Lots of coverage as we have the race recap, and the post-race news from the California 8 Hours yesterday, right here, right now.
Race Highlights
Buncombe Leads Opening Hour at Laguna
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/buncombe-leads-opening-hour-at-laguna/
Werner, Wright Porsche Leads at Halfway
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/werner-wright-porsche-leads-at-halfway/
Trouble Strikes Race-Leading Porsche
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/trouble-strikes-race-leading-porsche/
Slade Out Front With Two Hours to Go
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/slade-out-front-with-two-hours-to-go/
HubAuto Ferrari Takes California 8H Win
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/hubauto-ferrari-takes-california-8h-win/
Gregg Creamer and Calvin Fish, who were also joined by Bob Varsha and Ryan Myrehn, for the race call, Creamer and Fish, take you through the short race highlights, HERE.
California 8H Race Highlights
https://sportscar365.com/features/videos/live-video-california-8h/
Post-Race news
Dumas: Traffic, Pit Stops Impacted Park Place's Run
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/dumas-traffic-pit-stops-impacted-park-places-run/
Van der Linde, Mies Survive "Really Tough" Race for Land
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/van-der-linde-mies-survive-really-tough-race-for-land/
Buhk: Good Points Day for GruppeM, Mercedes-AMG
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/buhk-good-points-day-for-gruppem-mercedes-amg/
"A Lot More Potential" in Acura After Challenging IGTC Debut
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/van-der-zande-a-lot-more-potential-in-acura-after-tough-igtc-debut/
Laguna Seca Post-Race Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/laguna-seca-post-race-notebook-2/
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Saturday, March 30, 2019
California 8 Hours: Part 2
Big moment for one of the Audi's as Christopher Haase moves past the Walkenhorst BMW. The Wright Motorsports Porsche is retired, and a key moment as Chaz Mostert spins Markus Winkelhock. Poor old Winkelhock, got dizzy. Meanwhile, the HubAuto Ferrari, with Nicjk foster at the wheel, and the Acura NSX GT3 of Mario Farnbacher went behind the wall, and came back out. Tim Slade leads this motor race by ten seconds over Raffaele Marciello and Matthieu Jaminet. chaz Mostert, just recently pitted. They had a drive through penalty. An hour and 25 minutes to go now here at Laguna Seca. Augusto Farfus is at the controls in BMW #42 AS jaminet squeezes by the PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4. John Miller is second in GT4 in the Jorgensen Strom BMW M4 GT4.
It is a fair fight. Bentley #107 and Mercedes #44 as well as Porsche #912, they have all been plagued with mechanical woes during this motor race as we watch Audi, undefeated here at Laguna Seca. But, they are not in the lead right now, boys. Ferrari is, at this time. HubAuto Corsa, they have had the speed all day here at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. So, lots has gone on while yours truly was taking a nap. Dirk Werner, Tristan Vautier, and Jules Gounon, are caboose on the field as Kelvin van der Linde has his hands full with Maro Engel. It is Land Audi vs. GruppeM Mercedes. Two cars score points for each manufacturer. Mercedes might not be the dominant car, but they will still score a bundle of points.
Audi has two cars in the top five, one for Ferrari, and one for Porsche as we are seven minutes away from the final pit window of this motor race. Porsche sits in third, and Romain Dumas says that the brakes, the rear brakes, are used up insofar as the pads are concerned. Dumas says the slower cars are frustrating. Crank the brake bias to the front, which is not optimum for the ABS systems on these GT3 cars. Diamond the corner in the Andretti hairpin. if you have to win the brake bias to the front, the balance of the car is going to change, and it might combine with understeer, too. That's a struggle.
It's surprising to see the pads unprepared by Porsche after they won endurance races already in North America this year, as we watch the Ford Mustang in GT4 with Jade Buford at the wheel of it. Spencer Pumpelly is at the wheel of the #67 TRG Porsche. Maro Engel chases Kelvin van der Linde for fifth overall, however, it is still Ferrari leading the motor race overall. Tim Slade is still having a great run today at Laguna Seca. Augusto Farfus chases Kelvin van der Linde. The #10 WRT Audi of Dries Vanthoor is still in this scrap, too. Vanthoor sweeps around the outside of the BMW. This is live, as if by magic, he sweeps by and pushes the bye bye button.
The margin is now 17.5 seconds. Not one driver in the #27 Ferrari, including Miguel Molina, have raced here at Laguna Seca. Augusto Farfus is pushing hard and he clears Kelvin van der Linde as we're closing in on an hour to go. Audi ducks for pit lane. Raffaele Marciello in the pit lane as well, and he'll finish out this race. But, don't miss that clock with 65 minutes for your stint. #999 has used two of it's three joker seconds. There is a minimum time for the pit stops, and you get only three jokers for going under a second on your stop, for the 100 second allotted time.
1:39.413 for the third joker for the Mercedes boys. It is a get out of jail free card, but they can't do it now with only 64 minutes on the board. Park Place and GruppeM also in the lane. The last driving stint is counted from the time the car crosses the pit lane line to the end of the straight before the checkered flag falls. Perfect joker time for Matthieu Jaminet at 1:39.351. Maro Engel is in the #888 Mercedes at 1:40.094. Sven Mueller was screaming out of the pit lane as well.
Raffaele Marciello stays in the car to the conclusion of this race. They had a problem with the pressures on the rattle guns to get the nut off the wheel on a tire change. Watch the #42 car as well. That's the BMW running alternate strategy. Augusto Farfus at the wheel of it. Rainey curve, that is a tough corner just before the front straightaway. A battle for eighth ensues into the Andretti hairpin. Tim Slade bring the ferrari into the lane for the final stop. Alex Buncombe who started on the front row, he is up three minutes on the pit time. They have had diffuser issues. The car is fast, but the aerodynamics on that car have been compromised.
Many of these cars are gorgeous aesthetically. That Nissan is a hot rod. Good stop for the #27 Ferrari. Cleanly executed, no worries on the tires or the fuel. 1:39.528 is the time and Tim Slade takes the joker. 57 minutes on the board, look. Raffaele Marciello is second. Nick Foster actually is going to take the car to the finish. It's like trying to go for fast lap and you wind up off into the weeds cursing to yourself, "why the (expletive), did I do that?!" Over seven hours of eight, completed in this race. This is the only global international series for GT cars. Nick Foster continues leading. He and his team mates are up by 15 seconds.
Team boss Jerry Lynn says that they needed new air bottles for the compressed air source for the rattle guns. This team has been around for only about two years, with Ferrari manufacturer and driver support. They neglected to switch to the spare compressed air tank for the rattle guns. The Honda Team Motul Acura NSX GT3 has just completed it's final stop. The Audi of Kelvin van der Linde gives Maro Engel a love tap, a little biff and barge there. He was dirt tracking it. HubAuto Corsa leads by 16 seconds over Raffaele Marciello and Sven Mueller. So, it's HubAuto vs. Park Place vs. GruppeM to the finish.
45 minutes remain as Dries Vanthoor is trying to put a lap on Maro Engel, and Engel isn't giving up. Poor old Porsche are in brake trouble. Confirmation now, that BMW took fuel only for their final stop and you cannot do a fuel up and tires at the same time. Augusto Farfus and Nicky Catsburg, both, they are going to have knackered Pirelli tires. Foster continues leading by 17 seconds as we see Nicky Catsburg in the lane with one sticker Pirelli tire. Trouble for these boys, with the air jacks. This is going to be a killer for the boys who won the 2018 Spa 24 Hours.
Play it safe. Short stopping isn't the way to go. Engel and Vanthoor continue their battle, and Vanthoor is keeping an eye out. 1:40.452 for the pit stop for Nicky Catsburg. Alexandre Imperatori is following Maxime Soulet, who is a lap down, and now Imperatori is going to go after Catsburg down through Rainey curve. That turn, named for world motorcycle racing champ, Wayne Rainey of course. Imperatori recognizes the mission. Nicky Catsburg has completed his stop for Walkenhorst, and they have four tires on that BMW M6 GT3. He just punched in a 1:24.9, a time we haven't seen for hours.
Nick Foster is dominating. He's motoring right along at 17 seconds ahead of everyone else. Marciello, Mueller, and Vanthoor, as well as Farfus, Engel, van der Linde, and Catsburg, are next. Marciello keeps dropping wheels off. Sven Mueller and company have had a braking issue on the Park Place Porsche. The rear pads are not burned up, but they are close to it. Dries Vanthoor is the youngest driver in the field at 20 years of age. Mueller hasn't slowed the Porsche down. Farfus is in the top five in the Schnitzer BMW, as Nick Foster whistles by. Maxime Soulet, has been running OK, but Bentley has not had the race they wanted.
Kelvin van der Linde has had two straight wins here. But today, he might have to settle for a lower place. he is coming to the Corkscrew, down the rahal straight, through the Corkscrew, and into Rainey curve. That's a serious drop down the Corkscrew. Riding in the car with onboard camera, you get a little queasy watching that. Nick Foster, is in management mode. Nicky Catsburg, though, he is applying the blowtorch to Kelvin van der linde as Dries Vanthoor has an amazing save up the uphill! He lost it, fully loaded, mid apex, speeding through the sand!
We will go 15-20 laps beyond the old distance record. The PF Racing Mustang has been in control in GT4. The car has driven fantastically all day, according to the drivers. James Pesek has been a great driver today, even though he has the least experience on the team. This is a great learning experience for future endurance races for him. Chad McCumbee began in NASCAR. In November 1957, a Ferrari won the first race at Laguna Seca, and another Ferrari may just be a winner at Laguna Seca today.
They are ahead by 15.8 seconds. A great joy of international racing is seeing special drivers do special things, and Raffaele Marciello is still pushing like no tomorrow. He's flying right now. His trouble is, though, Nick Foster is really clicking off some wonderful laps of his own. So, it is the Prancing Horse leading and the Three Pointed Star, chasing. Is there a bonus for a factory driver who takes a customer driver to the win? The last time a global GT series ran here was in 1997 and '98 with the FIA GT Championship. The track record for those cars was 1:19 with Prototypes that ran on the road, and these GT3 cars are just four seconds slower.
These are the cars that young kids who love cars, have on posters in their bedrooms, and adults have them framed in their living rooms if they are car people. Sven Mueller continues to put in the laps as we see a battle between GT3 and GT4. Dries Vanthoor passes a humdinger of a battle in GT4, with Jade Buford being harried by the Porsche Cayman GT4 of kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo, right on his six. Nick Foster still leads in the final 15 minutes of an eight hour race, with no yellow flags.
Andrezej Lewandowski is running well in the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo with the same motor as the GT3 Lamborghini and less downforce, but it is quick. Jade Buford is going to take the PF Racing Ford Mustang to GT4 victory. It has had success in GT4 in Blancpain GT America. The battle for second in GT4 with John Miller's BMW shrinking over Spencer Pumpelly in the #67 The Racer's Group Porsche Cayman GT4. Nick Foster has just had a bit of a wiggle through the Corkscrew! He's super deep into the corner, up on the curb, and he stays in it! His life passed before his eyes. He read the situation, didn't overreact, and still made it.
Tim Slade and Miguel Molina had to be overreacting in the lane as he was doing the Scandinavian flick through The Corkscrew. Maybe he backed off. You can't take it easy. Raffaele Marciello will have a podium and so will Sven Mueller. The driver trio that won at Bathurst were out of the motor race here, early, but Porsche will still gain points. If you are Porsche, you hope for Ferrari to win to take points away from Mercedes. Two minutes to go. Dose mas. Dries Vanthoor is going to get fourth place. Bring it home, accept your position, and gain the points you are going to get. BMW is going to get double points and so will Audi. They need a break after the bad luck at Bathurst.
HubAuto Corsa is going to get the big one. Through the Corkscrew one more time. No white flag in international competition. He may have to reel off one more lap. Keep hitting your marks. No mistakes. The white flag is like the blue flag here. It is the passing flag. Foster is 13 seconds up on Marciello. Back off, don't make any mistakes, and you've got it in the bag. Once more through Rainey curve. Stay clear of the traffic. One more time through Turn 11 and a power slide! Ferrari wins the California 8 Hours! That could have gone so badly!
Foster wins it with a flourish. Marciello and company are second and Porsche, with Sven Mueller, are third. Audi and BMW complete the top five. What a wonderful race! That final turn was a heart in the mouth moment!
Overall/GT3: #27 Foster/Slade/Molina Ferrari 488 GT3
GT4: #40 Pesek/Buford/McCumbee Ford Mustang GT4
GT Cup: #88 Konopka/Lewandowski/Mikulasko Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo
Celebrate, boys! You deserve it. Nick Foster, wanted to try and do a burnout. But, he nearly wrecked. miguel Molina is really happy and says the car was fantastic. Tim Slade says this win is #1 in his career. He and Nick Foster drove opposite cars in Asia, last year. As a trio, those boys, sent it. Come across adversity, and adjust it. Risk vs. reward. They risked it, made it, and looked like geniuses. GruppeM managed their race for Mercedes well, and the #911 Park Place Porsche delivered for the brand, despite their braking issues. Sven Mueller says that the brakes were busted, but they can be happy with P3.
Mathieu Jaminet can be happy with his result, and so can Romain Dumas. Dumas says that he and his team mates just wanted to finish the motor race. Track position was the crucial thing today. They will be stronger, next time. We have established a new record distance. 327 laps. Green flag start to finish with just local yellows. GT4 winners, Buford/Pesek/McCumbee, finish 15th overall. What a fantastic race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. That was eight hours of great racing. We were worried about tire degradation, and thankfully, did not see as much. The last two races we've had in the fall at Laguna Seca, have been arid. But, it is greener than usual. It is owned on public land run by Sports Car Racing association of the Monterey Peninsula.
Three races are now left in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The next one is the crown jewel. The 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps, at the mighty Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in the Ardennes forest of Belgium, in late July. Really good champagne is sprayed on the podium. Don't spray all of it. Drink some of it. No yellow flags. BMW's short stop strategy was an ace up their sleeve with the exception of their penalty they had from the stewards. ferrari had trouble early on pit stops, but they had their strategy in their back pocket. Champagne spray, and confetti everywhere.
The checks are presented. Drivers you don't often get to see, get to race in this championship. No weak links in any of the GT3 teams. The champagne is flying in victory circle! HubAuto Corsa pushes their winning Ferrari to parc ferme. The next race is the legendary 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium, in July. Nissan's and Acura ran well early with the argy bargy starting early. Farnbacher got passed for second by Alex Buncombe. martin Tomczyk and Garry Paffett renewed their battle. Oliver Jarvis had an off, and then, Raffaele Marciello was slicing and dicing through the field.
Luca Stolz dove past the Bentley for 14th, and Lewis Williamson did likewise. Dries Vanthoor pushed maybe nearly too far, passing the Walkenhorst BMW. Miguel Molina has to go for it coming to second. Dirk Werner sliced through the field as well, but the Wright Motorsports car was out of the motor race, and braking issues for the Park Place car. A key moment when Martin Tomczyk slammed Markus Winkelhock. Poor Winkelhock was dizzy, and even more so after that spin.
HubAuto Corsa and Nick Foster drove outside Christiopher Mies, and made it work, parking one the GT4 cars. Romain Dumas slices through Rainey curve and mechanical problems for the pole sitting Acura. Dries Vanthoor and Nick Foster both had close shaves, but saved it. Foster and company, win. It's been a treat and a privilege to bring you all the action from Laguna Seca. Take care, everybody, and we will see you, this summer, for the diamond jewel in the crown, the 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps.
It is a fair fight. Bentley #107 and Mercedes #44 as well as Porsche #912, they have all been plagued with mechanical woes during this motor race as we watch Audi, undefeated here at Laguna Seca. But, they are not in the lead right now, boys. Ferrari is, at this time. HubAuto Corsa, they have had the speed all day here at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. So, lots has gone on while yours truly was taking a nap. Dirk Werner, Tristan Vautier, and Jules Gounon, are caboose on the field as Kelvin van der Linde has his hands full with Maro Engel. It is Land Audi vs. GruppeM Mercedes. Two cars score points for each manufacturer. Mercedes might not be the dominant car, but they will still score a bundle of points.
Audi has two cars in the top five, one for Ferrari, and one for Porsche as we are seven minutes away from the final pit window of this motor race. Porsche sits in third, and Romain Dumas says that the brakes, the rear brakes, are used up insofar as the pads are concerned. Dumas says the slower cars are frustrating. Crank the brake bias to the front, which is not optimum for the ABS systems on these GT3 cars. Diamond the corner in the Andretti hairpin. if you have to win the brake bias to the front, the balance of the car is going to change, and it might combine with understeer, too. That's a struggle.
It's surprising to see the pads unprepared by Porsche after they won endurance races already in North America this year, as we watch the Ford Mustang in GT4 with Jade Buford at the wheel of it. Spencer Pumpelly is at the wheel of the #67 TRG Porsche. Maro Engel chases Kelvin van der Linde for fifth overall, however, it is still Ferrari leading the motor race overall. Tim Slade is still having a great run today at Laguna Seca. Augusto Farfus chases Kelvin van der Linde. The #10 WRT Audi of Dries Vanthoor is still in this scrap, too. Vanthoor sweeps around the outside of the BMW. This is live, as if by magic, he sweeps by and pushes the bye bye button.
The margin is now 17.5 seconds. Not one driver in the #27 Ferrari, including Miguel Molina, have raced here at Laguna Seca. Augusto Farfus is pushing hard and he clears Kelvin van der Linde as we're closing in on an hour to go. Audi ducks for pit lane. Raffaele Marciello in the pit lane as well, and he'll finish out this race. But, don't miss that clock with 65 minutes for your stint. #999 has used two of it's three joker seconds. There is a minimum time for the pit stops, and you get only three jokers for going under a second on your stop, for the 100 second allotted time.
1:39.413 for the third joker for the Mercedes boys. It is a get out of jail free card, but they can't do it now with only 64 minutes on the board. Park Place and GruppeM also in the lane. The last driving stint is counted from the time the car crosses the pit lane line to the end of the straight before the checkered flag falls. Perfect joker time for Matthieu Jaminet at 1:39.351. Maro Engel is in the #888 Mercedes at 1:40.094. Sven Mueller was screaming out of the pit lane as well.
Raffaele Marciello stays in the car to the conclusion of this race. They had a problem with the pressures on the rattle guns to get the nut off the wheel on a tire change. Watch the #42 car as well. That's the BMW running alternate strategy. Augusto Farfus at the wheel of it. Rainey curve, that is a tough corner just before the front straightaway. A battle for eighth ensues into the Andretti hairpin. Tim Slade bring the ferrari into the lane for the final stop. Alex Buncombe who started on the front row, he is up three minutes on the pit time. They have had diffuser issues. The car is fast, but the aerodynamics on that car have been compromised.
Many of these cars are gorgeous aesthetically. That Nissan is a hot rod. Good stop for the #27 Ferrari. Cleanly executed, no worries on the tires or the fuel. 1:39.528 is the time and Tim Slade takes the joker. 57 minutes on the board, look. Raffaele Marciello is second. Nick Foster actually is going to take the car to the finish. It's like trying to go for fast lap and you wind up off into the weeds cursing to yourself, "why the (expletive), did I do that?!" Over seven hours of eight, completed in this race. This is the only global international series for GT cars. Nick Foster continues leading. He and his team mates are up by 15 seconds.
Team boss Jerry Lynn says that they needed new air bottles for the compressed air source for the rattle guns. This team has been around for only about two years, with Ferrari manufacturer and driver support. They neglected to switch to the spare compressed air tank for the rattle guns. The Honda Team Motul Acura NSX GT3 has just completed it's final stop. The Audi of Kelvin van der Linde gives Maro Engel a love tap, a little biff and barge there. He was dirt tracking it. HubAuto Corsa leads by 16 seconds over Raffaele Marciello and Sven Mueller. So, it's HubAuto vs. Park Place vs. GruppeM to the finish.
45 minutes remain as Dries Vanthoor is trying to put a lap on Maro Engel, and Engel isn't giving up. Poor old Porsche are in brake trouble. Confirmation now, that BMW took fuel only for their final stop and you cannot do a fuel up and tires at the same time. Augusto Farfus and Nicky Catsburg, both, they are going to have knackered Pirelli tires. Foster continues leading by 17 seconds as we see Nicky Catsburg in the lane with one sticker Pirelli tire. Trouble for these boys, with the air jacks. This is going to be a killer for the boys who won the 2018 Spa 24 Hours.
Play it safe. Short stopping isn't the way to go. Engel and Vanthoor continue their battle, and Vanthoor is keeping an eye out. 1:40.452 for the pit stop for Nicky Catsburg. Alexandre Imperatori is following Maxime Soulet, who is a lap down, and now Imperatori is going to go after Catsburg down through Rainey curve. That turn, named for world motorcycle racing champ, Wayne Rainey of course. Imperatori recognizes the mission. Nicky Catsburg has completed his stop for Walkenhorst, and they have four tires on that BMW M6 GT3. He just punched in a 1:24.9, a time we haven't seen for hours.
Nick Foster is dominating. He's motoring right along at 17 seconds ahead of everyone else. Marciello, Mueller, and Vanthoor, as well as Farfus, Engel, van der Linde, and Catsburg, are next. Marciello keeps dropping wheels off. Sven Mueller and company have had a braking issue on the Park Place Porsche. The rear pads are not burned up, but they are close to it. Dries Vanthoor is the youngest driver in the field at 20 years of age. Mueller hasn't slowed the Porsche down. Farfus is in the top five in the Schnitzer BMW, as Nick Foster whistles by. Maxime Soulet, has been running OK, but Bentley has not had the race they wanted.
Kelvin van der Linde has had two straight wins here. But today, he might have to settle for a lower place. he is coming to the Corkscrew, down the rahal straight, through the Corkscrew, and into Rainey curve. That's a serious drop down the Corkscrew. Riding in the car with onboard camera, you get a little queasy watching that. Nick Foster, is in management mode. Nicky Catsburg, though, he is applying the blowtorch to Kelvin van der linde as Dries Vanthoor has an amazing save up the uphill! He lost it, fully loaded, mid apex, speeding through the sand!
We will go 15-20 laps beyond the old distance record. The PF Racing Mustang has been in control in GT4. The car has driven fantastically all day, according to the drivers. James Pesek has been a great driver today, even though he has the least experience on the team. This is a great learning experience for future endurance races for him. Chad McCumbee began in NASCAR. In November 1957, a Ferrari won the first race at Laguna Seca, and another Ferrari may just be a winner at Laguna Seca today.
They are ahead by 15.8 seconds. A great joy of international racing is seeing special drivers do special things, and Raffaele Marciello is still pushing like no tomorrow. He's flying right now. His trouble is, though, Nick Foster is really clicking off some wonderful laps of his own. So, it is the Prancing Horse leading and the Three Pointed Star, chasing. Is there a bonus for a factory driver who takes a customer driver to the win? The last time a global GT series ran here was in 1997 and '98 with the FIA GT Championship. The track record for those cars was 1:19 with Prototypes that ran on the road, and these GT3 cars are just four seconds slower.
These are the cars that young kids who love cars, have on posters in their bedrooms, and adults have them framed in their living rooms if they are car people. Sven Mueller continues to put in the laps as we see a battle between GT3 and GT4. Dries Vanthoor passes a humdinger of a battle in GT4, with Jade Buford being harried by the Porsche Cayman GT4 of kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo, right on his six. Nick Foster still leads in the final 15 minutes of an eight hour race, with no yellow flags.
Andrezej Lewandowski is running well in the Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo with the same motor as the GT3 Lamborghini and less downforce, but it is quick. Jade Buford is going to take the PF Racing Ford Mustang to GT4 victory. It has had success in GT4 in Blancpain GT America. The battle for second in GT4 with John Miller's BMW shrinking over Spencer Pumpelly in the #67 The Racer's Group Porsche Cayman GT4. Nick Foster has just had a bit of a wiggle through the Corkscrew! He's super deep into the corner, up on the curb, and he stays in it! His life passed before his eyes. He read the situation, didn't overreact, and still made it.
Tim Slade and Miguel Molina had to be overreacting in the lane as he was doing the Scandinavian flick through The Corkscrew. Maybe he backed off. You can't take it easy. Raffaele Marciello will have a podium and so will Sven Mueller. The driver trio that won at Bathurst were out of the motor race here, early, but Porsche will still gain points. If you are Porsche, you hope for Ferrari to win to take points away from Mercedes. Two minutes to go. Dose mas. Dries Vanthoor is going to get fourth place. Bring it home, accept your position, and gain the points you are going to get. BMW is going to get double points and so will Audi. They need a break after the bad luck at Bathurst.
HubAuto Corsa is going to get the big one. Through the Corkscrew one more time. No white flag in international competition. He may have to reel off one more lap. Keep hitting your marks. No mistakes. The white flag is like the blue flag here. It is the passing flag. Foster is 13 seconds up on Marciello. Back off, don't make any mistakes, and you've got it in the bag. Once more through Rainey curve. Stay clear of the traffic. One more time through Turn 11 and a power slide! Ferrari wins the California 8 Hours! That could have gone so badly!
Foster wins it with a flourish. Marciello and company are second and Porsche, with Sven Mueller, are third. Audi and BMW complete the top five. What a wonderful race! That final turn was a heart in the mouth moment!
Overall/GT3: #27 Foster/Slade/Molina Ferrari 488 GT3
GT4: #40 Pesek/Buford/McCumbee Ford Mustang GT4
GT Cup: #88 Konopka/Lewandowski/Mikulasko Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo
Celebrate, boys! You deserve it. Nick Foster, wanted to try and do a burnout. But, he nearly wrecked. miguel Molina is really happy and says the car was fantastic. Tim Slade says this win is #1 in his career. He and Nick Foster drove opposite cars in Asia, last year. As a trio, those boys, sent it. Come across adversity, and adjust it. Risk vs. reward. They risked it, made it, and looked like geniuses. GruppeM managed their race for Mercedes well, and the #911 Park Place Porsche delivered for the brand, despite their braking issues. Sven Mueller says that the brakes were busted, but they can be happy with P3.
Mathieu Jaminet can be happy with his result, and so can Romain Dumas. Dumas says that he and his team mates just wanted to finish the motor race. Track position was the crucial thing today. They will be stronger, next time. We have established a new record distance. 327 laps. Green flag start to finish with just local yellows. GT4 winners, Buford/Pesek/McCumbee, finish 15th overall. What a fantastic race at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. That was eight hours of great racing. We were worried about tire degradation, and thankfully, did not see as much. The last two races we've had in the fall at Laguna Seca, have been arid. But, it is greener than usual. It is owned on public land run by Sports Car Racing association of the Monterey Peninsula.
Three races are now left in the Intercontinental GT Challenge. The next one is the crown jewel. The 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps, at the mighty Circuit de Spa Francorchamps in the Ardennes forest of Belgium, in late July. Really good champagne is sprayed on the podium. Don't spray all of it. Drink some of it. No yellow flags. BMW's short stop strategy was an ace up their sleeve with the exception of their penalty they had from the stewards. ferrari had trouble early on pit stops, but they had their strategy in their back pocket. Champagne spray, and confetti everywhere.
The checks are presented. Drivers you don't often get to see, get to race in this championship. No weak links in any of the GT3 teams. The champagne is flying in victory circle! HubAuto Corsa pushes their winning Ferrari to parc ferme. The next race is the legendary 24 Hours of Spa in Belgium, in July. Nissan's and Acura ran well early with the argy bargy starting early. Farnbacher got passed for second by Alex Buncombe. martin Tomczyk and Garry Paffett renewed their battle. Oliver Jarvis had an off, and then, Raffaele Marciello was slicing and dicing through the field.
Luca Stolz dove past the Bentley for 14th, and Lewis Williamson did likewise. Dries Vanthoor pushed maybe nearly too far, passing the Walkenhorst BMW. Miguel Molina has to go for it coming to second. Dirk Werner sliced through the field as well, but the Wright Motorsports car was out of the motor race, and braking issues for the Park Place car. A key moment when Martin Tomczyk slammed Markus Winkelhock. Poor Winkelhock was dizzy, and even more so after that spin.
HubAuto Corsa and Nick Foster drove outside Christiopher Mies, and made it work, parking one the GT4 cars. Romain Dumas slices through Rainey curve and mechanical problems for the pole sitting Acura. Dries Vanthoor and Nick Foster both had close shaves, but saved it. Foster and company, win. It's been a treat and a privilege to bring you all the action from Laguna Seca. Take care, everybody, and we will see you, this summer, for the diamond jewel in the crown, the 24 Hours of Spa Francorchamps.
California 8 Hours: Part 1
Welcome to round two of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge, the California 8 Hours at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, on the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey, California. This is the third annual running of this race, and the date, has been moved, from fall to spring, as we are racing at the end of March for the first time, unlike the traditional date for this race which has been in October, as the last round of the championship, the past two years. This will be the first part of the race, and we will bring you the finish, a bit later on, as we go through the grid.
We have a few GT4 cars at the back, and Jordan Pepper in the #107 Bentley Continental GT3 starting from pit lane as the engines fire. We are ready to roll. So many different engine notes will be heard. Turbocharged and non turbo, V8's, V10's V12's and flat sixes. The field is on their pace laps. The traction control will kick in and save the tires. Each corner on this track, is so different. One magical corner after another, here at Laguna Seca. Hit your marks. Drivers tripped over themselves in qualifying on occasion. The lights are out on the safety car. The field is ready. Go! Mario farnbacher gets snookered by Alex Buncombe. Gary Paffett already on the move in the Mercedes. Keep in mind, too, we have GT4 and GT Cup cars, too.
Dirk Werner and Matthieu Jaminet are moving up already as the Pirreli tires are getting into their operating window. We watch Maximilian Buhk in the #999 Mercedes AMG GT3. The lone Ferrari is the HubAuto Corsa entry from Taiwan. They have good credentials, and are on top of their game. Fans are coming into the track and they have loads of time to watch the race. Don't damage your tires, but you are booking it at full chat. Controlled aggression is what you are dealing with as a competitor.
Alex Buncombe is now two seconds ahead of everyone else. The Nissan GT-R has the pace thus far. This is the new generation Nissan GT-R GT3. KCMG has lots of credentials in Prototype and GT racing. We review the start as the american flag waved. Matthieu Jaminet lost some time, and the Nissan had some contact off of janine's Porsche. Check that. It was "jam jam" and Dirk Werner, both in Porsche's. The GT3 cars are so, so aerodynamically sensitive. Two different teams. #911 for Park Place and #912 for Wright Motorsports, and Jaminet's dive plane is gone. The surface here at Laguna Seca is very polished and can heat up the tires, without wearing them too much.
Having to not travel, contains costs for manufacturers. Markus Palttala for Bentley has the #108 car. He is very experienced in endurance racing. Check that. It's #107 with Jordan Pepper at the controls. Mario Farnbacher has fallen some four seconds behind Alex Buncombe. Mega size battle here, look, for third. Miguel Molina and Maxi Buhk are chasing the BMW M6 GT3 of Mikkel Jensen. Molina is monitoring Jensen right now, look. But, the BMW is having traction trouble as Christopher haas is gifted the line by Maximilian Buhk. Buhk it, as it were. Well, book it. Mercedes ran second to Porsche in the Bathurst 12 Hour last time out at Mount Panorama. Think big picture.
Martin Tomczyk, Matthieu Jaminet, and others are flying. "Jam Jam", he managed a new track record on his first visit to Laguna Seca here in qualifying yesterday. If you do well in Carrera Cup and Porsche Cup, you will go well as a factory driver. Jensen washes out wide. He's struggling for grip, defending like mad, and he's got all sorts of bother at the moment. Look out as the stewards will be out there to nab you for making too many moves. Each year here at Laguna Seca, they hold the Sea Otter Classic bicycle race and the bikes go down the Corkscrew. Werner and Jaminet are pushing each other, hard, look.
Buncombe leads Farnbacher by some four seconds. Alex Buncombe may be in GT4 traffic as Dirk Werner is harrying Matthieu Jaminet. he tries down the inside in the final corner. Now, a programming note. We will be here for the first part of the motor race until 1PM local time, before the NCAA basketball tournament comes on TV. Then, after basketball is done and dusted, we'll be back for the finish of the California 8 Hours. Mario Farnbacher is holding off Miguel Molina, or trying to. Molina is closing on the Acura hand over fist. The Ferrari has a good turn of speed on long runs as Alex Buncombe leads.
Joshua Burdon, Buncombe's co-driver is making his first start along with the rest of the team here at Laguna Seca. They have high expectations after Bathurst. Burdon is next into the car. The tire degradation is with the track, not the car itself. Track conditions change, and you always wonder how the track will be, as a driver, during your stint. 60 minutes is the minimum drive time and the maximum is 65 minutes. Balance the throttle into Rainey curve. Get traction and don't spin the rear tires up the hill and then back down again into the braking zone. Easy to lock up the left front tire. The third and fourth turns are an addition to the old circuit. The crest up the hill is amazing, and then, even more so, is dropping down The Corkscrew.
Jaminet is hanging on over Dirk werner as they chase Martin Tomczyk in the BMW M6 GT3. Gary Paffett and Maro Engel run wide. A couple kerfuffles to keep track of. Mikkel Jensen has regrouped and he has a buffer so he can run his line and establish decent pace. Christopher Haase is also in this scrap, sharing the #10 WRT Audi R8 with Dries Vanthoor and Fred Vervisch. Martin Tomczyk under attack from Matthieu Jaminet. Tomczyk was a DTM champion before going to GT3. He knows how to race as Jaminet and Dirk Werner right on his six. These are some of the most amazing drivers. Gary Paffett is a two-time DTM champion, having won in 2005 and 2018.
Tomczyk gets a nerf from Jaminet, look. Park Place Motorsports has succeeded here at Laguna Seca in IMSA competition. John Wright, Mike Johnson, and others, are great strategists and team bosses. Molina is probing, and he puts Mario farnbacher off into the dust just a little bit. This track is so low grip as Mario Farnbacher is off in the silt as he tried to slam the door in Molina's face but there was no way. Molina was going to press that door back open. Don't do anything silly, as Jensen, Haase, and Buhk go by the GT4 BMW M4 GT in the hands of Darren Jorgensen sharing with Brett Strom and Jonathan Miller.
Everyone has their own strategy to manage this race. Track limits warnings for a couple cars as we see Martin Tomczyk struggling for traction. Tomczyk does not want to give it up, and ooh! Argy bargy off the Andretti hairpin as Gary Paffett nerfs Tomczyk, look. He was playing through, as they say in golf. Oliver Jarvis also has the sister Nissan in this scrap. Jarvis sharing with Alexandre Imperatori and eduardo Liberarti, and jarvis has his hands full with the Audi and the Bentley. In GT4, Chad McCumbee leads the class in the #40 PF Racing Ford Mustang. Race Director Alain Adam is calling on the radio to drivers to observe track limits.
If you go shallow off the corner, you need more steering input. Christopher Mies and Dirk Werner may get dinged by the stewards if they don't calm down a little bit. Martin Tomczyk has Oliver Jarvis all over him and Maro Engel, Christopher Mies, Markus Palttala and Jordan Pepper, they are all right there. Palttala will be racing at the next event at the Spa 24 Hours in Belgium. The 24 Hours of Spa is a blue riband event. So is this. Buncombe leads Molina. Tomczyk is in the 1:27-1:28 range, and he's struggling as everyone else is in the 1:26 range. Maro Engel is poking his nose in on Oliver Jarvis.
Plunge downhill and we have a car in the lane. Zoeno Mikulasko in the #17 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 is in the lane and so is christopher Mies in the Land Audi. Roll the dice, and team boss Peter Baron is making it work. This is a full service stop and has to be 100 seconds maximum. Refuel the car with the engine off, and two mechanics with one rattle gun, can change the tires. 100.513 was their time, and they executed perfectly to leapfrog their rivals. Christopher Haase continues to race solidly in the top five for the WRT team.
After the pit stop, the green and white Land Motorsport Audi, Christopher Mies, is flying, as Yelmer Buurman is now at the controls of the GruppeM Mercedes. Alexander Imperatori in one of the Nissan's. A driver has to do 60 minutes for points, but can't drive more than three hours and 15 minutes. Christopher Haase in the lane and so is Matthieu Jaminet. Alex Buncombe, likewise, as Jaminet goes short on his pit time. He can use the joker as Sven Mueller takes over the car. Alex Buncombe and Maximilian Buhk are in the lane as Miguel Molina now leads the motor race. Disaster for Nissan as they were 18 seconds outside the minimum, and they'll plunge down the order.
Maximilian Buhk handed the Mercedes to Maximilian Goetz and they didn't execute on the stop whatsoever. Dear me. Seven cars yet to pit as Mario Farnbacher is pressing on. Dennis Olsen is the next driver in Porsche #912 Porsche, but they bungled their pit stop. Matthieu Jaminet took the joker and he's in good shape according to the stewards. Bentley #107 in the lane, with Jordan Pepper driving, and he might be handing over to another of his co-driver's soon. 65 minutes is allowable for a stint unless there is a yellow. Mario Farnbacher also pits the Acura NSX.
The Nissan is on hot tires and now, Bertrand Baguette is now at the wheel of it, but he is a sitting duck on cold tires. Mikkel Jensen pits the #34 Walkenhorst BMW as Chris Bellomo is well under his minimum pit stop time in the TRG Porsche Cayman GT4. The Acura team was having issues with their air jacks. Two Mercedes, side by side, and the Audi is the meat in the sandwich. Wow. Tristan Vautier, 2018 IGTC champion, going for it. Poor Vautier didn't race at Bathurst. Driver stint length for #34 and #44 are under review by the stewards.
Josh Burdon is following Nicky Catsburg. Aussie Tim Slade has the lead in the HubAuto Corsa Ferrari by seven seconds. Slide has Sven Mueller, Nicky Catsburg, and Josh Burdon coming up on him. Burdon is a third generation racing driver. Nicky Catsburg was struggling on knackered tires. Bide your time, the Nissan braintrust has to be telling Mr. Burdon at this point. BMW wants to run the cars they sell, and the M6 GT3 is bigger than some of the cars. But, we live with Balance of Performance and evo kits, to evenly match the cars. No worries about driver stint length time for the #34 and #44 cars. No action.
Everyone else is struggling the same way except for the Ferrari. The car is well balanced and consistently quick. James Pesek has taken over the #40 PF Racing Mustang with Brett Strom third, and Chris Bellomo in second place. Tristan Vautier is flying at the moment battling for sixth place. Tim Slade is now leading this motor race. This is the sole Ferrari in the field. Great battle for sixth as Tristan Vautier dives past Frederic Vervisch. Vautier came up through single seaters and in this pass, he comes from a long way back, and dives inside, washing out to the outside of the track. Amazing.
These drivers have a lot of bandwidth in their minds to keep their strategies and their professionalism at a high level. Don't risk the car. It's discretion being the better part of valor. We are about an hour and a half into this motor race. Tim Slade has been cutting laps quick enough to balloon the lead margin to 14 seconds. Nissan does not have the fastest car, but they are consistent. Sven Mueller is now at the controls of the #911 Park Place Porsche 911 GT3R. Nicky Catsburg has gone to third in class in GT3. Chris Bellomo with the TRG Porsche makes a stop handing over to Jason Alexandridis.
Kevin Buckler is a very savvy team strategist and team owner. Plus, he is a winemaker. A multi talented bloke indeed. Tristan Vautier is flying and he goes past his team mate, ooh, running a rad wide look, through the corner. The ARC Bratislava GT Cup Lamborghini Huracan GT3 runs wide and those blokes had some issues and went off the road earlier in the weekend. That car is shared by Andrzej Lewandowski of Poland, and Slovakian drivers Miroslav Konopka and Zdeno Mikulasko. The car is trundling around on a left front tire that is as flat as a pancake, look.
Ooh! Mercedes #43, Adam Christodoulou is very committed in The Corkscrew. 180 feet from top to bottom on a 16% grade! Yikes! Lucas Ordonez, the Spaniard, is very happy to be a Bentley boy now. The Bentley is an incredible car, a total of eight makes in IGTC. Porsche #912 made a pass on the #30 Acura NSX GT3. That pass is under review. Bertrand Baguette at the wheel of the Acura. Chaz Mostert is just inside the top ten in the Schnitzer BMW M6 GT3, all over christopher Mies. The Audi's are now struggling for grip where the BMW's were a little earlier on.
Yelmer Buurman and Alexandre Imperatori are coming, fast, to join the scrap for ninth overall. Tim Slade continues leading this motor race. Bertrand Baguette is still doing his best to fend off the challenge as Christopher Mies continues applying the blowtorch. Mies goes right to the apex to beat him on the brakes, but no dice there. The Audi evo kit has more downforce but creates more drag on the car. The stewards looked into the pass under yellow by the #912 Porsche on the #30 Acura. No action, as the tire temps are coming up. So different to see the greenery here at Laguna Seca in the springtime.
Downforce helps reduce the tire deg, and every driver will tell you that the car is going to drive like a pig. Another review of a pass between the #18 KCMG Nissan and the #888 GruppeM Mercedes. Yelmer Buurman and Imperatori. Joshua Burdon is settled into his stint, and he hasn't improved the best lap time of the car yet. He is not going flat out at the moment, wringing out the car within an inch of it's life. Nicky Catsburg has Tristan Vautier on top of him. Vautier is a lot like James Weaver, executing decisive passes. Weaver, the British sports car racing legend, was a master at that during his career both in North America and around the world. James Pesek leads GT4 in the PF Racing Ford Mustang.
Pit stops begin in earnest. Yelmer Buurman in the lane, and he will have a drive through penalty as will the #18 Nissan for overtaking under yellow. The #29 Audi is also in the pit lane. Josh Burdon is in the lane and the team manager for KCMG has been summoned to the stewards' office. Katsumasa Chiyo, Luca Stolz, and others, have now changed drivers. Adam Christodoulou has passed Lucas Ordonez in a battle of Mercedes vs. Bentley while Timmy Slade is still in the lead, backing off a shade to 1:27.7, with a 16 second margin. The ARC Bratislava Lamborghini is back out after a four minute pit stop, Miro Konopka now driving. No attrition yet, as we approach hour two.
Nicky Catsburg, in the "Catsburg" seat... play on words of catbird seat. Very nice one there, Calvin Fish. Oh boy. Raffaele Marciello now in the #999 Mercedes, cutting it very close, as the #911 Park Place Porsche is also in the lane. Catsburg is half a minute behind Tim Slade. Nick Foster is now at the wheel of the HubAuto Ferrari, despite a botched pit stop, as Bertrand Baguette is in the lane, handing over to Renger van der Zande. Baguette is a regular in Super GT in Japan. Lucas Ordonez will hand the #108 Bentley to one of his co-drivers. A steamy radiator for the Bentley, but no worries about the rad, as Tristan Vautier and Strakka Racing Mercedes are getting back into the game here.
The Acura was one second outside the minimum pit time. Maxime Soulet is now at the wheel of the #108 Bentley, the Belgian driver. Nick Foster is third, and Lewis Williamson is now at the controls of the Strakka Mercedes. About 20 minutes in our coverage before we break away for a while. Jordan Pepper in the pit lane, from third spot in the overall. Nicky Catsburg in the lane in the Walkenhorst BMW, last year's Spa 24 Hours winner. Lewis Williamson will be harrying Matty Campbell, look. Ooh! speaking of harrying, Augusto Farfus has his hands full with Renger van der Zande.
0.49 over minimum time in the pit lane for Walkenhorst BMW. The battle for third continues. Frederic Vervisch has it. Raffaele Marciello wants it. Some cars with fresher tires have leapfrogged the boys we've seen at the sharp end of this motor race so far. Wow! Williamson makes a mega move on the BMW in replay, look. Vervisch is being harried by Marciello. Williamson is just ahead of Campbell right now. The lead margin for HubAuto Corsa is still 14 seconds. Slade says the balance of the car is neutral even under high degradation on the Pirelli tires.
The Ferrari is good at high speed, but here at Laguna Seca, tire life is key with their traction control system. Cheers, Tim Slade. Great to have him in IGTC competition. Romain Dumas has done really well, and he ran with Roger Penske and the Porsche RS Spyder here at Laguna Seca in the old American Le Mans Series. Their personalities were chalk and cheese for a while, but they both get on very well now after all these years. Great scrap here between Marciello and Vervisch, chasing relentlessly. Those boys are flying at the moment.
Maxime Soulet is in 14th in the overall as Nick Foster in the Ferrari leads. This battle has Dominik Baumann, Luca Stolz, and Maxime Soulet. Bentley team, boss Brian Gush says they have had a tough weekend. #107 and #108 are on the pace, but they are facing stiff competition as always. They showed great speed in the Bathurst 12 Hours. Bentley has some of the nicest swag out there, too. The low grip of Laguna Seca, it is not suitable for the Bentley, unfortunately. Nick foster is wadded up in some serious traffic, just behind the Nissan of Edoardo Liberati.
Let's review how the race has gone so far. There was that stack up at the start, and Buncombe passes Farnbacher. Matthieu Jaminet loses a dive plane as Christopher Haase passes the Mercedes, and Miguel Molina PASSES THE acura. Martin Tomczyk and Gary Paffett in a shemozzle among the two DTM veterans. and we have seen a lot of attack moves from the likes of Tristan Vautier. He ran well with Maximilian Goetz and then with Lewis Williamson as Luca Stolz passes the Bentley. Then, Williamson made a sneak attack on the Walkenhorst BMW.
We'll see you in a few hours, for the conclusion of the California 8 Hours.
We have a few GT4 cars at the back, and Jordan Pepper in the #107 Bentley Continental GT3 starting from pit lane as the engines fire. We are ready to roll. So many different engine notes will be heard. Turbocharged and non turbo, V8's, V10's V12's and flat sixes. The field is on their pace laps. The traction control will kick in and save the tires. Each corner on this track, is so different. One magical corner after another, here at Laguna Seca. Hit your marks. Drivers tripped over themselves in qualifying on occasion. The lights are out on the safety car. The field is ready. Go! Mario farnbacher gets snookered by Alex Buncombe. Gary Paffett already on the move in the Mercedes. Keep in mind, too, we have GT4 and GT Cup cars, too.
Dirk Werner and Matthieu Jaminet are moving up already as the Pirreli tires are getting into their operating window. We watch Maximilian Buhk in the #999 Mercedes AMG GT3. The lone Ferrari is the HubAuto Corsa entry from Taiwan. They have good credentials, and are on top of their game. Fans are coming into the track and they have loads of time to watch the race. Don't damage your tires, but you are booking it at full chat. Controlled aggression is what you are dealing with as a competitor.
Alex Buncombe is now two seconds ahead of everyone else. The Nissan GT-R has the pace thus far. This is the new generation Nissan GT-R GT3. KCMG has lots of credentials in Prototype and GT racing. We review the start as the american flag waved. Matthieu Jaminet lost some time, and the Nissan had some contact off of janine's Porsche. Check that. It was "jam jam" and Dirk Werner, both in Porsche's. The GT3 cars are so, so aerodynamically sensitive. Two different teams. #911 for Park Place and #912 for Wright Motorsports, and Jaminet's dive plane is gone. The surface here at Laguna Seca is very polished and can heat up the tires, without wearing them too much.
Having to not travel, contains costs for manufacturers. Markus Palttala for Bentley has the #108 car. He is very experienced in endurance racing. Check that. It's #107 with Jordan Pepper at the controls. Mario Farnbacher has fallen some four seconds behind Alex Buncombe. Mega size battle here, look, for third. Miguel Molina and Maxi Buhk are chasing the BMW M6 GT3 of Mikkel Jensen. Molina is monitoring Jensen right now, look. But, the BMW is having traction trouble as Christopher haas is gifted the line by Maximilian Buhk. Buhk it, as it were. Well, book it. Mercedes ran second to Porsche in the Bathurst 12 Hour last time out at Mount Panorama. Think big picture.
Martin Tomczyk, Matthieu Jaminet, and others are flying. "Jam Jam", he managed a new track record on his first visit to Laguna Seca here in qualifying yesterday. If you do well in Carrera Cup and Porsche Cup, you will go well as a factory driver. Jensen washes out wide. He's struggling for grip, defending like mad, and he's got all sorts of bother at the moment. Look out as the stewards will be out there to nab you for making too many moves. Each year here at Laguna Seca, they hold the Sea Otter Classic bicycle race and the bikes go down the Corkscrew. Werner and Jaminet are pushing each other, hard, look.
Buncombe leads Farnbacher by some four seconds. Alex Buncombe may be in GT4 traffic as Dirk Werner is harrying Matthieu Jaminet. he tries down the inside in the final corner. Now, a programming note. We will be here for the first part of the motor race until 1PM local time, before the NCAA basketball tournament comes on TV. Then, after basketball is done and dusted, we'll be back for the finish of the California 8 Hours. Mario Farnbacher is holding off Miguel Molina, or trying to. Molina is closing on the Acura hand over fist. The Ferrari has a good turn of speed on long runs as Alex Buncombe leads.
Joshua Burdon, Buncombe's co-driver is making his first start along with the rest of the team here at Laguna Seca. They have high expectations after Bathurst. Burdon is next into the car. The tire degradation is with the track, not the car itself. Track conditions change, and you always wonder how the track will be, as a driver, during your stint. 60 minutes is the minimum drive time and the maximum is 65 minutes. Balance the throttle into Rainey curve. Get traction and don't spin the rear tires up the hill and then back down again into the braking zone. Easy to lock up the left front tire. The third and fourth turns are an addition to the old circuit. The crest up the hill is amazing, and then, even more so, is dropping down The Corkscrew.
Jaminet is hanging on over Dirk werner as they chase Martin Tomczyk in the BMW M6 GT3. Gary Paffett and Maro Engel run wide. A couple kerfuffles to keep track of. Mikkel Jensen has regrouped and he has a buffer so he can run his line and establish decent pace. Christopher Haase is also in this scrap, sharing the #10 WRT Audi R8 with Dries Vanthoor and Fred Vervisch. Martin Tomczyk under attack from Matthieu Jaminet. Tomczyk was a DTM champion before going to GT3. He knows how to race as Jaminet and Dirk Werner right on his six. These are some of the most amazing drivers. Gary Paffett is a two-time DTM champion, having won in 2005 and 2018.
Tomczyk gets a nerf from Jaminet, look. Park Place Motorsports has succeeded here at Laguna Seca in IMSA competition. John Wright, Mike Johnson, and others, are great strategists and team bosses. Molina is probing, and he puts Mario farnbacher off into the dust just a little bit. This track is so low grip as Mario Farnbacher is off in the silt as he tried to slam the door in Molina's face but there was no way. Molina was going to press that door back open. Don't do anything silly, as Jensen, Haase, and Buhk go by the GT4 BMW M4 GT in the hands of Darren Jorgensen sharing with Brett Strom and Jonathan Miller.
Everyone has their own strategy to manage this race. Track limits warnings for a couple cars as we see Martin Tomczyk struggling for traction. Tomczyk does not want to give it up, and ooh! Argy bargy off the Andretti hairpin as Gary Paffett nerfs Tomczyk, look. He was playing through, as they say in golf. Oliver Jarvis also has the sister Nissan in this scrap. Jarvis sharing with Alexandre Imperatori and eduardo Liberarti, and jarvis has his hands full with the Audi and the Bentley. In GT4, Chad McCumbee leads the class in the #40 PF Racing Ford Mustang. Race Director Alain Adam is calling on the radio to drivers to observe track limits.
If you go shallow off the corner, you need more steering input. Christopher Mies and Dirk Werner may get dinged by the stewards if they don't calm down a little bit. Martin Tomczyk has Oliver Jarvis all over him and Maro Engel, Christopher Mies, Markus Palttala and Jordan Pepper, they are all right there. Palttala will be racing at the next event at the Spa 24 Hours in Belgium. The 24 Hours of Spa is a blue riband event. So is this. Buncombe leads Molina. Tomczyk is in the 1:27-1:28 range, and he's struggling as everyone else is in the 1:26 range. Maro Engel is poking his nose in on Oliver Jarvis.
Plunge downhill and we have a car in the lane. Zoeno Mikulasko in the #17 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 is in the lane and so is christopher Mies in the Land Audi. Roll the dice, and team boss Peter Baron is making it work. This is a full service stop and has to be 100 seconds maximum. Refuel the car with the engine off, and two mechanics with one rattle gun, can change the tires. 100.513 was their time, and they executed perfectly to leapfrog their rivals. Christopher Haase continues to race solidly in the top five for the WRT team.
After the pit stop, the green and white Land Motorsport Audi, Christopher Mies, is flying, as Yelmer Buurman is now at the controls of the GruppeM Mercedes. Alexander Imperatori in one of the Nissan's. A driver has to do 60 minutes for points, but can't drive more than three hours and 15 minutes. Christopher Haase in the lane and so is Matthieu Jaminet. Alex Buncombe, likewise, as Jaminet goes short on his pit time. He can use the joker as Sven Mueller takes over the car. Alex Buncombe and Maximilian Buhk are in the lane as Miguel Molina now leads the motor race. Disaster for Nissan as they were 18 seconds outside the minimum, and they'll plunge down the order.
Maximilian Buhk handed the Mercedes to Maximilian Goetz and they didn't execute on the stop whatsoever. Dear me. Seven cars yet to pit as Mario Farnbacher is pressing on. Dennis Olsen is the next driver in Porsche #912 Porsche, but they bungled their pit stop. Matthieu Jaminet took the joker and he's in good shape according to the stewards. Bentley #107 in the lane, with Jordan Pepper driving, and he might be handing over to another of his co-driver's soon. 65 minutes is allowable for a stint unless there is a yellow. Mario Farnbacher also pits the Acura NSX.
The Nissan is on hot tires and now, Bertrand Baguette is now at the wheel of it, but he is a sitting duck on cold tires. Mikkel Jensen pits the #34 Walkenhorst BMW as Chris Bellomo is well under his minimum pit stop time in the TRG Porsche Cayman GT4. The Acura team was having issues with their air jacks. Two Mercedes, side by side, and the Audi is the meat in the sandwich. Wow. Tristan Vautier, 2018 IGTC champion, going for it. Poor Vautier didn't race at Bathurst. Driver stint length for #34 and #44 are under review by the stewards.
Josh Burdon is following Nicky Catsburg. Aussie Tim Slade has the lead in the HubAuto Corsa Ferrari by seven seconds. Slide has Sven Mueller, Nicky Catsburg, and Josh Burdon coming up on him. Burdon is a third generation racing driver. Nicky Catsburg was struggling on knackered tires. Bide your time, the Nissan braintrust has to be telling Mr. Burdon at this point. BMW wants to run the cars they sell, and the M6 GT3 is bigger than some of the cars. But, we live with Balance of Performance and evo kits, to evenly match the cars. No worries about driver stint length time for the #34 and #44 cars. No action.
Everyone else is struggling the same way except for the Ferrari. The car is well balanced and consistently quick. James Pesek has taken over the #40 PF Racing Mustang with Brett Strom third, and Chris Bellomo in second place. Tristan Vautier is flying at the moment battling for sixth place. Tim Slade is now leading this motor race. This is the sole Ferrari in the field. Great battle for sixth as Tristan Vautier dives past Frederic Vervisch. Vautier came up through single seaters and in this pass, he comes from a long way back, and dives inside, washing out to the outside of the track. Amazing.
These drivers have a lot of bandwidth in their minds to keep their strategies and their professionalism at a high level. Don't risk the car. It's discretion being the better part of valor. We are about an hour and a half into this motor race. Tim Slade has been cutting laps quick enough to balloon the lead margin to 14 seconds. Nissan does not have the fastest car, but they are consistent. Sven Mueller is now at the controls of the #911 Park Place Porsche 911 GT3R. Nicky Catsburg has gone to third in class in GT3. Chris Bellomo with the TRG Porsche makes a stop handing over to Jason Alexandridis.
Kevin Buckler is a very savvy team strategist and team owner. Plus, he is a winemaker. A multi talented bloke indeed. Tristan Vautier is flying and he goes past his team mate, ooh, running a rad wide look, through the corner. The ARC Bratislava GT Cup Lamborghini Huracan GT3 runs wide and those blokes had some issues and went off the road earlier in the weekend. That car is shared by Andrzej Lewandowski of Poland, and Slovakian drivers Miroslav Konopka and Zdeno Mikulasko. The car is trundling around on a left front tire that is as flat as a pancake, look.
Ooh! Mercedes #43, Adam Christodoulou is very committed in The Corkscrew. 180 feet from top to bottom on a 16% grade! Yikes! Lucas Ordonez, the Spaniard, is very happy to be a Bentley boy now. The Bentley is an incredible car, a total of eight makes in IGTC. Porsche #912 made a pass on the #30 Acura NSX GT3. That pass is under review. Bertrand Baguette at the wheel of the Acura. Chaz Mostert is just inside the top ten in the Schnitzer BMW M6 GT3, all over christopher Mies. The Audi's are now struggling for grip where the BMW's were a little earlier on.
Yelmer Buurman and Alexandre Imperatori are coming, fast, to join the scrap for ninth overall. Tim Slade continues leading this motor race. Bertrand Baguette is still doing his best to fend off the challenge as Christopher Mies continues applying the blowtorch. Mies goes right to the apex to beat him on the brakes, but no dice there. The Audi evo kit has more downforce but creates more drag on the car. The stewards looked into the pass under yellow by the #912 Porsche on the #30 Acura. No action, as the tire temps are coming up. So different to see the greenery here at Laguna Seca in the springtime.
Downforce helps reduce the tire deg, and every driver will tell you that the car is going to drive like a pig. Another review of a pass between the #18 KCMG Nissan and the #888 GruppeM Mercedes. Yelmer Buurman and Imperatori. Joshua Burdon is settled into his stint, and he hasn't improved the best lap time of the car yet. He is not going flat out at the moment, wringing out the car within an inch of it's life. Nicky Catsburg has Tristan Vautier on top of him. Vautier is a lot like James Weaver, executing decisive passes. Weaver, the British sports car racing legend, was a master at that during his career both in North America and around the world. James Pesek leads GT4 in the PF Racing Ford Mustang.
Pit stops begin in earnest. Yelmer Buurman in the lane, and he will have a drive through penalty as will the #18 Nissan for overtaking under yellow. The #29 Audi is also in the pit lane. Josh Burdon is in the lane and the team manager for KCMG has been summoned to the stewards' office. Katsumasa Chiyo, Luca Stolz, and others, have now changed drivers. Adam Christodoulou has passed Lucas Ordonez in a battle of Mercedes vs. Bentley while Timmy Slade is still in the lead, backing off a shade to 1:27.7, with a 16 second margin. The ARC Bratislava Lamborghini is back out after a four minute pit stop, Miro Konopka now driving. No attrition yet, as we approach hour two.
Nicky Catsburg, in the "Catsburg" seat... play on words of catbird seat. Very nice one there, Calvin Fish. Oh boy. Raffaele Marciello now in the #999 Mercedes, cutting it very close, as the #911 Park Place Porsche is also in the lane. Catsburg is half a minute behind Tim Slade. Nick Foster is now at the wheel of the HubAuto Ferrari, despite a botched pit stop, as Bertrand Baguette is in the lane, handing over to Renger van der Zande. Baguette is a regular in Super GT in Japan. Lucas Ordonez will hand the #108 Bentley to one of his co-drivers. A steamy radiator for the Bentley, but no worries about the rad, as Tristan Vautier and Strakka Racing Mercedes are getting back into the game here.
The Acura was one second outside the minimum pit time. Maxime Soulet is now at the wheel of the #108 Bentley, the Belgian driver. Nick Foster is third, and Lewis Williamson is now at the controls of the Strakka Mercedes. About 20 minutes in our coverage before we break away for a while. Jordan Pepper in the pit lane, from third spot in the overall. Nicky Catsburg in the lane in the Walkenhorst BMW, last year's Spa 24 Hours winner. Lewis Williamson will be harrying Matty Campbell, look. Ooh! speaking of harrying, Augusto Farfus has his hands full with Renger van der Zande.
0.49 over minimum time in the pit lane for Walkenhorst BMW. The battle for third continues. Frederic Vervisch has it. Raffaele Marciello wants it. Some cars with fresher tires have leapfrogged the boys we've seen at the sharp end of this motor race so far. Wow! Williamson makes a mega move on the BMW in replay, look. Vervisch is being harried by Marciello. Williamson is just ahead of Campbell right now. The lead margin for HubAuto Corsa is still 14 seconds. Slade says the balance of the car is neutral even under high degradation on the Pirelli tires.
The Ferrari is good at high speed, but here at Laguna Seca, tire life is key with their traction control system. Cheers, Tim Slade. Great to have him in IGTC competition. Romain Dumas has done really well, and he ran with Roger Penske and the Porsche RS Spyder here at Laguna Seca in the old American Le Mans Series. Their personalities were chalk and cheese for a while, but they both get on very well now after all these years. Great scrap here between Marciello and Vervisch, chasing relentlessly. Those boys are flying at the moment.
Maxime Soulet is in 14th in the overall as Nick Foster in the Ferrari leads. This battle has Dominik Baumann, Luca Stolz, and Maxime Soulet. Bentley team, boss Brian Gush says they have had a tough weekend. #107 and #108 are on the pace, but they are facing stiff competition as always. They showed great speed in the Bathurst 12 Hours. Bentley has some of the nicest swag out there, too. The low grip of Laguna Seca, it is not suitable for the Bentley, unfortunately. Nick foster is wadded up in some serious traffic, just behind the Nissan of Edoardo Liberati.
Let's review how the race has gone so far. There was that stack up at the start, and Buncombe passes Farnbacher. Matthieu Jaminet loses a dive plane as Christopher Haase passes the Mercedes, and Miguel Molina PASSES THE acura. Martin Tomczyk and Gary Paffett in a shemozzle among the two DTM veterans. and we have seen a lot of attack moves from the likes of Tristan Vautier. He ran well with Maximilian Goetz and then with Lewis Williamson as Luca Stolz passes the Bentley. Then, Williamson made a sneak attack on the Walkenhorst BMW.
We'll see you in a few hours, for the conclusion of the California 8 Hours.
Friday, March 29, 2019
Friday pre-race news from the California 8 Hours
It appears only two parts of the California 8 Hours will be televised, on TV, on CBS Sports Network. If you'd like to tune in for the whole race, if you have a mobile device, like an iPad, or a computer, tune into the GTWorld channel on YouTube to check out all the action.
Ordonez, Palttala Coming to Grips in Bentley Debuts
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/ordonez-palttala-coming-to-grips-in-bentley-debuts/
KCMG Leads Qualifying as Pole Shootout Set
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/kcmg-leads-qualifying-as-pole-shootout-set/
Reinke: Audi Aiming to “Fight Back” in IGTC Title Defense
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/reinke-audi-aiming-to-fight-back-in-igtc-title-defense/
Farnbacher Puts Acura on California 8H Pole
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/farnbacher-puts-acura-on-california-8h-pole/
Laguna Seca Friday Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/laguna-seca-friday-notebook-3/
Tomorrow, we race. Catch all the action from the California 8 Hours right here, tomorrow, on Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog. Also, you can watch the race, online at www.intercontinentalgtchallenge.com.
Ordonez, Palttala Coming to Grips in Bentley Debuts
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/ordonez-palttala-coming-to-grips-in-bentley-debuts/
KCMG Leads Qualifying as Pole Shootout Set
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/kcmg-leads-qualifying-as-pole-shootout-set/
Reinke: Audi Aiming to “Fight Back” in IGTC Title Defense
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/reinke-audi-aiming-to-fight-back-in-igtc-title-defense/
Farnbacher Puts Acura on California 8H Pole
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/farnbacher-puts-acura-on-california-8h-pole/
Laguna Seca Friday Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/laguna-seca-friday-notebook-3/
Tomorrow, we race. Catch all the action from the California 8 Hours right here, tomorrow, on Endurance... The Sports Car Racing Blog. Also, you can watch the race, online at www.intercontinentalgtchallenge.com.
GT4 SprintX West Race Winners at Laguna Seca
Winners, and post-race news, from both races for GT4 SprintX West at Laguna Seca.
Liefooghe Holds Off Dennis For GT4 West Race 1 Win
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/liefooghe-holds-off-dennis-for-gt4-west-race-1-win/
Miller, Gottsacker Win GT4 West Race 2 at Laguna
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/miller-gottsacker-win-gt4-west-race-2-at-laguna/
Liefooghe Holds Off Dennis For GT4 West Race 1 Win
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/liefooghe-holds-off-dennis-for-gt4-west-race-1-win/
Miller, Gottsacker Win GT4 West Race 2 at Laguna
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/miller-gottsacker-win-gt4-west-race-2-at-laguna/
more Daily Digest updates
The Sportscar365 Daily Digest from March 25th-29th, 2019.
Daily Digest: Mar. 25, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-25-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 26, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-26-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 27, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-26-2019-2/
Daily Digest: Mar. 28, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-28-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 29, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-29-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 25, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-25-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 26, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-26-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 27, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-26-2019-2/
Daily Digest: Mar. 28, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-28-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 29, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-29-2019/
Grand PrixView Heads to California For Exactly 8 Hours
A preview of the California 8 Hours tomorrow.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/north-american-racecar/grand-prixview-heads-to-california-for-exactly-8-hours/2092553240864283/
https://www.facebook.com/notes/north-american-racecar/grand-prixview-heads-to-california-for-exactly-8-hours/2092553240864283/
DeBoer, Liefooghe Take GT4 West Poles
Derek DeBoer and Greg Liefooghe each scored pole at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/deboer-liefooghe-take-gt4-west-poles/
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/deboer-liefooghe-take-gt4-west-poles/
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Thursday IGTC news from Laguna Seca
As the California 8 Hours draws closer, more news, from the circuit at Laguna Seca.
Wright, Park Place Wotking as a Two-Car Team
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/wright-park-place-working-as-a-two-car-team/
Farnbacher, Acura Quickest in Pre-Qualifying at Laguna Seca
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/farnbacher-acura-quickest-in-pre-qualifying-at-laguna-seca/
Laguna Seca Thursday Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/laguna-seca-thursday-notebook-3/
Wright, Park Place Wotking as a Two-Car Team
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/wright-park-place-working-as-a-two-car-team/
Farnbacher, Acura Quickest in Pre-Qualifying at Laguna Seca
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/farnbacher-acura-quickest-in-pre-qualifying-at-laguna-seca/
Laguna Seca Thursday Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/laguna-seca-thursday-notebook-3/
Throwback Thursday: Remembering IMSA GTO Races at Long Beach
After the current IMSA race at the Long Beach Grand Prix, is over, it'll be time for fans to step into the way back machine, and relive the thunderous glory of the early 1990s IMSA GTO cars. This event will take place, after the Bubba Burger Grand Prix of Long Beach, on Saturday, April 13th.
https://www.imsa.com/news/032019/throwback-thursday-remembering-imsa-gto-races-long-beach?fbclid=IwAR3xCa35O6Glk-y5cwKWPjPfYx7X56oaIkIEbQ4V_ZzsXD_830EZaxx_B_w
https://www.imsa.com/news/032019/throwback-thursday-remembering-imsa-gto-races-long-beach?fbclid=IwAR3xCa35O6Glk-y5cwKWPjPfYx7X56oaIkIEbQ4V_ZzsXD_830EZaxx_B_w
New Le Mans Pit Complex For 2023 Could See Further Expansion in Entry Numbers
After difficult 2019 selection process, expansion under active consideration.
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/03/27/new-le-mans-pit-complex-for-2023-could-see-further-expansion-in-entry-numbers.html?fbclid=IwAR34LjSD3mzCOEuEvbpRXQB5BY0B2FtzKUSSbOPSDQXVrgLR_oL0hceNihk
http://www.dailysportscar.com/2019/03/27/new-le-mans-pit-complex-for-2023-could-see-further-expansion-in-entry-numbers.html?fbclid=IwAR34LjSD3mzCOEuEvbpRXQB5BY0B2FtzKUSSbOPSDQXVrgLR_oL0hceNihk
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
more headlines before this weekend's California 8 Hours
More headlines headed for Laguna Seca and the California 8 Hours this weekend, round two of the 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge, including the release of the entry list, with 20 cars on it.
Buncombe Joins KCMG For California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/buncombe-set-for-kcmg-drive-at-laguna-seca/
20-Car Grid Confirmed for California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/20-car-grid-confirmed-california-8-hours/
Van der Linde Facing “Different Circumstances” in Three-Peat Quest
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/van-der-linde-facing-different-circumstances-in-three-peat-quest/
Engel Leads GruppeM 1-2 on Wednesday at Laguna
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/engel-leads-gruppem-mercedes-1-2-on-wednesday/
Laguna Seca Wednesday Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/laguna-seca-wednesday-notebook/
Buncombe Joins KCMG For California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/buncombe-set-for-kcmg-drive-at-laguna-seca/
20-Car Grid Confirmed for California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/20-car-grid-confirmed-california-8-hours/
Van der Linde Facing “Different Circumstances” in Three-Peat Quest
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/van-der-linde-facing-different-circumstances-in-three-peat-quest/
Engel Leads GruppeM 1-2 on Wednesday at Laguna
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/engel-leads-gruppem-mercedes-1-2-on-wednesday/
Laguna Seca Wednesday Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/laguna-seca-wednesday-notebook/
GT4 West news, in brief
GT4 West will be the support series for the California 8 Hours at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca this weekend.
Gottsacker, Miller Confirmed for Full GT4 West Season
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/gottsacker-miller-confirmed-for-full-gt4-west-season/
GT4 West Set for Laguna Seca Debut
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/gt4-west-set-for-laguna-seca-debut/
Gottsacker, Miller Confirmed for Full GT4 West Season
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/gottsacker-miller-confirmed-for-full-gt4-west-season/
GT4 West Set for Laguna Seca Debut
https://sportscar365.com/sro/gt4-america/gt4-west-set-for-laguna-seca-debut/
Pirelli GT4 America Action Returns to the West at the Renowned Laguna Seca Circuit
This is sourced from North American Racecar, on Facebook.
Pirelli GT4 America Action Returns to the West at the Renowned Laguna Seca Circuit
An action-packed opening month of Pirelli GT4 America SprintX competition closes out with the next pair of rounds at the scenic and storied WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California this weekend.
The 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit in the mountains near the Monterey peninsula will host the SprintX West contingent in conjunction with the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli California 8 Hours. A total of twenty drivers will contest the two classes in the Pirelli GT4 America West WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, showcasing five different manufacturers.
Fresh off their clean-sweep weekend at Circuit of the Americas, ST Racing’s Jon Miller and Harry Gottsacker return in the #28 BMW M4 GT4 hoping to repeat their performances and clean up once again in Monterey.
Jeff Bader and Casey Dennis, driving the lone entry from manufacturer Ginetta in this weekend’s regional SprintX contest, look to earn points and advance into the top points position with the USRD #5 Ginetta G55.
Third in points after the doubleheader weekend at Circuit of the Americas are ST Racing teammates and namesake Jason Wolfe and Samantha Tan. The drivers of the #38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 are just three points behind second place and are ready to overcome that deficit this weekend.
Rearden Racing’s #98 Audi R8 LMS GT4 looks to add to the mix as drivers Sarah Cattaneo and Owen Trinkler find themselves an equivalent number of points just outside of the top three Pro-Am competitors.
The #19 Stephen Cameron Racing entry bring another BMW M4 GT4 to the mix, but this time with a championship pedigree as Sean Quinlan and 2017 SprintX GTS Am champion Greg Liefooghe take the wheel.
The Racers Group brings four drivers in two entries, both running the new Porsche 718 Cayman CS MR. The Am pairing of Kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo are the current points leaders in the SprintX Am West region and will look to extend that lead further in the #67 Porsche. Driving the #17 Porsche are teammates Derek DeBoer and James Rappaport who seek to improve their third place sitting.
Vesko Kozarov and Jeff Burton, driving for Rearden Racing in the #91 Audi R8 LMS GT4, occupy the fourth-seeded position after a regional overall win in Round 1 at COTA.
Racers Edge Motorsports’ venerable SIN R1 GT4 will wear the #54 and take direction from Bob Michaelian and Mark Pavan.
BMW representation in GT4X West Amateur class comes from the RHC Jorgensen/Strom by Strom Motorsports #452 BMW M4 GT4 entry, piloted by Daren Jorgensen and Brett Strom.
The action gets underway with official Practice sessions taking to the track on Thursday, March 28th at 10:45 am PDT (1:45 pm EDT) with Qualifying sessions beginning at 4:45 pm PDT (7:45 pm EDT).
Pirelli GT4 America Action Returns to the West at the Renowned Laguna Seca Circuit
An action-packed opening month of Pirelli GT4 America SprintX competition closes out with the next pair of rounds at the scenic and storied WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California this weekend.
The 11-turn, 2.238-mile circuit in the mountains near the Monterey peninsula will host the SprintX West contingent in conjunction with the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli California 8 Hours. A total of twenty drivers will contest the two classes in the Pirelli GT4 America West WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, showcasing five different manufacturers.
Fresh off their clean-sweep weekend at Circuit of the Americas, ST Racing’s Jon Miller and Harry Gottsacker return in the #28 BMW M4 GT4 hoping to repeat their performances and clean up once again in Monterey.
Jeff Bader and Casey Dennis, driving the lone entry from manufacturer Ginetta in this weekend’s regional SprintX contest, look to earn points and advance into the top points position with the USRD #5 Ginetta G55.
Third in points after the doubleheader weekend at Circuit of the Americas are ST Racing teammates and namesake Jason Wolfe and Samantha Tan. The drivers of the #38 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 are just three points behind second place and are ready to overcome that deficit this weekend.
Rearden Racing’s #98 Audi R8 LMS GT4 looks to add to the mix as drivers Sarah Cattaneo and Owen Trinkler find themselves an equivalent number of points just outside of the top three Pro-Am competitors.
The #19 Stephen Cameron Racing entry bring another BMW M4 GT4 to the mix, but this time with a championship pedigree as Sean Quinlan and 2017 SprintX GTS Am champion Greg Liefooghe take the wheel.
The Racers Group brings four drivers in two entries, both running the new Porsche 718 Cayman CS MR. The Am pairing of Kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo are the current points leaders in the SprintX Am West region and will look to extend that lead further in the #67 Porsche. Driving the #17 Porsche are teammates Derek DeBoer and James Rappaport who seek to improve their third place sitting.
Vesko Kozarov and Jeff Burton, driving for Rearden Racing in the #91 Audi R8 LMS GT4, occupy the fourth-seeded position after a regional overall win in Round 1 at COTA.
Racers Edge Motorsports’ venerable SIN R1 GT4 will wear the #54 and take direction from Bob Michaelian and Mark Pavan.
BMW representation in GT4X West Amateur class comes from the RHC Jorgensen/Strom by Strom Motorsports #452 BMW M4 GT4 entry, piloted by Daren Jorgensen and Brett Strom.
The action gets underway with official Practice sessions taking to the track on Thursday, March 28th at 10:45 am PDT (1:45 pm EDT) with Qualifying sessions beginning at 4:45 pm PDT (7:45 pm EDT).
'Mission24' hydrogen prototype set for Le Mans demo
The hydrogen powered MissionH24 prototype will run at Le Mans for the first time this week.
https://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/mission24-hydrogen-prototype-lemans-demo/4358717/?fbclid=IwAR1S2tDzyAZo4iLzc2cvvRbgSWt9OFaN_zYt9Jn7boPEJBRqFEcRKda9nEg
https://www.motorsport.com/lemans/news/mission24-hydrogen-prototype-lemans-demo/4358717/?fbclid=IwAR1S2tDzyAZo4iLzc2cvvRbgSWt9OFaN_zYt9Jn7boPEJBRqFEcRKda9nEg
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
1,000 Miles of Sebring Race Broadcast (52 minute highlight reel version)
The 52 minute, highlighted broadcast of the 1,000 Miles of Sebring. Enjoy.
Double Stint: VLN Recap; Patrick Lindsey Interview (3-26-19)
The latest Double Stint Podcast, recapping the VLN opener st the Nurburgring Nordschleife, and previewing the California 8 Hours for Intercontinental GT Challenge, this weekend.
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/double-stint/double-stint-vln-recap-patrick-lindsey-interview/
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/double-stint/double-stint-vln-recap-patrick-lindsey-interview/
2019 IMSA WeatherTech Data - 12 Hours of Sebring
All of the data you need to know about the 2019 12 Hours of Sebring, via North American Racecar, naracecar.com, on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/notes/north-american-racecar/2019-imsa-weathertech-data-12-hours-of-sebring/2088272907958983/
https://www.facebook.com/notes/north-american-racecar/2019-imsa-weathertech-data-12-hours-of-sebring/2088272907958983/
Monday, March 25, 2019
Weekly Racing Roundup (3-25-19)
Aston GT3 takes first win in Super Taikyu, Ultimate Cup Series debuts and more...
https://sportscar365.com/features/roundup/weekly-racing-roundup-3-25-19/
https://sportscar365.com/features/roundup/weekly-racing-roundup-3-25-19/
Intercontinental GT Challenge update
A few more newsworthy updates headed for this weekend’s second round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge, the California 8 Hours at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, California.
Audi Announces Factory-Backed California 8H Entries
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/audi-announces-factory-backed-california-8h-entries/
Ordonez, Palttala to Make Bentley Debuts in California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/ordonez-palttala-to-make-bentley-debuts-in-california-8h/
Audi Announces Factory-Backed California 8H Entries
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/audi-announces-factory-backed-california-8h-entries/
Ordonez, Palttala to Make Bentley Debuts in California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/ordonez-palttala-to-make-bentley-debuts-in-california-8h/
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring Race Broadcast
The full race broadcast of the 67th Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring.
Part 1
Part 2
Saturday, March 23, 2019
ROWE Racing BMW Wins Condensed VLN Opener
John Edwards' late pass hands ROWE victory on the Nordschleife...
https://sportscar365.com/other-series/n24/rowe-racing-bmw-wins-condensed-vln-opener/
https://sportscar365.com/other-series/n24/rowe-racing-bmw-wins-condensed-vln-opener/
Recapping the 12 Hours of Sebring
It has been a week since the "Super Sebring" weekend with the FIA WEC 1,000 Miles and the 12 Hours of Sebring. Let's look back at the 12 Hours and all that transpired before, during, and after the motor race, in case you missed the myriad of live updates posted by yours truly. The recap stories here, come from motorsport.com.
Pre-race news/practice & qualifying highlights
AVS Lexus aiming for another podium at Sebring
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/avs-lexus-aim-podium-sebring/4351885/
Mazda: Daytona reliability issues have "been addressed"
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-daytona-reliability-problem-solved/4352041/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Nasr tops first practice in AXR Cadillac
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-nasr-tops-first-practice-cadillac/4352606/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Pla puts Mazda on top in FP2
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-practice-pla-mazda-fast/4352696/?nrt=207
Porsche "in bad situation" if Sebring rain arrives
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/porsche-bad-situation-sebring-rain/4352690/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Tincknell maintains Mazda advantage in FP3
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-tincknell-fastest-third-practice/4352761/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Acura Team Penske dominates fourth practice
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/acura-penske-dominates-fourth-practice/4353310/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Cameron grabs pole for Acura Team Penske
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-acura-penske-pole-cameron/4353360/?nrt=207
Hartley braced for "very intense" Sebring double
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/brendon-hartley-intense-sebring-double/4353446/?nrt=207
Mazda, Acura drivers wary of Cadillac Sebring threat
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-acura-sebring-cadillac-threat/4353508/?nrt=207
Race coverage
Rain-hit Sebring 12 Hours starts under caution
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-underway-caution-rain/4354113/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 2: AXR leads, Acura in trouble
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-action-express-cadillac-acura/4354134/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 4: AXR Cadillacs run 1-2
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/axr-cadillac-leads-four-hours/4354185/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 6: AXR Cadillac leads, Mazda shunts
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/axr-cadillac-leads-mazda-shunts/4354223/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 8: Cadillac Domination Continues
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/axr-domination-continues-hour-eight/4354238/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 10: Nasr, Derani still lead for AXR
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/nasr-derani-flawless-for-axr/4354260/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Nasr holds off Taylor to win for AXR
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-nasr-curran-derani-cadillac/4354279/?nrt=207
Post-race news
Nasr, Derani "speechless" after "perfect" Sebring race
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/nasr-derani-speechless-sebring-perfect/4354332/?nrt=207
Porsche "lucky" with final Sebring caution - Tandy
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/porsche-lucky-sebring-caution-tandy/4354857/?nrt=207
Pole-winning Acura's chances ended by "myriad" problems
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/acura-penske-sebring-dane-cameron/4354862/?nrt=207
Corvette falls short at Sebring after strategy gamble
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/corvette-strategy-ruined-by-caution/4354904/?nrt=207
Briscoe: Settling for second at Sebring didn't cross my mind
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/ryan-briscoe-sebring-spin-ford/4355068/?nrt=207
Mazda had the pace to win in Sebring - Pla
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-sebring-crash-pla-jarvis/4354935/?nrt=207
Hartley reflects on "awesome" Sebring podium double
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hartley-awesome-sebring-podium-double/4355363/?nrt=207
MSR Acura NSXs "couldn't catch a break" at Sebring
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/shank-acura-sebring-legge-nielsen/4355788/?nrt=207
Road-going hypercar rules "unsustainable" for IMSA
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hypercar-rules-unsustainable-atherton-dpi/4354231/?nrt=207
Lexus requires GTD success before potential DPi move
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/lexus-toyota-sportscar-dpi-move-hybrid/4356612/?nrt=207
How Lexus is taking on GT racing's big guns in America
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/lexus-gt-racing-big-guns-america/4357204/?nrt=207
Juncos still seeking IndyCar sponsors and an IMSA driver
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/juncos-indycar-sponsor-imsa-driver/4357551/?nrt=207
Pre-race news/practice & qualifying highlights
AVS Lexus aiming for another podium at Sebring
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/avs-lexus-aim-podium-sebring/4351885/
Mazda: Daytona reliability issues have "been addressed"
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-daytona-reliability-problem-solved/4352041/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Nasr tops first practice in AXR Cadillac
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-nasr-tops-first-practice-cadillac/4352606/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Pla puts Mazda on top in FP2
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-practice-pla-mazda-fast/4352696/?nrt=207
Porsche "in bad situation" if Sebring rain arrives
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/porsche-bad-situation-sebring-rain/4352690/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Tincknell maintains Mazda advantage in FP3
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-tincknell-fastest-third-practice/4352761/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Acura Team Penske dominates fourth practice
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/acura-penske-dominates-fourth-practice/4353310/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Cameron grabs pole for Acura Team Penske
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-acura-penske-pole-cameron/4353360/?nrt=207
Hartley braced for "very intense" Sebring double
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/brendon-hartley-intense-sebring-double/4353446/?nrt=207
Mazda, Acura drivers wary of Cadillac Sebring threat
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-acura-sebring-cadillac-threat/4353508/?nrt=207
Race coverage
Rain-hit Sebring 12 Hours starts under caution
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-underway-caution-rain/4354113/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 2: AXR leads, Acura in trouble
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-action-express-cadillac-acura/4354134/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 4: AXR Cadillacs run 1-2
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/axr-cadillac-leads-four-hours/4354185/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 6: AXR Cadillac leads, Mazda shunts
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/axr-cadillac-leads-mazda-shunts/4354223/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 8: Cadillac Domination Continues
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/axr-domination-continues-hour-eight/4354238/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours, Hour 10: Nasr, Derani still lead for AXR
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/nasr-derani-flawless-for-axr/4354260/?nrt=207
Sebring 12 Hours: Nasr holds off Taylor to win for AXR
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/sebring-nasr-curran-derani-cadillac/4354279/?nrt=207
Post-race news
Nasr, Derani "speechless" after "perfect" Sebring race
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/nasr-derani-speechless-sebring-perfect/4354332/?nrt=207
Porsche "lucky" with final Sebring caution - Tandy
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/porsche-lucky-sebring-caution-tandy/4354857/?nrt=207
Pole-winning Acura's chances ended by "myriad" problems
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/acura-penske-sebring-dane-cameron/4354862/?nrt=207
Corvette falls short at Sebring after strategy gamble
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/corvette-strategy-ruined-by-caution/4354904/?nrt=207
Briscoe: Settling for second at Sebring didn't cross my mind
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/ryan-briscoe-sebring-spin-ford/4355068/?nrt=207
Mazda had the pace to win in Sebring - Pla
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/mazda-sebring-crash-pla-jarvis/4354935/?nrt=207
Hartley reflects on "awesome" Sebring podium double
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hartley-awesome-sebring-podium-double/4355363/?nrt=207
MSR Acura NSXs "couldn't catch a break" at Sebring
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/shank-acura-sebring-legge-nielsen/4355788/?nrt=207
Road-going hypercar rules "unsustainable" for IMSA
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/hypercar-rules-unsustainable-atherton-dpi/4354231/?nrt=207
Lexus requires GTD success before potential DPi move
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/lexus-toyota-sportscar-dpi-move-hybrid/4356612/?nrt=207
How Lexus is taking on GT racing's big guns in America
https://www.motorsport.com/imsa/news/lexus-gt-racing-big-guns-america/4357204/?nrt=207
Juncos still seeking IndyCar sponsors and an IMSA driver
https://www.motorsport.com/indycar/news/juncos-indycar-sponsor-imsa-driver/4357551/?nrt=207
Friday, March 22, 2019
Daily Digest Updates
The Sportscar365 Daily Digest episodes between March 18th & 22nd, 2019.
Daily Digest: Mar. 18, 2019
https://enduranceracingblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/rowe-racing-bmw-wins-condensed-vln.html
Daily Digrst: Mar. 19, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-19-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 20, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-20-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 21, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-21-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 22, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-22-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 18, 2019
https://enduranceracingblog.blogspot.com/2019/03/rowe-racing-bmw-wins-condensed-vln.html
Daily Digrst: Mar. 19, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-19-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 20, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-20-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 21, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-21-2019/
Daily Digest: Mar. 22, 2019
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/daily-digest/daily-digest-mar-22-2019/
VLN begins tomorrow
The opening race of the Nurburgring VLN series is tomorrow, on the Nordschleife, for four hours. But, with a massive field, safety will have to be the number one priority.
Team Boss Says VLN Safety "Worsened" by BoP Change
https://sportscar365.com/other-series/n24/team-boss-says-vln-safety-worsened-by-bop-change/
171 Cars Set for Four-Hour VLN Season Opener
https://sportscar365.com/other-series/n24/171-cars-set-for-four-hour-vln-season-opener/?fbclid=IwAR3iFmwyDnuN6pP-EsSM0C1WTt_SWdCY7PYHF3YE7hZ8MvwldSGIU36S14E
Team Boss Says VLN Safety "Worsened" by BoP Change
https://sportscar365.com/other-series/n24/team-boss-says-vln-safety-worsened-by-bop-change/
171 Cars Set for Four-Hour VLN Season Opener
https://sportscar365.com/other-series/n24/171-cars-set-for-four-hour-vln-season-opener/?fbclid=IwAR3iFmwyDnuN6pP-EsSM0C1WTt_SWdCY7PYHF3YE7hZ8MvwldSGIU36S14E
more FIA WEC news after Sebring
Still more news after the 1,000 Miles of Sebring, RE: the future of the FIA WEC.
FIA, ACO Leave Door Open for DPis in New Top Class Regs
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-aco-leave-door-open-for-dpi-in-top-class/
Atherton Expecting Sebring WEC Return
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/atherton-expecting-sebring-wec-return/
Renger Van der Zande's latest column.
VAN DER ZANDE: A Weekend of Two Worlds
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/van-der-zande-a-weekend-of-two-worlds/
ACO Evaluating Le Mans Entry Procedure, Grid Expansion
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aco-evaluating-le-mans-entry-procedure-possible-grid-expansion/
G-Drive, ByKolles included on 35-car Entry for Spa
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/g-drive-bykolles-included-on-35-car-entry-for-spa/
Duqueine Confirmed for Le Mans as Spirit of Race Withdraws
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/duqueine-confirmed-for-le-mans-as-spirit-of-race-withdraws/
Porsche’s Sebring Triple an “Exceptional” Achievement”
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsches-three-sebring-victories-an-exceptional-achievement/
FIA, ACO Leave Door Open for DPis in New Top Class Regs
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/fia-aco-leave-door-open-for-dpi-in-top-class/
Atherton Expecting Sebring WEC Return
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/atherton-expecting-sebring-wec-return/
Renger Van der Zande's latest column.
VAN DER ZANDE: A Weekend of Two Worlds
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/van-der-zande-a-weekend-of-two-worlds/
ACO Evaluating Le Mans Entry Procedure, Grid Expansion
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/aco-evaluating-le-mans-entry-procedure-possible-grid-expansion/
G-Drive, ByKolles included on 35-car Entry for Spa
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/g-drive-bykolles-included-on-35-car-entry-for-spa/
Duqueine Confirmed for Le Mans as Spirit of Race Withdraws
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/duqueine-confirmed-for-le-mans-as-spirit-of-race-withdraws/
Porsche’s Sebring Triple an “Exceptional” Achievement”
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsches-three-sebring-victories-an-exceptional-achievement/
Thursday, March 21, 2019
Intercontinental GT Challenge news
Lots of news headed for the third running of the California 8 Hours that takes place at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, in Monterey, California, a week from Saturday.
R-Motorsport Commits to Full Season; Three Cars For Spa
https://sportscar365.com/sro/blancpain-gt/r-motorsport-commits-to-full-season-three-cars-for-spa/
SRO Pushing For Earlier GT3 Homologations
https://sportscar365.com/industry/sro-pushing-for-earlier-gt3-homologations/
Strakka Returns to IGTC with Two Factory-Backed Mercedes
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/strakka-returns-to-igtc-with-two-factory-backed-mercedes/
JAS Confirms Honda NSX GT3 Lineup for California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/jas-confirms-honda-nsx-gt3-lineup-for-california-8h/
Wright, Park Place to Run Factory Porsche Lineups in California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/wright-park-place-to-run-factory-porsche-lineups-in-california-8h/
R-Motorsport Commits to Full Season; Three Cars For Spa
https://sportscar365.com/sro/blancpain-gt/r-motorsport-commits-to-full-season-three-cars-for-spa/
SRO Pushing For Earlier GT3 Homologations
https://sportscar365.com/industry/sro-pushing-for-earlier-gt3-homologations/
Strakka Returns to IGTC with Two Factory-Backed Mercedes
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/strakka-returns-to-igtc-with-two-factory-backed-mercedes/
JAS Confirms Honda NSX GT3 Lineup for California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/jas-confirms-honda-nsx-gt3-lineup-for-california-8h/
Wright, Park Place to Run Factory Porsche Lineups in California 8H
https://sportscar365.com/sro/igtc/wright-park-place-to-run-factory-porsche-lineups-in-california-8h/
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Blancpain GT testing @ Paul Ricard
Video of official testing for the Blancpain GT Europe Endurance and Sprint Cup from Paul Ricard, the Paul Ricard High Tech Test Track at Le Castellet, in the south of France.
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Double Stint: Super Sebring Recap; Winner Interviews (3-19-19)
The latest Double Stint Podcast, recapping the highlights of the Super Sebring weekend.
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/double-stint/double-stint-super-sebring-recap-winner-interviews/
https://sportscar365.com/podcasts/double-stint/double-stint-super-sebring-recap-winner-interviews/
Carbahn Audi GT4 Scores Sebring Win
McQuarrie, Westphal score the first win for Carbahn Motorsports at Sebring...
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/impc/carbahn-scores-gs-win-at-sebring/
Stay tuned, for a full report on this race, coming soon.
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/impc/carbahn-scores-gs-win-at-sebring/
Stay tuned, for a full report on this race, coming soon.
2019 WEC 1000 Miles of Sebring
From David Land on YouTube.
Enjoy over 9 minutes of PURE SOUND footage of the FIA World Endurance Championship's return to Sebring, Florida for the inaugural running of the 1000 Miles of Sebring.
This race featured the likes of the Toyota TS050 of Fernando Alonso and other LMP1 cars such as the BR-1 and Rebellion R-One.
There was also LMP2 competition from Oreca, Ligier and Dallara.
GTE was awesome with great sounds from the Corvette C7R, Ford GT, Porsche 911, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ferrari 488, BMW M8 and the Aston Martin Vantage Turbo.
This was an awesome event all around!
Enjoy over 9 minutes of PURE SOUND footage of the FIA World Endurance Championship's return to Sebring, Florida for the inaugural running of the 1000 Miles of Sebring.
This race featured the likes of the Toyota TS050 of Fernando Alonso and other LMP1 cars such as the BR-1 and Rebellion R-One.
There was also LMP2 competition from Oreca, Ligier and Dallara.
GTE was awesome with great sounds from the Corvette C7R, Ford GT, Porsche 911, Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Ferrari 488, BMW M8 and the Aston Martin Vantage Turbo.
This was an awesome event all around!
Monday, March 18, 2019
Race Recap & Post-Race News From The 12 Hours of Sebring
The full race recap, and also, post-race headlines after the 12 Hours of Sebring this past weekend.
Race Recap:
12H Sebring Underway Behind Safety Car
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/12h-sebring-underway-behind-safety-car/
Race Goes Green, First Hour Completed
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/race-goes-green-first-hour-completed/
Bernhard Mazda DPi Hits Trouble in Hour 3
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/no-77-mazda-hits-trouble-in-hour-3-at-sebring/
Nasr Leads After Four Hours
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/nasr-leads-after-four-hours/
Derani Leads at Halfway as Second Mazda DPi Hits Trouble
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/derani-leads-at-halfway-as-second-mazda-dpi-hits-trouble/
Action Express Continues to Lead with Three Hours to Go
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/action-express-continues-to-lead-with-three-hours-to-go/
Grasser Leads Lamborghini 1-2 in GTD
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/grasser-leads-lamborghini-1-2-in-gtd/
Porsche Takes Second Straight Sebring GTLM Win
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/porsche-takes-second-straight-sebring-gtlm-win/
Nasr, Derani, Curran Dominate 12H Sebring
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/nasr-derani-curran-dominate-12h-sebring/
Post-Race news:
Bortolotti Was “On The Edge” with Fuel in Historic Lambo Win
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bortolotti-was-on-the-edge-with-fuel-in-historic-lambo-win/
Derani “Couldn’t Be Happier” With Record-Matching Win
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/derani-couldnt-be-happier-with-record-matching-win/
Briscoe: Ford “On The Short End of the Stick” at Sebring
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/ford-on-the-short-end-of-the-stick-at-sebring/
Porsche Fightback “Something We’ve Never Been Through”
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/tandy-porsche-fightback-something-weve-never-been-through/
Hartley “Completely Drained” After Double Podium Run
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/hartley-completely-drained-after-double-podium/
Jordan Taylor Pleased With Second in “Big Picture” Approach
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jordan-taylor-pleased-with-second-in-big-picture-approach/
Sebring IMSA Post-Race Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/sebring-imsa-post-race-notebook/
Renger Van der Zande’s latest column.
VAN DER ZANDE: A Weekend of Two Worlds
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/van-der-zande-a-weekend-of-two-worlds/
Race Recap:
12H Sebring Underway Behind Safety Car
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/12h-sebring-underway-behind-safety-car/
Race Goes Green, First Hour Completed
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/race-goes-green-first-hour-completed/
Bernhard Mazda DPi Hits Trouble in Hour 3
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/no-77-mazda-hits-trouble-in-hour-3-at-sebring/
Nasr Leads After Four Hours
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/nasr-leads-after-four-hours/
Derani Leads at Halfway as Second Mazda DPi Hits Trouble
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/derani-leads-at-halfway-as-second-mazda-dpi-hits-trouble/
Action Express Continues to Lead with Three Hours to Go
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/action-express-continues-to-lead-with-three-hours-to-go/
Grasser Leads Lamborghini 1-2 in GTD
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/grasser-leads-lamborghini-1-2-in-gtd/
Porsche Takes Second Straight Sebring GTLM Win
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/porsche-takes-second-straight-sebring-gtlm-win/
Nasr, Derani, Curran Dominate 12H Sebring
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/nasr-derani-curran-dominate-12h-sebring/
Post-Race news:
Bortolotti Was “On The Edge” with Fuel in Historic Lambo Win
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/bortolotti-was-on-the-edge-with-fuel-in-historic-lambo-win/
Derani “Couldn’t Be Happier” With Record-Matching Win
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/derani-couldnt-be-happier-with-record-matching-win/
Briscoe: Ford “On The Short End of the Stick” at Sebring
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/ford-on-the-short-end-of-the-stick-at-sebring/
Porsche Fightback “Something We’ve Never Been Through”
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/tandy-porsche-fightback-something-weve-never-been-through/
Hartley “Completely Drained” After Double Podium Run
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/hartley-completely-drained-after-double-podium/
Jordan Taylor Pleased With Second in “Big Picture” Approach
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/jordan-taylor-pleased-with-second-in-big-picture-approach/
Sebring IMSA Post-Race Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/imsa/iwsc/sebring-imsa-post-race-notebook/
Renger Van der Zande’s latest column.
VAN DER ZANDE: A Weekend of Two Worlds
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/van-der-zande-a-weekend-of-two-worlds/
12 Hours of Sebring Race Highlights
Highlights of the 67th running of the 12 Hours of Sebring. We join NBC Sports IMSA commentators Leigh Diffey, Calvin Fish, and A.J. Allmendinger, as well as Rick Allen, Paul Tracy, and Brian Till in the booth, for all the action. The last few minutes, are the most drama filled parts of the race.
Sunday, March 17, 2019
post-race news after the 1,000 Miles of Sebring
All the post-race after the 1,000 Miles of Sebring, including the race recap.
1,000 Miles of Sebring updates
Buemi Leads for Toyota in Opening Stages
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/buemi-leads-opening-stages-at-sebring/
Third-Placed SMP BR1 Crashes Out at Quarter Distance
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/third-placed-smp-br1-crashes-out-at-quarter-distance/
Nakajima Out Front at Halfway; Ford Leading GTE-Pro
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nakajima-out-front-at-halfway-ford-leading-gte-pro/
Floor Issue Creates Space Between Leading Toyotas
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/floor-issue-creates-space-between-leading-toyotas/
Porsche Takes GTE-Pro Win in Late-Race Rain Drama
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-takes-gte-pro-win-in-late-race-rain-shower/
No. 8 Toyota Dominates Sebring To Claim First Win Since Le Mans
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/no-8-toyota-dominates-sebring-to-claim-first-win-since-le-mans/
Post-Race news
Lopez: Aston Clash Happened "Really Quickly"
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lopez-aston-clash-happened-really-quickly/
Three-Driver Crews "Would Have Been Easier" for Porsche
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/three-driver-crews-would-have-been-easier-for-porsche/
Neveu: WC has 'A Clear Wish' to Continue at Sebring
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/neveu-wec-has-a-clear-wish-to-continue-at-sebring/
Hartley "Completely Drained" After Double Podium Run
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/hartley-completely-drained-after-double-podium/
Sebring WEC Post-Race Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/sebring-wec-post-race-notebook/
1,000 Miles of Sebring updates
Buemi Leads for Toyota in Opening Stages
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/buemi-leads-opening-stages-at-sebring/
Third-Placed SMP BR1 Crashes Out at Quarter Distance
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/third-placed-smp-br1-crashes-out-at-quarter-distance/
Nakajima Out Front at Halfway; Ford Leading GTE-Pro
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/nakajima-out-front-at-halfway-ford-leading-gte-pro/
Floor Issue Creates Space Between Leading Toyotas
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/floor-issue-creates-space-between-leading-toyotas/
Porsche Takes GTE-Pro Win in Late-Race Rain Drama
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/porsche-takes-gte-pro-win-in-late-race-rain-shower/
No. 8 Toyota Dominates Sebring To Claim First Win Since Le Mans
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/no-8-toyota-dominates-sebring-to-claim-first-win-since-le-mans/
Post-Race news
Lopez: Aston Clash Happened "Really Quickly"
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/lopez-aston-clash-happened-really-quickly/
Three-Driver Crews "Would Have Been Easier" for Porsche
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/three-driver-crews-would-have-been-easier-for-porsche/
Neveu: WC has 'A Clear Wish' to Continue at Sebring
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/neveu-wec-has-a-clear-wish-to-continue-at-sebring/
Hartley "Completely Drained" After Double Podium Run
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/hartley-completely-drained-after-double-podium/
Sebring WEC Post-Race Notebook
https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/sebring-wec-post-race-notebook/
1,000 Miles of Sebring Race Highlights
You’ve read the race report, surely. But, in case you missed it, here are the full race highlights of the FIA World Endurance Championship 1,000 Miles of Sebring, in sound and vision. More comprehensive highlights will appear later on, and eventually, maybe, a full race broadcast video. So, stay tuned for that.
Saturday, March 16, 2019
12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 12 (the finish)
Ryan Briscoe pits the #67 Ford GT for a full fuel load. John Edwards pits the #24 BMW for what will likely be the last time, back timing to the checkered flag. Ryan Briscoe is fighting Nick Tandy and Tandy gets snookered on old tires. Mirkon Bortolotti pits from the GTD lead. He is a Lamborghini factory driver and knows what to do about driving these cars. The #44 Magnus Racing Lamborghini takes the lead in GTD in the hands of Andy Lally as Porsche #912 is also pitting right now. Fuel only, and of course they did not take advantage of pit strategy during a yellow flag earlier in the race. Andy Lally will finish this race, not only a racer, but a competitor in street luge. The team from Magnus can go to the end from here. It's been a great race for the whole team as Katherine Legge is running extremely well coming to the closing stage of this race, or in the closing stage.
She will finish this race with a stint of three hours and 15 minutes. The GTD cars can make it to the end on full rich maximum power fuel settings. Antonio Garcia has not hit pit lane yet. He needs to go ahead and dive in, while some other teams have split the difference. Some teams are hoping for a yellow which has not happened. Corvette is going for their 100th IMSA win. GT Daytona competition is going to come down to the wire as Felipe Nasr is slowing his pace, and Jordan Taylor is slowly reeling him back in as we have only 49 minutes on the board. The Rolex 24 GTD winner, the GRT Grasser team is running against Magnus Racing Lamborghini. Andy Lally has a chance to win the 12 Hours of Sebring. The #11 car has crash damage and has some wear on the Michelin tires. This is good stuff here, lads. So many great drivers are in the hunt in three of the four classes. We have big names all over. Pick your favorite driver, and your favorite team.
Don't get too feisty and push too hard to burn down the rear tires. Take it a little easy. This is truly the calm before the storm. We will have tight battles and the weather might just play a factor. The Cadillac DPi-V.R is quite the machine, and it continues to be the car to beat in DPi. GRT Grasser and Magnus remain 1-2 for Lamborghini in GTD as Andy Lally is all over Mirko Bortolotti. Magnus lost their engineer Lars Gersing to Paul Miller Racing and had to find new people, but they are back now. Andy Lally is really good in traffic, knowing what line he'll take. The #11 car is trying to deter a DPi car. Bortolotti is trying to keep the traffic away, the faster cars. Olivier Pla flies inside. The #44 Magnus Lamborghini was sent to the back of the grid due to a post-qualifying infraction, and they have made up the difference. Believe in the process, and then, execute.
The leaders pitted, and Jordan Taylor stays in the car because he is getting great fuel mileage. Felipe Nasr has to pit this next lap and he's in the lane now. #5, the sister AXR Cadillac has also made their final pit stop. Nasr is seeing red. He needs to move it. Antonio Garcia has made his final stop and the team needs to roll the dice if they are going to win GTLM. Well, darn it, they've rolled the dice indeed. This is a race to the finish. 36 minutes to go. Alexander Rossi fills the tank in the #7 Acura for Team Penske. Tim Cindric has been trying to call strategy, and they need something in the form of a caution, but that remains to be seen.
Nick Tandy leads Ryan Briscoe and Joey Hand. Will Porsche upset the Ford's, again? The Ford's have dominated. They got snookered in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring last night, and, they are needing to win here. Ford has never won at Sebring. They've won Le Mans. They've won Daytona. But, they haven't gotten Sebring yet. Jordan Taylor is finishing the race for WTR so there is no risk involved. Putting Renger van der Zande in the car would have been too much of a risk. They know Felipe Nasr will be tough to beat in these last 32 minutes. Wayne Taylor, again, was inducted into the South African Hall of Fame, along with people like Nelson Mandella and not just sports stars.
Felipe Nasr still leads Jordan Taylor, as Nick Tandy leads Ryan Briscoe. BMW, Corvette, Porsche, Ford... everyone is in it. Townsend Bell pits the #12 AVS Lexus to pit lane. They will grab a haul of points before we start the sprint races. GRT Grasser will be focusing on other GT championships around the world. Andy Lally is flying at the moment, unloading the car on a big bump coming off turn 17. Andy Lally is pushing, pushing, pushing with 27 minutes remaining. Mirko Bortolotti has been handling the pressure, answering Lally's challenges. Amazing stuff. Simply scintillating! What a chess match this is! Wow.
25 minutes to go. Nick Tandy, Fred Makowiecki, and Patrick Pilet battled Risi Competizione Ferrari for the GTLM win here, and scored it, last year. Can they repeat? Ryan Briscoe, meanwhile, is pressing hard, trying to reel in the Porsche. Some argy bargy, look, with Mario Farnbacher in the #86 Acura NSX GT3! Wow. Less than a second between the class leaders. Farnbacher got squeezed by a Prototype through the S curve after the hairpin. Jeroen Bleekemolen is going for it as well as Laurens Vathoor gets clipped and gets pushed out of the way by the leader. Jordan Taylor is catching Felipe Nasr hand over fist.
Jordan Taylor is moving in, and Nasr has his hands full with the Nissan of Colin Braun. He passes Braun. Jordan Taylor is all over Felipe Nasr. The #10 Cadillac has come to life, going for two in a row, going for the 36 Hours of Florida. Through Bishop Bend into Gendebien Bend and Le Mans corner. Olivier Gendebien along with Phil Hill are the only two drivers to win three Sebring 12 Hours races in four years. Pipo Derani is trying to tie that record, going for a third Sebring triumph in four years. Holy moly!
'Christopher Mies has lost third to Toni Vilander. Save fuel, or stand on it? There's just 19 minutes left. Time is up. Light the afterburners and go for it. Don't wait too long or you will miss your chance. Mirko Bortolotti has been spot on, and Patrick Long is in the pit lane. Nick Tandy leads Ryan Briscoe now by less than two seconds. Antonio Garcia has gone past John Edwards. Jordan Taylor is in a hurry, trying to get by Felipe Nasr. Nasr has moved ahead as Antonio Garcia moves ahead of John Edwards. The #96 BMW is in trouble. You bdon't want to have a Full Course Yellow. If he doesn't move, that will be a yellow. The left front is completely broken in the suspension. Poor old Bill Auberlen has brought out a Full Course Yellow, with just 15 minutes to go!
Wow! Can you believe it! Just like the FIA WEC race last night, late race drama! Only 13 minutes to the end of the motor race. This will be a slug fest to the end. Cinch down those belts, and hold on tight, chaps. This race is going to be bonkers! Nasr might have the better of Taylor unless he makes his move in the first five turns. Tandy might be able to hold on in GTLM. With GTD, the Lamborghini vs. Lamborghini battle might still be there, and Toni Vilander could be a spoiler. Other outsiders might have a chance. Let's get it on! Ten minutes remaining. Take a deep breath, and hold on tight everyone.
Felipe Nasr raced in Formula 3, winning the Sunoco Driver Challenge, and got to race in the Rolex 24, going to Formula 1, and then, returning to IMSA. Andy Lally will be all over Mirko Bortolotti for the GTD win. He and John Potter won Sebring in 2014. Green flag, coming. This is what all racing drivers dream about. The leader must run 3-4 perfect laps to win. Even if you have won once, you want another Sebring trophy. They are on the Ulmann straight headed for Sunset Bend. This is the run for all the money! One of the biggest sports car races in the world! Go! Nasr flies and is gone. He says, catch me if you can, Jordan! He caught Jordan Taylor, napping. Taylor is going to0 have to race for his life.l
Taylor slides through turn five. Nasr is flying. Hr's cooking. Tandy and Briscoe are fighting in GTLM. Andy Lally is flying too. Nick Tandy and Ryan Briscoe are coming. Can Briscoe close on Tandy? Less than six minutes to go now. The delta between the GTD cars is going to be key. Joey Hand is being mugged by traffic. Bortolotti chops Lally. Ryan Briscoe slides off the road! Oh no. That's the end of it for Ford, maybe. Andy Lally is pressing hard.
Ryan Briscoe got loose and spun off the road. No Sebring joy for Ganassi in either of the big races. Maybe not. Tandy wants it. Joey Hand has gotten a good restart. Four minutes to go. In the overall, Nasr's gap has ballooned to 1.5 seconds. The GTD cars are making life hard for the GTLM boys. Hand rounds up the Lamborghini, wrangling the bull. No love lost between Ford and Porsche. Time is running ourt for Jordan Taylor to catch Nasr. Will there be a last lap pass? Mirko Bortolotti is cooking with a damaged GTD car. Felipe Nasr, Pippo "Dynamo" Derani, and Eric Curran lead, coming to the white flag. Jordan Taylor has shrunk the gap to 1.3 seconds but it will be the final lap. Lally is still pressing Bortolotti as John Edwards is chasing the Corvette with Laurens Vanthoor bearing down.
One lap to go. Felip Nasr, Pipo Derani, and Eric Curran have run so well today. They've done everything they needed to do. Everything. 1.4 seconds between Nasr and Taylor. Taylor needs traffic. He needs Nasr to get stymied. Porsche is going to win GTLM and Mirko Bortolotti will win GTD. Felipe Nasr, Pipo Derani, and Eric Curran, win Sebring! Wow! Porsche will go back to back in GTLM, winning the 1,000 Miles yesterday and the 12 Hours today! Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet, and Fred Makowiecki, go back to back. Ford CGR comes up short again, and GRT Grasser will win GTD. They get the Rolex 24 and the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, backing up a 2018 Rolex 24 triumph. Honorable mention, to LMP2 winners, Kyle Masson, Cameron Cassels, and Andrew Evans.
Overall/DPi: #31 Nasr/Curran/Derani Cadillac DPi-V.R
LMP2: #38 Masson/Cassels/Evans ORECA 07 Gibson
GT Le Mans: #911 Tandy/Pilet/Makowiecki Porsche 911 RSR
GT Daytona: #11 Bortolotti/Ineichen/Breukers Lamborghini Huracan GT3
For Pipo Derani, he joins an elite group of drivers to win three 12 Hours of Sebring races. Pipo Derani joins an elite club of three-time Sebring winners including Marco Werner, Hans Stuck, Mario Andretti, and Olivier Gendebien. Derani ties Gendebien who also won three Sebring races in four years for both Ferrari and Porsche. The racing world sees another three-time Sebring champion in Pipo Derani.
So, half of the North American Endurance Cup is done. There are two more races later on in the year, the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, in Watkins Glen, New York, coming up in early July, and then, the season finale, the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in Georgia, coming up in October as the season finale for 2019. But now, it is time to focus on sprint racing, shorter races, that will be just as exciting to watch. Next up, a street fight at the legendary street course in Long Beach, California, for the Long Beach Grand Prix, happening in a month. It's the Bubba Burger Sports Car Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Everyone, it has truly been a pleasure, to bring you coverage of the Endurance Racing Super Weekend, from Sebring. We'll see you, from Long Beach, for the first sprint event of the year, in a couple of weeks. Farewell, from the orange groves of central Florida. So long, and good night, everyone.
She will finish this race with a stint of three hours and 15 minutes. The GTD cars can make it to the end on full rich maximum power fuel settings. Antonio Garcia has not hit pit lane yet. He needs to go ahead and dive in, while some other teams have split the difference. Some teams are hoping for a yellow which has not happened. Corvette is going for their 100th IMSA win. GT Daytona competition is going to come down to the wire as Felipe Nasr is slowing his pace, and Jordan Taylor is slowly reeling him back in as we have only 49 minutes on the board. The Rolex 24 GTD winner, the GRT Grasser team is running against Magnus Racing Lamborghini. Andy Lally has a chance to win the 12 Hours of Sebring. The #11 car has crash damage and has some wear on the Michelin tires. This is good stuff here, lads. So many great drivers are in the hunt in three of the four classes. We have big names all over. Pick your favorite driver, and your favorite team.
Don't get too feisty and push too hard to burn down the rear tires. Take it a little easy. This is truly the calm before the storm. We will have tight battles and the weather might just play a factor. The Cadillac DPi-V.R is quite the machine, and it continues to be the car to beat in DPi. GRT Grasser and Magnus remain 1-2 for Lamborghini in GTD as Andy Lally is all over Mirko Bortolotti. Magnus lost their engineer Lars Gersing to Paul Miller Racing and had to find new people, but they are back now. Andy Lally is really good in traffic, knowing what line he'll take. The #11 car is trying to deter a DPi car. Bortolotti is trying to keep the traffic away, the faster cars. Olivier Pla flies inside. The #44 Magnus Lamborghini was sent to the back of the grid due to a post-qualifying infraction, and they have made up the difference. Believe in the process, and then, execute.
The leaders pitted, and Jordan Taylor stays in the car because he is getting great fuel mileage. Felipe Nasr has to pit this next lap and he's in the lane now. #5, the sister AXR Cadillac has also made their final pit stop. Nasr is seeing red. He needs to move it. Antonio Garcia has made his final stop and the team needs to roll the dice if they are going to win GTLM. Well, darn it, they've rolled the dice indeed. This is a race to the finish. 36 minutes to go. Alexander Rossi fills the tank in the #7 Acura for Team Penske. Tim Cindric has been trying to call strategy, and they need something in the form of a caution, but that remains to be seen.
Nick Tandy leads Ryan Briscoe and Joey Hand. Will Porsche upset the Ford's, again? The Ford's have dominated. They got snookered in the 1,000 Miles of Sebring last night, and, they are needing to win here. Ford has never won at Sebring. They've won Le Mans. They've won Daytona. But, they haven't gotten Sebring yet. Jordan Taylor is finishing the race for WTR so there is no risk involved. Putting Renger van der Zande in the car would have been too much of a risk. They know Felipe Nasr will be tough to beat in these last 32 minutes. Wayne Taylor, again, was inducted into the South African Hall of Fame, along with people like Nelson Mandella and not just sports stars.
Felipe Nasr still leads Jordan Taylor, as Nick Tandy leads Ryan Briscoe. BMW, Corvette, Porsche, Ford... everyone is in it. Townsend Bell pits the #12 AVS Lexus to pit lane. They will grab a haul of points before we start the sprint races. GRT Grasser will be focusing on other GT championships around the world. Andy Lally is flying at the moment, unloading the car on a big bump coming off turn 17. Andy Lally is pushing, pushing, pushing with 27 minutes remaining. Mirko Bortolotti has been handling the pressure, answering Lally's challenges. Amazing stuff. Simply scintillating! What a chess match this is! Wow.
25 minutes to go. Nick Tandy, Fred Makowiecki, and Patrick Pilet battled Risi Competizione Ferrari for the GTLM win here, and scored it, last year. Can they repeat? Ryan Briscoe, meanwhile, is pressing hard, trying to reel in the Porsche. Some argy bargy, look, with Mario Farnbacher in the #86 Acura NSX GT3! Wow. Less than a second between the class leaders. Farnbacher got squeezed by a Prototype through the S curve after the hairpin. Jeroen Bleekemolen is going for it as well as Laurens Vathoor gets clipped and gets pushed out of the way by the leader. Jordan Taylor is catching Felipe Nasr hand over fist.
Jordan Taylor is moving in, and Nasr has his hands full with the Nissan of Colin Braun. He passes Braun. Jordan Taylor is all over Felipe Nasr. The #10 Cadillac has come to life, going for two in a row, going for the 36 Hours of Florida. Through Bishop Bend into Gendebien Bend and Le Mans corner. Olivier Gendebien along with Phil Hill are the only two drivers to win three Sebring 12 Hours races in four years. Pipo Derani is trying to tie that record, going for a third Sebring triumph in four years. Holy moly!
'Christopher Mies has lost third to Toni Vilander. Save fuel, or stand on it? There's just 19 minutes left. Time is up. Light the afterburners and go for it. Don't wait too long or you will miss your chance. Mirko Bortolotti has been spot on, and Patrick Long is in the pit lane. Nick Tandy leads Ryan Briscoe now by less than two seconds. Antonio Garcia has gone past John Edwards. Jordan Taylor is in a hurry, trying to get by Felipe Nasr. Nasr has moved ahead as Antonio Garcia moves ahead of John Edwards. The #96 BMW is in trouble. You bdon't want to have a Full Course Yellow. If he doesn't move, that will be a yellow. The left front is completely broken in the suspension. Poor old Bill Auberlen has brought out a Full Course Yellow, with just 15 minutes to go!
Wow! Can you believe it! Just like the FIA WEC race last night, late race drama! Only 13 minutes to the end of the motor race. This will be a slug fest to the end. Cinch down those belts, and hold on tight, chaps. This race is going to be bonkers! Nasr might have the better of Taylor unless he makes his move in the first five turns. Tandy might be able to hold on in GTLM. With GTD, the Lamborghini vs. Lamborghini battle might still be there, and Toni Vilander could be a spoiler. Other outsiders might have a chance. Let's get it on! Ten minutes remaining. Take a deep breath, and hold on tight everyone.
Felipe Nasr raced in Formula 3, winning the Sunoco Driver Challenge, and got to race in the Rolex 24, going to Formula 1, and then, returning to IMSA. Andy Lally will be all over Mirko Bortolotti for the GTD win. He and John Potter won Sebring in 2014. Green flag, coming. This is what all racing drivers dream about. The leader must run 3-4 perfect laps to win. Even if you have won once, you want another Sebring trophy. They are on the Ulmann straight headed for Sunset Bend. This is the run for all the money! One of the biggest sports car races in the world! Go! Nasr flies and is gone. He says, catch me if you can, Jordan! He caught Jordan Taylor, napping. Taylor is going to0 have to race for his life.l
Taylor slides through turn five. Nasr is flying. Hr's cooking. Tandy and Briscoe are fighting in GTLM. Andy Lally is flying too. Nick Tandy and Ryan Briscoe are coming. Can Briscoe close on Tandy? Less than six minutes to go now. The delta between the GTD cars is going to be key. Joey Hand is being mugged by traffic. Bortolotti chops Lally. Ryan Briscoe slides off the road! Oh no. That's the end of it for Ford, maybe. Andy Lally is pressing hard.
Ryan Briscoe got loose and spun off the road. No Sebring joy for Ganassi in either of the big races. Maybe not. Tandy wants it. Joey Hand has gotten a good restart. Four minutes to go. In the overall, Nasr's gap has ballooned to 1.5 seconds. The GTD cars are making life hard for the GTLM boys. Hand rounds up the Lamborghini, wrangling the bull. No love lost between Ford and Porsche. Time is running ourt for Jordan Taylor to catch Nasr. Will there be a last lap pass? Mirko Bortolotti is cooking with a damaged GTD car. Felipe Nasr, Pippo "Dynamo" Derani, and Eric Curran lead, coming to the white flag. Jordan Taylor has shrunk the gap to 1.3 seconds but it will be the final lap. Lally is still pressing Bortolotti as John Edwards is chasing the Corvette with Laurens Vanthoor bearing down.
One lap to go. Felip Nasr, Pipo Derani, and Eric Curran have run so well today. They've done everything they needed to do. Everything. 1.4 seconds between Nasr and Taylor. Taylor needs traffic. He needs Nasr to get stymied. Porsche is going to win GTLM and Mirko Bortolotti will win GTD. Felipe Nasr, Pipo Derani, and Eric Curran, win Sebring! Wow! Porsche will go back to back in GTLM, winning the 1,000 Miles yesterday and the 12 Hours today! Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet, and Fred Makowiecki, go back to back. Ford CGR comes up short again, and GRT Grasser will win GTD. They get the Rolex 24 and the Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring, backing up a 2018 Rolex 24 triumph. Honorable mention, to LMP2 winners, Kyle Masson, Cameron Cassels, and Andrew Evans.
Overall/DPi: #31 Nasr/Curran/Derani Cadillac DPi-V.R
LMP2: #38 Masson/Cassels/Evans ORECA 07 Gibson
GT Le Mans: #911 Tandy/Pilet/Makowiecki Porsche 911 RSR
GT Daytona: #11 Bortolotti/Ineichen/Breukers Lamborghini Huracan GT3
For Pipo Derani, he joins an elite group of drivers to win three 12 Hours of Sebring races. Pipo Derani joins an elite club of three-time Sebring winners including Marco Werner, Hans Stuck, Mario Andretti, and Olivier Gendebien. Derani ties Gendebien who also won three Sebring races in four years for both Ferrari and Porsche. The racing world sees another three-time Sebring champion in Pipo Derani.
So, half of the North American Endurance Cup is done. There are two more races later on in the year, the 6 Hours of Watkins Glen, in Watkins Glen, New York, coming up in early July, and then, the season finale, the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta in Georgia, coming up in October as the season finale for 2019. But now, it is time to focus on sprint racing, shorter races, that will be just as exciting to watch. Next up, a street fight at the legendary street course in Long Beach, California, for the Long Beach Grand Prix, happening in a month. It's the Bubba Burger Sports Car Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Everyone, it has truly been a pleasure, to bring you coverage of the Endurance Racing Super Weekend, from Sebring. We'll see you, from Long Beach, for the first sprint event of the year, in a couple of weeks. Farewell, from the orange groves of central Florida. So long, and good night, everyone.
12 Hours of Sebring: Hour 11
CORE Autosport and Nissan are now back on the lead lap with two hours still on the board. Romain Dumas at the wheel of it, a man who has won Sebring and Le Mans. Pipo Derani brings the race back underway! Green flag again as the headlights pierece through the pitch darkness. Side by side stuff as Jordan Taylor dives inside! Taylor and Hartley are pressing each other, look. Wow. This is getting hot and heavy. Who can hold the throttle longer, and brake deeper? Harry Tincknell in the Mazda is still in contention. Oh dear. The #86 Acura gets dinged for running over pit equipment by the stewards. He'll have that penalty, and lose time driving down pit lane at 60 kilometers an hour. Jordan Taylor, is flying right now.
Jordan Taylor is pushing Brendon Hartley. Save your best for last. The #31 car is understeering as Trent Hindman heads for the penalty box. One hour and 55 minutes to go. It's time to lay your cards on the table and go for it. Prepare to throw caution to the wind, the 12 Hours of Sebring, is on the line. If the racing wasn't hot enough, we have another small weather system moving in. The chopper for overhead coverage had to land. The #11 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini has some damage, but they are still in contention. Jordan Taylor is applying the blowtorch to Pipo Derani, look. Taylor has the drive. Derani is on the defensive a little bit. Jordan Taylor is flying, and Brendon Hartley is also in this scrap along with Ricky Taylor and Romain Dumas.
Mazda has pace, but they have to dig themselves out of a massive hole. Katherine Legge leads GT Daytona over Jeff Westphal and Felipe Fraga. Brendon Hartley has stepped up his game. He is a Ferrari simulator pilot even though he's lost a spot in Formula 1. Nick Tandy is pressing Scott Dixon for the GTLM win. Tandy is a man on a mission, eyes wide open like saucers. He is reeling in Ryan Briscoe. Briscoe is understeering in the Ford while Tandy has the car dialed in. Katherine Legge is really quick and has self confidence. She won races in the Jaguar I-Pace series and has won in IMSA as well.
The critical factor is the pit stops. Legge pitted earlier than the drivers who are pursuing her at the moment. She may need a splash and a dash. Aaron Telitz is pretty happy with the #12 Lexus, as Townsend Bell is about to get into the car. They lost bodywork but the car is running well. We are going to see raindrops before the end. Deja vu, as we saw that yesterday in the World Endurance Championship race. Think big picture, even though it is early in the season. Execute, and maximize your points. Pipo Derani still has a two second cushion on Jordan Taylor who is still applying the blowtorch in second spot.
Felipe Fraga moves around Jeff Westphal. Fraga is not heeding the warning to save his brakes. He's flying. Physically and mentally, this race is still a tough one even as we get closer to the end. Pit stop time for the #86 Meyer Shank Acura with Trent Hindman driving. Hindman and company are rebounding from a pit lane speeding infraction. Katherine Legge now in pit lane, and she will need one more fuel load, or one of her co-driver's will. Legge will actually stay in the car. Jeroen Bleekemolen will finish the race for the #33 Mercedes in a double stint. The #33 gets snookered on the driver change. Jeroen Bleekemolen is going to finish out this race. Trent Hindman, he had a pit lane equipment violation, running over an air hose or something.
Flat left front tire for Bill Auberlen in the #96 BMW M6 GT3 for Turner Motorsports. A shame for this team, Auberlen, Robby Foley, Dillon Machavern, and the whole team. There's nothing in it between Pipo Derani and Jordan Taylor. Auberlen moved over from the factory team to the GTD/GT3 operation for BMW, for a customer team. Pipo Derani and Jordan Taylor, are turning it on in traffic at the moment. Also pushing hard, once more, is Heinricher Racing/MSR. In GTLM, Corvette is in the lane for service.
Antonio Garcia will finish it out for Corvette, who have been down on speed to the Ford's and the Porsche's. They want a yellow flag to leapfrog themselves to the front. Ryan Briscoe is still leading this race. Driver change time for Scuderia Corsa as Toni Vilander will finish the motor race;. Vo;amder is racing all over the world, hanging out with Kimi Raikkonen, running his own sports bar, and commentating for Finnish TV in Formula 1. Cadillac's in pit lane. An hour and 21 minutes to go, means they might have to squeak out one more visit to pit lane.
Filipe Albuquerque will finish out the race for Cadillac #5 while there are no planned driver changes for #10 or #31. Felipe Nasr will finish this motor race. Team boss Tim Keene knows who he wants in the car. Jordan Taylor is flashing the lights to distract Nasr. Using Ryan Briscoe as a pick, Taylor is all over Nasr like the proverbial el cheapo suito, look. Nasr is stretching the margin, stretching the rubber band over Taylor, with his foot to the floor. One more pit stop barring a yellow. It'sn crunch time, now.
Alexander Rossi is back on the lead lap with the #7 Penske Acura. Rossi, a former Indy 500 winner, has such raw speed. He just climbed into the car. Teammanager Tim Cindric is calling the fuel strategy and what maps to use on the fuel system. The Acura was absolutely undrivable in the wet. They need a yellow flag to get back up to the top three places. The #54 CORE Autosport Nissan, Romain Dumas at the wheel of it, is the final car on the lead lap in this race. Morgan Brady, is the leader of CORE Autosport and leads not just the Nissan team but also the factory GTLM Porsche team. Acura Team Penske is still in contention. They do need another yellow according to Ricky Taylor.
The finish of this race is coming closer and closer. One hour and ten minutes to go. Felipe Nasr now leads Jordan Taylor by almost eight seconds! Wow. All of these Prototypes will be tight on fuel for one more pit stop. Keep the leader in view, but also save fuel. Matthieu Vaxiviere will do the other two Michelin Endurance Cup races. Vaxiviere was going to race at Daytona, but then they confirmed Fernando Alonso for the drive. In LMP2, the #38 Performance Tech Motorsports car of Kyle Masson continues to lead. They are running 17th in the overall. Matt McMurry and company are several laps behind, and they were down 20 laps, trying hard to fight back. They've gained back six laps. Matt McMurry, sharing with Gabriel Aubry. We have to say kudos to the marshals who worked the FIA WEC race and this race, and the camera crews who filmed the races.
The #66 Ford GT is in the pit lane, topping up the oil reservoir on the car. Actually, it was also a full fuel fill. Corvette #4 in pit lane as well. It is well down the order while the sister car can still win in class.
Jordan Taylor is pushing Brendon Hartley. Save your best for last. The #31 car is understeering as Trent Hindman heads for the penalty box. One hour and 55 minutes to go. It's time to lay your cards on the table and go for it. Prepare to throw caution to the wind, the 12 Hours of Sebring, is on the line. If the racing wasn't hot enough, we have another small weather system moving in. The chopper for overhead coverage had to land. The #11 Grasser Racing Team Lamborghini has some damage, but they are still in contention. Jordan Taylor is applying the blowtorch to Pipo Derani, look. Taylor has the drive. Derani is on the defensive a little bit. Jordan Taylor is flying, and Brendon Hartley is also in this scrap along with Ricky Taylor and Romain Dumas.
Mazda has pace, but they have to dig themselves out of a massive hole. Katherine Legge leads GT Daytona over Jeff Westphal and Felipe Fraga. Brendon Hartley has stepped up his game. He is a Ferrari simulator pilot even though he's lost a spot in Formula 1. Nick Tandy is pressing Scott Dixon for the GTLM win. Tandy is a man on a mission, eyes wide open like saucers. He is reeling in Ryan Briscoe. Briscoe is understeering in the Ford while Tandy has the car dialed in. Katherine Legge is really quick and has self confidence. She won races in the Jaguar I-Pace series and has won in IMSA as well.
The critical factor is the pit stops. Legge pitted earlier than the drivers who are pursuing her at the moment. She may need a splash and a dash. Aaron Telitz is pretty happy with the #12 Lexus, as Townsend Bell is about to get into the car. They lost bodywork but the car is running well. We are going to see raindrops before the end. Deja vu, as we saw that yesterday in the World Endurance Championship race. Think big picture, even though it is early in the season. Execute, and maximize your points. Pipo Derani still has a two second cushion on Jordan Taylor who is still applying the blowtorch in second spot.
Felipe Fraga moves around Jeff Westphal. Fraga is not heeding the warning to save his brakes. He's flying. Physically and mentally, this race is still a tough one even as we get closer to the end. Pit stop time for the #86 Meyer Shank Acura with Trent Hindman driving. Hindman and company are rebounding from a pit lane speeding infraction. Katherine Legge now in pit lane, and she will need one more fuel load, or one of her co-driver's will. Legge will actually stay in the car. Jeroen Bleekemolen will finish the race for the #33 Mercedes in a double stint. The #33 gets snookered on the driver change. Jeroen Bleekemolen is going to finish out this race. Trent Hindman, he had a pit lane equipment violation, running over an air hose or something.
Flat left front tire for Bill Auberlen in the #96 BMW M6 GT3 for Turner Motorsports. A shame for this team, Auberlen, Robby Foley, Dillon Machavern, and the whole team. There's nothing in it between Pipo Derani and Jordan Taylor. Auberlen moved over from the factory team to the GTD/GT3 operation for BMW, for a customer team. Pipo Derani and Jordan Taylor, are turning it on in traffic at the moment. Also pushing hard, once more, is Heinricher Racing/MSR. In GTLM, Corvette is in the lane for service.
Antonio Garcia will finish it out for Corvette, who have been down on speed to the Ford's and the Porsche's. They want a yellow flag to leapfrog themselves to the front. Ryan Briscoe is still leading this race. Driver change time for Scuderia Corsa as Toni Vilander will finish the motor race;. Vo;amder is racing all over the world, hanging out with Kimi Raikkonen, running his own sports bar, and commentating for Finnish TV in Formula 1. Cadillac's in pit lane. An hour and 21 minutes to go, means they might have to squeak out one more visit to pit lane.
Filipe Albuquerque will finish out the race for Cadillac #5 while there are no planned driver changes for #10 or #31. Felipe Nasr will finish this motor race. Team boss Tim Keene knows who he wants in the car. Jordan Taylor is flashing the lights to distract Nasr. Using Ryan Briscoe as a pick, Taylor is all over Nasr like the proverbial el cheapo suito, look. Nasr is stretching the margin, stretching the rubber band over Taylor, with his foot to the floor. One more pit stop barring a yellow. It'sn crunch time, now.
Alexander Rossi is back on the lead lap with the #7 Penske Acura. Rossi, a former Indy 500 winner, has such raw speed. He just climbed into the car. Teammanager Tim Cindric is calling the fuel strategy and what maps to use on the fuel system. The Acura was absolutely undrivable in the wet. They need a yellow flag to get back up to the top three places. The #54 CORE Autosport Nissan, Romain Dumas at the wheel of it, is the final car on the lead lap in this race. Morgan Brady, is the leader of CORE Autosport and leads not just the Nissan team but also the factory GTLM Porsche team. Acura Team Penske is still in contention. They do need another yellow according to Ricky Taylor.
The finish of this race is coming closer and closer. One hour and ten minutes to go. Felipe Nasr now leads Jordan Taylor by almost eight seconds! Wow. All of these Prototypes will be tight on fuel for one more pit stop. Keep the leader in view, but also save fuel. Matthieu Vaxiviere will do the other two Michelin Endurance Cup races. Vaxiviere was going to race at Daytona, but then they confirmed Fernando Alonso for the drive. In LMP2, the #38 Performance Tech Motorsports car of Kyle Masson continues to lead. They are running 17th in the overall. Matt McMurry and company are several laps behind, and they were down 20 laps, trying hard to fight back. They've gained back six laps. Matt McMurry, sharing with Gabriel Aubry. We have to say kudos to the marshals who worked the FIA WEC race and this race, and the camera crews who filmed the races.
The #66 Ford GT is in the pit lane, topping up the oil reservoir on the car. Actually, it was also a full fuel fill. Corvette #4 in pit lane as well. It is well down the order while the sister car can still win in class.
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