RAIN DANCE | 2015 SCCA MARCH REGIONAL

It was a rainy one, but that didn't stop the true race drivers from coming out and putting on a show. Not a ton of entries, but considering the amount of rain there was, it was a very entertaining day.  Here's some images captured from the day by Austin Bradshaw, of Flying Bye Photo... [read more]

NEWS // McLAREN OUTSOURCING GT2/GT3 MP4-12C PRODUCTION

According to AutoWeek, McLaren will team up with independent racing garages to turn their MP4-12C road car into a race car. The report suggests that CRS, a British outfit that's seen success in both GT and open-wheel racing, will build some fifteen GT3-spec MP4-12Cs, as well as a batch of GT2-spec cars that could find their way to Le Mans by 2013. Click here for additional information // [comment]

VIDEO(S) // GT SHOWDOWN - PRODUCTION VS. PRO

Our friends at Motoring con Brio just posted this wonderful collection of videos featuring a handful of ALMS GT2 class cars and their respective roadgoing versions. Apparently, Road & Track asked various racing drivers, to include Patrick Long, Jaime Melo and Tommy Milner, to comment on their race cars after driving the roadgoing version at Miller Motorsports Park. Follow the link for the videos... [read more]











Video(s): Motoring con Brio
Photo: Corvette Racing
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

EYE CANDY // AN ART CAR @ LE MANS

Last weekend, the 17th Art Car commissioned by BMW made its racing debut at the 78th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. And even though the car, which was driven by Dirk Werner, Dirk Muller and Andy Priaulx, had mechanical issues and had to retire early, it's presence didn't go unnoticed // [comment]

NEWS // BMW'S ART CAR OUT OF LE MANS

Shortly after the start of the sixth hour of this years 24 Hours of Le Mans, the #79 BMW M3 GT2 Art Car found itself crawling around the Circuit de la Sarthe for the third time. Andy Priaulx, who shares driving duties with Dirk Müller and Dirk Werner, pulled off the course and onto the grass, seemingly out of fuel. Unable to get the car started, the course marshals were forced to push the car behind the guardrail while Priaulx set off on foot for the pits. The Jeff Koons M3 GT2 is the 17th Art Car that BMW has commissioned and wears the #79 in tribute to Andy Warhol's Art Car from 1979, which also raced at Le Mans // [comment]

NEWS // RISI COMPETIZIONE TAKES PROVISIONAL GT2 POLE

Risi Competizione’s Gianmaria Bruni, driving the #82 Ferrari F430 GTC, was the only GT2 driver to break the four minute per lap barrier in the first qualifying session for Saturday’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Italian’s time of 3:59.233 came shortly after the start of Wednesday’s two hour qualifying on the 8.47 mile Circuit de la Sarthe, and gave Risi Competizione provisional pole position, with two qualifying sessions left... [read more]

Following the first of three qualifying sessions, Bruni said: “It was difficult to find a clear lap but this one (the fast lap) was on my fifth lap so the tires were not so good! I had two good laps before that, and was quick in Sectors 1 and 2, but got traffic at the end of each lap. I slowed down once and went again. It’s good, I’m pleased because we worked hard to find a fast and comfortable set up on the car in the practice session this afternoon and now the car is very good.”

Qualifying for the 78th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans continues today.

Stay tuned for continued coverage.

Image and Info: Risi Competizione
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

NEWS // BMW UNVEILS LATEST ART CAR BOUND FOR LE MANS

Last night, BMW unveiled their highly anticipated Jeff Koons BMW Art Car at the Pompidou Center in Paris, the famed modern and contemporary art museum across the Seine river from the Louvre. The new BMW will race in the GT2 class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans later this month, and following its (successful) racing efforts, will join the other 16 BMW Art Cars as they tour countless museums around the world.

Follow the link for additional images and a bit of video... [read more]











Images and Info: BimmerFile
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

Q & A // SELMANTS SPEAKS WITH JOHNNY O'CONNELL

ColdTrackDays correspondent, Joey Selmants, was able to sit down with four-time American Le Mans Series champion, Johnny O'Connell, ahead of last weekends ALMS race at the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

Follow the link for Selmants Q & A with O'Connell... [read more]

Joey Selmants- What led you to Corvette Racing?

Johnny O’Connell- I had been racing for Panoz, but saw that the team was not going in a very good direction. There weren't many strong LMP1 rides available, so I called Doug Fehan and eight hours later had an offer to drive the 4 long races with them. It turned into a full season when Chris Kniefel made the decision to retire. That was in 2001

Selmants- After making the switch to GT2 at Mid Ohio last year, after many successful years in GT1, what has been your initial reaction about the category?

O’Connell -We are all enjoying it very much. It's a big change, with very strong competition and forces us to really dig deep both on the track and for the engineers designing the car. It was a good move for many reasons and all of us are happy we did.

Selmants- How does the GT2 car feel compared to the GT-1 C6-R?

O’Connell- It has less downforce, so midcorner speeds are down, but at the same time we're not as sensitive to someone running close behind us making us loose, or us losing the front end when we get close to someone.The brakes aren't quite as good, but not bad, and we're running about a hundred less horsepower, so you need to be more aware of momentum.

Selmants- Where does the Corvette seem to have an upper-hand on the GT2 competition? Horsepower?

O’Connell- Right now I would say the only place we are perhaps stronger is under braking. We for sure don't have the horsepower of the other teams, but are working on that.

Selmants- One of the most interesting things about GT racing is the track to street technology transfer and vice-versa. Did you and the rest of Corvette Racing have any input on the design of Corvette's street cars?

O’Connell- With C-6 there was a very close relationship with the race team and production. They did lots of things on the street car to let us build a better race car, and I know that when C-7 comes out, that trend will continue. The race team will have a lot to do with what C-7 is like.

Selmants- Last year the team was allowed to run a larger engine, but this year you have had to run a smaller, 5.5L engine. Do you notice any advantages or disadvantages with this new package?

O’Connell- Well the numbers, both horsepower and torque, have gone down. The biggest loss to us was losing direct injection. Hopefully in the future we will get that back, as it gives you way more power and better mileage.

Selmants- Is there any unfinished business at Laguna Seca this year after Jan's incident with the Flying Lizard Porsche at last year's Laguna Seca race?

O’Connell- They are a strong team, and Porsche is very committed to the 45 car. We don't need to get even by crashing them, but do need to beat them. Last year we were far stronger than them, but so far this year they've gotten the better of us. Hopefully we'll improve in those areas where we are struggling and be stronger once we return from Le Mans.

Selmants- After Laguna Seca, the next stop for the team is the 24 hours of Le Mans. What is it like for a driver to compete in front of such a passionate crowd at such a famous and historic event?

O’Connell- For any driver it is the opportunity of a lifetime. The place is unreal special, and you are competing against the best in the world. This year I will move into second place as the American having made the most appearances there, and in a few more will have raced there more than anyone. I've won four times, most for an American, have nine podiums, most for an American, but still have a lot of unfinished business there and plan on going back for years to come.

Image: VetteWeb
Interview and Editorial: Joey Selmants

VIDEO // 24 HOURS IN 19,500 FRAMES

Courtesy of Tim Hahne and our friends at Axis of Oversteer, check out this wonderful bit of film highlighting BMW's effort at this years Nürburgring 24 Hours. The video was shot with a Canon 5D MkII // [comment]

THREE SERIES THURSDAY // RACE WINNER @ THE RING

Thought you'd enjoy another look at the race winning BMW M3 GT2 of Jorg Muller, Augusto Farfus, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy. Taking the overall win at this years Nürburgring 24 Hours, the all-new M3 GT2 finished first after 154 laps around the 15.5 mile Nordschleife circuit // [comment]

NEWS // VICTORY FOR BMW @ THE NORDSCHLEIFE (W/VIDEO)

After returning to the classic endurance event that is the Nurburgring 24 Hours, BMW claimed a hard fought victory after the challenge from Audi evaporated. The M3 GT2 with drivers Jorg Muller, Augusto Farfus, Uwe Alzen and Pedro Lamy claimed victory after all Audi's front running R8's hit trouble.

The classic 24 Hour race around the "Green Hell" had seen Audi setting the pace for much of the day and night. However as the R8's began to drop out one by one with mechanical issues BMW began to sense victory. They left it late however, inheriting the lead from the Porsche of Bergmeister/Lietz/Holzer/Ragginger which retired on circuit with engine failure in the 23rd hour... [read more]



BMW Motorsport Director Mario Theissen said: “That was a fantastic return for us at the 24-hour race here on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. This win reminds me of the triumph in Le Mans in 1999. I have never known excitement like I experienced today. After some of our direct rivals fell by the wayside, our victory was also hanging by a thread. At about 12.00 the winning car developed a gearbox problem, resulting in the loss of one gear. Shortly after 13.00 other gears gradually gave up. It was a masterful performance how Jörg Müller and Uwe Alzen brought the car home in first place in this crucial phase. The tension was enormous for all of us, so the relief was all the greater when the car crossed the finish line. I must say a big thank you to every single member of the team. Everyone worked perfectly together. Thanks also to our loyal fans, who have taken us to their hearts after a five-year break and given us such great support.”



For Pedro Lamy this was his fifth victory at the iconic event, "That is definitely my best win here on the Nordschleife" said the Portuguese driver, "Each one of my five victories was special in its own way, but the way we won this one was particularly difficult. Maybe some of the other teams were missing the bit of luck that was needed here. However, as you can make your own luck, this entire team most definitely earned its victory. I am pleased for BMW, everyone in the team and, of course, for myself."

For complete final results click here

Editorial: Neil Tozer
Photo: BMW Motorsport

VIDEO // THE SOUNDS OF GT1/GT2 @ 1000KM SPA

From our friends at Axis of Oversteer, enjoy four and a half minutes of GT1 and GT2 qualifying noise filmed during this years 1000km Spa held at Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps in Belgium // [comment]

ALMS @ LONG BEACH // QUALIFYING RESULTS

Following a very close battle with Highcroft HPD's Simon Pagenaud, Adrian Fernandez put Aston Martin on pole position for round two of the American Le Mans Series in Long Beach. In the first event for the newly combined LMP class, the LMP1 Aston Martin and LMP2 HPD seemed evenly matched. Fernandez set the early pace, but was then bested by Pagenaud shortly before the session was stopped in order to clear debris from the track. When the session resumed, Fernandez reclaimed P1 with a 1:13.213 lap time, while Pagenaud was forced to settle for second after lapping some 0.072 seconds slower than Fernandez. Rounding out the top three was the Lola-Mazda of Dyson and Smith, who ended the session 1.046 seconds behind the HPD entry of Pagenaud and Brabham.

Follow the link for complete results... [read more]

American Le Mans Series - Long Beach Grand Prix // Qualifying Results:

1. LMP Primat/Fernandez Lola-Aston Martin 1m13.213s
2. LMP Brabham/Pagenaud HPD 1m13.285s + 0.072s
3. LMP Dyson/Smith Lola-Mazda 1m14.191s + 0.978s
4. LMP Pickett/Graf Porsche 1m14.259s + 1.046s
5. LMP Field/Field/Konstant Lola 1m15.136s + 1.923s
6. LMP Drayson/Cocker Lola 1m17.084s + 3.871s
7. LMPC Tucker/Bouchut ORECA 1m17.273s + 4.060s
8. LMPC Julian/Jeannette ORECA 1m17.520s + 4.307s
9. LMP Drissi/Davis Lola 1m17.611s + 4.398s
10. LMPC Hildebrand/Sutherland ORECA 1m18.186s + 4.973s
11. LMPC Bonilla/Marcelli ORECA 1m18.422s + 5.209s
12. GT Melo/Bruni Ferrari 1m19.581s + 6.368s
13. GT Sellers/Henzler Porsche 1m20.179s + 6.966s
14. GT Magnussen/O'Connell Corvette 1m20.308s + 7.095s
15. GT Bergmeister/Long Porsche 1m20.424s + 7.211s
16. GT Beretta/Gavin Corvette 1m20.438s + 7.225s
17. GT Auberlen/Milner BMW 1m20.486s + 7.273s
18. GT Mueller/Hand BMW 1m20.564s + 7.351s
19. GT Brown/Cosmo Ferrari 1m20.587s + 7.374s
20. LMPC Tucker/Hunter-Reay ORECA 1m21.151s + 7.938s
21. GT Sharp/van Overbeek Ferrari 1m21.346s + 8.133s
22. GT Law/Neiman Porsche 1m21.457s + 8.244s
23. GT Robertson/Murry Doran Ford 1m21.960s + 8.747s
24. PC Pagerey/Wong ORECA 1m22.014s + 8.801s
25. GT Gentilozzi/Dalziel Jaguar 1m22.985s + 9.772s
26. L PC Mowlem/Papadopoulos ORECA 1m23.599s + 10.386s
27. GTC Pappas/Bleekemolen Porsche 1m23.857s + 10.644s
28. GTC Richard/Lally Porsche 1m24.098s + 10.885s
29. GTC Curtis/Sofronas Porsche 1m24.256s + 11.043s
30. GTC Gonzalez/Leitzinger Porsche 1m24.288s + 11.075s
31. GTC Sweedler/Kapudija Porsche 1m24.462s + 11.249s
32. GTC Lewis/Vento Porsche 1m24.672s + 11.459s
33. GTC Miller/McMullen Porsche 1m24.730s + 11.517s
34. GTC Rodriguez/Bieker Porsche 1m24.968s + 11.755s
35. GTC Beggs/Baron Porsche 1m25.952s + 12.739s
36. GTC Gonzalez/Diaz Porsche 1m26.771s + 13.558s

Photo: Phil Woodard
Info: ALMS
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

PHOTO GALLERY // SEBRING'S NIGHT LIFE

Although it has been nearly a week since the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring saw the checkered flag, images are still rolling in from ColdTrackDays correspondent, Phil Woodard. This batch, taken after the sun fell beneath the horizon, showcases the vibrant 'night life' at Sebring, as cars continued to lap the 3.7 mile circuit well after sundown... [read more]









For a look at more photos from the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, click here

Photo: Phil Woodard
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT // GT2 BATTLE @ 12 HOURS OF SEBRING

If like us, you were able to watch only a few hours of this years Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, you may have missed this battle some 30 minutes into the race. With the Falken Porsche out front, watch as the top six GT2 cars battle it out, while both Peugeot LMP1 entries make their way through traffic, followed by Emanuele Pirro in the Drayson Racing LMP1 Lola // [comment]

PHOTO GALLERY // 12 HOURS OF SEBRING (PART TWO)

As promised, follow the link for part two of Phil Woodard's photographic coverage from the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring. Included in this post are photos from the last six hours of the race, as well as the winning car from each of their respective classes... [read more]












For a look at more photos from the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, click here.

Photo: Phil Woodard
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey

PHOTO GALLERY // 12 HOURS OF SEBRING (PART ONE)

Having spent the better part of three days at the Sebring International Raceway for last weekends 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, ColdTrackDays correspondent, Phil Woodard, has since provided us with a handful of images. Follow the link for a look... [read more]













Stay tuned for additional images from Phil Woodard's visit to the 58th Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring!

Photo: Phil Woodard
Editorial: Justin W. Coffey