McLaren F1 GTR's gather at Goodwood's 73rd members meeting

A great video, about the McLaren F1 GTR.  Have posted about this car before.  One of the greatest sports cars, to ever race, when it did in the mid 1990s.

http://www.motorsport.com/all/video/main-gallery/mclaren-f1-gtrs-gather-at-goodwood-s-73rd-members-meeting/

Venter Joins New Aston Martin Driving Academy

19-year-old Australian driver, Jonathan Venter, was awarded a place in the new Aston Martin Racing young driver academy.  He will partner with Craft-Bamboo in Asian GT Series competition.

http://www.speedcafe.com/2015/03/31/venter-picked-for-new-aston-martin-driver-program/

More garages and 60 cars for Le Mans 2016

The ACO is going to increase the size of the pit lane, and the number of garages at Circuit de la Sarthe, to accommodate 60 cars, in time for next year's 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 2016.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/115007-more-garages-and-60-cars-for-le-mans-16

Pirelli World Challenge GT Round 1: Circuit of the Americas

Highlights of round one of the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge season at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.  Highlights of race one on Saturday, and race two on Sunday.

Round two of the championship, took place on the temporary street course in St. Petersburg, Florida.  Look for highlights of that race, coming soon.

GT3 cars banned from Nordschleife after fatal accident

After the fatal Nissan wreck at the Nurburgring, GT3 cars have been temporarily banned from the Nordschleife, and thus, this might put the Nurburgring 24 Hours, in jeopardy, at least for this year.

http://www.motorsport.com/vln/news/gt3-cars-banned-from-nordschleife-after-fatal-accident

Porsche on top again as WEC test ends

Porsche comes out on top at the end of the test session for the FIA World Endurance Championship at Paul Ricard.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/porsche-on-top-again-as-wec-test-ends

Fan killed, more hurt in horrific Nurburgring Crash

Sad news from the Nurburgring.

Factory Nissan got airborne, flipped over the catch fence, and landed among spectators.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a25410/spectator-killed-others-hurt-in-horrific-nurburgring-race-crash/

King of 935s: 1981 Kremer Porsche 935 K4 IMSA GTP

A profile of one of the greatest endurance sports car racing machines ever built, the Kremer Porsche 935 K4 IMSA GTP.

http://www.motorsportretro.com/2015/03/1981-kremer-porsche-935-k4-imsa-gtp/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+motorsportretro%2FfhnD+%28Motorsport+Retro%29

Toyota unveils 2015 car, signs Kobayashi

Kamui Kobayashi, a standout in Formula One in recent years, has been signed as a test and reserve driver for Toyota's factory FIA World Endurance Championship team.  This announcement comes, with the unveiling of their 2015 TS040 hybrid race car, as well.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/toyota-unveils-2015-car-signs-kobayashi/?v=11&s=1

Toyota Hybrid: A new era for the World Champions

Toyota's 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship challenger, is a revised and updated TS040 prototype.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/toyota-hybrid-a-new-era-for-the-world-champions/?v=11&s=1

PWC and Blancpain GT to announce major collaboration

It's now official!  Big news!  Pirelli World Challenge and Blancpain GT, will indeed, collaborate!  GT racing fans everywhere, rejoice!

http://www.motorsport.com/gt/news/pwc-and-blancpain-gt-to-announce-major-collaboration

Porsche 919 Hybrid leads again at Circuit Paul Ricard

Porsche AG is at the top, during the prologue test for the FIA World Endurance Championship, at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/porsche-919-hybrid-leads-again-at-circuit-paul-ricard

12 Hours of Sebring race broadcast

Relive the 12 Hours of Sebring from last weekend.  Here are all three parts of the race broadcast on Fox Sports.

Part 1:
http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/part-1-2015-mobil-1-twelve-hours-sebring-fueled-fresh-florida

Part 2:
http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/part-2-2015-mobil-1-twelve-hours-sebring-fueled-fresh-florida

Part 3:
http://www.imsa.com/imsa-tv/episode/part-3-2015-mobil-1-twelve-hours-sebring-fueled-fresh-florida

IMSA: Series outlines expectations for 2017 P2 regulations

The eagerly awaited 2017 P2 regulations from IMSA and the ACO, have been drafted.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/tudor-united-sports-car-championship/item/114756-imsa-series-outlines-expectations-for-2017-p2-regulations

IMSA: HPD Seeking new team for its LMP2

Honda Performance Development hopes to have a team run their new HPD ARX-04b coupe in the Tudor Championship.  Extreme Speed Motorsports abandoned running the car, after testing with it, was troublesome, and reverted back to the older ARX-03a open cockpit spyder.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/114787-hpd-seeking-new-usc-team-for-its-lmp2

IMSA, Total Announce Multi-Year Partnership Extension

IMSA and TOTAL Specialties USA (makers of TOTAL engine oil), have announced a continued partnership.  Here are the details.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/imsa-total-announce-multi-year-partnership-extension

Blancpain, Pirelli World Challenge to announce tie-in on Friday

Tomorrow, a big announcement is expected.  Scott Bove and Stephane Ratel, who respectively organize Pirelli World Challenge, and the Blancpain GT Series, have major news.

http://www.motorsport.com/endurance/news/blancpain-pirelli-world-challenge-to-announce-tie-in-on-friday

U.S. Teams, Manufacturers Weigh In on LMP2 Future

U.S. teams and manufacturers, weigh in on the new 2017 LMP2-based regulations, coming to sports car racing.

http://sportscar365.com/industry/u-s-teams-manufacturers-weigh-in-on-lmp2-future/

Sebring race summary

Fox Sports' Bob Varsha, Calvin Fish, and Justin Bell, summarize the 12 Hours of Sebring.  Video of the final lap.

http://www.foxsports.com/video?vid=416355395743

Karma comes full circle at Sebring

One year after an infamous officiating faux pas by IMSA, toward Alex Job Racing, it all comes good in 2015, and of course, the team won, in the GT Daytona division.

http://www.motorsport.com/tusc/news/karma-comes-full-circle-at-sebring

The Problem With P: The Solution is GT3?

With the announcement by the ACO of the 2017 LMP2 regulations, and the fact that those regulations will seemingly be very limiting, and have sports car racing purists pulling their hair out and running screaming into the night, could doing away with prototypes, and having a GT3 spec endurance championship here in the United States (like the Blancpain Series in Europe), be the ultimate solution?

The blog North American Sportscar has shed some light on this idea.

http://nasportscar.com/the-problem-with-p-the-solution-is-gt3/

Audi reveals R8 team and driver line-ups

The Audi R8 based teams, and their driver line-ups, have been announced, for the two major 24 hour races where GT3 spec cars, compete.  The Nurburgring 24 Hours, and the 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps.

http://www.motorsport.com/vln/news/audi-reveals-r8-team-and-driver-line-ups

From burning to the ground to the top of the podium, the last Vipers of TUDOR can still bite

An interview on motorsport.com with Ben Keating.

http://www.motorsport.com/tusc/news/from-burning-to-the-ground-to-the-top-of-the-podium-the-last-vipers-of-tudor-can-still-bi

IMSA and ACO extend sportscar alliance through 2020

IMSA and the ACO in France, will have an alliance, at least for the next five years, through the 2020 season.

http://www.motorsport.com/tusc/news/imsa-and-aco-extend-sportscar-alliance-through-2020

Audi confirms step up in WEC hybrid energy class

Audi has revealed the specifications of it's new, fifth generation R18 that will seek to score the four rings' 14th overall win at Le Mans, and their sixth consecutive win.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/audi-confirms-step-up-in-wec-hybrid-energy-class

Action Express Dominates 12H Sebring

Sportscar365 has an abbreviated race summary of yesterday's 12 Hours of Sebring.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/action-express-dominates-12h-sebring/

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 12 (the finish)

The #33 Viper is in the pit, from the GTD lead.  Both SRT Viper's are in.  Mario Farnbacher pitted on the last lap.  Watch out for PC.  Colin Braun is within a second of the class lead.  Lucas Luhr is the last of the GTLM contenders to pit in BMW #24.  Actually, Antonio Garcia, also needs to pit.  Antonio Garcia makes his last pit stop and will take the #3 Corvette C-7-R- to the finish.  #912 comes into pit lane.  They are going to try getting the stripped wheel nut off the car.  They can't do it.  Nick Tandy is well ahead of the Ferrari of Pierre Kaffer. 

The reason for the premature pit stop, Giancarlo Fisichella was having a foot cramp.  He's OK.  #912 is back on track.  But, with the tire trouble, they've lost time.  The #85 Prototype Challenge machine pits to get a huge clump of rubber out of the wheel well.  Chris Miller at the wheel.  Now, #912 has a loose wheel nut.  Fred Makowiecki's run for the win, is over.  Scuderia Corse's Ferrari is well ahead of the Paul Miller Racing Audi.  In GT Le Mans, Corvette boss Doug Fehan says they need a splash and dash before the end of this one.

The Porsche could be struggling for fuel.  The fact that the Risi Ferrari had to come in earlier, will blow it's chances of getting a GT Le Mans podium place.  Ricky Taylor in the #10 pits, and the #90 might be pitting soon, too.  Tom Kimber-Smith has a five second margin in Prototype Challenge, over Colin Braun.  #5 pits again, for perhaps, the last time.  Fuel and tires for the stop.  The car stalls briefly.  The team car #31 pits, too.  Joao Barbosa is going to take this car to the finish.  Only twice before, have GM powered cars won Sebring overall.

1965 with Jim Hall's Chevrolet powered Chapparal, and in 1996, with the Doyle Racing Riley & Scott Mk. III Oldsmobile.  Tom Kimber-Smith and Colin Braun are battling for the Prototype Challenge class.  Scott Dixon has moved from fourth to third.  Richard Westbrook and Ricky Taylor, have yet to make their last stops.  We wait for the timing and scoring to cycle.  Kimber-Smith in first, with Braun, second.  We've seen the two Porsche factory cars, have problems.  #912 went to the pit, and then, #911 got stuck in fifth gear.

In 35 minutes, these blokes have to cut qualifying laps.  Easier said than done.  Less than 30 minutes to go in the sports car endurance classic that is the Mibil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.  Final pit stops completed.  #23 is leading GT Daytona, and still pursued by the Viper and the Aston Martin.  You've got to get close to the end at Sebring, to start racing.  Make a dash for the overall and class wins.  Antonio Garcia, and Pierre Kaffer, may need fuel.  It's going to be tight for all three major manufacturers.

Fuel strategy may determine the GT Le Mans victory.  Pierre Kaffer is nine seconds behind Antonio Garcia.  But, there's more fuel for Garcia.  The #24 BMW Z4 GTE is still in it.  Joao Barbosa just ran a 1:54.2.  He and Ricky Taylor were within a tenth of each other.  No gain for Ricky Taylor, though.  Joao Barbosa is still keeping the blowtorch lit.  Barbosa almost has a lap in hand over the #10, but not quite.  #10 has handled their braking issues all day.  Barbosa now has a full lap lead.

The #25 BMW runs really wide, with Dirk Werner at the controls.  Brake late, go around the outside of traffic, and take no prisoners.  Hammer down.  You are good to go to the finish.  Time is truly of the essence.  The sand in the hourglass, is running out.  Less than 20 minutes remain in the 63rd 12 Hours of Sebring.  The raceway is now shrouded fully in darkness.  Joao Barbosa got into the #5 car a lap up on his nearest rivals. 

Joey Hand extended his fuel run by two laps, putting Scott Dixon in the car.  The engine stalled, and they went down a position.  Both factory GT LM Porsche's had troubles.  Busted wheel nut on the car.  Then,. the gearbox packed up.  Nick Tandy had the lead in the sister factory Porsche, and, the gearbox, packed up.  Corvette Racing could win GT Le Mans.  It's an upright that broke on thwe factory Porsche.

In GT Daytona, #23 could give Alex Job his tenth Sebring class win.  The #24 BMW passed the GT Daytona leaders.  So, it's mano e mano with the #23 and it's competitor.  Some of these boys have to come in for a splash of fuel.  The two factory Porsche's did not have identical problems.  Suspension for car #912.  Gearbox gremlins for the #911.  We have ten minutes to go, in this race now, folks.  It's crunch time.

We've had another drama in GT Daytona.  Mario Farnbacher locks the brakes on the #23 Porsche into turn ten, onto the escape road and into the dirt!  So, the #33 SRT Viper GTS-R- takes the lead.  The Porsche's don't brake well when the tires are worn off.  So, Alex Job Racing might be bale to still get a podium in class.  Tom Kimber-Smith looks to be the Prototype Challenge class winner, with six minutes left in the race itself. 

Conor Daly is going to finish on the podium in Prototype Challenge.  With a lap or two left, Richard Westbrook has passed Scott Dixon for the final spot on the podium.  Five minutes to go.  Oh no!  #33 leading GTD is on pit road!  This is not good!  The #33 will not see the victory in GT Daytona!  A terminal mechanical issue!  Can you believe it!  Ugh!  Mario Farnbacher moves back to the class lead.  Will Alex Job now get a class win?  This will set a world record, for the most people collectively holding their breath.

We're into the final three minutes.  We know we'll see a Corvette Prototype sweep of the podium, here at Sebring.  Wow.  Mario Farnbacher must be over the moon!  You never know what might happen.  Snatch victory, from the jaws of defeat.  That's why we run the races.  Nothing is certain until the checkered flag waves, folks.  Nothing.  Joao Barbosa heads into turn seven, into the esses.  Antonio Garcia leads GT Le Mans.  Nick Tandy may get a top five in class, even though he's stuck in high gear.

These points are very critical for the season.  So, everyone deserves a finish.  Action Express picks up where they left off as champions last year.  We are coming to the white flag.  It's a reverse of last year.  Team manager Gary Nelson, says, "expect to win".  He's right.  They've completed every racing lap in the history of the Tudor United Sports Car Championship!  The #31 sister car will have a top five finish here tonight, too.  Tom Kimber-Smith is going to win Prototype Challenge.

Bring it home, nice and easy.  Joao Barbosa has his cushion.  Not since 1965 has a Chevrolet powered car won Sebring.  50 years ago, the Chapparal 2 won with Jim Hall and Hap Sharp.  Joao Barbosa, Christian Fittipaldi, and Sebastian Bourdais, break the drought!  They win the 12 Hours of Sebring!  Tom Kimber-Smith and his team mates Andrew Palmer and Mike Guasch, win their second enduro in a row, after taking Daytona, too.

In GT Daytona, it's Alex Job Racing, winning their tenth Sebring!  Mario Farnbacher, Ian James, and Alex Riberas, win Sebring!  The #3 Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R- wins their second in a row, winning Daytona, and Sebring!

Overall/Prototype: #5 Barbosa/Fittipaldi/Bourdais     Chevrolet Corvette Prototype

             Prototype
             Challenge: #52 Kimber-Smith/Palmer/Guasch   Oreca FLM 09 Chevrolet

            GT Le Mans: #3 Garcia/Magnussen/Briscoe       Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R-

           GT Daytona: #23 Farnbacher/James/Riberas        Porsche 911 GT America

So, two enduros in the books.  Now, we move on to the sprint racing section of the season.  340 laps.  1,271 miles, completed.  Action Express picks up maximum points.  The next NAEC round will be at Watkins Glen, New York, for the Six Hours of Watkins Glen, in late June.  Joao Barbosa, and his team mates, get to drink the orange juice, at Sebring.  Corvette Racing wins their ninth 12 Hours of Sebring in GT Le Mans.

Jan Magnussen gets his fourth Sebring win.  Ryan Briscoe will now focus on his Indycar drives.  The #23 car had no brakes at the end of the race.  They saved the car, and came back for the GT Daytona win.  Ian James and Alex Riberas, are all extremely happy about their win.  Crazy races are normal business activity at Sebring.  What a race this was.  We will have two more endurance races to go this season, and now, we get into the sprint racing season. 

The next event is the Tequila Patron Sports Car Showcase, from the streets of Long Beach, California.  The first sprint race, of 2015, in a month's time.  Until then, goodnight, and so long, from Sebring, Florida.

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 11

Pit stops coming.  #10 is in the lane, now.  Tracy Krohn in the #57 Ligier Judd also hits the pit.  Box, box, box.  Jordan Taylor will take the #10 car to the finish.  Their father won here, twice.  1981, and 1996.  Eric Curran pits the #31 car.  Antonio Garcia is ready to get into the #3 Corvette.  We will see stops for the #33 and #007 GT Daytona cars.  Viper vs. Aston Martin.  Here they come.  James Davison will stay in the car.  Fuel is going in.  Tires are being changed.  The #912 goes ahead of the #3.  The Viper noses in front of the Aston.  A drag race between the Risi Ferrari, and the Falken Porsche.  The top four GTLM cars came in together.

The GTLM battle is going to be hammer and tongs until the end.  The #5 car is still a lap up in the lead.  Now, we begin back timing the race as we're inside the two hours remaining mark.  We are back to green, now.  Can Christian Fittipaldi, hold the lead?  Christian Fittipaldi is gapping Joey Hand.  James Davison is going ahead of Jeroen Bleekemolen.  Jordan Taylor is trying to fight his way through GT traffic.  GTLM is seeing Giancarlo Fisichella, splitting the factory Porsche's.  He's booking it right now.  Brilliant!

We have just one Corvette remaining in the race.  The #4 car is sinking down the order, promoting Bill Auberlen in the #25 BMW Z4 GTE.  Action Express and Ganassi both need one more fuel stop.  Ganassi will need less fuel, as they stopped sooner than did their rivals.  The GT Daytona battle is heating up.  Mario Farnbacher is really going for it.  He's the quickest of the three drivers at the front of the class.  Farnbacher is going to finish out this race.

We are getting into the final 90 minutes of this race.  Christian Fittipaldi still leads Joey Hand, with Richard Westbrook, and Jordan Taylor, third and fourth.  The Aston Martin team is planning on racing the FIA World Endurance Championship, and the other two events for the North American Endurance Cup.  Will they come to Watkins Glen and Road Atlanta later in the year?  Possibly.  Darren Turner gave the #98 a good run.  Mario Farnbacher has passed James Davison.  It's Porsche vs. Aston Martin vs. Viper.  Jeroen Bleekemolen is still in this fight, too.

The GT Daytona finish, could be a sizzler.  Christopher Haase and Townsend Bell are also close by.  Seven cars in GT Daytona, within 18 seconds of each other!  Wow!  Tom Kimber-Smith has led much of this race for PR1/Matthiasen.  But, Colin Braun is still going for it, too.  Patrick Pilet inches away from Giancarlo Fisichella in GT Le Mans.  But, the GT Daytona battle, is simmering.  In the Alex Job Racing pit, the #22's fuel hose, is delaminating.  That's not good.  No issue with the leader.  But, Alex Job, team owner, is not happy.

The Daytona Prototype spec cars, have once again, outperformed the P2 spec prototypes.  The #5 car is still having a sway bar issue, and they only have their rear sway bar.  Bourdais steering an understeering prototype, it's within his wheelhouse.  He did it, as a Peugeot factory driver,l years ago in the FIA World Endurance Championship.  We will miss the Prototype Challenge cars, when they are going away, next year.  Conor Daly has proven to be more than a single-seater driver.

Joey Hand is coming under intense pressure, from Richard Westbrook as we contest lap 297.  The leader, pits.  Christian Fittipaldi brings the car in on lap 299.  There will be one more pit stop necessary for some of these cars.  #01 and #10 will pit shortly.  Book it.  Go flat out.  It's coming down to crunch time.  Jordan Taylor pits from third place overall.  The Aston Martin and the Viper continue to battle in GTD.

Marc Goossens is turning some great laps.  Consistent laps.  David Hinton in the #50 Highway To Help Riley BMW, has a puncture.  But, he gets the car to the pit, with no need for a yellow.  The #52 car of Tom Kimber-Smith pits.  #01 pits.  Scott Dixon takes over for Joey Hand.  Fuel, done.  Tires, done.  Driver, done.  But, the car stalled.  Will they catch the #5 Corvette?  Probably not, according to Joey Hand.  Now, in GTD, Mario Farnbacher leads Jeroen Bleekemolen, and Marc Goossens, with James Davison dropping back a little bit.  Both Viper's passed the Aston Martin.

Giancarlo Fisichella pits the #62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia.  Lots of time lost, as the Ferrari doesn't start.  He has an hour and eight minutes to go.  But, he might not have enough petrol before the end of this one.  It depends on if there is a full course yellow flag. Ricky Taylor looks as if he's leapfrogged a couple of his competitors, or, they plan to, with their pit strategy, before the end of this race.  They don't have the quickest car.  But, they might just be quick enough.

The #911 factory Porsche pits.  Fuel and a driver change.  Patrick Pilet, out.  Now, #912 pits.  There is a problem with the wheel nut.  You've got to just go, and not worry about the broken wheel nut.  Fred Makowiecki might think he's broken a mirror, by throwing a cat under it, while walking under a ladder. 

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 10

Mike Rockenfeller is closing on Max Angelelli right now.  #90 pitted on lap 248.  Angelelli has not pitted since lap 227, as we work lap 250.  Action Express, has lapped the entire field.  They are on rails today, ladies and gentlemen.  Bourdais says the track is getting greasier towards the end of this race. Lots of clag is out there.  The car, is really hot, too.  The track seems to be slowing up.  The target time, is low 1:53s.  Christian Fittipaldi still leads, by a lap.  A full, 3.74 miles.  Richard Lietz leads GT Le Mans.  Patrick Long is now back at the wheel of the #17 Falken Tires special.  The Porsche 911 RSR.  Darren Turner and Aston Martin are coming back as Ben Keating brings in the #33 Viper.  Keating has to run in the other car.  Jeroen Bleekemolen, takes over in #33.  Good pit stop.

Brandon Davis takes over the #007 Aston Martin V12 Vantage for The Racer's Group.  Oliver Gavin has spun the #4 Corvette C-7-R- in turns three and four.  He is waiting for the traffic queue.  Lost it early in the corner, and maybe, something seized in the transmission.  Gavin is dead in the water, for now.  #52 PC car, in the lane.  #93 remains in the pits, too.  We are in the distance window, for a regular Tudor Championship event, before we finish, here at Sebring.  #4 pits.  Oliver Gavin got out, but then, got back in the car.  He was shown what the problem is.  But, he will continue.  The car has fresh Michelin tires, too.  IMSA Radio's Gregg Creamer, pointed that out.

Car #5 is still a lap up on the field.  Pit stop time for the #912 factory Porsche.  It's been three hours or so, since we've seen a full course yellow.  Sadly, for the #44 Magnus Porsche, it might be game over.  The suspension damage, is too much to bear.  Now, #911, pits.  Lietz gets out of the car.  There is a driver change, along with fuel, and tires.  The #17 Falken Tires Porsche also pits.  Earl Bamber drove the #912 Porsche, before Fred Makowiecki took over.  Patrick Pilet is now at the controls of car #911.

Bryan Sellers and Wolf Henzler have been lapping really well.  But, they are off the pace, compared to the factory cars.  The #24 BMW Z4 GTE pits.  Tire development is an integral part of developing a race car.  If you change tire brands, the suspension setup, the balance of the car, and everything else, changes, both on the track, and on road going cars.  One of the Corvette's pits.  At this time, the superstar drivers for each team, will earn their money, as we're getting closer to the end.

Wolf Henzler runs fourth in GTLM.  Patrick Pilet leads, with Fred Makowiecki, second in class.  Jan Magnussen, third.  Wolf Henzler, fourth.  Pierre Kaffer, fifth.  Michael Valiante says the track has more grip, but then, the balance of the #90 Spirit of Daytona Corvette Prototype, changes.  More grip, equals a looser race car.  It needs to be tightened up.  Mike Rockenfeller, is doing yeoman service, thrashing that car around.  Any year that ends with a five at Sebring, produces something amazing.

Joey Hand has 6/10ths of a second between he, and Mike Rockenfeller.  The race starts, when the darkness falls.  Prototype is perhaps, in the bag.  Mike Rockenfeller is all over Joey Hand like El Cheapo Suito.  The #8 Starworks Martini Prototype Challenge car, pits.  #4 is off the road, again.  There's an issue for the car in the turn 3 & 4 area.  Full course yellow.  The track is making some of the cars, loose.

With warm conditions compared to testing, it is a battle for the teams, chasing setups on the cars.  Ricky Taylor and Wayne Taylor Racing, are a lap down to the leader.  But, they are on the same lap with their competition.  They will make a pit stop.  Oliver Gavin's crash, was due to a brake failure, due to a minor part failing. 

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 9

We are getting down to the last quarter of this race.  Sebastien Bourdais still leads this event.  Scuderia Corse is running well in GT Daytona.  Townsend Bell has lots of racing coming, between Indycars, and racing with Scuderia Corsa at Le Mans.  The #5 Action Express Corvette is still in the lead of this race, overall.  Don't set yourself into a forced error.  Time is of the essence, with less than four hours to go.  The #22 WeatherTech Porsche 911 GT America, is in pit lane.  The Porsche's have been quick in GT Daytona.  But, the cars have had engine issues. 

The #49 AF Corse Ferrari 458 Italia pits, with Enzo Potolicchio at the controls.  Ryan Briscoe is pushing, and so is Mike Rockenfller as Mike Guasch pits the #52 Prototype Challenge car.  Andrew Palmer takes over.  The track is starting to rubber in.  There are huge wads of rubber that build up in the prototype wheel well.  Loads of junk is out on the road.  Nick Tandy still leads GT Le Mans in the factory Porsche 911 RSR.  Tandy has the prototype ride for Le Mans, because he's such a good driver.  Sebastien Bourdais still leads, with the Ganassi car in hot pursuit.

The sun is sinking lower in the sky, as we follow the GT Le Mans cars.  Both Pro and Sportsman drivers, (whatever comes after Prototype Challenge disappears), has to be accessible to sportsman drivers.  LMP3 could be that category.  Bourdais is on lap 234.  866 miles in.  Now, CORE Autosport pitted, and was going to make a driver change.  But, they left James Gue in the car.  The factory GT LM Porsche's are going to pit soon. 

Nick Tandy is now, in the lane.  Tandy, out.  Driver change.  They couldn't get the tear off, off the windshield.  Richard Lietz is in the car.  #54 in Prototype Challenge, is running well.  Bennett said that drive time is a big deal.  A lot of math was being done.  Jon Bennett, will be fine.  Ryan Briscoe, will make a stop, soon.  Ben Keating and Brandon Davis, run 1-2 in GT Daytona, with Jan Heylen third, and Cameron Lawrence in the #93 Viper.  Andrew Davis, and Dion von Moltke, giving chase.

#4 pits, and #3 does too.  Quick pit stop.  Down and away.  Professional stop, from the Corvette boys.  They have a tilt wheel and a tilt on the instrument binnacle, to be more efficient.  The #24 BMW Z4 GTE pits, and also, has issues, with the grille on the front of the car.  Former Corvette driver Ron Fellows is at the track.  Corvette has one great driver lineup.  A powerhouse.  Corvette Racing is a family.  Especially, Pratt & Miller, with Gary and Robin Pratt.  Fellows, Johnny O'Connell, and others, are still connected.  Johnny O'Connell is in the Cadillac Pirelli World Challenge program.

Cars of old, were not as computer operated as they are now.  No fly-by-wire or anything.  The drivers get to drive, because of the automated systems, taking care of temperatures, fluids, and so forth.  It's fewer distractions.  You don't have to monitor oil or water pressure gauges.  Some of the feel of the old cars, is lost.  Rumor is, Sebastien Bourdais, could have some issues with the #5 leading Corvette Prototype.  There could be a broken anti-roll bar in the suspension.  Christian Fittipaldi says the team is not sure about that.

We watch the #98 GT Le Mans Aston Martin.  Darren Turner, is at the controls.  In GT Daytona, the top eight cars, are all on the lead lap.  Sunset at Sebring, and it's a beauty.  Sebastien Bourdais is still on track.  But, Action Express readies for a pit stop.  He's coming in now.  The #90 car pitted.  Christian Fittipaldi will take over the car.  Tires are changed.  Fuel is done, and he's underway.  The #01 Ganassi Riley Ford EcoBoost, is pitting.  But, Pruett, is a lap and a half or so down.  Check that.  Joey Hand, is at the controls of the #01.

Action Express, played their strategy perfectly.  This is becoming a match race in the last three hours, chaps.  Joey Hand also has a minute in hand over Max Angelelli in the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing car.  Andrew Palmer, is also a lap up on James Gue in Prototype Challenge.  In GTLM and GTD, there are mere seconds, between the top seven and top eight cars, in both classes.  Holy smokes!  We're headed into the last quarter of this race, or even, well into it, now. 

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 8

Joao Barbosa is the new race leader.  These blokes haven't missed a mile in the Tudor Championship.  Mattias Lauda (son of Formula One Champion Niki Lauda), has the #98 Aston Martin V8 Vantage, back into a better position.  TRG with their V12 Aston Martin, (#007), is second in GT Daytona, behind the #33 SRT Viper.  Five full course yellows for 24 laps.  Last year, we had eleven for 73 laps.  Five leaders.  15 lead changes.  The record is 31 lead changes, in 2011.  Richard Lietz now leads GT Le Mans.  The battle will heat up, for sure, in this division.  The gap isn't much.

Porsche won GT Le Mans and GT Daytona, last year.  The Corvette is closing on the Porsche, along with the sister factory Porsche of Jorg Bergmeister.  #22 is in the lane.  Andrew Davis takes over from Cooper MacNeil.  The #1 Patron Racing HPD has retired from the race, leaving only the #2 car in the race.  But, the #2 has a turbo boost concern.  Ed Brown says there is a leak in the turbo.  These blokes are going to Europe, tomorrow.  Ed Brown and Scott Sharp, are testing at Silverstone, to learn the course, in a Radical prototype.

We have reached 199 laps, 736 miles.  Ryan Dalziel's dad, ran a chocolate factory.  Talk about a real life version of the movie, "Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory".  Wayne Taylor's team has had brake issues.  He is not sure the race will come to them.  The #01 car has pitted.  Scott Pruett, takes over the car.  Sunset will be coming soon.  Dan Gurney thinks it is the orange groves, that cause the gorgeous sunsets.  Now, the #2 car does not have it's position lights on.  They may have electrical problems.

The shift lights are working.  But, something else, isn't.  #5 in pit lane.  Sebastien Bourdais is taking over the car.  He was running th Indycar test at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, and is one driver, who can be quick in any race car.  Andrea Bertolini says it is tough for the Risi Competizione Ferrari to keep up with the Corvette's and the Porsche's.  They have the new 488 coming, with a turbocharged V8.  Bertolini is a Ferrari GT test driver.  We'll see what happens with the new car.

Andrea Bertolini is in the Ferrari simulator, helping the Formula One team.  All top F1 teams, have a simulator.  So, adjustments on the cars, can be made, from the workshop, from the data off the simulator.  Townsend Bell is racing the #63 Scuderia Corse Ferrari 458 Italia.  #911 is in the lane.  Nick Tandy takes over from Richard Lietz.  Tandy will race for the Porsche factory.  Three Porsche 919's and two 911 RSR's will be at Le Mans.  IMSA struck a new deal with the ACO for another six years.

You have seen all that news, right here, on this blog, folks, and as it comes, yours truly, will bring it to you.  Jan Heylen and Emilio Valverde are running well in the #58 Dempsey Racing/Wright Motorsports Porsche, in GTD, with Madison Snow.  Marco Seefried is pitting the #44 car.  JohnPotter, is getting back in the car, and he has to mentally climb a mountain, after slamming the wall, and having a tire go down.  He probably broke a tie rod, too.  The second Tequila Patron ESM car headed behind the wall.  They are looking at the big picture, for the FIA World Endurance Championship, with their new Ligier chassis.

An incurable problem, means, pack up, and move on to Europe.  SpongeBob, is apparently, a Sebring fan.  Cool.  The #007 Aston Martin takes the lead in GT Daytona.  Kevin Buckler has won the Rolex 24 and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  He is still looking for a win at Sebring.  Dion Von Moltke is now in the cockpit of the #48 Audi for Paul Miller Racing.  Hats off to the SCCA volunteers helping with this race, as Alex Riberas, has a loose bumper and a cut tire on the #23 AJR GT Daytona Porsche 911 GT America.

Alex Riberas, was released from the Porsche junior team, to race with Alex Job Racing.  Conor Daly is getting ready for another stint.  The eight hour mark has passed.  More points.  Action Express in Prototype.  A tie in Prototype Challenge between #54 and #52 (Core Autosport and PR1).  Corvette, in GT Le Mans, and SRT ViperExchange.com Viper in GT Daytona.

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 7

We are back to green, with Scott Dixon, in P1 at the moment.  Dane Cameron is keeping pace with the leaders.  Dixon did not pit under this most recent yellow flag.  Joao Barbosa is trying Antonio Garcia, for position.  Twelve laps ago, Action Express, completed the 10,000 mile mark.  Colin Braun gets a lap back.  He's quick off a restart.  Conor Daly passes the Corvette.  The #17 Falken Porsche is going to be overtaken by the first and second place cars in Prototype Challenge.  Daly is losing his rear tires, and the car is not handling.  The broken diffuser on the back of the car, can't be helping matter for poor old Conor Daly.

Patrick Long is second in GTLM.  Long has Antonio Garcia right up his tailpipe.  Garcia goes down the inside and makes the move stick.  Patrick Long is still the only American factory Porsche driver.  Car #1 is pitting.  Ryan Dalziel brought the car in.  They have a steering problem.  These cars have to be packed up, and shipped to Europe, tomorrow.  Alex Popow is becoming irritated behind Tommy Milner's Corvette.  He wants to pass.  Popow is beginning to get desperate.

In 1969, John Wyre Engineering and the Ford GT40, with Jacky Ickx and Jackie Oliver, won Sebring.  45 years later, Ford won again, with the Ganassi team of Scott Pruett, Memo Rojas, and Marino Franchitti.  The #1 ESM Tequila Patron HPD has gone behind the wall.  Richard Westbrook passes Joao Barbosa.  Well, actually, it's the opposite.  Barbosa, passes Westbrook.  Dane Cameron, wants another lap back.  Fred Makowiecki drops a wheel through turn 16.  Patrick Pilet at the wheel of the #911 Porsche 911 RSR.  Earl Bamber and Nick Tandy, will be in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Barbosa runs wide.  Did he just go offline?  He's back up to speed now.  Westbrook passes Jeroen Bleekemolen in the #33 GT Daytona SRT Viper.  ESM is going to load up, tomorrow morning, after Sebring, and they will head to Heathrow Airport in London, on their way to the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track in Le Castellet, France, for the open test for the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship.  No longer do drivers and teams, stick around Sebring, after the race. 

The #4 Corvette of Tommy Milner is having some issues.  He was going slowly towards tgurn ten, pulling to the side of the road, with a need to shut the motor down, and reboot the car, picking up marbles on the tires in the process.  He is back underway.  Tight stuff into the hairpin with the #10 and #90.  With Milner, his seat belts came undone.  Scott Dixon will be pitting soon, in another five minutes.

The Ford is on different fuel strategy compared to the Corvette's.  Good news from IMSA officials, is that crewman Kevin Fox, is unhurt, after that incident in the pits.  IMSA officials just put out the news brief.  The #01 is in the lane for a scheduled stop.  Oh no!  Tracy Krohn spins his Ligier Judd in turn ten.  He goes back around the corner, and finds a hole in traffic, recovering.  #10 pits.  Ricky Taylor out.  Jordan Taylor in.  The #90 car is in, too, blowing out the radiators.  Grass and sand is in the radiators.  Richard Westbrook, out.  Michael Valiante, in.

Tom Kimber-Smith pitted the #52 Prototype Challeng car.  Kimber-Smith has been in the wars.  He has only one headlight.  It gets extremely dark at Sebring.  It will get dark at 8:00 P.M.  It's one thing to drive in the dark at Daytona, because it's well lit.  Night at Sebring, is pitch black.  Jeroen Bleekemolen is running very well.  Last year, these blokes were on fire, here.  Today, they are running out front.  The team does not speak about it.

Conor Daly comments about the roughness of Sebring, and how greasy the track is, with loads of rubber laid down.  The Pro/Am drivers have to manage their time in the car.  The #5 car pits, for tires.  No driver change.  Likewise for the #3 Corvette.  Ben Keating's extreme fire in this race last year, actually was not as bad as it looked.  The car, was salvageable, and the same car is being run today.

Scott Dixon, continues to lead.  He has been a Sebring polesitter, and he's looking for another win.  None of his fellow Indycar drivers, join him here.  Can Dixon win the Rolex 24, and the 12 Hours of Sebring in the same year?  We'll see.  The Indycar season, starts next weekend.  Dane Cameron is making up laps from the earlier issues the #31 car had.  If they come back, they could be a threat.  Christopher Haase is hounding Ian James, and the two of them, try to chase down Jeroen Bleekemolen.  Christina Nielsen is fourth in GTD.  Haase forces the issue, and Joao Barbosa sweeps around both of them!

Haase says, "OK, I'm pitting now."  There's lots of body roll in the Aston Martin.  Christopher Haase has to do a drive through penalty.  The gendarmes, stopped him, for speeding.  Barbosa is eating up Dixon through the high speed stuff.  Bryce Miller is now in the #48 Audi.  Miller will have to serve the speeding penalty.  #5 is door to door with the #01, using a Ferrari as a pick, and it worked!"

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 6

At the end of this hour, we will be halfway through the 12 Hours of Sebring.  Max Angelelli and Eric Curran are both running well right now.  Curran had the wheel come off the car.  Curran is two laps down to the race leaders.  Make that three.  Both these blokes are running hard.  Max Angelelli has also had issues today, with the brakes, on his #10 Velocity Worldwide Corvette Prototype.  Eric Curran got by Max Angelelli.  So, #31 is on the same lap now, as the #10.  Running through the Le Mans corner, and onto the back straight.  Richard Lietz tries to run down Bryan Sellers in GT Le Mans.

Action Express Racing is thirteen laps away from reaching the 10,000 miles raced mark since the team started in the Tudor Championship.  Whoops.  A Prototype Challenge car, goes behind the wall.  The #11 machine, of Chris Cumming, sharing with Bruno Junquiera, and Gustavo Menenez.  Menenez is racing in the European Formula 3 Championship, this year.  Andrew Palmer leads Prototype Challenge, and running fifth overall.  He is ahead of some of the more stout Prototypes.  Is gearbox a euphemism for other parts breaking on the car?  Hmmm.  If you want to keep people on your side in racing, don't throw your team staff, under the bus.

Magnus Racing does not use cool suits for their drivers.  A cool suit is 35 pounds.  But, Magnus Racing does not want the extra weight.  The windows on GT Daytona cars, are not regulated for cockpit temperature.  Cloud cover is helping temperature not being so hot.  Christian Fittipaldi hits the pit lane.  These blokes are on a mission.  Joao Barbosa will take over the car from Fittipaldi.  The #07 Mazda SkyActiv diesel prototype is back in the garage.  SpeedSource is now, headed for the house, sadly.

Johannes van Overbeek has taken over the #2 HPD ARX-03b from Jon Fogarty.  We are getting close to the halfway mark in this race.  One of the BMW's goes to the garage.  The right front suspension is damaged.  It is the lower A arm.  The #44 GT Daytona Porsche of John Potter, has a flat tire, coming into the pits, thankfully.  Potter hit something, as there is a mirror gone.  Brian Redman had a left rear tire come off the Porsche 917, at Spa.  That was in 1970, and had to be very, very scary.

We're almost halfway through the 12 Hours of Sebring, and attrition, is beginning to take it's toll.  A blanket of clouds, dissipates the heat, at Sebring, momentarily, as the #4 Corvette has made a pit stop and the #3 is now pitting.  They have their rear view camera, and, a laser system, to show how close a following car, is.  The #912 factory Porsche also pits.  Correction.  Tommy Milner is now in the #4 car, as Mark Drumwright has spun and crashed the #16 Prototype Challenge machine, in the hairpin.  Drumwright is fine.  The car, is not.

The #24 BMW Z4 GTE pits.  Jens Klingman, out.  Lucas Luhr, in.  These guys will have to watch out, as their sister car, has already run into problems.  This is our fifth full course yellow, while the Magnus Porsche remains in the pits.  That car, came into contact with the slow running #49 Ferrari 458 Italia.  The brake rotors are broken in half.  John Potter is beside himself.  Andy Lally is trying to calm him down.  Potter, is distraught.

The brake rotor, and the stub axle, both fell off.  157 laps, (581 miles) completed.  We remain under yellow.  Prototypes, can pit, as the wave by already occurred.  Joao Barbosa, is in the lane now.  So is the #90 VisitFlorida.com Corvette Prototype.  They will add oil into the car, too.  #5 took no tires.  Richard Westbrook, has a dripping drink bottle.  Ganassi Racing is starting it's march to the front of this field.  We approach a restart, and soon, will have six hours remaining.  Halfway home.

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 5

Oh!  This is wild.  Ben Keating vs. Richard Lietz.  It's the four hour mark.  Mike Rockenfeller, Andrew Palmer, Wolf Henzler, and Ben Keating, are the class leaders at the end of four hours.  In the NAEC, it's five points for first, four for second, three for third, two, for fourth, and one, for fifth, in each class.  We'll do it again, at the eight hour mark and the end of the race.  It is great to have air conditioning in the GT class cars.  The driver's are much fresher.  Andrew Palmer is chased by Chris Cumming, and James French, in the battle for Prototype Challenge.

We are 106 laps, (392.2 miles), into this race.  The pace is impressive.  In the NAEC points, these are the leaders, after Daytona.

Prototype: #5 Action Express Racing Chevrolet Corvette Prototype
Prototype Challenge: #54 CORE Autosport Oreca FLM Chevrolet
GT Le Mans: #3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R-
GT Daytona: #93 ViperExchange.com SRT Viper GTS-R-

Christian Fittipaldi leads.  The two Alex Job GTD Porsche's battle.  They have nine class wins at Sebring, does Alex Job Racing.  The key is not to allow a second car in the team, to be booking it in traffic.  If it all goes wrong, the two team cars, crash.  Mario Farnbacher had a sensational qualifying run yesterday.  Farnbacher wants by Leh Keen.  But, no.  Leh Keen and Mario Farnbacher are giving each other a good run for their money.

Marc Goossens is another driver on the Viper driver's strength.  They had a pit lane speeding penalty, after Al Carter, was in the car.  They had two penalties, both times, with Al Carter, in the car.  Al Carter, used to work the New York Stock Exchange.  So, he's continuing to learn to be a race car driver.  They have to do two penalty stops.  We see Mike Rockenfeller and Christian Fittipaldi, pushing each other, for the race lead.

We also continue to watch the GT Daytona battle on screen.  This is phenomenal.  Al Carter is holding up the train with Mario Farnbacher, Leh Keen, Andy Lally, and Madison Snow.  Seven hours, thirty nine minutes, remain.  Don't get complacent.  Keep pushing.  Get into a quick rhythm.  Oooh!  Leh Keen almost went off the road!  Andy Lally is doing really well.  Lally is a former Nascar Rookie of The Year, from East Northport, New York.  #22 and #23 are team mates.  Leh Keen, taps Mario Farnbacher, saying, "hey bud, I'm still behind you."

We see a lead change at the sharp end.  Fittipaldi passes Rockenfeller.  Christian Fittipaldi's Corvette Prototype is on rails.  These blokes hold the distinction, of completing all the miles raced in the series.  They have not failed to finish a single racing lap.  When we see lap 150 in this race, Action Express will complete 10,000 racing miles.  Christian Fittipaldi runs a 1:54.4.  That's three seconds off pole.  But, it's about in the ballpark for a prototype on this speedway.

Rockenfeller was defending, and Fittipaldi threaded the needle down the Ulmann straight.  If you are watching this race at the track, or on Fox Sports, when sunset comes, that's a treat for the eyes.  Check it out.  BMW is developing a new car, (the M6), for worldwide racing, including here in the U.S.  They are also racing the M4 in DTM, the German touring car championship.  Will we hear Hans Stuck yodel?  We'll see.  In 1975 and '76, BMW maintained the 3.0 CSL in Alabama, in the shops where Bobby Allison ran his Nascar Sprint Cup effort, and also, had the late, great, Benny Parsons (1973 Sprint Cup champion), as a driver, along with racer/race commentator David Hobbs.

Max Angelelli goes three wide, splitting a GT Le Mans and a GT Daytona car.  Madison Snow and Bryce Miller battle for GTD honors.  The #58 Dempsey/Wright Motorsports, and the #48 Paul Miller Racing Audi R8 LMS.  Christian Fittipaldi pits.  Scott Pruett may, in fact, he will, make a pit stop.  In 1955, Fred Shearer, and Don Davis, entered a Ford Thunderbird (the first Ford to race at Sebring), finishing seventh in class, and 37th overall.  Scott Dixon replaces Scott Pruett, in the #01 car.  The rear tires are not in the same condition as the fronts.

Richard Lietz pits one of the factory Porsche's in GT Le Mans.  Dirk Werner takes over the #25 BMW Z4 GT, with the iconic BMW North America paint scheme.  The #98 Aston Martin V8 Vantage is running well again, and the #17 Falken Tires Porsche 911 RSR pits.  Wolf Henzler, out.  Bryan Sellers, in.  Fuel, tires, and down and away.  The #912 factory Porsche pits.  Years ending in five, always produce interesting things at Sebring.  In 1985, A.J. Foyt, won his last ever car race, at the 12 Hours of Sebring.

We now have 131 laps complete.  485 miles.  Mazda has been having issues.  One of their cars, had an oil pump belt fail.  They would have repaired it.  But it would have been too lengthy.  So, they had to retire the #07.  Game over.  The #70 machine, is still pounding around.  James Gue is in the #54 CORE Autosport Oreca FLM Chevrolet.  Braun could have an opportunity, to get back into a front running prototype.  Colin Braun, has been battling, with Conor Daly.  Correction.  James Gue, is the driver for Core Autosport.

Daly opens a gap.  

   

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 4

Scott Pruett is running his first laps of this race.  The event is now three hours old, and we're beginning the fourth hour.  Jordan Taylor looks inside Scott Pruett, but he can't get the job done.  Watch out for the tire marbles.  They are not... grapes from a wine vineyard.  Anyhow, Max Papis, is now pressuring Michael Valiante.  Both Action Express cars, are running well.  Tandy moves once, to block his opponent.  But, the rules stipulate, you can make, one, and only one, move, to do that.  If you drive defensively, you will be penalized by the stewards.

We see eight cars, within 5.8 seconds, in GT Le Mans.  Patrick Long is being hounded by John Edwards.  Corvette, off and on.  Ryan Briscoe got on the gas, and actually spun, and whacked the wall.  The traction control, went on the fritz.  Briscoe is behind Simon Pagenaud.  Scott Pruett runs fifth in the overall in the #01 Riley Ford EcoBoost.  The SRT Viper in GT Daytona, continues to lead.  They were the dark horse in GT Daytona.  This year, these blokes will be difficult to beat in the championship.

Marco Seefried has taken over the #44 Magnus Racing Porsche.  He was a driver on their winning lineup in GT Daytona from Sebring, last year.  Porsche NA Vice President Jens Walther, joins the Fox Sports commentators, in the booth.  Ooh.  One of the PC cars, jumps a curb.  Porsche easily transfers technology from the race cars to their road cars, and vice versa.  Porsche repaired both factory cars, after both crashed into each other at Daytona, and it's made them a stronger team, too. 

Porsche learns a lot from American racing, for the dynamics of the road cars they build, and they take lots of information from racing in the United States, taking the info, to Europe, for the races there.  If a car finished the 12 Hours of Sebring, they will be good at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  There will be another Porsche Rennsport Reunion this year.  Nick Tandy remains the GTLM leader.

Aston Martin makes another scheduled pit stop.  Darren Turner explains that the team's race was not a good one at first, but, they want to close within a certain amount of time.  Darren Turner, was supposed to race at Goodwood in England.  But, it is hard to choose, between Goodwood and Sebring.  There is a car brand, called Turner, not related to Darren Turner.  A one-off brand that ran in racing in the 1960s and also was a road car.

The #07 Mazda is back on track.  Oh.  The Aston Martin #007 spins.  Christina Nielsen at the controls, spun off of turn five.  Sebastien Bourdais is booking it.  He's taken off like a scalded cat.  Valiante is aggressive through traffic.  Max Papis is harrying Valiante right now.  The leaders are three laps away from a fuel stop.  Bonus points are coming at the four hour mark.  Execute a good pit stop, and get track position.

Eric Curran is now in the #31 Corvette.  But, he has a loose wheel.  This is heartbreaking for Action Express Racing!  Curran says he cannot see.  The radiators will be filled with dirt.  The wheel, is like a lathe, doing damage to the front suspension.  There goes the wheel.  It's off the car.  Three wheels on the wagon.  Carry on.  These cars are stiffly sprung now, and so, there won't be as much damage.  With GT cars, there are more risks.  Curran is on the backstretch, and he's going to make the pit lane entrance.

How much damage is there?  How long will repairs take?  This is a long yellow.  So, there is time for things to sort out.  There's no damage to the splitter.  Lots of dust.  The damage is cosmetic.  There is damage to a wheel stud.  Make sure the stub axle, the wheel, and the nut, are firmly joined together.  They are.  Oh.  They can't lock the wheel on the pegs located on the bell from the brake disc.  The wheel is remounted.  But, there is damage to the studs.  They can't get the wheel nut back on.  Is it threaded wrong?

No.  It looks OK.  The #10 Corvette Prototype is pitting, and has issues of their own.  This is the fourth brake change they've done this weekend.  Max Angelelli takes over the car.  We are coming to the end of the fourth hour.  We are twelve minutes shy of points being awarded for the NAEC.  Simon Pagenaud is running well in the #4 Corvette, before beginning his season in Indycars, next weekend.  We're now ready to go back to green, as we are nearly 1/3rd of the way through this event.

We are back to green!  Ben Keating gets swamped by the prototypes.  Into the twisty bits through turn seven.  Tons of cars, in one place.  Some of these cars are nose to tail for position.  We are near the eight hours remaining mark.

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 3

Sebastien Bourdais, now leads in the #5 Action Express Corvette Prototype.  52 laps, 192 miles, completed.  Dorsey Schroeder says that the crewman for his team, was pinned between cars, and the wall.  It was a big incident.  Conor Daly says he's doing really well with Performance Tech Racing.  He is glad to follow in his dad Derek's footsteps.  He also wants to race at the Indianapolis 500.  Derek Daly won in 1990, driving both cars, for Nissan Performance Technology.  The most prolific winner, is Johnny O'Connell, with eight wins.  One overall, seven in class. 

Ryan Briscoe is at the wheel of the #3 Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R-, behind the leading factory Porsche of Nick Tandy.  Go, go, go!  Green, green, green!  Michael Valiante and Max Papis battle. Valiante in the #90, and Papis in the #31.  Papis is inside.  David Heinemeier-Hanson is at the wheel of the #1 HPD prototype.  Tracy Krohn starts his second stint in the #57 Ligier Judd.  Thankfully, the car is not as damaged as it could have been.  One of the yellow Corvette's, passes a GT Daytona class Ferrari.  The temperatures are now into the 90 degree range.  The heat haze is starting, and will only get thicker, boiling off the pavement.

Tomy Drissi will get a drive through penalty for the earlier shemozzle in the pit lane.  Mike Guasch is trying to hold off Bruno Junquiera for Prototype Challenge honors.  Junquiera, is an Indycar veteran.  Junquiera was on the verge of Formula One, but didn't get there.  Junquiera is a good shoe, particularly in qualifying.  Nick Tandy is doing well.  He will race a third Porsche 919 prototype in the FIA World Endurance Championship at the 6 Hours of Spa, and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans... a race, yours truly, will cover, here, on Endurance... the sports car racing blog.

Lucas Luhr, is another driver who has done and won everything in sports car racing.  He has five Sebring class wins.  A battle between GT LM Corvette and GTD Porsche.  That Porsche is the #44 Magnus Racing Porsche 911 GT America, with John Potter at the controls.  Paul Dalla Lana, is back in the fight.  But, they are way down the order, after their wheel kerfuffle earlier.  You can grab laps back during yellows, with the lucky dog rule.  #57 has a couple dive planes missing.

Formula 3000, now GP2, doesn't give you lots of track time.  Well, many drivers, came from F3000 and GP2, and got into sports car racing.  Some of these guys might be able to get back into full on Prototype rides.  Whoops.  A Ferrari goes offline.  That's the #49 GTD Ferrari of Piergiuseppe Perrazzini.  The GTD Ferrari teams, run a bigger Continental tire, and can't get the balance right.  They could switch back, to the smaller tire.

Max Papis is at the controls of car #31.  Papis wants to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, too.  Papis' motto is "never give up".  Both Mazda prototype's are still running well.  Both #70 and #07.  However, there was a small incident, on the pace lap, with the #70.  Mazda just brought out the new MX-5, and the older cars, that won't compete in the MX-5 series, will be racing in club racing.  That's awesome.  Hats off to Mazda.  They want to do well at their home track... Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

John Potter is being hounded by Ben Keating.  He is right on Potter's gearbox.  Ben Keating wants to race at Le Mans, and they hope to have a reserve entry, that can be entered.  Potter gives way, to Keating.  Smart driving. New leader in GT Daytona.  We are almost halfway through the third hour.  Briscoe, Bamber, Fisichella, Farfus, Edwards.  This is the top five in GT LM.  John Edwards will be racing in Europe with the VLN.  Edwards had to do a driver's school at the Nurburgring, even though the's very experienced.

It's the 40th anniversary of BMW racing in the United States.  Brian Redman, Allan Moffat, Hans Stuck, and Sam Posey.  BMW Motorsport boss Jens Marquardt is here at Sebring this weekend.  Ryan Briscoe is running for Corvette Racing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Corvette Racing.  Some other drivers were not selected, or, they had other racing commitments.  Simon Pagenaud is in the #4 car, having taken over from Tommy Milner.  Whoops.  Katherine Legge in the Deltawing, is having some problems.

The car is listing to the left.  There may be a tire down.  The left rear suspension, is broken.  Why?  The severe bumps here at Sebring.  Isabelle Haskell was the first female driver to race in the 12 Hours of Sebring, in 1955.  Full course yellow.  Sebastien Bourdais, continues to lead.  Wave by is complete.  Pits are open for Prototypes.  Pits will now open for GT cars.  The wave around idea is working, and no time is being lost to class leaders.  A year ago, we had 25% of this race, run under yellow.

IMSA listened to the fans, and changed the rules.  There are full course yellows, and "shorty's" which are shorter yellows, in time constraint situation.  The Deltawing is being repaired.  They will build a GT car.  Then, a Deltawing road car, might come.  GTD pits.  Ben Keating is in the lane, and will stay in the car.  Watch for GT LM cars.  Ooh.  A Corvette crew member, fell, and recovered.  We're readying for a restart.

The drivers are trying to clean the clag, and marbles, off their tires.  The tire buildup, is like gumballs.  We're going back to green with Sebastien Bourdais, controlling the field.  One of the Prototype Challenge cars, loses a piece of bodywork, off the sidepod.  One more lap under yellow.  The pit lane, is dangerous.  One of the mechanics in the earlier incident, did a forward somersault.  There are three lanes in pit lane.  The working lane, the transition lane, and the driving lane.  Andrew Marriott, the reporter for Fox Sports, was hit by a Formula One car driven by Denny Hulme, flew over it, and was fine.

A couple of cars have gone from the garage, back to the track.  Green, green, green.  Sebastien Borudais, leads Michael Valiante.  Scott Pruett is at the wheel of the #01 Riley Ford EcoBoost.  Scott Pruett, Joey Hand, and Scott Dixon, share the car. 

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 2

It was 89 degrees at the race start.  It's now 91.5 degrees.  The track temperature is expected to reach 102 degrees, maximum.  It's going to get hot.  Ryan Dalziel continues to hold the lead.  One year, Jim Busby in his Porsche 962, ran over a chunk of tire, and it punched a hole in the floorboard.  The #60 MSR Ligier Honda pits, trying to get the setup right.  Joey Hand pits the #01 Riley Ford EcoBoost.  No tires.  But, just fuel, and, a new nose, as the old nose, was damaged.  They are raising the front end, on the #60, to take downforce away.

This race, is a 12 hour test session, in some ways.  Fast drivers, like loose cars.  But, to make a car last, you need understeer, or push.  Three cars made an emergency pit stop.  #70, #49, and #48.  After practice, none of the engineerrs from porsche or Michelin, could be found.  There is a high level meeting, for Porsche, and Michelin.  The media is invited.  The guys are polaying games, and Bib, the Michelin man, also reveals the secrts, of pit strategy.  The Michelin boys, are playing, with Legos!

Pit stop time for GT machines, and GT Daytona cars, specifically.  Alex Job Racing has both cars pitting.  Ian James takes over from Mario Farnbacher in the #23 car.  Ryan Dalziel still leads as we go back to green.  Dalziel wants to lead a lap here.  Tommy Milner is trying to pass his competition in GTLM.  Jorg Bergmeister just got into one of the factory Porsche's.  Milner has already grabbed two or three spots within half a lap.  Giancarlo Fisichella has just taken over the #62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 458 Italia.

The Ferrari 458 Italia is on it's last legs.  The new Ferrari 488 will be the new Ferrari for worldwide GT racing, in the future. Many of these corners, are tricky, as the road falls away, even though the track is flat.  The #2 Tequila Patron car pitted, and the #1 did not.  The #60 Ligier is still not running up to snuff.  They were dominant at Daytona.  They have had engine issues, and, have not had the speed.

Ryan Dalziel continues to lead.  Ooh.  The #16 of Tomy Drissi, and the #11 of Chris Cumming, spin.  But, these are two of the best in the class.  Dane Cameron is doing well, after having issues with braking on the #31 Corvette Prototype.  He is feeling comfortable.  Richard Westbrook is running well, too.  Tomy Drissi is giving a shoutout to his dad, on the race car.  He also designs billboards, for movies.

Conor Daly has bodywork damage.  However, he's at the top of the table in Prototype Challenge.  He qualified fourth in class.  Joey Hand just ran a 1:58.6.  Ryan Dalziel runs a 1:53.6.  Traffic, is why the lap times differ so.  #10 is in the lane.  They have had a braking issue again.  There is a newly mandated FIA fence in the Sebring pits.  There are no pit boards on the front straight.  The signaling is done out of turn 16, on the Ulmann straight.


Ooh!  Alex Popow is really loose, through the Le Mans curve.  That's snap oversteer.  Mike Hedlund could not race at Sebring.  Popow was drafted in.  He's won lots of Prototype Challenge races.  Patrick Pilet is giving the #911 Porsche 911 RSR a good run.  Ooh.  Westbrook was way out in the gray area.  The #45 Flying Lizard Audi R8 LMS, is out.  Game over for Robert Thorne, Colin Thompson, and Marco Holzer.

#57 spins and continues.  Go to IMSA.com, and sign up for the newsletter.  Keep up with the series.  Check it out.  Now, there will be a pit stop, soon, for one of the teams.  We're an hour and forty minutes into this race.  Richard Westbrook and Dane Cameron are battling.  This sets us up for more intensity later in the race.  You can't drop a lap.  There are three checkered flags, with the bonus points.  Back time the race.  Ooh!  Local yellow, as Colin Braun tries to dodge Richard Westbrook!
Jon Bennett is in that car.  Oswaldo Negri Jr. has hit the tire wall in the Ligier Honda.

Ooh!  That's a big lick through turns 14 and 15.  It's at Bishop bemd.  He tries inside a GT LM Porsche, and ker-rash!  Negri whacks the wall.  That was a violent wreck!  Stay in the car until the marshals come to you.  Bryan Sellers in the #17 Falken Tires Porsche 911 RSR, but, Negri Jr. spun on his own.  He shares with John Pew and Justin Wilson.  Negri Jr. didn't overly commit to the corner.  But, he got bonked in the rear end of the car.  The curbs are gapped at the top, and it was too much for the car, as it was loaded up.

We're still under yellow.  The tire wall is askew, and there's still bits of bodywork.  There is a ton of damage on the #60 car.  Their race, is over.  The chassis, could also be damaged.  Pit stops begin, and we see wow!  The #16 and the #57 get into a contact situation.  Both GTLM and GTD cars pit.  Earl Bamber takes over one of the cars.  Nick Tandy is also on the Porsche driver's strength.  When you list a driver in two separate cars, one driver, has to get points, in only one car.  A crew member could have been knocked down in that incident between Tomy Drissi and Tracy Krohn.

Porsche has 18 overall wins, and 69 class wins at Sebring.  They won both GT LM and GTD, last year.  Daytona has a wide pit lane.  Sebring, has a narrow one.  Ryan Dalziel enjoys running the old, open top HPD car.  It was the #50 50+ Racing Team Riley BMW that was in the pit, as Tracy Krohn, had his tires, partially in the middle lane on pit road.  Pit stops continue, as we approach ten hours left to run in this classic race.  More to come.

   

12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 1

In motorsports, there's one race, and one place, that stands apart.  No fancy things.  Just bone rattling pavement in the orange groves of central Florida.  This is the toughest challenge, and the biggest party in sports car racing.  This is the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring in Sebring, Florida.  It's not the longest, but it's the toughest race.  This is round two of the Tudor United Sports Car Championship.  We race once around the clock... 12 hours today.  Who masters the track, and the field of great race cars?  Let's find out, now.

It is going to be a hot, humid day.  It's always been this way, since the first race, in 1952.  The track is virtually unchanged.  3.74 miles, 17 turns.  This race couldn't be more different from the 24 Hours of Daytona.  Sebring, eats race cars.  It also provides an idea, of who might be a championship contender.  You have to be committed.  Operate at, and be pushed, to the limit.  The bumps are so punishing, you pay for it.  The field is on it's way on the pace laps.  Let's get ready, folks.  We'll be open, all day.

Less than two and a half minutes before we race.  In Prototype qualifying, Olivier Pla, took the Ligier Judd to pole, with a new track record.  The #16 Prototype Challenge car is on pole in the class, with Martin Plowman at the wheel.  In GTLM, the #912 Porsche of Fred Mokowiecki.  In GT Daytona, it's the #33 SRT Viper of Jeroen Bleekemolen, getting pole.  Three new class records.  Tequila Patron Racing has now switched back to their open cockpit HPD ARX-03b machine.  Both of these cars, are going to Europe to test tomorrow. 

We're ready for a start, boys and girls.  Let's go!   We're green at Sebring!  Ryan Dalziel takes the lead right away.  He timed it beautifully.  But, Olivier Pla, soyas, oh no you don't.  The GT Le Mans and GT Daytona cars, have a clean start with Porsche leading Corvette.  They race through Gurney Bend... turn six at Sebring.  Patrick Pilet is trying to find his rhythm, as BMKW and Ferrari are on it.  BMW won here, 40 years ago. 

The endurance mentality, is somewhat replaced, by a sprint mentality, at least among the factory teams in GT Le Mans.  Memo Rojas is in the pits in the Deltawing.  These boys hav had a hard time.  They have a stuck throttle.  The gearbox bit the dust last time at the Rolex 24.  Rojas won last year, with Gnassi Racing, and the Riley Ford EcoBoost V6.  But, Rojas, is now a Deltawing driver.  Ricky Taylor runs fourth in the #10 Wayne Taylor Racing Corvette Prototype.  Ricky Taylor is not sure how well he'll do, because the team has had braking issues all weekend.

They had a bitter disappointment at Daytona, with drive time violations.  They have to dig deep.  Joao Barbosa, and the Action Express team are up there.  So is the CORE Autosport car in Prototype Challenge, with Colin Braun at the controls.  Martin Plowman is seocnd in class right now.  The Prototype Challenge division, there is a cost cap, and all the chassis, are the same, with the same small block Chevrolet V8 engines.

Conor Daly is in one of the Prototype Challenge cars.  His dad, Derek Daly, won, for Nissan, at Sebring, back in the 1990s.  In GT Daytona, we see Mario Farnbacher in the #23 Alex Job Racing Porsche 911 GT America.  They are going for their tenth class win at Sebring, having won nine races, in class, already.  You have to manage the race.  James Davison in the Astgon Martin V12 Vantage, is rolling around.  James Davison, had his string of five straight GT Daytona poles, snapped, this weekend.

Olivier Pla, still leads.  The infield, is great for overtaking, and turn 17, is so bumpy, you bounce through.  It's called Sunset Bend.  The bumps, and the heat, are a big deal.  It's going to be close at the end of the race, too.  Ryan Dalziel is running well.  Now, it's 76 degrees, and 61% humidity.  It's hot, and steamy, at Sebring.  In the 62 previous runnings of this event, it has only rained, seven times.  There's still a great battle between Colin Braun, and Martin Plowman.

These cars are so stiff, the chassis rock fore and aft, as the lateral center of the car, is not square.  Mike Shank Racing, had to do an engine change before qualifying yesterday.  They barely got the car out for qualifying.  Oswaldo Negri Jr. qualified fourth, and is third now.  The #10 Corvette Prototype is still having braking issues.  Ricky Taylor was told to be careful through turns seven and ten.  Turn seven, is the old hairpin. 

If the braking on the race car is not consistent, the corner setup is totally different.  In terms of lap times, going fast is a message.  Some of these teams are within a second of their qualifying rate.  Ozz Negri and Joao Barbosa, had some contact.  Negri didn't realize Barbosa was there.  Negri was paying attention to the #58 GT Daytona class Porsche.  So many wonderful, thrilling races, have been run here at Sebring.  Sir Stirling Moss, is just one legend to have raced.

Moss won in a 1.5 liter 4 cylinder powered Osca MT4.  Bill Lloyd was the co-driver.  The #93 SRT Viper is pitting.  Cameron Lawrence takes over from Ben Keating.  Cameron Lawrence has won in Trans Am. He did so, here at Sebring, a month ago.  In GT Le Mans, there's a major battle right now.  Porsche vs. Corvette vs. Ferrari vs. BMW.  You are still flat as you enter turn 17.  The bumps, and the angle of the corner, is a mind game.  Find the rhythm of the traffic.  Find new spots, to pass.

Most of these GT LM cars are factory supported, two car teams.  The only one-car teams are the Falken Tires Porsche, and the Aston Martin V8 Vantage.  BMW won this race, 40 years ago, as mentioned on this blog, with drivers like Hans Stuck, Brian Redman, and Sam Posey.  The BMW has the handling, but has more drag, on the straightaways, making for less top speed.  Ganassi Racing has been wondering.  They had huge understeer in qualifying, even though they tested here, at Sebring, three weeks ago.

The team is experienced enough, they don't panic.  We will take a look at track temperatures, soon.  The race is just beginning.  Colin Braun and Martin Plowman still scrap for the Prototype Challenge lead, as rubber from the tires is already building up.  There are some big, fist sized chunks of rubber already.  Those things, can punch a hole into your bodywork, immediately.  The fuel windows are going to open soon.  But, gauge the fuel, and see how much is necessary, as well as how many laps. 

We are on lap 20, now.  Olivier Pla sets a lap, 1.1 seconds off his pole time.  The top two are in the 1:52 bracket, while other cars run in 1:53 and 1:54 times.  Pedro Lamy and Wolf Henzler are battling for position in GT Le Mans.  The leader pits.  Olivier Pla, out.  Tracy Krohn, in.  The car is oversteering a little bit.  The team is having issues with their driver change.  The #1 car, pitted, and got out faster than the #57.  The leading Prototype Challenge car #54 pits.

Colin Braun will get out, and Jon Bennett will get in.  The #10 Corvette Prototype of Ricky Taylor, pits.  Richard Westbrook is right on Ozz Negri's gearbox.  Joao Barbosa and Dane Cameron, run 1-2, for Action Express Racing.  Points are awarded atr four, eight, and twelve hours, as this is round two of the Tequila Patron North American Endruance Cup.  Tracy Krohn runs wide in the Tower Turn, and is passed by Ricky Taylor.

Oswaldo Negri Jr. and Richard Westbrook, still battle.  They seem pretty evenly matched.  Richard Westbrook will race for BMW at the Nurburgring 24 Hours, later this spring.  The #22 Weatehertech Porsche cur the corner at turn ten.  Leh Keen is at the controls.  Alex Job Racing had a good run last year.  The cars negotiate the Alec Ulmann straightaway, named for the founder, of this great event, Alec Ulmann, who wanted to see a sports car race, similar to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, here in the United States.

Jorg Bergmeister had trouble with his safety belts, after his pit stops.  That has been a discussion topic, this weekend, at Sebring.  The rule should be tightened, to some people.  Oh no! Pedro Lamy has lost the right rear wheel on the Aston Martin.  Correction.  Paul Dalla Lana, is at the wheel.  This is our first full course yellow.  It was the first pit stop for the team.  Someone made a mistake on trying to tighten the rear wheel.

Antonio Garcia had some contact with a Prototype Challenge machine in the Tower Turn.  Read the dynamic of the situation.  That is what the drivers are doing.  This yellow comes, with nine cars yet to make their first pit stop.  If you are low on fuel while pit lane is closed, you're up the creek, sans a paddle.

Ford, Ganassi seek repeat at historic 12 Hours of Sebring

The race is just hours away.  Let's get started, with a story about the defending champions, (who also won at the Rolex 24 seven weeks ago), Chip Ganassi Racing, and Ford EcoBoost.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/ford-ganassi-seek-repeat-at-historic-12-hours-of-sebring-032015

Sebring 12 Hours Polesitters

Here are the class polesitters, for the 12 Hours of Sebring.  See you tomorrow morning, for the race.

Pla Captures Total Pole Award for 63rd Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring
http://www.imsa.com/articles/pla-captures-total-pole-award-63rd-mobil-1-twelve-hours-sebring

Makowiecki Becomes 13th Different GTLM Pole Winner in 13 Races
http://www.imsa.com/articles/makowiecki-becomes-13th-different-gtlm-pole-winner-13-races

Plowman Captures Total Pole Award With Last-Lap Charge
http://www.imsa.com/articles/plowman-captures-total-pole-award-last-lap-charge

Bleekemolen Drives To GTD Total Pole Award At Sebring
http://www.imsa.com/articles/bleekemolen-drives-gtd-total-pole-award-sebring

GT3 spec cars in the Tudor Championship

IMSA is beginning to go ahead with it's plan to try to incorporate GT3 cars into the Tudor Championship.  Will it work?  We'll have to find out, as many are already skeptical of the idea, based on rules, and also, costs.

http://www.motorsport.com/tusc/news/imsa-admits-gte-and-gt3-cars-to-united-sportscar-championship/

...and

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/114564-imsa-tudor-championship-starts-2016-gt3-planning

Sebring: Runways To Raceway, Pt. 4

Missed this one, when it was originally posted, back on Monday.  But, here is the fourth and final installment in Sebring: Runways To Raceway, by Ken Breslauer.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/sebring-runways-to-raceway-pt-4/

Corvette DP of Joao Barbosa fastest in first practice

Joao Barbosa in the #5 Action Express, Mustang Sampling Corvette Prototype, is quickest, in the first practice session for the 12 Hours of Sebring.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/corvette-dp-joao-barbosa-fastest-first-practice

Racing's Rite of Spring: The Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring

A preview, and look at the impact, of the 12 Hours of Sebring, taking place, this Saturday.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/racings-rite-spring-mobil-1-twelve-hours-sebring

...And, a bonus.

More Than 140 Entries Across Four IMSA-Sanctioned Series, Contine 63-Year Tradition at Sebring

http://www.imsa.com/articles/more-140-entries-across-four-imsa-sanctioned-series-continue-63-year-tradition-sebring

Alex Zanardi to compete in 24 Hours of Spa

Alex Zanardi, will try his hand, at endurance racing, competing in this year's 24 Hours of Spa in the Blancpain Endurance Series.  Zanardi, will use his modified hand control system, but, will have to find a way, to adapt the car for his regular team mates, who do not have a disability.  His co-drivers, will be announced, later on.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/alex-zanardi-to-compete-in-24-hours-of-spa-031815?adbsc=social_20150318_42303056&adbid=10153182831746052&adbpl=fb&adbpr=36796456051

Watch the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 whip around Monza

The race car version of the Lamborghini Huracan... the Huracan GT3, runs some testing laps around Monza, in Italy.  Check out the video, by clicking the link, from Road & Track magazine.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a25302/watch-the-lamborghini-huracan-gt3-whip-around-monza/

The engine note, should be familiar.  It is the same 5.2 liter V10 engine, that has been used in the Audi R8 LMS as well as the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 spec race cars, from the last few years.

Nissan GT-R LM Nismo won't debut until Le Mans

Nissan will not be on the grid for the opening two races of the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship at Silverstone, and Spa Francorchamps.  Fans will have to wait until the 24 Hours of Le Mans to see the GT-R LM run, because, it failed FIA mandatory crash testing, and has had a litany of other maladies, with it's performance.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/motorsports/news/a25299/nissan-gt-r-lm-nismo-will-miss-first-two-fia-wec-races-and-wont-debut-until-le-mans/

Spa intends to keep Eau Rouge, Raidillon rumble strips 'for all events'

Spa Francorchamps, in Belgium, is putting rumble strips, in the Eau Rouge, Raidillon part of the course, (one of, if not the fastest section on the whole track), to slow the cars, for every event.  This includes, the FIA World Endurance Championship Spa 6 Hours, and, the Blancpain Endurance Series 24 Hours of Spa.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/spa-intends-to-keep-eau-rouge-raidillon-rumble-strips-for-all-events-031715?adbsc=social_20150317_42227626&adbid=10153180044836052&adbpl=fb&adbpr=36796456051

The legendary Audi 90 Quattro & it's turbocharged 5 cylinder engine

Remembering the Audi 90 IMSA GTO racer, and it's legendary turbocharged 5 cylinder engine, that has returned, in a roadgoing, Audi TT.  Yes, this is an Audi ad spot.  But, it's also, history.

2015 Audi R8 LMS GT3

The 2015 spec Audi R8 LMS GT3 makes its debut, at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, in this short video.

http://www.motorsport.com/all/video/main-gallery/all-new-2015-audi-r8-lms-gt3-nuerburgring-nordschleife/

Strakka reveals 2015 livery

Strakka Racing has unveiled the livery for their #42 Dome S103 Nissan that will contest the entire 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship season.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/strakka-reveals-2015-livery

BMW's success at Sebring

Two stories, about the legendary connection, between Sebring International Raceway, and the success, of BMW, racing there.  BMW celebrates the 40th anniversary, of their famous 1975 victory in the 12 Hours, this coming weekend.

BMW Unveils Tribute Livery for 40th Anniversary of First U.S. Win at Sebring
http://www.imsa.com/articles/bmw-unveils-tribute-livery-40th-anniversary-first-us-win-sebring

...and

Stuck, Redman, reunited with 1975-winning BMW CSL at Sebring
http://www.imsa.com/articles/stuck-redman-reunited-1975-winning-bmw-csl-sebring

Action Express Racing Approaching Mileage Milestone

The Mustang Sampling Action Express Racing Chevrolet Corvette Prototype team in the Tudor Championship, is nearing a mileage milestone.  Check it out.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/action-express-racing-approaching-mileage-milestone

Mugello 12 Hours: Update 2

Sorry.  This one is a day late.  But, here's the update on the second half of the Mugello 12 Hours.  HB Racing Team Herberth wins it, with their #7 Porsche 997 GT-3-R piloted by Daniel Allemann, Ralf Bohn, Robert Renauer, and Alfred Renauer.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/hb-racing-team-herberth-wins-12h-italy-mugello/

Ten Years Ago at Sebring

A decade ago, at Sebring International Raceway, (as we look ahead to the 63rd running of the 12 Hours of Sebring, next Saturday), Audi, won their sixth straight 12 hour classic, with Champion Racing.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/ten-years-ago-sebring

Porsche targets 2015 Le Mans podium

After heartbreak in last year's race, with one car so close to the finish, and breaking... Porsche wants to get on the podium at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in 2015.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/porsche-targets-2015-le-mans-podium

Mugello 12 Hours: Update 1

The Mugello 12 Hours, is the first race, in the 24 Hour Series, endurance GT racing series for 2015.  Here is the first series of updates, from qualifying, and part one, of the race.  Part two of the race, coming tomorrow.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/kaffer-puts-black-pearl-racing-by-rinardi-on-mugello-pole/

...and

http://sportscar365.com/gt/24hseries/ram-racing-leads-12h-mugello-italy-at-four-hour-mark/

2015 Blancpain GT Series Most Competitive Yet

2015 should be a banner year, for the Blancpain GT Series.

http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/11/2015-blancpain-gt-series-most-competitive-yet/

further stories, from the FIA World Endurance Championship

Looking at further stories revolving around the FIA World Endurance Championship, before their season begins, next month.

*First, a note on why Audi has tested at Sebring, all the time, for the last 15 years.

Juttner (Audi): "We've Been Coming to Test at Sebring for 15 Years"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/juttner-audi-weve-been-coming-to-test-at-sebring-for-15-years/

More news.

Zander (Audi): "It's Important to Have Close Link with Design, Operations"

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/zander-audi-its-important-to-have-a-close-link-with-design-and-racing-operations/

Nissan Confirms LMP1 Driver Pairings
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nissan-confirms-2015-fia-wec-driver-lineups/

Audi Wraps Up Week-Long Sebring Test with 2015-Spec R18
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/audi-wraps-up-week-long-sebring-test/

Kaffer, Liuzzi Named ByKolles Drivers
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/kaffer-liuzzi-named-bykolles-drivers/

Nissan gamers get Blancpain drives

The latest graduates of the Nissan GT Academy are going to race in the Blancpain Endurance Series in 2015.  These video game racers, are going to transition, from a game console, to a real race car.  Are they up for the challenge?  The drivers are Frenchman Gaetan Paletou, and Ricardo Sanchez, of Mexico.

http://www.motorsport.com/gt/news/nissan-gamers-get-blancpain-drives/?v=2&s=1

ByKolles unveils it's LMP1 WEC challenger

The newly renamed ByKolles team, has revealed it's race car, for the 2015 FIA World Endurance Championship.  It's designated as the CLM P1/01, and will run an AER built engine... the P60 is the name of the motor, and AER, stands for Advanced Engine Research.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/bykolles-unveils-its-lmp1-wec-challenger/?v=11&s=1

ESM switch to Ligier as ARX-04b is further developed

ESM will return to it's open cockpit HPD ARX-03b from last season, for the 12 Hours of Sebring, and then, move on to race a Ligier chassis, as the ARX-04b requires more development.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/esm-switch-to-ligier-as-arx-04b-is-further-developed

V8 Supercar star Van Gisbergen named McLaren GT factory driver

Big news from McLaren.  Kiwi (New Zealander), Shane van Gisbergen, has been named as a factory driver, on their squad.

http://www.motorsport.com/gt/news/v8-supercar-star-van-gisbergen-named-mclaren-gt-factory-driver

Sebring: Runways to Raceways, Part 3

Chapter three of Ken Breslauer's series on Sebring International Raceway... Runways, to Raceways.  Part four, will be up, next week.  Stay tuned.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/sebring-runways-to-raceways-pt-3/

more sports car racing news

The latest update on news you can use, from the world of sports car racing.

Jota Sport Completes 2015 ELMS Line-Up
http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/04/jota-sport-completes-2015-elms-line-up/

31 Cars On Track for The Official Test Session at Le Castellet

http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/04/31-cars-on-track-for-the-official-test-session-at-le-castellet/

ADAC GT Masters Enhances Status of Gentlemen Class
http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/05/adac-gt-masters-enhances-status-of-gentlemen-class/

R. Ferrari Motorsport Prepare For Second Season in Pirelli World Challenge

http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/05/r-ferri-motorsport-prepare-for-second-season-in-pirelli-world-challenge/

Academy Motorsport Partners With Aston Martin Racing For GT4 Assault

http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/05/academy-motorsport-partners-with-aston-martin-racing-for-gt4-assault/

Jesse Krohn Joins BMW Motorsport's GT Programme
http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/06/jesse-krohn-joins-bmw-motorsports-gt-programme/

Krohn Racing Partners With Michelin Tire For ELMS And 24 Hours of Le Mans

http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/04/krohn-racing-partners-with-michelin-tire-for-elms-and-24-hours-of-le-mans/

Season Preparations With New Aero Package for the Porsche 919 Hybrid

http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/06/season-preparations-with-new-aero-package-for-the-porsche-919-hybrid/

Rene Rast: "Fit For The Endurance Season"
http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/06/rene-rast-fit-for-the-endurance-season/

2015 GT Asia Schedule Confirmed
http://sportscar365.com/gt/gtasia/2015-asia-gt-schedule-confirmed/

BMW M6 GT3 Continues Test Program
http://sportscar365.com/gt/bmw-m6-gt3-continues-test-program/

Mercedes AMG GT3 Set for Race Debut in Summer
http://sportscar365.com/gt/mercedes-amg-gt3-set-for-race-debut-in-summer/

Double Blancpain Program for GT Russian Team
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/double-blancpain-program-for-gt-russian-team/

Black Falcon Confirms Pro Cup Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bes/black-falcon-confirms-pro-cup-lineup/

Vervisch Joins Bonanomi, Salaquarda at I.S.R.
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bes/vervisch-joins-bonanomi-salaquarda-at-i-s-r/

Phoenix Racing Confirms Blancpain Sprint Lineup
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bss/phoenix-racing-announces-sprint-series-lineup/

Rinaldi Racing Expands to Blancpain Sprint Series
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/rinaldi-racing-expands-to-sprint-series/

Julian: "I Wanted to Grow But I Didn't Want To Grow Grubby"
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/bes/julian-i-wanted-to-grow-but-i-didnt-want-to-grow-grubby/

Justin WIlson joins Michael Shank Racing with Curb/Agajanian For Sebring

Justin Wilson will return to action with Michael Shank Racing in their #60 Ligier Honda, joining John Pew and Oswaldo Negri Jr. in the driver lineup for the 12 Hours of Sebring, a week from today.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/justin-wilson-joins-michael-shank-racing-curbagajanian-sebring-2015

54th Rolex 24 at Daytona: New Cars, New Look, New Weekend in 2016

FIA GT3 cars are coming to the Tudor Championship!  Find out the whole story, HERE:

http://www.imsa.com/articles/54th-rolex-24-daytona-new-cars-new-look-new-weekend-2016

Twenty Years Ago at Sebring

More Sebring memories.  In 1995, Ferrari won their first 12 Hours of Sebring, in 23 years, at that time, dating back to 1972.  Here's how it happened.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/twenty-years-ago-sebring

50 Years After Stunning Victory, Iconic Chapparal 2 Returns To Sebring

This... is something special.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/50-years-after-stunning-victory-iconic-chaparral-2-returns-sebring

47 cars on Sebring entry list

47 cars are listed to take part in the 63rd running of the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, at Sebring International Raceway, on March 21st.  So, in just over two weeks.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/sebring-entry-list-2015-tudor-championship-030415?adbsc=social_20150304_41508996&adbid=10153145277721052&adbpl=fb&adbpr=36796456051

Dagys: PWC's Big Oppprtunity

John Dagys, writing for Sportscar365, echoes more of what will be a monumental occasion for the Pirelli World Challenge in their first race of 2015.  Yours truly, is really excited about this, and as mentioned, look for PWC race reports, right here, as much as possible, on Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog.

http://sportscar365.com/features/commentary/dagys-pwcs-big-opportunity/

A Refresher on 2015 Pirelli World Challenge Changes

North American Sportscar breaks down changes for the the 2015 Pirelli World Challenge season.  Again, yours truly, hopes to blog all of the PWC races this season.  Stay tuned.

http://nasportscar.com/a-refresher-on-2015-pirelli-world-challenge-changes/

SCOOP: Spec Engine Constructor Limit Proposed in 2017 LMP2 Regs

It is possible, through a decision by the FIA and the ACO, that, for the new 2017 LMP2 rules, only a single engine manufacturer may be considered, to sup

http://sportscar365.com/industry/scoop-spec-engine-constructor-limit-proposed-in-2017-lmp2-regs/

ESM and Rolling Stone combine for Le Mans

Rolling Stone magazine will sponsor Extreme Speed Motorsports in their Le Mans effort.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/esm-and-rolling-stone-combine-for-le-mans/?v=2&s=1

New Audi R8 LMS unveiled in Geneva

Audi unveils the new Audi R8 LMS Ultra set to complete globally in GT3 production based sports car racing.

http://www.motorsport.com/gt/news/new-audi-r8-lms-unveiled-in-geneva/?v=2&s=1

LMP1 testing

Audi and Nissan have begun their testing at Sebring International Raceway.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/audi-nissan-kick-off-sebring-test

Meanwhile, Porsche, is doing the same, but racing at the Motorland Aragon circuit in Spain, which is better known, for motorcycle racing.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/porsche-racks-up-the-miles-at-aragon/?v=11&s=1

Not only that.  But, the new Oreca 05 chassis, has just successfully completed a test in the south of France at the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/oreca-05-completes-shakedown-at-paul-ricard/?v=11&s=1

Murphy re-signs Berthon for ELMS, Le Mans

Frenchman Nathaniel Berthon, has been re-signed by Ireland's Murphy Prototypes, to race in the European Le Mans Series, and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this year.

http://www.motorsport.com/elms/news/murphy-re-signs-berthon-for-elms-le-mans/?v=2&s=1

Sebring: Runways to Raceway, Pt. 2

Ken Breslauer, writes chapter two of Sebring International Raceway, highlighting the often told story of the first sports car race run there, on New Year's Eve, 1950... the Sam Collier Memorial.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/tusc/sebring-runways-to-raceway-pt-2/

Next week... part three.

Onboard the 2015 Nissan LMP1 GT-R LM

Onboard the new Nissan Le Mans racer.  The sound, is familiar, to sports car racing fans.  A 3 liter, twin turbocharged V6 motor, with a KERS energy recovery system.  That is the whistling sound, on deceleration.  Sounds real nice.  Wonder how it will perform against rivals from Toyota, Audi, and Porsche.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/video/main-gallery/onboard-the-2015-nissan-lmp1-gt-r-lm

Formula 1 Racer Joins Nissan's Le Mans Challenge

Former Formula One racer, Max Chilton, completes the driver lineup for Nissan's factory Le Mans effort.

http://www.planetlemans.com/2015/03/02/formula-1-racer-joins-nissans-le-mans-challenge/

Audi, Nissan Set for Week-Long test at Sebring

Two factory FIA World Endurance Championship contenders, are testing at Sebring International Raceway this weekend.  Audi, and, Nissan.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/audi-nissan-set-to-begin-testing-at-sebring/