FROM THE SIDELINES // 2010 SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

The Silverstone Classic is one of the biggest classic racing festivals in Europe. It’s up there with the Goodwood Revival and it all takes place at a backdrop with has as much history and prestige as the Goodwood Circuit itself. The 2010 Silverstone Classic is slightly different from last years event which was absolutely fantastic in every single way. This year’s event was another great event but it couldn’t quite match last years Classic for a number of reasons... [read more]

Last year the monstrous Group C Le Mans Prototypes descended on Silverstone bringing with them a cacophony of rumbling and screaming V8’s, howling Jaguar V12’s and shrill turbo charged 6 and 8 cylinder engines. This year there are no Group C cars at Silverstone but hopefully they will be back on the line-up for the 2011 Silverstone Classic.

Also missing from the line up this year are the touring cars, the 1980’s and 1990’s touring cars which took part in the David Leslie Memorial Trophy were not present this year. Last year both races produced close and exciting racing up and down the field with various Super Touring Cars from Honda, Ford, Nissan and Vauxhall mixing it with Group A cars such as the BMW M3 and the Ford Sierra RS500.


However though, despite a rather less enticing mix of racing, there was still some very tasty machinery on offer this year. The World Sports Car Masters were the undoubted highlight of the Sunday race day. The 1970’s sports cars made a simply unforgettable noise, with a slew of Lola T70’s, Abarth Osellas, Chevrons of various shapes and sizes and of course the Ford GT40 amongst others. The race was eventually won by one of the fabulous V8 engines Lola T70’s, in particular the car of Steve Tandy.

The next race of the day which was for pre 1961 grand prix cars saw some of the rarest and most expensive cars of the weekend racing. For the first time ever I got to see a Ferrari 250F racing as well which can only be described as pornography. The simple elegant shape and the ear splitting 6 cylinder growl was glorious, these cars made up for their lack of speed with their sublime looks and glorious soundtrack. Gary Pearson would eventually take the race in for the pre ‘61 grand prix cars in his BRM P25.

The big highlight of the weekend though is of course the pre ‘85 F1 cars. The grid is large and varied with cars from Arrows, Tyrrell and Benetton to name a few. The one thing that will live with anyone who see’s these cars racing is the noise. The rolling start from Copse corner was incredible, you can barely hear the grumble of Cosworth DFV as the cars potter up the start/finish line. When the lights go green the deafening blare of 20+ 3.0 Cosworth V8’s on open exhausts is enough to split the sky and peel paint off walls, awesome doesn’t even begin to describe the noise of these cars.

These cars don’t just make a staggering, earth shattering noise but they are seriously quick. The quicker cars attacking Copse corner and the Maggots, Becketts complex with awesome speed right on the ragged edge. The battle for the lead lasted for much of the race. Eventually it was the hard charging Bill Coombs in his Tyrrell 009 that claimed victory after a race long battle with the Arrows A4 of Steve Hartley.

After a great day of racing in the heat, humidity and patchy sunshine at the Silverstone Classic it was time to go home. With ears ringing from screaming Cosworth V8’s and thunderous Chevrolet V8 engines and a healthy dose of sunburn it was time to head home. With I would take yet more good memories from the Silverstone Classic and already I can’t wait for next years Silverstone Classic. I do however though hope that the Group C Le Mans Prototypes return along with the cars of the David Leslie Memorial Trophy, things weren’t quite the same without those boys and girls from last year.

Click here for a look at more photos from the 2010 Silverstone Classic

Photo/Editorial: Stephen Hodges

EVENT PREVIEW // 2010 SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

The Silverstone Classic media day offers journalists and photographers alike the chance to sample what’s in store for the 2010 Silverstone Classic. Last years event was a sensation. Close Racing and lots of variety and things to do on and off track, the event was superb last year and 2010 builds on the form of the 2009 event. So what do we have to look forward to when the 2010 Silverstone Classic starts on the 23rd of July? Lots actually. Various different races, ranging from pre-war cars of the 1930s to GT cars of the 1960s, Sports Prototypes and GT cars of the 1970s. Formula 1 cars from different eras will make an appearance as well and there is historic touring car racing with scores of Mini Coopers and Lotus Cortinas... [read more]

In total, there will be over 800 cars racing in all of the series over the weekend with 1000 competitors, guaranteeing lots of race action over the weekend. There is more as well though. A Fiat 500 Abarth race for various celebrities including BBC Radio 2 DJ’s Bob Harris, Johnnie Walker and Richard Allinson and world renowned chef Heston Blumenthal. The Celebrity race will help raise awareness for Bowel Cancer with fund-raising money going to the Bobby Moore Fund.

There will also be a celebration of Harley Davidson motorbikes over the weekend as well. The other big news is the celebration of the 60th year of the F1 World Championship with three historic F1 races over the weekend, it will surely be a paradise for any fan of historic single seater racing. There is plenty for Sports car fans as well. GT cars from the 1960s will descend upon Silverstone, AC Cobra’s with their bellowing V8's, Jaguar E-Type with their howling V12 engine’s. Ford Mustang’s and Bizzarini’s will make their appearance as well, all this will take place at high speeds, mostly sideways.

There will also be a race for the World Sports Car Masters. Prototypes and GT cars from the 1970s will take to Silverstone and are undoubtedly the highlight of the weekend, Ferraris, Alfa Romeos, Ford GT40's, Chevron's, Porsche 911's and Lola T70's to name a few. There cars will assault you’re senses, Stunningly beautiful and quick and some of the loudest and most glorious sounding racing cars ever produced. Present at the Media Day were several Lola T70’s with thundering V8 engines. Screaming Chevron’s took to the track as well with their ear splitting scream, then the highlight of the media and almost certainly the Classic weekend. The beautiful Ferrari 312PB, the car was being driven very quickly during the media day and produced one of the most incredible V12 howls I have ever heard from a racing car.

There will also be evening entertainment in the form of music concert’s on both nights. Friday night will see The Yardbirds and Dr Feelgood take to the stage in the evening. Saturday will see X Factor finalists Jedward, Danyl Johnson and Ruth Lorenzo and the Rick Parfitt jnr Rock band.

It’s quite a contrast, the best classic racing in Europe with music from the likes of Jedward. It will certainly be a mixed crowd at the Silverstone Classic in 2010 just like it was in 2009. The racing will undoubtedly be close and entertaining, with a wide variety of car’s to cater to pretty much everyone’s taste it looks set to be a fantastic weekend of Motorsport.

So, all that is left to be said is this. Get yourself to the 2010 Silverstone Classic, it’s going to be a brilliant weekend of Motorsport.

Photo/Editorial: Stephen Hodges

RECAP // STE HODGES REFLECTS ON THE SILVERSTONE 1000KM

Every year, on the second weekend of September at Silverstone, something great happens, something truly fantastic, I look forward to it every year, like a child awaiting Christmas. Every year, I try my utmost to make it to this event, its like a fine wine, it gets better with age. Upon arriving at Silverstone, I turn from a 19 year old Journalism student into a overly excited child, the smell of race fuel, burnt rubber, oil and hot exhaust instantly permeates the air as soon as I climb out of my car.

Then you can hear it in the distance, a car leaves the pits, its only quiet, the car warming up, then, on the fast other side of the circuit, the car gets on the loud pedal, the quiet turns into a vicious, spine tingling bellow. You hear the bellow get louder and louder, from the Abbey chicane viewing terrace, the source of the noise can be seen on the other side of the track, headlights ablaze rounding Stowe corner, the noise becomes more like spinal tap, it goes all the way to 11, the car howls’ out of Stowe, you lose sight just for a second as the car dives downhill into Club, you can hear the crackle and pop of unburnt fuel exploding in the exhaust system.

The car comes back into sight and I can now see what it is, a Zytek LMP2 prototype, now the car is accelerating hard out of Club corner, the razor like sound of V8 and induction building and building as the car bang’s through the gears, the car scream’s past in a deafening flurry of noise and colour, then onto the brakes for Abbey chicane, the orchestra of the V8 now accompanied by a series of deafening crackles and pop’s. This is Le Mans Series and from a Sports Car Fan’s point of view, this is the best time of year, as its my only chance to get to see the LMP and GT car’s going at it during the year... [read more]

Le Mans Series is a truly awesome championship, there is so much variety that everyone will be happy, the Blood and Thunder of the Corvette C6R and Saleen S7R’s, the sophistication of the Aston Martin Prototype’s with their Hollow V12 howl, the yobbish chattering of turbo charged AER Mazda 4 cylinder engine’s and the scream of Ferrari V8, as I said, there is something for everyone.

The racing is fast and furious as well, the fast LMP1 prototypes are spectacular, changing direction like a house fly that’s had one too many Prozac, the same goes for the smaller lighter LMP2 car’s, the GT car’s lumber round a bit more, but they slip and slide on the limit, 4 wheel drifting through the corner’s almost and squatting and squirming under braking, the GT car’s really are old school race cars, loud, fast, lairy and they always entertain. 

Then, we come to Silverstone, home of British Motorsport, host of the British Grand Prix for quite a while now and from next year onwards, the new home of the British round of Moto GP, a brilliant mix of fast sweeping corner’s, slow tricky complexes and a few medium speed corner’s as well.

There are many places to watch the action from as well, but the more savvy fan will know to use the inside of the circuit, the international straight, national straight and the inside of the hangar straight provide better viewing, being closer to the action and also having less fencing in the way as well (A feature which you will hear many a amateur photographer and seasoned fans complain about.)

So, Brilliant cars, close frantic racing over around 6 hours and a great racing track to boot, an amazing weekend, and this year was a belter. Coming into the final round of the championship, the Aston Martin Lola #007 of Tomas Enge, Stefan Mucke and Jan Charouz  leads the championship, the #17 Pescarolo of Jean Christophe-Bouillon lies second in the championship after a win in the Algarve but bad luck forced the team into retirement at the Nurburgring 1000km, the championship is open in LMP1, however though, LMP2 has already been won by Quifel ASM, a last minute withdraw from Racing Box handed the LMP2 title to the Portuguese team who are long overdue an LMS title win.

GT1 has already been won at the Nurburgring by the perennial Luc Alphand Adventures with their Corvette C6R. GT2 is a wide open battle between several teams, IMSA Matmut, Felbamayer Proton, JMW Motorsport.

LMP1 provided a fantastic battle, Jean Christophe Bouillon charged like a raging bull through the field, starting last and by the end of the first hour, he was leading the race, the Pescarolo boys must have been pretty damn proud of their car that day. The lead changed in class around 16 times over the course of the race in LMP1, eventually, It was Oreca who took a long overdue win, Speedy Team Sebah finished second and the #007 Aston Martin Lola finished in third place as well, at the same time clinching the Championship. 

In LMP2 the race was a hard one, third place eventually went to the OAK Racing Pescarolo Mazda while RML took a well deserved second place in class, RML have endured horrific luck all year and a good result at last at least means the team can end the year on a high note. The LMP2 win went to Speedy Team Sebah’s Lola Judd Coupe, the team ran a flawless race in both LMP1 and LMP2 and finished very well, congratulations are in order for Sebah. GT1 was a fierce race long battle between the Larbre Saleen, the Alphand Corvette and for Silverstone only, the Gigawave Aston Martin DBR9, eventually it was Gigawave who took the GT1 win, a fitting swansong for the outgoing GT1 car’s, they will be missed.

Finally to GT2, 3rd place went to IMSA Matmut, the heroic Patrick Pilet putting in one hell of a drive in the White blue and red Porsche. Second went to the Spyker of Tom Coronel and Jarek Janis, they easily raised the biggest cheer from the crowd’s at Silverstone and to see Spyker on the podium reminding me of why I love Sports Car Racing, a veritable David trouncing the Goliath’s, Its what separates Sports Car Racing from the rest of Motorsport in some ways. The win though went to JMW Motorsport, they missed out on the GT2 championship by a point, but Gimmi Bruni and Rob bell drove the wheels off their Ferrari F430 GT2 and took the win. 

So, there is you’re Silverstone 1000km, The 2009 Le Mans Series has provided us with a brilliant year of racing, get your self’s if possible to one of the race’s in 2010, it is a must for every Motorsport, Car fan out there, and all I will say is Roll on, the 2010 Le Mans Series!

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For a look at more photos from the 2009 Silverstone 1000km, click here 

Photo/Editorial: Stephen Hodges

EYE CANDY // FROM THE SIDELINES OF SILVERSTONE

Nothing like a bit of Eye Candy to help you through your morning. Courtesy of ColdTrackDays contributor Ste Hodges, do enjoy this shot from the sidelines of Silverstone! // [comment]

A BLAST FROM THE PAST // THE 2009 SILVERSTONE CLASSIC

Historic Racing, two words which to some conjure up images of weekend warriors and rich amateur’s taking their priced possessions out for a good old thrash round a race track. To some, it conjures up the thought of seeing cars which one was not lucky enough to see running round a race track in anger, well the Silverstone classic is both. There is something for everyone, pre-war cars, production Jaguar’s, two era’s of 1960’s GT cars, historic touring cars from the 1960’s and 1970’s and plenty of modern machinery to get people going as well.

1970’s World Sports Car Master’s provide an eclectic mix of prototypes and GT cars, with screaming highly strung 4 cylinder engines mixing with big thundering V8’s and a sprinkling of Ferrari V12 on top. The 1970’s F1 cars as well as a veritable orgy of DFV Cosworth V8’s with their distinctive V8 scream, made for quite the spectacle as well. The big show however, is the Group C/GTP Prototype racers. Jaguar XJR9 and XJR12 with their 7.0 V12’s made for a glorious display in the hands of Chris Buncombe and Andy Wallace. Two of the fastest cars on the grid, there was also two other Jag’s as well, one XJR11 with a Turbo Charged V6 engine and an ex-Group 44 Racing Jaguar XJR5 again with a V12 engine... [read more]

There was more as well, seasoned Prototype and GT driver David Hart was present with his From A Nova Porsche 962, going very quickly and making a lot of noise, Creation Autosportif front man from the Le Mans Series, Jamie Campbell-Walter was present as well driving a Porsche engined Cougar chassis. The best though was Rob Sherrard’s Sauber Mercedes C9, the silver arrow didn’t just look brilliant, it went brilliantly as well, spitting flames, crackling and popping on the over run and providing a thunderous V8 symphony.

There were also 3 Nissan Chassis present as well, the From A Nova Nissan R90CK driven by Andy Purdy was the fastest car of the weekend, its turbo V8 engine didn’t have the most stirring sound, but boy did it stir the soul out on track, changing direction like a house fly and hurtling down the straight’s of Silverstone at astonishing speed, the other 2 Nissan’s was a car from the late 1980’s which did not last very long as it bowed out early on in both race’s with reliability problem’s, the other car was a MOMO liveried Nissan NPT 90 GTP, not being driven with much vigour but almost certainly one of the best looking car’s on the grid.

The first Group C race was won by Chris Buncombe in the Silk Cut Liveried Jaguar XJR9, the second race was won by Andy Purdy in the From A Nova Nissan R90CK and the grid was a glorious cacophony of Porsche turbo Flat 6, Nissan turbo power, the howl of the Jaguar V12’s, the rumble of the Sauber Mercedes V8 and the Aston Martin AMR1’s Chevrolet V8, mixed in with the screaming Cosworth V8’s in the two Spice prototypes, the mournful 6 cylinder sound as well of the Tiga and Ecosse chassis as well.

A surprise at the Silverstone Classic though was the inclusion of the David Leslie Memorial trophy for Touring Cars, Fond memories are had here, the very first race I went to was the BTCC in 1997 during the heyday of the Super Touring era, great’s such as Alain Menu, Rickard Rydell, Gabrielle Tarquini, John Cleland, David Leslie duking it out in 300bhp plus highly tuned Saloon car’s, they might not sound like much, but the ground skimming wide bodied saloon racers look and sound great, and driven in anger remind us of why people like Motorsport, great looking, great sounding cars with great racing and with a great story and history to boot as well.

Present was the famous ex Team Dynamics Nissan Primera, Matt Neal famously won £250,000 at Donington Park in 1999, proving a privateer team could beat factory team’s from Ford, Nissan, Volvo, Vauxhall, Audi, Honda and Renault, it was well and truly a David versus Goliath battle and Matt Neal won the hearts of the British fans. There was no less than 4 Nissan Primera Super Tourer’s with their high revving banshee like 4 cylinder engine’s, A pair of the fabulous Ford Mondeo super tourers in the royal blue and yellow Rapid Fit livery, and, with their Howling V6 exhaust note were a real crowd pleaser, and, at the same time made me feel like an excited 8 year old child again. Dave Jarman in the Matt Neal’s distinctive red Nissan Primera won Race 1 on Saturday, while Stewart Whyte in the Super Touring Honda Accord took the win in Race 2.

There was more to the weekend than the decade old Touring cars and the 20 or so year old Group C Le Mans racers, F1 cars from the 1970’s descended on the Grand Prix circuit and brought with them the soundtrack of the 70’s, the Cosworth DFV V8, its distinctive scream was by far the loudest noise made over the weekend and also one of the best noise’s of the weekend as well, the racing was close and fierce between the screaming monsters, race one though was won by the Hesketh of Michael Lyons, Lyons replicated this result in Race 2 and stamped his authority on the Grand Prix Master’s race’s, dominating both race’s. 

There was also a slew of other race’s, the rare Ferrari 250 Bread van took a race win in the pre 1963 GT race and was one of the highlight’s of the weekend. Formula Junior’s took to the track as well creating some fantastic close racing out on track. The pre 1966 GT cars provided some crazy high speed sideways action, AC Cobra’s, Jaguar E-Type’s, Bizzarini’s, Ford Mustang’s and a slew off other car’s battle it out furiously out on track, providing a great spectacle for all to behold.

So, how to sum up my first time at the Silverstone Classic, well for a start, its brilliant, there really is something for everyone, Pre War Sports car’s, 1960’s GT cars, various different single seater race’s and Touring Car race’s, The fabulous World Sports Car Master’s and Group C Le Mans prototype’s as well make for an awesome spectacle, there are huge number’s of car’s on display as well from a massive variety of manufacturers, toy and art work fair’s, the Bonhams auction as well, even Carlos Santana performed in the evening at a concert, the night before the Pussy Cat Dolls, Blue and Top Loader performed as well. So there is something for everyone, In other words, this is why we love Motorsport, great cars, a great track, great people make for great times, so, clear room in you’re calendar next year for the 2010 Silverstone Classic, it’s a must for every car/Motorsport fan out there.

2009 Silverstone Classic Photo Gallery

Photo/Editorial: Stephen Hodges

BEFORE THE STORM // SPOTTER GUIDE & LE MANS PREVIEW

Just released, check out this Spotter Guide for the 77th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A quick reference for those who find themselves a bit confused with all of the classes, drivers and chassis builders, Spotter Guides are a great way to figure out just who is driving that LMP1 Audi R15 or which Ferrari it is that Patrick Dempsey will be piloting when the green flag waves tomorrow afternoon.

Click here to download your copy and be sure and follow the link for a look at Stephen Hodges Le Mans preview... [read more]

LMP1 

Audi Sport
Car: Audi R15
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Audi come to LeMans this year with a brand new car, they beat Peugeot at Sebring with the new R15, but on the long straights of LeMans and with a proven track record, Peugeot have the upper hand, never discount Audi, Kristensen, Mcnish and Capello won last year and look to repeat that result. Luhr, Rockenfeller and Premat in the other car look to improve on their 4th place finish last year. Timo Bernhard and Romain Dumas join Marco Werner in the 3rd R15 and will be hunting a win just like their team mate’s. 

Peugeot Sport
Car: Peugeot 908
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Peugeot come to LeMans this year with unfinished business, last year, a certain Scotsman said it was Peugeot’s race to lose, touch wood, Peugeot lost it, along with the LMS title and a win at Petit Le Mans. Favourite for the win is the Minassian, Lamy, Klien car, closely followed followed by the Sarrazin, Montagny, Bourdais car which finished second at Sebring in March, The 3rd car of Gene, Wurz and Brabham will also be in the hunt for the win as well, Peugeot start as the pre-race favourites. 

Aston Martin Racing
Car: Lola Aston Martin
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Following last season’s Charouz effort, Aston Martin arrive at LeMans this year with 3 Lola’s with V12 engines, the car’s have Aston Martin’s own Aero and have claimed a victory already at Barcelona in the Le Mans Series. The driver line-ups for each car have yet to be announced, but its likely Enge, Charouz and Mucke will be together in one of the car’s, the other line up’s are up in the air at the moment. With the Petrol-Diesel closed down significantly, AMR are most likely to upset the diesel’s, The speed is there, so should the reliability, AMR have the support, whether they can beat Audi and Peugeot at LeMans remains to be seen, but they will be at the front of the LMP1 field, if you miss the car’s, you wont miss that howling V12! 
 
Team Oreca Matmut
Car: Oreca 01
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Oreca came into the 2009 season as a favourite for win’s, podiums and pole positions, but so far they have found things tough, the new Oreca 01 has demonstrated sensational speed on its debut at Spa, but incidents in the race deprived the team of a good result. In terms of speed, the car should be close, if not similar to the Lola Aston Martin’s, but being a new car reliability is not fully known yet, expect fireworks in qualifying, especially from Panis. 

Pescarolo Sport
Car(s):Pescarolo P01, Peugeot 908
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Plucky underdogs Pescarolo Sport have always been one of the top team’s at LeMans, but last year Pescarolo dropped the ball a bit due to an ageing car, this year, Pescarolo have their new petrol proto which has been blazingly quick and a Peugeot 908. It remains to be seen what Pescarolo can do with the 908, but with Pagenaud, Treluyer and Bouillon, it should be quick in both qualifying and race trim, the petrol proto of Jouanny, Tinseau and Barbosa will be very quick as well, up there at the front of the petrol class, watch out, this could be Pescarolo’s year at long last. 

Kolles
Car: Audi R10
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Dr.Colin Kolles, who has run the TME DTM team for some time is running a pair of last year’s Audi R10’s in the LMS this year, so far though, the car’s have been a bit off the pace, even with the advantage of diesel power, the car’s struggle to match the pace of front running petrol car’s. Its not to say they are uncompetitive, but the R10 is long in the tooth and feeling its age in its 4th year of competition. 

Speedy Racing Team Sebah
Car: Lola Aston Martin B08/60
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Sebah have been in Sports car racing for a long time, campaigning prototype and GT cars alike, the team are racing in LMP1 and LMP2 this year, the LMP1 Lola Aston Martin differs from the Aston Martin’s, having a different aero package, with a line up of 3 quick driver’s, in Qualifying at least, this car could knock head’s with the fastest petrol car’s, in the race, its an unknown quantity, best to wait and see. 
  
Signature Plus
Car: Oreca LC70 Judd
Tyres: Michelin
Description: The crack single seater outfit Signature Plus enters the Le Mans Series this year with one of last year’s Oreca LC70’s, the car is well rounded, fast, reliable and efficient, Pierre Ragues and Didier Andre are both quick and have sports car experience, Frank Mailleux is new to sports car’s but shouldn’t embarrass himself. 
 
Strakka Racing
Car: Ginetta Zytek 09S
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Strakka come to Le Mans off the back of a pole position at Barcelona and showed they could run at the front of the LMP1 field in the LMS, The driving talent of Danny Watts need’s no introduction and Leventis and Hardman have taken quickly to the prototype, a run into the top 10 for the team would not be unreasonable, Strakka have the car and driver’s to do it. 

Creation Autosportif
Car: Creation CA07 Judd
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: Creation Autosportif return to Le Mans this year as a rebranded and adjusted force, team owner Mike Jankowski moving the team over to the USA from the UK. Jamie Campbell Walter and Vanina Ickx are both experienced prototype hands and know their way round Le Mans, Romain Ianetta having plenty of GT experience, making him a potentially quick rookie, Creation though could struggle and will probably be looking only for a finish. 

Team LNT
Car: Ginetta Zytek 09S
Tyres: Michelin
Description: 2006 GT2 Le Mans winners Team LNT return after a year’s sabbatical but this time to the LMP1 class, Lawrence Tomlinson and Richard Dean partner 17 year old British Ginetta racer Nigel Moore. The car is already proven as quick, but the inexperienced Moore is the weak link as could Tomlinson and Dean’s inexperience in prototype’s, the team is an unknown quantity, so its worth keeping an eye on LNT, they may surprise, they may not. 
 
 
 
LMP2: 

Team Essex
Car: Porsche RS Spyder
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Team Essex return to Le Mans this year with one objective in mind, to win, the team has the talent’s of Emmanuel Collard and Casper Elgaard in the car, joined by crack Touring Car racer Kristian Poulsen, running on Michelin tyres instead of Dunlop tyres, the team are a favourite for the class win, expect some serious fireworks from the Danish team 

Navi Team Goh
Car: Porsche RS Spyder
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Team Goh return to Le mans after a 5 year hiatus, they are factory supported by Porsche and feature a very strong driver line up, Sascha Maassen partner’s Le Mans winner from 2004, Seiji Ara. Both driver’s find themselves partnered with Keisuke Kunimoto, expect the team to be challenging for the win. 

RML
Car: Lola B08/80 Mazda
Tyres: Michelin
Description: 2 time winners RML return to Le mans this year with factory support from Mazda and a shiny new Lola Coupe, Chris Dyson joins regulars Mike Newton and Tommy Erdos making for an exceptionally strong driver line up, the car is quick enough to win but whether the poor 2009 fuel will rear its ugly head and lunch another Mazda engine again looks likely, RML will be devastatingly quick, but unreliability could likely ruin the party for RML. 

Speedy Team Sebah
Car: Lola B08/80 Judd
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Sebah return to Le Mans for the second year with their Judd V8 engined Lola coupe, the driver line up of Kane, Leuenburger and Pompidou is strong enough to place the team at the thick end of things in LMP2, the car has so far been the one to beat in LMP2 excluding the RS Spyder, its quick and reliable and Sebah could take the win, or at the least seriously bother the Porsche’s of Goh and Essex. 
 
Racing Box
Car: Lola B08/80 Judd
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Racing Box have been a prodigy this year in LMS, they won at Barcelona and initially finished 3rd in LMP2 at Spa before being thrown out under a technicality, Piccini, Bobbi and Biagi is a great driving squad, The Lola Judd is a top car and Racing Box, despite it being their first Le Mans could be in the frame for a top 5 finish, possibly a podium, expect fireworks. 

OAK Racing
Car: Pescarolo Mazda
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: OAK Racing return to Le Mans this year with 2 brand new LMP2 Pescarolo’s, the team come with factory support from Mazda as well with new 4 cylinder turbo engines in place of Judd engine’s, Guillaume Moreau joins the team after a transfer from Luc Alphand, OAK may struggle to achieve a good result though. 

Quifel ASM
Car: Ginetta Zytek 09S2
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: Quifel could very well break Zytek’s Le Mans victory duck in LMP2, the team is second to none in LMP2, even against the likes of Essex and Goh, Amaral, Pla and Smith is an exceptional driver line up, Pla is a gem as is Guy Smith and Amaral is seriously under rated. Quifel are Zytek’s best hope for a class win this year, watch out, they could win it and are the greatest outside threat to the Porsche’s. 

Barazi Epsilon
Car: Zytek 07S2
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: Juan Barazi’s team return to Le Mans with a year old Zytek and a so far unconfirmed driver line up at this time, Juan Barazi is quick and is over looked by many people, Fernando Rees is no slouch either, but there is still another seat available in the Epsilon Zytek, ignoring this the team are looking strong at the moment, the Zytek is a well rounded car and the team know how to win, with a bit of luck, the top 5 may not be too unreasonable for Barazi. 

G.A.C Racing Team
Car: Zytek 07S2
Tyres: Michelin
Description: G.A.C, last year’s Trading Performance team have rebranded themselves for 2009, with Philip Peter team have a gem, but the other two driver’s wont be able to replicate Peter’s speed, expect nothing more than a early charge from Peter. 

KSM
Car: Lola B07/46 Mazda
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: Kai Kruse’s team return for another year at LM, plans to get a Lola coupe were scuppered for 2009 putting the team on the backfoot, Hideki Noda is reasonably quick but the team wont be competitive, simply because their car is simply too old now. 

Bruichladdich Bruneau
Car: Radical SR9 AER
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: The factory Radical team has had a bit of a bumpy history, the team has now merged with Pierre Bruneau’s race team to form Bruichladdich Bruneau, the ageing Radical has been dying on its rear for a while now but the team may get something new out of the car, Marc Rostan and Pierre Bruneau partner Radical faithful Tim Greaves, don’t expect much from this team, a reliable run to the finish is all the factory Radical team will probably be after. 
 
GT1:

Corvette Racing
Car: Corvette C6R
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Corvette have GT1 pretty much sewn up this year, with little in the way opposition from Luc Alphand and Jet Alliance, Pratt and Miller will just likely stroke it home and battle it out for the win between themselves. The 63 features Jan Magnussen, Antonio Garcia and Johnny O’Connell, the 64 car featuring Olivier Beretta, Oli Gavin and Marcel Fassler, the 64 looks to be the stronger than the 63, but wait and see, there is little to call between the 2 factory Corvette’s. 

Jetalliance Racing
Car: Aston Martin DBR9
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Jetalliance come to Le Mans for the first time this year, however, the usual line up of Wendingler and Sharpe isn’t on the card’s for LM, GT hotshot Alex Muller is joined by Litchner Hoyer and Thomas Gruber, in qualifying Muller could challenge the factory Corvette’s but that is about it, JAR don’t have the driving talent to challenge Corvette over the 24 hours. 
 
Luc Alphand Adventures
Car: Corvette C6R
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: Luc Alphand come to Le Mans as possibly the greatest threat to Corvette in GT1, fielding two cars, one for team owner Alphand, Gouselard and Gregoire which should be quick, while the second car features GT hot shoe Xavier Maassen, Julien Jousse and Yann Clairiay, Alphand though losing Guillaume Moreau to OAK Racing, somewhat denting their driving talent, Alphand will likely be best of the rest in GT1 

JLOC Isao Noritake
Car: Lamborghini Murcielago RGT
Tyres: Yokohama
Description: JLOC return to Le Mans in 2009 after a sabbatical, getting over their horrific 2007 race, the team behind JLOC is T2M Motorsport with a history of running GT2 Porsche’s, Marco Apicella might set a quick time, but its pretty likely this will be the last placed GT1 car. 

GT2:

Risi Competizione
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Last year’s GT2 winners return with a revised driver line up of Mika Salo, Jaime Melo and Pierre Kaffer, the team come as a favourite to win GT2 again and will have massive support from the Ferrari fan’s at LM, the team are also running a second car for Tracy Krohn, he is joined by Swede Jonsson and exprienced GT driver Eric Van De Poele. 

AF Corse
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Crack FIA GT team AF Corse come to Le Mans this year with a difference, the team will be fielding a car for their star driver Gimmi Bruni, one of the best modern day GT driver’s out there, is joined by Argentinean driver’s Matias Russo and Luis Perez Companc, the driving line up is impressively strong, the team are one of the best, so a top 5 finish, possibly a podium in GT2 is likely for this team if all goes to plan. 
 
JMW Motorsport
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: JMW Motorsport, effectively last year’s Virgo Motorsport, return to Le Mans, Rob Bell, Andrew Kirkaldy and Tim Sugden make a very strong driving line up and JMW are the second strongest of the Ferrari’s, they will be aiming for a win after the heartbreak of last year’s race. 

Team Modena
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Top GT team, Modena, are running in GT2 this year as opposed to GT1, Leo Mansell, Pierre Ehret and Roman Rusinov complete’s a strong but un-spectacular driving line up, the Team are well versed and know what goes into winning, whether their driver’s can deliver that remains to be seen, a top 5 for Modena is a bit of an ask, but a top 10 GT2 finish is not unreasonable. 

Hankook Team-Farnbacher
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Hankook
Description: Team Farnbacher run as the factory Hankook tyre’s team this year at Le Mans, the team are talented and if not a little bit under-rated. The driving expertise of Allan Simonsen, Dominik Farnbacher and Christian Montanari make a very strong driving squad, if the Hankook tyre’s work, the team should be in the top 5, they have the mean’s to do it if it all comes together. 

BMS Scuderia Italia
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Pirelli
Description: BMS return to Le Mans for another year in GT2 with their Ferrari, the driving line up of Malucelli, Ruberti and Babini is a strong one, if BMS run reliably and trouble free a run to the top 5 is not unreasonable, keep one eye on BMS, they are a real underdog in GT2 for a strong finish. 

JMB Racing
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Michelin
Description: JMB Racing look to be more of a gentleman outfit this year than last year but with one big difference, One Christophe Bouchut joins in, the legendary French GT driver is blindingly quick, Lebon and Rodrigues are you’re plain jane gentleman driver’s so don’t expect much from them, the team will be looking for nothing more than a finish, a shame, as the talent of Bouchut could go somewhat to waste. 
 
Virgo Motorsport
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: A rebranded Virgo Motorsport comes to Le Mans this year as more of a small gentleman team, Sean and Michael Mcinerey have not exactly set the world alight with their speed, they are joined by Michael Vergers but even he is finding the going tough in the Ferrari, Vergers could place the car well in qualifying but that’s about all you can expect from the new Virgo Motorsport. 

Team Seattle Advanced Engineering
Car: Ferrari F430 GT2
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Team Seattle have had a lot of media attention surrounding them, the small American team of Joe Foster, Don Kitch jr and Grey’s Anatomy star and massive petrol head Patrick Dempsey see’s the team tackling Le Mans for the first time. Dempsey already has a pretty big fan following coming into Le Mans, unfortunately the team will probably be languishing at the rear end of GT2. 

IMSA Performance Matmut
Car: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Tyres: Michelin
Description: 2007 GT2 winners IMSA are will come to Le Mans hunting a GT2 win again, after the issue’s of last year’s contact with one of the Flying Lizard car’s IMSA will be looking to do a bit better than last year. Pilet, Narac and Long make a strong line up as does the other car with Lecourt and the Felbamayer father and son pairing, both car’s will be quick and are capable of a podium finish. 

Team Felbamayer Proton
Car: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Team Felbamayer Proton, there is no other word’s for it, they are looking god like in GT2 this year, Marc Lieb, Richard Lietz and Wolf Henzler makes a stellar driving line up, the exceptionally strong Felbamayer team are definitely the strongest of the Porsche’s this year and will be a favourite for the win, expect serious fireworks from Felbamayer. 
  
Flying Lizard Motorsport
Car: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Tyres: Michelin
Description: 2008 ALMS GT2 champions come to Le Mans with a strong driving line up of Jorg Bergmeister, Darren Law and Seth Neiman, 3 quick driver’s and an impeccably prepared car put the Lizard’s in good stead this year for a strong finish, if all goes well, they could challenge for the top 5, possibly the podium, the Lizard’s also adorn the support of many American Porsche fan’s as well, expect fireworks. 

Endurance Asia Team
Car: Porsche 911 GT3 RSR
Tyres: Dunlop
Description: China’s first foray into sports car racing starts here, Darryl O’Young leads the driving squad, he has shown considerable promise but has not delivered yet, Plamen Kralev is an unknown quantity and Philip Hesnault is not exactly quick, don’t expect much, the team will likely be at the rear end of the GT2 of the field, although, the car does sport a fantastic looking livery. 

Snoras Spyker Squadron
Car: Spyker C8 Laviolette GT2R
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Tom Coronel, Jarek Janis and Jeroen Bleekemolen, a driver line up that would make many team’s green with envy, that is Spyker’s driver line up, an all star line up, the revised Spyker is also proving to be a rather good car as well and the team is strong as well, Spyker however though may struggle to finish, reliability is still an issue. 

Drayson Racing
Car: Aston Martin V8 Vantage GT2
Tyres: Michelin
Description: Drayson Racing will be debuting the Aston Martin V8 Vantage at Le Mans this year with the help of ex Petersen White Lightning man Dale White, the team is good, the driving line up of Franchitti, Drayson and Cocker is strong, reliability will be an issue though, the Aston makes a habit of lunching its engines.  

Editorial: Stephen Hodges
Image: Spotter Guides