2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

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DemocalypseNow
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by DemocalypseNow »

RonDenisDeletraz wrote:
DemocalypseNow wrote:Former works IPC touring car driver for BMW Motorsport, and MRT Saleen GT driver, Diego Mauricio Batistuta is available to hire. The Argentine is a Gold tier driver.

De Baar would like to enquire about hiring him for car 76

Accepted.

I would like to know why Koczo is considered only a Gold driver. As a former ARWS champ, he surely meets the criteria for Platinum?
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Dexter249 »

DemocalypseNow wrote:For those looking for a Silver driver, then perhaps Italian driver Oliviero Cinotti could be helpful. He has raced privateer Ferrari GTs in the past, as well as touring cars in a privateer Alfa Romeo. He is especially interested in the People's Republic Racing seats.

Has he been signed yet, If not we'll allow him in the #458 as the second driver., Also I'll take the #458's 3rd seat with a canon rookie, Bronze Driver Ryan Pritchard (He raced in the failed IWS, but we should forget about that, USA), and our #1 and #3 seats in the #459 will be filled by bronze canon rookies Daniel Von Schweiger (GER, Born in US but moved to Germany at age 1 and Therefore Identifies as German) and Peter Harrison (GBR)
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

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Oliviero Cinotti confirms he will sign for for PRR Ferrari for 2019.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by kevinbotz »

Team: Garage 59 McLaren Racing International
Tire Choice: Cooper
Chassis Designation: MP4-31 LM
Engine Designation: M640TQ
Cockpit: Closed
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by AndreaModa »

Assuming that I'm correct that Esteban Ocon is free, Jones will try to hire him for the #5.
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Part 5: The RNG Strikes Back

Post by Normal32 »

Esteban Ocon

1-85 Jones
86-100 DTM

Result: 78

Adrien Tambay

1-90 AMR
91-100 DTM

Result: 16
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

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Haha yes! Finally RNG loves me.

Still need two drivers though. Hmm.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by TomWazzleshaw »

RejectSport wrote:Restov to Make Shock LMP Debut

Former Formula One superstar Evgeny Restov will be making his long-awaited endurance racing debut, jumping into the #74 JLD Motorsport BMW for the 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge Season. An 11th hour injunction filed by Porsche over previous JLD driver Kevin Estre resulted in a last-minute mediation between Porsche and BMW. This meant that while he did have a valid BMW contract , he would not be allowed to race for the JLD LMP squad for 2019.

"It's a shame that we couldn't run Kevin for this year, as we believe he's a great driver to have," lamented incoming JLD team manager Luke Depault. "However, in his place we have Evgeny Restov, a man that requires no introduction. He comes with a wealth of top-line experience, and will be hungry to drive the team forward. His undeniable talent is a true asset for the team, and we're happy to welcome him on board."

It's now believed that Estre will spend 2019 running in various Carrera Cup categories before joining the BMW program for 2020.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by This Could Be You »

BORC would be interested in joining the LMP reserve list if possible.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

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Pinkd56 wrote:Team Name: MK Scuderia
Team Nationality: Great Britain
Car: Aston Martin Vantage GTE

Car #59:

Driver 1 Name: John Bovy (DEC: Biscione)
Driver 1 Nationality: Grenada
Qualifying Driver (yes/no): YES
Driver 1 Tier (Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze; if RL driver, leave blank): Gold

Driver 2 Name: Jonas Soderstrom (Pending free agency)
Driver 2 Nationality: Sweden
Qualifying Driver (yes/no): NO
Driver 2 Tier (Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze; if RL driver, leave blank): Silver

Driver 3 Name: Andrea Geisler (DEC: Normal32)
Driver 3 Nationality: German
Qualifying Driver (yes/no): NO
Driver 3 Tier (Platinum/Gold/Silver/Bronze; if RL driver, leave blank): Bronze


1988 WTCM class D winner Andrea Geisler completes the #59 Aston Martin lineup, in what will likely be her last season in top level motorsport.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Normal32 »

Since I wanna run as many races as possible before life gets in the way, the following seats need to be filled by the 13th of January, 2017 19:00 CET:

Jones 55, seats 2 and 3
De Baar 76, seat 3
De Baar 076, seat 3

I also need confirmation if Chiara Rossi will be racing with Sentinel Motorsports.

Should they fail to assign a driver, they will be assign drivers by me and trust me, you don't want that.

--------

On the other hand, FXS Racing, Porsche and People's Republic Racing still haven't provided tyre suppliers. They have the same deadline to do so. Should they fail, they will be assigned Michelin.

--------

Gretchen Suarez, a Silver-tier driver, is interested in a LMP seat.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Butterfox »

Normal32 wrote:Should they fail to assign a driver, they will be assign drivers by me and trust me, you don't want that.
.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by FMecha »

Normal32 wrote:I also need confirmation if Chiara Rossi will be racing with Sentinel Motorsports.


Pi said this:
pi314159 wrote:Chiara Rossi will consider your offer, but would prefer a team with more highly-rated team mates. By the way, she's Italian, not Danish.


Do I or Pi have to make the confirmation? :?
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Normal32 »

FMecha wrote:
Normal32 wrote:I also need confirmation if Chiara Rossi will be racing with Sentinel Motorsports.


Pi said this:
pi314159 wrote:Chiara Rossi will consider your offer, but would prefer a team with more highly-rated team mates. By the way, she's Italian, not Danish.


Do I or Pi have to make the confirmation? :?


I have been given confirmation by pi that Rossi will indeed drive for Sentinel, so that's cleared up.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by AndreaModa »

Normal32 wrote:Gretchen Suarez, a Silver-tier driver, is interested in a LMP seat.


Jones will hire Suarez for the #55 if possible.

Connor O'Heagan will take the remaining slot. I guess you'd rate him as gold seeing as he's done pretty much everything.

Final Jones line-up:
Car #5
1. Sammy Jones
2. Esteban Ocon
3. Luke Gilson-Clarke

Car #55
1. Dennis Mignolet
2. Connor O'Heagan
3. Gretchen Suarez
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by RonDenisDeletraz »

Okay then, time to finalise my driver lineups, Miko Glotch will take the vacant spot in car 76, where as Anthony North will be the third driver for car 076.

De Baar Racing

#76
Andrea Battani (G)
Diego Mauricio Batistuta (G)
Miko Glotch (S)

#076
Mika Paasonen (S)
Deiter Hallenstein (S)
Anthony North (S)

Really scraping the bottom of the barrel here
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Normal32 »

Alright, the rumours about the death of this series were over-exaggerated.

However, while the LMP class is all dandy, the GTE-Pro/Am teams have some stuff left:

-The following teams don't have tyre suppliers. If they don't choose one by the deadline, they will use Falken tyres:

-Porsche (Pro)
-FXS Racing (Am)
-PPR (Am)

-Secondly, Vision Motorsports are using Kei Suzuki, who is running in Asian F4. If she isn't replaced by the below deadline, I will use Dragon (JAP) as a temporary replacement.

Deadline for all of this is April 27th, 19:00 CEST.
Last edited by Normal32 on 24 Apr 2017, 01:12, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by DemocalypseNow »

Porsche will continue its close association with Michelin.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Dexter249 »

Dunlops for PRR.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by This Could Be You »

Just to clarify, I am on the LMP waiting list, right? (there's no list on the OP)
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Normal32 »

This Could Be You wrote:Just to clarify, I am on the LMP waiting list, right? (there's no list on the OP)


Yeah, I just forgot to update the OP. You are now there.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Dexter249 »

I'd just like to suggest a round for next season, Six hours of the Glen should be a good race to add (part of NAEC in USCC)
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by AdrianBelmonte_ »

FXS will use Michelin tyres
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

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SuperEnduroBlog.com wrote:GTE-AM: The Runners and Riders

MK Scuderia (GBR) - Aston Martin Vantage GTE
#007 – John Bovy (GRN), Jonas Söderström (SWE) and Andrea Geisler (GER)
#009 – Henry Paul (GBR), Tomasz Gabrysiak (POL) and Travis Crabtree (USA)

After a frankly woeful time in the Prototype class last season, MK Scuderia step down into the GTE-AM class with a real hunger to succeed this time round. The Brits are the only squad in class to opt for the Cooper Tyres, meaning they should be blisteringly quick in the sunnier climes. The #007 car appears to be the stronger line-up of the two, with former F1 pilot John Bovy being joined by two touring car aces at different stages of their careers. Young Swede Söderström makes his GT debut whilst veteran German racer Geisler is planning to make this her last season in top-flight motorsport.
The #009 car should also be fairly rapid, with journeyman Brit Henry Paul racing alongside hot-headed tin-top stars Crabtree and Gabrysiak.
Media Prediction: 3rd

KCMG (HKG) - Porsche 911 RSR
#078 – Andy Yan (HKG), Jazeman Jaafar (MAS) and Martin Cao (CHN)
#780 – Michal Broniszewski (POL), Wolf Henzler (GER) and Joël Camathias (SUI)

The Asian endurance powerhouse KCMG make a welcome return to international racing four years after their LMP2 triumph in the 24h. Both cars have the potential to surprise the established European squads, providing that Cao and Broniszewski can pull their weight. Henzler and Camathias are a proven pairing for the Hong Kong squad and seem the most likely to bring home silverware at some point in the season.
Media Prediction: 4th

Vision Motorsports (GER) - Porsche 911 RSR
#21 – “Dragon” (JPN), Simon Bauer (GER) and Barnabé Touré (SEN)
#93 – Eric Le Blan (FRA), Philip Eckener (GER) and Timmo Eckener (GER)

Vision Motorsports are a newly-formed team based in Germany which is believed to have ties to the French junior formula powerhouse Panthera Compétition. With this in mind – you’d think they would have put at least one of their many prodigies in their lineup – but Vision’s driving personnel seems to be a collection of complete nobodies plucked from obscurity. Eric Le Blan comes into the team as the only silver-ranked driver - but in all honesty, when former Japanese F3 backmarker “Dragon” is your team’s biggest name – you definitely have an issue.
Media Prediction: 7th


Sentinel Motorsports (USA) - Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
#34 – Paulo Serafim (BRA), Dave Anderson (USA) and Niko Eskola (FIN)
#35 – Chiara Rossi (ITA), Jean-Phillippe Belloc (FRA) and Ryota Nakagawa (JPN)

Occasional IndyCar squad Sentinel Motorsports will arrive on the grid at Daytona as a team with a real decent shot at winning the title. The Serafim/Anderson pairing will certainly be one to watch over the season whilst Rossi and Belloc will be excellent mentors to the Japanese rookie Nakagawa with their wealth of experience. Question marks may hang over the head of Eskola – but he could potentially flourish away from the single-seater environment.
Expect both of the cars to be on the pace from the opening round.
Media Prediction: 2nd

FXS Racing (ESP) - Ferrari 458 Italia GTE
#39 – Irfan Tawfeek (SWE), Alberto Sandoval (ESP) and Raimondo Urbina (VEN)
#40 – Adalberto Cabello (USA), Takashi Tsukuda (JPN) and Takis Adamakis (GRE)

Formula Four frontrunners FXS Racing enter the series with a set of complete novices – not only to Endurance racing - but also to international racing as a whole. Whilst it could be argued that everybody has to start somewhere – a line-up of pure club racers is not really the way to go racing at this level. This team will suffer without a strong leader.
Media Prediction: 8th

Larbre Compétition (FRA) - Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
#50 – Ricky Taylor (USA), Nick Catsburg (NED) and Chelsie Knight (GBR)
#51 – Frederico Navarro (USA), Pierre Ragues (FRA) and Rebecca Jackson (GBR)

The super-successful French Larbre team will head into this season as the absolute benchmark for all other teams to measure themselves against. With numerous GT titles and class wins to their name – only an absolute fool would be against them adding the GTE-AM title to their cabinet. Ricky Taylor and Catsburg were unlucky to miss out on a drive with the works Corvette team this season – but stand a real chance of grabbing a title for themselves. Joined by promising Brit Chelsie Knight – the #50 will be a phenomenal force.
Fifth Gear presenter Rebecca Jackson joins the second car alongside Argentinian GT ace Frederico Navarro and French prototype veteran Pierre Ragues.
Media Prediction: 1st

Lumiere World Racing Team (FRA) - Porsche 911 RSR
#83 – Ines Santa-Ana (ARG), William Evans (AUS) and Tanvir Jha (IND)
#174 – Sebastien Lumiere (FRA), Jeanette Garnier (SUI) and March Weston (GBR)

Another debutant, another team full of novices – albeit a team with more silver-rated drivers than FXS and Vision. This could mean they may spring a surprise – but we doubt it. Battling for the wooden spoon.
Media Prediction: 6th

People’s Republic Racing (CHN) - Ferrari 458 Italia GTE
#458 – Marco Scotti (ITA), Oliviero Cinotti (ITA) and Ryan Pritchard (CAN)
#459 – Daniel Von Schweiger (GER), Emmanuel Collard (FRA) and Peter Harrison (GBR)

Former Rolex GT Super Series participants People’s Republic Racing are somewhat of an enigma. After being labelled a “scam” by a former competitor, the all-Chinese team without any Chinese drivers make the step up into the Endurance Challenge for 2019. However, the supposed fortunes of People’s Republic Racing has allowed the team to make the biggest signing in the entire class with the eminent French veteran Emmanuel Collard joining the squad.
Regular drivers Harrison and Von Schweiger are retained from the GTSS whilst former VLN race winners Bandini and Einfedlt miss out. Italian F4 race winner Marco Scotti and Ferrari specialist Cinotti are joined by Canadian rookie Ryan Pritchard in a car which could tip the apple cart on occasion.
Ones to watch for the odd class podium but don’t expect much once Collard steps out of the car.
Media Prediction: 5th
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

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SuperEnduroBlog.com wrote:GTE-Pro: The Runners and Riders

Corvette Racing (USA) - Chevrolet Corvette C7.R
#03 – Ricardo Llosa (ESP), Jordan McKenna (USA) and Tommy Milner (USA)
#04 – Karl Lichter Schultz (AUT), Alphonse Ribeiro (BRA) and Oliver Gavin (GBR)

Former GTSS champions Union Saver Developments take a winning formula in the pairings of Llosa/McKenna & Lichter Schultz/Ribeiro and add two of GM’s best works drivers in their attack on the GTE-Pro title. As a whole, the sheer experience of the line-up and relative strength of the Corvette means this package will be really hard to beat.
Possible that Corvette will be beaten in race wins by Ford and Porsche but consistency and team spirit will be the key for the Austrian-American coalition.
Media Prediction: 1st

Aston Martin Racing (GBR) – Aston Martin Vantage GTE
#095 – Marco Sorensen (DEN), Mikkel Jensen (DEN) and Nick Thiim (DEN)
#097 – Fernando Rees (BRA), Jonathan Adam (GBR) and Chloe O’Sullivan (IRL)

Aston Martin Racing continues their tradition of an all-Dane line-up in one car and a more star-studded international line-up in the other. Whilst the Danish car can be very hit or miss on occasion, all signs point to it being a decent contender for silverware. Long-term Aston Martin drivers Rees and Adam are joined by IPC B-Class revelation Chloe O’Sullivan, whom was also courted by Ford in the off-season.
Unlikely to be in the hunt over the course of the whole season, but I wouldn’t count them out at Le Mans.
Media Prediction: 5th

AF Corse (ITA) – Ferrari 488 GTE
#27 – Denis van Walwijk (RSA), Alexandre-Laurent Voeckler (FRA) and Lorenzo Crescenzi (ITA)
#28 – Natalia Valenti (ITA), Giancarlo Fisichella (ITA) and Jarno Trulli (ITA)

In sheer name value, Ferrari’s star studded line-up would raise the eyebrows of most racing fans making their way to the circuits this season – however, often with big stars we get big egos. It remains to be seen how Voeckler, van Walwijk and Crescenzi will fare together – but if they can get on the same page, we could be seeing a hell of a team.
The smart money however is with the #28 – where Ferrari GT veteran Natalia Valenti sits alongside two wise old Italian heads in Fisichella and Trulli whom haven’t lost a drop of speed.
Media Prediction: 4th

Ford Chip Ganassi Team UK – Ford GT
#66 – Gianmaria Bruni (ITA), Marino Franchitti (GBR) and Andy Priaulx (GBR)
#67 – Davide Rigon (ITA), Darren Turner (GBR) and Olivier Pla (FRA)

In any other season, a team boasting the above six drivers would be a shoe-in for title honours but the sheer strength of the whole field will cause problems for the Anglo-American squad. Fragility remains an issue for the GT but the supercar is not short of speed – and Ford have the right personnel on board to extract the most out of this package.
However, customer efforts from Porsche, Corvette and Aston Martin will definitely play a part in this year’s order – and Ford may have to join them next year to aid development of the GT.
Media Prediction: 2nd

Porsche Motorsports (GER) – Porsche 911 RSR
#91 – David Neuberg (GER), Marc Lieb (GER) and Romain Dumas (FRA)
#92 – Timo Bernhard (GER), Jörg Bergmeister (GER) and Richard Lietz (GER)

Porsche, as per usual, will have the most cars on the grid with a large contingent of 911 RSRs in GTE-AM ready to support the works Porsche if need be. Like Ford and Corvette, a great line up of drivers means that only mechanical issues should trip them up if the drivers are on form. Former ARWS podium finisher David Neuberg is one to watch, who’ll aiming to put paid to a hugely disappointing Grand Prix season last year.
Media Prediction: 3rd
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

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SuperEnduroBlog.com wrote:LMP – The Runners and Riders

Mont Blanc Racing (FRA) – Mont Blanc-Nissan MB1
#3 – Raffaele Modena (ITA), Nicolas Lapierre (FRA) and Loïc Duval (FRA)
#24 – Randall Wade (USA), Vic Sunset (USA) and Ragnar Larsen (SWE)

Mont Blanc had a very strong 2018 which peaked with a shock win at Spa-Francorchamps at the hands of Dennis Mignolet. Unfortunately for the French outfit, Mignolet made tracks in the off-season and signed for Jones – leaving Vic Sunset as the sole remaining driver. With this setback, Mont Blanc turned back the clock to their Le Mans Cup line-up and re-signed Larsen and Wade to join the American. Being an all-silver team will cause the #24 issues in comparison to the huge manufacturer backed cars – but sometimes being just outside of the leaders can be a godsend if things get a bit hairy with the big guns.
Touring car specialist Modena is joined by two Frenchmen with a vast history of endurance races in Lapierre and Duval and as such should not be counted out for the occasional podium.
Media Prediction: 8th

ByKolles Racing (AUT) – CLM-AER P1/02
#4 – Vitantonio Liuzzi (ITA), Deividas Lukauskis (LTU), Josef Kral (CZE), Christian Klien (AUT) and Adrian Sutil (GER)
#9 – Simon Trummer (SUI), James Rossiter (GBR) and Narain Karthikeyan (IND)

The Austro-Romanian team appears to be operating a revolving door policy with its #4 car this season, with at least five drivers set to take the wheel of the CLM over the course of the year. The ByKolles driver recruitment seems to be stemming from familiarity – with a vast majority of the personnel having had some connection to Colin Kolles at some stage. As usual, we can expect the ByKolles team to occupy the lower half of the class standings.
Media Prediction: 10th

Jones Racing Group (GBR) – Jones-Bentley 116
#5 – Sammy Jones (GBR), Esteban Ocon (FRA) and Luke Gilson-Clarke (FKL)
#55 – Dennis Mignolet (BEL), Connor O’Heagan (IRL) and Gretchen Suarez (USA)

Jones Racing Group joins in with Bentley’s centennial celebrations by running the famous big blower engines in their new 116 chassis. In the off-season, they managed to poach last year’s fourth place driver Dennis Mignolet to lead a squad that features two of Jones’ young driver prodigies in O’Heagan and Gilson-Clarke, Formula One refugee Esteban Ocon and former Valerian racer Gretchen Suarez. Team principal and Grand Prix veteran Sammy Jones also lines up in the team, aiming to have a great showing in his eponymous car.
Much like the manufacturer effort, results will hinge on the reliability of the Bentley engine.
Media Prediction: 9th

Team Bentley (GBR) – Bentley Century LM Edition
#6 – André Lotterer (GER), Timo Scheider (GER), Sandra Yoo (GER) and Kay Lon (GER)
#100 – Calvin Brooks (CAN), Jenson Button (GBR) and Asim Adhikari (NPL)

An internal battle with VAG stablemates Audi will be a big talking point for the British marque who’ll be celebrating their centenary year with a continuation of their prototype programme from 2018. If the Bentleys can keep ticking over, they will be a formidable force – but reliability is definitely a concern for the outfit.
2018’s pairing of Brooks and Adhikari remain a part of the package for this season, whilst being joined by former Grand Prix ace Jenson Button - whom would’ve been a perfect fit for the famous ‘Bentley Boys’ in the 1920s. Meanwhile, the #6 features an all-German lineup of Lotterer, Scheider and Yoo – with controversial playboy Kay Lon taking Yoo’s place at Le Mans. Bentley finished second in the Teams championship last year – but the grid appears to have moved on since then.
Media Prediction: 6th

Rebellion Racing (SUI) – Rebellion-AER R-Two
#12 – Mathéo Tuscher (SUI), Gustavo Menezes (USA) and Esteban Gutierrez (MEX)
#13 – Stephane Richelmi (MON), Alexandre Imperatori (SUI) and Richie Stanaway (NZL)

The Rebellion squad has long held the position of being the “best of the rest” in prototype racing and this could be set to continue if weather comes into play, as Rebellion were the only LMP team to select the Falken tyre optimised for wet weather running. As usual, Rebellion appear to have a decent if conservative chassis at their disposal but it remains to be seen whether the AER engine can match this.
Gustavo Menezes is the only silver-rated driver (himself being a LMP2 winner) in a line-up which boasts several class wins at Le Mans and elsewhere – meaning that we have a good chance of hearing the Swiss anthem if the rain begins to pour.
Media Prediction: 7th

Nissan Motorsports (JPN) – Nissan R393
#22 – Benoît Tréluyer (FRA), David Koczo (HUN) and Frank van Nifterick (NED)
#23 – Hagane Shizuka (JPN), Ron Mignolet (BEL) and Simon Redman (AUS)

The defending Prototype champions from 2018 face an uphill struggle if they plan on retaining the title this year with a much wider field to compete against – but as always, it’s a brave man who counts a Voeckler-engineered car out. Ron Mignolet and Hagane Shizuka stick with the Japanese team and are joined by former ALMS champion Simon Redman. GT ace Frank van Nifterick steps up into a major manufacturer effort for the first time and is joined by F1RWRS pioneer David Koczo and Le Mans veteran Tréluyer.
Sheer experience of the lineups should see that the Nissan is fighting until the very end – if not champions.
Media Prediction: 2nd

Lotto Racing (BEL) – Gibson-NISMO 015S
#41 – Stefan Kuntz (GER), Aurelien Moll (BEL) and Antonio Felix da Costa (POR)
#68 – Leonardo Pulcini (ITA), Rui Onorio (KIR) and Miguel Rocha (POR)

The Belgian-Portuguese coalition roll their way into the FIA EC for a second crack at endurance glory after a consistent if unremarkable 2018. Kuntz, Onorio and Rocha are retained from last year’s lineups and are joined by former Marussia pilot Antonio Felix da Costa, Gillet ENB refugee Aurelien Moll and young Italian charger Leonardo Pulcini.
Many see the #41 as a potential contender for the odd podium if the conditions are right and everything goes their way, but I wouldn’t put much hope in the #68 car – which appears to be purely making up the numbers.
Media Prediction: 4th

Audi Sport Joest Racing (GER) – Audi R15 TDI plus
#42 – Marcel Fässler (SUI), James James Davies (GBR) and Akinori Kikkawa (JPN)
#78 – Laurent Gauthier (FRA), Jacob Tucker (USA) and Kimi Raikkonen (FIN)

The big dogs of prototype racing will be out to prove that this is still their yard in 2019 – but face a scrap with the ‘Bentley Boys’ which could bring back memories of the early 2000s for some fans.
Speaking of the early 2000s, former Formula One driver Kimi Raikkonen makes his long-awaited return to high level racing this year with Audi – having spent the last few years in the racing wildnerness. The Finn will be joined by the former Gauthier-Renault pairing of Laurent Gauthier and Jacob Tucker, whom took third in SARS in 2016. Outspoken Brit James James Davies also makes his Audi debut this season, joining the combination of multiple Le Mans winner Marcel Fässler and former SARS champion Akinori Kikkawa. Even if Audi don’t make their form count on track – expect them to dominate the motorsport press.
Media Prediction: 5th

Garage 59 McLaren Racing International (GBR) – McLaren MP4-31 LM
#58 – Nick Tandy (GBR), Alvaro Parente (POR) and Rob Bell (GBR)
#59 – Stefan Muecke (GER), Patrick Pilet (FRA) and Frederic Makowiecki (FRA)

McLaren make their long awaited return to motorsport after their financial collapse in the 2014 off-season with the help of the omnipresent Commonwealth Group. The Woking squad have a strong pedigree in endurance racing, winning the Le Mans 24hr in the mid-1990s and will be looking to continue that success in 2019.
The driving personnel is reflective of the marque’s customer GT programme - with the likes of Parente, Makowiecki and Bell all finding success in various national and international GT series. Tandy and Muecke should be expected to lead their respective garages by virtue of having the most Prototype experience in their lineups, but it shouldn’t take long for the rest to catch up.
Media Prediction: 3rd

BMW Efficiency Dynamics JLD Motorsport (GER) - BMW-Oreca 08
#73 – Laurens Vanthoor (BEL), Shane Van Gisbergen (NZL) and Earl Bamber (NZL)
#74 – Anita Horford (USA), Laurindo Coelho (POR) and Evgeny Restov (RUS)

JLD and BMW set the early pace at the start of 2018 by winning last year’s Daytona enduro – but failed to capitalise on any of this initial success after the opening round and finished an embarrassingly low eighth place in the teams standings. However, much of the focus in the second half of the season shifted to their 2019 challenger and it appears the gamble has paid off – with the Oreca 08 seemingly the car to beat if testing form is to be believed.
The #73 is definitely the strongest car of the two – with BMW picking up two Porsche refugees in Vanthoor and Bamber to drive alongside Bathurst 12 hour and V8 Supercar champion Shane Van Gisbergen. In the other car, Horford and Coelho are retained from last season and are joined by former Ferrari and Sauber pilot Evgeny Restov. Vanthoor and Bamber have raced together as a pairing for the past few years, so this partnership should work well and gives JLD the best chance at picking up the trophy.
Media Prediction: 1st

De Baar Racing Technology (NED) – De Baar-AER GT01X
#76 – Andrea Battani (ITA), Diego Mauricio Batistuta (ARG) and Micko Glotch (GER)
#076 – Mika Paasonen (FIN), Deiter Hallenstein (GER) and Anthony North (GBR)

De Baar’s choice of drivers are somewhat of an eclectic mix with one fairly decent car in the #76 and one bang average car in the confusingly numbered #076 car.
North, Paasonen and Hallenstein – like some of the other minnows of LMP come into this championship with a decent chunk of sportscar experience but have seemingly sat on the sidelines for the better part of two years, meaning there will be a lot of rust to shake off.
Battani (the team’s only Gold rated driver), Batistuta and Glotch definitely have the potential to upset the order in a race of attrition but I wouldn’t expect much more than a handful of top ten finishes from the Dutch outfit.
Media Prediction: 11th

Scuderia Adriatica powered by Subaru (ITA) - Adriatica-Subaru SAS19-01
#94 – Paul di Resta (GBR), Jamie Green (GBR) and Neel Jani (SUI)
#95 – Mark Webber (AUS), Edoardo Mortara (ITA) and Kazuki Nakajima (JPN)

In terms of driver line-up – few teams are as star-studded as the folks at Scuderia Adriatica. However, Adriatica’s season - like many teams opting for left-field engine suppliers – will likely be defined by how well the Subaru unit can hold up against the more established manufacturers. The Boxer engine is reportedly well down on power compared to the majority of the class, which will not be good news for any of the megastars that the Japanese manufacturer has bankrolled. Expect these to be knocking around the bottom end of the sheets – if they finish at all.
Media Prediction: 12th

Equipe Fantomette (FRA) – Fantomette-Hart FM19
#444 – Stephanie Brown (USA), Christian Fittipaldi (BRA) and Martin Tomczyk (GER)
#445 – Daniel Wenroth (BRA), Kieth Remedios (CRC) and Dinah Lance (USA)

Fantomette face an absolutely dreadful season if the rumours about their woefully underpowered Hart power unit are found to be true. Severe doubt has to also be cast on the points-scoring potential of their driver choices as well, with only Fittipaldi and Tomczyk the standout names in a fairly underwhelming stable. Brown, Lance, Wenroth and Remedios have all carved out a very small following for their exploits in Touring Cars and Endurance racing but when push comes to shove – these drivers are no more notable than the most anonymous of GTE AM drivers.
The horrific engine and uninspiring driver selections mean that many cannot see these fighting for much more than the wooden spoon.
Media Prediction: 13th

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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Normal32 »

ROLEX 24 HOURS OF DAYTONA - OFFICIAL RESULTS
Image

QUALIFYING:

Image

RACE:

Image

Fastest Laps:

LMPs: Mucke / Pilet / Makowiecki - 1m 32.905s

GTE-Pro: Llosa / McKenna / Milner - 1m 44.242s

GTE-Am: Serafim / Anderson / Eskola - 1m 45.567s

Positives:

McLaren - consistent perfomance puts them on top of the sheets.

Ryota Nakagawa - was able on a great perfomance on her class despite her inexperience.

Stefan Kuntz/Aurelien Moll/Antonio F. Da Costa - amazing perfomance takes the aging car to new heights and to the overall INFINITE IMPROBABILITY DRIVE OF THE RACE.

Andrea Battani / Diego M. Batistuta / Micko Glotch - managed to get onto the top 5.

Negatives:

FXS Racing - were just awful.

James James Davies - threwing it away on the final 15 laps is an easy shoot-in for overall REJECT OF THE RACE.

Porsche Motorsport - were very anonymous.

Nick Catsburg - threw away a sure class win with a silly crash.


----------------------

Drivers' Championship:

LMP:

Code: Select all

Pos.   Driver   DAY   SEB   MEX   AKR   NUR   LMS   NOR   PAR   CAT   IND
1   Mucke / Tandy / Makowiecki   850                           
2   Kuntz / Moll / Da Costa   630                           
3   Shizuka / Mignolet / Shizuka   560                           
4   Modena / Lapierre / Duval   490                           
5   Battani / Batistuta / Glotch   420                           
6   Mignolet / O'Heagan / Suarez   350                           
7   Tuscher / Menezes / Gutierrez   280                           
8   Fassler / Davies / Kikkawa   210                           
9   Vanthoor / Gisbergen / Bamber   150                           
10   Trummer / Rossiter / Karthikeyan   140                           
11   Wade / Sunset / Larsen   70                                                


GTE-Pro:

Code: Select all

Pos.   Driver   DAY   SEB   MEX   AKR   NUR   LMS   NOR   PAR   CAT   IND
1   Llosa / McKenna / Milner   780                           
2   Bruni / Franchitti / Priaulx   710                           
3   Rigon / Turner / Pla   700                           
4   Valenti / Fisichella / Trulli   490                           
5   van Walwijk / Voeckler / Crescenzi   420                           
6   Rees / Adam / O'Sullivan   350                           
7   Neuberg / Lieb / Dumas   280                           
8   Schultz / Ribeiro / Gavin   210                                                   


GTE-Am:

Code: Select all

Pos.   Driver   DAY   SEB   MEX   AKR   NUR   LMS   NOR   PAR   CAT   IND
1   Serafim / Anderson / Eskola   1000                           
2   Bovy / Soderstrom / Geisler   630                           
3   Paul / Gabrysiak / Crabtree   560                           
4   Rossi / Belloc / Nakagawa   490                           
5   Broniszweski / Henzler / Camathias   420                           
6   Yan / Jaafar / Cao   350                           
7   Navarro / Ragues / Jackson   280                           
8   "Dragon" / Bauer / Toure   210                           
9   Lumiere / Garnier / Weston   140                           
10   Santa-Ana / Evans / Jha   70                           
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by AndreaModa »

Very very happy to see this get off the ground. Thanks for your work Normal, keep it up for the rest of the season! :)
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Normal32 »

Also, if anyone wants to upgrade (choose how big the upgrade will be and what it will be), you have until June 29th, 13:00 ART.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by FMecha »

Class win at debut? Wow. :shock: (And for the record, Ryota-san is a guy.)
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by novitopoli »

A medium Engine Power upgrade for the Subaru "power"train. :facepalm:
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by AndreaModa »

Jones will try for a medium upgrade to car grip please.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by kevinbotz »

McLaren will develop a medium grip upgrade.
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Upgrade Round-Up

Post by Normal32 »

Upgrades:

Adriatica

1-50 Success
51-100 Failure

Result: 71

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Jones

1-50 Success
51-100 Failure

Result: 33


Grip: 50-125

Gain: 104

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

McLaren

1-50 Success
51-100 Failure

Result: 12

Grip: 50-125

Result: 123
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by novitopoli »

La Gazzetta dello Sport wrote:Rift between Adriatica and Subaru?
Scuderia Adriatica and engine manufacturers Subaru are currently in the second year of their Endurance Challenge partnership, the duo having meanwhile expanded into Formula E. After the underwhelming performance in Daytona, though, rumours are emerging in the paddock that the Italians are starting to lose their patience with the Japanese company, blaming it for delivering for the second year in a row an oversized, overweight, unreliable and underpowered engine and for their failure to deliver announced upgrade packages.
The team's spokesperson and the Japanese company declined to comment on the matter, but a joint ARWS program (which had been hinted at by some news outlets during the last off-season) looks just about unthinkable now.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by Ataxia »

motorsport.com wrote:Lamy: Current GTE-Am field is "poor"

GT driver Pedro Lamy has heavily criticised the GTE-Am field in this year's FIA Endurance Challenge, calling the quality of drivers in the category "poor".

Lamy found himself out of a GTE-Am drive this year after Aston Martin Racing elected not to enter a works team within the category, instead supplying customer cars to MK Scuderia after the team scaled down from running a prototype effort last year.

"I think the quality of drivers in the GTE-Am field is very poor" said Lamy to motorsport.com.

"In the past, we've had very good amateur drivers who can hold a candle to the pro guys, but this year? No. Sure, the MK Scuderia team is good, and then there's guys like (Jazeman) Jaafar, (Ricky) Taylor and Nick (Catsburg), and (Joel) Camathias is very experienced as well."

"But that's it! I'd not heard of most of the drivers in the field, so I really don't know what's happening there. It's supposed to be a serious category."

Lamy currently races for TF Sport in the European Le Mans Series, piloting an Aston Martin Vantage GTE.
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by V8fan12 »

Mont Blanc would like a medium grip upgrade
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by FantometteBR »

Équipe Fantomette want a medium grip upgrade
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2019 VisitFlorida 12 Hours of Sebring

Post by Normal32 »

VISITFLORIDA 12 HOURS OF SEBRING - OFFICIAL RESULTS
Image

QUALIFYING:
Image

RACE:
Image

Fastest Laps:

LMPs: Mucke / Pilet / Makowiecki - 1m 42.748s

GTE-Pro: Sorensen / Jensen / Thiim - 2m 02.750s

GTE-Am: Serafim / Anderson / Eskola - 2m 03.244s

Positives.

Larbre Competition - flawless race puts them far ahead of the rest of the class.

Scuderia Adriatica - managed to overcome the underpowered engine to score some solid points.

Christian Fittipaldi - despite the car failing on him, he managed to reach the top 10.

#55 Jones - despite suffering a 12-lap deficit due to technical issues, the team never gave up and has earned INFINITY IMPROBABILITY DRIVE OF THE RACE.

Negatives:

Ferrari - several car failures.

Sandra Yoo - ending up wasting 8 laps in a fantastic car and almost made Bentley lose points.

Laurens Vanthoor - got too eager and made his team lose a win; REJECT OF THE RACE.

Engines - couldn't withstand the straight strain.


---------

Drivers' Championship:

LMP:

Code: Select all

Pos.   Driver   DAY   SEB   MEX   AKR   NUR   LMS   NOR   PAR   CAT   IND   Total
1   Mucke / Tandy / Makowiecki   850   850                           1700
2   Kuntz / Moll / Da Costa   630   420                           1050
3   Vanthoor / Gisbergen / Bamber   150   780                           930
4   Modena / Lapierre / Duval   490   350                           840
5   Shizuka / Mignolet / Shizuka   560   210                           770
6   Fassler / Davies / Kikkawa   210   560                           770
7   Battani / Batistuta / Glotch   420   280                           700
8   Horford / Coelho / Restov   0   490                           490
9   Mignolet / O'Heagan / Suarez   350   0                           350
10   Tuscher / Menezes / Gutierrez   280   0                           280
11   Trummer / Rossiter / Karthikeyan   140   0                           140
12   Webber / Mortara / Nakajima   0   140                           140
13   Wade / Sunset / Larsen   70   0                           70
14   Lotterer / Schneider / Yoo   0   70                           70



GTE-Pro:

Code: Select all

Pos.   Driver   DAY   SEB   MEX   AKR   NUR   LMS   NOR   PAR   CAT   IND   Total
1   Rigon / Turner / Pla   700   700                           1400
2   Llosa / McKenna / Milner   780   560                           1340
3   Bruni / Franchitti / Priaulx   710   150                           860
4   Rees / Adam / O'Sullivan   350   490                           840
5   Sorensen / Jensen / Thiim   0   780                           780
6   Schultz / Ribeiro / Gavin   210   350                           560
7   Valenti / Fisichella / Trulli   490   0                           490
8   van Walwijk / Voeckler / Crescenzi   420   0                           420
9   Bernhard / Bergmeister / Lietz   0   420                           420
10   Neuberg / Lieb / Dumas   280   0                           280


GTE-Am:

Code: Select all

Pos.   Driver   DAY   SEB   MEX   AKR   NUR   LMS   NOR   PAR   CAT   IND   Total
1   Serafim / Anderson / Eskola   1000   710                           1710
2   Bovy / Soderstrom / Geisler   630   630                           1260
3   Rossi / Belloc / Nakagawa   490   490                           980
4   Taylor / Catsburg / Knight   0   850                           850
5   "Dragon" / Bauer / Toure   210   420                           630
6   Paul / Gabrysiak / Crabtree   560   0                           560
7   Broniszweski / Henzler / Camathias   420   0                           420
8   Santa-Ana / Evans / Jha   70   350                           420
9   Yan / Jaafar / Cao   350   0                           350
10   Lumiere / Garnier / Weston   140   210                           350
11   Navarro / Ragues / Jackson   280   0                           280
12   Le Blan / P. Eckner / T. Eckner   0   280                           280
13   Scotti / Cinotti / Pritchard   0   140                           140
14   Tawfeek / Sandoval / Urbina   0   70                           70
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Re: 2019 FIA Endurance Challenge

Post by kevinbotz »

Autosport wrote:Dennis: McLaren on the path to recovery

McLaren's Ron Dennis has expressed optimism regarding the Woking-based outfit's prospects in regard to reestablishing itself amongst the global motorsport elite, in the wake of an impressive start in the FIA Endurance Challenge's prototype class.

The 73-year-old, having recently returned to the helm of the celebrated team following a successful boardroom coup, has overseen a comprehensive restructuring of McLaren's corporate organization, as well as McLaren's long-awaited return to top-flight motorsport, which has thus far yielded two consecutive victories.

"It certainly imbues myself, in a personal sense, and no doubt the tireless and ever-resilient staff operating both circuit-side and back at the factory, with a certain sense of renewed confidence and belief, that, whilst present before, could only be substantially reinforced through positive material outcomes.", said Dennis. "After more than a decade of malaise perpetuated by consciously under-qualified, willfully duplicitous management regimes more interested in engaging in petty, internecine politicking rather than ensuring organizational growth and success, such an unequivocally successful return demonstratively signals the capacity and intent of the great McLaren organization to restore itself to its rightful place. We have reoriented ourselves to True North."

When asked whether or not he had spoken to Joest's James James Davies, with whom he had a publicly contentious relationship at McLaren, and who was rumoured to be an instrumental agent in Dennis' own eventual acrimonious departure for Renault, Dennis was philosophical. "I haven't spoken with James, nor, indeed, do I expect to hold a conversation with him in the foreseeable future, knowing the kind of personality he is. But as charged, and ultimately emotional, as the circumstances were then, I regard the events that transpired as water under the bridge. If James wishes to talk, my doors are open."
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