In Memoriam: Neil Cunningham

Rest In Peace, racing driver, Neil Cunningham.  The New Zealand born Cunningham, resided in the United Kingdom, and ran in open wheel and sports car competition, including making a start at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  Plus, he was a stunt driver, for James Bond movies.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/neil-cunningham-passes-away/

News from the FIA WEC & Le Mans

News updates as we look forward to the classic 24 Hours of Le Mans, in less than three weeks.

Hand, Briscoe Tour Ford's Headquarters in Le Mans Sendoff
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/hand-briscoe-tour-fords-headquarters-in-le-mans-sendoff/

Toyota's Low Downforce Le Mans Aero Revealed
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-ts050-hybrid-low-downforce-le-mans-aero-revealed/

Johnny O'Connell on making his return to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

O'Connell: Another Run at Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/features/commentary/oconnell-another-run-at-le-mans/

France Fuel Strike Causes Disruption, Possible Long-Term Threat

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/france-fuel-strike-causes-disruption-possible-long-term-threat/

Beche: "I'm Coming Back To LMP2 to Win Le Mans"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/beche-im-coming-back-to-lmp2-to-win-le-mans/

Neveu, Fillon Visit Indy 500
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/neveu-fillon-visit-indy-500/

Part three in Michael Shank Racing's journey to Le Mans.

SHANK: Journey To Le Mans Part 3
http://sportscar365.com/features/commentary/shank-journey-to-le-mans-pt-3/

Wurz Set for Return to Le Mans Test Day in Toyota Reserve Driver Role
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/wurz-set-for-return-to-toyota-for-le-mans-test-day/

Bentley Confirms Palmer suffered head injury in Lime Rock crash

Hoping for the best for Bentley Pirelli World Challenge driver, Andrew Palmer, after a big wreck in today's race at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut.

http://www.motorsport.com/pwc/news/bentley-confirms-palmer-suffered-head-injury-in-lime-rock-crash-741552/

Nurburgring 24 Hours: Class Winners in Overall Finishing Order

So many cars compete at the Nurburgring 24 Hours every year, in all different classes. It was not only the overall winning Black Falcon Mercedes AMG GT3 that took honors. Here's a list, of all the class winners, with pictures of the cars.

 http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/05/29/nurburgring-24-hours-class-winners-in-overall-finishing-order.html

Black Falcon Mercedes Prevails in Dramatic N24 Finish

The #4 Black Falcon Mercedes AMG GT3 driven by Maro Engel, Bernd Schneider, Adam Christodoulou, and Manuel Metzger, wins the 2016 Nurburgring 24 Hours!

http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/black-falcon-mercedes-prevail-in-dramatic-n24-finish/

...and

http://blackflag.jalopnik.com/watch-the-final-minutes-of-the-nurburgring-24-hours-and-1779389091

What happened in the second part of the Nurburgring 24 Hours

All the news from the second half of the Nurburgring 24 Hours, followed by news, of the race winner.  The Haribo Mercedes team, led a good chunk of the middle portion of the race.

Haribo Mercedes Continues to Lead N24 at Half Distance
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/haribo-mercedes-continues-to-lead-n24-at-half-distance/

...and

Haribo Mercedes Leads into Final Six Hours at N24
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/haribo-lead-into-final-six-hours-at-n24/

Nurburgring 24 Hours update

Quite a lot has been happening in the Nurburgring 24 Hours.  Here are some of the latest stories, as the race continues.

Nurburgring 24 Weekend Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/nurburgring-24-weekend-notebook/

...and stories, from the race itself.

Weather Stops Play After Hour 1 in Nurburgring 24
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/weather-stops-play-after-hour-1-in-nurburgring-24/

Nurburgring 24 Resumes After Four-Hour Delay
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/nurburgring-24-resumes-after-four-hour-delay/

N24 Leading Schubert BMW Retires After Six Hours
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/n24-leading-schubert-bmw-retires-after-six-hours/

Sudden downpour leaves mud, hail on racetrack at Nurburgring 24

Looks like the Nurburgring 24 Hours is turning into a bit of an off road race.

http://www.foxsports.com/motor/story/nurburgring-24-rain-hail-mud-on-track-052816

Porsche Hoping for Improved Race Pace in N24

As the Nurburgring 24 Hours gets underway this morning, Porsche hopes for improved pace, during the race.  Stay tuned, for news, of who wins the race, coming tomorrow.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/porsche-hoping-for-improved-race-pace-in-n24/

Nurburgring 24 Hours news

The Nurburgring 24 Hours races this weekend, and here is some of the latest news headed into the race at "The Green Hell", the Nordschleife.

Massive Grid, New Machinery Set for Nurburgring 24
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/massive-grid-promises-for-classic-nurburgring-24/

Mercedes Tops Free Practice at Nurburgring
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/mercedes-tops-free-practice-at-nurburgring/

WRT Audi Beats Rain to Go Quickest in Qualifying 1
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/wrt-audi-beats-rain-to-go-quickest-in-qualifying-1/

Mercedes-AMG Guest Drivers Gunning for Nurburgring 24 Glory

http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/bitzer-amg-customer-sports-guest-drivers-demonstrate-amg-commitment/

Mercedes Back on Top in Qualifying 2
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/mercedes-back-on-top-in-qualifying-2/

Engel Charges to N24 Pole in Top-30 Qualifying
http://sportscar365.com/gt/n24/engel-charges-to-n24-pole-in-top-30-qualifying/

Stay tuned, for a brief summary of the race, after it ends, on Sunday.

Deltawing boss Don Panoz chases racing's next big thing

Autoweek magazine, profiles Don Panoz. 

http://autoweek.com/article/imsa/don-panoz-talks-deltawing-racing?utm_source=RacingDaily20160524&utm_medium=enewsletter&utm_term=headline-center&utm_content=body&utm_campaign=awracingdaily

FIA GT Championship Laguna Seca, 1997

Check this out.  Throw the wayback machine into high gear, and watch the FIA GT Championship run their season finale at Laguna Seca Raceway in Monterey, California, in 1997.  Let's join our commentators from Speedvision, Gary Lee, Jeremy Dale, and Dorsey Schroeder, along with pit reporters Gregg Creamer, and Calvin Fish.  This is a good one!  Wish the audio quality, was better.  But, that was broadcast television and VHS tape, not as crystal clear as modern digital satellite technology of today.

PWC Heads to Lime Rock for Memorial Day Weekend Classic

A preview of the Memorial Day race at Lime Rock Park for Pirelli World Challenge.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/pwc-lime-rock-entry-list-announced/

Multiple Teams at Monza for Pre-Le Mans Test

Final testing, for the Granddaddy of all endurance races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has been taking place at Monza, in Italy.  Here are the details.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/multiple-teams-at-monza-for-pre-le-mans-test/

PWC to Utilize Chicane Layout at Lime Rock

Pirelli World Challenge organizers and officials have decided to use the chicane at Lime Rock Park for this weekend's races there, to avoid the possibility of the GT3 cars getting airborne over the uphill.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/pwc-to-utilize-chicane-layout-at-lime-rock/

Pirelli World Challenge: Canadian Tire Motorsports Park

All you need to know about Pirelli World Challenge, and, the inaugural SprintX races, from Canadian Tire Motorsports Park in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.

Long Goes Flag-to-Flag for Victory in Race 1 at CTMP
http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/long-goes-flag-to-flag-for-victory-in-race-1-at-ctmp/

Wittmer, Mills Score SprintX Race 1 Win at CTMP
http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/wittmer-mills-score-sprintx-race-1-win-at-ctmp/

CTMP Saturday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/ctmp-saturday-notebook-2/

Mills Scores Come-From-Behind win in SprintX Race 2
http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/mills-scores-come-from-behind-win-in-sprintx-race-2/

Long Wins Race 2; Sweeps Weekend at CTMP
http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/long-wins-race-2-sweeps-ctmp-weekend/

PWC Weekend Roundup: CTMP
http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/pwc-weekend-roundup-ctmp/

The next Pirelli World Challenge race, is this coming weekend on Memorial Day weekend at Lime Rock Park, in Lakeville, Connecticut.

Onroak Begins Construction of Ligier JS P217

Onroak has begun constructing, the new Ligier JS P217 for IMSA competition next year, when it, and three other chassis, become eligible for the new Prototype regulations.

http://sportscar365.com/industry/onroak-begins-construction-of-ligier-js-p217/

PWC SprintX Regulations 101

Headed into this weekend's races at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park for Pirelli World Challenge, here's all you need to know, about the new regulations for the SprintX format.

http://sportscar365.com/gt/world-challenge/pwc-sprintx-regulations-101/

Solid IMSA Representation On 60-Entry List For 24 Hours of Le Mans

There is a strong representation for the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship on the entry list for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, among the 60 cars, and 180 drivers.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/solid-imsa-representation-60-entry-list-24-hours-le-mans

39 Cars on Road to Le Mans Entry List

News about one of the support races for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.  The Road To Le Mans race, will take place on Friday, before the 24 Hours itself.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/road-to-le-mans/39-cars-on-road-to-le-mans-entry-list/

Shakeup in Manor Driver Lineup for 24H Le Mans

Matt Rao, replaces James Jakes at Manor, for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/manor-driver-shakeup-for-24h-le-mans/

Driver Lineups for 24H Le Mans Nearly Finalized

Before getting to any further sports car racing news or race reports, this week, 98% or so of the official driver line ups for the 84th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, have been finalized.  Of course, for the first time ever, 60 cars, will start the race.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/lemans24/driver-lineups-for-24h-le-mans-nearly-finalized/

Legge, Negri To Pilot Honda-Powered Ligier at Belle Isle For Michael Shank Racing

A new driver, for the #60 MSR Ligier Honda at Belle Isle.  Katherine Legge will team with Oswaldo Negri Jr. in that race, coming up at the end of the month.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/Legge-Negri-To-Drive-Honda-Shank-Detroit

O'Connell, Patterson, & Bryant For Team AAI Corvette At Le Mans

The final driver line up to be announced, (making every team competing this year at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, complete), was that of the Team AAI Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R- to be piloted by Le Mans veteran and class winner with the factory Corvette team, Johnny O'Connell, veteran Pro/Am racer, Mark Patterson, and newbie to Le Mans, experienced GT racer, Oliver Bryant.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/05/16/oconnell-patterson-bryant-for-team-aai-corvette-at-le-mans.html

Blancpain Endurance Series Round 1: Monza

Catching up, with the first two rounds of the Blancpain Endurance Series for 2016, from two fabulous circuits at the Autodromo Nazionale di Monza in Monza, Italy.  

Monza Friday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/monza-friday-notebook-2/

Graf, Luhr Reunited; Seeking Continued Success In Monza
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/graf-luhr-reunited-seeking-continued-success-in-monza/

Scuderia Praha Ferrari Tops Free Practice at Monza
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/scuderia-praha-ferrari-tops-free-practice-at-monza/

Ferrari Dominates Pre Qualifying at Monza
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/ferrari-dominates-pre-qualifying-at-monza/

Monza Saturday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/monza-saturday-notebook-2/

Seefried: "Rinaldi is a Small But Efficient Team"
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/seefried-rinaldi-is-a-small-but-efficient-team/

Buhk Puts HTP Mercedes on Pole at Monza
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/buhk-puts-htp-mercedes-on-pole-at-monza/

VIDEO: Monza Qualifying Highlights
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-monza-qualifying-highlights/

Monza Pre-Race Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/monza-pre-race-notebook-2/

Garage 59 McLaren Wins Monza Thriller
http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/garage-59-mclaren-wins-monza-thriller/

The next race of the championship, happened this past weekend, at another legendary palace of speed.  The Silverstone circuit in Silverstone, England.  Stay tuned, for news, and full race highlights, in video.

60 Entries Already Confirmed for 24H Spa

We have seen massive grids for the 24 Hours of Spa, in recent years, and this year, should be no exception, with 60 entries, already confirmed, for the crown jewel event of the Blancpain Endurance Series.

http://sportscar365.com/blancpain/60-entries-confirmed-for-24h-spa/

European Le Mans Series at Imola

All the stories from this weekend's European Le Mans Series Imola 4 Hours at the Autodromo Enzo E Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy.

Panis Barthez Ligier Leads FP1 in Imola
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/panis-barthez-leads-imola-fp1/

Panis Barthez Fastest In Practice at Imola
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/panis-barthez-fastest-in-practice-at-imola/

DragonSpeed Grabs Pole for 4H Imola
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/dragonspeed-grabs-pole-for-4h-imola/

TDS Wins 4H Imola Behind Safety Car
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/tds-wins-4h-imola-behind-safety-car/

Ricky Taylor Set To Join Larbre GTE Am WEC Effort

Ricky Taylor is set to replace Italian Paolo Ruberti in the Larbre Competition Corvette in LM GTE Am in the FIA World Endurance Championship, for the flyaway races, later on this year.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/05/14/ricky-taylor-set-to-join-larbre-gte-am-wec-effort.html

SAFER barriers added to Porsche Curves at Le Mans

SAFER barriers (Steel and Foam Energy Reduction, is what the SAFER acronym stands for), have been added to the Porsche Curves at Le Mans, before the 24 Hours of Le Mans, next month.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/124242/safer-barriers-added-at-le-mans-porsche-curves

Wright Motorsports to Field Porsche For Long For Remainder of the Pirelli World Challenge Season

Patrick Long will be able to continue to race in Pirelli World Challenge this year, and do so, with Wright Motorsports.

http://nasportscar.com/wright-motorsports-to-field-porsche-for-long-for-remainder-of-the-pirelli-world-challenge-season/

IMSA Leaders Requesting Stakeholder Feedback To Help Chart Future Direction

During the recent IMSA race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (highlights of both of those races, are on the way... do not worry), IMSA CEO Ed Bennett and President Scott Atherton, circulated an online memo among the stakeholders in the series.  Here is that story, via IMSA's official website.

http://www.imsa.com/articles/imsa-leaders-requesting-stakeholder-feedback-help-chart-future-direction

First Pics of Porsche's 2017 GTE/GTLM Challenger

Porsche, reveals on Twitter, their new GTLM/GTE racer, for next year.  Details via dailysportscar.com.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2016/05/12/first-pics-of-porsches-2017-gtegtlm-challenger.html

Le Mans/WEC news

More headlines pertaining to next month's 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

The latest Double Stint Podcast.

Double Stint: Spa Recap; Gustavo Menezes Interview (5-10-16)
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/double-stint-spa-recap-gustavo-menezes-interview-5-10-16/

VIDEO: Sights and Sounds of Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-sights-and-sounds-of-wec-6h-spa/

Rebellion Undecided on 2017 Plans
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rebellion-undecided-on-2017-plans/

Update From Ford GT's Stefan Mucke

Factory Ford GT driver, Stefan Mucke, updates on his condition, after his savage wreck in the Spa 6 Hours last Saturday.

http://www.fiawec.com/en/news/update-from-ford-gt-s-stefan-mucke_4015.html

GTLM vs. GT3 vs. GTD Version 2.0

NASportscar.com, compares and contrasts the GT classes in modern sports car racing.

http://nasportscar.com/gtlm-vs-gt3-vs-gtd-version-2-0/

IMSA updates

Yours truly, has been really busy as of late.  I know I have not blogged the action from a couple of weekends ago at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca yet.  But, fear not, fans.  There will be an update, coming soon.

Spa Content Recap

More sports car racing news, coming later.  For now, here is a complete content recap from the 6 Hours of Spa this past Saturday.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/spa-content-recap-2/

Spa Post-Race Notebook

Wrapping up the 6 Hours of Spa.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/spa-post-race-notebook-3/

This veteran Ford GT40P went back to Le Mans and won

This is the story of how a Mark I GT40 managed to win Le Mans outright in 1968 and 1969 after more advanced GT40s stopped being competitive.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/classic-cars/features/a24716/phil-hill-on-the-gulf-oil-ford-gt40p/

6 Hours of Spa highlights

Highlights of yesterday's fantastic precursor to Le Mans, the 6 Hours of Spa, which you read about from my race report, published in two parts, yesterday.  See (in brief), how things went down.  Can't wait, for Le Mans!

Stories of the winners from Spa

A couple stories on the winning teams from yesterday's 6 Hours of Spa and how they got to the top step of the podium.

Audi Wins Wild 6H Spa in Race of Attrition
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/audi-wins-6h-spa-in-race-of-attrition/

...and

AF Corse Takes GTE-Pro Win at Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/af-corse-wins-gte-pro-at-spa/

6 Hours of Spa: Part 2

We are halfway home, in the 6 Hours of Spa.  Again, we continue winding through the green hills of the Ardennes Forest.  Nestled between Spa, and Francorchamps, is a track that no driver would pass up a chance to race at.  This race has been dramatic.  Toyota #5 leads this race with Sebastien Buemi at the controls.  The #1 Porsche had a drive line failure.  Porsche dominated qualifying.  But they have had their hands full.  Some of the factory teams have had issues today.  The two AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE's have been dominating GTE Pro.  Gianmaria Bruni, and James Calado, are teamed up here, in the "Jimmy/Jimmy" car.  Chris Cumming is at the wheel of the #31 ESM Ligier Honda, and he is battling with Morand Racing and car #43 with Bruno Senna at the wheel.  Senna runs wide.

Cumming hits pit lane, and will have a driver change.  In goes Ryan Dalziel.  Cumming is bronze level driver.  The strength of this series is such that 53 drivers are platinum rated.  Kamui Kobayashi is piling the pressure on the Audi of Loic Duval.  Kobayashi has gone around Duval.  Sebastien Buemi in the sister Toyota is going for it, too.  They run down to Eau Rouge.  Correction.  Anthony Davidson is now in the Toyota.  He leads.  Kamui Kobayashi is in the sister car #6.  Toyota were champions in 2014.  Last year, they had a horrible year.  But now, they are coming back into the picture.

They have switched to a twin turbo V6 and a battery.  Here are the highlights.  56,000 fans are here, watching, at Spa.  Porsche on the front row.  Roberto Merhi in th seco0nd Manor LMP2 car spun.  Marc Lieb had trouble with the hybrid system, as Toyota and Audi engaged in a see saw battle.  A real ding dong.  Lucas di Grassi goes off and on passing Conway.  Sebastien Buemi runs well as the Ford GT tangles with a GTE Am car, and Conway slams into Vitaly Petrov.  Sebastien Buemi locked the brakes with no grip on his tires.

Side by side through Eau Rouge, the Porsche and the Toyota, battled.  Then, the #1 Porsche and a bunch of LMP2 cars had punctures and fuel issues, asNicky Thiim crashed and flipped into the tire wall in the #97 Aston Martin V8 Vantage.  In GTE Pro, the #51 Ferrari 488 GTE leads as, wow, nthe Signatech Alpine is spun out, by one of the Audi's.  Uh oh.  Someone, is dripping fluid. It's the Strakka Racing car, according to communication in the Toyota as a driver is prepping for a stint in the Alpine.

Alpine, will have a big cheering section, in the next race.  We go, to the crown jewel, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in six weeks.  An Audi and the #6 Toyota both have damage.  #6 slams into an LMP2 car.  Marcel Fassler in the #7 Audi slams into the #36 SignaTech Alpine of Gustavo Menezes.  Manor is running very well in LMP2 after not having the best time in Formula 1.  Manor had hoped to race at Le Mans.  Simon Dolan, smashed into Nicky Thiim.  Jake Dennis, is a young rookie at 20 years old, who is in his first race, and F1 refugee Giedo van der Garde is also racing here.

Work continues on the #6 Toyota in the garage.  All this activity, has to have protocol.  It nhas to be rehearsed, or it's a total mess. Matthias Lauda, shares his #97 Aston Martin V8 Vantage with Paul Dalla Lana and Pedro Lamy.  Dalla Lana, will take over.  Their main competition is the Ferrari #83 with Emmanuelle Collard at the controls.  Back time this race, for the last two hours and forty minutes or so.  Eliminate the need for a splash of fuel.  Stephane Sarrazin takes over one of the Toyota's.  He runs in rallying and in Formula E as well.  Sarrazin ran in the United States for a while, too.

Loic Duval runs second in the #8 Audi R18.  He says, "be ready for a bad stint" over the radio.  So obviously, the tire performance is off. Tire troubles for Toyota as well.  Davidson is committed, dealing with traffic.  Toyota is hungry, and they want it.  They want success, and maybe, a win, here at Spa, where tires are the big deal.  Lots of late nights between here, and Le Mans.  The #6 Toyota is back in the garage as the sister car still leads this race by a minute an a half over the second placed Audi.

Slow down, and stay off the curbs.  ESM is slow with the #31 Ligier Honda.  The #44 of Tor Graves leads Gustavo Menezes in LMP2.  Two Nissan powered racers, on Dunlop tires.  The lead LMP2 car is an Oreca chassis.  The Alpine, follows.  But both, are Oreca 05 chassis's.  One, is re-branded as an Alpine.  Light is diffusing in the sky.  Cloud cover builds around the fabulous Spa Francorchamps circuit.  Three and a half hours now into the race.  Just a moment ago, the #13 Revekkuibm soubsm with Dominik Kraihamer at the wheel.

Kraihamer got turned around by another of the Prototypes.  The second Toyota is out of contention, but the #5 car with Anthony Davidson, still leads.  We watch a battle in LMP2 as someone almost misses pit lane.  Maurizio Mediani in the #27 SMP Racing BR01 Nissan.  The #51 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE leads LM GTE Pro.  James Calado driving.  Stefan Mucke in the Ford GT is next.  Ford looks for their second win, after winning in WeatherTech Championship competition last weekend at a race, you will hear about, when yours truly, has a chance, to blog it, from a race replay.

Oliver Jarvis will get into the #8 Audi R18 as Toyota #5 pits for service and Kamui Kobayashi will get into the car.  He did not race here last year, after a heavy crash ruled him injured and unfit to race.  Two hours and 24 minutes left in the race.  Total cloud cover, but no rain expected.  First and second are a lap or so apart.  Neel Jani and Porsche are up to third.  Maybe they've gotten a little hybrid drive back.  Score as many points as possible, as we continue to go through this nine round series.

Porsche has to bring it home for some points.  Work continues on the #6 Toyota.  The #5 Toyota continues to lead as #6 is being fixed.  Car #35 had a penalty for too many air wrenches over the pit wall for changing tires.  That's an odd penalty.  Bright sunshine appears at the start/finish line.  It was predicted to rain a bit.  Thankfully, the weather at Spa, has been lovely.  We will have more action for you, as we are well into the second half of the 6 Hours of Spa Francorchamps.  Problems for Manor #44.  He's got a locked up brake, and braking issues all around, with tons of brake dust, and overly wearing down the front brakes.

Porsche #1 with Mark Webber at the wheel, is out of the garage, in the lane, and back on the track.  MarkWebber is 35 laps down to the next car in class, the #6 Toyota TS050 of Stephane Sarrazin.  #44
has spun, due to brake issues in the Bruxelles Corner.  Never waste a lap even if your car is not in contention for the race.  Any opportunity to try anything, is time well spent.  The two Ford GT's are in pit lane.  Stefan Mucke in #66 and Harry Tincknell in #67.  Tor Graves brings the #44 Manor Oreca Nissan.

Brake fluid is boiling on the #44 car.  James Calado leads LM GTE Pro at the wheel of the #51 Ferrari 488 GTE for AF Corse.  Manor is giving their car a once over.  You have to make six hours here, otherwise how will you do 24 at Le Mans in six weeks?  The #12 Rebellion R One is running fourth with it's sister car, fifth at the moment.  The Kemmel straightaway is the only point where you can relax at Spa, as a driver.  More than two hours, still remain, in this race.  Matteo Tuscher has taken over from Dominik Kraihamer.

Pit stop time in the #51 AF Corse Ferrari.  These blokes may need a splash and dash towards the end of the race.  Save fuel immediately.  Don't wait.  Sam Bird, sits in pit lane and Gianmaria Bruni has likely pitted already.  We are at 6:30 P.M. local time in Spa right now.  This place is a motorsports history mecca, and also, WWII. history.  Ferrari runs 1-2 in LM GTE Pro and Aston Martin leads LM GTE Am.  Flawless run for Pedro Lamy, Matthias Lauda, and Paul Dalla Lana.  The Alpine pits, and is an awesome looking race car.  How about 60 cars at Le Mans this year.  For so many years, the LMP2 winner was last man standing.

Chip Ganassi raced at Spa in 1980 and Ganassi drove with Johnny Dumfries and Mike Thackwell in a Sauber Mercedes.  Dumfries won with Andy Wallace and Jan Lammers at Jaguar.  The Earl of Dumfries, was a great racing driver.  We've seen serious argy bargy and some teams tearing their hair out so far, here at Spa.  Thy are pushing to the limit.  Oh dear!  Smoke out of the race leading Toyota, which is a lap up on the Audi of Oliver Jarvis.  Anthony Davidson is mortified, that Kazuki Nakajima is having issues.

Smoke, definitely, from the Toyota.  The V6 hybrid, is getting sick.  The mechanics are ready to get at this car when it comes to the pit lane.  Oliver Jarvis is set to assume the race lead here.  Neel Jani in the Porsche will be up to second and Rebellion in the non hybrid class, will move to the final step on the podium. Ford looks for success as they head to Le Mans, and right now, Harry Tincknell is delivering, as we race from Bruxelles to Pouhon.  Olivier Pla is another successful Ford driver.  But, Ford is having throttle problems at the moment.

Correction, it is a turbo issue, not throttle.  This is the first turbo issue for any of the Ford's in either the U.S. or Europe.  There could be Toyota issues with their turbo.  Ford is going to test at Watkins Glen and Road America, to test, before Le Mans.  All hands on deck.  Porsche lost their hybrid drive earlier in the race, and now, they are back to second.  Amazing.  The #13 Rebellion car still has Matteo Tuscher, at the wheel.  Both Toyota's have had engine issues.  Kazuki Nakajima didn't see anything, but felt power loss, and the crew saw oil, leaking from the motor. Game over for both Toyota's.

Rebellion Racing is pitting now. We are getting ready for Le Mans.  Could there be an upset?  LMP1 Hybrid only has two bullets in each gun this year.  The #13 Rebellion pits.  Ferrari runs 2:18 while Ford runs 2:19 in LM GTE Pro.  An hour and a half or so, remain in this race as the #2 Porsche has pitted for a driver change, with Romain Dumas taking over.  Oliver Jarvis now pits in the #8 Audi R18.  We watch Richard Lietz and Richie Stanaway battle in LM GTE Pro.  Car #83 pits from the LM GTE Am lead as Rui Aguas switches over and will let Emmanuelle Collard, finish the race.  It is tough to get into the car because of the high bolstered race seats and the shape of the doors, as the Aston Martin thunders through the Ardennes Forest.

The Pro class Aston Martin, had a 30 kilogram weight brake.  The Larbre Competition Corvette boys have struggled a little bit.  David Heinemeier Hanson, is racing with one of the Porsche's.  The #1 Porsche hits pit lane from 33rd place.  Drivers sit low in the car for center of gravity and hight front fenders don't all the driver's to nse as well through a small windshield.  This car is a comprehensive evolution of the 2015 Porsche 919 Hybrid.  The #35 car is pitting.

They will need one more stop.  One hour and 24 minutes, still to go here at Spa.  ESM has pitted and so has Ford with the #66 car.  Pippo Derani is in the #31 car and Ford pitted car #67.  Marino Franchitti is now at the wheel.  An hour and tend minutes now remain in the Spa 6 Hours.  Oh dear!  The #66 Ford has crashed, huge, in Radillon!  Oh my!  That's a monster wreck.  Stefan Mucke, loses a tire, and this is without doubt, a safety car situation. We need a replay.  A piece of bodywork flies off the car, the left rear tire is loaded, something lets go, and Stefan Mucke is a passenger.

This safety car period, will shake things up with the pit strategy.  Harry Tincknell and Andy Priaulx look on.  Mucke had a piece of bodywork let go, not a tire.  Stefan Mucke is in some pain.  But, he'll be fine.  Lots of fluid to clean up, either from the car, or water that is filled in with the tires.  That was a bad crash.  But, again, Stefan Mucke, will be fine.  An eye on the race clock, tells us there is merely an hour remaining to settle this one, the prelude, to the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in six weeks.

We remain behind the safety car.  As we look at Mucke's wreck again, the bodywork (the engine cover), flies off the car.  It could have been a flat tire and a sudden loss of grip at a very hight speed part of the course.  140 miles an hour in a GT car.  Mucke has an injured leg, but that is all. A few other cars are having issues.  It looks like SMP Racing is the team having a few problems.  Here are the highlights.

Drivers were ready to go, and when they did, it was all Porsche.  Brendon Hartley takes off, and a huge battle into turn one in LMP2 with Ropbrto Merhi in the Manor, and more damage to other cars.  Audi and Toyota began to battle.  Mike Conway and Benoit Treluyer battled, and so did Lucas di Grassi and Sebastien Buemi.  Mark Webber had trouble.  Nicky Thiim flipped his Aston Martin.  Marcel Fassler in the Audi crashes into the the Alpine.  The Manor team has also been in the wars today.  Then, heartbreak for Toyota.  Ka-blammo! goes the motor.

Both Toyota's had engine troubles, and of course, we saw Stefan Mucke's monster wreck which may have likely been caused, by a cut tire.  We remain behind the safety car, with 51 minutes remaining.  Audi, G Drive, AF Corse, and Aston Martin, lead the classes.  Marino Franchitti has pitted, and is fourth in LM GTE Pro.  Nicolas Lapierre is leading LMP for Alpine, not G Drive.  Spa as a circuit does not have as much grip as it has, in past years, for the sports cars, when they come here.  The #66 Ford GT is hbeing craned away.

There's oil dry all ovr the road.  Oliver Jarvis will stay in the Audi as more issues occur for the Larbre Competition Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R-.  Pierre Ragues is in pit lane, second or so in LM GTE Am.  Oh dear.  The race leading Audi is now in the garage, and they are now back on track.  They will likely retain the race lead.  Menezes is originally from Colombia.  The #2 Porsche 919 Hybrid of Romain Dumas comes out of pit lane.  Lots of cars are running over the oil dry, spewing it everywhere.

Brendon Hartley has not completed the maximum percentage of the race distance of the winner.  They may not be able to score points.  Twelve points will be massive in the championship, as we are now back to green.  The shadows lengthen here at Spa with 42 minutes left.  Pippo Derani battles Filipe Albuquerque.  We were under the safety car for 25 minutes and have yet to hear an update on Stefan Mucke after his possible injury.  Filipe Albuquerque and Rene Rast, again, are on loan from Audi, since they cannot have a third car for Le Mans like last year for the factory LMP1 Hybrid teams.

Oliver Jarvis is back on track as mentioned.  It was a freebie to get more crew members to check the car before the restart.  Jarvis had a three lap lead and now has dropped to two laps.  Pippo Derani and Filipe Albuquerque were only two tenths apart.  The #5 Toyota forlornly sits in the garage.  No more racing today for the Toyota TS050.  The #43 team has done very well so far.  They have been pretty bullish, and of course, won at Silverstone three weeks ago or so.  The team is sponsored by the 6 Hours of Mexico FIA WEC race that will happen later this year.

We're rapidly approaching the final half hour of this race, ladies and gentlemen.  Audi Sport Team Joest, could be on their way to a second consecutive Spa race.  Ford Performance says Stefan Mucke only has heavy bruising.  Nothing more.  He is perfectly OK.  We cannot confirm how the wreck happened.  The top three are close in LM GTE Am.  Pedro Lamy vs. Francois Perrodo, vs. Patrick Long.  Pierre Ragues in the Larbre Corvette is also in this scrap down through Pouhon.

The #78 KCMG Porsche 911 RSR is also running well.  What an awesome view of Eau Rouge and the speed of the Hybrid cars.  In Formula 1, the drivers never really run Eau Rouge flat.  This speedway is unreal.  Patrick Long passes Francois Perrodo into La Source.  Down through Eau Rouge, it's a ral scrum.  They run Harry Flatters through there.  Harry Flatters = flat out.  This is great GT class action.  Patrick Long is now second.  He is the only U.S. born Porsche factory driver.  He had a program in Pirelli World Challenge here in the U.S.  But, it recently, folded.

Will the setting sun be in th drivers eyes?  Only at Les Combes.  Pippo Derani is running well for ESM.  An oiled up, pitted windscreen, and the glare from the setting sun, can be a nightmare.  The sight lines out of these tight cockpits can be a deal where your vision is compromised by the design of these space age LMP1 cars.  James Calado only has five seconds between he and his AF Corse team mate in LM GTE Pro, Davide Rigon.  We are in the closing half hour of the Spa 6 Hours.  It's go time!

Pippo Derani, Roberto Merhi, and Filipe Albuquerque have been scrapping for LMP2 honors.  But, Merhi has been called to the sin bin.  Nicolas Lapierre leads LMP2 in the Alpine as the ByKolles LMP1 car and one of the Ferrari's made a little contact.  Signatech Alpine is ready for a pit stop.  Will Lapierre pit?  James Calado leads LM GTE Pro and Pedro Lamy in the Aston Martin, LM GTE Am.  Romain Dumas is continuing to soldier on.  What did Porsche do with this car?  They had to have fixed the hybrid problem.  Dumas is running on the same level as leader Oliver Jarvis in the Audi.  The #1 car will be shy of getting points by covering the 70% mark of the winner's race distance.  Headlights are on, even though we'll finish this race before sunset.

The two Rebellion cars from Switzerland run together.  Alexandre Imperatori and Nick Heidfeld are liner stern right now.  In the closing minutes of the 6 Hours of Spa, we watch Brendon Hartley in the Porsche, as Marcel Fassler spins in La Source in Audi #7.  He got turned by a Rebellion going into La Source, and... whack!  He was into the wall.  Brendon Hartley currently runs 30th overall on his 105th lap.  Jarvis, leading, is on his 155th lap.  It's so close.  If Jarvis were to run 160 laps, and Hartley did 112, he'd get classified.  But, if Jarvis did another lap, Hartley would not be classified.

Ten minutes left in this race.  We have a glimpse of who might win, as we see smoke, and a left rear tire down on the Alpine.  Setup issues and mechanical issues, have been plaguing teams.  Oh my!  Hartley tries to pass both AF Corse Ferrari's going for the LM GTE Pro win!  #71 takes the lead!  Nine minutes to go at Spa!  It's getting hot and heavy, right now.  The LMP2 battle is huge.  Pippo Derania dn ncio lapierre, splitting the Ford GT!  Lapierre leads, and the pit box goes crazy!  We love ESM, but if a French cars wins at Spa, that will make the fans at Le Mans excited.

Marino Franchitti in the Ford GT moves up to second in LM GTE Pro as #51 is in the garage.  The #5 Toyota might get back out to get a point scoring finish even though they had to fix their engine three or so hours ago.  They will melt the motor down to get to the finish of this one. Three and a half minutes remain.  Roberto Merhi tries to overhaul Filipe Albuquerque.  Merhi gets blocked!  Oh my!  The #51 Ferrari of James Calado, he suffered a failure.  Calado is devastated!  Roberto Merhi is coming, and coming fast.  He will have tough times getting past Roberto Merhi.

There's a local yellow to be aware of.  The #13 Rebellion of Alexandre Imperatori will put Rebellion on the podium.  We are in, for a grandstand finish.  Poor old Patrick Long had to make a pit stop, sinking to sixth in LM GTE Am.  Final lap, is on.  This is for all the cookies, at Spa.  All the marbles.  Brendon Hartley might get to 70% distance.  They'll get another lap.  Race leader O0liver Jarvis, is going to win!  First victory for Lucas di Grassi and Oliver Jarvis, and Loic Duval, gets his fifth win in WEC!

In GTE Am it's Paul Dalla Lana, Matthias Lauda, and Pedro Lamy, winning.  Hartley and company salvage their points.  Robert Merhi clears Filipe Albuquerque.  He chases Pippo Derani.  Through Stavelot and Curve Paul Frere, as Nicolas Lapierre is going to win LMP2!  Heartbreak for James Calado as he is beaten to the LM GTE Pro win, by team mates at AF Corse, Davide Rigon, and Sam Bird.  LM GTE Am, is won, by Aston Martin Racing, with car #98 in the hands of Pedro Lamy, Matthias Lauda, and Paul Dalla Lana

Overall/LMP1: #8 Jarvis/di Grassi/Duval    Audi R18

             LMP2: #36 Menezez/Lapierre/Richelmi   Alpine A460 Nissan

             LM GTE Pro: #71 Rigon/Bird                   Ferrari 488 GTE

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

A great race, here at Spa Francorchamps, leads us, next, to the granddaddy of them all.  It's the big kahuna.  The crown jewel.  The grand prize.  The 24 Hours of Le Mans, at Circuit de la Sarthe in Le Mans, France, coming up, in six weeks.  We'll be here on Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog, with wall to wall coverage.  Don't miss it!  So long, from Spa Francorchamps, everyone.

6 Hours of Spa: Part 1

Before we begin, with round two of the FIA World Endurance Championship, at the fabulous Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, a note.  This first part, will be the opening half hour of the race.  Then, we will break away from the coverage, for a while (so, use the FIA WEC App if you have it or go online).  Then, the last three hours of the race, will be covered, in part two.

Go HERE for live results.

http://live.fiawec.com/

Brendon Hartley, and Porsche, have the pole position for this race.  Can they be stopped from winning another consecutive event?  After Audi's disqualification at Silverstone last time out, it has been a year, since they've won.  The last time, was in this race, last year.  Keep an eye on the live timing and scoring, while the TV coverage is off air, to cover a soccer match for the Bundesliga league out of Germany, folks.

The English race was an adventure for Audi, and we saw Porsche win, and one crashed, while Toyota had a great race.  Sweeping through the Ardennes Forest in Spa Francorchamps, Belgium, this is round two of the FIA World Endurance Championship.  It is unseasonably warm today.  Le Mans is in six weeks, and this is a dress rehearsal for Le Mans.  Porsche has pole for this race.  They were two seconds clear of Audi and Toyota. 

The weather is too good, for Spa.  We may see raindrops before this race is over, as we get ready for a start.  1,000 horsepower, ready to be launched.  34 cars start, now!  We are green at Spa as Brendon Hartley goes nthrough La Source as a Manor, spins.  Flast out through Eau Rouge for the first time.  Six hybrid LMP1 cars are all together.  Porsche, Audi, Toyota.  It's a tricky corner, through Pouhon.  Handling is paramount, just like the Porsche Curves, at Le Mans.  Extreme Speed Motorsports is moving up with their Ligier JS P2 Nissan, with Scott Sharp at the controls right now.  Low downforce is not good for the Ligier compared to their rivals from Gibson and Oreca.

The Audi has great pace with their six megajoule hybrid system.  Toyota is on softer tires.  Ford and Ferrari lead LM GTE Pro.  GTE could be adjusted with the BoP before Le Mans, next month.  Audi and Porsche will go to Spain, to test.  Lots of teams ran at Aragon in Spain.  #31 is turned in Les Combes, with the #35 Alpine.  Pippo Derani is at the wheel of #31.  Brendon Hartley is now ahead, in this race as Pippo Derani is challenged by the AF Corse Ferrari 488 as they fly into Eau Rouge.  Gianmaria Bruni leads Sam Bird, and James Calado ran very well last time out at Silverstone.  Sam Bird and Davide Rigon were the drivers of one of the cars.

The two Porsche's are quickest of anyone right now, running in the 1:59 lap time range, while other top drivers and teams are at 2 minutes for their lap times.  Porsche, Porsche, Audi, Audi, Toyota, Toyota.  Rebellion and ByKolles in the non hybrid privateer Prototypes, follow, with drivers Alexandre Imperatori, Nick Heidfeld,and James Rossiter.  In LMP2 at La Source, Roberto Merhi in one of the Manor Racing cars, spun.  Tire down on one of the LMP2 cars, from SMP Racing, a Gibson chassis.

Lucas di Grassi leads Benoit Treluyer at Audi and Sebastien Buemi passes Mike Conway, and the Toyota's have high downforce and soft tires.  Rene Rast is driving the LMP2 leading G Drive car.  Rast is on loan from Audi.  The speed differential between the GTE Pro cars and the Prototyps is pretty amazing.  The GTE production cars just don't have the downforce.  Prototypes, going through Eau Rouge, can bottom out, and you have to be mindful of not wearing down the wooden legality plank.  Bruni runs wide!  Sam Bird, is actually the driver to run off the road.  Run the cars higher off the ground.

Don't run afoul of regulations.  Bird crosses over the bow of Mike Conway at Toyota.  Audi is also racing DTM in the opening round of their championship in Hockenheim, Germany.  Whoa!  Toyota goes all four wheels off the road, as Sebastien Buemi is pushing, and pushing, hard!  Marc Lieb in the #2 Porsche has dropped to sixth place.  The world feed director, shows us where #2 is on the road.  So many complex electronics with these space age hybrid racers.  The battle intensifies as Sebastien Buemi grabs third!  Yikes!  Mike Conway tries the Audi into La Source.  These two are rivals in Formula E competition.

LMP1 cars are amazing machines to drive at places like here at Spa, and at Le Mans.  A moment ago, Marc Lieb has lost the hybrid drive in the Porsche 919.  The team told him, "you will just have to deal with it."  24 minutes, into a six hour race.  These cars are designed to work at optimum situations.  The hybrid system affects everything about the car, adding 500 extra horsepower, and all wheel drive. Ooh!  Benoit Treluyer runs out of road in Blanchimont as he battles with Mike Conway.  Audi vs. Toyota.  Conway gets past Treluyer.  Anthony Davidson and Kazuki Nakajima are Mike Conway's co drivers.

Toyota tries to rebound from a miserable 2015.  This speedway was once an eight mile loop of public roads.  It is the second longest track on the schedule, only to Le Mans.  It is a favorite of yours truly.  We will be back, later in the day, for the final three hours of the Spa 6 Hours, later today.  Vitaly Petrov makes his return to racing here in FIA WEC.  Treluyer is off the road, again!  He cuts deep inside Mike Conway, but cannot make it.  Brendon Hartley is pushing, as Lucas di Grassi is trying to catch him.  In a few seconds, this portion of the race, will be done.  We'll take you to the conclusion of this race.

We'll see you a little later, as we make way for Bundesliga match day soccer.

 

FIA WEC pre-race news from Spa

All the news before round two of the FIA World Endurance Championship at the fabulous Spa Francorchamps in Belgium, slated to take place, tomorrow.

VIDEO: Behind The Scenes with RGR Sport by Morand: Debrief
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-behind-the-scenes-with-rgr-sport-by-morand-debrief/

Howarth (AMR): "There's Always Evolution In Teams"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/howarth-amr-theres-always-evolutions-in-teams/

Tequila Patron ESM, RGR Sport Form Technical Alliance
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/tequila-patron-esm-rgr-sport-form-technical-alliance/

Hartley Leads Porsche 1-2 in FP1 at Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/hartley-leads-porsche-1-2-in-fp1-at-spa/

Bruni: "I Think The Championship Looks Positive"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bruni-i-think-the-championship-looks-positive/

Toyota Tops FP2; Porsche Quickest on Thursday at Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-tops-in-fp2-porsche-quickest-on-thursday-at-spa/

Spa Thursday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/spa-thursday-notebook-5/

Jani: "Clearly It's Now an Open Game Again"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/jani-clearly-now-its-an-open-game-again/

Porsche Quickest in FP3 at Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-quickest-in-fp3-at-spa/

AF Corse Goes 1-2 in GTE-Pro Qualifying at Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/af-corse-goes-1-2-in-gte-pro-qualifying-at-spa/

Porsche Sweeps Front Row for 6H Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-sweeps-front-row-for-6h-spa/

Inside WEC "6 Hours of Spa Preview"

A preview of the 6 Hours of Spa for the FIA World Endurance Championship, this Saturday.  Stay tuned, for all the action, here, on Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog.

http://www.motorsport.com/wec/tv/inside-wec/inside-wec-6-hours-of-spa-preview-54145/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=wec_edition&utm_campaign=newsletter_2016-05-05

More FIA World Endurance Championship news

As we head into this weekend's action at Spa Francorchamps on Saturday, here's more news to keep an eye on from the FIA WEC.

Tincknell: "We Want to Make a Step Forward and Go for the Podium"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/tincknell-were-quietly-optimistic/

Aston Martin Gets Weight Break for 6H Spa
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aston-martin-gets-weight-break-for-6h-spa/

PHOTOS: Spa Wednesday Gallery
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/photos-spa-wednesday-gallery-2/

Spa Wednesday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/spa-wednesday-notebook-4/

BREAKING: R&D Chief Wolfgang Hatz Leaves Porsche

It was announced today, that a major force behind Porsche's endurance racing efforts in the FIA World Endurance Championship, Wolfgang Hatz, who has served as chief of research & development, is leaving Stuttgart.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rd-chief-hatz-leaves-porsche/

Strakka Still Evaluating LMP1 Privateer Project

The first of two major FIA WEC stories, headed into this weekend's 6 Hours of Spa at the famous Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in the Ardennes forest of Belgium.  Strakka Racing might still enter the LMP1 privateer ranks.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/strakka-still-evaluating-lmp1-privateer-project/

The LMP3 Puzzle Piece

Ben Wedge, writing for NASportscar.com, examines where LMP3 could fit into sports car racing in North America.

http://nasportscar.com/the-lmp3-puzzle-piece/

PR1/Mathiasen Wins PC; Heart of Racing Takes GTD in Monterey

The #52 PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports team wins Prototype Challenge at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, and Heart if Racing Alex Job Racing wins GT Daytona.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/pr1mathiasen-wins-pc-heart-of-racing-claims-gtd-honors-in-monterey/

Again, stay tuned, for full race reports from Laguna Seca.  There is a month's break until the next race in the WeatherTech Championship.

Shank Breaks Through for Victory; Ford Wins GTLM in Monterey

Mike Shank Racing and the #60 Ligier Honda, have won the first race overall at Laguna Seca.  Ford, breaks through, for their first GT Le Mans win, too!

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/shank-breaks-through-for-monterey-win/

Prototype Challenge and GT Daytona, coming up, in a few hours time.  Once again, stay tuned for full race reports.  These are just the stories, as they come in, after the races, due to the limited resources for TV coverage/online streaming.

IMSA stream from Laguna Seca

There is a YouTube feed for the IMSA action.  The first race, has just concluded for Prototype/GTLM.  The second event for PC/GTD will be in a couple hours.  Stay tuned, for full race reports, on both races.  But, perhaps, only when I can access race video via IMSA.com, in order to type up the race report blog entries.

Today's IMSA action

Hard to get a signal on the TV satellite.  So, listening to the race, via IMSA Radio.  If you wish, go HERE and listen.

http://www.imsa.com/camera/imsatv