Corvette is waiting to pit the #3 so the telemtry system could be fixed. But now, they are up to second spot in GT Le Mans. The Acura's ran like tops in testing, as we see the #22 ESM Nissan slow on track with what appears to be a right rear tire problem. The tire has turned entirely into a weed whacker. Pippo Derani at the controls. Be careful, so that the tire does not rip the bodywork to shreds. The manufacturer's midway behind the infield is immense. Just incredible. Win on Sunday. Sell on Monday. Move the needle to sell cars. Joao Barbosa still leads. Simon Pagenaud has brought Acura ARX-05 #6 to second. 107 laps (381 miles) down. Tune your weapon, for sure as we go through the GTLM field. Corvette Racing had lost their telemtry transmitter. Now, everything is back up and running. They are second in class in GT Le Mans.
Car #22 is back on track, but the radiator could be an issue throughout the rest of this motor race. The Nissan took a wallop in qualifying, too. Based on the pit stops, United Autosport now runs 1-2. Phil Hanson in #23 leads Paul di Resta in #32. Joao Barbosa passes new Acura driver, Graham Rahal, who has taken over car #7. Di Resta passes Hanson. Problems for the #62 Risi Competizione Ferrari 488 GTE. Tire trouble once more. James Calado at the wheel of it. Ferrari has had a major growth spurt this year, with the number of cars being run, not so much in WeatherTech, but, there were 45 cars in the Ferrari Challenge races earlier this weekend.
Christian Fittipaldi is doing the four endurance races with Action Express, but he is stepping away from driving in the sprint races. He will be in another role on the team, as Sporting Director. 116 laps (413 miles), now on the board. Christian Fittipaldi has done a lot of racing. Formula 1, IndyCar, sports cars, and some NASCAR. Stuart Middleton tired to pass Simon Pagenaud and sent Pagenaud into a spin. This little carambolage took place into the International Horseshoe, but was fairly harmless, even though the wreck, Middleton was sent to the sin bin for it.
Luca Stolz pits the #33 Mercedes AMG GT3. He is second now behind Christopher Mies as he has run Blancpain GT and also in German GT. Christopher Mies will head for the lane, from the lead. They were so, so close last year here to winning. They won Petit Le Mans, and the SRO's California 8 Hours, last fall. Matthias Lauda has now brought the #51 Spirit of Race Ferrari to the GTD lead. The #22 Nissan is now in the lane again. Up to second in GTD is the #48 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 with Madison Snow at the wheel of it. They ran a shakedown at 10:30 P.M. last night at New Symyrna Speedway.
Lauda is now officially in the lane. He is a GTE Am world champion, and has done the same as Niki, his legendary father, an F1 champion. Acura #69 is also in the lane. This team is a great story. It's a non factory factory team, as everyone works for Honda in the factory. Chad Gilsinger just finished his stint, and now, another driver is in. Rik Breukers is now at the wheel of the #11 Grasser Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3. A.J. Allmendinger is next up in the #86 machine. Alvaro Parente is another mega star on that team.
Allmendinger passes Breukers for third in GTD. Barbosa leads in the Cadillac, but Scott Sharp in the Nissan and Graham Rahal in the Acura, are hot on his heels. The top five cars are on the lead lap. Fred Makowiecki has put himself inbetween the two Ford GT's in GT Le Mans with the Porsche 911 RSR. Nick Tandy and Earl Bamber are so quick, and Bamber won Le Mans for the second time in his career, and also won the FIA World Endurance Championship crown, but of course, Porsche has now exited the WEC. Clean pit stop for the #2 Nissan. The Nissan could continue to be competitive, but of course, the tires have been their Achilles heel.
Problems for the #77 Mazda again. Tire trouble, another time. These blokes have had nothing but trouble since they arrived. The Mazda engine also runs hot. They had to swap engines earlier in the week. Mazda has the speed. The cars have been revamped entirely from the front end, and also, from the rear bulkhead back. Coming to the end of the third hour and into the fourth. Flames will shoot out the exhausts. The lights will dance in the mirrors. The brake rotors will glow cherry red. Matt McMurry has taken the race lead in the #90 Cadillac. But now, he is in the lane and will relinquish P1.
Graham Rahal takes the lead. Matt McMurry's dad Chris ran a lot in LMP2 cars and he has also had tutored by Englishman Ian James.
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