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Thiim tops time sheets at hottest qualifying of the year
Nicki Thiim (DK) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
Stuttgart. Nicki Thiim (Walter Lechner Racing Team) has clinched the fastest time in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup qualifying session on the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg. The Dane outpaced his rivals at the wheel of his 460 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup and relegated Kévin Estre (F/Mc Gregor powered by Attempto Racing) and Michael Ammermüller (D/Walter Lechner Racing Team) to the second and third grid positions.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
“It’s great to be back up the front. In this heat the race will be hard work, but I can hardly wait,” said a satisfied Thiim. VIP-driver Patrick Dempsey encountered tough opposition amongst the 27-strong field of seasoned Cup contenders. The long distance pilot and actor takes up the sprint from 26th place.
Patrick Dempsey (USA) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
In sweltering summer temperatures fans were treated to a thrilling qualifying session on the storied German race track: the air temperature of 31 degrees Celsius and a track temperature of 51 degrees made this qualifying session the hottest of the season. The best grid spots for the race on Sunday were posted in the final five minutes of the 30-minute session. After topping the time charts for much of the time, the winner of the International Cup Scholarship Earl Bamber (NZ/Fach Auto Tech) was shunted by Thiim from his top spot five minutes before the end of the session with a time of 1:43.251 minutes, followed closely by his former teammate Kévin Estre in 1:43.493 minutes. The reigning Supercup title holder held on to his pole-setting time to the end. In the final seconds, Bavaria’s Michael Ammermüller made a last ditch attempt to knock him off the front grid spot and landed on a commendable third place.
Philipp Eng (A) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
The close results of the following positions are evidence of the tough competition in this international Porsche championship. With their identical 911 GT3 Cup racers, the fastest 17 drivers all posted times within a mere seven-tenths of a second. Porsche junior Sven Mueller(D/Team Project 1) scored the spot behind Bamber in fifth. “At first we were the fastest but on the second set of tyres I encountered some traffic, explained Bamber. “I improved on the stuff I got wrong on Friday,” concluded Mueller, “and now I’m quite pleased with my performance.”
Kévin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
Lining up alongside Mueller on the third grid row is his junior colleague Klaus Bachler (A/Konrad Motorsport). “It was incredibly close at the top. I’m curious to see what the weather is going to do tomorrow – whether it stays dry or rains,” said Bachler. Kuba Giermaziak (PL/VERVA Lechner Racing Team), the current points’ leader and the winner of two rounds so far this season, takes up the race from seventh, with Pieter Schothorst (NL/Mc Gregor powered by Attempto Racing) on position eight.
Klaus Bachler (A) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
Porsche junior Connor de Phillippi (USA/FÖRCH Racing by Lukas Motorsport) sits in twelfth: “It’s not exactly the result I’d hoped for. The conditions were difficult with lots of yellow flags out during the qualifying.” Porsche junior Alex Riberas (E/Mc Gregor powered by Attempto Racing) was disappointed with his 16th position. “I found the qualifying very tough. At first I was sitting fifth, but then the yellow flag came out while I was on my second set of tyres before I’d finished my lap,” stated the 20-year-old Spaniard.
Sven Müller (D), Earl Bamber (NZ), Alex Riberas (E), Klaus Bachler (A), Connor de Phillippi (USA), Neel Jani (CH) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
VIP-driver Patrick Dempsey achieved 26th at his Supercup debut: “I’m really pleased with my qualifying. I tried to brake later each lap and managed to improve considerably on my times from Friday’s free practice. But in such an incredibly strong field it wasn’t enough for a position near the front. I’m very much looking forward to the race. My first standing start at an international race will be a completely new experience for me.”
Patrick Dempsey (USA) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Hockenheim 2014
In Sunday’s race, pole-sitter Nicki Thiim could become the fourth different winner from five races. Bamber won the season-opener in Barcelona, Giermaziak dominated in Monaco and Spielberg, and Clemens Schmid (A/Walter Lechner Racing Team) in Silverstone. A glance at the qualifying results also shows that no one as yet has emerged as a favourite. Philipp Eng (A/Team Project 1) clinched pole position in Barcelona and Spielberg, Giermaziak in Monaco, Schmid in Silverstone and now Thiim in Hockenheim.
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Sky Deutschland covers the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup from 11.35 hours CEST and broadcasts the race, as does Eurosport, live from 11.45 hours.
Qualifying Hockenheim
1. Nicki Thiim (DK/Walter Lechner Racing Team), 1:43.251 min
2. Kévin Estre (F/Mc Gregor powered by Attempto Racing), 1:43.493
3. Michael Ammermüller (D/Walter Lechner Racing Team), 1:43.598
4. Earl Bamber (NZ/Fach Auto Tech), 1:43.611
5. Sven Müller (D/Team Project 1), 1:43.635
6. Klaus Bachler (A/Konrad Motorsport), 1:43.661
7. Kuba Giermaziak (PL/VERVA Lechner Racing Team), 1:43.667
8. Pieter Schothorst (NL/Mc Gregor powered by Attempto Racing), 1:43.691
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Romain Dumas, Neel Jani, Marc Lieb, during the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours test day, on June 1st 2014, at Le Mans circuit, France. Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI
Press Release
01/06/2014
Stuttgart. At the official pre-race test for the 24-hour race, the Porsche 919 Hybrid did its first laps in Le Mans on Sunday.
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Mark Webber,during the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours test day, on June 1st 2014, at Le Mans circuit, France. Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI
During the morning session the Porsche Team covered 90 laps with the two innovative prototypes on the 13.629 kilometre track. In the afternoon the distance achieved was 103 laps.
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Mark Webber
Because about nine kilometres of the legendary circuit are on public roads, normally it is impossible to test at the “Circuit de la Sarthe”.
Inside and around the paddock the infrastructure for the huge Porsche works entry on 14th/15th June is coming together – be it engineers’ offices, container buildings for the drivers to rest in or spare parts logistics and storage. The aerodynamic package of the Porsche 919 Hybrid had been modified for the high-speed track. The test programme went according to plan.
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Mark Webber
Andreas Seidl, Team Principal LMP1:
“This has been a very productive day. We travelled to Le Mans with a long to-do list and managed to tick off every single topic without experiencing any unpleasant surprises. Both cars ran trouble-free and all the drivers were on duty. With the number 14 Porsche 919 Hybrid we focused on tyre evaluation in the morning, while the number 20 car was busy with mechanical and aerodynamic set-up work. In the afternoon the job lists for the cars were swapped. Race control did several simulations, which have been good drills for our team and drivers too. For example safety car periods and the so called ‘slow zones’ were practiced. We now have a lot of data to study.
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Mark Webber
Today was a very good preparation for the drivers, engineers and mechanics – actually for everybody in the team. We would never have made it this far without our development department in Weissach – therefore thank you very much to all our colleagues at home.”
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Mark Webber
Drivers Porsche 919 Hybrid #14
Porsche Team: Romain Dumas, during the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours test day, on June 1st 2014, at Le Mans circuit, France. Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI
Romain Dumas:
“In the morning I was only able to do a few clear laps before the safety car came out. But in the afternoon it was much better, and we learnt a lot. Our car still tends to understeer and we will keep working on this for the race week. But both cars ran trouble-free, and that was our number one target.“
Porsche Team: Neel Jani
Porsche Team: Neel Jani
Neel Jani:
“Overall it was a positive day, but we still have work to do. In the morning I found it quite difficult. The track was extremely dirty and we had to calibrate the hybrid system. But it was our car that was doing the most laps in the morning session. In the afternoon I was doing set-up work and I think we have found a good direction.“
Porsche Team: Marc Lieb, during the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours test day, on June 1st 2014, at Le Mans circuit, France. Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI
Marc Lieb:
“It was great fun to drive the Porsche 919 Hybrid on this track. In the morning we were testing tyres and I have been quite happy with the results. In the afternoon we switched to set-up work and did a good long run. The car became quicker and quicker, which obviously is promising. “
Drivers Porsche 919 Hybrid #20
Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard
Timo Bernhard:
“All went according to plan – even if others were on top of the time sheets. We did our fastest lap in the middle of a long run. We found a baseline set-up very quickly this morning. The car feels good, so I’m quite confident. This test is the only opportunity to drive here and we made the most of it. We will stay focussed and will turn the newly collected data into solutions. For example, we want to use the potential of the tyres better over the long runs.”
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard, Brendon Hartley, Mark Webber
Brendon Hartley:
“It was a great start for me here on this fantastic race track. We had no problems with either car and were able to try a lot of interesting things. We are improving in tyre management on long runs as well, and it was a good day for us.“
Porsche Team: Andreas Seidl, Mark Webber
Mark Webber:
“I was really looking forward to taking the car round here for the first time. I always enjoyed this track and the long lap. To come here with the Porsche 919 Hybrid is a big day for all of us and it ran smoothly. First thing in the morning I got my ten rookie laps out of the way, which are mandatory at the pre-race test when you haven’t raced here for a while. We then quickly were able to start working on the balance and set-up of the car. We are constantly improving and again we learnt a lot.”
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Romain Dumas, Neel Jani, Marc Lieb, during the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours test day, on June 1st 2014, at Le Mans circuit, France. Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI
Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche Team: Romain Dumas, Neel Jani, Marc Lieb, – during the 2014 Le Mans 24 hours test day, on June 1st 2014, at Le Mans circuit, France. Photo Florent Gooden / DPPI
Source: Product and Technology Communication, Porsche AG
Stuttgart/Atlanta. Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) have announced the factory drivers who will compete for the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in the PORSCHE NORTH AMERICA CORE autosport-prepared Porsche 911 RSR GT-Le Mans class entries.
Car no. 911 will be driven by Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Richard Lietz (Austria), while car no. 912 will compete with Patrick Long (USA) and Michael Christensen (Denmark) at the helm, with two additional Porsche factory drivers – Patrick Pilet (France) and Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) – joining the teams for the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The no. 911Tandy/Lietz/Pilet Porsche and the no. 912 Long/Christensen/Bergmeister entry will make their on-track debut at the ROAR Before the Rolex 24, January 3 – 5, 2014. The effort will utilize the new Porsche 911 RSR, the same as the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans LM GTE-Pro class-winning entries.
The headquarters for the program will be at Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) in Santa Ana, Calif. CORE autosport, Rock Hill, South Carolina, will act as the competition partner for the program.
There is a wealth of endurance racing championship experience with this driver lineup, with Lietz scoring class wins at both the Rolex 24 (2012) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2010, 2013); and Patrick Long winning his class at the Rolex 24 (2009), 12 Hours of Sebring (2005), 24 Hours of Le Mans (2004, 2007), and Petit Le Mans (2005, 2006, 2007).
Michael Christensen, Porsche Junior
Christensen, in his first year as a Porsche Junior in 2013, finished sixth in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series season standings with one event win in addition to the Rookie of the Year title. Tandy finished the 2013 American Le Mans Series with a flare by co-driving the Team Falken Tire Porsche to the GT class victory at Petit Le Mans. As for the Rolex 24 third driver additions, Bergmeister and Pilet are endurance veterans as well. Bergmeister has won the Rolex 24 (2002, 2003, 2009), 12 Hours of Sebring (2004, 2005, 2008), 24 Hours of Le Mans (2004), and Petit Le Mans 2003 – 2007). Pilet, a former Porsche Carrera Cup France champion, has a win at the 24 Hours of Dubai to his credit.
The 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona will take place January 25 – 26, 2014.
The 2014 Porsche 911 RSR
The new 911 RSR is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car and follows in the footsteps of its successful predecessor, the 911 GT3 RSR. The new 911 RSR featured a win in its very first 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance in 2013. As with the production vehicle, the wheelbase grew by about four inches. A new development from Porsche Motorsport is the lightweight racing gearbox with the six forward gears selectable via paddles on the steering wheel. The 470 hp, 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine was taken from the predecessor and optimized for 2014.
One of the development priorities of the new 911 RSR was finding a better weight distribution balance. The center of gravity is also significantly lower than that of its predecessor. Carbon fiber played a crucial role in the new design. The front and rear aero components, front and rear lids, doors, underbody, wheel arches, rear wing, dashboard and center console are constructed from the very light and strong material. Moreover, all windows are made of particularly thin and light polycarbonate. Also contributing to the weight reduction is the lithium-ion battery now available on many GT road-legal models.
The look of the new 911 RSR is dominated by the flared aero components and the deep cooling air intakes at the front. With a new air ducting, the radiator is now centrally-located in the front and even more effective than in the previous model. At the same time, the cockpit air-conditioning became more efficient. The quick-change concept of the body parts was specially adapted for endurance racing, allowing for easier maintenance and shorter repair times. The front end, front lid and rear panel are fitted with quick release systems and can be replaced within seconds.
Low positioned static cornering lights provide improved vision and enhanced safety during the night. The reflective labeling and anti-glare lighting of the control elements in the cockpit help ensure optimal legibility in the dark. The arrangement of the switches on the new steering wheel and the pilot-oriented center console were designed in co-operation with the ten Porsche works drivers. All works drivers took part in the design of the 911 RSR contributing their vast experience in GT racing.
In order to keep the engineers in the pits up-to-date with all relevant vehicle data, the live telemetry transmits more than 200 different measurements straight to the pit wall stand via an antenna on the roof. Additionally, all data is stored on a memory card onboard the vehicle.
Stuttgart. Porsche heads into the 2014 season with the most extensive motorsport programme ever. In addition to its new LMP1 project, Porsche Motorsport sends two GT works teams to compete on race tracks around the world. Porsche AG Team Manthey again fields two Porsche 911 RSR in the Sports Car World Endurance Championship (WEC), as well as at the Le Mans 24 Hours.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister, Patrick Pilet
Porsche North America contests the new Tudor United Sportscar Championship with CORE autosport as the race team, with the new season kicking off at the Daytona 24 hour race on 25 January.
Matthias Müller, Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions 2013
Porsche Motorsport’s driver squad has also grown to record size.
For the upcoming season, Porsche has signed on 20 drivers including four Porsche juniors and a scholarship candidate chosen from the international one-make race series. All current Porsche factory pilots have received a contract for the 2014 season. “We’ve never had such a large driver line-up in the history of the company,” says Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG.
Porsche 919 hybrid named, LMP1 driver squad complete
Porsche AG announces its driver line-up and the vehicle name for its return to the top category of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship (WEC) in 2014, with the season highlight in Le Mans: On the occasion of the Porsche Night of Champions this Saturday in Weissach, the young New Zealander Brendon Hartley (24) and long-standing Porsche works driver Marc Lieb (33) from Germany have been confirmed as regular drivers in the LMP1 race car, officially called the “Porsche 919 hybrid”. Already signed on for the LMP1 project are the drivers Timo Bernhard (DE, 32), Romain Dumas (FR, 36), Neel Jani (CH, 30) and the Australian Mark Webber (37).
Driver squad Porsche LMP1, Mark Webber, Romain Dumas, Neel Jani, Timo Bernhard, Marc Lieb, Brendon Hartley (l-r)
Wolfgang Hatz, Board Member for Research and Development at Porsche AG, stated:
“We are very proud of our strong international driver line-up. Three of the six drivers come from our own Porsche driver squad, two were even Porsche juniors. This is something we are particularly proud of.” Hatz continued: “The vehicle name 919 hybrid follows on from the tradition of the Le Mans-winning 917, but it is also with a view to the 918 Spyder, and acknowledges the company’s embarkation into the hybrid future. With hybrid sports cars like the Cayenne as a SUV, the Grand Touring Panamera, and the 918 Spyder three-litre super sportscar, we are on the right track. But to continue leading the way in the future and to merge sportiness with sustainability, we need to keep learning. Maximum efficiency in energy consumption is the directive of the new WEC regulations for the works-entered class 1 prototypes – and that is also the direction for the automobile future.”
Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions 2013
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1, explained:
“We had a substantial number of applicants from all classes for the two 919 hybrids. We were looking for experience, sheer speed, technical understanding, and we wanted team players because this is more important in endurance racing than in any discipline.”
Strong driver squad wrapped up with Hartley and Lieb
Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas were the first drivers to be selected. The two bring the experience of seven overall victories each from 24 hour races – Nürburgring, Daytona, Spa and overall victory together in Le Mans with Audi. In July 2013, the ex-Formula 1 test driver Neel Jani joined the team, with Mark Webber onboard since the end of the 2013 Formula 1 season. Brendon Hartley and Marc Lieb now complete the squad.
Hartley left his homeland early to advance his racing career in Europe. Following on from successes in the Formula Renault and Formula 3 came the long-awaited Formula 1 contract – as a test driver but with precious little chance to race. Hence, parallel to his F1 commitments, Hartley turned to sports car racing. He said: “I’m incredibly proud that Porsche has chosen me. I was deeply impressed at my first outing in Le Mans. But to compete there in the LMP1 for an iconic company like Porsche is another dimension completely.”
Marc Lieb was 20 years old when his career as a race driver at Porsche took off: In the year 2000, he won the Porsche Junior driver selection. In addition to a raft of class victories, he also scored five overall wins at 24 hour races, four times on the Nürburgring, once at Spa. “I have been fortunate enough to celebrate victories with Porsche all over the world,” said Lieb, “even in the GT class at Le Mans. People there always asked when we would return to the LMP1 class. Since the project was given the go-ahead, I only wanted one thing: to be involved. Le Mans and Porsche, I can’t even begin to describe how excited this makes me feel.”
Mark Webber disclosed:
“For me a lot of it is familiar, a lot is foreign, everything is special. I’m absorbing every bit of information I can and I’m already looking forward to the next tests.” The nine-time Grand Prix winner took the wheel of the 919 hybrid for the first time several days ago in Portimão, Portugal.
Timo Bernhard has a few more kilometres to his credit. He said:
“I’ve been with Porsche for 15 years and I feel an immense responsibility that comes with the return to LMP1. In the development, all your skills as a driver are required. The first premise is not to drive fast, it’s more to feel what the car is doing and to share even the smallest details with the engineers.”
Romain Dumas, who celebrates his 36th birthday today on the Night of Champions, underlined:
“We are a good team for the development of the 919 hybrid. We have a lot of work ahead of us. The 2013 class victory with Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz in the factory-run Porsche 911 RSR was really great, but now we’re heading into new territory, and with all the complex technical innovations, our new squad faces an enormous challenge.”
Neel Jani summarises:
“It has always been my goal to one day fight for overall victory in the WEC and Le Mans. To do this you have to be part of a good works squad, and this is where I am right now. To compete for Porsche is a great honour and it comes with a lot of responsibility. We want to write a new chapter in the great history of Porsche motorsport, even if it takes time. The technology is completely new and we need to grow together as a team.”
Frédéric Makowiecki signed as Porsche works driver
Frenchman Frédéric Makowiecki (33) will join the ranks of Porsche Motorsport’s GT squad this coming season and pilot a 911 RSR. Makowiecki, who prefers to be called Fred Mako, is a regular competitor behind the wheel of Porsche race cars. He has collected more than nine years of experience in the cockpit of the 911. One of his greatest achievements was clinching the title of the Porsche Carrera Cup France in 2010.
Frédéric Makowiecki (FR)
“Frédéric Makowiecki is one of the fastest and most experienced GT pilots,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen. “He has a great deal of experience on virtually all international race tracks and he knows precisely how to drive a Porsche 911 fast. I’m very much looking forward to working with him.”
Porsche acquires majority holding in Manthey Racing GmbH
Porsche has acquired a 51 percent stake in Manthey Racing GmbH and as such continues to expand its long and successful collaboration with the race outfit from Meuspath at the Nürburgring. “I’m sure this will help us to prepare even better for the challenges we are facing together in the WEC and I look forward to working with Olaf Manthey, Nicolas Raeder and Martin Raeder,” says Wolfgang Hatz.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Martin Ragginger wins Porsche Cup
After a successful season in international GT racing, Austrian Martin Ragginger (25) can celebrate winning the Porsche Cup as the best Porsche private driver in the world. On the occasion of the Night of Champions on 14 December in the R&D Centre at Weissach, Ragginger accepted the Porsche Cup from Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG.
After earning 5,940 points this past season, Ragginger also takes home a new Porsche 911 Carrera S with a total value of more than 120,000 Euros. Second-placed Klark Quinn (AUS) is the recipient of 30,000 Euros, with Robert Renauer given 25,000 Euros for third place. The Porsche Cup comes with a total purse of 253,000 Euros. As the brainchild of Ferry Porsche, this trophy has been awarded every year since 1970 to the best private Porsche race driver. Pilots earn points towards the Porsche Cup in 18 international race series as well as at selected long distance races.
Professional racer Martin Ragginger, who contested his first kart race at the age of nine, competed in six race series during 2013. He celebrated his greatest success of the season at the 24 Hours of Dubai, winning the A6-AM class for GT3 vehicles. Ragginger also tackled the ADAC GT Masters at the wheel of a 911 GT3 R and concluded the season in fourth overall. The Austrian earned more points towards the Porsche Cup in the VLN on the Nürburgring, at the Campionato Italiano GT, in the Grand-AM and in the Blancpain Endurance Series.
Trailing Ragginger by just 110 points, Klark Quinn (31) came a close second in the fight for the Porsche Cup. Quinn secured the 2013 Australian GT Championship title, winning three out of twelve rounds of the Australian series, and climbing the podium eleven times. At the twelve-hour race at Bathurst, Australia, he achieved third place at the wheel of a Porsche 991 GT3 R fielded by his team “VIP Petfoods Racing”.
After an exciting season, Robert Renauer clinches the third spot on the Porsche Cup podium. The 28-year-old from Jedenhofen in Bavaria earned Cup points at 17 races. In the ADAC GT Masters, the qualified car salesman secured second place in the overall classification with his team Tonino powered by Herberth Motorsport. Renauer went on to score more points at rounds of the Campionato Italiano GT, as well as in the Blancpain Endurance Series and the GrandAM Rolex Sportscar Series.
Start: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2013
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup continues with Formula 1
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup continues to run as part of the Formula 1 weekends. The successful partnership, which began back in 1993, has now been extended for another three years, up to and including the 2016 season. For more than two decades, the flagship of Porsche’s one-make race series has been regarded as one of the major launching platforms for an international GT career.
“The Supercup is the crown of Porsche’s brand trophy series. It has everything that makes international motor racing great. Many of our works drivers are the best sports car pilots in the world and they came from the Supercup,” says Porsche Motorsport boss Hartmut Kristen. “We’re delighted to be able to continue offering our partners and fans exciting racing in such an attractive environment like the top league of motorsport.”
The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup heads into its 22nd season on 11 May 2014 in Barcelona. Nine events with a total of ten races make up the calendar. A highlight of the season will be on 12 October at the Supercup debut on the new Formula 1 circuit in the Russian Olympic city of Sochi.
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.
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
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.
Stuttgart. The race is on: On Saturday at 15.00 hours, the honorary starter of the Le Mans 24 Hour raceJim France, the founder of the American Grand-Am Series, sent the 56 cars on their way.
Watched by Dr Wolfgang Porsche, Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG, and Matthias Müller, Porsche AG Chairman of the Executive Board, two Porsche 911 RSR fielded by the Porsche AG Team Manthey as well as five customer team-run Porsche 911 GT3 RSR headed into the 81st edition of the most famous long distance race in the world.
In the first hour of the race, in which there was a long caution period due to an accident, Porsche works driver Marc Lieb (Germany) moved up into second place in the GTE-Pro class at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR with the starting number 92.
His works driver colleague Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) made up three places in the 911 RSR with the starting number 91 also run by Porsche AG Team Manthey and now ranks fourth.
In the GTE-Am class three Porsche 911 GT3 RSR sit in the lead: Front-runner is Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA), followed by his factory pilot colleague Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Paoli Ruberti (Italy).
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Le Mans 24 Hours and the sports car World Endurance Championship WEC
Stuttgart. Porsche AG Team Manthey used the first qualifying for the Le Mans 24 Hours on Wednesday primarily to work on the set-up of the new Porsche 911 RSR for its first outing at the world’s most famous long distance race.
The 911 RSR with the starting number 92, shared by Porsche works drivers Romain Dumas (France), Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria), performed impressively in free practice by setting the best time in the GTE-Pro class, and went on to post the fifth quickest time during the first qualifying held in the night.
At the wheel of the second 911 RSR with the starting number 91, their works driver colleagues Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Patrick Pilet (France) were clocked as seventh fastest.
The best Porsche in the GTE-Am class was the 911 GT3 RSR run by Proton Competition on second place. Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti share the cockpit.
The IMSA Performance Matmut 911 with Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) clinched the third quickest time.
In the 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Dempsey Del Piero Proton squad, the all-American line-up of Hollywood star Patrick Dempsey,
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Dempsey Dell Piero Proton: Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster, Patrick Long
Porsche works driver Patrick Long and Joe Foster secured the seventh spot.
Quotes after the first qualifying
Joerg Bergmeister (# 91):
“My main priority was to turn my mandatory laps. I was driving on used tyres and everything went really smoothly. As a driver you’re never really satisfied but I think that as far as the race is concerned we are on the right track.”
Patrick Pilet (# 91):
Patrick Pilet and Timo Bernhard
“The balance of the car was okay. On the fastest lap I encountered a lot of traffic which cost me some time. For tomorrow we have to keep working on the balance.”
Timo Bernhard (# 91):
“Today wasn’t really a labour-intensive day. In free practice I turned three laps before the session was red-flagged. When I wanted to climb in the car for my last qualifying stint the red flag came out again and after that it was no longer possible to do anything. Now I hope that I get to drive a bit longer tomorrow.”
Marc Lieb (# 92):
Marc Lieb, Joerg Bergmeister, Porsche AG Team Manthey
“The qualifying was quite good. I went out on used tyres and that worked well. I’m happy with the car’s balance. Of course we have to tweak the set-up but I think that we’ll manage that before the race. Compared to Spa and Silverstone we’ve made great strides.”
Richard Lietz (# 92):
(l.-r.): Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas, Marc Lieb
“My first lap was really good, but I spun in the second. Luckily nothing happened and I then had no problems on the second set of tyres.”
Romain Dumas (# 92):
Romain Dumas
“Unfortunately I didn’t get the chance to drive during qualifying. I drove a couple of laps in free practice during the afternoon. It was great fun to be out on this track in a GT car.”
Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Wolf Henzler (#67):
“Today was my first time with the car on new tyres. The balance is still not quite perfect. I hope that we can attack it again tomorrow.”
Jean-Karl Vernay (#76):
“We have made progress in all areas since the last race in Spa. On the straights we are still a little slower but we are closing in on our competitors. I’m getting to know the circuit better with every lap I drive.”
Patrick Long (#77):
“I initially went out on used tyres to get a feel for the car. When I then tried to go for a good qualifying time with soft tyres the yellow flag came out at the first corner. Afterwards I only had time to turn the required mandatory laps for the night qualifying.”
Patrick Dempsey (#77):
Patrick Dempsey, Dempsey Dell Piero-Proton
“I’m very pleased to compete in Le Mans with Porsche. This is really a fantastic experience. Of course there are still some things that need improving but it’s been quite a long time since I’ve driven laps at night on this difficult track. The Porsche is great fun to drive. I’ve learned a lot and I’m feeling confident that we’ll improve even more until the race.”
Paolo Ruberti (#88):
(l.-r.): Gianluca Roda, Christian Ried, Paolo Ruberti
“I was almost a second quicker than in free practice. In the first chicane I was a little too quick and I lost the rear. Luckily I didn’t hit anything.”
Result 1st qualifying GTE-Pro class
1. Bell/Makowiecki/Senna (GB/F/BRA), Aston Martin, 3:55.658 minutes
2. Fisichella/Bruni/Malucelli (I/I/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 3:55.909
3. Dumbreck/Mücke/Turner (GB/D/GB), Aston Martin, 3:56.004
5. Dumas/Lieb/Lietz (F/D/A), Porsche 911 RSR, 3:56.457
7. Bergmeister/Bernhard/Pilet (D/D/F), Porsche 911 RSR, 3:56.573
It takes fans on an interactive journey through 60 years of Porsche Motorsport history showcasing previously unreleased films, photo galleries and stories. Phase one of the three-stage Web Special highlights the legendary venues of Porsche’s racing history and brings the greatest moments of motorsport back to life.
Each week, new content is added, outlining why Porsche and motorsport are inseparably connected. In addition to historical film documentaries, interviews with drivers, engineers and former race directors allow a fascinating glimpse behind the scenes.
Stuttgart. In the qualifying for the six hour race of Spa-Francorchamps, round two of the World Endurance Championship (WEC) for sports cars on the storied circuit in the Ardennes,
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Romain Dumas
Porsche works pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Pilet (France) planted their Porsche 911 RSR on the sixth grid spot in the GTE-Pro class. For Saturday’s race, they share the cockpit of the number 91 car with Timo Bernhard (Germany).
Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas, Richard Lietz, Porsche AG Team Manthey
Their works driver colleagues Marc Lieb (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) take up the race one position behind them. The third driver in the 470 hp # 92 GT racer is Richard Lietz (Austria). Porsche AG Team Manthey field both Porsche 911 RSR.
From this season on, the qualifying in the WEC is conducted following a new format: For the first time, two drivers must qualify one car. The grid positions for the race are determined by the average of the two fastest timed laps of each of these drivers.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche AG Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister, Timo Bernhard, Patrick Pilet
Joerg Bergmeister (#91)
“I made a small mistake in my second lap. Otherwise I could have gone a little faster. But I still pitted so that I didn’t wear the tyres too much for Patrick.”
Patrick Pilet (#91):
“The car ran very steadily and that’s good for the race. We’re not too far back and I hope that we can do even better tomorrow.”
Romain Dumas (#92):
“That qualifying wasn’t perfect. But I’m sure we’ll look better in the race.”
Marc Lieb (#92):
“Our car performed better than in practice so that’s a small step in the right direction. Let’s see what tomorrow’s race brings.”
Porsche AG Team Manthey
Qualifying result GTE-Pro class
1. Makowiecki/Bell/Senna (F/GB/BRA), Aston Martin Vantage, 2:19.811 minutes
2. Bruni/Fisichella (I/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.042 seconds
3. Kobayashi/Vilander (J/SF), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.278
4. Turner/Mücke/Dumbreck (GB/D/GB), Aston Martin Vantage, + 0.296
5. DallaLana/Stanaway/Lamy (CAN/NZ/P), Aston Martin Vantage, + 0.430
6. Bergmeister/Pilet/Bernhard (D/F/D), Porsche 911 RSR, + 0.432
7. Lieb/Lietz/Dumas (D/A/F), Porsche 911 RSR, + 1.049
GTE-Am class
1. Nygaard/Poulsen/Simonsen (DK/DK/DK), Aston Martin Vantage, 2:21.265 minutes
2. Potolicchio/Aguas/Malucelli (I/P/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.030 seconds
3. Goethe/Hall/Campbell-Walter (D/GB/GB), Aston Martin Vantage, + 0.284
4. Bornhauser/Canal/Rees (F/F/BRA), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.480
5. Ried/Roda/Ruberti (D/I/I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.425
7. Narac/Vernay (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.156
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The World Endurance Championship
In the World Endurance Championship, sports prototypes and GT vehicles start in four classes: LMGTE-Pro, LMGTE-Am, LMP1 and LMP2. They all compete together in one race but are classified separately.
prepared a 2012 annual report for Dedeporsches.com Blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
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Nick Tandy Winner Porsche Cup, Dr. Wolfgang Porsche Chairman of the Supervisory Board
Stuttgart. After his first full season in international GT racing, Nick Tandy (28) from Great Britain can celebrate winning the Porsche Cup as the best private driver in the world.
On the occasion of the Night of Champions on 8 December in the R&D Centre at Weissach, Nick Tandy received the Porsche Cup from Dr. Wolfgang Porsche, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board at Porsche AG. Additionally, Tandy was awarded a new Porsche 911 Carrera S.
Tandy was awarded a new 911 Carrera S Coupé
During the past season the Briton scored a total of 7,510 points. Second-placed Raymond Narac is the recipient of 30,000 Euro, Paolo Ruberti’s third place comes with a purse of 25,000 Euro.
Nick Tandy (GB) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
The Porsche Cup is endowed with a total value of 253,000 Euro. In the competition initiated by Ferry Porsche, drivers earned points in 18 Grand Touring and prototype race series worldwide as well as at selected long distance races. Professional race driver and part-time farmer Nick Tandy headed into 2012 as the reigning champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by the experienced Manthey Racing team in the International GT Open. Sharing the cockpit with works driver Marco Holzer, Tandy won five races.
In the ADAC GT Masters, Tandy competed for the Geyer & Weinig EDV – Schütz Motorsport squad at the wheel of a 911 GT3 R. Here, Tandy and his teammate Christian Engelhart scored four victories. For the Brit, the season concluded with seventh place in the drivers’ classification.
Tandy earned further points towards the Porsche Cup competing for Flying Lizard Motorsports and TRG in the ALMS.
2012 ALMS – Petit Le Mans Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman, Nick Tandy
2012 ALMS – Petit Le Mans Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman, Nick Tandy
In the British GT Championship, he manned the cockpit of a Team Motorbase fielded 911 GT3 R at selected rounds. After John Fitzpatrick (1972, 1974, 1980) and Tim Sugden (2005), Nick Tandy is the third Briton to be honoured with the Porsche Cup, which has been awarded by Porsche since 1970.
International GT Open, Barcelona, Marco Holzer (GER), Olaf Manthey (GER), Nick Tandy (GBR)
International GT Open, Barcelona, Nick Tandy (GBR)
International GT Open, Barcelona, Manthey-Racing, Marco Holzer (GER), Nick Tandy (GBR)
International GT Open, Barcelona, Manthey-Racing, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Marco Holzer (GER), Nick Tandy (GBR)
With a margin of just 170 points, Frenchman Raymond Narac (45) finished the race for the Porsche Cup in second place. The founder and owner of the successful IMSA Performance Matmut team contested three major championships as team principal and driver.
International GT Open, Barcelona, IMSA Performance Matmut, Patrick Pilet (FRA), Raymond Narac (FRA)
In the European Le Mans Series, Narac defended the championship title in the GTE Am class driving a 911 GT3 RSR in last year’s spec.
International GT Open, Barcelona, Raymond Narac (FRA)
Joining forces with Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet, Narac periodically held the lead in the International GT Open driver’s standings and concluded the season in the hotly-contested championship in sixth. In the World Endurance Championship, Narac scored a class win and second place in Le Mans.
After securing second in last year’s Porsche Cup, Paolo Ruberti again climbs the “podium” in third. The 37-year-old Italian secured this success predominantly in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Driving Felbermayr-Proton’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ruberti won the GT Am class at the Sebring 12 Hours and the 6 hour race in Bahrain.
Ruberti secured additional points thanks to a victory and a second place in the Italian GT Championship.
At the Weissach Motorsport Centre, preparations for the running of the new LMP1 sports prototype at the Le Mans 24 Hours and in the sports car World Endurance Championship are progressing at high revs. For this feat the infrastructure was considerably expanded.
A new workshop building and an office complex have been completed. “The first rollout of our new LMP1 car is planned for mid-2013,”announced Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche AG Board of Management Member for Research and Development, on Saturday on the occasion of the end of season “Night of Championscelebration”.
“The car will be run by our own works team based here at Weissach.” The LMP1 project was realised by a new department headed by Fritz Enzinger.
With his well-established organisational structure, Porsche’s Head of Motorsport Hartmut Kristen continues to be responsibilityfor all other motorsport programmes worldwide. The customer sport model 911 GT3 R celebrated 41 wins from 131 starts in a range of GT3 racing series worldwide. For the 2013 season Porsche offers teams an upgrade package which will position the GT3 R even better in the performance window as defined by the FIA.
In his speech, Hatz underlined the importance of GT racing for Porsche and pleaded for two different GT categories for works-supported professional sport and for customer sport:
“In factory sport the regulations must be based on technology while in customer racing a stronger alignment of the relative strength by Balance of Performance measures is legitimate.”
In addition to the promotion of four Porsche Juniors, one pilot from the international makes cups will enjoy comprehensive support for the 2013 season. Frenchman Jean-Karl Vernay (25) who won the Carrera Cup France at his first attempt last season receives funding to the value of 200,000 Euro towards his 2013 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup campaign. At a test session in Vallelunga, Vernay won over eight other top drivers from the Carrera Cups France, Asia, Japan, Scandinavia, Italy, Australia, Great Britain and from the GT3 Cup Challenge Canada. Vernay has already made a name for himself in international motor racing.
In 2005 he claimed the championship in the French feeder series Formula Renault Campus and went on to finish second in a Formula 3 single-seater at the Macau Grand Prix in 2009. In 2010 Vernay went to the USA and promptly clinched overall victory in the Indy Lights Series’ in his first season. Peugeot contracted the Frenchman as a test and reserve pilot for their LMP1 project in 2011. At the same time Vernay competed in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and was crowned LMP2 champion.
“The support from Porsche is a great opportunity for me,” says Vernay. “In the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup all drivers have to adjust to a new vehicle.
As a newcomer, this means I’ll have a good chance to be competitive right from the beginning.
The Supercup is the pinnacle of the Porsche one-brandcups and has a great reputation as a launching platform to enter professional GT sport.”
With its well-established works drivers, Porsche is relying on continuity.
All nine drivers still have a valid contract for the 2013 season or their contract was extended.For six of the nine drivers, the 24-hour race at Daytona on 26 January marks the start of the new season.
Joerg Bergmeister drives a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for The Racers Group. With Kevin Buckler’s squad, Bergmeister scored a sensational overall victory at Daytona in 2003 at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 RS.
Marco Holzer competes for Alex Job Racing, Marc Lieb again joins forces with Brumos Racing and Richard Lietz drives for last year’s winner Magnus Racing
Patrick Long goes racing for Park Place Motorsports and Patrick Pilet competes for the NGT team.
For the Porsche JuniorsMichael Christensen and Klaus Bachler the race in Daytona marks the first time in their career that they contest a 24 hour race. Christensen receives support in his campaign from Christian Engelhart and Porsche Cup winner Nick Tandy for the Konrad Motorsport team with whom he contested the Carrera Cup Deutschland in 2012. Bachler is competing for Snow Racing.
SOURCE: Porsche Motorsport Porsche Press Database
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Wolfgang Hatz, Member of the Executive Board – Research and Development
Matthias Müller, President of the Executive Board
Michael Christensen (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Fritz Enzinger, Head of LMP1
Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Timo Bernhard, Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet, Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas, Marco Holzer, Wolf Henzler, Porsche works drivers
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
Jean-Karl Vernay – Winner International Scholarship
24h Le Mans
Alexandre Imperatori, Michael Meadows, Edoardo Piscopo, Johan Kristoffersson, Côme Ledogar, Jean-Karl Vernay, Kyle Marcelli, André Heimgartner, Ryo Hirakawa, International Scholarship, Vallelunga
Alexandre Imperatori, Michael Meadows, Edoardo Piscopo, Johan Kristoffersson, Côme Ledogar, Jean-Karl Vernay, Kyle Marcelli, André Heimgartner, Ryo Hirakawa (l. – r.), International Scholarship, Vallelunga
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2012
Klaus Bachler (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2012
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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…”
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).
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).
Nicolas Armindo (F), René Rast (D), Michael Ammermüller (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Stuttgart. A perfect start to the season for René Rast (Germany).
René Rast (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The one-make cup professional driving for Team Deutsche Post by tolimit – Team Pole Promotion won the first race of the Carrera Cup Deutschland in Hockenheim with an 8.851-second advantage.
Nicolas Armindo (F) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Second place went to Frenchman Nicolas Armindo (Attempto Racing). After a weak season last year, the 2010 champion has kicked of his 2012 campaign impressively.
Michael Ammermüller (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Michael Ammermüller (SWITCH IT Lechner Racing) from Germany was overjoyed with his third spot on the podium. Germany’s fastest one-brand series is contested with identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers.
Nicolas Armindo (F), René Rast (D), Michael Ammermüller (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The 450 hp GT race car is based on the lightweight street-legal 911 GT3 RS sports car.
Taking up the race from pole position, Sean Edwards (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) won the sprint to the first corner. The Briton lost his lead briefly to French newcomer Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing), but the stalwart quickly grabbed it back.
Kévin Estre (F) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Last year’s vice-champion drove a controlled race at the head of the field followed by his teammate René Rast and managed to pull clear of his pursuers bit by bit – until tyre damage in lap six threw him out of contention.
Michael Ammermüller celebrated a brilliant debut with position three after the ex-Formula 1 test driver narrowly missed out on a podium spot last weekend clinching fourth at the Porsche Supercup round in Bahrain.
Jaap van Lagen (NL) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Behind the Lechner pilot, Jaap van Lagen (FE-Racing by Land-Motorsport) came fourth over the finish line. The Dutchman, who made up one position on his qualifying result, was one of the six race winners last year with his victory at Spielberg in Austria.
Philipp Eng (A) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Philipp Eng was the surprise of the day in fifth. Driving for MRS GT-Racing, the Austrian has experience in a Carrera Cup race from one event as a guest starter at the 2011 finale in Hockenheim. With his fifth place, the youngster who has also tested a Formula 1 car, planted himself at the head of the newly-created rookie classification in the Carrera Cup.
Norbert Siedler (A) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Behind him came his compatriot Norbert Siedler, the current leader of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. After experiencing a difficult practice session, the Konrad Motorsport pilot was satisfied with his success in gaining ground and the first point.
Nicki Thiim (DK) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The Dane Nicki Thiim (Hermes Attempto Racing) clinched seventh place ahead of newcomer Elia Erhart (Marschall Goebel Racing).
Elia Erhart (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The Porsche Juniors, Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen, made a good start to the season. Driving for the Deutsche Post by tolimit squad, the Austrian was running in eighth place when he had to pit with tyre problems. After a change of tyres, 20-year-old Bachler rejoined the race far down the field, but was able to match the pace of the frontrunners and saw the flag in 17th.
Klaus Bachler (A) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Driving for Konrad Motorsport, Denmark’s Klaus Bachler lost the front lip of his 911 in the turmoil of the race. Despite the heavy understeer that resulted from this, the 21-year-old still managed to bring home ninth place from his debut race.
Michael Christensen (DK) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The grid line-up for race two on Sunday is determined by the fastest lap time from the qualifying session. Sean Edwards and Jaap van Lagen start from the first row, with Kévin Estre and René Rast sharing the second.
Taking up Sunday’s race from the third grid row are Nicki Thiim and Philipp Eng.
The race tomorrow starts at 9.30 hrs and is broadcast live on the official Porsche website (www.porsche.com) in high-quality – with editorial clips prior to the actual live-streaming, live-timing and commentary in German and English. On 30 April, the Monday after the race weekend, news station N24 televises the 30-minute “Porsche Carrera Cup Magazin” at 18.30 hours. Sport1 broadcasts Carrera Cup highlights on Tuesday, 1 May, from 16.30 to 17.00 hours.
René Rast (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
René Rast (winner):
“I’m of course extremely happy with my race. I started from third on the grid and won. I had a little bit of race luck on my side, which was at the same time a shame for my teammate Sean and our squad. We don’t yet know where the tyre damage came from, but we still have a chance to secure a good team result tomorrow.”
Nicolas Armindo (F) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Nicolas Armindo (second):
“It feels great to climb the podium again. It’s been a long time coming. I was certainly not the fastest today, but with some cleverness and a little luck it was enough for a podium result.”
Michael Ammermüller (third):
“I’m happy to have come from eighth and finished third at my first race. I hadn’t expected that. I had anticipated at best fifth place. I’m sure I had Lady Luck on my side today, but my car was also really well set-up.”
Michael Christensen (Porsche Junior, ninth):
“After a difficult qualifying we managed to find a good race set-up for my car. I thought the start would be hard but it went really well. I got caught up in traffic, the front lip of my 911 ripped off in the turmoil and had to contend with understeer. I then had to cope with a puncture towards the end. So I told myself, just take it easy and get to the finish.”
Klaus Bachler (Porsche Junior, 17th):
“My start wasn’t that great, but afterwards I drove a steady race. I waited for the drivers in front of me to make a mistake and then made the most of it. In this way I could move up the field and was even running in eighth when a tyre problem forced me into the pits.”
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Race 1 result
1. René Rast (D), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit/Pole Promotion, 24:27.506 minutes
2. Nicolas Armindo (F), Attempto Racing, + 8.851 seconds
3. Michael Ammermüller (D), SWITCH IT Lechner Racing, + 10.772
4. Jaap van Lagen (NL) FE-Racing by Land-Motorsport, + 13.446
5. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, + 14.151
6. Norbert Siedler (A), Konrad Motorsport, + 18.990
7. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 22.755
8. Elia Erhart (D), Marschall Goebel Racing, + 27.711
9. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, + 35.981
10. Thomas Pivoda (CZ), Konrad Motorsport, + 38.091
Points’ standings after 1 of 17 races Driver
1. René Rast (D), 20 points
2. Nicolas Armindo (F), 18
3. Michael Ammermüller (D), 16
4. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 14
5. Philipp Eng (A), 12
Teams
1. Deutsche Post by tolimit, 24 points
2. Attempto Racing, 18
3. Konrad Motorsport, 17
Porsche is commemorating both 60 years of racing at Le Mans and its 2014 return to the storied endurance race with a series of videos.
Porsche will make its return to the LMP1 class of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2014. To celebrate, it has released another teaser video that highlights the brand’s history at the famous race from the early years.
Porsche has more wins at Le Mans than any other manufacturer, including Audi. The company has 16 overall victories, including seven in a row from 1981 to 1987. Scores of famous racers have sat in the driver’s seat, including Jacky Ickx, Derek Bell, Hurley Haywood and Hans-Joachim Stuck.
When the announcement of Porsche’s return came last summer, Penske Racing made it known that it would love to back a Porsche team at Le Mans. Roger Penske said his organization wanted to follow up on its success with the Porsche RS Spyder LMP2 in the American Le Mans Series, though no deal has been made.
The company won’t be back until 2014, which means that Porsche still has some hurdles to jump, such as finding a pilot or two and, well, building a car.
The world’s oldest endurance race for sports cars, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, has tested the abilities of both drivers and manufacturers since 1923. German automaker Porsche has set numerous records and claimed 16 total victories since the inception of this monumental race, more than any other entrant. Porsche presents us with this compilation of hand-chosen clips from the early days of Le Mans, highlighting the car manufacturer’s achievements in the days preceding its era of dominance with the Porsche 936, 935, and 917 between 1970 and 1980. The promotions are in anticipation of Porsche’s triumphant return in 2014 to the circuit.
Porsche owned large swathes of the 1970s at Le Mans, with five overall victories. Starting with the 917 at the dawn of the decade – and leading to the 936 and 935 – legendary drivers paved the way for complete dominance by Porsche in the 1980s. The manufacturer – the most successful in the history of the gruelling endurance race – is now set to return to Le Mans in 2014 with an LMP1 sports prototype.
Building on the great successes of the 1970s, Porsche drivers swept all before them in the following decade, with an incredible seven overall victories throughout the 80s. With the Jacky Ickx/Derek Bell team winning in the 936 in 1981, and then leading in an incredible Porsche 1-2-3 win the following year in the newly developed 956, this was a legendary era for the manufacturer. Enjoy the greatest moments here.
365 km/h top speed. And top performances. In the ’90s, the 24 Hours of Le Mans are again dominated by Porsche Motorsport. New race cars. New drivers. And now, a new show.
A glorious past. And now, a mission: In 2014, Porsche Motorsport will return to Le Mans. With a LMP1 prototype and the determination to add another chapter to this success story.
We’ll definitely be watching. The company is setting up its YouTube channel for a running series of these teaser videos, so stay tuned.
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Stuttgart. René Rast has already achieved his goal before the final race of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: Clinching second place at the wheel of his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the German from VELTINS Lechner Racing secured the championship title at the first of two final races in Abu Dhabi.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Britain’s Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport) celebrated his first win of the season on the Yas Marina Circuit in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
Nick Tandy (GB) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
On the ultra-modern Formula 1 circuit in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Kévin Estre pulled to the head of the field from pole position.
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Behind the Hermes Attempto Racing pilot from France, who has already secured the title of the BBS rookie classification in Monza, René Rast initially followed in second place. Nicky Tandy in third then put the title defender under immense pressure, and with Rast’s sights firmly set on claiming the title he finally let the Briton overtake.
René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
While Rast observed the fight at the front from a safe distance, Nick Tandy wasn’t at all ready to settle for second. Last year’s vice-champion had finished in second place four times this season but had yet to pocket a win which he was now determined to do. Tandy attacked the leader whenever he saw the chance and pushed the young Frenchman into making errors. He then used one of these opportunities to manoeuvre into the lead which he held to the flag. Aside from his first win of the season, he also claimed the honour of the Tudor Fastest Lap Award for the driver with the highest number of fastest laps, and was awarded a valuable Tudor wrist watch.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
With his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, René Rast also profited from a minor error of Kévin Estre near the end of the race and secured second place.
Fourth position went to his Austrian teammate Norbert Siedler, who moved into second overall in the championship. VELTINS Lechner Racing clinched the team classification title.
Video by: Formula One Management (FOM)]
Although the fight for the title has been decided, suspense is guaranteed at the final race of season on Sunday: Trailing Rast as the new champion are five other drivers keen to take home runner-up honours.
Nick Tandy (winner):
“My first victory at last. I’ve waited for this for the entire year. It’s great that I have now finally achieved this. It was a very interesting race. Kévin was setting a blistering pace, René and I took our time watching him and hoped that he’d maybe make a mistake, which he did. Congratulations to René on his title win. After my victory today I’m heading into the race on Sunday feeling very confident. ”
Nick Tandy (GB) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (second):
“I’m simply thrilled and relieved. It’s difficult to describe what it means to have won this championship two times in a row. This year was even tougher than last season because there were more drivers competing who were good to take the title. We experienced a poor start to the season, but we fought our way out of this minor setback and found our old form again. This makes our success today even sweeter. In the race I tried to keep out of any trouble. Nick was quicker than me, so I let him pass. After that I just concentrated on reaching the flag safely. But then Kévin made a mistake so I used the chance. Thanks to my team for all they have done to make this victory possible.”
René Rast (D), Team Lechner Racing Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Kévin Estre (third):
“That was a tough race. To sit in the lead with René and Nick behind you is not exactly easy. I was determined to finish on the podium and I achieved this despite making a few small mistakes. So from this point of view, I’m pleased and I now look forward to tomorrow’s race.”
Start, Kevin Estre (F), René Rast (D) vorne Porsche Mobil1 Supercup GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Race result
1. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 31:15.317 minutes
2. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 1.549 seconds
3. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 6.232
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 6.658
5. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 10.235
6. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 10.382
Points’ standings after 10 of 11 races Drivers
1. René Rast (D), 161 points
2. Norbert Siedler (A), 136
3. Kuba Giermaziak (PL),130
4. Nick Tandy (GB), 129
5. Sean Edwards (GB), 126
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 117
Teams
1. VELTINS Lechner Racing, 291 points
2. Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, 240
3. Konrad Motorsport, 218
Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.
French GT Championship: Beltoise and Pasquali are the champions
Pro-GT by Almeras: Laurent Pasquali, Anthony Beltoise
French GT-Championship
Anthony Beltoise and Laurent Pasquali brought their campaign to a successful end with their fifth win of the season at the 13th of 14 races during the final meeting in Le Castellet (29/30 October).
Pro-GT by Almeras: Laurent Pasquali, Anthony Beltoise
French GT-Championship
With this, the pair secured the French GT Championship title with the Porsche 911 GT3 R of the proven Pro-GT by Almeras squad.
Pro-GT by Almeras
French GT-Championship
At the last race of the year, the freshly-crowned champions clinched second. Patrick Bornhauser and Laurent Groppi wrapped up the season as third overall in a Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Larbre Compétition.
Larbre Compétition: Patrick Bornhauser, Laurent Groppi
French GT-Championship
Spanish GT Championship: Strong finish earns title for Manuel Giao
Drivex-Team: Manuel Giao, Miguel Angel de Castro
Spanish GT-Championship
Victory and second place at the final round of the Spanish GT Championship on the Circuit de Cataluña near Barcelona (29/30 October) was enough for Portugal’s Manuel Giao to take out the title. Giao shared the cockpit of the 911 GT3 RSR run by the Drivex team (Madrid) with Spaniard Miguel Angel de Castro. Two wins at the penultimate race weekend in Jerez catapulted Giao (15/16 October) to the top of the points’ table.
British GT Championship: Trackspeed defends team championship
After Gregor Fisken and Tim Bridgman’s win in June with the Porsche 911 GT3 R of Trackspeed in Brands Hatch, fourth place at the final round of the British GT Championship in Silverstone (8 October) was enough for their British squad to retain the team title. The best Porsche pilot in the 2011 drivers’ classification is last year’s champion and owner of the Trackspeed team, David Ashburn, in third place.
US GT Championships: Porsche pilots net two titles
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Brumos Racing:
(l.-r.) Hurley Haywood, Leh Keen, Andrew Davis, Dan Davis.
Grand-Am GT, Lexington/Ohio
Andrew Davis and Leh Keen won the Grand-Am GT Championship with a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the famed Brumos Racing team.
And another perfect result in the American World Challenge:
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Patrick Long
World Challenge, Laguna Seca
Works driver Patrick Long won the GT Championship title driving TruSpeed’s 911 GT3 Cup, which handed the squad the team championship.
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Patrick Long
World Challenge, Laguna Seca
Porsche took home the manufacturers’ title.
Belcar Endurance Championship: Goossens and Soulet celebrate title with win at final
After 72 gripping laps, Marc Goossens and Maxime Soulet came out on top by a nail-biting five hundredths of a second over a Ferrari at the last race of the Belcar Endurance Championship in Spa (23 October). The Belgians had already taken the championship title early with a victory in Prospeed Competition’s Porsche 911 GT3 R on the first weekend in October at the penultimate round in Zolder.
International GT Open: Gianluca Roda crowned vice-champion
Autorlando Sport: G. L. Roda
International GT Open
Clinching vice-championship honours in the GTS class for GT3 race vehicles, the 2011 season ended successfully for Gianluca Roda.
Autorlando Sport: G. L. Roda, P. Ruberti
International GT Open
At the wheel of Autorlando Sport’s Porsche 911 GT3 R, Roda had won both races at the penultimate weekend in Monza.
P2, Autorlando Sport: (l.-r.) P. Ruberti, G. L. Roda
International GT Open
One point shy of the leader in second, he travelled to the finale on the Circuit de Cataluña near Barcelona (29/30 October), but his retirement from the second race after finishing the first in fourth robbed him of his title chance. Autorlando Sport ranks second in the team championship.
Japanese Super GT: Porsche 911 GT3 R on third
P3, Team Hankook KTR: (l. – r.)Masami Kageyama, Keiichi Suzuki, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
Tomonodu Fujii and Masami Kageyama secured second place from the eighth and final event on the Twin Ring Motegi (15/16 October).
Team Hankook KTR: Masami Kageyama, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
The pair took up the race from the pit lane after their Hankook KTR Porsche 911 GT3 R underwent repairs shortly before the start.
Team Hankook KTR: Masami Kageyama, Tomonodu Fujii
Japan Super GT
The squad and its drivers brought their first year of competition to a successful conclusion with an impressive third place in the championship.
Carrera Cup Asia: Keita Sawa champion after heart-stopping finale
LKM Racing: Keita Sawa
Carrera Cup Asia
Definitely not for the faint-hearted: At the twelfth and final race on the Shanghai International Circuit (23 September), 26-year-old Keita Sawa from Japan snatched third place and the championship title in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup of LKM Racing with a difference of just one-point over Rodolfo Avila (Team Jebsen) from Macao.
R. Avila, A. Imperatori, K. Sawa
Carrera Cup Asia
Third overall in the fiercely-competitive Cup went to Alexandre Imperatori.
Carrera Cup Deutschland: Nick Tandy champion at second attempt
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
With three wins, four other podium results, a fifth place and just one retirement, last year’s runner-up Nick Tandy from Great Britain (26) claimed the championship title in a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by Konrad Motorsport.
Team: Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland 2011
Tandy is the first British driver to take home the title in the 22-year history of the German Carrera Cup.
René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB), Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Vice-championship honours went to his compatriot Sean Edwards, whose performance contributed to his Deutsche Post by tolimit crew securing the team championship.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 09 Hockenheimring 2011
Carrera Cup France
Carrera Cup France: Ten straight wins earn Kévin Estre the championship title
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
From the guest appearance of the Carrera Cup France in Nogaro in the southwest of France late April to the final race in Le Castellet at the end of October (29 October), Kévin Estre pocketed ten consecutive wins in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by AS Events.
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
AS Events: Kévin Estre
Carrera Cup France
After this string of successes, the 23-year-old new champion from Lyon ranks 113 points ahead of second-placed Sylvain Noël. A total of twelve races made up the 2011 calendar.
Carrera Cup Great Britain: James Sutton reclaims the title
SAS/Redline: James Sutton
Carrera Cup Great Britain
After 19 races and second place at the final round in Silverstone (16 October), James Sutton (26) once again walked away with the championship.
The SAS/Redline pilot, who was also the champion of the Carrera Cup Great Britain in 2007, wrapped up a thrilling year with a seven-point lead over his teammate Michael Meadows, who was forced to pit with a faulty tyre during the decisive final round. SAS/Redline won the team title, Nick Tandy won the last race.
Carrera Cup Italia: Alessandro Balzan defends his title
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
At the penultimate race weekend in Vallelunga (16/18 September), Ebimotors pilot Alessandro Balzan picked up an early title win.
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Still, with the second straight championship title under his belt, this didn’t prevent the 31-year-old from keeping up the pressure.
EbimotorsAlessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Balzan pocketed victory number seven and eight at the final meeting in Monza (15/16 October). Marco Mapelli was crowned vice-champion.
Ebimotors: Alessandro Balzan
Carrera Cup Italia
Carrera Cup Japan
Carrera Cup Japan: Hideto Yasuoka wins all races to become champion
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
Eleven wins from eleven races: With this immaculate balance, 28-year-old Hideto Yasuoka concluded the season on the Twin Ring Motegi (23 October) as the undisputed champion.
P1, Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka (m.)
Carrera Cup Japan
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
Runner-up behind the Garmin-Porsche pilot, who took up the final round as poleman, was Akira Fujita. Fujita snatched the vice-championship trophy from Kazuyoshi Takamizawa in a last ditch battle at the final race.
Garmin Porsche: Hideto Yasuoka
Carrera Cup Japan
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East: Abdulaziz Al Faisal leads after first race
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East
Abdulaziz Al Faisal (m.)
An Austrian kicked off the new season of the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East with a win on the Dubai Autodrome on the first weekend in November: Clemens Schmid won race one from pole position.
GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East
The two-time champion, Prince Abdulaziz al Faisal, came second, but nailed the points’ lead of the drivers’ classification after winning race two of the weekend. Next meeting: at the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi (11/13 November).
Race notes:
Driving a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for the Turin-based Victor Racing team, Victor and Giovanni Coggiola win the GT2 title of the Italian GT Championship after seven race weekends.
Victory for Lucas Luhr and Arno Klasen in Manthey Racing’s 911 GT3 R at round nine of the Nuerburgring Long Distance Championship (15 October).
With three wins from a total of ten races, Porsche draws level with Audi on the list of the very best. No other race car has turned the fastest race lap more than the 911 with four lap records.
The fight for the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup title is decided at the double-header finale on the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi as part of the Formula 1 weekend (12/13 November). Aside from points’ leader René Rast, title contenders are Kuba Giermaziak, Norbert Siedler and three other drivers.
Things go down to the wire as well in the Carrera Cup Australia, where New Zealander Craig Baird travels to the final in Sydney (2/4 December) holding a healthy points’ lead after three wins in Surfers Paradise (22/23 October) ahead of his second-placed compatriot Daniel Gaunt.
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