ADAC GT Masters: Bergmeister y Schmickler/Winter y Geipel en Oscherleben

ADAC GT Masters Oscherleben: Despues de haber logrado un P2 en la primera carrera (Schmickler y Estre) y una victoria P1 de (Bergmeister y Rast) en la segunda carrera en Abril cuando se inauguro la temporada la combinacion Bergmeister y Schmicker pueden luchar por un puesto en el podium en las 2 carreras finales en Oscherleben este 02 y 03 de Octubre, mientras que en el Porsche Gt3-R # 11 la dupla Achim Winter y Charlie Geipel. Buena Suerte a todo el equipo!!!!

ADAC GT Masters Oschersleben: after a 2nd place (Schmickler / Estre) in race 1 and a victory (Bergmeister / Rast) in race 2 of the season opener in Oschersleben in April the combination Bergmeister / Schmickler should be able to fight for podium places in both races of the final round at the same track. In the second Porsche 911 Gt3-R #11 is in hand of Achim Winter and Charlie Geipel. Good Luck to all the Team!!!

VLN/Nurburgring Barbarossapreis: 8 Porsches in the TOP 10

1	88	SP9	Top 10 Today at Nurburgring-Nordscleife VLN. B HARIBO TEAM MANTHEY F Luhr Lucas, Schweiz F Westbrook Richard, Großbritannien	Porsche 911 GT3 R 997 IB1054647 GB54045	20	2:57:57.006 164.331		8:21.101 175.071	2
2	114	SP9	B Manthey Racing GmbH F Dumas Romain, Schweiz F Klasen Arno, Karlshausen	Porsche 911 GT3 R 997 CH193434 IC1063634	20	2:58:32.460 163.788	35.454 35.454	8:20.163 175.400	2
3	86	SP9	F Hohenadel Christian, Illingen F Arnold Lance David, Duisburg	GM Corvette IB1065105 IC1044112	20	2:59:02.054 163.336	1:05.048 29.594	8:22.616 174.544	6
4	112	SP9	B Manthey Racing GmbH F Hahne Armin, Wimbach F Krumbach Jochen, Eschweiler F Gindorf Marc, Monaco	Porsche 911 GT3 R 997 IA1035810 IC1059405 IC1059361	20	2:59:41.802 162.734	1:44.796 39.748	8:29.591 172.155	20
5	107	SP9	F Abbelen Klaus, Barweiler F Schmitz Sabine, Barweiler F Kentenich Niclas, Neuss	Porsche 911 GT3 IC1049933 IC1051485 IC1100619	20	3:00:03.341 162.410	2:06.335 21.539	8:27.581 172.836	2
6	110	SP9	B WOCHENSPIEGEL TEAM MANTHEY F Weiss Georg, Monschau F Jacobs Michael, Roetgen-Rott F Kainz Oliver, Kottenheim	Porsche 911 GT3 R 997 IC1080523 IC1081630 IC1033127	20	3:00:18.485 162.182	2:21.479 15.144	8:21.700 174.862	2
7	105	SP9	S Dörr Motorsport GmbH F Adams Rudi, Ahütte F Aust Stefan, Castrop-Rauxel F Haase Christopher, Kulmbach	BMW Z4 GT3 IC1043330 IC1095729 IB1113842	20	3:01:04.529 161.495	3:07.523 46.044	8:24.500 173.892	2
8	104	SP9	F Illbruck Michael, Unterföhring F Lauck Manuel, Lebach	Porsche 911 GT3 R IC1122390 IC1047269	20	3:02:31.453 160.213	4:34.447 1:26.924	8:24.979 173.727	2
9	677	CUP2	F Busch Dennis, Bensheim F Busch Marc, Bensheim	Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 997 IC1102621 IC1043869	20	3:02:40.861 160.076	4:43.855 09.408	8:39.410 168.900	2
10	652	CUP2	S AvD e.V. B Scuderia Offenbach F Riemer Kai, Leipzig F Forbes Rodney, Australien	Porsche 911 GT3 Cup 997 IC1064212 IC1134079	20	3:02:41.174 160.071	4:44.168 00.313	8:39.923 168.733

60 Years of Porsche in America

October 12, 2010 to January 9, 2011: Special Exhibiton at the Porsche Museum

60 Years of Porsche in America

Stuttgart. The museum of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart will be celebrating a very special anniversary this year: It was exactly 60 years ago, in the autumn of 1950, that the first Porsche 356 models were shipped to the USA. Since then, what was at that time just a small sports car manufacturer has gone on to capture the hearts of American sports drivers – and a good number of Hollywood stars as well. From October 12, 2010 to January 9, 2011 the Porsche Museum will be celebrating the presence of Porsche on the world’s largest and most important automobile market with this special exhibition, a presence which for six decades has been steadily growing. As part of this, visitors will be able to see the most interesting Porsche series for the American market, among them the prototype of the Porsche 356 Speedster, the rare 356 America Roadster, and the legendary 550 Spyder.

At the Paris Motor Show in 1950 a decisive meeting took place between Professor Ferdinand Porsche and the US automobile importer Maximilian E. Hoffman. Being an importer of a number of different European automobile brands on the American East Coast, Hoffman had his own dealership network at his disposal, as well as an unerring sense of what the upper class of America was looking for when it came to automobiles. Ferry Porsche and Hoffman concluded a deal soon afterwards for the delivery of 15 Porsches annually, the first three vehicles of which were shipped to the USA as early as October 1950.

When the first Porsche 356’s arrived in the USA, Max Hoffman once again proved just how much marketing talent he had. In parallel with the presentation at his modern showroom on New York’s Park Avenue, he also handed over a Porsche 356 to the private racing driver Briggs Cunningham, who soon began delivering the first victories on the race track. The Porsche 356 rapidly became the insider tip in the American racing scene, which had a positive effect on more than the sales figures. The German sports car, that was fast but also suitable for daily use, also became a hit in Hollywood, and was a favourite among film stars, James Dean in particular. The combination of racing sports and Hollywood glamour helped the Porsche brand name to achieve its unique lifestyle image in America, something which also reflected back to Europe again.

Beyond that, Max Hoffman had recognized that there was a need for country-specific models if victory was going to be won in the long term on the hard-fought American market. Hoffman accordingly pressed for a particularly light and economical version, which from 1954 arrived on the market in the form of the 356 Speedster, based on the small series 356 America Roadster which had made its debut in 1952. With a basic price tag of 3,000 US Dollars, the Speedster, with its spartan fittings, became a great sales success in sunny California in particular.

The success on the US market had an extraordinarily positive effect on the sales figures of what was at the time Porsche KG. As early as the first few years of the co-operation, there were considerably more sports cars exported to the USA than the company’s president, Ferry Porsche had expected. In 1952 this amounted to 283 Porsche vehicles, meaning that some 21 percent of total sales had gone to America. This proportion increased steadily in the years which followed, with the 50 percent mark being exceeded for the first time in 1955 (from a total production of 3,624 vehicles). And in succeeding years this figure was surpassed again and again. In 1965, the last production year of the Porsche 356, the share of sales to the US amounted to a huge 74.6 percent. To this day, the United States market is still the most important sales outlet for Porsche. Headquarters for Porsche Cars North America is Atlanta, and in total there are more than 200 Porsche dealers in the USA.

Simultaneously with the special exhibition, the Museum is publishing the book “Porsche in America“. The sixth volume to appear from its own publishing house, “Edition Porsche Museum“, this book presents, on more than 200 pages, the unique success story created by Porsche on the US automobile market. Previously unpublished pictures from the company archive provide the reader with some fascinating insights into the history of Porsche in North America. The book is available in German and English for 14.90 Euro at the Porsche Museum Shop.

Info and Fotos Porsche Museum Public Relations/Autrorized and acreditated Press.

Audi comeback in the USA. Petit Le Mans.

Audi comeback in the USA

• Two Audi R15 TDI cars in “Petit Le Mans” race at Road Atlanta
• Audi is unbeaten over the full distance
• Le Mans winners in Hybrid Porsche

Ingolstadt, September 24, 2010 – After an almost exactly one-year break Audi
will contest a race again for the first time in the USA: at the “Petit Le Mans”
endurance classic at Road Atlanta (U.S. state of Georgia) on October 2, Audi Sport
Team Joest will field two Audi R15 TDI cars driven by Dindo Capello/Tom
Kristensen/Allan McNish and Marcel Fässler/André Lotterer/Benoît Treluyer.
Audi’s track record at the U.S. counterpart of the Le Mans 24 Hours is similarly
impressive as at the French original: from 2000 to 2008, an Audi prototype crossed
the finish line as the winner nine consecutive times. Last year, Audi was again
headed for victory at Road Atlanta before the race had to be stopped due to
extremely heavy rainfalls. Over the full 1,000-mile distance or maximum time of 10
hours the brand with the four rings has not been beaten at Road Atlanta to date.
The squad around Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich will give everything
to keep it that way on the first October weekend. The two Audi R15 TDI cars (chassis
numbers 202 and 203) were flown to the United States as early as last week in order
to take advantage of a two-day testing opportunity on the demanding track at Road
Atlanta on the weekend before the race. Audi Sport Team Joest’s main aim is to
optimally set up the R15 plus with its new aerodynamics package for this circuit.
The squad had successfully accomplished this at the inaugural round of the
Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) at Silverstone for the qualifying session when
both Audi prototypes qualified for the front row.
For the race at Road Atlanta Dindo Capello will again join his regular Le Mans
partners, Tom Kristensen and Allan McNish. With five victories under his belt, the
Italian is the most successful driver in “Petit Le Mans” history. McNish’s track record
reflects four wins. Tom Kristensen last competed at Road Atlanta in 2002 and the
“King of Le Mans” won the race in that year.

Marcel Fässler, André Lotterer and Benoît Treluyer will contest their third joint race
for Audi after Spa-Francorchamps and Le Mans. Their commitment is also intended
to help them gel even better with the Audi squad which is planned to remain
unchanged for the 2011 24 Hours of Le Mans.
This year’s Le Mans winners will contest the “Petit Le Mans” race as well: Timo
Bernhard will drive a Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid together with Romain Dumas and
Mike Rockenfeller. This means that all nine Audi drivers who finished the 24 Hours
of Le Mans on June 13, 2010 on the podium will be on the grid at Road Atlanta too.
No doubt, they will find themselves granting a particularly large number of requests
for autographs.

Topics of the weekend
• Will Audi manage to clinch the pole position again?
• Will Audi Sport Team Joest achieve a perfect race set-up?
• How will the LMP1 vehicles get through the heavy traffic of a record field (45
vehicles)?
• How quickly will André Lotterer and Benoît Treluyer adapt to the difficult track?
• Will Audi achieve its tenth “Petit Le Mans” victory?

Quotes by the official.
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “Nine ‘Petit Le Mans’ victories in
the past ten years are impressive proof of ‘Vorsprung durch Technik’ and reliability,
particularly since we could have won last year’s race as well. Unfortunately, the
stoppage thwarted our plans. So we’ve still got some unfinished business at Road
Atlanta – as well as at Silverstone. Despite the retirement at the ILMC inaugural
round, which was caused by a defective supply part, we know that the R15 plus is a
very reliable vehicle. Since we’ll have more opportunities to gather track experience
with the R15 plus before the race at Road Atlanta we should also be able to achieve
a good race set-up.”

Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “Obviously we want to
achieve a better result at Road Atlanta than we did at Silverstone and, above all,
finish without any problems. ‘Petit Le Mans’ is a long and difficult race. We’ve been
there very often and still have something to make up from last year because we
should have actually won that race if it had been run all the way to the end. We’ve
got two days of testing and are hoping that we’ll be able to make optimum use of
them. Prior to Silverstone we only had one test at the EuroSpeedway – and these
two circuits do differ quite a bit from each other. Now we can test on the track
where we’ll actually be contesting the race. This should help us take revenge not just
for one but two events: for Road Atlanta in 2009 and for Silverstone in 2010.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
Dindo Capello (46/I), Audi R15 TDI #7 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• With five victories under his belt is the most successful driver of the “Petit Le
Mans” race
• Was on the podium at the ILMC inaugural round at Silverstone
“I’m expecting us to be more competitive in the race at Road Atlanta than we were
at Silverstone. I think that this track will suit our R15 plus a bit better. We were
always very strong in this race in the past. That’s why I’m confident that we’ll be
able to clinch victory for Audi. This race has always been very fortunate for me. I won
five times there at seven events. That’s another reason why Road Atlanta is one of
my favorite tracks. And of course I’m happy about driving with Tom (Kristensen) and
Allan (McNish) again.”
Tom Kristensen (43/DK), Audi R15 TDI #7 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Will compete at Road Atlanta again for the first time since 2002
• Between Silverstone and Atlanta won at the Goodwood Revival
“It’s been quite a while that I last contested ‘Petit Le Mans.’ I’m very much looking
forward to running there again after such a long time. I know from my two team
colleagues that the track has since been resurfaced, which makes it even faster than
it was back then. The track with its quick turns and up- and downhill sections is
really wonderful to drive. We had both cars on the front row of the grid at
Silverstone. We want to build on that and try to optimally set up the R15 for the
window in which it works best – and that is the race. At Silverstone, we
unfortunately didn’t manage to do that so well yet.”
Allan McNish (40/GB), Audi R15 TDI #7 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• With four wins, ranks in second place of the race’s honor roll
• Clinched the first pole position for the Audi R15 TDI at Silverstone
“I love Petit Le Mans! 100,000 fans in such a compact arena as Road Atlanta – that’s
simply great. And there’s hardly a track that suits me as well as this. It’s very fast
and fluid. It demands an aggressive driving style. Every moment is a very intense
experience. Although the race is 1,000 miles long and lasts almost ten hours, tenths
of a second can be decisive in the end. In 2007 we beat Porsche by one second and
Peugeot by six seconds in 2008. Since the race was stopped even before the
4/7
midpoint last year and we only lost against Peugeot in a really unfortunate way,
we’ve still got some unfinished business there.”
Marcel Fässler (34/CH), Audi R15 TDI #9 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Debuted last year at Road Atlanta in a GT2 car
• Finished Le Mans in 2010 as the runner-up together with André Lotterer and
Benoît Treluyer
“Road Atlanta is still a real race track with many sections that test your courage. I’m
looking forward to it although I’ll be competing in an LMP1 car for the first time.
Lapping, in particular, has to be managed very carefully because it’s easy to lose a
lot of time in that respect. Last year I was there for the first time and I really
enjoyed the trackside atmosphere there too. The fans make this race a really special
event for us racers. I’m highly motivated, not least because I can share a car with my
two Le Mans team colleagues.”
André Lotterer (28/D), Audi R15 TDI #9 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Will fly directly from the Formula Nippon race at Sugo to Atlanta
• Has no experience yet on the Road Atlanta track
“Needless to say, I’m very happy to be sitting in the R15 plus again after our exploit
at Le Mans and to be contesting another race with my team colleagues. The fact that
it’s Petit Le Mans makes the race a big challenge. I’ll be driving the R15 for the first
time on this track and with a lot of downforce. I really enjoyed getting to know the
track on the simulator but it was an awe-inspiring experience too.”
Benoît Treluyer (33/F), Audi R15 TDI #9 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Like Lotterer, will contest his first “Petit Le Mans” race
• “Petit Le Mans” marks his third racing commitment for Audi
“I’ve never been at Road Atlanta and don’t know the track yet. I practiced the circuit
together with André (Lotterer) in Japan, using a computer game. Marcel (Fässler)
has driven there before. He told us how great the race is. I’m very much looking
forward to driving a race in the USA. It’s only the second time for me. The
atmosphere at American races seems to be very interesting. I’m hoping that we’ll be
able to clinch a good result for Audi and that everything will be going as well as it
did at Le Mans and in my most recent runs in Japan.”

Die Audi drivers at Road Atlanta
Dindo Capello (I): * Jun 17, 1964 in Asti (I); residence: Canelli (I); married to
Elisabetta, one son (Giacomo); height: 1.72 m; weight: 66 kg; Audi driver since
1994; Le Mans victories: 3; ILMC races: 1; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0;
fastest laps: 0; best result at Petit Le Mans: 1 (2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Marcel Fässler (CH): * May 27, in Einsiedeln (CH); residence: Gross (CH); married to
Isabel, four daughters (Shana, Elin, Yael, Delia); height: 1.78 m; weight: 78 kg; Le
Mans victories: 0; ILMC races: 0; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0;
best result at Petit Le Mans: 11 (4th place in the GT2 class)
Tom Kristensen (DK): * Jul 07, 1967 in Hobro (DK); residence: Monaco (MC); single
(partner: Hanne), two sons (Oliver and Oswald) and one daughter (Carla Marlou);
height: 174 m; weight: 72 kg; Le Mans victories: 8; ILMC races: 1; ILMC victories: 0;
pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at Petit Le Mans: 1 (2002)
André Lotterer (D): * Nov 19, 1981 in Duisburg (D); residence: Tokyo (J); single;
height: 1.84 m; weight: 74 kg; Le Mans victories: 0; ILMC races: 0; ILMC victories: 0;
pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at Petit Le Mans: -
Allan McNish (GB): * Dec 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB); residence: Monaco (MC);
married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte Amelie); height: 1.65 m;
weight: 58 kg; Le Mans victories: 2; ILMC races: 1; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions:
0; fastest laps: 0; best result at Petit Le Mans: 1 (2000, 2006, 2007, 2008)
Benoît Treluyer (F): * Dec 07, 1976 in Alençon (F); residence: Gordes (F); married to
Melanie, one son (Jules); height: 1.78 m; weight: 68 kg; Le Mans victories: 0; ILMC
races 1; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at Petit Le
Mans: -

All winners of the “Petit Le Mans” race
1998 Eric van de Poele/Wayne Taylor/Emmanuel Collard (Ferrari)
1999 David Brabham/Éric Bernard/Andy Wallace (Panoz)
2000 Michele Alboreto/Dindo Capello/Allan McNish (Audi R8)
2001 Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro (Audi R8)
2002 Dindo Capello/Tom Kristensen (Audi R8)
2003 Johnny Herbert/JJ Lehto (Audi R8)
2004 JJ Lehto/Marco Werner (Audi R8)
2005 Frank Biela/Emanuele Pirro (Audi R8)
2006 Dindo Capello/Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI)
2007 Dindo Capello/Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI)
2008 Dindo Capello/Allan McNish (Audi R10 TDI)
2009 Stéphane Sarrazin/Franck Montagny (Peugeot)

Track info
Track length: 4.088 km (2.540 miles)
Race distance: 394 laps = 1,610.672 km
Pole position in 2009: Nicolas Minassian (Peugeot), 1m 06.937s = 219.846 km/h
(Sep 25, 2009)
Fastest lap in 2009: Allan McNish (Audi R15 TDI), 1m 08.063s = 216.209 km/h (Sep
26, 2009)
Track record: Stéphane Sarrazin (Peugeot), 1m 06. 242s = 222.152 km/h (Dec 03,
2008)
Dindo Capello about Road Atlanta: “Road Atlanta is a classic, typically American
race track with fast turns and many hills. For a driver this track is truly an
experience. For me it’s one of the few ‘real’ race tracks that still exist today. It’s
always a pleasure to run there again.”
ILMC LMP1 manufacturers standings after 1 of 3 rounds:
1 Peugeot, 47 points; 2 Audi, 21.
7/7
Schedule (local times)
Wednesday, September 29
16:15–17:15 Test session (all classes)
17:15–17:45 Test session (prototypes)
Thursday, September 30
10:00–11:00 Free practice
14:35–15:35 Free practice
19:00–21:00 Night practice
Friday, October 1
09:30–10:30 Free practice
14:15–15:00 Meet the Audi Team (Audi Team Hospitality)
15:15–15:40 Qualifying (GT cars)
15:50–16:15 Qualifying (prototypes)
Saturday, October 2
09:15–09:40 Warm-up
11:15–21:15 Race (394 laps, maximum of 10 hours)

Info and Pics Audi Motorsport Comunicattions/Autorized and acreditated PRESS.

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the 1,000 mile classic

American Le Mans Series, round 9 in Road Atlanta, USA

Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid at the 1,000 mile classic

Stuttgart. A gripping finale in the American Le Mans Series: At Petit Le Mans, the 1,000 mile classic on the Road Atlanta circuit, the title decision in all classes goes down to the wire on 2nd October. For fans of the racing series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars, another highlight awaits them on the established circuit in the US State of Georgia - it is the first race in the USA for the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid.

The challenging 4.087 kilometre race track with its twelve corners, on which the success story of the American Le Mans Series began back in 1999, is an ideal stage for the selection of the champion. In the particularly competitive class for GT sports cars, Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) have the best chances to successfully defend their title from last year at the wheel of the Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Facing strong opposition from BMW, Ferrari and Chevrolet, they have so far taken home victory from Long Beach, Laguna Seca, Lime Rock and Mosport and tackle the finale with a comfortable points’ buffer. The situation in the manufacturer and team championships, however, looks particularly dramatic – in each classification, Porsche ranks first albeit by just one point.

“The title is virtually within our grasp. Still, we’ll be doing everything to bring home as many points as possible and to also secure the manufacturer and team titles for Porsche,” says Joerg Bergmeister. “The track is very picturesque, but very challenging. It put a lot of demands on a driver.” With a string of five victories between 2003 and 2007, he has raised the bar in Road Atlanta. Bergmeister and Patrick Long receive support from Porsche factory pilot Marc Lieb (Germany), the newly-crowned winner of the Le Mans Series (GT class). After the Sebring 12 Hour event, the Petit Le Mans race is the second longest in the American Le Mans Series with a maximum duration of ten hours. Joerg Bergmeister regards this as advantageous: “With the many pit stops, strategy and teamwork play a major role. And our Flying Lizard Motorsports boys have proven often enough that they are the best at this.”

Aside from the riveting title fight, a highlight of the season final on the classic circuit is the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid. The sports car with its ground-breaking drive technology, which was on course to win the Nürburgring 24 hour race until shortly before the flag, celebrates its much-anticipated race premiere in the USA. It races in the special GTH class – with a prominent driver line-up: Porsche works drivers Timo Bernhard (Germany) and Romain Dumas (France) with Audi factory pilot Mike Rockenfeller (Germany) are eager to demonstrate the reliability and performance of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid to the US fans and to assist in perfecting its innovative technology. Earlier this year, the trio clinched overall victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Whilst the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is not eligible to earn points, another title will be decided in the sports prototype class. Here as well, Porsche has good chances for victory with the RS Spyder. The US customer team, Muscle Milk Team Cytosport, which fields the successful racer from Weissach, has already celebrated a class victory this year at the prestigious 12 Hours of Sebring and underlined its potential with two overall wins at Lime Rock and Mosport. Sharing driving duties in the #6 cockpit for the season finale is an all-German line-up of Klaus Graf, Sascha Maassen and Lucas Luhr. Audi works pilot, Luhr, is no stranger to his teammates and the RS Spyder. In 2006, as Porsche works driver, he was crowned champion in the American Le Mans Series – with Sascha Maassen.

In the second Porsche 911 GT3 RSR run by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche-Junior Marco Holzer (Germany) makes his debut in the American Le Mans Series. He starts in the GT class with Americans Darren Law and Seth Neiman. Contesting the series for the first time this season, the Falken Tire squad, winners of the environmental Michelin Green X Challenge award at the Elkhart Lake race, fields a 911 GT3 RSR with drivers Bryan Sellers (USA) and former Porsche-Junior Martin Ragginger (Austria). Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany) will not be competing for the rest of the 2010 motorsport season. He underwent surgery to his back and will be in recovery over the next several weeks in order to guarantee he is ready to race without any restrictions in the 2011 season.

Poised to snatch the GTC class title is points’ leader Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands) with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. Teaming up with American Timothy Pappas, the double Porsche Supercup champion has notched up four victories so far this season. Joining forces as the third driver is his brother, Sebastiaan.

The race in Road Atlanta starts on Saturday, 2 October, at 11.15 hrs local time (17.15 hrs CEST) and runs over 1,000 miles or a maximum ten hours. The GT-qualifying on Friday can be seen from 21.15 hrs CEST on www.porsche.com/alms-live.



Facts and Figures

This is the American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Nine races in the USA and Canada make up this year’s calendar. Traditional highlights are the Sebring 12 hour race and the 1,000 mile “Petit Le Mans” at Road Atlanta.

Sports prototypes and standard sports cars make up the starter field: Like at season-opening Sebring race, at the “Petit Le Mans” they are divided into five classes:
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 750 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms (petrol engines) or 930 kilograms (diesel engines).
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with around 440 hp and an 825 kilogram minimum weight (e.g. Porsche RS Spyder).
GT2 class: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 460 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
LMPC class: This newly-created class is a prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.
GTC class: Replacing the ALMS Challenge, this class is for brand trophy series vehicles of all manufacturers (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup).

All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures racing that is exciting and constantly changing. Points are awarded only for placings in each class.

Info and Pics of Porsche Motorsport/for acreditated and autorized Press/Johan Koning.

ILMC/Petit Le mans- Info Y fotos oficiales Peugeot Sport.

Following an emphatic success three weeks ago at Silverstone, Team Peugeot Total travels to North America at the top of the provisional Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (ILMC) standings. After getting off to a flying start in the English countryside, this new championship's second port of call will be the 1,000-mile Petit Le Mans race at Road Atlanta, Georgia (USA).

Atlantic crossing...

After an inaugural clash in Europe, the 2010 ILMC moves on to the United States for the second round of the series. Peugeot succeeded in becoming the first name on the new competition's list of winners thanks to a dominating run in terms of performance, reliability, fuel consumption, strategy and commitment that saw it take the spoils at Silverstone. That race, which was marked by an exciting duel between Anthony Davidson and Allan McNish, ended in a resounding one-two for Peugeot thanks to the Oreca-run 908 HDi FAP. It also took the French firm straight into the lead of the ILMC with a 26-point advantage over its rival.

"I am sure the racing will get closer and closer," predicts Technical Director Bruno Famin. "The duel we saw at Silverstone is likely to keep us holding our breath again at Road Atlanta, this time over a distance of 1,000 miles or perhaps 10 hours, because the races in the USA generally deliver plenty of drama. For one, the safety car and wheel change regulations are different, so we will need to be on our toes throughout and quick to adapt our strategy if necessary. It is this sort of training we have always sought to gain in the USA to prepare for Le Mans. This time round, with the race counting towards the ILMC, we will obviously also be targeting another win in order to extend our early lead."

Peugeot: targeting two straight Petit Le Mans wins

The 2009 visit to Road Atlanta produced a one-two finish for Peugeot, even though the race was shortened by several hours because of torrential rain. The two factory 908 HDi FAPs entered for this year's Petit Le Mans will be looking to repeat that success against what promises to be stiff opposition. In addition to its main rival, Peugeot will also be up against the USA's top endurance specialists for whom this fixture will be the last round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series.

A recap of the regulations

Unlike European races, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, the pre-warming of tyres is not permitted, but four mechanics are authorised to change wheels at the same time, instead of two. Access to the pit lane is closed when the safety car is out, and the American races only run one such vehicle, compared with two in Europe. Given the high number of safety car interruptions you tend to see at Road Atlanta (4km), which is such an atypical circuit, that regulation is one of the most complex to work with. That said, the Georgian venue always produces exciting fights, with just four seconds splitting the top two cars at the chequered flag in 2008 after 10 hours of racing!

Two factory Peugeot 908 HDi FAPs + six drivers

N°07 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP : Anthony DAVIDSON (GBR) - Marc GENE (ESP) – Alexander WURZ (AUT)

Anthony DAVIDSON : "I really enjoyed working with Nicolas Minassian at Silverstone. We came away with a great result and it would be fantastic to repeat that win with Alex and Marc with whom I won the 12 Hours of Sebring at the beginning of the year. I have a little experience of Road Atlanta after racing there in 2003. It's a great event. I can't wait."

Marc GENE : "I haven't raced the 908 since June, but I've clocked up so many kilometres in the car over the past four years that I feel very confident. I don't know the circuit. Practice starts on Wednesday, so that will be a decisive part of our work schedule."

Alexander WURZ : "The last time I drove a 908, I was chasing to recover the lead at Le Mans! I hope to be on the same sort of pace at Road Atlanta, but without being compelled to catch someone up! I have never raced there and I don't really know what to expect. I've been looking at onboard footage and at the team's data. Otherwise, I will have to wait until I get there, although I know I will be able to count on the help of our team-mates in the N°08 car who know the circuit well."

N°08 Peugeot 908 HDi FAP : Perdo LAMY (POR) – Franck MONTAGNY (FRA) - Stéphane SARRAZIN (FRA)

Pedro LAMY : "Since Le Mans, I have contested three races, but none in the 908. I can't wait to get in it again, especially at Road Atlanta which is a real driver's circuit. This is the first time I have been paired up with Franck, while it's great to be back with Stéphane. I think both cars have very strong driver line-ups."

Franck MONTAGNY : "I want to win at least one race with the 908 this year! But I'm going to have to hurry, because there are only two races left! I would especially like to win Petit Le Mans because the atmosphere is so special. It's unique, and I like that!"

Stéphane SARRAZIN : "Franck and I won here together last year. I have very fond memories of that result because it stemmed a sequence of second places! We will obviously be out to finish first again this time round, especially since the car is more competitive than ever, both in the dry and in the wet. It's also nice to be teaming up again with Pedro Lamy who was my team-mate in 2007 and 2008."

Info and Fotos Peugeot Sport/Autorized and acredited Press.

FIA GT3/Portugal- Vannelet demostró el poder del Muehlner Porsche/

Gilles Vannelet demostró el sábado y domingo el poder del Muehlner Porsche estando entre los mejores tiempos.

Este fin de semana pasado, el Equipo Oficial Porsche Muehlner Motorsport establecido en Francorchamps-Belgica colocó 2 potentes Porsche 911 GT3-R Last Generation en la carrera de Portimao-Portugal del campeonato Europeo de FIA GT3.

Auto # 11 llevaria a Gilles Vannelet y Niki Lanik, este último con más de 1 año inactivo en las competencias profesionales, en el auto # 12 los 2 pilotos de licencia Bronze que aún compiten en FIA GT3/ Taki Konstantinou y Jürgen Häring.

Vannelet clasificó el auto para la primera carrera haciéndolo en P4 , mientras que Lanik lo clasificó para la segunda carrera en P17, en la partida de la primera carrera (sábado) magistralmente y demostrando lo rápido del Muehlner Porsche. Vannelet tomó la delantera y mantuvo el P1 durante los 31 minutos que le tocó conducir, entrando a pit y entregándole el auto a Lanik en P1, posición esta que Lanik perderia al entrar a pista y entromparse en la tercera curva, quedando relegado a la P8, asi es el racing. finalmente en la primera carrera del fin de semana en Portugal; terminamos en P8 absoluto y siendo el auto mas rápido de la competencia.

Carrera 2 (Domingo), Lanik comenzaría en P17 y así se mantuvo hasta entregarle el auto a Vannelet despues de 30 minutos, desde allí hasta el banderzo final, Vannelet impuso un tren diabólico de competencia y logró bajar de P17 a P7 en 25 minutos, demostrando la velocidad y el performance del Muehlner Porsche, en esos momentos el Muehlner Porsche se convertía en el auto mas rapido de la grilla, pero el tiempo se acababa y ya Vannelet no podía adelantar mas.

Gran trabajo de Gilles Vannelet quien es el actual Campeon FIA GT3 y ademas ganó las 24 horas de Spa 2010 con el Team Muehlner Motorsport, y además piloto del equipo.

Nuevamente el equipo Muehlner Motorsport vuelve hacer historia y vuelve a demostrar el porque es un equipo Oficial Porsche con mas de 30 años de experiencia y cotizado como uno de los mejores equipos Porsches del mundo, con más de 100 victorias y más de 260 podiums.

Proxima competencia: 3 de octubre en Oscherleben la GT Masters de Europa y el 10 de Octubre nuevamente la FIA GT3 en Zolder-Belgica.

Gracias por dejarnos llegar hasta ustedes y acuerdense que el equipo Muehlner Motorsport tiene las puertas abiertas a los pilotos latinos que deseen participar con nosotros.

Estreno del Mercedes SLS AMG - GT3/Nurburgring-Nordschleife.

Este fin de semana el sabado 25 de Septiembre sera el dia en que Mercedes Benz Motorsport estrenara el nuevo vehiculo SLS AMG en formato FIA GT3.
Y Lo hara en grande en otra carrera de la VLN (Campeonato Endurance mas grande del mundo), Nurburgring, en donde participaran 198 autos.
Siga por este medio cualquier incidencia y como acreditados y autorizados oficiales por VLN/ADAC, les llevaremos todas las incidencias en vivo y directo.
Ademas nuestros sistemas aleados de prensa estaran tambien trabajando para llevarles todas las incidencias de este nuevo reto en el mundo automotriz y en la Categoria que mas impacto esta causando en el mundo: La GT3.
Ademas sera otra fecha de 4 horas en el Eifel Aleman, con los mejores pilotos del planeta.
Alli no llega todo, vuelve Lucas Luhr al Manthey Team y nuevos Corvettes y Viper regresan al Infierno Verde, con ganas de destronar a Porsche, lo lograran??? los mantendremos al tanto.

FIA GT3: Vannelet demostro la gran potencia del Muehlner Porsche.

Gilles Vannelet demostro el sabado y el domingo la gran potencia del Muehlner Porsche y el Top Performance del equipo, en la primera carrera del fin de semana partio de P4 y en la primera vuelta ya iba en P1, posicion que mantuvo por 31 minutos, al ceder el auto a Lanik, se perdieron varios segundos y el trompo de Lanik hizo que el auto quedara relegado al P8 absoluto.

Segunda Carrera: (Domingo) Lanik partio del P17 y entrego el Muehlner Porsche a Vannelet en la misma posicion P17, despues de 20 minutos de competencia ya Vannelet estaba en P7 y asi cruzo la meta, GRan poder del Muehlner Porsche se pudo ver. Gran trabajo de Gilles Vannelet y del equipo. Konstantinou y Häring terminaron en P17 en el otro Muehlner Porsche, despues de una rotura de llanta.

Nick Tandy keeps title decision open with win number five

Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, round 8 in Oschersleben

Nick Tandy keeps title decision open with win number five

Stuttgart. Nick Tandy impressively dominated the eighth round of the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland. He was not only the fastest in the free practice session, but posted a clear pole position, drove the fastest race lap and won the penultimate round of the season in the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben by a margin of 5.8 seconds. With his fifth victory this season, the Briton driving for Konrad Motorsport improved his chances of claiming the prestigious championship title at the finale of Germany’s fastest brand trophy series in four weeks at Hockenheim.

After points’ leader Nicolas Armindo saw the flag in second, the gap between the Frenchman from Hermes Attempto Racing and his British pursuer has shrunk to a mere five points heading to the ninth and final race of the season – it hardly gets more exciting than this.

For Tandy, only the first of 22 race laps was critical, when guest driver René Rast (Farnbacher Racing – PZN) tried to pass the front-runner. But when the German was sidelined in the first lap due to a loss of coolant, the Briton had a free run. This was also the case for Armindo, who had taken up the sprint from fourth on the grid and had already moved into second after the first lap, easily pulling clear of Robert Renauer. For the German (Herberth Motorsport PZ Olympiapark) his dream of finally finishing on the podium this season came true. The situation only became uncomfortable towards the end when Sean Edwards crept closer. Renauer brought home a close third by a half-second margin.

Edwards again demonstrated his fighting qualities with fourth place: Driving for Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, the Briton had only started the race from seventh. And although Edwards has not contested all rounds this season, he managed to shove Martin Ragginger off fifth position overall heading to the final. The Austrian from Schnabl Engineering came home empty handed from Oschersleben.

Renauer’s teammate, Uwe Alzen, took off from a lowly ninth on the grid, but did not disappoint fans with his famed driving spirit. The German fought his way through to fifth place despite giving a tyre stack a spectacular nudge in the first corner after the start. With this result, the double Carrera Cup champion holds on to his third overall in the rankings, but only by a slim two-point margin over Renauer.

Stefan Rosina made up several positions at the race in Germany’s Magdeburg region. After a bungled qualifying which saw the Slovakian sitting 13th, Rosina put in a faultless drive to finish sixth. Because the Förch Racing pilot only joined the Carrera Cup at the Nürburgring race, his score on the points’ table doesn’t play a major role. Sascha Maassen again achieved a decent result, with the German (Team Deutsche Post by tolimit) bringing home seventh after a spirited drive. A youngster also turned heads with his performance: 19-year-old Ferdinand Stuck (Germany, Farnbacher Racing – PZN), who receives support as a “Porsche Motorsport Talent” only took up the race from 20th to celebrate 13th at the flag – his second best performance this season.

Nick Tandy (winner): “The first lap when René attacked immediately was rather nerve-wracking. I slid briefly on water and imagined myself ending up in the gravel, but I managed to control the car and luckily had enough of an advantage. Five pole positions, five victories – now that’s something. The only thing to take the shine off the occasion was Nicolas’s second. He simply doesn’t make a mistake.”

Nicolas Armindo (second): “Second place? Super! We’ve moved a little closer to the title. My plan worked, I overtook Robert at the start, watched the fight between Nick and René and then calmly and carefully reeled in second place.”

Robert Renauer (third): “See, so I can do it. Obviously I’m thrilled about my first podium result this season – it took long enough. Nicolas tore past me after an excellent start and afterwards my race was somewhat uneventful. Only towards the end, Sean Edwards crept a little closer, but it didn’t make me too nervous.”

The ninth and final round of the Carrera Cup Deutschland takes place on 17 October on the Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg.


Race result
1. Nick Tandy (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 34.08.316 minutes (142.909 km/h)
2. Nicolas Armindo (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 5.841 seconds
3. Robert Renauer (D), Herberth Motorsport PZ Olympiapark, + 8.506
4. Sean Edwards (GB), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 8.942
5. Uwe Alzen (D), Herberth Motorsport PZ Olympiapark, + 9.992
6. Stefan Rosina (SK), Förch Racing, + 25.305
7. Sascha Maassen (D), Team Deutsche Post by tolimit, + 27.452

Drivers’ classification after 8 of 9 races
1. Nicolas Armindo (F), 126 points
2. Nick Tandy (GB), 121
3. Uwe Alzen (D), 98
4. Robert Renauer (D), 96
5. Sean Edwards (GB), 68
6. Philipp Wlazik (D), 63

Team classification after 8 of 9 races
1. Hermes Attempto Racing, 180 points
2. Herberth Motorsport PZ Olympiapark, 175
3. Konrad Motorsport, 157