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Stuttgart. That was close: In the hotly-contested qualifying for the six-hour race in Laguna Seca/California, Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA) missed a second row grid spot by just one-thousandth of a second. Piloting the Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which he shares with his works driver teammate Joerg Bergmeister for the eighth round of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday, Long set the fifth quickest time. Last year, the reigning GT champions won the classic in the dunes of Monterey.
“Our car’s balance is very good,” said Patrick Long. “Between the final practice and the qualifying we changed a couple of things on the car and that worked well. My quickest lap was perfect. We have an excellent set-up for the race.”
At the wheel of Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, the winning car at Mid-Ohio and Baltimore, Bryan Sellers (USA) posted the ninth quickest time. He contests the race with Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany). “We didn’t have an optimal set-up today, but we know that our car and the tyres will perform much better in the race than in the qualifying,” explained Bryan Sellers. Wolf Henzler added: “The circuit was very cold over the last days. Today we have sun and the asphalt temperatures were suddenly much higher. That changed everything. Our team still simply lacks the experience of reacting to such changes in a short timeframe.”
The innovative Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0, with which the Porsche works drivers Romain Dumas (France) and Richard Lietz (Austria) conduct further tests at Laguna Seca, did not take part in the qualifying. At its debut on the West Coast of the USA, the vehicle is not eligible for points and starts from the back of the grid. At the final free practice, however, it demonstrated its huge potential turning the third quickest lap of all GT vehicles.
“We’ve improved the car step by step,” said Romain Dumas. “It’s a shame that we weren’t permitted to join the qualifying, we could have done with the extra practice for finding a good set-up. I last drove the car at Road Atlanta. Compared to last year’s version, the 2.0 has made huge progress.” Richard Lietz commented: “Okay, we have to start from the back tomorrow, but that is not a decisive handicap over a six hour race. I’m looking forward to showing the fans in the States how much fun a hybrid car can be because it’s efficient and quick swift at the same time.”
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race.
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All classes start together but are classified separately. This ensures racing that is exciting and constantly changing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are awarded only for placings in each class.
ATLANTA, Aug. 15, 2011 — Porsche celebrates the motorsport heritage of its iconic 911sports car alongside the 918 RSR Concept during the 2011 Monterey Classic Car weekend this year. In keeping with tradition, the Porsche Zentrum is the central hub for the Porsche experience during the week.
Porsche 918 RSR Concept
The Zentrum, located at Quail Lodge, features a full-line Porsche display and a consumer test drive program. A Porsche display will also be nearby at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on Friday, August 19 and on Peter Hay Hill at Pebble Beach, beginning on Thursday, August 18.
This display at Peter Hay Hill will feature several historic 911 race cars, including the 1979 935 from the Brumos Collection, believed to be the last remaining unmodified 935 in existence, as well as the 911 S that carried Hurley Haywood to 10 Camel GT race wins in 1972. Other cars to be on display include a 2011 911 GT3 Cup Car from the Porsche Sport Driving School, the Gunnar Racing 911 GT1 fashioned after the car that won Le Mans overall in 1998 as well as the 2011 911 GT3 RS 4.0.
The 918 RSR concept will be the highlight of the Porsche Zentrum display on Friday and Saturday, August 19-20. The 918 RSR concept is a high-end synthesis of Porsche’s successful hybrid concepts – the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and the 918 Spyder.
It is a true ‘racing laboratory’ featuring an updated V8 engine from the successful RS Spyder race car with an output of 563 hp at 10,300 rpm. In addition, it features electric motors on the two front wheels that each contribute 75 kW, i.e. a total of 150 kW, to provide peak drive power of 767 hp. This additional power, which is generated during braking, is stored in an optimized flywheel accumulator.
The 918 RSR and the displays from the Monterey Classic Car Weekend are a precursor to the cars that will be on the track at Rennsport Reunion IV later this year October 14-16 at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.
This event promises to bring together an unprecedented gathering of significant Porsche vintage and current race cars, as well those who have driven them to victory in the world’s most famous sports car races. The three-day program of on-track competition is complemented by a concours d’elegance, which is open to invited race participants, and special activities celebrating the decades-long history of the legendary 911 race cars.
Additional details of the Porsche Rennsport Reunion IV along with images from the first three Rennsport Reunions are published on Porsche’s press web site (www.press.porsche.com) and Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca’s web site (www.mazdaraceway.com). Ticket information is available by contacting 800-327-7322 or www.mazdaraceway.com.
About Porsche Cars North America
Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), based in Atlanta, Ga. is the exclusive U.S. importer of Porsche sports cars, the Cayenne SUV and Panamera Gran Turismo. Established in 1984, it is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Porsche AG, which is headquartered in Stuttgart, Germany, and employs approximately 220 people who provide parts, service, marketing and training for 196 dealers. They, in turn, work to provide Porsche customers a best-in-class experience that is in keeping with the brand’s 63-year history and leadership in the advancement of vehicle performance, safety and efficiency. At the core of this success is Porsche’s proud racing heritage that boasts some 30,000 motorsport wins to date.
Stuttgart. After the first American Le Mans Series win of the season, the Porsche teams head to the legendary Road America circuit in Elkhart Lake with new confidence. Porsche factory driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his American teammate Bryan Sellers will try to repeat their brilliant Mid-Ohio win with their Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Falken Tire.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
And with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by Flying Lizard Motorsports, title defenders Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) also have high hopes for the four-hour race in the US state of Wisconsin. After all, the pair have already clinched three victories in Elkhart Lake.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
The race
This venue has been a regular fixture on the American Le Mans Series calendar since 2002. This season, the race runs over four hours.
The circuit
The 6.514 kilometre Road America circuit is one of America’s oldest race tracks and is regarded as the cradle of sports car racing in the USA. The circuit layout with its long finish straight and 14 corners has changed considerably since its foundation in 1955. Most fans watch the races from the hills surrounding the track. The first street race in Elkhart Lake, two hours’ drive north of Chicago, was run in 1950. The circuit of that time was awarded a place in the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
The Porsche drivers
Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long drive the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports as reigning GT champions of the American Le Mans Series and three-time Road America winners.
Jörg Bergmeister
Patrick Long
Their works driver colleague Wolf Henzler, who recently won in Mid-Ohio with Bryan Sellers, drives the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of the Falken Tire team.
Bryan Sellers, Wolf Henzler
At his debut in Elkhart Lake, Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany) shares driving duties in the second Flying Lizard Porsche with American Seth Neiman.
Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA) take up the race for Paul Miller Racing in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller
Quotes before the race
Joerg Bergmeister:
“All year I look forward to this race. Road America is my all-time favourite circuit. It’s very fast, very hilly and very challenging – and those are all the things a race driver loves. The race track doesn’t really suit our car, but still the Porsche was very successful there in the last years. So I’m also feeling optimistic this time.”
Patrick Long:
“The smallest mistake here always costs a lot of time. To be able to keep up at the front everything has to run perfectly. And of course the strategy plays a major role at a four-hour race.”
Wolf Henzler:
“The characteristic of Road America with its long straights and fast corners is totally unlike any other circuit on the ALMS calendar. We tested there with very good results and in the race I hope we can now use what we learned. The whole team is highly motivated after winning in Mid-Ohio. We all want to show that this success is not a coincidence.”
Marco Holzer:
“This marks my third race in the American Le Mans Series and the third on a totally unfamiliar circuit. I’ve watched several videos of Road America and I’m very much looking forward to racing on this extraordinary race track.”
The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
The most successful GT race car of the last years took off into the season with a raft of improvements. The output of the four-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine was increased to 455 hp (335 kW). Priority in the development of the car was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear. In 2010, the 911 GT3 RSR again won the environmental “Michelin Green X Challenge” classification as the GT vehicle with the best overall efficiency in the American Le Mans Series.
Porsche successes
Of the nine races that have been contested here as part of the American Le Mans Series, Porsche as the most successful manufacturer has won seven. Five victories in the GT/GT2 class went to Joerg Bergmeister, who triumphed with Timo Bernhard in 2002 and 2004, as well as with Patrick Long in 2005, 2006 and 2009. In 2003, Craig Stanton and Johnny Mowlem won for Porsche, in 2008 Dirk Werner, Richard Westbrook and Bryan Sellers. In 2007, Timo Bernhard und Romain Dumas snatched overall honours at the wheel of the Porsche RS Spyder.
The schedule
The race in Elkhart Lake takes off on Saturday, 20 August, at 15.00 hours local time (22.00 hrs CEST) and is broadcast live in the internet on www.americanlemans.com/live. The GT qualifying on Friday is shown on www.porsche.com/alms-live from 22.25 hours CEST.
The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
American Le Mans Series, round 5 in Lexington, USA
Stuttgart. On the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) celebrated a brilliant victory in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR: With a sensational charge through the field in torrential rain, he clinched the first win of the season for Porsche with his teammate Bryan Sellers on the traditional circuit in America’s Midwest in the fiercely-contested GT class of the American Le Mans Series.
Bryan Sellers (USA)
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
For his Falken Tire team, this marks the first ever win in the popular race series with the world’s fastest sports cars.
Wolf Henzler (Germany)
“What an unbelievable race. The rain came just at the right moment,” said Wolf Henzler after his second Mid-Ohio win against strong opposition from BMW, Ferrari and Chevrolet. “When they called me in to the pits to switch to wet tyres I didn’t really want to at first. I would have preferred to stay on slicks as I had enough grip. But the team made the right decision. Thanks to Falken for the super tyres. The boys work so hard. Now they are finally rewarded for their untiring efforts.”
When it comes to drama, the final phase of the race that started under sunny skies was unsurpassed. First a few raindrops fell causing a flurry in the pits.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
Then came a sudden heavy shower. That was the Wolf Henzler’s chance – and he used it:
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
When the race restarted after a yellow flag and most of his rivals had their hands full keeping their cars on the flooded circuit, he charged from fifth to the lead in just one lap – even passing Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA) who had led the field until that point after a strong drive with the Flying Lizard Motorsports-run 911 GT3 RSR.
“In the final lap many cars driving on the inside line of the track spun. I found grip on the outside and could overtake them all,” said Wolf Henzler. “Falken has tested in rain in Mid-Ohio. We trusted these tyres and they yielded us victory.”
Bryan Sellers (USA) , Wolf Henzler (Germany)
Whilst Wolf Henzler brought home his first win of the season in heavy rain, Patrick Long struggled with the amount of water on the circuit.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
The teammate of Porsche factory pilot Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) took up the race from the second grid row, slid into the gravel trap and fell back to ninth place.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
Shortly afterwards, with ten minutes left to the finish, the race was red-flagged and not restarted due to the persistent rain.
Patrick Long (USA)
“Our car was good, the set-up and strategy worked well – that was our race,” said Patrick Long. “But when the rain arrived, we lost grip and everyone started sliding around, even those on wets.”
Joerg Bergmeister (Germany)
In front of the title defenders Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long, Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA) finished in eighth place at the wheel of their Paul Miller Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Bryce Miller (USA)
Paul Miller Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Sascha Maassen (Germany)
Americans Seth Neiman and Darren Law planted the second Flying Lizard Porsche on tenth. Victory in the GTC class went to Americans Spencer Pumpelly and Duncan Ende in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Teams
1. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 96 points
2. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 77
3. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 60
Facts and figures
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race.
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately according to their respective classes. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.
Stuttgart. The Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) take up the fifth round of the American Le Mans Series on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course from the second row of the grid.
Joerg Bergmeister
With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Joerg Bergmeister, two-time winner at Mid-Ohio, set the fourth quickest time in the GT class qualifying on the 3.621 kilometre circuit in America’s Midwest.
Flying Lizard Motorsports #45
“To start from the second row is not so bad considering the strong competition. If we get away well we could probably make up one or two positions,” said Joerg Bergmeister.
“The 15 kilogram weight handicap that we were handed prior to Mid-Ohio costs us about two-tenths of a second per lap. But we’re still hoping that the better strategy of our Flying Lizard crew can make the difference over the race distance.”
Patrick Long
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by the Falken Tire squad, Bryan Sellers (USA) posted the ninth quickest time.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by the Falken Tire
Bryan Sellers
Sellers shares driving duties for the race on Saturday with Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany).
Wolf Henzler
Sascha Maassen (Germany) claimed the 13th grid spot with Paul Miller Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.
Paul Miller Racing’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Sascha Maassen
Bryce Miller
Two places behind him is Seth Neiman from America in the second Flying Lizard Porsche.
Flying Lizard Motorsports #44
Seth Neiman
Darren Law
The race starts on Saturday at 15.30 hours local time (21.30 hrs CEST) and runs over 2:45 hours, with a live broadcast on www.americanlemans.com.
Qualifying result
GT class
1. Joey Hand (USA), BMW M3 GT, 1:20.539 minutes
2. Dirk Werner (D), BMW M3 GT, + 0.116 seconds
3. Jaime Melo (BRA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.206
4. Joerg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.378
5. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.405
6. Guy Cosmo (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.529
9. Bryan Sellers (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.382
13. Sascha Maassen (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.545
15. Seth Neiman (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 4.173
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race.
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately according to their respective classes. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.
Race: Aug. 6, 2011, 3:30 pm ET; 2 hour, 45 minutes ESPN2: Aug. 7, 10:00 pm-12:00 am ET ESPN3.com qualifying live: Aug. 5 2:20- 3:35 pm ET ESPN3.com race live: Aug. 6, 3:15-6:30 pm ET Europe: Live on MotorsTV Latin America: Live on Fox Canada: Live on Rogers SportsNet Outside of the U.S.: live at americanlemans.com/live
(broadcast times may vary by market; check your local listings)
Stuttgart. The race outing of the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Version 2.0 was trend-setting. The innovative race car achieved the same quick lap times as its top rivals yet used considerably less fuel. Just two broken transmission flanges and a collision thwarted a possible podium spot.
The next test under race conditions for the further development of the particularly efficient drive technology of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0 is planned for the American Le Mans Series race on the Laguna Seca Raceway in California on 17 September.
The vehicle is not eligible for championship points, as the hybrid technology is not yet a part of the GT regulations.
Romain Dumas (France)
Two Porsche works pilots, Romain Dumas (France) and Richard Lietz (Austria) man the cockpit of the orange and white racer from Weissach.
Richard Lietz (Austria)
Dumas has already driven the world’s most innovative GT vehicle last year at the “Petit Le Mans”, the ALMS race on the Road Atlanta circuit.
Lietz piloted the Hybrid-911 at the 24 hour races on the Nuerburgring in 2010 and 2011 as well as at various long distance races on the Nuerburgring.
“I’m so looking forward to showing this very special car at race speed to the spectators in California. Many Porsche fans live on the west coast of America, and some of them have already discovered the advantages of the hybrid system at the wheel of a Porsche Cayenne S Hybrid,” says Romain Dumas.
“I’m very curious, because Laguna Seca is one of the most exciting race tracks on earth. I only know it from computer games and onboard videos. Its layout with a series of up and downhill passages should actually suit our 911 GT3 R Hybrid.”
The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0, with two 75 kilowatt electric motors on the front axle supplementing the 465 hp four-litre, six-cylinder power unit at the rear, particularly embodies the philosophy of “Porsche Intelligent Performance”: The electric energy is generated during braking and stored in an electric flywheel in the 911 GT3 R Hybrid 2.0, which has undergone further development since 2010.
During acceleration, this energy is automatically delivered to the front wheels, supporting the combustion engine. This leads to a reduction in fuel consumption and increases the cruising range on the circuit.
Moreover, drivers can manually utilise the stored energy with a boost-paddle on the steering wheel for overtaking.
Compared to its predecessor, the weight of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid was reduced from 1,350 to 1,300 kilograms.
Stuttgart. In a turbulent rain race, Kuba Giermaziak celebrated his maiden victory in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup on the Hungaroring near Budapest.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
With his win, the Pole goes down in the successful history of the world’s fastest international one-make race series as the 50th winner out of 201 races contested so far.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
At the wheel of his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, the VERVA Racing pilot put in a brilliant drive to outpace Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit) by 18.783 seconds.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
Third place was enough for Bleekemolen’s British teammate Sean Edwards to snatch the championship lead.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Kuba Giermaziak (PL), Sean Edwards (GB) Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
Kuba Giermaziak claimed the maiden win for a Polish and East European driver by a huge margin, very rarely seen in this fiercely-contested championship. Many young pilots have used the one-make series run as support to the Formula 1 as a launching platform for extremely successful careers in international GT racing and attracted attention with performances similar to that of the youngest driver in the field at 21 years. Taking up the sprint from fifth on the grid, Giermaziak immediately shot past the first rivals and already after one lap had moved into third place. In lap four he had snatched the lead.
During the first laps on the wet Grand Prix circuit, positions changed almost by the second. Kévin Estre, the French Supercup newcomer driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, made the most of his pole position and initially defended his lead.
Kevin Estre (F) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
When he visited the gravel in the lap one, René Rast (Germany) took his place at the front. But under such difficult conditions the points’ leader from VELTINS Lechner Racing made several mistakes and fell back in the field. Over the course of the race, the title defender had to let more opponents past. With four laps to the flag, technical problems forced the German into retirement, which robbed him of his overall points’ lead.
Nick Tandy also came away from the seventh round with a disappointing result. Driving for Konrad Motorsport, the Briton spun in the second lap and lost touch with the front-runners. Crossing the finish line in ninth, last year’s vice-champion very likely has to bury his title aspirations completely.
Meanwhile at the front, Kuba Giermaziak continued to pull away from his pursuers. With his VERVA Racing team, he had previously tested in the rain on the Hungaroring. Team boss Timo Rumpfkeil could implement the insight gained from this almost 1:1 in the race.
Behind the leader, Sean Edwards and Kévin Estre managed to fend off any attacks for quite some time before the Frenchman made some errors and lost contact to the front-runners to finish in fifth. For the Briton, this didn’t bring much relief.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
His teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen put him under immense pressure from behind to finally pass him shortly before the finish in the final lap to snatch second. For the two-time Supercup winner, this marked his first podium result so far this season.
Behind the Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit duo, Norbert Siedler’s stunning chase through the field was rewarded with fourth place.
Taking up the race from tenth place after a poor qualifying, VELTINS Lechner Racing sent the Austrian as well as René Rast into the race on brand new rain tyres. With sixth, Robert Lukas yielded his best result this season behind his teammate Kévin Estre.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (winner):
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP Ungarn 2011
“I’m absolutely delighted with my first victory in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, and my biggest thanks go to my team. It’s incredible how hard the boys work to put a perfect car on the track for us at every race. We tested here in Budapest, luckily in rain, and that paid off. We knew we’d do very well on the wet circuit, but we hadn’t anticipated that we’d do it with such a huge advantage. Despite the awful weather conditions I didn’t make any mistakes. I’m particularly pleased for the many Polish fans who came so far this weekend to support us. Thank you all very much.”
Jeroen Bleekemolen (second):
“What a great race. I started from seventh, struggled with grip at the start and lost two places. But I crawled my way up lap by lap with a couple of good overtaking manoeuvres – huge fun! I tried to be cautious with my tyres over the whole distance, even during the formation lap, and it proved very helpful at the end when the track dried up, particularly for overtaking Sean.”
Sean Edwards (third):
“Now that was one crazy race. I had a lot of fun. The grip wasn’t really great over the distance and I had to fight hard to defend my position. But there was nothing I could do about Jeroen. Still, I’m totally happy. Both cars from Abu Dhabi by tolimit on the podium, the first time this season – that’s a great result. I’m hoping we can continue like this at the next race in Spa. The championship is really exciting now.”
Race result
1. Kuba Giermaziak (PL) VERVA Racing Team, 30:12.507 minutes
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 18.783 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 19.449
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 21.931
5. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 23.112
6. Robert Lukas (PL), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 24.539
Drivers’ classification after 7 of 11 races
1. Sean Edwards (GB), 106 points
2. René Rast (D), 105
3. Norbert Siedler (A), 97
4. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 90
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 86
6. Nick Tandy (GB), 79
Round 8 of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes place on 28 August as support to the Formula 1 race in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium.
Stuttgart. The detour of the American Le Mans Series to Canada was not rewarded with success for the Porsche teams: After their second position in Lime Rock, the Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) went home empty-handed from round four of the season on the Mosport International Raceway close to Toronto.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
The best-placed Porsche team was factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) and America’s Bryan Sellers who secured fifth place in the GT class with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Falken Tire squad.
Wolf Henzler (Germany)
Bryan Sellers (USA)
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
With Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, four-time Mosport winner Joerg Bergmeister made a clean start and at times even took the lead. But during a pit stop after the halfway point in the 2:45-hour race, the #45 vehicle lost fluid from the power steering unit. Following the repairs, Patrick Long rejoined the race with a nine-lap gap to the GT front-runners to finally see the flag in twelfth place. This yielded zero points for the title defenders.
Patrick Long
Jörg Bergmeister
“Our car ran very well over the whole weekend,” said Joerg Bergmeister. “During my stint we were always in the top three and even had the lead. But when I tried to avoid a slower competitor, I spun, we lost the lead and then the power steering went. It was simply bad luck.” Patrick Long said: “After the pit stop we collected a lot of data but unfortunately no points.”
At his maiden race in Mosport, Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany) took over the wheel of the second Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports from his American teammate Seth Neiman while in 14th and pushed through to finish eighth.
Teams
1. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 83 points
2. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 61
3. Risi Competizione, 41
4. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 40
Facts and figures
The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race.
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
René Rast wins 200th Supercup race
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Stuttgart. The hero of the day in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup is René Rast.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by VELTINS Lechner Racing, the title defender from Frankfurt in Germany won the 200th race of the world’s fastest international one-make series on the Nuerburgring.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
This marks his fourth win so far this season.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
In a gripping race under typical Eifel weather conditions, he relegated Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team) to second place and further extended his championship lead.
Start zum 200. Rennen – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
The anniversary race of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, which has run as support to the Formula 1 worldwide since 1993, started with a worried glance at the low-hanging clouds.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
When the rain stopped shortly before the start, the majority of drivers opted for slicks – with Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (Team Bleekemolen) in position 12 on the grid selecting rain tyres.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
On the partly wet track, the Dutchman fought his way through half the field in the first lap to promptly move into first place. But his blaze of glory was short-lived: The slowly drying circuit foiled any further plans.
Sharing this fate were Britain’s Nick Tandy and Frenchman Kévin Estre. The title aspirant from Konrad Motorsport and the Supercup newcomer driving for Hermes Attempto Racing had such a lively encounter in the second corner that they were thrown remorselessly to the back of the field and went home without any championship points.
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
This was particularly bitter for Nick Tandy, who as reigning vice-champion has yet to notch up a victory this season and for whom this setback is possibly decisive in his bid for the title.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
At the head of the pack René Rast and the first-time pole-sitter Kuba Giermaziak delivered a tough fight for victory right to the flag. Still, the Pole drove a cautious race to clinch his best Supercup result so far.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Britain’s Sean Edwards, who eventually brought home third in his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup run by Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, posed no threat from behind.
Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Trailing the Barcelona winner, Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) secured fourth, but not before fending off a strong attack from Stefan Rosina.
Stefan Rosina (SK) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Driving for VERVA Racing, the Slovakian secured his best result to date with fifth ahead of Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit), two-time Supercup champion from the Netherlands.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Putting in their personal best Porsche Mobil1 Supercup performance to now at the anniversary race in the Eifel were William Langhorne and Mathias Lauda. The American, who races for SANITEC Aquiles MRS Racing, finished tenth with the Konrad Motorsport pilot from Austria and son of racing legend Niki Lauda in eleventh.
René Rast (winner):
“That was a perfect race. The conditions were unbelievably tough. First it was totally wet, then dry again. When you’re at the front it’s very difficult to predict what’s going to happen. You never know what to expect in the next second. It’s a lot easier for the guys behind me. They can just wait to see what I do. Towards the end I slowed the pace a little to bring my victory home safely. With an eye on the championship, this was a great weekend for us.”
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (second):
“Congratulations to René. He drove a strong race under the most difficult conditions. As the track dried up I was quicker, in fact I could have won today. At least we had the speed. But René is not one to make silly mistakes when he’s under pressure. And I wasn’t prepared to risk anything. So now we just have to keep waiting for our first win, but I’m quite sure it’ll happen this season.”
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Sean Edwards (third):
“A great race. I started from seventh on the grid and finished in third – that’s not bad under such tough conditions. In the dry we simply didn’t have the speed to attack.”
Kuba Giermaziak (PL), René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Race result
1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 30:00.552 minutes
2. Kuba Giermaziak (PL) VERVA Racing Team, + 1.001 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 5.288
4. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 8.042
5. Stefan Rosina (SK), VERVA Racing Team, + 8.628
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 9.964
Drivers’ standings after 6 of 9 races*
1. René Rast (D), 105 points
2. Sean Edwards (GB), 90
3. Norbert Siedler A), 83
4. Nick Tandy (GB), 72
5. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 70
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 68
* It has yet to be decided if and when there will be a replacement for the cancelled Formula 1 race in Bahrain with two rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.
Round 7 of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup takes place on 31 July as support to the Formula 1 race in Budapest/Hungary.
Flying Lizard Motorsports, Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) take up round 4 of the American Le Mans Series on Sunday in Mosport/Canada from 3rd place
2011 ALMS – Mosport
Stuttgart. With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) take up round four of the American Le Mans Series on Sunday in Mosport/Canada from third place.
2011 ALMS – Mosport
In the GT qualifying on the 3.957 kilometre Mosport International Raceway on the outskirts of the city of Toronto, Joerg Bergmeister was just two-tenths adrift of the fastest time. The German has won this race four times so far with Porsche.
“Again today, the set-up and balance of our car were top,” said Joerg Bergmeister. “Regardless of what our competitors do, we have to stick to our plan. We’re feeling confident that we can bring home a podium result from the race tomorrow.”
2011 ALMS – Mosport – Joerg Bergmeister
2011 ALMS – Mosport – Patrick Long
With Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) turned the seventh quickest lap.
2011 ALMS – Mosport – Wolf Henzler
Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Bryce Miller (USA) planted his Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by Paul Miller Racing on the eleventh grid spot.
2011 ALMS – Mosport – Bryce Miller
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR – Paul Miller Racing
Position 13 in qualifying is occupied by American Seth Neiman, who shares the second Flying Lizard Motorsports 911 GT3 RSR with Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany).
The American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race.
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup). LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 750 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.
First pole position for Kuba Giermaziak at 200th anniversary race
Stuttgart. At the 200th race in the successful history of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, Kuba Giermaziak from Poland starts from pole position on the Nürburgring on Sunday.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (pole-sitter):
“It couldn’t have been better. I’m so thrilled with my first pole position. But we already noticed in free practice that we had the speed. The entire team prepared everything brilliantly. The Nürburgring is my absolute favourite, in fact I’m always fast here. Achieving pole position is of course a fantastic effort. Now we will try everything to turn it into a fantastic race result.”
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the VERVA Racing team, he turned the fastest qualifying lap for the first time. At 21, Giermaziak is the youngest driver in the series and currently sits seventh overall in the championship.
Stefan Rosina (SK) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Türkei 2011
Stefan Rosina (2nd in qualifying):
“A huge compliment to my team. With two of us on the first two grid spots, it shows just how well we prepared. The race will certainly not be easy, after all we have a couple of hot-shots breathing hard down our necks. But first we’re going to enjoy this wonderful result and tomorrow we’ll be ready to fight for a top place.”
His teammate from Slovakia, Stefan Rosina, secured the second grid spot with a gap of 0.295 seconds for the anniversary race of the world’s fastest international one-make series and rounded off a strong team performance.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
René Rast (3rd in qualifying):
“I’m satisfied with third place. More important is that Nick and Sean are behind me. If I manage to beat them in the race then I can extend my points’ lead. But it looks like rain tomorrow, so in that case anything can happen.”
Behind the VERVA Racing team pilots, title defender René Rast from Germany had to settle with the third quickest time.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Driving for VELTINS Lechner Racing, the current points’ leader and winner of three race this season tackles the anniversary event on the circuit in Germany’s Eifel region alongside his British opponent and title rival Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport).
Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Notching up the fifth fastest time, Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) secured a good starting position for Sunday, just like Patrick Huisman (Team Bleekemolen), the Supercup record winner from the Netherlands with sixth.
Patrick Huisman (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Türkei 2011
Sean Edwards from Great Britain had to settle for the seventh grid position. Driving for Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, the current number two in the championship faces a tough task in his bid to make a dent in the points’ difference between him and front-runner René Rast.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
This also applies to his teammate Jeroen Bleekemolen.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
The double Supercup champion from the Netherlands occupies the eighth spot ahead of Supercup newcomer Kévin Estre (France) and Robert Lukas (Poland), the Hermes Attempto Racing duo.
Qualifying result
1. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, 2:01.791 minutes
2. Stefan Rosina (SK), VERVA Racing Team, + 0.295 seconds
3. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.376
4. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.433
5. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.568
6. Patrick Huisman (NL), Team Bleekemolen, + 0.801
Stuttgart. The Porsche Mobil1 Supercup has reason to celebrate:
On 24 July,the 200th race of the world’s fastest international one-make series takes off at the Nürburgring. The series has run as support to the Formula 1 races since 1993. Some interesting facts and figures of a success story:
The first race was run on 25 April 1993 as support to the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola. Victory went to Uwe Alzen, who was eventually beaten in the fight for the title by Altfrid Heger.
Uwe Alzen (GER) – Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 04 Norisring 2010
The closest title decision came in 1997. Patrick Huisman and Oliver Mathai both had 128 points to their credit. The title went to Huisman who had won three races, whilst Mathai triumphed just once.
Two records were set by Wolf Henzler, the champion of the 2004 season: His nine wins and ten fastest race laps are unrivalled.
Wolf Henzler
He posted pole position eight times, matching Joerg Bergmeister’s record from the 2001 season.
Joerg Bergmeister
The most successful VIP driver was Mika Häkkinen. The eventual two-time Formula 1 World Champion won the Supercup races in Monaco and Budapest in 1993.
The most victories were claimed by Patrick Huisman. To date, the Dutchman has won 24 races – the first in 1996 at the Hockenheim round, the most recent in 2007 at Spa. In 18 races he started from pole-position – more than any other driver. A total of 48 drivers have joined the list of winners from the 199 Supercup races contested so far.
The most titles were also secured by Patrick Huisman. From 1997 to 2000 he was crowned champion four times straight.
Richard Westbrook (Champion 2006, 2007)
Two championships have been clinched by Richard Westbrook (2006, 2007) and Jeroen Bleekemolen (2008, 2009).
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NDL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Abu Dhabi 2009
As the sole drivers, Dutchman Jeroen Bleekemolen (2009/13 races) and Frenchman Emmanuel Collard (1996/9) climbed the podium at every race of a season. They both took five wins.
The most successful Supercup countries are Germany and the Netherlands, each with six championship titles. Next comes France with three outright wins.
The youngest overall winner was René Rast who was 23 years old when he secured the title in 2010. The oldest was Frenchman Jean-Pierre Malcher: He was 45 when he took home the championship in 1995.
René Rast (Champion 2010)
The most Supercup races were held in Monaco. The Principality hosted the series 19 times, followed by Budapest and Silverstone (18 each) as well as Hockenheim (17). All in all, the Supercup has been contested on 19 race tracks around the world.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Stuttgart. After a successful guest appearance at the Porsche Carrera World Cup, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup now returns for the second time this season to the Nürburgring on 24th July.
It’s the 200th race in it’s successful history and rather than on the Nordschleife it takes place on the Grand Prix circuit.
But the change of track doesn’t at all faze René Rast.
“We’re doing well at the moment,” grins the points’ leader driving for the VELTINS Lechner Racing squad. “I don’t really mind where I win.”
The title defender from Germany, who celebrated the greatest success of his career with the World Cup victory, is the man to beat in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
Start, René Rast (D) vorne – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
His start to the season was somewhat bumpy until he turned the corner with his victory in Monaco. Recently on the storied Silverstone circuit, the home track of his arch rival Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport), he celebrated his third straight win.
This success saw his old self-confidence return:
“Earlier on we had a couple of hiccups, but now we’re back in force.”
Despite Rast’s winning streak, the fight for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup title is still wide open before the anniversary race on the Nürburgring.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Competing for the Abu Dhabi by tolimit team, Britain’s Sean Edwards secured his place amongst the hot favorites with his win in Barcelona. Although he lost the points’ lead at Silverstone, he hasn’t lost his faith in claiming the title.
“Despite this little misfiring we’re still looking good,” he says. “Now we just have to stick at it.”
Germany’s Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport), winner of the season-opener in Istanbul, also has new hopes. After a lengthy lean spell he finally yielded a good result with fifth in Silverstone.
Christian Engelhart (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Fighting to keep up with the front-runners are two drivers that started into the season as keen title aspirants: Nick Tandy and Jeroen Bleekemolen. The Briton fell from the top of the points’ table after retiring from the Porsche Carrera World Cup. He finished four of the five rounds contested by now in second place, but is still waiting for his first win.
Ranking third overall, he needs every point to maintain his bid for the title, as does Jeroen Bleekemolen of Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, who lies behind Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) in fifth. Bleekemolen, the two-time Supercup winner from the Netherlands, experienced a slow start to the season.
With fourth place in Monaco as his best result to now he knows only too well that he has to pull out all stops if he doesn’t want to miss the championship boat.
“On the Nürburgring,” he says, “only a podium result can help. Obviously a win would be the best. But with the competition at the top so close it’s going to be tough.”
In light of the strong competition, the performance of Supercup newcomer Kévin Estre is even more remarkable. The French Hermes Attempto Racing pilot raised eyebrows in Silverstone with third in qualifying, which he turned into his best race result of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup season with fourth place.
His next goal?
“The podium,” he says confidently, “preferably on the Nürburgring.”
Team classification
1. VELTINS Lechner Racing, 148 points
2. Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, 130
3. Konrad Motorsport, 124
* It has yet to be decided if and when there will be a replacement for the cancelled Formula 1 race in Bahrain with two rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.
Stuttgart. Once a year, the American Le Mans Series makes a detour to Canada.On the Mosport International Raceway near the major metropolis of Toronto, round four of the race series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars takes off on 24th July.
On this demanding circuit, Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) aim to continue their strong performance with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, with which they recently scored their first podium result of the season in Lime Rock.
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
The race
The Grand Prix of Mosport has been a regular fixture on the calendar since the American Le Mans Series began in 1999. It is the only race held in Canada.
Photo Source: Mosport Raceway
The circuit
The 3.957 kilometre Mosport International Raceway with its ten corners is situated in Bowmanville, about an hour’s drive east of Toronto. It is regarded as one of the fastest and most demanding circuits on the American Le Mans Series calendar. Canada’s oldest permanent race track opened in 1961 with a sports car race that Stirling Moss won with a Lotus 19. From 1967 to 1977, the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix was also held in Mosport.
The Porsche drivers
With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long contest the particularly tough GT class.
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
Their works driver colleague, Wolf Henzler, shares driving duties in the cockpit of the Falken Tire team’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with Bryan Sellers (USA).
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
Joining forces with American Seth Neiman in the second 911 GT3 RSR of Flying Lizard Motorsports is again Porsche factory pilot Marco Holzer (Germany).
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
The 911 GT3 RSR run by Paul Miller Racing is manned by Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA).
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
Quotes before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Head of motorsport:
“Mosport is a track where engine performance is more important than on any other circuit. For this reason we were thrilled to hear that the rule-makers in the USA want to revise the imbalance that disadvantaged our cars. I hope that Flying Lizard and the Falken and Miller teams can continue their upward trend that they showed in Lime Rock.”
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport
Source: Porsche AG Media Database
Joerg Bergmeister:
“Last year we travelled to Mosport without high expectations and we won. It’s not normally a circuit that particularly suits us and it features too many straights. But if we can manage to make everything come together like in Lime Rock recently then we might bring home a podium result. I’d be very happy with this.”
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
Patrick Long:
“It’s not easy making a reliable prediction for Mosport. The track is very fast, and very demanding for the driver. It’s unforgiving with mistakes. That should work in our favour. I hope we can use this to our advantage.”
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
Wolf Henzler:
“The tests that we conducted since Long Beach have brought us a huge step forward. This was clearly apparent in Lime Rock. We’re now in the position to drive consistently quicker lap times over a race distance. This will also help us in Mosport. There are many fast corners there that we drive in fourth and fifth gear, so our average speed is correspondingly high. I hope that we can continue our good performance from Lime Rock.”
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
Marco Holzer:
“Like Lime Rock, Mosport is a circuit that I’ve never raced on. So I’ll be taking a look at the videos again to check out the track before the first practice. I quickly became familiar with the Lime Rock circuit, so I’m hopeful it’ll be the same in Mosport. With its very fast corners, the track is a real challenge. I’m looking forward to it.”
Source: Porsche AG Media Database – Bob Chapman, Autosport Image
Der Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
The most successful GT race car of the last years takes off into the season with a raft of improvements. The output of the four-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine has increased to 455 hp (335 kW). Priority in the further development of the car was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear. In 2010, the 911 GT3 RSR again won the environmental “Michelin Green X Challenge” classification as the GT vehicle with the best overall efficiency in the American Le Mans Series.
Porsche successes
Since 1999 Porsche has scored a total of seven class wins in Mosport. Joerg Bergmeister contributed greatly to four of these: In 2005 and 2009 he won with Patrick Long in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, in 2003 and 2004 he triumphed with his works driver colleague Timo Bernhard.
The schedule
The race in Mosport starts on Sunday, 24 July, at 15.05 hours local time (21.05 hours CEST).
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
Start, René Rast (D) vorne – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 5 at the Formula 1 race in Silverstone/Great Britain
René Rast takes the points’ lead with third straight win
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Nick Tandy (GB), René Rast (D), Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Stuttgart. A change at the top of the points’ table in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup:
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
In Silverstone, Germany’s René Rast celebrated his third win in a row with his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by VELTINS Lechner Racing to snatch the points’ lead in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Behind the title defender on the time-honoured circuit, local hero Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport) secured second place, with Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing) in third.
Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
In Silverstone of all places, René Rast made the most of the moment. After winning in Monaco and on the Nürburgring, he not only fended off his arch rival Nick Tandy, who last year secured his first victory in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup on his home track.
On the demanding Grand Prix circuit, he also profited from Briton Sean Edwards’ unlucky weekend. Driving for the Abu Dhabi by tolimit squad, the Barcelona winner and former points’ leader didn’t quite find his usual speed neither in the partly wet qualifying nor in the race in dry conditions and had to settle for tenth. In the overall classification he ranks second two points ahead of Nick Tandy, who has finished four of the five races to now in second place.
While René Rast again demonstrated his skill with a lights-to-flag win, despite flat-spotting two tyres in the first lap, Kévin Estre narrowly missed out on a big surprise.
Kevin Estre (F) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
The Supercup rookie from France took up the race from the second row for Hermes Attempto Racing, and salvaged his fourth place behind the leading trio with a mammoth effort after facing strong opposition from Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport)
Christian Engelhart (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
and Jeroen Bleekemolen (Abu Dhabi by tolimit).
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
This marks his best result in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup so far.
Christian Engelhart (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Engelhart, the Istanbul winner from Germany, came fifth, with the double Supercup champion from the Netherlands yielding sixth place.
Stefan Rosina (SK) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Kuba Giermaziak (PL) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Finishing behind them were Slovakia’s Stefan Rosina and Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak of the VERVA Racing Team in seventh and eighth respectively, with the Supercup record-winner Patrick Huisman (Team Bleekemolen) from the Netherlands finishing in ninth.
Nick Tandy (GB), René Rast (D), Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
René Rast (winner):
“That was a tough race. I got away well at the start and was able to pull away a little, but then Nick got faster and faster. In the first lap I flat-spotted both front tyres, and I had to really fight with the car. Luckily I could hold on to my first place to the flag. It was a fantastic weekend for our team.”
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Nick Tandy (second):
“Obviously it would have been great to win my home race. But second place isn’t bad. I caught up to René quicker than I thought after the start which just goes to show how great our car set-up was. But I was never in a position to really attack. In the last lap I tried again but went sideways a little off the circuit. And that was that. Now we’ll try our luck on the Nürburgring.”
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Norbert Siedler (third):
“My start was miserable otherwise I could have perhaps put René under pressure. But I think I can be very happy with third place in Silverstone.”
Norbert Siedler (A) – Porsche Mobil1 Supercup – GP England 2011
Race result
1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 25:38.805 minutes
2. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.691 seconds
3. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 2.415
4. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 10.928
5. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 11.607
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 12.054
Drivers’ classification after 5 of 9 races*
1. René Rast (D), 85 points
2. Sean Edwards (GB), 74
3. Nick Tandy (GB), 72
4. Norbert Siedler A), 69
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 58
6. Christian Engelhart (D), 53
* It has yet to be decided if and when there will be a replacement for the cancelled Formula 1 race in Bahrain with two rounds of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup.
Round 6 of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup takes place on 24th July as support to the Formula 1 race on the Nürburgring.
Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) finished second in the GT class at the Northeast Grand Prix in Lime Rock to improve their championship position.
Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA)
Stuttgart. In the American Le Mans Series, the title defenders clinched their first podium result of the season at their third attempt.
Patrick Long
With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) finished second in the GT class at the Northeast Grand Prix in Lime Rock to improve their championship position.
The race on the short 2.478 kilometre circuit in the US state of Connecticut was thrilling from start to finish.
And it began well for Porsche:
Patrick Long snatched second place right at the start and defended his position to the first pit stop and driver change.
His teammate Joerg Bergmeister, who tops the winners’ list with five victories from the last five years on this circuit, fell back just once to third place after another pit stop behind his works driver colleague Wolf Henzler, but was quickly able to regain his position.
Bergmeister went on to deliver a spirited fight for the lead, at times only two seconds adrift of the front-runner. But with three laps to go, his result looked in jeopardy when tyre damage forced him into the pits.
As always, the Flying Lizard crew worked swiftly on his number 45 Porsche so that he was able to defend his second place. At the flag only 20.387 seconds separated Bergmeister and Long from their first win of the season.
“That was a lively race,” said Joerg Bergmeister. “Today we were able to fight for victory and I’ve tried everything to continue my winning streak after five straight Lime Rock victories. Unfortunately, a puncture prevented this. Still, it was our best result so far this season. Our entire team has worked extremely hard for this.”
Patrick Long said: “I’m very satisfied. Today we have earned plenty of championship points. Because all of our direct competitors had problems, these points are especially valuable. Our car was perfectly set-up over the entire weekend. It’s a shame that we were just a few seconds off clinching victory.
Bryan Sellers drove the first stint for the Falken Tire squad.
Cleverly, he kept out of any trouble on the tight circuit, and his teammate Wolf Henzler did the rest. With an early refuelling pit stop 1:15 hours before the flag, they took their opponents by surprise and turned up in second place when the rest of the field pitted for fuel.
Wolf Henzler too had his big moments: 30 minutes before the finish he brought the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR into the pits with suspected tyre damage. Luckily, he had only picked up rubber from the track. And in the final laps, problems with the fuel pressure cost him a safe third place. He took the flag in fifth.
In the second Flying Lizard Motorsports-run Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, works driver Marc Holzer (Germany) clinched seventh at his Lime Rock premiere together with American Seth Neiman.
Marco Holzer
He was clearly pleased with this result.
“When I took over the car we were running last,” he said. “The chase was huge fun. I was able to put in very competitive times on this unfamiliar track.”
Sascha Maassen (Germany)
Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA)
brought the Paul Miller Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR home in sixth place.
Bryce Miller (USA)
Victory in the GTC class went to Americans Dion von Moltke and Mike Pierce with a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Round 4 of the American Le Mans Series is held on 24th July in Mosport/Canada.
Statistics: 3rd race Lime Rock, CT
Result GT class
1. Müller/Hand (D/USA), BMW M3 GT, 176 laps
2. Bergmeister/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 176
3. Murry/Lazzaro (USA/USA), Doran Ford GT, 174
4. Sharp/van Overbeek (USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 174
5. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 174
6. Maassen/Miller (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 172
7. Holzer/Neiman (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 165
Result GTC class
1. von Moltke/Pierce (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 164 laps
2. Pumpelly/Ende (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 164
3. Leitzinger/Sweedler (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 164
Points’ standings GT class Drivers
1. Dirk Müller, Joey Hand, BMW, 70 points
2. Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, Chevrolet, 37
3. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 34
4. Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 33
Dirk Werner, Bill Auberlen, BMW, 33
6. Augusto Farfus, BMW, 26
7. Jaime Melo, Toni Vilander, Ferrari, 25
8. Seth Neiman, Porsche, 23
Teams
1. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 70 points
2. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 41
3. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 37
Facts and figures
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. 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 an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.
2011 ALMS – Lime Rock – Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
Stuttgart. With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA) posted the third quickest time in the GT qualifying for the Northeast Grand Prix in Lime Rock.
Patrick Long
He contests round three of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday with his works driver colleague Joerg Bergmeister (Germany),
Jörg Bergmeister
who with five wins in the last five years is the most successful driver at the race in the US state of Connecticut .
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long
“I was lying in fifth when my pit crew requested me to come in. But my gut feeling told me that I could do better. So I stayed out for another lap and that lap was then perfect,” said Patrick Long.
“It felt just a good as my fastest lap last year where I secured pole position. It’s just that the gap to the cars at the front is simply too big. We just can’t match their pace due to the balance of performance regulations.”
At his first start on the short and very narrow 2.487 kilometre circuit, which had only just dried up after a rain shower, Marco Holzer (Germany) clinched sixth place.
Marco Holzer
“My quickest lap was just my seventh on the dry track in Lime Rock,” he said. “We’re very pleased with this and think we’ve found a very good set-up for the race, regardless of whether it rains or not.”
The Porsche factory pilot shares driving duties in the second Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with American Seth Neiman.
Seth Neiman
ALMS 2011 – Lime Rock – Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken TireWolf Henzler
Bryan Sellers
In the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Falken Tire squad, Bryan Sellers (USA), the teammate of Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany), claimed the ninth quickest time.
The race starts on Saturday at 14.05 hours local time (20.05 hours CEST) and runs over 2:45 hours.
Qualifying result
GT class
1. Joey Hand (USA), BMW M3 GT, 50.925 seconds
2. Dirk Werner (D), BMW M3 GT, + 0.245
3. Patrick Long (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.947
4. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.972
5. Tommy Milner (USA), Chevrolet Corvette, + 1.029
6. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.080
9. Bryan Sellers (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.463
12. Bryce Miller (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2,286
GTC class
1. Jaap van Lagen (NL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 54.982 seconds
Facts and figures
This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR). GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup). LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 750 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and an 825 kg minimum weight. LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.
GT victory lane: team owner Kevin Buckler celebrates Photo by: Eric Gilbert
TRG Running an Amazing Eight Cars in Four Series this Weekend TRG cars in NASCAR, ALMS, Grand-Am, IMSA Cup across the country
The TRG empire headed by owner Kevin Buckler takes a big bite out of the racing world this weekend. Hoping to leave lasting impressions, the Racers Group (TRG) will run eight cars in four different series, spanning from California’s Monterey Peninsula through Kentucky and onto the rolling hills of Lime Rock Park in Connecticut. The team has cars entered in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, American Le Mans Series (ALMS), Grand-Am and the IMSA Challenge Cup, all will be racing on the same day – Saturday, July 9.
Buckler said.
“We are running seven Porsches at Lime Rock and Laguna Seca and Andy in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series at Kentucky. All eight cars will be racing on the same day! We have our hands full, but we have been preparing for this for a while and our team has a good handle on every detail and we hope to have a lot of success across the country over the next three days. I am getting back behind the wheel and will also have my Sprint phone and e-mail going full blast as well as monitoring the broadcasts to keep apprised of everything we have going.”
Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.
Development of an LMP1 sports prototype: Porsche returns to Le Mans Porsche returns to Le Mans with a works-run LMP1 sports prototype. The first outing of the race car developed from scratch is planned for 2014.
With 16 overall victories, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in Le Mans. The last overall victory went to the Porsche 911 GT1 in the year 1998.
Porsche 911 GT1
Nürburgring 24 Hours: Porsche triumphs and sets new distance record Dramatic 24 hour sprint:
At the 39th running of the classic on the Nuerburgring-Nordschleife (25/26 June), works drivers Marc Lieb, Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas as well as Lucas Luhr took the lead with a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR after 7:25 hours ahead of strong competition from Audi, BMW und Mercedes.
(l. – r.): Timo Bernhard, Lucas Luhr, Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas
P1, 24h Nürburgring
Timo Bernhard, Lucas Luhr, Marc Lieb, Romain Dumas
P1, 24h Nürburgring
The quartet fended off rivals to the flag and set a distance record of 3,958.968 kilometres. For Porsche and the Manthey Racing squad, this marked the fifth victory at the “Ring” in the last six years – the same for Timo Bernhard.
Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid, Porsche Team Manthey: Jörg Bergmeister, Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer, Patrick Long
For the innovative Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid the weekend ran less smoothly. Works drivers Joerg Bergmeister, Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer and Patrick Long led the field after four hours in front of 220,000 spectators, but spent a lot of time in the pits with a broken flange on the differential to finish 23rd.
Le Mans Series/Intercontinental Le Mans Cup: Fourth after tough struggle Works drivers Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz brought the 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Felbermayr-Proton home in fourth as the best Porsche at the third round of the LMS (3 July, 4th ILMC race) in Imola.
Team Felbermayr-Proton, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR , Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz
After being the innocent victims of two accidents in the first two races, this result was the best for the title defenders in the GTE Pro category.
Nicolas Armindo (l), Raymond Narac (r)
P1, GTE-Am, Le Mans Series Imola
Nicolas Armindo and Raymond Narac were delighted with victory number two in the GTE Am class with their 911 GT3 RSR fielded by IMSA Performance Matmut.
IMSA Performance Matmut, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo
Porsche Carrera World Cup: René Rast wins the greatest Porsche race of all time Rain, the world’s most difficult circuit and a field hailing from 25 countries: The Porsche Carrera World Cup on the Nordschleife, contested prior to the 24 hour race, was not for the faint-hearted.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera World Cup – Nürburgring 2011
After six hours and about 150 kilometres, René Rast celebrated overall victory at the greatest Porsche race in history. In the class for 911 GT3 Cup vehicles from 2007 to 2009, Timo Rumpfkeil won.
For the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup and many national Carrera Cups the race counted towards their respective championships. René Rast took home maximum points for the Supercup.
Former champion Tim Harvey was the quickest in the Carrera Cup Great Britain (13th overall). Kévin Estre won the Carrera Cup France (6th overall), Alessandro Balzan was the best Italian (12th overall) and Johan Kristoffersson the best driver from the Carrera Cup Scandinavia (25th overall).
Grand-Am: Andrew Davis and Leh Keen at the front at half-way mark After the seventh of twelve Grand-Am races, Andrew Davis and Leh Keen rank second in the GT driver’s classification. At the six hour race in Watkins Glen (4 June) the duo won their class in a Brumos Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Cup with none other than racing legend Hurley Haywood calling the tactical shots. On the last June weekend (27 June), Davis and Keen clinched sixth in Road America.
French GT Championship: Dream weekend for Porsche teams With a double win for Patrick Bornhauser/Laurent Groppi in Larbre Compétition’s 911 GT3 R ahead of Anthony Beltoise/Laurent Pasquali in the GT3 R of Pro GT by Almeras, the fourth race weekend took off in Val de Vienne (25/26 June).
Porsche 911 GT3 R: Anthony Beltoise, Laurent Pasquali
GT Championship France, Val de Vienne
A one-two-three at race two with Beltoise/Pasquali in front of Bornhauser/Groppi and Laurent Cazenave/Jean-Claude Police in the sister Almeras-Porsche made the weekend perfect for Porsche.
Italian GT Championship: Autorlando pilot battles for points’ lead After a win and a second place at the third race weekend at the Autodromo dell Umbria near Magione (19 June), Autorlando pilot Ruberti lies a close second in the GT drivers’ classification. Ruberti shared the cockpit in Magione with his regular teammate Mario Cordoni.
Belcar Endurance Championship: Tactical brilliance yields win for Prospeed A courageous tyre choice and a perfect performance from drivers Marc Goossens and Maxime Soulet yielded the Prospeed Competition team their second win of the season at round three in Spa (18 June).
The squad sent the 911 GT3 R into the three-hour race on slicks, whilst the competition opted for rain tyres. With ten laps to go, Prospeed again made the right choice with slicks and won by more than a minute. Goossens/Soulet currently lead the driver’s classification.
British GT Championship: Victory for Trackspeed-Porsche at Brands Hatch Tim Bridgman and Gregor Fisken are the victors of the spectacular third race in Brands Hatch (19 June). A rain shower after the first half hour provided thrills and spills amongst the 30-strong field.
Bridgman and Fisken brought their Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Trackspeed home in first after two hours. Reigning champion David Ashburn was forced into retirement with a fire in the rear left wheel arch of his Porsche.
Pikes Peak Race to the Clouds: Jeff Zwart clocks record time in 911 GT2 RS At the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT2 RS, American Jeff Zwart set a record time for street homologated sports cars at the famous Pikes Peak Race to the Clouds in Colorado (26 June).
Porsche 911 GT2 RS: Jeff Zwart
Pikes Peak Race, Colorado
In the 620 hp 911, he broke the old record on the 20 kilometre track which leads over 156 corners from an altitude of 2,860 up to 4,600 metres, by 24 seconds.
Porsche 911 GT2 RS: Jeff Zwart
Pikes Peak Race, Colorado
Zwart had collected the 911 GT3 RS himself from Porsche Motorsport in California and drove the 1,770 kilometres to the start.
Carrera Cup Deutschland: Six races, six different winners Sean Edwards from Great Britain won the sixth round of the season on the rain-soaked, extremely difficult Norisring in Nuremberg (3 July) to extend his points’ lead ahead of Jeroen Bleekemolen.
Round five of the series run at the Porsche Carrera World Cup (25 June) went to Nicolas Armindo, with the Frenchman finishing fifth out of 98 starters.
Carrera Cup Japan: Hideto Yasuoka unstoppable At the fourth and fifth race of the Carrera Cup Japan on the extremely demanding Fuji International Speedway (11/12 June), Hideto Yasuoka again proved unbeatable in his class with two pole-to-flag wins.
(l.-r.): Akira Fujita, Hideto Yasuoka, Michael Green
Porsche Carrera Cup Japan, Fuji International Speedway
The talented youngster driving for the Garmin Porsche team has yet to be beaten in 2011. Akira Fujita secured second place twice.
IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama: Macneil and Cisneros win in Montreal Cooper Macneil (Alex Job Racing) celebrated his first victory in the Platinum Cup class after a rainy fifth round on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve run as support to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Montreal (11 June), with points’ leader Henrique Cisneros retiring after a journey off the track. Gold Cup class honours went to Eduardo Cisneros after a hefty duel with the 15-year-old front-runner Madison Snow.
GT3 Cup Challenge Brasil: Rosset and Junior continue on-going duel With fading brakes, points’ leader Ricardo Rosset managed to salvage his victory at the first race in Interlagos (18 June), fending off an attack from second-placed Constantino Junior. Victory at the second race on the same day went to Junior, who had taken up the race from seventh on the grid as per the regulations. In the drivers’ classification, Rosset sits ten points ahead of Junior. The Challenge race for older 911 GT3 Cup was won by Fernando Barci.
Race notes: Pole-sitters Manuel Giao and Miguel Angel de Castro win round three of the Spanish GT Championship (19 June) on the Circuito de Albacete in the 911 GT3 RSR of the Drivex squad. +++ Gianluca Roda and Fabio Babini defend their GTS class lead at the fifth and sixth race of the International GT Open in Spa (25/26 June) with a Porsche 911 GT3 R fielded by Autorlando Sport.
Title defenders in Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fourth after tough struggle
Stuttgart. Claiming fourth at the six hour race in Imola, Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) secured their best result of the season so far in the GTE Pro class with their Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Felbermayr-Proton.
“We had a super race without any technical problems and a perfectly set-up car. We pulled out all stops, but this was the best we could do right now,” said Marc Lieb after round three of the Le Mans Series in high summer temperatures at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
His teammate Richard Lietz said:
“Due to the balance of performance regulations we are currently not in a position to keep the leaders under pressure over the race distance. Other than that, everything else is perfect, from the set-up of the car to the pit stops.”
After retiring from the first two races of the season, Porsche factory pilots Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Patrick Pilet (France) saw the chequered flag in Imola for the first time.
With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by IMSA Performance Matmut, they crossed the finish line in fifth place.
“We’re mostly pleased about actually finishing a race at last,” Wolf Henzler said. “In the Aque Minerale we got a slow puncture and dropped one position. I’m particularly happy for our team. They didn’t let our bad luck in Le Castellet and Spa get them down and now they’ve been rewarded.” Pilet added: “Despite everything it was fun. We did our best, we couldn’t do more.”
Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and his Belgian teammate Marc Goossens planted their Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of ProSpeed Competition on sixth place.
“We got through well,” he said, “and only lost time with damage to the rear left tyre. Afterwards I was able to overtake two rivals.”
In the GTE Am class, Porsche claimed the third win from the third race. Driving the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by IMSA Performance Matmut, which is at last year’s technical specification as per the regulations, Frenchmen Nicolas Armindo and Raymond Narac won ahead of Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA) and Porsche Cup winner Gianluca Roda (Italy) at the wheel of Proton Competition’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. With this second victory after Spa, they also moved into the points’ lead.
Statistics: 3rd of 5 races of the Le Mans Series in Imola/Italy
Result GTE Pro class
1. Melo/Vilander (BR/SF), Ferrari F458 Italia, 198 laps
2. Fisichella/Bruni (I/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 197
3. Müller/Farfus (D/BR), BMW M3, 197
4. Lieb/Lietz (D/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 196
5. Henzler/Pilet (D/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 196
6. Holzer/Goossens (D/B), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 191
Result GTE Am class
1. Armindo/Narac (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 194 laps
2. Long/Roda (USA/I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 194
3. Canal/Bornhauser/Gardel (F/F/CH), Corvette C6-ZR1, 193
Round four of the Le Mans Series takes place on 11 September in Silverstone/Great Britain.
The Le Mans Series
Contested for the first time in 2004, the Le Mans Series (LMS) is open for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations are based on those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Five six-hour races are contested this season throughout Europe.
GTE-Pro class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers (previously known as the GT2 class) is traditionally the best supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with up to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms. GTE-Am class: Like the GTE-Pro, but with the 2010-vehicle specifications. Moreover, the regulations stipulate that each vehicle must have one professional driver at the most. LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 750 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms. LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp, GT-class homologated engines and a 825 kg minimum weight. FLM class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
All race cars start together but are classified separately according to the class. Points are only allocated for placings in each class. Championship titles are awarded for drivers, manufacturers and teams in all five classes.
Claiming the title in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010, Porsche works driver Marc Lieb is the most successful pilot in the series.
Photos: 
Flying Lizard Motorsports #44
GT victory lane: team owner Kevin Buckler celebrates Photo by: Eric Gilbert
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