No Surprises for IMSA Event at Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Chip Ganassi celebrates with Renger van der Zande who co-drove the #01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V - Series.R to victory with Sebastien Bourdais at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2024 Edmund Jenks

No Surprises For IMSA Event at  Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

Words and Images by: Brandon J. O'Brien / Motor Driven Images, unless otherwise stated

Only two of the five IMSA classes competed at Long Beach.  Along with the top-tier Hybrid Proto-types the GTD PRO/AM drivers were the only other class to compete.  This was due to the limited Pit / Paddock space available at this venue.  Since only PRO/AM drivers were competing this meant the teams were required to shuffle some of the driver combinations in order to have a full complement of GTD cars.  For the same reason, only GTD PRO will race at the Detroit Grand Prix.

The Pole sitting Whelen Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series R was driven by Pipo Derani and Jack Aitken.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Pipo Derani took the GTP pole position in the #31 Whelen Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R with a 1:11.388 time to get around the 1.968 mile course.  This equated to a speed of 99.234 MPH.  The #89     VassserSullivan Lexus RC F GT3 took the pole for the GTD group.

The GTD class winning Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 was driven by Ben Barnicoat and Parker Thompson.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Unlike last year, the start of the race was relatively uneventful within both classes. P. Derani got a good start and held onto the lead.  Prior to Turn-1 S. Bourdais in the #01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R was able to take away 2nd from the #24 BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8.

Sebastien Bourdais in the #01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V - Series.R was able to move past the #24 BMW into 2nd place at the start on his way to winning the Long Beach Grand Prix.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon 
O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

Within the GTD group the two VasserSullivan Lexus RC F GT3's were able to maintain 1st and 2nd with Costa Balboa in the #34 Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 in 3rd.  On the 4th lap the 2nd place #12 VasserSullivan Lexus RC F GT3 was forced to perform a drive-through penalty for an infringement of the rules prior to the start of the race when he pulled out of position and placed his car behind the pole sitting Lexus.

The Conquest Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 was a strong contender throughout the race.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

On Lap 8 the yellow flag came out for an incident involving the #70 Inception Racing McLaren 720S GT3 EVO and the #120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R.  This incident put both cars out of the race.

The Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R was involved in a mishap with the Inception Racing McLaren 720S GT3 EVO

Within the lead of the GTP cars the order remained essentially the same until P. Derani came in for his pit-stop.  This put S. Bourdais in the Ganassi Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R in 1st place.  Bourdais was able to increase his lead so that when he went into the pits R. Van der Zande was able to make the overcut work and remained in the lead on his out-lap.

On Lap 30 Louis Delatraz brought out the 2nd yellow when he put the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti Acura ARX-06 into the tire barrier at Turn-1. The 3rd and final yellow was brought out after the #25 BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid slid into the tire barrier exiting Turn-6.  This final yellow was brought on by three separate incidents involving the BMW.  With about 8 minutes to go the race went back to green. 

The race ended with R. van der Zande / S. Bourdais in the #01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R taking 1st place overall followed by P. Derani / J. Aitken in the #31 Whelen Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series.R.  The final GTP podium position was taken by D. Cameron / F. Nasr in the #7 Penske Motorsport 963.

1st place in the GTD class went to B. Barnicort / P. Thompson in the #89 Vasser/Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 with R. Foley / P. Gallagher in the #96 Turner Motorsport BMW M4 GT3, and 3rd went to M. Skeen / M. Grenier in the #32 Karthoff / Preston Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3.

The 2nd Place Turner Motorsports BME M4 GT3 was driven by Robby Foley and Patrick Gallagher.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 3rd Place GTD Mercedes AMG GT3 Evo was driven by Mike Skeen and Mikael Grenier.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Tags: Acura, ARX-06, Ben Barnicoat, Brandon O'Brien, BMW, BMW M Hybrid V8, Cadillac, Cadillac V-Series.R, Ganassi Racing, Inception Racing, Jack Aitken, Lexus, M4 GT3, Motor Driven Images, McLaren, McLaren 720S GT3 EVO, Penske Motorsport, Parker Thompson, Pipo Derani, Porsche, Porsche 911 GT3 R, Porsche 963, Renger van der Zande, Sebastian Bourdais, Turner Motorsport, Wayne Taylor Racing with Andretti, VasserSullivan, Wright Motorsports    

AIR/WATER Overwhelmed the Senses

Even "Rexie" was there!  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

AIR/WATER Overwhelmed the Senses

Words and Images by Brandon J. O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Porsche Air/Water event recently held at the Orange County Fair Grounds was overwhelming. Thinking that the amount of spectators would be equivalent to the amount that show up for the typical Luftgekuhlt events across the country this reporter was amazed at the spectator line threading it's way through the fair ground parking lot.  

Over 11,000 spectators, from 21 countries, came to see 1,000 Porsches of all models and colors.  Those Porsches were the ones that owners paid to have included in the show.  There must have been an additional 1,000 Porsches of all models and vintages parked in the parking lot.  I spotted 1 individual driving around the rows of parked cars in a pick-up with a photographer in the bed taking pictures.  Amongst the parked Porsches you could also spot a few rarer BMW's, Ferrari's, at least one McLaren and a few Lamborghani's.

Included is a very small sampling of what could be seen.  The team from Air/Water are already planning a follow-up event for next year. 

2024 Porsche 911 GT3R.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1997 Porsche Cabriolet.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1974 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 IROC.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2023 Porsche 992 GT3R "Rexxie".  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2013 Porsche 997 GT3R.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2017 Porsche 991 GT3R.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

 Porsche Carrera RSR.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2019 Porsche 911 Speedster.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1954 Porsche 356 Pre-A 1500 Coupe.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1964 Porsche 356B Carrera 2.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1969 Porsche 908-02 Langheck.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1970 Porsche 911E Safari Coupe.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2018 Porsche 911 GT2RS.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1958 Porsche 356A T2 Coupe.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1961 356 Carrera-Abarth GTC.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1961 Porsche 356B Super-90 T5 Coupe.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Porsche 718 Spyder.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

VW-Porsche 356 La Dawn Special.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1985 Porsche 962.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Porsche 911 Carrera RSR.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2024 Porsche 911 Dakar.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1991 Footwork Arrows FA12.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2018 Porsche 918 Roadster.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1992 Porsche 964 RS N-GT.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1987 Porsche 959.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1977 Porsche 934 S.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1979 Porsche 911 SC "Pink Pig" Tribute.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2011 Porsche Boxter.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

TAGS: AIR/WATER, Arrows FA12, Brandon O'Brien, Carrera, Luftgekuhlt, Motor Driven Images, OCFG, Orange County Fair Grounds, Patrick Long,  Porsche, 356, 718, 908, 911, 930, 934, 935, 959, 962, 964,991, 992,  997   

$1 Million Challenge

$1 Million Challenge

Words and Images by Brandon J. O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

A lot has been written about the recent $1 Million Challenge held at The Thermal Club.  Much of it has had a negative slant regarding the format, the lack of points, etc.  I am not going to rehash any of this.

The Thermal Club is a private motorsports' enthusiast country club (read $$$$$) located about an hour east of Palm Springs.  The track is composed of three individual circuits that can be combined into one large course, three individual courses, or in-between. For the $1 Million Challenge, Indycar combined the "South Palm" (Red Curbing) and "North Palm" (Blue Curbing) courses. One course is considered "high speed" while the other is more "technical". The combined length was 3.067 miles and composed 17-turns.

Even though this is a dedicated racing circuit that has large run-off areas there is not a lot of room for passing. Also, being in the desert, sand can be and is an issue especially if the wind is blowing. There are two straights where the cars were able to get upwards of 160 mph before breaking for Turn-7s' double apex or Turn-15.

The trickiest part of the track appeared to be the transition between the Blue and Red track surfaces which had a marked bump that caused the cars to become unstable.

The four test sessions were treated as open test sessions so the teams could try anything they liked to set the car up for Thermal or any other situation they wanted to test for. Over 2,000+ laps were driven during the four test sessions. There were six rookie drivers and this track time was used by both these drivers and their teams to get used to the car and each other. The difference in lap times between the fastest and slowest cars varied by 2.3771 to 3.4679 seconds. Sting Ray Robb had the dubious honor of being slowest in all the test sessions. 

Stingray Robb in his #41 Pray.Com Dallara IR12 had the dubious honor of being slowest on all days.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Alex Palou, Christian Lundgaard, Marcus Armstrong, and Alexander Rossi dominated the first two test sessions.  Callum Ilott, Alex Palou, and Christian Lundgaard had the best times for Session 3.  Christian Lundgaard, Will Power and Scott McLaughlin provided the quickest times in Session 4. This probably did not mean much since only the teams knew how they were setting the car up and testing for.

Two qualifying sessions were held.  Which session a driver was in was determined by a drawing.  Fourteen drivers qualified in the first session with the remaining thirteen drivers in the second session. The top six cars within each qualifying race proceeded to the $1 Million Challenge. 

Pace Lap for Heat 1 at The Thermal Club.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

At the start of Heat Race 1 #9 Scott Dixon moved over into #77 Romain Grosjean punting him across the track where he collected #21 Rinus Veekay.  For the rest of the race the racing was clean with #60 Felix Rosenqvist leading from start to finish.

Felix Rosenqvist, Scott McLaughlin, Christian Lundgaard, Joseph Newgarden, Agustin Canapino, and Colton Herta qualified for the race from Group 1. 

Pace Lap for Heat 2 at The Thermal Club.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

 

Heat Race 2 was led by #10 Alex Palou from start to finish.  With  Palou, Marcus Armstrong, Graham Rahal, Rookies Linus Lundqvist and Tom Blomqvist along with Pietro Fittipaldi made it into the Final.

The race was set up as a 20-lap main event with a 10-minute half-time break, no pit stops, and any laps under caution did not count. During the half-time break the teams were allowed to add fuel, change tire pressures, and make adjustments to the front and rear wings. Nothing else.

Alex Palou on his way to victory at the $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Alex Palou dominated the 20 laps from start to finish.  #15 Graham Rahal had throttle issues which forced him to retire.  Because tires were not allowed to be changed during the race #28 Colton Herta had a unique strategy where he was happy to cycle around the track in last place for the first half of the race about 8 seconds per lap slower than the leader.

#30 Pietro Fittipaldi was disqualified after the first half because the team failed to fully fuel his car at the start of the race.

Again, Palou dominated with the real racing going on between #3 Scott McLaughlin and #60 Felix Rosenqvist.  Graham Rahal, due to his tire strategy was able to move up into 4th place by the time 20-laps had been completed and the checkered flag was dropped.

#3 Scott McLaughlin was the 2nd place finisher at the $1 Million Challenge at The Thermal Club.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

#60 Felix Rosenqvist placed 3nd at the $1 Million Challenge. 
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

Podium celebration at The Thermal Club.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

TAGS: Alex Palou, Brandon O'Brien, Chip Ganassi Racing, Motor Driven Images, The Thermal Club, Felix Rosenqvist, Scott McLaughlin, Stingray Robb, $1 Million Challenge

 

Weather Forces Changes to the Busch Light Clash in Los Angeles

Fireworks and lighting of the Olympic Torch at the start of the Busch Light CLASH.
Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Weather Forces Changes to the Busch Light CLASH

Words and Images By:  Brandon O'Brien, unless otherwise stated

That old saying goes, "it never rains in California".  That may be true most of the time but when it does, it pours.  Prior to the third gathering of the NASCAR Busch Light CLASH at the LA Coliseum the weather forecasters had been predicting a weeks' worth of heavy rain thanks to the approaching "Pineapple Express"

Qualifying for the CLASH was scheduled for Saturday afternoon with the race to be held Sunday afternoon. With both the Teams and media questioning how NASCAR was going to handle a rain delayed event  NASCAR announced that the CLASH would take place on Saturday night at 8:00pm. The decision to reschedule the exhibition race, "was made by NASCAR in conjunction with FOX Sports television and the management of the Los Angeles Coliseum due to the impending inclement weather and concern for fan safety".  

2nd Place finisher Kyle Busch in the #8 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet Camaro praised NASCAR for being proactive in rescheduling the CLASH due to the impending severe weather.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Instead of the normal heat-races to determine the twenty-two qualifying spots, those positions were  determined by earlier practice times.  Pole position would be held by Denny Hamlin in the #11 Sports Clips Haircut Toyota, followed by Joey Logano in the #22 Shell Pennzoil Ford Mustang and Ty Gibbs in the #45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry.  The 23rd starting position was taken by the 2023 Cup Series Champion Ryan Blaney in the #12 Menards/Great Lakes Flooring Ford Mustang.

The top two qualifying positions went to Denny Hamlin in the #11 SportClips Haircuts Toyota Camry and to Ryan Larson in the #22 Pennzoil Ford Mustang.  

Ryan Blaney during morning practice in the #12 Menards Ford Mustang.  He could not make the field on time but started in the 23rd spot as the 2023 Cup Series champion. He ended the race in 3rd place.   Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Under threatening skies the race started without incident.  Unlike the past two-years the race went for 70-laps prior to the first caution being brought out when #38 Todd Gilliland spun into the wall between turns 1 & 2.  During the first half of the race the lead changed between three drivers: Logano, Hamlin, and Gibbs.  Caution laps do not count in this race so once the #38 was removed and the track cleaned the field raced to the 75-lap mark for the mid-race break. During the final restart Logano was able to pass Gibbs for the lead.

Ty Gibbs in the #45 Monster Energy Toyota Camry door-to-door with #8 Kyle Busch.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

During the second half of the race there were an additional 6 caution periods brought out primarily by single car spins.  Front brake cooling issues took their toll throughout the field as the race wore on.  These cautions allowed other drivers to make up positions, at the restart, due to which lane they chose to restart in. This would influence the outcome of the race.

The restart following the sixth caution on lap 141 allowed Hamlin to take the lead. With two laps to go Gibbs spun out in Turn 4 after contact with Larson forcing the seventh caution.  Hamlin was able to maintain his lead on Busch for the two-lap shootout to the finish.

The race ended with Denny Hamlin winning by 0.610 seconds in the #11 Sports Clips Haircuts Toyota Camry followed by Kyle Busch in the #8 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet Camaro.  Ryan Blaney went from the back of the field to third in the #12 Menards/Great Lakes Flooring Ford Mustang, much of this due to his team restart strategy.  The average race speed was 32.937 mph.

CLASH winner Denny Hamlin surrounded in tire smoke as he celebrated his CLASH win.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2nd Place finisher Kyle Busch is out of his #8 Morgan & Morgan Chevrolet Camaro prior to being interviewed.  Image Credit: 2024 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ty Gibbs probably had the quickest car in the race but his inexperience, especially on restarts,  and his spin in turn 4 may have cost him his first win.

Fortunately the heavy rain held off for the rest of the scheduled events.  

TAGS: Brandon O'Brien, Busch Light, CLASH,  Cup Series, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, LA Coliseum, Los Angeles Coliseum,  NASCAR,  Motor Driven Images, Ryan Blaney, Ty Gibbs