2009 24 Hours of Le Mans, LMS and ALMS news

[Dino Scuderia]

Well, IF what is speculated happens we'll just have to see what 'equalizing' specs come into play.

[Dino Scuderia]

"After a good result in this year’s Le Mans 24 Hours, the Team ORECA-Matmut-AIM is determined to do everything in its power to prepare for the 2010 event in the best possible conditions. Thus, the team has decided to race in the Petit Le Mans, one of the blue riband events of the American Le Mans Series. "

A trip to the Petit Le Mans to prepare for 2010 - Oreca Racing

[Dino Scuderia]

deFerran Motorsports is moving to IndyCar for 2010. Simon Pagenaud will fill one of two seats in the IndyCar Series. He left open the possiblity of returning to ALMS to have 2 cars in both series. Sounds like he will be recruiting Scott Dixon to take the other seat. Would make sense if Danica has secured a ride at Ganassi for 2010.

I'd bet he's gone from ALMS forever.

[LTSmash]

ALMS Mid-Ohio Qualifying.

1. Gil de Ferran, Brazil; Simon Pagenaud, France; Acura ARX-02a (P1), 1:09.443, 117.057
2. Scott Sharp, Jupiter, FL; David Brabham, Australia; Acura ARX-02a (P1), 1:09.512, 116.941
3. Luis Diaz, Mexico; Adrian Fernandez, Mexico; Acura ARX-01B (P2), 1:10.464, 115.361
4. Chris Dyson, Pleasant Valley, NY; Guy Smith, England; Lola B09 86 Mazda (P2), 1:10.498, 115.305
5. Marino Franchitti, Scotland; Butch Leitzinger, State College, PA; Lola B09 86 Mazda (P2), 1:11.042, 114.422
6. Greg Pickett, Alamo, CA; Klaus Graf, Germany; Porsche RS Spyder (P2), 1:11.404, 113.842
7. Jon Field, Dublin, OH; Clint Field, Dublin, OH; Chapman Ducote, Miami, FL; Lola B06/10 AER (P1), 1:12.145, 112.673
8. Adam Pecorari, Aston, PA; Gunnar Van der Steur, Chesapeake City, MD; Radical SR9 AER (P2), 1:15.898, 107.102
9. Bryan Willman, Kirkland, WA; Tomy Drissi, Hollywood, CA; Lola B06/10 AER (P1), 1:16.153, 106.743
10. Patrick Long, Oak Park, CA; Jorg Bergmeister, Germany; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT2), 1:21.022, 100.328
11. Pierre Kaffer, Germany; Jaime Melo, Brazil; Ferrari F430 GT (GT2), 1:21.287, 100.001
12. Jan Magnussen, Denmark; Johnny O'Connell, Flowery Branch, GA; Corvette C6.R (GT2), 1:21.454, 99.796
13. Tom Milner, Leesburg, VA; Dirk Mueller, Germany; BMW E92 M3 (GT2), 1:21.516, 99.720
14. Wolf Henzler, Germany; Martin Ragginger, Austria; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT2), 1:21.557, 99.670
15. Olivier Beretta, Monaco; Oliver Gavin, England; Corvette C6.R (GT2), 1:21.571, 99.653
16. Bill Auberlen, Hermosa Beach, CA; Joey Hand, Sacramento, CA; BMW E92 M3 (GT2), 1:21.607, 99.609
17. David Murry, Cumming, GA; David Robertson, Ray, MI; Andrea Robertson, Ray, MI; Doran Ford GT MK 7 (GT2), 1:22.092, 99.021
18. Ian James, England; Dominik Farnbacher, Germany; Panoz Esperante GTLM Ford (GT2), 1:22.259, 98.820
19. Seth Neiman, Burlingame, CA; Darren Law, Phoenix, AZ; Porsche 911 GT3 RSR (GT2), 1:26.003, 94.518
20. Guy Cosmo, Long Island, NY; John Baker, New York, NY; Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (C), 1:27.070, 93.359
21. Shane Lewis, Jupiter, FL; Gerry Ventos, Palm Beach, FL; Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (C), 1:27.203, 93.217
22. Ed Brown, Las Vegas, NV; Bill Sweedler, Westport, CT; Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (C), 1:28.247, 92.114
23. Melanie Snow, Pleasant Grove, UT; Martin Snow, Pleasant Grove, UT; Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (C), 1:28.337, 92.020
24. Wesley Hoagland, Tustin, CA; Bob Faieta, Tujunga, CA; Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (C), 1:28.423, 91.931
25. Donald Pickering, Reno, NV; Nick Parker, Seattle, WA; Porsche 911 GT3 Cup (C), 1:29.470, 90.855
26. Johnny Mowlem, England; Stefan Johansson, Sweden; Ginetta-Zytek 09HS (P1), no time

[Dino Scuderia]

New P1 on track.

Paul, Lord Drayson and Elspeth, Lady Drayson proudly announce Drayson Racing’s move to the pinnacle of motorsports; the LMP1 division. Drayson Racing will debut its British built Judd V10-powered Lola B09/60 racing car - commonly known as the “Lola Coupe” - in the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, 22-26 September, 2009. The move signifies Drayson Racing’s serious motorsport intentions and focus on using the sport as a catalyst to advance environmental technologies.

Planetlemans.com | Drayson Racing to launch LMP1 programme at Petit Le Mans

[henk4]

New P1 on track.

Paul, Lord Drayson and Elspeth, Lady Drayson proudly announce Drayson Racing’s move to the pinnacle of motorsports; the LMP1 division. Drayson Racing will debut its British built Judd V10-powered Lola B09/60 racing car - commonly known as the “Lola Coupe” - in the 12th Annual Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, 22-26 September, 2009. The move signifies Drayson Racing’s serious motorsport intentions and focus on using the sport as a catalyst to advance environmental technologies.

Planetlemans.com | Drayson Racing to launch LMP1 programme at Petit Le Mans

so they can continue racing after the LMS series has ended two weekends earlier at Silverstone.

[Turbo.Jenkens]

Last week the ALMS made this announcement:

Elkhart Lake, WI (August 16, 2009) - In a progressive step designed to keep ahead of the rest of the industry, the American Le Mans Series today announced plans to overhaul its four-class structure beginning with the 2010 season. The four classes will be Le Mans Prototype (LMP), Le Mans Prototype Challenge (LMPC), Grand Touring (GT) and Grand Touring Challenge (GTC).

LMP1 and LMP2 cars will compete as a single LMP class in 2010 with exception of the endurance classics - the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring and Petit Le Mans Powered by Mazda6 - that will continue to adhere to the ACO technical rules for LMP1 and LMP2. Among the LMP race cars
eligible worldwide will be the Acura ARX-02a, Acura ARX-01b, Ginetta-Zytek 09HS (hybrid), Lola B09/86 Mazda, Lola B06/10, Radical SR9, Porsche RS Spyder, Audi R15 TDI, Peugeot 908, Aston Martin Lola and Pescarolo.

LMP Challenge, an exciting new class, was introduced earlier this year as part of the Le Mans Series in Europe and at the 24 Hours of Le Mans through the collaborative efforts between the ACO and ORECA/DPPI. In Europe, the ORECA Courage FLM09 that comprises the class has a minimum weight of 900 kilograms similar to its LMP brethren, but its horsepower is 450 hp which is considerably less than the LMP cars which range from 500-700 hp. The LMP Challenge car is a true Le Mans prototype, but represents an affordable "value engineered" entry to Le Mans prototype racing. The FLM09 is a very sophisticated race car with a full carbon fiber chassis, carbon brakes, and an Xtrac sequential gearbox with paddle shifting. All LMPC cars will race on single-supply tires.

The GT class will follow specifications of the existing ACO / Le Mans GT2 class. Current manufacturers and models competing include Corvette C6.R, Porsche 911 GT3 RSR, Ferrari F430 GT, Jaguar XKR, BMW M3, Panoz Esperante, Ford GT, and Dodge Viper.

The GT Challenge class was introduced earlier this year at Miller Motorsports Park near Salt Lake City. Currently, Porsche 911 GT3 Cup race cars from the Patron GT3 Challenge by Yokohama are eligible. In 2010, competition will be open to other versions of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup cars as well. Other manufacturers are likely to be added in the future.

I'd be interested to hear others opinions of the 2010 ALMS class structure. As much as I hate the idea of a spec LMP, it is much more appealing than a class of Daytona Prototypes. Does anyone have any detailed information of the ORECA Courage FLM09. Is it a totally new car, or does it share anything in common with their current LMP? The speed difference between an LMP1 and GT3 is tremendous. I'm weary that it may lead to accidents next year.

[RacingManiac]

Formula Le Mans, look it up...

Its meant to be LMPs as something like a GP2 is to an F1 car. In Europe its used as a feeder series on LMS or some other sportscar weekends. In ALMS in bids to increase car count they are using it as a spec class. Which isn't a bad idea....especially the car doesn't look half bad...

[Dino Scuderia]

Audi has reconfirmed the R15's will be at Petit Lemans.

[Wouter Melissen]

Update from the ACO regarding the Asian Le Mans Series races to be held at Okoyama. The entry list is attached.

The Asian Le Mans Series will kick off in Japan on 31st October 2009. Well before the closing date for entries (5th September), the presence of 23 cars has already been confirmed. All the big endurance names will be there!

Lola-Aston Martin, Pescarolo-Judd, ORECA-AIM and Audi R10 – it’s a great start! The 2 races on the Okayama circuit on Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November, each lasting 3 hours, will launch the Asian Le Mans Series, and will be the theatre of a no-holds-barred battle between the main protagonists in both prototype and GT endurance racing. The Aston Martin Racing team has entered a works Lola-Aston Martin for Jan Charouz, Stefan Mücke and Tomas Enge, the current LMS leaders. In LM P1, they will be up against 2 Pescarolo-Judds, the ORECA O1-AIM and the two Team Kolles Audi R10s. Paul Drayson Racing will make its debut in this category with a brand-new Lola coupe powered by a Judd engine. There is also a 100% Japanese team, as Professor Yoshimsa Hayashi and his students’ Tokai University squad have entered the Courage-Oreca LC70-YGK seen at Le Mans in 2008.

“We’re very happy to welcome several Asian teams”, says Rémy Brouard, the ACO General Manager. “The Asian Le Mans Series will be a key element in the Intercontinental Trophy project we’re determined to set up in 2011, which will include a selection of between five and seven races from all the Le Mans Series: LMS, ALMS and Asian LMS”.

There will be several Asian teams competing including two in GT1, the Team Nova Aston Martin and the 2 JLOC Lamborghinis, whose main rival will be the French-entered Saleen of Larbre Competition. Another Aston Martin DBR9 is expected in GT1. Japanese teams are also present in LM GT2 with the Hankook KTR Porsche 997 RSR and the Team Daisin Ferrari F430 GT, while an Aston Martin DBR9 will come from Hong Kong.

The big news in GT2 is the arrival of one of the works BMW E 92 M3s racing in this year’s ALMS entered by RLR (Rahal Letterman Racing), which have just scored a double at Road Atlanta. At present there are 8 entries in the LM GT2 category rounded off by the 2 Felbermayr-Proton team Porsche 911 GT3 RSRs, the Hankook Farnbacher team’s Ferrari F430 GTs, and Robertson Racing with one of the new generation Ford Doran GT MK 7s (with both Robertsons among its drivers). Japan will be its only race outside the USA this season.

For the moment, there are 3 entries in LM P2: the Italian team Racing Box with its Lola-Judd coupe, the OAK Racing Pescarolo-Mazda and the Navi Team Goh Porsche RS spyder. The ACO and ORECA wanted to invite the first 2 teams in the Formula Le Mans Cup Championship to Okayama. Unfortunately, it proved impossible as the launch of the Asian Le Mans Series clashes with the start of the new Formula Le Mans Winter Cup. With 4 days to go to the closing date for entries, the field is made up of 12 different marques representing 6 nations.

AIM, MICHELIN GREN X CHALLENGE, MAZDA, DHL, BOSCH The teams are not the only ones interested in the inauguration of the Asian Le Mans Series: the partners have also made a big effort. Thus, the ACO has just received the backing of AIM as the main sponsor. The Japanese engineering company joins

MICHELIN GREEN X CHALLENGE, MAZDA – supplier of the official intervention and safety vehicles - DHL and BOSCH: a list of prestigious brands which may grow longer in the coming weeks. FIA WTCC + ASIAN LE MANS SERIES = A

THRILLING WEEKEND IN PERSPECTIVE! The Japanese spectators at Okayama can look forward to a thrilling weekend. The inaugural races of the Asian Le Mans Series will be held at the same time as the 11th round of the WTCC, the World Touring Car Championship, run in two heats on Sunday, whose promoter is Eurosport Events. Site: WTCC - Fia World Touring Car Championship

NEWS…NEWS…NEWS… NEWS…NEWS…NEWS…NEWS…NEWS…
-> The OKAYAMA circuit It was built in 1992 and measures 3,703 kms. It is 60 kms north of Okayama and hosted the Pacific Grand Prix in 1994 and 1995 under the name of the Adria circuit.
-> With the FIA-WTCC The Asian Le Mans Series at Okayama is being held at the same time as the FIA-WTCC, the World Touring Car Championship whose promoter is Eurosport Events.
-> MICHELIN Green X Challenge The challenge, which is organised in the context of the Le Mans 24 Hours, the Le Mans Series and the ALMS, rewards teams that have optimised performance and fuel consumption: it will be extended to the Asian Le Mans Series. Michelin Green X Challenge EN
-> 4 automatic selections for the 2010 LE MANS 24 HOURS The winners (both races combined) in all 4 categories, LM P1, LM P2, LM GT1 and LM GT2, will be automatically selected for the 2010 Le Mans 24 Hours.
-> An influx of Japanese drivers? Numerous Japanese drivers are currently in discussion with LM P1 and LM P2 teams for a seat, so Takuma Sato, Hideki Noda, Seiji Ara, Shinji Nakano and Sakon Yamamoto may be part of the best teams.
-> Provisional timetable (to be confirmed) • Friday 30th October; free practice from 09h00 to 10h00 and 11h45 to 12h45. Qualifying (20mn + 5mn + 20mn) from 16h15 to 17h00. • Saturday 31st October: Warm up from 08h00 to 08h15: Race 1 from 12h35 to 15h35 Sunday 1st November: Race 2 from 09h05 to 12h05. www.asian-lemans-series.com

[Dino Scuderia]

PLM 2009 entry list...so far.

http://www.roadatlanta.com/ev_petit/...ns-Entries.pdf

[RacingManiac]

Quite a P1 class isn't it?

[Wouter Melissen]

RSR confirm Jaguar XKR debut for Petit Le Mans:

EAST LANSING, Michigan (September 8, 2009) - RSR is scheduled to debut the Jaguar XKR GT2, the newest entry in the American Le Mans Series, at the famed Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta, September 24 - 26.

In preparation for a full championship season effort in 2010, the team plans to enter the last two events on the 2009 ALMS schedule using the track time for testing and development. The car is undergoing extensive system tests at RSR's East Lansing, Michigan facility and is being prepared for a performance evaluation and shakedown prior to Road Atlanta.

The team will be hosting a press conference on Thursday, September 24 at Road Atlanta to officially unveil the car, drivers for 2009, and tire partners. Complete details on the event to follow.

Late September sees the annual return of the American Le Mans Series where the idea started - Petit Le Mans powered by MAZDA6 at Road Atlanta. The 1,000-mile, 10-hour spectacle brings together the world's top sports car teams with automatic berths to the 24 Hours of Le Mans on the line.

[RacingManiac]

I wonder why AMR is not going to Petit, at least so far it doesn't look like they are, while they are going to Japan....

Afraid that they will get beaten still by the diesels? Or even the Acuras?

[henk4]

Quite a P1 class isn't it?

Since when has the Radical become a P1 car?