Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 9 at the Formula 1 race in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium Nicki Thiim from pole position to first Supercup victory

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 9 at the Formula 1 race in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium

Nicki Thiim from pole position to first Supercup victory

Stuttgart. A perfect race weekend for Nicki Thiim from Denmark. On the tradition-steeped circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, the Hermes Attempto Racing pilot scored his first victory in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on Sunday. The son of former DTM champion Kurt Thiim was also the fastest in free practice and qualifying with his 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which is based on the street-legal lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports car. With this, the Supercup rookie earned the maximum score of 22 points and now travels to the season finale in Monza with a chance to clinch the title of the world’s fastest international one-make race series.

In sunny autumn weather in the Ardennes, Nicki Thiim planted his Porsche at the front of the pack after the start and held onto his lead to the flag. Trailing the winner in second by 0.969 seconds was title defender René Rast driving for the Lechner Racing Team. This puts the German now as the new points’ leader heading to Italy. A guest driver from the Carrera Cup Deutschland, Jaap van Lagen from the Netherlands finished in third behind the double Supercup champion. At the wheel of his FE Racing by Land-Motorsport 911, he swept past Budapest winner Kévin Estre in the last lap to pocket the last podium spot. The Frenchman driving for Hermes Attempto Racing did not put up too much of a fight as he knew that as a guest starter, van Lagen was not eligible to earn points. With one race left on the calendar, Estre ranks second overall in the race for the title, just one point behind Rast.

The race on the 7.004 kilometre Grand Prix circuit began spectacularly. Whilst the leading four pulled away from the rest of the field, behind them German Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport) and the Dutchman Jeroen Mul (Team Bleekemolen) clashed. As a result of the collision, the car of the Supercup rookie ended up on its roof. But the accident ended without injury. Jeroen Mul did not sustain a single scratch and the race continued without interruption.

Finishing in fifth, the Monaco winner from Britain, Sean Edwards (Konrad Motorsport) still holds a theoretical chance to claim the title. The same goes for Austria’s Norbert Siedler (VELTINS Lechner Racing), the new father of a healthy daughter, who netted sixth. Thanks to his maiden Supercup victory, Nicki Thiim again takes the lead of the rookie classification from Michael Ammermüller (VELTINS Lechner Racing), who finished eighth behind Poland’s Kuba Giermaziak (VERVA Racing Team). In a strong final push, Porsche Junior Klaus Bachler (Austria), who normally competes for the Deutsche Post by tolimit team in the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, just nipped in with a top ten placing at his second Supercup competition behind another Supercup rookie, Poland’s Patryk Szczerbinski (VERVA Racing Team), in ninth.

Nicki Thiim (winner): “Awesome! Winning in my first Supercup year and of all places on a challenging circuit like Spa is something really special. My first pole position yesterday was already sensational – but this win takes the cake. A huge thank you to my team who puts its faith in me and gives me so much supports.”

René Rast (second): “It was a calm race. I got away well at the start and could quickly slot in behind Nicki. Kévin put some pressure on me at the beginning, but got slower later on so that we could pull ahead a little. I was just as fast as Nicki, but with an eye on the championship I didn’t want to risk too much. I told myself to earn the points and risk it in Monza.”

Jaap van Lagen (third): “It’s a great feeling to contest a Supercup race again. And to bring home a podium result here in Spa where so many Dutch fans are watching is just fantastic.”

Kévin Estre (fourth): “That was a good race. I matched the pace of the leader but only lost time in one or two places. Third place is not a bad result for us. I lost my lead in the championship but I’m only one point behind. This leaves everything wide open in Monza and that was exactly our plan here.”


Race result
1. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, 26:57.559 minutes
2.René Rast (D), Lechner Racing Team, + 0.969 seconds
3. Jaap van Lagen (NL), FE Racing bei Land-Motorsport, + 2.863
4. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 3.675
5. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 4.853
6. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, + 11.170

Points standings after 9 of 10 races
Drivers
1. René Rast (D), Lechner Racing Team, 122 points
2. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, 121
3. Norbert Siedler (A), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 111
4. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, 107
5. Nicki Thiim (D), Hermes Attempto Racing, 107
6. Michael Ammermüller (D), VELTINS Lechner Racing, 87


Monza: Preview for the 10th and final race on 9 September
Another cliff-hanger finale: Like last year, only at the last race of the season in the Royal Park of Monza will the new Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup champion be decided. Theoretically, five drivers have a chance to clinch the coveted title of the world’s fastest international one-make race series: Aside from title defender and new points’ leader René Rast are Kévin Estre, Norbert Siedler, Sean Edwards and rookie Nicki Thiim. Another highlight of the Monza weekend: Local hero Alessandro Zampedri contests his 150th Supercup race. As always, TV stations Eurosport and Sky broadcast the race live.

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsportpress
Oliver Hilger

American Le Mans Series, round 8 in Baltimore, USA Porsche pilots celebrate second victory at gripping street race

American Le Mans Series, round 8 in Baltimore, USA

Porsche pilots celebrate second victory at gripping street race

Stutgart. The closed street course of Baltimore is good turf for Porsche. At the second meeting of the American Le Mans Series in the Maryland state city of a million people, Porsche factory pilot Wolf Henzler (Germany) and his teammate Bryan Sellers (USA) repeated their previous year’s victory with a brilliant performance and excellent pit stop strategy. Spectators lining the Inner Harbour track were treated to a thrilling two hour race in the series featuring the world’s fastest sports cars and witnessed the maiden victory for the Falken Tire squad with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR.

“To win such a great race for the second time in a row is simply fantastic,” said Wolf Henzler. “Our team’s strategy was perfect. We came into the pits when we saw that we could go from there to finish the race and didn’t wait for a safety car phase. That was exactly the right decision.” Matthias Müller, the CEO of Porsche AG, who experienced his first American Le Mans Series race live in Baltimore, said, “I’ve rarely experienced such an exciting two hours. The safety car came out already in the first lap. I headed to the pit wall to share the excitement with the Porsche teams. The competition in the ALMS is impressive. Congratulations to Wolf Henzler and Bryan Sellers on their tremendous victory. Our iconic sports car, the Porsche 911, has once again proven its speed and reliability.”

At the wheel of the #17 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Wolf Henzler headed into race from sixth and immediately became stuck in traffic at the first turn caused by a collision involving several cars. “I really had no idea where I could go. There were cars left, right and centre,” he explained. “I was lucky that no one hit me. Somehow I finally found a free line and even managed to make up two places.” For a while he watched the tough fights for positions on the narrow and tricky circuit ahead, but later made his move to take the lead. Henzler’s teammate Bryan Sellers lost several places while in the pits but fought his way back to the front in the first hour of racing. Despite coming under attack, he managed to fend off his pursuers to the flag. “We weren’t always as fast as the Chevrolets and Ferraris,” he said, “but we were fast enough where it counted so that no one could overtake us.”

Underlining how strongly-supported and fiercely-contested the GT class of the American Le Mans Series is was apparent in the fact that the cars on the first four places hailed from four different manufacturers. This performance density also impressed Matthias Müller. The Chairman of the Board at Porsche AG received a particularly insightful look behind the scenes of this exciting and for the fans fascinating race. During the formation lap before the start and in the first caution phase he sat in the passenger seat of the safety car – a Porsche Panamera Turbo.

Rounding off Porsche’s strong showing at the eighth race of the season in Baltimore, Joerg Bergmeister (Germany) and Patrick Long (USA) scored fifth place with the Porsche 911 GT3 RSR fielded by Flying Lizard Motorsports. But the Lime Rock winners did not escape the first corner melee entirely unscathed. Patrick Long received a rear end shunt which resulted in slight damage to the car. In the race, the American drove in an uncommon double stint when he replaced Seth Neiman at short notice in the second Flying Lizard cockpit, after the team owner and regular pilot injured his arm during the morning’s practice. Because of the short-term reshuffle of driver pairings, the regulations stipulated that his works driver colleague Marco Holzer (Germany) had to start from the pit lane. Despite this, with a breathtaking chase, they brought their car over the finish line in seventh. In the cockpit of Paul Miller Racing’s 911 GT3 RSR, Sascha Maassen (Germany) and Bryce Miller (USA) were at times running in the lead, but concluded the race in ninth.

“That was not our day. The shunt that Patrick got in the first corner was so hard that not only was our rear suspension damaged, but even the radio was ripped from its mounting. During a caution phase, Patrick had to repair it. There was not a lot we could do today,” said Joerg Bergmeister. While he took over the #45 Porsche, Patrick Long replaced Marco Holzer in the number 44 vehicle. “After sustaining tyre damage in the early phase we had to make an extra pit stop. When you consider where we were sitting when we rejoined the race and that we were only twelfth at the beginning, then seventh place is a solid result,” he said. “I tried to drive a fair race and not risk too much. After all, I don’t normally drive this car in the championship. That was a strong team effort this weekend.” Marco Holzer added, “The Porsche was well balanced and fast. When I handed it to Patrick we were running in the same lap as the leaders of the GT class and Patrick even managed to overtake several vehicles towards the end.”

Victory in the GTC class went to Porsche works driver Patrick Pilet (France), who started for the first time in the American Le Mans Series with a Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, which he shared with Al Carter (USA). “What a great race. It’s unbelievable how fast the GTC cars are on such a narrow street course like the one here in Baltimore,” Pilet said. “I took over the car in second place and quickly managed to slip into the lead. Afterwards I concentrated on holding our position and preserving the tyres because I was aware that it would get really tough again towards the end. I’ve had such a great weekend.”

Round nine of the American Le Mans Series is contested on 15 September on the Virginia International Raceway in Alton in the US state of Virginia.


Result
GT class
1. Henzler/Sellers (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 67 laps
2. Gavin/Milner (GB/USA), Chevrolet Corvette, 67
3. Sharp/van Overbeek (USA/USA), Ferrari F458 Italia, 67
4. D. Müller/Joey Hand (D/USA), BMW E92 M3, 67
5. Bergmeister/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 67
6. Magnussen/Garcia (DK/E), Chevrolet Corvette, 67
7. Holzer/Long (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 67
9. Maassen/Miller (D/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, 66

GTC class
1. Pilet/Carter (F/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 65 laps
2. Keen/McNeil (USA/USA), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 65
3. LeSaffre/Faulkner (USA/IRL), Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, 65

Points’ standings
GT class
Drivers
1. Oliver Gavin, Tommy Milner, Chevrolet, 124 points
2. Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia, Chevrolet, 98
3. Dirk Müller, BMW, 94
4. Joey Hand, BMW, 91
5. Scott Sharp, Johannes van Overbeek, Ferrari, 84
6. Jörg Bergmeister, Patrick Long, Porsche, 81
7. Bill Auberlen/Jörg Müller, BMW, 78
8. Wolf Henzler, Bryan Sellers, Porsche, 65
9. Sascha Maassen, Bryce Miller, Porsche, 47


Manufacturers
1. Chevrolet, 145 points
2. BMW, 126
3. Porsche, 133
4. Ferrari, 110

Teams
1. Corvette Racing, Chevrolet, 145 points
2. BMW Team RLL, BMW, 121
3. Flying Lizard Motorsports, Porsche, 104
4. Extreme Speed Motorsports, Ferrari, 86
5. Team Falken Tire, Porsche, 65
6. Paul Miller Racing, Porsche, 45


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

Moscow Raceway: Qualifying FIA GT1. Hexis McLaren bounce back with one-two in Moscow Qualifying

Moscow Raceway: Qualifying FIA GT1.

Hexis McLaren bounce back with one-two in Moscow Qualifying

  

The Hexis Racing pair of Alvaro Parente (PRT) and Gregoire Demoustier (FRA) secured pole position for tomorrow’s Qualifying Race in a stunning return to form for McLaren in the seventh round of the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Parente in the No.2 McLaren produced a quickest lap of 1:33.536 around the twists and turns of the Moscow Raceway.

In the previous round at Slovakia, the Hexis Racing team managed just two points after a spate of mechanical problems.

The No.1 McLaren of Fred Makowiecki (FRA) and Stef Dusseldorp (NLD) was second fastest (1:33.726) to round out a good day for the French outfit.

“After the hard weekend we had in Slovakia it was a great effort by the whole team to come here to Russia and finish P1 and P2 in Qualifying,” Parente said.

“We used the two Free Practice sessions well this morning to engineer the car and get the maximum performance which is what we showed this afternoon.”

Dusseldorp said he expected overtaking to be difficult on the 3.931 km circuit. “It is definitely going to be a challenge to overtake that’s for sure,” he said.

“But I like the circuit, it has a big long straight and the twisty part is challenging. We will do our best to keep the car up the front and score some good points this weekend.”

Conditions were cold and cloudy at Moscow Raceway with the air temperature reaching just 13C. The sun had broken through briefly by the end of the session and track conditions remained dry throughout.

Third was the No.3 AF Corse Ferrari of Toni Vilander (FIN) and Filip Salaquarda (CZE) with a best lap time of 1:34.188. The Ferrari duo had set the pace in Free Practice but Salaquarda says the change in weather conditions accounted for a slight drop-off in performance.

“In the Free Practice I were very fast and I was expecting a good Qualifying but I was struggling to heat the tyres and fighting the car this afternoon,” he said. “Maybe the weather changed a bit for us and that affected us.”

Misfortune struck the drivers’ championship leaders Michael Bartels (DEU) and Yelmer Buurman (NLD) who suffered an engine failure on the No.18 Vita4One Racing BMW.

Buurman limped the ailing Z4 backed to the garage, leaving a trail of oil on the back straight and the pit lane and causing a delay of over 30 minutes while an absorbent powder was applied to the track surface. The engine also caught fire and damaged the car’s right-hand side tyres.

The pair will start tomorrow’s Qualifying Race from the back of the grid. The sister No.17 BMW of Mathias Lauda (DEU) and Nikolaus Mayr-Melnhof (AUT) will start just one place ahead after an indifferent session.

“The problem with no.18 car was the engine, it exploded and it causes us a lot of work to do now,” Vita4One Racing team manager Bartels said.

“We have to replace the engine and investigate and fix the damage caused by the fire. It will be a long night. We are trying our best to be in the fight for tomorrow.

“With our other car we are analysing what happened at the moment, it’s unclear why we lost so much performance. Hopefully we will find a solution so that we can put both our cars not at the back but in the front.

“The Russian track is very challenging, very technical with tight turns so we have to work hard to find the right set-up and get the balance right.”

Laurens Vanthoor (BEL) and Stephane Ortelli (MON) led the charge for the Belgian Audi Club Team WRT Audis with fourth place in the No.32 R8 just ahead of the No.33 car of Oliver Jarvis (GBR) and Frank Stippler (DEU).

“We’ve had a good day, I did Q2 today and managed P3, we ended up P5 which keeps us in a competitive position for the race,” Jarvis said. “Our team-mates are in P4, so not a perfect result but it could be worse.

  

“The Russian track is really cool I have to say, there’s lots of tight sections, left right left right, and a great straight which may not be too great for us but it’s a nice feature.”

All-Inkl.com Münnich Motorsport Mercedes, the teams’ championship leaders, were sixth and seventh – the No.37 of Nicky Pastorelli (NLD) and Thomas Jager (DEU) ahead of their German team-mates Marc Basseng and Markus Winkelhock in the No.38.

Francesco Castellacci (ITA) and Enzo Ide (BEL) in the second AF Corse Ferrari were eighth and the Sunred Ford GT No.10 of Armaam Ebrahim (IND) and Benjamin Lariche (FRA) ninth.

The Qualifying Race starts at 11:15 local time tomorrow followed by the Championship Race at 15:15.

How to follow the FIA GT1 World Championship:

Online:

Visit the new FIA GT1 World Championship website (www.gt1world.com) to watch both timing and streaming from live race events and keep up to date with news, interviews, features and results during the week.

Youtube: Live streaming and our feature series GT1-LIFE will be available on the GT world Youtube channel. http://www.youtube.com/gt1world. For viewers in Germany, please visit our German live streaming service.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter

Television:

There will be live television coverage of every round of the FIA GT1 World Championship. For a full rundown of the TV channels visit www.gt1world.com.

Cameron Kelleher/Media Delegate.

Photo: © Petr Gabriel/SRO

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 9 at the Formula 1 race in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium First Supercup pole for Nicki Thiim

Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 9 at the Formula 1 race in Spa-Francorchamps/Belgium

First Supercup pole for Nicki Thiim

Stuttgart. A premiere for Nicki Thiim in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup: On the Grand Prix circuit of Spa-Francorchamps, the Hermes Attempto Racing pilot from Denmark posted his first pole position in the world’s fastest international one-make race series at the wheel of the 450 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup, which is based on the street-legal lightweight 911 GT3 RS sports cars. In qualifying for the ninth and penultimate race of the season, the son of the former DTM champion Kurt Thiim was 0.105 seconds faster than René Rast (Germany) of the Lechner Racing Team.

Setting the third quickest time on the demanding circuit in Belgium’s Ardennes region under cool and dry conditions, Britain’s Sean Edwards (Konrad Motorsport) kept a hand in his bid for the title. Sharing the second grid row for Sunday’s race next to the Monaco winner is Frenchman Kévin Estre (Hermes Attempto Racing), the current points’ leader and winner of the Budapest round. Occupying the fifth grid spot is VERVA Racing Team pilot and last year’s winner in Spa, Kuba Giermaziak (Poland). Jaap van Lagen (FE Racing by Land-Motorsport) from the Netherlands, who normally contests the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland, achieved the sixth quickest time as the best guest driver.

Norbert Siedler’s title chances received a potentially decisive setback. Competing for the VELTINS Lechner Racing squad, the Austrian had to settle for the seventh grid spot for tomorrow’s race. His teammate Michael Ammermüller (Germany), who is fighting Nicki Thiim for the rookie classification, finished the qualifying only as ninth. Between them, Germany’s Christian Engelhart (Konrad Motorsport), winner of one of the Budapest races, has now lost his title campaign chances. Rounding off the top ten on the grid is Jeroen Mul (Team Bleekemolen) from the Netherlands.

Porsche Junior Klaus Bachler, who contests the Porsche Carrera Cup Deutschland and for whom Spa marks only his second guest appearance in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, put in a respectable performance on the difficult track. At the wheel of the 911 GT3 Cup fielded by the Deutsche Post by tolimit team, the Austrian was clocked in the top ten until shortly before the end of the session. The youngster starts from 14th.

Nicki Thiim (pole-sitter): “It’s like in a dream. My first Supercup pole - in Spa of all places. This is a big emotional moment. The weekend has run perfectly to now and I hope that I can bring home my first Supercup win for my team and me tomorrow. Heading to the final in Monza, it would give me a huge advantage in my rookie classification campaign.”

René Rast (second in qualifying): “I’m not at all happy. I was right up there in qualifying and in my final lap with the second set of tyres I drove a new best time in the first sector. That would easily have been enough for the pole. But then I encountered a slower car which blocked me over the entire lap. I’m interested to see what the stewards will say. Such a thing is simply not on.”

Sean Edwards (third in qualifying): “A quicker lap would definitely have been possible. The car set up is good so I’m feeling confident heading into the race. I have nothing to lose, we’ll be going all out for victory.”


Result Qualifying
1. Nicki Thiim (DK), Hermes Attempto Racing, 2:23.920 minutes
2. René Rast (D), Lechner Racing Team, + 0.105 seconds
3. Sean Edwards (GB), Konrad Motorsport, + 0.425
4. Kévin Estre (F), Hermes Attempto Racing, + 0.451
5. Kuba Giermaziak (PL), VERVA Racing Team, + 0.454
6. Jaap van Lagen (NL), FE Racing by Land-Motorsport), + 0.551
14. Klaus Bachler (A), Team Deutsche Post by tolomit, + 1.994

The race on Sunday is broadcast live by TV stations Eurosport (11.45 hrs) and Sky (11.40 hrs). Moreover, Eurosport also airs highlights on Monday at 9.30 hours in its “Motorsport Weekend Magazin”.

Porsche Mobil1 Super Cup. Qualy 1 at Spa Gran Prix.

Porsche Mobil1 Super Cup. Qualy 1 at Spa Gran Prix.

Ergebnis Qualifying Porsche Supercup 2012 Spa Francorchamps   Pos. Nr. Bewerber / Fahrer Qualifikationszeit Differenz 1 22  Thiim, Nicki Hermes ATTEMPTO Racing 2:23.920 + 0:00.000 2 16  Rast, René Lechner Racing 2:24.025 + 0:00.105 3 12  Edwards, Sean Konrad Motorsport 2:24.345 + 0:00.425 4 33  Estre, Kévin Hermes ATTEMPTO Racing 2:24.371 + 0:00.451 5 10  Giermaziak, Kuba VERVA Racing 2:24.374 + 0:00.454 6 57  van Lagen, Jaap FE Racing by Land Motorsport 2:24.471 + 0:00.551 7 1  Siedler, Norbert VELTINS Lechner Racing 2:24.537 + 0:00.617 8 11  Engelhart, Christian Konrad Motorsport 2:24.666 + 0:00.746 9 2  Ammermüller, Michael VELTINS Lechner Racing 2:24.666 + 0:00.746 10 18  Mul, Jeroen Team Bleekemolen 2:24.712 + 0:00.792 11 4  Lukas, Robert FÖRCH Racing 2:24.853 + 0:00.933 12 9  Szczerbinski, Patryk VERVA Racing 2:25.390 + 0:01.470 13 17  Bleekemolen, Sebastiaan Team Bleekemolen 2:25.451 + 0:01.531 14 53  Bachler, Klaus Team Deutsche Post by tolimit 2:25.914 + 0:01.994 15 5  Lisowski, Mateusz FÖRCH Racing 2:25.964 + 0:02.044 16 6  Scholze, Florian FÖRCH Racing by Lukas MS 2:26.578 + 0:02.658 17 15  Mayerl, Andreas Lechner Racing 2:27.168 + 0:03.248 18 3  Tutumlu Lopez, Isaac FÖRCH Racing by Lukas MS 2:27.754 + 0:03.834 19 21  Hassid, Henry Hermes ATTEMPTO Racing 2:28.246 + 0:04.326 20 14  Pivoda, Tomas Konrad Motorsport 2:28.698 + 0:04.778 21 58  Nathan, Wolf FE Racing by Land Motorsport 2:28.717 + 0:04.797 22 54  Al Qubaisi, Khaled Team Deutsche Post by tolimit 2:29.656 + 0:05.736 23 88  Riegel, Hans-Guido HARIBO Racing Team 2:29.809 + 0:05.889 24 19  Hedlund, Michael Team Bleekemolen 2:33.021 + 0:09.101 25 59  Dijkstra, Biense FE Racing by Land Motorsport 2:33.270 + 0:09.350

Racecam.de.

Brazilian Drivers Join FIA WEC Grid for 6 Hours of São Paulo /

Brazilian Drivers Join FIA WEC Grid for 6 Hours of São Paulo /

The first provisional entry list for the WEC 6 Hours of São Paulo on Saturday 15th September has been released with 28 cars entered for the South American round of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship. The grid includes nine Latin American Drivers from Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, Venezuela and, of course, Brazil. Larbre Competition Fernando Rees is the only Brazilian full season entry in the team’s LMGTE Am class nr50 Chevrolet Corvette but he will be joined on the grid by Lucas di Grassi in the nr2 Audi R18, while Francisco Longo, Xandi Negrão and Enrique Bernoldi who will form an all Brazilian line up in the nr61 AF Corse-Waltrip Ferrari. The other Latin American entries all feature in the highly competitive LMP2 class.  Venezuela’s Enzo Potolicchio has taken LMP2 class wins at Sebring and at Le Mans and will be looking for win number three in São Paulo in the nr44 Starworks Motorsports HPD-Honda.  The nr41 Greaves Motorsport Zytek-Nissan of Mexico’s Ricardo Gonzalez and Ecuador’s Elton Julian will be hoping for a good race at Interlagos, while Argentina’s Luis Perez Companc is competing in the nr49 Pecom Racing Oreca-Nissan. As they did in the last round at Silverstone, the Audi Sport Team Joest will field one Audi R18 e-tron quattro for Andre Lotterer, Benoit Tréluyer and Marcel Fässler and one Audi R18 Ultra for Allan McNish and Tom Kristensen, the pair being joined by Lucas di Grassi in the diesel powered car.  After a superb competitive podium finish at Silverstone the Toyota Racing team will once again field a single TS030 hybrid for Alex Wurz and Nicolas Lapierre, who will have their sights firmly set on pushing Audi off of the top step of the podium in Brazil. A total of 18 Le Mans Prototypes will make the trip to Brazil with 7 LMP1 and 11 LMP2 entries due to take the start on Saturday 15 September. In LMGTE Pro, Luxury Racing will be missing from the grid, so four cars will compete for GTE honours at the 6 Hours of São Paulo.  As they did in England earlier this month, the GTE Pro class is still expected to provide some of the best racing action during the six hour race with the two AF Corse Ferraris taking on the nr77 Felbermayr-Proton Porsche on the nr97 Aston Martin Vantage. In LMGTE Am six entries will fight for class honours with two Ferraris taking on two Porsches and two Corvettes, making this a mouth watering battle around the 4,309km Interlagos track.    “We are happy to announce a high quality 28 car grid for the 6 Hours of São Paulo.  The event in Brazil marks the start of the second part of the 2012 FIA World Endurance Championship and provides the perfect backdrop for the WECs first adventure into South America,” said FIA WEC CEO Gérard Neveu.  “The entry list features several well known Brazilian drivers who will join us for their home race and their presence will help us attract a large crowd for what will be one of the most exciting races of the season in one of the most beautiful countries in the world.” For more information on the FIA World Endurance Championship visit www.fiawec.com. Des pilotes brésiliens sur la grille de départ des 6 Heures de São Paulo La première liste provisoire des engagés pour les 6 Heures de São Paulo WEC, qui se dérouleront le samedi 15 septembre, a été dévoilée et comporte 28 voitures pour la manche sud-américaine de la saison 2012 du Championnat du Monde d’Endurance de la FIA. Neuf pilotes d’Amérique Latine, originaires d’Argentine, du Mexique, de l’Equateur, du Venezuela et bien sûr du Brésil, seront sur la grille. Fernando Rees, pilote de Larbre Compétition, est le seul Brésilien à disputer toute la saison avec la Chevrolet Corvette n°50 de la catégorie LMGTE Am. A l’occasion de la manche brésilienne, il sera rejoint par Lucas di Grassi, qui sera au volant de l’Audi R18 n°2, tandis que Francisco Longo, Xandi Negrão et Enrique Bernoldi formeront un équipage 100 % brésilien et se partageront le volant de la Ferrari n°61 d’AF Corse-Waltrip. Les autres concurrents latino-américains représentent la très relevée catégorie LMP2. Le vénézuélien Enzo Potolicchio a remporté la catégorie LMP2 à Sebring et au Mans et tentera la passe de trois à São Paulo avec la HPD-Honda n°44 de Starworks Motorsports. De plus, le Mexicain Ricardo Gonzalez et l’Equatorien Elton Julian porteront les espoirs de Greaves Motorsport avec la Zytek-Nissan n°41, tandis que l’Argentin Luis Perez Companc défend les couleurs de l’Oreca-Nissan n°49 de PeCom Racing. Comme lors de la dernière manche à Silverstone, Audi Sport Team Joest alignera une Audi R18 e-tron Quattro pour André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer et Marcel Fässler et une Audi R18 Ultra pour Allan McNish et Tom Kristensen, épaulés par Lucas di Grassi pour l’occasion. Après un magnifique podium à Silverstone, l’équipe Toyota Racing engagera toujours une seule TS030 HYBRID pour Alex Wurz et Nicolas Lapierre, dont l’objectif principal au Brésil sera d’expulser Audi de la première marche du podium. Au total, 18 prototypes feront le déplacement au Brésil : 7 LMP1 et 11 LMP2 prendront le départ le samedi 15 septembre. En LMGTE Pro, l’écurie Luxury Racing étant absente, quatre voitures s’affronteront aux 6 Heures de São Paulo. Comme en Angleterre la semaine dernière, la catégorie LMGTE Pro devrait offrir l’un des plus beaux spectacles pendant six heures grâce aux deux Ferrari d’AF Corse, à la Porsche n°77 de Team Felbermayr-Proton et à la Vantage n°97 d’Aston Martin Racing. En LMGTE Am, six concurrents se disputeront les honneurs de la victoire de catégorie : deux Ferrari, deux Porsche et deux Corvette se rendront coup pour coup sur le tracé de 4,309 km d’Interlagos. « Nous sommes ravis d’annoncer une grille de 28 voitures pour les 6 Heures de São Paulo, indique Gérard Neveu, le Directeur Général du Championnat du Monde d’Endurance de la FIA. L’épreuve brésilienne marque le début de la deuxième partie de la saison 2012 du Championnat et le circuit d’Interlagos fournit le cadre idéal pour la première aventure sud-américaine du Championnat du Monde d’Endurance de la FIA. La liste des engagés comporte plusieurs pilotes brésiliens de renom qui nous rejoindront pour leur épreuve à domicile et nous permettront d’attirer de nombreux fans sur l’une des courses les plus passionnantes de la saison dans l’un des plus beaux pays du monde. » Pour plus d’informations sur le Championnat du Monde d’Endurance de la FIA, rendez-vous sur le site www.fiawec.com. Jeff Carter/ Media Delegate.