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

Thursday, November 30, 2017

IMSA & FIA WEC news

Wednesday, November 29, 2017

1991 IMSA SunBank 24 Hours of Daytona

The 1991 edition of the 24 Hours of Daytona. Bob Jenkins, David Hobbs, Dave Despain, and Marty Reid call the action.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Mazda Team Joest Announces 2018 Driver Lineup

Mazda Team Joest has made their 2018 driver lineup official. Splitting driving chores in their two cars for the season will be Jonathan Bomarito and Tristan Nunez, and, Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell. For the endurance races at Daytona, Sebring, Watkins Glen, and Road Atlanta, the two additional drivers will be (in each car), Spencer Pigot, and Rene Rast.

http://nasportscar.com/mazda-team-joest-announce-2018-driver-lineup/

Fernando Alonso at the 2017 WEC Rookie Test

F1 star and self-confessed sports car racing fan, Fernando Alonso makes his LMP1 debut alongside @Sebastien_buemi in No. 8 Toyota Hybrid TS050 HYBRID.

Monday, November 27, 2017

more FIA WEC news

Sunday, November 26, 2017

IMSA news stories

Some of the latest developments from IMSA, via Sportscar365, including new wrinkles in the sporting regulations for next year. Sorry, guys. It's been a little while since posting ANY headlines from IMSA. So, playing catch up after the conclusion of the FIA WEC season.

Simpson, Goikhberg Return to JDC-Miller
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/simpson-goikhberg-return-to-jdc-miller/

United Autosports Completes Paul Ricard Test with Di Resta, Norris
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/united-autosports-completes-paul-ricard-test-with-di-resta-norris/

Sunoco Challenge Winner Middleton, "Really Excited" for Rolex 24 Drive

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/sunoco-challenge-winner-middleton-really-excited-for-rolex-24-drive/

*News that has already been highlighted about Fernando Alonso's test with United Autosport, that is part of this catch-up on IMSA headlines.

Alonso Poised for Initial United Autosports Test
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/alonso-poised-for-initial-united-autosports-test-next-week/

Now, to continue with stories yours truly has not linked to as yet.

Roar Qualifying to Determine Rolex 24 Pits, Garage Locations
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/roar-qualifying-to-determine-rolex-24-pits-garage-locations/

Stroll Linked to All-Star DC Racing JOTA Lineup for Daytona
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/stroll-linked-in-all-star-dc-racing-lineup-for-daytona/

Another article about Fernando Alonso's initial test with United Autosports.

Alonso Tests With United Autosports Ahead of Rolex 24 Debut

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/alonso-tests-with-united-autosports-in-preparation-for-rolex-24-debut/

New Restart Procedure Among Changes to Sporting Regs for 2018
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/new-restart-procedure-among-changes-in-sporting-regs-for-2018/

We have, a Silly Season update, for GTLM.

2018 IMSA Silly Season Update: GTLM
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2018-imsa-silly-season-update-gtlm/

United Autosports Confirms de Sadeleer for Daytona, ELMS
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/elms/united-autosports-confirms-de-sadeleer-for-daytona-elms/

Alonso on First Test with United Autosports
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/alonso-on-first-test-with-united-autosports/

Saturday, November 25, 2017

24 Hours of COTA: Part 4

Part four of the 24 Hours of Circuit of the Americas, in Austin, Texas, the first race for the 24 Hour Series, held in the United States.

24 Hours of COTA: Part 3

Part three of the 24 Hours of COTA.

24 Hours of COTA: Part 2

Part two of the 24 Hours of Circuit of the Americas.

24 Hours of COTA: Part 1

Part one of the 24 Hours of Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas for the 24 Hour series.

Friday, November 24, 2017

Pirelli World Challenge news update

Pirelli World Challenge Announces Sporting Regulations Changes for 2018

Much like other series in the realm of sports car racing are doing before the new season, Pirelli World Challenge has today, announced new regulations.

http://nasportscar.com/pirelli-world-challenge-announces-sporting-regulations-changes-for-2018/

Thursday, November 23, 2017

Shank closing on two-car NSX GT3 return

Mike Shank Racing will field two Acura NSX GT3's in the 2018 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, but now, as a privateer effort.

http://www.racer.com/imsa/item/145914-shank-closing-on-two-car-nsx-gt3-return

INSIGHT: Developing the 2018 Vantage GTE

More about Aston Martin's new 2018 GTE racer that will compete in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

http://www.racer.com/more/viewpoints/item/145899-analysis-developing-the-2018-vantage-gte

Plus, a bonus. A very thrilled Nicki Thiim, shows you his new ride. Dig this.

Wednesday, November 22, 2017

more FIA WEC headlines (and ideas about where the future design concept of LMP1 could be headed)

More post-race news after Bahrain, including ideas about where the future design concept for LMP1 cars could be headed. Inspiration seems to be being drawn from some of the legendary GT production cars of the late 1990s.

Bahrain Sights & Sounds
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bahrain-sights-sounds/

Vasselon: "Positive Momentum" for GT-Styled LMP1 Proposal
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/vasselon-positive-momentum-for-gt-styled-lmp1-concept/

The latest Double Stint Podcast, covering a myriad of sports car racing action from FIA WEC and elsewhere.

Double Stint: Weekend Recap; Timo Bernhard Interview (11/21/17)
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/double-stint-weekend-recap-timo-bernhard-interview/

Aston Martin Reveals New Vantage GTE
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aston-martin-reveals-new-vantage-gte/

Aston Martin Racing Confirms Alex Lynn
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lynn-joins-aston-martin-gte-driver-lineup/

New Aston Martin Vantage GTE in Pictures
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/new-aston-martin-vantage-gte-in-pictures/

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Alonso tests United Autosports' LMP2 Ligier at Aragon

Fernando Alonso continues to prepare for his appearance with United Autosport in the 2018 Rolex 24 at Daytona, testing their Ligier JS P217 at Motorland Aragon in Spain.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/145893-alonso-tests-united-autosport-s-lmp2-ligier-at-aragon

post-race news after the 6 Hours of Bahrain

Monday, November 20, 2017

FIA GT World Cup, Macau, Qualifying & Feature races

Check out single car qualifying, and, both the qualifying and feature races from Macau for the FIA GT World Cup. The qualifying race saw a MASSIVE melee at the start of it.

FIA GT World Cup at Macau

Sunday, November 19, 2017

6 Hours of Bahrain race highlights

All the highlights of yesterday's season finale for the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship, the 6 Hours of Bahrain, in case you missed the TV coverage.

Saturday, November 18, 2017

6 Hours of Bahrain: Part 2

Two and a half hours now remain in the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship season. This 3.6 mile, 15 turn track is amazing. Here are some highlights. Porsche is in their final race. Fernando Alonso could test for Toyota here tomorrow. We saw a great opening stanza to this race. The battle has continued. Early on there was a yellow for a loose bollard. Oliver Jarvis and Bruno Senna battle for LMP2 honors. Lots of pit action in the first hour, having used copious amounts of fuel. Andy Priaulx makes a move for the lead on the Ferrari in LM GTE Pro. Ferrari has battled Porsche. Porsche is still looking for a GT win with the 911 RSR.

Tire degradation has been big. Problems for the #77 Dempsey Proton Porsche with a broken headlight. The #98 Aston Martin has run well. Michael Christensen gets slammed by the #7 Toyota and it's game over for the second factory GT Porsche, as we also saw the Toyota having problems. Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson, and Kazuki Nakajima are the overall race leaders at this moment. Anything can happen as we have two and a half hours to the end. Gustavo Menezes makes a move on Ben Hanley. They double stinted their tires, and moved back. Gustavo Menezes is fourth in class. Ben Hanley is fifth in class, ninth in the overall.

Any number of drivers and teams are battling for their futures before the super season starts. The GT championships are world titles. The #51 Ferrari leads LM GTE Pro. What happened to Matthias Lauda at the start? He had to fight and claw his way back to the top. Ford has surely rebounded since a horrid race in Fuji, Japan. They rebounded in Shanghai, China. Chip Ganassi Racing is looking for his 200th win in all of motorsport. IndyCar, NASCAR, Rallycross, sports cars, you name it. The Sakhir circuit has a great flow to it. Meanwhile, the #91 Porsche 911 RSR is sneaking their way up the order.

They are managing their tires. How much ground can porsche make up? Davide Rigon in one of the Ferrari's, is coming. Sam Bird, Rigon's team mate, looks on. We've been in darkness since the one hour mark of this race and the temperatures have dropped just four degrees. It was 82 degrees Fahrenheit at the start and is 78 degrees Fahrenheit now. We have two hours and 20 minutes still to go. Porsche #91 must win this race. Sam Bird is ready to go. Alessandro Pier Guidi is flying, running in the 1:59 bracket for lap times.

Michael Christensen came together with Kamui Kobayashi. It was a racing incident, but it is game over for the #92 car. It's a 50/50 responsibility between LMP and GT drivers in this form of racing. The gap between Davide Rigon and Richard Lietz, it's a scrap. The oyota out accelerates the Porsche GT car, and he didn't anticipate the Toyota going to the outside. "Cowboy" Kamui is still in the #7 Toyota. Christensen said he should have been able to see (Kobayashi), the Porsche. It's a racing incident, even though that's such a cliche term.

You had to make an instantaneous decision, but it doesn't mean that's a right decision. Nick Tandy in the pit lane. There's a red stripe on the Porsche highlighting all 260 employees for this team. Three Le Mans wins. Three driver's championships in successive years, and three constructor's championships, in three successive years. Toyota calling Kazuki Nakajima to the pit lane. Anthony Davidson will get into the car. Toyota desperately wants to win one more race than Porsche has, as the two brands are tied at four races apiece.

Toyota senior management will not hesitate to make drastic decisions on their driver lineups. Porsche #1 appears to have taken the lead on the pit stop cycle. This is a high stakes business, motor racing. So, if a driver doesn't perform, they can't hold up the team. You have to have your best bullets in the gun. The factory teams, you are in it together. It's a true team effort. We've come to the point in the race where teams back time the race to the end. Just over two hours remaining.

The GTE Pro battle continues. Kamui Kobayashi has driven the Toyota for some time, as we see Andy Priaulx being chased by Davide Rigon. Richard Lietz in the Porsche is closing in, too. This could be a three way scrum, very soon. Lietz and Makowiecki came in a couple points behind the two leaders, as Leo Roussel spins the #26 G-Drive LMP2 racer. This battle in GTE Pro is headed for being an argy bargy demolition derby. Priaulx is frustrating Davide Rigon. Rigon holds his temper in check for now.

The Ford and Ferrari war that started in the mid 1960s, continues. The GTE cars hit 163 miles an hour down the straightaway. Meanwhile, the overall battle between Nick Tandy and Anthony Davidson is also heating up. Toyota has had the pace over Porsche in race trim here in Bahrain. They are a minute clear of the sister Porsche with Earl Bamber at the wheel of it. Porsche #1 is fighting hard. They want a victory. They really want to go out on top. Oh! The #86 Porsche 911 RSR for Gulf Racing turned into Nick Tandy! He has 3/4 of a lap to limp the Porsche to the lane. Nick Foster should have given Nick Tandy, room.

Davide Rigon has the line on the Ford and Richard Lietz is coming in a hurry. Poor old Nick Tandy has to trundle around the circuit with a flat left rear tire. He is in damage control mode. This is devastating for Porsche giving the 919 a win in it's last race. Nick Foster wins the "what were you thinking?" award. Tandy is now in the pit lane, but he will still have to make an extra stop for fuel. Alessandro Pier Guidi is in the lane for regular service too. He has put in an amazing stint so far and stays in the car.

What kind of lap times will he run? How will his tires hold up? Work goes on on the damaged left front corner of the Porsche. Change the nose and send Nick Tandy back on track. Bahrain Circuit was built well over a decade ago, but it is a popular venue for both racing and testing. It was originally built to host the first Middle Eastern Formula 1 race. Andre Lotterer is now at the wheel of the #1 Porsche. They were really pushing the Toyota hard. But Lotterer sets fast lap of the race at 1:43.230 on fresh Michelin tires. Go for it. Gustavo Menezes is trying to keep his hopes alive in LMP2 for the title. He clears the Ferrari after almost running into it.

Priaulx had a very quick pit stop with no real service on the Ford GT. No tire change. The Ferrari's are trying to stretch it on fuel. Ford needs the points to catch up to Ferrari. Ford needs to win and to be very highly placed in the order as the race goes on. Ferrari's dashboard is a traditional one with all the info readouts. No readouts on the steering wheel. The championships are still open. Replay of the Ferrari pit stop. Sam Bird is at the controls of the #71 Ferrari. Cars are being warned for track limits violations. Turns four and 13, are both calamity corner. Fred Makowiecki is chasing Sam Bird right now. Push, push, push. Get to the front, and get ahead of the #51 sister AF Corse Ferrari.

The #13 Rebellion in the lane with Nelson Piquet Jr. at the controls. Ho Pin Tung has gone past in the #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing car. Since the Nurburgring, the #31 Rebellion car has been on a roll, winning three of the last four races. Bruno Senna is back behind the wheel. This is going to be a fast, frantic hour and 47 minutes. Ho Pin Tung is fifth overall and leading in LMP2. The Aston Martin Vantage and it's thundering V8 are making a final run in the WEC this weekend. Fred Makowiecki moves into second in LM GTE Pro.

Porsche splits the Ferrari's. All is status quo in LM GTE Am with the Aston Martin of Paul Dalla Lana leading by a minute and a half over the Ferrari #54 of Thomas Flohr. Aston Martin has had seven poles in the 2017 WEC season. Fred Makowiecki exceeds track limits at turn 15, the final corner. He is charging hard. The #61 Clearwater Racing Ferrari won the season opener at Silverstone back in April, as you recall. Aston Martin and the Spirit of Race Ferrari, collided of course.

Keita Sawa is in the #61 Ferrari. Keita Sawa is battling with Thomas Flohr. Ho-Pin Tung continues to lead LMP2. We have just an hour and 37 minutes left to run in the race, and the season. If they finish as they're running, that will reverse the points order and allow the #38 Jackie Chan DC Racing team to win the championship. Earl Bamber continues to run second, a minute and 22 seconds behind Anthony Davidson. Tandy and Bamber will race in IMSA in GT Le Mans next year. There's tire clag all over the car. It used to be, to stop the top fenders from sticking to the tires,teams would use Pam cooking spray to stop them from sticking.

These developments came after louvered fenders on these Prototype race cars, would perhaps cause an aerodynamic disturbance and the dead air, would cause the car to lift and backflip on straightaways. Shades of the Porsche 911 GT1 at Road Atlanta in 1998, the Mercedes CLR at Le Mans in 1999, and the BMW V12 LMR at Road Atlanta in 2000. Just over 90 minutes are left in the race and the season. Paul Dalla Lana pits. Check that. It's the #95 GTE Pro Aston Martin V8 Vantage. This car traces it's roots to 2008. It's been active since 2012 and is the oldest race car in the championship.

An all new Aston Martin comes to the WEC next year. It was running at Sebring and on Michelin tires. Harry Tincknell is still in the #67 Ford GT. At one point they led. But now, things have changed. Alessandro Pier Guidi has been reeling off 1:59 laps throughout this race. Can Ferrari get to the finish with one stop left? The #38 car is pitting. There could be rule changes to allow tire changes and fuel to happen at the same time. There's restrictions on the amount of tires used. But faster pit stops would make the action work out better for the fans and make things more entertaining.

Sam Bird is closing on Fred Makowiecki as Sam Bird continues to lead. Porsche #2 is into the lane. Earl Bamber, out. Timo Bernhard, in. This has not been Porsche's race here in Bahrain by any means. Timo Bernhard has been with Porsche since 1999. He owns his own team, Team 75, running Porsche's. Maybe Timo Bernhard will switch from driving, to being a team owner. If you are looking for an opportunity in racing, check out safeisfast.com. They have loads of resources for you. Dig it. Brendon Hartley will move full time into Formula 1 next year. Earl Bamber won the Porsche Cup after being invited, winning Le Mans, and winning a world championship.

Bruno Senna is being told that #38 will need a splash and dash with fuel. Crunching the numbers for the final hour and 23 minutes. The pit lane delta is 22 seconds on a 60 kilometer per hour speed limit. You lose 30 seconds on entry, service, and exit, within the lane. Give that info to the driver so he can adjust accordingly. Oliver Jarvis and Matthias Beche are discussing something. When you back time these races, you don't want to have the fuel burn off too quickly. The #13 sister Rebellion entry is also right there.

Oliver Jarvis has just gotten word that the DC Racing team is out of sync. Jarvis may join Mazda and Reinhold Joest, next year. Rene Rast and Spencer Pigot could be there for the endurance races. Alex Brundle looks a little shattered. He's probably been giving it everything, just as everyone else has. Plenty of stories to tell before we end this race in an hour and 20 minutes. Do drivers know the other team's drivers? It's a game of WEC Guess Who? That's hilarious. The #26 G-Drive car pits. Anthony Davidson pitted from the lead, and held onto it.

Car #13 has passed #38. Matthias Beche on Ho-Pin Tung. What will the Ferrari's be able to do? It's nip and tuck as the championships come down to the wire. Jean Eric Vergne and Nicolas Lapierre are battling each other. Anthony Davidon's gap on Andre Lotterer is 90 seconds. There's 24 seconds in LMP2. 44 seconds, in LM GTE Pro, and a minute and a half gap between Paul Dalla Lana and Keita Swa in LM GTE Am. Many drivers in these cars have Formula 1 experience at one time or another. Turn 13 has seen a lot of drivers going four tires off the road, incurring the wrath of the marshals.

Pit stops still to come that could affect the championship with just an hour and ten minutes to go, here in Bahrain. We are steadily closing in on the end of the 2017 season. Andre Lotterer is taking a stop and go penalty for the collision with Nick Tandy and Mike Wainwright. Tandy was pushing very hard. That's a tough call. One more stop for the #8 Toyota to come. Toyota #7 is three laps down to their rivals including their sister car. Anthony Davidson could take the #8 Toyota to the finish.

The LMP1 cars have give to them in deference to tire degradation, evn though they ar usually very stiffly sprung. Put stop time again for Porsche and Andre Lotterer. Quick stop. We're approiaching the one hour to go mark in the 6 Hours of Bahrain. Just under an hour to go yet. Final pit stops coming up for cars that don't have to make two stops in the final hour. Tung and Senna both may need one, or two more stops. This race will go dsown to the wire. Andre Lotterer lowers fast lap to a 1:42.860. Porsche wants to go out on a high. Audi leaving after creating a dynasty, was very emotional. This time, with Porsche, maybe it is less so. Winner takes all in LMP2 championship standings.

Senna has to reduce the delta. Alssandro Pier Guidi turns Ferrari #51 over to Brit James Calado. Calado can make it to the end. Ford seems to have slightly better fuel mileage. But Ferrari can also make it on fuel as the race comes to it's conclusion. As we enter the last hour, championships remain up for grabs. Toyota can grab their fifth win of the year. Toyota can get bragging rights for most LMP1 race wins in 2017. The LMP2 championship may be able to be wrapped up. James Calado and Alesandro Pier Guidi could win the GTE Pro title for Ferrari, and Aston Martin could win the GTE Am title. Toyota in the lane. They want to break the tie on wins with Porsche.

Sebastien Buemi is now taking over from Anthony Davidson. Toyota exits the pit lane. The LMP2 scrap will be major. Ho-Pin Tung pitted and handed the car to Oliver Jarvis. They need an additional pit stop over the Rebellion racer. Rebellion has the edge. Maybe DC Racing could short fill the car. Rip off fast lap times. If they hit traffic, pit immediately. Bruno Senna at the controls of the Vaillante Rebellion, who may very well win the championship. This is going to be very, very close. Power steering failure on the Rebellion car? Oh dear! Muscle up, pal. You'll have to wrestle that car around this track.

You cannot script auto racing. It's impossible. It's time to go for it. Nicolas Prost could finish this race. Can you do 50 minutes behind the wheel with no power steering? Yikes! Bruno Senna is distressed about driving the car without power steering. He's going to be knackered. We're basing computations on points with a seven point difference. If they drift farther back, the points margin will lessen. Beche has to take points off the #38 car. Bahrain has some long straightaways to recharge the muscles. Less than 45 minutes to go. Don't get caught in a box you can't fight your way out of.

Sebastien Buemi is leading for Toyota, and they could get their eighth win of the year. The #37 DC Racing car in the lane, with team boss David Cheng at the controls. Nico Prost has his race overalls back on. Will there be a driver change if Bruno Senna can't make it with no power steering? 40 minutes to go, or less. This will be quite the finish to the race, and the season. Tension ratchets up another notch as Toyota leads in the overall. Bruno Senna continus to struggle with no power steering. Porsche #2 in the lane. The pit entry here is so close to the final corner, it's hard to enter into the lane coming out at full speed and then, having to slow down. #2 makes it's final stop of the day.

Oliver Jarvis is 32 seconds behind Bruno Senna. Senna needs a full fuel load. Jarvis needs a splash and a dash. Control what you can. Don't risk getting your numbers wrong. Bruno Senna could be losing grip in his tires. His lap times are on pace with Oliver Jarvis. Matthias Beche is the meat in that sandwich. Senna could fall back, as long as the #13 car wins in class. Senna has to figure out how he feels, if he can take the car to the end, or give it over again to Nico Prost. Senna says "it's OK" through gritted teeth.

All the cars are set up for power steering with the geometry etc. But when it fails, drivers have to use all their muscle, because all the geometry changes. James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi are in positiuon to be champions in LM GTE Pro, leading their team car with Sam Bird at the controls. AF Corse is top notch, running a monstrous amount of cars in different GT championships. Andy Priaulx is digging deep in the #67 Ford GT. They've lost a lot of track position. You don't need all the fuel you can get as there is a timed fill on the #38 car. It's in Oliver Jarvis' hands.

Paul Dalla Lana and Pedro Lamy lead for the championship in LM GTE Am. Lamy leads his rival by a minute and a half. Canadian fans cheering for Paul Dalla Lana, will be proud. Nicolas Prost is ready. Lots of blue flags are being ignored as we enter the final 30 minutes of the season. Matthias Beche is placed between his team mates contending for the title, and their rivals from Jackie Chan DC Racing. Hats off to Bart Hayden and company who moved into LMP2 with huge competition. Beche pits. Will Rebellion get their sixth sports car racing championship?

24 minutes remain and Bruno Senna pits. He is staying in the car. He had a 1:18 gap over Jarvis hitting the lane. He'll have a buffer for the end of this one. Can Bruno match his uncle, the late Ayrton Senna, and get a world championship? Nico Prost is now done with his work for the season. Can Oliver Jarvis cut into the lead? He will likely run out of time. As Curly said in the City Slickers movie, "the day ain't over yet". In GTE Am, the gap is 1:41 between Aston Martin and Ferrari. Calado leads Bird by 20 seconds. Sebastien Buemi leads in LMP1 by 1:41. LMP2 is the battle we are watching. Bruno Senna vs. Oliver Jarvis, for the championship.

Will Oreca face competition from rival constructors like Riley, Dallara, or Ligier, for next year?   Stop and go penalty for the #7 Toyota for contact with the #92 Porsche. The onus is on the LMP1 car. Mike Conway will have to serve the penalty. Jarvis may not have time to catch Senna. James Calado and Alessandro Pier Guidi will win their first championship. Alessandro Pier Guidi was drafted in after Gianmaria Bruni left Ferrari to join Porsche at mid-season. Bruni could be part of the WEC team at Porsche for next year after racing in IMSA in 2017. Bruni was kept out of Porsche for as long as he could be post-Le Mans. Julien Canal, team mate to Bruno Senna and Nicolas Lapierre, will win his second championship.

We have nine or ten laps left in the season now. The gap at the finish will be tight in LMP2. Don't cruise. Go for it. Stand by for the final minutes of the 6 Hours of Bahrain and the final minutes of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship. Thirteen minutes to go now. A great battle for third in LM GTE Pro. Ferrari runs 1-2. Andy Priaulx in the Ford is chasing Fred Makowiecki in the Porsche. Porsche will not grab a win in LM GTE Pro in WEC 2017. Priaulx wants to seize the opportunity now, and does. Fred Makowiecki's tires are toasted. There's no way he can gain back ground.

Of the three classes in this race, two of the three Le Mans race winners, will not claim a championship. Julien Canal is amazed that he's won another championship. Rebellion has made up 49 points since the Nurburgring race in July. Rebellion looks for their fourth win in five races to close out the 2017 season, which has ten minutes to go. Toyota #7 pits. One potato, two potato, three potato, and he's back on the road. A splash and dash right at the end is a bear. Porsche #1 in the lane. Timo Bernhard is doing his final laps, perhaps, at the wheel of a Prototype race car.

Check out the FIA WEC season review, that is coming up on Fox Sports 2, in December. Yours truly will be tuning in. Calado and Pier Guidi took no poles, and won three races. Rigon and Bird, have three poles, and one win. Bruno Senna has battled through the power steering issue for the final hour and could be a candidate for Driver of The Race. Porsche have had an amazing success story with the 919 Hybrid. Sadly, they will not go out the way they wanted. There will be some tears in the Porsche garage.

Toyota have really come on strong in the second half of the season. Bruno Senna, Julien Canal, and Nico Prost will win in LMP2. James Calado, and Alessandro Pier Guidi will win the LM GTE Pro championship. In LM GTE Am, winners will be Matthias Lauda, Paul Dalla Lana, and Pedro Lamy. We will salute the champions in a post, tomorrow. Stay tuned for that. Toyota won't win the titles, but they will get their fifth win of the nine race season. Final lap of the race, and the season. Rebellion has been here before. But they've fought for this win and this championship.

Sebastien Buemi is a winner. He won't like losing the title. But, he'll like winning the race. It will be a long off season, but then, next May, it's the super season, starting at Spa Francorchamps. The 6 Hours of Bahrain, is in the books! Your winners, Toyota #8 of Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson, and Kazuki Nakajima! In LMP2, Rebellion wins with Nicolas Prost, Bruno Senna, and Julien Canal. Ferrari wins LM GTE Pro, with AF Corse and the #71 of Davide Rigon and Sam Bird. In LM GTE Am, Aston Martin wins, with Pedro Lamy, Matthias Lauda, and Paul Dalla Lana.

Overall/LMP1: #8 Buemi/Davidson/Nakajima     Toyota TS050 Hybrid

             LMP2: #31 Senna/Prost/Canal                  Oreca 07 Gibson

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

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

That's a wrap from Bahrain. The 2017 FIA WEC season, is done and dusted. Stay tuned for a post tomorrow, paying tribute to, and congratulating all of the champions, and tune in, in December for the season review on Fox Sports 2. It remains to be seen what TV or online coverage of the 2018-2019 FIA WEC "super season" will look like. We'll be updating that, and hope to bring it to you, or, subscribe to the FIA WEC app for all the action. For now, so long, from Bahrain, everyone.

6 Hours of Bahrain: Part 1

It is the finale, of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship, at the Sakhir circuit in Sakhir, Bahrain. It is also, the finale, the swansong, for the Porsche factory LMP1 program, before Porsche continues in GT racing, but also, enters the Formula E championship, in 2018. This is a very similar situation to a year ago, when Audi made the same move, ending their involvement in the FIA World Endurance Championship, after so many wins at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for them, and moving to Formula E. Now, Porsche is going to make a similar move.

We will bring you, the opening hour, and the closing half, of the race in Bahrain. 'The Arabian night race, is next! On the northern tip of the island monarchy of Bahrain, we are ready to race. We have a full half dozen world titles to decide. We start in daylight, and end at night. The LMP1 driver's championship was decided two weeks ago in Shanghai, China. Some of the classes go four and five deep in competition for the championships. Wow! The battle will be down to the wire between Ford, Porsche, and Ferrari in GTE Pro.

Qualifying was very intense. In GTE Am, the #77 Dempsey Proton Porsche was third. Ferrari was second. Aston Martin won pole. Davide Rigon and Sam Bird have pole in GTE Pro along with Aston Masrtin and Ford. In LMP2, Vaillante Rebellion was third. The two Jackie Chan DC Racing cars were up there. But Alexandre Negrao and Gustavo Menezes scored pole for Alpine. Porsche third, Toyota second, and Porsche first. Neel Jani and Nick Tandy have pole. Neel Jani had pole for their first race in 2014, and has pole for their last race.

The start, is coming up. The field is on track, to close the book on the 2017 WEC season. This track uses an aggregate imported from a quarry in the UK. The track is abrasive. LM GTE Pro will see some new cars for Aston Martin and BMW. Aston Martin is racing their V8 Vantage for their final time. Adhesive has been sprayed on the sand to kep the dust away in this desert environment. The finale of the 2017 FIA WEC starts, now! Holding the field, as the lights go out, and we're racing.

It's close as Mike Conway is trying to go for it. Th LMP1 hybrids create an instant gap over everyone else. Sebastien Buemi passes Mike Conway. Timo Bernhard is going for it. 15 corners on this track. Nine to the right and six to the left. The LMP2 and LM GTE Pro battles are also intense. Nicolas Lapierre leads Oliver Jarvis, and Bruno Senna in LMP2. Stefan Mucke disobeyed track limits in qualifying and had to start his Ford GT at the back of the grid in LM GTE Pro. Porsche and Toyota have won four races apiece. Who will break the tie?

Le Mans was the turning point in the season. There is a small bit of elevation change on this track. In Bahrain, 440 feet is the only elevation change in the whole country. It is very flat. Mike Conway races the Toyota. In the corners, the LMP1 Hybrids are going for it. But all the LMP2 cars are much quicker than the LMP1 Hybrids. The LMP2 cars with the Gibson engines, they are ten miles an hour faster and they are reliable. The Aston Martin is at a disadvantage. Matthias Lauda is having a tough old time getting by the Porsche and the Ferrari.

Five cars, and three manufacturers in LM GTE Am. We watch both Pro/Am classes. Good battles in the professional classes, too. G-Drive leads Manor in LMP2. Watch your tires. The ambient temperature is 80 degrees Fahrenheit and it won't change all that much. We have a safety car being dispatched for some reason. Debris on the road. Porsche #2 is driving defensively and so is #1. Porsche wants to win just as Audi did in their final race here last year. A marshal resets the bollard which was the debris and we'll have a clear track shortly.

We're back to racing now. Up front, Sebastien Buemi passes for second and some argy bargy in LMP2 between Oliver Jarvis and Bruno Senna. Porsche #2 in the pit lane! Oh my! The car could have run over some debris. Timo Bernhard at the wheel of it. Bernhard hit a bollard, jammed into the nose of the car. Bernhard was running somewhat slowly because of it. Can the #2 car rebound? Bernhard hit the bollard right on point. Boom! The LMP1 Hybrids are critical on heat. The batteries are sensitive and so are the aerodynamics and handling. If drivers lose downforce, changing the nose is the best remedy. Marco Sorenson is trying to hold Alessandro Pier Guidi at bay.

Harry Tincknell and Andy Priaulx for Ford could still clinch the title. SMP Racing debuted their Russian built BR1 Prototype for next year. SMP will run two cars, and DragonSpeed. That is for next year's super season. We're barely 20 minutes into the final round of the WEC season right now. Again, we are covering the opening hour, and we'll be back later on, to cover more of the race, towards it's conclusion.

The LMP2 battle continues, and there's been a monstrous scrap between Matthias Lauda and Christian Ried. Aston Martin vs. Porsche. Lauda ran wide and Christian Ried made a pass. Lauda gets Ried back on the next lap. That's the battle between the two championship contenders. Mike Wainwright is back in the Gulf Racing Porsche 911 RSR after having business commitments that didn't allow him to compete at Fuji and Shanghai. Take risks to make a pass. Pedro Lamy and Paul Dalla Lana had to tell Lauda, "dude!, we're only in the first half hour of the race! Don't push too hard."

Alessandro Pier Guidi passes Marco Sorenson. Ford tested at Bahrain with Harry Tincknell and Andy Priaulx. Tincknell is second, to Sam Bird in the #71 AF Corse Ferrari 488 GTE. Nicolas Lapierre, Vitaly Petrov, and Oliver Jarvis are battling for LMP2 honors. Timo Bernhard is only eighth in the overall while the LMP2's are fourth, fifth, and sixth. It isn't easy to slice through traffic because the LMP2's are so fast! The LMP1 cars still have their hybrid boost. The LMP1 boys have to be careful. Be observant in your mirrors to make sure you are cleasr.

This LMP1 hybrid technology has changed racing tactics. They accelerate through the corners, recapture the energy under braking, and are not as quick down the straightaways compared to the LMP2 machines. Porsche have been quicker at three races while Toyota has been quickest in five races. Toyota will be back next year, but a lot is changing. We'll talk about those ideas, coming up, as we have in the news updates here on the blog.

We're still in hour one of the finale of the WEC season for 2017. Vitaly Petrov held the class lead in LMP2 until he pitted. Actually, the #26 sister car pitted. Petrov also has experience in Formula 1 and DTM. Buemi and Jani battle for the lead as does Mike Conway. Timo Bernhard has brought the sister Porsche back to fourth in the overall. Jani tries Conway on the inside! Wow! Andre Lotterer drove Audi's final race last year, and now, he's driving for Porsche's final race. Lotterer has not won yet this year. He can't be happy. Tandy and Jani have had more pace. Lotterer has struggled to come to grips with the Porsche.

Jani and Lotterer will go to Formula E, but remain Porsche contracted drivers. There's tire pickup already. Ford GT #66 passes Porsche 911 RSR #92. Stefan Mucke vs. Michael Christensen. Check that. Richard Lietz is the driver taking on Stefan Mucke. This is the #91 of Richard Lietz and Fred Makowiecki. Nicolas Lapierre battles Bruno Senna in LMP2. Where is Oliver Jarvis? Rebellion has three wins out of the last four races, and they've found the sweet spot with their car. Rebellion could continue to imrpove. It's a beautiful sunset, not that anyone noticed. Sunset is around 4:45 P.M. This track is mostly pavement, but still with some grass and sand around. The sunset is lovely.

Bahrain is 92% desert. Now, the LMP2 cars are in the lane. Senna and Lapierre, both. Loic Duval has been running in DTM with Audi this year. When you have pit stops, carry your speed in and maintain it even as you hit the pit lane. Wow. 45 minutes of this race have already passed. Manor hopes to race both LMP1 and LMP2 next year. Lots of changes coming in the WEC. The calendar will also be different. It will be the Super Season. They will race 1,500 miles of Sebring, next March.

It will be about a six month off season before the super season begins. Toyota runs 1-2 in Bahrain. The sun continues to draw to the horizon. The Buemi and Conway scrap continues, both Toyota's running well as one of the Manor cars almost spins into turn ten. Jean Eric Vergne at the wheel of the car. David Heinemeier Hanson is very racy after also running very well at Shanghai last time. Heinemeier Hanson passes Alex Brundle for ninth overall, and fifth in class. Check that, that was Nicolas Lapierre in the #36 car, the Signatech Alpine. #36 is going backwards a ways.

Rebellion is taking a good look at the LMP1 class for next year. They used to race in LMP1 privateer. Ooh. The #13 Rebellion of Heinemeier Hanson, spins. Ooh! He got chopped, squeezed by the Aston Martin of Marco Sorenson. Wow. That was close. Look for the language of the car in front of you. Are they going to give you the inside line, or not? Different drivers are behind the wheel. Read the situation differently. You are on your toes in these races, all the time. At the top of the hour, we will switch to Bundesliga soccer. We'll see you at 10:30 A.M. this morning to finish this race.

At the end of the day, nine trophies will be presented. Porsche #1 is in the pit lane from third. He ran 31 laps on fuel and tires, which was the forecast distance. Neel Jani is driving well and not exerting too much energy. Sebastien Buemi is asked by Toyota if he's confident about his tires. In the future, the rules will change so that fuel and tires can be done at the same time, but now, that is not the case. Toyota in the lane with both cars. No driver change, and a fresh set of tires. Well, that's not how it works, Seb. Sorry, mate. Now, both Toyota's are back on track. Jose Maria Lopez has had more contact than the team wants to see at Toyota. Lopez has speed, but needs to continue learning sports car racing.

You are allowed one wheel rattle gun, but they can be switched around between sides and ends of the car to make the stops go quicker. Studying the tires. We'll step away from coverage for a while. But, we'll be back soon.

Friday, November 17, 2017

Friday action in Bahrain before the race tomorrow

Thursday, November 16, 2017

2017 WEC 6 Hours of Bahrain - Day and night

One of the specificities of the last round of the 2017 season, the 50th event in WEC history, will be a race taking place in daylight from the late afternoon, to nocturnal atmosphere with artificial lightning. The Free Practice 2 allows us to understand better what will be the conditions at the end of the race, in this onboard cocktail...

Bonus Post: Six Run Group Champions Crowned After 24 Hours of Competition at the HSR Classic at Daytona Presented By IMSA

The Third Edition of the Historic Sportscar Racing (HSR) Classic at Daytona presented by IMSA came to a safe and successful conclusion Sunday at Daytona International Speedway (DIS) where six different Run Group Champions were crowned after a full 24 hours of close and competitive racing.

https://www.imsa.com/news/112017/six-run-group-champions-crowned-after-24-hours-competition-hsr-classic-daytona-presented

Thursday FIA WEC headlines from Bahrain

Thursday action from Bahrain as preparations continue for the FIA World Endurance Championship season finale on Saturday. Join us, on Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog, for the action, which (like the TV coverage on Fox Sports), will be covered in two parts.

Bahrain Wednesday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bahrain-wednesday-notebook-4/

Porsche Keeping Emotions in Check Ahead of LMP1 Swansong

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-keeping-emotions-in-check-ahead-of-bahrain-lmp1-swansong/

Aston Martin Reveals Vantage GTE Celebration Livery
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aston-martin-reveals-vantage-gte-celebration-livery-for-bahrain/

Bahrain Track Walk with Louise Beckett
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bahrain-track-walk/

Porsche LMP1 drivers play a variation of the "Guess Who?" children's game. Check this out.

Porsche LMP1 Drivers Face Off in 'WEC Who'
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-lmp1-drivers-play-wec-who/

Toyota runs 1-2 in the first Free Practice.

Toyota Leads Bahrain FP1 After Lengthy Red Flag Delay
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-leads-bahrain-fp1-after-lengthy-red-flag-delay/

Bahrain Thursday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bahrain-thursday-notebook-4/

This just in. Aston Martin could switch tire suppliers for 2018.

Aston Martin Linked to Switch to Michelin for 2018
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aston-martin-linked-to-switch-to-michelin/

Toyota Quickest on Thursday in Bahrain
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/toyota-quickest-on-thursday-in-bahrain/

There will be plenty more to talk about with the news, as we draw closer to the race on Saturday. Stay tuned for at least one, if not two briefings before the FIA WEC finale.

Wednesday, November 15, 2017

BREAKING NEWS: GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing closes doors

Some breaking news from the world of sports car racing at large. But, a fixture of the sport that ran Grand Am, IMSA, and Pirelli World Challenge, GAINSCO/Bob Stallings Racing (whose cars were affectionately dubbed "The Red Dragon"), is closing up shop.

http://www.racer.com/pwc/item/145739-gainsco-bob-stallings-racing-closes-doors

FIA WEC headlines (continued)

More FIA WEC headlines before this weekend's season finale in Bahrain. Plus, one major team that races in WEC will forego plans to run in January's Rolex 24 at Daytona, the season opener for the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.

Dempsey: Slow Down to Speed Up
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/dempsey-slow-down-to-speed-up/

Porsche LMP1 Reflections: Andre Lotterer
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-lmp1-reflections-andre-lotterer/

McLaren "Open-Minded" About Alonso's Daytona Plans, Le Mans Interest

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/mclaren-open-minded-about-alonsos-daytona-plans-le-mans-interest/

Rebellion Set to Forgo Rolex 24; LMP1 Decision Looming
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rebellion-set-to-forgo-rolex-24/

WEC Set for LMP1 World Teams' Title in 2018/19
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/wec-set-for-lmp1-world-teams-title-in-201819/

Revised Points Structure Set for 24H Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/revised-points-structure-set-for-24h-le-mans/

Bahrain Wednesday Notebook
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bahrain-wednesday-notebook-4/

Tuesday, November 14, 2017

WEC evaluating road car style designs for LMP1s

The next breed of factory LMP1 racer could be styled in the image of manufacturers' high-performance road cars.

https://www.motorsport.com/wec/news/factory-lmp1-breed-high-performance-cars-978750/

Double Stint: News Roundup; IMSA Silly Season Update (11-14-17)

The latest Double Stint podcast, which delves into more about the IMSA silly season, and general sports car racing news updates, especially as we look forward to Saturday's FIA World Endurance Championship season finale in Bahrain.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/double-stint-imsa-silly-season-update-11-14-17/

pre-race WEC stories before Bahrain (continued)

More headlines before Saturday's season finale for the FIA World Endurance Championship in Bahrain. These blocs of headlines will be updated throughout the week as the race draws closer.

Q&A With New Ford Performance Motorsports Director Mark Rushbrook

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/qa-with-new-ford-performance-motorsports-director-mark-rushbrook/

Ferrari to Debut 488 Evo kit for GTE, GT3 Cars
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/ferrari-to-debut-488-evo-kit-for-gte-gt3-cars/

Porsche LMP1 Reflections: Nick Tandy
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-lmp1-reflections-nick-tandy/

SMP BR1 Set for Bahrain Launch
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/smp-br1-set-for-bahrain-launch/

Tincknell: GTE-Pro Set for "Proper Showdown" in Bahrain
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/tincknell-gte-pro-set-for-proper-showdown-in-bahrain/

Monday, November 13, 2017

2018 IMSA Silly Season Update: Prototype

Sportscar365 explores the confirmed, likely and possible Prototype entries for next year's IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.

http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/2018-imsa-silly-season-update-prototype/

Sunday, November 12, 2017

IMSA Now Accepting Entries for 2018 WeatherTech Championship

Heading into what is expected to be the biggest season yet for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, entries for the 2018 season are now being accepted via IMSA’s new online entrant portal.

https://www.imsa.com/news/112017/imsa-now-accepting-entries-2018-weathertech-championship

Saturday, November 11, 2017

Friday, November 10, 2017

Walliser: IGTC Will Come Back Stronger Despite Sepang Cancellation

Head of Porsche Motorsport Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser believes the Intercontinental GT Challenge will come back stronger in 2018...

http://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/walliser-igtc-to-come-back-stronger-despite-sepang-cancelation/

Grand PrixView - 24 Hours of COTA

This weekend marks the first race in the United States for the Creventic 24 Hour series... the 24 Hours of Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. Stay tuned, to find out who wins. Here's a preview.

http://nasportscar.com/grand-prixview-24-hours-of-cota/

SCCA sanctions 24H of COTA; Live Stream Available
http://www.racer.com/scca-home/item/145639-scca-sanctions-24h-of-cota-live-stream-available

6 Hours of Shanghai race broadcast

The full race broadcast from the FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Shanghai.

Thursday, November 9, 2017

Portland Added to 2018 PWC Schedule

Portland International Raceway has been added to the 2018 PWC calendar...

http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/portland-added-to-2018-pwc-schedule/

GTE entries snowballing in WEC

While there's been much speculation regarding the overall health of the FIA World Endurance Championship following high-profile exit announcements from Audi in 2016 and Porsche this year, momentum has been building in the background.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/145582-gte-entries-snowballing-in-wec

Sofronas: PWC is "All I've Ever Wanted To Race"

From his first World Challenge start in 1994, 2017 Pirelli World Challenge GT champion James Sofronas, found a home in the sprint racing championship.

http://sportscar365.com/world-challenge/sofronas-pwc-is-all-ive-ever-wanted-to-race/

Wednesday, November 8, 2017

More FIA WEC headlines

More headlines from the FIA WEC after the race in Shanghai, China.

Aston Martin Racing's 50 Wins In Pictures
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aston-martin-racings-50-wins-in-pictures/

Porsche LMP1 Reflections: Brendon Hartley
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-lmp1-reflections-brendon-hartley/

The latest Double Stint Podcast.

Double Stint: Shanghai Recap; Tristan Nunez Interview (11-7-17)

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/double-stint-wec-shanghai-recap-tristan-nunez-interview-11-7-17/

Alonso Tipped for Bahrain Test with Toyota
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/alonso-tipped-for-bahrain-test-with-toyota/

Bahrain Rookie Test Entry List Released
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/bahrain-rookie-test-entry-list-released/

Four-Car Factory Porsche Effort Possible for 24H Le Mans
http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/additional-factory-porsches-on-radar-for-24h-le-mans/

Ford WEC Program Confirmed Through 2018/19 'Super Season' Only

http://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/rushbrook-ford-wec-program-confirmed-through-201819-super-season/

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

off-season IMSA headlines

With IMSA a month removed from the end of its 2017 campaign, here are more off-season headlines to take a look at. We prepare for testing at Daytona International Speedway, in December, and then, in January, the 2018 campaign will begin in earnest, also with Daytona testing, at the Roar Before The Rolex 24. In fact, Daytona testing is already well underway. Here is what has been happening on the newswires.

Penske Turns First Laps at Daytona with Acura DPi
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/penske-turns-first-laps-at-daytona-with-acura-dpi/

Montoya, Castroneves on Daytona Test, Rolex 24 Chances
http://sportscar365.com/features/videos/montoya-castroneves-on-daytona-test-rolex-24-chances/

DC Racing Preparing for Two-Car Daytona Effort
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/dc-racing-preparing-for-two-car-daytona-effort/

Tandy, Bamber for Full-Season IMSA Return
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/tandy-bamber-poised-for-full-season-imsa-return/

Di Resta, Norris Get First Laps in United Autosports Ligier LMP2
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/di-resta-norris-get-first-laps-in-united-autosports-ligier-lmp2/

Pla, Lapierre Complete ESM's Lineup for TPNAEC Races
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/lapierre-pla-complete-esms-lineup-for-tpnaec-races/

Rahal To Continue with BMW; Set for M8 GTE Debut
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/rahal-to-return-with-bmw-for-m8-gte-program/

Fry Joins BMW Team RLL as Technical Director
http://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/fry-joins-bmw-team-rll-as-technical-director/

Monday, November 6, 2017

Porsche's new LMP1 champions celebrate in China

Another year, another sweep of the WEC LMP1 World Championships for Porsche LMP Team.

http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/item/145502-porsche-s-new-lmp1-champions-celebrate-in-china

Sunday, November 5, 2017

6 Hours of Shanghai: Hour 6 (the finish)

We begin the final hour of the 6 Hours of SHanghiai. Ho Pin Tung locks up, comes back, and takes the spot away from Senna. Nicolas Lapierre is third in class. Byruno Senna on the outside, almost makes contact with the Jota Sport entry! That was so close to contact, actually for #38! Ho Pin Tung goes by and nearly gets chopped by Matthieu Vaxiviere. Richard Lietz is putting in a drive, trying to get past the Ford GT. Lietz is pushing Harry Tincknell! Wowzers! Massive pressure on Tincknell! Sebastien Buemi takes over the #8 Toyota and Jose Maria Lopez in the #7 moves to the race lead.

Toyota #7 makes what should be it's final stop. The #8 car could be squeezing their fuel window before we finish this one. It is starting to get dark outside as TV cameras make the skies look much lighter than they really are. Can Porsche do what Audi did on their swansong and go out with a victory in their final race? Can the #8 Toyota make it to the end of this race? The #38 Jota Sport car has to make it to 45-46 minutes to go to make it all the way on fuel. Can Harry Tincknell hold on in LM GTE Pro? The #24 CEFC Manor entry of Ben Hanlkey is in the lane, but stoppeed.

Side-by-side stuff in LM GTE Pro for the class lead! Ford should have a larger fuel load than Porsche. Be on your toes as a strategist here. What are the tires ready for this final stint? Richard Lietz gets a run, and is balked by Bruno Senna's LMP2 machine. Tincknell defends. Watch out through the switchbacks. This is intense race with just one event to go in the season for FIA WEC 2017. Alessandro Pier Guidi and James Calado may salvage something from this race, but they just have not had the pace all weekend. They can hope for a podium as the light fades here in China. Lietz tries, but can't get to the rear deck of the Ford.

The #7 leading Toyota of Jose Maria Lopez suddenlowed and had contact with the Porsche! Oh my word! That's a huge crash, and, crunch! Toyota #7 is in the garage. Lopez is a three-time FIA World Touring Car champion. Porsche could clinch the manufacturer's championship, if Toyota is having issues. Lopez's mistake here is going to cost them the chance of a 1-2 finish. Porsche now has to keep it clean for 35 minutes. Sebastien Buemi in Toyota #8 is leading with Timo Bernhard in the #2 Porsche second, and Andre Lotterer in the #1 Porsche, third. They now have an insurmountable lead in the manufacturer's championship headed for the finale.

Just over a half hour to go in Shanghai. Stand by for more drama. Harry Tincknell leads in LM GTE Pro by five seconds. What tires do the Ford and Porsche camps haor the run to the checkers. Bruno Senna is your LMP2 leader. Nicolas Lapierre is second in class. Toyota #7 is back into the race, but it is disappointing. Too much argy bar has affected Lopez and the #7 team. In LMP2, the #31 Rebellion car will be ahead of the Jackie Chan DC Racing car by a sioint. A splash anjd dash necessary for the #38. The Alpine team has been running very well, wth the Matmut insurance sponsorship.

The Rebellion has a slight off/on like slipping over a rug. Twenty minutes to go in Shanghai. Time is of the essence here. Less than 17 minutes to go. If titles are not to bee clinched today, we'll see wht happens in the finale in Bahrain in two weeks. Harry Tincknell leads Richard Lietz by about ten seconds. Nelson Piquet Jr. can gain more points if he demotes the #38 car. But, why didn't the team put Oliver Jarvis in the car f finish of the race?

There won't be a championship for Toyota in 2017,, but they will score their fourth race win. Where is the weak spot? Only twelve minutes to go in this race. Nelson Piquet Jr. is pressing hard with only ten minutes to go. Don't move around too much, mate. Tung is driving defensively and could get a warning from the stewards. Less than seven minutes now remain here in Shanghai. Marco Soension is fending off the challenge from Davide Rigon. Aston Martin vs. Ferrari. me drivers are racing for a championship while others are racing for their careers.

It is getting very dark now with the cloud cover. Pedro Lamy, Paul Dalla Lana, and Matthias Lauda have been unchallenged in LM GTE Am. The skies are a lot darker than it looks on camera as we watch this race to the end. Toyota looks set to win their 15th LMP1 race. They still don't have a Le Mans win. Porsche will win the championship. They fi won in in FIA WEC in 2014. Rebellion Racing will score their third win in LMP2 on the year. Ford will win LM GTE Pro. Aston Martin will get their 36th FIA WEC win.

Toyota wins in Shanghai! Sebastien Buemi, Anthony Davidson, and Kazuki Nakajima. In LMP2, Bruno Senna, Nicolas Prost, and Julien Canal take the victory for Vaillante Rebellion. Priaulx and Tincknell win for Ford in LM GTE Pro. Aston Martin and the #98 team of Paul Dalla Lana, Matthias Lauda, and Pedro Lamy are your LM GTE Am winners. Also, Ferrari takes the manufacturer's crown in GT (LM GTE Pro).

Overall/LMP1: #8 Buemi/Davidson/Nakajima     Toyota TS050 Hybriud

             LMP2: #31 Prost/Senna/Canal                  Oreca 07 Gibson

             LM GTE Pro: #67 Priaulx/Tincknell         Ford GT

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

That's a wrap from Shanghai. Porsche wins the manufacturer's championship. But, the driver's titles in all four classes, will come down to the wire in the season finale in Bahrain in two weeks. Join us, on Saturday morning November 18th, for all the action. The race starts at breakfast time. So, put on a pot of coffee, and check out the exciting conclusion to the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship. Until then, so long, from Shanghai, China.

6 Hours of Shanghai: Hour 5

The LMP1 driver's champion title could be decided today. We have yet to see Timo Bernhard into the #2 Porsche. Shanghai has been a rough track and it has always been this way over the years. Ben Barker is racing with Khaled al Qubaisi this weekend as there were business commitments for regular co-driver Mike Wainwright. Marvin Dienst is also having a good race for Dempsey Proton Racing as we see a Ferrari in the pit lane. Less than two hours to race now. Nico Mueller could be having an issue. Maybe it is loose. Toy with the traction control and see if that helps.

Mueller's debut hearkens back to the original idea of sports car racing, to have drivers form several different disciplines come and compete. Don't abuse slower traffic, but try to make your way through and make your presence known to the slower competition. The tire debris or "clag" around this track is unreal. There's marbling offline, but many big chunks all over, as big as snowballs. The chunks of rubber can blow the front louvers out of the car, and that would give you more downforce. Now the louvers are gone because they stop the blowover effect that these cars were prone to in the past. Toyota in the lane.

The battle in LMP2 continues as well. Two Oreca 07 Gibson's, going for it, as even matched asthey can be. Mueller is way offline in the trackside trash can. Gently, boys. Wow! This is some wickedly good racing between these two blokes! Toyota #8 in the lane. Mike Conway out, and Jose Maria Lopez (a.k.a. "Pechito") in. Timo Bernhard also gets into the Porsche. Bernhard will have more of an ambassador level with his own team and maybe step over into GT3 racing with his own team. He has been with Porsche since 1999. Wow! That was close in the lane. The crew was trying to hold him before he took off out of the pits.

James Calado brings the #51 Ferrari into the lane for a driver change and regular service. One hour, 42 minutes remain in this race. Paul Dalla Lana gets into the #98 Aston Martin and Richard Lietz is now in the #91 Porsche. Porsche will probbably not get their first LM GTE Pro victory of 2017 with the Ford GT's now having the upper hand. One more stop for the Porsche, and two, for Ford. Again, Paul Dalla Lana has now taken over the Aston Martin from Matthias Lauda. #37 in the lane, and Alex Brundle gets into the car, or has been in it.

Oliver Jarvis brings the sister Jota Sport LMP2 car to pit lane. A driver change happens. The cars today are so cramped. An assistant has to do up the seat belts for the driver. Nico Prost now assumes the class lead in a car that sat on pole for this race. The #38 car will be tight on fuel to do it in one more stop. They have to run 92 minutes, which equals two 46 minute fuel stints! Oh! Two LMP2 cars spin off the road! Tandem spinning for G-Drive and, yikes! G-Drive and DC Racing. Nico Mueller and Thomas Luarent both spin! Ooh! Ho Pin Tung nevewr expect Nico Mueller to turn in like that.

You have to give a driver some respect. Wow. Mueller has a long way to go, but the carcass of the right rear tire is about to depart the automobile. Nico Mueller and Ho Pin Tung are both responsible for this carambolage. Romain Rusinov spins on his outlap! Yikes! One hour and 25 minutes to go in this race. There is more than enough of this race to run. Rebellion #13 is in the lane. Nelson Piquet Jr. gets into the car. Ho Pin Tung passes Oliver Jarvis. Meanwhile, Toyota is looking good. Tung leads Bruno Senna in LMP2 by nine seconds. Kazuki Nakajima continues to lead in Toyota #8.

Toyota have had the upper hand over Porsche all day long. Romain Rusinov will finish the day in car #26 second to last in the LMP2 division. Senna has cut the lead gap in LMP2 down from eight seconds to four and a half seconds. Should #38 win, they will have a 16 point lead. Should they not win, the gap will be just two points. The Ford/Porsche scrap in LM GTE Pro is heating up. Harry Tincknell leads. But Richard Lietz wants by Olivier Pla. Olivier Pla started on fresh tires but has to finish on his qualifying tires.

All drivers have to do that, I think, according to the rules. Kazuki Nakajima locks the brakes and slides a litt wider in the Toyota. He lost track of where he was. Richard Lietz takes a much wider line into the corner than does Olivier Pla. Pla won't give up the [p the place easily. Traffic ahead creates an opportunity, and Lietz passes. Look out, Harry Tincknell! Richard Lietz is motoring right now. The Porsche team is digging that. We approach the one hour remaining mark here in Shanghai, very soon.

There is also a great lead battle in LMP2. Ho-Pin Tung vs. Bruno Senna. Senna has to show pace. Don't throw away the race or the championship. There's a 14 point swing in LMP2. iT COULD BE a 16 point lead, or a two point lead, going inton the finale.