motorsports is sponsored by Tequila Patrón, along with Ferrari Corse Clienti and the team’s official tire technical partner Michelin.

“I’m extremely delighted about the opportunity that Patrón and Ferrari have given us, as well as the tremendous job the team is doing to get us prepared for the upcoming race season,” added Sharp. “The addition of Joao and Dominik just adds to our adrenaline!”

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

FIVE-TIME LE MANS WINNER PIRRO VISITS LOLA BASE

Ahead of first shakedown in Drayson Racing Lola-Judd P1 coupe
Sports car legend, Emanuele Pirro was at the Lola factory today meeting his new team Drayson Racing and getting himself acquainted with the Lola LMP1 he will race at the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida next month.




Pirro will get his first taste of driving Drayson Racing's Lola-Judd coupe Friday in the UK.

The five-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner joined his teammates Jonny Cocker and team owner Lord Paul Drayson in Huntingdon to get a seat fitting for a shakedown test in the UK tomorrow (Friday). Pirro, who will also drive at Le Mans and the Petit Le Mans endurance events for Drayson Racing, spoke to Lola about his first impressions of his new team and his new charge for the 2010 season. To listen to the interview please click here.

Emanuele, how are you looking forward to the season and the three big races with Lord Drayson and the Drayson Racing Lola LMP1?

“First of all, after 31 years of motor racing experience, it is the first time that I visit the Lola factory. It’s been quite something to see. To go back in to prototypes is really a good opportunity for me. When I did my last season in ’08, I wasn’t ready to retire from prototype racing and I realized in 2009 that I was missing this kind of racing very very much, so when I got the proposal from Drayson Racing, I was thrilled and I think this is a very good operation which can give me very similar feelings to what I got in the past. It’s a bunch of high-quality and very motivated people and I am sure we can help out each other and do something quite good.”

This is a completely different proposition to the Audi, of course. You are going to have to get used to an engine noise behind you as opposed to a whistling diesel?

“Actually, this is a good question because I haven’t driven a non-turbo engine for ages and I would probably appreciate the drivability of this normally aspirated engine. I have to say, in 1991 with the Scudeia Italia Dallara F1 that JJ Lehto and I drove, the Judd V10 engine was the grand-grandson of this engine in the Lola now. I was told by a lot of people that Lola is a nice and user-friendly and easy-to-drive car, so I’m looking forward to it, but all in all this is a passion-driven decision for me and I am sure I will be finding people who share the same motivation as I have, so I am looking forward to it. “

When you were driving for Audi, how aware were you of what Lola were doing in sports cars in P1 and P2?

“Well, in fact, it’s always been interesting for me to see how Lola do, because I know how big an effort a manufacture like Audi are putting into sports cars and how relatively small a factory, not in terms of the factory, but in terms of investment in the project like Lola is. I was impressed that Lola could produce cars which are not really far away from the performance of works cars. I believe, in terms of engines, so there is quite some difference, so it’s always been interesting to me to see why and how with much less people you can do very well and I am about to find out and I am looking forward to it.”

So, when you come to race with the Audis in Le Mans this year, what will your feelings be after so long with the marque?

“Well, in fact, I would like to take the opportunity to really thank Audi for their flexibility and understanding because they know how much I love racing and I am still an Audi ambassador and contracted to Audi. But racing is racing and fortunately sports car racing is not really a race where you have to bang each other off. It’s matter of putting your head down and capitalizing what you have done in testing and driving your car as fast as possible.”

And finally, Emanuele, you are having a seat fitting today and then presumably it is just a shakedown here in the UK tomorrow?

“Yes, I really wanted to come here and not to arrive in Sebring as an alien. I really believe in team spirit, in bonding together and I wanted to come here and see the Lola factory, see the car, get acquainted with all the car systems but above all with the team. Part of the pleasure of racing is being all together and pulling the rope all in one direction, so if you don’t know these people, it’s very difficult to do this, so I want to make very good use of these two days and as much as possible start to feel home and to make them look at me not like a guest, but like one of them.”

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

DALZIEL JOINS 2010 JaguarRSR LINEUP FOR GT CLASS
Ex-Pacific Coast Corvette pilot makes return to American Le Mans Series


Ryan Dalziel will return to the American Le Mans Series in 2010 with JaguarRSR.

The pieces to the puzzle keep coming together for the JaguarRSR race program as the team announced today that Ryan Dalziel has been signed to the driver lineup for competition in the 2010 American Le Mans Series.

“I am so excited to be part of such an amazing brand like Jaguar,” Dalziel said. “Coming from the United Kingdom I naturally grew up following Jaguar’s racing heritage and admiring their cars. Its like a dream come true that my first opportunity to drive for a manufacturer is for Jaguar Cars.

“I have known Paul Gentilozzi and his group for a number of years through my Champ Car days, and always enjoyed watching them in Trans Am,” he added. “I know I am with a great crew and excellent co drivers. The GT field in the American Le Mans Series this season looks really strong and I hope I can contribute to Jaguar’s successful return to sports car racing.”

Dalziel is one of Scotland’s leading professional racing drivers with a track record of success forged in the ultra-competitive junior formulas in Britain and honed further through to the very highest levels of both open-wheel racing and sports car competition in North America and Europe. The 27-year-old has represented Scotland and the United Kingdom at the highest level of sports car competition, including as part of Pacific Coast Motorsports’ GT1 lineup in 2005 Alex Figge. The pairing’s highest finish in their Corvette C5-R was third place at Portland. Dalziel also is coming off an overall victory at the Daytona 24 Hours.

“We are working on developing a driver lineup that will put us out in front,” said JaguarRSR principal partner and driver Paul Gentilozzi. “We know the competition is tough this year and that we will have to be on top of our game. I have watched Ryan grow into a matured racer both in open-wheel and sports car racing. His hard work paid of recently winning the 24 Hours of Daytona and any driver that can achieve an accomplishment like that is one that will fit into the goals and aspirations this JaguarRSR program desires to achieve. We eagerly look forward to working with him and know that he is going to bring a lot to the team.”



JaguarRSR's Jaguar XKRS is one of 28 cars that will be at the annual Sebring Winter Test next week.

Dalziel joins Gentilozzi and Marc Goossens as confirmed JaguarRSR drivers for 2010. Complete details of the 2010 JaguarRSR American Le Mans Series program will be unveiled soon.

The American Le Mans Series will open its 12th season with America’s greatest sports car race, the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida from March 17-20. The green flag will fall at 10:35 a.m. on Saturday, March 20 with live coverage on SPEED. Visit the American Le Mans Series' schedule page for ticket and accommodation information.

The annual American Le Mans Series Winter Test is scheduled for February 22-23, also at Sebring International Raceway. American Le Mans Series cars will be on track from 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets are $10 per day with no public paddock access or overnight camping. Live Timing & Scoring will be available on americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.

[Rob]

Sebring Winter Test - Test Session 1 Result
February 22, 2010

After having fifteen cars during the Sebring Winter Test in 2009 this year’s test days have brought a record number of twenty-eight cars to the Sebring International Raceway in Florida. At 8:00 am the track went green for the first session.

The four hour long session saw the first action of the Aston Martin Racing Lola Aston Martin on American soil. Driven by Harold Primat, Adrian Fernandez, Stefan Mücke and Chris Buncombe the British sportscar topped the timing sheets at noon. A lap time of 1:47.826, with 11 completed laps was enough to keep the remaining twenty-seven cars behind. Intersport Racing’s Lola B06/10 AER was second fastest in the first test session.

Behind the two LMP1 cars it was defending American Le Mans Series champion Patrón Highcroft Racing’s HPD ARX-01c in third place overall. The David Brabham, Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti driven car was only 0.437s slower than the Lola Aston.
Second fastest LMP2 was the Team CytoSport Porsche RS Spyder. The Porsche of Pickett and Graf was however 1.7s slower than the HPD ARX-01c. The #16 Dyson Racing Lola B09/86 Mazda completed the top five overall, 2.903s from the #009 Lola Aston Martin.

Next up were the LMPC cars. Fatest in class was the #99 Green Earth Team Gunnar Oreca FLM09 of Christian Zugel, Gunnar Jeannette and Elton Julian. A split second (0.047s) behind in second place was the #36 Genoa Racing car of Larry Connor. Level 5 Motorsport’s #55 Oreca FLM09 was third in class, just over two seconds behind the #99 and #36.

The Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT2 of Melo and Bruni set the fastest lap in the GT2 class. A 2:02.286 put the car just in front of the slowest LMPC car, at 1.055s it was the #92 BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team BMW M3 of Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner in second place in GT2. Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Jörg Bergmeister and Patrick Long were just 0.032s slower than the BMW, the Porsche 997 GT3 RSR taking third in class in the opening session. Ninth in class was the Robertson Racing Ford GT, which was damaged during Winterfest at Sebring last month. The car was repaired after the crash and made its first official laps again.

And finally the GT Challenge class. The #92x Kelly Moss Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of Darrell Carlisle was fastest, ahead of the #44x GMG Racing Porsche of Brent Holden and the #33x Kelly Moss Racing entry of Peter LeSaffre.

[Rob]

Krohn continues Risi partnership

Tuesday, February 23rd 2010, 19:05 GMT


Krohn Racing has confirmed that it will continue its partnership with Risi Competizione to enter a Ferrari GT2 car in the Sebring 12 Hours, Le Mans 24 Hours and the American Le Mans Series' six hour race at Laguna Seca.

Although Krohn primarily competes in Grand-Am, it traditionally teams with Risi to enter the GT2 class at Sebring and Le Mans - taking two class podium finishes at the latter event and one at Sebring in recent seasons.

Krohn boss Tracy Krohn will again share the car with Nic Jonsson, with Eric van de Poele joining the line-up for Sebring.

"We can always count on a well-prepared car and a professional team with Risi," said Krohn. "They have guided us to two podium finishes at Le Mans and one podium finish at Sebring in three years.

"We obviously are doing something right with this partnership and hope for more successes in 2010."

[Rob]

Aston leads first day of Sebring test

Tuesday, February 23rd 2010, 06:51 GMT


Aston Martin Racing marked its return to the American Le Mans Series by claiming the fastest time in yesterday's Sebring test.

New driver Adrian Fernandez set a 1m47.826s as he acclimatised to Aston's LMP1 coupe, putting him 0.2 seconds ahead of Intersport's Lola.

"It's very different," said Fernandez, who won last year's LMP2 title with his Acura. "Everything looks different inside. You get use to it. But it's definitely different, and this is my first time in the car and the car is a lot heavier than the P2 car I drove last year. But it's a lot faster. It sounds beautiful and looks sharp.

"I'm enjoying every second of it. I'm very happy. It's a great team, great drivers, and I'm very happy to work with them. It's my very first time in the car, I'm not really going the proper speed yet. But I'm working step-by-step, so I'm looking forward to the three-year relationship."

The top two cars both set their best times in the morning session, with Intersport crashing in the afternoon and causing a stoppage.

Last year's LMP1 champion squad Highcroft was third in the LMP2-spec Acura - now entered under HPD branding - it will use in 2010. Although the season-opening Sebring 12 Hours runs to full Le Mans rules, the performance of LMP1 and LMP2 cars will be balanced for most of the ALMS season to allow them to fight for overall victories in a unified prototype class.

The Cytosport Porsche and Dyson Lola-Mazda completed the top five, with Andy Meyrick making his first official appearance for the latter squad alongside Chris Dyson and Guy Smith.

Green Earth Team Gunnar was quickest in the new LMP Challenge class, ahead of Genoa Racing, which recruited Andy Wallace to assist with the initial test of its car.

Risi Ferrari topped GT2, followed by the best of the Rahal Letterman BMWs and the lead Flying Lizard Porsche, with LMP1 co-champion driver Scott Sharp's new Extreme Speed Ferrari GT2 squad fourth.

Darrell Carlisle led the all-Porsche GT3 GT Challenge division for Kelly Moss Racing.

Pre-race favourite Peugeot has chosen not to bring its LMP1 diesels to this test, with GT2 frontrunner Corvette also skipping this week's group session.

Pos Cl Drivers Car Time
1. P1 Primat/Fernandez/Mucke/Buncombe Lola-Aston Martin 1m47.826s
2. P1 Field/Field Lola-AER 1m48.066s
3. P2 Brabham/Pagenaud/Franchitti HPD 1m48.263s
4. P2 Pickett/Graf Porsche 1m49.187s
5. P2 Dyson/Smith/Meyrick Lola-Mazda 1m50.261s
6. PC Zugel/Jeannette/Julian Oreca 1m57.131s
7. PC Connor/Wallace Oreca 1m57.580s
8. PC Feinberg/Marcelli Oreca 1m58.265s
9. PC Tucker/Bouchut Oreca 1m58.552s
10. PC Pagerey/Wong Oreca 2m01.976s
11. GT2 Melo/Bruni Ferrari 2m02.286s
12. GT2 Auberlen/Milner BMW 2m02.584s
13. GT2 Bergmeister/Long Porsche 2m03.125s
14. GT2 Sharp/van Overbeek Ferrari 2m03.169s
15. GT2 Mueller/Hand/Werner BMW 2m03.211s
16. GT2 Law/Neiman Porsche 2m03.651s
17. GT2 Brown/Cosmo Ferrari 2m03.862s
18. GT2 Sellers/Henzler Porsche 2m03.971s
19. GT2 Pappas/Bleekemolen Porsche 2m05.948s
20. GT2 Robertson/Robertson/Murry Doran Ford 2m06.136s
21. GTC Carlisle Porsche 2m07.902s
22. GTC Walton Porsche 2m08.217s
23. GT2 Gentilozzi/Goossens/Drissi/Pruett Jaguar 2m08.324s
24. GTC LeSaffre Porsche 2m08.581s
25. GTC Holden Porsche 2m09.499s
26. GTC Curtis/Sofronas Porsche 2m10.211s
27. GTC Lewis/Vento Porsche 2m10.714s
28. GTC Rodriguez/Bieker/Friedman Porsche 2m11.085s

[Rob]

Posted 02.23.10

HIGHCROFT FORMS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH GE FOR 2010

Also includes technical partnership with GE Global Research
Reigning American Le Mans Series LMP1 champions Patrón Highcroft Racing has formed a unique technical and sponsorship partnership with GE for the 2010 season.

GE Capital has become one of the team's sponsors for 2010, while Highcroft Racing has also formed a technical partnership with GE Global Research, GE's technology development arm.

The teams will work closely together to develop additional new technologies to further enhance the performance of the Honda Performance Development, factory backed ARX-01c chassis.

Highcroft's engineering team will work in conjunction with GE Global Research engineers to identify new applications utilizing a a variety of existing GE technologies. At the same time, GE scientists will have the opportunity to gain new insights that will benefit key research programs in aviation, transportation and energy.

GE Global Research is one of the world's largest and most diversified industrial research labs, with more than 2,600 scientists and engineers from around the world driving innovative technology in major industries such as energy, aviation, transportation, healthcare and lighting.

Technology expertise at Global Research covers virtually every scientific and engineering discipline. In particular, the Research Lab has core expertise in motor technologies, power electronics, drive systems and battery technologies that are broadly applied to support its aviation, transportation and energy businesses but which are also well aligned with advanced vehicle applications.

"The American Le Mans Series remains as one of the last international motorsports championships that truly reward innovation and allow technical development," Highcroft Racing President, Duncan Dayton said.

"Unlike many other championships, we compete against multiple different chassis, different tires and different fuel and engine technologies.

"We already have outstanding partners with HPD for engine technology and Wirth Research for chassis development. Our new partnership with GE will provide us with the tools to develop new enhancements to increase performance, and improve reliability and allow us to investigate new innovations to keep our team at the forefront of international motorsport competition.

"We're hoping these developments will not only enhance the performance of our team, but provide technological advances that we will one day see on the cars we drive on the road."

Eric Butterfield, Global Technology Leader, Electronics Systems and Controls, GE Global Research, said, "We're excited to join the Highcroft Racing 'Pit Crew' and see how we can apply advanced GE technology to improve the team's performance while gaining new insights to benefit our research for aviation, transportation and energy businesses.It's an incredible technical proving ground. With the ALMS focus on "Green Racing" and eager adoption of advanced technology, this is an excellent technology development platform. You would be surprised what you can learn under the hood of a race car."

Highcroft's technical expertise has already been boosted in 2010 by the recruitment of Will Phillips as the team's new Engineering Director. Phillips will also work in conjunction with Technical Director Dave Luckett on helping David Brabham (pictured right) and new drivers Simon Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti retain the ALMS championship crown.

Lead Engineer Jordan Eber has been assigned to coordinate and liaise with the GE Global Research team.

The GE logo will now adorn the team's #1 chassis for the ALMS title defense. Patrón Highcroft Racing has returned to Sebring for one final test this week at the annual American Le Mans Series "Wheels Down" winter test yesteday and today (February 22 & 23).

The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring kicks off the nine-race 2010 championship on March 20 - broadcast live on SPEED TV

[Rob]

BMW RAHAL LETTERMAN RACING TEAM UNVEILS LIVERY FOR 2010 SEASON
M3 racing cars contribute to the Story of Joy
Monday, the BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team began the 2010 American Le Mans season with a new livery on both BMW M3 racing cars, helping to tell BMW's worldwide Story of Joy. The 2010 BMW M3 GT debuted at the traditional pre-season ALMS Winter Test in Sebring, Florida. The new livery features words and phrases emblematic of the spirit of the campaign, which was launched in North America on February 12th during coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the XXI Winter Olympic Games.

"Story of Joy" introduces a new creative aesthetic characterized by strong, colorful images often conveying people and their experiences with the subtlest of references to BMW products punctuated by various three-word headlines leading off with "Joy Is…"

"These days, there isn't much chance for a winter break but our crew certainly earned what little vacation time they got," said Martin Birkmann, BMW of North America Motorsport Manager. "Now, since the turn of the new year we've been getting ready to start what we expect will be a great second season. Car construction is complete, testing has begun, and everyone is excited. We look forward to giving BMW fans a good show at the Winter Test and of course the legendary 12-Hour event next month. For 2010, we have created the Joy livery as a special tribute to our most enthusiastic fans, as they have helped us define the joy of driving and racing in the US for 35 years."

"In the spirit of the new BMW philosophy, all of us at the team share tremendous joy in getting the 2010 season underway," said Bobby Rahal. "While we certainly had a successful inaugural season in 2009, everyone connected with the program has kept pushing throughout the winter months to make the BMW M3 the best car it can possibly be, and striving to meet the standards of excellence that are associated with BMW and Rahal Letterman Racing."

2010 will see the return of BMW's celebrated inaugural-season pilots, with Bill Auberlen and Tommy Milner sharing the No. 92 M3, and Joey Hand with Dirk Müller co -driving the No. 90 M3. For this two-day test at Sebring, BMW Motorsport driver Dirk Werner has been invited to assist.

In its 2010 season, BMW of North America celebrates the 35th anniversary of the company's March 1975 incorporation, as well as its first major sports car racing victory, the 12 Hours of Sebring, also in March of 1975.

In 2010, the season-opening 12 Hours of Sebring will be held on Saturday, March 20th.

[Rob]

Pierre Kaffer returns to Risi for the Classics
By Team Update ⋅ February 25, 2010

Pierre Kaffer, GT2 winner of all three of 2009’s sports car endurance classics – the 12 Hours of Sebring, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans – in a Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GTC, is set to return to the Texan team in 2010 to defend those titles.

The genial German, 33, will be partnered with Gianmaria Bruni and Jaime Melo in the Rosso Red Ferrari for the above mentioned races in the USA and France, and will additionally be paired with Jaime Melo for the Road America 2 hour 34 minute round of the American Le Mans Series. Bruni has a clashing commitment in Europe.

Pierre Kaffer has now been competing extremely successfully in a Ferrari F430 GTC for the last two seasons, taking three wins and six podium finishes and never finishing lower than sixth place in a race. He is delighted to be returning to Risi Competizione.

“I really like the team so it’s great to be back,” said Pierre. “And, from my side, I will, as always, do my very best to help defend our titles. I am sure that, with Gimmi and Jaime, we present a very strong driver combination for these endurance races. I’m very happy to be back in the USA for the three races as I love racing there and, with Ferrari, I think we have a strong package. I hope I’ll be able to help the team a lot.”

Team Principal Giuseppe Risi said of Kaffer’s return to his team: “We obviously work very closely with Ferrari in all aspects of our racing, including our driver line up. Jaime and Gianmaria are the two drivers with the most experience in the world of the F430, as they have both been involved with its development from the start, so that was our decision for the ALMS sprint races.

“Pierre, however, is a perfect fit as their endurance partner and was fortunately available to us amongst his European racing commitments. He brings experience, stability and undoubted talent, as we saw last season, and everyone on the team is delighted to welcome him back.”

[Rob]

ALMS announces 35 entries for Sebring 12 Hours
February 26, 2010

Just a few days after the Sebring Winter Test the American Le Mans Series announced the provisional entry list for the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida. 35 cars have been entered for this years race, which will be held on March 20th.

As Sebring will be run to ACO regulations there will be an LMP1 and LMP2 class. Peugeot will be the top favorite to win this year, the French manufacturer will send two cars to Florida. Gené, Wurz and Davidson will race the #07 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP and Lamy, Bourdais and Minassian will be in the #08 entry. From the five remaining LMP1 teams Aston Martin Racing is probably the best. Primat, Buncombe and Fernandez are the three drivers entered for the race in the car that was fastest at the test, but also crashed heavily.

Drayson Racing will also be in for a fight to become the best of the non-diesel cars. To get the best possible result Paul Drayson and Jonny Cocker are joined by sportscar ace Emanuele Pirro in the Lola Judd. Autocon Motorsports and Intersport Racing will also be entering their Lola B06/10s. The seventh and final LMP1 car on the list is the Creation Autosportif CA10, no drivers are announced for this potential entry. Missing on the list is the Corsa Motorsports Zytek…

Three cars are entered in the LMP2 class. 2010 ALMS champion Patrón Highcroft Racing will be at Sebring with the new HPD ARX-01c for Brabham, Pagenaud and Marino Franchitti. At the test days earlier this week this car was the fastest LMP2. The opposition in LMP2 will come from the Muscle Milk Team Cytosport Porsche RS Spyder (Picket/Graf/Maassen) and the Dyson Racing Team Lola Mazda of Dyson, Smith and Meyrick.

Five LMPC cars will fill up the gap left by the GT1 cars. Five different teams will be racing at Sebring, in what will be the first ever LMPC race. Joel Feinberg and Kyle Marcelli are confirmed in the Primetime Race Group car, while familiar names like Andy Wallace (Genoa Racing), Christophe Bouchut (Level 5 Motorsports, with Scott Tucker), Gunnar Jeanette and Elton Julian (Green Earth Team Gunnar, with Christian Zugel) will also be on the grid. The fifth car is the Intersport Racing FLM09 for Mitch Pagery, Brian Wong and David Ducote.

Perhaps the most interesting class at Sebring will be the GT2 category. Fourteen cars, nine teams, six manufacturers will make up the GT2 grid. Corvette Racing will enter its first Sebring 12 Hours as a GT2 manufacturer and Magnussen, O’Connell, Garcia (in the #3) and Beretta, Gavin and Collard (in the #4) will be aiming for nothing less than a class win at Sebring. Unfortunately for Corvette and fortunately for the fans there are more teams with that exact same aim. BMW Rahal Letterman Racing will again run 2 BMW E92 M3s. Compared to 2009 the line-ups have changed though. In the #90 Dirk Müller will be joined by Joey Hand and Andy Priaulx, while the #92 will have Bill Auberlen teaming up with Tommy Milner and Dirk Werner.
Other candidates for victory are the Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 997 GT3 RSR #45 of Bergmeister and Long and the Risi Competizione Ferrari F430 GT3 #62 of Jaime Melo, Gianmaria Bruni and Pierre Kaffer.
Outsiders could well be the #01 Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari of Scott Sharp and Johannes van Overbeek.
The GT2 grid is completed by the #02 Extreme Speed Motorsports car of Brown/Cosmo, the #61 Risi Ferrari of Krohn/Jonsson/van der Poele, the Black Swan Racing Porsche #54 of Pappas/Bleekemolen/Lazzaro, the #44 Lizards car of Law/Neiman, the #40 Robertson Racing Ford GT of the Robertsons and David Murry, the Team Falken Tire Porsche of Henzler and Sellers. Making its debut, but not expected to be a frontrunner yet, is the Jaguar XKRS of Gentilozzi, Goossens and Dalziel.

Completing the entry list are the GTC Porsches. Six cars are entered for the season opener at Sebring. Alex Job Racing and The Racers Group will be making a return to the ALMS at Sebring. Bill Sweedler, Romeo Kapudija and Jan-Dirk Lueders are in the #23 AJR Porsche, with Juan Gonzalez and Butch Leitzinger confirmed in the second AJR car, the #81. GMG Racing will enter 1 car, for Bret Curtis, James Sofronas and Andy Pilgrim. The three other cars (TRG #63, WERKS II/P7 Racing #69 and #88 Velox Motorsports) will be driven by Henri Richard/Pat Flanagan, Robert Rodriquez/Galen Bieker and Shane Lewis/Jerry Vento.

[Rob]

IMSA confirm 2010 ALMS Technical Specifications
March 2, 2010

Two weeks before the Sebring race week gets underway the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) has announced the following waivers for the American Le Mans Series race at Sebring. This race will be run according to Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) regulations and classes, but some minor adjustments have been made for the opening race of the 2010 season.

At Sebring the technical regulations for the LMP1, LMP2 and GT will see the following waivers.

LMP1
1. All cars must meet all ACO Technical specifications with the exception of cars utilizing E85 fuel. These cars are permitted to utilize the same E85 restrictor and weight waivers as granted.
2. E85 capacity will remain at 110L and a pit tank height of 2.2m.

LMP2
1. All cars must meet all ACO Technical specifications,
2. 3.6.3 Rear Wing: Cars must utilize the 2000mm rear wing. All cars must run a gurney strip (wicker) which is a minimum of 20mm in height at all times.
3. Cars running the 2000mm rear wing will not be eligible for an automatic selection for the 2011 “24 Heures du Mans” (NOTE: this does not preclude cars from participating, it only refers to the “automatic selection.”)

GT2
1. All cars must meet all ACO Technical specifications with the exception of the Doran Designs Ford GT; this car is permitted to utilize the same restrictor as was used in 2009.
2. E85 fuel capacity will remain at 110L and a pit tank height of 2.2m.

After the 12 Hours of Sebring, from the Grand Prix of Long Beach on, the American Le Mans Series will not run to ACO regulations anymore but to the different IMSA set of regulations. These rules will be effective in races two through eight (Grand Prix of Mosport).

Cars considered LMP1
1. All cars that have been provided E85 weight and restrictor waivers must remove these waivers for these races (subject to Attachment 2 of the ALMS SSR.) In addition cars utilizing an approved fuel other than E85 must reduce their air restrictor size by 5% as a class sporting adjustment for the combined LMP class.
2. E85 capacity will remain at 110L and a pit tank height of 2.2m.

Cars considered LMP2
1. All cars must meet all ACO Technical specifications (subject to Attachment 2 of the ALMS SSR) with the exception of those cars which have received a class sporting adjustment in 2009; in this case the adjustment may be utilized.
2. 3.6.3 Rear Wing: Cars must utilize the 2000mm rear wing for 2010 competition. All cars must run a gurney strip (wicker) which is a minimum of 20mm in height at all times. The 1600mm rear wing may also be approved as an option at a later date but once it is used the team is committed to its use for all events. Further details regarding the 1600mm will be provided in a separate bulletin if approved.
3. Cars running the 2000mm rear wing will not be eligible for an automatic selection for the 2011 “24 Heures du Mans” (NOTE: this does not preclude cars from participating, it only refers to the “automatic selection.”)
4. All cars may compete with a fuel capacity of 90L.

GT2
1. All cars must meet all ACO Technical specifications (subject to Attachment 2 of the ALMS SSR) with the exception of the Doran Designs Ford GT; this car is permitted to utilize the same restrictor as was used in 2009.
2. E85 fuel capacity will remain at 110L and a pit tank height of 2.2m.

Technical Specifications for round 9 of the American Le Mans Series 2010 season, Petit Le Mans, will be announced 60 days prior to the event. This race will also be part of the Le Mans Intercontinental Cup.

The technical specifications for LMP cars means that LMP1 cars, like the Drayson Racing Lola, will be able to receive an automatic selection for the Le Mans 24 Hours, whereas the LMP2 spec cars will not be able to receive that due to running a non-ACO compliant rear wing. (As seen on the Patrón Highcroft Racing HPD ARX-01c above)

[Rob]

TOP FERRARI TEAMS CHOOSE MICHELIN


Risi Competizione’s Le Mans Champs & Scott Sharp’s New Arrivals Both Choose Michelin
A marriage in GT2 class racing heaven may combine something old, something new, something red, and something…green and black?

One of sports car racing’s most successful teams, and one of its newest, have two things in common; both have chosen Ferrari F430GT cars and MICHELIN® tires for their 2010 American Le Mans Series campaigns. The defending 24 Hours of Le Mans GT2 champion Risi Competizione and the new Extreme Speed Motorsports head into 2010 ALMS competition with Michelin.

Sporting the traditional Ferrari red, as they head into their fifth season with Michelin, is the all conquering Risi Competizione Ferrari team, winners of the 2007 American Le Mans Series GT2 Championship, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Petit Le Mans in 2008 and owners of a sweep of the 2009 GT2 class endurance events at Sebring, Le Mans and Petit Le Mans.

The Houston-based squad again chooses Michelin as their technical partner for the 2010 ALMS season. Team Principal Giuseppe Risi cites tire choice as one of the most important elements in achieving success. “We are delighted to continue our successful racing partnership with Michelin, and would have no other tire. As always, winning comes down to having the complete package: the best car, team, drivers and tires. We know that Michelin always provide us with an extremely consistent and reliable tire, as well as great technical support, and I have no doubt about their contribution to our endurance wins over recent years.”

The always quick and aggressive Brazilian, Jaime Melo returns aboard the red # 62 Risi Competizione Ferrari paired for 2010 with experienced sports car racer, Gianmaria Bruni of Italy. Melo begins his fifth consecutive season with Risi, where he has already produced 14 ALMS wins, 15 pole positions and numerous track records and fast laps.

Bruni, the 2008 FIA GT Champion, partnered with Melo for victory at the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans and has competed for Risi Competizione in a number of ALMS races.

The newest ALMS GT2 class entrants, Scott Sharp’s colorful new Extreme Speed Motorsports based in Stuart, FL. have also chosen Michelin as their technical partner.

A winner throughout his sports car and IndyCar career, Sharp first tasted Michelin performance when he joined the Patrón Highcroft Racing Acura team in 2008. He and David Brabham proceeded to deliver Acura’s first overall race win in 2008, and after stepping up to the LMP1 class, served up three wins and the ALMS series title in 2009.

Now, Sharp is stepping quickly to field his own two car Ferrari team in the brutally competitive GT2 class. Like Risi Competizione, Sharp has chosen Michelin. “Extreme Speed Motorsports is thrilled to add Michelin as a technical partner to our team,” Sharp added. “After driving on MICHELIN® tires for the last two seasons, I know how important it is to run on the best tires out there, and having them on our cars will immediately bring confidence to everyone on the team.”

Joining Sharp as co-driver will be GT2 ace and six-time class winner Johannes van Overbeek, while veteran Guy Cosmo teams with GT3 graduate Ed Brown in the second Ferrari F430.

“Michelin is pleased to continue our long-standing technical partnership with Risi Competizione and we are excited by the arrival of the new Extreme Speed Motorsports team,” said Silvia Mammone, Michelin motorsports manager. “We thank both teams for choosing Michelin to provide the right tires for their needs.”

[Rob]

Creation Autosportif withdraws from Sebring
By Team Update ⋅ March 16, 2010
Creation Autosportif has withdrawn its entry to the 58th Mobil 1 Sebring 12 Hours race in Florida scheduled for this coming weekend, due to non-performance of one of its principal sponsors.

The Winston-Salem (North Carolina USA) based team was due to debut its Creation CA10-Judd P1 chassis for a full season’s racing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS), however that debut looks more likely now to take place later in the season.

Creation’s Team Owner Michael Jankowski commented “It is exceptionally frustrating for Creation to have to postpone the debut of our new CA10; however, it is important to ensure that our efforts are properly funded as that is the only way to have any future in this sport. The new car ought to be competitive and I look forward to seeing it on the track.”

Commercial Manager Andy Woolgar added “It is by no means an ideal situation we find ourselves in and certainly not the way we wanted to kick things off in 2010. It has been difficult to speak out publicly about our plans due to upholding of contractual obligations from our side, but we are remaining positive and forging ahead”.

(press release)

[Rob]

Gené, Franchitti and Jeannette on LMP poles
March 19, 2010 ⋅


Ten minutes after the GT cars had ended their session the LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC cars were sent out on the track. While LMP1 and LMP2 qualifying were not really exciting the battle in LMPC lasted until the very last second.

Having been repaired after its crash this morning the Drayson Racing Lola Judd was taken out by Emanuele Pirro. Despite setting a fast lap time of 1:46.940, the Lola Aston Martin and the two Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs were soon lapping even quicker.

Halfway the session Marc Gené had posted the fastest lap time, a 1:45.214. Nic Minassian in the sister car was 0.627s behind, with Stefan Mücke’s Lola Aston Martin in third place. 0.866s from the Spanish Peugeot driver.

Marino Franchitti had meanwhile taken provisional pole position in LMP2, just under three tenths of a second ahead of the Dyson Lola and a second ahead of the Cytosport Porsche.
In the LMPC category it was Gunnar Jeannette ahead of Ryan Hunter-Reay and Christophe Bouchut.

The top five overall went into the pit lane, but the battle for the LMPC pole position continued. Ryan Hunter-Reay briefly overtook Jeannette, but soon after the #99 Oreca FLM09 was back in front. Meanwhile JR Hildebrand passed Bouchut to take third in class.

Only six cars were out with the clock still indicating that there were nine minutes left. Marino Franchitti then aborted his qualifying run after a spin out on the track at Turn 15.

While Franchitti drove back to the pit lane Hunter-Reay and Hildebrand improved their lap times and sent Jeannette to third in class. The battle in LMPC continued and with the time ticking away the three cars kept lapping at a fabulous pace. Jeannette posted the provisional pole position time with just over two minutes left. As the checkered flag was about to come out Hunter-Reay managed to squeeze out just that little bit extra to take provisional pole position and it looked as if he would take it. But Gunnar Jeanette was the last man to laugh, taking pole position for Green Earth Team Gunnar on his final lap in 1:55.279.

Post qualifying quotes:

Gunnar Jeannette: “It was really exciting. It is an honor to have the first pole for this new class in the series. Our G-Oil car was really hooked up and we skipped the practice session this morning to prepare for the race. To take the pole over a team like Level 5 Motorsports is an honor. For tomorrow we’re going to aim for a finish. We are really happy to show our hand and see that we’re quickest, but our aim is really a finish.”

Marino Franchitti: “It was certainly very close, but we thought our competition wasn’t showing everything they had. And as it showed they were close in qualifying. It is great to start of the season with a pole. We have a great new sponsor in GE and it is great to welcome them with a pole. It is going to be fun for the fans tomorrow.”

[Rob]

Sebring 12H - Friday Morning Practice Report
March 19, 2010


The American Le Mans Series started their Friday with a one-hour long free practice session. Unfortunately for teams and fans the track time during the session was cut short due to two rather long red flag periods. But in the end nothing changed and Peugeot was 1-2 again.

With the session just a minute underway Marino Franchitti tried to overtake one of the Corvettes but things went wrong. On cold tyres the Scot spun the Patrón Highcroft Racing car, fortunately missing everyone. Franchitti kept his car on the track and after getting the noise pointing in the right direction he rejoined the session.

Just minutes later two LMPC Oreca FLM09 cars went off at Turn 12. The Level 5 Motorsports car was able to continue under its own power, but the #11 Primetime-Braille Battery Race Group was not. The red flag was shown and a flatbed transporter went out to recover the stranded car.

Fifteen minutes later the session was restarted and the cars returned to the track, including the Jaguar XKR that missed night practice due to an engine being changed.

Alexander Wurz was the first to complete a fast lap after the red flag had come to an end and the Austrian posted a 1:46.923. Teammate Nic Minassian was a second slower on his first flying lap, but the French driver was in traffic. From that moment the teams started to drop.

With 30 minutes left on the clock Wurz had improved to 1:45.722, Minassian was lapping on the same pace, setting a 1:45.735. Third quickest was Franchitti at 1.319s from Wurz.
Andy Wallace (Genoa Racing #36) was quickest in LMPC, with Van Overbeek setting the fastest time in the Extreme Speed Motorsports Ferrari F430 GT2, ahead of the two Corvettes and the #90 BMW E92 M3.

Paul Drayson then had an off coming out of Turn 5, causing another red flag. The Drayson Racing team owner/driver lost control of the Lola B09/60 Judd and hit the wall, ripping off the rear wing and causing substantial damage to the rear end bodywork. The #45 Flying Lizards Motorsport Porsche managed to brake hard and avoided collecting the Lola as it bounced back on the track.

Drayson restarted the damaged car and drove it back to the pit lane as the safety team started to clean the track and replace the tyre barrier on the outside of turn 5.

With eighteen minutes remaining the session was restarted once more and again the cars rolled out of the pit lane.

The battle in the LMPC class heated up again in the final minutes of the session. Ryan Hunter-Reay, driving the #95 Level 5 Motorsports Oreca FLM09, set the fastest lap time of the LMPC class with only ten minutes to go and improved his own time in the lap after. Christophe Bouchut was also improving and closed in, eventually posting the fastest lap of the class on his 13th lap.

In GT2 Bill Auberlen restored the order in GT2. In only his third lap Auberlen set the fastest class time, 0.550s quicker than Müller. Jaime Melo managed to squeeze the Risi Competizione Ferrari in between with 3 minutes left on the clock and eventually posted a 2:00.914, bringing him to the top of the GT2 class. His time was also the first sub 2:01 lap at Sebring in practice this year (thanks Don Pierce for letting us know).

One minute before the end of the session Harold Primat spun off the track coming out of turn 16. But he stayed clear off the wall.

[Rob]

Dirk Müller and Leh Keen secure GT poles
March 19, 2010

Dirk Müller (GT2) and Leh Keen (GTC) secured the pole positions for tomorrow’s Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. The BMW and Porsche drivers beat their rivals in the GT qualifying session.

In the GT qualifying session the first minutes saw the GTC cars out on track, before being joined by the quicker GT2 cars. Tracy Krohn spun his Ferrari F430 GT2 on its outlap, but quickly recovered and continued.

Dirk Müller posted a 2:00.782 in his second lap, with Jaime Melo checking in right behind him. Soon after Melo had posted his time though it was Wolf Henzler in the #17 Team Falken Tire Porsche who went just a tad quicker. Both cars were still over four tenths behind the leading BMW.

Twelve minutes were left in the session when the two Corvettes went out for their qualifying run, with Jörg Bergmeister on a flying lap as well. On the Ulmann Straight Bergmeister tried to pass Shane Lewis in the Velox Motorsport Porsche Cup but was unable to and the two nearly collided in the last corner.

Bergmeister did not improve the time set by Müller and with only a few minutes remaining the #90 was still on provisional pole position. The Falken Tire Porsche was still third, ahead of the Risi Ferrari and the two Corvettes.

As the checkered flag was shown it meant that Müller had secured the pole position for BMW, the first BMW pole position in GT since 1998 (and the first for BMW since 1999) and broke the GT2 qualifying record. Marc Goossens qualified the Jaguar XKR in eleventh place, although there were some worried faces around the track as the car drove around the track in its final lap with steam coming from the car. According to team owner/driver Paul Gentilozzi there was nothing to worry about though.

Leh Keen in the #80 Alex Job Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup eventually posted the fastest GTC qualifying lap time, ahead of his team mate Patrick Kelly in the #81 AJR Porsche. Kelly was over a second behind his team mate though and managed to beat the Tracy Krohn driven Risi Ferrari F430 GT2. Romeo Kapudija in the team’s #23 completed a qualifying clean sweep for AJR.

Post qualifying quotes:

Leh Keen: “My lap was pretty uneventful, pretty clean. Kind of a one lap or two lap wonder. Squeezed everything out of the tyres. As for tomorrow, it’s a twelve hour race, so we have to be there at the end. ”

Dirk Müller: “Obviously I am extremely pleased. It is a kind of not really expected pole, to be 100% honest. There were lots of things going on during the week. Both me and my team mate Joey were not happy with the car on Thursday and we made some big changes and we are now extremely happy.”

[Rob]

[Rob]

Drayson Racing Ignites Sebring Until Alternator Drains Momentum
By Team Update ⋅ March 22, 2010

Drayson Racing has been riding a wave of momentum entering today’s 58th Running of the 12 Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida which dated to 2009. The wave hit its crescendo this week at Sebring International Raceway when driver Emanuele Pirro (Rome) attacked from fourth on the starting grid to bring the No. 8 Drayson Racing Lola Coupé with Judd Power into second overall early in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) season-opener. However, the electrifying run by the two-time Sebring winner came to an end when the alternator failed three hours and 34-minutes into the 12 hour race. Pirro shared the car with regular team drivers Paul Drayson (London/Gloucestershire, UK) and Jonny Cocker (Guisborough, Yorks, UK). Other issues with a water leak dropped the programme further back, eventually closing the day with the United Kingdom-based team fourth in Le Mans Prototype One (LMP1) class, 12th overall.

In the critical Michelin® Green X® Challenge, the team finished as the highest non-diesel powered entry. Taking third in this important environmental award was the result of the team’s use of second generation, cellulosic E85 ethanol and its efficient combination of Judd V10 engine and Lola’s closed cockpit chassis. This success was yet another example of the team’s ability to maintain momentum event-to-event. Drayson Racing won the Michelin Green X Challenge in the Asian Le Mans Series in 2009 at the Okayama Circuit in Japan.

Like qualifying before it, the race proved the strength of the first-year LMP1 operation. Not only was the Drayson Lola fast in the hands of its drivers, the team proved its ompetitive drive and professionalism in pit lane and preparation. By overcoming two alternator issues - which were discovered via onboard telemetry before the two separate incidents could drain the lithium battery - and the water leak caused when a competitor struck the Drayson machine, the Dale White (Bozeman, MT, USA)-managed organisation was able to reach the total race distance allowing the drivers to score vital points in the combined LMP class championship.

The stop to replace the alternator, whist only 18 minutes in total, dropped the car from the top-three to fourth in class. This would be the case for most of the remainder of the day despite impressive lap times put in by Drayson, Cocker and Pirro. The team proved very efficient and professional in dealing with the issues. The loss of a second alternator at the end of the day dropped Drayson Racing out of a solid top-10 to its final position but it did take the chequered flag.

The team’s performance and the car’s speed will help it maintain the momentum it has built. The second round of the ALMS season will be held at Long Beach, Calif. on 17 April.

Quotes
Elspeth, Lady Drayson, Owner/CEO: “I am very pleased we finished the race. Sebring is known as the toughest race of the championship and a huge test for cars and drivers alike. The team showed great spirit in dealing with the various issues as the race progressed - but it was the amazing turn of speed early on that gives me such optimism for this year.”

Paul Drayson, Owner/Driver: “After an absolutely storming first hour where we really showed the speed potential that we have. It was dogged determination that got us to the finish of the 12 Hours of Sebring tonight. We earned vital points towards the ALMS championship and learnt a huge amount to prepare for Le Mans 24 Hours. A great start to 2010.”

Jonny Cocker, Driver: “We really showed that we have absolutely huge potential this year. We are going to have a strong year. We aren’t going to struggle for pace which is fantastic to have on our side. We have gathered a very strong team that has a lot of positive experience with P cars and I think it is going to be a very good year.”

Emanuele Pirro, Driver: “There are positive things and a list of things to address. One positive is that the car is very, very strong. Personally, the positive thing is that I found the speed and the racecraft as I left it two years ago. All the things are still there and this is great for me. We lost time with mechanical issues and we had an accident when we were hit by a Peugeot. Really, the most positive thing is to bring the car home to the finish because we collected a lot of data that we can take to Le Mans. Thanks to the team and congratulations to my teammates. I am looking forward to Laguna.”

Dale White, Team Manager: “We obviously hoped for a better result. However, looking at it from the positive side, we again showed that, without a doubt, we can run with anyone. That opening stint was great racing to watch and I think it should let everyone know we are here to race and to win.”

[Rob]

WOW! RECORD-SETTING ENTRY FOR SERIES AT LONG BEACH
Thirty-five world-class entries to pack it in at historic circuit
2010-03-25

One of the largest fields for any event in the 36-year history of the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach will take to the famed southern California street circuit for the Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach. Thirty-five cars will compete in the second round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón championship.

The field for Long Beach is the largest for a non-endurance-length race in the Series since 2003 and is also the biggest at the circuit for the Series since its first race there in 2007. The grid is the largest of any kind at Long Beach in 15 years

“We were blessed with a fantastic field of world-class competitors at Sebring, and they certainly did not disappoint,” said Scott Atherton, Series President and CEO. “As we move on to the biggest and most strategic market for our series – southern California – we have been overwhelmed by entries, both the quantity and quality. There is no question we will have a record-breaking field for our fourth-annual event through the streets of Long Beach. I am confident that the tens of thousands of spectators in attendance at America’s premier street race will witness a great race among the world’s best sports cars, teams and drivers.”

The Series’ fourth consecutive visit to the 11-turn, 1.968-mile historic Long Beach track will boast a number of new features. First and foremost is the debut of the Series’ combined LMP class. Five separate marques will fight for overall victory – Aston Martin, Lola, Mazda and Porsche. Adding to the mix is the inclusion of two exotic closed-top prototypes: Drayson Racing’s E85-powered Lola-Judd and Aston Martin Racing’s Lola-Aston Martin with its screaming V12 production-based engine.

Another new addition to Long Beach is the first-year LMP Challenge class featuring ORECA’s FLM09 prototype. Seven FLM09s are entered after a successful opening race last weekend at the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring presented by Fresh from Florida, where the ORECA-built racers passed their debut with flying colors.

Among the highlights on the entry list are two cars for Level 5 Motorsports, the class winner at Sebring, and G-Oil’s Green Earth Team Gunnar. There is one new entry – PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports for prototype expert Johnny Mowlem and Tom Papadopoulos.

The GT class is its usual spectacular self – double-digit entries representing six manufacturers (BMW, Chevrolet, Ferrari, Ford, Jaguar and Porsche). Risi Competizione’s duo of Jaime Melo and Gimmi Bruni enter as the championship leaders after another Sebring victory for the Ferrari F430 GT. Of course the list of challengers is extensive including Corvette Racing’s two Corvette C6.Rs (making their first Long Beach start in the class), JaguarRSR’s Jaguar XKRS and two cars each for BMW Rahal Letterman Racing Team (second and third in class at Sebring) and defending Series and race champion Flying Lizard Motorsports.

A nine-car field for the GT Challenge class will be part of the Long Beach grid with new additions from 911 Design (Loren Beggs/Doug Baron) and Black Swan Racing (Tim Pappas/Jeroen Bleekemolen). Sebring class-winner Alex Job Racing leads the GTC contingent with three cars – one under the Car Amigo-Alex Job Racing banner.

The Tequila Patrón American Le Mans Series at Long Beach is the second round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. The race, set at the historic Long Beach street circuit, is scheduled for 4:40 p.m. PT on Saturday, April 15 with coverage on SPEED set for 8 to 10 p.m. ET. Live radio coverage will be available on American Le Mans Radio presented by Porsche – a production of Radio Show Limited – as well as Sirius and XM. Visit the the Series’ schedule page for ticket and accommodation information. Live Timing and Scoring, track schedule, entry list and much, much more will be available on Racehub at americanlemans.com.

You can follow the Series on Twitter (almsnotes) and on our Facebook page and the official YouTube channel.