Sunday Race for 2013 6 Hours of Sao Paulo / Une course le dimanche pour l’édition 2013 des 6 Heures de São Paulo

Sunday Race for 2013 6 Hours of Sao Paulo / Une course le dimanche pour l’édition 2013 des 6 Heures de São Paulo

Today (5 December 2012) in Istanbul the FIA World Motor Sport Council approved a slight change to the provisional FIA WEC calendar and the 2013 6 Hours of Sao Paulo will now take place on Sunday 1 September rather than Saturday 31 August as previously published. 

The change of date was made at the request of the local promoter, Emerson Fittipaldi, after consulting with the sponsors and partners of the event.  It was felt that a Sunday race was better for the local fans, which is traditionally a day of sport in Brazil.

Emerson Fittipaldi said: “Following the successful first running of the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo in September we had a discussion with our partners regarding which day would be best to run the race in 2013. It was decided to request that the race be run on Sunday rather than Saturday as this is a much better day for the people of Sao Paulo to come to Interlagos to see these fantastic cars in action.  I’m pleased that the ACO and the FIA support this idea and I’m sure that we will have an even bigger crowd at the 6 Hours of Sao Paulo next year.”

Gerard Neveu said: “When we received this request from Emerson Fittipaldi it made sense to us to follow his advice.  Following a recommendation from the ACO, the Endurance Commission proposed the change of date to the World Motor Sport Council, which met in Istanbul today.   Emerson knows how to promote an event in Brazil and if he thinks that by having the race on Sunday it will bring a bigger crowd to Interlagos then that is good for everybody.  We had a great race this year and we’re sure the 2013 event will be even bigger.”

2013 Provisional FIA World Endurance Championship Calendar - UPDATED

14 April           Round 1          6 Hours of Silverstone                                   GBR

04 May           Round 2          WEC 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps         BEL

22/23 June      Round 3          24 Heures du Mans                                       FRA

01 September Round 4          6 Hours of Sao Paulo                                    BRA

22 September Round 5          6 Hours of Austin *                                        USA

20 October     Round 6          6 Hours of Fuji                                                           JPN

10 November Round 7          6 Hours of Shanghai *                                   CHN

30 November Round 8          6 Hours of Bahrain                                        BAH

*To be confirmed

Une course le dimanche pour l’édition 2013 des 6 Heures de São Paulo

Ce jour (5 décembre 2012) à Istanbul, le Conseil Mondial du Sport Automobile de la FIA a approuvé une légère modification du calendrier provisoire du Championnat du Monde d’Endurance de la FIA pour 2013 : les 6 Heures de São Paulo se dérouleront le dimanche 1^er septembre et non le samedi 31 août comme annoncé précédemment.

La date a été modifiée à la demande du promoteur local, Emerson Fittipaldi, après consultation des sponsors et des partenaires de l’événement. Une course le dimanche devrait davantage convenir aux fans puisque le dimanche est traditionnellement dédié au sport au Brésil.

Emerson Fittipaldi a déclaré : « Après une édition réussie des 6 Heures de São Paulo en septembre dernier, nous avons engagé une discussion avec nos partenaires à propos de la date de l’épreuve en 2013. Nous avons décidé de demander à ce que la course ait lieu le dimanche, et non le samedi, pour que les habitants de São Paulo puissent venir voir les magnifiques voitures en action plus facilement. Je me félicite que l’ACO et la FIA aient accepté l’idée et je suis persuadé que les spectateurs se déplaceront en plus grand nombre pour assister aux 6 Heures de São Paulo l’année prochaine. »

Gérard Neveu a ajouté : « Lorsque nous avons reçu la requête d’Emerson Fittipaldi, il nous a semblé judicieux d’accéder à sa demande. Suite à une recommandation de l’ACO, la Commission Endurance a proposé le changement de date au Conseil Mondial du Sport Automobile, qui s’est réuni aujourd’hui à Istanbul. Emerson sait comment organiser un événement au Brésil et s’il pense qu’une course le dimanche attirera une foule plus nombreuse à Interlagos, tout le monde sera gagnant. Cette année, l’événement a eu beaucoup de succès et je suis sûr qu’il en aura encore plus en 2013. »

Calendrier provisoire du Championnat du Monde d’Endurance de la FIA pour 2013 – Mise à jour

14 avril              1^ère manche      6 Heures de Silverstone                            GBR

04 mai               2^ème manche     WEC 6 Heures de Spa-Francorchamps  BEL

22/23 juin           3^ème manche     24 Heures du Mans                                   FRA

01 septembre    4^ème manche     6 Heures de São Paulo                             BRA

22 septembre    5^ème manche     6 Heures d’Austin *                                   USA

20 octobre         6^ème manche     6 Heures de Fuji                                        JPN

10 novembre     7^ème manche     6 Heures de Shanghai *                            CHN

30 novembre     8^ème manche     6 Heures de Bahreïn                                 BAH

*A confirmer

Jeff Carter

Media Delegate

Impressive live TV package for 2013 Dunlop 24H DUBAI

Impressive live TV package for 2013 Dunlop 24H DUBAI

GENNEP (December 5^th, 2012) – With just a little bit over one month to go before the eighth running of the Dunlop 24H DUBAI (January 10-12, 2013), Dutch agency CREVENTIC, the promoter and co-organiser of the event, together with the DNRT, announces an impressive live TV package and commentary from the expert team of Radio Show Ltd, the people behind Radio Le Mans, for the first international endurance race of the year for touring cars, GTs and 24H Specials. With over 14 hours of live coverage on Motors TV, presented by Nissan as co-sponsor, and live streaming on the website www.24HDubai.com and on Youtube, fans can keep up with the action at the Dubai Autodrome.

Coverage on Motors TV starts on Thursday, January 10^th, 2013 with a two-hour report from night practice (15.00-17.00 CET). On Friday, January 11^th, the starting grid, the start and the first two hours of the race will be shown from 10.30-13.00 CET, followed by another two and a half hours’ report, including sunset and a spectacular fireworks display from 14.30 till 17.00 CET. A further race update can be seen from 21.00-23.00 CET, while the final three hours of the race, the finish and the prize-giving ceremony will be broadcast on Saturday, January 12^th, from 8.00-11.45 CET.

4,172 hours of TV air time in 2012, 84 cars on the grid for 2013

Like for the 2012 edition, Quattro Media will handle production and distribution of the television footage, including a 50 minutes’ post-race highlight show. Once again, the team of Radio Show Ltd, the people behind Radio Le Mans, will be on site to provide expert commentary, interviews and analyses, which can also be heard online at www.radiolemans.com. The 2012 Dunlop 24H DUBAI got no less than 4,172 hours of air time on television in Europe, North America, Central and South America, the Asia Pacific region, Africa and the Middle East, including 750 hours of live broadcast. Live radio and internet coverage at www.radiolemans.com also attracted a huge audience with almost half a million listeners. Media coverage is expected to increase even further for the 2013 running of the race as the event is becoming more and more significant in international motor racing. No less than 84 cars have been entered for the race.

Further details about the 2013 Dunlop 24H DUBAI, including time schedule, entry list and broadcasting times, can be found at www.24HDubai.com. During the event, coverage with live timing and latest news can be found at live.24hseries.com

Dubai 24H Press.

 Award for Markus Winkelhock

·         Nürburgring winner is ‘Race Driver of the Year 2012’

·         Eight budding talents at the wheel of the Audi A4 DTM

·         Rahel Frey at the Essen Motor Show

Ingolstadt, December 2, 2012 - Markus Winkelhock, winner of the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring with the Audi R8 LMS ultra, was voted ‘Race Driver of Year 2012’ in the category sportscars. Eight budding talents were allowed to test the Audi A4 DTM. And Rahel Frey was guest on the opening weekend of the Essen Motor Show.

Race Driver of the Year: Important award for Markus Winkelhock. The Swabian, who won the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in May with an Audi R8 LMS ultra entered by Audi Sport Team Phoenix, was voted ‘Race Driver of the Year 2012’ in the category sportscars by readers of the German specialist magazine Auto Bild motorsport. Winkelhock accepted the prize on Friday evening during the ‘Race Night’ at the Essen Motor Show.

Golden shoe: Former Audi "factory" driver Walter Röhrl was honored for his life’s work at the Essen Motor Show. The two-time rally World Champion received a golden race drivers boot from the specialist magazine Auto Bild motorsport. The prize was presented by his former Team Boss Konrad Schmidt, who won the DTM title for Audi with his team SMS in 1990.

Budding talent evaluation: Once again Audi Sport gave a series of young drivers the chance to demonstrate their skills at the wheel of a DTM race touring car at the end of the season. Tom Blomqvist (Great Britain), William Buller (Great Britain), Johan Kristoffersson (Sweden), Miki Monrás (Spain), Nico Müller (Switzerland), James Rossitter (Great Britain), Carlos Sainz Jr. (Spain) and Andrea Sonvico (Italy) tested an Audi A4 DTM at the Spanish circuit Monteblanco. Throughout the event they received advice from the two Audi "factory" drivers Filipe Albuquerque and Miguel Molina, who also prevailed at a comparable young driver test several years ago.

Popular guest: Audi "factory" driver Rahel Frey was guest during the opening weekend of the Essen Motor Show. The popular DTM driver from Switzerland signed innumerable autographs throughout the event. The exhibition in Essen is open up to this coming Sunday (December 9). Vistors can admire numerous current Audi race cars on various stands during the week. DTM driver Filipe Albuquerque is guest at the Essen Motor Show on the second weekend.

Champions meet: Two DTM Champions met at the ‘Race Night’ in Essen on Friday evening. On behalf of his partner ‘AUTO TEST’, Audi factory driver Timo Scheider, DTM Champion in 2008 and 2009, presented current Champion Bruno Spengler with a golden race drivers boot. Scheider announced that he aims to reclaim the boot from Spengler in the 2013 season ...

German premiere: The Wii U celebrated its German premiere at the Essen Motor Show. One of the ambassadors of Nintendo’s new home video game console is Audi factory driver Timo Scheider, whose Audi A5 DTM also carries the Nintendo logo.

Outing at Daytona: Allan McNish and Mike Rockenfeller contest the 24-hour race at Daytona (US state of Florida) at the end of January. Both received permission from Audi Sport to compete in the US endurance classic. McNish drives a Daytona Prototype entered by Starworks Motorsport, Rockenfeller drivers for the Action Express Racing squad.

A word from ... Markus Winkelhock

Your were voted as ‘Race Driver of the Year 2012’ in the sportscar category by readers of the magazine ‘Auto Bild motorsport’. Were you surprised to receive this award?
The prize is a great honor for me, particularly as there are a great many top drivers racing in sportscars. It shows that the fans obviously like me and it appears that I did a good job in the 2012 season. It also shows just how highly the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring ranks with the fans - in addition to winning the GT1 championship title, the victory in the Eifel was my big highlight and certainly also instrumental for the readers of Auto Bild motorsport.

Speaking of 24 hours Nürburgring - what does this win, which you achieved with the Audi R8 LMS ultra, mean to you?
A great deal! It was a fantastic weekend with a great atmosphere and extremely strong competition. The car was super, the driver line-up absolutely right and the team did a brilliant job. The Nordschleife the most difficult track in the world and to win there is something very special. That we could also fulfill a lifelong ambition of Werner Frowein made the victory even sweeter.

You recently drove another 24-hour race - for slotcars ...
That was a crazy event. To begin with I didn’t even know what to expect. I’d never done anything like it before. But it was really great fun and at the end we even managed to finish in a sensational second place with our Audi R8. If the timing is right again next year I’d be delighted to be there in the 24 Hours of Hamburg again!

What does the future hold for Markus Winkelhock in ‘big’ motorsport?
It should be determined in the next few days and weeks. I hope that I can race as often as possible for Audi. Audi is just a fantastic brand - and the Audi R8 a fascinating car.

Coming up next week

07/12 Benoît Tréluyer 36th birthday

Audi Sport.

Newsletter 49/ WTCC

Newsletter 49/ WTCC

FOCUS WTCC ROAD CAR IS SET TO BE A HIT Team Arena’s Ford Focus WTCC Limited Edition road car that was launched at Macau during the final meeting of the 2012 FIA WTCC, is already arousing a huge interest among fans and dealers.The car, that was used as the leading car during the rolling start lap for Macau’s Race 1 has been developed by Arena and built to celebrate Ford’s return to the WTCC; it also benefits of a Ford warranty that includes the specially upgraded engine.The striking looking car is finished in Ford’s Artic White and comes complete with the very same decals that appear on the WTCC racers, including the traditional navy blue racing stripes.Under the bonnet, the car features a 1.6 turbocharged ecoboost engine that has been upgraded by Arena’s race engine partner Mountune Performance to deliver 202 bhp and sits on Team Dynamics alloy wheels identical to those of the racing car, with Yokohama low profile tyres. A Mountune Performance developed short-shift gear change and a Powerflow exhaust also feature on this exciting car.The Focus WTCC Limited Edition will be offered for sale globally with a run of just 2,000 worldwide planned.

MENU GUEST STAR AT MICHEL VAILLANT’S LAUNCH Alain Menu was the guest star at the launch of ‘Au nom du fils’, first comic book of the series Michel Vaillant New Season, that took place last Friday in Paris at the FNAC Montparnasse shop.Menu, who earlier this year had played Michel Vaillant’s role on the racing track during the WTCC Race of Portugal in Portimão at the wheel of a Chevrolet Cruze car disguised as a Vaillante, joined the Studio Graton team on the stage during a crowded press conference.Afterwards, the Swiss racers signed copies of the new comic books together with Michel Vaillant’s scenarists Philip Graton and Denis Lapière, and illustrators Marc Bourgne and Benjiamin Benéteau. Earlier on Friday, the five of them had visited Eurosport headquarters at Issy-les-Moulineaux, for another signing session.The comic book ‘Au nom du fils’, that is set in the FIA World Touring Car Championship and features Michel Vaillant racing against the likes of Yvan Muller, Gabriele Tarquini, Tom Coronel, etc, is now for sale in all the bookshops.

DUTCH TEAM DREAM OF THE WTCC Nederland-based Vuik Racing are setting up a programme to take part next year in the German ADAC Procar championship. But at the same time, team-principal and driver Henk Vuik doesn’t conceal his dream to race in the WTCC.In 2013 the team will run two Mercedes C200 cars. “One is the former Thate Motosport car driven by Jens Weimann, while the sister car has been raced in the Scandinavian Touring Car Cup by G-Rex Motorsport,” Vuik explained.Vuik and his team have built themselves a reputation in the Formula Ford Euro Cup (4th classified in 2000) and Dutch and Benelux championships, before they switched to touring cars this year.“I was looking for a new challenge and took part in the Burando Production Open (the Dutch Touring Car Championship) winning three races! Now we are ready to step up to the ADAC Procar. Both cars have been fitted with new suspension developed in the STCC, and I think they have the potential to win races,” said Vuik.The plans for 2013 have been set, but Vuik has already a secret dream.“My dream is to take part with my team in the WTCC, and to race a Mercedes A-Class powered by a 1.6-litre turbo engine…” Image and information, courtesy of www.adac-procar.de

Fabio Ravaioli - FIA WTCC Media Delegate

Le Mans 24 Hours / World Endurance Championship Porsche works team fields two 911 RSR in 2013

Le Mans 24 Hours / World Endurance Championship

Porsche works team fields two 911 RSR in 2013

Stuttgart. For the 2013 racing season, Porsche AG will field two new GT racecars based on the newest generation of the Porsche 911 at the Le Mans 24 hour race and in the World Endurance Championship (WEC). For the first time since the overall victory in 1998, a factory team from Porsche will tackle the famed long distance classic in France.

The two new Porsche 911 RSR, which race in the GTE category, will be run by the Porsche AG Team Manthey. The role of team manager goes to the experienced endurance specialist Olaf Manthey, who has celebrated five overall wins with Porsche at the Nürburgring 24 hour race and recently fielded a 911 GT3 RSR in the International GT Open.

“The new 911 RSR is currently being developed by our engineers and tested by our works drivers,” says Porsche Head of Motorsport, Hartmut Kristen. “What better time could there be to introduce the new car than the Porsche 911’s 50th anniversary.”

Communication Porsche AG
Motorsport Press
Oliver Hilger

2013 ADAC GT Masters promises to be even more exciting

2013 ADAC GT Masters promises to be even more exciting
 

• Sophisticated computational model for 'Balance of Performance'
• Adjustments to driver classifications and handicap weights
• All 16 races in 2013 to be shown live on TV again

The ADAC has paved the way for an even more exciting ADAC GT Masters season in 2013. Improvements in the rules for the forthcoming season promise to make the Super Sports Car League even more competitive. There are changes to the 'Balance of Performance' (BoP) to ensure equal opportunities for different vehicle designs, and to the driver classification, with the former Amateur class being re-designated 'Gentlemen'.

The 'Balance of Performance' in 2013 will once again be in line with the standard laid down by the FIA for sports cars competing under GT3 regulations. The basic classification will be determined by the FIA before the season starts by measuring engine performance and downforce. 'Balance of Performance' for the ADAC GT Masters will then be worked out by putting this data through a specially adapted computational model that also takes into account those parameters that are specific to the ADAC GT Masters such as tyres. Responsibility for 'Balance of Performance' in the 2013 season will once again lie solely with the German Motorsport Association (DMSB).

Also undergoing some changes next season are the driver classifications and the handicap weights. Drivers will continue to be classified by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) on a scale reflecting track record: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. The driver classification in the ADAC GT Masters will be essentially similar but will have only three categories: Professionals (equivalent to FIA Platinum and Gold), Semi-Professionals (equivalent to FIA Silver) and Gentlemen (equivalent to FIA Bronze). "With the Platinum and Gold categories, we are talking about fully professional drivers in both cases," says ADAC Head of Motorsport Division Lars Soutschka. "It has been our experience over the past few years that, when you put them all in GT3 sports cars, there are rarely any significant differences in performance. Platinum drivers such as ex-Formula 1 contestants Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Karl Wendlinger were carrying far too big a handicap under the previous regulations and were consequently discriminated against in sporting terms. The new rule is much fairer without compromising the spirit of the ADAC GT Masters."

To uphold the principle of sporting fairness, weight handicaps will once again be applied to driver pairings in accordance with their driver classifications. Two Professionals sharing a car will carry a 40kg handicap (previously 60 kilos). In the case of Semi-Professionals and Gentlemen, the sliding scale of handicaps means that they can enjoy a weight advantage of up to 40 kilos.

The former Amateur class of the ADAC GT Masters now goes into the 2013 season under a new name. All drivers in the Bronze category will be competing against each other in the Gentleman class which is worth EUR75,000 in prize money. If two Bronze drivers share one car, their points will be multiplied by a factor of 1.5. Competitors appearing on the podium in next year's Gentleman class will be joined by their higher-ranked co-driver.

"The improvements in the 2013 regulations will ensure fairer competition and even more exciting racing," says Lars Soutschka confidently. "Fans watching the action at the track or at home can look forward to a great season ahead. All races will be shown on TV again in 2013. The live broadcasts of the ADAC GT Masters since 2010 have been an important contributory factor in the rise to prominence of the series. We would like to maintain this momentum in 2013." Details about TV coverage in the forthcoming season will be announced shortly.

Registration for the 2013 ADAC GT Masters 2013 has already begun. Teams signing up before 15th December benefit from attractive discounted rates. Registrations can only be accepted online. Visit www.adac.de/motorsport.

As usual, the 2013 ADAC GT Masters will be contested over 16 rounds on eight race weekends. The Super Sports Car League will be making debut appearances in 2013 at the Formula 1 circuit in Spa-Francorchamps and at the Slovakiaring in Slovakia. The curtain-raiser for the seventh ADAC GT Masters season takes place on the weekend of 26th - 28th April at the Motorsport Arena Oschersleben.




 

The ADAC GT Masters will once again be shown live on TV in 2013			The Amateur class has been re-designated as 'Gentlemen'			The 2013 ADAC GT Masters promises to be even more exciting			Adjustments to the vehicle classification should ensure greater equality of opportunity

ADAC GT Masters website press section: ADAC GT Masters Web

Further information available at www.adac.de/motorsport and www.adac-gt-masters.de


Media Contact:

ADAC GT Masters
Oliver Runschke

Porsche Race Manager turns 80 Porsche congratulates Peter Falk on 80th birthday

Porsche Race Manager turns 80

Porsche congratulates Peter Falk on 80th birthday

Stuttgart. Former Porsche engineer and race manager Peter Falk will be marking his 80th birthday on 27 November 2012. Peter Falk was a Porsche AG employee for more than three decades. Not only did he play a vital role in the development of many legendary sports and racing cars such as the Porsche 917, as racing director he was also primarily responsible for the greatest successes of the Porsche 956/962 in the Group C Sports Car category.

In 1959 Peter Falk began his career with Porsche as a young road testing engineer in the vehicle testing department. There he not only played a crucial role in the development of the original 911, he was also behind the wheel for the first race of the brand-new Porsche 911, taking a very respectable fifth overall at the 1965 Monte Carlo Rally with co-driver Herbert Linge. In the following years, many race car types from the 906 all the way to the 917 were designed under his responsibility as the head of pre-series and race car development with which Porsche established itself among the leaders in international motor racing.

From 1973 to 1981 Peter Falk was the head of road testing for series development of the 911, 924 and 928 models. His special areas of expertise were bodywork and transmissions as well as track testing and endurance tests. As the head of racing development and racing director, starting in 1982 Peter Falk was responsible for the highly successful era of Group C 956 and 962 sports-prototype racing cars. With seven overall Le Mans wins and eleven world championship titles, this racing car project proved to be the most successful in company history. Two overall victories at the Paris-Dakar Rally in 1984 and 1986 were additional high points in his career.

As the head of chassis development, from 1989 until his retirement in 1993 Peter Falk was responsible for many successful vehicle projects. He thus had a key role in the development of the 911 derivative 993 as well as advance development of the 911 derivative 996 and Porsche Boxster. Peter Falk also remained very active in the motoring world after his retirement. In addition to his work as a participant in and organiser of classic car rallies, Peter Falk is high in demand as an interview partner on automotive topics.

Communication Porsche AG
Porsche Museum
Astrid Böttinger