IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Grand Prix Of Long Beach

 Mathieu Jaminet and Nick Tandy Porsche Penske Motorsport drivers after winning the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship race at Long Beach in the No. 6 Porsche 963. Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Grand Prix Of Long Beach
Words and Images by: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

If you missed the first minute or the final two minutes of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Grand Prix you essentially missed the whole race.

This was the third race in the IMSA WeatherTech series showcasing the new Hybrid  electric GTP cars.  They may look similar to the GTP (GT Prototype) cars from the past few seasons but they are completely different and as the drivers will tell you, have characteristics that require different driving techniques.  Also new this season in this class, are four new cars from Germany.  Two BMW M Hybrid V8s and two Porsche 963s.

Racing along with the exotic GTP cars are the GT3 specification GTD (GT Daytona) cars that look very similar to the cars we see or drive on the streets today. There are two classes for this series, GTDPro which is comprised of "professional" drivers and the GTD class which are driven by professional and amateur  drivers.

Pole sitting Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 driven by Ricky Taylor and Felipe Alburquerque entering the fountain curve at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

At the start of the race, the pole sitter was Felipe Albuquerque driving the No. 10 Konica Minolta Acura ARX-06 and sitting next to him was Tom Blomqvist in the No. 60 Meyer Shank Racing w/Curb Agajanian Acura ARX-06.  Sebastien Bourdais, starting in third with the No. 01 Cadillac Racing Cadillac V-Series R, was unable to move from the inside of the track and tried to late brake for Turn-1 while still driving in the marbles.  His car rotated around, kissed the wall, and slid backwards into the middle of Turn-1.  This cause all the following cars to scramble to avoid colliding with the now stalled Acura.  Blomqvist spun his Acura avoiding contact with any cars but stalled his Acura.

The new GTP cars, due to their hybrid electric (800 volt) powertrain have the computer set up to kill all power in the event of an accident.  For safety, the only way to restore power is in the pits. Therefore both Acura's required towing back to the pits. You will notice that these cars now have a set of red and green lights on both sides of the windshield.  Green means it is safe to approach and touch the chassis.  Red means all hands off.  When the red light is on, even the driver must remain in the car.

This left Albuquerque in the No. 10 Acura in the lead followed by Nick Tandy in No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports Porsche 963 with the two BMWs and the second Porsche in hot pursuit. 

The GTD class of cars stayed relatively consistent throughout the race with GTDPro being mostly led by the No. 14 Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 (Jack Hawksworth / Ben Barnicoat) and GTD with the No. 1 Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 (Bryan Sellers / Madison Snow).  

Unlike typical city street races the race went yellow flag free (after the first few laps) until the last lap. Ricky Taylor in the No. 10 Acura and Matthieu Jaminet in the No. 6 Porsche kept up a good battle with both cars taking turns in the lead by using pit strategy.  With about ten laps remaining the Porsche was in the lead on two-stint tires while the Acura had fresher rubber.  Taylor made a couple of attempts to pass the Porsche but was unable to capitalize on any attempt.  Finally with two laps to go Taylor made an attempt to pass at the end of Shoreline Drive.  Jaminet did not try to block Taylor.  Unfortunately Taylor locked up his brakes and went into the Turn-1 tire barrier ending his bid for the day. 

Winning No. 6 Porsche Penske Motorsports Porsche 963 in the Fountain Curve at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

 Jaminet cruised to the finish for his first IMSA victory of the season winning by 0.903 seconds. This was the first victory for the new Porsche. Nick Tandy, Jaminets' teammate said, "to get a result and get some trophies is amazing and a testament to the hard work across the globe.  We wanted to do something different and we made some great decisions because they paid off".  

The No. 25 BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 driven by Conner de Phillippe barely missed the crashed Acura and secured 2nd Place. Nick Yelloly, Conner's teammate said, "to come here and get a podium place feels quite nice.  I have to say, Conner in the last bit gave everything." 

2nd Place BMW M Team RLL BMW M Hybrid V8 in the Fountain Curve was co-driven by Conner de Phillippi and Nick Yelloly. Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Felipe Nasr and Matt Campbell were third giving Porsche two Top-3 finishers.

3rd Place finishing Porsche 963 was co-driven by Matt Campbell and Felipe Nasr at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 headed the GTDPro class and the No. 1 BMW M4 GT3 headed the GTD class.

The No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 driven to the GTDPro victory by Jack Hawksworth and Ben Barnicoat.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The No. 1 GTD winning Paul Miller Racing BMW M4 GT3 driven by Bryan Sellers and Madison Snow.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The next IMSA race will be held at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on the weekend of May 12-14. Please contact WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for ticket and camping information.

ENDS

Tags: Acura, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, BMW, Brandon O'Brien, IMSA, IMSA Weathertech Sprotscar Championship, International Motorsports Association, Lexus, Long Beach, Motor Driven Images, Porsche  

 

  

FORMULA 1 HIT THE STREETS OF LONG BEACH AFTER 40 YEARS

Vintage F1 cars on the track at Longs Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

FORMULA 1 HIT THE STREETS OF LONG BEACH AFTER 40 YEARS
Words and Images by: Brandon O'Brien

After an absence of 40 years, Formula 1 cars took to the streets of Long Beach. Not to be confused with the current generation of F1 cars (you need to go to Las Vegas for those) these were some of the very same cars that competed in Long Beach from 1978 - 1983. Twenty-one entries were signed up to participate in the Historic Motor Sports Association (HMSA) F1 Challenge.

I was there for the very first two "US Grand Prix (West)" races and my memory of those F1 cars was their noise and quickness. This weekend I can add I am surprised at how small they are and how much the driver was / is exposed.

On Thursday Patrick Long, the long-term factory Porsche driver, drove the 1983 Williams FW08C, once driven by Keke Rosberg, around the track for a media event. Not wanting to stress an extremely expensive and exotic race car he kept the pace down to what he though was a respectable level. Later that day he was approached by the owner who told him that the car did not like to be idled around the track. The car was in it's realm when the tach read 11.3.

Patrick Long driving the 1983 Williams FW08C through the Fountain Curve at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Unfortunately during the first day of practice the 1982 Lotus 91/8 was unable to make the turn around the fountain and planted its nose into the tire barrier.  The damage was severe enough to eliminate the car from the rest of the weekend activities.  Hopefully it will be repaired in time to be raced at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in May.

1982 Lotus 91/8 comes to grief in the tire barrier at the Fountain Curve during practice on Friday at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

After winning the first challenge race on Saturday, Patrick came down to the Motor Press Guild table in the Media Center to say "hi" to Edmund Jenks.  While there we asked what it was like to drive an F1 car. He stated that it was thrilling and required a lot of work and concentration.

During the Q and A session after winning Sunday's race he mentioned that his lap times in Porsche GTLM / GTD cars that he drove here were quicker than in the F1 car and the effort to do those lap times was much easier.  As expected, those 40 years in race car development have resulted in safer, better handling cars.  

If you missed these iconic cars at Long Beach you will have another opportunity to see and hear them on May 12-14 at the IMSA / Motul Course de Monterey powered by Hyundai N at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

1971 Tyrrell 004 going through the hairpin during the HMSA F1 Challenge at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1976 Lotus 77 exiting the hairpin during the HMSA  F1 Challenge at Long Beach.  Image Credit: 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1979 Shadow DN9 in the hairpin during the HMSA F1 Challenge at Long Beach.  Image Credit:  2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1976 March 761 exiting the hairpin during the HMSA F1 Challenge at Long Beach.  Image Credit 2023 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

ENDS

Tags: Brandon O'Brien, F1, Formula 1, HMSA, Historic Motor Sports Association,  Lotus,  March,  Motor Driven Images,  Shadow, Tyrrell, Vintage, Williams.

LA Coliseum Hosts First 2022 Chariot Race

Trackside View of the LA Coliseum prior to the Busch Light CLASH.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

LA Coliseum Hosts First 2022 Chariot Race

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

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum has a long and varied past.  Conceived as a hallmark of civic pride as a memorial to Los Angeles veterans of World War I it was completed in 1923.  It will be the first stadium to have hosted the Summer Olympics three times when it hosts the 2028 Summer Games.  The stadium previously hosted the Summer Olympics in 1932 and 1984. 

The 2022 Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum Logo painted in the infield area.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Coliseum was the home of the Los Angeles Rams from 1946 to 1979 and is the current home of the USC Trojan football team. It was also the site for Super Bowl's I and VII as well as the 1959 World Series.

Following the illustrious past of the gladiators and Olympians at the Coliseum the NASCAR chariots will attempt to tame the 0.25 mile oval.  The race is generally staged as a pre-season exhibition race at the Daytona International Speedway.  This will be the first race for the Next Gen chassis.

Next Gen is the common name for the new racecar.  It is a further evolution of the Generation 6 car, the Next Gen features improved aero and downforce packages while introducing new technologies on the track. 

Next Gen car ready for Technical Inspection. Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

It is equipped with a sequential shifter, single center-lock wheel nut, 670-horsepower engines, rack-and-pinion steering, an independent rear suspension, carbon fiber-reinforced body panels, and a rear-end diffuser.

In addition, the Next Gen car is meant to lower costs and attract new original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to compete with Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota.

The 2022 event was open to 36 charter teams and 4 open teams. The event was composed of 350 laps in 7 races.  4 - 25 lap heat races of ten drivers with the top 4 drivers of each race advancing to The Clash.  2 - 50 lap Last Chance Qualifier races, for those drivers that did not qualify in the previous four races, with the top 3 drivers of each race advancing.  Finally the top non-qualifying 2021 points leader advanced to The Clash and started in the last spot.  Twenty-three drivers competed in the 150 lap main event. 

The drivers took to the track for the first time for practice on Saturday morning and they appeared to be very happy with both the Next Gen car as well as the track.  A number of drivers commented on "how well the new car turned as compared to the previous generation".  They were also impressed with the grip afforded by the new wider tires and the quality of the temporary track surface.  After the short practice session the track would remain quiet until Saturday evening when qualifying for the heat races would take place.

The starting order for the heat races was determined by a formula based on each drivers' qualifying time posted Saturday night.  The fastest driver would be in heat 1.  The second fastest would be in heat 2, etc.  Kyle Busch posted the best time with a 13.745 second lap. The slowest car posted a time of 14.471 seconds. One driver mentioned that on this track the 0.726 second difference was pretty significant. 

The heat races started on Sunday morning.  The top four positions for The Clash would be determined by the top finishing car from each heat race.  Kyle Busch controlled the first heat race and would start on the pole.  Tyler Reddick did the same for the second heat race and would start outside Busch for The Clash.  

Kyle Busch driving the #18 M&M's Toyota Camry when qualifying for the Heat Races at the LA Coliseum.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Tyler Reddick in the #8 Guaranteed Rate Chevrolet Camero when qualifying for the Heat Races at the LA Coliseum.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The second row was comprised of Justin Haley and Joey Logano.

Justin Haley in the #31 Leaf  Filter Gutter Protection Chevrolet Camero during qualifying for the Heat Races at the LA Memorial Coliseum.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Joey Logano in the #22 Shell Penzoil Ford Mustang during qualifying for the Heat Races at the LA Memorial Coliseum.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Clash started as shadows began to emerge along the front straight. Tyler Reddick in the #8 Chevrolet took little time to charge ahead of Kyle Busch's #18 Toyota and they continued to swap positions for the first 4 laps.  

Tyler Reddick in the #8 Guaranteed Rate Chevrolet bumping Kyle Busch's race leading #18 M&M's Toyota.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images 

From laps 4 through 53 Reddick seemed to have the best handling car.  Following an incident between  # 47 Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and #21 Harrison Burton, Reddick failed to accelerate at the restart.  He later attributed this to a broken transaxle.  He admitted that it was his fault and that he was too aggressive in keeping heat in the tires by hammering the clutch.

Kyle Busch in the #18 Toyota lead the field from laps 54 through 115.  He was able to hold off the #22 Ford driven by Logano on each of the restarts on laps 65, 75, and 115.  After an incident on the frontstretch between #5 Kyle Larson and #31 Justin Haley on lap 116, Busch was unable to keep Logano in the #22 Ford from passing.  Busch stated, "Just overheated the tires and smoked'em in three laps.  That was it".  

The pass for the lead.  Image Credit:  2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Although much of the attention was focused on the leaders, there was some very close racing in the middle of the pack.  It was primarily there that a lot of the bumping and banging took place without any serious damage to the bodies.  Much of this was attributed to the new composite body.

Tight Racing in the middle of the pack for the Busch Light Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum.  Image Credit:  2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Logano went on to lead the remaining 35 laps to take home The Clash victory.  The margin of victory was 0.877 seconds. The average race speed was a mind blowing 39.029 MPH. Maybe even more surprising, there were only five cautions.

Final Lap of The Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum.  Image Credit: 2022 Albert Wong

Winning Burnout on the backstretch by The Clash winner Joey Logano.  Image Credit: 2022 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2022 Busch Light Clash winner Joey Logano holding his trophy.  Image Credit:  2022 Albert Wong

So what was the driver's takeaway?  Joey Logano said, "Honestly, I think the biggest win we saw today, with the car itself, is that we can bump and bang and not cut the tires down".

Next races on February 17, 2022 - Daytona International Speedway followed by February 27, 2022 - Auto Club Speedway, Fontana, CA

TAGS: Brandon O'Brien, Busch Light Cup Series, Chevrolet, Cup Series, Ford, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch, LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Motor Driven Images, MotorSports Journal, NASCAR, Next Gen, The Clash, Toyota, Tyler Reddick

What's Hot At The 2021 Los Angeles Car Show

The Subaru Exhibit at the Los Angeles Automobile Show has a Self-Immersion Forest Motif.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

What's Hot At The 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show

Words and Images by: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise noted. 

 After a 1-year hiatus one would have expected the majority of the automobile manufacturers would be queuing for a place on the Los Angeles Convention Center floor. Unfortunately that is not the case. Whether it is because the main emphasis is now on full-electric vehicles or just fallout from COVID,  some Asian and most of the European manufacturers were absent. I understand that at least one European manufacturer had an off-site display for "invited" journalists but I was not one of those individuals. 

 As in years past there was a theme for the show. This year it is Full-Electric vehicles with an emphasis on SUV's.  For those hoping to see some of the latest Coupes or Sedans this show will be disappointing.  Aside from Porsche and the 2023 Nissan Z and Z06 Corvette nothing new was on display to entice the sport car aficionado's. Both  Alfa Romeo and Jaguar did have a display of their offerings which are relatively unchanged from the past year.

The 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 on display at the 2021 LA Automobile Show.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The World Premiere of the Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 RS at the 2021 LA Automobile Show.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The World Premiere of the 2022 Porsche Taycan GTS Sport Turismo.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2022 Porsche Mission R Racing EV Concept.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2023 Nissan New Z on display at the Los Angeles Automobile Show.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

That does not mean that there are not interesting vehicles to feast your eye's on, it means that you will be spending more time in the Galpin Exhibit hall and down on the parking level looking at some very nice older Corvettes.

A very nice 1953 Chevrolet Corvette on display at the LA Automobile Show.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

George Barris Bathtub Buggy in the Galpin Exhibit Hall.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2004 Shelby Cobra Concept.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Not so with SUV's.  Three new entries into the EV market are Fisker, Mullen, and Vinfast.  Henri Fisker is back with his new 2023 Fisker Ocean, Southern California based Mullen has their 2024 Mullen Five, and Vietnam based Vinfast has two 2022 models, the VF e35 and VF e36. 

A very colorful 2023 Fisker Ocean on display at the 2021 LA Auto Show.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2024 Mullen Five on displat at the Los Angeles Automobile Show.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Vinfast VFe35 made it's World Premiere at the LA Auto Show.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien

The larger Vinfast VF e36 also made its debut at the LA Auto Show.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Also on display are two brands of three-wheeled vehicles.  Electro Meccanica is specializing in single seat vehicles while Sondors has a very nice three-seater.

Three-Wheel Electro Meccanica Solos on display at the LA Auto Show.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The cockpit of the Electro Meccanica Solo O2 appears to be very functional and automobile oriented.

                                                    Image Credit:  2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Sondors Three-wheeled three passenger car.  Image Credit:  2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Subaru has the most inviting display with a forest  theme.  It was the perfect layout for displaying their all terrain vehicles.  Here they highlighted their new for 2023 Solterra.

The 2023 Subaru Solterra made its debut at the 2021 Los Angeles Automobile Show.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Hyundai has their new IONIQ 5 as well as the Hyundai SEVEN Concept vehicle which is purported to be produced in about 4 years.

2022 Hyundai IONIQ 5.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The innovative Hyundai SEVEN concept as seen at the LA Automobile Show.
Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

KIA also had a concept vehicle called the CONCEPT EV9.  If we look at both the Hyundai and the KIA we can get an idea as to what SUV's may look like in the near future.

KIA CONCEPT EV9.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ford had one of the larger displays showcasing their complete product line from sport cars to trucks. They also had an indoor test driving track for use with their Mustang Mach e's. 

2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum Edition which will go on sale in the spring.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2022 Ford F-150 Eluminator EV Concept.  Image Credit: 2021 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Although the 2021 Los Angeles Automobile Show was not as elaborate as in past years it certainly was good to have it back.  The show is open to the public from November 19-29, 2021

 TAGS: Brandon O'Brien, Cayman, Concept EV9, Electra Meccanica, F-150, Ford, Hyundai, IONIQ, Kia, LA Auto Show, LA Automobile Show, Los Angeles Auto Show, Los Angeles Automobile Show, Lightning, Mission R, Motor Driven Images, Mullen, Porsche, SEVEN Concept, Solo, Sondors, Solterra, Subaru, Taycan, Vinfast