American Le Mans Series, round 3 in Lime Rock, USA First podium result of the season for the title defenders

American Le Mans Series, round 3 in Lime Rock, USA

First podium result of the season for the title defenders

Stuttgart. In the American Le Mans Series, the title defenders clinched their first podium result of the season at their third attempt. With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche factory pilots Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) finished second in the GT class at the Northeast Grand Prix in Lime Rock to improve their championship position.

The race on the short 2.478 kilometre circuit in the US state of Connecticut was thrilling from start to finish. And it began well for Porsche: Patrick Long snatched second place right at the start and defended his position to the first pit stop and driver change. His teammate Joerg Bergmeister, who tops the winners’ list with five victories from the last five years on this circuit, fell back just once to third place after another pit stop behind his works driver colleague Wolf Henzler, but was quickly able to regain his position.

Bergmeister went on to deliver a spirited fight for the lead, at times only two seconds adrift of the front-runner. But with three laps to go, his result looked in jeopardy when tyre damage forced him into the pits. As always, the Flying Lizard crew worked swiftly on his number 45 Porsche so that he was able to defend his second place. At the flag only 20.387 seconds separated Bergmeister and Long from their first win of the season.

“That was a lively race,” said Joerg Bergmeister. “Today we were able to fight for victory and I’ve tried everything to continue my winning streak after five straight Lime Rock victories. Unfortunately, a puncture prevented this. Still, it was our best result so far this season. Our entire team has worked extremely hard for this.” Patrick Long said: “I’m very satisfied. Today we have earned plenty of championship points. Because all of our direct competitors had problems, these points are especially valuable. Our car was perfectly set-up over the entire weekend. It’s a shame that we were just a few seconds off clinching victory.

Bryan Sellers drove the first stint for the Falken Tire squad. Cleverly, he kept out of any trouble on the tight circuit, and his teammate Wolf Henzler did the rest. With an early refuelling pit stop 1:15 hours before the flag, they took their opponents by surprise and turned up in second place when the rest of the field pitted for fuel. Wolf Henzler too had his big moments: 30 minutes before the finish he brought the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR into the pits with suspected tyre damage. Luckily, he had only picked up rubber from the track. And in the final laps, problems with the fuel pressure cost him a safe third place. He took the flag in fifth.

In the second Flying Lizard Motorsports-run Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, works driver Marc Holzer (Germany) clinched seventh at his Lime Rock premiere together with American Seth Neiman. He was clearly pleased with this result. “When I took over the car we were running last,” he said. “The chase was huge fun. I was able to put in very competitive times on this unfamiliar track.” Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA) brought the Paul Miller Racing Porsche 911 GT3 RSR home in sixth place. Victory in the GTC class went to Americans Dion von Moltke and Mike Pierce with a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Round 4 of the American Le Mans Series is held on 24th July in Mosport/Canada.


Statistics: 3rd race Lime Rock, CT

Result GT class
1. Müller/Hand (D/USA), BMW M3 GT, 176 laps
2. Bergmeister/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 176
3. Murry/Lazzaro (USA/USA), Doran Ford GT, 174
4. Sharp/van Overbeek (USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 174
5. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 174
6. Maassen/Miller (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 172
7. Holzer/Neiman (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 165

Result GTC class
1. von Moltke/Pierce (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 164 laps
2. Pumpelly/Ende (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 164
3. Leitzinger/Sweedler (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 164

Points’ standings GT class
Drivers
1. Dirk Müller, Joey Hand, BMW, 70 points
2. Oliver Gavin, Jan Magnussen, Chevrolet, 37
3. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 34
4. Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 33
Dirk Werner, Bill Auberlen, BMW, 33
6. Augusto Farfus, BMW, 26
7. Jaime Melo, Toni Vilander, Ferrari, 25
8. Seth Neiman, Porsche, 23

Manufacturers
1. BMW, 70 points
2. Porsche, 44
3. Chevrolet, 41
4. Ferrari, 34

Teams
1. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 70 points
2. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 41
3. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 37


Facts and figures

This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:

GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup).
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and an 825 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.


Public Relations and Media Motor and Sports Press Oliver Hilger

American Le Mans Series, round 3 in Lime Rock, USA Third grid spot for Porsche works driver

American Le Mans Series, round 3 in Lime Rock, USA

Third grid spot for Porsche works driver

Stuttgart. With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche works driver Patrick Long (USA) posted the third quickest time in the GT qualifying for the Northeast Grand Prix in Lime Rock. He contests round three of the American Le Mans Series on Saturday with his works driver colleague Joerg Bergmeister (Germany), who with five wins in the last five years is the most successful driver at the race in the US state of Connecticut .

“I was lying in fifth when my pit crew requested me to come in. But my gut feeling told me that I could do better. So I stayed out for another lap and that lap was then perfect,” said Patrick Long. “It felt just a good as my fastest lap last year where I secured pole position. It’s just that the gap to the cars at the front is simply too big. We just can’t match their pace due to the balance of performance regulations.”

At his first start on the short and very narrow 2.487 kilometre circuit, which had only just dried up after a rain shower, Marco Holzer (Germany) clinched sixth place. The Porsche factory pilot shares driving duties in the second Flying Lizard Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 RSR with American Seth Neiman. “My quickest lap was just my seventh on the dry track in Lime Rock,” he said. “We’re very pleased with this and think we’ve found a very good set-up for the race, regardless of whether it rains or not.”

In the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by the Falken Tire squad, Bryan Sellers (USA), the teammate of Porsche works driver Wolf Henzler (Germany), claimed the ninth quickest time.

The race starts on Saturday at 14.05 hours local time (20.05 hours CEST) and runs over 2:45 hours.


Qualifying result
GT class
1. Joey Hand (USA), BMW M3 GT, 50.925 seconds
2. Dirk Werner (D), BMW M3 GT, + 0.245
3. Patrick Long (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 0.947
4. Oliver Gavin (GB), Chevrolet Corvette, + 0.972
5. Tommy Milner (USA), Chevrolet Corvette, + 1.029
6. Marco Holzer (D), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.080
9. Bryan Sellers (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 1.463
12. Bryce Miller (USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, + 2,286

GTC class
1. Jaap van Lagen (NL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 54.982 seconds



Facts and figures

This is the American Le Mans Series
The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:

GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup).
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 750 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and an 825 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

All race cars start together but are classified separately. This ensures exciting and diverse racing with many overtaking manoeuvres. Points are only awarded for placings in each class.


Public Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press
Oliver Hilger

Audi R18 TDI: Advantage through LED technology

Audi R18 TDI: Advantage through LED
technology

• Five weeks before the 24 Hours of Le Mans
• Full LED headlights for the new LMP1 sportscar
• Audi with clear advantage in LED technology

Ingolstadt, May 5, 2011 – Always be at least one step ahead of the opposition –
this is Audi’s motto. This is exactly how the Four Rings brand presented the Audi
R18 TDI – the first Le Mans sports car featuring headlights comprising entirely of
light emitting diodes. As a result, the Audi drivers have a significant advantage at
night during the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Audi is regarded as a pioneer in the development of LED technology and leads the
competition by a large margin in this field. The twelve-cylinder Audi A8 was the first
car in the world to go into production with LED daytime driving lights. The Audi R8 is
credited with having the first full LED headlights worldwide. Slowly but surely an
increasing number of Audi models are offered with full LEDs as an option, as is the
new Audi A6.
Audi also forces the new headlight technology in motorsport. The Audi R10 TDI was
the first race car with LED daytime driving lights in 2006. The Audi R15 TDI, which
broke the 39 year old distance record at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last year, was
equipped with a combination of Xenon headlights and LEDs.
Audi goes a step further with the innovative Audi R18 TDI: the new LMP1 is the first
Le Mans sports car with full LED headlights. Combined with sophisticated reflectorlens
modules, eight high-power light emitting diodes per side provide unique
illumination of the race track at night.
“When you’ve driven once with full LED headlights you don’t want to have anything
else,” raves Le Mans record winner Tom Kristensen. “The light is stronger and
vibrates less than a normal headlight – this is a clear advantage and particularly at
Le Mans, a track that has many dark braking points in the night.”


However, not only the greater illumination is an advantage of LED technology. Light
emitting diodes are maintenance free and extremely reliable. “The vulnerability to
failures is extremely low,” explains Dr. Martin Mühlmeier, Head of Technology at
Audi Sport. “To date, we haven’t had a single LED failure.”
Thanks to intensive development of the technology, full LED headlights now also
represent a weight saving compared to common headlights – particularly as Audi
Sport managed to eliminate the electrical cooling of the light emitting diodes still
required in street cars and also found last year in the R15 TDI.
The LEDs in the R18 TDI are cooled by the airflow and still supply enough light even
if the cooling airflow is completely cut by dimming themselves automatically. “Our
colleagues in production car development are very interested to see how we
implement this,” says Christopher Reinke, Technical Project Leader for the Audi R18
TDI. “However, we have the advantage in motorsport that the car spends less time
at a standstill. On the highway, the lights mustn’t go out even if the car is in a traffic
jam.”
Audi Sport worked closely with the AUDI AG “Light and Sight” section during
development of the full LED headlights. The light tunnel in the Technical
Development (TE) is available for tests. The Audi R18 TDI is credited with a record: It
has the brightest diodes currently in use. These LEDs are currently not registered for
road use.
To a limited extent LED technology also requires a completely new approach. The
R18 TDI prototype’s main beam, which is comprised of five LEDs per side, is not
brighter than the normal low beam. Three extra LEDs create the effect of a high
beam by illuminating the track additionally through an individual position of the
various reflectors.
Audi is the first automobile manufacturer to also use the diverse possibilities of
light emitting diodes as design element. In the R18 TDI the daytime driving light in
the left headlight forms a number “1” which is mirrored on the right side. With this,
Audi aims to express its position as number one in LED technology. It goes without
saying that the knowledge Audi Sport gains at Le Mans with the latest generation
full LED headlights flows automatically into production car development – so that
the advantage through LED technology remains.

Audi Communications Motorsport

Nicolas Lapierre : “It’s up to us to make the case.”

Nicolas Lapierre : “It’s up to us to make the case.”

Nicolas, what are your thoughts going into the 1000km of Spa?
“We are arriving in Belgium at the top of the ILMC standings, so with a certain amount of calm. We know that Spa will likely be even more difficult than Sebring, with six factory prototypes that are more developed. We saw at the Test Day that the Audi R18 and Peugeot 908 have evolved quite a bit. On our side, we can count on a very good car, the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, with reliability that has proven itself.”

Is this “only” a preparation race?
“Not for the drivers at least! (laughs) We want a good result. The best way to prepare for Le Mans would be to win! We will be in the same position as Sebring and at Le Mans: stay quick to keep touch with the leaders and jump on any opportunities that present themselves.”

Does last year’s shortened race change your approach?
“No, not really. We didn’t really do well at Spa in 2009 and 2010. That said, it wasn’t really our doing. In contrast, Sebring brought a lot of confidence to the whole team. This puts us in a good position to take on this race. We know that we aren’t the fastest, but we have things to prove. It’s up to us to make the case.”

Oreca Team Press.

Team ORECA-Matmut : Spa in preparation for Le Mans…

Team ORECA-Matmut : Spa in preparation for Le Mans…

After a productive Test Day, the Team ORECA-Matmut will compete in its second race of the year: the 1000km of Spa-Francorchamps. As winners of the 12 Hours of Sebring with the Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, the team arrives in the Belgian Ardennes at the top of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup championship standings. But the first objective will be to prepare well for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Racing against the new Audi R18s and alongside the official Peugeot 908s, the Team ORECA-Matmut is getting ready to race in its first European event of the season. It will be a particularly important weekend for drivers Nicolas Lapierre, Loïc Duval and Olivier Panis as the race is only a month before the twice around the clock classic in la Sarthe. “We are going into Spa differently than we did Sebring – which was a goal in itself,” admits David Floury. “On one hand, it’s a six hour race, in the European style: the sporting regulations are similar to those of Le Mans. On the other hand, the clear goal is to prepare for Le Mans and consequently to conserve the car and not put ourselves in the red.”

Like the two major constructors, the 1000km of Spa will therefore be a dress rehearsal for June. The Technical Director explains the reasons. “Firstly, it’s a perfect training session. It’s good for the team, notably during pit stops. It’s also good for the drivers, for example traffic management. In a general way, this will allow us to dial in the car as well as certain parameters like fuel consumption. We will also continue our tyre work. In terms of setup, we benefited from the Test Day and we hope to resume these tests at Spa.”

Last “interesting” point according to David Floury: the weather. “The more the conditions will be changing, the more we will be ready for Le Mans. Due to Spa’s layout, it sometimes rains in one area, but not in another. We always learn a lot there. It can be a great ally…in order to get the best result with an excellent car, the Peugeot, and a trio of drivers that gel.”

Practice starts Thursday, May 5, at 12:20 p.m. Follow the action on our social networks…

Info and pic: Team Oreca Matmut.

Into the final straight

There’ll be more than a hint of this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans lingering in the air at Spa-Francorchamps! Although the Belgian track bears little resemblance to Le Mans, the second round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup will serve as a dress rehearsal for the year’s most important race. For the first time this season, the Team Peugeot Total line-up will feature all three official Peugeot 908s and its nine works drivers.

Le Mans moves into sight

This year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans is on everyone’s mind now. With six weeks to go to this major event, the test day held on 24 April offered Team Peugeot Total the chance to acquire the data necessary to arrive at Le Mans with optimised race cars. The second race on the ILMC calendar is traditionally seen as an opportunity to fine-tune the team’s preparations. The three Peugeot 908s and the nine drivers therefore have two targets: prepare for Le Mans without taking any risks and pick up ILMC points, as reiterated by Olivier Quesnel, Peugeot Sport Director. “The ILMC season got underway with a podium spot at Sebring, after an intense 12-hour race. The conditions were perfect to prepare for our main target of the year, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Since then, the cars have had a lot of track time in private testing. The test day really got us into the mood at Le Mans; competing in this race at Spa-Francorchamps is the best way of checking that our racing reflexes are well and truly in place. The entire team will be at the event. We will be working in the same conditions that we’ll have in Le Mans. The ILMC is an important goal for us; however, we not going to go after the race win at any cost, just a few weeks away from Le Mans. Above all, we need to make it to the end of the 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps with all three cars intact and a host of additional information. If we manage that, Peugeot will undoubtedly come away with a serious haul of points. »

A sensational racetrack

Unbeaten here since 2007, Team Peugeot Total were especially successful in 2010, recording a one-two at the 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps, the race won by Sébastien Bourdais, Simon Pagenaud and Pedro Lamy, followed by Franck Montagny and Stéphane Sarrazin in second. The 2011 official driver line-ups are identical to 2010: Peugeot 908 No.7 (blue rear-view mirrors): Anthony Davidson, Marc Gené and Alexander Wurz Peugeot 908 No.8 (white rear-view mirrors): Nicolas Minassian, Franck Montagny and Stéphane Sarrazin Peugeot 908 No.9 (red rear-view mirrors): Sébastien Bourdais, Pedro Lamy and Simon Pagenaud In addition to these three official cars, there is a fourth Peugeot run by Team Oreca. The 908 HDi FAP 2010, in 2011 configuration, is the current championship leader thanks to the race win at Sebring, with the driver team Lapierre-Duval-Panis.

Technical configuration

“The Spa-Francorchamps track is one that is very much appreciated by drivers, because it is unique and very demanding in terms of driving", explains Bruno Famin, Peugeot Sport’s Technical Director. “However, we know from experience that it is totally unlike Le Mans in terms of set-up. The track surface is different and the constraints are not the same. We are nonetheless going to adopt a configuration close to the one we’ll use at Le Mans. After the test day, we have a large portion of the data necessary to prepare for Le Mans. We are treating the Spa-Francorchamps round more like a dress rehearsal geared towards fine-tuning the organisation and getting into a racing mindset, where there is no room for error. The line-up will be more or less the same as at Le Mans. We are entering our three cars. After its long endurance runs of over 7,000 kilometres, the No.7 car has been reconditioned whereas the Nos. 8 and 9 cars will have the technical configuration used at the test day. After all the practice sessions that we have done so far, it’ll be nice for everyone to enjoy the racing atmosphere again, and arrive at the 24 Hours of Le Mans prepared, ready to race.”

Follow all the action from the 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps: Web TV
To follow all the action from the 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps, with the race due to start on Saturday 7 May at 2pm, Peugeot Sport will be setting up its Web TV service, visible on the website: www.peugeot-sport.com. You can enjoy an insider’s view, with onboard camera footage, coverage from the Peugeot pits and of the race itself.

But that's not all:

Peugeot Sport iPhone app
twitter.com/peugeotsport

Schedule for the 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps

Thursday 5 May 2011
12.20pm – 1.20pm: Free practice
2.45pm – 3.10pm: Press meeting at the Peugeot Sport hospitality area
4.55pm – 5.55pm: Free practice
Friday 6 May 2011
11.50am – 12.50pm: Free practice
4.20pm – 4.40pm: LMP1/LMP2 qualifying

Saturday 7 May 2011
9.55am – 10.15am: Warm up
2pm – 8pm: 1,000 kilometres of Spa-Francorchamps

ILMC standings before Spa:

Manufacturers :
1. Peugeot, 27 points
2. Audi, 17 points

Teams :
1. Team Oreca Matmut, 15 points
2. Team Peugeot Total, 12 points
3. Audi Sport Team Joest, 9 points
4. Rebellion Racing, 6 points

Peugeot in Belgium
With sales of 188,027 cars in the first quarter of 2011, Peugeot Belgium is the third-best selling brand in Belgium, with a market share of 9.4%. Peugeot has 240 sales outlets in Belgium. The main best-selling Peugeot models in the country are 207, Partner, Tepee, 308, 3008 and 5008. The new 508 has been on sale since the end of March.

Info and Fotos: Peugeot Sport/For acreditated and autorized media press.

First racing commitment of the Audi R18 TDI

First racing commitment of the Audi R18 TDI

• Le Mans “dress rehearsal” at the 1000-kilometer race at Spa (Belgium)
• Record field comprising 60 sports prototypes and GT cars
• Audi Sport Team Joest competes with three cars

Ingolstadt, April 29, 2011 – Now the action will begin in earnest. After thousands
of test kilometers including the recent test day at Le Mans, the new Audi R18 TDI
is ready for its first race. At the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps
(Belgium) on May 7, Audi Sport Team Joest will perform its “dress rehearsal” for
the Le Mans 24 Hours.
The racing debut of a new race car is always a very special event and Audi Sport has
good experiences in this regard. Since 2000 every new sports prototype of the brand
with the four rings has won its first race. In 2000, 2006 and 2009 Sebring in Florida
(USA) was the venue of the respective debut victories of the R8, R10 TDI and R15
TDI models. The updated R15 TDI, internally designated as “R15 plus,” won its
maiden race as well, at Le Castellet (France).
Now Spa-Francorchamps is the track to see the debut of the latest LMP1 sports car
made by Audi which turns the company’s ultra-lightweight technology into a visual
experience and which is equipped with a new type of ultra-compact V6 TDI engine.
The circuit in the Belgian Ardennes region is seen as particularly demanding and
therefore well suited as the “dress rehearsal” for the season’s pinnacle at Le Mans
on June 11/12. Audi Sport Team Joest learned a lot at Spa-Francorchamps last year
as a month later, Audi celebrated a one-two-three result with the R15 TDI and broke
the 39-year distance record.
The squad led by Head of Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich would again like to
decide the “dress rehearsal” in its favor, given that the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-
Francorchamps is also the second round of the newly incepted Intercontinental Le
Mans Cup (ILMC).

At Spa-Francorchamps speed and reliability will not be the only crucial factors as a
massive 60-car entry comprising of sports prototypes and GT vehicles have entered
the race. Consequently, the 7.004-kilometer track will be extremely packed.
Practice in the Ardennes will start as early as on Thursday. Qualifying is scheduled
for Friday afternoon. The 1000-kilometer race will start at 14:05 on Saturday and
last a maximum of six hours.

Topics of the weekend
• Will the Audi R18 TDI be able to win right away on its debut?
• How will Audi fare in the first comparison with the competition?
• How fuel-efficient will the new V6 TDI engine of the Audi R18 TDI be?
• Will Audi manage the first victory in the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup?
• What role will the often changeable weather in the Ardennes play?
• How many spectators will turn out for the Audi R18 TDI’s race debut?
Quotes by the officials
Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich (Head of Audi Motorsport): “We want to mainly use the race
at Spa-Francorchamps again to prepare for Le Mans. It’s important for the teams to
develop a feeling of working together in a racing situation before going to Le Mans.
We’ve already started to work on this at our 30-hour endurance run at Le Castellet
and the test day at Le Mans. But Spa also gives us a first assessment of where we
stand compared with the competition. For us the 1000-kilometer race is a very
important preparatory race for the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours.”
Ralf Jüttner (Technical Director Audi Sport Team Joest): “The 1000-kilometer race
at Spa is an ILMC round, which makes it very significant for us since we’re contesting
the whole ILMC season. Spa is the second round after Sebring. We’re running behind
in the championship and want to score as many points as possible. Our aim, very
clearly, is to try and equalize Peugeot’s advantage or to take the lead ourselves.
Naturally, for us Spa is also a ‘dress rehearsal’ for the Le Mans 24 Hours, so it serves
a dual purpose.”

Facts and quotes by the Audi drivers
Timo Bernhard (30/D), Audi R18 TDI #1 (Audi Sport Team Joest)
• Clinched position two on the grid in last year’s qualifying at Spa
“I’m looking forward to the first race with the new Audi R18 TDI. I’ve got
particularly fond memories of Spa from last year. We had good qualifying there in
2010 because I put the car on the front row of the grid. Although in the end we only
finished fifth, the race helped us a lot to prepare for Le Mans. Achieving a great
result this year would be a nice motivation for the whole team. In the end this race
is intended to be our ‘dress rehearsal’ for Le Mans.”
Romain Dumas (33/F), Audi R18 TDI #1
• Won at Le Mans in 2010 together with Timo Bernhard and Mike Rockenfeller
“It’ll be an important race for us for two reasons. We’ve got a lot of learning to do
again. It’s important to be ready for Spa because obviously we want to win. But the
race is also a major practice for Le Mans. Last year we learned a lot. Together with
Timo (Bernhard) and Mike (Rockenfeller) I gained a great deal of self-confidence.
We did a good job of working together and preparing at Spa – with respect to quick
driver changes, for example. I’m hoping that we’ll have the same situation again
this year.”
Mike Rockenfeller (27/D), Audi R18 TDI #1
• Will race at the DTM season opener at Hockenheim one week before Spa
• Finished Spa in 2008 as the runner-up in the Audi R10 TDI
“I’m really looking forward to driving the Audi R18 TDI for the first time in racing
conditions. We’re all very excited to see where we stand. We put a lot of work into
the car during the winter. It’s great to see it on the track for the first time now. I’m
happy that after Sebring, where we ran with the R15 TDI, we can now race the new
car.”
Marcel Fässler (34/CH), Audi R18 TDI #2
• Was the 2006 runner-up at Spa in a Courage
• Also knows the track from numerous runs in 24-hour races
“I’m looking forward to this first race in the Audi R18 TDI at Spa with eager
anticipation. This track is a challenge, it’s like it was built for sports cars. It has
really great sections with very fast turns such as Eau Rouge and Blanchimont.
Generally speaking, Spa suits me very well. I’ve frequently won there and am always
happy when I get the chance to drive there again.”
André Lotterer (30/D), Audi R18 TDI #2
• Had an accident on the formation lap last year at Spa
“After so many tests and preparations with the new car you’re particularly eager to
drive it at the first race. Spa’s a great track and not far from the place where I grew
up. Last year I spun on the formation lap in difficult conditions. Unfortunately, the
wall there was very close and that meant I destroyed our race. I’ve learned a lesson
from that incident and am sure something like that won’t happen to me again. But
we still managed to prepare well for Le Mans. A good preparation for Le Mans is
again our goal this year.”
Benoît Tréluyer (34/F), Audi R18 TDI #2
• Contested a race in Japan between the test day at Le Mans and the round at Spa
“For the first time we will drive a closed car in a race. That’s a very special thing. It’s
always fun to begin the season with a new car. That’s why we’re just dying for the
first race. New regulations have come into effect. We’re eager to see the
performance of the vehicle compared with the competition. Naturally, nobody will
have finished their preparations 100 percent, but Spa gives us a small but vital pretaste
of Le Mans.”
Dindo Capello (46/I), Audi R15 TDI #3
• Clinched second place at Spa in 2004 together with Seiji Ara
• Contests the Italian GT Championship this year as well
“On any debut of a brand new car like the Audi R18 TDI it’s difficult to make a
prediction. We’ve been working hard on making this car fast and reliable. Everyone
is optimistic about managing a good result right in the first race. The whole team
knows that Spa is a very beautiful as well as a difficult and demanding track. What’s
more, there will be about 60 cars in the field, which makes the race even more
demanding. For Spa you need a combination of performance and agility. We’re there
to win but we mustn’t lose sight of the fact that our main job is to improve the car
for Le Mans and to prepare for the 24-hour race. Spa’s our only chance to drive the
R18 TDI at a race before the big run in June.”
Tom Kristensen (43/DK), Audi R18 TDI #3
• Won the 1000-kilometer race at Spa in 2003 in the Audi R8
“We’re all looking forward to the ILMC race at Spa. It’s the debut of our Audi R18
TDI, our new baby, on a fantastic race track. Personally, Spa is my favorite track, but
I think all drivers like it. This year there will be 60 cars in the field, so there will be a
lot of traffic on the track. That means You’ve got a car about every 100 meters. It’ll
be a very demanding situation for all the drivers. But we’re looking forward to what
will hopefully be a good ‘dress rehearsal’ for our run at the Le Mans 24 Hours a
month later.”
Allan McNish (41/GB), Audi R18 TDI #3
• Clinched Audi’s only ILMC pole position to date at Silverstone in 2010
“I’m always particularly keen on going to Spa. With a new car like the R18 TDI the
race will be very interesting for us and the fans. It marks the first occasion that all
our main rivals will be on track at the same time, so everyone looks forward to
qualifying with particularly eager anticipation – at least I do. The track is arguably
one of the top three for any driver. The weather at Spa though is usually
unpredictable. Last year it was raining on the grid while the track was bone dry on
the other side. We’ve tested the Audi R18 TDI a lot this year. We understand the
potential of the new car and know that we’ve got to get into a racing situation now
to see how the car performs in different conditions. Tom (Kristensen), Dindo
(Capello) and I are looking forward to being part of the whole action again. We
know from last year that Spa is a replica of Le Mans. We’ll be represented there with
all three race teams. That adds further spice to this race.”
The Audi drivers at Spa-Francorchamps
Timo Bernhard (D): *Feb 24, 1981 in Homburg (D); residence: Dittweiler (D);
married to Katharina; height 1.73 m; weight: 61 kg; Audi driver since 2009; Le Mans
victories: 1; ILMC races: 4; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best
result at 1000 km Spa: 5
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: 4; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0;
fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 2
Romain Dumas (F): *Dec 14, 1977 in Alès (F); residence: Basel (CH); single; height:
1.74 m; weight: 60 kg; Audi driver since 2009; Le Mans victories: 1; ILMC races: 4;
ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 5
Marcel Fässler (CH): *May 27,1976 in Einsiedeln (CH); residence: Gross (CH);
married to Isabel, four daughters (Shana, Elin, Yael, Delia); height 1.78 m; weight
78 kg; Audi driver since 2008; Le Mans victories: 0; ILMC races: 1; pole positions: 0;
fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa:
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: 1.74 m; weight: 72 kg; Audi driver since 2000; ILMC races: 4; ILMC victories:
0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 1
André Lotterer (D): *Nov 19, 1981 in Duisburg (D); residence: Tokyo (J);
single; height 1.84 m; weight 74 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans victories: 0;
ILMC races: 1; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at
1000 km Spa: 12
Allan McNish (GB): *Dec 29, 1969 in Dumfries (GB); residence: Monaco (MC);
married to Kelly, one son (Finlay), one daughter (Charlotte); height: 1.65 m; weight:
58 kg; Audi driver since 2000; Le Mans victories: 2; ILMC races: 4; ILMC victories: 0;
pole positions: 1; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km Spa: 3
Mike Rockenfeller (D): *Oct 31,1983 in Neuwied (D); residence: Altnau (CH); single;
height 1.75 m; weight 67 kg; Audi driver since 2007; Le Mans victories: 1; ILMC
races: 2; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best result at 1000 km
Spa: 2
Benoît Tréluyer (F): *Dec 7, 1976 in Alençon (F); residence: Gordes (F); married to
Melanie, 1 son (Jules); height 1.78 m; weight 68 kg; Audi driver since 2010; Le Mans
victories: 0; ILMC races: 1; ILMC victories: 0; pole positions: 0; fastest laps: 0; best
result at 1000 km Spa: 12
All winners of the 1000-kilometer race at Spa-Francorchamps (since 2003)
2003 Ara/Kristensen (Audi)
2004 Herbert/Davies (Audi)
2005 Nielsen/Elgaard/Shimoda (Zytek)
2006 Collard/Boullion (Pescarolo
2007 Lamy/Sarrazin (Peugeot)
2008 Gené/Minassian/Villeneuve (Peugeot)
2009 Minassian/Pagenaud/Klien (Peugeot)
2010 Lamy/Bourdais/Pagenaud (Peugeot)

Track info
Track length: 7.004 km
Race distance: 1000 kilometers
Qualifying record set on this track: Sébastien Bourdais (Peugeot), May 08,10, 1m
57.884s (213.892 km/h)
Race record set on this track: Franck Montagny (Peugeot), May 09,10, 1m 59.797s
(210.476 km/h)
Pole position 2010: Sébastien Bourdais (Peugeot), May 08,10, 1m 57.884s
(213.892 km/h)
Fastest lap 2010: Franck Montagny (Peugeot), May 09,10, 1m 59.797s (210.476
km/h)
André Lotterer about Spa-Francorchamps: “For me Spa is like a home track because
I grew up just an hour away from there. It’s one of the most beautiful race tracks in
the world. Overtaking is possible right in the first turn, La Source. The famous Eau
Rouge is next. Will we able to take it flat-out in the R18 TDI? In the R15 TDI we still
had to ‘lift’ slightly. The section in front of Les Combes is another good place for
overtaking. The turn drops toward the outside and you’re always a little too fast
there. The Pouhon double left-hander opens up a long way. You’ve got to take a lot
of speed with you. Then the Fagnes high-speed chicane literally flies toward the
driver. It should be possible to drive the Blanchimont passage flat-out if you put
yourself in a good position. The end of the circuit is marked by the slowest corner,
the new chicane in front of the start and finish.”
ILMC LMP1 manufacturers standings after 1 of 7 rounds:
1 Peugeot 27 points; 2 Audi, 17.
ILMC LMP1 team standings after 1 of 7 rounds:
1 Team ORECA Matmut, 15 points; 2 Peugeot Sport Total, 12; 3 Audi Sport Team
Joest, 9; 4 Rebellion Racing, 6.
Schedule (local times; CET)
Thursday, May 5
12:20–13:20 Free practice
16:55–17:55 Free practice
Friday, May 6
11:50–12:50 Free practice
15:50–16:10 Qualifying (GTE vehicles)
16:20–16:40 Qualifying (prototypes)
Saturday, May 7
09:55–10:15 Warm-up
14:05–20:05 Race (1000 kilometers, maximum of 6 hours)

Info and Fotos: Audi Motorsport Communications/ for acreditated and autorized press media.

Le Mans Series / Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, round 2 in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

Le Mans Series / Intercontinental Le Mans Cup, round 2 in Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium

Eager anticipation for the exacting Ardennes circuit

Stuttgart. Porsche’s works drivers are very much looking forward to round two of the Le Mans Series which takes place on 7 May on the extremely demanding traditional circuit of Spa-Francorchamps. In 2009 and 2010, Marc Lieb (Germany) and Richard Lietz (Austria) won the sports car class in the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. The race on the circuit in the Ardennes also counts towards round two of the International Le Mans Cup and, with a total of 60 competitors, offers an attractive grid line up.

The race

The 1,000 kilometre race of Spa-Francorchamps has been a permanent fixture on the calendar since the creation of the Le Mans Series in 2004. The sweeping views from the slopes along the track and the exciting show regularly attract large crowds. This year for the first time, the race takes place on Saturday.

The circuit

The 7.004 kilometre Grand Prix circuit is one of the most interesting and challenging race tracks in the world. The first sports car race was held there in 1954. In all those years, the Ardennes rollercoaster has seen many triumphs and tragedies. Particularly notorious is the fast and daunting Eau Rouge corner.

Porsche drivers

Aside from Marc Lieb and Richard Lietz (Felbermayr-Proton), three other Porsche works drivers are contesting the Le Mans Series. Wolf Henzler (Germany) shares the cockpit of IMSA Performance Matmut’s 911 GT3 RSR with Patrick Pilet (France). Like last year, Marco Holzer (Germany) competes for ProSpeed Competition. His teammate is Marc Goossens (Belgium). These pairings contest the GTE-Pro category with the improved 2011-version of the 911 GT3 RSR. In the GTE-Am sports car class, in which only one professional driver per vehicle may compete, other 2010-spec 911 race cars roll to the start. Christian Ried (Germany), team owner of Felbermayr-Proton, and Horst Felbermayr Jr. (Austria) clinched a GTE-Am win at the season-opener and travel to Spa as the points’ leaders of this classification. Raymond Narac (France) and Nicolas Armindo make up another GTE-Am duo in a 911 GT3 RSR of IMSA Performance Matmut.

The three 2011-spec Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by professional teams still have zero points after becoming blamelessly entangled and heavily damaged in a multiple pile-up at the first round in Le Castellet and knocked out of contention. The crash was triggered by a starting procedure that was flawed in several aspects: The safety car was still on the track after the formation lap with the lights already off, while the lights to signal the start of the race were switched to a clearly visible green. This led to an unfortunate chain-reaction: The back-markers in the field were still accelerating while those at the front were slamming on the brakes. The starter field was compressed together over the entire width of the track, leading to a pile-up. Following the protest lodged by Porsche customers against this start procedure and hence the race classification, the people in charge changed the sporting regulations and established a void result in order to give the teams involved at least a theoretical chance at the title.

Comments prior to the race

Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Head of Motorsport: “I hope that the Porsche teams have overcome the disastrous start accident which happened through no fault of their own at the first race in Paul Ricard. The damages have left a huge hole in their budgets and it was tough going for all those involved to get the parts in time onsite to repair the cars. It has involved quite some overtime. But right now we need to look ahead and concentrate totally on Spa. Because even though the organisers have made allowances and this year everyone has one void result at the five LMS races, there are no points to give away. All of those who were not affected by the events in Paul Ricard still have this ‘free ticket’. Spa is a track that particularly suits some of our drivers. The changes done on the suspension and aerodynamics for the 2011 season should work well here.”
Marc Lieb: “Every year I really look forward to this race. Next to the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, Spa is my absolute favourite. I particularly like the flowing aspect of the track.”
Richard Lietz: “After the chaotic start and the retirement in Le Castellet we’re pleased that we now have a void result. Otherwise we’d be heading into the season with a huge handicap. It’s going to be tough to repeat our win from last year, because the competition in our class is incredibly strong.”
Wolf Henzler: “Already at the season-opener I was very happy with the friendly and professional atmosphere in my new IMSA Performance Matmut team, so I’m very much looking forward to the second race.”
Marco Holzer: “I love this race track. It’s very demanding and has wonderful, fast corners. You always have to reckon with extreme weather conditions in the Ardennes but it certainly brings more excitement to the game. For ProSpeed Competition this is a home race so it’ll be a very special weekend for us.”
Patrick Pilet: “Spa belongs to Europe’s most traditional circuits and is always a highlight. After the huge frustration in Le Castellet I can’t wait for the Spa round.”

The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

The most successful GT race car of 2010 heads into the new season with some improvements. The output of the four-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine has increased to 455 hp (335 kW). Priority in the further developments was given predominantly to the newly-designed aerodynamics at the front and rear.

Porsche successes

The circuit of Spa-Francorchamps is closely linked to historic and recent Porsche successes in endurance racing. Marc Lieb won the sports car class there in 2006 and 2007 in the 911 GT3 RSR, with Lieb and Richard Lietz claiming two further class victories in 2009 and 2010. The Porsche RS Spyder also yielded success in Belgium: In 2008 and 2009, the sports prototype won the LMP2 class.
The Schedule

The six hour race takes off on Saturday, 7 May, at 14.05 hrs. Qualifying for the GTE classes takes place from 15.50 to 16.10 hours.

TV tip

Eurosport 2 broadcasts part of the race live from 15.45 to 17.00 hrs. From 18.30 to 20.00 hrs, the free-to-air station Eurosport, televises the final phase and the finish.


The Le Mans Series

Contested for the first time in 2004, the Le Mans Series (LMS) is open for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations are based on those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. Five six-hour races are contested this season throughout Europe.

GTE-Pro class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers (previously known as the GT2 class) is traditionally the best supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with up to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,245 kilograms.
GTE-Am class: Like the GTE Pro, but with the 2010-vehicle specifications. Moreover, the regulations stipulate that each vehicle must have one professional driver at the most.
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 550 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms.
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp, GT-class homologated engines and a 900 kg minimum weight.
FLM class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.

All race cars start together but are classified separately according to the class. Points are only allocated for placings in each class. Championship titles are awarded for drivers, manufacturers and teams in all five classes. Claiming the title in 2005, 2006, 2009 and 2010, Porsche works driver Marc Lieb is the most successful pilot in the series.

Public Relations and Media Motor and Sports Press Oliver Hilger

Battle on all fronts at Spa-Francorchamps !

2011/04/28
Battle on all fronts at Spa-Francorchamps !

After the first round of the Le Mans Series at Le Castellet, the intensity is going to be ratcheted up several notches in the second race, the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms on 5th -7th May. Almost sixty cars will be on the starting grid for the Belgian classic, and the duel between Audi and Peugeot, with only six weeks to go to the Le Mans 24 Hours, will be the highlight in the top category!

LM P1: Audi and Peugeot ready for a no-holds-barred fight for victory!

Due to the introduction of the ACO's new regulations, a good part of the 2011 season's field is new. Several cars are making their competition debut this year, and the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms will see more newcomers. It is notably the case for the Audi R18, the latest weapon from Ingolstadt, and the German team is determined to put on a stunning performance in the car's first race – only six weeks before the Le Mans 24 Hours. While the successor to the R15 TDI has done a lot of testing, it will have its first start in the heat of competition on the Belgian circuit. The three R18s entered by Audi will be up against three of the new Peugeot 908s in their second outing this season, and the French cars are determined to sink the German armada.

In addition to the above, the well-subscribed LM P1 category includes the Team Pescarolo Pescarolo-Judd, victorious at Le Castellet and determined to show that its car is a force to be reckoned with. The ORECA Peugeot 908 HDi FAP, which won the last Sebring 12 Hours, should be on the pace like the two Lola-Toyotas entered by Rebellion Racing equipped with a new aerodynamic kit. Other outsiders like the two OAK Racing Pescarolos, the Guess Racing Lola-Judd, the Mik Corse Zytek Hybrid, the Quifel-ASM Team's Zytek 09SC and the Swiss-entered Hope Racing Oreca Hybrid are determined to make the most of any opportunities that fall their way.

LM P2: The Oreca-Nissans start favourites

Greaves Motorsport won the opening race in the Var with its Zytek Z11 SN-Nissan, and the British squad will be out to score another victory in the Ardennes. It will have a tough battle on its hands as it will be up against three of the Oreca-Nissans, which have always been at the top of time sheets. TDS Racing, Boutsen Energy Racing and Signatech-Nissan will give the English car a good run for its money. Strakka Racing and RML with their HPD ARX-01ds, Pecom Racing (Lola-Judd) and OAK Racing (Pescarolo-Judd) are all after their first victory in the category in 2011.

LM GTE Pro: BMW takes on Porsche and Ferrari

A couple of newcomers, the Lotus Evoras and above all the BMW M3s, will get stuck in in the hotly-contested scrap between Porsche and Ferrari represented by the latest version of the 997 GT3 RSR and the new R458 Italia. The Bavarian cars are backed by BMW Motorsport and they will be redoubtable rivals to the AF Corse, Hankook Team Farnbacher Luxury Racing and JMW Motorsport Ferrari F458 Italias – the last-named emerged victorious on the Paul Ricard circuit – plus the Felbermayr-Proton Team, IMSA Performance Matmut and Prospeed Competition Porsche 997 GT3 RSRs. The outsiders, the Jota Racing Aston Martin Vantage and the two Jetalliance Lotus Evoras, will not find it an easy task to take the battle to the Italian and German cars.

LM GTE Am: Felbermayr-Proton out to double up!

As in LM GTE Pro, the LM GTE Am category will be the theatre of another Porsche-Ferrari battle. Six Ferrari F430 GTs – two entered by AF Corse and two by CRS Racing – will be up against three Porsche 997 GT3 RSRs. The Felbermayr-Proton team, which won at Le Castellet, is determined to add a second victory to its tally despite an influx of rivals including the Larbre Competition Corvette C6-ZR1 and the Gulf AMR Middle East Aston Martin Vantage.

Five potential winners in Formula Le Mans

In the Formula Le Mans category, the five cars will be locked in battle from start to finish. The Hope Racing, JMB Racing, Genoa Racing, Neil Garner Motorsport and Pegasus Racing FLM 09s will provide thrills for the spectators in Belgium. Pegasus Racing came out on top on the Paul Ricard HTTT circuit at Le Castellet, and will be looking for a second success. Its rivals starting with Genoa Racing and Hope Racing, which both showed impressive speed in the south of France, have other ideas!

The weekend's programme

In addition to the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms, the programme will provide the spectators with other events from 5th -7th May. After the Euro Series Formula 3 Championship at Le Castellet, the ATS Formula 3 Cup will be part of the Le Mans Series meeting with two races as will be the case for the Speed Series and Radical Masters championships. In total, the crowd that will flock to the Belgian circuit can enjoy eleven hours' racing!

Note that the Spa-Francorchamps 1000 kms will be held on Saturday 7th May from 14h05-20h05. The first free practice sessions will take place on Thursday 5th May from 12h20-13h20, then from 16h55-17h55. On Friday, the third session is from 11h50-12h50 before qualifying - 15h50-16h40.

Info: Le mans series.com/for autorized and acreditated media press.

Foto: DPPI

Porsche works drivers look forward to next highlight of the season

American Le Mans Series, round 2 in Long Beach, USA

Porsche works drivers look forward to next highlight of the season

Stuttgart. The race on the street circuit in Long Beach marks another highlight on the American Le Mans Series calendar. Porsche works drivers Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) tackle the prestigious Californian city race on 16 April with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports. Last year, the pair won the GT class for the second time straight. Wolf Henzler (Germany) competes for the Falken Tire squad as the third Porsche factory driver.

The race

The race on waterfront of Long Beach is one of the most venerable city races in the world. With Hollywood just around the corner, the event often attracts stars and starlets. It is the shortest race of the American Le Mans Series with the flag dropping after just 120 minutes. This is one reason why a good grid position is crucial on this track confined within walls and fences. Running alongside the American Le Mans Series this weekend is another very popular US series, IndyCar.

The circuit

The 3.167 kilometre street circuit set in the postcard-perfect backdrop of sun, sea and palms is often called the “Monaco of the USA”. Construction of the track takes around 60 days. During this time, 1,400 concrete blocks each weighing ca. four tonnes are laid, as well as five kilometres of fencing. At particularly critical places, 16,000 car tyres serve as a buffer in front of the walls.


The Porsche drivers

Last year’s victors, Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long, are back to contest the GT class in Flying Lizard Motorsports’ Porsche 911 GT3 RSR. Their factory pilot colleague Wolf Henzler shares driving duties in the Falken Tire 911 GT3 RSR with Bryan Sellers (USA). Darren Law and Seth Neiman join forces in the second 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports. The Paul Miller Racing team also run a 911 GT3 RSR with Bryce Miller (USA) as one of their drivers. In the GTC class, double Supercup champion Jeroen Bleekemolen (Netherlands) teams up with Tim Pappas (USA) to compete for Black Swan Racing at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup.

Comments leading up to the race

Hartmut Kristen, Porsche Head of Motorsport: “Long Beach particularly suits Patrick Long. He has proven this many times in the past. As we saw at the season-opener in Sebring, the competition in the GT class is even stronger this season. We’ve taken a very close look at the data from the race and have drawn our conclusions. Even IMSA, as the governing body of the American Le Mans Series, has realised that a regulations had led to an imbalance between vehicles. So I think spectators will witness an extremely exciting race in Long Beach.”
Joerg Bergmeister: “A street circuit like Long Beach has its very own set of rules. You have no time for a breather, you’re constantly steering, shifting gears, braking. There are no long straights to relax. You’re driving non-stop at the limit. In principle, Long Beach has always suited out car in the past. We enjoyed a certain grip advantage in the corners. But we’ll just have to wait and see what this year brings.”
Patrick Long: “One of the secrets to success in Long Beach is grabbing a decent position on the grid. It’s extremely hard to overtake on this narrow circuit. In fact, there is just one place where it works, but even then you need luck. It’s also very important not to lose too much time during the regular pit stops. In the pits, such races are won... and lost. All in all, Long Beach is a highly fascinating event.”
Wolf Henzler: “I really enjoy street races. Last year in Long Beach we were leading but lost the race in the pits. Basically, you have to drive with extreme precision. There is no room for the slightest error and there are no run-off areas. If you don’t watch out you’ll end up in the wall. I like city circuits for practical reasons: The hotels are right next to the track and when you want to go out for dinner there are real restaurants and not just fast food places.”

The Porsche 911 GT3 RSR

The most successful GT race car of the last years takes off into the season with a raft of improvements. The output of the four-litre, six-cylinder boxer engine has increased to 455 hp (335 kW). Priority in the further development of the car was given to the newly designed aerodynamics at the front and rear. In 2010, the 911 GT3 RSR again won the environmental "Michelin Green X Challenge” classification as the GT vehicle with the best overall efficiency in the American Le Mans Series.

Porsche’s successes

With the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Joerg Bergmeister and Patrick Long celebrated class victories in 2009 and 2010 at Long Beach. Last year, they won the environmental “Michelin Green X Challenge” as the most efficient GT vehicle of the race. Porsche’s greatest success on the Californian street circuit was in 2007 with RS Spyder sports prototypes claiming a triple victory.

The schedule

The race in Long Beach takes off on Saturday, 16 April, at 16.30 hours local time (01.30 hrs Sunday CEST). The GT qualifying on Friday will be broadcast on the internet from 02.05 hours CEST on www.porsche.com/alms-live.

This is the American Le Mans Series

The American Le Mans Series (ALMS) was created in 1999 for sports prototypes and GT vehicles. The regulations correspond to those of the Le Mans 24 hour race. All classes start together but are classified separately:
GT class: This most popular class amongst car manufacturers is traditionally extremely well supported: Slightly modified standard sports cars with 440 to 500 hp and a minimum weight of 1,125 – 1,325 kilograms (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 RSR).
GTC class: This class is reserved for vehicles from one-make race series (e.g. Porsche 911 GT3 Cup).
LMP1 class: Sports prototypes with up to 750 hp and a minimum weight of 900 kilograms (petrol engines) or 930 kilograms (diesel engines).
LMP2 class: Sports prototypes with ca. 440 hp and an 825 kg minimum weight.
LMPC class: Prototype brand trophy series for the ORECA FLM 09.



Public Relations and Media
Motor and Sports Press
Oliver Hilger