Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed to Celebrate Art Gallery Opening with Cars & Coffee and Special Events
Racing Legends Gather to Honor Herzog Motorsports at Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed October 15-16
Porsche Korea Co-hosts the ‘Porsche Gran Turismo Cup Asia Pacific’
Fourth Successive LE MANS WIN for TOYOTA GAZOO Racing
Ebay Motors Powers 2021 HOT ROD Drag Week Hitting Four Midwest Cities Sept. 12-17
Speedway Motors Launches Cover Car Contest to Celebrate Customers and their Cars
Aston Martin Valkyrie Declared Michelin’s Showstopper of the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Dynisma reveals the world's most advanced driving simulator for automotive vehicle and motorsport development
Team Speedway Wins PRO-X Shootout at Goodguys Columbus Nationals
Ground-Breaking Hydrogen-Powered MissionH24 Endurance Racer to Make UK Debut at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed
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346mph in a Bonneville Streamliner: John MacKichan and Tim Schulz | Episode 11
900 hours of machining. Crashing at 200mph. The fastest small block Chevy in the world. John MacKichan and Tim Schulz knew they weren’t taking on a “normal” project. But in 1988, driving back to Nebraska from Utah, they realized they could build a better streamliner. 9 months later, they set a record in D/Gas Streamliner. In this episode of What Moves You, A Speedway Motors Podcast, we talk with John & Tim about all the highs and lows of chasing landspeed records on the Bonneville Salt Flats, as well as all the fascinating car people who come out of the woodwork when you build a project this awesome. John & Tim chased records at Bonneville for 21 years while also working full time. These guys know a thing or two! John and Tim would like to thank their crew: Jason Ankerson, Dean Barney, Bill Bernstrauch, Robert Braden, Dan Gilmore, JR Heinz, John Menard, Dave Owens, Don Schulz, Ron Thompson, Jerry Topil, and MacKichan family: Barb, Jason, Johnny, Jessica, and Jennifer. And for tech/engineering help: Steve Bechtold, Greg Nicol, Andy Predoehl, and Carson Smith.
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Hyundai Motorsport names LIQUI MOLY as Customer Racing Official Supplier
Hyundai Motorsport has named LIQUI MOLY as an Official Supplier for the Customer Racing department’s race and rally projects. The German oil and additive specialist delivers more than 80 products to the Hyundai workshop in Alzenau (Germany). There, they are used to configure and prepare the vehicles. As part of the cooperation, LIQUI MOLY’s quality products are used for the Hyundai i20 R5, the new Hyundai i20 N Rally2 and also the successful Hyundai i30 N TCR, Hyundai Veloster N TCR and Hyundai Elantra N TCR touring cars. In addition to motor, gear and hydraulic oils, the product range also includes almost 80 other items. It will also support the ongoing testing and development of the cars offered to privateer teams and drivers by Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing. This takes on an extra significance with both the Hyundai Elantra N TCR and Hyundai i20 N Rally2 entering their first competitive events during the 2021 season. The first of the new TCR cars debuted in the USA in January, and will race in series worldwide including WTCR – FIA World Touring Car Cup, TCR Europe, TCR South America and at the Nürburgring 24 Hours. The Hyundai i20 N Rally2 is currently undergoing extensive testing ahead of planned homologation this summer. LIQUI MOLY joining as an Official Supplier deepens the relationship between the Customer Racing department and the company. A long-standing partner of championship-winning TCR customer Engstler Motorsport, the German firm already serves as title sponsor for Engstler Hyundai N LIQUI MOLY Racing team who will take on their second season in FIA WTCR this year, with the Hyundai Elantra N TCR. LIQUI MOLY Marketing Director Peter Baumann said: "We are really proud that Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing has chosen LIQUI MOLY as official supplier to build and prepare their customer cars for race and rally. This is another proof for the high quality standard of our lubricants, service and care products. Hyundai has the highest reputation in motorsports as we have with our brand and our products. So this is a perfect fit for both parties". Hyundai Motorsport Customer Racing Manager Andrew Johns said: “LIQUI MOLY has an incredibly strong reputation throughout motorsport for their high-quality range, so I am very happy to welcome them as Official Suppliers to our race and rallying projects. The wide variety of products they will supply to our workshop will ensure that we can maintain the excellent quality and superb performance of the cars we build and provide to our customers. This is especially important as we continue to increase the number of different cars we offer to our customers, with Hyundai Elantra N TCR and Hyundai i20 N Rally2 entering their first competitive events in 2021. With LIQUI MOLY as an Official Supplier for our projects I am confident we can continue to build on the successes of Hyundai customers have already celebrated and add to the profile of both the Customer racing department and new supplier.”
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Speedway Motors to Launch Season 2: “What Moves You” Podcast
Speedway Motors, a manufacturer, retailer and distributor of high-quality automotive parts and racing products, announced today Season 2 of their “What Moves You” podcast will launch on June 1. The “What Moves You” podcast tells the stories behind cars and the people who build and drive them. While celebrating craftsmanship, ingenuity, and the long tradition of building cars, “What Moves You” talks to fascinating people who have left their mark on car culture. Sometimes that’s a big name everyone knows, other times it’s an unsung local hero. Every guest brings inspiring knowledge, experience and passion that reminds us why we love cars in the first place. “Every car, builder and driver has a story. Season 1 of the ‘What Moves You’ podcast successfully captured a handful of those stories to share with our listeners,” said Betsy Grindlay Director of Marketing and People Operations at Speedway Motors. Hosted by Joe McCollough Season 1 included interviews with experts like Dave Shuten, Brian Brennan, Bob Mays and Robby Unser. The first 10 episodes featured topics ranging from Discovery Channel’s Car Kings to 140mph crashes, Speedway Motors Museum of American Speed, and everything in between. “We look forward to diving even deeper in Season 2 to capture that passion for building and driving your dream,” Grindlay added. Season 2 will launch June 1 with new episodes released every other week. The line-up for Season 2 includes guests like racing legend Mary Pozzi, Bonneville innovators John MacKichan and Tim Schulz, special guests from Car Masters: Rust to Riches among others. For more information or to listen to episodes visit www.speedwaymotors.com/whatmovesyoupodcast The podcast is also available to download through Apple, Spotify, and Google.
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Team Speedway Puts Parts to the Test and Wins Big at Goodguys Salt Lake Nationals
Speedway Motors announced today, Team Speedway, won multiple autocross events this past weekend at Goodguys Salt Lake Nationals in Salt Lake City, UT. Robby Unser doubled up winning both the PRO-X class and the PRO-X portion of the Fuel Curve Great Salt Shootout in the Speedway Motors sponsored ’70 Camaro. Unser is no stranger to racing, hailing from one of America’s most storied racing families. He boasts the 1987 World Hill Climb Champion and 1989 American Indy Car Series Champion titles and was named IRL Rookie of the Year in 1998. He has raced a wide range of classes at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, winning an unprecedented 9 times. Unser has also competed twice at the Indianapolis 500 and has been one of Team Speedways drivers for more than 7 years. Teammate Brian Martin also doubled-up in Salt Lake with wins in the PRO class in a ’86 Corvette. Returning to its competitive racing roots Speedway Motors began sponsoring Team Speedway in 2014. “Team Speedway drivers have pushed the ’70 Camaro, ‘67 Camaro and ’65 Nova cars to their limits, slamming through courses with 1.7g lateral loading and intense braking, plus acceleration that only a 750 hp engine can provide,” said Bill Schneider, Speedway Motors R&D Engineer and Team Speedway Manager. “If G-Comp components can handle this type of punishment, you can be sure they’ll be reliable for whatever automotive activity you have planned.” Team Speedway regularly puts parts to the test and the ’70 Camaro was built with performance in mind. Sporting Speedway Motors G-Comp 1970-81 Camaro/Firebird Torque Arm Rear Suspension Kit Schneider said, “Measurements were taken, scans were made, and models created to figure out how to make a 50-year-old car handle like a new Corvette.” The car was also fitted with an Unser Edition Front Suspension Kit and sports a 427 LS7 on an RHS block and heads built by Speedway Motors Racing Engines. The C4 ’86 Corvette sports a Tremec conversion kit and shock package from Speedway Motors. This is the second win for Team Speedway this year. Unser also doubled up at the 11th Fitech Spring Nationals in Scottsdale, Ariz. claiming the PRO-X class shootout victory in Goodguys CPP AutoCross Racing Series. Team Speedway is scheduled to compete in a number of upcoming events including: Goodguys Nashville Nationals May 28-30 in Nashville, Tenn. Big Blue Mile Shootout June 4-5 in Seward, Neb. Sturgis Camaro Rally June 24-27 in Black Hills, S.D. Goodguys Speedway Motors Heartland Nationals July 2-4 in Des Moines, Iowa Goodguys July 9-11 in Columbus, Ohio Sandhills Open Road Challenge (SORC) Aug. 10-14 in Arnold, Neb. King of the Mountain Aug. 26-28 in Clearfield, Pa. LS Fest East Sept. 10-12 in Bowling Green, Ky. Goodguys Lone Star Nationals Sept. 24-26 in Fort Worth, Texas Optima Ultimate Street Car Challenge Oct. 9-10 in Bowling Green, KY Drive Optima in Las Vegas, Nev. Goodguys Speedway Motors Southwest Nationals Nov. 19-21 in Scottsdale, Ariz. For more information about Speedway Motors G-Comp or Team Speedway test cars visit https://www.speedwaymotors.com/featured/gcomp
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Porsche announces cockpit line-up for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 8 Hours of Portimão
Porsche has secured the support of two endurance aces for the two FIA World En-durance Championship (WEC) races in Portimão and Le Mans. In the ca. 515 PS Porsche 911 RSR (#91), Frédéric Makowiecki reinforces the regular WEC drivers Gianmaria Bruni from Italy and Richard Lietz from Austria. The Frenchman has been part of the driver line-up to tackle the 24 Hours of Le Mans for the last three years. In the No. 92 car, Neel Jani from Switzerland and the Frenchman Kévin Estre receive reinforcement from Michael Christensen. The Dane won the GTE-Pro class at Le Mans in 2018 with Estre and Belgium’s Laurens Vanthoor. The experienced trio will also contest round two of the season in Portugal on 13 June. “Between them, these six nominated drivers have a total of 59 Le Mans races under their belts. This experience is invaluable,” explains Pascal Zurlinden, Director Facto-ry Motorsport. Neel Jani won the overall classification of the 24-hour French classic in 2016 at the wheel of the Porsche 919 Hybrid – with Romain Dumas (France) and Marc Lieb (Germany). His five teammates have harvested eight class victories so far with the 911 RSR at the tradition-steeped endurance race at the Sarthe. “There’s absolutely no doubt that we’ll be very well-positioned for the highlight of the year. The eight-hour race of the WEC in Portimão is the perfect complement to our in-tense preparation for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.” “It’s hugely important that the two driver crews we send to Le Mans have contested as many races as possible together,” explains Alexander Stehlig, Head of Opera-tions FIA WEC. The synergy between the drivers on and off the racetrack is a key factor for them to prepare optimally for the Le Mans 24-hour race. “The instinctive understanding between them, knowing each other’s setup preferences and the smooth interaction with the engineers play crucial roles,” states Stehlig. “With all six drivers competing at the WEC race in Portugal, we’ll be able to fine-tune the pro-cesses even more so that we’ll head to Le Mans with an extremely well-rehearsed crew.” Round two of the World Endurance Championship in Portugal offers the perfect opportunity to compete with three drivers in each car. With a race duration of eight hours, all drivers get plenty of track time at the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR. On 13 June – the original date for the 24 Hours of Le Mans – the FIA WEC will be con-tested for the first time on the 4.692-kilometre circuit in Portugal’s Algarve. The 89th running of the long-distance classic in France will be held on 21/22 August this year. [2021 WEC calendar] 26/27 April – Prologue in Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 1 May – 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) 13 June – 8 Hours of Portimão (Portugal) 18 July – 6 Hours of Monza (Italy) 21/22 August – 24 Hours of Le Mans (France) 26 September – 6 Hours of Fuji (Japan) 20 November – 8 Hours of Bahrain (Bahrain) [Drivers’ comments about the line-up] Frédéric Makowiecki (Porsche 911 RSR #91): “It’s great that I can share driving duties in the number 91 car at Le Mans with Gimmi and Richie for the fourth year in a row. We’re a very well-oiled threesome and we’ve always done well at our races. Unfortunately, it’s never been quite enough for us to win our class at Le Mans yet, but that should change this year. We’ll tackle the WEC race in Portugal with the aim of refining the interaction with our new race engineer John McGregor. There’s not a lot of time to work on some aspects during the Le Mans week, so we’ll do that in Por-timão. That puts us in a good starting position.” Michael Christensen (Porsche 911 RSR #92): “I’m very much looking forward to our joint outing in the number 92 car at the Portimão race. I also feel particularly for-tunate to be able to drive for Porsche at Le Mans this year. It’s the biggest, toughest and most important race on the calendar every year and, if we’re successful, the most wonderful. I hope we’ll perform as well as we did in 2018. Another class victory would be a dream come true.”
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Mouser Backs Formula E Team at Rome E-Prix Doubleheader
The Mouser Electronics-supported Formula E all-electric racing team heads to Rome for the second stop, and the third and fourth races, of the 2020–21 ABB FIA Formula E season on April 10, and April 11. Mouser will be cheering on the DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT team, who is looking to keep their momentum going after both drivers earned top-five finishes at the second race of the Diriyah E-Prix. Team drivers Sérgio Sette Câmara and Nico Müller came in fourth and fifth, respectively, at Diriyah to earn 22 points for the team at the season-opening doubleheader. Mouser Backs Formula E Team at Rome E-Prix Doubleheader Coming off that fantastic performance, the team takes to a completely new street course at the Rome E-Prix. The contest in Italy’s historic capital city will be both Câmara’s and Müller’s first race at the revamped EUR district circuit. Both drivers have been working hard in the weeks since the Diriyah E-Prix, logging hours in the simulator at the team’s race shop in Silverstone, U.K., to prepare for the doubleheader in the Eternal City. The Formula E series features cars that are powered solely by electricity and represent a vision for the future of the motor sports industry, serving as a framework for research and development around zero-emission motoring. The Gen2 cars offer a huge step forward in electric vehicle racing technology, with maximum power of 250 kW and speeds up to 280 km/h. Racing is all about speed and endurance, and racing partnerships are an innovative way for Mouser to communicate its performance-driven business model and promote the newest technologies from its manufacturer partners. Mouser is partnering with the DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT team throughout the 2020-21 season in collaboration with TTI, Inc. and valued manufacturers Molex and AVX. This is the seventh-straight year that Mouser and Molex have sponsored Formula E racing. Müller is piloting the No. 6 car, and Sette Câmara is behind the wheel of the No. 7 car. Fans can further support the team by casting a vote for Müller and Sette Câmara in FANBOOST, which allows fans to play an active role in influencing the outcome of the race. FANBOOST gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes are awarded a significant burst of power, which they can deploy in a 5-second window during the second half of the race. FANBOOST voting for the Rome E-Prix opens April 7 and is available up to 15 minutes into the race. To learn more and see the full schedule of upcoming Formula E races, visit https://www.mouser.com/formula-e/
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Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental Mexico drive with LIQUI MOLY in Mexico
Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental Mexico, two major transnational brands and leaders in vehicle leasing and mobility solutions, chose LIQUI MOLY as their official service product for the Mexican territory, ensuring that all their cars will use LIQUI MOLY oil. The decision was made by Grupo ANTYR, a Mexican company that operates the franchise of these two brands in 31 national destinations ranging from the north of the country to the central zone. After several tests, the results were evident, LIQUI MOLY saves money! Through this new venture, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental will be able to reduce operational costs, having less engine wear, longer service intervals and extreme engine protection. “The costumers of Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental Mexico will be able to enjoy lower fuel consumption in their rented vehicles, as well as the perfect engine response and reliability they would look for in their own car. It is a perfect way to demonstrate how LIQUI MOLY is the best oil in the world, and furthermore, it is an excellent test for our products, having different drivers for the same car, all of them expecting great response from the engine,” says Guillermo Morelos, CEO LIQUI MOLY Mexico. Through this alliance Enterprise Rent-A-Car and National Car Rental expects significant cost reductions for maintenance concepts, in addition to providing a longer useful life and the best resale value in their vehicles. Most importantly, this alliance is aligned with the company's vision: To provide a service of excellence, granting its car rental service in cars in excellent conditions. One more reason that validates these two brands as the best option for mobility, quality and transportation requirements throughout Mexico.
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Mouser Partners with DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT Formula E Racing for 7th Year
Mouser Electronics, Inc. is delighted to once again partner with the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT Formula E team as they kick off the series’ seventh season, and the first Formula E racing season as an FIA World Championship, with double-header races on Feb. 26 and 27. The third consecutive season-opener at Diriyah E-Prix, just outside Saudi Arabia’s capital of Riyadh, also marks Formula E racing’s first night race. Mouser is partnering with the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT team throughout the 2020–21 ABB FIA Formula E World Championship racing season, in collaboration with TTI, Inc. and valued manufacturers Molex and AVX. This is the seventh-straight year that Mouser and Molex have sponsored Formula E racing. The team brings back two familiar faces from last season with a combined 16 races completed between them. Piloting the No. 6 car and coming off his first full Formula E season is Nico Müller, while Sérgio Sette Câmara will be behind the wheel of the No. 7 car. “Formula E continues to raise the bar on electric motorsports sustainability and performance, and Mouser is excited to have supported the series from its inaugural season to this first season as a World Championship,” said Todd McAtee, Vice President, Americas Business Development for Mouser Electronics. “We are very happy to once again team up with Molex, TTI and AVX to partner with DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT and to promote these innovative technologies.” “TTI is pleased to team up with Mouser in supporting this exciting sport and its spotlight on sustainable automotive technologies of the future,” said Mike Morton, TTI Chief Operating Officer. “This new chapter of Formula E promises to continue the evolution of this thrilling sport and serves as a powerful showcase for its sustainable future,” said Fred Bell, Vice President of Global Distribution for Molex. “Mouser and Molex have been proud supporters since the inception of Formula E, and we wish the DRAGON/PENSKE AUTOSPORT team a very safe and successful season.” “We’re delighted to collaborate with Mouser, Molex, and TTI in our partnership with the DRAGON / PENSKE AUTOSPORT Formula E racing team for another exciting season,” said Alex Schenkel, AVX’s Senior Vice President of Global Sales. The Formula E series features cars that are powered solely by electricity and represent a vision for the future of the motor sports industry, serving as a framework for research and development around zero-emission motoring. The Gen2 cars offer a huge step forward in electric vehicle racing technology, with maximum power of 250 kW and speeds up to 280 km/h. Racing is all about speed and endurance, and racing partnerships are an innovative way for Mouser to communicate its performance-driven business model and promote the newest technologies from its manufacturer partners. Fans can cast a vote for Sette Câmara and Müller in FANBOOST, which allows fans to play an active role in influencing the outcome of the race. FANBOOST gives fans the opportunity to vote for their favorite driver and award them an extra boost of power during the race. The five drivers with the most FANBOOST votes are awarded a significant burst of power, which they can deploy in a 5-second window during the second half of the race. FANBOOST voting for the Diriyah E-Prix opens Feb. 22 and is available up to 15 minutes into the race.
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Porsche targets third win this year for the 911 RSR at the WEC season finale
Porsche aims to conclude the debut season of the new Porsche 911 RSR with a win. At the eight-hour race in Bahrain, which marks the final round of the 2019/2020 FIA WEC season, the factory squad will again field two ca. 515 hp vehicles in the GTE-Pro class. In the GTE-Am class, three customer squads campaign a total of five Porsche 911 RSR in last year’s spec. The race on the Formula 1 circuit in Sakhir is the second Bahrain event this season. At the first outing in December 2019, Porsche locked out the first grid row with its two vehicles, led the field, but ultimately was unable to reap the rewards of their good work at the finish line. The race The Bahrain International Circuit has hosted the Formula 1 Grand Prix regularly since 2004. The FIA WEC was first contested on the 5.412-kilometre circuit close to the capital Manama in its 2012 inaugural season. The only time the endurance race was not held in Sakhir was in the 2018/2019 Super Season. High daytime temperatures, falling temperatures at dusk and sand at times covering the asphalt make the race a big challenge for teams, engineers and drivers. Tyre wear is a major factor on the Grand Prix circuit with its 15 turns. A consistent pace over a full stint is regarded as the key to success. The Porsche drivers Sharing the cockpit of the No. 91 Porsche 911 RSR are works drivers Gianmaria Bruni from Italy and Richard Lietz from Austria. The pair won the season-opening round at Silverstone and head to the final round of the year ranking fifth in the drivers’ classification. Sharing driving duties in the No. 92 sister car are the Spa winners Kévin Estre and Michael Christensen. The reigning GTE champions from France and Denmark occupy fourth place before the final race of the 2019/2020 season. In the manufacturer’s classification, Porsche ranks second. At the eight-hour race on the Formula 1 circuit in the desert of Bahrain, competitors can earn more points than in a conventional six-hour WEC race: As the distribution of points is multiplied by a factor of 1.5 and rounded up, victory yields 38 points instead of the usual 25. Intensified partnership Porsche Motorsport has expanded its partnership with TAG Heuer to include factory campaigns in the FIA WEC. The intensive collaboration with the Swiss manufacturer of luxury watches began in 2019 at the start of the sixth FIA Formula E season with the inauguration of the TAG Heuer Porsche Formula E Team. This partnership was expanded over the last few months to include the national Carrera Cups, the works programme in the IMSA series and the e-sports arena. The Porsche customer teams In the GTE-Am class, three customer squads field a total of five of last year’s spec Porsche 911 RSR for the last time before switching to the latest model for the upcoming season. Crewing the No. 57 car campaigned by Project 1 is the American Ben Keating, Felipe Fraga from Brazil and Jeroen Bleekemolen from the Netherlands. In 2019, the trio won the GTE-Am category in Bahrain. Sharing the cockpit of the No. 56 sister car is Norway’s Egidio Perfetti, the recently crowned Porsche Supercup champion Larry ten Voorde from the Netherlands and Porsche brand ambassador Jörg Bergmeister from Germany. The crew in Gulf Racing’s No. 86 entry consists of the two British racing drivers Michael Wainwright and Ben Barker and the new ELMS champion Alessio Picariello from Belgium. Dennis Olsen competes for Dempsey-Proton Racing in the No. 77 car. The Norwegian joins forces with team owner Christian Ried from Germany and Riccardo Pera from Italy. Khaled Al Qubaisi from the United Arab Emirates and Germany’s Marco Holzer share driving duties in the team’s No. 88 sister car with Porsche Junior Jaxon Evans, who will compete in the WEC for the very first time. The schedule (all times CET) Thursday, 12 November 03:30 – 05:00 pm: Free practice Friday, 13 November 07:00 – 08:30 am: Free practice 11:45 am – 12:45 pm: Free practice 04:00 – 04:20 pm: Qualifying GTE 04:30 – 04:50 pm: Qualifying LMP Saturday, 14 November Midday – 08:00 pm: Race TV coverage and live streaming of the event The final round of the 2019/2020 FIA WEC season will be televised in full length on www.sport1.de. On the pay-TV station Sport 1+, the race is aired live from start to finish. Eurosport covers the final phase from Sakhir. Motorsport.tv also offers a live stream, as does the official FIA WEC app, which also offers comprehensive live timing. Comments before the race Fritz Enzinger (Vice President Motorsport): “It’ll be a very special race weekend for Porsche Motorsport. In the North American IMSA series, our works team tackles the GTLM class at the 12 Hours of Sebring for the last time. In Bahrain, we want to shine at the final race of the FIA WEC season and at the same time secure the title at the last race of the GT World Challenge Europe in Le Castellet, France, with our customer team Dinamic Motorsport. Everyone involved will again do their utmost to reap maximum success at all three venues. I’m confident that our teams and drivers will once again deliver strong performances and be rewarded for their tremendous hard work at the end of the season.” Pascal Zurlinden (Director Factory Motorsport): “The first season with the new Porsche 911 RSR draws to a close with the eight-hour race in Bahrain. We won the first round in Silverstone and did it again mid-season at Spa-Francorchamps. A win at Sakhir would round off the season perfectly. Our car performed very well at the previous race on Bahrain’s Formula 1 circuit, but unfortunately, that wasn’t reflected in the race result. That should change next weekend. Our engineers, the mechanic crews and all drivers have prepared meticulously for the final round. We’re ready and want to go into the winter break with a positive result.” Alexander Stehlig (Head of Operations FIA WEC): “Our Porsche 911 RSR suits the special characteristics of the track in Sakhir. We clearly underlined this last December with positions one and two in qualifying. We’re preparing meticulously for the last race of the season so that we can conclude our campaign with a win. We also tested in Vallelunga to gain additional insights that will help us in Bahrain. I feel confident that we’ll finish the year with a success. The team will once again pull out all stops – then we’ll head into the well-deserved winter break.” Gianmaria Bruni (Porsche 911 RSR #91): “The WEC season began for us in September 2019 with a win at the debut race of the new 911 RSR at Silverstone. We’d like to wrap up the season by repeating this feat in Bahrain. This is our second time here this season, after competing in Sakhir last December. At the first outing we locked out the front grid row with our two cars, but we couldn’t maintain the fast pace over the entire race distance. Since then, we’ve gained a lot more experience with the cars, and I’m sure we have good chances.” Richard Lietz (Porsche 911 RSR #91): “Our Porsche 911 RSR is a real top car in the GTE-Pro class. If everyone in the team does strategically clever work, if the squad does quick pit stops and we drivers do a flawless job, then nothing stands in the way of success. It’d be great to end the season with another victory.” Kévin Estre (Porsche 911 RSR #92): “I really like the Bahrain circuit. We were fast there last year in December but unfortunately, we weren’t able to win. We’re determined to change that now. After the somewhat negative results at Le Mans, it’s good to get another chance this season to finish on a high note. The winter break would be much more enjoyable with a win under our belt. We’ll do everything to be at the forefront in the eight-hour race.” Michael Christensen (Porsche 911 RSR #92): “I’m totally convinced that we’ll be as competitive in the coming race as we were in Bahrain last December. The foundations are laid for success at the end of the season. If we can just make it through the eight hours unscathed, there is a high chance we’ll be successful. Unfortunately, we didn’t earn enough points at Le Mans, so we’re out of contention to defend the title. Still, that makes it all the more important to conclude the year with a highlight.”
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LIQUI MOLY joins Unitronic for the TCR Championship Run in 2021
LIQUI MOLY has a long tradition in touring car sports. The oil and additive specialist has been active there for over ten years. It is now joining the TCR Championship Run in 2021 alongside Unitronic in North America. “This shows that our oils and additives also deliver top performance in racing use,” says Sebastian Zelger, CEO of LIQUI MOLY USA/Canada. Audi and Volkswagen tuning expert Unitronic has partnered with JDC-Miller MotorSports, who will be competing next year with an Audi RS 3 LMS TCR in the IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge. LIQUI MOLY will be the official oil and additive supplier of Unitronic Corporate as well as the racing team. The company can draw on its many years of experience in touring car sports with BMW, Audi and Volkswagen vehicles, amongst others. “Thanks to our expertise with German imports, we help to get the last bit of power out of the engine and at the same time protect it from overload,” explains Sebastian Zelger. “And what has proven its worth on the race track also performs well on the road in everyday life and increases the reliability of the engine.” Unitronic specializes in performance software tuning and hardware upgrades of Audi, Volkswagen, Seat, Skoda, and Lamborghini models. “This background makes Unitronic a natural partner for us as a German brand,” says Sebastian Zelger. “Our oils carry the approvals that the Volkswagen Group stipulates for its models.” That's why Unitronic will not only use LIQUI MOLY oils and additives at JDC-Miller MotorSports, but also in its own workshops for customers’ vehicles. “We are very excited to have this new partnership program for 2021,” says Lenny Levac, Director of Sales Canada at LIQUI MOLY. “The partnership with UNITRONIC JDC-Miller MotorSports and Unitronic allows us to share the experience we gain with our products on the race track with the workshops that work with Unitronic.”
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Porsche tackles season finale with emotions and goals high
Porsche has a clear goal for the final round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship in Sebring (USA) on 14 November: The North American operations team Core Autosport is eager to wrap up the season with another victory on the Florida racetrack. The works campaign with the two Porsche 911 RSR in the GTLM class comes to an end after seven very successful years. As a special treat for the many fans and loyal partners in North America, Porsche sends the two works cars to contest the race on the Sebring International Raceway decked out in striking designs. The special livery of the two 911 RSR will be unveiled on Tuesday before the race. The driver line-up for the season finale is also new: The Swiss works driver Neel Jani supports the regular IMSA drivers at the event in Florida. The traditional twelve-hour event on the former airfield close to the city of Orlando was originally planned for mid-March but had to be postponed by eight months due to the coronavirus pandemic. “The last factory outing with the Porsche 911 RSR in the North American IMSA series brings up many emotions,” states Fritz Enzinger, Vice President Motorsport. “In the fierce competition against top-class rivals in the GTLM class, we’ve won the manufacturer’s title three times in seven years, among other accolades. We’re enormously proud of that. The North American market is very important for Porsche. That’s why I’m particularly pleased that our racing cars will be represented in big numbers at the IMSA events in 2021: the interest from customers to field the 911 GT3 R in the GTD class is huge, and we’ll be launching the new Porsche Carrera Cup North America next year as part of the support programme.” “We’re keen to close a great chapter in the IMSA series with another success,” declares Pascal Zurlinden, Director Factory Motorsport. “Sebring has always been good turf for Porsche. In the last two years, our Porsche 911 RSR won the GTLM class at the twelve-hour race in Florida. Over the past weeks, our factory squad won at Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca. We’re heading to the big finale in top form. I’m sure we’ll be among the frontrunners in Sebring, as well.” The race The Sebring International Raceway throws major challenges at man and machine. About a third of the 6.02-kilometre racetrack consists of concrete slabs, which were previously part of the runway at the former Hendricks Army Airfield. These slabs cause hefty vibrations. Due to this special feature, the racetrack located about 100 kilometres south of Orlando is often mentioned on social media with the hashtag #RespectTheBumps. For the engineers of the works team, the emphasis is on finding a suitable setup for the kinematics of the 911 RSR. Porsche is the most successful manufacturer on the storied circuit, which has regularly hosted endurance races since 1950. So far, the Stuttgart marque has netted 18 outright wins and 72 class victories at Sebring. In the last two years, the Porsche 911 RSR has dominated the GTLM class at the hugely popular endurances races in Florida. In addition to the Daytona 24-hour classic and the two races at Road Atlanta, this final round of the season counts towards the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup. The Porsche GT Team drivers The regular drivers Nick Tandy from Great Britain and Frenchman Frédéric Makowiecki share driving duties in the No. 911 Porsche 911 RSR. The pair was part of the winning crew at Sebring in 2018 and 2019. Porsche has announced Earl Bamber from New Zealand as the third driver. The two reigning GTLM driver champions Earl Bamber and Belgium’s Laurens Vanthoor join forces with Neel Jani in the cockpit of the identical No. 912 sister car. The 36-year-old WEC champion and 2016 Le Mans makes his race debut at the wheel of the 911 RSR after many kilometres of testing. Bamber and Vanthoor recently won the Laguna Seca race. The pair ranks sixth in the drivers’ classification, one position behind Tandy and Makowiecki. In the manufacturer’s championship, Porsche heads to the final round of the season in third place. In the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup – a special classification which includes the four longest races of the season – the Porsche GT Team currently ranks second and has good chances of winning the title. The customer team In the GTD class, a category for racing cars complying with the FIA GT3 regulations, Wright Motorsports fields a Porsche 911 GT3 R. The American works driver Patrick Long joins forces with his compatriot Ryan Hardwick and Belgium’s Jan Heylen in the cockpit of the No. 16 car. The squad from the US state of Ohio is still in the running to claim the GTD-class title. Wright Motorsports travels to the final round ranking second in the team classification, seven points shy of the leader. Successes of the Porsche 911 RSR in the IMSA championship Since the start of the factory campaign with the Porsche 911 RSR in the hotly contested GTLM class of the IMSA series in 2014, the sports car manufacturer from Weissach has won the manufacturer’s title three times and the team championship twice. From 74 races over seven years, Porsche has achieved 20 wins, 20 pole positions and 55 podium finishes. The greatest highlight is the overall victory of the 911 RSR at the 2015 Petit Le Mans: In a spectacular race in the rain at Road Atlanta, the works drivers Nick Tandy, Patrick Pilet and Richard Lietz outpaced the entire field, including the faster prototypes. Britain’s Nick Tandy tops the list of statistics as the most successful driver in the North American Porsche factory squad. With nine pole positions to his credit, the outright Le Mans winner from 2015 has set a record in the IMSA series. Live streaming of the race The Sebring 12-hour race of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship takes off on Saturday, 14 November, at 10:10 am local time (16:10 pm CET). The race can be viewed outside the USA and Canada on www.imsa.com. The schedule (local time, CET: -6 hours) Thursday, 12 November 10:05 – 11:05 am: Free practice 1 2:35 – 3:50 pm: Free practice 2 6:15 – 7:45 pm: Free practice 3 Friday, 13 November 10:15 – 10:30 am: Qualifying GTD 10:40 – 10:55 am: Qualifying GTLM Saturday, 14 November 8:00 – 8:20 am: Warm-up 10:10 am – 10:10 pm: Race More comments prior to the race Steffen Höllwarth (Head of Operations IMSA Championship): “We’re returning to the venue where we’ve enjoyed many successes. Once again, our goal this year is clear: we want to win. Unfortunately, we don’t have our regular third drivers for this year’s 12-hour race because of overlapping dates with other series on the same race weekend. However, with Neel Jani, an extremely experienced driver joins the team. We aim to go for broke one last time with him and the entire squad. Unfortunately, we’re out contention for the IMSA title, but we are eager to clinch the IMSA Michelin Endurance Cup.” Nick Tandy (Porsche 911 RSR #911): “We’re returning to Sebring as the winners of the last two years. To clinch two straight victories in this twelve-hour race is quite an achievement. It would be awesome to finish the series with a hat trick! As such, our aim is very clear: We want maximum success again for our last joint outing as a works team. The farewell doesn’t play a major role for me until the chequered flag falls. I think it’s much more important that we prepare meticulously and systematically for this last race.” Frédéric Makowiecki (Porsche 911 RSR #911): “Nick and I have very fond memories of Sebring. We won the endurance classic in the last two years and we’d now like to wrap up the factory campaign with a third victory. The race is usually contested in spring. Now, in mid-November, we’ll be spending more time driving in the dark. We have to keep this in mind when finding an optimal setup. Those who drive fast and consistently in the night have the best chances in the fierce competition of the GTLM class.” Earl Bamber (Porsche 911 RSR #912): “For me personally, the end of the season is particularly significant because I have a very close relationship with the IMSA series. My career began as a Porsche works driver in North America in 2015. Since then, I’ve contested over 50 races in the championship, I’ve met some great people there and I’ve celebrated some fantastic wins. The undisputed highlight was our title win last year. I’d like to close this chapter with a win at Sebring.” Laurens Vanthoor (Porsche 911 RSR #912): “It’ll be an emotional finale in Florida. Over the years, we’ve experienced a lot, we’ve worked a lot and we’ve celebrated a lot with our fabulous team. We’re travelling to Sebring in high spirits after our win at Laguna Seca. We still have some unfinished business at the twelve-hour race. I’ve finished on the podium but I’ve never won there. It’s the perfect time to settle that score this coming weekend. I promise one thing: There’ll be some cool burnouts to farewell the fans.” Neel Jani (Porsche 911 RSR #912): “I’ve done several days of testing in the Porsche 911 RSR, but it’ll still be diving in the deep end. I’ve never contested a GT race before. I’ll have a lot to learn in a very short time at the Sebring weekend. Most notably, from the perspective of a GT driver, I’m not familiar with driving in traffic. Still, I know the track well, I’ve driven prototypes there multiple times and I climbed the podium in 2013. Four years later, I scored pole position in an LMP2 car – beating all DPi vehicles. I’m looking forward to this big challenge and I’d like to help my teammates, Earl and Laurens, as much as possible to finish as far up the GTLM field as possible.”
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LIQUI MOLY supports New German Performance at TC America 2020 championship
After making their TC America debut earlier this season at VIR, this will mark New German Performance's second event in the TC America racing series. The oil and additive specialist LIQUI MOLY is partner for the race weekend. The pair of Audi RS 3 LMS race cars will once again be driven by Tristan Herbert and Vinnie Lima with the cars prepared by New German Performance's specialized staff at their Manassas Park, Virginia facility. Herbert coming off the back of a podium finish at VIR said “It's funny, out of all the tracks I've been to over the years I've never actually been to Indy. When SRO made the announcement last year to move the 8hr from Laguna Seca to Indy I was excited to finally go there but I never imagined I would get the opportunity to race there! I'm looking forward to it and grateful to once again pilot the Audi RS 3 LMS at such a historic circuit.” After showing speed in his first ever professional motorsport event at VIR, Lima is upbeat by the upcoming IMS event “What can one say about IMS and the opportunity to drive competitively at the “Brickyard”? This will be a bucket list opportunity to race in a place with such deep legacy. Together with Audi Sport Customer Racing and New German Performance, one can only dream about the opportunity to drive the Audit RS3 LMS in a place where one of my personal motorsport heroes, Rubens Barrichello, has driven.” LIQUI MOLY enjoys a strong presence in motorsports. On national level the oil and additive manufacturer partners with Turner Motorsports in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and is sponsor of the MotoAmerica series. On international level the brand can be seen in Formula 1 and in MotoGP. On-track action for the event in Indianapolis, IN begins on Thursday, October 1st with TC America qualifying, then 40-minute sprint races on Friday, October 2nd (9:20 am ET) and Saturday, October 3rd (11:10 am ET).
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24 Hours of Le Mans: When the drivers ask the Porsche 911 RSR to dance
It’s race time: At more than 300 km/h, the Porsche 911 RSR hurtles down the D338 road from Le Mans towards Tours. In the two chicanes, which are closed off for everyday traffic and are a favourite spot for speed cameras, the ca. 515-hp GTE sports car takes the kerbs hard. Then, as fast as possible through the Mulsanne Corner and Indianapolis to the famous Arnage – the slowest passage of the 13.626-kilometre Circuit des 24 Heures. Exiting out of Arnage, the driver hits the throttle early, and now needs every ounce of courage and experience. In a few seconds, the Porsche Curves loom into sight. Five ultra-fast direction changes that are both loved and feared by drivers, and represent the most spectacular section of the French endurance classic. Le Mans is known around the world for its long straights and famous passages. Corners like Tertre Rouge and iconic features like the Dunlop Bridge get adrenalin pumping in the hearts of endurance fans. However, there is another section that features even higher on the spectators’ list of favourites: the Porsche Curves. Originally, only the long right-hander (Turn 23) after the Arnage curve was given the name Porsche. Now, this title also encompasses Virage du Pont, Esses du Karting and Virage Corvette. The flowing combination of two right-hand and three left-hand turns throws major challenges at teams and drivers – when it comes to downforce and grip, the racing cars reach their absolute limit. “It’s definitely the most demanding passage at Le Mans – and it’s also the one that is the most fun for drivers,” says Jörg Bergmeister. The long-standing works driver and today’s Porsche brand ambassador scored a GTE-Am class win at Le Mans in 2019 with the Project 1 customer team. “Although the cars are set-up for low downforce for the long straights, we shoot through the curves doing over 200 km/h in the Porsche 911 RSR,” describes the tall German. The 1.029-kilometre stretch between track marshals 30 and 33 is over in a brisk 17.6 seconds. Despite constant cornering, the average speed lies at over 210 km/h. “We take the first right-hander in fourth gear, change up to fifth for the next two left-handers, then back down to fourth. It’s a real spectacle,” explains Bergmeister, who has contested 17 Le Mans races between 2002 and 2019. “If you want to be fast over an entire lap at Le Mans, you have set a very fast pace on the long Mulsanne straight,” emphasises the head of operations Alexander Stehlig. “We aim to reach over 300 km/h on the straights. This makes overtaking easier, and that’s important at Le Mans. To do this, the Porsche 911 RSR – like all other cars – is trimmed for very low drag. This means little downforce. It’s a dilemma, because we actually need maximum downforce, particularly in the fast Porsche Curves,” states the engineer. Why is the setup not adjusted to the requirements of the fast corners? The potential lap-time gain would never be able to offset the disadvantages of a slower pace on the long straights. “Based on the low downforce setup, we still have to ensure that the car is well balanced for cornering,” says Stehlig. “And that’s tricky because, through the Porsche Curves, drivers play with the throttle pedal. Sometimes they drive at half-throttle, sometimes they go full-throttle. That results in load changes and so-called pitching – where the front of the car sinks as soon as there’s less thrust. This shifts the aerodynamic balance forward. The car then turns in quickly, but this can easily lead to oversteer, and no one really needs that there. So we make sure that the aerodynamic baseline is as stable as possible and therefore the car remains predictable. That’s the key to success on this part of the track.” In the five curves, the speed fluctuates within the narrow range of 189 to 228 km/h. In each curve, the centrifugal forces reach 2.29 to 2.42 g. Other data also underscores just how fast the Porsche Curves are: The good one-kilometre-long stretch makes up 7.5 per cent of the entire lap. It takes the 911 RSR just 17.6 seconds to get through the five-curve combination at speed – which translates to around four per cent of the entire lap time, or an average of around 3:50 minutes for the GTE-Pro racers. In keeping with the name of this spectacular passage, speed is the trump card. Under normal conditions, the best place for fans to watch the action is from the nearby ferris wheel. “From that vantage point, everyone can see that it’s not simply about gentle sweeps. The Porsche Curves are tight, you experience brutal g-forces. From the cockpit, the barriers, which are often very close to the track, make the legendary passage look even faster. It’s a dream for real racers,” enthuses Bergmeister. “For me, driving through the Porsche Curves is like dancing with the car,” Gianmaria Bruni says about his experience. The works driver from Italy knows exactly how to master the world-famous passage at the absolute limit. In 2018, Bruni turned a sensational lap on the way to pole position. At the wheel of the Porsche 911 RSR, he lapped the 13.626-kilometre circuit in just 3:47.504 minutes – and promptly set a record for GTE vehicles. “When something like that works and you cover this part of the racetrack with its five corners in just 17.3 seconds, it’s hugely satisfying for us drivers. For me, there’s hardly a better feeling,” explains the three-time Le Mans class winner. “It only happens when everything comes together perfectly: Fresh tyres in the optimal operating window, ideal wind direction and no overtaking traffic in the Porsche Curves,” adds the Monaco resident. As soon as two vehicles meet in the fast passage, time will be lost. “When you encounter a slower car, it’s hard to get past. If it’s a prototype that overtakes you, downforce is lost for a moment, you get annoying understeer and at least two-tenths of a second go down the drain,” says Bruni. Since the vehicle has to be perfectly balanced through the Porsche Curves, understeer costs speed. Completely reliable turn-in is essential for the swift changes in direction at over 200 km/h – for safety reasons, as well. “The barriers and run-off zones were changed again and again in recent years, but the basic characteristics have remained almost the same. The Porsche Curves represent an old-school passage,” emphasises Jörg Bergmeister. “Which means, even with sealed run-off zones and the SAFER barriers, sliding off the track there will very probably result in a write-off. Therefore, a controlled attack is the key to the Porsche Curves.”
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Tension rises in the duel for the Supercup title
This Sunday, Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) hosts the penultimate round of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup 2020. The fight for the title in the international one-make race series with the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup has turned into a duel between Larry ten Voorde (Netherlands/Team GP Elite) and Dylan Pereira (Luxembourg/BWT Lechner Racing). With two wins each, Ten Voorde (118 points) and Pereira (114) hold a clear lead over the rest of the field. The closest rivals to the leading pair are the two Porsche Juniors Ayhancan Güven (Turkey/Martinet by Alméras, 88 points) and Jaxon Evans (New Zealand/BWT Lechner Racing, 82). Last year on the storied Belgian Formula 1 circuit, Pereira earned maximum points after securing pole position and victory in the 485 hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. “The Spa-Francorchamps round is something of a home race for me,” the Luxembourger says about the 7.004-kilometre (4.352 miles) racetrack, the longest on the Supercup calendar. “This track is very demanding. Passages like Eau Rouge and Blanchimont require a great deal of courage – and that’s why this circuit is one of my favourites. I’m eager to reclaim the points lead here.” Ten Voorde also has a special connection to the rollercoaster racetrack in the Ardennes. “I contested my first Supercup race in Spa-Francorchamps in 2016. It’s fantastic to race on this great track next weekend as one of the title aspirants, especially with a team that’s new to the Supercup,” said the delighted Dutchman, who finished fourth in 2019. “I’m obviously under pressure as the points leader, but I like that. It makes me mobilise all my reserves.” Round seven of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes off on Sunday (30 August) at 12.30 pm local (CEST). F1TV.formula1.com offers an internet live stream. Fans can also follow the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup on the social media networks Twitter (@PorscheSupercup), Instagram (#PorscheSupercup) and Facebook (@PorscheSupercup). Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 7, Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium)* Friday, 28 August: 5:55 – 6:40 pm; Free Practice Saturday, 29 August: 1:45 – 2:15 pm; Qualifying Sunday, 30 August: 12:30 pm; Race (11 laps) * all times CEST Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, standings after 6 of 8 rounds 1. Larry ten Voorde (Netherlands/Team GP Elite), 118 points 2. Dylan Pereira (Luxembourg/BWT Lechner Racing), 114 points 3. Ayhancan Güven (Turkey/Martinet by Alméras), 88 points 4. Jaxon Evans (New Zealand/BWT Lechner Racing), 82 points 5. Florian Latorre (France/CLRT), 68 points 6. Max van Splunteren (Netherlands/Team GP Elite), 63 points
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Porsche’s global sim-racing championship heads into season’s second half
This Saturday (15 August), the United Kingdom hosts the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup for the third time this season. Famed for its mix of hidden crests, large differences in altitude and diverse corner combinations, the virtual version of the Brands Hatch racetrack, which loops over almost four kilometres through the forested countryside, poses a real challenge for drivers – especially in combination with the digital double of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. With round six of the global esports championship run on iRacing’s simulation platform, the thrilling fight for driver’s crown enters the decisive phase. Almost a fortnight ago, Sebastian Job from the Red Bull Racing Esports squad defended his overall lead in the fiercely-contested championship on the Road Atlanta circuit. With five races left on the calendar, the Briton has 290 points to his credit. Just 18 points behind, Joshua Rogers (Virtual Racing School / Coanda Simsport) sits hot on the bumper of the championship leader: the reigning champion scored his first win of the season on the American rollercoaster racetrack. Another hot aspirant for the title is MSI eSports driver Alejandro Sánchez. The Spaniard ranks third with 263 points. On the digital version of the Brands Hatch circuit, sim racers contest a 15-minute sprint race followed by a 30-minute main race. Fans can watch the event live on Porsche’s channels Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/porsche) and YouTube (https://youtu.be/mMIcJC1B7XE). Both races are also streamed on the two video platforms via iRacing. Further information on the Porsche TAG Heuer Esports Supercup can be found on the Porsche Motorsport Hub, Porsche Newsroom and the Twitter account @PorscheRaces. The programme (15 August, all times CEST) 3:45 - 4:03 pm – Free practice 4:03 - 4:15 pm – Qualifying 4:17 - 4:32 pm – Sprint race 4:34 - 4:44 pm – Warm-up 4:45 - 5:15 pm – Main race Upcoming races 29.08.2020 – Belgium: Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps 05.09.2020 – Germany: Nürburgring-Nordschleife 26.09.2020 – France: Circuit de la Sarthe 10.10.2020 – Italy: Autodromo Nazionale Monza
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Supercup debut for Hollywood star Michael Fassbender
A prominent guest driver joins the grid for round six of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup this weekend: The German-Irish Hollywood star Michael Fassbender tackles the international one-make cup run as support to the Spanish Grand Prix at the wheel of a Porsche 911 GT3 Cup. “The level of competition in the Supercup is extremely high, so my goals are modest,” says Fassbender (“Inglourious Basterds”, “12 Years a Slave”, “X-Men”), who drives a Porsche 911 RSR in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS). “I’m most looking forward to driving a different racing version of the Porsche 911 and gaining more experience.” Fassbender went through a Porsche-run professional training programme for motor racing. He first completed a short training course with the 485-hp Porsche 911 GT3 Cup as part of the Porsche Driving Experience. After advancing to the Porsche Racing Experience and competing in Porsche Sports Cup races, the Heidelberg-born actor started into his debut season in the ELMS in 2020 with the Proton Competition customer squad. Last weekend, Fassbender finished the four-hour race at Spa-Francorchamps (Belgium) fourth in the GTE-class with the Porsche 911 RSR. He shared the cockpit of the 510-hp racer with Porsche works driver Richard Lietz (Austria) and Felipe Fernández Laser (Germany). “I know Michael Fassbender from the movie ‘X-Men’. It’s really cool to compete on the racetrack against such a famous actor. And it’s great to have him as a guest in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup,” says Dylan Pereira (BWT Lechner Racing), the current championship leader. At rounds four and five in Silverstone, the Luxembourger lost some of his earlier gains over Larry ten Voorde (The Netherlands/Team GP Elite) and Porsche Junior Ayhancan Güven (Turkey/Martinet by Alméras). “The Circuit de Catalunya suits me better than the Grand Prix circuit in England. I reckon I’ll be back in winning form in Barcelona,” predicts Pereira. Round six of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes off on Sunday (16 August) at 12.30 pm local (CEST). Fans can enjoy the race via live stream on F1TV.formula1.com. Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, round 6, Barcelona (Spain)* Friday, 14 August: 5:55 – 6:40 pm - Free Practice Saturday, 15 August: 1:45 – 2:15 pm - Qualifying Sunday, 16 August: 12:30 pm - Race (14 laps) * all times CEST Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, standings after 5 of 8 laps 1. Dylan Pereira (L/BWT Lechner Racing), 97 points 2. Larry ten Voorde (NL/Team GP Elite), 93 points 3. Ayhancan Güven (TR/Martinet by Alméras), 80 points 4. Jaxon Evans (NZ/BWT Lechner Racing), 62 points 5. Florian Latorre (F/CLRT), 54 points 6. Marvin Klein (F/Martinet by Alméras), 52 points
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Preview : Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup, Round 3, Formula 1 race in Budapest/Hungary
Three rounds within three weeks – the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup races now come thick and fast. After the two events at Austria’s Red Bull Ring, the 25 Porsche 911 GT3 Cup will compete as part of the Hungarian Grand Prix this coming weekend (17 to 19 July). “Overtaking on the Hungaroring is difficult – for us and also the Formula-1-drivers. For this reason, a decent grid position is critical,” says series leader Dylan Pereira (L/BWT Lechner Racing). “Still, for us drivers, the Grand Prix circuit in Hungary is more challenging than the Red Bull Ring. I think there’ll be a balance of power reshuffle in the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup,” adds Porsche Junior Ayhancan Güven (TR/Martinet by Alméras). Round three of the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup takes off on Sunday (19 July) at 12.30 p.m. local time. Fans can enjoy the race via a live stream on F1.com.
