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 Porsche 911 RSR (#911), Porsche North America: Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet, Nick Tandy |
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Tudor United SportsCar Championship, round 2: 12 Hours of Sebring, USA Porsche aims to repeat last year’s victory at Florida’s sports car classic Stuttgart. The Sebring 12 Hours is the oldest and toughest sports car race in the USA. Three Porsche 911 RSR will tackle the GTLM class at the 63rd running of the prestigious classic contested on the Sebring International Raceway on 21 March. For the Porsche North America works team and the Falken Tire customer squad, eight works drivers will do their utmost to repeat Porsche’s win from last year on the airfield circuit in the heart of Florida, which is notorious for its bumpy surface. With 18 overall victories and 67 class wins, Porsche is the most successful manufacturer in the history of the Sebring 12 hour race. The race Porsche drivers Last year’s winners Jörg Bergmeister (Germany) as well as Earl Bamber (New Zealand) and Frédéric Makowiecki (France) share driving duties in the number 912 vehicle. Tackling the race for the Falken Tire customer outfit are the Porsche works drivers Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA), reinforced by Bryan Sellers (USA). Porsche Junior Connor de Phillippi (USA) contests the GTD class at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT America fielded by Muehlner Motorsports. 
The Porsche vehicles  Porsche 911 RSR (#912), Porsche North America: Jörg Bergmeister, Earl Bamber, Frédéric Makowiecki The Porsche 911 GT America, built specifically for the GTD class of the 2014-inaugurated Tudor United SportsCar Championship, features a four-litre, six-cylinder engine and also produces 470 hp. The vehicle is an improved version of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the most successful and widely-produced race car in the world. Porsche’s successes The schedule Comments before the race  Dr. Frank Walliser, Overall 918 Spyder Project Manager Patrick Pilet (#911): “Sebring is a very special race on a very special circuit. It’s always a hard fight for victory and the avid fans give the whole event a fantastic ambience.” 
Nick Tandy (#911): “It’s always a highlight to compete in Sebring, regardless in which series you compete for the rest of the year. On this storied track you truly breathe sports car history and that fascinates me.”  Porsche North America: Nick Tandy Richard Lietz (#911): “Sebring is a race that throws extremes at you. You can’t afford to make the slightest error – if you do you have no chance.” 
Earl Bamber (#912): “It didn’t go so well for us at Daytona, so now I’m hoping we can make up lost ground in the championship at Sebring.” 
Jörg Bergmeister (#912): “Sebring is a real classic. To drive at the limit on this bumpy track takes everything from a driver. But it’s always huge fun.” 
Frédéric Makowiecki (#912): “At Daytona we weren’t able to really underline the potential of the 911 RSR over the whole distance. Now I’m hoping we can do this in Sebring and fight for victory.”  Porsche North America: Frédéric Makowiecki Wolf Henzler (#17): “Last year Sebring was the first race with the 911 RSR for my Falken Tire team. Since then we’ve won Petit Le Mans and now I reckon our chances for victory in Sebring look good as well.”  Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler Patrick Long (#17): “Even though I’m concentrating on my WEC campaign with Patrick Dempsey, I’m looking forward to the chance of supporting Wolf and Bryan in Sebring.”  Team Falken Tire: PatrickLong This is the Tudor United SportsCar Championship The series was formed from the merger of the American Le Mans Series and the Grand-Am Series. Sports prototypes and sports cars start in four different classes: GTLM (GT Le Mans), GTD (GT Daytona), P (Prototype) and PC (Prototype Challenge). The Porsche 911 RSR runs in the GTLM class, with the Porsche 911 GT America contesting the GTD class. Source: |
Tag Archives: Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche aims to repeat last year’s victory at Florida’s sports car classic, 12 Hours of Sebring, USA
Porsche keen to repeat last year’s GT victory, Sports Car World Championship WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours/France
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Marco Holzer, Frederic Makowiecki, Richard Lietz
| Press Release | 06/06/2014 |
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche Team Manthey: Patrick Pilet, Joerg Bergmeister, Nick Tandy
Stuttgart. It was a debut made to order: At its first ever outing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year, the Porsche 911 RSR brought home a double victory. At the 82nd edition of the world’s most famous long distance race, contested on the Circuit des 24 Heures on 14/15 June, Porsche Team Manthey will again field a pair of 911 RSR in the GTE-Pro class. Taking up the challenge alongside the factory squad, Porsche customer teams from Europe and America again contest the GTE-Am class, which Porsche also won last year. The classic event in provincial France, where Porsche is chronicled as the most successful manufacturer with 16 overall victories, is regarded as the highlight of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship (WEC).
The race
First contested in 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans is the toughest automobile race in the world and represents the greatest challenge motorsport has to offer. What makes this classic so unique is also the 13.65 kilometre “Circuit des 24 Heures”, one of the oldest and fastest race tracks in the world with 38 corners and the legendary five-kilometre long Mulsanne straight. Almost 75 percent of a lap is driven at full throttle.
Porsche drivers
Double points are awarded for round three of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship WEC at Le Mans. Tackling the GTE-Pro class in the number 91 Porsche 911 RSR are Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Pilet (France) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain). Sharing the #92 cockpit are their works driver colleagues Marco Holzer (Germany), Frédéric Makowiecki (France) and last year’s winner Richard Lietz (Austria). Customer teams take on the GTE-Am class with a pair of 911 RSR: For the Dempsey Racing-Proton outfit, Patrick Dempsey (USA) and Joe Foster (USA) join forces with Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA). Christian Ried (Germany), Porsche junior Klaus Bachler (Austria) and Khaled Al Qubaisi (Abu Dhabi) compete for Proton Competition. The customer squads IMSA Performance Matmut and Prospeed Competition each bring two Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in last year’s spec to the start. IMSA Performance Matmut has contracted an all-French driver line-up with Erik Maris, Jean Marc Merlin and Eric Hélary as well as Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo and David Hallyday. Taking on the challenge for Prospeed Competition are Cooper MacNeil (USA), Bret Curtis (USA) and Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands) as well as Frenchmen Francois Perrodo and Emmanuel Collard.
The Porsche 911 RSR
The Porsche 911 RSR which Porsche has campaigned in the Sports Car World Endurance Championship since 2013 is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car. At its race debut last year the 470 hp winning racer from Weissach scored a brilliant double victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. For 2014, the 911 RSR received improvements in many areas. In addition to winning the WEC season opener at Silverstone, this racer has also clinched victories at the long distance classics at Daytona and Sebring. Through the balance of performance ruling, the 911 RSR for Le Mans must now weigh 25 kilograms more than last year’s contender, with the restrictors reduced from 29.6 to 29.3 millimetres.
The schedule
Free practice on the Circuit des 24 Heures is held on Wednesday, 11 June, from 16.00 to 20.00 hrs, followed by the first qualifying session from 22.00 hrs to midnight. Two more qualifying sessions follow on Thursday, 12 June, from 19.00 to 21.00 hrs and from 22.00 hrs to midnight. The start flag for the 24 hour pursuit drops on Saturday, 14 June, at 15.00 hours. The 56-strong field is sent on its way by ex-Formula 1 World Champion Fernando Alonso.
TV tips
Eurosport International and Eurosport 2 alternately broadcast the complete race live. The last two hours of free practice as well as the three qualifying sessions and the warm-up are also televised live. Also aired during the week are various programmes highlighting the world’s most famous long distance race with news, interviews, portraits and background reports. Detailed TV information is available on http://www.eurosport.com.
Quotes before the race
Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport:
“Le Mans is the highlight of the year. For our teams and drivers this race represents an exceptional challenge – and we’re feeling highly motivated and very well prepared. After our double victory at the season-opener in Silverstone, our car now has to carry 25 extra kilograms of ballast and the diameter of the two restrictors is now 0.3 millimetres smaller than last year’s. When considering the additional changes made, as against 2013, at one or the other competitor one has to question to what extent is the Balance of Performance actually balanced. We feel it is a matter of utmost urgency in the spirit of the sport to find a regulation for the classification of vehicles where you don’t have to fear being punished for a good performance, like what happened to us after Silverstone. Nevertheless, we’ll work extremely hard to do a good job at Le Mans – just like last year.”
Joerg Bergmeister (#91):
“I’ve raced at Le Mans since 2002 and it’s a fantastic feeling to be back again this year. It’s the season highlight for me. This race has a very special atmosphere and it’s always incredibly demanding. More than anything I enjoy the extremely fast corners, they’re the most fun. Last year we came second behind our teammates and I wouldn’t mind at all if we switch positions this year.”
Patrick Pilet (#91):
“Le Mans is a very special race, especially for me as a Frenchman. It’s always an incredible feeling to go racing on such an extreme circuit in front of so many fans. Aside from the Indy 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix, Le Mans is the greatest race on Earth. We are well prepared and our 911 RSR is a strong contender, especially on the long straights. It would be fantastic if we could turn this into a win. We were so close last year.”
Nick Tandy (#91):
“Ever since I began racing for Porsche at Le Mans in 2010 it has been my goal to secure a podium spot here. You only get this chance once a year and I’ll do everything within my power to make it happen. For a race driver, Le Mans is a magical place. Even when you arrive in the paddock you get a sense of the great history. And the Circuit des 24 Heures is something very special with its unique combination of race track and normal country roads. It’s an honour for me to drive again for Porsche at Le Mans this year.”
Marco Holzer (#92):
“At my first race in Le Mans in 2010 we managed to achieve a podium finish with third place. When I think back to the cheering crowds at the award ceremony it still sends shivers down my spine. I’d very much like to experience this feeling again and our chances don’t look too bad. We have a great car and a strong team behind us. But in Le Mans you can’t afford to make one mistake. You have to be totally focussed otherwise you can forget it.”
Frédéric Makowiecki (#92):
“As a Frenchman you simply have to race at Le Mans. And you want to win. Your family is watching at the track, your friends are there supporting you. This makes it hugely motivating to achieve everything you’ve set out to do. As a child I dreamed of Porsche. I launched my racing career with Porsche. If I could now win Le Mans with Porsche, well that would just be the best thing in the world. But first we have to face 24 gruelling hours where pretty much anything can happen.”
Richard Lietz (#92):
“I have many wonderful memories of Le Mans, especially my wins in 2007, 2010 and 2013. It’s the greatest race in the world. I love it. If I couldn’t be here as a driver, I’d buy a ticket and watch the race as a spectator. Earlier, only victory in Le Mans counted. Since 2013, it has become part of the Sports Car World Endurance Championship which means that if you can’t win then you have to make sure you bring home as many points as possible. The connection between Porsche and Le Mans is pure racing fascination. Getting the chance to compete at Le Mans for Porsche, the most successful manufacturer in the history of this race, is motivation enough. You automatically do your absolute best to win.”
Patrick Long (#77):
“Le Mans is always a huge challenge. Everyone wants to win, regardless of the category they’re contesting. I’m really looking forward to racing with Patrick Dempsey and Joe Foster and helping the whole team to fulfil their dreams at Le Mans. Last year we narrowly missed out on a podium spot. This time we’re determined to make it.”
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Porsche teams conduct successful Le Mans test, Sports Car WEC, test day Le Mans 24 Hours, France, GT
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
24 hours of Le Mans, Interview with Wolfgang Hatz, “Porsche is part of Le Mans, and Le Mans is part of Porsche”
| Press Release | 30/05/2014 |
“Porsche is part of Le Mans, and Le Mans is part of Porsche”
Stuttgart. This coming Sunday on June 1, the entries for what will be the 82nd running of the legendary 24 hours of Le Mans will be testing at the famous track. It is the final test prior to arguably the toughest motor race in the world. Porsche vehicles have been on the starting grid continuously for 63 years, and the German sports car manufacturer is the record holder with 16 overall victories and 103 class victories. The most recent class victory was last year with two 911 RSRs one-two in the GTE Pro category. To date, the last overall victory was 16 years ago, as Porsche has not competed in the top class since 1998. Porsche returns there this year and faces the new FIA-efficiency regulations with the innovative 919 Hybrid, which limits the energy consumption per lap. In parallel to this, the GT team is trying to build on the success of the previous year. A gigantic factory involvement. There are also six private Porsche teams starting the event; the most well known driver and team owner is Patrick Dempsey, racing car driver and American actor. As Member of the Executive Board, Research and Development, at Porsche AG, Wolfgang Hatz is responsible for the Porsche factory involvement.
Wolfgang Hatz, Porsche Motorsport Night of Champions 2013
Mr Hatz, when and why did Porsche decide to return to the top class of the sports car World Endurance Championship (WEC) and Le Mans?
Wolfgang Hatz: “This was in 2011. We were and still are well positioned in the GT category, but it is time for the brand to re-enter at the elite level. The options for this are easily understandable. There is Formula 1, and there is the WEC with Le Mans. An essential criteria for the decision was the desire to establish the project at Porsche itself, so the expertise would be developed and remain in-house. The World Endurance Championship including Le Mans suits us best, it is a real team sport. This is especially true of the team of drivers. But we also needed to create the infrastructure for this first: new buildings, a team of 230 people, every other one of which is an engineer.”
Did the historical connection to Le Mans also play a role?
Wolfgang Hatz: “Porsche is part of Le Mans, and Le Mans is part of Porsche. They fit together. Nevertheless, no one makes these kind of investments due to nostalgia; they have to pay off in the future. As far as I can remember, there was never a regulation that gave the engineers so much freedom and required so much innovation. The obligation towards producing a hybrid and the efficiency formula represent revolutionary challenges. I am proud that our engineers ventured the furthest of any. Ultimately, Porsche customers will benefit from this.”
Porsche Team: Alexander Hitzinger, Wolfgang Hatz (Vorstand Forschung und Entwicklung Porsche AG), Fritz Enzinger, Leiter LMP1 (r)
Can you explain this in laymen’s terms?
Wolfgang Hatz: “Our combustion engine is the finest and most efficient engine ever developed by Porsche. This compact two litre, four cylinder, turbo engine with direct fuel injection and a performance of over 500 PS drives the rear axle. It is the smallest engine with the least number of cylinders in the top category of the race. Our engineers also combined a fundamentally new exhaust gas energy recovery system with this engine. No one else has that. We store the energy recovered from the otherwise unproductive flow of escaping exhaust gasses in a battery. We store energy, which we generate during braking on the front axle in the same battery. When the driver retrieves energy from this reservoir comprised of the latest type of battery cells, several hundred horsepower drive the front axle. During this phase, the driver has a powerful all-wheel drive at his disposal. Our car is the only one in the field which converts energy that would otherwise simply be wasted and makes it useable, not only when braking, but also when accelerating. This represents an immense potential for future road sports cars.”
Porsche Team: Romain Dumas, Wolfgang Hatz (Vorstand Forschung und Entwicklung Porsche AG)
Are the efficiency regulations not to the detriment of racing itself?
Wolfgang Hatz: “Not at all; the races at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps have demonstrated this. The prototypes have plenty of power available; whether this is from the internal combustion engine or electrical does not matter. They must use all of the energy on each lap, otherwise it is a waste. Nothing can be saved here. These endurance races are sprints over incredible distances.”
The World Championships comprises eight races, but the focus is on Le Mans. When would the factory involvement be considered a success?
Wolfgang Hatz: “It would be terrific, if the GT team could build on the success of the previous year. However, that is literally more difficult because we had to add weight in accordance with the regulations. Porsche Team Manthey headed by Hartmut Kristen has extensive experience, which may make the decisive difference at Le Mans. The situation is completely different in the case of the Porsche team headed by Fritz Enzinger in the LMP1 class: We have no experience there at all. 2014 is a year of learning. Not admitting that would mean miscalculating Le Mans. At Spa-Francorchamps, the Porsche 919 Hybrid impressively demonstrated that the necessary speed is there with pole position and the fastest race lap. Our competitors know we are a force to be reckoned with. However, the 919 Hybrid has not yet covered the complete Le Mans distance in racing conditions. In this respect, it would be a success if one LMP1 finishes the event. Succeeding with both would be fabulous.”
Porsche Team: Timo Bernhard (l), Wolfgang Hatz (Vorstand Forschung und Entwicklung Porsche AG)
At Silverstone, we saw you emotionally applauding the podium place in the overall standings in the pouring rain. Isn’t that the high demand Porsche imposes on itself?
Wolfgang Hatz: “That was a great moment of joy. But I am not losing sight of reality over this. We were not top-notch at Silverstone. We also benefited from the competition’s problems. But we did complete the first six-hour race with this extremely complex car and a team that has never competed before at a circuit. All the processes, especially under chaotic weather conditions, worked very well for the debut. And everyone worked extremely hard for this. The drivers showed their enormous skills but also a lot of discipline. The podium was a great experience for all of us. And we had a one-two in the GT class. The picture we saw on Sunday in England was terrific.”
Where will you be watching the 24 hour race from?
Wolfgang Hatz: “I will be on duty and will not be a spectator. Of course, I spend most of the time in the pit. I attend every race and was at the tracks for almost all the tests. Mostly, by the way, by the side of Matthias Müller, Chairman of the Executive Board, and that will also be the case on June 14/15. Come, what may.”
Source: Porsche Product and Technology Communication, Motorsport Press
Porsche holds manufacturer point lead with strong team effort, Tudor United SportsCar Championship, round 3: Long Beach, USA
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche North America: Richard Lietz, Nick Tandy
| Press Release | 12/04/2014 |
Porsche holds manufacturer point lead with strong team effort
Richard Lietz, Nick Tandy, Michael Christensen, Patrick Long (l-r)
Stuttgart. Factory trio of Porsche 911 RSR entered in Tequila Patrón Sports Car Showcase at Long Beach fought both the city streets of Southern California and the competition, and left retaining the lead in the Tudor United SportsCar Championship GT Le Mans (GTLM) class Manufacturer Championship point standings.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche North America: Patrick Long, Michael Christensen
The No. 911 Porsche North America Porsche 911 RSR of Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Richard Lietz (Austria) took the checkered flag in fourth-place with the team car, the No. 912 of Patrick Long (USA) and Michael Christensen (Denmark), fifth in class.
Porsche 911 RSR, Porsche North America: Richard Lietz, Nick Tandy
The No. 17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 RSR driven by Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Bryan Sellers (USA) finished eighth.
Porsche 911 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers
The race hinged on a single pit stop with approximately one hour remaining in the 100-minute race, by far the shortest race of the season. First, the No. 911 stopped and Richard Lietz relinquished the car to Nick Tandy with fresh Michelin tires and a full fuel load from their fifth place qualifying position.
One lap later, the No. 912 stopped with Patrick Long taking over from Michael Christensen who was running sixth at the time. After the rotation, the No. 911 gained one spot moving to fourth while the No. 912 did the same, moving to fifth. From the sole pit stop to the conclusion of the third round of the championship, Nick Tandy ran a mostly unchallenged race to cross under the checkered flag 27 seconds behind the winners.
The No. 17 Team Falken Tire Porsche 911 RSR with factory driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) and Bryan Sellers (Braselton, Ga.) also gained one spot on their starting position finishing eight with efficient pit work.
The eighth-place follows a fifth earned during the debut of the privately entered 911 RSR at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March.
Nick Tandy: “The result is better than our pace this weekend as we improved on our qualifying position. We scored two high points places for the team and gained points back on the championship leader. It’s not a podium but it’s two cars in the top-five, so it’s good.”
Richard Lietz: “I think we did the maximum we could do. We didn’t have the speed today to stay with the guys in front of us but we did our best. I think it was positive but we need to work to find the additional speed.”
Patrick Long: “I am happy we persevered with a lot of challenges today. Fourth and fifth are not first and second but it’s a long season so we need to put points on the board. I didn’t have a radio for the whole stint so I didn’t know if the BMW was on the lead lap. I just pushed as hard as I could at the end. It was a good hard, clean fight with Bill Auberlen. Michael did a really solid job and we just made the best of what we had this weekend.“
Michael Christensen: “That was fun. Obviously, it was a little bit of a train most of the stint. That’s how it is, it’s tough to get by on a street circuit but I did my best to move forward.”
Wolf Henzler: “We have to sit down now after this race and look at what we did and what we can do better. We still need to understand the car better and how it reacts to setup changes on the Falken tire. I think we will have something better for Laguna Seca.”
Race results
GTLM class
1. Magnussen/Garcia (DK/E), Chevrolet Corvette, 75 laps
2. Müller/Edwards (D/USA), BMW Z4 GTE, 75
3. Gavin/Milner (GB/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 75
4. Lietz/Tandy (A/GB), Porsche 911 RSR, 75
5. Christensen/Long (DK/USA), Porsche 911 RSR, 75
6. Priaulx/Auberlen (GB/USA), BMW Z4 GTE, 75
8. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 RSR, 74
Round 4 of the Tudor United SportsCar Championship will take place on May 4 in Laguna Seca, California.
Please note: The Twitter channel @PorscheRaces provides live updates with the latest information and photos from race tracks around the world.
SOURCE: Communication Porsche AG – Motorsport Press
Porsche Factory Drivers Named for 2014 Porsche North America 911 RSR Entries
Patrick Long
Patrick Long, Richard Lietz, Nick Tandy , Michael Christensen Named as Season-Long TUDOR United SportsCar Championship Drivers; Patrick Pilet, Joerg Bergmeister to Join CORE autosport-prepared 911 Racers for 2014 Rolex 24
Stuttgart/Atlanta. Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America (PCNA) have announced the factory drivers who will compete for the 2014 TUDOR United SportsCar Championship in the PORSCHE NORTH AMERICA CORE autosport-prepared Porsche 911 RSR GT-Le Mans class entries.
Nick Tandy
Car no. 911 will be driven by Nick Tandy (Great Britain) and Richard Lietz (Austria), while car no. 912 will compete with Patrick Long (USA) and Michael Christensen (Denmark) at the helm, with two additional Porsche factory drivers – Patrick Pilet (France) and Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) – joining the teams for the upcoming Rolex 24 at Daytona.
Joerg Bergmeister
The no. 911Tandy/Lietz/Pilet Porsche and the no. 912 Long/Christensen/Bergmeister entry will make their on-track debut at the ROAR Before the Rolex 24, January 3 – 5, 2014. The effort will utilize the new Porsche 911 RSR, the same as the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans LM GTE-Pro class-winning entries.
The headquarters for the program will be at Porsche Motorsport North America (PMNA) in Santa Ana, Calif. CORE autosport, Rock Hill, South Carolina, will act as the competition partner for the program.
Richard Lietz
There is a wealth of endurance racing championship experience with this driver lineup, with Lietz scoring class wins at both the Rolex 24 (2012) and the 24 Hours of Le Mans (2010, 2013); and Patrick Long winning his class at the Rolex 24 (2009), 12 Hours of Sebring (2005), 24 Hours of Le Mans (2004, 2007), and Petit Le Mans (2005, 2006, 2007).
Michael Christensen, Porsche Junior
Christensen, in his first year as a Porsche Junior in 2013, finished sixth in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup series season standings with one event win in addition to the Rookie of the Year title. Tandy finished the 2013 American Le Mans Series with a flare by co-driving the Team Falken Tire Porsche to the GT class victory at Petit Le Mans. As for the Rolex 24 third driver additions, Bergmeister and Pilet are endurance veterans as well. Bergmeister has won the Rolex 24 (2002, 2003, 2009), 12 Hours of Sebring (2004, 2005, 2008), 24 Hours of Le Mans (2004), and Petit Le Mans 2003 – 2007). Pilet, a former Porsche Carrera Cup France champion, has a win at the 24 Hours of Dubai to his credit.
The 2014 Rolex 24 at Daytona will take place January 25 – 26, 2014.
The 2014 Porsche 911 RSR
The new 911 RSR is based on the seventh generation of the iconic 911 sports car and follows in the footsteps of its successful predecessor, the 911 GT3 RSR. The new 911 RSR featured a win in its very first 24 Hours of Le Mans appearance in 2013. As with the production vehicle, the wheelbase grew by about four inches. A new development from Porsche Motorsport is the lightweight racing gearbox with the six forward gears selectable via paddles on the steering wheel. The 470 hp, 4.0-litre six-cylinder boxer engine was taken from the predecessor and optimized for 2014.
One of the development priorities of the new 911 RSR was finding a better weight distribution balance. The center of gravity is also significantly lower than that of its predecessor. Carbon fiber played a crucial role in the new design. The front and rear aero components, front and rear lids, doors, underbody, wheel arches, rear wing, dashboard and center console are constructed from the very light and strong material. Moreover, all windows are made of particularly thin and light polycarbonate. Also contributing to the weight reduction is the lithium-ion battery now available on many GT road-legal models.
The look of the new 911 RSR is dominated by the flared aero components and the deep cooling air intakes at the front. With a new air ducting, the radiator is now centrally-located in the front and even more effective than in the previous model. At the same time, the cockpit air-conditioning became more efficient. The quick-change concept of the body parts was specially adapted for endurance racing, allowing for easier maintenance and shorter repair times. The front end, front lid and rear panel are fitted with quick release systems and can be replaced within seconds.
Low positioned static cornering lights provide improved vision and enhanced safety during the night. The reflective labeling and anti-glare lighting of the control elements in the cockpit help ensure optimal legibility in the dark. The arrangement of the switches on the new steering wheel and the pilot-oriented center console were designed in co-operation with the ten Porsche works drivers. All works drivers took part in the design of the 911 RSR contributing their vast experience in GT racing.
In order to keep the engineers in the pits up-to-date with all relevant vehicle data, the live telemetry transmits more than 200 different measurements straight to the pit wall stand via an antenna on the roof. Additionally, all data is stored on a memory card onboard the vehicle.
Source: coremedia / Porsche
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Video: Four Porsches on the first four grid spots – Daytona 24 Hours 2013
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Konrad Motorsport/Orbit: Nick Tandy, Michael Christensen, Christian Engelhardt, Lance Willsey
Daytona 24 Hours – Press Release – 24/01/2013
Four Porsche on the first four grid spots
Stuttgart. Good starting position for Porsche at the Daytona 24 hour race: In qualifying for the sports car classic in Florida, Porsche pilots locked out the first four grid spots in a field of 36 vehicles entered in the GT class.
Nick Tandy
Pole position went to Nick Tandy in the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Konrad Motorsport/Orbit. Daytona marks the first race for the Briton as a Porsche works driver.
Michael Christensen
One of his teammates is Porsche Junior Michael Christensen (Denmark), who contests his first 24 hour race on Saturday.
“Pole position in Daytona shouldn’t be underestimated, even if the race runs over 24 hours,” said Nick Tandy.“Starting from the front allows you to avoid getting caught up in any skirmishes and that’s certainly an advantage. Our car ran perfectly and that gives us a good feeling for the race.”
In last year’s winning car with the starting number 44, Andy Lally (USA) set the second quickest qualifying time.
Sharing the cockpit of the Magnus Racing 911 GT3 Cup is Porsche works driver Richard Lietz from Austria.
Richard Lietz
Third in qualifying in the fiercely competitive qualifying session on the Daytona International Speedway, in which the eleven top placed cars are all within just one second, went to Sean Edwards (MOMO/NGT) from Great Britain ahead Porsche factory pilot Patrick Long (USA) competing for the Park Place Motorsports squad.
“We won the race last year. Second on the grid is an excellent starting position to repeat this success,” said Richard Lietz.
- Patrick Pilet
Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet (France), one of Sean Edwards’ teammates, was also feeling optimistic.
“Sean did an excellent job. After this great qualifying result we are all looking forward to the race. Our goal is to finish on the podium.”
The Daytona 24 Hours starts on Saturday at 15.30 hrs local time (21.30 hrs CET).
Result GT qualifying
1. Nick Tandy (GB), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 1:47.631 minutes
2. Andy Lally (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.197 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.376
4. Patrick Long (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.506
5. Alessandro Balzan (I), Ferrari 458, + 0.629
6. Felipe Albuquerque (MEX), Audi R8, + 0.651
7. Marco Seefried (D), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.688
8. Robin Liddell (GB), Camaro GT.R, + 0.699
SOURCE: Daytona 24 Hours – Porsche Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
— at Daytona International Speedway.
In North America, the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race sets the standard for sports car performance and longevity. Traditionally, the 24 hour race on the Daytona International Speedway is the first highlight of the motorsport season and year after year attracts the best pilots from all kinds of race series worldwide to the ‘Sunshine State’ of the USA.
Porsche has collected 72 class and 22 overall wins in the race’s 49-year history, making Porsche the most successful manufacturer in the history of the race. In recent years, Porsche cars have made up almost one-half of the overall entry list at Daytona.
The race
The endurance classic, which kicks off the Grand-Am Series season, started out in 1962 as a three-hour race. At 1,250 miles in 1964, the race grew to double the distance of the classic 1,000 kilometer races of Spa, Monza and the Nürburgring. The maiden 24-hour event in Daytona took place in 1966. Taking their places on the winner’s list are Formula 1 champions like Phil Hill and Mario Andretti as well as legendary Porsche pilots like Hans Herrmann, Rolf Stommelen, Hurley Haywood and Bob Wollek.
The circuit
The Daytona International Speedway is one of the world’s most famous racetracks. The 24-hour race is contested on the 3.56-mile track combination of oval with banked corner and the infield. The circuit is also the venue for the famed NASCAR Daytona 500 race with more than 250,000 spectators annually.
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Double win and points’ lead for Porsche teams at International GT Open, races 5 / 6 in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium
(l.-r.): Olaf Manthey, Raymond Narac, Patrick Pilet, Marco Holzer Nick Tandy, Daniel Zampieri, Michael Dalle Stelle
Stuttgart. Torrential rain and difficult track conditions made just the right ingredients for a sterling showing of the Porsche teams in Spa-Francorchamps.
(l.-r.): Marco Holzer and Nick Tandy
At race six of the International GT Open on Belgium’s challenging 7.4 kilometre circuit, works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and Manthey pilot Nick Tandy (Great Britain) clinched their third win of the season driving a 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Manthey-Racing.
Marco Holzer and Nick Tandy
The pair saw the flag 34 seconds ahead of the second-placed Porsche team with works driver Patrick Pilet and his compatriot Raymond Narac. The Frenchmen saw the chequered flag almost half a minute ahead of the third finisher.
Patrick Pilet
After the clear double victory of the 911 GT3 RSR – Porsche’s top model for customer racing – four Porsche drivers head the standings, albeit in reverse order. Pilet/Narac are the new points’ leaders thanks to two podium results and consistent points finishes in the first six races of this gripping international GT series.
International GT Open Spa-Francorchamps: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey Racing: Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy
Holzer/Tandy follow in second. The German-British pair travelled to Spa as the championship leaders but retired from Saturday’s 70 minute race after suffering tyre problems and a puncture. Porsche teams also occupy the two top spots in the team standings, where IMSA Performance Matmut leads ahead of Manthey-Racing in second.
International GT Open Spa-Francorchamps: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey Racing: Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy
Marco Holzer took up Sunday’s race from the second grid spot but took the lead before the first corner. Patrick Pilet catapulted from fourth on the grid to second, putting pressure on his makes colleague in the Manthey-911.
The Frenchman briefly disappeared out of Holzer’s mirrors when he slid off the track into the gravel on deep water but recovered to take the lead with an inspired move in the Bus-stop Chicane.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey Racing: Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy
The Manthey squad called Holzer into the pits for the scheduled driver change earlier than the IMSA crew. Running in second, Holzer handed the car to his team mate Nick Tandy. With a brilliant first lap,
Tandy managed to put his car ahead of Raymond Narac’s 911. The reigning champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland never looked back and defended his position to the flag. The success in Spa marks the third win of the season for Holzer/Tandy after their double victory at the season-opener at the Algarve.
“This success feels really good,” said a very exhausted Marco Holzer.
The former Porsche-Junior went into the weekend with a cold and slight fever. “Today’s rain was lucky for us. On the dry circuit yesterday we had some real trouble with our tyres and had to give up after a puncture. Today I immediately took the lead after a perfect start. It’s good to lead the field because you haven’t got the spray but at the same time you’ve got to be very cautious not to aquaplane. Our Porsche was perfect today, great under braking and with an excellent balance for the fast corners. The duel with Patrick was great, but we weren’t too tough on each other. After all, our aim was a double success for Porsche. And there was no way we were going to put that at risk.”
Marco Holzer
“Man, that was quite a race,” said Patrick Pilet who finished Saturday’s race in fourth with Narac.
“In the first lap I was chasing Marco. But with all the spray I had zero viz, and I kept on hitting deep water on the track. And then it happened: I slid off the tarmac. I was really lucky to save the 911. And then I pushed like crazy. I desperately wanted to overtake Marco and make up some time. I knew that Spa is not one of my teammate Raymond’s favourite tracks. At the Bus-stop Chicane I finally made my move on Marco and handed the car over to Raymond in the lead. His task then was not to make a mistake and reach the flag safely. He did it under those incredibly difficult conditions. We are totally happy with second place and the points’ lead.”
Patrick Pilet
Autorlando Sport’s Italian-British driver pairing of Marco Mapelli and Archie Hamilton was not entirely happy after Sunday’s race.
Although the two clinched fifth place, repeating their result from the day before with the 911 GT3 R, more would have been possible in the race on Sunday. In the closing laps Hamilton found himself in a dramatic four-way battle only to lose third place while trying to avoid a spinning competitor.
Still, the team are satisfied with third place in the GTS class. This category is based on the FIA GT3 regulations, in which the Porsche 911 GT3 R competes. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR contests the Super GT class for more powerful racer cars, which is based on FIA GT3 rules.
Result race 5
1. Bruni/Leo (I/I), Ferrari 458 GT Italia, 1:10.58.776 hours
2. Barba/Malucelli (E/I), Aston Martin Vantage, + 28.057 seconds
3. Lopez/Montermini (ARG/I), Ferrari GT 458 Italia, + 34.956
4. Narac/Pilet (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 44.646
14. Hamilton/Mapelli (GB/I), Porsche 911 GT3 R, + 2.17.424 minutes
17. De Castro/Amaral (E/E), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1 lap
Result race 6
1. Holzer/Tandy (D/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 50:31.198 minutes
2. Narac/Pilet (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 34.050 seconds
3. Dalle Stelle/Zampieri (I/I), Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, + 1:01.411 minutes
10. Hamilton/Mapelli (GB/I), Porsche 911 GT3 R, + 1:35.486
Points’ standings after 6 of 16 races
Driver
1. Narac, Pilet, Porsche, 80 points
2. Holzer, Tandy, Porsche, 76
3. Barba, Malucelli, Aston Martin, 64
4. Bizzari, Ferrari, 57
Driver GTS
1. Bizzari, Ferrari, 38 points
2. Zampieri, Dalle Stelle, Ferrari, 32
3. Hamilton, Mapelli, Porsche, 27
Teams Super GT
1. IMSA Performance Matmut, Porsche, 35 points
2. Manthey-Racing, Porsche, 34
3. Villois Racing, Aston Martin, 29
Manufacturer Super GT
1. Ferrari, 67 points
2. Porsche, 66
3. Aston Martin, 29
Race 7 and 8 of the International GT Open will be run from 13 to 17 July in Brands Hatch/Great Britain.
This is the International GT Open
Inaugurated in 2006, the International GT Open features two races per weekend with identical points’ allocation – the first race on Saturday runs over 70 minutes, the second on Sunday over 50. Two drivers share the cockpit. A handicap system ensures more suspense at the head of the field. The top three drivers of each race are handed a 15, ten or five second penalty respectively for the following race. The calendar of the race series includes eight races on selective circuits like Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring.
One of the keys to success in the International GT Open is the stable technical regulations and the capping of costs, for instance through control tyres. The grid is divided into two classes, the stronger Super GT category and the GTS class.
Super GT: This class is based on the FIA GT2 regulations – the 911 GT3 RSR competes here. The particularly efficient six-cylinder boxer engine in the International GT Open version delivers significantly more than 500 hp.
GTS: Based on the FIA GT3 regulations. The Porsche 911 GT3 R is fielded here, now delivering 500 hp after the new model year underwent improvements.
In 2007, Autorlando Sport won the overall classification for drivers and teams with Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) and Joel Camathias from Switzerland.
SOURCE: International GT Open – Porsche AG Media Press Database u
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
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International GT Open, race 3 on the Nürburgring,Podium spot 4th place Porsche customer teams
Podium spot and fourth place for Porsche customer teams
Stuttgart. The International GT Open race on the Nürburgring began very promisingly for Porsche customer teams. With works driver Patrick Pilet and team owner Raymond Narac (both France) at the wheel of the 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut claimed position three from race three – and with this the second podium spot this season.
The winning duo of the first two season races, works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and Manthey-Racing pilot Nick Tandy (Great Britain) secured valuable points ranking fourth in the 911 GT3 RSR. With this, Holzer and Tandy retain their points’ lead in the drivers’ classification. Pilet/Narac have moved up the table to now rank second. The Austrian Deboeuf Team yielded a second place in the GTS class and seventh overall with the Porsche 911 GT3 R. Porsche leads the manufacturers’ classification.
Positions three and four for IMSA and Manthey Racing respectively are something to be highly valued. Both teams had to spend extra time in the pits: To increase the suspense amongst the front-runners there is a handicap regulation in the race series that hands the top three of the race a time penalty. Because of this, during the driver change between Patrick Pilet and Raymond Narac, the IMSA team had to wait for ten seconds because the Frenchmen had secured second place at Sunday’s race on the Algarve.
Marco Holzer and Nick Tandy had a whole 30 seconds to pay for their two Algarve wins. Still, fourth place from the 70 minutes race on Saturday in the Eifel had its upside for the German/British team: For tomorrow’s fourth race of the season, which runs over 50 minutes, the time penalty during a pit stop has now been shortened to 15 seconds.
“It was a good race for us with a perfectly set-up car. Above all, my start from sixth to move up the field into second was just great,” thought Patrick Pilet.
“We made it over the distance well with the tyres, although we weren’t allowed to change to new rubber during the pit stop. Raymond’s spin during qualifying made one set of tyres completely unusable. And we need the remaining fresh set for tomorrow’s race. At the end there was a misunderstanding. We didn’t know that the driver ahead of us had been handed a time penalty so we slowed the pace. Otherwise we would have finished in second. Fourth or fifth tomorrow would be good, then we are exempt from the ten second penalty.”
“The race was okay with fourth place at the end,” stated works driver Marco Holzer.
“Luckily we don’t get a 15 second handicap for tomorrow’s race. To have to stand for a full 30 additional seconds during a pit stop is really long. I lost a couple of positions at the start, other than that another driver nudged my car, but there were no repercussions. Afterwards, we kept out of any trouble. Tomorrow we definitely want to take a trophy home from the Eifel.”
Seventh place overall for Deboeuf Racing yielded the Austrians second in the GTS class. This category, in which the 911 GT3 R starts, is based on the FIA GT3 regulations whilst the FIA GT2 regulations underlie the Super GT class. The top model of Porsche customer racing, the 911 GT3 RSR, is fielded in this category.
Germany’s Marco Seefried and the Austrian Thomas Gruber brought the 911 of the Deboeuf squad home safely. Eleventh went to the Spanish Drivex School team. Sharing the cockpit of the new 911 GT3 RSR are team owner Miguel Angel De Castro and Miguel Amaral from Portugal.
On the series’ website www.gtopen.net, the International GT Open provides Live-Timing and also Live-Streaming. The respective schedules, points’ standings and further information are also available there.
Race four starts tomorrow at 13.00 hours.
Result race 3
1. Bruni/Federico (I/I), Ferrari 458 GT Italia, 1:10.45.515 hours
2. Barba/Malucelli (E/I), Aston Martin Vantage, + 47.393 seconds
3. Narac/Pilet (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 47.426
4. Holzer/Tandy (D/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 55.822
5. Heyer/Seyffarth (D/D), Mercedes SLS AMG, + 1.12.851 minutes
6. Ramos/Giammaria (P/I), Ferrari 458 GT Italia, + 1.17.663
7. Seefried/Gruber (D/A), Porsche 911 GT3 R, + 1.29.773
Points’ drivers
1. Holzer/Tandy, 54 points
2. Narac/Pilet, 44
3. Barba/Malucelli, 36
This is the International GT Open
Inaugurated in 2006, the International GT Open features two races per weekend with identical points’ allocation – the first race on Saturday runs over 70 minutes, the second on Sunday over 50. Two drivers share the cockpit. A handicap system ensures more suspense at the head of the field. The top three drivers of each race are handed a 15, ten or five second penalty respectively for the following race. The calendar of the race series includes eight races on selective circuits like Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring.
One of the keys to success in the International GT Open is the stable technical regulations and the capping of costs, for instance through control tyres. The grid is divided into two classes, the stronger Super GT category and the GTS class.
Super GT: This class is based on the FIA GT2 regulations – the 911 GT3 RSR competes here. The particularly efficient six-cylinder boxer engine in the International GT Open version delivers significantly more than 500 hp.
.
GTS: Based on the FIA GT3 regulations. The Porsche 911 GT3 R is fielded here, now delivering 500 hp after the new model year underwent improvements.
In 2007, Autorlando Sport won the overall classification for drivers and teams with Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) and Joel Camathias from Switzerland.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
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Sean Edwards triumphs over strong opposition Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, rd 2 Hockenheim
Sean Edwards triumphs over strong opposition
Stuttgart. A strong driver trio at the front dominated round two of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
In the end it was Sean Edwards (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) who clinched a flag-to-flag victory.
With a 0.9-second advantage over Frenchman Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing) in second, the vice-champion of last year brought his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup over the finish line in first place.
Kévin Estre (F), Sean Edwards (GB), René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Third position went to René Rast (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit – Team Pole Promotion), who was able to extend his lead in Germany’s fastest one-make series after his victory at yesterday’s season-opening race.
Kévin Estre (F), Sean Edwards (GB), René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Making a superb getaway from the pole, Sean Edwards immediately took the lead and initially pulled slightly clear of his pursuers – but it didn’t take long for Carrera Cup newcomer Kévin Estre and seasoned campaigner René Rast to set out after the leader, taking turns in setting one fastest race lap after the other.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
But only once did the pursuers seem to have a slight chance when Edwards ran wide in the final corner. He briefly left the track but managed to rejoin the race. Edwards kept his cool all the way to the flag to claim his first win of the season. Estre finished in second place which also puts him second in the rookie classification.
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Behind the leading three came two other makes cup professionals. In fourth place was Nicki Thiim. Driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, the Dane came under no pressure from behind but was unable to catch the top trio.
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The same applied to Dutchman Jaap van Lagen (FE-Racing by Land-Motorsport), who brought home a secure fifth place and collected crucial points.
Jaap van Lagen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Austria’s Norbert Siedler, points’ leader of the international Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, repeated his result from race one securing sixth place. Starting from ninth on the grid, the Konrad Motorsport pilot made up three places through overtaking manoeuvres. Siedler stuck to the rear of Nicolas Armindo’s Attempto Racing Porsche over several laps.
When the Frenchman overtook guest driver Jeroen Mul (NED, Team Bleekemolen), Siedler grabbed his chance, stuck close on Armindo’s bumper, and slipped by as well. In his perfectly set-up 911, Siedler then proceeded to bag the Frenchman. The 2010 Carrera Cup champion finished seventh. Philipp Eng (Austria, MRS GT-Racing), Michael Ammermüller (Germany, SWITCH IT Lechner Racing) and Jeroen Mul trailed in positions eight to ten respectively.
The two Porsche Juniors concluded a rather uneventful race just shy of the top ten. Michael Christensen (Denmark, Konrad Motorsport) came 12th, with Austria’s Klaus Bachler (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) finishing 13th.
On 30 April, the Monday after the race weekend, news station N24 televises the 30-minute “Porsche Carrera Cup Magazin” at 18.30 hours. Sport1 broadcasts Carrera Cup highlights on Tuesday, 1 May, from 16.30 to 17.00 hours.
Sean Edwards (winner):
“What a race! I nailed the start perfectly and managed to edge away from the field. But then Kévin caught me so I had to push to extend the gap. But he came again. This game went on over the entire time. It was really exhausting. With my two pole positions from the first two Hockenheim races I should have been able to bring home two wins. But I’m happy that at least today worked out well after yesterday’s bad luck. I’m hoping to fight for the title this year.”
Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Kévin Estre (second):
“I’m very pleased to climb the podium. My car was consistent from the start to the flag and this was the key to success. But I had to drive at the limit every second in order not to lose contact to Sean and to stay out of René’s way. So it’s all the more satisfying not to have made a mistake. My goal now is to be just as quick at the next round on the Lausitzring.”
Kévin Estre (F)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
René Rast (third):
“I’m very satisfied – victory for Sean and third for me. What a great team result. Yesterday’s win and today’s result gave me a very good start in the team. Third was all I could manage today. I was absolutely at the limit and I think the other two were as well. It’s great to head home from the first race weekend leading the points.”
Sean Edwards (GB), René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Michael Christensen (Porsche Junior, 12th):
“Again my start was good, but unfortunately I was on the wrong side for the first corner. All in all it was a good race, and I made no mistakes. But we had problems with the car set-up, I didn’t have enough grip. Obviously I wanted to achieve more but I’m happy with my performance.”
Klaus Bachler (Porsche Junior, 13th):
“I had new tyres today and I actually expected more. But I have to admit that I made a few mistakes in the race and we just weren’t fast enough today. Now we have to analyse why I was not able to fully utilise my new tyres but at least I made it to the flag. I earned points and we continue next week. There we should take a step forward.”
Race 2 result
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 31:13.046 minutes
2. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.991 seconds
3. René Rast (D), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit/Pole Promotion, + 2.334
4. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 8.478
5. Jaap van Lagen (NL), FE-Racing by Land-Motorsport, + 9.465
6. Norbert Siedler (A), Konrad Motorsport, + 18.990
7. Nicolas Armindo (F), Attempto Racing, + 13.607
8. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, + 18.545
9. Michael Ammermüller (D), SWITCH IT by Lechner Racing, + 19.721
10. Jeroen Mul (NL), Team Bleekemolen, + 21.266
Points’ standings after 2 of 17 races
Driver
1. René Rast (D), 36 points
2. Nicolas Armindo (F), 27
3. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 26
4. Michael Ammermüller (D), 23
5. Nicki Thiim (DK), 23
Teams
1. Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, 56 points
2. Hermes Attempto Racing, 41
3. Attempto Racing, 33
Amateur classification
1. Harrie Kolen (NL), Land-Motorsport, 40 points
2. ‘Bill Barazetti’ (D), MRS GT-Racing, 36
3. Christina Nielsen (DK), Farnbacher ESET Racing, 32
Rookie classification:
1. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, 20
2. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, 18
3. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, 12
Preview for races 3 and 4 of 17 at the Lausitzring
Already this coming weekend, the Carrera Cup Deutschland heads to the Lausitzring, which is famous for its impressive main grandstand, for races 3 and 4. On the interesting 3.478 kilometre Lausitzring, Nicki Thiim celebrated his first victory in Germany’s fastest makes cup a year ago. Sean Edwards climbed the podium in second. After the first two races of the season, René Rast travels to the Lausitz region topping the points table.
SOURCE: Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland / Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
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Perfect start to the season for Porsche customer teams International GT Open, Races 1 and 2 in Portimao/Portugal
Perfect start to the season for Porsche customer teams
(l.-r.): Olaf Manthey, Raymond Narac, Patrick Pilet, Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy, Marco Mapelli, Archie Hamilton
Stuttgart. Two races, two wins: the European customer teams headed into the new International GT Open season with great success.
(l.-r.): Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy, Raymond Narac
The big winners of the race weekend were Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and Nick Tandy (Great Britain) driving for Manthey Racing. In the Autodromo do Algarve, the German-British duo won the 70 kilometre race on Saturday as well as the 20 kilometre shorter sprint on Sunday in the 911 GT3 RSR, the top model of Porsche customer racing.
(l.-r.): Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet, Marco Mapelli, Archie Hamilton
A triple victory to Porsche at Sunday’s race crowned the season-opening weekend. 35 vehicles from eleven different marques were at the start.
The French IMSA Matmut Performance team were delighted with their second place on Sunday. At the wheel of the 911 GT3 RSR, factory pilot Patrick Pilet and team boss Raymond Narac (both France) shared driving duties.
Position three went to the Italian outfit Autorlando Sport, who contests the series with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. At the same time, this handed the Italians victory in the GTS class which is based on the FIA GT3 regulations. The 911 GT3 RSR competes in the Super GT class which is for more powerful vehicles and is based on the FIA GT2 regulations.
“It’s just fantastic to kick off the new season with maximum points,” says a thrilled Marco Holzer.
Particularly on Saturday, the 22-year-old and his 28-year-old teammate Tandy, both GT Open rookies, gave a brilliant performance. Shortly before the start a rain shower flooded the race track. Holzer drove the first stint.
“It was very difficult not to make a mistake on the extremely wet then drying track. When Nick took over the cockpit it wasn’t really ideal for slicks. But he drove his stint perfectly.”
In Sunday’s race, the experience of team principal Olaf Manthey made itself apparent once again. Although the track was still wet, he sent Tandy out into the race on slicks. Whilst some of the opponents were still running wet tyres and lost time due to the extra pit stop, the German-911 kept racing.
“That was the key to success,” said Nick Tandy, the reigning champion of the Carrera Cup Deutschland, proudly.
With satisfaction, the French IMSA Matmut Performance squad also travels back to their team base in Rouen. Fourth at the first race and position two in the second – a good start to the season.
“It didn’t go perfectly for us in race one,” summed up Patrick Pilet. “Our set-up wasn’t the best and we were happy with fourth. Today went better for us. At the start our 911 proved difficult to drive. We didn’’t have enough tyre pressure for the track conditions. But it all came together towards the end of the race.”
Patrick Pilet
Autorlando Sport were also completely satisfied with third in the overall classification and victory in the GTS class as well as with the excellent job of both pilots Archie Hamilton (Great Britain) and Marco Mapelli (Italy). The Italians have notched up the most experience in the International GT Open.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Autorlando Sport: Marco Mapelli, Archie Hamilton
From 2008 to 2011, the Italians clinched vice-championship honours in the GTS category. The Spanish Drivex School team secured 13th place in the first race and eleventh in the second at the season-opening weekend with the 911 GT3 RSR.
Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Drivex School: Miguel Amaral, Miguel Angel de Castro
The cockpit of the new 911 was shared by Drivex owner Miguel Angel de Castro (Spain) and the Portuguese gentleman driver Miguel Pais do Amaral.
On the series’ website www.gtopen.net, the International GT Open provides Live-Timing and also Live-Streaming. The respective schedules, points’ standings and further information are also available there.
Result race 1
1. Holzer/Tandy (D/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 1:10.59.359 hours
2. Broniszewski/Peter (PL/A), Ferrari 458 GT Italia, + 7.6 seconds
3. Bizzarri/Cadei (I/I), Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, + 25.343
4. Narac/Pilet (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 25.977
Result race 2
1. Holzer/Tandy (D/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 51.43.964 minutes
2. Narac/Pilet (F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 13.179 seconds
3. Mapelli/Hamilton (I/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 R, + 22.763
4. Bizzarri/Cadei (I/I), Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, + 29.974
Driver points
1. Holzer/Tandy, 40 points
2. Bizzarri/Cadei, 32
3. Narac/Pilet, 30
4. Hamilton/Mapelli, 29
Race three and four of the International GT Open will be run on 25 to 27 May on the Nürburgring.
This is the International GT Open
Inaugurated in 2006, the International GT Open features two races per weekend with identical points’ allocation – the first race on Saturday runs over 70 minutes, the second on Sunday over 50. Two drivers share the cockpit. A handicap system ensures more suspense at the head of the field. The top three drivers of each race are handed a 15, ten or five second penalty respectively for the following race. The calendar of the race series includes eight races on selective circuits like Silverstone, Spa-Francorchamps and the Nürburgring.
One of the keys to success in the International GT Open is the stable technical regulations and the capping of costs, for instance through control tyres. The grid is divided into two classes, the stronger Super GT category and the GTS class.
Super GT: This class is based on the FIA GT2 regulations – the 911 GT3 RSR competes here. The particularly efficient six-cylinder boxer engine in the International GT Open version delivers significantly more than 500 hp.
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GTS: Based on the FIA GT3 regulations. The Porsche 911 GT3 R is fielded here, now delivering 500 hp after the new model year underwent improvements.
In 2007, Autorlando Sport won the overall classification for drivers and teams with Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) and Joel Camathias from Switzerland.
SOURCE: International GT / Porsche AG Media Press Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
René Rast wins turbulent season opener, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, rd 1 Hockenheim
René Rast wins turbulent season
Nicolas Armindo (F), René Rast (D), Michael Ammermüller (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Stuttgart. A perfect start to the season for René Rast (Germany).
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The one-make cup professional driving for Team Deutsche Post by tolimit – Team Pole Promotion won the first race of the Carrera Cup Deutschland in Hockenheim with an 8.851-second advantage.
Nicolas Armindo (F)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Second place went to Frenchman Nicolas Armindo (Attempto Racing). After a weak season last year, the 2010 champion has kicked of his 2012 campaign impressively.
Michael Ammermüller (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Michael Ammermüller (SWITCH IT Lechner Racing) from Germany was overjoyed with his third spot on the podium. Germany’s fastest one-brand series is contested with identical Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers.
Nicolas Armindo (F), René Rast (D), Michael Ammermüller (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The 450 hp GT race car is based on the lightweight street-legal 911 GT3 RS sports car.
Taking up the race from pole position, Sean Edwards (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) won the sprint to the first corner. The Briton lost his lead briefly to French newcomer Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing), but the stalwart quickly grabbed it back.
Kévin Estre (F)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Last year’s vice-champion drove a controlled race at the head of the field followed by his teammate René Rast and managed to pull clear of his pursuers bit by bit – until tyre damage in lap six threw him out of contention.
Michael Ammermüller celebrated a brilliant debut with position three after the ex-Formula 1 test driver narrowly missed out on a podium spot last weekend clinching fourth at the Porsche Supercup round in Bahrain.
Jaap van Lagen (NL)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Behind the Lechner pilot, Jaap van Lagen (FE-Racing by Land-Motorsport) came fourth over the finish line. The Dutchman, who made up one position on his qualifying result, was one of the six race winners last year with his victory at Spielberg in Austria.
Philipp Eng (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Philipp Eng was the surprise of the day in fifth. Driving for MRS GT-Racing, the Austrian has experience in a Carrera Cup race from one event as a guest starter at the 2011 finale in Hockenheim. With his fifth place, the youngster who has also tested a Formula 1 car, planted himself at the head of the newly-created rookie classification in the Carrera Cup.
Norbert Siedler (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Behind him came his compatriot Norbert Siedler, the current leader of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. After experiencing a difficult practice session, the Konrad Motorsport pilot was satisfied with his success in gaining ground and the first point.
Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The Dane Nicki Thiim (Hermes Attempto Racing) clinched seventh place ahead of newcomer Elia Erhart (Marschall Goebel Racing).
Elia Erhart (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The Porsche Juniors, Klaus Bachler and Michael Christensen, made a good start to the season. Driving for the Deutsche Post by tolimit squad, the Austrian was running in eighth place when he had to pit with tyre problems. After a change of tyres, 20-year-old Bachler rejoined the race far down the field, but was able to match the pace of the frontrunners and saw the flag in 17th.
Klaus Bachler (A)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Driving for Konrad Motorsport, Denmark’s Klaus Bachler lost the front lip of his 911 in the turmoil of the race. Despite the heavy understeer that resulted from this, the 21-year-old still managed to bring home ninth place from his debut race.
Michael Christensen (DK)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
The grid line-up for race two on Sunday is determined by the fastest lap time from the qualifying session. Sean Edwards and Jaap van Lagen start from the first row, with Kévin Estre and René Rast sharing the second.
Taking up Sunday’s race from the third grid row are Nicki Thiim and Philipp Eng.
The race tomorrow starts at 9.30 hrs and is broadcast live on the official Porsche website (www.porsche.com) in high-quality – with editorial clips prior to the actual live-streaming, live-timing and commentary in German and English. On 30 April, the Monday after the race weekend, news station N24 televises the 30-minute “Porsche Carrera Cup Magazin” at 18.30 hours. Sport1 broadcasts Carrera Cup highlights on Tuesday, 1 May, from 16.30 to 17.00 hours.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
René Rast (winner):
“I’m of course extremely happy with my race. I started from third on the grid and won. I had a little bit of race luck on my side, which was at the same time a shame for my teammate Sean and our squad. We don’t yet know where the tyre damage came from, but we still have a chance to secure a good team result tomorrow.”
Nicolas Armindo (F)
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Nicolas Armindo (second):
“It feels great to climb the podium again. It’s been a long time coming. I was certainly not the fastest today, but with some cleverness and a little luck it was enough for a podium result.”
Michael Ammermüller (third):
“I’m happy to have come from eighth and finished third at my first race. I hadn’t expected that. I had anticipated at best fifth place. I’m sure I had Lady Luck on my side today, but my car was also really well set-up.”
Michael Christensen (Porsche Junior, ninth):
“After a difficult qualifying we managed to find a good race set-up for my car. I thought the start would be hard but it went really well. I got caught up in traffic, the front lip of my 911 ripped off in the turmoil and had to contend with understeer. I then had to cope with a puncture towards the end. So I told myself, just take it easy and get to the finish.”
Klaus Bachler (Porsche Junior, 17th):
“My start wasn’t that great, but afterwards I drove a steady race. I waited for the drivers in front of me to make a mistake and then made the most of it. In this way I could move up the field and was even running in eighth when a tyre problem forced me into the pits.”
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 01 Hockenheimring 2012
Race 1 result
1. René Rast (D), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit/Pole Promotion, 24:27.506 minutes
2. Nicolas Armindo (F), Attempto Racing, + 8.851 seconds
3. Michael Ammermüller (D), SWITCH IT Lechner Racing, + 10.772
4. Jaap van Lagen (NL) FE-Racing by Land-Motorsport, + 13.446
5. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, + 14.151
6. Norbert Siedler (A), Konrad Motorsport, + 18.990
7. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 22.755
8. Elia Erhart (D), Marschall Goebel Racing, + 27.711
9. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, + 35.981
10. Thomas Pivoda (CZ), Konrad Motorsport, + 38.091
Points’ standings after 1 of 17 races
Driver
1. René Rast (D), 20 points
2. Nicolas Armindo (F), 18
3. Michael Ammermüller (D), 16
4. Jaap van Lagen (NL), 14
5. Philipp Eng (A), 12
Teams
1. Deutsche Post by tolimit, 24 points
2. Attempto Racing, 18
3. Konrad Motorsport, 17
Amateur classification
1. Harrie Kolen (NL), Land-Motorsport, 20 points
2. ‘Bill Barazetti’ (D), MRS GT-Racing, 18
3. Christina Nielsen (DK), Farnbacher ESET Racing, 16
Rookie classification:
1. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT-Racing, 12 points
2. Elia Erhart (D), Marschall Goebel Racing, 8
3. Michael Christensen (DK), Konrad Motorsport, 7
SOURCE:
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland
Porsche AG Media Database
Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
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Daytona 24 hour race makes Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup pilots shine
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
Makes cup pilots shine at 24 hour race in Daytona
Stuttgart. At the famous 24 hour race in Daytona/USA in a field stronger than ever before, pilots from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup impressed with outstanding performances.
At his first attempt, René Rast (Germany), the Supercup champion of 2010 and 2011, won the long distance classic in Florida with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup together with Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) and Americans Andy Lally and John Potter.
Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands, title winner of the world’s fastest international one-make race series in 2008 and 2009, scored second place with Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) as well as Marc Goossens (Belgium), Spencer Pumpelly and Steven Bertheau (both USA).
“A dream has come true with this victory,” said René Rast, winner of five Supercup rounds last year, including the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. In recognition of his outstanding achievements last season, Porsche gave Rast the opportunity of competing in Daytona.
Jeroen Bleekemolen stated:
“That was undoubtedly the most intensely competitive 24 hour race I’ve ever driven. To finish second here is a fantastic effort from the entire team.”
Jonas Krauss, Manager of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, was also very pleased with his drivers’ performances on the Daytona International Speedway.
“Our pilots have done an excellent job in this world-class field,” he said.
“The fact that René could win at his Daytona debut and Jeroen also climbed the podium in second clearly shows that some of the best GT pilots in the world are contesting the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and they can hold their own anywhere.”
Other Supercup pilots in Daytona were Britain’s Sean Edwards and Nick Tandy, who finished in 18th place.
Position 24 was occupied by Frenchman Kévin Estre, the 2011 “Rookie of the Year” in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. Porsche also gave him the chance to start in Daytona in recognition of his strong performance as the most successful Supercup newcomer by far.
The three Porsche works drivers Wolf Henzler, Richard Lietz and Marc Lieb, who shared the GT podium in Daytona with René Rast and Jeroen Bleekemolen, also first proved themselves in the Porsche makes cup series. Wolf Henzler was the Supercup champion of 2004, and Marc Lieb clinched the title in the 2002 Porsche Carrera Cup.
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Press Database Communication Porsche AG Motorsportpress
Triple victory for Porsche in strongest GT field in history at Daytona 24 Hours, USA
GT Podium
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Magnus Racing, (l.-r.): Rene Rast, Richard Lietz, Andy Lally, John Potter
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Porsche starts from pole position @ Daytona 24 Hours, USA
(l.-r.): Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Patrick Pilet, Wolf Henzler, Richard Lietz
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Daytona 24 Hours, USAPorsche starts from pole positionStuttgart. Setting the fastest time in qualifying, Porsche pilot Andrew Davis (USA) secured pole position in the strongly-supported GT class at the Daytona 24 Hours.
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Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup strongly represented at Daytona: Five Supercup pilots contest the 24 hour classic
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup strongly represented at Daytona
Five Supercup pilots contest the 24 hour classic
Stuttgart. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is strongly represented at the 24 hour race in Daytona. Five drivers from the world’s fastest international one-make race series tackle the spring classic in Florida/USA with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
In recognition of their outstanding performances last season, Porsche AG has given the double Supercup champion René Rast (Germany) and Frenchman Kévin Estre as “Rookie of the Year” the chance to participate in the 50th anniversary running of the legendary sports car race on the Daytona International Speedway.
“René and Kévin displayed extraordinary prowess during the 2011 season,” says Jonas Krauss, Head of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.
“So with support from Porsche, they have earned the chance to prove themselves in the fiercely-contested GT class of this long distance classic against very strong competition.”
Other pilots from the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Daytona are Britain’s Sean Edwards and Nick Tandy as well as Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands.
Sean Edwards (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Nick Tandy (GB) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Spanien 2011
Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011
On the way to his second title after 2010, René Rast celebrated five victories last year, including races on the storied Grand Prix circuits of Spa and Silverstone.
René Rast (D) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Türkei 2011
Moreover, the German won the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife.
“For me, Daytona is a real highlight to kick off the new season,” says Rast about his Daytona campaign with Magnus Racing.
“It’s not every day a race driver gets the chance to contest such a prestigious 24 hour race with Porsche backup. This is really something very special.”
Kévin Estre was not only the most successful Supercup newcomer by far in 2011 – he also secured his first victory in this intensely competitive one-make series in the Royal Park of Monza. The Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup has run as support to the Formula 1 World Championship since 1993.
Estre is excited about his debut in Daytona with TRG Racing.
“I thank Porsche for this unique chance,” he says. “I’ll do my best to justify their trust and to represent the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup well.”
Kevin Estre (F) – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Press Database
René Rast crowns championship year 5th win – Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup-rd 11, Formula 1 race Abu Dhabi/UAE
Podium Renenn 2:
Kevin Estre (F), René Rast (D), Christian Engelhart (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
Stuttgart. On the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, René Rast crowned his championship season in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup with his fifth win.
Podium Renenn 2:
Kevin Estre (F), René Rast (D), Christian Engelhart (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
Driving the VELTINS Lechner Racing run Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, the German won the final race on the ultra-modern Formula 1 circuit in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
On Saturday, second place was enough for him to successfully defend his title in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
In high summer temperatures, Rast took up the race from pole position to score an emphatic lights-to-flag victory. This season he clinched wins in Monaco, on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife at the Porsche Carrera World Cup, in Silverstone and at the 200th Supercup race on the Grand Prix track of the Nürburgring.
And again in Abu Dhabi he was in a class of his own: Rast saw the flag 5.342 seconds ahead of Frenchman Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing), the winner at Monza and recipient of the rookie classification title as best Supercup newcomer. Third place went to Germany’s Christian Engelhart, who won the season-opener in Istanbul for his Konrad Motorsport squad.
After René Rast secured the title, five drivers battled for vice championship honours.
One of those was Nick Tandy. But after scoring his first Supercup win on Saturday, bad luck hampered the Briton in race two. After the start he moved briefly into the lead but braked far too late and hit the rear of Rast’s Porsche. With a damaged radiator he was forced into retirement.
One small consolation: As the driver with the greatest number of fastest race laps he received the Tudor Fastest Lap Award and took home a valuable Tudor wristwatch.
Start, Nick Tandy (GB) in front
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Tandy’s retirement opened the way for Norbert Siedler. Driving for VELTINS Lechner Racing, the Austrian didn’t have much luck in the race finishing seventh, but it was enough to secure the vice championship behind his teammate René Rast.
Norbert Siedler (A)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Third went to Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team), the winner of the Budapest and Spa-Francorchamps races, who didn’t find his stride at the double-header events in Abu Dhabi and was unable to use his – albeit theoretical – chance to claim the title.
Kuba Giermaziak (PL)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Mathias Lauda experienced a special conclusion to the season. Driving for the Konrad Motorsport Austria team, the son of racing legend Niki Lauda finished in the top ten for the first time in tenth at his maiden Supercup season.
René Rast (winner):
“That was a finale that you can only dream of as a champion. My car ran perfectly from the first to last lap. I messed up the start a little so that Nick drew level with me, but I immediately put on the pressure. He then made a mistake in braking and when he pulled back onto the track he hit the right rear of my Porsche. Afterwards I had a free run and used my advantage well. I won the most important races this season, the Porsche Carrera World Cup on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, Monaco, Silverstone and the 200th Supercup race on the Grand-Prix circuit of the Nürburgring – the season couldn’t have gone better for me and my team.”
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Kévin Estre (second):
“The second podium result of the weekend – I’m very pleased with that. It was a fitting conclusion to my very successful season. I was the best rookie in all the races I contested. Winning the rookie of the year award was my main goal this year. This makes me as happy as I was after my first Supercup win in Monza. Now I want to build on these successes next year.”
Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Christian Engelhart (third):
“That worked out well. I kicked off the season with a podium result in Istanbul and now concluded it on the podium in Abu Dhabi. The race was relatively trouble free. I didn’t have a chance to get past Kévin but there was such a gap behind me that I had nothing to worry about.”
Christian Engelhart (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Race result
1. René Rast (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 31:16.212 minutes
2. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 5.342 seconds
3. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 9.291
4. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimits, + 13.559
5. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Team Abu Dhabi by tolimit, + 13.686
6. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, + 23.472
Final standings after 11 races
Driver
1. René Rast (D), 181 points
2. Norbert Siedler (A), 145
3. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), 140
4. Sean Edwards (GB), 140
5. Nick Tandy (GB), 129
6. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), 129
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Public Relations and Media
Motorsportpress
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Portrait of the champion René Rast, Boundless self confidence
Portrait of the champion René Rast
René Rast (D)
Stuttgart. His sunglasses are his trademark. White rims and coloured mirror glass – they could almost come from the hippy commune era.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
But René Rast, who celebrated his second straight title win in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup in Abu Dhabi on Saturday is anything but Mr Razzle Dazzle.
“I’m more of a quiet type. But if there is reason to celebrate I don’t hold back,” says the 25-year-old from Steyerberg in Germany. And he grins as cheekily as a student who places a drawing pin on his teacher’s chair and waits for him to sit down.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Ungarn 2011
At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by VELTINS Lechner Racing, he took off into the season as the clear favourite.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
But the year started slowly. At the season-opener in Istanbul he finished fifth, and in Barcelona he had to settle for seventh.
“That was nothing like the start I imagined,” he says, “but it was no reason to panic. Perhaps we were too confident after winning the title in 2010.” Naturally he felt the pressure from the huge expectations – but he didn’t lose his composure. “I approach every race cool and calm, anything else doesn’t work.”
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
His patience paid off:
In Monaco he was back in force with his first win of the season. This success in the glamorous world of the rich and famous was well deserved with drivers having to change gears 34 times per lap through the twisting labyrinth of Monte Carlo.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast explains:
“That is an incredibly difficult task. But when you’re handed your trophy in the Royal Box you quickly forget about it.”
For the title defender, this success in the Principality on the Cote d’Azur was the spark he needed after such a slow start to the season. With his win on the legendary Nürburgring-Nordschleife, where the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup ran as part of the inaugural Porsche Carrera World Cup – the greatest Porsche race in history with 100 competitors from 25 countries – he celebrated the biggest success of his career.
“Winning this race was an unforgettable experience,” he says about his tour de force on the rain-sodden famed race track. “I’d never driven a Porsche on the Nordschleife prior to this and the conditions were really challenging. The key to success was that I didn’t make one mistake.”
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
After these two victories, René Rast was the hero of the hour in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. And in Silverstone as well he proved unbeatable: On the legendary race track in the British Midlands he celebrated his third consecutive win. This catapulted him into the points’ lead. When the world’s fastest international one-make series returned to the Nürburgring for the 200th race in its successful history, René Rast was again the man to beat, and in typical Eifel conditions he continued on his winning streak with victory number four.
“That was a perfect race,” he remembers. “With regard to the championship, that was a great weekend for us.”
One of his greatest strengths is his boundless confidence. Even in critical situations he rarely loses the overview.
“René is not someone who makes silly mistakes when he’s under pressure,” says Kuba Giermaziak, who fought him hard for the title right to the final race in Abu Dhabi.
That is something the new champion has over all his rivals. “I believe in myself and I know what I can do,” he says. “Inside I’m just as tense as my opponents, but I just don’t show it on the outside.”
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
That is typical of René Rast:
He doesn’t regard the fierce competition in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup as a problem, but more as a challenge. And it was with this attitude that he competed as a tiny tot. At the age of four he contested his first race – in an electric car on a supermarket car park in Steyerberg. His opponents were good and twice his age, but still he won. Rast made a minor detour to motocross before his uncle put him in a kart. From this point on, he focused seriously on his racing career: 2003 and 2004 he contested the Formula BMW, 2005 he won the VW Polo Cup.
He climbed aboard a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for the first time in 2007, and a year later was crowned champion of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. In his first Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup season he won most of the races, but concluded the year as runner-up. In 2010 he took home the championship.
On the way to successfully defending his title he was at times in the lead on the Hungaroring on the outskirts of Budapest, but technical problems with his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup forced him into retirement. Although he lost the points’ lead, he didn’t lose sight of the title.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011
Promptly at the race in Spa-Francorchamps, where he settled for second place (“if I don’t see a chance I’d rather leave it”), he was back at the top of the table.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D), Team Lechner Racing
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
And again in Monza he didn’t take any risks, saw the flag in second and was more than happy:
“Things look good for the championship,” he said. “Now we just have to be up near the front in Abu Dhabi and we should have it in the bag.”
He turned this comparatively simple tactic into deeds in the United Arab Emirates capital – and took home the title.
Hartmut Kristen, René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
In a review of the season in which he secured pole position three times and the fastest race lap twice, he comments on…
… successfully defending the title:
“I’m simply thrilled and relieved. It’s difficult to describe what it means to have won this championship two times in a row. This year was even tougher than last season because there were more drivers competing who were good to take the title. To do this despite experiencing a difficult start to the season is fantastic.”
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
… the key to success:
“That is undoubtedly our streak of four wins. These successes were an enormous boost for our team and rather sobering for our opposition. We earned so many points through these wins that we didn’t have to take unnecessary risks at every race, but could be satisfied with second place.”
… his most wonderful win:
“There are two victories that shine over the others: Monaco and the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. Winning the race in Monaco in front of this unparalleled backdrop is something quite special for every race driver. And to be the first winner of the Porsche Carrera World Cup, the greatest Porsche race in history, will always be a highlight of my career. They were two extraordinary races this season that I won.”
… his VELTINS Lechner Racing team:
“It’s a team that every driver wishes for. We all clicked right from the start and we never had any real problems. And if things did get difficult, like at the beginning of the year when the first races didn’t go as we thought, we all found a way to overcome these hurdles. Now we know there are no problems we can’t solve.”
René Rast (D), Team Lechner Racing
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
… his strengths:
“My main strength is surely my consistency. I’m quick on all tracks. There is not one circuit where I would say it doesn’t suit me. Moreover, I don’t make many mistakes. I spend a lot of time analysing data. Often I’ll lie awake in bed and think about how I can become even quicker.”
… his dreams:
“To land a works cockpit is the dream of all race drivers, mine as well. I hope that this dream will be fulfilled one day.”
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database
Public Relations and Media
Motorsportpress
NEW VIDEO: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rds 10 at the F1 race in Abu Dhabi/UAE-René Rast celebrates 2nd Supercup title
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Stuttgart. René Rast has already achieved his goal before the final race of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: Clinching second place at the wheel of his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, the German from VELTINS Lechner Racing secured the championship title at the first of two final races in Abu Dhabi.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Britain’s Nick Tandy (Konrad Motorsport) celebrated his first win of the season on the Yas Marina Circuit in the world’s fastest international one-make race series.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
On the ultra-modern Formula 1 circuit in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Kévin Estre pulled to the head of the field from pole position.
René Rast (D), Nick Tandy (GB), Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Behind the Hermes Attempto Racing pilot from France, who has already secured the title of the BBS rookie classification in Monza, René Rast initially followed in second place. Nicky Tandy in third then put the title defender under immense pressure, and with Rast’s sights firmly set on claiming the title he finally let the Briton overtake.
René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
While Rast observed the fight at the front from a safe distance, Nick Tandy wasn’t at all ready to settle for second. Last year’s vice-champion had finished in second place four times this season but had yet to pocket a win which he was now determined to do. Tandy attacked the leader whenever he saw the chance and pushed the young Frenchman into making errors. He then used one of these opportunities to manoeuvre into the lead which he held to the flag. Aside from his first win of the season, he also claimed the honour of the Tudor Fastest Lap Award for the driver with the highest number of fastest laps, and was awarded a valuable Tudor wrist watch.
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
With his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS street sports car, René Rast also profited from a minor error of Kévin Estre near the end of the race and secured second place.
Fourth position went to his Austrian teammate Norbert Siedler, who moved into second overall in the championship. VELTINS Lechner Racing clinched the team classification title.
Video by: Formula One Management (FOM)]
Although the fight for the title has been decided, suspense is guaranteed at the final race of season on Sunday: Trailing Rast as the new champion are five other drivers keen to take home runner-up honours.
Nick Tandy (winner):
“My first victory at last. I’ve waited for this for the entire year. It’s great that I have now finally achieved this. It was a very interesting race. Kévin was setting a blistering pace, René and I took our time watching him and hoped that he’d maybe make a mistake, which he did. Congratulations to René on his title win. After my victory today I’m heading into the race on Sunday feeling very confident. ”
Nick Tandy (GB)
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
René Rast (second):
“I’m simply thrilled and relieved. It’s difficult to describe what it means to have won this championship two times in a row. This year was even tougher than last season because there were more drivers competing who were good to take the title. We experienced a poor start to the season, but we fought our way out of this minor setback and found our old form again. This makes our success today even sweeter. In the race I tried to keep out of any trouble. Nick was quicker than me, so I let him pass. After that I just concentrated on reaching the flag safely. But then Kévin made a mistake so I used the chance. Thanks to my team for all they have done to make this victory possible.”
René Rast (D), Team Lechner Racing
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
Kévin Estre (third):
“That was a tough race. To sit in the lead with René and Nick behind you is not exactly easy. I was determined to finish on the podium and I achieved this despite making a few small mistakes. So from this point of view, I’m pleased and I now look forward to tomorrow’s race.”
Start, Kevin Estre (F), René Rast (D) vorne
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup
GP Abu Dhabi 2011
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