IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge At Laguna Seca

The IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge cars as they come out of Turn 10 and set up along the short chute to enter Turn 11 on to the front straight at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Tire Challenge At Laguna Seca
Words By:  Brandon J. O'Brien
Images By:  Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge is always a highly competitive race. The event at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca was not decided until the finals turns of the final lap.

With 10-minutes of the two-hour race to go the top four Grand Sport (GS) cars were running within two seconds of each other.  The leading No. 28 RS1 Porsche Cayman GT4 MR was being driven by Dillon Machavern and had lead the field for most of the final hour. He was followed closely by the No. 57 Winward Racing / HTP Motorsport Mercedes-AMG GT4 driven by Christian Hohenadel.

The No. 28 RS1 Porsche Cayman GT4 MR lead the race until running out of fuel on the last lap.Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The No. 57 Winward Racing / HTP Mercedes-AMG GT4 had second place secured until it also ran out of fuel on the final lap. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

In third place was the No. 46 Team TGM Mercedes-AMG GT4 driven by Hugh Plumb and in fourth was the No. 15 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 driven by Scott Maxwell.

On the final lap, both the first and second place cars began to fail due to fuel starvation. As the No. 28 Porsche Cayman and the No. 57 Mercedes-AMG slowed they were quickly passed by the No. 46 Mercedes-AMG GT4 and the No. 15 Mustang GT4 with only two turns to go to the checkered flag. Being on a later pit strategy and in fuel conservation mode they both had enough fuel to make it to the end.

The Race Winning No. 46 Team TGM Mercedes-AMG GT4 driven by Hugh Plumb seen here last the top of the Cork-Screw at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The second place No. 15 Multimatic Motorsports Ford Mustang GT4 driven by Scott Maxwell seen here exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The Touring Car (TCR) class was an exclusive Audi RS3 LMS TCR event.  The top three finishers were the No. 77 Compass Racing Audi co-driven by Britt Casey Jr. and Tom Long.  Followed in second place by the No. 54 JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi driven by Michael Johnson and Stephen Simpson.  Third place went to the No. 12 eEuroparts.com Racing Audi co-driven by Kenton Koch and Tom O'Gorman.

Touring Class (TCR) winning No. 77 Compass Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR driven by  Britt Casey Jr. and Tom Long
seen exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The second place Touring Car (TCR) No 54 JDC-Miller MotorSports Audi RS3 LMS TCR  exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The No. 12 eEuroparts.com Racing Audi RS3 LMS TCR exiting the Cork-Screw on it's way to a class third place finish driven by Kenton Koch and Tom O'Gorman. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The Street Turner (ST) class was headed by the No.81 BimmerWorld BMW 328i co-driven by Nick Galante and Devin jones.  Second place went to the No. 73 MINI JWC Team Mini JCW co-driven by Mike LaMarrta and Max Pombo with third place going to the No. 21 Bodymotion Racing Porsche Cayman driven by Max Faulkner and Jason Rabe.

The Street Tuner (TC) class was won by the No. 81 BimmerWorld BMW 328i driven by Nick Galante and Devin JonesImage Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Second place Street Tuner (TC) went to the No. 73 MINI JWC co-driven by Mike LaMarra and Mat PomboImage Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Third place in the Street Tuner (ST) class went to the No. 21 Bodymotion Porsche Cayman driven by Max Faulkner and Jason Rabe  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Continental Tire will exit IMSA competition at the end of 2018, including title sponsorship of the Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, with IMSA electing not to extend its long-standing partnership, the tire manufacturer.

In addition to confirming Michelin as the new entitlement partner and official tire, the challenge series will introduce the same leader-light technology used by the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in 2018. All series races will be televised on a tape-delayed basis on NBCSN as part of IMSA’s new, six-year television partnership with NBC Sports.

The IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge will feature leader-light technology and a reduction to two classes, but the series’ familiar slate of 10 races and outstanding on-track competition remain for 2019.

The two-class format includes the lead Grand Sport (GS) class, which this year began using race cars built to international GT4 technical regulations exclusively and the TCR class, which debuted this year with front-wheel drive, turbocharged race cars governed by international TCR technical regulations. The Street Tuner (ST) class has been discontinued for 2019 as previously planned.

TAGS: Brandon O'Brien, Continental Monterey Grand Prix, IMSA, IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Motor Driven Images, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Crash Overshadows Lamborghini Trofeo Races At Laguna Seca

Infamous Corkscrew turn at Luguna Seca full of Lamborghini Huracan cars prepared to race in the IMSA sanctioned Super Trofeo series. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Crash Overshadows Lamborghini Trofeo Races at Laguna Seca

Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien

Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo series has been campaigned in North America since 2013.  The car used exclusively in the series is the Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo which is brand new for 2018.  New bodywork combines functionality and style.  The front diffuser directs airflow to the rear wing giving proper down force in all driving situations.  The two air scoops normally found on the road going version have been refined into a single scoop that improves aerodynamics.  Finally a shark fin dramatically improves the handling at high speed, especially in corners.

Like many single car series popular today, the drivers are classified in either one of three classes: PRO, PRO-AM, and AM, each driver not only competing within their class but also for the overall championship.  All of these skill levels are competing on the track at the same time in equally competitive machines. The PRO and PRO-AM classes require two drivers and a driver change during the race.  The AM drivers do not have co-drivers but are still required to do a pit stop.

Race day on Saturday dawned a bit foggy and cool.  By race time the weather was warming up and it was a beautiful fall morning at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  The race started with Loris Spinelli in the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward leading the field.

Pro-Am Class winners and eventual 2018 Class Champions Loris Spinelli and JC Perez in the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

About 6 minutes into the race, Sheena Monk in the No. 7 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus car came flying up the hill from Turn 6, just threading her way through two cars braking for the famous corkscrew. Apparently without slowing she went straight into the gravel, hitting a small bump that catapulted her car into the upper tires barely missing the K-rail.  Upon hitting the tires the car summersaulted backwards back onto the gravel impacting on its nose.  The car did exactly what it was designed to do and much of the inertia was dispelled with the disintegration of the bodywork.

Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The No. 7 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus car driven by Sheena Monk moments after impacting the tire barrier in the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during the first Lamborghini Trofeo race.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This immediately produced a red flag and course workers and medical personnel were quick to respond.  Ms. Monk was conscious following the crash and, due to her injuries it was deemed best if the car was cut apart in order to extract her without further injuries. It has been reported that she suffered a fractured pelvis. 

With 12 minutes remaining the green flag was dropped and the pit window opened.  Most of the leaders decided to pit but Edoardo Piscopo in the No. 50 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills stayed out and assumed the lead.  

The race winning and eventual 2018 PRO Class Champion No. 50 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills being driven by Edoardo Piscopo and Taylor Proto after exiting the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca during Race 9.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

With just two minutes remaining he dashed into the pits and Taylor Proto took over the car. While in the pits, and still in the lead, the No. 33 Wayne Taylor Racing, Lamborghini Paramus driven by Cameron Cassels spun in Turn 5 bringing out a full course yellow.

Proto took the checkerd flag extending their PRO class lead.  Brandon Gdovic and Shinya Michimi in the No. 46 PPM, Lamborghini Palm Beach was second while Corey Lewis and Madison Snow in the No. 29 Change Racing, Lamborghini Charlotte was third.

The overall 2nd Place finishing No. 46 PPM, Lamborghini Palm Beach driven by Brandon Gdovic and Shinya Michimi exiting the corkscrew during race 9.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

By winning the PRO-AM class Loris Spinelli and JC Perez  secured the 2018 Class Championship. 

Brian Thienes in the No. 17 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills won the AM class.

Brian Thienes in the No. 17 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills won the AM class and is shown at the top of the corkscrew leading the No. 09 US RaceTronics,  Lamborghini Beverly Hills driven by D. Ockey.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Fortunately the race on Sunday was much less spectacular.  Passing the leading No. 1 Wayne Taylor, Lamborghini Paramas car driven by Trent Hindman,  Loris Spinelli driving the No 71 P1 Motorsports, Lamborghini Broward car took over the lead late in the race and won with a three second margin. 

The No. 09 AM Class winning car driven by D. Ockey.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Finishing 2nd overall Trent Hindman and Johnathan Cecotto claimed the PRO class win. 

3rd place overall went to Cory Lewis and Madison Snow in the No. 29 Change Racing, Lamborghini Charlotte car.

The AM class win went to D. Okey driving the 09 US RaceTronics, Lamborghini Beverly Hills car.

TAGS: Lamborghini Trofeo, Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo Evo, Motor Driven Images,  Sheena Monk, Wayne Taylor Racing, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

 

Mishap Scrambles IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Field At Laguna Seca

Mishap Scrambles IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Field At Laguna Seca
Words By: Brandon J. O'Brien
Images By: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

Within seconds of the Green Flag dropping at the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship the No. 99 JDC-Miller Motorsports ORECA LMP2 being driven by Misha Goikhberg, in an attempt to get past slower cars, made contact with the No. 5 Mustang Sampling Racing Cadillac DPi  driven by Joao Barbosa sending cars scattering all over the front straight.

Dirk Mueller in the No. 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT clipped the Cadillac tearing off his right front suspension.  The Cadillac was then T-boned by the No. 911 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR driven by Nick Tandy.

Although damage to many of the cars forced an early retirement, and for some in the GTLM class, Championship hopes dashed there were no injuries.

Championship hopes dashed!  The battered No. 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Ford GT after the opening lap incident.Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Starting the No. 22 Tequila Patron ESM Nissan DPi Johannes van Overbeek at the back of the Prototype field managed to avoid hitting the airborne No. 66 Ford GT and it's bouncing right front tire.   He pitted to turn the car over to Pipo Derani 22 minutes into the race.

After a restart following the third full-course caution 46 minutes into the race Derani spun in Turn 2.  Derani then worked his way forward moving into the top five and stayed there for most of the remainder of the race.

The race winning No. 22 Tequila Patron ESM Nissan DPi exiting the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

He was running second when race leader Harry Tincknell spun the No. 55 Mazda Team Joest Mazda RT24-P DPi while attempting to pass a slower car.  Derani inherited the lead and was not challenged for the rest of the race.  He won by 10.9 seconds over Colin Braun in the No. 54 CORE autosport ORECA LMP2 car.  Followed in third by the No. 6 Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05 DPi co-driven by Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya.

Jubilant winning drivers Pipo Derani (L) and Johannes van Overbeek (R) along with their team after their win at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca . Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The second place No. 54 CORE autosport ORECA LMP2 co-driven by Jonathan Bennett and Colin Braun.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The third place Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05 DPi co-driven by Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

In GT LeMans (GTLM) Conner De Phillippi and Alexander Sims co-drove to their second consecutive victory in the No. 25 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE.  De Phillippi was able to conserve his fuel over the final hour of the race taking over the lead when the sister BMW driven by John Edwards was forced to make a dash into the pits for a splash of fuel.  Laurens Vanthoor finished 2.488 seconds back in the No. 912 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR followed by the No. 3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R co-driven by Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen.

The GTLM winning No. 25 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE driven by Alexander Sims and Conner De Phillippi braking for Turn 6 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

GTLM second place No. 912 Porsche GT Team Porsche 911 RSR co-driven by Laurens Vanthoor and Earl Bamber in the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Third place for GTM went to the No. 3 Corvette Racing Chevrolet Corvette C7.R co-driven by Antonio Garcia and Jan Magnussen.Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

For the GT Daytona (GTD) class Alvaro Parente took the No. 86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX-GT3 from fourth to the lead in the final 10 minutes of the race.  He was followed by the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R co-driven by Patrick Lindsey and Jorg Bergmeister.

First place in the GT Daytona class went to the No. 86 Meyer Shank Racing Acura NSX-GT3 driven by Katherine Legge and Alvaro Parente.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

Second place went to the No. 73 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R driven by Patrick Lindsey and Jorg Bergmeister exiting the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

GT Daytona No. 33 Mercedes-AMG Team Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Jeroen Bleekemolen seen here leading the No. 63 Ferrari 488 GT3 into the corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2018)

The final podium spot went to the No. 33 Mercedes-AMG Riley Motorsports Mercedes-AMG GT3 driven by Ben Keating and Jeroen Bleekemolen.




TAGS: Acura ARX-05 DPi, Acura NSX-GT3, Acura Team Penske, Brandon O'Brien, BMW, BMW M8 GTE, Chip Ganassi Racing, Continental Monterey Grand Prix, CORE autosport, Corvette C7.R, Corvette Racing, Ford GT, GTD, GTLM, IMSA, IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, Mercedes-AMG GT3, Mercedes-AMG Team Riley, Meyer Shank Racing, Motor Driven Images, Nissan DPi, ORECA LMP2, Park Place Motorsports, Porsche 911 GT3-R, Porsche 911 RSR, Prototype, Tequila Patron ESM