Endurance... the sports car racing blog: September 2017

Saturday, September 30, 2017

Blancpain Endurance Series news from Barcelona

Tomorrow marks the finale for the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup, and for the whole of the series, at Circuit de Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain. Here is some brief news of what has happened before the race.

Bleekemolen, Abbott Join Barwell for Barcelona
http://sportscar365.com/sro/blancpain-gt/bleekemolen-abbott-join-barwell-for-barcelona/

Perfetti Quickest in Barcelona Bronze Test
http://sportscar365.com/sro/blancpain-gt/perfetti-quickest-in-barcelona-bronze-test/

Marciello Leads AKKA ASP 1-2-3 in Free Practice
http://sportscar365.com/sro/blancpain-gt/marciello-leads-akka-asp-1-2-3-in-free-practice/

Vanthoor Fastest in Wet Pre-Qualifying at Barcelona
http://sportscar365.com/sro/blancpain-gt/vanthoor-fastest-in-wet-pre-qualifying-at-barcelona/

Qualifying will be underway, on Sunday, before the race. So, stay tuned for that action, to be followed by a full and comprehensive race report, as we wrap up Blancpain GT Endurance 2017.

IMSA stories (continued)

Friday, September 29, 2017

FIA World Endurance Championship fan survey

The FIA World Endurance Championship issues their fan survey, requesting feedback on the series and how it is doing. You can take the survey and submit your feelings and insights, HERE.

https://wecsurvey.motorsport.com/

Yours truly, will do the same.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas Race Broadcast

The condensed, 52 minute race broadcast of the final FIA World Endurance Championship event at Circuit of the Americas is available for fans to watch. Check it out.

Petit Le Mans entry list features 38 cars

A look at what will be a star-studded field for the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship and Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup season finale for 2017, the 20th running of the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, slated to run, next Saturday.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/144556-petit-le-mans-entry-list-features-38-cars

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

America's Tire 250 Race Broadcast

A link to the race broadcast of the America's Tire 250 from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, last Sunday.

https://imsatv.imsa.com/video/092017/2017-americas-tire-250-broadcast

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

more IMSA headlines after Laguna Seca

Plenty more to talk about from IMSA after the race at Laguna Seca, including this week's Double Stint podcast.

Mardenborough: Daytona, Sebring on the "Radar" for 2018
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/mardenborough-daytona-sebring-on-radar-for-2018/

The latest Double Stint Podcast.

Double Stint: MRLS Recap; Renger van der Zande Interview (9-26-17)

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/double-stint-weekend-recap-renger-van-der-zande-interview-9-26-17/

Baker (Michelin): "We're Going to Approach It Differently"
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/baker-michelin-were-going-to-approach-it-differently/

Long Joins WeatherTech Porsche Lineup for Petit Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/long-joins-weathertech-porsche-lineup-for-petit-le-mans/

Atherton "Optimistic" of Capacity Grid For Florida 36 Hours
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/imsa-optimistic-of-capacity-grids-for-daytona-sebring/

Monday, September 25, 2017

post-race wrapup from Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Post-race stories after yesterday's thrilling penultimate round of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, including a link to video of the amazing finish that, if you missed the Fox Sports broadcast yesterday, you definitely have to see to believe.

Edwards Holds Off Vilander for GTLM Fuel Mileage Run
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/edwards-holds-off-vilander-for-gtlm-win-in-monterey/

Van Der Zande Gives Visit Florida Dramatic First LMP2 Win
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/van-der-zande-gives-visit-florida-dramatic-first-lmp2-win/

This is the video yours truly was talking about in the article introduction. If you didn't watch the race, at least take some time to enjoy the final laps. They were incredible.

VIDEO: Final Laps of Monterey
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-final-laps-of-monterey/

PHOTOS: Monterey Weekend Gallery
http://sportscar365.com/features/photography/photos-monterey-weekend-gallery-3/

Continental Tire Monterey Post-Race Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/continental-tire-monterey-post-race-notebook/

Sunday, September 24, 2017

Winner & highlights of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship America's Tire 250 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

The penultimate race of the 2017 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship. This race, could perhaps decide championships in any of the classes. We are at the legendary Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California. The America's Tire 250, is the final sprint race of the season.

We've been north, south, east, and now, west. With one race left after this one, it is indeed crunch time. It's time to go sports car racing. The Taylor brothers want a few more wins, and wants to win a title. Corvette and Ferrari want titles in GT Le Mans and GT Daytona. We tackle the legendary Corkscrew, next! In September 1957, Pete Lovely in a Ferrari won here. Six decades later, sports cars continue to race here. For years, this race was held in May. But, it is now being run in September.

The contenders will have to roll the dice today. It is Ricky Taylor vs. Christian Fittipaldi. Those are the title combatants in Prototype. Many of these drivers are worried about their job security for the 2018 season. Many incidents have already happened. Last year, the classes were split. This year, three classes are racing at the same time. If you are going to eat an elephant, you have to do so one bite at a time. Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller are quickest in GT Le Mans. Risi Competizione and Ferrari are on pole. This is a boost for them as they are recovering from the effects of hurricane Harvey that hit their home base in Houston, Texas.

The cars are on their final pace lap before we get started. Watch out into the Andretti hairpin, turn one. Here we go. We are green! There's the flag. Go! Ricky Taylor jumps into a lead and Christian Fittipaldi is pushing as John Edwards has spun off the road! Eric Curran is going after Marc Goossens. In GT Daytona, Paul Miller Racing scored pole with Madison Snow at the wheel of it. Porsche moves ahead of Ford in GT Le Mans. Toni Vilander leads Dirk Mueller and Alexander Sims. Was there contract between the two BMW's? Thud. Yes. BMW's were third and fourth in class, a thousnadth of a second or so apart.

It's been six weeks since the Prototype cars have raced. We have damage to the #48 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini. That's Madison Snow at the wheel of it. Watch out for the hood blowing off the car. Get the bear bond. But the aerodynamic issues are of no real consequence here at Laguna Seca. The #96 Turner Motorsports BMW team can't communicate to driver Jens Klingman over the radio. The #14 Lexus RC F GT3 in the hands of Sage Karam is moving up. Two hours and 40 minutes is a long way, even though this is a sprint race. Porsche runs second and fourth. The slick track here at Laguna Seca has served Porsche well. But it may be harder for the mid-engine factory cars in GTLM. The sand getting on the track, and the heat, could make the track greasy and start to chew up the tires.

Toni Vilander leads from pole in GT Le Mans. The entire top eight cars were covered by 7/10ths of a second in qualifying. Wow. The Ferrari has repaired their damaged Le Mans chassis and they are racing it right here, right now. Giancarlo Fisichella and Toni Vilander are a strong pairing as Vilander holds off the Ford GT with Dirk Mueller at the wheel of it. This track is legendary, with medium to high speed corners. Grip and balance are crucial as you race around the track, dropping through the Corkscrew and continuing to plunge through Rainey curve.

On turbo cars, you will hear this weird buzzing sound. That is not traction control, but it is the anti-lag for the turbocharger. BMW is in with a shout even though they are behind the Ferrari and the Ford's. With Jens Klingman, the team can hear him. He can't hear them. It's not the radio in the car. It's the plug-in radio installed in the helmet. Communication is key in racing, just as it is in anything in life. So, be aware of radio issues, always. The team of Jesse Krohn and Jens Klingman are two great drivers. The #86 Acura NSX GT3 of Oswaldo Negri Jr., he is running well, too. Ricky Taylor, leading the motor race and the championship, he must be very cautious.

The damage on the #48 Lamborghini is a problem. This is too dangerous as Madison Snow can't sede the road. The broken bodywork could have flown off, too. They need a new piece of bodywork. Fuel also goes into the car. No tires. Go on to tires. No left front headlight on the Lamborghini. Will the marshals OK that? It nemains to be seen. Madison Snow is now back on track but he's gone a lap down. The #10 Cadillac of Ricky Taylor, is going for it, and he can fortunately be cautious as he's ballooned his margin in the lead. That being said, he'll have to watch out for his tires.

Christian Fittipaldi and Action Express are playing catch up in the other Cadillac. They tested at Road Atlanta for three days, but still hasn't gotten to grips with the Cadillac as of yet. Jan Magnussen in the #3 Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R- is seventh in the overall right now. Jan Magnussen at the wheel of it. We are 26 minutes into the race. Ooh! A car has spun! That's the #80 Mercedes AMG GT3 with Dan Knox at the controls, spinning. He's got some grip issues. Knox spun, and then, Magnussen purposely missed the apex. Wow. Close shave!

The #28 Alegra Motorsports Porsche of Daniel Morad, is going for it. Patrick Long is co-driving with Morad today. Low grip, sand on the road, tire degradation. Those are what drivers are contending with here at Laguna Seca. The Prototype cars really have to be aware of where thye GT cars are on the road. Joe Campbell, who is one of the track staff at Laguna Seca, said that there will be a repaving of the track in the not too distant future. That incident with Dan Knox saw another Mercedces with Kenny Habul at the controls, making contact. Habul is still out there.

Ooh! Very close between Dirk Mueller and Ben Keating! GTLM vs. GTD. Alexander Sims slams the door in Patrick Pilet's face. Pilet is not done yet, and both Porsche's go through. Misha Goikhberg is pressing on in the #85 JDC Miller Motorsports Prototype.... the banana boat. Some frantic racing here at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. If you are going to earn a championship, you have to do it here, and then, the season finale will be the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in a couple weeks. More details on that race, after this one is done and dusted today.

Toni Vilander leadsGTLM by 12 seconds as we have pit action for Prototypes. Joao Barbosa takes over the #5 Cadillac. Barbosa replaces Christian Fittipaldi. The #5 team is rolling the dice on pit strategy. The #4 Corvette is in the lane. So is the #31 Cadillac. Dane Cameron will take over from Eric Curran. Dane Cameron will race for Acura and Roger Penske next year. Tim Keane is now the strategist for the #31 team. He's been with Ganassi and MSR before. Ford #67 is in the lane with Ryan Briscoe at the controls. Ricky Taylor hands the #10 Cadillac to his brother Jordan. There was passing at pit out, and the marshals will be looking at that and it's legality.

Some definite argy bargy between Sagr Karam in the Lexus and Patrick Lindsey in the #73 Porsche 911 GT3. Marc Goossens is in the lane in the #90 Visit Florida Ligier. Those guys also dealt with the effects of \Hurricane Irma. The #22 Nissan is in the lane. Pippo Derani and Johannes van Overbeek had some issues. Those two will tam up again next year. Porsche #911 also hit the pit lane. Scott Sharp has completed his stint in the #2. The #96 BMW pits and so does Risi Competizione as Giancarlo Fisichella is the driver now in the car.

Dane Cameron will race with Acura and Roger Penske, next year. The #10 Cadillac continues to lead this race. The #10 scored pole by 8/10ths of a second in qualifying. Dirk Werner is now back at the wheel of the #911 Porsche. Joey Hand is at his home track, and he wants a win here. Joey Hand is really pushing at the moment. He has to do two full fuel stints. Don't play Mario Kart into the Andretti hairpin. Uh... no pun intended there, chaps. BMW vs. Lexus in GTD. Robert Alon has taken over the #14 car. Acura #86 in the lane. Oswaldo Negri Jr. hands over to Jeff Segal. They had a slow pit stop.

Negri Jr. is finding his form. He won overall with MSR and their Prototype, last year, here at Laguna Seca. We remember short track NASCAR driver Ted Christopher, who passed away recently. Christopher ran two Rolex 24 at Daytona races. He lost his life in a plane crash. Renger van der Zande is chasing Dane Cameron. Meanwhile, Jordan Taylor continues to lead overall here at Laguna Seca. You have not missed anything at the sharp end of this motor race, folks. Joao Barbosa in the #5 is a great driver behind the wheel at saving fuel and turning quick laps. So is Jordan Taylor. Meanwhile, Renger van der Zande, the Flying Dutchman, wants to go for it. He and his team have their Ligier racer figured out.

Scuderia Corsa has not won a race this year, even though they are at the sharp end. But, they are leading in GT Daytona points. Christina Nielsen and Alessandro Balzan. Meantime, Jeroen Mul is also giving the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 for Change Racing, a good run. Mul is feeling the heat from Oliver Gavin in the GT Le Mans Chevrolet Corvette C-7-R-. The ABS on the GTD cars, give them an advantage, and the GTLM cars have an aerodynamic advantage. The Ford GT's are still running extremely well in GT Le Mans. Some more near contact for Jordan Taylor as he was bumped by the Turner Motorsports BMW. Olivier Pla is now at the wheel of the #52 PR1/Mathiasen car. He is a Ford factory driver, but of course, in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Problems for the #28 Porsche. Patrick Long has pulled off at the exit of turn three. Long slowed down and pulled onto the gravel runoff. Patrick Long said that the car completely died. The gearbox packed up. Game over for Patrick Long and Daniel Morad. Michael Christensen and Michael de Quesada will koin the team at Petit Le Mans. More drama as the ESM car of Ryan Dalziel locks the rear brakes and he was off the road. It's like yanking the E brake in your rental car if you want to drive like a goofball.

More traffic for Jordan Taylor as Joao Barbosa and Dane Cameron are chasing. Renger van der Zande is also back there. Jordan Taylor makes his second pit stop, and the #10 team only needs one more pit stop. WTR has not seen a race win since Detroit, but they could win the championship at the end of this race, and simply by starting Petit Le Mans. The two Acura's continue to run well, but Bill Auberlen is off the road in the #25 BMW M6 GT. He's beached it in the gravel trap, and this could be a full course yellow. Auberlen may have had a loose condition, as had his co-driver Alexander Sims. Ooh. Porsche is pitting, rolling the dice, banking on a yellow. Dirk Wenr remains at the wheel. Ford is also in the lane in GTLM. This is pit strategy. We are under yellow.

Ford #67 and the Porsche did a good deal for themselves while some of their rivals in GTLM out on track will be out in the cold. Pit stop time for the #85 Prototype. We have the safety vheicles scrambled onto the speedway. The #4 Corvette is in the lane for service, having the entire rear diffuser changed. Madison Snow very well could have smashed into the Corvette. There was an oscillation of the rear diffuser, that Oliver Gavin felt. Eventually, it broke in the middle, wore out, and was scooped in the air. So, a fraught race for Corvette today, with at least one of their cars.

We're getting close to only an hour of this race remaining and there could be fuel issues for the blokes at Ford. Wow! THree wide in the race off pit lane! Yikes! Adapt to the strategy. The #3 Corvette C-7-R- is now up to third in class. Wow. We are back racing now. Dane Cameron leads in the #31 Cadillac. Tim Keene has made some good calls today for the Action Express team. WTR is on another level, finding the sweet spot with their particular Cadillac DPi-V.R. It is the collaboration with Dallara, and Action Express will want to do that. The stakes will be higher with Joest and Penske both coming into the picture.

Big story for the #67 Ford. Drive through penalty for incident responsibility, for ramming the BMW when Bill Auberlen went off the road. Deary me. The plot thickens. The #3 Corvette will come out smelling like a rose, maybe at the end of this race. But... we have an hour left. A penalty for Porsche, for working in a closed pit. Stop and hold + a minute. That's a killer. Alessandro Balzan chases Mike Skeen. Meanwhile, John Edwards makes his way past Joey Hand. Hand's tires are knackered and he's in his pit window. But, strategy is a mess for the Ford blokes at the moment. He's hanging on by the skin of his teeth at the present time.

John Edwards still wants to win for BMW at the wheel of the M6 GT before the new M8 GT debuts next year in 2018. Joey Hand is inside the fuel window, and battling with the Porsche. He needs a reset. No grip = bad brakes. Acura #86 makes their final stop of the race. Andy Lally in the #93 Acura NSX is fourth in class in GT Daytona, with the top three in class, covered by the proverbial blanket. CORE Autosport is leading in class for the first time since Daytona. CORE is returning to Prototype with an Oreca LMP2 car next year. Ryan Dalziel and Johannes van Overbeek re-up with ESM and Joest Racing will run the freshened new Mazda RT24-P, next year.

Much success with Porsche and Audi. Now, Joest will race with Mazda. Toni Vilander slides past John Edwards. Ferrari on BMW. The Balance of Performance has been working well for Ferrari. Can Risi win this race? Edwards will push hard as well. Balance of Performance is based on race data. Colin Braun had a birthday on Friday. Ryan Briscoe, Mike Shank, and Will Turner also had birthdays this weekend. Christina Nielsen won't return to Scuderia Corsa. WeatherTech Racing could move to Ferrari in 2018.

Joey Hand is at the tail end of the lead lap despite fresh tires. Ooh! Some definite biff and barge between Renger van der Zande and Joao Barbosa! Yikes! Corvette #3 was in the lane for a splash and dash. The GTD battle is huge right now as the race leading Cadillac #31 is in the lane. Four tires and fuel. By pitting now, maybe Whelen Engineering and Action Express can get to the finish of this motor race. That's still a question mark however. Ooh! Cadillac #10 responds to the #31 stop. They are in championship mode. Cadillac #5 is also in. #5 beats #10 out and the #90 beats both of them out of the lane, as Dane Cameron still leads! Wow!

Olivier Pla now leads Prototype as PR1/Mathiasen leads their home race, briefly. The #52 car pitted and now, Dane Cameron has taken over the overall race lead. The dynamic is interesting, because Dane's father, Ricky Cameron, is the race engineer for the second place Visit Florida Ligier entry. Colin Braun has opened a gap on Jesse Krohn in GT Daytona. Porsche, BMW, Ferrari. Andy Lally in the Acura is fourth. We have just over 35 minutes to run before this race is done and dusted. Some teams in GT Daytona may need to roll the dice, or they will need a splash and dash. There's been some Balance of Performance with the fuel cell size on the GT Daytona racers since the most recent event at Virginia International Raceway.

Toni Vilander is now charging, after a pit stop. This race track is surely a gorgeous one. Mazda gifted veterans with new cars for their Operation Homefront program, yesterday. Will John Edwards or Dirk Werner make it on fuel? We'll see. Olivier Pla spins at The Corkscrew. He spun all on his own, carrying speed. He has the fastest lap of the race at 1:17.9. PR1/Mathiasen needs a break. The GTLM battle is heating up. Richard Westbrook wants by Antonio Garcia. They co-drove together with Troy Flis and Visit Florida, just a few years ago. Jeroen Mul is back at the wheel of the Change Racing Lamborghini after Corey Lewis did his stint.

At BMW RLL, their fuel siutation may be a bit iffy. John Edwards will have to coast a bit. But, Dirk Werner is closing in. The Porsche is pushing. Traffic is hurting John Edwards right now. Dirk Werner is on a charge. He was a longtime BMW driver before switching to Porsche. The battle is heating up, big time here at Laguna Seca as we reach the conclusion of this motor race. We have had just one yellow, and only one retirement from this race. Antonio Garcia and Richard Westbrook battle for GT Le Mans. Westbrook will keep digging for the championship. Westbrook was a part-time endurance driver for Corvette in the old IMSA days when there were still two sports car championships rivaling each other, before the 2013-2014 merger.

A fan named Chuck Baird, he ran races here, and has attended events for all six decades of this race. He's only missed one race here. The volunteers who marshal, they make these races what they are and are able to happen. Wow. We have less than 15 minutes to go as Dane Cameron runs very wide running around a slower Porsche in the Cokscrew! Oh deary me! The tires are knackered by now, too. Renger van der Zande is ready to pounce. Regroup. This is going to be wild. Stephen Simpson is running after Jordan Taylor for fourth place.

Dane Cameron stuffs it inside the Mercedes AMG GT3 of Tristan Vautier. Renger van der Zande won't have corner launch, but may have straightaway speed over Dane Cameron in the Cadillac. Cameron has a ton of traffic headed for the Corkscrew! Wow! Toni Vilander is chasing Dirk Werner in GT Le Mans. John Edwards and the leader in GT Daytona, only hope the leaders don't have to do an extra lap. Turner BMW, in the lane for aplash and dash. Wow. Dane Cameron wants his second win of the season after also winning at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park.

Time is of the essence. Some loose bodywork on Cameron's Cadillac. The #33 Mercedes AMG GT3 of Jeroen Bleekemolen had to take a splash and dash. There is a split in the rear deck of the #31. The #54 CORE Autosport Porsche will have to pit, giving the lead in GT Daytona to Scuderia Corsa and their Ferrari 488 GT3. Just three and a half minutes to go. The battle up front gets wilder. Renger van der Zande in the Ligier is going for it. This is going to be crazy!

This is a humdinger of a battle and here it is as van der Zande forces the issues inthe Corkscrew. Into turn eleven, van der Zande is ahead with traffic to contend with. Two laps to go. van der Zande slid down the inside. Shades of Bryan Herta and Alex Zanardi in Champ Car here at Laguna Seca in 1996. Visit Florida has won here twice before. The Risi Ferrari goes to second passing the factory Porsche of Dirk Werner. White flag. Visit Florida had flooded shops after the hurricane. The Turner BMW nearly blocked Renger vanh der Zande. He ran with Starworks and Peter Baron in the old Prototype Challenge class.

Through Rainey curve. One corner to go. Renger van der Zande and Visit Florida win it! Marc Goossens, Renger van der Zande are winners! In GTLM, Edwards and BMW win in a drag race over Vilander and Ferrari! In GT Daytona, it will be a victory for Ferrari on the 60th anniversary of a Ferrari winning the first ever sports car race here at Laguna Seca. Alessandro Balzan and Christina Nielsen win GT Daytona!

So, your overall and class winners at Laguna Seca are:

Overall/Prototype: #90 Goossens/van der Zande Ligier JS P2 Gibson

GT Le Mans: #24 Edwards/Tomczyk BMW M6 GT

GT Daytona: #63 Nielsen/Balzan Ferrari 488 GTE

What a race at Laguna Seca in the America's Tire 250! ...And then, there was one. It's the finale of the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, and the finale of the Tequila Patron North American Endurance Cup, the ten hour Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in the red clay hills of Braselton, Georgia, an Atlanta suburb, coming up in two weeks.

Saturday, September 23, 2017

Saturday action from Laguna Seca

Here's what went down on Saturday in final practice, and qualifying for the America's Tire 250 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, tomorrow.

Taylor Quickest Again in Practice 3
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/taylor-quickest-again-in-practice-3/

Risi Scores First GTLM Pole in Three Years in Monterey
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/vilander-puts-risi-ferrari-on-pole-in-monterey/

Taylor Takes Monterey Pole
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/taylor-takes-monterey-pole/

VIDEO: Monterey Qualifying Replay
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-monterey-qualifying-replay/

Monterey Saturday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/monterey-saturday-notebook-3/

VIDEO: A Lap of MRLS with Bryan Sellers
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-a-lap-of-monterey-with-bryan-sellers/

Nielsen to leave Scuderia Corsa

Reigning IMSA GT Daytona champion Christina Nielsen will be parting ways with her title-winning Scuderia Corsa team at the end of the season. The Dane, a revelation in the Pro-Am No. 63 Ferrari 488 GTE she shares with Alessandro Balzan, is leaving on good terms with the Los Angeles-based outfit.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/144433-nielsen-to-leave-scuderia-corsa

Friday, September 22, 2017

Friday IMSA news from Laguna Seca

News on Friday, including the beginning of the IMSA "silly season" for 2018, with speculation of drivers ending up at new teams, or perhaps staying where they are.

Monterey Thursday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/monterey-thursday-notebook-4/

Sharp Expecting Strong Showing from LMP2 Cars
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/sharp-expecting-strong-showing-from-lmp2-cars/

DAGYS: IMSA's Silly Season in Full Swing
http://sportscar365.com/features/commentary/dagys-imsas-silly-season-in-full-swing/

Taylor Quickest in Opening Practice at Monterey
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/taylor-tops-opening-practice-at-monterey/

Negri Comes Full Circle at Monterey
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/negri-comes-full-circle-at-monterey-future-unclear/

Dalziel Tops Friday at Monterey
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/dalziel-tops-friday-at-monterey/

Monterey Friday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/monterey-friday-notebook-5/

FIA WEC Super Season dates confirmed

Like it or not, the FIA World Endurance Championship's new "super season" will take place. On Thursday, in Paris, FIA President Jean Todt confirmed the entire schedule. Prescott Motorsport, has the schedule, and it's details. Follow the link, to see it.

http://www.prescottmotorsport.co.uk/single-post/2017/09/21/FIA-WEC-Super-Season-dates-confirmed

Thursday, September 21, 2017

IMSA Throwback: 2009 Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

Relive the exciting GT2 battle between Joerg Bergmeister and Jan Magnussen headed into the final laps of the 2009 ALMS race at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Brian Till, Dorsey Schroeder, and Jamie Howe, call the action. Gil de Ferran wins his final career race before retiring, but watch out for the humdinger of a battle in the GT2 class! Jan Magnussen loosens up Jorg Bergmeister, but Bergmeister does not take it sitting down, and absolutely obliterates Magnussen who spins violently, and careers, smash!, into the tire wall!

The State Of Play In LMP1

Where we are on the future of LMP1 since the Mexico announcements.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/09/21/the-state-of-play-in-lmp1.html

BREAKING NEWS: IMSA Names Michelin Official Tire Beginning In 2019

The International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) today announced that Michelin will become the “Official Tire of IMSA” in its premier series – the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and its two major Challenge series – beginning in 2019.

https://www.imsa.com/news/092017/imsa-names-michelin-official-tire-beginning-2019

loads of IMSA news heading to Laguna Seca this weekend

Castroneves enjoys first Acura test

Team Penske's Helio Castroneves went straight from Sunday's IndyCar championship showdown in California to the Sebring circuit in Florida to get his first taste of the Acura ARX-05 DPi. By all accounts, the three-time Indy 500 winner loved the experience.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/144356-castroneves-enjoys-first-acura-test

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Continental Tire to Exit IMSA at End of 2018 Season

In an official announcement from the company's website, Continental Tire has said they will exit the IMSA championship, at the end of the 2018 season.

http://www.continentaltire.com/news/continental-tire-exit-imsa-end-2018-season

Penske Acura DPi Testing at Sebring

Some short videos have surfaced of the new for 2018 Penske Acura DPi racer, testing at Sebring. Check it out.

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Pirelli World Challenge at Sonoma Raceway & 2017 PWC Champion

Monday, September 18, 2017

Bonus Post: WEC to run '1500 Miles of Sebring'

Bonus post for your Monday.

The 2019 FIA WEC Sebring race, set for its first running in March 2019 as part of the transitional ‘Super Season’ is to be known as the ‘1500 Miles of Sebring’.

http://www.dailysportscar.com/2017/09/18/wec-to-run-1500-miles-of-sebring.html

In Brief: Wrapping up the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas (Part 2)

A couple more brief post-race headlines after last Saturday's thrilling FIA World Endurance Championship swansong at Circuit of the Americas, before the U.S. round of the championship moves to Sebring International Raceway during the 2018-2019 "super season". Plus, there are plenty of general headlines to talk about.

Nair (Ford): Common Prototype Regs the "Obvious Opportunity"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nair-ford-common-prototype-regs-the-obvious-opportunity/

COTA Post-Race Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/cota-post-race-notebook/

ORECA Eyeing LMP1 Project for 2018; Seeking Regulations Clarity

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/oreca-eyeing-lmp1-project-for-2018-seeking-clarity-on-regulations/

Could Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso, make his Le Mans debut in 2018?

Alonso Hints at Le Mans Debut: "Many Possibilities" for 2018
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/alonso-hints-at-2018-24h-le-mans-interest/

Sunday, September 17, 2017

In Brief: Wrapping Up the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas (Part 1)

There will be a part two to this wrap up of the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas that was run yesterday, and blogged right here, for you to read. But, here is part one, summarizing the gist of the race.

Pier Guidi, Calado Become First Repeat GTE-Pro Winners of Season

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/pier-guidi-calado-become-first-repeat-gte-pro-winners-of-season/

Porsche Wins Again in 6H COTA
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-wins-again-in-6h-cota/

VIDEO: COTA Race Highlights
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-cota-race-highlights/

Plenty more to come in part two. Stay tuned.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas: Hour 6 (the finish)

Sebastien Buemi and Kamui Kobayashi run third and fourth for Toyota. Olivier Pla is last in LM GTE Pro after serving his penalty we talked about at the end of the previous hour. This track changes a lot during the course of a race. The tire compounds also affect the balance of the car. We're now inside the final hour, as we make the run to the checkered flag. G-Drive may retire their LMP2 car and they have had a litany of problems with their engine today. We've had two retirements in this race and could have a third before the checkered flag falls. Pedro Lamy and Marvin Dienst are 1-2 in LM GTE Am right now. Toyota is set for any scenario they may encounter. Sebastien Buemi will wait for a couple laps to see what he'll do.

Marvin Dienst has some smoke coming out of the wheel arch of the car. The left rear tire could be coming loose. Something is askew on that car. The team has to call "box, box, box" because of this. Ford #66's team manager has been called to the stewards office because of something beyond the penalty the team served. Andre Negrao is pitting the Alpine #36. Gustavo Menezes will finish the race. Bruno Senna is pressing hard second in class. Nelson Piquet Jr. and others have already pitted in LMP2. Senna, Menezes, Piquet, the top three. Ooh! One of the Toyota's, the #8, runs wide! The mechanics look on.

Toyota was alnost a second off the pace in qualifying yesterday. Will the race lap distance record be broken? They've run anywhere from 185-187 laps in this race over the last three years. Aston Martin #98 pits. Kazuki Nakajima takes over from Sebastien Buemi in Toyota #8. Just over a half an hour left in this race. Toyota #7 pits for the final time. Toyota could have a shot at the Porsche's. Kamui Kobayashi stays in the car. Porsche #2 is in the lane. Fuel only. Porsche #2 may have an advantage over the Toyota.

Porsche runs 1-2, Toyota runs 3-4. The die is cast for a straight fight within the last half hour of this contest. Nick Tandy is in the lane for his stop. 44 second stop for Bamber. For Tandy, what will it be? Nick Tandy is going to be in the lead of this motor race over Earl Bamber. Porsche will decide among themselves who will win this final WEC race at COTA. Car #37 is making it's final stop and Alex Brundle will bring the car home. There's lots of stone damage to these windshields and the bloke who supplies them couldn't be in Texas this weekend. The #77 Porsche is slowing. He's got smoke and a loose condition. Maybe it is oil smoke. Porsche #92 is in the lane. Ferrari goes back to the GTE Pro lead.

Incident involving the #7 Toyota and the #24 Manor, from 25-35 laps ago. There is a backlog of track limits incidents. Pier Guidi is in the LM GTE Pro lead, but they may have a problem with the car. The Dempsey Proton Porsche 911 RSR is now in the garage. Nico Prost is closing on Nelson Piquet Jr. for Rebellion in LMP2. Again, shades of their fathers racing in Formula 1. The camera shows how steep it is up the hill to turn one and plunging back downhill on exit. Ford #67 passes Matt Griffin in the #61 Clearwater Racing Ferrari. Just 20 minutes remain in this final FIA WEC race at Circuit of the Americas. So, enjoy what is left.

Sam Bird is holding on by the skin of his teeth and here comes Micharel Christensen into second. Bird comes back around the inside. Christensen makes the pass! Wow! It ain't over yet. The GTE Pro points margins will be very close. In LMP2, the battle is stable, but in LM GTE Pro, it's still Bird vs. Christensen. Gustavo Menezes leads Nelson Piquet Jr. by six seconds. Nico Prost is being chased by Thomas Laurent. Just sixteen minutes to go. Can Neel Jani, Andre Lotterer, and Nick Tandy, get their first win of 2017? We are three laps shy of tying the record for most laps run in a race here at COTA.

Signatech has to repair a light. They have to finish with a broken light and take a penalty, which the stewards have not negotiated yet. Maybe they'll be excluded if they fail post race scrutineering. Final pit stop coming for the #51. Oh no! A left front tire puncture for the #51! He's almost been wrecked by the Signatech car! Wow! That was close! The #51 Ferrari will lose the lead. Michael Christensenn will take over the LM GTE Pro lead. Wow! Unreal!. New rear end going on the Signatech Alpine entry. They're good to go. Alessandro Pier Guidi will hold the lead. The Ferrari beats Christensen out, but here comes Christensen!

Alessandro Pier Guidi will be holding on for dear life! This is going to be so close! The Toyota was inside Christensen. Wow. This is going to be a really close finish. There's been very little contact, but maybe there was debris that cut the tire. Right behind Signatech, there's a battle between Thomas Laurent and Nico Prost. Alex Brundle, excuse me, having a lap put on him. Earl Bamber is catching Nick Tandy! Corredction. Bamber is being chased by Tandy!

Is that a change of lead? Yes. It is! Earl Bamber has sailed off into the lead. Could Porsche #2 win it's fourth race of the year? No team orders at Porsche. The lead has stretched to 2.5 seconds in LM GTE Pro. Alessandro Pier Guidi is easing ahead of Michael Christensen. Sam Bird is flying. Porsche's run 1-2, 1.1 seconds apart. Aston Martin will win LM GTE Am. Same car, same team. The same car and the same number as well, that won last year. This has been a humdinger of a race the whole time.

Ooh! Menezes has to go off the road to pass a couple GT cars in corner nine! Toyota made a real race out of this after being on the back foot in qualifying. This is the final lap. Lap 192. 653 miles. It will be a fourth straight win for Earl Bamber,Brendon Hartley, and Timo Bernhard. LMP2 honors go the way of Gustavo Menezes, Nicolas Lapierre, and Andre Negrao. Ferrari wins LM GTE Pro with James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi. Aston Martin and their drivers in car #98, Paul Dalla Lana, Pedro Lamy, and Mathias Lauda win LM GTE Am.

Overall/LMP1: #2 Bamber/Hartley/Bernhard     Porsche 919 Hybrid

             LMP2: #36 Menezes/Lapierre/Negrao    Alpine A470 Gibson

             LM GTE Pro: #51 Calado/Pier Guidi      Ferrari 488 GTE

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

Next up, for the FIA WEC, is the 6 Hours of Fuji, at Fuji Speedway in Fuji, Japan, in a month.

6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas: Hour 5

Porsche #1 and Signatech could be repeat winners here in Texas. Paul Dalla Lana and Pedro Lamy could also possibly win again in LM GTE Am. Sam Bird flies past Stefan Mucke. Ferrari > Ford at this stage. Stefan Mucke has been struggling with his tires and Harry Tincknell went through that earlier. Tincknell is now back at the controls of Ford #67. James Calado leads in LM GTE Pro by nine seconds over Kevin Estre. Daniel Serra is fourth. Again, his father, Chico Serra, was also a racing driver, in Formula 1 specifically. Sam Bird has now made a pass and has gone by the Aston Martin. Bird is fourth in class. Darren Turner will take over the Aston Martin from Daniel Serra very soon.

Ferrari on Michelin tires, and Dunlop tires on the Aston Martin. Ford has not had a podium since Le Mans. Stefan Mucke has the #66 Ford sixth in class. The GT cars have a lot of responsibility. They are so busy, that it is still hard to tell an LMP car is coming up. Fred Makowiecki in Porsche #91 is getting another penalty. With two hours to go, it will be hard for Porsche to get back in the game in LM GTE Pro. Aston Martin #97 is in the lane and Darren Turner has taken over the car from Daniel Serra. Has Daniel Serra come to the end of his driving time? Maybe. It is a maximum 80 minute drive time, because if you go over it, the driver will be disqualified. Fuel also makes a huge difference.

Drive through penalty for Makowiecki because of excessive wheel spin. So, he'll have two drive through penalties. You can't spin the wheels in the lane, for safety reasons. It's less important here at COTA, but is much trickier at a place like Le Mans. A penalty like that would have stopped Johnny Herbert and company from winning with Mazda in 1991. Back in the day, there were no pit lane speed limits. Aston Martin #98 has pitted. Christian Ried will take the lead in LM GTE Am. Kazuki Nakajima is shown the black and white flag, for his final warning on track limits. That's when your wife asks, "are you going out with the boys again tonight?" and you say, "no, dear. I'm not."

Christian Ried hands the #77 car over to Matteo Cairoli. Watch out for tire pickup. David Heinemier Hanson vs. Thomas Laurent in LMP2. Marvinn Dienst is now in the #77 Porsche. Heinemeier Hanson goes by. He is a racing driver, but also a businessman. A wonderful battle in LMP2. Kevin Estre in the lane and so is the #91 with Richard Lietz taking over. The #61 Clearwater Racing Ferrari is in with Weng Sun Mok at the wheel. They had a horrid race in Mexico, a fortnight ago. Sam Bird and Alessandro Pier Guidi lead l,M GTE Pro for Ferrari.

Nico Lapierre leads LMP2. Pedro Lamy taks the lead in LM GTE Am. Andre Negrao taks over car #36 and #38 pits as well. Bruno Senna will take over the #31 Rebellion. Andre Lotterer still leads. TDS is in the lane. Rear tires only for Oliver Jarvis. Toyota in pit lane. Jose Maria Lopez is getting new tires. That's the #7 car, accelerating away on electrical energy and then hitting the internal combustion engine while Brendon Hartley brings Porsche #2 to the pits. Hartley hands the car to his fellow Kiwi Earl Bamber. We have an hour and 15 minutes left in this race.

Andre Lotterer almost spins! Wow! Lopez tagged him in the left rear. No punctured tires. Porsche #2 into the lane to survey the damage. #1, excuse me. This is just a precautionary situation Fuel and tires. The stewards will examine that incident. Now the lead battle is between the two Porsche's. Nick Tandy in the #1, and now, Earl Bamber in #2. We're coming down to the nitty gritty in this race with just an hour left to go in another eight minutes.

Alpine #36 leads LMP2. Moments ago Tandy ran wide, and handed Earl Bamber the lead. All the LMP2 cars are the same, built by Oreca in France. Sam Bird and AF Corse still lead LM GTE Pro. Alessandro Pier Guidi in the sister car is second in class. Michael Christensen in the Porsche #92 is next as we run out the entire field in LM GTE Pro. Ford #66 gets a penalty. One minute penalty for the #66 Ford for pitting while the pit entry light was still on, according to Race Director Edoardo Freitas.

Pit stop infringements can add up. Little, basic things, have to go right, otherwise you'll be penalized. That will alter the championship table a little bit at least in LM GTE Pro. Sam Bird is in. Bird stays in the car. They will back time a splash and dash for Davide Rigon to take the car home.

6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas: Hour 4

We are behind the safety car now. The repairs to the wall are nearly complete and the safety car picks up the whole field. The safety car is pointing the GTE cars by. We are back to the green flag. The lead quartet continues in the order they were in previously. Meanwhile., Kevin Estre has passed Niki Thiim, and Estre is reeling in Davide Rigon. Alex Lynn and Ho Pin Tung battle in LMP2. This is some confusion for the TV director. Ooh! Estre flies around the outside for second in LM GTE Pro! Sam Bird, Rigon's co-driver, does not like what he sees. David Cheng is second in LMP2, followed by Nico Prost and Nelson Piquet Jr. We have a Prost, a Piquet, and a Senna, in this race. David Cheng tries to hold his spot, but gives it up.

Toyota is going to be struggling to get life back into their tires. Neel Jani is pulling away, but Timo Bernhard can't get by the two Toyota's. He has to get on terms with the red and white cars. We're now working lap 103, 350 miles into this event. David Cheng and others are scrapping ijn LMP2, but the G-Drive machine may be losing some steam. Alex Lynn is trying to claw his way back. G-Drive has a speed deficit compared to the other LMP2 cars. Kevin Estre is being caught by James Calado at the moment. This is wild. Gustavo Menezes in one of the Alpine's is flying, but that is probably because of new tires. There are only 16 tires for the whole weekend. So you have to double stint them at some point.

Neel Jani is leading Sebastien Buemi. Ford had wheel nut issues with #67, and the sister car #66 is going slowly now, it looks like. Pit stop time for #37. David Cheng steps out and completes his drive time. Davide Rigon still leads Kevin Estre and James Calado. Porsche are doing a strong job. They were at the back and have gone to the front in LM GTE Pro. Ford has done the opposite and has gone backwards after starting on pole. Daniel Serra is in the #97 Aston Martin. Davide Rigon has gone through the pit lane for some reason.

Again, this is the final WEC race at Circuit of the Americas. Next year, the U.S. round of the FIA WEC will be at Sebring International Raceway in central Florida, a legendary track that we all know from the 12 Hours of Sebring every March. Porsche #1 has not won a race yet this year. Stay within the white lines, but don't look in your mirrors. There will be a drive through penalty for one of the GT drivers it appears. The GTE Pro battle for the lead is heating up. Rigon vs. Estre vs. Calado. Davide Rigon is going to get eaten up by the Porsche and perhaps by it's sister car.

Porsche inside for the chicane, and yes, Estre makes it stick. Calado can catch Rigon. Rigon has tires that are fading. There's a split strategy for Ferrari, but the hard tire isn't working. Calado will try to carch Estre, but Estre might be in another zip code very soon. The Porsche team has race pace they did not show in qualifying. Pit stop for Fred Makowiecki and car #91 under investigation by the stewards. Makowiecki is second in the championship, and the leader is last in the running order in class. So, the points are taking a turn.

If Rigon wins, he'll gain the lead of the championship. If he does not win, he will not gain the points lead. James Calado is all over Kevin Estre like a rash. Wow. Paul Dalla Lana is told to respect track limits and so is Andy Priaulx in the #67 Ford GT. There's been a fair spread of teams leading in LM GTE Pro, save for the Ford blokes. The temperature is rising at 93 degrees Fahrenheit. James Calado slides past Esttre and he tries to go through, but no. Make one decisive move, and don't show off, moving side to side. Paul Dalla Lana gets squeezed by the Rebellion's, Ho Pin Tung, and Matthieu Vaxiviere! Holy cow!

Signatech Alpine and Gustavo Menezes, are increasing a lead in LMP2. At any moment, all of the LMP2 cars will hit the pit lane. Drive through penalty for Makowiecki for constant track limits abuse. Niki Thiim goes ahead of Davide Rigon. The pit lane will be busy soon. Menezes and Prost stay out. Ben Hanley and others are flying. Nelson Piquet Jr. gets out of thr Rebellion. Menezes is leading Nico Prost. Toyota #8 in the lane. Sebastien Buemi is out of the car and Kazuki Nakajima takes over. They've leapfrogged Stephane Sarrazin.

Porsche needs to double stint their super hard tires. Menezes in the lane, does a very quick in lap. So, the order shuffles, due to the pit action. Fuel only for Menezes. It was tires for Menezes. Nicolas Lapierre is now in the Signatech car. G-Drive is doing a driver change and also taking the tail section off. There could be damage or downforce loss. Rebellion #31 has a burnt left rear taillight. Pierre Thiriet is in the #26 car. Aston Martin vs. Ford in LM GTE Pro. Timo Bernhard pits the #2 Porsche 919 from second. Bernhard is out of the car. Brendon Hartley takes over.

Car #2 has been running 31 lap stints. The hybrid energy can be used on this track very well to achieve performance without wasting fuel. Nico Prost has run out of gas, and has no choice but to pit. Neel Jani will bring in Porsche #1. Box this lap. Driver change. Andre Lotterer will get into Porsche #1, 32 laps on that stint, with a safety car. You've used half the fuel you'd normally use. The top runners in both LMP1 and LMP2 have completed their pit stops.

We are down to about two hours remaining in this one, ladies and gentlemen. Ferrari is in the lane. The Aston Martin flies by. Pit stop time for #71 and they are down and away. They have to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Stephane Sarrazin looks on along with Toyota Technical Director, Pascal Vasselon. Kazuki Nakajima is faster than the Porsche's running a 1:49 flat.

6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas: Hour 3

Hour three in Texas. We are closing in on the halfway mark in this exciting motor race, ladies and gentlemen. Jackie Chan DC Racing car #37 is in the lane. We also see the Manor in the lane. Richard Lietz in Potsche #91 is fifth in LM GTE Pro. We've seen Ferrari leading LM GTE Pro throighout the day. The humidity is another issue compared to the temperature. All the cars are closed. So there's heat soak in the car, because w do not race open cockpit cars anymore in sports car racing. Stephane Sarrazin seems to be closing up. The Toyota's are finding more speed right now. Oliver Jarvis anticipates getting back behind the wheel of the #38 car after Thomas Laurent finishes his stint.

The Manor crew were up all night working on their electronics. The bug is still there, according to team boss Graeme Loudon. There's also an issue with the timing beacon power supply, so the FIA cannot read the car on timing and scoring. To add more woes, there's now a suspension problem. Poor old Manor's race is going pear shaped more and more. We saw this years ago with Darren Turner breaking awhole suspension system by hitting the sleeping policeman. Niki Thiim has taken over Aston Masrtin #95. Ben Barker brings the Gulf Porsche #86 into the lane too. Kevin Estre battles Niki Thiim. Ferrari in the lane with Sam Bird handing over to Davide Rigon. It is getting hotter as we continue.

The 80 minute limitation of drive time may be applied. The Porsche is bearing down on the Aston Martin. This is the battle for third in LM GTE Pro. Poor Harry Tincknell has dropped the Ford GT to sixth in class. The Ford's are nowhere to be seen right now. Toyota #8 whistles by this battle as Sarrazin is 17 seconds behind, despite being on fresher tires. Mike Wainwright is now back in the #86 Porsche, all over Miguel Molina in the #54 Spirit of Race Ferrari 488, which was leading in the class earlier in this contest. Correction, #54 may be a 458. Nicolas Lapierre is giving the Signatech Alpine a good run. Be careful at the end of your stint. You are hot and sweaty after you get out of the car.

But don't be in a hurry to get into the air conditioning, because you can get a chill. Put your hands and feet in ice cold water if you are a driver cooling off after your stint. Turn 12 has not been a problem for track limits. But turn 19 has been calamity corner, somewhat, today. Kamui Kobayashi has now caught Stephane Sarrazin. How will this scrap materialize? Oliver Jarvis, Ho Pin Tung, and Thomas Laurent are running well in LMP2. The LMP2 machines are taking a beating on the bumps here at COTA.

AF Corse had problems in Mexico having to reset the car and do the old Control, Alt, Delete. Kevin Estre, meanwhile, is reeling in the Aston Martin with Niki Thiim at the wheel of it. Check that, Marco Sorensen could be in the car. Bruno Senna is closing on Romain Rusinov in the LMP2 battle. Rusinov has to give away as little time in his stint as possible. It depends entirely on your pit stop strategy. We've seen black and white flags, the final public warning, about track limits. If you go off again, you have to drive through the pit lane, heading for the sin bin, at least temporarily. Through turn 11 in the hairpin, shift down to second gear.

That will also make it easier for the tires. Think about how you apply the power, where you put the energy into the tire, and how you brake into the corner. Drivers have to calculate the energy and temperature of the tire and you can't gambol into the corner playfully, like a leaping child. The LMP1 battle continues. Nick Tandy leads, with the sister Porsche and the Toyota's. Kobayashi ran a 1:49.2, and Bamber ran a 1:52.4. He's way down when he gets into traffic. Bamber can't get on terms with the Toyota.

Tandy is fastest of all, going purple in the first sector. This Porsche and Toyota battle was missing in Mexico, but, th switch has been turned on again, here in Texas. This race may well become a classic. The Potsche/Toyota battle is hotting up. The tires may tell, or the fuel strategy, who will win this thing. Kamui Kobayashi reels in Earl Bamber. When Toyota was doing a long run, they were ten seconds behind Porsche. The gapo has stretched back out to 21 seconds among the top four. Nicolas Lapierre races David Cheng in LMP2. A sketchy moment for Kobayashi, but he makes it through.

We steadily approach halfway in the sixth race of the FIA WEC in 2017. The luck quotient at Ferrari has ebbed and flowed. James Calado seems very comfortable in the car, as Kamui Kobayashi is pushing hard. Here he comes, and he could catch the #2 Porsche of Bamber, and does so. Bamber tries the cutback underneath, but no dice. Yikes! Bamber is pushing againm down the isnide, and here comes Kobauashi! What is this race? A Formula Ford dash for cash? Yikes! Slow down boys, we are in an endurance race!

Earl Bamber can now try to move ahead of the Toyota. Sebastien Buemi and Mike Conway will take over their respective cars as Toyota will hit the pit lane. Will Earl Bamber pit as well? We'll see. Ooh! Duck underneath the Ferrari, and go through this triple apex turn 16. Yikes! Big slide for Kobayashi in the turbulence through turn 19! Bamber and Kobayashi stay out. We are now 90 laps (306 miles). #8 is in. Sebastien Buemi will get into the car. Buemi is back into the race now.

Kobauashi almost runs into Earl Bamber as there's pit stops for both these casrs. The Toyota's have been separated in their strategy. Are Toyota deadly serious about winning? We now have the #2 Porsche in the lane. Car #1 is coming in soon. Mathias Beche is catching Jean Eric Vergne while also disposing of Oliver Jarvis. Nick Tandy in the lane, now. Full service, and a driver change. Neel Jani will now get into Porsche 919 #1. There will be a fresh set of tires as well. Good stop, and Jani is back on track, right on the button. Kobayashi had some harrowing moments in his stint.

We approach the halfway mark in this race. Michal Wainwright has spiun off the road, hitting the gravel trap. This is scary. Two incidents. The second one, as Wainwright spins... crunch!, into the tires. Estre wants by Niki Thiim, but Thiim continues to hold on to the lead in LM GTE Pro. Porsche changed the engine very quickly in Free Practice 1. Wainwright is in the lane and his rear wing is surely askew. Wainwright clips the curb, spins, and flies across the gravel. Then, he had the other shunt. Ooh! The LMP2 second place runner, Bruno Senna, squeezes between a couple GTE cars. Black and white flag for Fred Makowiecki.

Ho Pin Tung is now back in the #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing LMP2 car. G-Drive car #26 is in the lane. Softer tires work later in the day when it cools off. Harder tires work in the heat. But, it's partially gut instinct. The hard tire is why the Ford's have not been racing to their full potential today. Bruno Senna leads LMP2 right now as the race continues. Temperatures have climbed to 92 degrees Fahrenheit.

6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas Hours 1 & 2

We are underway at Circuit of the Americas, joining in with the race, after a Bundesliga soccer match. Let's get you caught up on the highlights. Toyota, leads hour one of the 6 Hours of Circuit of the Americas.

Toyota Leads 6H COTA After Opening Hour
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-leads-6h-cota-after-opening-hour/

So, we will see where we go from here, as you join us for live coverage. Again, we are an hour and an half in. At the start, Porsche team dominated in qualifying to start 1-2. Porsche #1 took the lead ahead of the sister car and here come the Toyota's as it was a four wide battle in LMP2 with Matthieu Vaxiviere and Oliver Jarvis. In GTE Pro, Porsche ended up passing the pole sitting Ford GT's. Aston Martin led for a while as well as Toyota's scrapped with each other with the Porsche #2 getting a look in. Paul Dalla Lana got spun by Keita Sawa. Jams Calado passed Niki Thiim and Davide Rigon wanted by but no.

Porsche #1 pitted for new tires and the Toyota's didn't need tires. So they came to the lead. At the end of the hour, Ford and Andy Priaulx lead GTE Pro. Toyota #8 leads. We're an hour and a half in with Toyota leading Porsche. Let's go live to the circuit with four hours and 25 minutes to go. Porsche $2 is really pushing. Ooh! This is wild. Toyota #8 runs over debris. Andre Lotterer vs. Jose Maria Lopez! Yikes! Rubbing is racing!

Brendon Hartley is catching these chaps hand over fist! Nakajima can't override his cruise and coast. The #7 car can. Lopez is blocking Hartley for third place. Hartley is flying right now. But Jose Maria Lopez is struggling with tire grip in the Toyota. We've run 52 laps (177 miles). Lotterer is pulling ahead by 2.5 seconds. David Heinemeier Hanson and Alex Lhynn pushing each other in LMP2 now, is another good battle on the track.

Alex Lynn continues to give pressure to Heinemier Hanson. Lynn is by and now, he will set his sights on Alex Lynn. Don't cut short your second stint. Alessandro Pier Guidi and Sam Bird are scrapping in the two AF Corse Ferrari's leading in LM GTE Pro. Sam Bird might just try to pull off a pass. James Caldo, Bird's co-driver looks on. Kazuki Nakajima is at the wheel of the Toyota. We have four hours still remaining, well, just over four hours.

Brendon Hartley runs a 1:48.012, and Andre Lotterer, a 1:49.000. Cooling is a huge deal because it is so hot here in Texas. The gentleman drivers are going to struggle with this. Pit stops begin. Vitaly Petrov has problems with his telemetry in the Manor LMP2 car. He ran slowly into the lane. The car had a wiring change and now, has more electrical problems. Petrov is still in the car. They are working on the underside of the nose of the car, and also, the rear. Game over. Aston Martin and Porsche race in LM GTE Am. Manor spent all night last night, taking the iwiring loom apart.

The telemetry packed up. Kazuki Nakajima leads by six seconds over Andre Lotterer. Brendon Hartley is a second and a half adrift, but has just set thefastest time in sector one on the course. On the inside of the curbs, you have sleeping policemen that could damage the car. Hartley is in the lane for a pit stop. Earl Bamber will take overnth car, and there will be no tire change. n They have to try and take the lead. They have to double stint extra hard tires.

Porsche split their strategy while Toyota pitted both cars a little earlier on. Toyota is in from P1. Kazuki Nakajima has been out for 30 laps. Jos Maria Lopez will actually come in as well. Driver change for both cars. Fuel going in. Will both cars have tires? There will be tires for #7 and #8 as the mechanic wiggles through the tiny window/door to help thedriver. Stephane Sarrazin is now in the #8 Toyota. Practicing driver changes is very important. Porsche #1 pitted. Nick Tandy takes over the car. No tires changes. Just a driver change and refueling. Porsche #1 leads it's sister car, and the two Toyota's.

Now is the time for Toyota to push, push, push. Nico Prost in the Rebellion is doing his best to keep Alex Lynn at bay in LMP2. Prost passes the G-Drive car. No response by Prost to Lynn. Thankfully, no argy bargy. How ironic a Prost and a Senna are team mates. Not the way it was with their fathers, who were deeply seeded rivals in Formula 1. Alex Burndle is being harried by Andre Negrao. Negrao on the outside. These two are pressing hard as well. Brundle's tires are toasted. He does not have the grip. It's warm in Austin, Texas, with tires in the mid to upper 80s. First two hours done and dusted. Stay tuned for more.

pre-race news from Circuit of the Americas

The FIA WEC race from Circuit of the Americas, starts shortly, in less than an hour. We will pick up the action, when the TV broadcast starts at 1:30 P.M. and take you through the balance of the race, including the highlights of the first hour and a half. Here's some pre-race news. See you soon, for all the action.

COTA Friday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/cota-friday-notebook-4/

VIDEO: A Lap of COTA in No. 67 Ford
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-a-lap-of-cota-in-no-67-ford/

Ujhasi (Porsche): Tire Longevity to be "Biggest Challenge" in COTA Heat

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/ujhasi-porsche-tire-degradation-to-be-biggest-challenge-in-cota-heat/

Nair (Ford): Common Prototype Regs the "Obvious Opportunity"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nair-ford-common-prototype-regs-the-obvious-opportunity/

See you shortly, for the race.

Friday, September 15, 2017

Friday news from Circuit of the Americas

All the action on Friday from Circuit of the Americas, leading up to tomorrow's final FIA World Endurance Championship race at the venue.

COTA Thursday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/cota-thursday-notebook-5/

Toyota Bounces Back, Buemi Quickest in FP3
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-bounces-back-buemi-quickest-in-fp3/

Silverstone Confirmed for 2018/19; Fuji Moved to Avoid PLM Clash
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/silverstone-confirmed-for-201819-fuji-moved-to-avoid-plm-clash/

Now, the qualifying results and highlights for tomorrow's race.

Bird, Rigon on GTE-Pro Pole at COTA
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bird-rigon-on-gte-pro-pole-at-cota/

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

VIDEO: COTA Qualifying Highlights
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-cota-qualifying-highlights/

Tomorrow, we race, in the Lone Star state. Stay tuned for a full race report.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

Thursday news from Austin, Texas, & the upcoming FIA World Endurance Championship race at Circuit of the Americas

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

more news from the FIA WEC headed to Austin, Texas

More news and information coming from the FIA World Endurance Championship before this Saturday's final race for the series at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.

News we've discussed already, but Stephane Sarrazin with be the super sub for Anthony Davidson for Toyota, at Circuit of the Americas.

Sarrazin to Sub for Davidson at COTA
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/sarrazin-to-sub-for-davidson-for-cota/

Neveu Targeting "Good Quality" LMP1 Grid for 2018-19
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/neveu-aiming-to-have-a-good-quality-lmp1-grid-for-2018-19/

VIDEO: New Aston Martin Vantage GTE Spied Testing
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-new-aston-martin-vantage-gte-spied-testing/

BMW Unveils M8 GTE at Frankfurt Auto Show
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bmw-unveils-m8-gte-at-international-motor-show-in-frankfurt/

Ford Gets Weight Break, Power Increase for COTA
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/ford-gets-weight-break-power-increase-for-cota/

Leupen: Multiple Factors at Play for Toyota's Return
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/leupen-multiple-factors-in-play-for-toyotas-return/

Tuesday, September 12, 2017

Double Stint Podcast: Future of WEC & Stephan Ratel Interview (9-12-17)

The latest Double Stint Podcast from Sportscar365 as we prepare for the FIA WEC race at Circuit of the Americas, also discussing the FIA WEC's future, and lots of GT action. Here's the podcast, as a bonus post for your Tuesday.

http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/double-stint-future-of-wec-stephane-ratel-interview-9-12-17/

Five For Five: Top Five Moments In Each Year Since Historic ALMS/Grand-Am Merger

Five years ago last Tuesday, leaders of GRAND-AM Road Racing and the American Le Mans Series shocked the racing world.

https://www.imsa.com/news/092017/five-five-top-five-moments-each-year-historic-almsgrand-am-merger

Monday, September 11, 2017

BREAKING: Toyota replaces Davidson for Austin World Endurance round

Toyota has reshuffled it's driver line-up for this weekend's round of the World Endurance Championship at Austin.

https://www.autosport.com/wec/news/131741/toyota-replaces-davidson-for-austin-wec-round

The Future of LMP1 - a transition for the better?

An analysis on the rethink of how the LMP1 class in the FIA World Endurance Championship will be restructured. From the article, the changes are five fold.

The hybrid concepts announced at Le Mans will not be implemented as stated.
Instead, there will now be only one category with one podium.
Both hybrid and conventional drivetrains will be permitted.
An Equivalence of Technology (EoT) will be implemented to balance both types of powertrain.
No change to chassis regulations (only LMP1 chassis will be eligible).

To that end, the regulations are set to achieve two goals.

Retain the current teams and chassis which have been announced for 2018-'19.
Reduce costs of the hybrid systems to encourage more manufacturer entries (this is obviously aimed at Peugeot who have repeatedly said that their participation is dependent on lower costs for hybrid technology).

Read the full article about this proposal, at Prescott Motorsport.

http://www.prescottmotorsport.co.uk/single-post/2017/09/10/The-Future-of-LMP1-%E2%80%93-a-transition-for-the-better

Sunday, September 10, 2017

2018 IMSA Entry List Tracker

A forecast of what the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship entry list for the 2018 season might look like, via nasportscar.com.

http://nasportscar.com/2018-imsa-entry-list-tracker/

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Petit Le Mans, Fuji WEC Date Clash a "Big Problem" for Drivers

FIA World Endurance Championship drivers have hit out at the WEC’s new “Super Season” calendar, which sees a date clash with the Motul Petit Le Mans for next year and questions over the double Sebring 12-hour format for 2019.

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/petit-le-mans-fuji-wec-clash-a-big-problem-for-drivers/

Friday, September 8, 2017

more FIA WEC news

More headlines from the FIA WEC in the week between races in Mexico, and the United States (at Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas... which will be the last WEC race there, for the foreseeable future), coming up next weekend.

VIDEO: Mexico Sights & Sounds
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/video-mexico-sights-sounds/

Hayden: LMP1 Equivalency "Quite a Tall Order"
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/hayden-lmp1-equivalency-quite-a-tall-order/

BMW M8 GTE to Launch at Frankfurt Auto Show
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bmw-m8-gte-to-launch-at-frankfurt-auto-show/

Rusinov WEC 'Super Season' Opens Door for IMSA, ELMS Programs
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rusinov-wec-super-season-opens-door-for-imsa-elms-programs/

Porsche Eyeing Third Factory GTE-Pro Entry for 24H Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-eyeing-third-gte-pro-entry-for-24h-le-mans/

Gaw: WEC Shouldn't "Lose Sight" of GTE Opportunities
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/gaw-wec-shouldnt-lose-sight-of-opportunity-for-gte/

Thursday, September 7, 2017

more IMSA news

More news from IMSA, including the sad development that a beloved team, (Stevenson Motorsports), who has raced in both the WeatherTech Sports Car Championship and the Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge, may not return to the grid in 2018.

This story was referenced in a round FIA World Endurance Championship news, but also pertains to IMSA. Could McLaren enter IMSA with a DPi program?

McLaren Evaluating DPi Program; Brown Pushing for Global Platform

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/mclaren-evaluating-dpi-program-brown-pushing-for-global-platform/

Jenson Button, sports car racer?

Button in Frame for Penske Acura DPi; Multiple Options in IMSA
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/button-in-frame-for-acura-dpi-seat/

United Autosports Targeting Second Ligier LMP2 for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/united-autosports-targeting-second-ligier-lmp2-for-daytona/

VIDEO: VIR Sights & Sounds
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/video-vir-sights-sounds-2/

Stevenson Poised to End IMSA Program; Team Shutdown
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/future-uncertain-for-stevenson-motorsports/

Van Overbeek to Return to ESM in 2018
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/van-overbeek-to-return-to-esm-in-2018/

Bennett: Switch to Prototype "An Option" for CORE
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bennett-switch-to-prototype-an-option-for-core/

Gidley to Make IMSA Return in Maserati GT4
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/ctscc/gidley-to-make-imsa-return-in-maserati-gt4/

Porsche Confirms Tandy, Bamber for Petit Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/porsche-confirms-tandy-bamber-for-petit-le-mans/

Holt (Multimatic): $1 Million in Updates for Mazda DPi
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/holt-multimatic-1-million-in-updates-for-mazda-dpi/

Dawson Returns, Planning New LMP2 Effort with Transformers

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/dawson-returns-planning-lmp2-effort-with-transformers-sponsorship/