WeatherTech Raceway's Speed Week Feature - Monterey SportsCar Championships Powered By McLaren

The DPi Podium after the finish of the Monterey SportsCar Championship at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

WeatherTech Raceway's Speed Week Feature - Monterey SportsCar Championships Powered By McLaren
By: Brandon O'Brien

Sunday morning dawned at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca with a slight fog that burned off well before the start of the Monterey SportsCar Championship Powered by McLaren race.  After an unseasonably hot week the cooler weather was just what the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship teams needed.

This writer is impressed with any championship series where, near the end of the season, there are still mathematical odds for a number of teams and drivers to come away with the championship.  As in years past, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is one not to disappoint.  The series is divided into four distinct automotive classes; DPi (Daytona Prototype International), LMP2 (Le Mans Prototype 2), GTLM (Grand Touring Le Mans), and GTD (Grand Touring Daytona) which are GT3 specification cars.  Due to the number of cars and their performance differences some of the tracks are unable to "safely" handle all four classes at one time.  Fortunately WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca can handle all four classes which makes for some very exciting racing.

The change in weather from hot to "average" Monterey weather left some teams behind the curve.  Those teams that could quickly adapt to the new track conditions seemed to do best.  On Saturday, in the heat,  Ricky Taylor was able to place the No. 7 Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05 on the overall pole with a time of 1:15.035.

Ricky Taylor and Helio Castroneves had the pole winning No 7 Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Kyle Masson in LMP2 placed the No. 38 Performance Tech Motorsports ORECA LMP2 on their pole with a time of 1:16.817.

Kyle Masson exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in the No. 38 Performance Tech Motorsports ORECA LMP2.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

The GTLM pole when to the No. 24 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE when Jesse Krohn put down a time of 1:21.557.

Jesse Krohn on his way to the GTLM pole in the No. 24 BMW Team RLL BMW M8 GTE while entering the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Finally, Corey Lewis with a time of 1:24.962 placed his Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 on the GTD pole.

Bryan Sellers and Corey Lewis on their way to the GTD pole in the No. 48 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Unlike last year, the race had a clean, safe start leaving the full field of 32 cars vying for the coveted checkered flag and the race ran without a full-course caution.  As anticipated, the Acura Team Penske Acura's led the pack of ten DPi cars. Dane Cameron was able to take control of the race from the No. 7 Acura after his second pit stop about halfway through the race.  Essentially from that point the drivers of the No. 6 Acura never looked back.  Pipo Derani and Felipe Nasr in the No. 31 Whelen Engineering Cadillac DPi-V.R took over third place from the Van der Zande and Jordan Taylor No. 10 Cadillac with about 15-minutes remaining.

The DPi winning No. 6 Acura Team Penske Acura ARX-05 co-driven by Dane Cameron and Juan Pablo Montoya in the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

With only two cars participating in the LMP2 class Matthew McMurry and Dalton Kellett in the No. 52 PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA LMP2 were able to take over the lead from Cameron Cassels and Kyle Masson No. 38 Performance Tech Motorsports ORECA LMP2.

Matthew McMurry and Dalton Kellett in the winning LMP2 No. 52 PR1 Mathiasen Motorsports ORECA LMP2 entering the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Fortunately for Dirk Mueller the race did not start as it did last year and they were in contention from the very start  The No. 24 BMW M8 GTE being driven by Jesse Krohn was able to hold onto their lead for 19 laps when the car suddenly slowed in Turn 2 allowing Mueller to get by in the No. 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT. Mueller stated, "I knew my car was great, I could follow so closely behind. I don't know really know what happened but he lost momentum and I took advantage (and) got by.  That was tough because you don't expect it.  That was quite a close moment.  From that moment, I think that was the milestone for the victory."

Krohn and co-driver John Edwards in the No. 24 BMW were able to maintain their second place position in front of the No. 25 BMW for most of the race.  With about 10 minutes remaining Antonio Garcia in the No.3 Corvette Racing Corvette C7.R, on fresher tires, was able to pass the No 25 BMW for third place. The BMW was then quickly passed by Tommy Milner in the No. 4 Corvette.  This was the order the race finished.

For Joey Hand this was a dream come true. Hand said, "I've been trying to win at this racetrack, my home racetrack, since like 1998."

The smile on Joey Hands' face says it all.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

The GTLM winning No. 66 Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT during practice on Saturday was co-driven by Joey Hand and Dirk Mueller.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

In GTD Bryan Sellers and Corey Lewis in the No. 48 Lamborghini Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 were able to take their pole position all the way to take the checkered flag.

The GTD winning No. 48 Paul Miller Racing Lamborghini Huracan GT3 driven by Bryan Sellers and Corey Lewis exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

In second place was the No. 63 Scuderia Corsa Ferrari 488 GT3 which was being co-driven by Cooper MacNeill and Toni Vilander.  The final podium spot was taken by the No. 44 Magnus Racing Lamborghini driven by John Potter and Andy Lally.

Next up for the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship is the 2019 season finale, Motul Petit Le Mans at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta on Saturday October 12th.




TAGS: Acura Team Penske, Acura DPi, Brandon O'Brien, BMW Team RLL, BMW M8 GTE, Chip Ganassi Racing, Ford, Ford GT, GTD, GTLM, Huracan, Lamborghini, LMP2, Monterey SportsCar Championships, WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, 

WeatherTech Raceway's Speed Week Feature - Michelin Pilot Challenge 120

Michelin Pilot Tire rig seen in the paddock at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca for the Michelin Pilot Challenge 120. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

WeatherTech Raceway's Speed Week Feature - Michelin Pilot Challenge 120
By: Brandon O'Brien

The Michelin Pilot Challenge made its lone west coast appearance in the penultimate round of its 10 race season this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. The Michelin Pilot Challenge now features a two-class format which includes the Grand Sport (GS) class featuring cars that are built to international GT4 regulations. The Touring Car Racing (TCR) class conforms to international TCR technical regulations for front-wheel drive turbocharged race cars.

Track conditions may not have been ideal for the running of the Michelin Pilot 120 with high temperatures that were expected to cool down on race day but did not.  Fortunately for all the teams, practice and qualifying were under similar conditions. The racing was tight with drivers vying for position within groups of three to five cars.

Grand Sport Co-drivers Tyler McQuarrie and Jeff Westphal (Audi R8) needed a top three finish to maintain their first place driver standings.  Going into the weekend Mercedes-AMG had the manufacturers lead well maintained with only one race remaining.

Tyler McQuarrie and Jeff Westphal going through Turn 3 during practice at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in their No. 39 CarBahn With Perigrine Racing Audi R8.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

The 2-hour event was cleanly raced with the No. 33 Winward Racing / HTP Motorsport Mercedes-AMG co-driven by Russell Ward and Dominik Baumann taking the checkered flag for the first time after three years of effort.

Russell Ward and Dominik Baumann on their way to their first victory at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in their No. 33 Winward Racing/HTP Motorsports Mercedes-AMG.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Tyler McQuarrie and his co-driver Jeff Westphal in the No. 39 CarBahn With Peregrine Racing Audi R8 finishing second held on to their lead in the drivers standings.  They were followed by Alan Brynjolfson and Trent Hindman in the No. 7 Park Place Motorsports / Volt Lighting Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport.

The No. 39 CarBahn  With Peregrine Racing Audi R8 on way to a 2nd Place finish with co-drivers Tyler McQuarrie and Jeff Westphal at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

The No. 7 Park Place Motorsports / Volt Lighting Porsche 718 Cayman GT4 Clubsport with co-drivers Alan Brynjolfson and Trent Hindman exiting Turn 11 at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

In the new TCR class the race for the Drivers, Team, and Manufacturers championship was still up for grabs.  Gavin Ernstone and Jon Morley driving the No. 61  Roadshagger Racing By eEuroparts.com Audi RS3 LMS TCR DSG took first place.  They were closely followed by Mark Wilkins and Michael Lewis in the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport with Curb-Agajanian Hyundai Velostar N TCR. It was Michaels' (unfulfilled) hope to leave Laguna Seca with both the Drivers and Team standing firmly in first place.

The TCR Class winning No. 61 Roadshagger Racing By eEuropart.com Audi RS3 exiting the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.   Image Credit: Edmund Jenks  (2019)

2nd Place went to the No. 98 Bryan Herta Autosport With Curb-Agaganian Hyundai Veloster  N TCR co-driven by class leading drivers Mark Wilkins and Michael Lewis.  Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

The remaining spot on the podium was taken by the No. 37 L.A. Honda World Racing Honda Civic TCR which was being driven by Tom O'Gorman and Shelby Blackstock.

The 3rd Place No. 37 L.A. Honda World Racing Honda Civic TCR driven by co-drivers Tom O'Gorman and Shelby Blackstock entering the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca.  Image Credit: Edmund Jenks  (2019)

The final race of the Michelin Pilot Challenge in conjunction with IMSA's Motul Petit Le Mans finale at Road Atlanta will determine the championship standings for the TCR class drivers.  That race will take place on Saturday October 11, 2019.




TAGS: WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Motul Petit Le Mans, Michelin, Michelin Pilot Challenge, Motor Driven Images, Brandon O'Brien, Edmund Jenks, The EDJE

WeatherTech Raceway's Speed Week Feature - Lamborghini Super Trofeo

Top three Pro-Class Lamborghini Huracan were separated by inches at the top of the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

WeatherTech Raceway's Speed Week Feature - Lamborghini Super Trofeo
By: Brandon O'Brien

The Monterey Peninsula always seems to surprise, confound, and delight anyone fortunate to visit this beautiful California location.  The Lamborghini Super Trofeo held this weekend at the iconic WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca had unseasonably hot dry weather for Saturday's Round 9 race with a more typical cooler fog shrouded Sunday morning for Round 10.

The Lamborghini Super Trofeo drivers compete in identical Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo EVO cars based on the Huracan LP-620-2.  These championship races are held in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia with a World Championship finale held in Italy with the top worldwide drivers competing. They compete in four classes.  Professional (Pro), Professional-Amateur (Pro-Am), Amateur (Am), and LB Cup.

Putting the weather aside, this years Lamborghini Super Trofeo fortunately had less drama than the event last year. Pro-Class drivers Conor Daly and Brandon Gdovic co-drove the No. 46 Precision Performance Motorsports Lamborghini to a first place in both rounds.

The Pro-Class winning  No. 46 Precision Performance Motorsports Lamborghini driven by Conor Daly and Brandon Gdovic at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Second and third place (Round 9) Pro-Class drivers Corey Lewis and Richy Antinucci in the No. 29 Chance Racing Lamborghini and Andrea Amici and Sandy Mitchell in the No. 1 Prestige Performance/WTR car swapped positions for Round 10.

Second Place (Round 9) and Third Place (Round 10) No. 29 Chance Racing Lamborghini driven by Corey Lewis and Richy Antinucci at the top of the Corkscrew. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Third Place (Round 9) and Second Place (Round 10) No. 1 Prestige Performance/WTR Lamborghini co-driven by Andrea Amici and Sandy Mitchell at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

James Sofronas competing in his first Lamborghini North America race in the No. 14 GMG Lamborghini placed first in both events for the Amateur-Class, followed closely in both events by the Pro-Am No. 09 US RaceTronics car co-driven by Damon Ockey and Jacob Eidson. With these wins they have secured the Pro-Am North American class championship.

Amateur Class winning No. 14 GMG Lamborghini  driven by James Sofronas braking for the Corkscrew at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

Pro-Am class winners Damon Ockey and Jacob Eidson in the No. 09 US RaceTronics Lamborghini at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

The LB Cup Class was the only class where the two rounds were won by a different team.  Round 9 was won by the No. 22 Dream Racing Motorsport car driven by Justin Price and Chad Reed.  Round 10 was won by Mel Johnson and Thomas Lovelady in the No. 08 GMG Racing Lamborghini.

The Round 9 LB Cup Class winning No. 22 Dream Racing Motorsport  Lamborghini driven by Justin Price and Chad Reed. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

The Round 10 LB Cup winning No. 08 GMG Racing Lamborghini co-driven by Mel Johnson and Thomas Lovelady at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca. Image Credit: Brandon O'Brien / Motor Driven Images (2019)

All, in all, the Lamborghini Super Trofeo showing this weekend provided the fans with the additional intertest of having a professional IndyCar driver lead the charts in both races.  It helped to prove that racing Lamborghini's is not just a dealership sport.  We hope that Conor Daly is able to achieve his wish for a steady seat in the 2020 NTT IndyCar Series.




TAGS: Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Lamborghini, Huracan, LP620-2, WeatherTech, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Monterey SportsCar Championship, Monterey Speed Week, Brandon O'Brien, Motor Driven Images, Conor Daly

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!

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