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Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Marco Holzer, Frederic Makowiecki, Richard Lietz
Press Release
01/06/2014
Stuttgart. At the traditional test day on the Circuit des 24 Heures on Sunday, teams and drivers entered the last and decisive preparation phase leading up to the Le Mans 24 Hours. The legendary long distance classic will be run on 14/15 June as round three of the Sports Car World Championship (WEC). Porsche Team Manthey’s two Porsche 911 RSR, which scored a double class win at their first Le Mans outing last year in the GTE Pro class, concluded a testing programme without any technical problems in dry and partly sunny conditions.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Patrick Pilet, Joerg Bergmeister, Nick Tandy
The three Porsche customer outfits Dempsey Racing-Proton, IMSA Performance Matmut, and Prospeed Competition, also used the test day to set up their cars for the challenging 13.629 kilometre circuit. They are contesting the GTE Am class. The Le Mans 24 Hours runs for the 82nd time this year and is regarded as the highlight of the season.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Marco Holzer, Frederic Makowiecki, Richard Lietz
Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Pilet (France), and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) took the number 91 Porsche 911 RSR through its paces. Their works driver colleagues Marco Holzer (Germany), Frédéric Makowiecki (France), and Richard Lietz (Austria), who celebrated his third Le Mans victory last year, shared driving duties in the second 911 with starting number 92 run by the Porsche Team Manthey squad. The team entrust the two factory-911 to the same driver line-ups for the race.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Marco Holzer, Frederic Makowiecki, Richard Lietz
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport:
“Basically our drivers are happy with the handling of the 911 RSR. Now we’ll focus on preparing for the race. Unfortunately Joerg Bergmeister had to make a brief excursion into the gravel trap and slightly damaged the number 91 Porsche 911 RSR when he avoided another car. It didn’t make sense to do the repairs here. We’ll take a good look at it when we get home, after all, we want to drive this car in a fortnight at the 24 hour race. I don’t think all the manufacturers laid their cards on the table today, so as to avoid risking being penalised. It would have been better to find a regulation where you don’t have to be afraid of being punished for a good performance, like what happened after our double victory at the season-opener at Silverstone. The current situation doesn’t do a season highlight like the 24 Hours of Le Mans justice.”
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Joerg Bergmeister
Joerg Bergmeister (#91):
“Basically a test day is to gain as much information as possible. Unfortunately I missed the braking point in the Ford curve and actually wanted to drive straight ahead through the gravel trap to avoid hitting the kerbs at the edge. But the car took off, flew far and landed hard. For this reason, the afternoon session fell flat.”
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: (l-r) Patrick Pilet, Richard Lietz, Frederic Makowiecki
Patrick Pilet (#91):
“It’s always wonderful to be back in Le Mans. It’s my all-time favourite track. And today I immediately felt great here. Our car has a great set-up and I’m certain that we’ll tackle the race well prepared.”
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Patrick Pilet, Joerg Bergmeister, Nick Tandy
Nick Tandy (#91):
“This test in particular is always a good chance to see how the car handles on this rather unique track. Towards the end of the morning session we began to change certain things on the set-up. It’s important on such a day to make the best use of the little time you have. I’m sure we’ve done this today.”
Porsche Team Manthey: Marco Holzer
Marco Holzer (#92):
“I didn’t contest Le Mans last year so it felt great to turn some laps on this fantastic circuit again. This morning we had a lot of dirt on the track which gave very little grip, but over the course of the day the conditions improved. Today it was all about exploring how our tyres behave on this very special circuit and how the grip level changes. We managed to do what we had planned and we can now head to the race feeling quite confident.”
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Richard Lietz, Frederic Makowiecki
Frédéric Makowiecki (#92):
“We tried out several things on the car, but the many safety car phases, which were intended as a practice for the race, made this somewhat difficult. Still, this test day was a good preparation for the race. We learned a lot and I hope that we can use what we’ve learned in two weeks.”
Porsche Team Manthey: Richard Lietz, Marco Holzer, Olaf Manthey
Richard Lietz (#92):
“The test day ran well and we made the best use out of it. First and foremost it was about seeing how the tyres and the car worked together on a circuit that at times runs on a normal country road. I feel we’ve made progress and I’m looking forward to the race.”
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is contested on 14/15 June as round three of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC on the Circuit 24 Heures in Le Mans/France. Double points towards the championship are awarded for drivers, teams and manufacturers.
Dempsey racing Proton: Patrick Dempsey
Dempsey racing Proton: Patrick Dempsey
Dempsey racing Proton: Patrick Dempsey, Joe Foster
Source: Communication Porsche AG, Motorsport Press
Stuttgart. The new Porsche 911 GT3 R based on the 997 model generation heads into the 2013 motorsport season with extensive modifications. With its widened fender flares front and rear, the successful customer sport racer, fielded in the GT3 classes, looks considerably brawnier than its predecessor.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
The new aerodynamics generates substantially more downforce, allowing for higher cornering speeds and later braking points. The wider track and the adapted wheels provide additional improvement in traction.
Ever since its launch in 2010, customer teams around the world have gone from success to success with the 911 GT3 R. In 2012 alone, Porsche customer teams raced the 500 hp production-based Grand Touringrace car in 131 races, won 41 of them and clinched numerous championships.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
For 2013, Porsche Motorsport significantly modified the aerodynamics. The front bumper panels, all fenders, the sill covers, the rear panel and underbody with rear diffuser received further fine-tuning in the wind tunnel.
Porsche 911 GT3 R
The rear wing was enlarged to the width of the vehicle and repositioned to work optimally with the redesigned body.
The suspension also underwent modifications. The track of both the front and rear axle grew by 50 millimetres. The width of the front rims is now twelve instead of 10.9 inches. The wheelbase of the latest 911 GT3 R grew by ten millimetres.
Like its predecessor, the highly efficient four-litre, six-cylinder flat engine has an out-put of 368 kW (500 hp). The Porsche six-speed sequential dog-type gearbox with pneumatic shift system is operated via shift paddles on the steering wheel. This technical solution allows very fast and smooth gear changes – an advantage when it comes to high operational safety and a long service life.
An array of electronic driver assistance systems adopted from the predecessor helps turn fast and safe laps.
The E-gas features a throttle-blip function. The gearbox elec-tronics make skipping gears and the resulting over revving of the engine virtually impossible. Thanks to a specially-adjusted traction control and a race ABS, the 911 GT3 R can be very well controlled under braking and acceleration.
With a conversion kit offered by Porsche, customer teams can convert older model years of the 911 GT3 R to the 2013-spec.
The kit is available from Porsche Motor-sport at the price of 45,500 Euros plus country-specific value added tax.
iRacing.com today announced plans to add the Ruf RT12R to its lineup of virtual race cars and high performance automobiles. Manufactured by Ruf Automobile GmbH, the RT12R is among the world’s very fastest production automobiles.
iRacing.com, the world’s foremost online motorsport simulation service, today announced plans to add the RUF RT12R to its lineup of virtual race cars and high performance automobiles.
Manufactured by RUF AutomobileGmbH, the RT12R is among the world’s very fastest production automobiles.
“We’re excited to offer the RUF RT12R to iRacers around the world,” says Steve Myers, Executive Vice President and Producer, iRacing.com Motorsport Simulation, LLC.
“We’re proud of the assortment of virtual race cars we have available, but iRacers have made it clear they also want high-performance, exotic automobiles in our service. The RUF RT12R certainly fits the bill. It’s a superb piece of automotive sculpture, with performance that is nothing short of breathtaking.”
At the heart of the RUF’s performance is a 3.8 liter, twin-turbo, flat six engine producing 730 horsepower and nearly 700 lb/ft of torque. Coupled with a six speed transmission, the RT12R has a top speed of 230 mph.
“RUF is pleased to partner with iRacing.com in building a digital version of the RT12R,” said Estonia Ruf, Director of Marketing, RUF Automobile GmbH.
“For more than 70 years RUF has been recognized for the craftsmanship and cutting-edge engineering that goes into all of our automobiles. Although it is a young company, comparatively speaking, iRacing clearly shares those core values of craftsmanship and engineering excellence.”
iRacing vehicle dynamic engineers will begin the process of creating a digital prototype of the RT12R later this spring.
When completed, the prototype will undergo a rigorous testing and development process in order to insure the virtual RUF drives just like the real one.
iRacing expects to make its RUF RT12R available to iRacing members in the fall of 2012.
One of the true petrolhead dreams: a road-legal race car.
Amazing road registered Porsche 962. Built at a cost of around U.S. $ 2 million this astonishingly quick road car is based around an aluminum monocoque with integral rollcage Fabcar. Believed to have been built for the Dyson Racing team in the USA IMSA who prepared and raced Porsche powered race cars.
There was a time where you could buy a sports racer of the peg drive it to the track, thrash the yambags off it and then drive it home, but as cars became more dedicated to the track, the ‘road’ part became an untenable dream.
Well, the car you see here wouldn’t have a hope of winning a proper FIA GT race, but boy you’d be the toast of any trackday you frequented.
Not to be confused with the Schuppan 962CR or Dauer 962, nor a home-brew conversion; this is chassis no. 00 of a planned (but aborted) run of road-legal Porsche 962‘s.
It was built at a cost of about $2 million and based around an aluminium Fabcar engineering monocoque originally destined for the Dyson racingIMSA team in the USA, an outfit that raced Porsche-powered racing cars.
The standard 2.8 litre flat-6 race engine is totally unsuited for road use (and no doubt a bugger to start on a cold morning), so a more mundane twin turbo 993 GT2 engine with ‘only’ 580bhp and 547lb/ft of torque is fitted.
In Stock Now, Road Registered, 700 BHP Per Tonne
In stock now is this amazing road registered Porsche 962. Built at a cost of around $2 Million USD this astonishingly quick road car is based around an aluminium Fabcar monocoque with integral rollcage believed to have been built for the Dyson Racing IMSA team in the USA who prepared and raced Porsche powered race cars. On top of this chassis is a full carbon fibre long tailed body.
Engine wise the standard 962 2.8 litre unit would be no good for road use so instead the car is fitted with a twin turbo 993 GT2 engine running 580 BHP and giving a colossal 741Nm of torque.
When the car weighs just 830kg that equates to around 700 BHP per tonne. To put this figure into perspective the iconic McLaren F1 is 550 BHP/tonne, a Carrera GT is 442, a Pagani Zonda C12S is 437 etc. For long distance endurance the car features a 120 litre fuel tank.
This power would be pointless if the car didn’t handle and stop well enough, to that end the car is fitted with top quality Koni adjustable suspension with hydraulic adjustable ride height (it will go up quite steep drives and speed bumps without issue). Stopping is taken care of by monster 350mm floating Brembo brakes with adjustable bias.
Interior wise the car has two leather bucket seats with Willans harnesses, it features aircon to keep the cockpit cool, parking sensors, an intercom system for driver and passenger comfort and electric mirrors. A removable steering wheel makes entry and egress from the vehicle much easier.
For track use the car features air jacks, a fire extinguisher and towing straps front and rear.
This has to be the ultimate fast road or track car which is as thrilling to drive as it is superb to look at.
The racing legend Derek Bell put his name to the car which was planned to be manufactured in greater numbers, the inside of the door shut bears a copy of his signature and the build number 00.
Specialist Cars of Maltonwe ensure our cars are the best quality cars in the country, this attention to detail has seen us voted Independent Porsche Sales Garage of the Year by 911UK members three years running!
We start off by picking the best cars for stock, of the 3 or 4 cars we get offered every day we buy only the best one or two a month.
Upon sale each and every car is taken to our workshops where it goes through our thorough 74 point check to make sure everything works as it should and is in good condition. Next the car is given a major service and the service book stamped accordingly. We carry out a 4 wheel alignment on the cars and an aircon service on cars with airconditioning. The car will then go to a local independent MOT station for a year’s MOT. We tax the car for a year and fill the fuel tank.
Next the cars go to our team of professional detailers who spend up to a week preparing the car cosmetically. Any stonechips are removed, the wheels refurbed if necessary and the wheel hubs are painted. The seats are removed and cleaned. Next the car is detailed using Zymol professional products to give a long lasting lustre.
Finally, and arguably most importantly, we warranty every car for a year from bumper to bumper, anywhere in the world. This is not a bought in warranty, we stand by each and every car we sell for a year.
We believe we are the only Porsche specialist in the UK to offer a service like this.
We offer full dealer facilities such as part exchange, finance, service and parts.
We have a covered transporter and can deliver vehicles anywhere in the UK.
We are also experts in shipping cars and can deliver anywhere in the world also helping to minimise import duties.
For more details or to arrange to come and drive the car please call 0844 7000 997, email mark@specialistcarsltd.co.uk or Skype SpecialistCarsMalton Out of hours you can reach Mark on 07074 944 911 or John on 07794 911 911.
GMG will also use Shell Racing fuels for the company’s racing program whenever a specific fuel is not required by a sanctioning body.
“Shell is our recommended fuel for maximum performance applications as it pertains to performance-tuned road cars such as Porsche and Audi plus for testing all our World Challenge line of street cars,” stated James Sofronas, president and co-founder of GMG. continue reading >>> here
Global Motorsports Group (GMG) has established a relationship with Shell Racing Solutions to be a Shell Unleaded Racing Technology (URT) Fuel supplier to racers and track customers in Southern California.
Shell’s new URT unleaded race fuel will also be the exclusive fuel used by GMG Racing for testing purposes on the company’s in-house dynamometer test cell. GMG will also use Shell Racing fuels for the company’s racing program whenever a specific fuel is not required by a sanctioning body.
“Shell is our recommended fuel for maximum performance applications as it pertains to performance-tuned road cars such as Porsche and Audi plus for testing all our World Challenge line of street cars,” stated James Sofronas, president and co-founder of GMG.
“Our hands-on experience in the field from race to road cars will show the technology being used and proven in all environments,” added Fabryce Kutyba, vice president and co-founder of GMG.
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.
Weissach R&D – Picture of site – (l.-r.): Walter Uhl, Chairman of Works Council of Porsche Weissach, Thomas Fritsch, Mayor of Mönsheim, Ursula Kreutel, Mayor of Weissach, Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG, Wolfgang Hatz, Board member in charge of Research and Development of Porsche AG and Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Group Works Council of Porsche AG.
First cut of the spade in Weissach: start of extensive building work at the Development Centre
Stuttgart. With the symbolic first cut of the spade, Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, today heralded the start of the extension of its Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg).
Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)
The site is being enlarged through the addition of a highly modern design studio, a high-tech wind tunnel and an electronics integration centre. Porsche is investing around 150 million euro in this respect. Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management, welcomed Ursula Kreutel, Mayor of Weissach, Thomas Fritsch, Mayor of Mönsheim, Roland Bernhard, Chief Executive of the Böblingen District, and Karl Röckinger, Chief Executive of the Enz District, at the groundbreaking ceremony.
Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)
“The extension of our Development Centre is a good, far-sighted investment in the future of Porsche”, said Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG. “The expansion being made by Porsche in Weissach also represents a clear commitment to Baden-Württemberg as an industrial location.
” Uwe Hück, Chairman of the Group Works Council, added: “These investments which we agreed in July 2010 to safeguard the site – ‘Independence through competitive advantage’ – will not only protect the jobs of our permanent staff, but will actually increase the number of permanent jobs. This will strengthen the independence of Porsche.”
Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)
The new wind tunnel will also enable the Stuttgart-based sports car manufacturer to cope with technological challenges in vehicle development in future.
“Good aerodynamics make a major contribution towards low fuel consumption and high performance – both of which are important aspects in implementing Porsche Intelligent Performance”, said Wolfgang Hatz, Board member in charge of Research and Development of Porsche AG.
The new electronics integration centre will combine segments which were previously spread over several buildings.
“Our objective is also to continue developing electric and hybrid technology. We are creating the ideal conditions for attaining this objective with our new electronics integration centre”, added Hatz.
“Thanks to Porsche, we have the highest per capita trade tax revenue in the whole of Germany. The town will also profit from the extension of the Development Centre”, said Ursula Kreutel, Mayor of Weissach with confidence. Thomas Fritsch, Mayor of Mönsheim, agreed with his fellow Mayor: “Porsche is a great addition for the surrounding towns. We are therefore now all the more delighted with the extension of the Research Centre.”
Research and Development Centre in Weissach (Baden-Württemberg)
In addition to the extension of the site, Porsche is starting a wide-ranging human resources campaign. In the first six months of 2011, the company recruited well over 100 new engineers. Over 100 new employees will also be appointed by the end of 2011 in order to support the around 3,400 staff currently working in Weissach.
The new offices and the design studio will probably be ready for occupation in summer 2013. The wind tunnel will be completed in the first six months of 2014.
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.
Porsche Zuffenhausen plant is first German car manufacturing plant to be audited in accordance with globally applicable ISO 50001 standard
Porsche production meets latest energy management standard
Stuttgart. Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG’s main plant in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen is the first plant in the German automotive industry to have successfully passed an audit in accordance with the new, globally applicable energy management standard ISO 50001. Porsche’s central parts warehouse in Sachsenheim near Stuttgart also successfully passed this audit, carried out by TÜV SÜD.
The new 50001 norm from the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) governs the requirements on an energy management system enabling companies systematically and continuously to improve energy-related performance and increase energy efficiency. The energy management system was integrated with the existing environmental management regime at Porsche’s Zuffenhausen and Sachsenheim sites, an important partial aspect of which is the “Porsche Resources and Energy Management”.
Porsche’s goal is to be able to improve even further on recording and evaluating energy consumption and highlight potential improvements, thus enhancing the sites’ energy efficiency. Wolfgang Leimgruber, Board of Management Member for Production and Logistics, said:
“We are delighted about the successful audit because it shows that we are on the right track to a production which is energy-efficient and saves resources. Highest levels of environmental compatibility and sustainability are enshrined in our environmental policies. We will, therefore, continue to work on improving our energy balance.“
Porsche’s Zuffenhausen and Sachsenheim sites have managed to improve their energy efficiency in recent years. The energy management centre has been completely overhauled and equipped with the latest technical facilities, and during construction of the cogeneration plants – one at the Zuffenhausen site and one at the Sachsenheim site – system engineering and equipment with very high efficiency was used.
In addition, the central parts warehouse roof at Sachsenheim is used to generate solar power: 8,500 photovoltaic panels generate approximately two million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. And in Zuffenhausen the new paint shop is on the verge of going into production. It employs the latest plant technology – especially for protecting the environment.
This is the first time that innovative technologies have been used by a car manufacturer: lower emissions allied with reduced energy and resource consumption accompanied by higher quality.
Porsche Consulting establishes subsidiary in the USA
Stuttgart/Atlanta. Porsche Consulting, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG in Stuttgart, is setting up a subsidiary in the USA.
Porsche Consulting Inc. headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, will commence operations in October with ten consultants. It will be the third foreign subsidiary after Milan in Italy and Sao Paulo in Brazil.
“In the past five years we have generated income of approximately 20 million US dollars with local customers in the USA. That is positively crying out for a local presence. We are pleased to be able to announce this step”, says Norman Firchau, President and CEO of the new subsidiary Porsche Consulting Inc. in the USA.
Porsche Consulting is also growing in Germany. Approximately 50 new consultants are to be taken on in the current year. The recruitment focus is on (industrial) engineers having majored in vehicle and automotive technology, mechanical engineering, manufacturing industry or aerospace but also economists having majored in production, logistics, procurement and purchasing, development or sales.
Porsche Consulting is a leading consulting company in Germany. Working on behalf of their customers – ranging from the global business group to the SME – consultants optimise processes from production to supplier management, in research and development, marketing, in sales and in administration.
Customers hail from the most diverse sectors such as the automotive industry, mechanical and electrical engineering, the construction industry, the aerospace industry, the consumer goods industry, commerce, banking and insurance, the health sector, traffic and transport.
In addition to Lean Management, namely the reduction of activities that do not add value, the elimination of waste and the rise of value creation, the US subsidiary will focus on Supply Chain Management and on optimising research and development processes. In the process, Porsche Consulting Inc. aims to generate 20 per cent of its revenue with Porsche and Volkswagen and 80 per cent with existing and new customers in the USA.
Previously, management consultancy in the USA catered first and foremost for customers from the automotive industry, aviation, electrical engineering and tourism sectors.
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.
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.
Title defender takes up six hour race from third grid row
Stuttgart. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Felbermayr-Proton, Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) start from the third grid row of the GTE Pro class to tackle the six hour race in Imola on Sunday.
In qualifying for the third race of the Le Mans Series season at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Richard Lietz posted the sixth fastest time.
“The car handled perfectly for that one fast lap,” he said. “I´m happy with the time, nothing else was possible today. Now let´s hope for a good race. We´re facing six hours of tough work so our motto can only be get a good start and then charge to the front.”
His works driver colleague Patrick Pilet (France) set the ninth fastest time in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of IMSA Performance Matmut, which he shares with Wolf Henzler (Germany).
“It wasn´t easy today. You can only turn two really fast laps in qualifying here,” he said. “My first lap was great, but in the second I encountered a lot of traffic and couldn´t improve. The car oversteered a lot, we´ll have to sort this out before the race.”
Directly behind him, Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) starts from tenth on the grid. His teammate in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by ProSpeed Competition is Marc Goossens from Belgium.
“The qualifying began quite well,” said Marco Holzer. “But of all places in the very quick Turn 5 I encountered a slower car which held me up. Our car felt very good, the lap times were much quicker than during the free practice and that makes me feel more confident for the race.”
In the GTE Am class, in which only one professional driver is permitted to compete per car, Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA) secured the third pole position for Porsche at the third race. Proton Competition´s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which he shares with Porsche Cup winner Gianluca Roda (Italy), is at last year´s technical specification as per the regulations.
Result Qualifying GTE Pro class
1. Jörg Müller (D), BMW M3, 1:44.468 minutes
2. Dirk Werner (D), BMW M3, + 0.215 seconds behind
3. Jaime Melo (BR), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.223
4. Frédéric Makowiecki (F), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.257
5. Robert Bell (GB), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.262
6. Richard Lietz (A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.427
9. Patrick Pilet (F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.999
10. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.299
GTE Am class
1. Patrick Long (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:45.650 minutes
2. Marco Cioci (I), Ferrari F430, + 0.256 seconds behind
3. Michele Rugolo (I), Ferrari F 430, + 0.569
4. Nicolas Armindo (F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.633
The six hour race takes off at midday on Sunday, 3 July. TV station Eurosport 2 broadcasts the opening phase from 12.00 to 13.00 hours and then the last two hours of the race from 16.00 to 18.00 hours live.
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.
Nicki Thiim (DK), Sean Edwards (GB), René Rast (D) Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Stuttgart. First Nick Tandy, then Jeroen Bleekemolen, Jaap van Lagen, Nicki Thiim, René Rast and now Sean Edwards.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
At round six on the Norisring, the Carrera Cup Deutschland celebrated its sixth winner.
Right now, the competition in Germany’s fastest one-make race series is unrivaled. Under the most difficult track conditions, Edwards celebrated his first victory in the German championship on the Nuremberg street circuit with his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
By winning the rain race, the Briton driving for the Team Deutsche Post by tolimit squad further extended his points’ lead.
Nicki Thiim (DK), Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Second at the thrilling racepacked with overtaking manoeuvres on a wet and extremely slippery track went to Lausitzring winner Nicki Thiim (Denmark, Hermes Attempto Racing).
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
After a rocket start, second qualifier Martin Ragginger (Austria, Schnabl Engineering) led the field into the Grundigkehre.
Ploughing through from sixth on the grid came Nicki Thiim, with Edwards in third.
In contrast, pole-sitter Nick Tandy (Great Britain, Konrad Motorsport) didn’t get away as well and by the first corner found himself lying fourth.
In the fifth lap, Sean Edwards in his yellow Post-911, got around the Grundigkehre-hairpin better than Ragginger to snatch the front position. The Briton, who had taken up the sprint from fifth on the grid, held tight to lead and never looked back.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
In the following laps, the Austrian fell victim to another opponent. This time it was René Rast (Germany, Förch Racing) to overtake Ragginger in the same spot. The winner of the Porsche Carrera World Cup initially thought he was in a secure second place, but towards the end of the race Nicki Thiim moved closer with consistent and slightly faster lap times. In the 31st lap of the race, the Dane finally nabbed the German and clinched his second best result of the season.
Jan Seyffarth (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Jan Seyffarth (Germany, SMS Seyffarth Motorsport) also experienced an eventful race that yielded fourth and his best result of the season. Taking up the sprint from third on the grid, the Carrera Cup vice-champion of 2008 at times fell back as far as eighth place, but worked his way up the field as the track dried. Far behind Seyffarth came Nick Tandy in fifth. The Briton, who secured five phenomenal victories in his debut 2010 season, had to fight to keep his 911 on the track.
With fifth place in Nuremberg, Tandy, who had led the points for the first four rounds this season, now sits 16 points shy of his compatriot Edwards.
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
And two points off Zandvoort winner Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands, Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) who saw the flag in Nuremberg in sixth place. Seventh, despite a damaged radiator, went to the Spielberg winner Jaap van Lagen. Shortly before the flag, the Land Motorsport pilot touched the rear of Norbert Siedler’s 911.
Driving for Aust Motorsport, the Austrian secured eighth ahead of his compatriot Martin Ragginger.
At his first race in the German one-make series, Supercup pilot Kévin Estre (France, Hermes Attempto Racing) crossed the finish line in tenth.
TV station Sport1 broadcasts race highlights, interviews and reports on 8 July from 23.30 hours until midnight in the Carrera Cup Magazin.
A one-hour report on the Porsche Carrera World Cup, the greatest Porsche race in history on the Nürburgring, is televised by Sport1 this coming Monday, 4th July, at 17.30 hours.
Sean Edwards (winner):
“I got too much wheelspin at the start so I didn’t get away well. But my teammate from last year, Sascha Maassen, shared a couple of tricks with me for the first corner and I profited from them. Martin Ragginger experienced traction problems, so it wasn’t hard getting past him. For a while I feared that Réne was closing in. But he became caught up in a duel with Nicki Thiim and that gave me room to breath. With three races left on the calendar we’re on top of the driver and team classifications – it doesn’t get better than that.”
Nicki Thiim (second):
“The race was great fun, what a highlight. I fought with many drivers, that’s the sort of racing I love. It proved difficult to get past René, but I did it in the end. If the race were only a couple of laps longer I might have overtaken Sean, too, but I didn’t want to take that risk. Second place is tremendous.”
René Rast (third):
“My start was average and I lost a couple of positions, but I made them up again. Sean took off at the front and managed to distance himself a bit. Towards the end of the race, Nicki Thiim came shooting up from behind. We fought each other for some time but then I had to let him pass, he was simply too fast. Third place was the maximum I could manage today, so I’m okay with that.”
Race result
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 33:49.075 minutes (142.824 km/h)
2. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 1.507 seconds
3. René Rast (D), Förch Racing, + 3.370
4. Jan Seyffarth (D), SMS Seyffarth Motorsport, + 7.837
5. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 13.255
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 14.876
7. Norbert Siedler (A), Aust Motorsport, + 18.132
8. Jaap van Lagen (NL), Land Motorsport, + 20.327
Driver classification after 6 of 9 races
1. Sean Edwards (GB), 98 points
2. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 84
3. Nick Tandy (GB), 82
4. Nicki Thiim (DK), 59
5. Martin Ragginger (A), 59
5. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 56
7. René Rast (D), 54
Team classification after 6 of 9 races
1. Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 154 points
2. Konrad Motorsport, 104
3. Hermes Attempto Racing, 64
Round 7 of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland takes place on 7 August on the Grand Prix circuit of the Nürburgring.
Stuttgart. It doesn´t get much closer than this: With a mere 0.003-second advantage, Nick Tandy snatched his first pole position this season by a hair´s breadth.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 01 Hockenheimring 2011
The Briton driving for Konrad Motorsport lapped the 2.3 kilometre Norisring in 51.682 seconds and with this set a new record on the street circuit in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Tandy is the sixth different pole-sitter at the sixth race of the 2011 Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
During the ten-minute final qualifying session to determine the top ten, the fastest times changed by the second on the shortest circuit on the race calendar. At the end, the six quickest drivers were separated by an incredible 0.021 seconds.
The second grid spot at the qualifying thriller is occupied by Martin Ragginger.
Martin Ragginger (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 02 Zandvoort 2011
For the Austrian competing for the Schnabl Engineering team, this marks his best qualifying result so far this season.
Martin Ragginger (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Jan Seyffarth also sees a light at the end of the tunnel with the third grid position.
Jan Seyffarth (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Driving for SMS Seyffarth Motorsport, the German was only 0.008 seconds adrift of the pole-setting time. After a rather mixed start to the season, the 2008 vice-champion only ranks eighth overall at the half-way point in the series.
Jan Seyffarth (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
René Rast (Germany) takes up tomorrow´s 35-lap sprint (start 15.10 hours) around the stone grandstands and along the Dutzendteich from the fourth grid spot.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
At one point the outstanding winner of the Porsche Carrera Cup on the Nürburgring also managed to clock the fastest time in his Förch Racing 911, but was unable to defend it.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
The same for Sean Edwards.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Driving for the Deutsche Post by tolimit squad, the Briton tackles the Norisring race from fifth place.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Recently Edwards shunted the former leader Nick Tandy from the top of the points´ table with his fourth place at the World Cup and now also leads the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. Whilst he has already secured one pole position and a race win in the Supercup this year, he has not yet managed this in Germany´s fastest one-make series.
Behind the Briton on the grid are three winners this season.
Sixth in qualifying went to Nicki Thiim (Denmark, Hermes Attempto Racing), the winner on the Lausitzring.
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Seventh was snatched by the Spielberg victor Jaap van Lagen (Netherlands, Land Motorsport),
Jaap van Lagen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
with eighth going to van Lagen´s compatriot Jeroen Bleekemolen (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit).
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland – 06 Norisring 2011
Austria´s Norbert Siedler (Aust Motorsport) and Florian Scholze (Germany, Förch Racing) round of the top ten qualifiers.
TV station Sport1 broadcasts the Norisring race from 15.10 hours live and televises race highlights, interviews and reports in the Carrera Cup Magazin on the 8th July from 23.30 hours until midnight. Moreover, the street race is broadcast on the official website of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland on www.porsche.de/carreracup. A one-hour report on the Porsche Carrera World Cup, the greatest Porsche race in history on the Nürburgring, is televised by Sport1 this coming Monday, 4th July, at 17.30 hours.
Nick Tandy (pole-sitter):
“The lap times are so close this year that it´s just crazy. At last I managed my first pole position of 2011 at the sixth race weekend. I can´t say how happy I am about this, especially after the huge disappointment of my retirement at the World Cup.”
Martin Ragginger (second in qualifying):
“We knew from last year that our car is well set-up for the Norisring, because we are very good under braking. And you need that here where you have to decelerate drastically for the hairpins twice per lap. For sure lady luck was with us today. The times are so tight that you can´t talk about skill alone, you have to have luck on your side as well.”
Jan Seyffarth (third in qualifying):
“That was my best qualifying result this season. For this reason I´m pleased with third on the grid, but at the same time I´m a little disappointed. Towards the end of the qualifying I was the quickest in the first sector, then I drove my personal best in the second sector but I messed up the third. If you look at the gaps I can only say we´ve never seen it so close. The people can look forward to an incredibly exciting race tomorrow.”
Qualifying result:
1. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 51.682 seconds
2. Martin Ragginger (A), Schnabl Engineering, + 0.003
3. Jan Seyffarth (D), SMS Seyffarth Motorsport, + 0.008
4. René Rast (D), Förch Racing, + 0.016
5. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 0.018
6. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.021
7. Jaap van Lagen (NL), Land Motorsport, + 0.129
8. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 0.156
9. Norbert Siedler (A), Aust Motorsport, + 0.866
10. Florian Scholze (D), Förch Racing, + 1.047
Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Title defender René Rast aims for third straight win
Stuttgart. The name alone is pure fascination: Silverstone.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Nick Tandy’s eyes light up when he talks about the storied circuit.
“For a race driver this track is something very special, like Wimbledon is for a tennis player,” he says. “As a child I dreamed of driving in Silverstone at some stage in my life – and to win.”
And this dream has come true. With the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Konrad Motorsport, he celebrated his first ever win in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup of all places in Silverstone.
And of course he is determined to follow this up with another one on 10 July – especially after slipping from the points’ table at the Porsche Carrera World Cup recently on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. While in hot pursuit of the leader he skidded from the track in torrential rain, hit the crash barriers and retired.
Profiting the most from his misfortune, however, was his compatriot Sean Edwards.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
The Abu Dhabi by tolimit team pilot and Barcelona winner moved to the top of the points and now aims to defend this position at his home race.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
René Rast, however, is keen to foil this plan.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
It took the reigning champion two races to get into the swing of the season – but his wins in Monaco and at the Porsche Carrera World Cup has restored his old self-confidence.
“I won two races in a row in Monaco and on the Nordschleife. To win on such a traditional circuit like Silverstone would fit perfectly into this pattern,” says the German.
With his brilliant performance at the Nürburgring, the VELTINS Lechner Racing pilot finally rejoined the fight for the title and now ranks in second place just five points shy of the leader. The slow start to his season is history. “We had a couple of hiccups at the beginning of the year, but now we’re back in force.”
The most successful Supercup driver in Silverstone is Patrick Huisman.
Competing for Team Bleekemolen, the Dutchman has finished first here four times. Ranking third overall, it’s no wonder that he is very much looking forward to traveling to the British Isles to race.
“Silverstone is a fantastic race track with a great tradition. You sense this everywhere,” he says.
Stefan Rosina is another who shares the enthusiasm of the seasoned campaigner.
Stefan Rosina (SK)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
The Slovakian, who competes for VERVA Racing, has a very special relationship with Silverstone after studying at nearby Oxford.
“For me it’s a home race,” he says, raving about the famous corners of Copse, Stowe and Brooklands.
Even though the circuit has undergone modifications over the last years, the Silverstone magic has not diminished.
In the bid for the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup title, no driver has managed to build up a clear advantage during the first half of the season.
This gives Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands hopes to secure his third championship title:
“We’re a strong team,” says the teammate of points’ leader Sean Edwards at Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit. “This makes us drivers stronger. I’m not about to give up that easily.”
The race in Silverstone on 10th July will be broadcasted live on TV stations Eurosport 2 (11.45 hrs) and Sky (11.40 hrs). Moreover, Eurosport televises highlights of the race at 20.45 hours in its “Motorsport Weekend Magazin” programme.
Points’ standings after 4 of 9 races*
Drivers’ classification
1. Sean Edwards (GB), 68 points
2. René Rast (D), 63
3. Nick Tandy (GB), 54
4. Norbert Siedler (A), 53
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 48
6. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 42
Stuttgart. The American Le Mans Series picks up the pace.
After a break for the Le Mans 24 Hours, round three of the race series with the world’s fastest sports cars now takes off on 9th July in Lime Rock in the US state of Connecticut.
Lining up on the grid is the five-time Lime Rock winner Joerg Bergmeister (Germany). At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Bergmeister and his Porsche works driver teammate Patrick Long (USA) are hoping for their first podium result of the season.
The race
The Northeast Grand Prix has been a permanent fixture on the American Le Mans Series calendar since 2004. Many fans are happy to travel the two and a half hours from New York City to witness the often very entertaining race. On one of the hills alongside the track stands a small church in which a service is held on Sundays. For this reason, races are traditionally contested on Saturdays.
The circuit
The 2.478 kilometre circuit in the picturesque countryside of Connecticut is the shortest in the American Le Mans Series.
The lap times are far under a minute. The surrounding grassy hills serve as grandstands, with most of the spectators bringing their own camping chairs and coolers to witness the race action.
The 911 GT3 RSR entered by Paul Miller Racing is manned by Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA).
Quotes before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Head of Motorsport:
“The season really gets going now in USA. The last race was before the break for the Le Mans 24 Hours in April, so it’s almost like a second season-opener for the teams. If they want to look good for the crucial phase of the season, they’ll need to pull out all stops in Lime Rock.”
“Lime Rock seems to really suit our car. I’ve won on this track five times in a row – that’s not such a bad track record. With 30 cars on this narrow circuit you have to concentrate totally over the whole distance, you have to use your head if you want to reach the flag in such heavy traffic without bruises. It’s always worked out well in the past. Still, a little bit of luck is always part of it.”
Patrick Long (No. 45, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports):
“There are normally loads of safety car phases in Lime Rock. And no wonder with all the traffic. This is a huge challenge for our strategists. The pit stops have to be carried out quickly, the right timing can mean the difference between victory or defeat. But our boys at Flying Lizard Motorsports know how to do pit stops – they’ve proven that often enough.”
Wolf Henzler (No. 17, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Faken Tire):
“The track is very short, and hence the traffic is heavy. You’re constantly overtaking slower cars and you being overtaken by the faster sports prototypes. Lime Rock is not exactly a favorite of mine. But I have good memories of last year when we qualified in second in the rain. Hopefully, it’ll rain again this year. We used the Le Mans break well and tested at Road America and in Mid-Ohio. The team has invested a great deal into tyre development. That makes me optimistic for the rest of the season.”
“This is my first race in Lime Rock and I’m looking forward to getting to know another race track in the USA. The team sent me a DVD of on board footage and loads of data – so at least I can prepare myself a bit.”
The 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’s successes
In the history of the American Le Mans Series, Joerg Bergmeister is the most successful driver at Lime Rock. At the last five races he claimed victory every time for Porsche in the GT and later the GT2 class.
Patrick Long was his teammate for three of these wins, Wolf Henzler once. With the RS Spyder sports prototype, Porsche celebrated three class wins on this track as well as an overall victory in 2007.
The schedule
The race in Lime Rock starts on Saturday, 9 July, at 14.05 hrs local time (20.05 hrs CEST). The GT qualifying on Friday will be broadcast on the internet on Friday from 21.45 hours CEST on www.porsche.com/alms-live.
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.
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