ILMC LOOKS TO SOUTH AMERICA, ASIA EXPANSION
Despite only the second round of the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup being in the books, plans are already accelerating for next year’s global sportscar championship. In an exclusive interview with SPEED.com last weekend, ILMC director Frederic Henry-Biabaud confirmed the series’ interest in expanding to new markets for 2012.
“Certainly there is a need and a request from the partners to export ourselves,” Henry-Biabaud said. “South America, and Brazil specifically, is an important market. It’s a growing country that has recovered recently and is very positive at the moment. There’s a long-term strategy there, so it’s an interesting country.”
Hosts to the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games, Brazil is no doubt a nation on the rise, and also no strangers to the world of sportscar racing. With rounds of the FIA GT1 World Championship, plus a one-off Le Mans Series race at Interlagos in 2007, expansion to the South American country appears to be the next logical step for the budding world championship.
But could it come at the expense of an existing ILMC race? Henry-Biabaud admitted that a six-race schedule, plus the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is already near the limit teams would like to see. It’s possible that one of the three regular season European races - Spa, Imola and Silverstone - could be dropped in favor of a new event.
An eighth race for next year hasn’t been ruled out, either, depending on the location from a logistical point of view. Henry-Biabaud said a second race in China, namely the Shanghai International Circuit, is in the equation. India has also been mentioned as another possible venue. The new Buddh International Circuit near Delhi plays host to Formula One later this year.
“If you find a race in a country where there is a need to have a race, and it helps your championship, then we need to be business-oriented for the sake of the ILMC,” Henry-Biabaud said. “If there are interested countries that are prepared to welcome this race for five or six years. You can’t always walk away from people that would like to bring the championship [to their country].”
Henry-Biabaud stressed that the schedule would have to efficient for teams and manufacturers. A trip to South America, for instance, could be a good fit following a round in the U.S. And if the ILMC adds a second Chinese round, it would likely be on back-to-back weekends to also help cut down on costs.
“After Sebring, you look at the world map and you think, ‘Where could we go before we go back to Europe?’ Then you can see a proper path,” he said. “From a logistical point of view, since you cannot create the ILMC without helping the teams with transport, you need to make sure your transport strategy does not [criss-cross].”
While an official update regarding ILMC 2012 could come as soon as Le Mans next month, Henry-Biabaud expects that a complete schedule will be released by the end of September.
LAHAYE SIDELINED FOR LE MANS
OAK Racing suffered a further blow to their Le Mans program last weekend when Matthieu Lahaye crashed the team’s No. 15 Oak-Pescarolo Judd in qualifying for the 1000km of Spa.
The serious accident, which ripped a section of guardrail from the circuit, sent the French driver to the hospital for what initially appeared minor injuries. However, as it turns out, Lahaye’s injuries were relatively serious.
The 26-year-old has been diagnosed with a fracture of his first lumbar vertebra and the compression of three other vertebra, which will put him on the sidelines for at least six to eight weeks, thus missing next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans. Lahaye also suffered injuries to his left knee and right thumb in the high-speed shunt.
“Unfortunately, I have no recollection of what happened and am really sorry for the entire squad and my team-mates who do not deserve this twist of fate before Le Mans,” Lahaye said. “The car felt really good this weekend and it is even more frustrating as we had the potential to clinch a good result. I will do everything to recover quickly as I’m already bored!”
Lahaye had contact with the No. 93 Genoa Racing Oreca FLM09 of Elton Julian prior to slamming into the armco barriers. However, the team has ruled out the FLM car being the cause of the accident or mechanical failure for OAK's LMP1 contender.
“Matthieu’s accident was an emotional moment for many of the team members and the worst event in my career as a team boss,” said team principal Jacques Nicolet. “The impact was particularly violent but fortunately the car stood up as well as could be expected thanks to the progress made in terms of safety.
“Video footage and the initial data analysis have so far not allowed us to understand the accident’s circumstances. There is nothing to suggest a mechanical failure while the driver of the FLM car, with whom contact was made, is not responsible.”
With the team having also severely damaged its other LMP1 car at last month’s Le Mans Test Day, it’s unclear where this leaves OAK’s planned four-car program for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
VIDEO OF THE WEEK - LEVEL 5 AT SPA
Take a look back at last weekend’s 1000km of Spa through the eyes of Level 5 Motorsports, which also had an ill-fated run last weekend in the Belgian Ardennes. The team has yet to confirm the cause of their apparent mechanical failure, which sent Christophe Bouchut for a wild ride through Eau Rouge in the third hour.
MAGNUS RACING’S $25 BOUNTY ON TURNER MOTORSPORT
Chip Ganassi Racing isn’t the only team with a bounty on them for this weekend’s Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway, as Magnus Racing has sprung up the ‘big bucks’ in efforts to try and stop Turner Motorsport’s two-race win streak in GT.
While GRAND-AM has put out a $25,000 bounty for the first Daytona Prototype team to stop the Ganassi freight-train, Magnus is offering $25 (in value, not necessarily cash) to the first GT team other than Turner to break through with a sprint race victory this season.
“Anyone who’s ever been to Danville, Virginia, knows that $25 will go a long way in that city,” team owner/driver John Potter said in statement. “Turner Motorsport has done a good job running as strong as they have, but it’s time this nonsense came to an end. While I would love to keep it for ourselves by taking the top step of the podium, we will happily reward anyone in GT racing who can help us achieve it.”
Known for being one of the more comical teams in the Rolex Series paddock, Magnus drivers Potter and Craig Stanton will be hoping to break through for their first victory in GT competition after strong runs in the opening three races of the season.
“I’m legally forbidden to discuss the details of my contract, but let’s just say my portion of those $25 winnings would go a long way,” said Magnus co-driver Craig Stanton. “Everyone at Magnus Racing has worked incredibly hard to make this Porsche as competitive as it can be, and I’m glad to see the team step up with this incentive.”
Potter and Stanton currently sit second in the GT drivers’ championship, two points behind Turner’s Bill Auberlen and Paul Dalla Lana heading into Saturday’s two-hour and 45-minute race.
FURTHER PERFORMANCE BALANCING BEFORE LE MANS?
The ACO released an interesting statement following Saturday’s 1000km of Spa, indicating that final balance of performance adjustments haven’t yet been made prior to next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In view of the Le Mans 24 Hours (11 & 12 June 2011), the ACO technical staff having already foreseen the possibility of balancing the performances between the cars in each category after two races, are going to study this possibility in compliance with the technical and sporting regulations.
The aim of the ACO is not to introduce a permanent system of equalizing performances but to adjust, if necessary, the new regulations introduced this year after analyzing the results. Only the race results and not those in practice (or qualifying) will be taken into account.
These adjustments will be introduced as soon as possible in view of the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Short presentation of the reglementary tools at the disposal of the ACO.
LM P1 Category
Adjustment of performance of the cars:
1. According to article 1.3 of the ACO Sporting regulations (ACO Sporting Regulation) : 2% maximum between the different power train technologies. For these possible adjustments only lap times as indicated on this article will be considered.
2. According to article 19 of the ACO technical regulations:
ART. 19 – Adjustment of the performance (ACO LMP Technical Regulation)
The ACO wants to maximise the equality of performance between the LMP1s that use different types of engine and different fuels. For this purpose, the ACO reserves the right to adjust the following elements for each type of engine and/or each type of fuel: Minimum weight of the car ; Air restrictor sizes ;Fuel tank capacity.For these possible adjustments, only power and torque of the engine must be taken into account. Comparison between technologies as follows : Diesel 2011/Petrol 2011 ; Diesel 2011/Diesel 2010,; Petrol 2011/Petrol 2010 ; Petrol 2010/Diesel 2010.
LM P2 Category
ART. 19 – Adjustment of the performance (ACO LMP Technical Regulation)
The specifications defined at the beginning of the season can be changed after the first and / or the second race, if necessary, by the ACO to maximize equality of performance.
The following elements can be modified for each model of car: Minimum weight of the car (handicap ballast) ; Air restrictor size ; Fuel tank Capacity ; Any other technical restriction that the ACO may deem necessary.
Comparison between technologies as follows : Different engines ; Cost capped cars / Non-cost capped cars
LM GTE Category
Art. 19 – Balance of performance (ACO GTE Technical Regulation)
In order to maintain the gap between the different model of cars within a range of 0.5% of lap times, the ACO will keep the possibility to adjust the performance of the LMGTE cars.
What does it all mean? Changes could be made to all three base categories before June, despite the window of the first wave of adjustments having passed (Sebring and Paul Ricard were considered the first two races).
On Sunday, the ACO held a working group meeting with manufacturers at Spa. While the agenda was not released, the topic of balance of performance, specifically diesel vs. gasoline equivalency, was likely discussed.
With Le Mans now only one month away, the clock is ticking for any possible performance adjustments to be made. As always, we'll keep you updated of any developments.
Photo Focus: FIA GT1 World Championship, Portimao
Take a look back at last weekend’s third round of the FIA GT1 World Championship, held at the Algarve Circuit in Portimao, Portugal.
NEWS & NOTES
• Michael Waltrip, Rob Kauffman and Rui Aguas will pilot a Ferrari F458 Italia next month at Le Mans. The trio campaigned a F430 GT at the Le Mans Test Day last month, with Kauffman and Aguas aboard the same car at Spa last weekend, but the team has elected to go with the newer car for the twice-around-the-clock classic.
• The Formula Le Mans class-winning Hope Racing FLM09 was excluded from Saturday’s 1000km of Spa for a technical infringement. It gave Pegasus Racing the win, its second straight in Le Mans Series competition. Genoa Racing’s entry was thus elevated to second.
WORLD OF SPORTSCARS LIVE! CHAT
Join us for our now-regular World of Sportscars Live! Chat Mondays at 7 p.m. on SPEED.com. With topics ranging from GRAND-AM to World Challenge and the GT1 World Championship, there’s always something for everyone each week.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at askdagys@gmail.com
Chip Ganassi Racing isn’t the only team with a bounty on them for this weekend’s Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway, as Magnus Racing has sprung up the ‘big bucks’ in efforts to try and stop Turner Motorsport’s two-race win streak in GT.
While GRAND-AM has put out a $25,000 bounty for the first Daytona Prototype team to stop the Ganassi freight-train, Magnus is offering $25 (in value, not necessarily cash) to the first GT team other than Turner to break through with a sprint race victory this season.
“Anyone who’s ever been to Danville, Virginia, knows that $25 will go a long way in that city,” team owner/driver John Potter said in statement. “Turner Motorsport has done a good job running as strong as they have, but it’s time this nonsense came to an end. While I would love to keep it for ourselves by taking the top step of the podium, we will happily reward anyone in GT racing who can help us achieve it.”
Known for being one of the more comical teams in the Rolex Series paddock, Magnus drivers Potter and Craig Stanton will be hoping to break through for their first victory in GT competition after strong runs in the opening three races of the season.
“I’m legally forbidden to discuss the details of my contract, but let’s just say my portion of those $25 winnings would go a long way,” said Magnus co-driver Craig Stanton. “Everyone at Magnus Racing has worked incredibly hard to make this Porsche as competitive as it can be, and I’m glad to see the team step up with this incentive.”
Potter and Stanton currently sit second in the GT drivers’ championship, two points behind Turner’s Bill Auberlen and Paul Dalla Lana heading into Saturday’s two-hour and 45-minute race.
FURTHER PERFORMANCE BALANCING BEFORE LE MANS?
The ACO released an interesting statement following Saturday’s 1000km of Spa, indicating that final balance of performance adjustments haven’t yet been made prior to next month’s 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In view of the Le Mans 24 Hours (11 & 12 June 2011), the ACO technical staff having already foreseen the possibility of balancing the performances between the cars in each category after two races, are going to study this possibility in compliance with the technical and sporting regulations.
The aim of the ACO is not to introduce a permanent system of equalizing performances but to adjust, if necessary, the new regulations introduced this year after analyzing the results. Only the race results and not those in practice (or qualifying) will be taken into account.
These adjustments will be introduced as soon as possible in view of the 2011 Le Mans 24 Hours.
Short presentation of the reglementary tools at the disposal of the ACO.
LM P1 Category
Adjustment of performance of the cars:
1. According to article 1.3 of the ACO Sporting regulations (ACO Sporting Regulation) : 2% maximum between the different power train technologies. For these possible adjustments only lap times as indicated on this article will be considered.
2. According to article 19 of the ACO technical regulations:
ART. 19 – Adjustment of the performance (ACO LMP Technical Regulation)
The ACO wants to maximise the equality of performance between the LMP1s that use different types of engine and different fuels. For this purpose, the ACO reserves the right to adjust the following elements for each type of engine and/or each type of fuel: Minimum weight of the car ; Air restrictor sizes ;Fuel tank capacity.For these possible adjustments, only power and torque of the engine must be taken into account. Comparison between technologies as follows : Diesel 2011/Petrol 2011 ; Diesel 2011/Diesel 2010,; Petrol 2011/Petrol 2010 ; Petrol 2010/Diesel 2010.
LM P2 Category
ART. 19 – Adjustment of the performance (ACO LMP Technical Regulation)
The specifications defined at the beginning of the season can be changed after the first and / or the second race, if necessary, by the ACO to maximize equality of performance.
The following elements can be modified for each model of car: Minimum weight of the car (handicap ballast) ; Air restrictor size ; Fuel tank Capacity ; Any other technical restriction that the ACO may deem necessary.
Comparison between technologies as follows : Different engines ; Cost capped cars / Non-cost capped cars
LM GTE Category
Art. 19 – Balance of performance (ACO GTE Technical Regulation)
In order to maintain the gap between the different model of cars within a range of 0.5% of lap times, the ACO will keep the possibility to adjust the performance of the LMGTE cars.
What does it all mean? Changes could be made to all three base categories before June, despite the window of the first wave of adjustments having passed (Sebring and Paul Ricard were considered the first two races).
On Sunday, the ACO held a working group meeting with manufacturers at Spa. While the agenda was not released, the topic of balance of performance, specifically diesel vs. gasoline equivalency, was likely discussed.
With Le Mans now only one month away, the clock is ticking for any possible performance adjustments to be made. As always, we'll keep you updated of any developments.
Photo Focus: FIA GT1 World Championship, Portimao
Take a look back at last weekend’s third round of the FIA GT1 World Championship, held at the Algarve Circuit in Portimao, Portugal.
NEWS & NOTES
• Michael Waltrip, Rob Kauffman and Rui Aguas will pilot a Ferrari F458 Italia next month at Le Mans. The trio campaigned a F430 GT at the Le Mans Test Day last month, with Kauffman and Aguas aboard the same car at Spa last weekend, but the team has elected to go with the newer car for the twice-around-the-clock classic.
• The Formula Le Mans class-winning Hope Racing FLM09 was excluded from Saturday’s 1000km of Spa for a technical infringement. It gave Pegasus Racing the win, its second straight in Le Mans Series competition. Genoa Racing’s entry was thus elevated to second.
WORLD OF SPORTSCARS LIVE! CHAT
Join us for our now-regular World of Sportscars Live! Chat Mondays at 7 p.m. on SPEED.com. With topics ranging from GRAND-AM to World Challenge and the GT1 World Championship, there’s always something for everyone each week.
John Dagys is SPEED.com’s Sportscar Racing Reporter, focusing on all major domestic and international championships. You can follow him on Twitter @johndagys or email him at askdagys@gmail.com
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