California 8 Hours Has Worldwide Appeal

A pack of GT3 cars at the start of the Intercontinental GT Challenge California 8 Hours.  
Image Credit:  2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

California 8 Hours Has Worldwide Appeal
Words By:Brandon J. O'Brien
Image Credit:  Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

The 2019 Intercontinental GT Challenge powered by Pirelli became the first major event of the racing season at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  The Intercontinental GT Challenge features five endurance races on five continents (Australia, North America, Europe, Japan, and Africa).  In 2019 it features eight manufacturers (Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Honda/Acura, Mercedes-AMG, Nissan, and Porsche) using GT3 homologated cars.  WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca hosts the shortest race of the series at 8-hours with SPA hosting the longest at 24-hours.

Last year at Laguna Seca Tristian Vautier was crowned the series champion after finishing the 8-hour event in third place thus securing his title.  Audi secured the manufacturers' title.

Tristian Vautier on his way to a Third Place finish securing his 2018 Driver's Title at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2017 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

One of the 2018 Audi Sport Team WRT Audi R8's that helped secure the 2018 Manufacturers Title.
Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Mario Farnbacher's qualifying time of 1:23.156 in the No. 30 Honda Team Motul Honda NSX GT3 EVO placed him on the pole.  The top ten positions were only separated by 0.558 seconds and included seven of the eight manufacturers.  Filling out the grid was a GTC and few GT4 cars.

The Pole Winning Honda Team Motul Honda Acura NSX GT3 Evo exiting Turn 11.  
Image Credit:  2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

With twenty-two cars on the grid for the start the first 30 minutes was anything but boring.  The No. 35 KCMG Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 took the initial lead followed closely by the No. 30 Honda Team Motul NSX GT3 Evo.  They were followed closely by the remainder of the field.  The No. 107 Bentley Team M-Sport Bentley Continental GT3 started from pit lane after not completing qualifying the previous day.  Within 45-minutes he had caught up with the sister Bentley.

After about two hours of racing the first five positions were fairly well established with the No. 27 HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 leading followed by the No. 911 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3 R,  No. 34 Walkenhorst Motorsport BMW M6 GT3, No. 44 Mercedes-AMG Strakka Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3, and the No. 999 Mercedes-AMG GruppeM Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3.  Excluding the normal position changes due to pit stops these five remained fairly constant.

The overall winning HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 after exiting the "corkscrew" at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.
Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

With half the race run there were still about 15 cars on the lead lap and there had not been a full course yellow.  This is primarily attributable to the high quality and professionalism of the drivers some of whom had never raced at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

The race continued into the late afternoon without incident and the final 30-minutes saw the top four being on the lead lap.  It appeared that Augusto Farfus driving the No. 42 BMW Team Schnitzer BMW M6 GT3 in fifth place was trying and would have been able to get back on the lead lap if he had been driving on fresher tires.

The Team Schnitzer BMW M6 GT3 with A. Farfus trying to get back on the lead lap.  
Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The No. 27 HubAuto Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 took the checkered followed 12.509 seconds later by the No. 999 Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 which in turn was followed 8.259 seconds later by the No. 911 Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3-R.

The Second Place finishing Mercedes-AMG Team GruppeM Mercedes-AMG GT3 during Friday Practice.  
Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Third Place Park Place Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3-R leading a pack of cars through Turn 3 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The GTC and GT4 top finishers were the No. 88 ARC Bratislavia Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo and the No. 41 PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4.

The sole GTC ARC Bratislavia Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo (2015).  
Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The winning GT4 class PF Racing Ford Mustang GT4.  
Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

With a third place at Bathhurst in the first event and a second place here, Maxi Buhk, Raffaele Marciello, and Maxi Gutz hold the drivers lead and Mercedes-AMG is leading the manufacturers championship.

The next stop for the Intercontinental GT Challenge will be on July 28 for the 24-Hours of SPA.





TAGS: Acura, Audi, Augustus Farfus, Bentley, Bentley Continental GT3, Bentley Team M-Sport, BMW, BMW M6 GT3, Brandon O'Brien, California 8 Hours, Ferrari, Ferrari 488 GT3, Honda, HubAuto Corsa, Intercontinental GT Challenge, Maxi Buhk, Maxi Gutz, Mercedes-AMG, Mercedes-AMG GT3, Motor Driven Images, Nissan, NSX GT3 EVO, Park Place Motorsports, Porsche, Porsche 911 GT3-R, Raffaele Marciello, Strakka Racing, Team GruppeM Racing, Team Schnitzer, Walkenhorst Motorsport, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

GT4 West Competes in Rounds 3 and 4 At WeatherTech Raceway

WeatherTech Raceway's Timing Tower.  Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

GT4 West Competes in Rounds 3 and 4 At WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca

Words By:  Brandon J. O'BrienImage Credit:  Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images unless otherwise specified

Beginning this year, GT4 America began two regional series integrated into its Sprint X Championship.  The regional series consist of five rounds each in the eastern and western sides of North America in a two-driver, pro-am format. Rounds 3 and 4 were contested this past weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

Friday morning dawned cold and wet after a light rain fell through some of the night.  By race time the track was fairly dry and the cars were able to take to the track on dry tires. 

The top three finishers of the first race (Round 3) were the No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 co-driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Liefooghe, the No. 5 USRD Ginetta G55 co-driven by Jeff Bader and Casey Dennis, and the No. 91 Rearden Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4 driven by Vesko Kozarov and Jeff Burton.

Race 1 Winning No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 co-driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Liefooghe.  Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

2nd Place No. 5 USRD Ginetta G55 co-driven by Jeff Bader and Casey Dennis.  Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

3rd Place No. 91 Rearden Racing Audi R8 LMS GT4 driven by Vesko Kozarov and Jeff Burton.  Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Race 2 was run in the afternoon and the track conditions and weather had improved markedly.  The top three finishers for this race (Round 4) were the No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 co- driven by Jon Miller and Harry Gottsacker, followed by the No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Lieffoghe.  Third Place was taken by the No. 67 TRG-The Racers Group Porsche 718 Cayman CS MR driven by Kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo.

After just passing the No. 19 BMW the No. 28 ST Racing BMW M4 GT4 co- driven by Jon Miller and Harry Gottsacker takes 1st Place.  Image Credit: 2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2nd Place No. 19 Stephen Cameron Racing BMW M4 GT4 driven by Sean Quinlan and Gregory Liefooghe heading up to Turn 6 in the previous race.  Image Credit:  2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

3rd Place No. 67 TRG-The Racers Group Porsche 718 Cayman CS MR driven by Kevin Woods and Chris Bellomo.
Image Credit:  2019 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

ENDS





TAGS: Audi, Audi R8 LMS GT4, BMW, BMW M4 GT4, Brandon O'Brien, Casy Dennis, Chris Bellomo, Ginetta G55, Gregory Liefooghe, Harry Gottsacker, Jeff Bader, Jon Miller, Kevin Woods, Motor Driven Images, Porsche, Porsche Cayman 718 Cayman, Rearden Racing, Sean Quinlan, Stephen Cameron Racing, ST Racing, TRG-The Racers Group, Vesko Kozarov, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.

BMW Bookends The GTLM Class At 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona

The GTLM Class Winning BMW M8 GTE and BMW Team RLL crew on the podium at Daytona.  Image Credit: BMW Group USA

BMW Bookends The GTLM Class At 57th Rolex 24 At Daytona

Words By: Brandon O'Brien

Images By: BMW Group USA

With all nine GT LeMans (GTLM) entries still running at the end of the rain shortened
Rolex 24 hours endurance race held at Daytona, BMW placed first with the No. 25 BMW M8 GTE while the troubled No. 24 BMW M8 GTE was at the rear in ninth place.

Conner De Phillippi (USA), Augusto Farfus (BRA), Phillip Eng (AUT), and Colin Herta (USA) enjoyed a largely trouble-free race.  Herta set the fastest GTLM lap time of 1:42.908 minutes on lap 64.  For much of the race the No. 25 maintained a mid-GTLM pack position.

During the night rain started to fall causing the track conditions to rapidly deteriorate.  With seven hours to go race control stopped the race for safety reasons.

When the race was re-started the BMW drivers avoided making any major errors on the slippery surface and established the No. 25 BMW M8 GTE  in the leading group. Augusto Farfus, who was in command during his stint, slowly moved the No. 25 up from third to second ... and then with what was to be the final lap into first.

Moments after taking the coveted position the race was red flagged for the second time and was never resumed.

The GTLM Winning No. 25 BMW M8 GTE in the rain at night during the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.  Image Credit: BMW Group USA

The No. 24 BMW M8 GTE being driven by Alessandro "Alex" Zanardi (ITA), John Edwards (USA), Jesse Krohn (FIN), and Chaz Mostert (AUS) did not have the luck of it's sister car.

Early in the race the car was dropped off the air jacks at the very moment that Alex Zanardi, who lost both legs in a racing incident in 2001, was pushing his specially adapted steering wheel into place on the column.  As a result of the jolt, the column was damaged and Zanardi was unable to engage the steering wheel correctly.  "We really tested countless possible scenarios in the run-up to the race, and then something happens in the first pit-stop which has never happened before",  stated Zanardi after the race. This required a time-consuming complete replacement of the steering column.

Alex Zanardi driver exchange during the running of the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.  Image Credit: BMW Group USA

Watching the live race feed of Zanardi driving at night was magical.  His ability to accelerate using his left hand on the steering wheel,  braking using the specially designed brake lever with a down-shift button with his right hand made not having legs seem immaterial.

The No. 24 BMW M8 GTE getting serviced during the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.  Image Credit: BMW Group USA

By the first race-suspension the No. 24 was already several laps behind the GTLM leaders.  As the race continued, the BMW M8 GTE dropped further back as a result of several smaller incidents.  With all the work, testing, and practice by BMW to make this car adaptable for Zanardi and the other three drivers it was a shame that it was unable to be in the lead group, primarily due to a never before seen issue.  To quote Zanardi again, "But that is motorsport for you".

Augusto Farfus pointing to the tribute to the late BMW Team Schnitzer principal carried on the back of both BMW M8 GTE's at Daytona.  Image Credit; BMW Group USA

The race weekend was overshadowed by the news of the death of long-term  Schnitzer team principal Charly Lamm.  In his memory, BMW Team RLL, competed with the words "Godspeed Charly" on the rear of both BMW M8 GTE's at Daytona. Culture, at times, becomes the most important word in motor culture.

Godspeed, Charly.



TAGS: Agusto Farfus, BMW, M8, GTE, Alex Zanardi, GTLM, Conner De Phillippi, Phillip Eng, Colin Herta, Team RLL, Rolex 24 At Daytona, 57th, Brandon O'Brien

2018 Los Angeles Auto Show Synopsis

2018 Los Angeles Auto Show Synopsis

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

The 2018 LA AutoShow show opened this week at the Los Angeles Convention Center and should give all age groups something to see and enjoy.  Even the car shy Millennial will probably find the Volvo display area interesting.  As in the past, Connectivity and Autonomous Driving vehicles, or at least the software, is being promoted and is being introduced into most production cars.

The 2018 Volvo Display Present At The 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The German brands were well represented and both BMW and Mercedes had a number of World and US premiers.  

2019 BMW X5 that was driven from the Spartanburg, SC Plant to Los Angeles in a straight line, with or without roads.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The long awaited introduction of the 2019 BMW X7 at the LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The debut of the 2019 BMW M840i Convertible at the LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The sexy lines of a Mercedes Sports Car under silky wraps prior to the Mercedes-Benz presentation at the 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The wraps come off at the World Premiere of the 2020 Mercedes-AMG GT R PRO at the 2018 LAAutoShow. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Mercedes-Benz GTC Roadster is attracting a lot of attention at the 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Mercedes-AMG GT 53 4-Door Coupe as seen at the 2018 LAAutoShow. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

A journalist inspecting the interior of the Mercedes-Benz A220 which made it's US Premiere at the 2018 LAAutoShow. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The number of Concept Design cars appears to be down from last year with BMW, Infinity, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and VW showing vehicles although not all of them totally new.

The World Premiere of the BMW Vision i NEXT Concept.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Infinity Prototype 10 Concept as seen at the 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2018 LC Inspiration Series Concept in the very attractive "Luster Yellow" which looked subtle in the convention center lighting.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2017 Toyota FT Cruiser Concept at the 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2017 Mitsubishi e-Evolution Concept at the 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Unlike last year, Tesla has a stand where they have all three current models on display with full staff to answer questions and allow access.  Rivian, a new company that will be producing an SUV and Pickup Truck starting in 2021 had both on display.  Like Tesla they will be producing their own battery packs and claim a 400-mile range on full charge and an 11,000 lb. towing capacity.  The vehicles will be assembled in the US.  Ford, GM, RAM, and Toyota watch out.

The Rivian R1S all electric SUV is slated for production in 2021.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Rivian R1T is an all electric pickup truck slated for production in 2021 and should get 230-miles to a full charge with the standard battery pack. Optional packs will be available later upping the range to 400-miles .Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The Asian and  “Big 3” are fully represented. Trucks,  SUV’s, and high-performance cars being primarily promoted by the “Big 3”.  

The Premiere of the 2019 Mazda 6 at the 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 797-hp 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye on display at the 2018 LAAutoShow.  Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The 2019 Jeep Rubicon Gladiator is a new addition to the Jeep line-up.  Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

Ford has a couple of surprises for older Mustang aficionados.  On display is a beautiful 1967 Shelby GT 500 which is behind and above the real, repaired but unrestored, 1967 Ford Mustang “Bullitt” driven by Steve McQueen in the movie of the same name through the street of San Francisco. 

Beautiful 1967 Shelby GT 500 on display at the 2018 LAAutoShow. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

The is "The" 1967 Mustang that was driven by Steve McQueen in the movie "Bullitt" through the streets of San Francisco. Image Credit: 2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

This is not to be a detailed description of what you will see when you come to the LA AutoShow.  Between the two main halls you will find the Galpin Ford display area and in the lower garage level you can see some interesting Volkswagens as well as other automotive products.  

Mid-60's Mazda R360 Rebo Coupe on display at the Galpin exhibit.  Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images

1971 Mazda Cosmo also seen in the Galpin display area at the 2018 LAAutoShow. Image Credit:  2018 Brandon O'Brien . Motor Driven Images

Enjoy the show, which runs from November 30^th  through December 9^th!

TAGS: Motor Driven Images, LAAutoShow, Los Angeles AutoShow, Automobility LA, 2018 LAAutoShow, Automobility LA 2018,

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