Friday, November 29, 2024

Michelin Pilot Challenge offseason news

News during the brief offseason for IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge.  Round one of 2025 at Daytona International Speedway will be here before you know it.

Church: Everyone "Rallied" to JDC-Miller's Maiden TCR Title

Breaking Barriers - Episode 01: Revolutionizing Hand Control Systems with Bosch



After a devastating accident, racing driver Robert Wickens is confined to a wheelchair, but that didn’t stop him. Now with Bosch Motorsport as his partner, Robert has a new hand control system, that was designed with racing in mind.  This groundbreaking technology not only provides him a more robust solution powered electronically, but it also provides more consistency across break applies, faster response rate, and diagnostics for safety. Experience how technology doesn’t just break limits, but makes dreams come true. Learn more: https://www.bosch-motorsport.com/prod... #Bosch #BoschMotorsport #RobertWickens #mobilityforall Original Upload:    • Breaking Barriers - Episode 01: Revol...   #IMSA #autoracing #motorsport #sportscars #technology

Speed Syndicate to Join TCR Grid with Audi for Rumburg

Scully Signs with Czabok-Simpson for Full Season Effort

TCR Champs Taylor, Miller Step Up to GS Class in JDC Porsche

VGRT Expands TCR Program; Bergstein, Miller Confirmed

Precision Racing LA To Make Series Return with Audi TCRs

Gou Racing Becomes First IMSA Cupra TCR Customer


Thursday, November 28, 2024

More IMSA WeatherTech Championship News During the Offseason

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!  Thankful every day for endurance sports car racing, my favorite motorsport.  Here is the latest news via Sportscar365 over the offseason in the IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship.  Included within this update is everything and anything you should know about the recent test session that took place for IMSA at Daytona International Speedway, the traditional November test session that always happens before the Roar Before the Rolex 24 which is slated of course for the third weekend in January right before the Rolex 24 itself.  

This post is jammed with useful content and information if, like I do, you follow the goings on of the WeatherTech Championship often.  

BMW have multiple options on the table for their 2025 programs in IMSA and in FIA WEC, both.

Roos: BMW Taking "360-Degree Approach" to 2025 Lineup

Ohta to Get Acura ARX-06 Test at Daytona

Bartone Brothers with GetSpeed Confirmed for Rolex 24 Debut

GM Motorsports, particularly both the Cadillac LMDh program and the customer Chevrolet Corvette program, will undergo changes at the end of 2024 as at years end, both Laura Wontrop Klauser and Christie Bagne will leave the organization.

Klauser, Bagne to Exit GM Motorsports Roles

This Porsche story applies to both their IMSA and WEC effort since, of course, their 963 LMDh is a global platform.

Porsche Set to Take Second Evo Joker for 963 in 2025

Martin Promoted to Iron Dames' Lead Lineup for 2025

With Ganassi Racing ending their relationship with GM and Cadillac, the means Sebastien Bourdais will find a new avenue for next year and he has done so.  Bourdais will move to the LMP2 class and race with Tower Motorsport.

Bourdais Joins Tower LMP2 Lineup for 2025

Honda's Ohta "Confident" About Daytona Race Chances

30-Plus Cars Expected for IMSA-Sanctioned Daytona Test

Vesti: "Useful" Rookie Test Speeds Up Learning Process

Yoluc, Eastwood, Udell Join DXDT for Endurance Cup

Included in this post will be all the news and coverage from the November Daytona test session(s).  At least the first day.  Then, subsequent posts will include more information.  Please do stay tuned.  

Campbell, Jaminet Reunion a "Big Advantage" for Chemistry

Palou, Dixon Join MSR for Enduros; Rosenqvist for Rolex 24

View the First Photos from IMSA-Sanctioned Daytona Test

Full Daytona Test Entry List Revealed

Pratt Miller Names Fittipaldi, Roe for LMP2 Program

Heart of Racing 'Hitting its Milestones' in Valkyrie AMR-LMH Testing

Ford Multimatic Overhauls GTD Pro Driver Lineup for 2025

Ford Performance global motorsports director Mark Rushbrook, in this column, explains the reasoning behind the 2025 driver shakeup in the factory GTD Pro team.

RUSHBROOK: Driving Success Forward

Here is all the news from two days of testing at Daytona International Speedway.

Jeannette: AO Exploring "Multiple" 2025 Driver Options

Blomqvist Quickest for Acura MSR in Opening Day of Testing

BMW Running Updated LMDh, GT3 Cars in Daytona Test

Massa "Looking Forward" to Second Rolex 24 with Riley

Shank on IMSA Return: "This is Where We Belong"

Cadillac Confirms First Evo Joker for V-Series.R

Grosjean Fsstest On Day 2 of Daytona Testing

Drugovich Confirmed at AXR for Daytona; Vesti to Sub at Laguna


Daytona Weekend Notebook

Olsen Leads Ford Sweep as GT Testing Wraps Up at Daytona

Picariello Targeting Full-Season Porsche LMDh Program

Derani Was "Having Fun" Testing DXDT Corvette in Daytona

Aston Martin and the Valkyrie are set to skip the Rolex 24 at Daytona in January and instead, the car will make its worldwide race debut at the 2025 season opener for the FIA World Endurance Championship in Qatar.

Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH Set for Qatar Race Debut

Priaulx 'Back Home' With Ford, Multimatic in Mustang GT3 Drive

Verstappen Tests Acura ARX-06 in Las Vegas




For the first time since yours truly attended the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2020, to support my friends at Action Express Racing, qualifying for the Rolex 24 will take place during race week rather than taking place the weekend before.

Rolex 24 Qualifying Pushed Back to Race Week

IMSA Makes Changes to Separate GTD Pro, GTD Classes

Iron Dames Set Rolex 24 Lineup

Wickens Joins DXDT for GTD Sprint Rounds

Wickens: "Stars Aligned" for Corvette GTD Effort With DXDT

LMDh Promotion "The Sooner the Better" for BMW's Hesse

Jordan Taylor: "Good to Be Back" in Cadillac with WTR's Switch

Stay tuned.  There is plenty more to come as we look ahead to another incredible IMSA season in 2025.  It won't be long now.  



Tuesday, November 26, 2024

HOWLING V12 Valkyrie AMR-LMH Testing at Sebring

 


From Lanky Turtle.  The Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR-LMH testing at Sebring International Raceway in preparation of its 2025 IMSA and WEC race debut. 


Monday, November 25, 2024

Top 5 GT Cars NOT in WEC LMGT3

 


From Formula Jonah.  The LMGT3 Class has been a huge success for the WEC, as 9 manufacturers joined the category in its first year in the series. But did you know that there are quite a few more GT3 cars that are NOT racing in LMGT3?  Well, in this video, I will be talking about 5 of them, as we take a look at the Top 5 cars not in the new GT class.



Saturday, November 9, 2024

Gounon Coy on Full-Time Alpine Promotion Chances

Gounon says promotion to full-time Alpine drive not being discussed amid Fuji one-off...

https://sportscar365.com/lemans/wec/gounon-coy-on-full-time-alpine-promotion-chances/

FIA Insider - How to Read Timing Screens in WEC (ft. Supercarsoflondon)

 


Discover the inner workings of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s timekeeping and learn how to read the timing screens, and get the most from them, with Paul Wallace (@supercarsoflondon) as he goes behind the scenes, to the room occupied by Al Kamel Systems, FIA WEC’s official timing supplier. 📍 Chapters: 0:00 - Introduction 0:48 - Center of command 1:25 - Step by step 2:49 - Getting the information 3:41 - Lap times 5:42 - Race Control 6:06 - Conclusion


Saturday Pre-Race News from Mount Fuji Before the 6 Hours of Fuji

Here is all of the information you need from Saturday pre-race before the FIA WEC embarks on their journey in the 6 Hours of Fuji at Fuji Speedway, in Japan.  

Hirakawa Quickest in Red-Flagged Fuji FP3

A story that has been posted before, as it pertains to Porsche's LMDh factory efforts both stateside in IMSA and internationally in the FIA WEC.

Christensen Will "Fight to Stay" in WEC Amid IMSA Rumors

Michael Christensen apparently would prefer not to come stateside to race and rather would stay on the international side of the Porsche camp.

Cadillac scores their first ever FIA World Endurance Championship pole at Fuji!  They beat Toyota on their home turf!

Cadillac Beats Toyota to First WEC Pole at Fuji

Lynn: Cadillac's First WEC Pole "Quite A Nice Victory"

Vanthoor Feels Kvyat Incident Cost BMW Pole Shot

Fuji Saturday Notebook

Stay tuned for the race on Sunday, everybody.  Actually, in truth, the racing will begin, later tonight, U.S. time. Excited to bring all the action to you.  Sayonara, from Fuji, Japan, for now.




Friday, November 8, 2024

Thursday and Friday FIA WEC news at Mount Fuji and Fuji Speedway

More FIA World Endurance Championship news as we look ahead to the 6 Hours of Fuji at Fuji Speedway in Japan for Thursday and Friday, both.

Thursday:

Insight: The Belgian Powerhouse Squad Celebrating it's 15th Birthday

Hyundai have officially announced their intended plans to build an LMDh prototype under their Genesis luxury car brand.

Hyundai Announces LMDh Program With Genesis Brand

JOTA Cadillac Driver Lineup Taking Shape

Fuji Thursday Notebook

Friday:

Vanthoor Quickest for Porsche in Fuji FP1

Peugeot: Further 9X8 Updates Possible for Start of 2025

Estre: Consistency Has Kept Porsche Drivers Atop Standings

BMW Edges Porsche in Tight Fuji FP2

Fuji Friday Notebook




LIVE Free Practice 3 (English) | 2024 6 Hours of Fuji | FIA WEC

 


Watch live the Free Practice 3 of the 2024 6 Hours of Fuji, penultimate round of the FIA World Endurance Championship.  Martin Haven, Graham Goodwin, and Anthony Davidson, has the commentary on the Free Practice 3 session at Fuji.  Bruce Jouanny reports from the pit lane, interviewing the drivers about their practice sessions and how everything came together.  

Thursday, November 7, 2024

FIA WEC news between Austin and Fuji

Stories of interest in the three-week time span between the Lone Star Le Mans and the 6 Hours of Fuji in Fuji, Japan.  

Alpine Buoyed by Engine Updates; First Top Five for A424

OEM Bosses Speak Out Against Proposed Three-Driver Mandate


Vosse: BMW 'Has to Take Positives' from COTA Showing

Ferrari Has "Work to Do" to Catch Toyota Despite COTA Win

Mueller: Combining WEC With New FE Role "Dream Scenario"


Proton Likely to Be Only Porsche 963 Customer in 2025

Gounon Returs to Alpine Hypercar Lineup at Fuji

Van der Linde: ASP "Exploring the Limits" of Lexus Package

Lapierre Considering Retirement for Alpine Management Role

Will Nico Lapierre retire from driving to pursue a management position at Alpine Endurance Team?  We'll wait and find out.

Christian Ried will be back in the driving seat at Fuji Speedway in Japan for Proton Competition and their #88 Ford Mustang GT3.  

Ried Returns to No. 88 Ford Lineup in Fuji

Ferrari's 6H Spa Appeal Thrown Out in Court

Toyota continue getting slammed on Balance of Performance headed for their home turf at Fuji Speedway in Fuji, Japan.

Toyota Takes Further BoP Hit for Fuji

Insight: The Belgian Powerhouse Squad Celebrating its 15th Birthday

Plenty more still to come as we prepare to hit the track at Fuji Speedway in Japan.  Please do, stay tuned.


Sunday, November 3, 2024

Full Race | 2024 6 Hours of COTA | FIA WEC

 


The race broadcast of the Lone Star Le Mans from Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, for the FIA World Endurance Championship.  This race of course officially took place on September 1st.  Martin Haven, Graham Goodwin, and Anthony Davidson have the race call from the broadcast booth with Bruce Jouanny reporting on all of the action and happenings in the pit lane.  Enjoy.  

Saturday, November 2, 2024

Petit Le Mans Race Broadcast

The race broadcast of the finale of the 2024 IMSA WeatherTech Sports Car Championship, the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, in Braselton, Georgia, the 26th annual running of the sports car classic.  IMSA Radio has all the coverage for you along with the video stream of the race itself.  John Hindhaugh and Jeremy Shaw are in the global broadcast center to call the racing action, and we have Shea Adam, Diana Binks, and Nick Damon in the pit lane taking care of the coverage down there.  

Part 1

Part 2


Friday, November 1, 2024

FOX Factory 120 Race Broadcast

The race broadcast of the season finale of 2024 for the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, the Fox Factory 120 at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia, on IMSA Radio.  John Hindhaugh and Jeremy Shaw in the global broadcast center broadcast booth for the play by play, and Shea Adam and Diana Binks, reporting from the pit lane.

https://www.imsa.com/video/2024-fox-factory-120-race-broadcast/