ALMS 2011 thread

[Shifty]

Splain something to me Lucy...how did teh GT-40's get an invite anyhow? They weren't on teh podium last year, or have enough points, I think...? Help me out, I've got a Fjord co-worker that's interested.

[MOTV8]

Invite from the head Frenchies. One in GTE Amateur. They'll be in the same class as the Larbre second hand vette, and one driver must be a "gentleman" which is slang for rich-ass amateur. And one car is a (GT Pro) reserve in case anyone else backs out of the Pro ranks.

Teh news trail reads like so....

From: "Robertson Racing confirm two Ford GTs for 2011 ALMS"

FEBRUARY 4, 2011

"Robertson Racing can also confirm it has submitted two entries for the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours which, subject to the ACO’s acceptance, would see the squad compete at the Grand Prix of Endurance for the very first time."

..then...

Robertson Racing confirms 2011 Le Mans 24 hour race debut with Ford GT

Tuesday, 15 February 2011

The iconic Ford GT will return to La Sarthe this June after Robertson Racing were selected to make their maiden appearance at the world’s most famous endurance race, the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Last Wednesday, race organisers the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) revealed the 56 cars scheduled to start the twice round the clock enduro in France on June 11-12.

Robertson Racing were rewarded for their promising season in last year’s American Le Mans Series with an entry (#68) in the fiercely competitive LM GTE-Am class, while the team’s second Elan powered, Michelin shod Ford GT (#69) remains primed for action as the GT category’s first reserve in the event of withdrawals elsewhere.

ALMS regular David Robertson, who has been confirmed for the #68 car, revealed it was a dream come true to be contesting his first Le Mans 24 Hours.

“Obviously I’m absolutely delighted to be contesting Le Mans for the first time. I remember wondering when racing as an amateur what a reasonable goal might be. Le Mans is certainly way beyond it! I’ll never forget as a 12 year old boy watching Wide World of Sports’ coverage of Fords winning there, so to be taking our own GT is just a dream come true. In fact, we’d really love for Ford to get behind the project. Those victories of the 1960s weren’t just the greatest achievements in their history, but in American motorsport full stop.”

2011 might be Robertson Racing’s first trip to Le Mans but a number of their key personnel already have experience of competing there.

Chief Engineer Lee Penn masterminded Team LNT’s shock GT2 victory in 2006 and Team Manager Andrew ‘H’ Smith has helped run cars on four occasions.

Most notable of all however is three time Le Mans winning driver Dick Barbour, who assists with Robertson Racing’s ALMS programme.

Andrew 'H' Smith: “We were ecstatic when the ACO announced its line up on Wednesday. The whole team was at Sebring for the winter group test and you could feel the pride flowing through everyone. To get one car on the grid is a fantastic achievement for an independent team so to have the second entry tantalisingly close too was an added bonus. Without wishing ill on any of our GT rivals, we would be absolutely ready to run two cars there.”

Robertson Racing will send at least one Ford GT to the official Le Mans test day on April 24. A decision on the second car’s appearance will be made closer to the time.

...then...

Robertson Racing : Two Ford GT at Test day

Apr 13, 2011

Robertson Racing will take a step closer to making their Le Mans 24 Hours debut next Sunday (April 24) when the team travels to Circuit de la Sarthe for the event’s official test day.

Since receiving their invite to contest the legendary race’s 79th running on June 11/12 from organisers the Automobile Club de l’Ouest (ACO) back in February, the Braselton-based squad has been busy preparing both Ford GTs that will make the trip to north-west France.

Despite having only one guaranteed entry at this stage, the second car - currently first reserve for the GT classes - remains tantalising close to also competing. With all six of the team’s drivers - David Robertson, Andrea Robertson, David Murry, Boris Said, Anthony Lazzaro and Colin Braun - each requiring at least ten laps behind the wheel before being declared eligible for June’s race, it was decided that both Fords would be made available.

Unfortunately, the team has therefore been forced to take the tough decision of withdrawing from this weekend’s American Le Mans Series round at Long Beach.

Team Manager Andrew ‘H’ Smith: "We’ve never missed an ALMS round with the Ford GT since entering the championship so it was a difficult decision, but ultimately one that could prove very shrewd come June. While the second car will give us a Plan B should anything happen to the #40, it also ensures all six drivers can complete their mandatory ten laps of running. It makes sense to be fully prepared should one of the other GT entries withdraw between now and then and also allows us to complete at least some initial set-up work too."

Key team members begin flying to Europe this week while both cars will also make the trip by air direct to Le Mans. For some of Robertson Racing’s personnel it will be their first taste of the world’s most prestigious endurance race, although Smith, a veteran of four previous events, has seen it all before.

"Needless to say the entire team cannot wait to get going! We have a lot of experienced guys who have been there, done it and won it whose stories have really energised the rest of the ‘shop. No one is under any illusions that this is going to be easy though. Once we get there it will be the same as any other test, only with the added importance that we get the drivers through their mandatory running."

The Ford GT selected will carry the number 68 (instead of the 40), and the reserve car #69.

A podium for them would be a miracle, but it will be cool seeing the GT40 homage running Le Mans, imo.

[Shifty]

Ok, that's what I needed...thanks!

[MOTV8]

I'm already dreading the down time until the next race.

So I've watched this twice already....

8:30 of in car video with Tommy Milner at Long Beach

Passin Porches all day, stuffs a 458, then punts teh Bimmer at the fountain. Fantabulous stint!

[Shifty]

I likes teh Tommy, he's doing great work for CR...

[Desertdawg]

even Lou was able to afford a decent camera when he raced, at least the sound woke mr. wiggley up..

[MOTV8]

Here's your HD vid, right here: Corvette Racing Series, Episode #4 "Inside the GT Fight - Long Beach"

That'll buff out.

[Desertdawg]

N ow that was a good video. Just awesome!!

[Shifty]

N ow that was a good video. Just awesome!!

I can't wait for LeMans!

[P51tj]

Nice Vid!!!

[Shifty]

[MOTV8]

Teh win.

You want to get fired up for Le Mans?

Relive 2010. The horror....Taken out.

And then, that's how we roll....teh best.

Davidson's still in my Dead Pool.

Marsellus: "What now? Let me tell you what now. I'm gonna call a couple of hard, pipe-hitting n****s to go to work on the homes here with a pair of pliers and a blow torch. [to Zed] You hear me talking, hillbilly boy? I ain't through with you by a damn sight. I'm gonna get medieval on your ass."

[Shifty]

I've watched that one, and many other, and it still gives me chills! It's too bad teh engine failed later, teh crew (and of course, teh drivers) had some karma due to them after that...

[MOTV8]

As I mentioned way back, teh Larbre vette was headed to the formidable Spa 1000km after letting Corvette Racing transmogrify her into their bitch for the Le Mans test day quickie. Well, the old horse brought home a podium, 3rd in GTE-Am, after tangling with a prancing pony and limping home.

1000 KM of Spa: Peugeot takes 1-2 victory at Spa

Peugeot Sport Total turned the table at Spa-Francorchamps today and took a 1-2 victory in the second round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup and the Le Mans Series. After a dramatic qualifying in which the Peugeots were unable to set a proper lap time due to a red flag, they were quickly back at the front and as the Audi’s hit trouble they took control and secured the victory.

As the lights went green at 14:05 the entire field rounded the La Source hairpin without any problems, but as soon as the leaders braked for the Les Combes corner things did go wrong. McNish braked too late and spun his Audi R18 TDI around, fortunately not hitting anyone. A few corners later the Team Felbermayr-Proton Porsche of Marc Lieb ended up in the gravel, after contact with the Ferrari of Giancarlo Fisichella. Fortunately for the German he rejoined and returned to the pit for repairs, the nº77 Porsche lost several laps as a result

Within 20 minutes of racing the Peugeots had already moved ahead of all the other cars and were now in between the Audi’s. All petrol-powered cars behind them.

Wurz quickly moved into second place, taking advantage of the German getting stuck behind a Formula Le Mans car. The Austrian then went after Andre Lotterer and soon he was all over the Audi, but the fight between the two meant Timo Bernhard was able to get back.

Just before the first pit stops Andre Lotterer hit traffic and Alexander Wurz once again took advantage of the situation and moved into the overall lead of the race.

Just after its first pit stop the Oreca Peugeot suddenly slowed down and returned to the pit with what turned out to be a fuel pump problem – they returned later on in 46th place. There were also problems for the IMSA Performance Matmut nº67 Porsche as it ended up in the gravel at Bruxelles.

Audi hit more trouble when the nº1 Audi and the Genoa Racing Oreca FLM09 hit each other, sending the Genoa Racing car into two 360º spins and damaging the engine cover on the Audi. The nº1 lost one minute in the pit.

The next cars to hit trouble were the Greaves Motorsport Zytek and the Level 5 Motorsports Lola at Bruxelles. The Zytek hit the rear of the Lola and both cars went off into the gravel, Karim Ojjeh quickly rejoined – but was given a stop and go penalty later – while it took more time to get the Lola back out. With four and a half hours left in the race Wurz was now leading, with the nº2 and nº3 Audi behind him.

Capello lost that third place when he accidentally hit the pit lane speed limiter when coming onto the pit straight. Fortunately he quickly realized what he’d done and got back onto speed. As a result though Sarrazin was now right behind the Audi and into the Bus Stop the Peugeot moved ahead of the Audi. Not much later Benoit Treluyer came in, rather unexpected as the team was not ready for his arrival, after cleaning the car and taking out a big lump of rubber the nº2 was back out.

After 2,5 hours Peugeot was in first, second and third, rather unexpected given the results in practice and qualifying. And their lead over the Audi’s only got bigger when the nº2 Audi went off into the gravel and then into the pit.

The safety car got out when Christophe Bouchut suffered a suspension failure and crashed heavily at Eau Rouge (Raidillon). The Lola HPD went into the wall sideways and was buried under the tyres. Bouchut got out uninjured, but during the removal of the car the towtruck that tried to pull the car from underneath the tyres pulled too hard, breaking off another piece of the already heavily damaged Lola.

With just over three hours left the race was restarted. On the restart JMW Motorsport’s Rob Bell immediately got back into the GTE Pro fight for the lead, but coming out of Les Combes the nº66 Ferrari ran wide and clipped the wall. Fisichella was quick to react and closed the gap, a couple of corners later he was ahead of Rob Bell. Three hours into the race Peugeot had a 1-2-3, with Audi in 4-5-6.

Rob Bell returned to the pit with damage to the side and the front of his Ferrari, lots of spray coming out of the car. The JMW car eventually returned, but was out of contention for any decent track position. Quifel-ASM Team’s race ended prematurely, with the engine expiring at the end of the Kemmel.

Pedro Lamy hit trouble, not the first time this weekend, and ran wide at Bruxelles. The car dug into the gravel and marshals rushed to the scene to get the nº9 back out on the track. When it got back on Lamy quickly returned to the pit.

OAK Racing had a scary moment at Eau Rouge when the suspension failed on the OAK Pescarolo as it made its way up the hill, fortunately Barlesi missed the wall and continued. Unfortunately Barlesi then beached his car at the Bus Stop in an attempt to let other cars through. With yellow flags out Melo passed Priaulx and was given a stop and go penalty.

There was more drama for the nº3 Audi when it was hit by one of the Oreca 03 cars and the legality panel was damaged. Tom Kristensen returned to the pit and lost an additional 100 seconds as the Audi crew repaired the car. With just over one hour left in the race Peugeot was still in first, second and third.

Shortly after returning to the track Kristensen set the fastest lap of the race but that was the only positive moment for Audi, as soon after the nº2 Audi stopped on the pit entry – for what looked like an R18 running out of fuel.

The nº9 Peugeot then hit troubles twice. First it came in to have its nose replaced and just after it had come out on the track again it suffered a suspension failure. As a result it tumbled down the order to eighth overall, allowing Audi to get back into the top three.

LMP2 leader Kraihamer came into the pits, which allowed TDS Racing and Strakka Racing to come through. But when Jonny Kane pitted the Boutsen Enrgy Racing Oreca 03 Nissan moved back into second position.

Simon Pagenaud posted the fastest lap of the race, a 2:03.699, with just a few minutes left in the race. Audi didn’t set the fastest lap, but called its cars for a last minute splash-and-dash. AF Corse suffered a last-minute drama as their nº71 Ferrari and the Larbre Competition Corvette collided, the Ferrari retiring with cooler damage.

The nº7 Peugeot did not have any problems in the final minutes and after 6 hours and 2 minutes of racing Alexander Wurz crossed the line to secure the victory for Peugeot. The nº8 sister car finished in second place, with the nº3 Audi took third place.

TDS Racing won LMP2, with Boutsen Energy Racing finishing in second place. Jonny Kane almost gave the Strakka Racing team a heart attack when his HPD ARX-01d stalled just before the finish line, a throttle switch causing Kane some trouble. Fortunately he got the car running again and finished third.

AF Corse took first in GTE Pro, with Hankook Team Farnbacher in second place, BMW Motorsport taking third and fourth. Jota finished in fifth place.

IMSA Performance Matmut’s Nicolas Armindo and Raymond Narac won the GTE Am category, despite the early problems, AF Corse finished second and Larbre Competition eventually finished third in class, despite the incident with the AF Corse. Hope Racing won in Formula Le Mans.

[MOTV8]

Q & A with Corvette Racing's Doug Fehan

May 12, 2011

How soon do you start planning logistics for Le Mans?

“In reality, we will start planning for next year's Le Mans the moment we hit the ground there this year. Every year proves to be incredibly instructional in how we improve the process. We have the "big chunks" pretty well handled; the opportunity to turn your attention to the details is what separates us from the rest of the pack. There is a reason most all of the U.S.-based teams (and some of the European teams) come to us when they need something they don't have...everything from ice to nuts and bolts.”

What made you decide to work with Larbre Competition for the Le Mans test day?

The Larbre deal was emblematic of the true meaning of teamwork. This year, the requirement to participate in a single test day in Le Mans presented a tremendous economic and strategic challenge to every ALMS team. We raced in Long Beach one weekend and then had to be in Le Mans the following Sunday – a huge budget buster by any measure. So, Larbre had just purchased a car from us in the off-season and was going to take delivery in Sebring for the 12 Hours. Following that, we were going to take it back to our shop and prep it before we shipped it to them in France for the 24 Hours. At that point, it was a no-brainer to work together; we use their car and key members of their crew at the Le Mans test, share the data...everybody goes faster. We proposed it, they loved it and together we did it. Corvette is a global racing brand and we have global racing partners. That makes the entire program stronger.

What exactly do you bring over from the U.S. operation and what do you rely on GM Europe for?

First, we bring one tractor and trailer. It is a dedicated unit that is specially set up for the Le Mans event. We load that with all the tools and equipment we will need for the race. That tends to be the heaviest stuff. It all goes by boat and leaves in late April. After our final event prior to Le Mans we crate up body parts, spares, engines, fire suits, etc., and fly those along with the cars. They leave the shop on May 24. By the time the team gets to Le Mans on June 3, everything is on site. GM Europe helps us out by arranging Chevy vehicles for us to use via the local Hertz outlet. In addition, they put up an awesome new car display in the Le Mans Village during race week and carryout some impressive marketing activities centered around our appearance at the world's most important sports car race.

Ever had any major complications getting the operation in and out of France? Anything get lost, broken, detained, etc.?

Problems? Oh, yes. The first year we competed, which was 2000, we shipped everything right into France. We were unaware of the French labor union's "strike of the week" club. We couldn't get any of our stuff off the docks...barely got everything there in time for practice. The following year we shipped direct to England and drove it all to the track. We have followed that protocol for the last 11 years with no issues. We also found out the personnel on trans-oceanic cargo ships tend to be a little sticky-fingered with plenty of time on their hands. We have lost everything from t-shirts to the mattresses in the tractor sleeper during the voyage over. In addition, one year we had the airfreight guys forget to tie down one of the racecars in its shipping crate for the flight over to England. Needless to say, it was a little shorter than the other car when it arrived. Over $250,000 damage to the front and rear and that was before we ever ran a lap!

Is it harder getting everything in or out of France?

International shipping has established some very strident procedures to move materials and equipment in or out of all the European countries. You need to have a highly detailed inventory list with everything in each crate or trailer including all serial numbers and quantities where applicable. Do it right – no problem. Mess something up – big problem. We learn something every year.

Window or aisle seat?

On a big plane, I am always a window guy. Jump jet, I am sitting on the aisle. In the end, travel as much as I do, and it's the bottom of the seat that really matters!

[MOTV8]

A Look Back at Corvette Racing's Breakthrough Win in 2001

10 Years After: Memories of Corvette Racing's First Le Mans Victory

You never forget your first – especially when it's the first win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Today Corvette Racing is recognized around the world as a powerhouse in international endurance racing, but a decade ago, the members of Chevrolet's factory sports car team were innocents abroad.

Memories of that first Le Mans victory in 2001, contested in a wet and chaotic race, are etched in the minds of the men and women who were there. The lessons learned during that rain-soaked day and night of racing formed the foundation for Corvette Racing's six GTS/GT1 class wins in the world's most prestigious sports car race. On June 11-12, Corvette Racing will run for its seventh class title at Le Mans, and its first in the GTE Pro (formerly GT2) category.

Corvette Racing had launched an expeditionary force to Le Mans in 2000, a race contested in searing heat. The American team finished third and fourth, an auspicious result in its first foray to France. Corvette Racing returned in 2001 with updated Corvette C5-R race cars and a revised driver lineup. Ron Fellows, Johnny O'Connell and Scott Pruett piloted the No. 63 Corvette to victory in appalling conditions, while Andy Pilgrim, Kelly Collins, and Franck Freon were second in the No. 64 Corvette C5-R, giving Chevrolet the first of its four 1-2 finishes in the French classic. Fellows, O'Connell and Pruett finished eighth overall, equaling the performance of John Fitch and Bob Grossman in Briggs Cunningham's iconic No. 3 Corvette in 1960.

"The race in 2000 was the hottest Le Mans on record," said Fellows. "We were fast, we learned a ton, and we had a few mechanical gremlins to overcome. Then one year later, 2001 was one of the wettest races, and it was an adventure.

"One of the very few times I've been in an argument with (team manager) Gary Pratt was in the pits prior to the start of the race," Fellows recalled. "Gary was adamant that I needed to start on slicks like everyone else, but I insisted that I wanted intermediates. I said, 'I don't care, I want 'em.' So the sister car started on slicks, and I was on intermediates.

"After the first three laps, the track was drying quickly, and I thought I'd made a huge mistake," Fellows said with a laugh. "Suddenly coming around Arnage, I saw a wall of rain ahead of us. There was a monsoon coming out of the southwest, and cars were going off everywhere.

"The cars around me were floating and spinning, but I could still maneuver because I had grooved tires. Somehow I got through the chaos without getting hit, and we moved way up in the overall standings in first 20 minutes."

Johnny O'Connell called on his previous experience at Le Mans to get him through the treacherous conditions. "I have a vivid memory of Le Mans in 2001, going out at night in the pouring rain," O'Connell recalled. "I came out of Tertre Rouge at full chat, hit a puddle, went sideways, caught it, and wanted to lift. Then I said to myself, 'They're not paying you to lift, stay in it.' The spray was blinding, and I drove through the night with one eye looking out the side window to find my braking points. That rainy night was phenomenal, scary, and exhilarating – a spectacular race."

Fellows agreed: "The level of concentration required to race in the wet was just overwhelming," said the Canadian ace. "None of us were physically tired, but we were mentally exhausted. The troughs in the pavement left by the heavy trucks on the public roads were filled with standing water, and the puddles were the biggest issue. The straights are normally a place you can relax, but just keeping the car on the road was a real challenge. I attempted slicks in the night, went out and came right back in. It was impossible."

The Corvette team went to Le Mans riding a wave of confidence after a 1-2 finish and an overall victory in the season-opening Daytona 24-hour race. ( That's right folks. Overall. As in beat the P1 and P2 cars, and the GT cars of course. Teh good old days when Daytona mattered...before the Grand Am split.)

"The team had an unbelievable air of confidence after the success that we had at Daytona," O'Connell noted. "When everything is right in a team you feel it, and there was a very strong, positive energy. The curve ball was the ungodly amount of rain. We’d won in the rain in Daytona, so we knew we were good in the wet. I think everyone had faith that this race was going to come our way, and sure enough, it did."

While the drivers were sanguine, program manager Doug Fehan had his doubts.

"In those days, we were using a conventional transmission mounted behind the engine, and its reliability was marginal with the horsepower we had," Fehan revealed. "We were nervous about that. In addition, some type of harmonic vibration was destroying the starter motors; if the car spun and the engine stalled, there was a 50-50 chance that it wouldn’t restart. It was a huge issue.

"The rain worked to our advantage because the race pace was dramatically slower, which reduced the stress on the gearboxes. By the 20th hour, we had an insurmountable lead and a certain victory as long as the cars were running at the finish. We brought the cars in, went through the transmissions, dried out the starters, and sent them back out for the final hour. Then I had a moment of sheer panic when I was told that a GT car was ahead of us, but the officials reassured me that Corvette was still the leader in GTS."

Another lesson learned was the importance of perfect execution in the pits.

"We missed an overall victory in Daytona by 32 seconds," Fehan explained. "Thirty-two seconds is pretty easy to find in 24 hours, and not necessarily on the race track. It became vividly apparent that every movement in the pit lane had to be choreographed, every action needed to be as efficient as possible, because a 24-hour race can come down to just a few seconds."

The team also gained an appreciation of the unique demands of the immense 8.5 mile Le Mans circuit.

"The Corvette C5-R had a fairly narrow body in 2000 – we had tremendous straight-line speed, but didn't have the cornering and aerodynamic characteristics that come with a wide car," Fellows noted. "We came back in 2001 with a wider body. The car had a little more drag but a much better aero platform. We were slower on the straights, but quicker overall in 2001."

With its first Le Mans victory, Corvette Racing reached an objective that had been set years earlier.

"In 1997 I sat down with Herb Fishel, who was then the director of GM Racing, when he laid out his vision and outlined his plan to win Le Mans," Fellows remembered. "Four years later it came to fruition. I'll never forget standing on the victory podium in the rain, with throngs of people on the track. It was a breakout year for Corvette Racing, and that first win was very special."

Corvette Racing's next event is the 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France, on June 11-12. The race will start at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET). SPEED will televise the race live, supplemented by live video streaming on SpeedTV.com. Check local listings for broadcast times.

TGFS = Thank Gawd For Speed

[MOTV8]

Two quick blurbs today as the Le Mans "scrutineering" begins Monday....

First, Corvettes get LARGER restrictors! :partygrnhat:

ACO's Performance Adjustments

Moar Powah!

-and-

Teh Lizards painted both Porches to look nice to teh French:

Lizard's Special Le Mans Livery

[Shifty]

Larger restrictors!

[MOTV8]

Ron Fellows buys Mosport!

ALMS: Mosport Sold To New Ownership Group

Famed Canadian racer Ron Fellows heads up new ownership of Mosport International Raceway...

Panoz Motor Sports Group today announced the return of Mosport International Raceway to its Canadian roots with its sale to Canadian Motorsport Ventures, Ltd. Comprising that group are transportation industry leader Al Boughton, famed Canadian racer Ron Fellows, and real-estate developer Carlo Fidani. The new owners intend to build upon Mosport’s storied history and respected reputation to create new and exciting opportunities for race fans, corporate partners and racers on an international scale.

Recognized as Canada’s Home of Motorsports, Mosport is the country’s largest automotive performance and racing facility. It has hosted almost every class of road racing on its famed 3.96-km (2.459-mile) circuit including the American Le Mans Series, Formula 1, IndyCar, stock cars, sports cars, motorcycles, motocross, showroom stock, historic vintage racers, “Big Rig” trucks and karts. Under the new ownership, Myles Brandt will continue to serve in his role as President and General Manager at the facility.

“Myles and his staff have done an extraordinary job with Mosport,” said Dr. Don Panoz, Chairman of Panoz Motor Sports Group and Founder of the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón. “There is no deeper tradition or racing history in Canada than what exists here at Mosport. I am personally very gratified that we have been able to help this crown jewel grow and improve for both racers and fans alike, and I am very happy to now turn it over to a group that loves this place as much as I do. And I want to say a special thank you to Ron Fellows, who has always been a true gentleman, champion and the greatest representative of Canadian racing that I have known. The fact that he is now one of the owners of Mosport is a dream come true for both of us.”

“We want to thank Panoz Motor Sports Group for making Mosport what it is today – a world-class racing venue that is host to some of North America’s best road-racing series and a place of inspiration for generations of racers in Canada,” said Boughton, on behalf of Canadian Motorsport Ventures, Ltd. “We are excited to pour our racing passion and business expertise into Mosport and look forward to working together with local government and tourism authorities to take this historic race facility to the next level in delivering the best excitement and entertainment motor racing has to offer.”

The new leadership team brings a renewed focus, fresh thinking, and a strong vision on how to maximize the potential of Mosport. Over the next 18 months, plans include the construction of a new events and meeting facility, the restoration of current buildings and spectator facilities, and track improvements to deliver the high-caliber racing experience that drivers and fans want. The company’s three key players will utilize their unique areas of strength and knowledge to guide Mosport into the future:

Al Boughton – President and Managing Partner of Trailcon Leasing and a long-time classic car enthusiast and restorer with a passion for racing.


Ron Fellows – Canadian racing legend with a distinguished racing record and a deep relationship with Mosport, which started at the age of 11 where he attended his first race. A three-time American Le Mans Series class champion for Corvette Racing, Fellows ranks in the Series’ Top 10 in career wins with 27 and was voted Most Popular Driver five times. Mosport is also where Ron won his first Drivers Championship, first Trans-Am Series victory, first prototype sports cars win, and - most recently in 2010 - an SCCA World Challenge race victory in Mosport’s 50th anniversary year.


Carlo Fidani – Chairman and CEO of Orlando Corporation and an accomplished businessman who brings a wealth of development insight and experience to Mosport.

“We could not be more pleased to be returning Mosport back to Canadian ownership and stewardship,” said Scott Atherton, President and CEO of Panoz Motor Sports Group and the ALMS. “The new owners represent the best possible combination of top-quality business professionals, enthusiasts and resources. Canadian race fans have a lot of very positive things to look forward to at Mosport. And we will look forward to bringing the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón back to Mosport for many years to come.”

Atherton also stated that the sale of Mosport is an isolated example. While Mosport was not for sale, the group that approached PMSG had such a dynamic plan for Mosport’s future that all concerned recognized that the future of the facility could be better served in the hands of the Canadian group. Atherton acknowledged PMSG’s extreme pride for the many improvements that were made over the past 13 years and emphasized that the best is yet to come for the American Le Mans Series and its fans at Mosport.

The American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patrón returns to Mosport for its only north-of-the-border stop, July 21-24, as part of the Mobil 1 presents The Grand Prix of Mosport – Canada’s biggest sports car race of the year.

Eh.

[Shifty]

Good for Ron!

[MOTV8]

Fresh pix from Saturday at Le Mans as teams prepare for scrutineering....

[Shifty]

I'm totally stoked!

[MOTV8]

Teh pit stop practice...video clip.

And teh pix from Sunday...featuring this DW gem!

http://dlstatic.speedtv.com/imageserve/0adHcCudfF7Ng/575x459.jpg

Which button cranks up the stereo?

http://dlstatic.speedtv.com/imageserve/05vOeHW0Ri2xY/575x459.jpg

Must be that one.

http://dlstatic.speedtv.com/imageserve/04Nd4AxajZdG6/575x459.jpg

http://dlstatic.speedtv.com/imageserve/0fgpfd20X6fcz/575x459.jpg

Jules: ...Do you know why they call it a Royale with cheese?

Brett: Because of the metric system?

Jules: Check out the big brain on Brett. You one smart motherfucker.

[MOTV8]

Speed has been running Le Mans ad spots featuring Corvette Racing all weekend. Now we get onboard streams!

Live TV Coverage Bolstered by Online Video Stream from Inside Corvette C6.R

Corvette and SPEED Take Fans Inside the 24 Hours of Le Mans

Race fans will have an all-access view of this weekend’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, with exclusive features that include “riding along” with Corvette Racing for the entire race. SPEED will televise 17 hours of live coverage on June 11-12, and via a partnership with Corvette Racing, fans can go to http://www.speedtv.com/corvette to view the hours not televised. Online coverage will include a special live video stream providing a constant look from inside one of the two Corvette C6.Rs that will be seeking a seventh class win at Le Mans.

The 24 Hours of Le Mans in Le Mans, France, will start at 3 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET) on Saturday, June 11. The live web stream of the race on www.speedtv.com/corvette will air coverage without commercial interruption for hours of the race not carried on television.

The live streaming video feed will be from the cockpit of the No. 73 Compuware Corvette C6.R piloted by Olivier Beretta, Tommy Milner, and Antonio Garcia. The special web coverage will also include links to an in-depth video tour of the legendary Le Mans circuit in the No. 74 Compuware Corvette C6.R with commentary from Oliver Gavin, who will be seeking his fifth class win for Corvette at Le Mans this weekend.

“It’s not often you can work with a partner that has the ability to also create and offer a better viewing experience for our audience,” said Bobby Akin, SPEED Vice President of Advertising Sales. “SPEED and Chevrolet have been working together on Le Mans on air and online enhancements for many years, and to actually be able to reach out to our audience through a multi-platform online package is amazing.”

Corvette will compete in the renamed GTE Pro (formerly GT2) class this year at Le Mans, facing fierce competition with entries representing Ferrari, BMW, Porsche, Lotus, and Aston Martin.

The No. 73 Compuware Corvette C6.R of Beretta, Milner and Garcia finished third in the season-opening Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Gavin will be teamed with Jan Magnussen in the No. 74 Compuware Corvette C6.R at Le Mans, a pairing that won the GT1 title three consecutive years in 2004-06. Richard Westbrook will be the third driver.

[Shifty]

Nice! That answers that...I've been worried about teh streaming when Speed went dark.