IMSA: Schroeder ready for Rolex 24 return

Dorsey Schroeder trades his suit and tie as a sports car racing analyst (which he has been for Speedvision, Speed Channel, Speed, Fox Sports), for Nomex overalls once again, as he will race at the Rolex 24.  Here's the story, from Racer magazine.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/112128-imsa-schroeder-ready-for-rolex-24-return

Top PWC GT Teams to Race in Baku World Challenge

This will provide some great incentive for the top GT teams in Pirelli World Challenge competition to do well.

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/top-pwc-gt-teams-to-race-in-baku-world-challenge/

Also, there could be an actual overseas race for the series, if this idea works out as planned.

http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/pwc-targeting-overseas-gt3-race-in-2016/

WEC: Indianapolis open to 2016 date

The FIA World Endurance Championship could host a race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2016.  Yours truly, hopes that it will happen.  What an awesome event it would be!  But, it would have to be a stand alone race, without being sanctioned along with an IMSA/Tudor Championship event.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/112026-wec-indianapolis-open-to-2016-date

Championship-winning SRT Vipers will remain parked

Bad news.  The 2014 Tudor Championship GT Le Mans class champion ex-factory SRT Vipers will remain parked in 2015, for the foreseeable future.  Privateers are not interested in running the cars, and we can say au revoir to the factory program.  However, there will be a few privately entered SRT Viper's (maybe, one), in the GT Daytona division.

http://www.motorsport.com/tusc/news/championship-winning-srt-vipers-will-remain-parked

FFF Racing Team by ACM to Run McLaren 650S GT3s in Asia

FFF Racing will field several of the new McLaren 650S GT3 cars in Asian GT competition, next year.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/gtasia/fff-racing-team-by-acm-to-run-mclaren-650s-gt3s-in-asia/

10 Questions with Marshall Pruett

North American Sportscar blog writer, Matt Kistler, interviews sports car racing journalist, Marshall Pruett about how he got into the sport, and what led him, to write about it.  Pruett, is an inspiration for yours truly, to be writing and maintaining Endurance... the sports car racing blog.

http://nasportscar.com/10-questions-with-marshall-pruett/

sports car racing news update

Lots more news in the world of sports car racing that is developing as this is being typed.  Here are the latest stories.

FIA WEC Set for Press Conference at NAIAS
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-wec-set-for-press-conference-at-naias/

Gibson Reveals 2015 Updates to Zytek LMP2 Car
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/gibson-reveals-2015-updates-to-zytek-lmp2-car/

Team Sofrev-ASP Becomes Team AKKA-ASP
http://sportscar365.com/gt/team-sofrev-asp-becomes-team-akka-asp/

Reiter Gallardo Extenso GT3 Breaks Cover
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/reiter-gallardo-extenso-gt3-breaks-cover/

Pumpelly, Rodriguez Jr. Round Out Rennsport One CTSC Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/pumpelly-rodriguez-jr-round-out-rennsport-one-ctsc-lineup/

Actor Erik Valdez to Run Partial CTSC Season with Rebel Rock
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/actor-erik-valdez-to-run-partial-ctsc-season-with-rebel-rock/

LG Motorsports Set for Return with Three-Car Aston Martin PWC Effort
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/lg-motorsports-set-for-return-with-three-car-aston-martin-pwc-effort/

Inside Cadillac's ATS-V.R GT3 Car
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/inside-the-cadillac-ats-v-r-gt3-car/

Scuderia Corsa Confirms Three Ferrari's for PWC Season
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/scuderia-corsa-confirms-three-for-pwc-season/

Klenin, KPR Announce Full-Season GTS Program
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/klenin-kpr-announce-full-season-gts-program/

FIA Implements Flashing Tail Lights for LMP1 Cars
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-implements-flashing-tail-lights-for-lmp1-cars/

VIDEO: HPD ARX-04b Testing at Sebring
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-hpd-arx-04b-testing-at-sebring

Future Unclear for 8Star in TUSC
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/future-unclear-for-8star-in-tusc/

IMSA Releases Provisional GTLM, GTD BoP for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/imsa-releases-gtlm-gtd-bop-for-daytona/

Scuderia Corsa Confirms Lineups, Second Car for Rolex 24
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/scuderia-corsa-confirms-lineups-and-second-car-for-rolex-24/

TRG-AMR Confirms Nygaard for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/trg-amr-confirms-nygaard-for-naec/

IMSA Confirms GTLM/GTD BoP For Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/imsa-confirms-gtlmgtd-bop-for-daytona/

2015 PWC Silly Season Update 1: GTS

Here is a forecast (a first, of many) as to what the Pirelli World Challenge GTS class for 2015 could look like in terms of entries.

portscar365.com/world-challenge/2015-pwc-silly-season-update-1-gts/

2015 PWC Silly Season Update 1: GT/GT Cup

Possible entries for the GT and GT Cup classes in Pirelli World Challenge competion next year.  This is the first, of what could be many updates.

http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/2015-pwc-silly-season-update-1-gtgt-agt-cup/

Tudor Championship entry list updates

Some prospective Tudor Championship entry list updates for the 2015 season, in the Prototype class, as well as GT Le Mans, GT Daytona, and Prototype Challenge.

Prototype
http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-prototype-class-2/

GT Le Mans
http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-gtlm-class-3/

GT Daytona
http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-gtd-and-pc-classes/

IMSA: Series tweaks PC specifications

Tweaks are being made to the Prototype Challenge cars in the Tudor Championship, so they can run a little quicker and aren't muddled amongst GT Le Mans and GT Daytona traffic, causing headaches for drivers in those divisions.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111975-imsa-series-tweaks-pc-specifications

IMSA: Risi set for full-season campaign

Unlike many teams that have jumped ship from the Tudor Championship, Risi Competizione will compete in the full season, in 2015.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111905-imsa-risi-set-for-full-season-campaign

FIA World Endurance Championship silly season updates

Updates on the LMP1 & LMP2 as well as GTE Pro and GTE Am concerning the 2015 "silly season" in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/2015-silly-season-update-2-lmp1lmp2-2/

...and

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/2015-silly-season-update-2-gte-progte-am/

Formula Racing wins Maxi Endurance 32H

Formula Racing won the inaugural Maxi Endurance 32 Hours at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portugal, driving a Seat Leon shared by five drivers including Bo McCormick, Johnny Laursen, Lars Steffensen, and Jose Antonio Monroy.  In just over 32 hours, the team completed 773 laps, which on the 2.905 mile layout of the track, equals 2,245 and a half miles.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/formula-racing-wins-first-maxi-endurance-32h/

sports car racing news update

More of the latest sports car racing news.

Starworks Set for Riley-BMW DP Effort in NAEC
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/starworks-set-for-riley-bmw-dp-effort-in-naec/

Ganassi confirms Rolex 24 Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/ganassi-confirms-rolex-24-lineup/

IMSA Finalizing BoP for Daytona, 2015 Season
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/imsa-finalizing-bop-for-daytona-2015-season/

SpeedSource Mazda Driver Pairings Confirmed
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/speedsource-mazda-driver-pairings-confirmed/

2015 FIA WEC Sporting Regulations Released
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/2015-fia-wec-sporting-regulations-released/

Rollcentre returns with Ginetta-Juno LMP3
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/rollcentre-returns-to-elms-with-ginetta-juno-lmp3/

Marcelli confirmed in Mantella Autosport Camaro
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/marcelli-confirmed-in-mantella-autosport-camaro/

DragonSpeed Confirms Four-Car PWC Effort for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/dragonspeed-confirms-3-mercedes-1-porsche-for-pwc/

Sebastien Loeb Racing Pulls Out of LMP2
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/sebastien-loeb-racing-pulls-out-of-lmp2/

Just Racing China Evaluating Blancpain Sprint Effort
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/just-racing-china-evaluating-blancpain-sprint-effort/

Dubai 24 Entry List Update 12-20
http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/dubai-24-entry-list-update-12-20/

Confirmed: Ford to build new sports car, race it at Le Mans in 2016

Ford Motor Company, will officially return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016.

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/confirmed-ford-to-build-new-sports-car-race-it-at-le-mans-in-2016-459802

Jarvis Promoted to Full-Season Drive, Rast Joins Audi for 2015

Oliver Jarvis will be a full-time Audi factory driver replacing the retired Tom Kristensen.  Meanwhile, Rene Rast, has been promoted from Audi's GT effort, into it's Prototype program, and will be part of a third car they will race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/jarvis-promoted-to-full-season-drive-rast-joins-audi-for-2015/

Bob Stallings Racing to return in 2015

Bob Stallings Racing and Gainsco, will come back to racing next year.  But, instead of returning to the Tudor Championship, they will focus on the Pirelli World Challenge championship.

http://www.racer.com/pwc/item/111821-bob-stallings-racing-to-return-in-2015

sports car racing news update

Another long list of news stories from the world of sports car racing.  Be sure to check them out, at the link provided.  Remember, most of these stories, are sourced from Sportscar365 or Racer magazine, as those are the most comprehensive and up-to-date sources that yours truly can find.

BMW Team Brasil Confirms Expansion to Blancpain Endurance
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bes/bmw-team-brasil-confirms-expansion-into-blancpain-endurance/

Absolute Racing Set For Expanded GT Effort in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/gt/absolute-racing-set-for-expanded-gt-effort-in-2015/

Van Lagen wins Porsche Cup
http://sportscar365.com/gt/van-lagen-wins-porsche-cup/

Curbstone Corse Enters Ferrari for Spa 24
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bes/curbstone-corse-enters-spa-24-with-ferrari/

VIDEO: Krohn Racing Tests at COTA
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/video-krohn-racing-tests-at-cota/

GB Autosport Confirms NAEC Effort, Signs Skeen
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/gb-autosport-signs-skeen-for-2015/

More Drivers Added, Adjusted in Latest FIA Ratings List
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/more-drivers-added-adjusted-in-latest-fia-ratings-list/

Hand Confirmed at Ganassi for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/hand-confirmed-at-ganassi/

Action Express Debuts New Corvette C7 DP Bodywork
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/action-express-debuts-new-corvette-c7-dp-bodywork/

Conway Poised for Full-Season Toyota FIA-WEC Drive
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/conway-poised-for-full-season-toyota-wec-drive/

Race Performance Eyeing Expansion with LMP2 Coupe
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/race-performance-eyeing-expansion/

Scuderia Corsa Set For All-American Lineup at LM24
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/scuderia-corsa-set-for-all-american-lineup-at-lm24/

Miller, Isman Set for CTSC in Rennsport One Cayman
ortscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/miller-isman-set-for-ctsc-season-in-rennsport-one-cayman/

Sebring to Host 2015 Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo World Final
http://sportscar365.com/other/lamborghini-blancpain-super-trofeo-series-calendars-announced/

Ten teams invited to 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans

Here is a breakdown of ten teams that have been invited to the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans, and how they got there.

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/ten-teams-invited-to-2015-24-hours-of-le-mans

AF Corse Captures Gulf 12 Hours Victory

AF Corse and Ferrari have captured their third win in four years at the Gulf 12 Hours endurance GT race held at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi.

AF Corse Leads After Segment 1 in Gulf 12 Hours
http://sportscar365.com/gt/gulf12h/af-corse-leads-after-gulf-12-hours-segment-1/

...and

AF Corse Captures Gulf 12 Hours Victory
http://sportscar365.com/gt/gulf12h/af-corse-captures-gulf-12-hours-victory/

IMSA Releases 2015 Sporting Regulations, Technical Regulations To Competitors

IMSA has announced some changes to the Sporting Regulations and Technical Regulations for the 2015 Tudor Championship season.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/imsa-releases-2015-sporting-regulations-technical-regulations-competitors

1998 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Check out the 1998 running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, which was the first of two editions of the race to be sanctioned by the short lived reincarnation of the SCCA United States Road Racing Championship.  This year, was particularly special, because it marked the first, and only win, for legendary driver, the late, great, Gianpiero Moretti, and the first official win for Ferrari at Daytona since 1967, even though they also won in 1972, when the race was shortened to six hours due to the fuel crisis.

IMSA: Significant progress by Mazda in P2

Mazda made significant progress in their return to the Prototype racing ranks in the Tudor Championship last season with their 2.2 liter SkyActiv diesel four cylinder engine.  But, there's still room for improvement, according to this article in Racer magazine.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111628-imsa-significant-progress-by-mazda-in-p2

Nico Hulkenberg takes first laps in Porsche 919

Nico Hulkenberg has completed his first test with Porsche's LMP1 program in the 919 Hybrid.

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/nico-hulkenberg-takes-first-laps-in-porsche-919

The Nasa Elan NP01

The National Auto Sport Association (NASA), (not to be confused with the space program), is launching it's own prototype race car, set to a standardized specification, to try and compete with IMSA.

http://nasaprototype.com/

The new Honda Tudor Championship team? Bet on Michael Shank Racing

By Friday, there will likely be an announcement that Michael Shank Racing is going to switch to Honda power for their new Ligier JS P2 chassis, and not run the Ford EcoBoost V6 in that car.  MSR could be the new Honda powered team in the Tudor Championship, now that we've very likely seen the departure of Oak Racing.

http://www.motorsport.com/tusc/news/the-new-honda-tudor-championship-team-bet-on-michael-shank-racing

more sports car racing news

Your regular news update, has many headlines coming from planet sports car racing.  Here are some of the stories being analyzed.

Fogarty, Heinemeier Hansson Join Tequila Patron ESM
http://www.esmracing.com/blog/fogarty-heinemeier-hansson-join-tequila-patron-esm/

IMSA: Ganassi-Ford set for major driver shakeup
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111600-imsa-ganassi-ford-set-for-major-driver-shakeup

IMSA: Oreca establishing North American Base
http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111595-imsa-oreca-establishing-north-american-base

Krohn Confirms ELMS, LM24 Program
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/krohn-confirms-elms-and-le-mans-program/

Bourdais Back with Action Express for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/bourdais-back-with-action-express-for-2015/

*Here is a preview of the upcoming Gulf 12 Hours endurance race at Yas Marina Circuit, in Abu Dhabi, happening in a few days.

Gulf 12 Hours Entry List Update
http://sportscar365.com/gt/gulf12h/gulf-12-hours-entry-list-update-12-08/

Larbre Competition Confirms Lineup for Gulf 12 Hours
http://sportscar365.com/gt/gulf12h/larbre-competition-confirms-lineup-for-gulf-12-hours/

***

IMSA: Porsche GT3 USA Announces 2015 Schedule
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/dev/imsa-porsche-gt3-usa-announces-2015-schedule/

FIA Grants 24H Series International Status for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/fia-grants-24h-series-international-status/

Dubai 24 Entry List Updates
http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/dubai-24-entry-list-updates/

Black Falcon Confirms Gulf 12 Hours, 24H Dubai Lineups
http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/black-falcon-confirms-gulf-12-hours-24h-dubai-lineups/

24H Dubai Nearing Capacity Entry
http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/24h-dubai-nearing-capacity-entry/

Algarve Pro Racing Purchases TDS Ligier JS P2
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/algarve-pro-racing-purchases-tds-ligier-js-p2/

Fall-Line Plans CTSC, GT3 Programs for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/fall-line-plans-ctsc-gt3-programs-for-2015/

Lamborghini targeting Le Mans return, possible LMP1 program

Lamborghini will continue it's involvement in international GT racing.  But, it also hopes to return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and eventually, move into a position to be a part of the LMP1 class.  Sportscar365 and Fox Sports Motor Racing, have the story.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/lamborghini-targeting-le-mans-return-possible-lmp1-program-120814?cmpid=tsmfb:fscom:speed

Porsche Experience Center - Le Mans

In June of next year, Porsche will dedicate a building at the Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, to their great legacy of racing there for as long as they have.  It will be called The Porsche Experience Center.  Here's a short video of what it's all about.

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/video/main-gallery/porsche-experience-center-le-mans

ACO Takes Over Organization of Asian LMS

After having small grids over the last few seasons, the Asian Le Mans Series is getting a boost from the ACO, after it has been run, through a licensing agreement by S2M Group out of Shanghai, China.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/asian-lms/aco-takes-over-organization-of-asian-lms/

Al Holbert's Iconic Lowenbrau Special Porsche 962

How ironic that this will be the fourteenth post on this blog for the month of December.  Why is the post number important?  Well, we take a look inside an iconic sports car that carried the #14.  This is a story, remembering the late, great Al Holbert, and his #14 IMSA GTP Porsche 962... known as The Lowenbrau Special.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/throwback-thursday-al-holberts-iconic-lowenbrau-special-porsche-962

sports car racing news

More news from Sportscar365.

FIA Releases Updated 2015 Global Driver Ratings List
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-releases-final-list-of-global-driver-ratings-for-2015/

FIA WEC Competitors Honored at Awards Ceremony in Brazil
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-wec-teams-celebrate-2014-season-in-brazil/

Dumas: "This Was Huge and a Very Big Win"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/dumas-this-was-huge-and-a-very-big-win/

LMP2 Champion Zlobin Set for Switch to GTE-Am in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lmp2-champion-zlobin-set-for-switch-to-gte-am-in-2015/

Shank Takes Delivery of Ligier JS P2, Planning Daytona Debut
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/shank-takes-delivery-of-ligier-js-p2/

Marc VDS Announces BMW Z4 GTE Program, Confirms Priaulx
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/marc-vds-announces-bmw-z4-gte-program-confirms-priaulx/

Team RLL to Continue with BMW in 2015 with Revised Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/team-rll-to-continue-with-bmw-in-2015/

Oak Racing Team TOTAL Takes Pole at Sepang
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/asian-lms/oak-racing-team-total-takes-pole-at-sepang/

FIA WEC World Champions Crowned in Doha
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-wec-world-champions-crowned-in-doha/

Six Hours of Sao Paulo Part 3

Part three of the Six Hours of Sao Paulo, FIA World Endurance Championship finale for 2014.

Porsche scores it's first ever overall win in the FIA World Endurance Championship, in Brazil!  Porsche, Toyota, and Audi, finish 1-2-3.  The #14 factory Porsche 919 of Romain Dumas, Neel Jani, and Marc Lieb, wins the Six Hours of Sao Paulo!  Their team car, piloted by Mark Webber at the time (along with co-drivers Brendon Hartley and Timo Bernhard), suffered a massive accident, still finishing 15th overall.

You have seen articles about Mark Webber's condition, after the accident.  He should recover.  In LMP2, the #47 KCMG Oreca Nissan of Matthew Howson, Richard Bradley, and Alexandre Imperatori, wins another race.  Aston Martin nips Porsche for the LM GTE Pro win, with some of the teams in that class, electing to go with two, as opposed to three drivers on their squads.  It was the #97 factory Aston Martin V8 Vantage of Darren Turner and Stefan Mucke, taking victory.

In LM GTE Am, the honors went to Aston Martin once again, with the sister car #98 winning in the hands of Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy, and Christoffer Nygaard.  Four Aston Martins actually came home in the top 15.  So, here are the winners from the Six Hours of Sao Paulo.

Overall/LMP1: #14 Dumas/Jani/Lieb                        Porsche 919 Hybrid

             LMP2: #47 Howson/Bradley/Imperatori      Oreca 03R Nissan

             LM GTE Pro: #97 Turner/Mucke                 Aston Martin V8 Vantage

             LM GTE Am: #98 Dalla Lana/Lamy/Nygaard     Aston Martin V8 Vantage

Here are the champions.

In LMP1, Toyota takes the driver's championship, with both Sebastien Buemi and Anthony Davidson, sharing it, on the same number of points scored.  This is the same scenario in the GT Endurance World Cup drivers championship, for AF Corse and Ferrari, as, with 168 points apiece, AF Corse Ferrari and their drivers Gianmaria Bruni, and Toni Vilander, share a championship.

Mathias Beche, Nick Heidfeld, and Nicolas Prost, share the championship on 204 points apiece in the LMP1 Private Teams Eudurance Trophy championship.  Russia's Sergey Zlobin, is the lone champion in LMP2, while his competitors finished in a three-way tie for second, and a two-way tie for third.  These drivers include Julien Canal, Olivier Pla, and Romain Rusinov for second, and for third... team mates at KCMG, Matthew Howson, and Richard Bradley, can lay claim to it.

Finally, in the LM GTE Am Driver's Trophy standings, the title can only go the way of two gentlemen who shared a car all season, ending up on the same number of points.  Your champions in GTE Am are Aston Martin's Danish duo, David Heinemeier-Hanson, and Kristian Poulsen.  Fellow Aston Martin drivers, are in a tie for third, including another Dane, (Christoffer Nygaard), Canada's Paul Dalla Lana, and Portugal's current sports car and former Formula One ace, Pedro Lamy.

So ends another great season in the FIA World Endurance Championship.  2015 is shaping up to be a good one, too.  It will start in April, at Silverstone.  The full schedule has already been announced, and might be re-announced, at a later date.  For now, though, FIA WEC 2014 is in the books.  We'll see you again, next year, for more World Endurance Championship action on, Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog.

So long for now, everyone.

Six Hours of Sao Paulo Part 2

Part two of the Six Hours of Sao Paulo at Interlagos.

Six Hours of Sao Paulo Part 1

Part one of the season finale for the FIA World Endurance Championship, the Six Hours of Sao Paulo, from the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, or, the Interlagos circuit, in Interlagos, Brazil.

Alonso won't be able to combine F1 and Le Mans in 2015

Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso was hoping to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2015.  But, that will not be possible.  He is not able to convince the McLaren Honda Formula One team to let him race there, and will have to stick to F1, for the time being.

http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/12/04/f1-demo-replaces-458-challenge-clipsal-500/

Entry List So Far - TUSC GTD Class

North America Sportscar has a first look at a probable GT Daytona entry list for the 2015 Tudor Championship.

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-gtd-class/

Dempsey Confirms Wright Partnership for NAEC

Dempsey Racing won't completely disappear from the North American sports car scene.  They will race in Europe for the most part.  But, they will also contest the four rounds of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup in the Tudor Championship.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/dempsey-confirms-wright-partnership-for-naec/

Weathertech Racing Returning To Tudor Championship in 2015

WeatherTech Racing will return to the Tudor Championship in 2015.

http://m.imsa.com/articles/weathertech-racing-returning-tudor-championship-2015

IMSA: AF Corse to field GTE car at Daytona

AF Corse looks set to field a GTE spec Ferrari 458 Italia in the GT LM class of the Tudor Championship, for the season opening Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2015, coming up in just over a month.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111395-af-corse-to-field-gte-car-at-daytona

Mark Webber has no memory of crash

Mark Webber cannot remember his huge accident in which his Porsche 919 prototype, collided with a GT class Ferrari 458 Italia during the FIA World Endurance Championship race last weekend in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

http://m.foxsports.com.au/motor-sport/mark-webber-has-no-memory-of-crash/story-e6frf3z3-1227141463287

IMSA: Shank set for engine manufacturer switch

It was thought Ford would power Mike Shank Racing and their new Ligier JS P2 coupe to be run in the Tudor Championship in 2015.  But, according to Racer magazine, the team will utilize Honda power for the car.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111394-imsa-shank-set-for-engine-manufacturer-switch

Entry List So Far - TUSC Prototype and GT LM classes

Updates on the entry lists for the 2015 Tudor Championhip in the Prototype and GT Le Mans classes.

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-prototype-class/

...and

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-gtlm-class-2/

sports car racing news update

More news from Sportscar365 mainly pertaining to the FIA World Endurance Championship (look for highlights of the Brazil race soon), and the Blancpain Endurance and Blancpain Sprint Series, (races that have yet to be blogged, but might be in the not too distant future).

Webber Sustains Concussion, Bruising, in Interlagos Crash
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/webber-sustains-concussion-bruising-in-sao-paulo-crash/

Howden Haynes Steps Down from Audi Sport Team Joest
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/howden-haynes-calls-time-on-career-with-audi-sport/

Cressoni Released from Hospital after Overnight Stay
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/cressoni-released-from-hospital-after-overnight-stay/

WR Planning Biogas-Powered Garage 56 Entry for 2016
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/wr-planning-biogas-powered-garage-56-entry-for-2016/

Sean Edwards Trophy Launched for Blancpain Sprint Series
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/sean-edwards-trophy-launched-for-blancpain-sprint-series/

HTP Confirms Five Car Bentley Effort for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/gt/htp-confirms-five-car-bentley-effort-for-2015/

FIA WEC Still Targeting 2016 Return to Interlagos
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-wec-still-targeting-2016-return-to-interlagos/

Ibanez Confirms Two-Car Oreca 03R-Nissan Entry in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/ibanez-confirms-two-car-oreca-03r-nissan-entry-in-2015/

Conscious Mark Webber taken away by stretcher following accident

Good news.  After this massive wreck we've just seen in the Six Hours of Sao Paulo, Mark Webber is conscious, and will be OK.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/conscious-mark-webber-taken-away-by-stretcher-following-accident

A big wreck at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo

Yours truly will have highlights of this race later, folks.  But right now, our attention is turned to a monstrous accident that involves the #20 factory Porsche 919 of Mark Webber, and an LM GTE Ferrari 458, piloted by Italian Matteo Cressoni.  It appears both drivers are OK.  But, this is a nasty one.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/video/main-gallery/wec-6-hours-of-sao-paulo-2014-huge-crash-of-mark-webber-and-matteo-cressoni

1970 Trans-Am Year In Review

We have seen the history of the SCCA Trans Am championship, for the first three decades of what the sport was.  But, let's take a look now, at what may have been the series' greatest season, in a review of the 1970 Trans Am season.

Six Hours of Bahrain Part 5

Part five of the FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of Bahrain.

The #7 Toyota TS040 Hybrid of Alexander Wurz, Stephane Sarrazin, and Mike Conway, won the race, finishing ahead of both factory Porsche 919's and two of the Audi's.  LMP2 was won by the #47 Oreca 03R Nissan from KCMG in the hands of Matthew Howson, Richard Bradley, and Alexandre Imperatori.  In LM GTE Pro it was another win for the duo of Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander, as the Italian and the Finn, took victory for AF Corse in their Ferrari 458 Italia, while in LM GTE Am, the #95 Aston Martin V8 Vantage of Kristian Poulsen, David Heinemeier-Hanson, and Nicki Thiim, won again.

Overall/LMP1: #7 Wurz/Sarrazin/Conway     Toyota TS040 Hybrid

             LMP2: #47 Howson/Bradley/Imperatori     Oreca 03R Nissan

            LM GTE Pro: #51 Bruni/Vilander                Ferrari 458 Italia

           LM GTE Am: #95 Poulsen/Thiim/Heinemeier-Hanson     Aston Martin V8 Vantage

One race is left in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.  It is this weekend, (tomorrow).  The Six Hours of Sao Paulo, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, at the Interlagos circuit, also known as the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace.  Yours truly, will have a full recap of that race.  Stay tuned, for coverage of the season finale, coming soon.

Six Hours of Bahrain Part 4

Part four of the Six Hours of Bahrain.

Six Hours of Bahrain Part 3

Part three of the Six Hours of Bahrain.

Six Hours of Bahrain Part 2

Part two of the Six Hours of Bahrain.

Six Hours of Bahrain Part 1

Part one of the FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of Bahrain, the penultimate race in the 2014 season.

Hulkenberg joins third Porsche LMP1 entry for Le Mans 2015

Current Force India Formula One driver, Nico Hulkenberg of Germany, will continue in F1 next year, but, he will also join Porsche AG at the 2015 24 Hours of Le Mans to race in a third factory Porsche 919 Hybrid.  Here are the details.

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/hulkenberg-joins-third-porsche-lmp1-entry-for-le-mans-2015

Entry List So Far - TUSC Prototype Class

A revision and update to the possible entry list for the Prototype class in 2015 Tudor Championship competition, via North American Sportscar.

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-prototype-class/

Where does the KTM/Reiter XBow Project Fit In North America?

Reiter Engineering and KTM, will develop a version of the X Bow, for endurance sports car racing in North America, Europe, and Asia.  The question remains, though... what type of worldwide GT competition, will the car fit into?  That's because it is a niche automobile, for sure.

http://nasportscar.com/where-does-the-ktmreiter-xbow-project-fit-in-north-america/

Will we see LMP1 in IMSA Again?

The blog North American Sportscar asks a logical question.  That is, will we see LMP1 in IMSA competition again?  Their main blogger, Matt Kistler, has the answer.

http://nasportscar.com/will-we-see-lmp1-in-imsa-again/

IMSA: V8 Supercar champions Whincup, Lowndes interested in Rolex 24 rides

Could we see Jamie Whincup and Craig Lowndes follow Shane van Gisbergen's lead, and try to line up drives for the Rolex 24 in January?  It's possible.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/111242-imsa-v8-supercar-champions-whincup-lowndes-interested-in-rolex-24-rides

Van Gisbergen set for Daytona 24 Return

Shane Van Gisbergen will return to race in the 2015 Rolex 24 at Daytona, where he made his debut, last year, and once again, he will compete with Alex Job Racing in a GT Daytona class Porsche 911 GT America.

http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/11/25/van-gisbergen-set-daytona-return/

Porsche confirms third car for Le Mans

Porsche AG will run a third 919 Hybrid at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next June, and also, at the race that precedes the summer 24 hour classic, the Spa 1,000 Kilometers at Circuit de Spa Francorchamps, in May.

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/porsche-confirms-third-car-for-le-mans

Dalziel: "2015 is Different Because WEC is the Priority"

Ryan Dalziel will compete full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship next year, with Extreme Speed Motorsports.  Here's his take on how 2015 will be different, in comparison to racing with Starworks in the championship in 2012, when he ran part-time in Europe, and part-time in North America, splitting his time between racing in the two continents.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/dalziel-2015-is-different-because-wec-is-the-priority/

sports car racing news update

The latest off season news from the world of sports car racing, via Sportscar365.

Law Rejoins Flying Lizard Under New Management Role
http://sportscar365.com/industry/law-rejoins-flying-lizard-under-management-role/

Riley Moving Forward with Viper GTD Program
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/riley-moving-forward-with-viper-gtd-program/

Conway Drafted into Toyota for Brazil
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/conway-drafted-into-toyota-for-brazil/

Fittipaldi Confirmed in AF Corse Ferrari for Brazil
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fittipaldi-confirmed-in-af-corse-ferrari-for-sao-paulo/

Dempsey, Long Set for FIA WEC Campaign in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/dempsey-long-set-for-fia-wec-campaign-in-2015/

Catone (BR Engineering): "The BR01 is the First Real New LMP2 Car"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/catone-br-engineering-the-br01-is-the-first-real-new-lmp2-car/

Walmsley (Strakka): "We're Confident with Development Status of Car"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/walmsley-strakka-were-confident-with-development-status-of-car/

Thiriet by TDS Puts Ligier JS P2 Nissan Up for Sale
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/tds-puts-ligier-js-p2-nissan-up-for-sale/

Motionsport returns to Bathurst 12H with Aston Martin
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/motionsport-returns-to-bathurst-12h-with-aston-martin/

Bathurst 12 Hour Adds Brabham, Bentley, Flying B Racing
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/bathurst-12-hours-adds-brabham-bentley-flying-b-racing/

BimmerWorld Confirms Two-Car BMW 328S Effort for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/bimmerworld-confirms-two-car-bmw-328s-effort-for-2015/

Kelly Moss Expands Into PWC, Set For Three-Car GT3 Cup Entry in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/kelly-moss-expands-into-pwc-set-for-three-car-gt-cup-entry-in-2015/

Ex-Factory Dodge Viper GTS-Rs Possible for ELMS in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/gt/dodge-viper-gts-rs-possible-for-elms-in-2015/

Bomarito turns first laps in Mazda Prototype

After racing for the now defunct SRT Viper team for the past couple of years, Jonathan Bomarito returns "home", so to speak, and reunites with Mazda, and their SkyActiv D, diesel prototype race car.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/bomarito-turns-first-laps-mazda-prototype?invalidate-cache

Mr. Le Mans Tom Kristensen retires from racing

The nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  The man, who amazingly, broke the long-held record of six wins at Le Mans, set by Jacky Ickx, and achieved so much of his success, as an Audi factory driver... Mr. Le Mans... Tom Kristensen, retires from sports car racing.

http://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/mr-le-mans-tom-kristensen-retires-from-racing

IMSA: ESM Adds NAEC rounds to busy 2015 schedule

Extreme Speed Motorsports will not only contest the full FIA World Endurance Championship calendar in 2015.  But, contrary to what many have thought, they will at least run the four rounds of the North American Endurance Cup, for the Tudor Championship, instead of a full-season effort in that series, as well.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/tudor-united-sports-car-championship/item/111035-imsa-esm-adds-naec-rounds-to-busy-2015-schedule

Dempsey going full-time in WEC, ends TUSC program

Patrick Dempsey is ending his involvement in North American sports car racing, and fully shifting focus to the FIA World Endurance Championship, teaming with Proton Competition.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/dempsey-going-full-time-in-wec-ends-tusc-program

History of the Trans Am Series

The SCCA Trans Am Series, started out as an endurance racing type championship, but then, evolved into a flat out sprint racing series.  So, it is loosely based on endurance sports car racing, albeit not too much.  However, the great history of the sport, (since it has recently been revitalized... reference the two race broadcasts from modern Trans Am just posted), is still there.  Let's take a look, via a great documentary, at the first three decades of the sport, between it's inception in 1966 and the peak of it's popularity, in the mid 1990's.

Trans Am: Mid Ohio

Here is the second televised Trans Am race, as the series is brought back to life after a long hiatus.  This is the race, from Mid Ohio Sports Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.  Click the link, to watch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_SYu5QVuj8#t=145

Trans Am: Road America

Not necessarily endurance racing.  But, flat out, sprint racing.  The first of two televised races, for the revitalized Trans Am Series in 2014.  This one is from the legendary, fast, and sweeping, Road America, in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.

more news

More late breaking sports car racing headlines to highlight, via Sportscar365.

Krohn Racing Ligier JS P2 Judd Breaks Cover
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/krohn-racing-ligier-js-p2-judd-breaks-cover/

New Porsche 911 GT3 R Set for Race Debut in First Half of 2015
http://sportscar365.com/gt/new-porsche-911-gt3-r-set-for-race-debut-in-first-half-of-2015/

Nissan Rolls Out LMP1 Car for Testing in Arizona
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nissan-rolls-out-lmp1-car-for-testing-in-arizona/

ESM Confirms Full Season FIA WEC Program For 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/esm-confirms-full-season-fia-wec-program-in-2015/

Sharp: "Everyone is Excited About the Opportunity to Go Do FIA WEC"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/sharp-everyone-is-excited-about-the-opportunity-to-go-do-fia-wec/

I.S.R. Racing Confirms Blancpain GT Series Entry for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/i-s-r-racing-confirms-blancpain-gt-series-entry-for-2015/

Announcement on Kristensen's future set for Wednesday
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/announcement-on-kristensens-future-set-for-wednesday/

sports car racing news update

More news from the whole sports car racing spectrum.  Check out some of these stories.  There are some heavy hitters this week.

Flying Lizard confirms Daytona Plans
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/flying-lizard-confirms-daytona-plans/

OAK Facing Uncertain Future in TUSC
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/oak-facing-uncertain-future-in-tusc/

GTD Also Set to Switch Back to 2014 Driver Ratings Regulations
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/gtd-also-set-to-switch-back-to-2014-driver-ratings-regulations/

Gidley Continues to Improve After Further Surgeries
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/memo-gidley-continues-to-improve-after-further-surgeries/

Floury (ORECA): "Goal is to Make Oreca 05 Adaptable to 2017 Regs"
http://sportscar365.com/industry/floury-oreca-the-goal-is-to-make-the-oreca-05-adaptable-to-2017-regulations/

Davidson: "It's the Biggest Thing I've Won in My Career by a Long Way"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/davidson-its-the-biggest-thing-ive-won-in-my-career-by-a-long-way/

LMP2 Title Fight to Go Down to Wire Following Points Swing in Bahrain
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/g-drive-retakes-lmp2-championship-lead-following-points-swing-in-bahrain/

SRO to create Specialized GT3 BoP for Super GT
http://sportscar365.com/gt/super-gt/sro-to-create-specialized-gt3-bop-for-super-gt/

IMSA - IMSA: DTM in America project continues to make progress

Could a version of Germany's DTM, or Japan's Super GT series hit American shores in the future?  It's a possibility.  Not now.  But, sometime soon.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/110781-imsa-dtm-in-america-project-continues-to-make-progress

Six Hours of Shanghai Part 3

Part three of the FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of Shanghai at Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China.  Winning the race, it was the #8 Toyota TS040 Hybrid of Sebastien Bumei and Anthony Davidson, followed home on the podium by the sister car #7 of Alexander Wurz, Stephane Sarrazin, and Kazuki Nakajima.  Romain Dumas, Neel Jani, and Marc Lieb, brought the first of the factory Porsche's home in third spot.

In LMP2, chalk up another win for G Drive as the #26 Ligier JS P2 Nissan coupe, of Roman Rusinov, Olivier Pla, and Julien Canal, wins.  LM GTE Pro honors went the way of the Porsche factory team over Aston Martin, and their #92 Porsche 911 RSR, shared by Frenchmen Frederic Makowiecki and Patrick Pilet.  They finished just ahead of their sister car.  LM GTE Am honors went to the #98 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin V8 Vantage of Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy, and Christoffer Nygaard.

So, here are the overall and class winners from Shanghai.

Overall/LMP1:    #8 Buemi/Davidson     Toyota TS040 Hybrid

             LMP2:   #26 Rusinov/Pla/Canal  Ligier JS P2 Nissan

            LM GTE Pro: #92 Makowiecki/Pilet     Porsche 911 RSR

           LM GTE Am: #98 Dalla Lana/Lamy/Nygaard     Aston Martin V8 Vantage

This weekend, in fact, tomorrow, marks the penultimate race in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship.  It's the Six Hours of Bahrain at the Sakhir Circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain.  Stay tuned, for video highlights, and race results, when they come.

Six Hours of Shanghai Part 2

Part two of the FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of Shanghai.

Six Hours of Shanghai Part 1

Part one of the FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of Shanghai at Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China.

Team Falken Tire Pleased With First Test On Daytona's High Banks

After missing the 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona because their Porsche 911 RSR was still being prepped at the factory, Team Falken Tire, had to wait, to debut the car, at the 12 Hours of Sebring.  But, in 2015, they will be at Daytona, ready to race.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/team-falken-tire-pleased-first-test-daytonas-high-banks

Come race with us: Mark Webber encourages Button to come to FIA WEC

Porsche factory driver, wants his fellow Formula One refugee, Jenson Button (whose F1 career ends after the season finale in Abu Dhabi next weekend), to come and race sports cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/come-play-with-us-mark-webber-encourages-button-to-come-to-fia-wec-111214?cmpid=tsmfb:fscom:speed

IMSA Plans to Set PC Ratings Back to 2014 Regulations

Another change has been made to the driver ratings system in the Prototype Challenge category by IMSA.  Here are the details.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/imsa-plans-to-set-pc-ratings-back-to-2014-regulations/

sports car racing news update

The latest news from the world of sports car racing, and there are some potentially surprising stories developing.

Porsche confirms 2015 LMP1 Driver Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-confirms-2015-driver-lineup/

Latif Tests Signatech Alpine at Motorland Aragon
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/latif-tests-signatech-alpine-at-motorland-aragon/

Reduced Race Lengths for TUSC Events in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/reduced-race-lengths-for-events-in-2015/

No Driver Ratings for CTSC in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/no-driver-ratings-for-ctsc-in-2015/

FIA Reveals First 2015 Global Driver Ratings List
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-reveals-first-2015-driver-rankings-list/

IMSA Driver Pairing Regulations Adjusted
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/imsa-driver-pairing-regulations-adjusted/

RSR Confirms PC Lineup, Closing In on FIA WEC LMP2 Effort for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rsr-confirms-pc-program-closing-in-on-fia-wec-lmp2-effort-for-2015/

North American DTM, could it fit with Trans Am?

Could the DTM formula, fit into sports car racing?  North American Sportscar has some observations on that idea.

http://nasportscar.com/north-american-dtm-could-it-fit-with-trans-am/

IMSA: DP manufacturer Coyote eyeing P2

Coyote, could consider building a P2 class chassis for the Tudor Championship.  Here's that news.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/110695-imsa-dp-manufacturer-coyote-eyeing-p2?showall&limitstart

Prototype, GTD Car Counts in Question as 2015 Approaches

The number of teams participating in the Tudor United Sports Car Championship in 2015, could be down considerably from what it was this past season, considering that many of the teams have moved to other racing series, or, may shut down operations altogether.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/prototype-gtd-car-counts-in-question-as-2015-approaches-2/

IMSA: Shank buys a Ligier... sets Le Mans target

Longtime Daytona Prototype chassis campaigner, Mike Shank, will use his current Riley Ford EcoBoost Daytona Prototype machine for the 2015 Rolex 24, opening the second season of the Tudor Championship.  But, after that, the team will switch to a Ligier chassis.  Here are the details.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/110592-imsa-shank-buys-ligier-sets-le-mans-target

Entry Lists so far, TUSC P and GTLM classes

More entry list updates as far as the 2015 Tudor Championship.  Here are the links to North American Sportscar and their roundups of who will be entered in each class next year, as of now.  Keep in mind, these can, and will, change.

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-p-class-2/

...and

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-gtlm-class/

2015 Blancpain Sprint Series Schedule Released

There are still races from the most recent season of Blancpain Sprint Series competition to highlight.  But, the series has released it's 2015 schedule.  Look for more race highlights, in 2015.

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/2015-blancpain-sprint-series-schedule-released/

AIM's GTLM Plans Fall Through, Exploring GTD Options for 2015

AIM Autosport was hopeful of running their Ferrari 458 Italia in the GT Le Mans category in IMSA Tudor Championship competition next year.  But, instead, they find themselves, returning to the GT Daytona class for the second consecutive season.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/aims-gtlm-plans-fall-though-exploring-gtd-options-for-2015/

sports car racing news update

The latest news from the world of sports car racing, via Sportscar365.

Bomarito Returns to Mazda for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/bomarito-returns-to-mazda-for-2015/

Toyota Confirms No Lapierre for Remainder of Season
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-confirms-just-davidson-buemi-for-remainder-of-season/

Hill (ESM): "If We're Going To Do It Next Year We Want To Be Prepared"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/hill-esm-if-were-going-to-do-it-next-year-we-want-to-be-prepared/

All-New Porsche 919 Hybrid Under Development for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/all-new-porsche-919-hybrid-under-development-for-2015/

Craft-Bamboo Confirms Two-Car Entry For Bathurst 12 Hour
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bathurst-12h/craft-bamboo-confirms-two-car-entry-for-bathurst-12-hour/

Porsche GT3 Cup USA Champions Earn Supercup Entries for USGP
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/porsche-gt3-cup-challenge-usa-champions-earn-supercup-entries-at-usgp/

IMSA Teams Receive Awards from CTF
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/imsa-teams-receive-awards-from-ctf/

Paul Miller Racing NAEC Program for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/paul-miller-racing-confirms-naec-program-for-2015/

Detroit In, VIR Out, for PC Teams In 2015
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/detroit-in-vir-out-for-pc-teams/

IMSA: PC race joins Detroit event for 2015

Prototype Challenge cars will race for the first time at the Raceway at Belle Isle in Detroit, Michigan, next year, along with the Prototype and GT Daytona classes in the Tudor Championship event there, next year.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/110425-imsa-pc-race-joins-detroit-event-for-2015

Audi to produce street car based on R8 LMS race car

Audi will produce 60 R8 LMS street cars, in the United States, based on their GT3 spec race car, used in the GT Daytona class in the Tudor Championship.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/audi-produce-street-car-based-r8-lms-race-car

PRUETT: Why are GTD teams choosing Pirelli World Challenge?

Racer magazine's Marshall Pruett asks and gives the answer to a very logical question.  Why are teams in the GT Daytona class of the Tudor Championship, now flocking to Pirelli World Challenge?

http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/110343-pruett-why-are-gtd-teams-choosing-pirelli-world-challenge

2015 Silly Season Update 1: GTE-Pro/GTE-Am

The first silly season update for the GTE-Pro/GTE-Am classes in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/2015-silly-season-update-1-gte-progte-am/

Six Hours of Fuji Part 3

The third and final segment of the Fuji 6 Hours.

Toyota finishes 1-2 in their home race at Fuji Speedway with car #8 of Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi taking the win, over the team car #7 of Alexander Wurz, Stephane Sarrazin, and Kazuki Nakajima.  The #26 G Drive Racing Ligier JS P2 Nissan of Romain Rusinov, Olivier Pla, and Julien Canal is victorious in LMP2.  LM GTE Pro honors go to the #51 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia of Toni Vilander and Gianmaria Bruni.  In LM GTE Am, it's the #95 Aston Martin Racing Aston Martin V8 Vantage, winning the class, in the hands of Kristian Poulsen, David Heinemeier-Hanson, and Nicki Thiim.

Overall/LMP 1: #8 Davidson/Buemi     Toyota TS 040 Hybrid

             LMP 2: #26 Rusinov/Pla/Canal   Ligier JS P2 Nissan

            LM GTE Pro: #51 Vilander/Bruni     Ferrari 458 Italia

           LM GTE Am: #95 Poulsen/Heinemeier-Hanson/Thiim     Aston Martin V8 Vantage

This weekend will be the next race of the championship.  There are only three left.  It's the Six Hours of Shanghai at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China.  Results, and possible video highlights, will follow, soon.  Stay tuned.

Six Hours of Fuji Part 2

Part two of the Six Hours of Fuji for the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Six Hours of Fuji Part 1

Part one of the FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of Fuji at Fuji Speedway in Fuji, Japan.  Stay tuned for parts two and three.

The Report Card: Final Grades

North American Sportscar blog writer, Paolo Mendioro puts on the teacher's hat, and gives final grades to the Prototype teams, after the inaugural season of the Tudor United Sports Car Championship.

http://nasportscar.com/the-report-card-final-grades/

2015 Silly Season Update 1: LMP1/LMP2

Three rounds remain in the 2014 FIA World Endurance Championship... and, yours truly still needs to post video from the Fuji, Japan race.  But, in the meantime, rumblings about silly season are beginning.  Here is a first update on possible entries for LMP1 and LMP2 for next season.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/2015-silly-season-update-1-lmp1lmp2/

New Cars, Technology on Horizon for CTSC in 2015

New cars and manufacturers are going to come into the IMSA Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge next year.  Sportscar 365 has the scoop.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/new-cars-technology-on-horizon-for-2015/

another sports car racing news update

More news from the sports car racing world via Sportscar365.

GTS Teams Support New Split Race Format
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/gts-teams-support-split-race-format-for-2015/

Lietz, Pilet, Tandy Test Porsche 919 Hybrid
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lietz-pilet-tandy-test-porsche-919-hybrid/

DragonSpeed Set for Multi-Car Mercedes SLS AMG GT3 Effort
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/dragonspeed-set-for-multi-car-mercedes-sls-amg-gt3-effort/

GTSport Returns with Two-Car GTS Cayman Program
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/gtsport-returns-with-two-car-gts-cayman-program/

VIDEO: New Porsche 911 GT3-R Revealed
http://sportscar365.com/gt/video-new-porsche-911-gt3-r-revealed/

AF Corse GTE-Am Ferrari's Withdrawn From Shanghai
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/af-corse-gte-am-ferraris-withdrawn-from-shanghai/

Pilbeam MP100 Nearing Completion, Set for Race Debut
http://sportscar365.com/industry/pilbeam-mp100-nearing-completion-set-for-race-debut/

Thomas (Asian LMS): "We Have to Make a Step Forward Next Year"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/asian-lms/thomas-asian-lms-we-have-to-make-that-creditable-step-forward-next-year/

Ratel: "The GT3 Movement is Still Very Strong"
http://sportscar365.com/gt/ratel-the-gt3-movement-is-still-very-strong/

IMSA: RSR looking to keep Hawksworth, Junquiera for 2015 PC campaign

RSR looks to retain the services of both Jack Hawksworth and Bruno Junquiera for the 2015 Tudor Championship season, in their Prototype Challenge class campaign.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/110174-imsa-rsr-looking-to-keep-hawksworth-junqueira-for-2015-pc-campaign

GT Daytona Champion Joins Prototype Champion Team for 2015

Dane Cameron (inaugural GT Daytona class champion in the Tudor United Sports Car Championship), will make his Prototype debut, and race for the 2014 Prototype champion team, Action Express Racing, who has a second car that will be sponsored by Whelen Engineering, after Action Express got sponsorship from the now defunct Marsh Racing team.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/gtd-driver-champion-joins-champion-team-2015

South African Endurance Series Launched

Sports car racing will return to South Africa.  Motorsports South Africa has commenced a multi-class championship open to prototype and GT cars, called the South African Endurance Series.

http://sportscar365.com/other/south-african-endurance-series-launched/

Entry List So Far - 2015 TUSC GTD Class

Here is how the entry list for the GT Daytona class for the Tudor United Sports Car Championship is shaping up, for 2015, so far, from the North American Sportscar blog.

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-2015-tusc-gtd-class/

more sports car racing news

Lots of news to catch up on, and among the headlines, silly season in the Tudor Championship (the name for this time of year after the racing ends, where drivers change teams and automakers), is well underway.

LMP1 Test Proposed for Top P2 Drivers in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-wec-proposes-lmp1-rookie-test-for-2015/

Turner Confirms Two-Car Pirelli WC Program For 2015
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/turner-confirms-two-car-pirelli-wc-program-for-2015/

NewBlood By Morand Racing Planning FIA WEC Program for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/newblood-by-morand-racing-planning-fia-wec-program-for-2015/

Five Drivers Take Part in Porsche Young Driver Academy
http://sportscar365.com/gt/five-drivers-take-part-in-porsche-young-driver-academy/

NGT Motorsport shifts to Pirelli World Challenge
http://racer.com/pwc/item/110028-ngt-motorsport-shifts-to-pirelli-world-challenge

Bennett (CORE): "We Have a Sharp Focus on What's Coming for 2017"
http://sportscar365.com/industry/bennett-core-we-have-a-sharp-focus-on-whats-coming-for-2017/

Eleven Auto Invites Already Confirmed For 2015 LM24
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/2015-lm24-auto-invites-list-nearly-complete/

Signatech-Alpine Exploring Options for 2015
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/signatech-alpine-exploring-chassis-options-series-for-2015/

Emerson Fittipaldi Preparing For Possible Racing Return
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/emerson-fittipaldi-preparing-for-possible-racing-return/

2015 Silly Season Update 1: GTLM/GTD

Update one, of many, in silly season for the GT Le Mans and GT Daytona teams in the Tudor United Sports Car Championship.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/2015-silly-season-update-gtlmgtd/

2015 Silly Season Update 1: P/PC

Let's take a look at what is called in racing, "the silly season".  This is just the first part of what might happen as far as team and driver swaps for next year in the Tudor Championship.  Lots more news coming in a bigger, more general update.  Stay tuned, fans.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/2015-silly-season-update-ppc/

Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge: Road Atlanta

The finale of the 2014 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, from Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia, during the weekend of the Petit Le Mans.

http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/2014-road-atlanta-race-broadcast

That's all for now from the 2014 Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge.  The season, is in the history books.  We look forward with great anticipation to more action packed racing, in 2015.  Until then, so long, fans.  See you at the races.

Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge: Circuit of the Americas

The race broadcast from the penultimate event of the Continental Tire Sports Car Championship, at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/2014-circuit-americas-race-broadcast?invalidate-cache

There was one more race, at Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia, as well.  Stay tuned for the link to that race broadcast, coming soon.

F1 star Jenson Button considering a move to FIA WEC

Like Mark Webber did last year, it seems that Jenson Button, who may not be a Formula One driver after this season, (that remains to be seen), could land in sports cars, in the FIA World Endurance Championship.  Sportscar 365, and Fox Sports Motor Racing, have the story.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/f1-star-jenson-button-considering-move-to-fia-wec-101714?cmpid=tsmfb:fscom:speed

Vita4One Sets Sights on Daytona, Sebring, Pirelli WC, with BMW Z4 GT3

Awesome news!  Michael Bartels and Vita4One Racing could be running in the United States, next year.

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/vita4one-sets-sights-on-daytona-sebring-with-bmw-z4-gt3/

IMSA: Should LMP3 replace PC?

A good question.  Yours truly believes LMP3 SHOULD in fact replace the Prototype Challenge division in Tudor Championship competition.  I know I always say I will not editorialize.  But, I had to throw my thoughts in there.

http://racer.com/imsa/item/109910-imsa-should-lmp3-replace-pc

Entry List So Far - 2015 TUSC GTLM Class

The entry lists for the 2015 Tudor United Sports Car Championship, keep coming.  We just discovered the Prototype entry list that is probable for next year.  Well, fans, North American Sportscar is now forecasting what the GTLM (GT Le Mans) category entry list may look like.  Check it out, HERE:

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-2015-tusc-gtlm-class/

Entry List So Far - TUSC P Class

North American Sportscar has a preview of the probable entry list for the Prototype class in Tudor Championship competition for next year, and, it seems to be growing steadily.

http://nasportscar.com/entry-list-so-far-tusc-p-class/

Interest Building in New Pro-Am Trueman/Akin Cup

More information a new award to recognize top Pro-Am drivers in the Tudor United Sports Car Championship, and then, invite them to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/interest-building-in-new-pro-am-truemanakin-cup/

2015 Entry List So Far - Pirelli World Challenge GT class

A probable entry list for the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge GT class, has been revealed.  The blog North American Sportscar, has the details.

http://nasportscar.com/2015-entry-list-so-far-pirelli-world-challenge-gt-class/

Aston Martin Racing Planning NAEC Effort

Aston Martin Racing will return to the Tudor United Sports Car Championship next year.  The plan is to contest the four NAEC (North American Endurance Cup) events at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Road Atlanta.  Team principal John Gaw is looking into it, and, Paul Dalla Lana, is looking to race with Aston Martin on a full-time basis, instead of running with BMW, as he has sold both BMW Z4 GT's that were campaigned by Turner Motorsports in the GT Daytona division of the Tudor Championship, just this past season.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/aston-martin-racing-planning-naec-effort/

2016 GTE Regulations Being Finalized

As long as GTE regulations are being discussed, now it appears that regs for 2016 are being put into place between the ACO and the FIA, who have, of course, merged their efforts, after being bitter rivals, for decades.

http://sportscar365.com/industry/2016-gte-regulations-being-finalized/

WEC/IMSA: 2015 development freeze in place for GTE

There will be a development freeze in place for the current GTE class cars in the FIA World Endurance Championship, according to Racer magazine.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/109582-wec-2015-development-freeze-in-place-for-gte

The Report Card: Road Atlanta

North American Sportscar looks at how the Prototype teams did at Road Atlanta in the Petit Le Mans, the finale of the Tudor Championship.

http://nasportscar.com/the-report-card-road-atlanta/

2015 FIA World Endurance Championship Calendar Unveiled

The 2015 calendar for the FIA World Endurance Championship, has been unveiled.  The only change is there will be no race in Brazil next year, and there will be a race added, at the Nurburgring in Germany.

http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/2015-fia-world-endurance-championship-calendar-unveiled_2409.html

WEC Manufacturer committee shaping different 2017 P2 engine rules

New chassis rules for P2 coming up in 2017, will also mean new engine rules that are currently being delegated on.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/109587-wec-imsa-manufacturer-committee-shaping-different-2017-p2-engine-rules

LMP1 Set for Single Class Structure in 2015

There will be a single LMP1 class once again next year, and no distinction between hybrid and lightweight cars that run within the category.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lmp1-set-for-single-class-structure-in-2015/

2017 Global Prototype Regulations Taking Shape

The progress continues on formulating a global set of rules for prototype endurance sports car racing, that will come to fruition in 2017.

http://sportscar365.com/industry/2017-global-prototype-regulations/

Ben's Analysis: - Petit Le Mans

Ben Wedge from the blog North American Sportscar provides his take on the Petit Le Mans, HERE:

http://nasportscar.com/bens-analysis-petit-le-mans/

Petit Le Mans race broadcast

Here is the whole race broadcast of the Petit Le Mans, divided up into individual parts, at each link.  Click them, and enjoy the finale of the inaugural Tudor Championship season.

Petit Le Mans Part 1
http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/2014-petit-le-mans-broadcast-part-1

Petit Le Mans Part 2
http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/2014-petit-le-mans-broadcast-part-2

Petit Le Mans Part 3
http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/2014-petit-le-mans-broadcast-part-3

RLL Closing In on DP Program for 2015

Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing, is aiming to race a prototype in the Tudor United Sports Car Championship, next year.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/rll-closing-in-on-dp-program-for-2015/

more sports car racing news

Lots of headlines in the world of sports car racing.  Here are a few more noteworthy ones covered as usual, by Sportscar365.

Aston Martin Racing Joins BSS for Zolder
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/aston-martin-racing-joins-blancpain-sprint-series-at-zolder/

Keating contemplating Viper GTD Return
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/keating-contemplating-viper-gtd-return/

Capacity Grid for Baku World Challenge
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/capacity-grid-for-baku-world-challenge/

Changes in the Works at Dempsey Racing
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/changes-in-the-works-at-dempsey-racing/

VIDEO: Lamborghini Rolls Out New Huracan GT3 at Vallelunga
http://sportscar365.com/gt/lamborghini-rolls-out-new-huracan-gt3-at-vallelunga/

8 Entries for Asian LMS at Shanghai
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/asian-lms/8-entries-for-asian-lms-at-shanghai/

BMW Evaluating Next Generation CTSC Platforms
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/bmw-evaluating-next-generation-ctsc-platforms/

Pirelli WC To Return To Road America in 2015
http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/pirelli-wc-to-return-to-road-america-in-2015/

Historic racing series wrap up 2014 with traditional Dix Mille Tours

Cool!  Not only are sports cars from the past a part of this.  But, also, single seater racing cars, like Formula One cars.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/historic-racing-series-wrap-up-2014-with-traditional-dix-mille-tours-100814

IMSA: Risi team still fuming after Petit Le Mans crash, series responds

Risi Competizione is still angry at IMSA after what happened in their collision with one of the factory Porsche's at Petit Le Mans last weekend.  IMSA delivered a response to their grievances.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/109510-imsa-risi-team-still-fuming-after-petit-le-mans-crash-series-responds

IMSA: Team Falken Tire reveals 2015 plans

Team Falken Tire principal, Derrick Walker says the team will be back next year to race in the Tudor Championship.  Racer magazine, has the scoop.

http://racer.com/imsa/item/109512-imsa-team-falken-tire-reveals-2015-plans

Yacaman: "I'm Very Excited to Be Racing Against LMP2 Cars"

Gustavo Yacaman will be in his element this weekend, as he races in LMP2 at the FIA World Endurance Championship event, for his team, Oak Racing, at the Fuji 6 Hours.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/yacaman-im-very-excited-to-be-racing-against-lmp2-cars/

GTE (and GTLM) Futurology, What Next For Manufacturer GT Programmes?

In the wake of Chrysler's sudden withdrawal from the Tudor Championship and GT racing, what will become of factory backed GT programs in the future?

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2014/10/07/gte-and-gtlm-futurology-what-next-for-manufacturer-gt-programmes.html

BMW to replace Z4 GT3 car with new M6 for 2016

The current BMW Z4 GT3 will be replaced by the M6 Coupe, come 2016.  Here are the details via Autosport.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116200

Top Pro-Am Drivers In P, GTLM, To Have 2015 Podium Recognition, 2016 Le Mans Entry

This is old news, from a few weeks ago, published on IMSA's webpage on September 20th, during the weekend of the Tudor Championship race at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.  But it is still noteworthy.  Top finishing Pro-Am drivers in Prototype and GT Le Mans will be recognized, starting next year.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/top-pro-am-drivers-p-gtlm-have-2015-podium-recognition-2016-le-mans-entry

Porsche eyes entry-level GT racer

Porsche would like to build an entry level GT race car, for international GT4 competition, based on it's Cayman production sports car.  Autosport magazine, has the details.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/116144

Chrysler Discontinues Factory Viper GTLM Program

Sad news.  Chrysler has discontinued their factory Viper racing program.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/chrysler-discontinues-gtlm-program/

Bamber claims Petit Le Mans Podium

Australian Porsche driver, Earl Bamber, claims his first podium as a Porsche factory GT driver at the Petit Le Mans in the GT Le Mans category.

http://www.speedcafe.com/2014/10/06/world-wrap-bamber-claims-petit-le-mans-podium/

FIA World Endurance Championship round 4: Circuit of The Americas

Highlights of the FIA World Endurance Championship Six Hours of COTA at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

Winner & highlights of the Petit Le Mans & inaugural Tudor United Sports Car Championship, champions

This is the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, one of the marquee events in the inaugural Tudor United Sports Car Championship, and the season finale.  Get ready for all the race highlights, right here, right now on Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog.  Ten hours, or 1,000 miles, whichever comes first.  This event has been a fixture, and a premier race, on the sports car racing calendar, since it was first run back in 1998.

We've had ten months of racing, and now, one final race decides multiple titles.  This is road Atlanta and Petit Le Mans.  Champions will be crowned.  Let's race!  Fall is surely in the air.  This is the 17th annual Petit Le Mans from Road Atlanta.  Not only is it championship time, but it's also the finale for the North American Endurance Cup.  All championships are up for grabs.  50+ cars will start this race.  51 cars are in the field.  A win at Petit Le Mans would be big.

Here are the championship scenarios.  In Prototype, Action Express Racing has a real chance, but, so do Wayne Taylor Racing, Oak Racing, Visit Florida Racing, and possibly, Chip Ganassi Racing.  Core Autosport has clinched Prototype Challenge.  In GT Le Mans it's SRT Viper vs. Corvette.  They drive separate cars today.  Antonio Garcia wants his first PLM win while team mate Jan Magnussen has won this event several times.  In GT Daytona, it's a battle between Turner Motorsports, Alex Job Racing, and Level 5 Motorsports.

Stand by, folks.  We're almost ready to go racing.  The command is given by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal, to start engines.  We have ten hours of racing, coming.  $100,000 for the pro classes and $50,000 in prize money for amateur classes.  Joao Barbosa has pole, sharing with Christian Fittipaldi and Sebastien Bourdais.  Nick Tandy has pole in GT Le Mans.  Porsche won the other enduros at Daytona and Sebring.

In Prototype Challenge, we have Jack Hawksworth on pole.  In GT Daytona, we have Turner Motorsports on pole in GT Daytona.  Traffic management will be big.  20 cars per mile.  Don't make it a demolition derby.  It will be very cool in the evening before the finish.  Here we go.  We are green at Road Atlanta!  Barbosa leads the race.  It is a very controlled start.  Oswaldo Negri Jr. moves up from sixth spot in the #60 Michael Shank Racing Riley Ford.  He's ahead of the #90 Corvette Prototype in the hands of Mike Rockenfeller.

Rockenfeller shares with Richard Westbrook and Michael Valiante.  The track is green, with no rubber laid down.  Barbosa leads Ricky Taylor over Oswaldo Negri Jr. as they fly into turn one, blind, at 145 miles per hour.  Road Atlanta is a roller coaster of a track.  Taylor is finding his stride, going after Barbosa.  Downhill into turn ten, it's really right.  Hhre comes the downhill as we complete the first couple laps.

The esses require lots of downforce.  On the back straight, you want terminal velocity.  The Deltawing was fastest in the warmup.  Oh!  Rockenfeller slides by Negri after Negri locks up.  Also involved was the #49 Ferrari 458 Italia of Eddie Cheever III., Marco Cioci, and Piergiuseppe Perrazini.  The #17 Falken Tire Porsche is running well.  It's their home track.  Bryan Sellers starting the car, with Germans Wolf Henzler and Marco Holzer.  We go onboard the #42 Oak Racing Ligier Honda.  Alex Brundle shares with Gustavo Yacaman and Ho Pin Tung.  He's eighth in class after an engine change.

Jonathan Bomarito runs fifth in GT Le Mans.  Bomarito is sharing the #93 factory SRT Viper in GT Le Mans with Kuno Wittmer and Rob Bell.  In GT Daytona, the #73 Porsche leads in the hands of Norbert Siedler.  By tagging the curbs, you can run quicker, but it will hurt you in reliability.  The #94 Turner Motorsports BMW Z4 GT is running well in the hands of Markus Palttala.  The GT Daytona cars are faster down the straights than people assume.  The #33 ViperExchange.com SRT Viper is running well with Jeroen Bleekemolen at the wheel.

In Prototype Challenge, Jack Hawksworth leads, as we see the #25 8Star Motorsports car spin, with Eric Lux at the controls.  It's easy to loop the car in turn seven.  Wait to see if the car gets going to avoid a yellow flag.  Colin Braun and Jon Bennett run second in class.  They are Prototype Challenge champions.  We have our first full course yellow flag.  Now, Diaz is sharing the #25 car with Brits Sean Rayhall and Tom Kimber-Smith. Sharing with Bennett and Braun at PLM this weekend for Core Autosport is James Gue.

In the RSR camp, Jack Hawksworth shares the teams number one car, with Chris Cumming and Rusty Mitchell.  Let's pick up the action later on, folks.  We are focused on the highlights.  Joao Barbosa made a driver change.  Barbosa is the new champion.  He is the Prototype champion in the first Tudor Championship season!  Congratulations, Joao Barbosa!  Once Christian Fittipaldi closes his stint, the team can go for the win and try to get the North American Endurance Cup.

In Prototype Challenge, the #87 car spins.  In GT Le Mans, Antonio Garcia goes side by side with Earl Bamber is the second factory Porsche.  Wolf Henzler and Jorg Bergmeister wer all in it.  Almost going three wide, too!  Wow!  An embarrassing pit incident under yellow, Pierre Kaffer crashes into Patrick Pilet.  Actually it was the other way around.  Pilet crashed into the Ferrari.  Problems for Spencer Pumpelly with a door that won't close.  Townsend Bell leads GT Daytona in the #555 Ferrari.

With that, we are back, and we've had six full course yellows in the first three hours of the race.  Jordan Taylor is at the wheel of the #10 Chevrolet Corvette Prototype, leading.  Gabby Chaves is third in the Deltawing.  Bruno Junquiera leads Prototype Challenge.  Katherine Legge is another driver on that team.  Scott Dixon (three-time Indycar champion), is the third driver for Ganassi Racing in this event.  The car runs fifth overall.

Patrick Dempsey and his team are out of the event in his #27 Dempsey Racing Porsche 911 GT America.  The car overheated.  Dempsey was to share with Joe Foster and Andrew Davis and Joe Foster.  The team car #58 is still in this one.  Madison Snow and Jan Heylen, driving.  The battle is on in GT Le Mans between Patrick Long for Porsche and Oliver Gavin for Corvette.  Manage the traffic.  That's a big deal.  Do your passing cleanly.  The top seven GT LM cars are all on the same lap right now.  We are 119 laps (302 miles), into this race.

In hour three, Christian Fittipaldi pitted, and handed the #5 car to Sebastien Bourdais.  Fittipaldi and Barbosa, are champions, (inaugural champions), in Tudor United Sports Car Championship competition.  We see nJon Fogarty collide with the #33 Viper.  Rob Bell has a botched pit stop.  Now, in hour four, the #10 car, the #52 car, the #912 Porsche, and the #555 Ferrari, pick up maximum points.  Then, Bill Sweedler had contact with Scott Dixon.  Richard Westbrook was tagged by an Audi.

Gustavo Yacaman was clipped by the Deltawing, and crashed the Ligier Honda.  We are now under our tenth yellow in five hours.  Halfway home.  The #912 Porsche leads GT Le Mans and the #94 Turner Motorsports BMW leads GT Daytona.  #52 of Gunnar Jeannette and Frankie Montecalvo lead Prototype Challenge.  The #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette leads overall as we go back to green.  WTR, Action Express, and Ganassi, run 1-2-3 as they plunge down through the esses.  We are halfway home.

The ringers in the top three cars, want a win at Petit Le Mans.  This is turning into a classic race, and is another crown jewel.  Two Chevrolet V8's lead the Ford EcoBoost turbo V6.  Look at this.  Bourdais wants the lead of this motor race.  These guys are a third of the way through their fuel stint.  Headlights are on to let slower cars know where the prototypes are.  The headlights will be key at night.  Now, Nick Tandy has a tire rub and aerodynamic damage on his factory Porsche.

The car was patched together after the fracas in pit lane.  He wants the GT Le Mans lead, despite the car porpoising all over the place.  There's a Prototype Challenge car off th road.  This is the #38 car that has had a litany of problems with Jerome Mee at the controls.  He's a rookie third driver, sharing with David Ostella.  Ooh!  He had a real lurid spin.  The safety car is back on track.  What will the pit strategy be? 

Let's go to some highlights as twilight falls.  After that pit lane wreck, the Ferrari was out.  The GT Daytona lead battle saw Mario Fanrbacher pass Bryce Miller.  In hour seven, Markus Palttala, Michael Valiante, and Memo Rojas, all got caught up in athis melee.  Bang!  There's nowhere to go and it's a crash, bang, wallop.  Spencer Pumplelly slid off the road and crashed on the front straight.  We now have two hours to go.  Christian Fittiplaid leads Prototype.  Wolf Henzler leads GT Le Mans.  Christopher Haase leads GT Daytona, and Tom Kimber-Smith leads Prototype Challenge.

Coming up on two hours to go.  More NAEC points will be awarded.  Christian Fittipaldi leads Ricky Taylor overall.  The sun was blinding earlier.  The sun is setting as we come to the finish.  Porsche runs 1-2 in GT Le Mans.  Patrick Long is second in the factory Porsche.  Porsche would get the GT Le Mans constructor's championship.  The #48 Paul Miller Racing Audi R8 LMS leads GT Daytona.  Bryce Miller shares with Matt Bell and Christopher Haase.

Tom Kimber-Smith still leads Prototype Challenge, looking for a win, and a championship.  Scott Pruett is frustrated with their performance today, and they will just have to soldier on.  They won two races earlier in the year.  But, they have had a bad season, and rebounded at the previous race at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.  Jan Magnussen is currently eighth in GT Le Mans.  The #3 Corvette has had a fraught race.

They had front end damage in the earlier pit stop incident with less than two hours to go.  We've got two Porsche's, a Corvette, and a Viper, vying for the GT Le Mans driver's championship.  GT LM is a really, really deep field.  It's amazing.  It's the true factory class.  The elevation change on this track is amazing.  It's an adrenaline track.  You nver have a chance to rest at Road Atlanta.  2.54 miles long.  The racing line moves constantly, because the track is not too straight or level anyplace.

Dirk Werner is running the #56 BMW Z4 GTE.  He shares with John Edwards and Dirk Muller.  Werner has not seen much action, because he could not find a ride in DTM.  The #94 Turner Motorsports BMW Z4 GT leads GT dAYTONA.  Markus Palttala is at the controls.  Alex Riberas in a Porsche is second in class.  Ricky Taylor eats the GT Daytona cars up like a Pac Man.  Whoa.  He got squeezed in the esses.

The headlights are yellow on GT machines, and white, or amber on the prototypes.  The prototype headlights are intentionally brighter to let drivers of slower cars know they are coming.  More highlights from hours eight and nine.  In the darkness, Action Express led with Christian Fittipaldi.  Jordan Taylor passed for the lead.  Joao Barbosa takes it to the finish after a pit stop.  They've lost pace.  Jordan Taylor also pitted, and continues to hold the lead.  In GT LM, the #17 car pits.  Wolf Henzler takes over.

Then, after the final stop, Barbosa stalls after getting fuel.  We've got just a half hour to go.  Let's take a ride around Road Atlanta in the darkness, with the sound of the Ford twin turbo V6 in the Ganassi car.  Turn up the volume and enjoy.  We switch from the humming of the V6 Ford to the thunderous rumble of the Chevrolet Corvette V8 in GT Le Mans.  Now, to the sweet sound of a Porsche 4.0 liter flat six in the factory #911 machine.  So many different engines, and engine notes.  It's fun to turn your back on the track and guess who is going by by the sound of the engine.

Nick Tandy is at the controls of the Porsche with less than half an hour to go in the race, and the season.  Pierre Kaffer got clouted by everyone else in that earlier pit lane crash for the GT cars.  Now we move to the onboard with Christopher Haase in the #48 Audi R8 LMS.  Another unique engine note.  We see Andy Meyrick in the Deltawing ahead.  Deltawing is turning their program around and has been doing that this year.  They are developing new engines and gearboxes.

The car is lightweight, but with light weight, comes fragility.  It's amazing to see how a driver pickjs their entry line in the darkness.  Road Atlanta changed some things with improving sight lines for the drivers during practice, qualifying, and a race.  Wayne Taylor Racing will get it's second PLM victory, 17 years after their first, when  Jordan and Ricky Taylor's dad, Wayne, the team's namesake and principal, won in a Ferrari 333 SP open cockpit V12 powered prototype, with Frenchman Emmanuel Collard, and Eric van de Poele of Belgium.

We are now under our record 13th yellow flag.  Sean Rayhall has crashed his Prototype Challenge car, while leading in class.  He hit the wall, after having contact with another car.  We have less than ten minutes to go in the race now.  Let's hope everything will be OK.  Hopefully nothing is too serious after he clipped Tracy Krohn's GT LM Ferrari 458 Italia, and spinning off the road.  The Deltawing is still running.  They are running fourth overall.  Reliability and speed have finally come to the Deltawing.

We will go green with six and a half minutes to go.  Jordan Taylor leads, and has lapped traffic separating him from new champion Joao Barbosa.  He is going to put it all on the line.  Throw caution to the wind and go for it, mate.  Wayne Taylor Racing has dominated.  Jordan Taylor will take it to the checkers.  Ricky Taylor and Max Angelelli have also done really well.  Scott Dixon is taking the Ganassi car to the finish.  But, they will not finish on the lead lap, even though they will finish.  Ford will be working hard on the engine package.

They will take that technology to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  That should be fun.  Christopher Haase leads GT Daytona.  Audi will win the race.  But it looks like Porsche will win the constructors championship if Alex Riberas finishes second in class.  The Turner Motorsports BMW Z4 GT has also done well.  Whoa!  Andy Lally is off the road riding the curb.  He actually gets back on the road.  Yikes!

Porsche's are 2-3-4 in GT Daytona.  There's a battle for final podium spot in GT LM.  Patrick Long still chases Wolf Henzler.  Check that.  Michael Christensen.  The third place Viper is there, too.  If Marc Goossens can pass the Porsche's, then SRT Viper wins the GT LM constructor's title.  We have a minute left in the race, and the season.  One more lap to run in 2014.  The GT LM cars will do two more laps.  These blokes cannot back down their pace.  They are running for position.

Henzler was so close to a win at VIR.  But the win was snatched by the Risi Competizione Ferrari.  Jordan Taylor has one lap to go.  No one coming from behind.  The big battle is in GT Le Mans.  Watch the slow car.  Michal Christensen is in it.  But, Marc Goossens drops back.  Christensen is pushing.  What a battle this has been.  Jordan Taylor wins it!  Jordan Taylor, Ricky Taylor, and Max Angelelli win Petit Le Mans.

In GT Le Mans, it's Wolf Henzler and Falken Tire Racing, winning PLM for the second straight year.  In GT Daytona, it will be the #48 Audi R8 LMS of Chriistopher Haase and Paul Miller Racing, winning the first race of their season.  Sean Rayhall is fine.  He was checked and released from the medical center.;  Winning Prototype Challenge is the #8 Starworks Oreca FLM Chevrolet of Renger van der Zande and company, sharing with Mirco Shultis and Alex Popow.

So, the overall and class winners from the Ptit Le Mans are:

Overall/Prototype: #10 Taylor/Taylor/Angelelli      Chevrolet Corvette Prototype

            Prototype
            Challenge: #8 Shultis/van der Zande/Popow      Oreca FLM 09 Chevrolet

           GT Le Mans: #17 Sellers/Henzler/Holzer           Porsche 911 RSR

          GT Daytona: #48 Bell/Haase/Miller                    Audi R8 LMS Ultra

We look ahead to 2015 and the 53rd running of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, coming up at the end of January.  The Taylor brothers become the first American drivers to win overall at Petit Le Mans.  Here are the champions:

Prototype: #5 Christian Fittipaldi & Joao Barbosa     Action Express Racing Chevrolet Corvette Prototype

GT Le Mans: #91 Kuno Wittmer                               SRT Racing SRT Viper GTS-R-

Prototype Challenge: #54 Colin Braun & Jon Bennett     Core Autosport Oreca FLM Chevrolet

GT Daytona: #94 Dane Cameron                              Turner Motorsports BMW Z4 GTE

It has been a wild season and a wild race.  We brought two great racing series into one, with some great car makers and great race tracks.  It all begins again in 2015, with nw cars, new drivers, and new race tracks.  See you at the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January of 2015.  We look forward to more great racing.  Go check out the races, folks.  See you in 2015.  So long, for now.