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American Le Mans Series, rd 8 Baltimore, USA, Four Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on city course before record crowds

25 Aug

 

Press Release

25/08/2012


Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers

Four Porsche 911 GT3 RSR compete on city course before record crowds

Stuttgart. The premiere was a resounding success – for the American Le Mans Series and for Porsche.


Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman

The first race on the street course in Baltimore in the US state of Maryland last year celebrated its debut in front of a record crowd of 150,000 spectators with works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) scoring a commanding victory with his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.


Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers

On 1 September, the race series showcasing the fastest sports cars in the world returns to Baltimore to contest round 8 of the series. 

The race

After its successful debut in 2011, the Baltimore Grand Prix takes off for the second time. The race runs over two hours. On this weekend, the American Le Mans Series is contested alongside the Indycar series, another very popular US championship,

 

2012 GRAND PRIX OF BALTIMORE

Photo Source: Grand Prix Baltimore Media

The circuit

The 3.219 kilometre street circuit leads through the streets of Baltimore around the Convention Centre at the inner harbour. The course features twelve corners, some of which are extremely tight.

Photo Source: Grand Prix Baltimore Media

The Porsche pilots

Last year’s winners Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his American teammate Bryan Sellers contest the strongly represented GT class in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Falken Tire.


Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers

Sharing the cockpit of the Flying Lizard Porsche are Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA), the winners of the Lime Rock round.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long

The second 911 of the successful customer team from California is manned by Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and team owner Seth Neiman (USA).

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Marco Holzer, Seth Neiman

Sascha Maassen (Germany) teams up with Bryce Miller (USA) in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Paul Miller Racing.


Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller

The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

The most successful GT race car of the last years in the American Le Mans Series is the top model of Porsche Motorsport’s customer racing vehicles. The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which won the environmental “Michelin Green X Challenge” in 2010 as the GT vehicle with the best overall efficiency, headed into the new season with extensive modifications. Since the race in Laguna Seca, the car has received a new front splitter and is fitted with an adapted rear wing.

The schedule

The race in Baltimore starts on Saturday, 1 September, at 16.30 hours local time (22.30 hrs CEST) and is broadcast on the internet live on http://www.americanlemans.com/live. On Friday from 23.27 hours CEST, the GT qualifying is shown on http://www.porsche.com/alms-live.

Quotes before the race

Hartmut Kristen, Head of Porsche Motorsport:

 

“The Baltimore round is a real asset to the American Le Mans Series. At the premiere last year, 150,000 fans witnessed some great racing and a strong performance from our Porsche customer teams, crowned by Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers victory for the Falken Tire squad. Racing in a city like Baltimore with its huge catchment area is an important step on the way to bring the American Le Mans Series and its gripping racing even closer to the fans.”

Joerg Bergmeister:

Jörg Bergmeister

 

“The debut in Baltimore last year was a great experience. But as fascinating as city races are, they are very stressful for the teams. The time schedule is normally very tight. And if you want to be successful it’s particularly crucial to use the short practice sessions as good as you can to find the best possible set up for the track. With a race duration of just two hours and given that the GT class is so strongly represented, we’re going to see some real tough action. But we’re ready for it.”

Patrick Long:

Patrick Long

“The layout of the Baltimore circuit has changed slightly from last year. Let’s see if that helps us. After the somewhat difficult start to the season we’ve regained some of our former strength over the last few races. It would be great if we could continue this trend in Baltimore.”
Wolf Henzler:

“After winning there last year, Baltimore is of course a very special race. Our chances for a top placing are definitely greater than on a conventional race track. The reason for this is that our tyres work better on the narrow street circuit and we do well in the slow corners thanks to the traction of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Now we have to turn this to our advantage.”

Marco Holzer:


Marco Holzer

“I love racing on street circuits so I’m very much looking forward to my first race in Baltimore. Crowds of 150,000 must be incredible. Our car seems to suit this course, we saw that last year when the Porsche won.”

This is the American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).

GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

SOURCE:  American Le Mans Series  Porsche AG Media Press Database u

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

 

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RACE SCHEDULE HIGHLIGHTS
Fri., Aug. 31 Sat., Sept. 1 Sun., Sept. 2
  • IZOD IndyCar Series
  • American Le Mans Series
  • Firestone Indy Lights
  • Star Mazda Series
  • USF2000 Series
  • American Le Mans Series Race
    (3 hours, 15 minutes)
  • IZOD IndyCar
    practice and qualifying sessions
  • Firestone Indy Lights
    practice and qualifying
  • USF2000
  • IZOD IndyCar Series race
    (75 laps)
  • Firestone Indy Lights race
  • Star Mazda race
See More See More See More

 

 
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Posted by on August 25, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Joerg Bergmeister, Marco Holzer, Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, Porsche Motorsport, Sascha Maassen, Seth Neiman (USA), Track Events, Wolf Henzler

 

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PORSCHE PRESS RELEASE – American Le Mans Series, rd 7 Elkhart Lake, USA, qualifying: One-two in qualifying for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

17 Aug

One-two in qualifying for Porsche 911 GT3 RSR


Marco Holzer

Stuttgart. In his Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Marco Holzer posted his first pole position in the American Le Mans Series at Elkhart Lake.


Marco Holzer

On the legendary Road America race track in the US state of Wisconsin, which hosts round seven of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday, the Porsche works driver from Germany set a new qualifying record in the GT class.


Marco Holzer

The second quickest time, a mere 0.01 seconds behind the leader, went to his factory pilot colleague and five-time Road America winner Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) in the second Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long

For Porsche, Marco Holzer’s top time marks the first pole position so far this season in the American Le Mans Series.

Seth Neiman

With Holzer sharing driving duties with team owner Seth Neiman (USA), the #44 Flying Lizard Porsche takes off into the race from the head of the strong GT field for the first time ever in the race series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars.


Marco Holzer

“It’s an unbelievable feeling to have clinched my first pole in the American Le Mans Series. I’m really pleased for the team that our number 44 car is at the very front of the grid,” says Marco Holzer. “This track is fantastic and it’s great fun competing here. With the race running over four hours it’s very long and a great deal can happen in this time. Still, pole position is always a great place to start from.”

Jörg Bergmeister

“The race weekend began very well for Porsche with positions one-two in qualifying,” said Joerg Bergmeister, who has clinched three of his victories on this track with his current team mate Patrick Long (USA). “Already during free practice we were going very well so our good qualifying result actually comes as no great surprise.”

 

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long

Wolf Henzler

At the wheel of Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Porsche factory driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) set the eighth quickest time.

Bryan Sellers

Henzler teams up with Bryan Sellers (USA) for round seven in Elkhart Lake.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Falken Tire: Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers

Bryce Miller (USA) turned the tenth quickest time in Paul Miller Racing’s 911 which he shares with Sascha Maassen (Germany).

Bryce Miller

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Paul Miller Racing: Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller

Sascha Maassen

The race in Elkhart Lake starts on Saturday, 18 August, at 14.30 hrs local time (21.30 hrs CEST) and runs over four hours. The race is broadcast live on http://www.americanlemans.com.

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Qualifying result

GT class
1. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 2:04.415 minutes
2. Jörg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.01 seconds
3. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.45
4. Bill Auberlen (USA), BMW E92 M3, + 0.49
5. Antonio Garcia (E), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.50
6. Johannes van Overbeek (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.57
8. Wolf Henzler (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.23
10. Bryce Miller (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.76

GTC class
1. Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 2:12.773 minutes

This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

SOURCE: American Le Mans Series  Porsche AG Media Press Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

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Posted by on August 17, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Autos & Vehicles, Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Motorsport News, Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, Porsche Motorsport, Porsche Motorsport around the world, Sascha Maassen, Seth Neiman, Track Events, Wolf Henzler

 

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PORSCHE Press Release – Porsche Motorsport around the world: Newsletter 5 – August 2012

08 Aug

Porsche Motorsport around the world

Newsletter 5 – 2012

Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.

American Le Mans Series: Two-tenths of a second shy of second win

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, ALMS, Mid-Ohio

Works driver Patrick Long held a clear lead with the Flying Lizard Motorsports 911 GT3 RSR at round six on the Mid-Ohio Sportscar Course (4 August), until a Corvette came within strik-ing distance during a caution phase to snatch the lead whilst the Porsche pitted for a driver change.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, ALMS, Mid-Ohio

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, ALMS, Mid-Ohio

Joerg Bergmeister shaved the gap from five seconds to two-tenths – and took the flag in second. At the fourth race in Lime Rock (7 July), Bergmeister celebrated his 35th ALMS victory and Porsche its first win of the season.

Patrick Long, Jörg Bergmeister
2012 ALMS – Mid-Ohio

Two weeks later, Bergmeister/Long again crossed the finish line in first only to be disqualified due to a faulty air inlet system.

International GT Open: Marco Holzer and Nick Tandy continue at the lead 

International GT Open, Paul Ricard, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey-Racing, Marco Holzer (left), Nick Tandy

After securing a fifth and second place in the 911 GT3 RSR of Manthey-Racing at races nine and ten in Le Castellet (21/22 July), factory pilot Marco Holzer and his teammate Nick Tandy head into the second half of the season tied for the points’ lead with an Aston Martin squad.

International GT Open, Paul Ricard, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Manthey-Racing, Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy

In the GTS class, the Italian customer team Autorlando Sport scored victory with Archie Hamilton and Marco Mapelli.

Grand-Am: Magnus Racing endurance champions after Indy win

P1, Magnus Racing: (l.-r.) Andy Lally, John Potter; P3, Brumos Racing: (l.-r.) Leh Keen, Andrew Davis, Grand-Am, Indianapolis

A historic success for Porsche customer motorsport: Magnus Racing won the inaugural North American Endurance Championship with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup driven by John Potter and Andy Lally.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Magnus Racing: John Potter, Andy Lally, Grand-AM, Indianapolis

Potter and Lally secured the title for the Daytona 24 hour winning squad with their triumph at the three hour race in Indianapolis (27 July) – the first GT long distance race on the Grand Prix version of the legendary circuit.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Magnus Racing: John Potter, Andy Lally, Grand-AM, Indianapolis

The North American Endurance Championship consisted of three races: Daytona, 6 hours of Watkins Glen as well as Indy. Leh Keen and Andrew Davis rounded off the Indy weekend for Porsche clinching third place in the Brumos 911 GT3 Cup.

British GT Championship: Season enters dramatic final phase

Porsche 911 GT3 R, Trackspeed Racing, British GT, Snetterton
Jon Minshaw/Tim Harvey – Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R, Steve Tandy/Joe Osborne – Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R and David Ashburn/Richard Westbrook Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R

Points’ leader David Ashburn heads to the final two races of the season holding a mere two-point advantage after races 7 and 8 in Snetterton (5 August).

Porsche 911 GT3 R, Trackspeed Racing: Steve Tandy, Joe Osborne, British GT, Snetterton
Star, Jon Minshaw/Tim Harvey – Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R leads

Taking off into race seven from pole position, Ashburn and Richard Westbrook finished in sixth with their Trackspeed Porsche 911 GT3 R after clashing with an opponent.

Porsche 911 GT3 R, Trackspeed Racing: David Ashburn, Richard Westbrook, British GT, Snetterton
David Ashburn/Richard Westbrook Trackspeed Porsche 997 GT3 R

Joe Osborne, Steve Tandy, British GT, Snetterton

Race eight was over early for the pair after seven laps, handing double victory to Steve Tandy/Joe Osborne and Jon Minshaw/Tim Harvey in Trackspeed Racing’s two other 911 GT3 R.

French GT Championship: Beltoise and Hassid rank second overall

A successful weekend (14/15 July) for Pro GT by Almeras in Magny-Cours: Anthony Beltoise and Henry Hassid finished the first one-hour race in second and secured eighth at the second sprint with their Porsche 911 GT3 R.

Hassid and Beltoise travel to the next race weekend in Navarra (8/9 September) ranking second overall, separated from the leader by just four points.

Works drivers: Comeback for Timo Bernhard 

Timo Bernhard
VLN Langstreckenmeisterschaft Nuerburgring 2012, 6h ADAC Ruhr-Pokal-Rennen (2012-08-03): Foto: Jan Brucke

On 4 August at 12:54 p.m., Timo Bernhard took over the wheel of Manthey-Racing’s 911 GT3 R from his works driver teammate Romain Dumas to celebrate his comeback following an injury lay-off after he became an innocent victim of a crash during an Audi test drive in Sebring (USA) in March.

Porsche 911 GT3 R, Manthey-Racing: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas, Jochen Krumbach, VLN, Nürburgring

Engine problems after 44 minutes put an early end to Bernhard’s drive.

Porsche 911 GT3 R, Manthey-Racing: Timo Bernhard, Romain Dumas, Jochen Krumbach, VLN, Nürburgring

Works drivers: Team building for Marc Lieb/Richard Lietz in 356 Carrera GT

At the 20th Ennstal Classic (11/14 July) in Austria – one of the most important oldtimer rallies – works drivers Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz competed in a 356 Carrera GT (1960) from the Porsche Museum.

Sharing driving duties while the other read rally pace notes from the co-driver’s seat marked a new experience for the pair.

Marc Lieb commented,

“It’s a little un-nerving for a race driver to follow the directions of someone else. But it was certainly a great team building exercise.” The two finished on position 124, partly because they ran out of pet-rol on the Red Bull Ring. Lieb said, “We didn’t have our Norbert Singer at the pit wall to do our fuel calculations for us. I guess we were a little bit wrong…”

Youth Development: Porsche expands talent initiative

In addition to the company’s long-term training and support of Porsche juniors, from 2013 Porsche gives a particularly talented youngster from Carrera Cup series worldwide the chance to move up into the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup.

Porsche provides a large part of the budget. The evaluation drive takes place in autumn on a European race track.

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: Quartet enters final chase

Kévin Estre is in the lead after claiming his first win of the season on the Hungaroring (29 July). He sits just one point ahead of reigning champion René Rast. Ranking third is Norbert Siedler six points up on Sean Edwards, who in turn is 12 points shy of Estre.

On the Hockenheimring at its 212th race, the Supercup celebrated its 20th anniversary (22 July). Rast won, ex-Formula 1 pilot Nick Heidfeld impressed with tenth place at his guest appearance. Only two races are left on the calendar (Spa, 2 September; Monza, 9 September).

IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge by Yokohama: Miller rules Mosport

Bryce Miller made a brilliant debut for Effort Racing scoring victories at both the eighth and ninth race in Mosport (21/22 July).

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, GMG Racing: Bryce Miller, IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge, Mosport

Sean Johnston defended his lead in the Platinum Cup class with two second placings. In the fight for the Gold Cup, Angel Benitez jr. retained his lead with a win at race eight.

Porsche GT3 Cup, Wright Motorsports: Sean Johnston, IMSA GT3 Cup Challenge, Mosport

At race nine, Australian David Calvert-Jones celebrated his first win in the one-marque race series.

Carrera Cup Asia: Ragginger and Simonsen win in Ordos

The former Porsche Junior Martin Ragginger won race five in Ordos (7 July) in the 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Eagle Jiejun & Junbaojie ahead of points’ leader Alexandre Imperatori.

P1, Team Eagle Jiejun & Junbaojie: Martin Ragginger; P2, PICC Team StarChase: Alexandre Imperatori

Victory at race six (8 July) under difficult weather conditions went to guest driver Allan Simonsen after the Dane had started from the 27th and very last grid spot.

Porsche GT3 Cup, Team Eagle Jiejun & Junbaojie: Martin Ragginger, Carrera Cup Asia, Ordos

Imperatori continues his stronghold in the drivers’ standings over defending champion Keita Sawa.

Carrera Cup France: Ledogar and Vernay favourites for the title 

With four races left on the calendar, four-time winner this season Côme Ledogar holds a nar-row lead over Jean Karl Vernay.

In Magny-Cours (14/15 July) recently, Vernay chipped away at the gap with a win and two second places, whilst his opponent yielded three third placings.

Start, Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Ungarn 2012

Reigning champion and guest starter Kévin Estre (Nourry Compétition) impressed with two victories on the circuit near Nevers in France.

Carrera Cup Italia: Postiglione shunts Malucelli from the top of the table

Scoring victory and a fifth place at races seven and eight on the Red Bull Ring in Austria (4/5 August), Vito Postiglione in Antonelli Motorsports’ 911 GT3 Cup replaced Matteo Malucelli at the top of the points’ table.

Porsche GT3 Cup, Antonelli Motorsport: Matteo Malucelli, Carrera Cup Italia, Red Bull Ring

Malucelli finished Saturday’s race in second, but retired from Sunday’s event when an accident damaged the radiator.

Porsche GT3 Cup, Petri Corse Motorsport: Edoardo Piscopo, Carrera Cup Italia, Red Bull Ring

Edoardo Piscopo (Petri Corse Motorsport) clinched a pole-to-flag victory at Sunday’s race. Six races are still to be contest-ed; two points separate both front-runners.

Carrera Cup Japan: Favorites fulfil all expectations 

Porsche GT3 Cup, Team Garmin: Ryo Hirakawa, Carrera Cup Asia, Sportsland Sugo

Ryo Hirakawa in the Garmin Porsche extended his points’ lead after taking a clear sweep with pole position, the fastest race lap and victory at races six and seven at the Sportsland Sugo (28/29 July).

Ryo Hirakawa

Hiroaki Nagai claimed both wins for Ninne Racing and with these triumphs also boosted his lead in the Gentleman Class over the second-placed driver. Four races are left on the calendar.

Porsche GT3 Cup, Team Garmin: Ryo Hirakawa, Carrera Cup Asia, Sportsland Sugo

Next event: 8 September, Fuji.

Race notes: Maiden win of the season for Ebimotors at race seven of the Italian GT Cham-pionship on the Red Bull Ring (4 August) thanks to Alessandro Balzan and Giacomo Barri. The pair came third in race eight with the 911 GT3 R.

Naoki Yokomizo and Kyosuke Mineo defended their class lead in the 911 GT3 R fielded by Endless Taisan claiming fifth at race four of the Japanese Super GT in the Sportsland Sugo (29 July).

SOURCE: Photos highlighting Porsche Motorsport
Porsche AG Media Database Communication Porsche AG

Motorsportpress

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Posted by on August 8, 2012 in Porsche, Porsche Motorsport, Porsche Motorsport around the world, Track Events

 

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Joerg Bergmeister sets fifth quickest qualifying time American Le Mans Series, rd 5 Mosport, Canada

21 Jul

Joerg Bergmeister sets fifth quickest qualifying time

American Le Mans Series, round 5 in Mosport, Canada

Stuttgart. In the qualifying for the Grand Prix of Mosport, round five of the American Le Mans Series, Porsche works driver Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) posted the fifth quickest time in the well supported GT class.

At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, the four-time Mosport winner drove only four laps on the challenging course in the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, formerly known as Mosport International Raceway close to Toronto.

“Our car handles well, but the Corvettes in particular were faster on the straights,” said Joerg Bergmeister, who recently claimed the first victory of the season for Porsche with his works driver teammate Patrick Long (USA).

In the two free practices, he drove the quickest time in both sessions, but in the fight for pole position he couldn’t do any better.

 

 

“After four laps we decided to stop our session and to save our tyres for the race. Our race set-up is good and we will try to bring home a podium result with a good strategy and perfect pit stops.”


At the wheel of the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR of Paul Miller Racing, Sascha Maassen (Germany) claimed the seventh spot ahead of Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany),

who netted the eighth quickest time with the 911 of Falken Tire.

Team owner Seth Neiman (USA) planted the second Flying Lizard Porsche on the eleventh spot. Underlining just how competitive the GT class of the American Le Mans Series is in Mosport is the fact that four different manufacturers, Chevrolet, BMW, Ferrari and Porsche, are in the top five in qualifying.

The race in Mosport takes off on Sunday, 22 July, at midday local time (18.00 hrs CEST) and is broadcast in the internet live on http://www.americanlemans.com.

Result Qualifying 

GT class
1. Jan Magnussen (DK), Chevrolet Corvette, 1:15.478 minutes
2. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.304 seconds
3. Bill Auberlen (USA), BMW E92 M3, + 0.533
4. Johannes van Overbeek (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.711
5. Jörg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.734
6. Dirk Müller (D), BMW E92 M3, + 0.920
7. Sascha Maassen (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.485
8. Wolf Henzler (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.582
11. Seth Neiman (USA), Porsche 911 GT34 RSR, + 5.132

GTC class
1. Damien Faulkner (IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 1:21.615 minutes

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This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles.

The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately: 
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

SOURCE:  American Le Mans Series  / Porsche AG Media Press Database  
Communication Porsche AG / Motorsportpress

 
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Posted by on July 21, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Autos & Vehicles, Motorsport News, Porsche

 

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Joerg Bergmeister crowns 100th race with 1st win of the season,American Le Mans Series, rd 4 Lime Rock, USA

07 Jul

Joerg Bergmeister crowns 100th race with first win of the season

Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long

Stuttgart. A perfect anniversary for Joerg Bergmeister: At his 100th race in the American Le Mans Series, the Porsche works driver scored the first win of the season for Porsche. With his works driver teammate, Patrick Long (USA), he won the fiercely-competitive GT class in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports at round four of the racing series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars. This marks his 35th victory in the American Le Mans Series and his sixth in Lime Rock.

Patrick Long, Jörg Bergmeister

The race on the short 2.478 kilometre circuit in the picturesque countryside of the US state of Connecticut, two and a half hours’ drive from New York City, was not for the faint-hearted. Fans watching from the grass banks along the track witnessed a varied race with tough battles for positions, particularly in the GT class, the heart of the American Le Mans Series.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long

At the halfway point in the race, Patrick Long moved to the front of the strong field and handed the # 45 silver and red 911 to Joerg Bergmeister as the leader after 100 laps. Bergmeister rejoined the race in third on the narrow circuit after a pit stop, snatched the lead back after several laps and fended off all attacks to the flag. At times the first four GT vehicles were running within a mere second..

Jörg Bergmeister

“We’ve waited a long time for this win. Now we’re all off to Manhattan to celebrate,” said Joerg Bergmeister after his anniversary race.

“We made several mistakes this season, for example our pit stop in Laguna Seca, but mostly it was just bad luck that prevented us from securing podium results. Today, everything ran smoothly, from the performance of the drivers to the pit stop strategy. The Porsche is fantastic. We are still learning about setting up the RSR but today we took a giant step forward.”

Patrick Long

Patrick Long said, “We really earned this victory. It’s a great achievement to beat such a strong GT field. Thanks to the new aero kit we have more grip and a better performance compared to last year.”

Early on in the race, Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR driven by Bryan Sellers (USA) also led the very strong GT field for a time, only to have tyre damage in the 35th lap throw him far back down the field.

Bryan Sellers

At the flag, he and Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) finished in seventh place.

Wolf Henzler

Directly behind him came the 911 fielded by Paul Miller Racing with Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA)

Sascha Maassen

Bryce Miller

as well as the second Flying Lizard Porsche with Porsche works driver Marco Holzer (Germany) and team owner Seth Neiman (USA).

Seth Neiman

Marco Holzer

In qualifying, Marco Holzer had set the second fastest time, but the stewards of the meeting banned the Porsche to start from the back of the field due to a ride height that was too low.

Round five of the American Le Mans Series takes place on 21 July in Mosport/Canada. 

Result
GT class
1. Bergmeister/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 160 laps
2. Magnussen/Garcia (DK/E), Chevrolet Corvette, 160
3. Gavin/Milner (GB/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 160
4. Sharp/van Overbeek (USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 160
5. Hand/D. Müller (USA/D), BMW E92 M3, 159
6. Auberlen/J. Müller (USA/D), BMW E92 M3, 159
7. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 158
8. Maassen/Miller (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 157
9. Holzer/Neiman /D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 157

GTC class
1. Keen/MacNeil (USA/USA)), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 151 laps
2. LeSaffre/Faulkner (USA/IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 151
3. Welch/LeSaffre (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 150

Points’ standings 
GT class
Drivers
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 72 laps
2. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Chevrolet, 64
3. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, BMW, 60
4. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 39
5. Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Ferrari, 39
6. Bill Auberlen/Jörg Müller, BMW, 36
7. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Porsche, 25
9. Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 23
10. Seth Neiman, Porsche, 20
11. Marco Holzer, Porsche, 15

Manufacturers
1. Chevrolet, 78 points
2. BMW, 68
3. Porsche, 59
4. Ferrari, 55

Teams
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 78 points
2. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 65
3. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 44
5. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 25
6. Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, 23

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This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

Source: American Le Mans Series – Porsche AG Media Press Database

Communication Porsche AG
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Posted by on July 7, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Marco Holzer, Motorsport News, Sascha Maassen, Seth Neiman, Track Events

 

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Double win and points’ lead for Porsche teams at International GT Open, races 5 / 6 in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium

24 Jun


(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.

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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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Posted by on June 24, 2012 in Automotive Photography, Manthey Porsche, Marco Holzer, Motorsport News, Nick Tandy (GB), Porsche, Track Events

 

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René Rast clinches 2nd win of season, a gala performance, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rd 5, F1 race Valencia/Spain

24 Jun

Sean Edwards (GB), René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 5 at the Formula 1 race in Valencia/Spain

René Rast clinches second win of season with a gala performance

Sean Edwards (GB), René Rast (D), Robert Lukas (PL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

Stuttgart. René Rast is back in the fight for the title of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup. With a gala performance on the Valencia Street Circuit, the Lechner Racing Team pilot impressively clinched his second win of the season on the street course around the America’s Cup harbour.

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

The German saw the flag 11.539 seconds ahead of Sean Edwards (Konrad Motorsport) from Great Britain, who secured second place in front of the surprisingly strong FÖRCH Racing driver, Robert Lukas from Poland. With this result, Edwards now moves into the lead of the world’s fastest international one-make race series for the first time this season.

Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

It was René Rast’s race from start to finish. At the wheel of his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the street-legal lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports car, the title defender took off from pole to immediately settle in at front of the pack.

Start, René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

While his pursuers battled for positions behind him, at times at loggerheads with each other, the winner of the season-opening round in Bahrain concentrated on extending his lead lap by lap.

Sean Edwards (GB), René Rast (D), Robert Lukas (PL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

With this, he continued on from his strong showing in qualifying, in which he snubbed his rivals by clocking a stunning lap time. His third victory in Valencia after 2009 and 2010 was never under threat.

Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

Behind the Monaco winner Sean Edwards, Robert Lukas put in a surprising drive at the eventful race. Third place marks the first podium result in the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup for the Pole, but he profited in the final lap from a spin by his compatriot ahead of him, Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team). The incident threw the two-time season winner from last year back into fifth place behind Frenchman Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing).

Robert Lukas (PL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

The second rude awakening then came after the race: Due to a jumped start, Kuba Giermaziak as well as Kèvin Estre, Norbert Siedler, Christian Engelhart, Alessandro Zampedri and Mateusz Lisowksi were subsequently handed a 30-second time penalty by the stewards of the meeting. This jumbled the results dramatically with points’ leader Norbert Siedler suffering the worst consequences: The VELTINS Lechner Racing pilot from Austria was only classified as eleventh and as a result lost his points’ lead. Germany’s Christian Engelhart, who had travelled to Valencia ranking second overall and after a drive-through penalty was classified as eighth at the finish line, was then shuffled back to 15th after his false start.

As the best Supercup newcomer, Nicki Thiim (Hermes Attempto Racing) saw the flag in fourth place. With his performance he replaces Germany’s Michael Ammermüller (VELTINS Lechner Racing) at the head of the rookie classification.

René Rast (winner):

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

“That was a perfect race. Taking off from first and finishing in first – it doesn’t get better than that. There was quite a melee behind me with some competitors, and that gave me the chance to build on my lead in the first lap. I then tried to drive consistently quick lap times and not be too hard on my tyres. That worked. Thank you to my team for putting a perfectly prepared car on the track for me today.”

Sean Edwards (second):

Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

“What a crazy race. My start was actually quite good, but suddenly Christian Engelhart pulled alongside, and then came Kévin Estre. It was pretty tough going in the early phase. And because I had to go hard at that point, I was happy that I could conserve my tyres a little later on. For the championship second place is a great result.”

Robert Lukas (third):

Robert Lukas (PL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

“It’s great to stand on the podium in third. Everything ran perfectly today. I took it real easy on my tyres early on and then the car became increasingly faster. Things really went well for us. The entire team has worked so hard over the last months for such a result, and I want to thank them very much for that.”

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Race result
1. René Rast (D), Lechner Racing Team, 30:40.893 minutes
2. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 11.539 seconds
3. Robert Lukas (PL), FÖRCH Racing, + 17.643
4. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 26.975
5. Philipp Eng (A), MRS GT Racing, + 30.511
6. Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (NL), Team Bleekemolen + 35.350

Points’ standings after 5 of 10 races *
Drivers
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 61 points
2. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 59
3. René Rast (D), Lechner Racing Team, 58
4. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, 49
5. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, 47
6. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, 36

* The race in Barcelona was cancelled. However, the extra points for pole position were still awarded.

Silverstone: Preview for the 6th of 10 races on 8 July

On the Silverstone Circuit, one of the world’s most storied race tracks, the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup heads into the second half of the season. Drivers rave about the ultra fast circuit, whose legendary corners Copse, Stowe and Brooklands provide a unique challenge. Last year victory went to title defender René Rast. This time, local hero Sean Edwards is eager to win the race in his native country after claiming victory at his adopted home of Monaco and to improve his title chances. TV stations Eurosport and Sky broadcast the race live.

SOURCE: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup – Porsche AG Media Press Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

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Posted by on June 24, 2012 in Autos & Vehicles, Kuba Giermaziak (PL), Motorsport News, Norbert Siedler (A), Porsche, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, Porsche Motorsport, René Rast (D), Robert Lukas (Poland), Sean Edwards (GB), Track Events

 

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Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rd 5 F1 race Valencia/Spain-René Rast gives his team the best time to boss birthday

23 Jun

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

René Rast gives his team boss pole position as a birthday present

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 5 at the Formula 1 race in Valencia/Spain

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

 At the return of the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup to the Valencia Street Circuit, René Rast (Germany) takes up Sunday’s race from pole position. At the wheel of Lechner Racing’s 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup which is based on the street-legal lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports car, the title defender nailed the fastest time shortly before the end of the qualifying session. Securing the best time on the street circuit around the America’s Cup harbour was a perfect birthday present for his team boss Walter Lechner Jnr.

Driving his team’s newly prepared 911, René Rast, winner of this race in 2009 and 2010, was an unbelievable 0.592 seconds quicker than the second-placed Monaco winner from Great Britain Sean Edwards (Konrad Motorsport).

Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

In the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup, which gains it appeal not least due its extremely tight competition and tough fights for positions, this gap is huge.

Norbert Siedler (A)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Competing for VELTINS Lechner Racing, Norbert Siedler from Austria occupied third place another two-tenths of a second behind. The winner from Bahrain shares the second grid row with Frenchman Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing), who clinched second at Monaco.

Germany’s Christian Engelhart, the pole-sitter from Barcelona, planted his Konrad Motorsport 911 on fifth place.

Christian Engelhart (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

The sixth spot went to Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team), who is still trying to find his old form this season after winning twice last year.

Kuba Giermaziak (PL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

As the best Supercup newcomer, Germany’s Michael Ammermüller (VELTINS Lechner Racing), leader of the rookie classification, achieved the seventh quickest time. Lining up alongside him on the fourth grid row is Robert Lukas (FÖRCH Racing) from Poland in eighth. Behind him on the ninth and tenth position, the oldest and youngest Supercup pilots stand side by side: Alessandro Zampedri (Team Bleekemolen) is 42, Poland’s Patryk Szczerbinski (VERVA Racing Team) is just 18 years old.

René Rast (pole-sitter):

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Europa – Valencia 2012

“That’s my first pole this year, so I’m feeling very, very happy. My team put a perfect car on the track for me today, thanks for that. I like this circuit. We were very quick here in 2009 and 2010. Now I hope I can use this pole tomorrow to bring home a win.”

Sean Edwards (second qualifier):

Sean Edwards (GB)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

“Today was much better than yesterday. After free practice we changed a lot on the car and that paid off. I only managed one fast lap but luckily that was good enough for a spot on the first grid row. Now we are feeling very optimistic for the race.”

Norbert Siedler (third qualifier):

 

“The third spot is really good, but I’m not particularly happy with the qualifying. The first lap was okay, but I made a braking mistake and it possibly cost me a better time.”

 

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Qualifying result
1. René Rast (D), Lechner Racing Team, 2:08.298 minutes
2. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.592 seconds
3. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 0.773
4. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.951
5. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.984
6. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, + 1.156

The race on Sunday will be broadcast live by TV stations Eurosport (11.45 hrs) and Sky Sport 1 (11.40 hrs). Moreover, Eurosport also airs highlights on Sunday at 20.30 hours in its “Motorsport Weekend Magazin”.

SOURCE: Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup  Porsche AG Media Press Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

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Posted by on June 23, 2012 in Christian Engelhart, Kuba Giermaziak (PL), Norbert Siedler (A), Porsche, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche Motorsport, Porsche Supercup, René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB), Track Events

 

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Porsche claims podium spot at the Le Mans 24 hour race, WEC, rd 3, Le Mans 24 Hours, France

17 Jun

Podium LM GTE Am (l.-r.): Franck Rava, Anthony Pons, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo (IMSA Performance Matmut) Pedro Lamy, Jack Leconte, Patrick Bornhauser, Julien Canal (Larbre Competition) Niclas Jonsson, Michele Rugolo, Tracy Krohn (Krohn Racing)

Stuttgart. Less than four minutes were missing for Porsche to clinch its 99th class win at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut, Nicolas Armindo, Raymond Narac, Anthony Pons[slideshow]

With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the IMSA Performance Matmut team, Frenchman Nicolas Armindo, Raymond Narac and Anthony Pons had led the field just a few laps before the flag dropped on the 80th running of the long distance classic in the Sarthe. But in the final minutes, tyre damage robbed the 2011-spec 911 of all hopes for victory. Nevertheless, the joy over second place was huge for the French Porsche customer team.


IMSA Performance Matmut (l.-r.): Anthony Pons, Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo

“For our team and partners, Le Mans is the most important race of the year,” said team owner Raymond Narac.

“To have finished second with such a great team effort is a success that we will all savour for a long time. Thank you also to Porsche for the unbelievable support.” Nicolas Armindo said, “We focused all our work on this race. Achieving class victory at the dress rehearsal in Spa was wonderful, but it’s nothing compared to the feeling of climbing the podium here in Le Mans.”


Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, IMSA Performance Matmut: Raymond Narac, Nicolas Armindo, Anthony Pons

Other Porsche teams had less luck this time on the legendary Circuit des 24 Heures.

In the GTE Pro class the race was over during the night for the two Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports and Felbermayr-Proton.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Spencer Pumpelly, Patrick Pilet, Seth Neiman (79) – Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marco Holzer (80)

Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA), who shared the Flying Lizard 911 with his German works driver colleagues Joerg Bergmeister and Marco Holzer, slid on gravel, which another vehicle had just spread on the track in the first chicane, hit the stack of tyres and retired after 114 laps.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Spencer Pumpelly, Patrick Pilet, Seth Neiman

“I didn’t have a chance to bring the car safely back to the pits,” he said. It was not the first problem that the number 80 vehicle had to contend with in Le Mans. In the first race lap, a broken shock absorber cost several positions, and later tyre damage caused even more time loss. “The race wasn’t going well for us right from the start,” said Joerg Bergmeister.

“Still, we kept fighting. You never give up in Le Mans, a lot can happen here right to the end. It’s just a shame we couldn’t finish the race.”

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Flying Lizard Motorsports: Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marco Holzer

The unexpected early retirement of the Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR in the GTE Pro class came after 184 laps when Marc Lieb (Germany) came to a standstill on the infamous Hunaudières straight with gearbox damage.

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Wolf Henzler

“I wanted to shift up but couldn’t get any gears in,” said Marc Lieb, who at the time was running in fourth place with his works driver colleagues Richard Lietz (Austria) and Wolf Henzler (Germany). The trio had won in Le Mans in 2010.

“It’s such a shame we couldn’t take home points, especially at this race. Up until our retirement we were running really well. We experienced a few hiccups along the way, but mostly things were good. A podium result would have been possible.”

Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Team Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Wolf Henzler

In the GTE Am class, Porsche had another iron in the fire for 17 hours with last year’s 911 run by Felbermayr-Proton. Team owner Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti, class winners of the season-opening round in Sebring, were running a promising fourth in the race.

But after 222 laps, the Porsche Cup winner Gianluca Roda had to park the 911 trackside without any drive.

However, Porsche works driver, Patrick Pilet (France) and Americans Seth Neiman and Spencer Pumpelly secured fourth place with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports.

Taking up the race as pole-sitters in their class, they could defend their top position in the early phase of the race, only to be temporarily thrown out of the top ten after a journey into the gravel.

“First and foremost, thank you to all the teams and drivers for their superb effort,” said Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “Regardless of the result, we must analyse the race so that we can talk to the authorities of the WEC about a more balanced grading of our cars in the GTE Pro class for the second half of the season.

We will also immediately begin preparations for the next races with the teams, as the championship classification is still open. We look forward with optimism.”

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Round four of the World Endurance Championship is run on 26 August in Silverstone/Great Britain.

Result

GTE Am class
1. Bornhauser/Canal/Lamy (F/F/P), Chevrolet Corvette, 329 laps
2. Armindo/Narac/Pons (F/F/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 328
3. Krohn/Jonsson/Rugola (USA/S/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 323
4. Pilet/Neiman/Pumpelly (F/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 313
5. Belloc/Bourret/Gibon (F/F/F), Chevrolet Corvette, 309
8. Daniels/Palttala/Camathias (GB/SF/CH), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 290

This is the World Endurance Championship
Sports prototypes and GT vehicles contest the World Endurance Championship, for which double points are awarded in Le Mans. They are divided into four classes that start together but are classified separately:

LMGTE Pro class: This class is reserved for slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).

LMGTE Am class: Like the LMGTE Pro, but the regulations stipulate that only last year’s cars are eligible and there must be no more than one professional driver per vehicle.

LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.

LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 440 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight.

SOURCE: Le Mans 24 Hours and the World Endurance Championship

Porsche AG Media Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

 
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Posted by on June 17, 2012 in 24 Hours of Le Mans, FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Le Mans, Le Mans 24 Hours, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Motorsport in Germany, Porsche, Sean Edwards (GB), Seth Neiman (USA), Stuttgart, Track Events, Wolf Henzler

 

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Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rd 4 at the F1 race in Monte Carlo/Monaco,Sean Edwards takes Pole

26 May

Michael Christensen (DK), Sean Edwards (GB),
Norbert Siedler (A)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Monaco 2012

Sean Edwards uses home advantage to take pole position

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Stuttgart. Sean Edwards takes up the most prestigious race on the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup calendar on Sunday from pole position.

At the wheel of Konrad Motorsport’s 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, based on the street-legal lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports car, the British-born, Monaco resident used his home advantage to secure the top time by 0.119 seconds. Starting from the second grid spot is Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (Team Bleekemolen) from the Netherlands, marking his best qualifying result by now in the world’s fastest international one-make race series

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Monaco 2012

Driving for Hermes Attempto Racing, Frenchman Kévin Estre occupied third place. Last year’s Rookie of the Year winner is just one of the hopeful young guns who want to use the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup as a springboard into an international GT career. Another is his teammate and Supercup newcomer Nicki Thiim (Denmark) who yielded a surprising result with fifth. Between the two on the fourth spot was René Rast from Germany. The title defender and last year’s winner driving for Lecher Racing has managed to clinch a good starting position in his bid to become the first Supercup pilot to win in Monaco three times.

Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
GP Monaco 2012

Germany’s Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport), the pole-setter in Barcelona, achieved the sixth quickest time ahead of Bahrain winner and current points’ leader Norbert Siedler from Austria (VELTINS Lechner Racing). Trailing the seasoned campaigners with a commendable eighth place came another rookie, Michael Ammermüller (Germany) driving for VELTINS Lechner Racing. To his credit, he outpaced the Dutch Supercup returnee and two-time winner in Monaco, Jeroen Bleekemolen (Lechner Racing Team). Rounding off the top ten grid spots is Andrea Belicchi (Italy) from the Antonelli Motorsport squad.

At his first start on the difficult circuit in the Principality on the Cote d’Azur, Porsche Junior Michael Christensen (Denmark) made a strong impression. Receiving support from Porsche, the Konrad Motorsport pilot, who normally contests the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, was able to reduce his gap to the top compared to the free practice. He takes up Sunday’s race from 15th position.

Sean Edwards (pole-sitter):

“To take pole in Monaco is perfect. After the free practice we worked again on the car and everything ran really well today. During my fastest lap I had some luck on my side with the traffic, but you always need a bit of luck in Monaco. Now I’m hoping for a clean getaway and then to win the race.”

Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (second in qualifying):

“That was a fantastic lap. Virtually perfect. I have no idea why I’m so fast in Monaco. I simply like this circuit. You have to be so careful, but at the same time take risks. And that’s a fine line. If you don’t hit something, you’re fast. Hopefully it’s also enough to bring home a podium result.”

Kévin Estre (third in qualifying):

“Third is a great result of course, but today I could have done even better. In the end I was turning a very fast lap with the best time over two sectors, but then we were red-flagged and I had to abandon the lap. It’s unbelievably difficult to get a clear lap in Monaco. Either you have too much traffic or a flag comes out. There’s always something.”

Michael Christensen (15th in qualifying):

“It was really hard but I had expected that. With my first set of tyres I tried to become more familiar with the car and the track. With the second set I was going well but I didn’t get a really good run because of the traffic. Still, I improved lap for lap and that’s exactly what I had resolved to do.”

Qualifying result
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 1:35.980 minutes
2. Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (NL), Team Bleekemolen, + 0.119 seconds
3. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.250
4. René Rast (Frankfurt), Lechner Racing Team, + 0.266
5. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.472
6. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.477

The race on Sunday is broadcast live by TV stations Eurosport (09.45 hrs) and Sky Sport 1 (09.40 hrs). In addition, Eurosport airs highlights on Sunday at 23.00 hrs in its “Motorsport Weekend Magazin” programme.

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup
Communication Porsche AG

Motorsportpress

 
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Posted by on May 26, 2012 in Christian Engelhart, Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Porsche Supercup, René Rast (D)

 

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International GT Open, race 3 on the Nürburgring,Podium spot 4th place Porsche customer teams

26 May

Podium spot and fourth place for Porsche customer teams

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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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Posted by on May 26, 2012 in Manthey Porsche, Marco Holzer, Nick Tandy (GB), Nordschleife, Nurburgring

 

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Sean Edwards triumphs over strong opposition Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, rd 2 Hockenheim

29 Apr

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

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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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Posted by on April 29, 2012 in Autos & Vehicles, Dr. Ing hc F. Porsche AG, Jaap van Lagen (NL), Motorsport News, Nick Tandy (GB), Nicki Thiim (DK), Nicolas Armindo (F), Porsche, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, René Rast (D), Sean Edwards (GB), Team Bleekemolen, Track Events

 

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Perfect start to the season for Porsche customer teams International GT Open, Races 1 and 2 in Portimao/Portugal

29 Apr

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.

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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.
.
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

 
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Posted by on April 29, 2012 in Autos & Vehicles, Manthey Porsche, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Motorsport News, Motorsport Newsletter, Nick Tandy (GB), Porsche

 

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René Rast wins turbulent season opener, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, rd 1 Hockenheim

28 Apr

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

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SOURCE:

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland

 Porsche AG Media Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

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Posted by on April 28, 2012 in Autos & Vehicles, Jaap van Lagen (NL), Jeroen Bleekemolen (NL), Kuba Giermaziak (PL), Motorsport News, Motorsport Newsletter, Nick Tandy (GB), Nicki Thiim (DK), Nicolas Armindo (F), Patrick Huisman (NL), Porsche, Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, Porsche Carrera World Cup, Porsche Motorsport, Porsche Motorsport around the world, René Rast (D), Robert Lukas (Poland), Robert Renauer (D), Sean Edwards (GB), Stefan Rosina (SK), Team Bleekemolen, Track Events

 

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Light to flag victory and points lead for Norbert Siedler Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, rd 2, F1 race in Bahrain

22 Apr
Norbert Siedler (A) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Stuttgart. Pole position, fastest race lap, victory and points lead – round two of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup couldn’t have gone better for Austria’s Norbert Siedler of VELTINS Lechner Racing.

Norbert Siedler (A) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Norbert Siedler (A)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

In a repeat of his lightning start at the season-opener the previous day, he led the field to the first corner in his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the lightweight road-legal 911 GT3 RS sports car, and edged away from the field lap for lap. Siedler shared the podium with Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport) and the winner of Saturday’s race, René Rast (Lechner Racing).

Podium Rennen 2: Christian Engelhart (D), Norbert Siedler (A), René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Podium Rennen 2: Christian Engelhart (D), Norbert Siedler (A), René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Christian Engelhart also made a virtually perfect start from position three on the grid and managed to outpace René Rast.

Christian Engelhart (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Christian Engelhart (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Early on in the race, Engelhart could shadow Siedler, but the Austrian then pulled away further. Only in the final phase of the race could Engelhart catch the leader, but he wasn’t close enough to launch a serious attack over the remainder of the race.

Norbert Siedler (A), Walter Lechner, René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Norbert Siedler (A), Walter Lechner, René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Rast lost contact to the two frontrunners early on but he didn’t come under any threat from his pursuers.

René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

With his win, Siedler moves into the lead of the points in the world’s fastest international one-make cup.

Zieldurchfahrt Rennen 2: Norbert Siedler (A) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Zieldurchfahrt Rennen 2: Norbert Siedler (A)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Over the entire ten-lap race distance, spectators were treated to gripping fights for positions amongst the rest of the field.

Right at the start, Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing) overtook Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team).

Kuba Giermaziak (PL) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Kuba Giermaziak (PL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Estre’s teammate, Nicki Thiim, also duelled with Giermaziak for quite some time, but finally had to give in and settle sixth place.

Start Rennen 2 Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Start Rennen 2
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

With this, Thiim was the best newcomer which put him at the top of the rookie classification. Also giving an impressive performance was former DTM pilot Renger van der Zande (Konrad Motorsport) who took up the race from the tenth grid spot and moved up through the field to finish seventh.

Nicki Thiim (DK) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Nicki Thiim (DK)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (Team Bleekemolen), as well as Patryk Szczerbinski (VERVA Racing Team) as the youngest driver in the field at 18, and Stefan Rosina (FÖRCH Racing) finished in position eight to ten respectively.

Renger van der Zande (NL) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Renger van der Zande (NL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Fifth in qualifying, Sean Edwards (Konrad Motorsport), was forced into the pits when his right rear tyre valve tore off after contact with another competitor and he fell back to 14th place.

Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (NL) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (NL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Ex-Formula 1 test driver Michael Ammermüller (VELTINS Lechner Racing) as well as Robert Lukas (Hermes Attempto Racing) touched in lap four. Lukas was able to continue albeit with the stewards of the race handing him a 30-second time penalty. Ammermüller, however, had to let his mechanics fix his loose rear apron which threw him back into 15th position.

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Norbert Siedler (winner):

“That was great! My start was much better than yesterday’s. I managed to control the race over the first seven laps, but in the last three my tyres were deteriorating badly. We need to improve this for the next race in Barcelona.”

 

Norbert Siedler (A) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Norbert Siedler (A)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Bahrain 2012

Christian Engelhart (second):

“I drove on new tyres today, yesterday’s were used and that makes a huge different on this circuit. My start was great and I was able to get around René Rast on the outside. I could catch up to Norbert towards the end but I wasn’t able to really go for him anymore. To do this, the race would have had to be a little longer. I’m very satisfied with the weekend in Bahrain. I’m now sitting in a good position for the championship.”

René Rast (third):

“I think that was the most we could get out of today with used tyres. I couldn’t do anything with the leaders and I had no pressure from behind, so it was a somewhat quiet race for me.”

Race result
1. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 20:55.702 minutes
2. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, +0.654 seconds
3. René Rast (D), Lechner Racing, +8.086
4. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, +10.693
5. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing, +10.880
6. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, +14.527
7. Renger van der Zande (NL), Konrad Motorsport, +17.654
8. Sebastiaan Bleekemolen (NL), Team Bleekemolen, +18.124
9. Patryk Szczerbinski (PL), VERVA Racing, +26.315
10. Stefan Rosina (SK), FÖRCH Racing, +30.063

Points’ standings after 2 of 10 races
Driver
1. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 40 points
2. René Rast (D), Lechner Racing, 36
3. Christian Engelhart (D), Konrad Motorsport, 30
4. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 21
5. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, 21

Teams
1. VELTINS Lechner Racing, 53 points
2. Konrad Motorsport, 52
3. Lechner Racing, 45

Rookie classification
1. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, 19 points
2. Michael Ammermüller (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 16
3. Renger van der Zande (NL), Konrad Motorsport, 14

Preview for the 3rd of 10 races, 12/13 May in Barcelona
As points’ leader, Norbert Siedler travels to round three of the season on the outskirts of the Spanish city of Barcelona. From the 16 races run on the demanding Circuit de Catalunya since 1993, there have been 16 different winners. Last year’s winner Sean Edwards could be the first pilot to achieve a second victory, or even the 2010 winner Norbert Siedler. TV stations Eurosport and Sky broadcast the race live.

Source: Porsche AG Media Press Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

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Posted by on April 22, 2012 in Autos & Vehicles, Porsche, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

 

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Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup kicks off the new season in Bahrain, anniversary season of the world’s fastest international one-make race series

20 Apr

Start: Porsche Mobil1 Supercup

Start:
Porsche Mobil1 Supercup

Stuttgart. Twenty years of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: The anniversary season of the world’s fastest international one-make race series takes off with a double-header round on 21 and 22 April on the Bahrain International Circuit.

Heading into the season as title favourite is reigning champion René Rast from Germany with the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup fielded by Lechner Racing. Rast is looking forward to returning to the desert nation. “The last time I competed in Bahrain I won both races. I’ll be doing everything within my power to repeat that result this year,” says the Supercup champion of 2010 and 2011.

René Rast (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

René Rast (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Deutschland 2011

As the flagship series of the 19 Porsche one-make championships worldwide, the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup boasts a healthy grid line-up again this season. “

We have a balanced field and we’re also looking forward to welcoming some new teams into the Supercup family,”

says Jonas Krauss, Head of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup at Porsche Motorsport.

“Onboard are some eager young newcomers like Jeroen Mul coming from Formula 3, Renger van der Zande who contested the DTM in 2011, and ex-Formula 1 test driver Michael Ammermüller. This underlines once more just how attractive the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup is as a spring board for a successful GT career or as a challenge for seasoned professionals.”

In Kévin Estre, the Supercup rookies have a shining example.

Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011

Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011

The Frenchman turned heads last year with his strong performances, not only claiming the Rookie of the Year title but also celebrating his first Supercup victory in Monza.

Kevin Estre (F) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011

Kevin Estre (F)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011

Now he is back as one of the hot favourites at the wheel of his Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports car.

Joining Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing) to throw a spanner in René Rast’s plans for a hat-trick are Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing), Sean Edwards from Great Britain (Konrad Motorsport) as well as the VERVA Racing pilot Kuba Giermaziak.

Kuba Giermaziak (PL) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011

Kuba Giermaziak (PL)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup Italien 2011

Last year, the Pole dominated in Budapest, becoming the first eastern European winner in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup and went on to claim victory from the Spa-Francorchamps round. Another name on the list of title aspirants is Germany’s Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport), winner of the 2011 season-opener in Istanbul.

Christian Engelhart (D) Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2011

Christian Engelhart (D)
Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2011

Denmark’s Nicki Thiim (Hermes Attempto Racing) is also a force to be reckoned with. The son of former DTM champion Kurt Thiim attracted attention last year with his strong performance in the German Carrera Cup.

Also making the switch from Germany’s most popular race series is the new Supercup team FÖRCH Racing.

The Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racers that are fielded in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup come off the assembly line in Porsche’s Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen plant and receive the final touches in the motorsport department at Weissach. All vehicles are technically identical. An important new feature of the 2012-spec is a 100-litre FT3 safety fuel tank.

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“The competition in the series has rarely been this high,” states Jonas Krauss at the start of the anniversary season. And he fully expects the fight for the championship to be as exciting as it was last year: Heading to the final round in 2011, six competitors still had the chance to claim the title.

The season-opening race in Bahrain is broadcast live by TV stations Eurosport and Sky – race 1 on 21 April at 11.20 hrs (Sky) and 11.30 hrs (Eurosport 2), race 2 on 22 April at 11.00 hrs (Sky and Eurosport 2). Eurosport also televises highlights at midnight on Sunday in its “Motorsport Weekend Magazin” programme.

The 2012 races

21/22.04. Bahrain / UAE
13.05. Barcelona / Spain
27.05. Monaco / Monaco
24.06. Valencia / Spain
08.07. Silverstone / Great Britain
22.07. Hockenheim / Germany
29.07. Budapest / Hungary
02.09. Spa / Belgium
09.09. Monza / Italy

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

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Posted by on April 20, 2012 in Autos & Vehicles, Motorsport in Germany, Motorsport News, Motorsport Newsletter, Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Porsche Motorsport

 

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Porsche Motorsport around the world – Newsletter 2 – 2012

30 Mar

Stuttgart. The Motorsport Newsletter regularly provides information on Porsche Motorsport around the world.

Motorsports: Season: Season 2012 Title: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet 12h Sebring

Sebring 12 Hours: Successful start for the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

The tradition-steeped race on the airfield circuit of Sebring (17 March) marked the start of the new World Endurance Championship (WEC) and the American Le Mans Series. In the WEC, works drivers Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz and Patrick Pilet clinched second place in the GTE Pro class for Felbermayr-Proton at the wheel of the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

Motorsports: Season: Season 2012 Title: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet 12h Sebring

Motorsports: Season: Season 2012
Title: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Felbermayr-Proton: Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz, Patrick Pilet 12h Sebring

In the amateur GTE Am category, Christian Ried, Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti made a faultless start to the season with a victory in last year’s 911 GT3 RSR. Bad luck, however, for the Porsche drivers in the ALMS: Flying Lizards Motorsports’ 911 GT3 RSR piloted by Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long and Marco Holzer was rammed by a Ferrari in the formation lap. Bergmeister and his colleagues still managed to yield tenth place.

Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers and Martin Ragginger claimed ninth in the Falken Tire Porsche after an engine change.

Tribute: Hans Herrmann inducted into the Sebring Hall of Fame

Hans Herrmann in Sebring Hall of Legends - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Hans Herrmann in Sebring Hall of Legends - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

The organisers of the Sebring 12 hour race pay tribute to the performances of extraordinary race drivers by inducting them into the Hall of Fame.

Hans Herrmann in Sebring Hall of Legends - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Hans Herrmann in Sebring Hall of Legends - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

In the lead up to this year’s race, Hans Herrmann received this very rare honor.

Legendary achievements: Hans Herrmann and Porsche - Source: Porsche AG

Legendary achievements: Hans Herrmann and Porsche - Source: Porsche AG

The former Porsche works driver, born 1928, won the Sebring classic twice, contributed to Porsche claiming the manufacturers’ world title in 1969 and 1970, and clinched the first overall victory for Porsche at Le Mans with Richard Attwood in 1970.

Convalescence: Works driver Timo Bernhard on the way to recovery

Timo Bernhard - Source: Porsche AG

Timo Bernhard - Source: Porsche AG

Porsche factory pilot Timo Bernhard has to take several weeks of time out. During testing with an Audi in Sebring (USA), he went off the track at high speed through no fault of his own and slammed backwards into the barrier. At hospital an injury to his cervical spine was diagnosed. An operation is not necessary. However, Bernhard has to remain in the USA for some time and is wearing a neck brace for support.

“I’ll take things easy so that I can get fit again quickly,” says the Porsche works driver. “My wife Katharina has joined me here in Florida and she’s helping me with the necessary check-up examinations. As soon as the doctors give me the clearance to fly, we’ll be back in Germany.”

Carrera Cup Asia: Tenth season features largest grid in history

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia - Season 2012 - Porsche AG

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia - Season 2012 - Porsche AG

With 27 competitors, the Carrera Cup Asia enters its tenth season with the largest grid line up in its history.

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Porsche Carrera Cup Asia - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

In Shanghai and Singapore the Asian Carrera Cup runs as support to the Formula 1.

Carrera Cup Australia: Champion Craig Baird unbeatable in Melbourne

Motorsports: Season: Season 2012 Title: Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Craig Baird Carrera Cup Australia

Motorsports: Season: Season 2012
Title: Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Craig Baird Carrera Cup Australia

Three races, three victories and the points lead. After a faultless weekend as support to the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Melbourne (16/18 March), Craig Baird elbowed Alex Davison from the top of the points’ table. Davison had led the series after winning two races at the first weekend in Adelaide (3/4 March).

Todd Kelly of the Jack Daniel's Racing team March 03, 2012 Start Carrera Cup Australia - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Todd Kelly of the Jack Daniel's Racing team March 03, 2012
Start Carrera Cup Australia - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Ex-Formula 1 driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen gave an impressive performance at his guest drive in Melbourne yielding two fourth places. This marked the first time at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup for the German. Next round: 4 to 6 May in Perth, WA.

During the Australian Grand Prix, round 2 of the 2012 Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia at the Albert Park, MELBOURNE, Victoria, Australia, Thursday, March 15, 2012.

Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Round 2 of the 2012 Porsche City Index Carrera Cup Australia - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Carrera Cup Deutschland: Additional race on Saturday

Start Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 04 Lausitzring 2011 - Source: Porsche AG

Start
Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland - 04 Lausitzring 2011 - Source: Porsche AG

The German Carrera Cup takes off: In addition to the 80 kilometre race on Sunday, competitors in 2012 also contest a 60 kilometre sprint on Saturday. Also new this season is the B classification for amateurs as well as a rookie category for new-comers up to 25 years old. The price money increases by 100,000 Euro to now total more than half a million Euro. Nine race weekends with an event on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife as the highlight make up the calendar. The season kicks off on 28 April in Hockenheim.

Carrera Cup Japan: New junior driver – season highlight alongside Formula 1

Carrera Cup Japan - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Carrera Cup Japan - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Again in 2012, a talented young driver is given the chance to launch his career in the Carrera Cup Japan. 18-year-old Ryo Hirakawa competes with the support of Porsche Japan in a 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the Garmin Team. Hirakawa comes from formula racing and contests his first GT season. He faces tough opposition from the likes of GT aces Igor Sushko and Shinichi Yamaji from the Japanese Super GT.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Garmin Team: Ryo Hirakawa Carrera Cup Japan - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, Garmin Team: Ryo Hirakawa Carrera Cup Japan - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Two Porsche Centres join the series for the first time, with Excellence Motorsports running the 100th 911 GT3 Cup imported into Japan. Okayama hosts the first of eleven races on 1 April. Season highlight: The race as support to the Japan Grand Prix in Suzuka, 5/7 October.

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Shinichi Yamaji Carrera Cup Japan - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Shinichi Yamaji Carrera Cup Japan - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

Race notes: Record grids in the GT3 Cup Challenge USA

GT3 Cup Challenge USA - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

GT3 Cup Challenge USA - Season 2012 - Source: Porsche AG

and the GT3 Cup Challenge Brasil with 39 and 37 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup respectively.

Motorsports: Season: Season 2012 Title: GT3 Cup Challenge Brasil

Motorsports: Season: Season 2012
Title: GT3 Cup Challenge Brasil

 

+++ After just the tenth of twelve races in the GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East 2011/12, Abdulaziz Al Faisal from Saudi Arabia is the champion.

PORSCHE GT3 ROUNDS 7 AND 8 REEM CIRCUIT FEBRUARY 2012 - Season 2012 -Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Abdulaziz Al Faisal GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East - Source: Porsche AG

PORSCHE GT3 ROUNDS 7 AND 8 REEM CIRCUIT FEBRUARY 2012 - Season 2012 -Porsche 911 GT3 Cup: Abdulaziz Al Faisal GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East - Source: Porsche AG

+++ Manthey Racing contracted Porsche works driver Marco Holzer for the International GT Open to race a new 911 GT3 RSR in the pan-European championship. His teammate is Britain’s Nick Tandy. The pair competes against their works driver colleague Patrick Pilet, who shares driving duties with Raymond Narac in a 911 GT3 RSR run by the IMSA Performance Matmut squad.

SOURCE: Porsche Motorsport / Porsche AG Media  Press Database  

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

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Posted by on March 30, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series

 

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Successful race debut for the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR – promising start for World Endurance Championship

18 Mar
Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Patrick Pilet (France)

Patrick Pilet (France), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Marc Lieb (Germany)

World Endurance Championship / American Le Mans Series, round 1 in Sebring, USA

Stuttgart. At the Sebring 12 hour race, the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR celebrated a successful race premiere.

At the wheel of the 911 fielded by the Felbermayr-Proton team, Porsche works drivers Marc Lieb (Germany), Richard Lietz (Austria) and Patrick Pilet (France) secured second place in the GTE Pro class at the long distance classic in Florida and with this made a very promising start into the new World Endurance Championship.

“Second place is a great result. Right from the start, our new 911 GT3 RSR was reliable and that’s very positive,” said Marc Lieb.

“But we lacked the speed to win off our own bat.”

Richard Lietz, who had to start from the back of the field because the cockpit temperature of his Porsche in qualifying was one degree over what was permitted, said,

“I’m very satisfied with how the race went. For twelve hours our 911 ran without the slightest technical problem. Which is, of course, not something you take for granted at the first race with a new car.”

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Christian Ried (Germany) and his Italian teammates Gianluca Roda and Paolo Ruberti made a superb start to the season. With the second Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (2011 model year) run by Felbermayr-Proton they celebrated victory in the GTE Am class.

“This win is a perfect way to kick off the season,” Ried commented. “The last one and half hours of the race were incredibly tough for Paolo, because he had to cope without power steering.”

With the tradition-steeped twelve hour race on the Sebring International Raceway the American Le Mans Series also took off into the season.

Driving the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR for Paul Miller Racing, Sascha Maassen (Germany), Bryce Miller (USA) and Rob Bell (Great Britain) secured fifth place in the GT class.

At the wheel of Flying Lizard Motorsports’ 911, Americans Seth Neiman, Darren Law and Andy Lally saw the flag in seventh place.

Darren Law (USA) and Andy Lally (USA)

Darren Law (USA) and Andy Lally (USA)

For two other new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, the season-opening round in the sunshine state of the USA brought less than perfect results.

Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) secured ninth with Bryan Sellers (USA) and Martin Ragginger (Austria).

After the qualifying, their Falken Tire team had to replace the engine in the 911, and although the mechanics managed this in record time, he still took up the race one lap behind.

Things were not a lot better for his factory pilot colleagues Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), Patrick Long (USA) and Marco Holzer (Germany) in the second Flying Lizard Porsche: In the formation lap, a Ferrari rammed into the rear of the Porsche, which threw them far back. After putting in a spirited chase, they still managed to yield tenth and earn valuable points towards the end.

Joerg Bergmeister, Marco Holzer and Patrick Long

Joerg Bergmeister, Marco Holzer and Patrick Long

“Our car ran better in the race than it did in qualifying. We drove consistently fast lap times to the end,” stated Wolf Henzler. Marco Holzer added:

“That was a bitter race. It was already over for us before it had really begun. So our goal was to finish the 70 percent distance and safeguard those important championship points.”

 

Hartmut Kristen, head of Porsche motorsport, regarded the start of the season as positive.

 

“Compliments to the Felbermayr-Proton team for their victory in GTE-Am class and second place in GTE-Pro class. This was almost an optimum result,” he said. “I am extremely pleased with the reliability of the new 911 GT3 RSR.

 As far as the time difference to our fastest rivals in qualifying and in the race is concerned, we will be analysing that gap to determine whether the performance balancing influenced this.

Congratulations as well to Paul Miller Racing for its great result in the American Le Mans Series with fifth.

It’s a pity that the race was over before the start for one of our strongest cars, it was not the team’s fault.”

Round two of the World Endurance Championship takes place on 5 May 2012 in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium.

On 14 April, round two of the American Le Mans Series takes off on the street course in Long Beach, California.

Results

World Endurance Championship
GTE Pro class
1. Bertolini/Beretta/Cioci (I/MC/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 307 laps
2. Lieb/Lietz/Pilet (D/A/F), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 306
3. Mücke/Fernandez/Turner (D/MEX/GB), Aston Martin Vantage, 291
4. Fisichella/Bruni/Vilander (I/I/SF), Ferrari F458 Italia, 215
5. Melo/Makowiecki/Vernay (BRA/F/F), Ferrari F458 Italia, 183

GTE Am class
1. Ried/Roda/Ruberti (D/I/I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 298 laps
2. Bourret/Gibon/Belloc (F/F/F), Chevrolet Corvette, 297
3. Bornhauser/Canal/Lamy (F/F/P), Chevrolet Corvette, 288
4. Kaufmann/Waltrip/Aguas (USA/USA/P), Ferrari F458, 283
5. Krohn/Jönsson/Rugolo (USA/S/I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 265
6. Binnie/Palttala/Camathias (USA/SF/CH), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 251

American Le Mans Series
GT class
1. Hand/Müller/Summerton (USA/D/USA), BMW E92 M3, 307 laps
2. Magnussen/Garcia/Taylor (DK/E/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 307
3. Gavin/Milner/Westbrook (GB/USA/GB), Chevrolet Corvette, 307
4. Müller/Auberlen/Alzen (D/USA/D), BMW E92 M3, 306
5. Maassen/Miller/Bell (D/USA/GB), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 302
6. Brown/Segal/Lazzaro (USA/USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 302
7. Law/Neiman/Lally (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 302
9. Henzler/Sellers/Ragginger (D/USA/A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 289
10. Bergmeister/Long/Holzer (D/USA/D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 251

GTC class
1. Sweedler/Bell/von Moltke (USA/USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 291 laps
2. Keen/Dumoulin/MacNeil (USA/CAN/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 291
3. Faulkner/Bleekemolen/LaSaffe (IRL/NL/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 290

Points’ standings

World Endurance Championship
Teams GTE Pro
1. AF Corse, Ferrari, 25 points
2. Felbermayr-Proton, Porsche, 18
3. Aston Martin Racing, Aston Martin, 15

Teams GTE Am
1. Felbermayr-Proton, Porsche, 25 points
2. Labre Competition, Chevrolet, 18
3. AF Corse-Waltrip, Ferrari , 12

American Le Mans Series
GT class
1. Joey Hand, Dirk Müller, Jonathan Summerton, BMW , 24 points
2. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Jordan Taylor, Chevrolet , 20
3. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Richard Westbrook, Chevrolet, 17
5. Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller, Rob Bell, Porsche, 12
7. Seth Neiman, Andy Lally, Darren Law. Porsche, 8
9. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Martin Ragginger, Porsche, 6
10. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Marco Holzer , Porsche, 5

Manufacturers
1. BMW, 24 points
2. Chevrolet, 20
3. Porsche , 12
4. Ferrari, 10

Teams
1. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 24 points
2. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 20
3. Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, 12
4. Extreme Speed Motorsports, Ferrari, 10

This is the World Endurance Championship
Sports prototypes and GT vehicles race in the new World Endurance Championship. They are divided into four classes that start together but are classified separately:

LMGTE Pro class: This class is reserved for slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
LMGTE Am class: Like the LMGTE Pro, but the regulations stipulate that there must be no more than one professional driver per vehicle.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 440 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight.

This is the American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles.

The field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).

GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

 
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Posted by on March 18, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Andy Lally (USA), Autos & Vehicles, Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Hartmut Kristen Head of Porsche Motorsport, Head of Porsche Motorsport, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Martin Ragginger (A), Motorsport News, Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, Porsche Motorsport, Richard Lietz, Sascha Maassen, Sean Edwards (GB), Sebring 12 Hour, Sebring International Raceway, Seth Neiman (USA), Track Events, Wolf Henzler

 

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American Le Mans Series, rd 1 in Sebring, USA – Green light for new World Endurance Championship

16 Mar

World Endurance Championship / American Le Mans Series, round 1 in Sebring, USA

Stuttgart. With the qualifying session for the tradition-steeped twelve hour race on the Sebring International Raceway in Florida/USA, both the new World Endurance Championship and the American Le Mans Series took off into the new season. The long distance classic, at which the new Porsche 911 GT3 RSR makes its race debut, marks the only time that the two series run together.

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In the GTE Pro class of the World Endurance Championship, Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) planted his Felbermayr-Proton Porsche 911 GT3 RSR on the fifth grid spot.

At the wheel of the second Felbermayr-Proton Porsche, Paolo Ruberti (Italy) posted fourth in the GTE Am class.

“My lap was perfect and our car feels very good,” said Richard Lietz.

“Still, the gap is too big. We’ll be analysing this and trying to close that gap as quickly as possible.”

In the American Le Mans Series, Porsche factory pilot Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) also posted the fifth best time in the GT class with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports.

“That was a decent lap,” he said, “but it was all that was possible today.” His works driver colleague Wolf Henzler (Germany) clocked the eighth quickest time in Falken Tire’s Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

“We have to get more familiar with our new car,” he said. “It handles the bumps extremely well, but we still experienced way too much oversteer.”

Sascha Maassen (Germany) posted the new 911 run by Paul Miller Racing on ninth and commented,

“We turned our fastest lap of the weekend during qualifying and that’s exactly how it should be. But we’re still in the process of familiarising ourselves with the tyres of the new car. And there’s a great deal of potential there.”

Several pilots from the Porsche Mobil1 Supercup are using the GTC class, which they contest with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, to gain experience in international long distance racing.

The seasoned Supercup and Carrera Cup pilot Sean Edwards (Great Britain) clinched pole position with Damien Faulkner (Ireland) posting second. Reigning Supercup rookie champion Kévin Estre (France) put his 911 on position five.

Nicki Thiim (Denmark), who contests the world’s fastest international one-brand series for the 2012 season, qualified on sixth.

“That was an exciting qualifying. We are all very close,” said Sean Edwards.

“My team has done a great job in preparing the 911. Last year an accident before the qualifying prevented us from competing in the race. Now we’re back with a vengeance.”

The race starts on Saturday, 17 March, at 10.30 hrs local time (15.30 hrs CET) and is broadcast live on http://www.alms.com.

Qualifying result

World Endurance Championshi
GTE Pro class
1. Gianmaria Bruni (I), Ferrari F458 Italia, 1:58.427 minutes
2. Jaime Melo (BRA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.286 seconds
3. Olivier Beretta (MC), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.611
4. Stefan Mücke (D), Aston Martin Vantage, + 1.697
5. Richard Lietz (A), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.779

GTE Am class
1. Dominik Farnbacher (D), Ferrari F458 Italia, 2:00.258 minutes
2. Niclas Jonsson (S), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 0.745 seconds
3. Pedro Lamy (P), Chevrolet Corvette, + 1.456
4. Paolo Ruberti (I), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.603

American Le Mans Series
GT class
1. Jan Magnussen (DK), Chevrolet Corvette, 1:58.996 minutes
2. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.011 seconds
3. Joey Hand (USA), BMW M3, + 1.031
4. Johannes van Overbeek (USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, + 1.098
5. Jörg Bergmeister (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.123
8. Wolf Henzler (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2.636
9. Sascha Maassen (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 3.154
10. Seth Neiman (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 8.358

GTC class
1. Sean Edwards (GB), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 2:06.674 minutes
2. Damien Faulkner (IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, +0.023 seconds
3. Leh Keen (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, + 0.037

This is the World Endurance Championship

Sports prototypes and GT vehicles race in the new World Endurance Championship. They are divided into four classes that start together but are classified separately:

LMGTE Pro class: This class is reserved for slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
LMGTE Am class: Like the LMGTE Pro, but the regulations stipulate that there must be no more than one professional driver per vehicle.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class:Sports prototypes with around 440 hp and a 900 kilogram minimum weight.

This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. At the season-opener in Sebring, the field is divided into five classes that start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers traditionally receives the most support: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series like the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and a 900 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress

 
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Posted by on March 16, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Bryan Sellers, Bryce Miller (USA), Darren Law (USA), Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, FLYING LIZARD MOTORSPORTS, Marc Lieb, Marco Holzer, Martin Ragginger (A), Motorsport News, Nicki Thiim (DK), Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, Porsche Motorsport, Richard Lietz, Sascha Maassen, Sean Edwards (GB), Sebring 12 Hour, Sebring International Raceway, Seth Neiman, Seth Neiman (USA), Track Events, Wolf Henzler

 

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Porsche Junior Program – Six finalists shine at young driver selection

21 Feb

Dennis Trebing (USA), Klaus Bachler (A), Michael Christensen (DK),  Mario Farnbacher (D),
Tom Blomqvist (GB), Ramon Pineiro (E)

Press Release

02/21/2012

Porsche Junior Program – Six finalists shine at young driver selection

Stuttgart. The selection process to find Porsche juniors for the 2012 season

is now on the finish straight. At track tests in Vallelunga (Italy) six finalists aged

from 18 to 21 years excelled with outstanding lap times and showed impressive

progress over the two days.

Mario Farnbacher (D), Klaus Bachler (A),Dennis Trebing (USA), Ramon Pineiro(E) Tom Blomqvist (GB), Michael Christensen (DK)

Klaus Bachler (20, A), Tom Blomqvist (18, GB), Michael Christensen (21, DK),

Mario Farnbacher (19, D), Ramon Pineiro (21, E) and Dennis Trebing (20, USA)

had earlier come out on top at a rigorous selection process against other

talented youngsters from around the globe.

Michael Christensen (DK), René Rast (D), Sascha Maassen (D) Porsche Juniorsichtung

Currently, Porsche Motorsport is evaluating the data from all the test laps and

will then compare these with the comprehensive sports medicine results.

The chosen drivers will receive support as Porsche juniors in the

Carrera Cup Deutschland. Porsche provides most of the season’s budget.

The junior pilots choose their own teams for whom they want to compete.

A junior coach looks after the training of the Porsche juniors and is on hand

in a mentoring capacity.

Sascha Maassen (D) Porsche Juniorsichtung  Vallelunga 2012

Professional race driver Sascha Maassen (42) takes on this role. The German was

a Porsche works driver from 2000 to 2009, and this season contests

the American Le Mans Series in a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

Sascha Maassen (D), Ramon Pineiro (E), Dennis Trebing (USA) Porsche Juniorsichtung

Maassen has a great deal of experience as a talent scout, coach and driving instructor.

At the wheel of sports prototypes and GT race vehicles from Weissach,

Maassen won the American Le Mans Series three times and celebrated

class victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Sebring 12 hour race.

Porsche Juniorsichtung  Vallelunga 2012

“The six finalists have had very little opportunity to get experience at the wheel of a GT race car. They have far exceeded our expectations,” praises Maassen.

“All of the pilots very quickly grasped how you have to drive the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup in order to be fast.”

Aside from financial support, the drivers receive assistance similar to the

internationally successful Porsche factory pilots.

Fitness tests with constantly adapted training plans as well as media coaching

and sponsor obligations are also part of the programme. Initially, the programme

runs for four years.

Porsche Juniorsichtung  Vallelunga 2012

Porsche has intensively supported talented youngsters in motorsport since 1997.

Today’s Porsche factory pilots Timo Bernhard, Marc Lieb and Patrick Long were

trained as Porsche juniors.

Mario Farnbacher (D) Porsche Juniorsichtung  Vallelunga 2012

Recently in 2011, Marco Holzer made the leap from Porsche junior to works driver.

Other big-league names in motorsport to emerge from this scholarship programme

are Dirk Müller, Lucas Luhr and Mike Rockenfeller.

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SOURCE: Porsche AG Media Database

Communication Porsche AG

Motorsportpress
 
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Posted by on February 21, 2012 in ALMS, American Le Mans Series, Autos & Vehicles, Marc Lieb, Mike Rockenfeller, Motorsport News, Porsche, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, René Rast (D), Sascha Maassen, Stuttgart, Timo Bernhard, Tom Blomqvist, Track Events

 

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