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Successful partnership to be continued |
Tag Archives: American Le Mans Series
Patrick Dempsey contests races again with Porsche in 2014-15, Successful partnership to be continued
Porsche pilots keen to tackle the WEC premiere in Texas Round 5
| Press Release | 13/09/2013 |
Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC, round 5 in Austin/USA
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Pilet
Stuttgart. As part of this year’s sports car World Endurance Championship WEC campaign, Porsche competes for the first time on the Circuit of the Americas on 22 September in Austin. Fans in the United States can not only look forward to seeing the successful Le Mans contender Porsche 911 RSR in action, which is fielded by Porsche AG Team Manthey in the hotly-contested GTE-Pro class.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
Also racing on this weekend alongside the WEC is the American Le Mans Series with a strong Porsche contingent on the Formula 1 track in the Texas capital close to the Colorado River
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
The Porsche drivers
Porsche factory pilots and Le Mans winners Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) share the cockpit of the number 92 Porsche 911 RSR in Austin.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
Their works driver colleagues Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Pilet (France), who recently scored third in Sao Paulo, take up the race in the number 91 car.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Pilet
In the GTE-Am class, two customer teams field last year’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: Driving for IMSA Performance Matmut are the Le Mans winners from France, Raymond Narac, Jean-Karl Vernay and Christophe Bourret.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Raymond Narac, Christophe Bourret, Jean-Karl Vernay
Competing for the Proton Competition squad is team owner Christian Ried (Germany) with his Italian teammates Paolo Ruberti and Gianluca Roda.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Proton Competition, Christian Ried, Gianluca Roda, Paolo Ruberti
The Porsche 911 RSR
The 470 hp Porsche 911 RSR features consequent lightweight design and sophisticated aerodynamics. The look of the 2013 Le Mans winner (GTE-Pro) is dominated by the flared fenders and the cooling air intake at the front.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Pilet
The exceptional livery of the car honours the anniversary, “50 years of the 911”. As the successor to the winning 911 GT3 RSR, with which Porsche customers have scored many victories and title wins since 2004, the GT racer from Weissach is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car.
Porsche AG Team Manthey: Patrick Pilet (l), Joerg Bergmeister
The schedule
The six-hour race on the Circuit of the Americas starts on 22 September at 11.00 hours local time (18.00 CEST). Eurosport International broadcasts the starting phase live from 18.00 to 19.00 hours CEST. From 20.30 to 22.30 hours, Eurosport 2 telecasts live race action.
The final phase of the race is covered live by Eurosport from 22.30 p.m. to midnight. Viewers can follow the race live on the internet under http://www.fiawec.com.
Comments before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport:
Hartmut Kristen, Porsche-Motorsportchief
“The race in Austin is undoubtedly a real asset and a gain for the WEC. After all, motor racing has a great tradition in America. The USA is one of the most important markets for Porsche.
That’s why we are particularly pleased to showcase the Porsche 911 RSR, which did so well recently in Le Mans, to our many US fans for the first time at a race meeting.”
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Pilet
Joerg Bergmeister (# 91):
“Austin is one of the few race tracks in the USA that I don’t know. The greatest challenge for us all will be to quickly familiarise ourselves with the circuit and to find the optimal race set-up during practice.”
Joerg Bergmeister, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Patrick Pilet (# 91):
“I only know this track from TV. It’ll certainly be an interesting race. Like in Le Mans and Sao Paulo, I’m hoping for another podium result.”
Patrick Pilet, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Marc Lieb (# 92):
“A new race always adds interest to the series. I’m looking forward to the Austin track. There are a couple of unusual corner combinations. All in all, it looks interesting and rather challenging.”
Marc Lieb, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Richard Lietz (# 92):
“The track is new for us all. But we had an additional day of testing so it shouldn’t be a problem. Our goal is to bring home a top result and keep the bid for the championship open.”
Porsche AG Team Manthey: Richard Lietz, Marc Lieb (r)
The Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC
In the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC, sports prototypes and GT vehicles start in four classes: LMGTE-Pro, LMGTE-Am, LMP1 and LMP2. They all compete in one race but are classified separately.
Points standings after 4 of 8 races
World Cup for Manufacturers GTE
1. Ferrari, 149 points
2. Porsche, 145
3. Aston Martin, 134
World Endurance Cup for GTE drivers
1. Darren Turner, Stefan Mücke ( Aston Martin), 86 points
2. Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz (Porsche), 84
3. Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni (Ferrari), 81
4. Romain Dumas (Porsche), 72
5. Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Pilet (Porsche), 57
FIA Endurance Trophy for GTE-Am drivers
1. Jean-Karl Vernay, Raymond Narac (Porsche), 76 points
2. Jamie Campbell-Walter, Stuart Hall (Aston Martin), 70
3. Christophe Bourret (Porsche), 68
6. Christian Ried, Paolo Ruberti, Gianluca Roda (Porsche), 47
FIA Endurance Trophy for GTE-Pro teams
1. Aston Martin Racing (Aston Martin), 89 points
2. Porsche AG Team Manthey (Porsche), 87
3. AF Corse (Ferrari), 81
FIA Endurance Trophy for GTE-Am teams
1. IMSA Performance Matmut (Porsche), 76 points
2. 8 Star Motorsports (Ferrari), 74
3. Aston Martin Racing (Aston Martin), 74
5. Proton Competition (Porsche), 55
World Endurance Championship WEC
SOURCE: Communication Porsche AG / Motorsport Press
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- Porsche 918 Spyder tops global debut with a Nürburgring lap record in 6.57 minutes (dedeporsche.com)
Formula 1 pilot Mark Webber to contest Le Mans for Porsche, World Endurance Championship and Le Mans 24 Hours
Stuttgart. The Australian Formula 1 pilot Mark Webber has signed a contract with Porsche that extends over several years.
From the 2014 season he will compete in Porsche’s new LMP1 sports prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC. The 36-year-old Australian has already raced at Le Mans twice. In 1998 he finished runner-up in the FIA GT Championship at the wheel of a sports prototype. Over the course of his Formula 1 career from 2002 until today, Webber has achieved 36 podium places, nine race victories and has started from pole position eleven times.
“It’s an honor for me to join Porsche at its return to the top category in Le Mans and in the sports car World Endurance Championship and be part of the team.
Porsche has written racing history as a manufacturer and stands for outstanding technology and performance at the highest level,” says Mark Webber.
“I’m very much looking forward to this new challenge after my time in Formula 1. Porsche will undoubtedly set itself very high goals. I can hardly wait to pilot one of the fastest sports cars in the world.”
“I’m very pleased to have secured Mark Webber for our LMP1 project as one of the best and most successful Formula 1 pilots of our time,” says Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG.
“Mark is without doubt one of the world’s best race drivers, he has experience at the Le Mans 24 hour race and on top of that he’s been a Porsche enthusiast for many years.”
“I learned to appreciate Mark’s qualities when we were both involved in Formula 1,” says Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1. “He is one of the best pilots I could imagine for our team. I’m absolutely delighted that we have such an experienced and fast regular driver onboard from 2014.”
Competing in the new LMP1 car alongside Mark Webber are the two long-standing Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) as well as the ex-Formula 1 test driver Neel Jani (Switzerland).
Bernhard and Dumas already joined forces in 2010 to bring home overall victory from the Le Mans 24 hour race. In the years 2007 and 2008, they secured the American Le Mans Series title at the wheel of the RS Spyder LMP2 sports prototype. Neel Jani has contested the LMP1 class since 2010.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Motorsport
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Neel Jani races the LMP1 Porsche, Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC and Le Mans 24 Hours
Stuttgart. Another driver has been confirmed to contest the top class of the sports car World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Le Mans 24 Hours. The ex-Formula 1 test pilot Neel Jani (29) from Switzerland will join Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) for testing and from 2014 onwards will take the wheel of one of the two new LMP1 vehicles from Weissach.
Jani’s contract with Porsche extending over several years begins on 1st July. In addition to test driving the Porsche, the experienced sports car pilot will complete his planned race schedule for 2013 with the Rebellion team in the American Le Mans Series and in the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC.
Neel Jani began his career in the classical way at the age of 12 in karting and at age 16 went on to race single-seaters. In 2002 he concluded the European Formula Renault 2000 championship as runner-up.
The following season he clinched vice championship honours in the European Formula Renault V6 series. In 2003 and 2004 Jani was a Formula 1 test driver for Sauber and in 2005 he scored two GP2 victories. During the winter season of 2005/2006, he secured second overall for Switzerland in the global A1GP series and in 2006 was signed on as test and reserve driver for the Scuderia Toro Rosso Formula 1 team. In 2007 he switched to the American Champcar Series and clinched three podium places. For the 2007/2008 season he returned to the A1GP, took home the title after four victories and went on to secure yet another runner-up title the following year. In 2009 Jani contested the Le Mans 24 Hours for the first time and finished twelfth in the LMP1 class. Since 2010, he has competed for the Rebellion Racing team.
“To compete for Porsche in the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC and at the Le Mans 24 Hours is a dream come true,” says Neel Jani. “I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel for the first time and contributing my test driving experience.
Porsche is incomparable with any other marque in sports car racing and I’m proud to now be a part of the Porsche works team. My goal is to win the Le Mans 24 Hours and secure the WEC World Championship title with Porsche. I don’t just want to build on Porsche’s successful history, I want to add a new chapter.”
“Neel Jani is extremely talented and is currently one of the best sports car pilots altogether. I’m delighted that we can already confirm three drivers for the 2014 season of the World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours,” says Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG.
“Neel fits very well into our Porsche motorsport family. He is incredibly fast, he has a wealth of experience in international long distance racing as well as at the Le Mans 24 Hours and he’s a real team player,” adds Fritz Enzinger, Head of the LMP1 project.
SOURCE: Porsche AG
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
VIDEO: New member of the Porsche motorsport family, Patrick Dempsey plays star role in Porsche films
Stuttgart. Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey (“Grey’s Anatomy”) plays himself in the new motorsport film from Porsche. At the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR the avid race driver contests the 24 Hours of Le Mans this coming weekend for the Dempsey Del Piero-Proton team.
- Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Patrick Dempsey
The first of a series of films featuring Dempsey is available on Porsche’s Facebook page and on the Porsche YouTube channel.
- Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Patrick Dempsey
“It’s nice to say that you are in the Porsche family,”
says Dempsey. “It’s an incredible family, a talented family with a lot of depth when it comes to technology, engineering and design.
It fills me with pride to now be a part of this family.”
- Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Patrick Dempsey
The first movie is entitled “Porsche Motorsport: Growing the family with Patrick Dempsey” and was filmed at the American Le Mans Series race on the street circuit in Long Beach (USA).
- Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Patrick Dempsey
In the GTC class, Dempsey contests the entire season of the U.S. race series with his teammates Andy Lally and Joe Foster in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the Dempsey Del Piero Racing squad.
- Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Patrick Dempsey
At the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Dempsey and Foster join forces with Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA).
- Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Patrick Dempsey
SOURCE: Communication Porsche AG – Patrick Dempsey and Porsche Motorsport
- Dempsey Del Piero-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Patrick Dempsey
Motorsport Press
BREAKING NEWS: Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas in the LMP1-Porsche, World Endurance Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans
Stuttgart. The first two drivers to contest the top class of the sports car World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the Le Mans 24 hour race are confirmed.
Le Mans overall winners Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) will take the wheel of the new LMP1 vehicle from Weissach in the 2014 season.
Already this year the two Porsche works drivers Bernhard and Dumas will commence testing the new Le Mans racer.
Timo Bernhard & Romain Dumas
“Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas are regarded as some of the fastest and most experienced sports car pilots in the world. I’m very pleased that we have these two men contesting the World Endurance Championship and the Le Mans 24 Hours for us from 2014”, says Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board – Research and Development at Porsche AG.
“I particularly appreciate about the two is their competence as test drivers. For this reason the pair is already closely integrated in the development program of our new car and will embark on an intensive test schedule from the middle of this year”, says Fritz Enzinger, director LMP1-project.
Timo Bernhard & Romain Dumas in Silverstone
Timo Bernhard comes from Porsche’s own junior development programme. In 1999, Porsche recognised the talent of the then 18-year-old and coached him in the Porsche Junior Team to become a professional race driver.
In 2002, Bernhard was signed on as a works driver and since then has notched up victories and championship titles all over the world. In 2010 he was voted “Race Driver of the Year” by Germany’s automobile club ADAC for his outstanding achievements. Bernhard is the only race driver to have clinched overall victory at all four of the most famous sports car classics.
He won the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2010, in 2003 the Daytona 24 Hours, the 12 Hours of Sebring in 2004, and a total of five times at the 24 hour race on the Nürburgring – another record.
Timo Bernhard & Romain Dumas in Silverstone
Romain Dumas joined the circle of Porsche factory drivers in 2004. Previously he attracted attention in the Formula 3, Formula 3000, at international GT races as well as the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
He is one of the most experienced pilots at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. All together, Dumas has contested his favourite race at La Sarthe twelve times. With Timo Bernhard, he scored overall victory there in 2010 at the wheel of an Audi. Together, the pair also celebrated huge successes in the U.S. in the RS Spyder sports prototype.
In 2007 and 2008, the two Porsche works drivers convincingly clinched the title in the American Le Mans Series. Bernhard shared the cockpit with Dumas at four of his five wins at the Nürburgring 24 hour race. Moreover, in 2010 Dumas celebrated overall victory in Spa at the wheel of a Porsche 911.
Fritz Enzinger, director LMP1-project
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
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- Race debut of the new Porsche 911 RSR, World Endurance Championship, rd 1 in Silverstone, Great Britain (dedeporsche.com)
- VIDEO: New 2013 Porsche 911 RSR in the second grid row, WEC rd 1 in Silverstone/Great Britain (dedeporsche.com)
- New Porsche 911 RSR scores 4th at its race debut, WEC, Rd 1 in Silverstone/Great Britain (dedeporsche.com)
- Porsche 911 RSR – Consequent lightweight design for 50th anniversary (dedeporsche.com)
Porsche Juniors 2013: The most intensive youth development ever
Stuttgart. Never before has Porsche supported so many young drivers at one time. Four Porsche Juniors will tackle Porsche’s brand trophy series in 2013.
Now that they have chosen the teams with which they will compete, the four talented young racers enter the critical phase of preparation for the 2013 season.
Austria’s Klaus Bachler (21) contests the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, which starts on 12 May in Barcelona, with FÖRCH Racing.
Klaus Bachler (A), Porsche Junior
Michael Christensen (22) from Denmark drives for the new French Supercup team DAMS, last year’s champions of the GP2 Series.
Michael Christensen, Porsche Junior
In the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland which kicks off in Hockenheim on 4 May, Spaniard Alex Riberas Bou (19) competes for Attempto Racing,
Alex Riberas Bou (ESP), Porsche Junior
with American Connor de Phillippi (20) driving for FÖRCH Racing by Lukas Motorsport.
Connor de Phillippi (USA), Porsche Junior
For Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen, 2013 marks their second year as Porsche Juniors. Last year the pair contested the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and promptly demonstrated their ability: Michael Christensen celebrated his first victory at the season final in Hockenheim, whilst Klaus Bachler scored a podium spot at his home race on the Red Bull Ring. In the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup run as support for the Formula 1 races they are now eager to forge ahead with their successes.
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport
Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen is convinced that they will succeed in this with the new 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup that was developed parallel to the recently presented 911 GT3 at the Geneva Motor Show. “They have huge potential and are following the path that we had in mind for our junior support programme.”
As a thank you for their strong performance in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, the juniors are not only promoted to the top series of Porsche’s brand championships. With support from Porsche, they also contested the famed 24 Hours at Daytona/Florida in January which proved to be not just a fantastic new experience for the pair but also gave them an added motivation.
“This is a big vote of confidence from Porsche. I will again work hard to live up to these expectations,” says Michael Christensen. And for Klaus Bachler, “it’s a dream come true. I’ve learned a great deal in the Carrera Cup and I’m now looking forward to using what I have learned in the Supercup.”
The duo joined the Porsche works drivers at a training camp in Tenerife to build up the fitness levels required for the demands of a long racing season.
Alex Riberas Bou and Connor de Phillippi tackle their first season as Porsche Juniors. In a tough, two-tiered selection process where factors like fitness, mental strength and technical understanding as well working with engineers, and simulated qualifying laps were taken into account, in Potsdam and Vallelunga the two outshone other talented youngsters from all over the world.
“I’m very proud to be chosen by Porsche, especially when I see how the careers of many successful Porsche works drivers began as junior drivers,” says Alex Riberas Bou.
Connor de Phillippi, who like Alex Riberas Bou has driven single-seaters until now, is looking forward to getting behind the wheel of last year’s spec Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
“It’ll undoubtedly be a huge challenge.”
Porsche takes on a large proportion of the four juniors’ budget for the season and also assigns them Sascha Maassen as a junior coach. The successful professional racer from Germany won the American Le Mans Series three times with sports prototypes and GT race cars and celebrated class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Sebring 12 hour race. Moreover, he has a great deal of experience as a talent scout, coach and driving instructor.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland
Source: Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
American Le Mans, Falken Porsche, Henzler, Tandy, Sellers Third in GT at 12 Hours of Sebring
Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers (r – l)
American Le Mans Series, round in Sebring, Florida USA
Stuttgart. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Falken Tire squad, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) and works driver Nick Tandy (GB) finished the opening round of the American Le Mans Series season on the GT podium in third place.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers
With this result, they were the best of the Porsche pilots on the bumpy 17-turn Sebring circuit which hosts America’s oldest endurance race.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers
The team qualified in 12th place in class, but Henzler timed his acceleration at the green flag perfectly, scooting to sixth place in the 500 meters between the start line and turn one. Then, with perfect pit stops and some great driving in traffic from all three racers, the customer Porsche entry outran and outlasted factory teams from Corvette, BMW, SRT Viper and Aston Martin.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Nick Tandy, Bryan Sellers
“When the week began, I wouldn’t have thought we had a chance to make it on the podium as we didn’t have the speed of the others. Our Porsche was consistent, with the engine, brakes and handling all perfect, and we made up positions one at a time until we moved into the top three.
We are very satisfied with third place. We tested several times here, and that certainly helped, but we have more work to do for the season. One of the secrets to our success today was the fast and consistent driving of my colleagues Bryan and Nick,” said Henzler, the 2008 ALMS co-champion.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Marco Holzer, Richard Lietz, Bryce Miller
The other Porsche customer team in the GT class was the Paul Miller Racing orsche 911 GT3 RSR, with factory drivers Richard Lietz (AUS) and Marco Holzer (GER) joining Bryce Miller (USA), finished in sixth place. Holzer, who will drive this car all season with Miller, was pleased with the performance of his Porsche for the last half of the race
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Marco Holzer, Richard Lietz, Bryce Miller
“This was not an easy race for us as our setup in the beginning needed modification, but we picked up our pace and made up four positions in the second half to give Paul Miller Racing its best Sebring finish ever.
Bryce and Richard drove great, and a sixth position gives us valuable points for the season,” said Holzer.
In the GTC class for matched Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars, no less than seven cars led the class during the 12-hour race, with the #66 TRG Porsche with Damien Faulkner (IRL) in the lead late in the race when an air gun failure during a tire change allowed the #22 Alex Job Racing Porsche being driven by Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) to take the lead with 90 minutes remaining.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Alex Job Racing: Jeroen Bleekemolen, Cooper MacNeil, Dion von Moltke
Bleekemolen, former Porsche Mobil1 Supercup champion, who shared the driving duties with Cooper MacNeil and Dion von Moltke (both USA), then took the car to the checkered flag to win the class.
Round two of the American Le Mans Series takes place on 20 April on the street circuit in Long Beach, California USA.
Result
GT class
1. Milner/Gavin/Westbrook (USA/GB/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, 333 laps
2. Bruni/Beretta/Malucelli (ITA/MC/ITA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 333
3. Henzler/Sellers/Tandy (GER/USA/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 332
4. J.Mueller/Martin/Auberlen (MC/BEL/USA), BMW Z4, 330
5. Farnbacher/Goossens/Dalziel (GER/BEL/USA), SRT Viper, 329
6. Holzer/Miller/Lietz (GER/USA/AUS), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 329
7. D.Mueller/Hand/Edwards BMW Z4 (CH/USA/USA), BMW Z4, 321
8. Senna/Muecke/Turner (BRA/GER/GB), Aston Martin Vantage V8, 318
9. Lamy/Della Lana/Johnson (POR/CAN/USA), Aston Martin Vantage V8, 309
10. Kendall/Wittmer/Bomerito (USA/CAN/USA), SRT Viper, 303
GTC class
1. Bleekemolen/MacNeil/von Moltke (NL/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 315 laps
2. Pumpelly/Wong/Canache, Jr. (USA/USA/VEN), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 315
3. Edwards/Cisneros/Seefried (GB/USA/GER), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 314
Points’ standings
GT class
Driver
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Richard Westbrook, Chevrolet, 24 points
2. Gianmaria Bruni, Olivier Beretta, Matteo Malucelli, Ferrari, 20
3. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Nick Tandy, Porsche, 17
4. Joerg Mueller, Maxime Martin, Bill Auberlen, BMW, 14
5. Ryan Dalziel, Marc Goossens, Dominik Farnbacher, SRT Viper, 12
6. Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 10
7. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, John Edwards, BMW, 7
8. Darren Turner, Stefan Muecke, Bruno Senna, Aston Martin Vantage V8, 7
9. Jonathan Bomarito, Tommy Kendall, Kuno Wittmer, SRT Viper, 6
10. Pedro Lamy, Paul Della Lena, Billy Johnson, Aston Martin Vantage V8, 5
Manufacturers – GT
1. Chevrolet, 24
2. Ferrari, 20
3. Porsche, 17
4. BMW, 14
5. SRT Viper, 12
Teams – GT
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 24
2. RISI, Ferrari, 20
3. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 17
4. Rahal RLL, BMW, 14
The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG, Motorsport Press
Porsche AG works team Manthey fields two 911 RSR in 2013, Le Mans 24 Hours / World Endurance Championship
Le Mans
Le Mans 24 Hours / World Endurance Championship
Porsche works team fields two 911 RSR in 2013
Stuttgart. For the 2013 racing season, Porsche AG will field two new GT racecars based on the newest generation of the Porsche 911 at the Le Mans 24 hour race and in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). For the first time since the overall victory in 1998, a factory team from Porsche will tackle the famed long distance classic in France.
While having halted development of its 997-model 911 GT3 RSR and pulled factory support from Flying Lizard Motorsports and Team Felbermayr-Proton, Porsche announced Friday that it will field a team of its own in next year’s FIA World Endurance Championship with its new-generation GTE contender.
The German manufacturer will team up with longtime partner Manthey Racing to campaign two new 991-model Porsche 911 RSRs in the global sports car championship, including a full attack at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
The effort, to be run under the Porsche AG Team Manthey banner, will mark the first factory entry in the twice-around-the-clock marathon by Porsche since its overall victory in the famed race in 1998.
Porsche 911
The two new Porsche 911 RSR, which race in the GTE category, will be run by the Porsche AG Team Manthey.
Porsche 911
The role of team manager goes to the experienced endurance specialist Olaf Manthey, who has celebrated five overall wins with Porsche at the Nürburgring 24 hour race and recently fielded a 911 GT3 RSR in the International GT Open.
Porsche 911
“The new 911 RSR is currently being developed by our engineers and tested by our works drivers,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “What better time could there be to introduce the new car than the Porsche 911’s 50th anniversary.”
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport
Full details of Porsche’s factory program, including drivers, are unclear at this point. However, it would seem logical for both cars to be filled with its usual crop of factory pilots, with Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long all appearing to be potential candidates. Additionally, fellow factory driver Marco Holzer and Nick Tandy, who both drove for Manthey’s works-supported squad in International GT Open this year, could be in contention as well.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database Porsche Motorsport
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
IMPORTANT PORSCHE ANNOUNCEMENT: Porsche Motorsport Development Activity to Transition to Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (type 991) Starting in 2013
Porsche Motorsport Development Activity to Transition to Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (type 991) Starting in 2013
Stuttgart, Germany/Santa Ana, Calif. – October 26 –With a new race car based on the new, seventh-generation Porsche 911 (type 991) street car on the horizon, Porsche Motorsport has announced it will wind down its development program for the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (type 997) – a very successful venture which began in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) in 2005.
Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche Motorsport worldwide, in making the announcement, explained that the current 911 race car will reach the end of its product cycle, and, while support will continue for customer teams, further new component development will be discontinued in favor of resources devoted to the all-new car.
“Just like our recent Porsche RS Spyder program, we must appreciate the success of our race cars during their product cycle, but move on to new models when it is time to do so. The venerable Porsche 911 GT3 RSR has provided our Porsche customer teams with numerous wins and championships, and will remain competitive in 2013.
Porsche will support the customer teams which continue to race that car, but the time has come and we now must focus our research and engineering development efforts on its successor,” said Mr. Kristen.
“The new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is slated to make its North American debut in 2014,” said Kristen.
In North America, the development partner helping to design, engineer and implement improvements in the current 911 RSR race car has been Flying Lizard Motorsports in the GT class of the ALMS. This partnership now is discontinued.
Jens Walther, president of Porsche Motorsport North America, was quick to point out that customer teams still wishing to run the current 911 race car will be able to continue to do so in the American Le Mans Series with full at-the track engineering and parts support.
PMNA shop service from Porsche will also continue in 2013.
“We will be at the track with our usual support for 2013, and some of our current customer teams have already committed to run the 911 GT3 RSR (type 997) next year. Each of the current teams will be announcing their plans as we get closer to the ALMS Winter Test in February,” he said.
Walther also pointed out that the Flying Lizards have been a terrific development partner since they took on the role with Porsche Motorsport in2007.
“Team owner Seth Neiman and his entire Flying Lizard Motorsports organization have helped both Porsche Motorsport and all our customer teams around the world by being our development partner in the U.S. Together we have won multiple championships in the ALMS.
The team has assisted in testing everything from new engines and transmissions to the latest aero package we introduced earlier this year – all to improve the car for everyone. Inthe midst of all that, they won three straight ALMS GT championships in the most competitive class in sports car racing.
We thank Seth and his team for that service, and hope their racing plans going forward continue to includePorsche,” Walther said.
“It’s impressive how the 911 GT3 RSR has developed from year to year. The lap times alone are astounding, because despite the restrictions imposed on us again and again by the regulations, the car just got faster every year,” says Porsche works driver Joerg Bergmeister, who has celebrated the majority of his successes at the wheel of the 911 GT3 RSR.
Flying Lizard Statement on Porsche 911 GT3 RSR Transition Announcement
October 26, 2012 – Sonoma, CA – Seth Neiman, Flying Lizard team principal said:
FLYING LIZARDS MOTORSPORTS TEAM
“I and the entire Flying Lizard family would like to thank Porsche for their support and partnership over the last nine years.
Together we have worked hard and have learned to rely on each other in critical moments, of which there have been many throughout our 100 races and multiple GT championships. Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Hartmut Kristen, Jens Walther, Uwe Brettel, Alwin Springer, Roland Kussmaul, Hans-Georg Breuer and many others at Porsche get our special thanks, along with the numerous Porsche employees and affiliates in Germany, Atlanta and Southern California who have been an integral part of our team, and with whom we have become close friends.Flying Lizard remains committed to sports car racing, and we look forward to announcing details of our 2013 racing program later this year.”
More updates here as they come in….stay tuned.
Source: Porsche Cars North America and Flying Lizards Motorsports
2013 AMERICAN LE MANS RACE CALENDAR
The 2013 ALMS calendar
The 2013 race calendar of the American Le Mans Series which was announced on Friday includes the following races:
16 March: Sebring Florida
20 April: Long Beach California
18 May: Laguna Seca California
06 July: Lime Rock Connecticut
21 July: Bowmanville Canada
11 August: Road America Wisconsin
31 August: Baltimore Maryland
21 September: Austin Texas
05 October: Alton Virginia
19 October: Road Atlanta Georgia
American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GTvehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class:
American Le Mans Series (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This most popular class among car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database
RACE REPORT: Porsche pilots narrowly miss podium at season final ALMS rd 10 Braselton, USA
American Le Mans Series, round 10 in Braselton, USA
Porsche pilots narrowly miss podium at season final
Stuttgart. At the Petit Le Mans, the final round of the American Le Mans Series season on the storied Road Atlanta circuit, Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Long (USA) and Patrick Pilet (France) narrowly missed out on a podium placing after becoming faultlessly entangled in an accident.
But despite an additional stop-and-go penalty, they finished the 1,000 mile race on the challenging course in the U.S. state of Georgia fifth in the GT class at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports.
“I tried to overtake a Ferrari and was right up next to him when he suddenly turned in and forced me onto the grass,” said Joerg Bergmeister.“I don’t understand why it should have been my fault and why I was punished for it. But the race director decided it should be so and therefore ruined our race.”
“To lose the vice-championship in this manner is of course bitter,” said Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport. “The teams and drivers battled hard but it simply wasn’t enough.”
Patrick Pilet added, “We put in a super fight for the podium but toward the end the car became very difficult to drive.”
Patrick Long, who won in Lime Rock this season and came second at three races with Joerg Bergmeister, is now looking ahead to the next season.
“At the last six races we earned the most points of anyone. That makes me very optimistic for the future. We could easily have brought home a podium result today. The penalty handed to Joerg cost us the victory. The whole team then tried everything and used a great strategy to keep us in contention, but after the accident the car was no longer fast enough. Still, it was a good season for us.”
In the 911 GT3 RSR entry of Falken Tire, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany)
and his teammates Bryan Sellers (USA)
and Martin Ragginger (Austria) scored sixth place.
“We can be pleased with this result today,” said Henzler. “Our pit stops were good, we came in at exactly the right time, but we just couldn’t hold the pace of the front-runner. Falken will now use the winter break to develop the tyres further and I’m certain that we will have made great strides forward at the season-opener in Sebring next year.”
Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany), who drove the second Flying Lizard Porsche
with Seth Neiman (USA)
and Nick Tandy (Great Britain), took the flag in seventh and said,
“Our pace was good in the race, much better than in qualifying. After an off which cost us a lot of time we managed to fight our way up again. My first full season in the American Le Mans Series was a great experience, not least because of the pole position in Elkhart Lake.”
Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) supported regular pilots Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA) in the cockpit of Paul Miller Racing’s 911 GT3 RSR. He commented on the team’s tenth position,
“Several times we had to pit earlier to change the tyres and that cost us time. So for us it was all about getting the car to the finish line in one piece. The work with the team was a really interesting experience for me.”
At his debut in the American Le Mans Series, Kuba Giermaziak (Poland), who normally contests the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, clinched victory in the GTC class. He won withHenrique Cisneros (Mexico) and Mario Farnbacher (Germany) at the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
The Petit Le Mans was also the season final of the European Le Mans Series.
In the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by the IMSA Performance Matmut squad, Frenchmen Nicolas Armindo, Raymond Narac and Anthony Pons won the GTE Am class and secured overall victory in the European counterpart to the American Le Mans Series.
Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen commented,
“To contest a ten hour race without making any mistakes in the fight for the title is no easy feat. You can only congratulate the team on this performance.”
Result
GT class
1. Sharp/van Overbeek/Vilander (USA/USA/SF), Ferrari F458 Italia, 375 laps
2. Magnussen/Garcia/Taylor (DK/E/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 375
3. J. Müller/Auberlen/Summerton (D/USA/USA), BMW E92 M3, 374
4. D. Müller/Alzen/Summerton (D/D/USA), BMW E92 M3, 373
5. Bergmeister/Long/Pilet (D/USA/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 373
6. Henzler/Sellers/Ragginger (D/USA/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 372
7. Holzer/Neiman/Tandy (D/USA/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 369
10. Maassen/Miller/Lietz (D/USA/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 367
GTC class
1. Giermaziak/Farnbacher/Cisneros (PL/D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 356
2. di Gulda/Pumpelly/Canache (VEN/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 351
3. Collard/Gutierrez/Hedlund (F/MEX/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 351
Points’ standings
GT class
Drivers
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 146 points
2. Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Ferrari, 123
3. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Chevrolet, 121
4. Dirk Müller, BMW, 112
5. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 111
6. Bill Auberlen, Jörg Müller, BMW, 107
7. Joey Hand, BMW, 91
8. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Porsche, 81
9. Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 55
10. Seth Neiman, Porsche, 53
12. Marco Holzer, Porsche, 46
Manufacturers
1. Chevrolet, 187 points
2. BMW, 155
3. Porsche, 153
4. Ferrari, 149
Teams
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 187 points
2. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 150
3. Extreme Speed Motorsports, Ferrari, 125
4. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 122
5. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 81
6. Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, 55
The 2013 ALMS calendar
The 2013 race calendar of the American Le Mans Series which was announced on Friday includes the following races:
16 March: Sebring/Florida
20 April: Long Beach/California
18 May: Laguna Seca/ California
06 July: Lime Rock/Connecticut
21 July: Bowmanville/Canada
11 August: Road America/Wisconsin
31 August: Baltimore/Maryland
21 September: Austin/Texas
05 October: Alton/Virginia
19 October: Road Atlanta/Georgia
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class:
American Le Mans Series (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
This most popular class among car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
American Le Mans Series, rd 10 in Braselton, USA..Porsche pilots confident for season finale
American Le Mans Series, round 10 in Braselton, USA
Porsche pilots confident for season finale
Stuttgart. With the Petit Le Mans on the legendary Road Atlanta race track, the American Le Mans season draws to an end on 20 October. Six Porsche works drivers tackle the 1,000 mile race in the US State of Georgia. Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) join forces with Patrick Pilet (France) and hope to score their second GT class win of the season in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports.
The race
The Petit Le Mans is a highlight of the race series featuring the fastest sports cars in the world. The race on the 4.087 kilometre Road Atlanta circuit near Braselton, one of the most storied and challenging race tracks in the United States, has been contested since 1999.
The Porsche drivers
In the cockpit of Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long team up with their factory pilot colleague Patrick Pilet (France). In the Falken Tire entry, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) shares driving duties with Bryan Sellers (USA) and Martin Ragginger (Austria). Driving the sister Flying Lizard-Porsche is Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) with teammates Seth Neiman (USA) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain). The sixth Porsche works driver in Petit Le Mans is Richard Lietz (Austria) who helms the 911 GT3 RSR of Paul Miller Racing with Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA).
The vehicle
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR is the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s range of customer race cars. For the 2012 racing season, the vehicle received extensive modifications and has featured a new front splitter and an adapted rear wing since the race in Laguna Seca.
Porsche successes
With nine GT victories since 1999, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer at Road Atlanta. Joerg Bergmeister set the benchmark with five wins in a row from 2003 to 2007. With the Porsche RS Spyder sports prototype, Porsche celebrated three straight victories in the LMP2 class from 2006 to 2008.
The schedule
The race takes off on Saturday, 20 October, at 11.30 hrs local time (17.30 hrs CEST) and runs for maximum ten hours. The event is shown on http://www.americanlemans.com/live. The GT qualifying can be seen live on Friday from 20.20 hours on http://www.porsche.com/alms-live.
Quotes before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Head of Motorsport: “The traditional Petit Le Mans marks the end of an extremely exciting season where we witnessed particularly tough fights in the GT class. With 40 sports cars lining up for the final round on Road Atlanta the final will certainly be another highlight.”
Joerg Bergmeister: “Petit Le Mans is a memorable finish to the season. We want to win the vice championship but to do this we have to finish in front of our competitors – and that is no easy task.”
Patrick Long: “Road Atlanta is a fantastic track. It’s a real challenge for all drivers. Of course we are hoping to be just as competitive as we were at the last races. If we manage this then anything is possible.”
Patrick Pilet: “A 1,000 mile race is always something very special. It’s a huge challenge but a heap of fun.”
Wolf Henzler: “Petit Le Mans is a very special race. At the start shortly before midday it’s usually very warm and then at dusk it turns noticeably cooler. The temperature difference makes the tyre choice more difficult.”
Marco Holzer: “Road Atlanta is a fascinating race track. I hope we can maintain our top form from the last race in Virginia. That would be a great end to the racing year.”
Richard Lietz: “I’m looking forward to contesting such a classic event. I will do everything I can to help my teammates finish the season successfully.”
The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes: GT, GTC, LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC. All classes start together but are classified separately.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Porsche pilots celebrate second victory at gripping street race ALMS, rd 8 Baltimore, USA
Porsche pilots celebrate second victory at gripping street race
Stutgart. The closed street course of Baltimore is good turf for Porsche. At the second meeting of the American Le Mans Series in the Maryland state city of a million people, Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) repeated their previous year’s victory with a brilliant performance and excellent pit stop strategy.
Spectators lining the Inner Harbour track were treated to a thrilling two hour race in the series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars and witnessed the maiden victory for the Falken Tire squad with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
“To win such a great race for the second time in a row is simply fantastic,” said Wolf Henzler.
“Our team’s strategy was perfect. We came into the pits when we saw that we could go from there to finish the race and didn’t wait for a safety car phase. That was exactly the right decision.” Matthias Müller, the CEO of Porsche AG, who experienced his first American Le Mans Series race live in Baltimore, said, “I’ve rarely experienced such an exciting two hours.
The safety car came out already in the first lap. I headed to the pit wall to share the excitement with the Porsche teams. The competition in the ALMS is impressive. Congratulations to Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers on their tremendous victory. Our iconic sports car, the Porsche 911, has once again proven its speed and reliability.”
At the wheel of the #17 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Wolf Henzler headed into race from sixth and immediately became stuck in traffic at the first turn caused by a collision involving several cars.
“I really had no idea where I could go. There were cars left, right and centre,” he explained. “I was lucky that no one hit me. Somehow I finally found a free line and even managed to make up two places.”
For a while he watched the tough fights for positions on the narrow and tricky circuit ahead, but later made his move to take the lead. Henzler’s teammate Bryan Sellers lost several places while in the pits but fought his way back to the front in the first hour of racing. Despite coming under attack, he managed to fend off his pursuers to the flag.
“We weren’t always as fast as the Chevrolets and Ferraris,” he said, “but we were fast enough where it counted so that no one could overtake us.”
Underlining how strongly-supported and fiercely-contested the GT class of the American Le Mans Series is was apparent in the fact that the cars on the first four places hailed from four different manufacturers. This performance density also impressed Matthias Müller.
The Chairman of the Board at Porsche AG received a particularly insightful look behind the scenes of this exciting and for the fans fascinating race. During the formation lap before the start and in the first caution phase he sat in the passenger seat of the safety car – a Porsche Panamera Turbo.
Rounding off Porsche’s strong showing at the eighth race of the season in Baltimore, Joerg Bergmeister (Germany)
and Patrick Long (USA) scored fifth place with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports.
But the Lime Rock winners did not escape the first corner melee entirely unscathed. Patrick Long received a rear end shunt which resulted in slight damage to the car. In the race, the American drove in an uncommon double stint when he replaced Seth Neiman at short notice in the second Flying Lizard cockpit, after the team owner and regular pilot injured his arm during the morning’s practice.
Because of the short-term reshuffle of driver pairings, the regulations stipulated that his works driver colleague Marco Holzer (Germany) had to start from the pit lane.
Despite this, with a breathtaking chase, they brought their car over the finish line in seventh. In the cockpit of Paul Miller Racing’s 911 GT3 RSR, Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA) were at times running in the lead, but concluded the race in ninth.
“That was not our day. The shunt that Patrick got in the first corner was so hard that not only was our rear suspension damaged, but even the radio was ripped from its mounting. During a caution phase, Patrick had to repair it. There was not a lot we could do today,” said Joerg Bergmeister. While he took over the #45 Porsche, Patrick Long replaced Marco Holzer in the number 44 vehicle.
“After sustaining tyre damage in the early phase we had to make an extra pit stop. When you consider where we were sitting when we rejoined the race and that we were only twelfth at the beginning, then seventh place is a solid result,” he said. “I tried to drive a fair race and not risk too much. After all, I don’t normally drive this car in the championship. That was a strong team effort this weekend.”
Marco Holzer added, “The Porsche was well balanced and fast. When I handed it to Patrick we were running in the same lap as the leaders of the GT class and Patrick even managed to overtake several vehicles towards the end.”
Victory in the GTC class went to Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet (France), who started for the first time in the American Le Mans Series with a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which he shared with Al Carter (USA).
“What a great race. It’s unbelievable how fast the GTC cars are on such a narrow street course like the one here in Baltimore,” Pilet said. “I took over the car in second place and quickly managed to slip into the lead. Afterwards I concentrated on holding our position and preserving the tyres because I was aware that it would get really tough again towards the end. I’ve had such a great weekend.”
Round nine of the American Le Mans Series is contested on 15 September on the Virginia International Raceway in Alton in the US state of Virginia.
Result
GT class
1. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 67 laps
2. Gavin/Milner (GB/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 67
3. Sharp/van Overbeek (USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 67
4. D. Müller/Joey Hand (D/USA), BMW E92 M3, 67
5. Bergmeister/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 67
6. Magnussen/Garcia (DK/E), Chevrolet Corvette, 67
7. Holzer/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 67
9. Maassen/Miller (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 66
GTC class
1. Pilet/Carter (F/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 65 laps
2. Keen/McNeil (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 65
3. LeSaffre/Faulkner (USA/IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 65
Points’ standings
GT class
Drivers
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 124 points
2. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Chevrolet, 98
3. Dirk Müller, BMW, 94
4. Joey Hand, BMW, 91
5. Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Ferrari, 84
6. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 81
7. Bill Auberlen/Jörg Müller, BMW, 78
8. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Porsche, 65
9. Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 47
Manufacturers
1. Chevrolet, 145 points
2. BMW, 126
3. Porsche, 133
4. Ferrari, 110
Teams
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 145 points
2. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 121
3. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 104
4. Extreme Speed Motorsports, Ferrari, 86
5. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 65
6. Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, 45
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database
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American Le Mans Series, rd 8 Baltimore, USA, Four Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on city course before record crowds
Press Release |
25/08/2012 |
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
Four Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on city course before record crowds
Stuttgart. The premiere was a resounding success – for the American Le Mans Series and for Porsche.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman
The first race on the street course in Baltimore in the US state of Maryland last year celebrated its debut in front of a record crowd of 150,000 spectators with works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) scoring a commanding victory with his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
On 1 September, the race series showcasing the fastest sports cars in the world returns to Baltimore to contest round 8 of the series.
The race
After its successful debut in 2011, the Baltimore Grand Prix takes off for the second time. The race runs over two hours. On this weekend, the American Le Mans Series is contested alongside the Indycar series, another very popular US championship,
2012 GRAND PRIX OF BALTIMORE
Photo Source: Grand Prix Baltimore Media
The circuit
The 3.219 kilometre street circuit leads through the streets of Baltimore around the Convention Centre at the inner harbour. The course features twelve corners, some of which are extremely tight.
Photo Source: Grand Prix Baltimore Media
The Porsche pilots
Last year’s winners Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his American teammate Bryan Sellers contest the strongly represented GT class in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Falken Tire.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
Sharing the cockpit of the Flying Lizard Porsche are Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA), the winners of the Lime Rock round.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
The second 911 of the successful customer team from California is manned by Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and team owner Seth Neiman (USA).
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman
Sascha Maassen (Germany) teams up with Bryce Miller (USA) in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Paul Miller Racing.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
The most successful GT race car of the last years in the American Le Mans Series is the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s customer racing vehicles. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which won the environmental “Michelin Green X Challenge” in 2010 as the GT vehicle with the best overall efficiency, headed into the new season with extensive modifications. Since the race in Laguna Seca, the car has received a new front splitter and is fitted with an adapted rear wing.
The schedule
The race in Baltimore starts on Saturday, 1 September, at 16.30 hours local time (22.30 hrs CEST) and is broadcast on the internet live on http://www.americanlemans.com/live. On Friday from 23.27 hours CEST, the GT qualifying is shown on http://www.porsche.com/alms-live.
Quotes before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport:
“The Baltimore round is a real asset to the American Le Mans Series. At the premiere last year, 150,000 fans witnessed some great racing and a strong performance from our Porsche customer teams, crowned by Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers victory for the Falken Tire squad. Racing in a city like Baltimore with its huge catchment area is an important step on the way to bring the American Le Mans Series and its gripping racing even closer to the fans.”
Joerg Bergmeister:
Jörg Bergmeister
“The debut in Baltimore last year was a great experience. But as fascinating as city races are, they are very stressful for the teams. The time schedule is normally very tight. And if you want to be successful it’s particularly crucial to use the short practice sessions as good as you can to find the best possible set up for the track. With a race duration of just two hours and given that the GT class is so strongly represented, we’re going to see some real tough action. But we’re ready for it.”
Patrick Long:
Patrick Long
“The layout of the Baltimore circuit has changed slightly from last year. Let’s see if that helps us. After the somewhat difficult start to the season we’ve regained some of our former strength over the last few races. It would be great if we could continue this trend in Baltimore.”
Wolf Henzler:“After winning there last year, Baltimore is of course a very special race. Our chances for a top placing are definitely greater than on a conventional race track. The reason for this is that our tyres work better on the narrow street circuit and we do well in the slow corners thanks to the traction of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Now we have to turn this to our advantage.”
Marco Holzer:
Marco Holzer
“I love racing on street circuits so I’m very much looking forward to my first race in Baltimore. Crowds of 150,000 must be incredible. Our car seems to suit this course, we saw that last year when the Porsche won.”
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database u
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
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| Fri., Aug. 31 | Sat., Sept. 1 | Sun., Sept. 2 |
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- Joerg Bergmeister sets fifth quickest qualifying time American Le Mans Series, rd 5 Mosport, Canada (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
- PORSCHE Press Release – Porsche Motorsport around the world: Newsletter 5 – August 2012 (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
- Double win and points’ lead for Porsche teams at International GT Open, races 5 / 6 in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
PORSCHE PRESS RELEASE – American Le Mans Series, rd 7 Elkhart Lake, USA, qualifying: One-two in qualifying for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
One-two in qualifying for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Marco Holzer
Stuttgart. In his Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Marco Holzer posted his first pole position in the American Le Mans Series at Elkhart Lake.
Marco Holzer
On the legendary Road America race track in the US state of Wisconsin, which hosts round seven of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday, the Porsche works driver from Germany set a new qualifying record in the GT class.
Marco Holzer
The second quickest time, a mere 0.01 seconds behind the leader, went to his factory pilot colleague and five-time Road America winner Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) in the second Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
For Porsche, Marco Holzer’s top time marks the first pole position so far this season in the American Le Mans Series.
Seth Neiman
With Holzer sharing driving duties with team owner Seth Neiman (USA), the #44 Flying Lizard Porsche takes off into the race from the head of the strong GT field for the first time ever in the race series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars.
Marco Holzer
“It’s an unbelievable feeling to have clinched my first pole in the American Le Mans Series. I’m really pleased for the team that our number 44 car is at the very front of the grid,” says Marco Holzer. “This track is fantastic and it’s great fun competing here. With the race running over four hours it’s very long and a great deal can happen in this time. Still, pole position is always a great place to start from.”
Jörg Bergmeister
“The race weekend began very well for Porsche with positions one-two in qualifying,” said Joerg Bergmeister, who has clinched three of his victories on this track with his current team mate Patrick Long (USA). “Already during free practice we were going very well so our good qualifying result actually comes as no great surprise.”
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
Wolf Henzler
At the wheel of Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche factory driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) set the eighth quickest time.
Bryan Sellers
Henzler teams up with Bryan Sellers (USA) for round seven in Elkhart Lake.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
Bryce Miller (USA) turned the tenth quickest time in Paul Miller Racing’s 911 which he shares with Sascha Maassen (Germany).
Bryce Miller
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller
Sascha Maassen
The race in Elkhart Lake starts on Saturday, 18 August, at 14.30 hrs local time (21.30 hrs CEST) and runs over four hours. The race is broadcast live on http://www.americanlemans.com.
Qualifying result
GT class
1. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 2:04.415 minutes
2. Jörg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.01 seconds
3. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.45
4. Bill Auberlen (USA), BMW E92 M3, + 0.49
5. Antonio Garcia (E), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.50
6. Johannes van Overbeek (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.57
8. Wolf Henzler (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.23
10. Bryce Miller (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.76
GTC class
1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 2:12.773 minutes
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
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- Joerg Bergmeister crowns 100th race with 1st win of the season,American Le Mans Series, rd 4 Lime Rock, USA (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
- Joerg Bergmeister sets fifth quickest qualifying time American Le Mans Series, rd 5 Mosport, Canada (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
- PORSCHE Press Release – Porsche Motorsport around the world: Newsletter 5 – August 2012 (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
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PORSCHE Press Release – Porsche Motorsport around the world: Newsletter 5 – August 2012
Porsche Motorsport around the world
Newsletter 5 – 2012
Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.
American Le Mans Series: Two-tenths of a second shy of second win
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, ALMS, Mid-Ohio
Works driver Patrick Long held a clear lead with the Flying Lizard Motorsports 911 GT3 RSR at round six on the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course (4 August), until a Corvette came within strik-ing distance during a caution phase to snatch the lead whilst the Porsche pitted for a driver change.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, ALMS, Mid-Ohio
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, ALMS, Mid-Ohio
Joerg Bergmeister shaved the gap from five seconds to two-tenths – and took the flag in second. At the fourth race in Lime Rock (7 July), Bergmeister celebrated his 35th ALMS victory and Porsche its first win of the season.
Patrick Long, Jörg Bergmeister
2012 ALMS – Mid-Ohio
Two weeks later, Bergmeister/Long again crossed the finish line in first only to be disqualified due to a faulty air inlet system.
International GT Open: Marco Holzer and Nick Tandy continue at the lead
International GT Open, Paul Ricard, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey-Racing, Marco Holzer (left), Nick Tandy
After securing a fifth and second place in the 911 GT3 RSR of Manthey-Racing at races nine and ten in Le Castellet (21/22 July), factory pilot Marco Holzer and his teammate Nick Tandy head into the second half of the season tied for the points’ lead with an Aston Martin squad.
International GT Open, Paul Ricard, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey-Racing, Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy
In the GTS class, the Italian customer team Autorlando Sport scored victory with Archie Hamilton and Marco Mapelli.
Grand-Am: Magnus Racing endurance champions after Indy win
P1, Magnus Racing: (l.-r.) Andy Lally, John Potter; P3, Brumos Racing: (l.-r.) Leh Keen, Andrew Davis, Grand-Am, Indianapolis
A historic success for Porsche customer motorsport: Magnus Racing won the inaugural North American Endurance Championship with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup driven by John Potter and Andy Lally.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Magnus Racing: John Potter, Andy Lally, Grand-AM, Indianapolis
Potter and Lally secured the title for the Daytona 24 hour winning squad with their triumph at the three hour race in Indianapolis (27 July) – the first GT long distance race on the Grand Prix version of the legendary circuit.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Magnus Racing: John Potter, Andy Lally, Grand-AM, Indianapolis
The North American Endurance Championship consisted of three races: Daytona, 6 hours of Watkins Glen as well as Indy. Leh Keen and Andrew Davis rounded off the Indy weekend for Porsche clinching third place in the Brumos 911 GT3 Cup.
British GT Championship: Season enters dramatic final phase
Porsche 911 GT3 R, Trackspeed Racing, British GT, Snetterton
Jon Minshaw/Tim Harvey – Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R, Steve Tandy/Joe Osborne – Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R and David Ashburn/Richard Westbrook Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R
Points’ leader David Ashburn heads to the final two races of the season holding a mere two-point advantage after races 7 and 8 in Snetterton (5 August).
Porsche 911 GT3 R, Trackspeed Racing: Steve Tandy, Joe Osborne, British GT, Snetterton
Star, Jon Minshaw/Tim Harvey – Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R leads
Taking off into race seven from pole position, Ashburn and Richard Westbrook finished in sixth with their Trackspeed Porsche 911 GT3 R after clashing with an opponent.
Porsche 911 GT3 R, Trackspeed Racing: David Ashburn, Richard Westbrook, British GT, Snetterton
David Ashburn/Richard Westbrook Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R
Joe Osborne, Steve Tandy, British GT, Snetterton
Race eight was over early for the pair after seven laps, handing double victory to Steve Tandy/Joe Osborne and Jon Minshaw/Tim Harvey in Trackspeed Racing’s two other 911 GT3 R.
French GT Championship: Beltoise and Hassid rank second overall
A successful weekend (14/15 July) for Pro GT by Almeras in Magny-Cours: Anthony Beltoise and Henry Hassid finished the first one-hour race in second and secured eighth at the second sprint with their Porsche 911 GT3 R.
Hassid and Beltoise travel to the next race weekend in Navarra (8/9 September) ranking second overall, separated from the leader by just four points.
Works drivers: Comeback for Timo Bernhard
Timo Bernhard
VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nuerburgring 2012, 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen (2012-08-03): Foto: Jan Brucke
On 4 August at 12:54 p.m., Timo Bernhard took over the wheel of Manthey-Racing’s 911 GT3 R from his works driver teammate Romain Dumas to celebrate his comeback following an injury lay-off after he became an innocent victim of a crash during an Audi test drive in Sebring (USA) in March.
Porsche 911 GT3 R, Manthey-Racing: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas, Jochen Krumbach, VLN, Nürburgring
Engine problems after 44 minutes put an early end to Bernhard’s drive.
Porsche 911 GT3 R, Manthey-Racing: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas, Jochen Krumbach, VLN, Nürburgring
Works drivers: Team building for Marc Lieb/Richard Lietz in 356 Carrera GT
At the 20th Ennstal Classic (11/14 July) in Austria – one of the most important oldtimer rallies – works drivers Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz competed in a 356 Carrera GT (1960) from the Porsche Museum.
Sharing driving duties while the other read rally pace notes from the co-driver’s seat marked a new experience for the pair.
Marc Lieb commented,
“It’s a little un-nerving for a race driver to follow the directions of someone else. But it was certainly a great team building exercise.” The two finished on position 124, partly because they ran out of pet-rol on the Red Bull Ring. Lieb said, “We didn’t have our Norbert Singer at the pit wall to do our fuel calculations for us. I guess we were a little bit wrong…”
Youth Development: Porsche expands talent initiative
In addition to the company’s long-term training and support of Porsche juniors, from 2013 Porsche gives a particularly talented youngster from Carrera Cup series worldwide the chance to move up into the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
Porsche provides a large part of the budget. The evaluation drive takes place in autumn on a European race track.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: Quartet enters final chase
Kévin Estre is in the lead after claiming his first win of the season on the Hungaroring (29 July). He sits just one point ahead of reigning champion René Rast. Ranking third is Norbert Siedler six points up on Sean Edwards, who in turn is 12 points shy of Estre.
On the Hockenheimring at its 212th race, the Supercup celebrated its 20th anniversary (22 July). Rast won, ex-Formula 1 pilot Nick Heidfeld impressed with tenth place at his guest appearance. Only two races are left on the calendar (Spa, 2 September; Monza, 9 September).
IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama: Miller rules Mosport
Bryce Miller made a brilliant debut for Effort Racing scoring victories at both the eighth and ninth race in Mosport (21/22 July).
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, GMG Racing: Bryce Miller, IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge, Mosport
Sean Johnston defended his lead in the Platinum Cup class with two second placings. In the fight for the Gold Cup, Angel Benitez jr. retained his lead with a win at race eight.
Porsche GT3 Cup, Wright Motorsports: Sean Johnston, IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge, Mosport
At race nine, Australian David Calvert-Jones celebrated his first win in the one-marque race series.
Carrera Cup Asia: Ragginger and Simonsen win in Ordos
The former Porsche Junior Martin Ragginger won race five in Ordos (7 July) in the 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Eagle Jiejun & Junbaojie ahead of points’ leader Alexandre Imperatori.
P1, Team Eagle Jiejun & Junbaojie: Martin Ragginger; P2, PICC Team StarChase: Alexandre Imperatori
Victory at race six (8 July) under difficult weather conditions went to guest driver Allan Simonsen after the Dane had started from the 27th and very last grid spot.
Porsche GT3 Cup, Team Eagle Jiejun & Junbaojie: Martin Ragginger, Carrera Cup Asia, Ordos
Imperatori continues his stronghold in the drivers’ standings over defending champion Keita Sawa.
Carrera Cup France: Ledogar and Vernay favourites for the title
With four races left on the calendar, four-time winner this season Côme Ledogar holds a nar-row lead over Jean Karl Vernay.
In Magny-Cours (14/15 July) recently, Vernay chipped away at the gap with a win and two second places, whilst his opponent yielded three third placings.
Start, Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Ungarn 2012
Reigning champion and guest starter Kévin Estre (Nourry Compétition) impressed with two victories on the circuit near Nevers in France.
Carrera Cup Italia: Postiglione shunts Malucelli from the top of the table
Scoring victory and a fifth place at races seven and eight on the Red Bull Ring in Austria (4/5 August), Vito Postiglione in Antonelli Motorsports’ 911 GT3 Cup replaced Matteo Malucelli at the top of the points’ table.
Porsche GT3 Cup, Antonelli Motorsport: Matteo Malucelli, Carrera Cup Italia, Red Bull Ring
Malucelli finished Saturday’s race in second, but retired from Sunday’s event when an accident damaged the radiator.
Porsche GT3 Cup, Petri Corse Motorsport: Edoardo Piscopo, Carrera Cup Italia, Red Bull Ring
Edoardo Piscopo (Petri Corse Motorsport) clinched a pole-to-flag victory at Sunday’s race. Six races are still to be contest-ed; two points separate both front-runners.
Carrera Cup Japan: Favorites fulfil all expectations
Porsche GT3 Cup, Team Garmin: Ryo Hirakawa, Carrera Cup Asia, Sportsland Sugo
Ryo Hirakawa in the Garmin Porsche extended his points’ lead after taking a clear sweep with pole position, the fastest race lap and victory at races six and seven at the Sportsland Sugo (28/29 July).
Ryo Hirakawa
Hiroaki Nagai claimed both wins for Ninne Racing and with these triumphs also boosted his lead in the Gentleman Class over the second-placed driver. Four races are left on the calendar.
Porsche GT3 Cup, Team Garmin: Ryo Hirakawa, Carrera Cup Asia, Sportsland Sugo
Next event: 8 September, Fuji.
Race notes: Maiden win of the season for Ebimotors at race seven of the Italian GT Cham-pionship on the Red Bull Ring (4 August) thanks to Alessandro Balzan and Giacomo Barri. The pair came third in race eight with the 911 GT3 R.
Naoki Yokomizo and Kyosuke Mineo defended their class lead in the 911 GT3 R fielded by Endless Taisan claiming fifth at race four of the Japanese Super GT in the Sportsland Sugo (29 July).
SOURCE: Photos highlighting Porsche Motorsport
Porsche AG Media Database Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
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- Joerg Bergmeister crowns 100th race with 1st win of the season,American Le Mans Series, rd 4 Lime Rock, USA (dedeporsche.wordpress.com)
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Joerg Bergmeister sets fifth quickest qualifying time American Le Mans Series, rd 5 Mosport, Canada
Joerg Bergmeister sets fifth quickest qualifying time
American Le Mans Series, round 5 in Mosport, Canada
Stuttgart. In the qualifying for the Grand Prix of Mosport, round five of the American Le Mans Series, Porsche works driver Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) posted the fifth quickest time in the well supported GT class.
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, the four-time Mosport winner drove only four laps on the challenging course in the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, formerly known as Mosport International Raceway close to Toronto.
“Our car handles well, but the Corvettes in particular were faster on the straights,” said Joerg Bergmeister, who recently claimed the first victory of the season for Porsche with his works driver teammate Patrick Long (USA).
In the two free practices, he drove the quickest time in both sessions, but in the fight for pole position he couldn’t do any better.
“After four laps we decided to stop our session and to save our tyres for the race. Our race set-up is good and we will try to bring home a podium result with a good strategy and perfect pit stops.”
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Paul Miller Racing, Sascha Maassen (Germany) claimed the seventh spot ahead of Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany),
who netted the eighth quickest time with the 911 of Falken Tire.
Team owner Seth Neiman (USA) planted the second Flying Lizard Porsche on the eleventh spot. Underlining just how competitive the GT class of the American Le Mans Series is in Mosport is the fact that four different manufacturers, Chevrolet, BMW, Ferrari and Porsche, are in the top five in qualifying.
The race in Mosport takes off on Sunday, 22 July, at midday local time (18.00 hrs CEST) and is broadcast in the internet live on http://www.americanlemans.com.
Result Qualifying
GT class
1. Jan Magnussen (DK), Chevrolet Corvette, 1:15.478 minutes
2. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.304 seconds
3. Bill Auberlen (USA), BMW E92 M3, + 0.533
4. Johannes van Overbeek (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.711
5. Jörg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.734
6. Dirk Müller (D), BMW E92 M3, + 0.920
7. Sascha Maassen (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.485
8. Wolf Henzler (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.582
11. Seth Neiman (USA), Porsche 911 GT34 RSR, + 5.132
GTC class
1. Damien Faulkner (IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 1:21.615 minutes
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles.
The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
SOURCE: American Le Mans Series / Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG / Motorsportpress
Joerg Bergmeister crowns 100th race with 1st win of the season,American Le Mans Series, rd 4 Lime Rock, USA
Joerg Bergmeister crowns 100th race with first win of the season
Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
Stuttgart. A perfect anniversary for Joerg Bergmeister: At his 100th race in the American Le Mans Series, the Porsche works driver scored the first win of the season for Porsche. With his works driver teammate, Patrick Long (USA), he won the fiercely-competitive GT class in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports at round four of the racing series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars. This marks his 35th victory in the American Le Mans Series and his sixth in Lime Rock.
Patrick Long, Jörg Bergmeister
The race on the short 2.478 kilometre circuit in the picturesque countryside of the US state of Connecticut, two and a half hours’ drive from New York City, was not for the faint-hearted. Fans watching from the grass banks along the track witnessed a varied race with tough battles for positions, particularly in the GT class, the heart of the American Le Mans Series.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
At the halfway point in the race, Patrick Long moved to the front of the strong field and handed the # 45 silver and red 911 to Joerg Bergmeister as the leader after 100 laps. Bergmeister rejoined the race in third on the narrow circuit after a pit stop, snatched the lead back after several laps and fended off all attacks to the flag. At times the first four GT vehicles were running within a mere second..
Jörg Bergmeister
“We’ve waited a long time for this win. Now we’re all off to Manhattan to celebrate,” said Joerg Bergmeister after his anniversary race.
“We made several mistakes this season, for example our pit stop in Laguna Seca, but mostly it was just bad luck that prevented us from securing podium results. Today, everything ran smoothly, from the performance of the drivers to the pit stop strategy. The Porsche is fantastic. We are still learning about setting up the RSR but today we took a giant step forward.”
Patrick Long
Patrick Long said, “We really earned this victory. It’s a great achievement to beat such a strong GT field. Thanks to the new aero kit we have more grip and a better performance compared to last year.”
Early on in the race, Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR driven by Bryan Sellers (USA) also led the very strong GT field for a time, only to have tyre damage in the 35th lap throw him far back down the field.
Bryan Sellers
At the flag, he and Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) finished in seventh place.
Wolf Henzler
Directly behind him came the 911 fielded by Paul Miller Racing with Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA)
Sascha Maassen
Bryce Miller
as well as the second Flying Lizard Porsche with Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and team owner Seth Neiman (USA).
Seth Neiman
Marco Holzer
In qualifying, Marco Holzer had set the second fastest time, but the stewards of the meeting banned the Porsche to start from the back of the field due to a ride height that was too low.
Round five of the American Le Mans Series takes place on 21 July in Mosport/Canada.
Result
GT class
1. Bergmeister/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 160 laps
2. Magnussen/Garcia (DK/E), Chevrolet Corvette, 160
3. Gavin/Milner (GB/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 160
4. Sharp/van Overbeek (USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 160
5. Hand/D. Müller (USA/D), BMW E92 M3, 159
6. Auberlen/J. Müller (USA/D), BMW E92 M3, 159
7. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 158
8. Maassen/Miller (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 157
9. Holzer/Neiman /D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 157
GTC class
1. Keen/MacNeil (USA/USA)), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 151 laps
2. LeSaffre/Faulkner (USA/IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 151
3. Welch/LeSaffre (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 150
Points’ standings
GT class
Drivers
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 72 laps
2. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Chevrolet, 64
3. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, BMW, 60
4. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 39
5. Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Ferrari, 39
6. Bill Auberlen/Jörg Müller, BMW, 36
7. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Porsche, 25
9. Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 23
10. Seth Neiman, Porsche, 20
11. Marco Holzer, Porsche, 15
Manufacturers
1. Chevrolet, 78 points
2. BMW, 68
3. Porsche, 59
4. Ferrari, 55
Teams
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 78 points
2. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 65
3. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 44
5. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 25
6. Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, 23
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
Source: American Le Mans Series – Porsche AG Media Press Database
